Significant reduction of postoperative pain and opioid analgesics requirement with an Enhanced Recovery After Thoracic Surgery protocol

ObjectiveTo evaluate differences in postoperative pain control and opioids requirement in thoracic surgical patients following implementation of an Enhanced Recovery after Thoracic Surgery protocol with a comprehensive postoperative pain management strategy.Material and MethodsA retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing pulmonary resections by robotic thoracoscopy or thoracotomy from January 1, 2017, to January 31, 2019, was conducted. Multimodal pain management strategy (opioid-sparing analgesics, infiltration of liposomal bupivacaine to intercostal spaces and surgical sites, and elimination of thoracic epidural analgesia use in thoracotomy patients) was implemented as part of Enhanced Recovery after Thoracic Surgery on February 1, 2018. Outcome metrics including patient-reported pain levels, in-hospital and postdischarge opioids use, postoperative complications, and length of stay were compared before and after protocol implementation.ResultsIn total, 310 robotic thoracoscopy and 62 thoracotomy patients met the inclusion criteria. This pain management strategy was associated with significant reduction of postoperative pain in both groups with an overall reduction of postoperative opioids requirement. Median in-hospital opioids use (morphine milligram equivalent per day) was reduced from 30 to 18.36 (P = .009) for the robotic thoracoscopy group and slightly increased from 15.48 to 21.0 (P = .27) in the thoracotomy group. More importantly, median postdischarge opioids prescribed (total morphine milligram equivalent) was significantly reduced from 480.0 to 150.0 (P < .001) and 887.5 to 150.0 (P < .001) for the thoracoscopy and thoracotomy groups, respectively. Similar short-term perioperative outcomes were observed in both groups before and following protocol implementation.ConclusionsImplementation of Enhanced Recovery after Thoracic Surgery allows safe elimination of epidural use, better pain control, and less postoperative opioids use, especially a drastic reduction of postdischarge opioid need, without adversely affecting outcomes.     

Aorto-pulmonary bypass shunt for intraoperative right ventricular support during LVAD implantation

We describe a simple modification of the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit that allows selective intraoperative circulatory support of the right ventricle during left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. The addition of a side branch to the arterial line and an intermediate line connector allows selective venting and perfusion through a cannula inserted in the main pulmonary artery. This modification of the CPB circuit allows for selective evaluation of right ventricular function, titration of inotropic support, and early identification of patients that require right ventricular assist device (RVAD) support.     

Giant Osteoma of Mandible Causing Dyspnea: A Rare Case Presentation and Review of the Literature

Osteomas are benign slow growing tumors of bone. Tumors are usually asymptomatic until they attain remarkable size and cause asymmetry or dysfunction. In view of few reported cases of giant osteoma of mandible, this article presents a case of giant osteoma of left mandible in a 53-year old male causing dyspnea due to compression of air way space.     

Outcomes of extraskeletal vs. skeletal Ewing sarcoma patients treated with standard chemotherapy protocol

To compare the outcomes of extraskeletal and skeletal Ewing sarcomas treated with standard chemotherapy protocol. We retrospectively collected data on prim     

Local Venous Thrombotic Risk of an Expanding Haemostatic Agent Used During Liver Resection

Background

For patients undergoing liver resection that leaves an empty intraparenchymal cavity, traditional topical agents might be inadequate to achieve additional hemostasis. A new hemostatic expanding topical foam (BioFoam^®) has been designed to provide a mechanical seal. The objective of this study was to report our preliminary results regarding the safety and the efficacy using this foam.

Methods

Between 2009 and 2011, BioFoam^® was used to fill a three-dimensional defect following liver resection in 14 patients. The operative results and postoperative course of these patients were compared to those of 14 matched controls who underwent liver resection but did not receive BioFoam^®.

Results

The two groups were similar in terms of demographics, indications for liver resection, type of surgical procedure, and type and duration of clamping. BioFoam^® patients experienced significantly less operative blood loss (275 vs. 630 ml, p = 0.032) but similar operative transfusion rates (28.6 vs. 35.7 %, p = 0.686) compared to no-BioFoam^® patients. The postoperative mortality was nil and no patient developed postoperative hemorrhage. While the two groups shared similar overall (64.3 vs. 57.1 %, p = 0.599) and major (28.6 vs. 14.3 %, p = 0.357) complications rates, BioFoam^® patients experienced significantly higher major vascular thrombosis compared to no-BioFoam^® patients (29 vs. 0 %, p = 0.04). In the BioFoam^® group, major vascular thrombosis was associated with exposure of the vessel along the transection plane.

Conclusion

While the clinical benefit of BioFoam^® in high-risk liver resections leaving a deep parenchymal defect remains to be proven, the associated risk of vascular thrombosis should preclude its use in contact with major veins.     

Liver hilar abscesses secondary to gastrointestinal perforation by ingested fish bones: surgical management of two cases

Several hepatobiliary complications secondary to gastrointestinal perforation after ingestion of a fish bone have been described in the literature, the most common being liver abscess, which can be potentially fatal. Treatment involves removal of the foreign body if possible (endoscopically or surgically), drainage of the abscess (radiologically or surgically), and appropriate antibiotic therapy. To our knowledge, no cases of hepatic hilar abscesses secondary to gastrointestinal perforation by a fish bone have been described in the literature. We report surgical management of two cases of abscess localized in the hepatic hilum secondary to the ingestion of fish bones.