Early and Late Airway Complications After Lung Transplantation: Incidence and Management

Background. Airway anastomosis complications continue to be a source of morbidity for lung transplant recipients.

Methods. This study analyzes incidence, treatment, and follow-up of airway anastomotic complications occurring in 127 consecutive lung transplant airway anastomoses (77 single lung and 25 bilateral sequential lung). Complications were categorized as stenosis (11), granulation tissue (8), infection (7), bronchomalacia (5), or dehiscence (3). Follow-up after treatment ranged from 6 months to 4 years.

Results. Nineteen airway anastomosis complications (15.0%) occurred in 18 patients. Telescoping the airway anastomosis reduced the complication rate to 12 of 97 (12.4%), compared with 7 of 30 (23.3%) for omental wrapping, (p = 0.15). Complications developed in 13 of 77 single-lung airway anastomoses (16.9%) versus 6 of 50 bilateral sequential lung recipients (12.0%). Treatment consisted of stenting (9 airway anastomoses), bronchodilation (8), laser debridement (4), rigid bronchoscopic debridement (2), operative revision (2), and growth factor application (2). There was no difference in actuarial survival between patients with or without airway anastomosis complications (p = 1.0).

Conclusions. Airway anastomosis complications can be successfully managed in the immediate or late postoperative period with good outcome up to 4 years after intervention.     

Injection Port Complications after Gastric Banding: Incidence, Management and Prevention

Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is advocated as a minimal invasive procedure with a low risk profile and high efficacy in the treatment of morbid obesity. Nevertheless, injection port complications are occasionally reported. The aim of this study was to assess port disconnections and port dislodgement with respect to two different implantation techniques. Methods: Between January 1996 and October 1999 230 patients underwent laparoscopic gastric banding with the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band (SAGB). In group 1 (118 patients), the injection port was implanted onto the sterno-xiphoid union. In group 2 (112 patients), an additional incision was made to suture the port onto the fascia of the lower third of the sternum. Results: There is a significant reduction in port disconnection between group 1 (9.3 %) and group 2 (0 %). Port dislodgment was observed in one patient in each group. Reoperation was performed under local anesthesia in 11 patients, and general anesthesia was used for laparoscopic tube salvage in two patients. After reconnection, two patients experienced port infection. Conclusion: Correct implantation technique of the injection port of the SAGB onto the fascia of the lower third of the sternum reduces the risk for port complications.Technical notes are discussed.     

Pelvic Exenteration: Surgical Aspects and Analysis of Early and Late Morbidity in a Series of 106 Patients

Introduction : The aim of this study was to report the surgical results in a series of pelvic exenterations, its peroperative difficulties, postoperative complications, mortality and long-term complications.

Patients and methods : Between November 1980 and December 2008, pelvic exenteration with curative intent has been performed in 106 patients, 87 female and 19 male, for gynecologic malignancy in 69, intestinal tumors in 29, urologic in 6 and advanced skin carcinomas in 2. The exenteration was performed as primary treatment in only 21 patients, in the others it was for persistent or recurrent tumors after radiotherapy and/or surgery.

Results : In 86 patients a total exenteration was performed and in 55 the resection involved an extension beyond the classical planes of dissection. An incontinent urinary diversion was made in 100 patients, a colo-anal anastomis in 35, omentoplasty was standard and muscle flaps were used in 15 patients. Blood loss necessitating transfusion of more than 10 packed cell units or gauze packing did occur in 27 patients with extended resection. Postoperative complications occurred in 64 patients necessitating relaparotomy in 14. Mortality within 30 days was 2%, in hospital 5% but did not occur in the last 44 patients. During the very long follow-up serious late complications were observed in the kidneys of 12 patients and in the small bowel of 5.

Conclusions : Pelvic exenteration is still a major surgical undertaking with a 60% complication rate but can nowadays be performed with a low mortality. Postoperative complications were related to radiotherapy dose above 50 Gy, extension of dissection, the empty pelvis, the urinary diversion and the small intestine. A protected colo-anal anastomosis should be offered when the pelvic floor can be conserved and muscle flaps should be considered after total infralevatoric exenteration. Bricker’s urinary diversion still is the golden standard. Long-term complications were observed in 40 patients requiring surgery in 19.     

Post-operative Complications in a Series of Gastric Bypass Patients

In order to evaluate the short- and long-term complications of obesity surgery, a review was done on 452 cases of morbidly obese patients who met the basic guidelines for obesity surgery and were operated upon; gastric bypass was performed in all of them. There were seven major complications: one myocardial infarction, two pulmonary embolisms, two gastric fistulas, one sepsis from bowel infection and one acute thrombocytopenia purpura. Five of the patients died. It is important to note, in those patients with abdominal complications, the absence of classical signs and symptoms of peritonitis, and the need to act immediately in order to solve the post-operative problem. As in other series, minor complications were also present: subcutaneous infection in 18 cases, hernia in four, peptic syndrome in three, mild anemia in 28 and hypovitaminosis A and B in 58; all received medical treatment without problem. It is concluded that obesity surgery, like all major surgery in high-risk patients, may have complications, and therefore it is necessary to recognize them in order to prevent them, and if they emerge, diagnose and treat properly.     

152例成人漏斗胸的微创治疗——近期并发症分析及处理

目的总结微创矫治成人漏斗胸手术的并发症发生原因及处理经验。方法 2007年6月～2010年6月,微创治疗152例成人漏斗胸,对称型83例,非对称型69例。漏斗胸指数3.2～11.8,(4.42±1.56)。141例初治者在胸腔镜监视下手术,11例复发者剑突下小切口辅助,将矫形板置入胸骨后。结果全部顺利完成手术,用1根矫形板124例(81.6%),2根28例(18.4%)。无心脏大血管损伤及死亡。手术时间60～120 min,(70±16)min。术中出血量10～30 ml。术后住院时间5～16 d,(7.0±2.3)d。术后随访12～36个月,其中>24个月123例。按Nuss标准,优秀率86.8%(132例),良好率11.8%(18例),中等1.3%(2例)。术中一侧肋间肌撕裂5例(3.3%),均发生在非对称型重度患者,均为1根矫形板,3例支撑杆改经皮下穿出,另2例肋间肌撕裂轻未处理。支撑杆移位3例(2.0%),发生在术后1～8周,均发生在非对称型重度患者,其中2根支撑板2例,1根者1例,3例均需再手术将移位支撑杆复位并与肋骨固定。血胸2例(1.3%),其中1例需胸腔镜辅助清除胸腔残存积血。左侧自发性气胸1例,再次胸腔镜辅助肺大疱切除。结论 成人漏斗胸微创矫治手术并发症与漏斗胸的类型和凹陷程度有关,一旦发生应积极治疗。     

Comparison of Early and Late Complications after Various Bariatric Procedures: Incidence and Treatment During 15 Years at a Single Institution

Background  

Bariatric procedures are effective in the life-long treatment of clinically severe obesity, but they are technically demanding and have known complications. The present study presents mortality and morbidity with different procedures from the prospective 15-year bariatric database of the University Hospital of Patras in Greece.     

Laparoscopic Gastric Greater Curvature Plication: Results and Complications in a Series of 135 Patients

Laparoscopic gastric greater curvature plication (LGGCP) is an emerging restrictive bariatric procedure that successfully reduces the gastric volume by plication of the gastric greater curvature. Its main advantages are the reversibility of the technique as well as the lack of foreign materials or gastrectomy. We present our results, focusing on the effectiveness and complications, and on a new modification of the original technique. One hundred and thirty-five patients underwent LGGCP between April 2008 and December 2009. A five-trocar port technique was used, and following dissection of the greater gastric curvature, single plication of the latter was performed under the guidance of a 36-Fr bougie. Modification of the technique included multiple gastric plications. One hundred and four obese women and 31 obese men (mean age of 36 years) underwent LGGCP for weight reduction. Operative time was 40–50 min, and mean hospital stay was 1.9 days (range 1–6 days). After a follow-up of 8–31 months (mean 22.59), the mean percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) was 65.29. Subgroup analyses based on BMI values showed that %EWL was significantly higher for patients with BMI < 45 kg/m2 (group I) compared with patients with BMI > 45 kg/m2 (group II) (69.86 vs 55.49, respectively, p = 0.006). Similarly, inadequate weight loss was significantly higher for group II, while the failure of the technique and postoperative complications were comparable. On the other hand, subgroup analysis based on the technique showed that the modification of the technique did not affect the effectiveness or the operative time; however, it reduced early complications dramatically, including prolonged postoperative vomiting and late gastric obstruction, thus affecting the length of hospitalization. Overall complication rate in our series was 8.8% (12/135). Cases of prolonged postoperative vomiting, GI bleeding, and leak were treated conservatively, while one case of portomesenteric thrombosis and three cases of acute gastric obstruction were treated surgically. LGGCP is an emerging technique sparing gastric resection, the use of foreign materials and intestinal bypass. Its effectiveness is satisfactory for patients with BMI < 45 kg/m2, and the complication rate is acceptable.     

聚丙烯酰胺水凝胶注射隆鼻术后并发症的处理及临床分析

目的探讨聚丙烯酰胺水凝胶注射隆鼻术后并发症产生的原因及相关的处理。方法通过总结处理52例聚丙烯酰胺水凝胶注射隆鼻术后并发症的经验体会，分析并发症产生的原凶及处理补救措施。结果52例中产生的并发症有感染、肉芽肿、皮肤破溃、外形不良、疼痛和严重的心理压力等。每例有1～4种并发症。根据不同情况采取不同处理方法，并选取适当病例在取出聚丙烯酰胺水凝胶的同期或二期置入硅胶或膨体聚四氟乙烯假体，多数病例能取得较满意的效果，少数病例遗留后遗症和长久的心理压力或鼻部隐痛。结论聚丙烯酰胺水凝胶注射隆鼻术后并发症种类多样，与聚丙烯酰胺水凝胶的同有性质、鼻部软组织解剖特点有关。出现并发症后反复抽吸，会导致聚丙烯酰胺水凝胶分布更加紊乱，损伤加重。只有采取综合的手术方法才能较彻底地清除聚丙烯酰胺水凝皎。     

Long-term Results,Late Complications and Quality of Life in a Series of Adjustable Gastric Banding

Background: Adjustable gastric banding is currently the most common bariatric operation. This study is a retrospective analysis of the Finnish experience with this procedure over the last 10 years. Methods: Between March 1993 and June 1999, 123 patients underwent either open (36) or laparoscopic (87) surgery for morbid obesity by the application of an adjustable gastric band. Data on preoperative clinical characteristics and postoperative outcome and weight-loss patterns up to 9 years (mean 55 months) are presented and also evaluated by the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS). Sex ratio was 31% males / 69% females, mean age 44 years and mean ± SD preoperative BMI 49 ± 8 kg/m² (range 33.6-85.1). Results: During the evaluation period (March 1993 December 2002), 54% of patients experienced postoperative complications requiring hospital treatment ≥ 7 days, and 52% underwent a reoperation. 33% of bands were removed. The most important late complications were esophagitis (30%), obstruction due to slippage / pouch dilatation (21%), incisional hernia (9%) and band erosion (9%).Mean excess weight loss at 1 and 2 year follow-up was 36% and 38%, which later stabilized to 30%. During the evalution period, there were 10 deaths, 2 of which were 30-day deaths, and the remainder were not associated with the band. According to BAROS, the outcome was regarded as "very good" in 3%, "good" in 7%, "fair" in 40% and "failure" in 50%. Conclusion: Our long-term data found that weight reduction is acceptable,but the incidence of late complications and reoperations was high.     

Emergency Management in Patients with Late Hemorrhage after Pancreatoduodenectomy for a Periampullary Tumor

Background

The mortality rate due to late hemorrhage after surgery for periampullary tumors is high, especially in patients with anastomotic leakage. Patients usually require emergency intervention for late hemorrhage. In this study patients with late hemorrhage and their outcomes were analyzed. Furthermore, independent predictors for late hemorrhage, the need for emergency intervention, and type of intervention are reported.

Methods

From a prospective database that includes 1,035 patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for periampullary tumors between 1992 and 2012, patients with late hemorrhage (>24 h after index operation) were identified. Patient, disease-specific, and operation characteristics, type of intervention, and outcomes were analyzed. Emergency intervention was defined as surgical or radiological intervention in hemodynamically unstable patients.

Results

Of the 47 patients (4.5 %) with late hemorrhage, pancreatic fistula was an independent predictor for developing late hemorrhage (OR 10.2). The mortality rate in patients with late hemorrhage was 13 % compared with 1.5 % in all patients without late hemorrhage. Twenty patients required emergency intervention; 80 % underwent primary radiological intervention and 20 % primary surgical intervention. Extraluminal location of the bleeding (OR 5.6) and occurrence of a sentinel bleed (OR 6.6) are indications for emergency intervention.

Conclusion

The type of emergency intervention needed for late hemorrhage is unpredictable. Radiological intervention is preferred, but if it fails, immediate change to surgical treatment is mandatory. This can be difficult to manage but possible when both radiological and surgical interventions are in close proximity such as in a hybrid operating room and should be considered in the emergency management of patients with late hemorrhage.     

升主动脉瘤合并主动脉瓣关闭不全外科手术后早期处理

目的总结升主动脉瘤合并主动脉瓣关闭不全患者手术后早期处理的经验。方法21例患者术前心功能(NYHA)Ⅳ级15例,Ⅲ级6例;施行Bentall手术19例,Cabrol手术2例。结果全组无早、晚期死亡,术后早期发生心律失常和出血等并发症2例。术后21例均行超声心动图检查,4例行逆行主动脉造影示主动脉瓣关闭良好,移植的带瓣管道通畅、无扭曲。随访0.5~11年,平均4.5年;无动脉瘤复发,效果满意。结论术前严格掌握手术适应证,升主动脉瘤直径大于6cm应及时随访和做预防性手术,一旦发现夹层动脉瘤应立即手术;术后及早发现、纠治心律失常和出血等并发症,早期用抗凝治疗,可提高手术成功率。     

Anterior Petrosectomy: Consecutive Series of 46 Patients with Attention to Approach-Related Complications

Objective Anterior petrosectomy(AP) was popularized in the 1980s and 1990s as micro-neurosurgery proliferated. Original reports concentrated on the anatomy of the approach and small case series. Recently, with the advent of additional endonasal approaches to the petrous apex, the morbidity of AP remains unclear. This report details approach-related morbidity around and under the temporal lobe. Methods A total of 46 consecutive patients identified from our surgical database were reviewed retrospectively. Results Of the 46 patients, 61% were women. Median age of the patients was 50 years (mean: 48 ± 2 years). Median follow-up of this cohort was 66 months. Most procedures dealt with intradural pathology (n = 40 [87%]). Approach-related morbidity consisted of only two patients (4%) with new postoperative seizures. There were only two significant postoperative hemorrhages (4%). Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in two patients (4%) requiring reoperation. Conclusion Approach-related complications such as seizures and hematoma were infrequent in this series, < 4%. This report describes a contemporary group of patients treated with open AP and should serve as a comparison for approach-related morbidity of endoscopic approaches. Given the pathologies treated with this approach, the morbidity appears acceptable.     

膨体聚四氟乙烯片作单瓣重建右室流出道术后早期并发症及处理

目的：评价膨体聚四氟乙烯片（Gore-Tex片）作肺动脉单瓣重建右室流出道（RVOT）的近期疗效。方法：2002年6月-2011年11月对75例先天性心脏病合并肺动脉狭窄或闭锁的患者旋行矫治手术,术中采用厚度0．1mm的Gore—Tex片作肺动脉单瓣重建RVOT,其中男42倒,女33例。法洛四联症合并肺动脉狭窄57例,l型肺动脉闭锁10例．肺动脉瓣缺如4例,右心室双出口台并肺动脉狭窄2例．完全型大动脉转位1例,室间隔缺损1例,肺动脉狭窄1例。结果：术后血氧饱和度为96％～100％。动脉血氧分压82～207mmHg,右室／左室收缩压比值0．22～0．70,右室与左、右肺动脉间的压力阶差小于10mmHg。左室射血分数（LVEF）0．53～O．80,右室射血分数（RVEF）0．52～071,左室舒张末期容积指数（LVEDI）0,28～0．62ml／m2。术后早期并发症：心包积液7例,低氧血症（氧合指数〈150）6例。心律失常5例,低心排血量综合征4例．残余室间隔缺损4例。术后随访3～48个月,无死亡和并发症的发生。其中62~Gore-Tex片作肺动脉单瓣重建右心室流出道（RVOT）早期瓣膜活动功能正常,13例单瓣固定在开放状态：72倒均无肺动脉单瓣狭窄．3例单瓣轻度狭窄;21倒肺动脉瓣轻度返流．5例中度返流。结论：采用厚度0．Imm的Gote-Tex片作单瓣重建RVOT,可获得满意的lI缶床和血流动力学效果．近期效果良好。膨体聚四氟乙烯片作单瓣重建右心室流出道术后早期并发症应引起高度熏视,加强术后监护及综合治疗措施,及时纠正术后低心输出量综合征．积极防治术后心律失常等均为提高手术成功率的重要因素。