The management of the surgical complications of HELLP syndrome

Introduction

Complications from HELLP (Haemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelet) syndrome may present as an emergency to any surgeon. We review the ten-year experience of a tertiary hepatobiliary centre managing HELLP patients. Three selected cases are described to highlight our management strategy and a systematic review of the recent literature is presented.

Methods

All patients with HELLP syndrome were identified from a prospectively maintained database and their details collated. Subsequently, a detailed search of PubMed was carried out to identify all case series of HELLP syndrome in the literature in the English language since 1999.

Results

On review of 1,002 cases, 10 patients were identified with surgical complications of HELLP syndrome. Seven of these patients had a significant liver injury. Only three of these required surgical intervention for liver injury although four other patients required surgical intervention for other complications. There was no maternal mortality in this series. Review of the literature identified 49 cases in 31 publications. The management approaches of these patients were compared with ours.

Conclusions

We have presented a large series of patients with surgical complications resulting from HELLP syndrome managed without maternal mortality. This review has confirmed that haemodynamically stable patients with HELLP syndrome associated hepatic rupture can be conservatively treated successfully. However, in unstable patients, perihepatic packing and transfer to a specialist liver unit is recommended.     

隐匿阴茎的分类和手术治疗

目的：探讨隐匿阴茎的分类和手术治疗方法。方法：手术治疗33例隐匿阴茎患者，年龄l岁3个月-25岁，平均6．2岁。根据Bergeson(1993)的隐匿阴茎的分类标准，埋藏阴茎29例，蹼状阴茎2例，束缚阴茎2例。结果：术后随访2个月-1年，所有患者术后阴茎外观满意，阴茎皮肤与阴茎体附着正常。结论：对隐匿阴茎不能指望青春期发育时耻骨前脂肪组织减少或简单行包茎松解术就能得到解决，正确的分类和恰当的手术治疗才能取得良好效果。     

Current status of surgical management of patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) of the gastroenteropancreatic system are rare and heterogeneous tumours, yet with increasing prevalence. The most frequent primary sites are the small intestine, rectum, pancreas, and stomach. For a localized disease, surgical resection with local lymph nodes is usually curative with good overall and disease free survival. More complex situation is the treatment of locally advanced lesions, liver metastases, and, surprisingly, small asymptomatic tumours of the rectum and pancreas. In this review, we focus on the current role of surgical management of gastroenteropancreatic NENs. We present surgical approach for the most frequent primary sites. We highlight the role of endoscopic surgery and the watch-and-wait strategy for selected cases. As liver metastases pose an important clinical challenge, we present current indications and contraindications for liver resection and a role of liver transplantation for metastatic NENs.     

Evolving concepts and strategies in the management of polytrauma patients

Major trauma is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in young adults. The impact of disability on the quality of life and functionality in this younger population is worrisome. This remains a major public health concern across the globe. Immediate and early deaths account for nearly 80% of trauma deaths occurring within the first few hours of injury to the first few days, usually because of traumatic brain injury or major exsanguination and subsequently due to shock or hypoxia. Worldwide adoption of comprehensive trauma systems and evolving models of trauma care including prehospital interventions have led improvements in trauma and critical care over the last few decades. Resuscitation and damage control orthopaedics are two key pillars in the management of polytrauma patient. Trauma-related coagulopathy can be an emerging complication during resuscitation of such patients which should be recognized early so appropriate corrective measures can be undertaken. We describe the evolving models of care in the management of polytrauma and trauma associated coagulopathy.     

Current and future surgery strategies for spinal cord injuries

Spinal cord trauma is a prominent cause of mortality and morbidity. In developed countries a spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs every 16 min. SCI occurs due to tissue destruction, primarily by mechanical and secondarily ischemic. Primary damage occurs at the time of the injury. It cannot be improved. Following the primary injury, secondary harm mechanisms gradually result in neuronal death. One of the prominent causes of secondary harm is energy deficit, emerging from ischemia, whose main cause in the early stage, is impaired perfusion. Due to the advanced techniques in spinal surgery, SCI is still challenging for surgeons. Spinal cord doesn’t have a self-repair property. The main damage occurs at the time of the injury primarily by mechanical factors that cannot be improved. Secondarily mechanisms take part in the following sections. Spinal compression and neurological deficit are two major factors used to decide on surgery. According to advanced imaging techniques the classifications systems for spinal injury has been changed in time. Aim of the surgery is to decompress the spinal channel and to restore the spinal alinement and mobilize the patient as soon as possible. Use of neuroprotective agents as well as methods to achieve cell regeneration in addition to surgery would contribute to the solution.     

Effect of a factor-based coagulation management on blood product use after major burn injury: A retrospective cohort study

BackgroundTransfusion of allogenic blood products was shown to be associated with more adverse events and a higher mortality in severely burned patients. This study investigated the impact of a goal-directed and factor-based coagulation algorithm on blood product use and clinical outcomes in severely burned patients.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included adult patients admitted to the burn center of the University Hospital Zurich with major burn injuries compromising 20–80% of total body surface area. We compared two 3-year periods, one before the introduction of a goal-directed coagulation and transfusion algorithm (period 1: 2009–2011) and one after (period 2: 2016–2018). We applied linear and logistic regression models adjusted for confounders.ResultsWe analyzed 36 patients (27.8% female) versus 42 patients (14.3% female) in period 1 and 2, respectively. Comorbidities and burn types were comparable between both collectives. Treatment according to the coagulation algorithm resulted in an overall reduction of 33 units of red blood cells (95% CI −52.8 to −12.9, p = 0.002), 9 units fresh frozen plasma (95% CI −14.7 to −2.6, p = 0.006) and 1.4g fibrinogen (95% CI −2.2 to −0.5, p = 0.001) per patient. We observed less infections (61.8% vs. 41.5%, p = 0.11) and a reduced mortality (38.9% vs. 26.8%, p = 0.33) during the algorithm treated period, although not significant.ConclusionTreatment of severely burned patients with a goal-directed coagulation algorithm reduced blood product use and resulted in target-oriented administration of coagulation factors to improve outcomes.     

全身麻醉药物选择与老年手术患者预后:吸入麻醉还是静脉麻醉

背景 随着社会人口的老龄化,需要接受手术治疗的老年患者越来越多,麻醉管理对老年患者预后的影响值得关注. 目的 回顾吸入麻醉与静脉麻醉对老年手术患者预后的影响. 内容 对于心脏手术患者,吸入麻醉可能较丙泊酚静脉麻醉更有优势,但需进一步多中心、大规模临床研究证实.在对术后近期脑功能的影响方面,不同研究的结果差异较大,还无法得出明确结论;在对术后远期脑功能的影响方面,全身麻醉可能伴随术后痴呆风险增加,但还有待前瞻性研究证实.在对恶性肿瘤患者术后机体免疫功能的影响方面,丙泊酚静脉麻醉可能优于吸入麻醉,但其临床意义有待阐明;麻醉药物对恶性肿瘤患者肿瘤侵袭性及远期预后的影响值得进一步研究. 趋向 吸入麻醉与静脉麻醉对老年手术患者预后的影响,需要进一步的研究证实.     

Current perspectives on pancreatic serous cystic neoplasms: Diagnosis,management and beyond

Pancreatic cystic neoplasms have been increasingly recognized recently. Comprising about 16% of all resected pancreatic cystic neoplasms, serous cystic neoplasms are uncommon benign lesions that are usually asymptomatic and found incidentally. Despite overall low risk of malignancy, these pancreatic cysts still generate anxiety, leading to intensive medical investigations with considerable financial cost to health care systems. This review discusses the general background of serous cystic neoplasms, including epidemiology and clinical characteristics, and provides an updated overview of diagnostic approaches based on clinical features, relevant imaging studies and new findings that are being discovered pertaining to diagnostic evaluation. We also concisely discuss and propose management strategies for better quality of life.     

新型冠状病毒疫情期间骨科患者手术器械消毒灭菌与管理的流程与策略

2019年12月以来,新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)已在世界多地暴发。虽然疫情在我国得到控制,随着复工复产的逐步深入,部分COVID-19患者治愈后"复阳",特别是近1个月以来,境外输入病例逐渐增多,因此疫情防控形势仍然严峻,医疗机构在未来一段时间内仍面临巨大压力。基于2016版《医院消毒供应中心清洗消毒及灭菌技术操作规范》、2012版《医疗机构消毒技术规范》、《新型冠状病毒肺炎防控方案(第五版)》及《新型冠状病毒肺炎诊疗方案(试行第六版)》等相关标准,河北医科大学第三医院消毒供应中心制定本科室"新型冠状病毒(2019-nCoV)感染复用器械处理流程、2019-nCoV感染器械回收流程、2019-nCoV感染器械转运车处理流程"等应急预案。为疫情防控期间消毒供应中心(CSSD)各项防控管理措施提供参考。     

功能性甲状旁腺囊肿的诊断及外科处理

目的了解功能性甲状旁腺囊肿（ＦＰＴＣ）的特点,总结其诊治经验。方法回顾性研究了我院１９８４～１９９６年收治功能性甲状旁腺囊肿６例的临床表现及血钙、甲状旁腺素、Ｂ型超声和ＣＴ等辅助检查的特点;并结合文献讨论了功能性甲状旁腺囊肿诊治的有关问题。结果本组６例患者均经手术切除、病理检查证实为ＦＰＴＣ;其中囊实性２例,合并甲状旁腺腺瘤１例,位于纵隔１例;术后均恢复正常。结论功能性甲状旁腺囊肿应手术切除,避免囊肿穿刺活检。     

Hyperlucent lung. Pathophysiology and surgical management

Thirteen patients with a diagnosis of “hyperlucent lung”, 9 women and 4 men ranging in age from 19 to 68, are reviewed. Four patients had congenital absence of the pulmonary artery, and 9 had what we believe should be termed acquired hypoperfusion of a lung.In patients with acquired hypoperfusion, the pathophysiology is determined by recurrent pulmonary infection with resultant decrease in lung volume and function, decreased pulmonary artery flow, and increased bronchial circulation. Recurrent infection may lead to severe hemoptysis. Pulmonary resection was carried out in 1 of those with congenital absence of the pulmonary artery and in 5 with acquired lesions.     

Neuraxial anesthesia and postoperative opioid administration for cesarean delivery in patients with placenta accreta spectrum disorder: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundThere is no consensus on optimal anesthetic and analgesic management of patients presenting for cesarean delivery with suspected placenta accreta spectrum disorder. Neuraxial anesthesia is preferred for uncomplicated procedures, but general anesthesia may be indicated for those at risk of hemorrhage and hysterectomy. We compared the effect of anesthesia techniques on postoperative maternal opioid administration and neonatal respiratory distress.MethodsA single-center retrospective study from 2016 to 2019 using electronic records to identify singleton pregnancies with a high index of suspicion of placenta accreta spectrum disorder. Patients were categorized by the anesthetic technique they received: general, neuraxial, or neuraxial with conversion to general anesthesia following delivery. Postoperative maternal opioid administration (oral morphine in mg equivalents) and risk of neonatal respiratory distress were compared using linear mixed models.ResultsThirty-nine records were analyzed. Mean-adjusted oral morphine mg equivalents were 192 for patients receiving general anesthesia vs. 90 for neuraxial anesthesia only (P=0.009) and 104 for neuraxial with conversion to general anesthesia (P=0.052). Neonates delivered under general anesthesia had a 3.5 times relative risk (95% CI 1.3 to 9.8, P=0.017) of respiratory distress compared with those exposed to neuraxial anesthesia alone.ConclusionPatients receiving general anesthesia alone were administered more opioids than those undergoing neuraxial anesthesia or neuraxial with conversion to general anesthesia. This finding was maintained when accounting for whether or not the patient underwent hysterectomy. Deciding on anesthetic management requires consideration of patient comorbidities, severity of placenta accreta spectrum pathology, and surgical requirements.     

复杂肝胆管结石病治疗决策的思考:五例典型病例分析

目的探讨复杂肝胆管结石的手术治疗原则。方法回顾性总结5例复杂肝胆管结石病人的临床资料,分析并探讨其诊疗过程。结果 5例病人中有1例为右前叶胆管和胆囊管异位汇合,1例为左肝内胆管结石伴右肝管可疑狭窄,1例为左肝内胆管结石合并癌变,1例为右后叶胆管结石,1例为右前叶胆管结石伴肝萎缩,分别从不同角度展示了复杂肝胆管结石的特点。5例病人分别通过合理的手术治疗均痊愈,且预后良好,随访无结石残留或复发,无死亡等严重并发症。结论复杂肝胆管结石的诊治决策过程中,应当始终坚持和活学活用取尽结石,去除病灶,解除梗阻,通畅引流的治疗原则。     

Incidental posterior mediastinal paraganglioma: The safe approach to management,case report

IntroductionParagangliomas are neuroendocrine tumors arising from chromaffin cells located in sympathetic paraganglia. Mediastinal paragangliomas are extremely rare and can be classified as functional or non-functional according to their ability for secreting catecholamines. Patients can be asymptomatic and the diagnosis is usually incidental. Complete surgical resection remains the standard of care for paragangliomas.Presentation of caseWe present a 44-year-old woman with a functional mediastinal paraganglioma incidentally found during the perioperative imaging workup for a diagnosed breast carcinoma. Chest radiograph and computed tomography (CT) showed a well-defined lesion in the posterior mediastinum suspicious for an esophageal malignancy. Endoscopic and CT-guided biopsies were performed confirming the diagnosis of a neuroendocrine tumor. Laboratory studies showed elevated catecholamines and chromogranin A levels, consistent with a paraganglioma. Appropriate pre-operative management was done and successful surgical resection without catecholamine related complications was achieved.DiscussionThe workup and treatment of incidentally discovered adrenal and extra-adrenal lesions are controversial. Because of the absence of symptoms and the wider differential diagnosis of extra-adrenal lesions, an attempt for biopsying and surgically remove these lesions prior to biochemical testing is not an uncommon scenario, although this could be potentially harmful. Surgeons should have an index of suspicion for catecholamine-secreting tumors and hormonal levels should be assessed prior to biopsy or surgical resection.ConclusionSurgeons should consider paragangliomas as a differential diagnosis for extra-adrenal lesions. Biochemical testing with catecholamines and chromogranin A levels should be performed prior to biopsy or surgical removal in order to avoid catastrophic complications.     

Desmoplastic small round cell tumors: Prognostic indicators and results of surgical management

Background: Desmoplastic small round cell tumors (DSRCT or DSCT) are rare aggressive cancers of adolescence and early adulthood. There are few reported series to guide clinical therapy. This study correlates survival with treatment variables, including aggressive surgical debulking. Methods: Thirty-two patients with documented DSRCT received treatment at our institution. Demographic, clinical, and treatment variables were correlated with progression-free survival using log-rank statistics. Results: Thirty patients were male (96%), and two were female (4%), with a median age at diagnosis of 22 years. The primary site of disease in 97% of cases was the abdomen or pelvis. Twenty-nine patients (91%) had extensive disease involving peritoneal surfaces, lymph nodes, or discontinuous organs. All 32 patients received systemic chemotherapy. Fifteen (47%) underwent tumor debulking greater than 90% at diagnosis or during therapy. A complete or very good response to therapy occurred in 13 patients, and depended on surgical removal of bulk disease in all. Thirteen patients remained progression-free, but three of these patients died from treatment toxicity. Improved survival was correlated with a complete or very good partial response to multimodality therapy, surgical debulking of more than 90% either before or after chemotherapy, and use of the P6 protocol. Conclusions: DSRCT is an aggressive cancer that occurs predominantly in young males. Improved survival is correlated with intense chemotherapy and aggressive resection.     

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its perioperative management

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is now diagnosed in more than 1 in 100 children, so it is not surprising that anesthetists are increasingly providing care for children with this diagnosis. The diagnostic classification for ASD has recently changed and our understanding of the causes and management of ASD are also changing rapidly. This review provides a timely update to increase understanding and awareness of the problems that children with ASD experience, and to minimize perioperative problems. Current literature on premedication and the increasing use of alpha‐2 agonists such as clonidine and dexmedetomidine as well as the use of old favorites midazolam and ketamine is reviewed. Some simple strategies that will improve care and decrease anxiety, like social stories, the use of tablet computers, other comfort items or games for distraction, and using favorite drinks to disguise the bitter taste of medications, are described. Remember, the parents are their child's expert and will know what agitates and settles them. Talking to them prior to the day of the procedure is ideal. The importance of staff training and having a clinical practice guideline available at every institution cannot be overstated.     

Hyperparathyroidism: Problems in surgical management

A retrospective study of 210 patients who had 225 operations for hyperparathyroidism over a 20 year period has been reported. These patients were operated on by 20 staff surgeons, 12 of whom performed such an operation less than five times for this disease during the study period. There was a significant operative and postoperative morbidity of about 8 percent. There was one postoperative death, and two patients died later of related problems. The recurrence rate was 1 percent. The total rate of untoward results was about 18 percent, The success rate of primary operations was 95 percent (71 percent for reoperations). These findings were similar to those in many published reports, but were less than satisfactory. It is possible that results could be improved by putting such patients in the care of experienced surgeons. Careful identification of all of the parathyroid glands is essential to obtain satisfactory results. There was an unusually large incidence of this disease in patients with thyroid disease, immobilization, and thiazide intake. There was a correlation between the preoperative serum calcium levels and the size of the parathyroid tumors that were removed. An interesting “rebound” postoperative hypercalcemia has been described.     

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting: changes in anesthetic management and surgical procedure.

OBJECTIVE: The authors hypothesized that changes in surgical procedures for minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) have led to changes in anesthetic management with a resultant decrease in the complexity of care. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Review of the records of 60 patients who underwent MIDCAB surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data included preoperative demographics, perioperative anesthetic management, and postoperative cardiac and noncardiac issues and complications. Two groups were formed: in group I, a coronary stabilizer (CS) was not used, and in group II, it was. With the exception of a greater incidence of those with no preoperative comorbidities in group II (CS), there were no differences between the two groups with respect to demographics or preoperative variables. A surgical design called H-graft was used in a greater number of group II (CS) patients, whereas a direct anastomosis was performed in the majority of group I patients. Use of pharmacologically induced bradycardia/asystole has not been performed after the introduction of the CS. The use of central venous catheters (instead of pulmonary artery catheters) and single-lumen (v double-lumen) endotracheal tubes was greater in group II (CS) patients. Despite changes in intraoperative management, there was no significant change in the incidence of postoperative complications, intensive care unit stay, and hospital stay between groups I and II. New-onset atrial fibrillation was the most common postoperative complication (13 of 56 patients; 23%). Three of 24 patients (12.5%) who received intraoperative magnesium experienced atrial fibrillation compared with 10 of 32 patients (31%) who did not receive magnesium. CONCLUSIONS: The complexity of anesthetic technique has decreased since the onset of MIDCAB surgery. The decrease in complexity may be related to changes in surgical design and technology.