Laparoscopic Management of Common Bile Duct Stones: Transpapillary Stenting or External Biliary Drainage?

Background:

To date, the management of common bile duct stones (CBDs) is still controversial. If laparoscopic exploration is performed and biliary decompression is needed after stone removal, the placement of a laparoscopic transpapillary stent shows promising results in avoiding T-tube–related complications.

Methods:

Between January 2007 and May 2012, a series of 48 patients who underwent biliary decompression after laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) to treat choledocholithiasis was retrospectively analyzed. The results in patients with transpapillary stent placement (TS=35) were compared with those who had an external biliary drainage (EBD=13).

Results:

LCBDE and TS placement was achieved either by a choledochotomy or through the cystic duct. There was no mortality in our series. Patients with an external biliary drainage (EBD) had more surgery-related complications (P<.0001) and a longer hospital stay (P=.03). Postoperative ERCP to remove the TS was successful in all cases.

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic TS is a safe method in the treatment of selected patients with CBD stones that can be achieved without having to perform a choledochotomy. Because of the lower morbidity and the shorter hospital stay compared with EBD, it should be considered as a first approach whenever biliary decompression is needed after LCBDE.     

Treatment of hepatic hydatid disease complications using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures

Background

Liver hydatidosis may lead to serious morbidity due to biliary complications, the management for which endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) and biliary drainage are very efficient. We evaluated the effectiveness of endoscopic treatment for complications of hepatic hydatid disease.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures performed between January 2000 and December 2009 and compared laboratory findings, localization of the lesions and ERCP procedures applied between patients with and without jaundice.

Results

In all, 70 ERCP procedures were performed in 54 patients (24 men, 30 women). Of the 70 procedures, 24 were performed to treat jaundice. All patients with biliary fistulas and jaundice were managed with endoscopic procedures. The 70 ERCP procedures included sphincterotomy only (n = 40); sphincterotomy and stent placement (n = 7); stent placement only (n = 4); sphincterotomy and membrane extraction (n = 9); sphincterotomy, membrane extraction and pus drainage (n = 5); and sphincterotomy and pus drainage (n = 5). Laboratory results improved in 3–7 days, and bile leakage ceased in 2–21 days.

Conclusion

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a safe and effective way to manage biliary complications of hepatic echinococcal disease. In most patients, ES is the most efficient treatment of postoperative external biliary fistulas, jaundice and accompanying cholangitis, as it enables clearing the bile ducts of hydatid remnants; ES should be performed since it accelerates the healing process by decreasing pressure in the choledochus.     

The management of treatment-resistant biliary calculi using percutaneous endourologic techniques

Background

Complicated choledocholithiasis cannot always be managed by standard surgical, radiologic or endoscopic methods. One additional approach is to use percutaneous techniques developed by endourologists to treat renal calculi. In this report, we present our experience over the past 10 years with this novel approach.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of all patients who underwent percutaneous, endoscopic treatment of biliary calculi at our institution between January 1997 and August 2007. Primary outcomes of interest were symptom- and stone-free rates, length of stay in hospital and complications.

Results

Nineteen patients underwent 21 percutaneous treatments for biliary calculi. All were dependent on external drainage for symptom control. The primary indications for treatment were cholangitis, retained stone, biliary colic and jaundice. Seventeen patients (89.5%) had failed prior endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or open attempts at treatment. The 2 remaining patients (10.5%) were deemed unfit for a general anesthetic. Patients had experienced a mean of 1.8 (standard deviation [SD] 1.0) prior failed attempts at stone removal. We used several treatment modalities, including holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser (61.9%), electrohydraulic lithotripter (19.0%), ultrasound (9.5%), basket extraction (9.5%) and balloon dilatation of the ampulla (19.0%). Overall, treatment led to successful removal of the biliary drainage tube in 94.7% of patients and 76.2% were stone-free. We performed cholangiograms an average of 21.8 (SD 13.7) days after treatment. The average length of stay in hospital was 1.9 (SD 1.1) days. One patient experienced a perioperative acute coronary syndrome and another experienced prolonged biliary drainage. Both had successful endoscopic treatment of their calculi. There were no cases of treatment-related sepsis, and we observed no other complications.

Conclusion

Biliary calculi may be successfully treated using standard endourologic methods with high stone-free rates. This technique is generally well-tolerated even among high-risk patients.     

Fast-track Surgery Improves Postoperative Recovery in Patients with Gastric Cancer: A Randomized Comparison with Conventional Postoperative Care

Background

Fast-track surgery is a new, promising comprehensive program for surgical patients and is beneficial to recovery. Prospective randomized, controlled clinical trials involving fast-track surgery for gastric cancer are lacking.

Patient and methods

Ninety-two patients with gastric cancer were randomly divided into a fast-track surgery group (n?=?45) and conventional surgery group (n?=?47). We compared outcomes (duration of postoperative stay in hospital, fever, and flatus, complications, and medical costs); postoperative serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein; and resting energy expenditure between two groups.

Results

Compared with the conventional surgery group, the fast-track surgery group had no more complications (P?>?0.05) with a significantly shorter duration of fever, flatus, and hospital stay, and less medical costs as well as a higher quality of life score on hospital discharge (all P?<?0.05). With a significantly lower resting energy expenditure (days?1 and 3) postoperatively (P?<?0.05), the fast-track surgery group showed a lower serum level of tumor necrosis factor-α (days?1 and 3), interleukin-6 (days?1 and 3), and C-reactive protein (days?1, 3, and 7) than the conventional surgery group (all P?<?0.05).

Conclusions

Fast-track surgery can lessen postoperative stress reactions and accelerate rehabilitation for patients with gastric cancer.     

Acute surgical unit safely reduces unnecessary after-hours cholecystectomy

Introduction

The acute surgical model has been trialled in several institutions with mixed results. The aim of this study was to determine whether the acute surgical model provides better outcomes for patients with acute biliary presentation, compared with the traditional emergency surgery model of care.

Methods

A retrospective review was carried out of patients who were admitted for management of acute biliary presentation, before and after the establishment of an acute surgical unit (ASU). Outcomes measured were time to operation, operating time, after-hours operation (6pm – 8am), length of stay and surgical complications.

Results

A total of 342 patients presented with acute biliary symptoms and were managed operatively. The median time to operation was significantly reduced in the ASU group (32.4 vs 25.4 hours, p=0.047), as were the proportion of operations performed after hours (19.5% vs 2.5%, p<0.001) and the median length of stay (4 vs 3 days, p<0.001). The median operating time, rate of conversion to open cholecystectomy and wound infection rates remained similar.

Conclusions

Implementation of an ASU can lead to objective differences in outcomes for patients who present with acute cholecystitis. In our study, the ASU significantly reduced time to operation, the number of operations performed after hours and length of stay.     

Fast-track surgery in gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

Fast-track surgery aims to attenuate the surgical stress response, reduce complications, and shorten hospital stay. The goal of the present meta-analysis is to assess the safety and effectiveness of fast-track surgery in patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer compared with conventional perioperative care.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and reference lists of the identified studies were searched to identify randomized clinical trials that compared fast-track surgery with conventional perioperative care in patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Results

Five studies with a total of 400 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis shows that postoperative hospital stay (weighted mean difference (WMD) ?1.87 days, 95 % confidence interval (CI), ?2.46 to ?1.28 days, P?<?0.00001), time to first passage of flatus (WMD ?0.71 days, 95 % CI, ?1.03 to ?0.39 days, P?<?0.0001), and hospital costs (WMD ?505.87 dollars, 95 % CI, ?649.91 to ?361.84 dollars, P?<?0.00001) were significantly reduced for fast-track surgery. No significant differences were found for readmission rates (relative risk (RR), 1.97 95 % CI, 0.37 to 10.64, P?=?0.43) and total postoperative complications (RR, 0.99 95 % CI, 0.56 to 1.76, P?=?0.97).

Conclusions

Fast-track surgery is safe and effective in gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Further randomized trials are needed to strengthen the conclusions.     

Introducing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate alongside transurethral resection of the prostate improves outcomes of each procedure

Introduction

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is recognised as an alternative to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). HoLEP has been demonstrated to be at least as effective as TURP with less morbidity but its introduction to practice has been limited in part by the learning curve of a novel procedure. This study examined the effects of introducing HoLEP alongside an established practice of TURP on early morbidity and length of hospital stay (LOS).

Methods

A retrospective review of all patients who underwent HoLEP and TURP between April 2007 and July 2011 was undertaken. HoLEP was introduced in April 2008; patients undergoing TURP before this were considered as a historical control group. Data were collected concerning resection/enucleation weight, blood transfusions and LOS.

Results

Overall, 772 patients underwent HoLEP or TURP within the 52-month study period: 164 underwent TURP prior to the introduction of HoLEP (TURP-A), 425 had TURP after the introduction of HoLEP (TURP-B) and 183 underwent HoLEP. The mean removed weight was 24g (standard deviation [SD]: 21g) for TURP-A, 19g for TURP-B (SD: 16g) and 38g (SD: 32g) for HoLEP (p<0.005). Blood transfusion rates were 5.5%, 2.2% and 1.6% for the TURP-A, TURP-B and HoLEP groups respectively (p<0.05). For TURP-A patients, the mean LOS was 5.6 days (SD: 3.5 days, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.3–6.0 days). The mean LOS for TURP-B patients was 4.4 days (SD: 4.4 days, 95% CI: 4.2–4.8 days). HoLEP patients had a mean LOS of 3.0 days (SD: 3.0 days, 95% CI: 2.6–3.4 days).

Conclusions

The introduction of HoLEP alongside TURP is associated with lower rates of blood transfusion and shorter LOS for all patients. This is likely to be due to the use of HoLEP rather than TURP in patients with larger prostates, who are more likely to have complications.     

Preoperative factors predicting poor outcomes following laparoscopic choledochotomy: a multivariate analysis study

Background

Laparoscopic surgery for common bile duct stones varies procedurally from a transcystic approach to laparoscopic choledochotomy (LC) with or without biliary drainage. However, LC is a difficult procedure with higher documented morbidity than the transcystic approach. We retrospectively investigated risk factors for adverse outcomes of LC.

Methods

We used logistic regression models to assess 4 categories of adverse outcomes: overall, complications, conversion to open operation and failed surgical clearance. We calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve to evaluate diagnostic accuracy.

Results

We included 201 patients who underwent LC in our analysis. Adverse outcomes occurred in 48 (23.9%) patients, complications occurred in 43 (21.4%), retained stones were observed in 8 (4%), and conversion to laparotomy occurred in 7 (3.5%). Multivariate analysis showed that total bilirubin (BIL) and the presence of medical risk factors (MRFs) were significant predictors of adverse outcomes and complications. We calculated the probability of adverse outcomes (p) using the following formula: logit(p) = 0.977 (MRFs) + 0.014 (BIL) − 2.919. p = EXP (logit(p)) ÷ [1+EXP (logit(p))]. According to their logit(p), all patients were divided into a low-risk group (logit(p) ≤ −1.32, n = 130) and a high-risk group (logit(p) > −1.32, n = 71). Patients in the low-risk group had about a 1 in 10 chance (12 of 130) of adverse outcomes developing. Of the 71 patients in the high-risk group, 36 (50.7%) experienced adverse outcomes.

Conclusion

High BIL and the presence of MRFs could predict adverse outcomes in patients undergoing LC.     

Surgical management of symptomatic hydatid liver disease: experience from a Western centre

Background

Hydatid liver cysts are rare in North America. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal surgical management for hydatid liver cysts treated outside endemic areas.

Methods

We reviewed the cases of consecutive patients who underwent management of hydatid liver cysts. Radical liver resections were compared with other types of procedures. Clinical presentation, investigations, perioperative outcomes and long-term follow-up were evaluated. We evaluated disease recurrence using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

Forty patients underwent surgery for hydatid liver cysts. Most patients had single (68%) right-sided (46%) cysts with a median size of 10 cm. Most (83%) underwent liver resection with or without drainage/marsupialization. Radical liver resection was carried out in 60% (19 major, 5 minor). Additional procedures were required in 50% (biliary fistulization 30%, diaphragmatic fistulization 20% or paracaval location/ fusion 8%). Postoperative complications occurred in 48%. The median follow-up was 39 months. The 3-year recurrence-free survival was significantly different between patients who had radical resection and those who had other procedures (100% v. 71%, p = 0.002).

Conclusion

The surgical management of hydatid liver cysts in North America remains rare and challenging and is frequently associated with fistulizing complications. Excellent long-term outcomes are best achieved using principles of radical liver resection that are familiar to North American surgeons.     

Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy: a prospective randomized trial of 81 patients

Objective

To compare the efficacy of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) and open appendectomy (OA) in the treatment of acute appendicitis.

Design

A prospective randomized trial.

Setting

A university teaching hospital.

Patients

Eighty-one patients with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis were prospectively randomized to undergo either LA or OA. The two groups were matched for age and sex.

Interventions

LA or OA.

Main Outcome Measures

Number of days in hospital and time to full recovery.

Results

The mean hospital stay for LA was 3.23 days compared with 3.03 days for OA (p < 0.001). The mean number of narcotic injections required for patients in the LA group was 4.05 compared with 5.58 for patients in the OA group (p < 0.001). The mean time to complete recovery for patients in the LA group was 9.0 days compared with 16.2 days for patients in the OA group (p < 0.001). The mean operative time for LA was 73.8 minutes compared with 45.0 minutes for OA (p < 0.001). Three patients in the LA group had intra-abdominal abscesses (p > 0.25). No significant difference in wound infection rates was demonstrated (p > 0.05). Similarly, pain scores at 7 and 28 days showed no significant difference (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

With LA significantly fewer narcotic injections are required and there is a more rapid return to normal activities. LA takes longer to perform and was associated with three intra-abdominal abscesses. In cases of simple acute appendicitis the hospital stay for LA is significantly shorter.     

Risk of re-admission,reoperation, and mortality within 90 days of total hip and knee arthroplasty in fast-track departments in Denmark from 2005 to 2011

Purpose

To compare the risks of re-admission, reoperation, and mortality within 90 days of surgery in orthopedic departments with well-documented fast-track arthroplasty programs with those in all other orthopedic departments in Denmark from 2005 to 2011.

Methods

We used the Danish hip and knee arthroplasty registers to identify patients with primary total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty. Information about re-admission, reoperation, and mortality within 90 days of surgery was obtained from administrative databases. The fast-track cohort consisted of 6 departments. The national comparison cohort consisted of all other orthopedic departments. Regression methods were used to calculate relative risk (RR) of adverse events, adjusting for age, sex, type of fixation, and comorbidity. Cohorts were divided into 3 time periods: 2005–2007, 2008–2009, and 2010–2011.

Results

79,098 arthroplasties were included: 17,284 in the fast-track cohort and 61,814 in the national cohort. Median length of stay (LOS) was less for the fast-track cohort in all 3 time periods (4, 3, and 3 days as opposed to 6, 4, and 3 days). RR of re-admission due to infection was higher in the fast-track cohort in 2005–2007 (1.3, 95% CI: 1.1–1.6) than in the national cohort in the same time period. This was mainly due to urinary tract infections. RR of re-admission due to a thromboembolic event was lower in the fast-track cohort in 2010–2011 (0.7, CI: 0.6–0.9) than in the national cohort in the same time period. No differences were seen in the risk of reoperation and mortality between the 2 cohorts during any time period.

Interpretation

The general reduction in LOS indicates that fast-track arthroplasty programs have been widely implemented in Denmark. At the same time, it appears that dedicated fast-track departments have been able to optimize the fast-track program further without any rise in re-admission, reoperation, and mortality rates.Even though the main principles of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been unchanged for years, the clinical pathways for patients have been changed in many respects during the past decade, to enhance recovery, reduce morbidity, increase patient satisfaction, and reduce length of stay (LOS). These principles—often known as fast-track surgical programs, enhanced recovery programs, or rapid recovery protocols (they are known by many names)—have been widely adopted today for THA and TKA in Denmark (Kehlet 2013).Clinical studies have shown that the risks of thromboembolic complications (Husted et al. 2010a) and mortality (Malviya et al. 2011) have become reduced in THA and TKA when comparing the same department before and after implementation of fast-track programs. Also, patient-related outcomes such as pain, quality of life (Larsen et al. 2008, Raphael et al. 2011, den Hertog et al. 2012), and patient satisfaction are positively associated with fast-track surgery (Larsen et al. 2008, Machin et al. 2013). Thus, the implementation of fast-track programs reduces LOS in patients who have undergone THA and TKA (Husted and Holm 2006, Larsen et al. 2008, Malviya et al. 2011, Raphael et al. 2011, den Hertog et al. 2012, Hartog et al. 2013). In Denmark, LOS for both THA and TKA was reduced from 10–11 days in 2000 to 4 days in 2009 (Husted et al. 2012), indicating a general trend towards use of fast-track surgery in most or all of the orthopedic departments in Denmark.Today, 10 Danish orthopedic departments, supported by the Lundbeck Foundation Center for Fast-track Hip and Knee Replacement, have described their fast-track programs and results in detail (www.fthk.dk, Kehlet and Søballe 2010, Husted et al. 2010b). A common denominator for these departments is their compliance to well-documented interdisciplinary logistic and clinical instructions— all of which are known to be significant factors for improved and accelerated recovery (Barberi et al. 2009, Bozic et al. 2010). We hypothesized that results regarding morbidity and mortality from the fast-track departments would be comparable to or even better than results from other departments that use standard, less systematically described treatment regimes after THA and TKA.We therefore investigated whether orthopedic departments with well-documented fast-track THA and TKA programs had lower short-term risk of re-admission, reoperation, and mortality than all other orthopedic departments in Denmark during different stages of implementation of the fast-track programs in the period 2005–2011.     

Managing the 2-week wait for breast patients

INTRODUCTION

Published data suggest that the 2-week wait system and triple assessment at one fast-track clinic visit is an out-dated method of capturing disease from a referral population. These studies report up to 32% of breast cancer coming from routine referrals. It has been recommended, therefore, that all breast referrals should be seen within 2 weeks. The sheer volume of referrals are likely to prevent this target being achieved. The aim of this study was to analyse the performance of our fast-track system.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull fast-track clinics were set up in 1999 with a prospective audit system. The data from this audit were retrospectively analysed and cross-referenced with the cancer data base to determine the referral origin of breast cancers from November 1999 to February 2005.

RESULTS

A total of 14,303 (fast-track, n = 6678; routine referral, n = 7625) patients were seen over a 5-year period. Overall, 1095 cancers (91.8% of the total) came from the fast-track clinics which had a pick-up rate of 16.4% compared with 98 cancers (8.2% of the total) and a pick-up rate of 1.3% for routine referrals (P < 0.001). The appropriateness of fast-track referral was also analysed which showed that 14.4% of cancers were detected if the referral criteria were met compared to 0.55% if they were inappropriate (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The traditional fast-track, triple assessment breast clinic is an efficient and well-structured way of diagnosing disease. We recommend that the two system referral pattern should continue.     

HOSPITALIZATION TIME AFTER OPEN APPENDECTOMY BY THREE DIFFERENT SURGICAL TECHNIQUES

Background

The choice of surgical technique to approach the appendicular stump depends mostly on skill and personal preference of the surgeon or on the protocol used in the service, and the influence of this choice in hospitalization time is not evaluated.

Aim

To evaluate the relation between surgical technique and postoperative hospitalization time in patients presenting with acute appendicitis.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 180 patients who underwent open appendectomy. These where divided into three groups according to surgical technique: conventional appendectomy (simple ligation of the stump), tobacco pouch suture and Parker-Kerr suture. Data where crossed with hospitalization time (until three days, from four to six days and over seven days).

Results

A hundred and eighty patients with age from 15 to 85 years where included. From these, 95 underwent conventional technique, had an average hospitalization time of 3,9 days and seven had complications (surgical site infection, seroma, suture dehiscence and evisceration). In 67 patients, tobacco pouch suture was chosen and had average hospitalization time of 3,7 days and two complications (infection and seroma). In 18 Parker-Kerr suture was made, with average hospitalization time of 2,6 days, with no complication. Contingency coefficient between the variables hospitalization time and technique was 0,255 and Cramér''s V was 0,186.

Conclusion

There was tendency to larger hospitalization time and larger number of complications in conventional appendectomy, whereas in patients where Parker-Kerr suture was performed, hospitalization time was significantly smaller.     

Laparoscopic compared with open adrenalectomy for resection of pheochromocytoma: a review of 47 cases

Objective

We conducted a retrospective cohort study to determine whether laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) is a safe and effective therapy for the management of pheochromocytoma, as compared with open adrenalectomy (OA).

Methods

We collected pertinent data on 47 pheochromocytoma resections from 44 patient charts. Perioperative outcomes of 30 LAs were compared with 14 OAs.

Results

Median (and standard deviation [SD]) length of postoperative stay was shorter in the laparoscopic group (3.0, SD 3.3 d v. 6.0, SD 1.1 d; p < 0.05), and tumour size was smaller (3.9, SD 2.7 cm v. 5.0, SD 2.9 cm; p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found for operative time or rate of postoperative complications. There were no statistically significant between-group differences in intraoperative hypertensive episodes (systolic blood pressure > 180 and/or diastolic blood pressure > 90) or hypotensive episodes (systolic blood pressure < 100 and/or diastolic blood pressure < 60) or in the need for antihypertensive or vasopressive agents. There were no intraoperative complications related to extremes of blood pressure. There were no perioperative mortalities in this series, nor was there an increased risk of recurrent disease with the laparoscopic technique.

Conclusion

LA is safe and effective for the management of pheochromocytoma.     

Endoscopic management of biliary hydatid disease

Objective

To determine the effect of endoscopic sphincterotomy in the management of biliary hydatid disease.

Design

A case study between January 1992 and December 1994.

Setting

A university-affiliated hospital in Adana, Turkey.

Patients

Five patients with biliary hydatid disease, in which the cyst had ruptured into the biliary tree. The follow-up ranged from 3 to 12 months.

Intervention

Endoscopic sphincterotomy.

Main Outcome Measures

Morbidity, mortality and recurrence of the disease.

Results

All patients underwent successful endoscopic sphincterotomy, including removal of daughter cysts. During the follow-up period, ultrasonography and laboratory investigations showed complete cure in all patients. There were no complications due to endoscopic sphincterotomy.

Conclusion

Endoscopic sphincterotomy is the treatment of choice for the management of hydatid cysts that have ruptured into the biliary tract causing obstructive jaundice.     

Are complication rates for elective primary total hip arthroplasty in Ontario related to surgeon and hospital volumes? A preliminary investigation

Objective

To test the hypothesis that complication rates for elective total hip replacement operations are related to surgeon and hospital volumes.

Design

Retrospective population cohort study.

Study cohort

Patients who had undergone elective total hip replacement in Ontario during 1992 as captured in the Canadian Institute for Health Information database.

Main outcome measures

In-hospital complications, 1- and 3-year revision rates, 1- and 3-year infection rates, length of hospital stay, and 3-month and 1-year death rates.

Results

Surgeons with patient volumes above the 80th percentile (more than 27 hip replacements annually) discharged patients approximately 2.4 days earlier (p < 0.05) than surgeons with volumes below the 40th percentile (less than 9 hip replacements annually) even after adjusting for discharge disposition, hospital volume, patient age, sex, comorbidity and diagnosis. Complication rates requiring hospital readmission and death rates did not differ by surgeon or hospital volume (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

There is no evidence to support regionalization of elective hip replacement surgery in Ontario based on adverse clinical outcomes. Surgeons who perform a large number of total hip replacements are discharging patients earlier than less experienced surgeons, without any demonstrable increase in complications leading to hospital readmission. The explanation for this observation remains unknown and will require further study.     

Fast-track Rehabilitation Accelerates Recovery After Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

Background:

Fast-track (FT) rehabilitation protocols have been shown to be successful in reducing both hospital stay and postoperative complications, as well as enhancing overall postoperative patient recovery. We are reporting the outcomes of our first group of patients undergoing colorectal surgery following the FT protocol.

Patients and Methods:

We performed a prospective study of patients, between January 1, 2007 and January 31, 2010, who underwent laparoscopic colorectal resections in accordance with the guidelines of FT rehabilitation protocol. Recovery parameters including time to removal of naso-gastric tube and urinary catheter, time to bowel function and to resume diet, and length of hospital stay were evaluated. Postoperative outcomes, that is, postoperative complications and mortality, reoperations, and readmissions were also studied.

Results:

A total of 71 patients, 30 women and 41 men, underwent FT rehabilitation for laparoscopic colorectal surgery. The mean age of the patients was 60 ± 16 years. The most common surgical procedures were right hemicolectomy 30% and anterior resection 27%. Liquid and regular diet were initiated on postoperative day 1.2 ± 0.4 and 2.1 ± 0.4, respectively. Overall postoperative morbidity was 8.5%. The mean length of stay was 4.4 ± 1.7 days, with only 3 readmissions. Forty-five patients fulfilled the FT care plan and were discharged on postoperative day 3. No reoperations or mortality were observed.

Conclusions:

FT rehabilitation results in favorable postoperative outcomes. Our data provides evidence and suggests that FT protocols should be implemented as a reliable method of preparation and recovery for laparoscopic colorectal surgery.     

Complication rates and reduction potential of palmar versus dorsal locking plate osteosynthesis for the treatment of distal radius fractures

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the complication rates of volar versus dorsal locking plates and postoperative reduction potential after distal radius fractures.

Materials and methods

For this study 285 distal radius fractures (280 patients/59.4 % female) treated with locked plating were retrospectively evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 54.6 years (SD 17.4) and the mean follow-up was 33.2 months (SD 17.2). The palmar approach was used in 225 cases and the dorsal approach in 60 cases (95 % type C fractures).

Results

Adequate reduction was achieved with both approaches, regardless of fracture severity. In the dorsal group, the complications and implant removal rates were significantly higher and the operative time was also longer.

Conclusions

Based on these facts, we advocate the palmar locking plate for the vast majority of fractures. In cases of complex multifragmentary articular fractures where no compromise in reduction is acceptable, and with the biomechanical equality of palmar and dorsal plating remaining unproven, dorsal plating may still be considered.

Level of evidence

Therapeutic level IV.     

Laparoscopic Colon Resections With Discharge Less Than 24 Hours

Background and Objectives:

A short hospital stay is one of the main advantages of laparoscopic surgery. Previous studies have shown that after a multimodal fast-track process, the hospital length of stay can be shortened to between 2 and 5 days. The objective of this review is to show that the hospital length of stay can, in some cases, be reduced to <24 hours.

Methods:

This study retrospectively reviews a surgeon''s experience with laparoscopic surgery over a 12-month period. Seven patients were discharged home within 24 hours after minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical treatment, following a modified fast-track protocol that was adopted for perioperative care.

Results:

Of the 7 patients, 4 received laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for malignant disease and 3 underwent sigmoid colectomies for recurrent diverticulitis. The mean hospital stay was 21 hours, 47 minutes; the mean volume of intraoperative fluid (lactated Ringer) was 1850 mL; the mean surgical blood loss was only 74.3 mL; the mean duration of surgery was 118 minutes; and the patients were ambulated and fed a liquid diet after recovery from anesthesia. The reviewed patients had functional gastrointestinal tracts and were agreeable to the timing of discharge. On the follow-up visit, they showed no adverse consequences such as bleeding, infection, or anastomotic leak.

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic colon surgery that incorporated multimodal perioperative care allowed patients to be discharged within the first 24 hours. Careful postoperative outpatient follow-up is important in monitoring complications such as anastomotic leak, which may not present until postoperative day 5.     

Surgical drain after open or laparoscopic splenectomy: is it needed or contraindicated?

Objective

The Authors report their experience with the routine use of surgical drainage in a large series of splenectomies.

Summary of background data

Benefits and risks related to surgical drains have been always discussed, with some surgeons in favor of them and skeptic others considering not physiological their use. After splenectomy, their use is also largely debated, especially because of susceptibility of operated patients to infections.

Patients and methods

Two thousand nine cases have been reviewed. Indications for splenectomy, performed either by open or laparoscopic approach, included idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in 137 patients (65,4%), splenic lymphoma in 36 (17,2%), hereditary spherocytosis in 15 (7,4%), β-thalassemia in 8 (3,7%), other diseases in 13 (6,1%).

Results

“Active” or “passive” drains were placed in 80% and 20% of cases, respectively. Drains were removed 2–3 days after surgery in 90,2%, within 10 days in 4,3%, within 2 months in 0,4% of cases. In 2 cases a post-operative bleeding, detected through the drainage, required re-operation. One patient developed a subphrenic abscess, successfully treated by a percutaneous drainage. One case of pancreatic fistula was observed.

Conclusions

In Authors’ experience, the use of drains after splenectomy does not affect the risk of subsequent infectious complications, independently on the type of the drainage system used. Early removal of drains in this series might have played an important role in the very low incidence of abdominal infections reported. The use of surgical drains after splenectomy might play an important role to early detect post-operative bleeding, as it happened in 2 cases of this series.