Can preoperative gonadotropin and testosterone levels predict the success of varicocelectomy?

We examined the effects of preoperative hormonal values on varicocelectomy success. A total of 136 patients who underwent varicocelectomy for infertility in our clinic were analysed retrospectively. Improvement in semen quality was defined as >50% increase in post-operative total motile sperm count (TMSC) in those with preoperative TMSC >5 million and at least 100% increase in those with <5 million. The patients were divided into two groups as benefiting from the treatment (Group A) and no benefits (Group B). The best cut-off value for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and the luteinising hormone/testosterone ratio (LTR) that can predict varicocelectomy success were 7.01 and 0.016 with an area under the curve of 0.844 and 0.856 respectively. The highest sensitivities and specificities of FSH and LTR were 0.845 and 0.788 and 0.821 and 0.846 respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis showed FSH (odds ratio [OR]: 3.7; p < .001) and LTR (OR: 5.2; p < .001) as independent predictive factors in predicting varicocelectomy success. Our study demonstrated that low FSH (7.01 IU/L) and LTR (<.016) can be a useful preoperative predictive tool to help identify men who benefit most from varicocelectomy in infertile patients with varicocele.     

Can serum Inhibin B and FSH levels, testicular histology and volume predict the outcome of testicular sperm extraction in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia?

Introduction In our study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Inhibin B, testicular volumes and distribution of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) outcome according to the histological diagnosis in men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Materials and methods Between February 2001 and April 2002, 66 men presenting with infertility of at least 1 year were found to have non-obstructive azoospermia. Serum FSH and Inhibin B levels, testicular volumes and pathological analysis were reviewed retrospectively using medical records of these patients. Results Of 66 patients, 52 were enrolled into the study and sperm extraction was successful in 31 of 52 patients (59.6%). There was no statistically significant difference between the patients who had successful and unsuccessful TESE in terms of mean serum Inhibin B, FSH levels and testicular volumes (P > 0.05). The area under ROC analysis for serum Inhibin, serum FSH and testicular volume was 0.557, 0.523 and 0.479, respectively. For Inhibin B, the best cut-off value for discriminating between successful and failed TESE at 90% sensitivity was 6.25 with a very low level of specificity (14%) and diagnostic accuracy that was 53.8. Conclusion Besides the controversies about the direct marker role of serum Inhibin B in determination of spermatogenesis, it does not seem to give a clue about the prediction of sperm presence before TESE. Because of the conflicting results in the literature, the potential role of serum Inhibin B as a marker for prediction of sperm presence in testis is yet to be determined.     

Can LigaSure seal and divide the small bowel?

BACKGROUND: The LigaSure system (Valleylab, Boulder, CO) seals vessels by reforming collagen and elastin in vessel walls. We studied the feasibility and effectiveness of LigaSure in dividing porcine small bowel. METHODS: Twelve porcine small bowel portions were randomized to division with either endoscopic linear stapler or LigaSure system and the burst pressure of the sealed ends were measured. RESULTS: Segments sealed with staples (6), LigaSure Atlas (Valleylab) (7), LigaSure Xtd (Valleylab) (4), and double-sealed with LigaSure Atlas (Valleylab) (4) were compared. Burst pressure for stapled segments was 131 (standard deviation [SD] 19) mm Hg; failure occurred in the bowel wall. Burst pressures for the 3 groups of Ligasure segments were 27 (SD 5), 20 (SD 6), and 11 (SD 13) mm Hg, respectively, with no statistically significant difference among them; failure occurred at the sealed end. Burst pressure for stapled segments was significantly higher than that of Ligasure segments (P < .001). CONCLUSION: LigaSure does not safely seal small bowel.     

Can the ice-water test predict the outcome of intradetrusor injections of botulinum toxin in patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction?

The aim of this project was to evaluate the ice-water test as a predictor of the response to intradetrusor botulinum toxin injection in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity. We retrospectively evaluated the urodynamic parameters in 22 patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction and positive ice-water test. Maximum cystometric capacity (MCC), reflex volume (RV), maximum detrusor pressure during voiding (MVP) and bladder compliance (BC) were compared before and after intradetrusor injection of 300 units botulinum toxin and calculated as a quotient. The ice-water test was performed before the injection, and the maximum pressure rise and the time to maximum pressure were measured. Furthermore, the ratio between maximum pressure and time to reach maximum pressure was calculated as the velocity of pressure rise. Correlations between the ice-water test criteria and the quotients of the cystometric data before and after injection were determined by the Spearmen’s Rho coefficient. The increase in MCC and RV after botulinum toxin A injection showed a small positive, but insignificant correlation of 0.25 and 0.2 to the velocity of pressure rise of the ice-water test. A small negative, but insignificant correlation was found in change of BC and MVP with −0.17 and −0.2, respectively. Based on our population the ice-water test cannot predict the efficacy of intradetrusor botulinum toxin injections in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity.     

Can uric acid blood levels in renal transplant recipients predict allograft outcome?

BackgroundHyperuricemia is common after renal transplantation, especially in those receiving calcineurin inhibitors. Little, however, is known about the relationship between uric acid (UA) levels and allograft outcome.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective single-center analysis (N = 368) in order to assess UA blood levels post-transplant association with allograft outcome. For this study, a median serum UA level of all measured UA levels from 1 month to 1 year post renal transplantation was calculated.ResultsPatients were divided into 2 groups based on the median UA level measured between 1 and 12 months post-transplant. Those with median UA level ≥ 7 and ≥ 6 mg/dL (N = 164) versus median UA level < 7 and < 6 mg/dL for men and women respectively (N = 204) had lower GFR values at 1, 3 and 5 years posttransplant (mean GFR ± SD of 43.4 ± 20.6 and 58 ± 19.9 at 3 years post-transplant, p < 0.001). In multivariate models, UA levels were no longer significantly associated with renal allograft function. In a multivariate cox proportional hazard model, UA level was found to be independently associated with increased risk for death-censored graft loss (HR of 1.3, 95% CI 1.0–1.7, p < 0.05 for every increase of 1 mg/dL in UA level).ConclusionHyperuricemia was found to be associated with increased death- censored graft loss but not with allograft function. Increased UA levels were not found to be an independent predictor of long-term allograft function despite the known association of hyperuricemia with the progression of cardiovascular and renal disease.     

Can we predict the natural course of femoroacetabular impingement?

We conducted a multivariate regression analysis (including both radiographic and activity related variables) in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and structural changes related with femoroacetabular impingement. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the age at which total hip arthroplasty may have to be performed, can be predicted in patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). In 121 patients with FAI-related osteoarthritis, radiographic variables describing FAI-related parameters were obtained and the patients were questioned about their activity during early adulthood by means of the validated Baecke et al questionnaire. None of the variables significantly correlated with the final outcome parameter : age at surgery. As expected, based on the low correlation ratios of the different parameters investigated, a multiple-regression model was not accurate enough to allow any prediction on the natural course of FAI. We found that it is difficult to accurately predict the age at which a patient with FAI will develop early osteoarthritis. From our findings it appears that a hip with FAI is not always prone to early end-stage osteoarthritic degeneration, not even in patients with a high level of physical activity. Hence, considering the high prevalence of FAI-related radiographic findings, we conclude that not every radiographic abnormality requires treatment.     

Can we predict the failure of thoracostomy tube drainage in the treatment of pediatric parapneumonic collections?

Background/Purpose

Tube thoracostomy is a standard method of treating pediatric parapneumonic collections. Despite recent work denoting thoracoscopy as a superior method of treatment, few studies have looked at factors predictive of tube thoracostomy failure. We reviewed parapneumonic collections initially treated with tube thoracostomy to identify such factors.

Methods

Nontuberculous parapneumonic collections treated initially with tube thoracostomy over a 10-year period were reviewed. A “failed primary tube thoracostomy” was defined as the presence of worsening clinicoradiological signs requiring a further chest procedure (ie, thoracoscopy, thoracotomy, or second thoracostomy).

Results

Fifty-eight patients were identified. Forty-three percent failed primary tube thoracostomy. Within group F (failure group), 32% of patients had a concomitant medical condition (P < .001). Sixty percent of group F patients had duration of symptoms for more than 1 week compared with only 24% of group S (successful group) (P < .001).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that primary treatment of parapneumonic collections with tube thoracostomy is likely to be unsuccessful in patients who are symptomatic for more than a week or who have a concomitant medical condition.A more aggressive primary surgical intervention is suggested for this group.     

Can the Surgical Apgar Score predict morbidity and mortality in general orthopaedic surgery?

Purpose

The Surgical Apgar Score (SAS) is a simple tally based on intra-operative heart rate, blood pressure and blood loss; it predicts 30-day major postoperative complications and mortality in different surgical fields, but no validation has been performed in general orthopaedic surgery.

Methods

A prospective assessment of the SAS in 723 consecutive patients undergoing major and intermediate orthopaedic procedures was performed in an 18-month period. The SAS was calculated immediately after surgery, and the occurrence of major complications or death was registered within a 30-day follow-up.

Results

Thirty-seven patients had ≥1 complication (5.12 %). The complication rate did not augment as the score decreased (SAS 9–10 = 6.56 %; SAS 7–8 = 2.62 %; SAS 5–6 = 7.21 %; SAS ≤4 = 10.2 %), the relative risk did not augment as the score decreased and the likelihood ratio did not increase with decreasing SAS values, except in the subgroup of patients undergoing spine surgery. The C-statistic was 0.59 (95 % confidence interval 0.48–0.69), a weak discriminatory value. Using a threshold of 7 to define high-risk and low-risk patients, the SAS allowed risk stratification only for spine surgery.

Conclusions

The SAS does not predict 30-day major complications and death in patients undergoing general orthopaedic surgery, but it is useful in the subgroup of patients undergoing spine surgery.     

Does preoperative enhanced CT predict requirement of intestinal resection in the patients with incarcerated myopectineal hernias containing small bowel?

Purpose

Bowel wall enhancement on CT imaging is considered one of the useful features for the prediction of the presence of irreversible ischemic change in patients with small bowel obstruction. However, the applicability of CT imaging in patients with incarcerated hernias has not been investigated in detail. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the feasibility of preoperative CT findings for the prediction of the presence of irreversible ischemic change in patients with incarcerated hernias containing small bowel.

Methods

Included in this study were 76 patients who underwent surgery for preoperatively diagnosed incarcerated hernias containing small bowel (27 inguinal hernias, 37 femoral hernias and 12 obturator hernias) at our hospital between January 2011 and June 2020. The preoperative clinicoradiological features were compared between the groups, and predictors for intestinal resection were evaluated.

Results

Nineteen patients required intestinal resection (Resection group), and the other 57 patients did not require intestinal resection (Nonresection group). Multivariate analyses revealed that age?≥?80 years (p?=?0.018, odds ratio?=?6.604) and the absence of bowel wall enhancement (p?=?0.032, odds ratio?=?51.200) were independent predictors for intestinal resection. In resected specimens, all patients with an absence of bowel wall enhancement on preoperative enhanced CT had ischemic changes extending beyond the muscularis propria.

Conclusions

Preoperative enhancement CT yields useful information for the prediction of the presence of irreversible ischemic change in patients with incarcerated hernias containing small bowel.

     

Can the attending anesthesiologist accurately predict the duration of anesthesia induction?

In a prospective, observational study, the attending anesthesiologists' prediction of anesthesia release time (ART) of the patient to the surgical team was highly correlated with actual ART (r = 0.77; P < or = 0.001). However, this was true only in the aggregate (n = 1265 patients). Indeed, offsetting degrees of under- and over-predicting (24% each) reduced accuracy to only 53% per individual case. For example, under-prediction was associated with ASA physical status IV, a regional anesthetic technique, age >65 yr, and the use of invasive hemodynamic monitoring (P = 0.006). In fact, as the degree of case difficulty increased, the correlation coefficient between predicted and actual ART decreased, indicating a poor predictive value with more difficult inductions (r = 0.82 to r = 0.44; P < or = 0.004). We conclude that knowledge of the presence of specific factors that lead to inaccurate predictions of time required for induction of anesthesia may enhance the accuracy of the operating room schedule.     

Can measures of cognitive function predict locomotor behaviour in complex environments following a traumatic brain injury?

Primary objective: To determine the relationships between clinical measures of executive function and attention, and laboratory measures of anticipatory locomotor adaptations with dual tasks following a TBI.

Methods and procedures: Ten people with moderate or severe TBI were compared to 10 healthy subjects for neuropsychological measures in the clinic, as well as locomotor patterns and reading time in the laboratory for adapted Stroop tasks (Bar and Word) during unobstructed and obstructed walking.

Main outcomes and results: As previously found 1 (Vallee M, McFadyen BJ, Swaine B, Doyon J, Cantin JF, Dumas D. Effects of environmental demands on locomotion after traumatic brain injury. Archives of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation 2006;87:806--813) during the locomotor activities, subjects with TBI walked slower, had higher clearance margins and took longer to read during the Stroop tasks than healthy subjects. In general, subjects with TBI also showed deficits in executive functions and attention. Significant relationships were specifically observed between scores on Trail Making B and clearance margins for subjects with TBI, but not for healthy subjects. Alternatively, significant relationships between clinical scores on Stroop and dual task Stroop reading times were obtained for healthy subjects but not for subjects with TBI.

Conclusions: These results suggest that measures of executive functioning and attention may be associated to locomotor behaviour in complex environments following a moderate to severe TBI.