Patients' expectations,experience and acceptability of postoperative analgesia: a nested qualitative study within a randomised controlled trial comparing rectus sheath catheter and thoracic epidural analgesia

Adequate postoperative analgesia is a key element of enhanced recovery programmes. Thoracic epidural analgesia is associated with superior postoperative analgesia but can lead to complications. Rectus sheath catheter analgesia may provide an alternative. In a nested qualitative study (within a two-year randomised controlled trial) focussing on the acceptability, expectations and experiences of receiving the interventions, participants (n = 20) were interviewed 4 weeks post-intervention using a grounded theory approach. Constant comparative analysis, with patient and public involvement, enabled emerging findings to be pursued through subsequent data collection. We found no notable differences regarding postoperative acceptability or the experience of pain management. Pre-operatively, however, thoracic epidural analgesia was a source of anticipatory fear and anxiety. Both interventions resulted in some experienced adverse events (proportionately more with thoracic epidural analgesia). Participants had negative experiences of the insertion of thoracic epidural analgesia; others receiving the rectus sheath catheter lacked confidence in staff members' ability to manage the local anaesthetic infusion pump. The anticipation of the technique of thoracic epidural analgesia, and concerns about its impact on mobility, represented an additional, unpleasant experience for patients already managing an illness experience, anticipating a life-changing operation and dealing with concerns about the future. The anticipation of rectus sheath catheter analgesia was not associated with such anxieties. Patients' experiences start far earlier than the experience of the intervention itself through anticipatory anxieties and fears about receiving a technique and its potential implications. Complex pain packages can take on greater meaning than their actual efficacy in relieving postoperative pain. Future research into patient acceptability and experience should not focus solely on efficacy of pain relief but should include anticipatory fears, anxieties and experiences.     

腹腔镜与开腹手术治疗子宫内膜癌的疗效比较

目的:探讨腹腔镜与传统开腹手术治疗子宫内膜癌的临床效果差异。方法:回顾性分析陕西省人民医院2013年10月至2018年3月114例确诊为子宫内膜癌并以腹腔镜治疗的患者为研究对象（腹腔镜组），以同期62例开腹手术治疗的子宫内膜癌病例为对照组，两组在手术时间、术中出血量、淋巴结清扫个数、术后膀胱功能恢复时间、排气时间、体温恢复时间、住院时间及并发症等各方面指标进行比较。结果:腹腔镜组术中失血量、输血率、术后体温恢复时间、肠道功能恢复时间、膀胱功能恢复时间、术后住院天数及手术并发症发生率显著低于开腹组(P<0.05)。腹腔镜组与开腹组在手术时间、术中清扫淋巴结数目、复发率及总生存率差异无统计学意义。结论:与传统方法相比，腹腔镜手术短期效果良好，生存率相当，在具备丰富的腹腔镜手术经验、完善的腹腔镜设备的条件下，可以广泛应用于子宫内膜癌患者的治疗。     

Abdominal access techniques

This article discusses the variety of techniques available to gain safe exposure to intra-abdominal organs. In recent years there have been significant advances in these techniques with a move towards minimally invasive strategies as the gold standard of care. This article will discuss the various options available, including laparoscopy and traditional open access, as well as the use of robotics within abdominal surgery.     

Peroperative scoring systems for predicting the outcome of cytoreductive surgery in advanced-stage ovarian cancer – A systematic review

The extent of peritoneal metastases (PM) largely determines the possibility of complete or optimal cytoreductive surgery in advanced ovarian cancer. An objective scoring system to quantify the extent of PM can help clinicians to decide whether or not to embark on CRS. Therefore several scoring systems have been developed by different research teams and this review summarizes their performance in predicting a complete or optimal cytoreduction in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. A systematic search in the MEDLINE database revealed 19 articles that described a total of five main scoring systems to predict the completeness of CRS in patients with FIGO stage III-IV ovarian cancer based on the surgical exploration of the abdominal cavity; PCI, PIV, Eisenkop, Espada, and Kasper. The Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) and the Predictive Index Value (PIV) were mentioned most frequently and showed AUCs of 0.69–0.92 and 0.66–0.98, respectively. Due to the use of different cut-offs sensitivities and specificities greatly varied. Therefore with the current data, no scoring system could be identified as best. An objective measure of the extent of disease can be of great clinical use for identifying ovarian cancer patients for which a complete (or optimal) CRS is achievable, however due to local differences in treatment strategies and surgical policy a widely adopted objective scoring system with a standard cut-off value is not feasible. Nevertheless, objective scoring systems can play an important role to guide treatment decisions.     

胆结石患者腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗的有效性及对患者并发症发生的影响

目的探讨胆结石患者腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗的有效性及对患者并发症发生的影响。方法选取2019年3月至2020年3月行手术治疗的胆结石患者114例,随机分为两组,每组各57例,对照组行传统开腹手术治疗,研究组行腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗。比较两组的治疗总有效率、疼痛评分、住院时间、排气时间、术中出血量、手术时间、并发症总发生率。结果研究组治疗总有效率为94.7%,高于对照组的73.7%,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);研究组疼痛评分为(2.0±0.3)分,低于对照组的(5.7±1.1)分,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);研究组住院时间为(6.9±1.0)d、排气时间为(23.0±2.1)h,均短于对照组的(14.0±2.4)d、(37.5±2.6)h,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);研究组术中出血量为(27.4±2.5)mL、手术时间为(53.1±1.1)min,均少于对照组的(60.3±1.9)m L、(77.3±2.0)min,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);研究组并发症总发生率为17.5%,低于对照组的38.6%,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论胆结石患者采用腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗,患者术后恢复快、并发症总发生率低,与传统开腹手术相比,患者疼痛更轻、术中出血量更少、手术时间更短、安全性更高,且操作简单、创伤性小,值得临床推广应用。     

Study of Two Techniques for Midline Laparotomy Fascial Wound Closure

To study the results of two techniques, simple interrupted closure and continuous with intermittent Aberdeen knot technique for midline laparotomy fascial wound closure. A random selection of 200 midline laparotomy cases was done. In one group (group A) of 100 cases, midline fascial wound closure was done with continuous sutures with intermittent Aberdeen knot technique using Prolene No. 1 suture material. In the other group (group B) of 100 cases, closure was done with the technique of simple interrupted sutures with Prolene No.1 suture material. Comparison of both the techniques regarding preoperative status and postoperative complication such as incisional hernia, wound dehiscence, suture sinus formation, stitch granuloma, and chronic wound pain was done according to clinical examination and recorded in the pro forma prepared. In group A, postoperative complications were incisional hernia 3 %, wound dehiscence 4 %, and suture sinus formation 1 %. In group B, postoperative complication were incisional hernia 5 %, wound dehiscence 4 %, and suture sinus formation 1 %. All these complications were statistically insignificant, in both group comparisons. While the complication such as stitch granuloma 3 %, chronic wound pain 3 %, and wound infection 4 % in group A was significantly less than in group B where the complication of stitch granuloma was 12 %, chronic wound pain 13 %, and wound infection 13 % (P value 0.03, P value 0.018, and P value 0.048, respectively). Both the techniques, simple interrupted suture closure and continuous with intermittent Aberdeen knot closure for midline laparotomy fascial wounds, show a similar rate of postoperative complication such as incisional hernia, wound dehiscence, and suture sinus formation. But the continuous suturing with intermittent Aberdeen knot technique is a better option to prevent complications such as stitch granuloma, chronic wound pain, and wound infection, which are higher in the simple interrupted fascial wound closure technique.     

Surgical management and outcome of blunt major liver injuries: Experience of damage control laparotomy with perihepatic packing in one trauma centre

Introduction

This retrospective study aimed to assess the clinical experience and outcome of damage control laparotomy with perihepatic packing in the management of blunt major liver injuries.

Materials and methods

From January 1998 to December 2006, 58 patients of blunt major liver injury, American Association for the Surgery of Trauma-Organ Injury Scale (AAST-OIS) equal or greater than III, were operated with perihepatic packing at our institute. Demographic data, intra-operative findings, operative procedures, adjunctive managements and outcome were reviewed. To determine whether there was statistical difference between the survivor and non-survivor groups, data were compared by using Mann–Whitney U test for continuous variables, either Pearson's chi-square test or with Yates continuity correction for contingency tables, and results were considered statistically significant if p < 0.05.

Results

Of the 58 patients, 20 (35%) were classified as AAST-OIS grade III, 24 (41%) as grade IV, and 14 (24%) as grade V. At laparotomy, depending on the severity of injuries, all 58 patients underwent various liver-related procedures and perihepatic packing. The more frequent liver-related procedures included debridement hepatectomy (n = 21), hepatorrhaphy (n = 19), selective hepatic artery ligation (n = 11) and 7 patients required post-laparotomy hepatic transarterial embolization. Of the 58 patients, 28 survived and 30 died with a 52% mortality rate. Of the 30 deaths, uncontrolled liver bleeding in 24-h caused 25 deaths and delayed sepsis caused residual 5 deaths. The mortality rate versus OIS was grade III: 30% (6/20), grade IV: 54% (13/24), and grade V: 79% (11/14), respectively. On univariate analysis, the significant predictors of mortality were OIS grade (p = 0.019), prolonged initial prothrombin time (PT) (p = 0.004), active partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (p < 0.0001) and decreased platelet count (p = 0.005).

Conclusions

The mortality rate of surgical blunt major liver injuries remains high even with perihepatic packing. Since prolonged initial PT, APTT and decreased platelet count were associated with high risk of mortality, we advocate combination of damage control resuscitation with damage control laparotomy in these major liver injuries.