The outcome of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in northern Malaysia

A prospective study of all infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repairs both as electives and emergencies in Penang between January 1997 to December 2000 is presented. The objectives of the study were to determine the age, gender, racial distribution of the patients, the incidence, and risk factors and to summarize treatments undertaken and discuss the outcome. Among the races, the Malays were the most common presenting with infrarenal AAA. The mean age of patients operated was 68.5 years. Males were more commonly affected compared to females (12:1). Most infrarenal AAA repairs were performed as emergency operations, 33 cases (61.1%) compared to electives, 21 cases (38.9%). Total survival was 70.3% (elective 85.7%; emergency 57.6%). Mortality rate was 31.5% and the primary reason is the lack of operating time available for urgent operation and for treatment of concurrent disease states. Mycotic aneurysm with its triad of abdominal pain, fever and abdominal mass resulted in a significantly higher mortality (46.6%). Ninety six percent of the infrarenal AAA had transverse diameter greater than 6 cm. Morphologically 90.7% were fusiform AAA rather than saccular aneurysm (9.3%). Pulmonary complications (35.2%) were more common than cardiac complications (11.1%) possibly related to the urgent nature of the operation, smoking or history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Bleeding (14.8%) was the most common cause of mortality in ruptured mycotic infrarenal AAA.     

Abdominal aortic aneurysms: The importance of elective repair

Repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (A A A) is being performed with a progressively lower mortality and morbidity. We reviewed 111 patients who underwent repair of their AAA. Sixty-two were electively repaired and 49 had emergency surgery. Eight patients had cocomitant non-vascular procedures carried out. Operative mortality was 3.2 % and 49 % for elective and emergency cases respectively. Postoperative complications occurred in 40% of elective cases and 72% of emergency cases, respiratory complications being the most common, occurring in 25% and 40% of elective and emergency cases respectively. Subsequent graft complications occurred in six patients, five following emergency surgery.     

Surgical audit under scrutiny

Surgical audit must be shown to improve clinical practice and patient outcome if its widespread introduction is to be enthusiastically embraced by surgeons. Retrospective studies on hospital activity by their nature are often incomplete and unreliable. A 12-month prospective review (July 1990-June 1991) of the activity, morbidity and mortality that occurred within a district general surgical unit is analysed. During the study period, 3,927 patients were admitted to the unit, of whom 1,649 were elective and 2,278 (58%) were emergency cases. 48 patients (1.2%) were transferred to external specialist centres. 41 % of the admissions did not require surgery. There were 2,335 in-patient and 765 out-patient operations performed. Using the BUPA classification (n=3100), there were 388 major (12.5%), 802 intermediate (25.9%) and 1910 minor (61.6%) procedures. There were 15 perioperative and 38 nonoperative (27 metastatic carcinoma) deaths. 80% of the perioperative deaths were high risk, elderly patients with acute abdominal pathology. 369 complications (39 in non-operative cases) were recorded among both in-and out-patients: 212 systemic, 133 local/wound and 24 major/life threatening. The perioperative mortality rate was 0.6%. The operative morbidity rate was 9.0% and the procedure-related morbidity 4.7 %. The wound infection rate was 2%. In a non-specialist, general surgical unit with a broad case mix, it is possible to provide a standard of care and practice that produces very low mortality and an acceptable morbidity rate.     

A review of the nature and activity of a general surgical service in Ireland

The steady increase in hospital costs has led to demands for closer scrutiny of activity levels, workloads and outcomes. This study sought to examine these parameters in a typical district general surgical unit in this country. In the five year period 1985-89,11,227 inpatient and 3,354 outpatient procedures were performed; 83% of the inpatient procedures were elective and 17% were emergency surgical operations. All inpatient procedures were categorized: minor (41%), intermediate (42%) and major (17%). A prospective one year review in 1990/1991 confirmed the accuracy of the retrospective data. During that year 2,335 inpatient operations and 765 outpatient operations were performed, of which 80.5% of the inpatient operations were elective and 19.5% were emergency procedures. Of these 16.6% were major, 34.4% intermediate and 49% were minor operations. 60% of the operations were performed by consultants. The in-hospital surgical mortality for the 1 year prospective review was 1.35% and the perioperative mortality was 0.64%. The overall operation morbidity rate was 9% and the procedure-related morbidity was 4.7%. The wound infection rate was 2%. Of the common operations performed throughout the six year study period appendicectomies and external hernia operations accounted for 20% of the caseload; 14% were urological, 7% were breast and 6% were biliary operations. The average waiting time for elective admissions was less than 4 weeks. The average length of hospital stay and the bed occupancy rates did not change.     

Changing trends in acute peptic ulcer surgery in a district surgical unit

Despite changes in management and the advances in therapeutics, surgeons are still required to treat the complications of peptic ulceration. A retrospective review of all open surgical interventions for complications of peptic ulcer disease between January 1983 and December 1993 was carried out. There were no exclusion criteria. Open gastric surgery accounted for 3% of all inpatient surgical procedures and 13% of all the major operations. There were 341 adult and 132 paediatric procedures performed in the 11 year period. Acute gastric procedures accounted for 34% of major gastric surgery in this district unit. 76 perforated ulcers and 39 bleeding ulcers required surgery. 38% of the patients were over 70 years. The perioperative mortality was 13.9% (4% for those under 70 years). The overall morbidity rate was 71% and procedure-related morbidity rate was 17%. Acute gastric surgery has a very high inpatient morbidity and is associated with a significant mortality particularly in elderly patients.     

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery: current University Hospital (K.L.) experience.

A personal series of 163 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) in the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur between March 1988 and December 1990 were reviewed retrospectively to determine factors affecting hospital morbidity and mortality. One hundred and thirty eight were elective cases while 25 patients underwent emergency CABG surgery. Of these, 15 patients had recent myocardial infarction, with unstable haemodynamics or post infarct angina; six had failed angioplasty procedures and four patients immediately following coronary angiogram. The elective hospital mortality rate was 2.2% (three cases) and there were two deaths in the emergency group. Pre-operatively 20 patients (13%) had very poor left ventricular function of less than 30% ejection fraction. Significant improvement in ejection fraction was observed following surgery. The follow-up periods were between three months to three years. Ninety eight percent of patients showed improvement in their functional status (NYHA classification) in relation to angina and exercise performance.     

Open-heart surgery in elderly patients

Between March 1975 and March 1980, 50 patients aged 70 to 78 years underwent open-heart surgery at the Montreal Heart Institute. Coronary bypass was performed in 23 patients, valve replacement in 16 and combined coronary and valve surgery in 11. There were four early deaths, all due to cardiac causes. Early postoperative complications occurred in 58% of the patients. There were seven late deaths, five in the valve replacement groups and two in the isolated coronary bypass group. The cumulative survival rate 5 years after surgery was estimated at 76%. While 82% of the survivors were in functional class III or IV before surgery, 90% were in class I or II when last seen, after an average postoperative follow-up of 3 years. Nonfatal late complications occurred in eight of the survivors, one of whom suffered a major hemorrhage due to anticoagulant therapy. Thus, open-heart operations can be offered to the elderly, with a low risk of operative death. The late clinical improvement, with a return to a normal lifestyle, justifies a surgical approach for patients in otherwise good general condition.     

Surgery in the elderly: is age a risk factor?

This prospective, observational one-year study analyzed 623 patients who were 60 years and older, out of a cohort of 2375 patients who were admitted consecutively to the general surgery wards of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). Even though only 9.7% of the Jamaican population are 60 years and older, this age group accounted for 26.2% of total admissions. Comparison of elderly and non-elderly patients showed no differences in gender, but less elderly patients were emergency admissions (52% vs 64%, p < 0.001), more underwent surgery (68% vs 60%, p < 0.001), their mean hospital stay was longer (11.5 vs 8.0 days, p < 0.001) and their mortality rate was higher (8.8% vs 1.9%, p < 0.001). Emergency admissions (52%) exceeded elective admissions in the elderly. Forty-four (80%) of the 55 deaths in the elderly group were admitted as emergencies compared to elective admissions (p < 0.001). There were 11 deaths among the 296 elective admissions (3.7%) but 44 deaths among the 327 emergency admissions (13.5%), a significant difference in mortality rates (p < 0.001). Overall, the death rate for males was higher. Cancer was the commonest admission diagnosis (21%) and that amongst mortalities. Steps to improve the opportunities for earlier admission and optimization of care of elderly surgical patients would not only benefit them but would be an important step towards a more efficient use of already scarce resources.     

Changing concepts in management of infective endocarditis.

Sixty-four patients were treated for 73 episodes of infective endocarditis over the five-year period 1970 to 1974 at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney. There were 13 deaths with a mortality rate of 18-1% compared with 38% (1950 to 1959). Included were 13 cases of infection on prosthetic valves with three deaths. Fifty-one per cent of patients were studied by cardiac catheterization. Early or emergency surgery was performed in 28% of cases and late surgery in 16%. The improved results were due to multiple factors, including early diagnosis, prompt investigation in a specialized unit, rational use of appropriate antibiotics, careful management of complications and early surgery.     

Closing Emergency Operating Rooms Improves Efficiency

Long waiting times for emergency operations increase a patient’s risk of postoperative complications and morbidity. Reserving Operating Room (OR) capacity is a common technique to maximize the responsiveness of an OR in case of arrival of an emergency patient. This study determines the best way to reserve OR time for emergency surgery. In this study two approaches of reserving capacity were compared: (1) concentrating all reserved OR capacity in dedicated emergency ORs, and (2) evenly reserving capacity in all elective ORs. By using a discrete event simulation model the real situation was modelled. Main outcome measures were: (1) waiting time, (2) staff overtime, and (3) OR utilisation were evaluated for the two approaches. Results indicated that the policy of reserving capacity for emergency surgery in all elective ORs led to an improvement in waiting times for emergency surgery from 74 (±4.4) minutes to 8 (±0.5) min. Working in overtime was reduced by 20%, and overall OR utilisation can increase by around 3%. Emergency patients are operated upon more efficiently on elective Operating Rooms instead of a dedicated Emergency OR. The results of this study led to closing of the Emergency OR in the Erasmus MC (Rotterdam, The Netherlands).     

Elective caesarean section in a tertiary hospital in Sokoto, north western Nigeria

Background:

Elective caesarean sections have been considered safer for both mother and the fetus compared to their emergency counterpart. However, emergency caesarean sections have continued to form bulk of caesarean deliveries in our facility.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to determine the caesarean section rate together with the trend, indications, and maternal mortality associated with elective caesarean operation.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective analysis of clinical records of all the patients that had caesarean section between January 2002 and December 2010 (9 years) at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto, Nigeria was conducted.

Results:

During the 9 year study period, 2284 caesarean sections were performed out of 22,985 total deliveries at UDUTH Sokoto, thus giving a caesarean section rate of 9.9%. Emergency and elective operations accounted for 1784 (78.2%) and 498 (21.8%) of the cases respectively. The rate of elective caesarean section increased from 1.7% in 2002 to 3.2% in 2007. Thereafter it declined gradually to 1.8% in 2010. Repeat caesarean section (30.7%) and malpresentation (17.1%) were the most common indications for elective caesarean operation. There were 18 maternal deaths from caesarean section and only one from the elective caesarean procedure.

Conclusion:

The rising trend in the elective caesarean section rate in this study underscores the need for better and improved patient selection together with counseling on its benefits and risks. This is because despite the fact that it is safer than emergency caesarean operation, it is not entirely devoid of complications. Routine use of spinal anesthesia in performing the procedure should be encouraged.     

The Immediate Results of Operations for Duodenal Ulcer: A Comparative Study of the Morbidity and Mortality of Vagotomy and Pyloroplasty versus Subtotal Gastrectomy

Immediate postoperative results of vagotomy and pyloroplasty were compared with those of subtotal gastrectomy. Ulcer recurrence rate and the long-term complications of the two procedures were not studied. Age and sex distribution, and preoperative indications in the two groups of patients were almost identical. Vagotomy and pyloroplasty has gradually superseded subtotal gastrectomy at St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto. One hundred and seventy vagotomy and drainage procedures were compared with 173 subtotal gastric resections performed over a five-year period. There were 39 postoperative complications and five deaths in the subtotal gastrectomy group, an overall mortality of 2.8% and an elective mortality of 2.4%. In the vagotomy and pyloroplasty group there were 31 postoperative complications and two deaths, an overall mortality of 1.2% and an elective mortality of zero. Vagotomy and pyloroplasty is a relatively safe procedure, associated with fewer complications, shorter hospital stay and a lower mortality than subtotal gastrectomy.     

Resection for colorectal cancer in the very old: are the risks too high?

Altogether 277 consecutive patients aged 70 or more who were admitted for resection of colorectal cancer between 1975 and 1985 were studied. The postoperative complications and mortality in the 175 patients aged 70-79 were compared with those in the 102 patients aged 80 or more. The overall mortality was 11%. Mortality was significantly higher after resection in the older age group even when deaths from widespread malignancy were excluded from the analysis. After curative resection mortality was 2% (2/120) in the younger group and 7% (4/60) in the older group, but after palliative resection of tumours with local or distant spread mortality was significantly higher, at 21% (9/44) and 38% (12/32), respectively. An equal but high proportion of patients in both age groups suffered major complications, but complications caused significantly more deaths in the older group. The length of stay in hospital was not significantly different between the age groups. Patients should not be denied resection of a colorectal cancer because of age alone, especially if a curative operation is possible. The increased risk of death from major complications, particularly after palliative resection, should, however, be taken into account when an operation on patients over 80 is being considered.     

急诊手术和择期手术治疗梗阻性结肠癌的临床效果和安全 性简

目的 探讨临床中梗阻性结肠癌患者实施急诊手术与择期手术治疗的临床效果与安全性.方法 选择2007年1月～2011年12月山东淄博市第一医院普外二科梗阻性结肠癌患者90例为研究对象,将其按照手术时机分为择期手术组和急诊手术组,每组各45例,急诊手术组患者在诊断之后直接实施手术治疗,择期手术组患者先给予保守治疗,并在病情缓解后择期手术治疗,观察两组的临床治疗效果.结果 择期手术组结肠癌切除Ⅰ期吻合术率为91.1％,急诊手术组结肠癌切除Ⅰ期吻合术率为55.6％,择期手术组明显高于急诊手术组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.择期手术组的肺部感染、吻合口痿和切口感染发生率（2.2％、2.2％、2.2％）均明显低于急诊手术组（13.3％、15.6％、26.7％）,两组相比,差异均有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）.结论 临床中对于梗阻性结肠癌患者实施择期手术治疗的一次性根除率较高,并且其术后并发症也比较少,治疗安全性更高,值得临床中应用与推广.     

75岁以上高龄患者的外科决策——附133例病例报告

目的探讨预测高龄患者术后转归的方法,提高高龄患者手术安全性。方法回顾性分析该院2004年1月～2006年12月133例年龄在75岁以上(不含75岁)的高龄普外科手术患者的临床资料。结果POSSUM评分系统预测的术后并发症和死亡分别为51例(38.3%)和9例(7.1%),P-POSSUM评分系统计算的术后死亡为3例(2.3%),实际发生并发症和死亡分别为27例(21.5%)和2例(1.2%)。手术后发生并发症的患者的POSSUM预测值、手术评分、住院时间、住院费用、手术时间、术中输血量均明显增加。手术时间越长,并发症的发生率越高。急诊手术的术后并发症较高。结论POSSUM和P-POSSUM评分系统可以预测术后并发症率和死亡率;对于高龄患者,应该尽量缩短手术时间,避免急诊手术,减少术后并发症。     

A five year appraisal of caesarean section in a northern Nigeria university teaching hospital

A retrospective analysis of cases of caesarean section performed in Jos University Teaching Hospital between January 1994 and December 1998 was undertaken to determine the incidence, indications, perinatal and maternal outcome. There were 11,571 deliveries with 2083 caesarean sections done giving an incidence of 18%. 62.2% of the patients who had caesarean section were booked for antenatal care and delivered in the hospital, while 37.8% were unbooked seen as emergency. 90% of the operations were done as an emergency while only 10% was electively performed. There was a high caesarean section rate in all the age groups as well as the various parity distributions. The main indications for the elective section were repeat caesarean section, placenta praevia, precious baby, severe pregnancy induced hypertension and bad obstetric history while those for emergency section were cephalo-pelvic disproportion foetal distress, repeat caesarean section, antepartum haemorrhage, severe pregnancy induced hypertension/eclampsia, obstructed labour and breech presentation. The maternal mortality rate was 624.1/100,000 due mainly to haemorrhage, eclampsia and sepsis and there was one anaesthetic death amongst the booked patients. The perinatal mortality rate was 81.6/1000. The clinical causes of deaths were birth asphyxia, ante-partum haemorrhage, obstructed labour and prematurity.     

急诊手术和择期手术治疗梗阻陛结肠癌的疗效比较

目的比较急诊手术和择期手术治疗梗阻性结肠癌的临床治疗效果。方法选取我院2011年12月～2012年12月期间收治的梗阻性结肠癌患者126例,按病情分为急诊手术组和择期手术组,每组患者63例。择期手术组患者采用先保守治疗后择期进行肿瘤切除手术治疗,而急诊手术组患者则在明确诊断后便立即进行肿瘤切除手术治疗,并分别对两组患者的手术方式选择情况和术后并发症发生情况进行的比较和分析。结果与急诊手术组相比．择期手术组选择结肠癌切除I期吻合术的比率显著提高,而选择回结肠吻合术和造口术的比率则显著降低,术后并发肺部感染、切口感染、吻合口瘘的比率均明显减少,差别均具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论择期手术治疗对于提高梗阻性结肠癌患者的临床疗效,并减少术后并发症的发生均具有积极的现实意义。     

147例先天性心脏病再次手术的回顾性分析

目的：回顾性分析先天性心脏病再次手术患者的临床资料,探讨先天性心脏病再次手术的管理策略。 方法：回顾性分析2007年1月至2015年12月期间于中南大学湘雅二医院心血管外科行先天性心脏病再次手术的患者的 再次手术类型、围手术期临床数据、术后病死率及主要并发症发生率。结果：先天性心脏病手术共8 647例,再次手 术147例,占1.7%。间隔缺损残余分流修补术(30例,20.4%)、复杂先天性心脏病分期解剖矫治(28例,19.0%)和Fontan 手术(20例,13.6%)是最常见的再次手术类型。在147例再次手术中,140例(95%)采用再次胸骨正中切口。144例(98%) 行体外循环下手术,100例(68%)被阻断主动脉,心脏停跳。体外循环时间21~447(135.5±87.8) min;主动脉阻断时 间0~202(49.9±49.7) min。围手术期死亡10例(6.8%)。术后24例(16.3%)患者出现低心排出量综合征,7例(4.8%)肾功能 不全,14例(9.5%)呼吸功能不全,2例延迟关胸,4例再次开胸止血。结论：先天性心脏病再次手术风险较大;重复胸 骨正中切口是再次心脏手术的主要途径;提高复杂畸形矫治水平、选择恰当的手术时机、减少手术并发症将有助于降 低再次心脏手术病死率。     

Postoperative complications and mortality in older patients having non-cardiac surgery at three Melbourne teaching hospitals

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of postoperative complications, including 30-day mortality rate, and need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission in older patients after non-cardiac surgery. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective observational study of all patients aged 70 years or older having elective and non-elective, non-cardiac surgery, and staying at least 1 night after surgery in one of three Melbourne teaching hospitals, June to September 2004. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative complications and 30-day mortality rate. RESULTS: 1102 consecutive patients were audited in mid 2004; 70% had pre-existing comorbidities. The 30-day mortality rate was 6%; 19% had postoperative complications; and 20% of patients spent at least 1 night in ICU. On multivariate analysis, preoperative factors associated with 30-day mortality included age (odds ratio [OR], 1.09 per year over 70 years; 95% CI, 1.04-1.13; P < 0.001); increasing severity of systemic disease (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification) (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.65-3.86; P < 0.001); and albumin level < 30 g/L (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.09-4.57; P = 0.03). Postoperative factors associated with 30-day mortality were unplanned ICU admission (OR, 3.95; 95% CI, 1.63-9.55; P = 0.003); sepsis (OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.17-6.47; P = 0.02); and acute renal impairment (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.06-5.41; P = 0.04). Thoracic surgery was the only surgical specialty significantly associated with mortality (OR, 3.96; 95% CI, 1.44-9.10; P = 0.008) in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Older patients having surgery had high rates of comorbidities and postoperative complications, placing considerable demands on critical care services. Patient factors were often stronger predictors of mortality than the type of surgery.     

70岁以上高龄患者的外科决策-附246例病例报告

目的 探讨POSSUM评分系统对高龄患者手术风险的评定意义.方法 回顾性分析某普外病房2004年1月～2006年12月246例年龄在70岁以上(不合70岁)的高龄手术患者的临床资料.结果 POSSUM评分系统预测的术后并发症和死亡分别为87例(35.5%)和16例(6.5%),P-POSSUM评分系统计算的术后死亡为5例(2.0%),实际发生并发症和死亡分别为56例(22.8%)和4例(1.6%).手术后发生并发症患者的POSSUM预测值、手术评分、住院时间、住院费用、手术时间、术中输血量均显著高于未发生并发症的患者.呼吸系统评分越高,术后并发症的发生率越高.急诊手术的术后并发症发生率较高.结论 POSSUM评分系统可以协助评估高龄患者的手术风险;对于高龄患者,应该尽量缩短手术时间,减少术中出血,避免急诊手术,并注意患者呼吸系统情况.