The Role of Early Surgical Debridement and Revascularization in Patients With Diabetes and Deep Foot Space Abscess: Retrospective Review of 106 Patients With Diabetes

One hundred-six patients underwent emergency debridement of a deep foot space abscess. While 43 patients were admitted after an outpatient visit with immediate surgical debridement (group A), 63 patients were transferred from other hospitals after a mean stay of 6.2+/-7.5 days without debridement (group B). No significant differences were observed in the demographic and clinical features between the 2 groups, except for the following differences in group B: higher blood glucose level on admission (P=.015), lower serum albumin level (P=.005), and a more frequent extension of the infection to the heel (P=.005). Eradication of the infection was obtained in group A without amputation in 9 patients, with an amputation of 1 or more rays in 21, with metatarsal amputations in 12, and with a Chopart amputation in 1. In group B, incision and drainage alone were performed in 4 patients, amputation of 1 or more rays in 21, metatarsal amputations in 10, Chopart amputations in 23, and an above-the-ankle amputation in 5. The amputation level was significantly more proximal in group B (chi2=24.4, P<.001). There was no significant difference in the presence of peripheral arterial occlusive disease between the 2 groups (P=.841). Regression logistic analysis showed a significant relationship between the amputation level and the number of days elapsed before debridement (odds ratio, 1.61; P=.015; confidence interval, 1.10-2.36), but not with the presence of peripheral occlusive disease (odds ratio, 1.73; P=.376; confidence interval, 0.29-15.3). These data show that a delay in the surgical debridement of a deep space abscess increases the amputation level. Accuracy in the diagnosis of peripheral occlusive disease and immediate revascularization yield similar outcomes in patients with or without peripheral occlusive disease.     

Diabetes and evidence of atherosclerosis are major risk factors for adverse outcome after elective thoracic aortic surgery

BACKGROUND: To predict risk after elective repair of ascending aorta and aortic arch aneurysms, we studied 464 consecutive patients. METHODS: Adverse outcome (stroke or hospital death) was analyzed in 372 patients who underwent proximal repair and 92 patients who underwent aortic arch replacement from 1986 to the present. Preoperative risk factors with a P value less than.2 in a univariate analysis were entered into a multivariate model, and an equation incorporating independent risk factors was derived separately for proximal aorta and arch surgery. RESULTS: Age more than 65 years (P =.04), diabetes (P =.02), cause (P =.01), and prolonged total cerebral protection time (duration of hypothermic circulatory arrest and selective cerebral perfusion, P =.001) were significant univariate risk factors for elective proximal aortic repair. Diabetes (P =.005, odds ratio 5.1), atherosclerosis (P =.003, odds ratio 4.0), and dissection (P =.048, odds ratio 2.5) were independent factors. For elective arch surgery, female sex (P =.07), age more than 65 years (P =.04), coronary artery disease (P =.02), diabetes (P =.06), cause (P =.07), and prolonged total cerebral protection time (P =.025) were univariate risk factors. Female sex (P =.05, odds ratio 4.7), coronary artery disease (P =.02, odds ratio 6.5), diabetes (P =.13, odds ratio 4.0), and total cerebral protection time (P =.03, odds ratio 1.02/min) were independent factors. To calculate risk of adverse outcome (P), enter 1 if factor is present, 0 if absent, and estimate total cerebral protection time (in minutes). [equation: see text]. CONCLUSION: In this large series of patients, the presence of diabetes and manifestations of atherosclerosis emerge as extremely important risk factors for adverse outcome after ascending aorta or arch surgery, displacing age. Multivariate equations derived from these data allow more precise calculation of risk for each individual contemplating elective surgery.     

Laparoscopic appendectomy in the elderly

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) has advantages over open appendectomy (OA) in the treatment of appendicitis. It remains, however, unclear whether LA is indicated in the elderly patient population. METHODS: Patients with primary International Classification of Diseases, revision 9, procedure codes for LA (n=32406 patients) and OA (n=112884 patients) were selected from the 1998, 1999, and 2000 Nationwide Inpatient Samples. The end points that were under investigation were the length of hospital stay, the rate of routine discharge, and in-hospital morbidity and mortality rates. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the risk-adjusted association between the surgery type and the patient outcomes. Stratified analyses were performed according to age (65 years and older; less than 65 years old) and to the presence of appendiceal perforation or abscess. RESULTS: After risk adjustment, patients who underwent LA had a significantly shorter mean length of stay (LA, 2.45 days; OA, 3.71 days; P <. 0001), higher rate of routine discharge (odds ratio, 2.80; P <.0001), lower overall complication rate (odds ratio, 0.92; P=.03), and mortality rate (odds ratio, 0.23; P=.001) compared with OA patients. Similar benefits of LA were found in the strata of patients who were less than 65 years old, in elderly patients, and in patients with appendiceal perforation or abscess. CONCLUSION: LA has statistically significant advantages over OA with respect to the length of hospital stay, the rate of routine discharge, and postoperative morbidity and mortality rates for patients who are less than 65 years old, in elderly patients, and in patients with appendiceal abscess or perforation.     

Effect of resident postgraduate year on outcomes after laparoscopic appendectomy for appendicitis in children

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if the postgraduate level of resident in the operating room correlates with outcomes for pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy. Subjects and Methods: The charts of all children who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for appendicitis from 2007 to 2011 at a free-standing children's hospital were reviewed. Outcomes of interest were compared between patient groups based on postgraduate level of the junior-most surgeon in the operating room: (1) junior resident (postgraduate year [PGY]-1, -2, and -3); (2) senior resident (PGY-4 or -5); (3) fellow (PGY-6 or -7); or (4) attending surgeon only. Results: Junior resident (n=327), senior resident (n=129), fellow (n=246), and attending (n=73) groups were similar in terms of age (P=.69), gender distribution (P=.51), race (P=.08), and perforation status (P=.30). Operative time was shorter for senior residents (P=.002), fellows (P<.001), and attending surgeons operating without a resident (P<.001) compared with cases with junior residents. The rate of conversion to an open operation was similar among groups (P=.46). Resident level was not predictive of complications, which occurred in 26 junior resident cases (8.0%; referent), 17 senior resident cases (13.2%; odds ratio [OR] 1.73; P=.11), 33 fellow cases (13.4%; OR 1.71; P=.06), and 8 attending cases (11.0%; OR 1.62; P=.27). Fellow involvement was associated with an increased rate of postoperative percutaneous abscess drainage or re-operation for abscess or bowel obstruction (9.8%; OR 2.31; P=.020). Conclusions: Involvement of junior residents in pediatric laparoscopic appendectomy is associated with increased operative time but no higher rate of complications.     

Neurologic outcome after ascending aorta-aortic arch operations: effect of brain protection technique in high-risk patients

OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the optimal strategy for avoiding neurologic injury after aortic operations requiring hypothermic circulatory arrest. METHODS: All 717 patients who survived ascending aorta-aortic arch operations through a median sternotomy since 1986 were examined for factors influencing stroke. Temporary neurologic dysfunction was assessed in all patients who survived the operation without stroke since 1993. Multivariate analyses were carried out to determine independent risk factors for neurologic injury. RESULTS: Independent risk factors for stroke were as follows: age greater than 60 years (P <.001; odds ratio, 4.5); emergency operation (P =.02; odds ratio, 2.2); new preoperative neurologic symptoms (P =.05; odds ratio, 2.9); presence of clot or atheroma (P <.001; odds ratio, 4.4); mitral valve replacement or other concomitant procedures (P =.055; odds ratio, = 3.7); and total cerebral protection time, defined as the sum of hypothermic circulatory arrest and any retrograde or antegrade cerebral perfusion (P =.001; odds ratio, 1.02/min). In 453 patients surviving operations without stroke after 1993, independent risk factors for temporary neurologic dysfunction included age (P <.001; odds ratio, 1.06/y), dissection (P =.001; odds ratio, 2.2), need for coronary artery bypass grafting (P =.006; odds ratio, 2.1) or other procedures (P =.023; odds ratio, 3.4), and total cerebral protection time (P <.001; odds ratio, 1.02/min). When all patients with total cerebral protection times between 40 and 80 minutes were examined, the method of cerebral protection did not influence the occurrence of stroke, but antegrade cerebral perfusion resulted in a significant reduction in incidence on temporary neurologic dysfunction (P =.05; odds ratio, 0.3). CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of stroke is principally determined by patient- and disease-related factors, but use of antegrade cerebral perfusion can significantly reduce the occurrence of temporary neurologic dysfunction.     

Reoperative aortic valve replacement: partial upper hemisternotomy versus conventional full sternotomy

OBJECTIVE: We developed techniques for partial upper hemisternotomy for reoperative aortic valve replacement and compared the results with those of reoperative aortic valve replacement by way of conventional full resternotomy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 19 patients who underwent conventional full sternotomy and 20 patients who underwent partial hemisternotomy for isolated elective reoperative aortic valve replacements performed between November 1996 and September 1998. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to document the differences between the groups. RESULTS: The 2 groups were similar with respect to age, sex, New York Heart Association functional class, valve pathologic characteristics, and numbers and types of previous operations. There were neither any operative deaths nor any postoperative valve-related morbidities in either group. There was 1 injury to a cardiac structure, which occurred in the conventional full sternotomy group. Univariable analysis documented that patients in the conventional full sternotomy group were significantly more likely to have at least 1000 mL blood loss during the first 24 hours after the operation (odds ratio 8.1, P =.02), were more likely to require transfusion of more than 5 units of packed red blood cell (odds ratio 3.6, P =.08), and were more likely to have a total operative duration longer than 5 hours (odds ratio 3.6, P =.08). In the multivariable analysis conventional full resternotomy remained a risk factor for greater blood loss (odds ratio 5.7, P =.06), greater transfusion requirement (odds ratio 2.4, P =.25), and longer total operative duration (odds ratio 7.7, P =.03). CONCLUSIONS: Partial upper hemisternotomy for reoperative aortic valve replacement avoids unnecessary lower mediastinal dissection, thereby reducing blood loss, transfusion needs, and total operative duration. These beneficial effects, which are accomplished without compromising the efficacy of the valve operation, make the partial upper hemisternotomy an excellent alternative to conventional full resternotomy for reoperative aortic valve replacement.     

Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and antegrade selective cerebral perfusion during ascending aorta-hemiarch replacement: a retrospective comparative study

OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the results of ascending aorta-hemiarch replacement by using 2 different methods of cerebral protection in terms of hospital mortality, neurologic outcome, and systemic morbidity and to determine predictive risk factors associated with hospital mortality and neurologic outcome after ascending aorta-hemiarch replacement. METHODS: Between January 1995 and September 2001, 289 patients (mean age, 62.2 +/- 13.2 years; urgent status, 122/289 [42.2%]) underwent ascending aorta-hemiarch replacement with the aid of antegrade selective cerebral perfusion (161 patients) or deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (128 patients). RESULTS: Overall hospital mortality was 11.4% (deep hypothermic circulatory arrest group, 13.3%; antegrade selective cerebral perfusion group, 9.9%; P =.375). A logistic regression analysis revealed acute type A dissection (P =.001; odds ratio, 4.3) and age of greater than 70 years (P =.019; odds ratio, 2.5) to be independent predictors of hospital mortality. The permanent neurologic dysfunction rate was 9.3% (deep hypothermic circulatory arrest group, 12.5%; antegrade selective cerebral perfusion group, 7.6%; P =.075). Logistic regression analysis revealed acute type A dissection (P =.001; odds ratio, 6.7) and history of cerebral infarction-transient ischemic attack (P =.038; odds ratio, 3.4) to be independent predictors of permanent neurologic dysfunction. The transient neurologic dysfunction rate was 8.0% (deep hypothermic circulatory arrest group, 7.1%; antegrade selective cerebral perfusion group, 8.7%; P =.530). Acute type A dissection (P =.001; odds ratio, 5.1) was indicated as an independent predictor of transient neurologic dysfunction by means of logistic regression. Renal dysfunction (postoperative creatinine level of >250 micromol/L; deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, 10 [7.8%]; antegrade selective cerebral perfusion, 6 [3.7%]; P =.030), as well as prolonged intubation time (deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, 3.8 +/- 6.3 days; antegrade selective cerebral perfusion, 2.2 +/- 2.5 days; P =.005) were more common in the deep hypothermic circulatory arrest group. CONCLUSION: The use of antegrade selective cerebral perfusion and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest during ascending aorta-hemiarch replacement resulted in acceptable hospital mortality and neurologic outcome. Reduced postoperative intubation time and better renal function preservation were observed in the antegrade selective cerebral perfusion group.     

Admitting service influences the outcomes of patients with small bowel obstruction

BACKGROUND: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common problem that often requires operation. We tested the hypotheses that patients admitted to a surgical service have improved outcomes and that these outcomes are related to early operation. METHODS: Retrospective review of 281 patients with 336 episodes of SBO between 1992 and 1998 was performed. Parametric and nonparametric analysis was used as appropriate. RESULTS: There were 222 admissions to a surgical service and 114 admissions to a medical service. Patient characteristics were similar between groups. Eighty-seven percent of patients had a previous abdominal or pelvic operation. There were 211 patients (217 admissions) who required operation. Operated patients admitted to the surgical service had a shorter preoperative (2.7 vs 6.3 days, P <.01) and overall length of stay (LOS) (17.9 vs 22.8 days, P <.0001). There was no difference in time to resumption of diet between groups. The number of previous admissions or operations did not affect the need for operative intervention. Unoperated patients admitted to a medical service had a shorter time to resumption of diet (3.1 vs 4.3 days) and LOS (4.8 vs 7.2 days, both P <.05) than the surgical service group. Operative mortality was 3.4%. The likelihood of developing a complication was related to the occurrence of an enterotomy (n = 21, odds ratio = 2.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-6.7, P =.014) or the need for bowel resection (odds ratio = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.2-3.5, P =.02). The occurrence of a complication resulted in a 46% increase in LOS (P <.0001). Patients operated on within 24 hours of admission had a decreased LOS (P <.05) and mortality, with no difference in the occurrence of postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SBO who require operation benefit from a shorter time to operation and reduced LOS when admitted to a surgical service. Early operation is associated with a reduction in mortality, and avoidance of enterotomy decreases the risk of complications.     

Propensity case-matched analysis of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with atheromatous aortic disease

OBJECTIVE: Atheromatous aortic disease is a risk factor for excessive mortality and stroke in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Outcomes of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with severe atheromatous aortic disease were compared by propensity case-match methods. METHODS: Routine intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography identified 985 patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with severe atheromatous disease in the aortic arch or ascending aorta. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 281 patients (28.5%). Propensity matched-pairs analysis was used to match patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 245) with patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed decreased hospital mortality (16/245, 6.5% vs 28/245, 11.4%; P =.058) and stroke prevalence (4/245, 1.6% vs 14/245, 5.7%; P =.03) in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting compared with coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass. Freedom from any postoperative complication was higher in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting compared with coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass (226/245, 92.2% vs 196/245, 80.0%; P <.001). Multivariable analysis of preoperative risk factors showed that increased hospital mortality was associated with coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass (odds ratio = 2.7; P =.01), fewer grafts (P =.05), acute myocardial infarction (odds ratio = 11.5; P <.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (odds ratio = 2.4; P =.03), previous cardiac surgery (odds ratio = 10.2, P =.05), and peripheral vascular disease (odds ratio = 2.1; P =.05). Cardiopulmonary bypass was the only independent risk factor for stroke (odds ratio = 3.6, P =.03). At 36 months' follow-up, comparable survival was observed in the off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass groups (74% vs 72%). Multivariable analysis revealed that renal disease (P <.001), advanced age (P <.001), previous myocardial infarction (P =.03), and lower number of grafts (P =.02) were independent risks for late mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severe atherosclerotic aortic disease who undergo off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting have a significantly lower prevalence of hospital mortality, perioperative stroke, and overall complications than matched patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass. Routine intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography identifies severe atheromatous aortic disease and directs the choice of surgical technique.     

Predictors of immediate tracheal extubation in the operating room after liver transplantation

Immediate postoperative extubation may reduce the incidence of postoperative respiratory complications after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). We evaluated the predictors of immediate tracheal extubation in the operating room (OR) in our patients by retrospectively reviewing data from all patients who underwent OLT between January 2004 and June 2006. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had undergone extubation in the OR (group 1 n=52) or in the intensive care unit (ICU; group 2 n=48). When compared with the patients in group 2, those in group 1 had lower mean preoperative serum creatinine levels (0.9 +/- 1 vs 0.6 +/- 0.3 mg/dL, P=.04) and intraoperative transfusion requirements (packed red blood cells, 35.5 +/- 29.8 vs 25.6 +/- 19.0 mL/kg; P=.05, and fresh frozen plasma, 33.1 +/- 15.6 vs 25.7 +/- 14.3 mL/kg; P=.01). The incidence of intraoperative hypotension and emergent OLT was significantly greater in group 2 than group 1 (33.3% vs 13.5%, P=.01 and 45.8% vs 21.2%, respectively, P=.009). On logistic regression analysis, only emergent OLT (P=.009, odds ratio = 3.5) and intraoperative hypotension (P=.018, odds ratio = 3.7) were significantly associated with a lower probability of immediate postoperative extubation in the OR. Our results suggested that hemodynamic stability and elective OLT were predictors of successful immediate tracheal extubation in the OR.     

Predictors of complication and suboptimal weight loss after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a series of 188 patients

HYPOTHESIS: An analysis of patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) may identify factors predictive of complication and of suboptimal weight loss. DESIGN: Inception cohort. SETTING: Metropolitan university hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred eighty-eight consecutive patients with severe obesity who met National Institutes of Health consensus guidelines for bariatric surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic RYGB. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complications requiring therapeutic intervention and percentage of excess body weight lost at 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: Of the 188 patients who underwent laparoscopic RYGB, 50 (26.6%) developed complications that required an invasive therapeutic intervention, including 2 deaths. The average follow-up was 351 days (range, 89-1019 days). Multivariate analysis by stepwise logistic regression identified surgeon experience, sleep apnea (P =.003; odds ratio, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-7.1), and hypertension (P =.07; odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-4.0) as predictors of complications. The most common complication requiring therapeutic intervention was stricture at the gastrojejunal anastomosis, occurring in 27 patients (14.4%). Of the 115 patients who underwent surgery more than 1 year previously, 1-year follow-up data were available for 93 (81%). The body mass index (weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) decreased from 53 +/- 8 preoperatively to 35 +/- 6 at 1 year. The mean +/- SD percentage of excess body weight lost at 1 year was 61% +/- 14%. Diabetes mellitus was negatively correlated with percentage of excess body weight lost at 1 year (P =.06). CONCLUSIONS: Surgeon experience, sleep apnea, and hypertension are associated with complications after laparoscopic RYGB. Diabetes mellitus may be associated with poorer postoperative weight loss.     

The management of peripheral vascular complications associated with the use of percutaneous suture-mediated closure devices

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify the peripheral vascular complications associated with the use of percutaneous suture-mediated closure (PSMC) devices and compare them with postcatheterization femoral artery complications not associated with PSMC devices. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of all patients admitted to the vascular surgery service at the Chattanooga Unit of the University of Tennessee Department of Surgery with a peripheral vascular complication after percutaneous femoral arteriotomy between July 1, 1998, and December 1, 1999. The complications followed the use of PSMC devices (group I, n = 11) and traditional compression therapy (group II, n = 14) to achieve arterial hemostasis. Group II was subdivided into patients who required operative intervention (group IIA, n = 8), and those who were treated without operation (group IIB, n = 6). RESULTS: No significant difference was found between groups I and II with regard to age (P =.227), time to vascular surgery consultation (P =.987), or diagnostic versus therapeutic catheterization (P =.897). A significant difference was found with regard to mean pseudoaneurysm size (group I = 5.9 cm, group II 2.9 cm; P =.003). Ultrasound compression was successfully performed in 66.6% of group II patients, but no (0.0%) patient in group I responded to this therapy (P =.016). Groups I and IIA had a significant difference for mean estimated blood loss (group I = 377.2 mL, group II = 121.8 mL; P =.017) and requirement for transfusion (P =.013). More patients in group I required extensive surgical treatment (P =.007), with six of these patients requiring vein patch angioplasty during their treatment. More patients in group I also had infectious complications (n = 3) compared with group IIA (n = 1). CONCLUSION: In comparison with complications that follow percutaneous arteriotomy when PSMC devices are not used for hemostasis: (1) pseudoaneurysms after the use of PSMC devices are larger and do not respond to ultrasound compression, (2) complications associated with PSMC devices result in more blood loss and increased need for transfusion and are more likely to require extensive operative procedures, and (3) arterial infections after the use of PSMC devices are more common and require aggressive surgical management.     

Deep neck infection: analysis of 185 cases

PURPOSE: This study reviews our experience with deep neck infections and tries to identify the predisposing factors of life-threatening complications. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of patients who were diagnosed as having deep neck infections in the Department of Otolaryngology at National Taiwan University Hospital from 1997 to 2002. Their demographics etiology, associated systemic diseases, bacteriology, radiology, treatment, duration of hospitalization, complications, and outcomes were reviewed. The attributing factors to deep neck infections, such as the age and systemic diseases of patients, were also analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-five charts were recorded; 109 (58.9%) were men, and 76 (41.1%) were women, with a mean age of 49.5 +/- 20.5 years. Ninety-seven (52.4%) of the patients were older than 50 years old. There were 63 patients (34.1%) who had associated systemic diseases, with 88.9% (56/63) of those having diabetes mellitus (DM). The parapharyngeal space (38.4%) was the most commonly involved space. Odontogenic infections and upper airway infections were the two most common causes of deep neck infections (53.2% and 30.5% of the known causes). Streptococcus viridans and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most common organisms (33.9%, 33.9%) identified through pus cultures. K. pneumoniae was also the most common infective organism (56.1%) in patients with DM. Of the abscess group (142 patients), 103 patients (72.5%) underwent surgical drainages. Thirty patients (16.2%) had major complications during admission, and among them, 18 patients received tracheostomies. Those patients with underlying systemic diseases or complications or who received tracheostomy tended to have a longer hospital stay and were older. There were three deaths (mortality rate, 1.6%). All had an underlying systemic disease and were older than 72 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: When dealing with deep neck infections in a high-risk group (older patients with DM or other underlying systemic diseases) in the clinic, more attention should be paid to the prevention of complications and even the possibility of death. Early surgical drainage remains the main method of treating deep neck abscesses. Therapeutic needle aspiration and conservative medical treatment are effective in selective cases such as those with minimal abscess formation.     

The short-term and long-term effects of warm or tepid cardioplegia

BACKGROUND: Clinical studies of myocardial protection rarely identify differences in hard clinical outcomes after surgery, either early or late, because most trials lack sufficient statistical power to deal with low-frequency events. METHODS: Prospectively collected data concerning all isolated coronary bypass operations from November 1989 to February 2000 were analyzed to determine the effects of cold blood cardioplegia and warm or tepid blood cardioplegia on early and late outcomes after surgery. Warm blood cardioplegia was used in 4532 patients, whereas cold blood cardioplegia was used in 1532. The allocation of patients to receive warm blood cardioplegia and cold blood cardioplegia was random in 749 cases and according to surgeon preference in the remainder. Most patients in the cold blood cardioplegia group had surgery earlier in the time course of the study, and most in the warm blood cardioplegia group underwent surgery later. RESULTS: Perioperative death, myocardial infarction, and death or myocardial infarction were all more common in the cold blood cardioplegia group than in the warm blood cardioplegia group (death 2.5% vs 1.6%, P =.027, adjusted odds ratio 1.45, 95% confidence interval 0.95-2.22, P =.09; myocardial infarction 5.4% vs 2.4%, P <.0001, adjusted odds ratio 1.86, 95% confidence interval 1.36-2.53, P <.0001; death or myocardial infarction 7.3% vs. 3.8%, P <.0001, adjusted odds ratio 1.70, 95% confidence interval 1.30-2.21, P <.0001). Actuarial survival at 60 months was 91.1% +/- 1.4% in the warm blood cardioplegia group and 89.9% +/- 1.3% in the cold blood cardioplegia group (P =.09), whereas freedom from death or myocardial infarction was 84.7% +/- 1.8% and 83.2% +/- 1.6%, respectively (P =.16). In multivariate models, cold blood cardioplegia was associated with poorer survival (risk ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval 0.96-1.75, P =.09) and freedom from any death or late myocardial infarction (risk ratio 1.93, 95% confidence interval 1.56-2.39, P =.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In 6064 patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, warm or tepid blood cardioplegia may be associated with better early and late event-free survivals than is cold cardioplegia.     

One- or Two-stage Procedure for Restorative Proctocolectomy: Rationale for a Surgical Strategy in Ulcerative Colitis

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of different strategies for restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) in ulcerative colitis. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: No commonly accepted criteria exist for choosing between the one-stage or the two-stage procedure (with or without temporary diverting ileostomy) for IPAA. The authors analyzed the outcome of patients principally suitable for either of the two alternative surgical strategies. METHODS: A matched-pair control study was performed, comparing surgical details and the early and late outcome of the one-stage (study group, n = 57) versus the two-stage procedure (control group, n = 114), for IPAA. RESULTS: No differences were found between the study group and the control group regarding the matching criteria gender, median age at IPAA, systemic corticoid medication, or activity of colitis. Comparing the patients who underwent a one-stage procedure with those who underwent a two-stage procedure, the proportion of patients without complications was significantly higher (P =.0042) and the frequency of late complications was significantly lower (P =.0022) in patients who underwent the one-stage procedure. The percentage of patients with anastomotic strictures was significantly higher in the control group than in the study group (P =.0022). No significant difference was found between the two groups regarding early complications, pouch-related septic complications, pouchitis, median duration of surgery for IPAA, median blood loss, need for transfusion, or median hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ulcerative colitis in whom there is a choice between a one-stage procedure or a two-stage procedure with a defunctioning ileostomy, the one-stage procedure is clearly superior. This finding is of great clinical relevance both for the subjective interests of the patient and from an economic point of view.     

Simplified admission criterion for predicting severe complications of gallstone pancreatitis

HYPOTHESIS: Simple admission criteria (white blood cell count, > or =14. 5 x 10(9)/L; blood urea nitrogen level, > or =4.3 mmol/L [> or =12 mg/dL]; heart rate, > or =100 beats per minute; and serum glucose level, > or =8.3 mmol/L [> or =150 mg/dL]) are better predictors of severe complications of gallstone pancreatitis than an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score of 5 or greater, a modified Imrie (Glasgow) score of 3 or greater, and a biliary Ranson score of 3 or greater. DESIGN: A prospective consecutive case study. SETTING: A university-affiliated, urban, public hospital. PATIENTS: Ninety-two consecutive patients (77 women and 15 men, aged 18 to 76 years [mean age, 39 years]) with gallstone pancreatitis. Seventy-seven patients were Hispanic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Major local and systemic complications requiring intensive care unit care, and death. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (15%) had severe complications with a mortality of 2%. On univariate analysis, a white blood cell count of 14.5 x 10(9)/L or more (P =.03), a serum glucose level of 8. 3 mmol/L or more (> or =150 mg/dL) (P<.001), an APACHE II score of 5 or greater (P =.008), a modified Imrie score of 3 or greater (P<.001), and a biliary Ranson score of 3 or greater (P =.03) were statistically associated with the development of severe complications; whereas a blood urea nitrogen level of 4.3 mmol/L or more (> or =12 mg/dL) and a heart rate of 100 beats per minute or more were not. On multivariate analysis, only a serum glucose level of 8. 3 mmol/L or more (> or =150 mg/dL) was predictive of adverse events (P<. 001). CONCLUSIONS: Glucose level (> or =8.3 mmol/L [> or =150 mg/dL]) is the best single admission predictor of severe complications of gallstone pancreatitis and is superior to an APACHE II score of 5 or greater, a modified Imrie score of 3 or greater, and a biliary Ranson score of 3 or greater.     

Selection of a cardiac surgery provider in the managed care era

OBJECTIVE: Many health planners promote the use of competition to contain cost and improve quality of care. Using a standard econometric model, we examined the evidence for "value-based" cardiac surgery provider selection in eastern Massachusetts, where there is significant competition and managed care penetration. METHODS: McFadden's conditional logit model was used to study cardiac surgery provider selection among 6952 patients and eight metropolitan Boston hospitals in 1997. Hospital predictor variables included beds, cardiac surgery case volume, objective clinical and financial performance, reputation (percent out-of-state referrals, cardiac residency program), distance from patient's home to hospital, and historical referral patterns. Subgroup analyses were performed for each major payer category. RESULTS: Distance from patient's home to hospital (odds ratio 0.90; P =.000) and the historical referral pattern from each patient's hometown (z = 45.305; P =.000) were important predictors in all models. A cardiac surgery residency enhanced the probability of selection (odds ratio 5.25; P =.000), as did percent out-of-state referrals (odds ratio 1.10; P =.001). Higher mortality rates were associated with decreased probability of selection (odds ratio 0.51; P =.027), but higher length of stay was paradoxically associated with greater probability (odds ratio 1.72; P =.000). Total hospital costs were irrelevant (odds ratio 1.00; P =.179). When analyzed by payer subgroup, Medicare patients appeared to select hospitals with both low mortality (odds ratio 0.43; P =.176) and short length of stay (odds ratio 0.76; P =.213), although the results did not achieve statistical significance. The commercial managed care subgroup exhibited the least "value-based" behavior. The odds ratio for length of stay was the highest of any group (odds ratio = 2.589; P =.000) and there was a subset of hospitals for which higher mortality was actually associated with greater likelihood of selection. CONCLUSIONS: The observable determinants of cardiac surgery provider selection are related to hospital reputation, historical referral patterns, and patient proximity, not objective clinical or cost performance. The paradoxic behavior of commercial managed care probably results from unobserved choice factors that are not primarily based on objective provider performance.     

Evaluation of risk factors associated with femoral pseudoaneurysms after cardiac catheterization

BACKGROUND: Femoral pseudoaneurysm (FPA) is one of the common complications of percutaneous catheterization procedures performed via the femoral artery. The aim of this research was to evaluate factors associated with FPA of sufficient clinical significance that they required surgical treatment after diagnostic or interventional cardiac catheterization. METHODS: We evaluated 41,322 transfemoral catheterization procedures performed in our center within 7 years. Among all procedures, 630 FPAs developed that required surgical repair. Eighty-five cases were managed by compression with duplex guidance. As a case-control group, 1260 patients were selected from the patients who had been catheterized during the same time period but did not develop FPA. Two controls were selected for each study patient, matched according to age, sex, and catheterization day. Body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, catheter diameter, coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, and number of cases performed per day in a particular room were evaluated as risk factors by using multivariate techniques. RESULTS: Femoral pseudoaneurysm required operative repair in 1.1% (n = 398) of patients who underwent cardiac catheterization for diagnostic purposes and in 4.7% (n = 232) of patients after cardiac interventional procedures. Factors found to be independently predictive of FPA were hypertension (P = .011; odds ratio, 1.52), diabetes mellitus (P = .035; odds ratio, 1.11), coronary artery disease (P = .022; odds ratio, 1.21), larger (> or = 28 kg/m2) body mass index (P < .001; odds ratio, 2.21), larger number of cases (> or = 18) performed per day in a particular room (P < .001; odds ratio, 2.39), and larger (> or = 7F) catheter diameter (P < .001; odds ratio, 2.82). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the development of technology and experience, more and more diagnostic and interventional catheterization procedures are performed on a daily basis. In our study, a high volume of cases in a particular room and use of large catheters were important risk factors for FPA complications. When these situations are combined with other risk factors (such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and arteriosclerosis), giving particular attention to local compression therapy would be more crucial to decrease the FPA rate.     

Management and outcomes of postpancreatectomy fistula, leak, and abscess: results of 908 patients resected at a single institution between 2000 and 2005

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic fistula, leak, and abscess are common complications of pancreatectomy. The goal of this study was to describe our current management and outcomes of clinically significant postpancreatectomy fistula, leak, and abscess. STUDY DESIGN: Review of a prospectively maintained database identified 908 patients who underwent pancreatectomy between January 2000 and August 2005. Complication data were prospectively entered into a validated postoperative complication database. Patients were included if they were identified as having a clinically significant (>/=grade 2) pancreatic fistula, leak, or abscess. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors predictive of prolonged drainage (> 30 days). RESULTS: Clinically significant postoperative fistula, leak, or abscess occurred in 158 of 908 resected patients (17%) and included 63 culture-positive pancreatic fistulas, 29 noninfected pancreatic fistulas, 42 abscesses, and 24 other collections (biliary fistula, culture-negative collection). Surgical drains were placed at the time of initial resection in 88 of these 158 patients (56%). Adequate drainage was obtained by prolonged use of surgical drains in 16 patients (16 of 88 [18%]). Reoperation was required in 26 of the 158 patients (16%). ICU admission was required in 22%. Within this group of 158 patients the mortality rate was 5% (8 of 158; 90 days). At the time of discharge a home health aide was required in 56% of patients, 8% were discharged to a rehabilitation facility, and readmission was required in 50% of patients. Mean drainage time was 38 days (range 3 to 228). Predictors of prolonged drainage included drain output > 200 mL during the first 48 hours (odds ratio = 2.88; p = 0.02) and distal (versus proximal) pancreatectomy (odds ratio = 4.29; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although mortality after pancreatectomy has decreased to approximately 2%, the morbidity associated with pancreatic fistula, leak, and abscess remains substantial.     

Effect of ethnicity on access and device complications during endovascular aneurysm repair

INTRODUCTION: There are no published reports on the association between ethnicity and outcome after aortoiliac stent grafting to treat aneurismal disease. Because Hawaii is a state with an ethnically diverse population, we conducted a retrospective study to examine this potential association. We hypothesized that individuals of Asian ancestry may have higher complication rates after endovascular repair compared with non-Asians. METHODS: All endovascular devices placed to treat aneurysm disease from 1996 to 2003 were evaluated in two institutions. The association between ethnicity and access-related and device-related complications, both periprocedural and delayed, was examined with logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Ninety-two aortoiliac endografts were placed during the study period, including 87 in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms with or without iliac aneurysm disease, and five patients with isolated iliac artery aneurysms. Forty-four percent of patients were categorized as Asian, 39% as white, 16% as Pacific Islander, and 1% as African American. Access-related and device-related complications (ADRCs) occurred in 11 of 92 (12%) of these patients. The following parameters were significantly associated with ADRCs: Asian ethnicity (P =.015), age greater than 80 years (P =.02), and external iliac diameter smaller than 7.5 mm (P =.01). Asian patients were more likely to have experienced ADRCs than were non-Asian patients (odds ratio, 7.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-35.8; P =.015). Asians also had smaller external iliac artery diameters (P =.0003) and more tortuous iliac arteries (P =.03) compared with non-Asians. After adjusting for iliac artery diameter and tortuosity, the association between Asian ethnicity and ARDCs became nonsignificant (P =.074), which suggests that the association between race and complications may be at least in part due to small and tortuous iliac arteries. There was no association between age, gender, or ethnicity and postoperative detection of endoleak. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that individuals of Asian ancestry are far more likely to experience adverse access-related and device-related complications after aortoiliac stent grafting than are non-Asians. We found that this association is at least partly attributable to the smaller and more tortuous iliac arteries in persons of Asian ancestry.