Is It Necessary to Use a Drain After Harvesting Radial Artery? A Randomized Prospective Study

BACKGROUND: Radial artery (RA) is a second choice after internal thoracic artery in coronary artery bypass operations. There are some complications in forearm after harvesting RA. We have prospectively compared the necessity of inserting drain in the forearm cavity after RA harvesting to prevent such complications. METHODS: Eighty consecutive patients (younger than 65 years old, left ventricle ejection fraction >40%) undergoing coronary artery bypass operations were prospectively enrolled into study. Patients were divided into two groups by using, Table of Random Digit, for randomization. In group I patients (n = 40), we inserted drain during the forearm closing and in group II patients (n = 40), we did not use any drain. Patients in both groups evaluated for wound site complications such as hematoma, errythema, vascular complications, motor deficit, paresthesia, hand edema, and infection. RESULTS: We found two hand edemas, one hematoma, five paresthesias, one infection, and three ecchymosis in Group I patients and one hematoma, four paresthesias, one infection, and four ecchymosis in Group II patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in complications. CONCLUSION: Placing of a drain into the forearm has not significant advantages but the cost and the complaints of patients could be reduced by not using the drain.     

Is Obesity a Contraindication for Minimal Invasive Total Knee Replacement? A Prospective Randomized Control Trial

Background  

Although total knee replacement (TKR) has been proven a very successful treatment modality for the end-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA) in obese patients, the rehabilitation period often is long and painful. Minimal invasive surgery (MIS) has gained much attention in TKR promising fast and less painful recovery. However, little is known about the effectiveness of the technique in the obese adult population.     

Is Interval Appendectomy Necessary for Appendicular Phlegmon? A Prospective Study

Appendectomy is accepted as the standard treatment of acute appendicitis, but in complicated cases, the treatment of choice is not straightforward. In this prospective study, we compared failure rate, complications, and recurrence rate of three different approaches to complicated appendicitis. In a 5-year prospective cohort study, patients with appendicular phlegmon were studied in three groups based on the treatment protocols. Group A included patients who underwent an appendectomy; patients of group B were treated by interval appendectomy; and in group C, conservative management was performed without interval appendectomy. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 11.5. In total, 3896 patients with acute appendicitis were admitted, and 127 patients with complicated appendicitis were treated. Fifty-four patients were excluded from the study. Differences in age, gender, weight, and duration of symptoms were not statistically significant in the three groups. In group A (N = 23), appendectomy was impossible in 4 patients and 5 patients experienced complications. In group B (N = 24), two patients underwent exploration and appendectomy. In another two patients, a recurrent episode of acute appendicitis with mild signs and symptoms occurred after discharge from the hospital. In group C (N = 25), three patients experienced a recurrent appendicitis. Interval appendectomy is not indicated in all patients and continuous non-operative management may be appropriate in some patients. As the epidemiology of colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases is different in Iran, we recommend other researchers to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis on colon and appendicular neoplasms workup after non-operative management of complicated appendicitis.     

Do Germans Keep Patients Too Long in Hospital? A Prospective Randomized Trial

Cost-effectiveness reduces hospital stay for all patients with thyroid surgery but lacks information on medical comparability and patients’ fulfilled expectations. The aim of this study was to assess if a hospital stay of 2 days after thyroid surgery had a negative influence on the medical quality or on health-related quality of life. In a controlled prospective randomized trial with 238 patients, a postoperative hospital stay of 2 days was compared to one longer than 2 days. The postoperative medical investigation included serum calcium levels, laryngeal nerve function, and suction drainage volume. Health-related quality of life was assessed on the day of admission before the operation and again 14 days after discharge. Fourteen days after discharge patients were also asked about their subjective health. Despite the study design, it was necessary, for ethical reasons, to let the patients decide when to leave the hospital. In the 2-day study group, 56.6% of the patients preferred hospitalization for more than 2 days (most choosing 3 days). Medical reasons were hyperthyroidism (p < 0.02) and postoperative hypocalcemia (p < 0.03). In the control group 28% left the hospital after 2 days. Only 35% of the patients left the hospital at the second postoperative day, but 60% of these patient supported this shorter hospitalization. Health-related quality of life and self-rated health was significantly higher in patients leaving the hospital on the second postoperative day. A 2-day hospital stay after thyroid surgery is possible and does not show medical or health-related quality of life disadvantages in patients with an uncomplicated postoperative course who consider themselves healthy.     

Is Range of Motion After Cruciate-Retaining Total Knee Arthroplasty Influenced by Prosthesis Design? A Prospective Randomized Trial

Improvement in knee flexion is a major expectation for many patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). One hundred and twenty two patients were randomized to receive a cruciate-retaining standard or high-flexion TKA. Range of motion (ROM) and functional outcomes were assessed. The high flexion implants had a greater intraoperative ROM than standard implants. The mean flexion preoperatively, intraoperatively and at the one year follow-up was 107.4°, 123.0° and 108.9° in the standard group and 109.9°, 129.1° and 109.7° in the high-flexion TKA group. These differences were not significant preoperatively and at follow-up, but intraoperatively (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis preoperative knee flexion was the only significant factor influencing knee flexion at follow-up. No differences in the Knee Society Score or SF 36 were observed.     

Does Fibrin Glue Reduce Lymph Leakage (Pleural Effusion) after Extended Esophagectomy? Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial

Fibrin glue has been shown to be effective in improving postoperative chylothorax following various thoracic procedures and in reducing lymphorrhea after axillary dissection. It is unknown, however, whether fibrin glue is effective in reducing lymph leakage (pleural effusion) after esophagectomy. A series of 43 consecutive patients with thoracic esophageal cancer who underwent extended esophagectomy were prospectively randomized to two groups: group A (n = 21), in whom 3 ml of fibrin glue was applied to the dissected mediastinum; and group B (n = 22), in whom fibrin glue was not applied. The time of drain removal and the volume of the thoracic drainage were compared. All data were expressed as the mean ± standard deviation. There were no significant differences in the clinicopathologic characteristics between the two groups. None of the patients developed chylothorax or died during their hospital stay. The daily volume from the thoracic drain (457 ± 273 ml) was significantly (p < 0.05) larger on postoperative day (POD) 1 in group A than in group B (298 ± 158 ml) and tended to be larger (p < 0.10) on PODs 4 and 6 in group A than in group B. The cumulative drainage volume was significantly (p < 0.05) larger on PODs 4 to 6 and POD 9, and it tended to be larger (p < 0.10) on PODs 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, and 11 in group A than in group B, suggesting that the cumulative drainage volume in group A was consistently larger than that in group B. The cumulative numbers of patients with a drain remaining in place were not significantly different for the two groups (p = 0.4683). Three patients in group A, however, had prolonged insertion (> 20 days) of the chest tube. There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative chest-related complications. No patients in group A developed viral infectious disease during the long-term follow-up. Application of fibrin glue to the dissected mediastinum seems to induce postoperative lymph leakage and thus be responsible for prolonged chest tube insertion in some patients. Hence the use of fibrin glue cannot be recommended for reducing lymph leakage after esophagectomy.     

Is Bariatric Surgery Necessary after Intragastric Balloon Treatment?

Background: The use of the Bio-Enterics intra-gastric balloon (BIB) has been shown to be a safe and effective procedure for the temporary treatment of morbid obesity. We conducted a retrospective comparative analysis of the weight loss in patients that after BIB removal underwent bariatric surgery and those who did not wish surgery. Methods: From January 2000 to March 2004, 182 BIBs were positioned in 175 patients (104 F / 71 M; mean age 37.1±11.6 years, range 16-67; mean BMI 54.4 ± 8.1 kg/m², range 39.8-79.5; mean %EW 160.8±32.9% range 89-264). Patients were excluded from this study who had emergency BIB removal for balloon rupture (n=2, 1.1%) and for psychological intolerance (n=7, 7.8%). All patients were scheduled for a bariatric operation, before BIB positioning. After BIB removal, a number of patients now declined surgery. Consequently, patients were allocated into 2 groups: Group A in whom BIB removal was followed by bariatric surgery (Lap-Band^?, laparoscopic gastric bypass, duodenal switch) (n=86); Group B patients who after BIB removal refused any surgical procedure (n=82). Both groups were followed for a minimum of 12 months. Results were reported as mean BMI and %EWL ± SD. Statistical analysis was done by Student t-test or Fisher's exact test, with P<0.05 considered significant. Results: Mean BMI and mean %EWL in the 166 patients at time of removal were 47.3 ± 8.1 kg/m² and 32.1±16.6%, respectively. At the same time, mean BMI was 47.6±6.9 and 48.1±6.5 kg/m² in group A and B (P=NS). At 12 months follow-up (100%), mean BMI was 35.1 kg/m² in Group A (BIB + surgery) and 51.7 kg/m² in Group B (BIB alone) (P<0.001). Conclusions: After BIB removal, half (49.4%) of the patients scheduled for surgery refused a bariatric operation. These patients returned to their mean initial weight at 12 months follow-up. Therefore, bariatric surgery after BIB removal is highly recommended.     

Is Rectal Washout Necessary in Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer? A Prospective Clinical Study

Background Implantation of exfoliated malignant cells has been suggested as a possible mechanism of tumor recurrence in colorectal anastomoses that might be prevented by cytocidal washout. The aim of our study was to assess whether malignant cells are likely to be collected by a circular stapler introduced transanally to perform an anastomosis and to observe local recurrences during follow-up, with special attention to the washout status of patients. Methods Between May 1999 and March 2004, 96 patients with carcinoma of the rectum and distal sigmoid colon undergoing anterior resection under the care of three surgeons (only one of whom routinely performed rectal washout) were prospectively studied. While 38 patients had rectal washout with 5% povidone-iodine before anastomosis, 58 patients did not. A circular stapler was used for anastomosis, and the stapler was immediately rinsed in 100 ml of saline. The fluid was then classified as “acellular,” “malignant cells identified,” or “benign cells identified” by pathologists. Results Malignant cells were collected from the circular stapler after use in 3 patients (8%) on whom rectal washout was performed and in 2 (3%) patients who did not have rectal washout performed (P = 0.631). Three patients (8%) in the washout group developed local recurrence, and 2 patients (3.4%) in the no-washout group had local recurrence (one was anastomotic recurrence) (P = 0.338). The median follow-up time was 23 (range: 9–70) months. Conclusions There were no differences in terms of the number of patients who had malignant cells collected from the circular stapler and local recurrence rates between the two groups. Although this is not a randomized study and size and mean follow-up time of the study were not sufficient, our results did not offer rational arguments in support of intraoperative rectal washout when a circular stapler is used after low anterior resection for carcinoma. Because of the limitations of our study, however, we are unable to arrive at a definite conclusion regarding rectal washout. There is a need for a randomized, controlled, large-scale, multicenter trial to establish the clinical relevance of intraoperative rectal washout. This paper was presented at the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Annual Meeting, June 21–26, 2003, New Orleans, LA (in the Resident/Fellow Presentations as the presentation of International Scholarship Winner).     

Is Closed-suction Drainage Necessary for Single-level Lumbar Decompression?: Review of 560 Cases

Background  

Closed-suction drainage is commonly used for prevention of postoperative hematoma and associated neurologic compromise after lumbar decompression, but it remains unclear whether suction drainage reduces postoperative complications.     

Pleurodesis in Patients with Malignant Pleural Effusions: Talc Slurry or Bleomycin? Results of a Prospective Randomized Trial

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and cost of bedside pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusions using talc slurry (TS) or bleomycin (BL) in a prospective randomized trial, and to determine prognosticators for procedure failure. From June 1997 to June 1999 a series of 71 patients entered this trial. They underwent 37 procedures with TS (4 g) and 34 with BL (60 units) via tube thoracostomy. Success was defined as no recurrence of pleural effusion or asymptomatic recurrence of a small amount of effusion. Pleural effusion-free survival curves were used to analyze the success rates and the prognosticators of failure. Follow-up ranged from 3 days to 26 months (median 2.5 months). No difference in success rates was detected between TS or BL (log-rank test: p = 0.724). There were no major complications related to the procedure. The independent prognosticators of failed pleurodesis were the use of steroids (p = 0.004) and the volume of pleural fluid drained during the first thoracentesis when it was more than 900 ml (p = 0.029). The average cost of intervention per patient was significantly lower for TS (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the success rates for TS and BL as agents of bedside pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusions. Because of its significantly lower cost, TS should be considered the agent of choice. The use of steroids and the volume drained during the first thoracentesis (if more than 900 ml) were independent prognosticators of pleurodesis failure. The role of this latter finding as a marker of pleurodesis failure awaits more data.     

Is a T-tube Necessary after Common Bile Duct Exploration?

BACKGROUND: T-tube drainage used to be standard practice after surgical choledocholithotomy, but there is now a tendency in some centers to close the common bile duct (CBD) primarily. This study was designed to review the complications associated with T-tube drainage after CBD exploration and to determine whether primary closure of the bile duct reduces postoperative morbidity. METHODS: A retrospective audit was performed on patients undergoing CBD exploration between July 1997 and March 2007, who were identified from the theatre database of one teaching hospital. Intraoperative findings and postoperative complications were recorded from the clinical notes. RESULTS: During the study period, 158 patients (97 women; median age 65 (range, 25-90) years) underwent CBD exploration. A T-tube was inserted in 91 patients (group I) and the CBD was closed primarily in 67 (group II). One or more biliary complications occurred in 26 patients (16.5%): 20 (22.0%) in group I and 6 (8.9%) in group II (p = 0.03). In group I, 15 had a biliary leak (3 needed reoperation), 2 had accidental slippage of the tube, 2 an entrapped T-tube, and 1 a retained stone. In group II, six patients had biliary leakage, two of whom were re-explored. Six patients in group I also had peritubal infection, necessitating the use of antibiotics. There were three deaths: two in group I (1 T-tube-related) and 1 in group II (p = 1, not significant). CONCLUSION: There is a lower biliary complication rate associated with primary closure of the CBD than after T-tube drainage.     

Esophagectomy: Is It Necessary after Chemoradiotherapy for a Locally Advanced T4 Esophageal Cancer? Prospective Nonrandomized Trial Comparing Chemoradiotherapy with Surgery versus without Surgery

The need for surgery after chemoradiotherapy for a T4N0-1M0 squamous cell carcinoma in the thoracic esophagus was evaluated. A series of 53 patients were enrolled in this prospective nonrandomized trial from among 124 patients with an esophageal cancer assessed as T4 in Kurume University Hospital from 1994 to 2002. After the first chemoradiotherapy cycle, which consisted of radiotherapy in a total dosage of 36 Gy and chemotherapy using cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5FU), the patients each decided, after being informed of the efficacy of the chemoradiotherapy, whether to undergo surgery. All patients, including those who had undergone surgery and those who had not, later underwent a second chemoradiotherapy cycle consisting of radiotherapy in a total dosage of 24 Gy and chemotherapy using CDDP and 5FU, as far as practicable. Among the responders to the first chemoradiotherapy cycle, there was no significant difference in the long-term (5-year) survival rate between the 18 patients who underwent esophageal surgery and the 13 patients who did not (23% vs. 23%). Among the nonresponders, the 11 patients who underwent surgery showed a tendency toward longer survival than the five patients who had had no surgery. The nonresponders had 1- and 2-year survival rates of 64% and 33%, respectively. The corresponding rates for the 5 nonsurgical patients who completed the two chemoradiotherapy cycle were 20% ands 20%, respectively. For a T4N0-1M0 squamous cell carcinoma in the thoracic esophagus, full-dosage chemoradiotherapy (definitive chemoradiotherapy) is preferred for responders to a half-dose of chemoradiotherapy as much as esophagectomy, whereas esophagectomy may be preferred for nonresponders.     

Does Epidural Anesthesia Have General Anesthetic Effects?: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial

Background: Clinically, patients require surprisingly low end-tidal concentrations of volatile agents during combined epidural-general anesthesia. Neuraxial anesthesia exhibits sedative properties that may reduce requirements for general anesthesia. The authors tested whether epidural lidocaine reduces volatile anesthetic requirements as measured by the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane for noxious testing cephalad to the sensory block.

Methods: In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 44 patients received 300 mg epidural lidocaine (group E), epidural saline control (group C), or epidural saline-intravenous lidocaine infusion (group I) after premedication with 0.02 mg/kg midazolam and 1 [mu]g/kg fentanyl. Tracheal intubation followed standard induction with 4 mg/kg thiopental and succinylcholine 1 mg/kg. After 10 min or more of stable end-tidal sevoflurane, 10 s of 50 Hz, 60 mA tetanic electrical stimulation were applied to the fifth cervical dermatome. Predetermined end-tidal sevoflurane concentrations and the MAC for each group were determined by the up-and-down method and probit analysis based on patient movement.

Results: MAC of sevoflurane for group E, 0.52 +/- 0.18% (+/- 95% confidence interval [CI]), differed significantly from group C, 1.18 +/- 0.18% (P< 0.0005), and from group I, 1.04 +/- 0.18% (P< 0.001). The plasma lidocaine levels in groups E and I were comparable (2.3 +/- 1.0 vs. 3.0 +/- 1.2 [mu]g/ml +/- SD).