Percutaneous plantar fasciotomy: An anatomical study about its safety and efficacy

BackgroundPercutaneous plantar fasciotomy is one of the available options for recalcitrant cases of plantar fasciopathy, but there is a mismatch in the clinical results between different author’s experience, possibly due to variability when choosing the exact cutaneous entry point. The purpose of this study is to validate the plantar approach in the surgical treatment of plantar fasciopathy, describing a safe path and cutaneous entry point to perform a percutaneous plantar fasciotomy with a 2 mm incision testing the procedure on cadavers.Methodsa unicentric cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 12 cadaveric feet to verify the accuracy of the percutaneous fasciotomy entry point. Independent variables analysed were: extent of fasciotomy, entry point location, spur resection, and soft tissues injuries. A double evaluation was performed: an indirect evaluation under fluoroscopic vision, and a direct evaluation after anatomical dissection.ResultsNo cases of plantar cortical lesion on the calcaneus was observed. Satisfactory fasciotomy was performed in 91.7% of the cases. An optimal entry point was noticed in all cases with a mean distance to the tip of tibial malleolus of 22.5 mm (±6.9; 35.1?12.1) and a mean distance to foot midline of 7.8 mm (±1.7; 11.8?5.1). No neurological nor vascular lesions were found. In all the feet, a laceration of the plantar part of flexor digitorum brevis muscle was noted.Conclusionthe plantar approach for percutaneous total plantar fasciotomy is a safe procedure. The current study provides an intraoperative guideline for minimising the possible risks.     

Minimally invasive surgery for severe hallux valgus in 106 feet

BackgroundThere is widespread variation in the optimal procedure for correction of severe hallux valgus deformity defined as hallux valgus angle (HVA) (≥40°) and/or 1–2 intermetatarsal angle (IMA) (≥20°). There is limited evidence investigating the clinical or radiological outcomes following treatment of severe hallux valgus deformity with third-generation minimally invasive chevron and Akin osteotomies (MICA).MethodsThis was a prospective observational single surgeon series of consecutive patients who underwent primary third-generation MICA with screw fixation for severe hallux valgus. The primary outcome was a validated patient reported outcome measure (PROM), the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ), assessed minimum 2 years following MICA. Secondary outcomes were radiographic deformity correction (assessed 6 weeks post-operatively), complication rates and other quality of life PROMs (EQ-5D and Visual Analogue Pain Scale).ResultsBetween September 2014 and November 2018, 106 consecutive feet (n = 78 patients; 73 female, 5 male) met the inclusion criteria. Prospectively collected pre-operative and 2 year PROM MOXFQ data was available for 86 feet (81.1%). At two years following surgery, the MOXFQ score significantly improved for the Pain, Walking and Standing and Social Interaction domains from 39.2 to 7.5, 38.2 to 5.9 and 48.6 to 5.5, respectively (p < 0.001). Pre- and 6 week post-operative radiographic data was available for all 106 feet. Mean IMA improved from 18.2° to 6.3° (p < 0.001) whilst mean HVA improved from 45.3° to 10.9° (p < 0.001). The complication rate was 18.8% and the screw removal rate was 5.6%.ConclusionThis study has demonstrated third-generation MICA for the treatment of severe hallux valgus deformity enables substantial deformity correction and is associated with significant improvements in clinical PROMs 2 years following surgery.     

Initial experience of magnetic seed localization for impalpable breast lesion excision: First 100 cases performed in a single Irish tertiary referral centre

IntroductionWire guided localization has been widely utilized as the standard method of pre-operative localization of breast lesions. Magnetic seeds were developed to counter some of the disadvantages associated with wires. This aim of this study was to assess outcomes following the introduction of magnetic seeds at a tertiary specialist breast centre.MethodsA retrospective review of a prospective database of the first 100 patients who underwent magnetic seed (Magseed) guided breast surgery between November 2018 and November 2019. Data was collected from 17 wire guided cases completed during the trial phase for comparison. The primary outcome measures were successful excision of index lesion and retrieval of the magnetic seed. Secondary outcomes analyzed included time ready for theatre, post-operative complications and breast margin re-excision rate.ResultsOf these 100 cases, 85 patients underwent Magseed guided wide local excision for invasive or in-situ carcinoma and 15 underwent Magseed guided diagnostic excision. The primary lesion was excised, and Magseed was retrieved in all 100 cases. 54% of patients were ready to proceed as the first scheduled theatre case of the day, compared to 0% of wire-guided cases. Amongst therapeutic Magseed guided cases, the re-excision rate for margin clearance was 9.4%.ConclusionMagseed guided breast excision is a new technology that has been implemented with relative ease in our unit. We have shown that magnetic seed guided surgery reliably localizes lesions, is associated with low re-excision rates without an increase in patient morbidity or mortality and results in improvements in theatre planning and efficiency.     

Paediatric day case surgery

Paediatric day surgery is common, and increasingly more challenging surgeries are being carried out on more complex children. The benefits to the child and parent/care-giver include less disruption to daily routines and fewer psychological and emotional effects than an overnight stay would incur. The use of day case services improves efficiency and is more cost effective for organizations. To deliver high-quality paediatric day surgery services there are several key components to address. This article discusses the role of preoperative assessment and the need to consider each case individually despite robust inclusion/exclusion criteria. Optimization of preoperative hydration, pain management and prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting are highlighted as important factors to successful day case surgery.     

Impact of bariatric surgery on breastfeeding: a systematic review

Metabolic and bariatric surgery helps women achieve a healthier weight, reduce co-morbid conditions, increase fertility rates, and improve pregnancy outcomes compared with counterparts who are obese. Breastfeeding is known to provide both infant and maternal health benefits as well. Less is known about the impact of bariatric surgery on breastfeeding. The objective of this study was to review the impact of bariatric surgery on breastfeeding following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed and Medline databases were searched using terms such as “bariatric surgery,” “postnatal care,” “lactation,” and “breastfeeding.” Reference lists were also used to find relevant articles. A total of 49 records were identified. Abstracts were screened, and 11 observational studies were identified after meeting inclusion criteria, which included the use of original research on breastfeeding and women who have had bariatric surgery. The available research shows that breast milk after bariatric surgery is adequate in nutrients and that no long-term effects were reported in cases studies when nutrient deficiencies were corrected. Limitations include observational study design and small sample sizes. This systematic review suggests that breastfeeding after bariatric surgery should be recommended along with monitoring and micronutrient supplementation. However, additional research and increased sample sizes are needed to further examine the relationship, and such studies should be conducted to strengthen the evidence and explore ways to improve breastfeeding rates in this population.     

Potential beneficial effects of bariatric surgery on the prevalence of kidney cancer: a national database study

BackgroundThe incidence of obesity has been steadily increasing, especially in developed countries. Also, obesity is considered one of the modifiable risk factors of kidney cancer.ObjectivesThis study aims to determine the impact of bariatric surgery-induced weight loss on the prevention of kidney cancer.SettingAcademic Hospital, United States.MethodsThe National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried for the period 2010 to 2015 for first-time kidney cancer-related hospitalization, used as a proxy for cancer incidence, in patients with a history of bariatric surgery (cases) and patients with obesity but no history of bariatric surgery (controls). Patients with a previous diagnosis of cancer were excluded from the analysis. In order to identify comparable patients, all controls had to have a body mass index ≥35 kg/m², as per the existing qualification criteria for bariatric surgery. The International Classification of Diseases-9 codes (ICD-9) was used to identify admissions for kidney cancer. A univariate analysis was conducted to compare demographics and co-morbidities between groups. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed to assess differences between surgical and control groups and adjust for independent variables such as smoking history and family history of malignancy. All percentages and means (with confidence intervals [CIs]) were weighted.ResultsA total of 2,300,845 were included in the analysis, of which 2,004,804 controls-subjects, with a mean age of 54.4 ± .05 years, and 296,041 treatment-subjects, with a mean age of 51.9 ± .05 years. Demographics and co-morbidities, such as tobacco use, diabetes, and hypertension, were also measured. Patients with a history of bariatric surgery were significantly less likely to experience renal cancer than patients without a history of bariatric surgery, with 5935 cases in the control group and 684 in the case group (P < .0001). After a multivariate logistic regression was performed, the OR was 1.10 (95% CI: 1.02–1.22, P < .0224).ConclusionOur finding suggests that bariatric surgery-induced weight loss could significantly prevent first-time kidney cancer-related hospitalizations in patients with obesity. Prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.     

Impact of metabolic surgery on cost and long-term health outcome: a cost-effectiveness approach

BackgroundThe increase in obesity has become a major public health concern. Morbid obesity is associated with co-morbidities, reduced quality-of-life, and death. Metabolic surgery (MS) is the most effective treatment for obesity.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the costs and outcomes of MS compared with no surgery in patients with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m².SettingHealth care system, AustriaMethodsA total of 177 patients who underwent MS were documented retrospectively, based on the hospital records of 2 specialized centers in Austria, over a 1-year period. At baseline 26.0% of patients exhibited type 2 diabetes (T2D), 52.5% cardiovascular disease (CVD), 23.2% hyperlipidemia, and 23.7% depression. Following the observation period, a Markov chain simulation model was developed to analyze the long-term consequences of T2D, including diabetic complications, CVD, hyperlipidemia, depression, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), myocardial infarction, and stroke, over a total of 20 years. Direct medical costs were expressed in 2017 euros from the payer’s perspective. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), life years (LYs), and costs were discounted.ResultsMS led to costs of €40,427 and 9.58 QALYs (15.58 LYs) per patient over 20 years. No MS was associated with €64,819 and 6.33 QALYs (13.92 LYs). Total cost-savings amounted to €24,392, which offset the cost of the procedure including re-operations. Over 20 years MS saved –6.7 patient-years per patient with T2D, –5.8 patient-years with CVD, –1.5 patient-years with hyperlipidemia, –1.8 patient-years with depression, and –3.8 patient-years with NASH.ConclusionMS is associated with substantial savings in long-term costs, expected health benefits, and reduced onset of complications. MS significantly increases quality of life.     

Long-term improvement of adipocyte insulin action during body weight relapse after bariatric surgery: a longitudinal cohort study

BackgroundThere are few long-term mechanistic studies in adipose tissue that investigate the metabolic effects of bariatric surgery. Changes in lipogenesis may be involved in long-term weight development.ObjectivesTo investigate the long-term effect of bariatric surgery on lipogenesis in abdominal fat cells and whether surgical treatment could induce an epigenetic memory that would maintain improved lipogenesis in spite of body weight relapse.SettingKarolinska University Hospital in Stockholm County, Sweden.MethodsA total of 22 women with obesity living in the Stockholm area were examined before, 2, 5, and 10 years after bariatric surgery. Abdominal adipose tissue biopsies were obtained. Fat cells were isolated and spontaneous and insulin stimulated glucose incorporation into lipids were assayed. CpG-methylation profiling was performed on adipocytes using the Infinium EPIC BeadChips.ResultsBariatric surgery was associated with improvement in adipocyte spontaneous and insulin stimulated lipogenesis, which was maintained despite some later weight regain (29 % of initial weight loss). There was also an increase in fat cell size between 2- and 10-year follow-up, albeit not to presurgery levels. There were 7729 differentially methylated CpG sites (DMS) at 2 years that showed no sign of return to baseline at either 5 or 10 years. Merging results with expression profiles identified 1259 genes with DMS which showed early response or continual change in expression in one direction after surgery. Upregulated genes with DMS were enriched in gene sets linked to cellular response to insulin stimulus (e.g., IRS1, IRS2, PDE3B, and AKT2) and regulation of lipid metabolic processes.ConclusionBariatric surgery leads to long-term improvement of lipogenesis and insulin responsiveness in subcutaneous adipocytes in women in spite of some partial body weight regain postoperatively. This may to some extent be explained by epigenetic modifications of fat cell function.