Timing of thoracic spine stabilization in trauma patients: impact on clinical course and outcome

BACKGROUND: Optimal timing of stabilization for thoracic spine injuries in multiply injured patients is still controversial because additional lung injury occurs frequently. Early operation might benefit clinical course and outcome in these patients. METHODS: We analyzed the German National Trauma Database (n = 8,057) and compared clinical parameters and outcome of patients with severe thoracic spine injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale >2; n = 298) who underwent spine stabilization within 72 hours posttrauma (group I) or later (group II). RESULTS: In all, 95% of all patients had additional severe thoracic injuries such as lung contusion. In spite of comparable demographic data, patients in group I had a significant shorter intensive care unit (ICU) stay (median [range]: group I, 8 [0-237] days; group II, 16 [2-91] days; p = 0.001), shorter dependence on mechanical ventilation (group I: 2 [0-48] days; group II: 5 [0-91] days; p = 0.02), and shorter hospital stay (group I: 22 [1-255] days; group II: 31 [2-274] days; p = 0.048). Expected mortality calculated by Trauma and Injury Severity Score was significantly reduced in group I (calculated: 16%; documented: 6%; p < 0.05) but not in group II (19% versus 17%; p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Almost 10% of all patients in the German National Trauma Registry had severe spine injuries. Severe thoracic injuries occurred in 95% of these patients with thoracic spine trauma. We provide further evidence that early stabilization of thoracic spine injuries in trauma patients reduces overall hospital and ICU stay and improves outcome. Thus early stabilization of thoracic spine injuries within 3 days after trauma appears to be favorable.     

Rejection is reduced in thoracic organ recipients when transplanted in the first year of life.

BACKGROUND: Infant heart transplant recipients have been reported to have decreased rates of rejection when clinical criteria are used for diagnosis. This study compares the rates of acute episodes of rejection in heart and lung transplant recipients transplanted in the first year of life to those of older recipients utilizing pathologic criteria. METHODS: Records of 100 consecutive lung transplant recipients (cystic fibrosis patients excluded) and 107 consecutive heart transplant recipients were reviewed with respect to: time to first rejection; total number; single versus multiple; and early (<90 days) versus late (>180 days) biopsy-proven rejection episodes. Rejection was defined as ISHLT biopsy Grade 3A or A2 for heart and lung transplant recipients, respectively. Biopsy and immunosuppression protocols were similar between groups. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier analysis for freedom from rejection showed infant heart recipients were more often rejection-free (p = 0.004) as were infant lung recipients (p = 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed age at transplant as the most significant factor in predicting time to first rejection (age <1 year: risk ratio 0.19 [0.068-0.54] for lung transplant recipients and risk ratio 0.46 [0.27-0.78] for heart transplant recipients). Early rejection episodes occurred with less frequency in both the infant heart (19 of 63 [30%] versus 24 of 44 [50%]; p = 0.016) and lung (3 of 26 [12%] versus 63 of 74 [85%]; p = 0.001) groups. Late episodes of rejection were also less frequent in infant heart (4 of 53 [8%] versus 10 of 36 [28%], p = 0.016) and lung (0 of 23 [0%] versus 29 of 65 [45%]; p = 0.001) recipients. Multiple (> or =2) rejection episodes occurred less in infant heart (4 of 63 [6%] versus 9 of 41 [22%]; p = 0.037) and lung recipients (0 of 26 [0%] versus 17 of 74 [23%]; p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that age of <1 at time of thoracic transplantation confers significant protection from early, late and multiple episodes of acute rejection, as well as significantly greater freedom from rejection and time to first rejection.     

Breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer: Patterns of care in a geographic region and estimation of potential applicability

Background: It has been postulated that one of the rewards of breast cancer screening is the increased likelihood of receiving breast-conserving surgery. The recent wide application of screening mammography has led to an acceleration in the otherwise gradual shift toward smaller, earlier-stage breast cancer that has been occurring since the turn of the century. Methods: We examined data from patients with pathologically diagnosed breast cancers from all general hospitals in the state of Vermont for use of breast-conserving surgery by era (1975–1984 [n=1,652] versus 1989–1990 [n=683]), method of cancer detection, age, clinical tumor-node-metastases (cTNM) stage, pathologic size, and node status. Results: Cancers detected by mammography were 2% in 1975–1984 and 36% in 1989–1990. Invasive breast cancers <2 cm maximum pathologic diameter were 34% in 1975–1984 and 50% in 1989–1990 (p<0.001). Statewide, the use of breast-conserving surgery for invasive cancer increased from 8.6% in 1975–1984 to 42.9% in 1989–1990 (p<0.001). In 1989–1990 at the single university hospital, 73% of the patients were treated with breast-conserving surgery versus 22% at the community hospitals (range 0–39%, p<0.001). Differential referral patterns related to stage and age did not appear to explain the variation, because the percentages of cTNM stage I and II patients at the university hospital were similar to those of the community hospitals. Using the university hospital as the standard, we estimated that at least 67% of all patients in the state were eligible for breast-conserving surgery in the years 1975–1984 and 73% in the years 1975–1984, a 6% increase. Conclusions: Most of the variation in breast-conserving surgery was related to factors other than patient age and stage of disease. Variation was probably related more to local community factors and physician attitudes. At least two-thirds of the women in the state were eligible for breast-conserving surgery even before the wide use of mammography screening. This article's contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute.     

Improved clinical outcomes after operation of the proximal aorta: a 10-year experience.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the impact of recent advances (particularly noninvasive diagnosis, retrograde cerebral perfusion, heparin-bonded circuits, and use of collagen-impregnated grafts and antifibrinolytic agents) on clinical outcomes of patients undergoing proximal aortic operations. METHODS: One hundred eight consecutive patients undergoing 111 proximal aortic operations over 10 years were studied. The cohort was divided into two groups: early, 1987 to 1993 and late, 1994 to 1997. RESULTS: Baseline patients profiles, indications for operation (aneurysm, 66 patients; dissection, 45 patients), priority of the operation, and surgical procedures were comparable for both groups. Mortality and morbidity for the entire cohort were 13.5% (15 of 111) and 66% (73 of 111), respectively. Compared with the early group, the late group was characterized by significantly higher use of noninvasive diagnostic modalities (69% versus 10%), exclusive use of heparin-bonded circuits and collagen-impregnated grafts (100% versus 0% for both), use of antifibrinolytic agents (79% versus 8%), and the introduction of retrograde cerebral perfusion (43% versus 0%) (p<0.00001 for all). These changes in practice were associated with a substantial decrease in operative mortality (26% [13 of 49] versus 3% [2 of 62], p = 0.001), overall morbidity (77% [38 of 49] versus 56% [35 of 62], p = 0.02), blood transfusions (55.6+/-48 donor units versus 29.3+/-35 donor units, p = 0.003), and a shorter hospital stay (21.6+/-31 days versus 12.1+/-15 days, p = 0.07). Average long-term follow-up for 99% (107 of 108) of patients was 29.6+/-30 months (1 to 120 months). Ten-year actuarial survival was 57.3%+/-8% with 93% being in New York Heart Association functional class I or II. CONCLUSIONS: Recent advances, particularly noninvasive diagnosis and improved operative management, have led to a substantial reduction in mortality and morbidity after proximal aortic operation. Improved short- and long-term outcomes were achieved both in acute dissection and aneurysm procedures, although patients remain at risk for long-term distal aortic complications.     

Breast-Conservation Treatment Outcomes: A Community Hospital's Experience

Abstract:  In the United States, the majority of early breast cancer patients choose breast-conserving treatment in the community setting, yet there is a paucity of literature describing outcomes. In this paper, we describe our experience with breast-conserving treatment in a small community hospital. Our hospital tumor registry was used to identify breast cancer cases diagnosed at our hospital between 1997 and 2003. We limited our study to those women with initial attempts at breast-conserving surgery (BCS) who had follow-up oncology treatment at on-campus affiliated oncological services. We looked at factors that influence survival for early stage 0–II disease such as tumor and patient characteristics, completeness of local surgical tumor excision, and adjuvant treatment. We also evaluated the percentage of cases in which the initial BCS did not achieve adequate surgical oncological results and the number and type of subsequent surgeries that were required to achieve this goal. There were 185 cases with a median patient age of 55 and a median follow-up time of 53 months. Most tumors were stage 0–I (68%) or stage II (23%). A single surgery was deemed sufficient to achieve the desired oncological outcome in 54% of cases; the remaining cases (46%) required additional surgeries. A final margin of 5 mm or greater was successfully achieved in 81% of cases. Ninety-two percent of the patients underwent radiotherapy, 65% received hormonal therapy, and 49% underwent chemotherapy. One hundred and sixty one patients had successful breast-conserving surgeries (87%) and 24 patients (13%) ultimately required mastectomy. There were four loco-regional recurrences and 19 deaths during the study period. Our disease-free survival rate for early-stage cancer (stage 0–II) was 91% at 5 years. Our study shows that high-quality patient outcomes for breast-conserving treatment can be achieved in the community setting.     

Radiosurgical fistulotomy; an alternative to conventional procedure in fistula in ano

PURPOSE: Most surgeons continue to prefer the classic lay open technique [fistulotomy] as the gold standard of treatment in anal fistula. In this randomized study, a comparison is made between conventional fistulotomy and fistulotomy performed by a radio frequency device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred patients of low anal fistula posted for fistulotomy were randomized prospectively to either a conventional or radio frequency technique. Parameters measured included time taken for the procedure, amount of blood loss, postoperative pain, return to work, and recurrence rate. RESULTS: The patient demographic was comparable in 2 groups. The radio frequency fistulotomy was quicker as compared to a conventional one [22 versus 37 minutes, p = 0.001], amount of bleeding was significantly less [47 ml versus 134 ml, p = 0.002], and hospital stay was less when patient was operated by radio frequency method [37 hours versus 56 hours in conventional method, p = 0.001]. The postoperative pain in the first 24 hours was more in conventional group [2 to 5 versus 0 to 3 on visual analogue scale]. The patients from radio frequency group resumed their duties early with a reduced healing period of the wounds [47 versus 64 days, p = 0.01]. The recurrence or failure rates were comparable in the radio frequency and conventional groups [2% versus 6%]. CONCLUSIONS: Fistulotomy procedure using a radio frequency technique has significant advantages over a conventional procedure with regard to operation time, blood loss, return to normal activity, and healing time of the wound.     

Low use of breast conservation surgery in medically indigent populations

BACKGROUND: Breast conservation surgery (BCS) with radiation is an acceptable treatment for early-stage breast cancer. METHODS: Data were obtained from hospital cancer registries on women surgically treated for Stage 0 to II breast cancer from 1993 to 1997. Data on 1,747 patients were analyzed for surgical treatment, hospital type (private versus public), disease stage, and ethnic origin. RESULTS: In this study, 34% of women received BCS. Women treated in private hospitals received BCS more often than women treated in public hospitals. Women with stage II disease received BCS less often than women with earlier stage disease. Hospital type (public versus private) and disease stage were strong, independent predictors for use of BCS. When hospital type and disease stage were statistically controlled, no treatment differences across ethnic groups were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Use of BCS in this study was low compared with National Cancer Database statistics. Women treated in publicly funded hospitals and those with stage II disease were significantly less likely to receive BCS.     

Metabolic alkalosis after pediatric cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine occurrence, causes and associated mortality of postoperative metabolic alkalosis in pediatric cardiac surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical and biochemical variables of 186 consecutive cardiac operations other than ductal ligations on children less than 2 years old during the years 1999 and 2000. Metabolic alkalosis was defined as a pH>7.48 corrected for PCO2, with a base excess > or =5 on two or more consecutive measurements during an 8h period. RESULTS: Median age was 15 weeks [range 2 days-95 weeks] and median weight 4.5 kg [range 2.1-15.7 kg]. In 157 cases, cardiopulmonary bypass was used. In 92 [49%] procedures, metabolic alkalosis occurred with the highest corrected pH 24.3h after operation. Multivariate regression analysis associated age [P<0.001], cardiopulmonary bypass [P<0.001] and preoperative ductal dependency [P=0.04] with postoperative metabolic alkalosis. Of the surgical procedures the arterial switch for transposition of the great arteries [n=19] was strongly associated with metabolic alkalosis [100%, P<0.001]. Hemodilution appeared to enhance the development of alkalosis: those who experienced alkalosis had been hemodiluted to a greater extent [P=0.007]. Nearly 95% of patients experienced some increase in bicarbonate, but patients with metabolic alkalosis experienced more than those without [5.9 versus 3.5 mmol/l, P<0.001]. There were four postoperative deaths, only one coincidental with metabolic alkalosis. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic alkalosis has a high incidence after pediatric cardiac surgery, strongly associated with younger age, cardiopulmonary bypass, preoperative ductal dependency and perioperative hemodilution. Early recognition allows for timely therapeutic intervention.     

Morbidity burden of end-stage kidney disease in Australia: hospital separation rates among people receiving kidney replacement therapy

Background: Mortality associated with dialysis and transplantation is well characterized. Less well described are hospital separation rates for “non‐renal” diagnoses among people receiving kidney replacement therapy (KRT = haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation). We examined these rates among Australians receiving KRT. Methods: Observational study based on Australian National Hospital Morbidity Database, incorporating Australian public and private hospitals. Separations from this dataset were examined for 2002–7, excluding day‐only haemodialysis. ICD (International Classification of Disease) codes were used to identify separations for people receiving chronic KRT. Separations categorized into “renal” and “non‐renal” by principal diagnosis. Separation rate, admission length and in‐hospital mortality were compared with the general population. Results: Overall hospital separation rate (adjusted for age and gender) was increased relative to the general population for all groups: for HD patients, relative rate (RR) was 4.49 [95% confidence interval 4.460–4.53]; for PD patients 5.52 [5.460–5.59]; for transplant recipients 4.83 [4.20–4.28] (all p < 0.001). When restricted to separations with a “non‐renal” principal diagnosis, the excess remained among KRT groups: HD adjusted RR 2.20 [2.170–2.22], PD 2.00 [1.950–2.04] and transplants 2.63 [2.600–2.66], all p < 0.001). The length and in‐hospital mortality for separations in each KRT group was also increased. By ICD‐10 chapter, rates of separations with infectious and metabolic causes were increased in all KRT groups; separations with circulatory and respiratory causes were also increased. Conclusion: Among people receiving KRT in Australia, there is a substantial burden of morbidity in addition to that directly related to KRT. This is most marked for infective, endocrine and circulatory and respiratory hospitalisations.     

Carotid endarterectomy in a metropolitan community: comparison of results from three institutions

The hospitalizations of 300 patients who had carotid endarterectomies (CEA) in three different kinds of hospital were analyzed. 100 patients had CEA performed by experienced vascular surgeons in a university hospital (UH), 100 patients had CEA performed by experienced vascular surgeons in private community hospitals (PCH), and 100 patients had CEA performed by senior general surgery residents (GSR) assisted by experienced vascular surgeons in a university-affiliated Veterans Administration hospital (VA). Analysis of patient characteristics revealed that, compared with the other groups, VA patients were (1) younger (62 +/- 7 years; p less than 0.001); (2) had a higher frequency of peripheral vascular operations (51%; p less than 0.01; (3) were more often cigarette smokers (84%; p less than 0.001); and (4) had more contralateral carotid occlusions (19%) and ulcerated lesions (73%) (p less than 0.01). GSR had longer operating room times and cerebral ischemia times during shunt insertion and removal (6 +/- 2.8 minutes) and during the CEA (30 +/- 27 minutes) (p less than 0.001). Postoperative hypertension and neck hematomas were less common in PCH patients (p less than 0.001) than in the other groups. Although their duration of hospitalization (17 +/- 12 days) was longer, the VA patients experienced no increased morbidity. There was a high rate of cranial nerve injury in all groups (27%, 15%, 17%) but symptoms were not often permanent (9%, 6%, 6%). Our data indicate that results of vascular operations performed by well-supervised residents are comparable in all important respects to those performed by fully trained surgeons.     

Declining Morbidity and Mortality Rates in the Surgical Management of Pancreatic Necrosis

Surgical management of patients with pancreatic necrosis (PN) has evolved over the last two decades to include prophylactic antibiotics, initial medical management, and delayed surgical intervention. The purpose of this study is to identify changes in morbidity and mortality rates as our methods of surgical management have evolved. One hundred two consecutive patients (59 males and 43 females, mean age 53 +/- 16 years) with PN managed surgically were classified as group I (1993-2001), after the routine use of prophylactic antibiotics (N = 55), and group II (2002-2005), after the use of International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) guidelines for intervention (N = 47). Age, sex, etiology of pancreatitis, percent of necrosis, infected necrosis, and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II scores were similar between groups. Despite a significant worsening of Balthazar computed tomography scoring in group II patients (p < 0.0001), operative morbidity (49 [89%] vs 34 [72%], p = 0.03), mortality (10 [18%] vs 2 [4%], p = 0.03), and hospital length of stay (38 +/- 33 days vs 26 +/- 23 days, p = 0.04) were significantly less in group II patients. Current methods of surgical management utilizing IAP guidelines have resulted in a decreased operative morbidity, mortality, and hospital length of stay in patients with PN.     

Buttressing the staple line in lung volume reduction surgery: a randomized three-center study

Background. The intention of buttressing the staple line in lung volume reduction surgery is to reduce air leaks and to shorten the hospital stay. A randomized three-center study was carried out to test this hypothesis.

Methods. Sixty-five patients with a mean age of 59.2 ± 1.2 years underwent bilateral lung volume reduction surgery by video-assisted thoracoscopy using endoscopic staplers (ET 45B; Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH) either without or with bovine pericardium for buttressing (Peri-Strips Dry; Bio-Vascular, Inc, Saint Paul, MN). There were no differences between the control and treatment groups in lung function, degree of dyspnea, and arterial blood gases before and 3 months after LVRS.

Results. Seven patients (3 in the treatment group) needed a reoperation because of persistent air leak. The median duration of air leaks was shorter in the treatment group (0.0 day [range, 0 to 28 days versus 4 days [range, 0 to 27 days); p < 0.001), confirmed by a shorter median drainage time in this group (5 days [range, 1 to 35 days] versus 7.5 days [range, 2 to 29 days); p = 0.045). Hospital stay was comparable between the two groups (9.5 days [range, 6 to 44 days] versus 12.0 days [range, 5 to 46 days]; p = 0.14).

Conclusions. Buttressing the staple line significantly shortens the duration of air leaks and the drainage time. As hospital stay did not differ significantly between the two groups, cost-effectiveness may depend on the local situation.     

Early surgical débridement of symptomatic pancreatic necrosis is beneficial irrespective of infection.

In order to assess the recent trend of nonoperative management of pancreatic necrosis, we reviewed 82 variables in 73 consecutive patients with symptomatic necrotizing pancreatitis. The mortality rate for the series was 25% (18 of 73). The only preintervention variables that correlated with mortality were APACHE II score greater than 15 (p = 0.01), preintervention blood transfusion (p less than 0.001), respiratory failure (p less than 0.001), and shock (p less than 0.01). Patients who developed recurrent sepsis following the initial intervention had a significantly higher mortality rate (17 of 34) than those who did not (1 of 39) (p less than 0.001). The rate of recurrent sepsis varied widely among individual surgeons and correlated with APACHE II score. The presence of infected versus noninfected necrosis did not correlate significantly with outcome. When percutaneous radiologically guided drainage was the initial therapeutic modality (n = 6), recurrent sepsis requiring surgical drainage inevitably occurred. Patients treated with percutaneous drainage (often in combination with surgical drainage) had a longer hospital stay (82 versus 42 days, p less than 0.001), spent more days in the intensive care unit (31 versus 6 days, p less than 0.001), and required more days of total parenteral nutrition (57 versus 27 days, p less than 0.001) than those treated solely by surgical means. We conclude that aggressive initial surgical débridement should be the first step in managing symptomatic pancreatic necrosis and that the presence of infection should not be the sole determinant of intervention.     

Efficacy and Safety of Continuous Local Infusion of Ropivacaine after Retroperitoneoscopic Live Donor Nephrectomy

Morphine‐based analgesia is effective but can compromise donor safety. We investigated whether continuous infusion of local anesthetics (CILA) can provide sufficient pain control and reduce morbidity related to opiate analgesics after hand‐assisted retroperitoneoscopic (HARS) live donor nephrectomy. Forty consecutive live kidney donors underwent HARS and were treated with the ON‐Q system providing CILA with 0.5% ropivacaine through two SilvaGard^® catheters placed in the retroperitoneal cavity and the rectus sheath, respectively. The case control group consisted of 40 donors matched with regard to sex, age, BMI and surgical technique. All donors were maintained on standardized multimodal analgesia combining nurse‐controlled oxycodone treatment and acetaminophen. CILA donors had lower median cumulative consumption of morphine equivalents (CCME) (7 mg [0–56] vs. 42 mg [15–127]; p < 0.0000001), lower incidence of nausea (18 [45%] vs. 35 [87.5%] donors; p < 0.001), shorter time in postoperative care unit (160 vs. 242.5 min; p < 0.001) and shorter hospital stay (4 [4–7] vs. 6 [4–11] days; p < 0.001). In 32.5% of CILA donors the CCME was 0 mg (0% in matched control group, p < 0.001). CILA with 0.5% ropivacaine provides effective postoperative pain relief, reduces the need for opioid treatment and promotes postoperative recovery.     

Is laparoscopic resection of colorectal polyps beneficial?

Background: We set out to compare the results of laparoscopic and open resections of colorectal polyps. Methods: Forty-five consecutive patients who underwent operation by a single surgeon for endoscopically irretrievable colonic polyps between April 1992 and March 1996 were classified into the following two groups: group I, laparoscopic procedures for colonic polyps (n= 23); and group II, open procedures for colonic polyps (n= 22). Results: No significant differences were seen between the groups relative to age [71.7 ± 10.7 versus 70.6 ± 13.7 years], gender [male:female = 10:13 versus 13:9], history of previous abdominal operation (eight of 23 [34.8%] versus 10 of 22 [45.5%]), type of pathology (villous: seven of 23 [30.4%] versus four of 22 [18.1%], tubulovillous: nine of 23 [39.1%] versus six of 22 [27.2%], tubular: three of 23 [13.0%] versus seven of 22 [31.8%]), size of polyps (2.6 ± 1.7 cm versus 2.7 ± 1.5 cm), or type of procedures (right hemicolectomy: 15 of 23 [65.2%] versus 11 of 22 [50%], sigmoid colectomy: five of 23 [21.7%] versus six of 22 [27.3%], left hemicolectomy: two of 23 [8.7%] versus two of 22 [9.1%]). There was no mortality and no difference in the incidence of postoperative complications (four of 23 [17.4%] versus seven of 22 [31.8%]), blood loss (167 cc versus 243 cc), number of retrieved lymph nodes (7.1 ± 5 versus 6.6 ± 4), incidence of carcinoma in polyps (two of 23 [13.0%] versus four of 22 [18.2%]), or medical cost ($22,840 versus $18,420), respectively, between the two groups. There were statistically significant differences in length of ileus (3.5 ± 1.0 days versus 5.5 ± 1.8 days), postoperative pain (2.3 ± 1.4 versus 3.7 ± 1.9 on postoperative day 1 [patient pain rating scale 1–10]), length of hospital stay (6.5 ± 2.0 days versus 9.4 ± 2.7 days), and return to normal activity (5.2 ± 4.2 weeks versus 9.3 ± 12.1 weeks) in group I compared to group II, respectively. However, patients in group II had a longer mean specimen length (18.5 ± 6.4 cm versus 29.1 ± 22.7 cm) and a shorter mean operative time (177.6 ± 52.7 min versus 143 ± 51.4 min) than patients in group I. Conclusions: Laparoscopic colectomy for colonic polyps has definite advantages over traditional open surgery, including less postoperative pain, earlier return of bowel function, and earlier return to normal activity. Conversely, its disadvantages include longer operative time and a shorter specimen. Received: 27 January 1997/Accepted: 2 February 1998     

Acute renal failure in coronary artery bypass surgery: independent effect of cardiopulmonary bypass

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure after cardiac surgery is associated with a high morbidity and mortality, particularly when associated with hemodialysis. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the use of cardiopulmonary bypass increased the risk of developing acute renal failure. METHODS: The 2199 consecutive patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting between January 2000 and March 2002 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with significant preoperative renal dysfunction (preoperative serum creatinine > 200 micromol/L) were excluded. A multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to identify independent risk factors for the development of acute renal failure. RESULTS: In the study, 53 patients (2.4%) developed acute renal failure before hospital discharge. The crude incidences of acute renal failure for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting in the on- and off- pump groups were 2.9% and 1.4%, respectively (p = 0.031). There were 1483 patients who underwent on-pump surgery whereas 716 patients were in the off-pump group. The two groups were broadly comparable on many variables. The off-pump group were slightly younger on average (63.6 versus 64.9 years old [p = 0.017]), but had more angina class IV patients (39.5% versus 28.9% [p < 0.001]) and a greater proportion of redo surgery (4.1% versus 1.6% [p < 0.001]). The on-pump group had more patients with three-vessel disease (82.8% versus 74.3% [p < 0.001]). The logistic regression model identified use of cardiopulmonary bypass as an independent risk factor for the development of acute renal failure (odds ratio 2.64 [95% confidence intervals 1.27 to 5.45]). Other independent predictors of acute renal failure were preoperative creatinine levels, diabetes, emergency operations, increasing age, increasing body mass index, and peripheral vascular disease. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with significantly increased risk of acute renal failure following isolated coronary artery bypass surgery.     

Does ministernotomy improve postoperative outcome in aortic valve operation? A prospective randomized study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative outcome obtained in patients undergoing elective aortic valve operation, either through ministernotomy or conventional sternotomy. METHODS: Between January 1999 and July 2001, 80 consecutive patients undergoing elective aortic valve replacement were randomly divided into two groups: group I (n = 40 patients) undergoing a ministernotomy approach (reversed-C or reversed-L), and group II (n = 40 patients) undergoing conventional sternotomy. RESULTS: The length of skin incision was significantly shorter in group I than in group II (8.2+/-1.3 cm versus 23.7+/-2.6 cm, p < 0.001). No significant differences were found in cardiopulmonary bypass duration, associated procedures, or aortic cross-clamping times. Total operating time was 3.7+/-0.46 hours in group I compared with 3.4+/-0.6 hours in group II (p = 0.014). A similar incidence of cardiac, neurologic, infective, and renal complications between groups was found. Mean mediastinal drainage and mean blood transfusions (amount of blood transfused) per patient were greater in group II (p < 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively). Twenty-five (62.5%) patients in group II and 15 (37.5%) patients in group I required postoperative blood transfusion (p = 0.04). Mechanical ventilation time was significantly longer in group II (6.2+/-1.8 hours versus 4.4+/-0.9 hours, p = 0.006). Five days after the surgical procedure, spirometric data analysis demonstrated a significantly lower total lung capacity and maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures in group II compared with group I (p = 0.003, p = 0.007, and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that ministernotomy had not only important cosmetic advantages but also beneficial effects in blood loss and transfusion, postoperative pain, and probably in sternal stability. Ministernotomy also improved recovery of respiratory function and allowed earlier extubation and hospital discharge.     

Off-pump versus on-pump coronary surgery: final results from a prospective randomized study PRAGUE-4

BACKGROUND: Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery is becoming increasingly popular despite the lack of sufficient evidence from randomized trials. The aim of our prospective, randomized, single-center study was to examine the role of off-pump revascularization among nonselected patients. METHODS: A total of 400 consecutive nonselected patients (mean age 63 years) scheduled for isolated coronary revascularization were randomized by a cardiologist into two groups: A (on-pump) and B (off-pump). The cardiac surgeon was allowed to change the operative technique at any time after randomization. The only exclusion criterion was an emergency procedure. The primary end point was any of the following within 30 days: death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or new renal failure requiring hemodialysis. The study was analyzed on the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: The primary end point occurred in 4.9% of patients in group A versus 2.9% in group B (not significant). Mortality was 1.1% in group A versus 2.0% in group B (not significant). Preoperative crossover occurred in 5.4% of patients in each group (not significant). Intraoperative conversion was necessary in 9.8% of patients in group B versus 1.1% of patients in group A (p < 0.001). Group B patients had fewer distal anastomoses (2.3 versus 2.7 in group A; p < 0.001), less blood loss (560 versus 680 mL; p < 0.001), lower postoperative creatine kinase MB levels (0.15 versus 0.56 microkat/L; p < 0.001) and lower total hospital costs (3,451 versus 4,387; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In our study off-pump technique was applicable in 85% of nonselected patients and is at least as clinically safe and effective as on-pump surgery.     

Treatment variation by insurance status for breast cancer patients

Few studies have examined the relationship of insurance status with the presentation and treatment of breast cancer. Using a state cancer registry, we compared tumor presentation and surgical treatments at presentation by insurance status (private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or uninsured). Student's t-test, Chi-square test, and ANOVA were used for comparison. P-values reflect a comparison to insured patients. From 1996 to 2005, there were 6876 cases of invasive breast cancer with either private (n = 3975), Medicare (n = 2592), Medicaid (n = 193), or no insurance (n = 116). The median age (years) at presentation was 55 for private, 76 for Medicare, 54 for Medicaid and 54 for uninsured. The mean and median tumor size (mm) were 18.5 and 15 for private; 20.9 and 15 for Medicare; 24.2 and 18 for Medicaid; and 29.5 and 17 for uninsured, respectively; (p < 0.001 for all). Fewer women with Medicare and Medicaid presented with node negative breast cancers: private, 73.4% node negative; Medicare, 79.5% (p < 0.001); Medicaid, 60.9% (p < 0.001); and uninsured, 58% (p = 0.005). Significantly more uninsured women had no surgical treatment of their breast cancer: 15.5% versus 4.3% for private (p < 0.001). Among women with non-metastatic T1/T2 tumors, 71.5% with private insurance underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS), compared with 64.2% of Medicare (p < 0.001), 65% of Medicaid (p = 0.097), and 65.4% of uninsured (p = 0.234). The rate of reconstruction following mastectomy was higher for private insurance (36.6%), compared with Medicare (3.8%, p < 0.0001), Medicaid (26.1%, p = 0.31), and uninsured (5.0%, p = 0.0038). The presentation of breast cancer in women with no insurance and Medicaid is significantly worse than those with private insurance. Of concern are the lower proportions of BCS and reconstruction among patients who are uninsured or have Medicaid. Reduction of disparities in breast cancer presentation and treatment may be possible by increasing enrollment of uninsured, program-eligible women in a state-supported screening and treatment program.     

Penetrating neck injuries: analysis of experience from a Canadian trauma centre.

OBJECTIVE: To study the demographics and treatment outcome of penetrating neck injuries presenting to a major trauma centre in order to develop a treatment protocol. DESIGN: A case review. SETTING: A trauma centre at a tertiary care institution. PATIENTS: One hundred and thirty consecutive patients who had 134 neck wounds penetrating the platysma and presented to the trauma service between 1979 and 1997. INTERVENTION: Surgical exploration or observation alone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The location of injury, patient management, number of significant injuries, duration of hospital stay and outcome. RESULTS: Injuries were caused by stab wounds in 124 patients (95%) and gunshot wounds in 6 (5%). The location of injury was zone I (lower neck) in 20 cases (15%), zone II (midportion of the neck) in 108 (81%) and zone III (upper neck) in 5 (4%). The location was not recorded in 1 case. Fifty patients were managed by observation alone and 80 were managed surgically. Neck exploration in 48 asymptomatic patients was negative in 32 (67%). Significant injuries, including major vascular (12), nerve (13) and aerodigestive tract (19) injuries, were identified in 34 patients. Two of the 130 patients (1.5%) died of major vascular injuries. Seventy-six percent of significant injuries, including all zone II major vascular injuries, were symptomatic on presentation. The mean (and standard deviation) hospital stay for asymptomatic patients treated with observation alone and surgical exploration was similar (3.5 [6.02] versus 4.3 [5.46] days respectively, p = 0.575). Long-term disability, all neurologic in nature, was documented in 3 patients managed by observation alone and 6 patients managed by surgical exploration. CONCLUSIONS: Penetrating neck trauma, in particular stab wounds to zone II in asymptomatic patients, is associated with low morbidity and mortality. A selective management protocol with investigations directed by symptoms is the most appropriate approach for the patient population and resource base in this setting.