Atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveNew-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery is common, with rates up to 60%. POAF has been associated with early and late stroke, but its association with other cardiovascular outcomes is less known. The objective was to perform a meta-analysis of the studies reporting the association of POAF with perioperative and long-term outcomes in patients with cardiac surgery.MethodsWe performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of studies that presented outcomes for cardiac surgery on the basis of the presence or absence of POAF. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were assessed; 57 studies (246,340 patients) were selected. Perioperative mortality was the primary outcome. Inverse variance method and random model were performed. Leave-one-out analysis, subgroup analyses, and metaregression were conducted.ResultsPOAF was associated with perioperative mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58-2.33), perioperative stroke (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.90-2.49), perioperative myocardial infarction (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.06-1.54), perioperative acute renal failure (OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 2.42-3.11), hospital (standardized mean difference, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.53-1.07) and intensive care unit stay (standardized mean difference, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.24-0.86), long-term mortality (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.54; 95% CI, 1.40-1.69), long-term stroke (IRR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.21-1.46), and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (IRR, 4.73; 95% CI, 3.36-6.66).ConclusionsThe results suggest that POAF after cardiac surgery is associated with an increased occurrence of most short- and long-term cardiovascular adverse events. However, the causality of this association remains to be established.     

A conceptual framework for treating jaw deformities in patients with abnormal condyles: preservation versus replacement of the glenoid fossa–disc–condyle–ramus

This article outlines a conceptual approach to the reconstruction of jaw deformities associated with abnormalities in the mandibular condyle. The authors describe a hierarchy of reconstruction, emphasizing use of the least invasive and progressing to the most complex and invasive techniques, depending on the nature and severity of the underlying deformity, prior operations, patient age, and stage of growth. Consider joint preservation orthognathic surgical correction, followed by biological techniques for replacement of the condyle, and avoid replacing a functional temporomandibular joint based only on radiographic remodeling and concerns about potential future flare-ups of disease based on anecdotal data.     

Sandwich graft technique outcomes in medium and large size nasal septal perforations

IntroductionSurgical treatment of medium and large sized nasal septal perforation is challenging. Techniques with and without interposition grafts are used.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to explain how we apply the sandwich graft technique that we use in medium and large nasal septal perforations as well as to present the results.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the patients who were operated with the sandwich graft technique between January 2014 to December 2018 and followed up for at least 6 months. The demographic data, symptom scores, examination, and surgical findings of the patients were taken from the hospital records. Surgical outcomes were presented according to both perforation etiologies (idiopathic or iatrogenic) and sizes (Group A: < 2 cm, Group B: ≥ 2 cm).ResultsWe reviewed 52 cases and 56 surgeries. The average diameter of the perforations was 19.2 mm. The success rate after initial surgeries was 84.6% (44/52). After 4 revision surgeries, the perforation was closed in 88.5% of the cases (46/52). Success rates for Group A and Group B were 90.0% and 86.4%, respectively (p = 0.689). The success rates in idiopathic and iatrogenic cases were 93.3% and 86.5%, respectively (p = 0.659).ConclusionThis study showed that the success rate of sandwich graft technique was higher in medium-sized perforations than large-sized ones and in idiopathic perforations compared to iatrogenic ones, but the latter rate was not statistically significant. This demonstrated that perforation size was not as important in the sandwich graft technique as in flap techniques.     

丹参注射液对带蒂皮瓣移植修复术后成活率及预后的影响

目的:探讨丹参注射液对带蒂皮瓣移植修复术后成活率及预后的影响。方法:将68例接受带蒂皮瓣移植修复术的患者简单随机分成观察组与对照组各34例。对照组给予术后常规治疗,观察组在此基础上加用丹参注射液治疗,持续给药1周。随访3～12个月,比较两组患者术后皮瓣成活率、皮瓣肿胀程度、凝血指标凝血酶原时间(PT)、活化部分凝血活酶时间(APTT)、纤维蛋白原(FIB)水平变化及并发症发生率。结果:观察组患者皮瓣成活率为97.06%,明显高于对照组的76.47%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组术后7 d皮瓣肿胀程度明显轻于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组患者术后3 d的PT、APTT、FIB水平[(17.84±2.45)s、(35.38±3.14)s、(2.24±0.17)g/L]均明显低于对照组患者[(23.07±2.69)s、(41.56±3.34)s、(2.79±0.32)g/L],差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组患者术后伤口感染、瓣下积液、动静脉危象的总并发症率为8.82%,明显低于对照组的29.41%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:丹参注射液能提高带蒂皮瓣移植修复术后成活率,减轻术后皮瓣肿胀程度,改善凝血指标,降低血管危象、皮瓣坏死等并发症风险。     

Prelamination of the latissimus dorsi flap for reconstruction in head and neck surgery

Free microsurgical tissue transfer of the latissimus dorsi flap may be indicated for the restoration of intra- and extraoral defects, especially when a large-sized skin island flap is required. In many cases, use of the latissimus dorsi flap for coverage of large-sized intraoral defects results in bulkiness due to the proportion of subcutaneous fat. Prelamination of free flaps appears to be a promising technique to overcome this flap bulkiness. This modification in flap design could improve the postoperative functional outcome, as well as reduce donor site morbidity. This article presents four novel clinical cases, in which the patients underwent prelamination of the latissimus dorsi flap with local skin grafts during oral cancer treatment in order to reduce the thickness of the free flap and allow tension-free primary closure of the donor site. These attempts successfully covered large-sized intraoral defects, achieving good functional outcomes with minimal donor site morbidity.