Preemptive analgesia using selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors alleviates postoperative pain in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty: A protocol for PRISMA guided meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background:The postoperative pain associated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is severe for most patients. The analgesic efficacy and safety of preoperative use of selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors for patients undergoing TKA are unclear.Objectives:We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether the use of selective COX-2 inhibitors before TKA decreases the postoperative pain intensity.Methods:Data sources: The PubMed, Embase, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials databases from inception to January 2020.Study eligibility criteria:All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which the intervention treatment was preoperative selective COX-2 vs placebo in patients undergoing TKA and that had at least one of the quantitative outcomes mentioned in the following section of this paper were included. Letters, review articles, case reports, editorials, animal experimental studies, and retrospective studies were excluded.Interventions:All RCTs in which the intervention treatment was preoperative selective COX-2 vs placebo in patients undergoing TKA.Study appraisal and synthesis methods:The quality of the RCTs was quantified using the Newcastle–Ottawa quality assessment scale. RevMan 5.3 software was used for the meta-analysis.Results:Six RCTs that had enrolled a total of 574 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The visual analog scale pain score at rest was significantly different between the experimental group and control group at 24 hours (P < .05) and 72 hours (P < .05) postoperatively. The experimental group exhibited a significant visual analog scale pain score during flexion at 24 hours postoperatively (P < .05), and it was not different at 72 hours postoperatively (P = .08). There was a significant difference in opioid consumption (P < .05), but there was no difference in the operation time (P = .24) or postoperative nausea/vomiting (P = .64) between the groups.Conclusion:The efficacy of preoperative administration of selective COX-2 inhibitors to reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption after TKA is validated.Systematic review registration number:INPLASY202090101     

CO2 artificial pneumothorax on coagulation and fibrinolysis during thoracoscopic esophagectomy

Background:CO₂ artificial pneumothorax creates a sufficient operative field for thoracoscopic esophagectomy. However, it has potential complications and continuous CO₂ insufflation may impede coagulation and fibrinolysis. We sought to compare the effects of CO₂ artificial pneumothorax on perioperative coagulation and fibrinolysis during thoracoscopic esophagectomy.Methods:We investigated patients who underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy with (group P, n = 24) or without CO₂ artificial pneumothorax (group N, n = 24). The following parameters of coagulation–fibrinolysis function: intraoperative bleeding volume; serum levels of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), thromboelastogram (TEG), D-Dimer; and arterial blood gas levels were compared with two groups.Results:Group P showed higher levels of PaCO₂, reaction time (R) value and kinetics (K) value, but significantly lower pH value, alpha (α) angle and Maximum Amplitude (MA) value at 60 minutes after the initiation of CO₂ artificial pneumothorax than group N ((P < .05, all). The t-PA level after CO₂ insufflation for 60 minutes was significantly higher in group P than in group N (P < .05), but preoperative levels were gradually restored on cessation of CO₂ insufflation for 30 min (P > .05). There was no significant difference in D-dimer.Conclusion:CO₂ artificial pneumothorax during thoracoscopic esophagectomy had a substantial impact on coagulation and fibrinolysis, inducing significant derangements in pH and PaCO₂.Trial registration:The study was registered at the Chinese clinical trial registry (ChiCTR1800019004)     

Utility and safety of low-concentration nitrous oxide anesthesia in ptosis surgery

To evaluate the utility of low-concentration nitrous oxide (N₂O) anesthesia in ptosis surgeryThis study was a retrospective consecutive case series that included 54 successive patients with blepharoptosis who underwent bilateral levator aponeurosis advancement and on whom skin resection performed by the same surgeon between August 2016 and July 2017. Among these patients, 27 were operated with a local anesthesia injection (air group) and 27 with a local anesthesia injection and low-concentration N₂O anesthesia (N₂O group). All N₂O cases used a total of 6 L of gas comprising 70% oxygen and 30% N₂O. Preoperative and postoperative blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) and intraoperative pain, anxiety, nausea, and memory were measured immediately after surgery using visual analog scale score (VASS). Additionally, perioperative side effects were examined.There was no significant difference in age, sex, and preoperative and postoperative margin reflex distance (MRD) between the 2 groups (all P > .05). The intraoperative mean peripheral oxygen saturation was significantly higher (97.5% ± 1.6% vs 99.5% ± .6%, P < .001), intraoperative HR was significantly lower (78.2 ± 12.8 vs 70.7 ± 11.6 bpm, P = .02), and operation time was significantly shorter (33.1 ± 8.1 vs 29.4 ± 10.3 minutes, P = .03) in the N₂O group than in the air group.Difference between intraoperative and preoperative systolic BP (BPs) (+15.8 ± 18.0 vs + 3.1 ± 21.7 mm Hg, P = .02), diastolic BP (BPd) (+7.0 ± 17.4 vs −2.3 ± 13.6 mm Hg, P = .04), and HR (3.2 ± 8.5 vs −3.9 ± 9.4 bpm, P = .01) was significantly lower in the N₂O group than in the air group.VASS of intraoperative pain was significantly lower in the N₂O group than in the air group (49.5 ± 24.7 vs 22.6 ± 14.9, P < .001), whereas intraoperative anxiety and memory did not present significant differences between the groups (P = .09 and P = .45, respectively). Intraoperative nausea score was 0 for all cases in both groups. There was no other side effect.Ptosis surgery with anesthesia using 30% N₂O may effectively suppress intraoperative BP and HR along with pain and shorten the operation time without side effects such as nausea.     

Comparison of outcomes of laser refractive surgery (LRS) alone and LRS with laser asymmetric keratectomy in patients with myopia: A retrospective study

To compare and analyze the postoperative 1-year outcomes of laser refractive surgery (LRS) alone vs LRS with laser asymmetric keratectomy (LAK), in patients with myopia, for preventing and resolving LRS complications.This retrospective study compared the preoperative and 1-year postoperative outcomes between the control and comparison groups using a sum of deviations in corneal thickness in 4 directions >80 μm. The control group included 41 patients with myopia (41 eyes) who underwent LRS. The comparison group included 33 patients (33 eyes) who received LAK-linked LRS. Age, spherical equivalent (SE), sphere, cylinder, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), pupil size, kappa angle, central corneal thickness, corneal irregularity in the 3.0 mm zone on Orbscan maps (SUM), distance between the maximum posterior elevation (best-fit-sphere) and the visual axis (DISTANCE), postoperative blurring scores, frequency of postoperative myopic regression, and efficiency index were compared.Preoperative age (P = .198), SE (P = .686), sphere (P = .562), cylinder (P = .883), UDVA (P = .139), pupil size (P = .162), kappa angle (P = .807), central corneal thickness (P = .738), corneal irregularity (P = .826), SUM (P = .774), and DISTANCE (P = .716) were similar between the 2 groups. The 1-year postoperative SE (P = .024), sphere (P = .022), corneal irregularity (P = .033), SUM (P = .000), DISTANCE (P = .04), blurring scores (P = .000), and frequency of postoperative myopic regression (P = .004) were significantly decreased in the comparison group compared to the control group. UDVA (P = .014) and the efficiency index (P = .035) were higher in the comparison group.LAK with LRS improved corneal symmetry by reducing the SUM and DISTANCE. UDVA and efficiency index were also improved and blurring and myopic regression were reduced postoperatively.     

Coagulation parameters predictive of repeated implantation failure in Chinese women: A retrospective study

Repeated implantation failure (RIF) greatly influences pregnancy rate after assisted reproductive technologies (ART) with elusive causes. Our study aimed to explore coagulation parameters in association with RIF and establish a model to predict the risk of RIF in Chinese women.Coagulation parameters, including prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), activated partial prothrombin time (APTT), D-dimer (DD), fibrin degradation products (FDP), fibrinogen (FG), and platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (AA) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) were measured in RIF patients and controls. A logistic regression model was built by using the purposeful selection to select important factors for the prediction of RIF.Between 92 RIF patients and 47 controls, we found a statistically significant difference in all of the coagulation parameters except APTT, FDP and platelet aggregation induced by ADP. The purposeful selection method selected PT (odds ratio [OR] = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.12-0.66, P = .003), APPT (odds ratio [OR] = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.63-0.91, P = .004), TT (odds ratio [OR] = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.53-1.08, P = .124), and platelet aggregation induced by AA (odds ratio [OR] = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.11-1.44, P = .0003) as important predictors of RIF risk. ROC curve analysis indicated that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of the model was 0.85 with an optimal cut-off point of the predicted probability being P = .65, leading to a sensitivity of 0.83 and a specificity 0.75.We found that coagulation parameters including PT, APTT, TT and platelet aggregation induced by AA are predictive of RIF in Chinese women. Our results highlight the potential of anti-coagulation therapies to lower the risk of RIF.     

The effect of anesthesia on the magnitude of the postoperative systemic inflammatory response in patients undergoing elective surgery for colorectal cancer in the context of an enhanced recovery pathway: A prospective cohort study

There are reports that the use of regional anesthesia (RA) may be associated with better perioperative surgical stress response in cancer patients compared with general anesthetics (GA). However, the role of anesthesia on the magnitude of the postoperative systemic inflammatory response (SIR) in colorectal cancer patients, within an enhanced recovery pathway (ERP), is not clear.The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of anesthesia, within an enhanced recovery pathway, on the magnitude of the postoperative SIR in patients undergoing elective surgery for colorectal cancer.Database of 507 patients who underwent elective open or laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery between 2015 and 2019 at a single center was studied. The anesthetic technique used was categorized into either GA or GA + RA using a prospective proforma. The relationship between each anesthetic technique and perioperative clinicopathological characteristics was examined using binary logistic regression analysis.The majority of patients were male (54%), younger than 65 years (41%), either normal or overweight (64%), and were nonsmokers (47%). Also, the majority of patients underwent open surgery (60%) and received mainly general + regional anesthetic technique (80%). On univariate analysis, GA + RA was associated with a lower day 4 CRP (≤150/>150 mg/L) concentration. On day 4, postoperative CRP was associated with anesthetic technique [odds ratio (OR) 0.58; confidence interval (CI) 0.31–1.07; P = .086], age (OR 0.70; CI 0.50–0.98; P = .043), sex (OR 1.15; CI 0.95–2.52; P = .074), smoking (OR 1.57; CI 1.13–2.19; P = .006), preoperative mGPS (OR 1.55; CI 1.15–2.10; P = .004), and preoperative dexamethasone (OR 0.70; CI 0.47–1.03; P = .072). On multivariate analysis, day 4 postoperative CRP was independently associated with anesthetic technique (OR 0.56; CI 0.32–0.97; P = .039), age (OR 0.74; CI 0.55–0.99; P = .045), smoking (OR 1.58; CI 1.18–2.12; P = .002), preoperative mGPS (OR 1.41; CI 1.08–1.84; P = .012), and preoperative dexamethasone (OR 0.68; CI 0.50–0.92; P = .014).There was a modest but an independent association between RA and a lower magnitude of the postoperative SIR. Future work is warranted with multicenter RCT to precisely clarify the relationship between anesthesia and the magnitude of the postoperative SIR.     

High pretreatment D-dimer level is an independent unfavorable prognostic factor of small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:High pretreatment level of D-dimer in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is commonly encountered, but the impact of high pretreatment D-dimer level on the prognosis of SCLC patients remains undetermined. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis focusing specifically on the prognostic value of high pretreatment D-dimer level in SCLC patients comprehensively.Methods:We searched systematically in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for relevant studies published before January 28, 2019. Outcomes including 1-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) rates, and hazard ratios (HRs) of OS and PFS from multivariate analysis were extracted and analyzed.Results:A total of 5 cohort studies consisting of 813 SCLC patients (473 patients with high pretreatment level of D-dimer and 340 with normal level of D-dimer) were finally included for meta-analysis. We found that patients with high pretreatment level of D-dimer had significantly shorter 1-year OS (47.6% vs 79.9%; fixed effects: risk ratio [RR] = 2.506; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.948, 3.224]; P < .001) and PFS (15.8% vs 34.0%; random effects: RR = 1.294; 95% CI = [1.060, 1.579]; P = .011) rates than those with normal level of D-dimer. Moreover, high pretreatment D-dimer level was further proved to remain as an unfavorable predictor of OS (fixed effects: HR = 1.865; 95% CI = [1.469, 2.367]; P < .001; I² = 7.6%) and PFS (fixed effects: HR = 1.513; 95% CI = [1.183, 1.936]; P = .001; I² = 0.0%) in patients with SCLC.Conclusion:High pretreatment level of D-dimer was found to be an independent unfavorable prognostic factor in SCLC patients. However, more studies with sufficient adjustment for confounding factors are encouraged to confirm our conclusions.     

Relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and preoperative evaluation findings in patients with morbid obesity undergoing sleeve gastrectomy: A cross-sectional study

Evaluating various parameters, including preoperative cardiorespiratory fitness markers, is critical for patients with morbid obesity. Also, clinicians should prescribe suitable exercise and lifestyle guideline based on the tested parameters. Therefore, we investigated cardiorespiratory fitness and its correlation with preoperative evaluation in patients with morbid obesity scheduled for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 38 patients (13 men and 25 women; mean age, 34.9 ± 10.9 years) scheduled for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Cardiopulmonary exercise stress tests were also performed. Measured cardiopulmonary responses included peak values of oxygen consumption (VO₂), metabolic equivalents (METs), respiratory exchange ratio, heart rate (HR), and rate pressure product. Body composition variables were analyzed using bioimpedance analysis, laboratory parameters (hemoglobin A1c, lipid profile, inflammatory markers), and comorbidities. In addition, self-reported questionnaires were administered, including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Moorehead-Ardelt Quality of Life Questionnaire (MAQOL).The average body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat were 39.8 ± 5.7 kg/m⁻² and 46.2 ± 6.1%, respectively. The VO_2peak/kg, METs, RER_peak, HR_peak, RPP_peak, age-predicted HR percentage, and VO_2peak percentage were 18.6 ± 3.8 mL/min⁻¹/kg⁻¹, 5.3 ± 1.1, 1.1 ± 0.1, 158.5 ± 19.8, 32,414.4 ± 6,695.8 mm Hg/min⁻¹, 85.2 ± 8.8%, and 76.1 ± 14.8%, respectively. BMI (P = .026), percent body fat (P = .001), HR_peak (P = .018), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P = .007), total BDI (P = .043), HDRS (P = .025), SF-36 (P = .006), and MAQOL (P = .007) scores were significantly associated with VO_2peak/kg. Body fat percentage (P < .001) and total SF-36 score (P < .001) remained significant in the multiple linear regression analysis.Various cardiorespiratory fitness markers were investigated in patients with morbid obesity who underwent the sleeve gastrectomy. Peak aerobic exercise capacity was significantly associated with preoperative parameters such as body fat composition and self-reported quality of life in these patients. These results could be utilized for preoperative and/or postoperative exercise strategies in patients with morbid obesity scheduled for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.     

Analysis of related risk factors of lung metastasis after laparoscopic radical hysterectomy of cervical cancer

To explore the risk factors of lung metastasis in patients after laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) of cervical cancer (CC).The clinical data of CC patients with clinical stage of IA₁–IIA₂ diagnosed in our hospital from April 2007 to October 2015 were collected. According to the situation of metastasis, the patients were divided into lung metastasis (n = 73) and non-lung metastasis group (n = 2076). The clinical data were compared between 2 groups, and logistic stepwise regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of lung metastasis in patients with CC after LRH.The incidence of lung metastasis after LRH of CC was 3.39%, and 67.13% of patients with lung metastases had no obvious clinical symptoms. 15.06% patients had lung metastasis in the first year, 38.35% in the second year, 43.83% in the third year and later. The postoperative lung metastasis of CC was related to tumor diameter (P < .001), pathological type (P < .001), interstitial invasion depth (P < .001), pelvic lymph node metastasis (PLNM, P < .001), vascular tumor thrombus (P = .011), tumor uterine invasion (P = .002), and abnormal preoperative tumor markers (P = .015). However, it was not related to age, clinical stage, tumor growth pattern, tumor differentiation, and para-aortic lymph node metastasis (P > .05). Logistic regression analysis revealed non-squamous cell carcinoma (P = .022), tumor diameter ≥4 cm (P = .008), interstitial invasion depth >2/3 (P = .003), PLNM (P = .007), and tumor uterine invasion (P = .037) is an independent risk factor for lung metastasis after LRH of CC.Non-squamous cell carcinoma, tumor diameter ≥4 cm, tumor interstitial invasion depth >2/3, PLNM, and tumor uterine invasion are independent risk factors for lung metastasis after LRH of CC.     

Role of tranexamic acid in blood loss control and blood transfusion management of patients undergoing multilevel spine surgery: A meta-analysis

Background:This study aimed to explore the role of tranexamic acid (TXA) in blood loss control and blood transfusion management of patients undergoing multilevel spine surgery.Methods:In this meta-analysis, a comprehensive search of literatures was performed from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from inception to June 23rd, 2020. Weighed mean difference (WMD) was used as the effect size for measurement data, and risk ratio for enumeration data. Publication bias was assessed by Begg test.Results:Totally 23 studies (11 randomized controlled trials and 12 cohort studies) involving 1621 participants were enrolled in this meta-analysis. The results showed that the administration of TXA can significantly decrease the intraoperative [WMD: –215.655, 95%CI: (–307.462, –123.847), P < .001], postoperative [WMD: –69.213, 95%CI: (–104.443, –33.983), P = .001] and total [WMD: –284.388, 95%CI: (–437.66, –131.116), P < .001] volumes of blood loss of patients undergoing multilevel spine surgery. It can also significantly reduce the intraoperative [WMD: –333.775, 95%CI: (–540.45, –127.099), P = .002] and postoperative [WMD: –114.661, 95%CI: (–219.58, –9.742), P = .032] volumes of transfusion. In addition, TXA was found to significantly increase the preoperative [WMD: 0.213, 95%CI: (0.037, 0.389), P = .018] and postoperative [WMD: 0.433, 95%CI: (0.244, 0.622), P < .001] hemoglobin levels as well as the preoperative platelet count [WMD: 14.069, 95%CI: (0.122, 28.015), P = .048].Conclusion:The administration of TXA can effectively reduce blood loss and transfusion, and improve hemoglobin levels and preoperative platelet count in patients undergoing multilevel spine surgery.     

Application effect of initiation of enteral nutrition at different time periods after surgery in neonates with complex congenital heart disease: A retrospective analysis

Early enteral nutrition (EN) promotes the recovery of critically ill patients, but the initiation time for EN in neonates after cardiac surgery remains unclear.This study aimed to investigate the effect of initiation time of EN after cardiac surgery in neonates with complex congenital heart disease (CHD).Neonates with complex CHD admitted to the CICU from January 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the 24-hour Group (initiated at 24 hours after surgery in 2015) (n = 32) and 6-hour Group (initiated at 6 hours after surgery in 2016 and 2017) (n = 66). Data on the postoperative feeding intolerance, nutrition-related laboratory tests (albumin, prealbumin, retinol binding protein), and clinical outcomes (including duration of mechanical ventilation, CICU stay, and postoperative hospital stay) were collected.The incidence of feeding intolerance was 56.3% in 24-hour Group and 39.4%, respectively (P = .116). As compared to 24-hour Group, prealbumin and retinol binding protein levels were higher (160.7 ± 64.3 vs 135.2 ± 28.9 mg/L, P = .043 for prealbumin; 30.7 ± 17.7 vs 23.0 ± 14.1 g/L P = .054 for retinol-binding protein). The duration of CICU stay (9.4 ± 4.5 vs 13.3 ± 10.4 day, P = .049) and hospital stay (11.6 ± 3.0 vs 15.8 ± 10.3 day, P = .028) were shorter in 6-hour Group.Early EN improves nutritional status and clinical outcomes in neonates with complex CHD undergoing cardiac surgery, without significant feeding intolerance.     

Preoperative Volume-Based PET Parameter,MTV2.5, as a Potential Surrogate Marker for Tumor Biology and Recurrence in Resected Pancreatic Cancer

This study aims to evaluate the role of volume-based positron emission tomography parameters as potential surrogate markers for tumor recurrence in resected pancreatic cancer.Between January 2008 and October 2012, medical records of patients who underwent surgical resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and completed ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT as a part of preoperative staging work-up were retrospectively reviewed. Not only clinicopathologic variables but also positron emission tomography parameters such as SUV_max, MTV_2.5 (metabolic tumor volume), and TLG (total lesion glycolysis) were obtained.Twenty-six patients were women and 31 were men with a mean age of 62.9 ± 9.1 years. All patients were preoperatively determined to resectable pancreatic cancer except 1 case with borderline resectability. R0 resection was achieved in all patients and 45 patients (78.9%) received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy. Median overall disease-free survival was 12.8 months with a median overall disease-specific survival of 25.1 months. SUV_max did not correlate with radiologic tumor size (P = 0.501); however, MTV_2.5 (P = 0.001) and TLG (P = 0.009) were significantly associated with radiologic tumor size. In addition, MTV_2.5 (P < 0.001) and TLG (P < 0.001) were significantly correlated with a tumor differentiation. There were no significant differences in TLG and SUV_max according to lymph node ratio; only MTV_2.5 was related to lymph node ratio with marginal significance (P = 0.055). In multivariate analysis, lymph node ratio (Exp [β] = 2.425, P = 0.025) and MTV_2.5 (Exp[β] = 2.273, P = 0.034) were identified as independent predictors of tumor recurrence following margin-negative resection. Even after tumor size-matched analysis, MTV_2.5 was still identified as significant prognostic factor in resected pancreatic cancer (P < 0.05). However, preoperative neoadjuvant treatment attenuated adverse oncologic impact of high preoperative MTV_2.5 (P = 0.210).Preoperatively determined volume-based PET parameter, MTV_2.5, can potentially be used as a surrogate marker to estimate tumor biology and tumor recurrence. Individual treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer can be suggested based on patients’ preoperative MTV_2.5.     

Comparison of Radiographic Postoperative Outcomes Between Males and Females With AIS

The primary aim was to compare postoperative radiographic outcomes between sexes among adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. A total of 162 AIS patients (42 males and 120 females) undergoing pedicle screw instrumentation and posterior fusion were included. Coronal and sagittal curves and flexibilities were measured and calculated. The postoperative correction rate (CR), fulcrum bending correction index (FBCI), and Cincinnati correction index were evaluated to compare the surgical benefits between sexes.Males were older (16.79 vs 14.79 years, respectively; P < 0.01) and had stiffer curves than females (lateral bending flexibility percentage: 47.77 vs 52.57, respectively, P = 0.21; traction flexibility percentage: 35.48 vs 36.98, respectively, P = 0.98; fulcrum bending flexibility percentage: 56.13 vs 66.57, respectively, P < 0.05). Males and females exhibited similar Lenke classification schemes (P = 0.72), but had different Risser signs (P < 0.01). Although males had greater postoperative curves (20.81° vs 16.83°, respectively; P = 0.009), no obvious differences in the CRs were noted between males and females (FBCI: 145.20% vs 108.37%, respectively; P = 0.92). Smaller preoperative lumbar lordosis was noted in males than in females (40.05° vs 45.72°, respectively; P = 0.03), yet no statistically significant differences in the preoperative and postoperative sagittal curves were observed between the sexes. In conclusion, considering the preoperative flexibilities, the 2 sexes achieved comparable surgical benefits without sacrificing the sagittal balance.     

Correlation of Preoperative Renal Insufficiency With Mortality and Morbidity After Aortic Valve Replacement: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

Preoperative end-stage renal disease carries a high mortality and morbidity risk after aortic valve replacement (AVR), but the effect of renal insufficiency remains to be clarified. Through propensity score analysis, we compared the preoperative demographics, perioperative profiles, and outcomes between patients with and without renal insufficiency.From August 2005 to November 2014, 770 adult patients underwent AVR in a single institution. Patients were classified according to their estimated glomerular infiltration rate (eGFR) as renal insufficiency (eGFR: 30–89 mL/min/1.73 m²) or normal (eGFR, ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m²). Propensity scoring was performed with a 1:1 ratio, resulting in a matched cohort of 88 patients per group.Demographics, comorbidities, and surgical procedures were well balanced between the 2 groups, except for diabetes mellitus and eGFR. Patients with renal insufficiency had higher in-hospital mortality (19.3% versus 3.4%, P < 0.001), a greater need for postoperative hemodialysis (14.8% versus 3.1%, P = 0.009), and prolonged intubation times (>72 hour; 25% versus 9.1%, P = .008), intensive care unit stays (8.9 ± 9.9 versus 4.9 ± 7.5 days, P = .046), and hospital stays (35.3 ± 31.7 versus 24.1 ± 20.3 days, P = .008), compared with those with normal renal function. Multivariate analysis confirmed that preoperative renal insufficiency was an in-hospital mortality predictor (odds ratio, 2.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.343–4.043; P = .003), as were prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time, intraaortic balloon pump support, and postoperative hemodialysis. The 1-year survival significantly differed between the 2 groups including (normal 87.5% versus renal insufficiency 67.9%, P < .001) or excluding in-hospital mortality (normal 90.7% versus renal insufficiency 82.1%, P = .05).Patients with preoperative renal insufficiency who underwent AVR had higher in-hospital mortality rates and increased morbidities, especially those associated with hemodynamic instabilities requiring intraaortic balloon pump support or hemodialysis. Earlier surgical intervention for severe aortic valve disease should be considered in patients who show deteriorating renal function during follow-up.     

Preanesthetic nebulized ketamine vs preanesthetic oral ketamine for sedation and postoperative pain management in children for elective surgery: A retrospective analysis for effectiveness and safety

Preoperative anxiety is a major problem in children leading to a poor outcome. Preanesthetic oral ketamine is generally used in children but has less bioavailability due to the first-pass effect. Even ketamine has an unpleasant taste. Preanesthetic inhaled ketamine is also reported effective and safe in children. The objectives of the study were to compare the effectiveness and safety of preanesthetic nebulized ketamine against preanesthetic oral ketamine for sedation and postoperative pain management in children.Children received 10 mg/kg oral ketamine (children received preanesthetic oral ketamine [OK cohort], n = 142), or nebulized with 3 mg/kg ketamine (children were preanesthetic nebulized with ketamine [NK cohort], n = 115), or received apple juice (children suspectable to preoperative ketamine and received apple juice only [OA cohort], n = 126) before anesthesia for elective surgery. Data regarding preoperative hemodynamic parameters, sedation score measurements, postoperative pain management, postoperative nausea and vomiting management, and postoperative complications were collected and analyzed.Preoperative hemodynamic parameters for oral and nebulized ketamine administration were stable. Nebulized ketamine was provided higher sedation than apple juice (P = .002, q = 4.859) and oral ketamine (P = .002, q = 3.526). Children of NK cohort had required fewer fentanyl consumption until discharge than those of OA (55.45 ± 7.19 μG/ child vs 65.15 ± 15.24 μG/ child, P < .0001, q = 9.859) and OK (55.45 ± 7.19 μG/child vs 60.19 ± 8.12 μG/child, P < .0001, q = 4.953) cohorts. Children of the NK cohort had consumed higher ondansetron syrup than those of the OA cohort but fewer than those of the OK cohort until discharge. Gastrointestinal side effects were reported in the OK cohort, and nose irritation and drowsiness were reported in the NK cohort.Like preanesthetic oral ketamine, preanesthetic inhaled ketamine also has safety for children. Preanesthetic inhaled ketamine can provide effective sedation in low doses during operation than preanesthetic oral ketamine.Level of evidence: III.     

Randomized clinical trial of preoperative skin preparation with 2% chlorhexidine versus conventional hair shaving in percutaneous coronary intervention

Background:Preoperative skin preparation is associated with surgical site infection (SSI). Traditional preoperative shaving fails to reduce the risk of SSI. The efficacy of 2% chlorhexidine for preoperative skin preparation in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is sketchy. The aim of this trial was to evaluate whether preoperative skin preparation performed with chlorhexidine was not inferior to a conventional hair removal method.Methods:Seventy-eight patients undergoing PCI were randomized into 2 groups of 39 patients, receiving either single sterilization with 2% chlorhexidine or hair shaving respectively between July 2016 and October 2016. The primary endpoints were wound infection rate and bacterial counts. Secondary endpoints were rate of SSI and adverse effects of 2% chlorhexidine.Results:The results showed that 2% chlorhexidine significantly reduced the colonization of Staphylococcus aureus (P = .032), S epidermidis (P = .000), and miscellaneous bacteria (P = .244) in comparison with hair shaving, respectively. Redness in 24 hours after surgery was observed in 6 patients in the control group (15.4%) and 5 patients (12.8%) in 2% chlorhexidine group. There was no statistically significant difference in SSI rate between 2 skin preparations.Conclusion:In PCI, preoperative skin preparation with 2% chlorhexidine was not inferior to conventional hair shaving in terms of the wound infection rate and SSI rate.     

Maximal voluntary ventilation and forced vital capacity of pulmonary function are independent prognostic factors in colorectal cancer patients: A retrospective study of 2323 cases in a single-center of China

Preoperative pulmonary function assessment is applied to select surgical candidates and predict the occurrence of postoperative complications. This present study enrolled 2323 colorectal cancer patients. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) were measured as predicted values. Associations between patient pulmonary function and both prognosis and postoperative complications was analyzed. The value of FVC and MVV optimal cutoff was 98.1 (P < .001) and 92.5 (P < .001), respectively. Low FVC and low MVV were associated with higher rates of postoperative fever (23.8% vs 13.9%, P < .001; 17.8% vs 13.3%, P = .049, respectively) and with higher rates of pneumonia (3.75% vs 1.73%, P = .002; 3.00% vs 1.71%, P = .009, respectively), pleural effusion (3.00% vs 1.57%, P = .033; 3.18% vs 1.42%, P = .006, respectively), and poor patient prognosis (5-year overall survival: 80.0% vs 90.3%, P < .001; 71.7% vs 91.9%, P < .001, respectively). In addition, low FVC was closely related to the higher rate of anastomosis leak (4.31% vs 2.29%, P = .013), low MVV was correlated with the higher rate of uroschesis (2.38% vs 0.65%, P < .001). In subgroup analyses, the predictive value of FVC and MVV in patients with different tumor stage was analyzed. Both low FVC and MVV were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in stage II and III, indicating that low FVC and MVV are predictive of poorer prognosis and higher risk of postoperative complications in colorectal cancer patients.     

Can bipolar transurethral enucleation of the prostate be a better alternative to the bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate?: A prospective comparative study

To analyze the efficacy and safety between bipolar transurethral enucleation of the prostate (BipoLEP) and bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (B-TURP).One hundred twenty eight patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were recruited and divided into group 1 (BipoLEP group, n = 72) and group 2 (B-TURP group, n = 56). The study period was from October 2016 to February 2019. All data parameters were prospectively collected and analyzed.In these 2 groups, there were no significant differences of the mean ages (71.88 ± 6.54 years vs 73.05 ± 7.05 years, P = .407), prostate volumes (99.14 ± 9.5 mL vs 95.08 ± 10.93 mL, P = .302) and the mean operation times (93.7 ± 27.5 minutes vs 89.8 ± 22.4 minutes, P = .065). In BipoLEP group, it had more prostate tissue resected (64.2 ± 22.1 g vs 52.7 ± 28.6 g, P = .018), less duration of continuous bladder irrigation (20.7 ± 6.5 hours vs 29.6 ± 8.3 hours, P = .044), shorter catheterization time (4.3 ± 1.5 days vs 5.6 ± 2.1 days, P = .032), shorter hospitalization stay (5.2 ± 1.4 days vs 6.5 ± 1.9 days, P = .031) and less complications (3 cases vs 9 cases, P = .021). There were significant improvements in 3-month postoperative parameters, including: post void residual urine, maximum flow rate, International Prostatic Symptoms Scale, and quality of life in each group (p < 0.01). However, there were no significant differences of preoperative and 3-month postoperative parameters, including: post void residual urine, maximum flow rate, International Prostatic Symptoms Scale, and quality of life between these 2 groups (P > .05).BipoLEP can produce a more radical prostatic resection with better safety profile and faster postoperative recovery. It may become a more favorable surgical alternative to the B-TURP, especially for the prostate larger than 80 g.     

Efficacy and tolerability of doxazosin gastro-intestinal therapeutic system versus tamsulosin in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonists (α₁-blockers) are first-line drugs for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Doxazosin gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) and tamsulosin belong to the 2 most frequently prescribed α₁-blockers. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of these 2 α₁-blockers.Methods:A systematic review of published randomized controlled trials in English or Chinese language was performed using the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, and Vip databases. After data extraction and quality assessment, the meta-analysis was performed to compare clinical parameters (International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS] total [IPSS-T], storage [IPSS-S], voiding [IPSS-V], maximum urine flow [Q_max], and postvoid residual) and adverse events (AEs) that changed after first drug intake.Results:After the screening, 8 eligible randomized controlled trials with 1316 patients were identified. Doxazosin-GITS showed a significantly higher efficacy compared with tamsulosin (IPSS-T P < .001, IPSS-S P < .001, and IPSS-V P < .001). There were no significant differences between the 2 drugs for changes in Q_max (P = .477) or postvoid residual (P = .739). The overall AEs were significantly lower in the doxazosin-GITS group (risk ratio: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.54–1.08; P = .036). However, dizziness (P = .387), headache (P = .745), asthenia (P = .693), postural hypotension (P = .114), and retrograde ejaculation (P = .187) were similar between the 2 groups.Conclusions:This meta-analysis indicates that doxazosin-GITS has significantly higher efficacy and lower AEs than tamsulosin in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostate hyperplasia.     

Pre-surgical peripheral blood inflammation markers predict surgical site infection following mesh repair of groin hernia

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a costly postoperative complication with a decrease in the quality of life. We aimed to probe the predictive role of peripheral blood inflammation markers for SSI following mesh repair of groin hernia (GH).This retrospective study assessed the data of 1177 patients undergoing elective mesh repair of GH (open/laparoscopy) in the absence of antibiotic prophylaxis. The relation between demographics, surgical factors, pre-surgical laboratory results and the occurrence of SSI were investigated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the optimal threshold of parameters and compare their veracity.The overall SSI rate was 3.2% with 1-year follow-up (38 superficial and 1 deep SSI). Patients with SSI had significant higher pre-surgical neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) than those without (P = .029 and P = .045, respectively); their NLR and PLR correlated positively with postoperative total days of antibiotic treatment for SSI (r = .689, P = .000; r = .493, P = .001; respectively). NLR and PLR had larger areas under the receiver operating characteristics curves than neutrophil (.875 vs. .601; P = .000; .726 vs. .601; P = .017). The combination of PLR and neutrophil/NLR raised the predictive sensitivity of PLR for SSI (sensitivity: PLR: 74.36%; PLR + neutrophil: 82.05%; PLR + NLR: 83.57%). On multivariate analyses, higher preoperative NLR (cut-off 2.44) and PLR (cut-off 125.42) were independent predictors for SSI.Higher pre-surgical NLR and PLR may be valuable predictors for SSI following elective mesh repair of GH.