Transumbilical Retrieval of Surgical Specimens Through a Multichannel Port

Background:

Laparoscopic surgery is often used to excise adnexal masses; however, the retrieval of specimens such as large cystic masses through conventional 5- or 10-mm ports is difficult and time-consuming. We compared outcomes between conventional laparoscopic surgery for adnexal masses and transumbilical specimen retrieval through a multichannel port during single- or 2-port laparoscopy.

Methods:

A total of 341 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for adnexal masses from November 2006 to December 2010 were included. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group I consisted of 249 patients who underwent conventional laparoscopy, and group II consisted of 92 patients who underwent single- or 2-port laparoscopy using a multichannel port. The clinical characteristics and operative outcomes of the 2 groups were compared.

Results:

The mean operation time was 51.8 ± 21.5 minutes in group I and 57.2 ± 23.9 minutes in group II. The mean specimen retrieval time was longer in group I (2.9 ± 4.0 minutes) than in group II (2.2 ± 1.8 minutes). Endoscopic bag rupture during specimen retrieval occurred in 11 patients in group I and in no patients in group II.

Conclusions:

The transumbilical retrieval of surgical specimens through a multichannel port with a wound retractor was safe and did not result in leakage of the cystic contents. This technique reduced the specimen retrieval time, especially for large masses. However, the mean operation time was not shortened with this procedure, because of the learning period and the time required to prepare the umbilical multichannel port.     

Strict Criteria for Selection of Laparoscopy for Women with Adnexal Mass

Objectives:

We compared the indication of laparoscopy for treatment of adnexal masses based on the risk scores and tumor diameters with the indication based on gynecology-oncologists'' experience.

Methods:

This was a prospective study of 174 women who underwent surgery for adnexal tumors (116 laparotomies, 58 laparoscopies). The surgeries begun and completed by laparoscopy, with benign pathologic diagnosis, were considered successful. Laparoscopic surgeries that required conversion to laparotomy, led to a malignant diagnosis, or facilitated cyst rupture were considered failures. Two groups were defined for laparoscopy indication: (1) absence of American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) guideline for referral of high-risk adnexal masses criteria (ACOG negative) associated with 3 different tumor sizes (10, 12, and 14 cm); and (2) Index of Risk of Malignancy (IRM) with cutoffs at 100, 200, and 300, associated with the same 3 tumor sizes. Both groups were compared with the indication based on the surgeon''s experience to verify whether the selection based on strict rules would improve the rate of successful laparoscopy.

Results:

ACOG-negative and tumors ≤10 cm and IRM with a cutoff at 300 points and tumors ≤10cm resulted in the same best performance (78% success = 38/49 laparoscopies). However, compared with the results of the gynecology-oncologists'' experience, those were not statistically significant.

Discussion:

The selection of patients with adnexal mass to laparoscopy by the use of the ACOG guideline or IRM associated with tumor diameter had similar performance as the experience of gynecology-oncologists. Both methods are reproducible and easy to apply to all women with adnexal masses and could be used by general gynecologists to select women for laparoscopic surgery; however, referral to a gynecology-oncologist is advisable when there is any doubt.     

Clinical outcomes of minimally invasive endoscopic and conventional sternotomy approaches for atrial septal defect repair

Background

Concerns remain that minimally invasive atrial septal defect (ASD) repair may compromise patient outcomes. We compared clinical outcomes of adult patients undergoing ASD repair via a minimally invasive endoscopic approach versus a “gold standard” sternotomy.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcomes of consecutive patients who underwent ASD patch repair at our institution between 2002 and 2012. We compared in-hospital/30-day mortality, postoperative complications, length of stay in hospital and in the intensive care unit and blood product requirements between patients who underwent right mini-thoracotomy (MT) and those who underwent conventional sternotomy.

Results

During the study period, 73 consecutive patients underwent ASD patch repair at our institution: 51 (age 47 ± 16 yr, 66.7% women) in the MT group and 22 (age 46 ± 21 yr, 59.1% women) in the sternotomy group. In-hospital mortality was similar between the 2 groups (MT 0% v. sternotomy 4.5%, p = 0.30). There were no significant differences in any postoperative complications or blood product requirements. No patients in the MT group suffered stroke, retrograde aortic dissection or leg ischemia. Mean intensive care unit (MT 1.2 ± 1.2 d v. sternotomy 1.7 ± 2.2 d, p = 0.26) and hospital length of stays (MT 5.1 ± 2.2 d v. sternotomy 6.3 ± 3.6 d, p = 0.17) were similar between the groups; however, there was a trend toward fewer patients requiring prolonged hospital stays (> 10 d) in the MT group (3.9% v. 18.2%, p = 0.06).

Conclusion

Repair of ostium secundum and sinus venosus ASD can be performed safely via MT endoscopic approach with similar outcomes as sternotomy. Patient preference for a more cosmetically appealing incision may be considered without concern of compromised outcomes.     

Large mucinous neoplasm of the appendix mimicking adnexal mass in a postmenopausal woman

INTRODUCTION

Appendiceal tumors are rare, late-diagnosed neoplasms that may not be differentiated from adnexal masses even by advanced imaging methods and other diagnostic procedures. They may be asymptomatic and remain undiagnosed until surgery.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We report a case of 81-year-old postmenopausal woman presented with abdominal pain. A magnetic resonance imaging revealed right adnexal mass. Laparotomy was performed and detected a 12 cm × 9 cm mucinous tumoral mass arising in the appendix. An appendectomy and a right hemicolectomy with ileo-transverse anastomosis were performed. Histopathological examination was revealed appendiceal mucinous neoplasm with low malignancy potential.

DISCUSSION

Gastrointestinal tumors such as appendiceal tumors can mimicking adnexal mass. Therefore, appendiceal tumor kept in mind in a patient with diagnosed adnexal mass, especially patient had non-specific clinical symptoms, laboratory and radiologic findings.

CONCLUSION

Gastrointestinal tumors such as appendiceal tumors kept in mind in a patient with diagnosed adnexal mass.     

Comparison of laparoscopic and open cystectomy for bladder cancer: a single center of 110 cases report

Purpose

We compared the operative time, complications, blood loss, total cost, and hospital days of laparoscopic cystectomy vs. open cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Materials and methods

This retrospective, nonrandomized study was conducted between January 2004 and March 2011 on 110 patients (17 women and 93 men) who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. A total of 45 cystectomies were performed laparoscopically and 65 by open surgery. Mean patient age was 62.9±10.4 years. The age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, histopathological results etc. were reviewed in this article.

Results

Intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the laparoscopic surgery group (821±776 vs. 1112±706 mL, P=0.044) while operative time was significantly lower in the open surgery group (376±90 vs. 445±119 min, P=0.001). The total costs were also significantly lower in the open surgery group 51,726±13,589 yuan (about $8000) vs. 63,053±19,378 yuan (about $10,000), P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in complication rates, postoperative days in hospital between the two groups.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic cystectomy can reduce intraoperative blood loss significantly. Open cystectomy requires less operative time and has a lower cost than laparoscopic cystectomy for bladder cancer. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative complication rates in the hospital between the two groups.KEY WORDS : Bladder cancer, cystectomy, laparoscopy surgery, open surgery     

Male Gender Impact on the Outcome of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Background and Objectives:

Our aim was to assess the impact of male gender on the outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy by eliminating associated risk factors for conversion.

Methods:

A quantitative comparative study was set up on the background of our null hypothesis that male gender has no impact on the outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We performed a retrospective study of 241 patients and recorded the duration of surgery, length of postoperative hospital stay, conversion rate, and procedure-specific complications. Risk factors for conversion were excluded. Inferential statistics were applied, and a 2-sided P value of < .05 was considered the cutoff point to indicate the amount of evidence against the null hypothesis. We used SPSS for Windows, version 12 (IBM, Armonk, New York). Parametric data were analyzed with the independent-samples t test, and nonparametric data were analyzed with the χ² test.

Results:

A total of 175 women (72.6%) and 66 men (27.4%) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The mean age was 51.4 ± 14.8 years for women and 55 ± 12.7 years for men (P = .08). Women had a higher body mass index (28.4 ± 4.5) than men (26.8 ± 3.5) (P < .005). There were no statistically significant differences in the conversion rate and perioperative morbidity rate. The conversion rate was 2.9% for women and 7.5% for men (P = .142); the morbidity rate was 10.2% and 12.1%, respectively (P = .66). The mean duration of surgery was longer in men, at 67.9 ± 27.8 minutes, than in women, at 56.5 ± 23.98 minutes (P < .002). Both genders had an equal length of postoperative hospital stay, with 1.9 ± 1.8 days for men and 1.9 ± 2.1 days for women (P = .8).

Conclusions:

Male gender has no impact on the outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Gender affects the duration of surgery. Larger-scale studies may disclose the factors responsible for variations in the operative time.     

Robot-Assisted Versus Standard Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

Background and Objectives:

Over the years, there has been a continual shift toward more minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as the use of laparoscopy in colorectal surgery. Recently, there has been increasing adoption of robotic technology. Our study aims to compare and contrast robot-assisted and laparoscopic approaches to colorectal operations.

Methods:

Forty patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic colorectal surgery performed by 2 surgeons at an academic center, regardless of indication, were included in this retrospective review. Patients undergoing open approaches were excluded. Study outcomes included operative time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, complications, and conversion rate to an open procedure.

Results:

Twenty-five laparoscopic and fifteen robot-assisted colorectal surgeries were performed. The mean patient age was 61.1 ± 10.7 years in the laparoscopic group compared with 61.1 ± 8.5 years in the robotic group (P = .997). Patients had a similar body mass index and history of abdominal surgery. Mean blood loss was 163.3 ± 249.2 mL and 96.8 ± 157.7 mL, respectively (P = .385). Operative times were similar, with 190.8 ± 84.3 minutes in the laparoscopic group versus 258.4 ± 170.8 minutes in the robotic group (P = .183), as were lengths of hospital stay: 9.6 ± 7.3 and 6.5 ± 3.8 days, respectively (P = .091). In addition, there was no difference in the number of lymph nodes harvested between the laparoscopic group (14.0 ± 6.5) and robotic group (12.3 ± 4.2, P = .683).

Conclusions:

In our early experience, the robotic approach to colorectal surgery can be considered both safe and efficacious. Furthermore, it also preserves oncologically sufficient outcomes when performed for cancer operations.     

Clinical outcomes compared between laparoscopic and open appendectomy in pregnant women

Background

Despite the initial absolute or relative contraindication of laparoscopic surgery during pregnancy, in the last decade, laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) has been performed in pregnant women. But few studies compare the outcomes of LA compared with open appendectomy (OA). We investigated clinical outcomes to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LA compared with OA in pregnant women.

Methods

We recruited consecutive pregnant patients with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis who were undergoing LA or OA between May 2007 and August 2011 into the study.

Results

Sixty-one patients (22 LA and 39 OA) enrolled in our study. There were no significant differences in duration of surgery, postoperative complication rate and obstetric and fetal outcomes, including incidence of preterm labour, delivery type, gestation age at delivery, birth weight and APGAR scores between the 2 groups. However, the LA group had shorter time to first flatus (2.4 ± 0.4 d v. 4.0 ± 1.7 d, p = 0.034), earlier time to oral intake (2.3 ± 1.6 d v. 4.1 ± 1.9 d, p = 0.023) and shorter postoperative hospital stay (4.2 ± 2.9 d v. 6.9 ± 3.7 d, p = 0.043) than the OA group.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic appendectomy is a clinically safe and effective procedure in all trimesters of pregnancy and should be considered as a standard treatment alternative to OA. Further evaluation including prospective randomized clinical trials comparing LA with OA are needed to confirm our results.     

On-pump beating-heart versus conventional coronary artery bypass grafting for revascularization in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction: early outcomes

Background

We sought to evaluate the effects of on-pump beating-heart versus conventional coronary artery bypass grafting techniques requiring cardioplegic arrest in patients with coronary artery disease with left ventricular dysfunction.

Methods

We report the early outcomes associated with survival, morbidity and improvement of left ventricular function in patients with low ejection fraction who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting between August 2009 and June 2012. Patients were separated into 2 groups: group I underwent conventional coronary artery bypass grafting and group II underwent an on-pump beating-heart technique without cardioplegic arrest.

Results

In all, 131 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting: 66 in group I and 65 in group II. Left ventricular ejection fraction was 26.6% ± 3.5% in group I and 27.7% ± 4.7% in group II. Left ventricular end diastolic diameter was 65.6 ± 3.6 mm in group I and 64.1 ± 3.2 mm in group II. There was a significant reduction in mortality in the conventional and on-pump beating-heart groups (p < 0.001). Perioperative myocardial infarction and low cardiac output syndrome were higher in group I than group II (both p < 0.05). Improvement of left ventricular function after the surgical procedure was better in group II than group I.

Conclusion

The on-pump beating-heart technique is the preferred method for myocardial revascularization in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. This technique may be an acceptable alternative to the conventional technique owing to lower postoperative mortality and morbidity.     

Laparoscopy During Pregnancy: A Literature Review

Objective:

To review the literature regarding the role of laparoscopy during pregnancy, particularly adnexal mass and non-obstetric surgery, incorporating the results of a series of 9 cases of laparoscopy during pregnancy at our centers.

Materials and Methods:

A Medline search was performed to review the literature, and the reference lists provided by those articles were further explored for citations regarding laparoscopic adnexal surgery, appendectomy, and cholecystectomy. Our series of 9 patients consisted of pregnant patients with adnexal mass or acute abdomen who would otherwise have undergone exploratory laparotomy. Follow-up data for these 9 cases were collected by office visits, inquiry to the primary referring physicians, and telephone calls to the patient.

Results:

The literature search yielded 42 additional cases of operative pelvic laparoscopy and 51 cases of abdominal operative laparoscopy (cholecystectomy and appendectomy). The publications, particularly regarding cholecystectomy, were supportive of the laparoscopic approach during pregnancy. All of the patients in our series had favorable outcomes.

Conclusions:

Advanced operative laparoscopy has been successfully performed for certain indications during pregnancy.     

Adoption of Robotic Sacrocolpopexy at an Academic Institution

Objectives:

To describe the introduction of robotic sacrocolpopexy (RSC) in a urogynecology fellowship program, including operative times and patient outcomes.

Methods:

Data were retrospectively extracted from all women who underwent RSC between May 1, 2009 and December 31, 2011 by a single urogynecologist with fellow and resident assistance. Patient demographics, operative times, intraoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and postoperative course were analyzed. Cases were grouped chronologically in blocks of 10 for analysis. Trend analysis of operative time was done with linear and negative binomial regression. Fisher''s exact test was used to compare complications among blocks.

Results:

Fifty-two patients (mean age 58.5 ± 8.4 years) underwent RSC. The majority (75%) had stage III prolapse. Forty-one patients (79%) had concomitant procedures, including supracervical hysterectomy (44%), bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (9.6%), midurethral sling (9.6%), and lysis of adhesions (40.4%). There was no trend toward decreased operative time with increased surgical experience (linear regression P = .453, negative binomial regression P = .998). Mean operative time was 301.1 ± 53.1 minutes (range 205–440). Overall complication rate was not associated with number of robotic cases performed (P = .771). Nine cases (17.3%) were converted to laparotomy. Five of these occurred in the first 15 cases. There were 2 bladder injuries (3.8%) and no bowel injuries.

Conclusions:

Although a learning curve was not demonstrated, the adoption of RSC into a urogynecology fellowship program yields similar rates of bladder/bowel injuries, postoperative complications, and operative times when compared with other published studies.     

Comparison of Two Bipolar Systems in Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

Objective:

To compare the efficacy of 2 bipolar systems during total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH): the pulsed bipolar system (PlasmaKinetic; Olympus, Japan) vs. conventional bipolar electrosurgery (Kleppinger bipolar forceps; Richard Wolf Instruments, Vernon Hills, IL).

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 80 women who underwent TLH for benign gynecologic disease between 2009 and 2010. Forty women received TLH using the conventional bipolar system and another 40 using the pulsed bipolar system. The clinical outcomes and complications were compared between the 2 groups.

Results:

No significant differences between the 2 groups were observed in terms of age, body mass index, and hospital stay. However, the blood loss was greater (515.3 ± 41.2mL vs. 467.9 ± 33.4mL, P < .05) and the operation time was longer (173.4 ± 33.4min vs. 157.3 ± 21.3min, P < .05) in the conventional group. Additionally, the uterine weight was lighter in the conventional group (218.5 ± 23.4g vs. 299.4 ± 41.1g, P < .05). None of the surgeries were required to be converted to laparotomy. No significant differences were found in intraoperative or postoperative complications between the groups.

Conclusion:

The pulsed bipolar system has some advantages over the conventional system, and therefore, may offer an alternative option for patients undergoing TLH.     

Bladeless Direct Optical Trocar Insertion in Laparoscopic Procedures on the Obese Patient

Background:

Recently, we have shown advantages of a direct optical entry (DOE) using a bladeless trocar in comparison with the open Hasson technique (OHT) in older reproductive-age women with previous operations, as well as in comparison with Veress needle entry in reproductive-age and postmenopausal women.

Objectives:

A prospective multicenter randomized study to determine whether the DOE is feasible for establishing safe and rapid entry into the abdomen in comparison with those of the OHT in reproductive-age obese women.

Methods:

Two types of surgical techniques were blindly applied in 224 obese reproductive-age women with benign neoplastic diseases of ovary and uterus. Namely, laparoscopic entry into the abdomen in 108 patients was performed by DOE and in 116 women by OHT. Following parameters (entry time in seconds needed to establish the intra-abdominal vision after pneumoperitoneum, blood loss, occurrence of vascular and/or bowel injuries) were compared during surgery as main outcomes.

Results:

Main baseline characteristics of patients, including age (36.1 ± 4.5 vs 35.7 ± 5.8), body mass index (34.9 ± 5.1 vs 35.1 ± 4.9 kg/m²), and parity (2.1 ± 0.4 vs 1.9 ± 0.9), were not significantly different between the DOE and OHT groups (P > .05). While intraoperative parameters such as the entry time (71.9 ± 3.7 vs 215.1 ± 6.2 seconds) and blood loss value (9.7 ± 6.1 vs 12.2 ± 2.9 mL) were significantly reduced in the DOE group in comparison with those of OHT group (respectively, P < .0001 and < .01), there were also trends to slight decrease of the occurrence of the minor injuries, manifested as omental small vessels rupture (0 of 108 vs 4 of 116) and punctures and pinches of jejunal serosa (0 of 108 vs 3 of 116) in patients of the DOE group in comparison with those of OHT group (respectively, P = .0515 and = .0925).

Conclusions:

DOE reduced entry time and blood loss with trends to slightly decrease of the occurrence of the minor vascular and bowel injuries, thus enabling a possible alternative to OHT in obese women; however, further larger trials need to confirm the possible additional benefits of a DOE.     

Pressure support-ventilation versus spontaneous breathing with "T-Tube" for interrupting the ventilation after cardiac operations

Objective

To compare pressure-support ventilation with spontaneous breathing through a T-tube for interrupting invasive mechanical ventilation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods

Adults of both genders were randomly allocated to 30 minutes of either pressure-support ventilation or spontaneous ventilation with "T-tube" before extubation. Manovacuometry, ventilometry and clinical evaluation were performed before the operation, immediately before and after extubation, 1h and 12h after extubation.

Results

Twenty-eight patients were studied. There were no deaths or pulmonary complications. The mean aortic clamping time in the pressure support ventilation group was 62 ± 35 minutes and 68 ± 36 minutes in the T-tube group (P=0.651). The mean cardiopulmonary bypass duration in the pressure-support ventilation group was 89 ± 44 minutes and 82 ± 42 minutes in the T-tube group (P=0.75). The mean Tobin index in the pressure support ventilation group was 51 ± 25 and 64.5 ± 23 in the T-tube group (P=0.153). The duration of intensive care unit stay for the pressure support ventilation group was 2.1 ± 0.36 days and 2.3 ± 0.61 days in the T-tube group (P=0.581). The atelectasis score in the T-tube group was 0.6 ± 0.8 and 0.5 ± 0.6 (P=0.979) in the pressure support ventilation group. The study groups did not differ significantly in manovacuometric and ventilometric parameters and hospital evolution.

Conclusion

The two trial methods evaluated for interruption of mechanical ventilation did not affect the postoperative course of patients who underwent cardiac operations with cardiopulmonary bypass.     

Results of Revision Surgery and Causes of Unstable Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate causes of unstable total knee arthroplasty and results of revision surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 24 knees that underwent a revision arthroplasty for unstable total knee arthroplasty. The average follow-up period was 33.8 months. We classified the instability and analyzed the treatment results according to its cause. Stress radiographs, postoperative component position, and joint level were measured. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score and range of motion.

Results

Causes of instability included coronal instability with posteromedial polyethylene wear and lateral laxity in 13 knees, coronal instability with posteromedial polyethylene wear in 6 knees and coronal and sagittal instability in 3 knees including post breakage in 1 knee, global instability in 1 knee and flexion instability in 1 knee. Mean preoperative/postoperative varus and valgus angles were 5.8°/3.2° (p = 0.713) and 22.5°/5.6° (p = 0.032). Mean postoperative α, β, γ, δ angle were 5.34°, 89.65°, 2.74°, 6.77°. Mean changes of joint levels were from 14.1 mm to 13.6 mm from fibular head (p = 0.82). The mean HSS score improved from 53.4 to 89.2 (p = 0.04). The average range of motion was changed from 123° to 122° (p = 0.82).

Conclusions

Revision total knee arthroplasty with or without a more constrained prosthesis will be a definite solution for an unstable total knee arthroplasty. The solution according to cause is very important and seems to be helpful to avoid unnecessary over-constrained implant selection in revision surgery for total knee instability.     

Perioperative Outcomes of Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Hysterectomy for Benign Disease

Background and Objectives:

We compared the perioperative outcomes of hysterectomy performed by robotic (RH) versus laparoscopic (LH) routes for benign indications using the Dindo-Clavien scale for classification of the surgical complications.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent robotic (n=288) and laparoscopic (n=257) hysterectomies by minimally invasive surgeons at the University of Michigan from March 2001 until June 2010.

Results:

Age, body mass index, operative time, and estimated blood loss were not statistically different between groups. The RH subgroup had a larger uterine weight (LH 186.4±130.6 g vs RH 234.9±193.9 g, P=.001), higher prevalence of severe adhesions (13.2% vs 23.3%, respectively, P=.003), and stage III–IV endometriosis (4.7% vs 15.3%, respectively, P<.05). There were no differences in the rates of Dindo-Clavien grade I, grade II, and grade III surgical complications between the RH and LH groups (9.7%, 13.2%, and 3.1%, respectively, in the RH group vs 6.2%, 9.3%, and 5.8%, respectively, in the LH group, P>.05). However, the rates of urinary tract infection were higher in the RH group (LH 2.7% vs RH 6.9%, P=.02), whereas the conversion to laparotomy rate was higher in the LH group (LH 6.2% vs RH 1.7%, P=.007).

Conclusions:

Perioperative outcomes for laparoscopic and robotic hysterectomy for benign indications appear to be equivalent.     

Mini-open versus extended open release for severe carpal tunnel syndrome

Background

This study aims to compare surgical outcomes of severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) treated with mini-incision versus extensile release.

Methods

The method employed in this study was a retrospective review of patients with severe CTS, defined by electrophysiologic studies showing non-recordable distal sensory latency of the median nerve. Patients underwent either a mini-incision (2 cm) release of the transverse carpal ligament (group 1) or extensile release proximal to the wrist flexion crease (group 2). Exclusion criteria included prior carpal tunnel release, use of muscle flap, multiple concurrent procedures, or a prior diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. Group 1 included 70 wrists (40 females, 30 males). Group 2 included 64 wrists (35 females, 29 males). Reported outcomes included pre- and post-operative grip strength as well as Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaires (BCTQ).

Results

Patients in group 1 had a 22.6 % increase in grip strength postoperatively (4.5 months ± 5.0), while patients in group 2 had a 59.3 % increase (10.0 months ± 6.9). BCTQ surveys from group 1 (n = 46) demonstrated a symptom severity score of 12.93 and functional status score of 9.39 at an average follow-up of 41.9 ± 10.6 months. Group 2 (n = 42) surveys demonstrated averages of 12.88 and 9.10 at 43.1 ± 11.6 months. One patient in the mini-incision cohort required revision surgery after 2 years, while no patient in the extended release cohort underwent revision.

Conclusion

No significant differences between the two procedures with regard to patient-rated symptom severity or functional status outcomes were found. Both techniques were demonstrated to be effective treatment options for severe CTS.     

Limited intercarpal fusion as a salvage procedure for advanced Kienbock disease

Background

With progressive lunate collapse, salvage procedures in advanced Kienbock disease attempt to provide pain relief and maintain motion. Scaphocapitate arthrodesis may provide a durable option with comparable outcomes to proximal row carpectomy in the well-selected patient.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of all consecutive patients with Lichtman stage IIIA or IIIB Kienbock’s disease who underwent either scaphocapitate or scaphotrapeziotrapezoid-capitate arthrodesis from January 2004 to December 2013.

Results

Twelve patients were included with a mean age of 41.6 years. Ten patients underwent scaphocapitate arthrodesis, while two patients underwent scaphotrapezio-trapezoid-capitate arthrodesis with an average clinical follow-up of 13.1 months. All patients achieved fusion. The average postoperative flexion-extension arc was 53° (range 20–110°). The average ulnar deviation was 9° (range 5–15°), and the average radial deviation was 13° (range 5–25°). Postoperative pain scores were significantly improved, having changed from an average of 6.6 preoperatively to 2.8 on a 10-point scale (W = 18, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Despite a mean flexion-extension arc that is reduced from that of a normal individual, the postoperative range of motion following a midcarpal arthrodesis was not significantly different than that reported in a recent systematic review of proximal row carpectomy (73.5° compared with 53°, respectively) (P = 0.05). Additionally, given the significant postoperative reduction in associated pain symptoms at the time of follow-up, scaphocapitate arthrodesis should be considered as a treatment option for wrist salvage in the patient with advanced Kienbock’s disease.     

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.