Varicocele surgery or embolization: Which is better?

Introduction:

Varicocele remains the most commonly identified correctable cause of male factor infertility. Surgical correction is the most commonly performed technique to treat varicoceles with a technical failure rate of less than 5%. An attractive alternative to surgery is the selective catheterization and embolization of the gonadal vein. This data are limited by small series.

Methods:

We reviewed a total of 158 patients. These patients underwent embolization for clinical varicoceles and male factor infertility between 2004 and 2008. Of these, 56% underwent attempted bilateral embolization, 43% unilateral left-sided embolization and 1.3% unilateral right-sided embolization.

Results:

Of these patients who underwent attempted bilateral embolization, 19.3% did not experience a successful obliteration of the right gonadal vein and 2.3% (2/88) experienced a failure rate in the embolization of the left gonadal vein. Of the 2 attempts at unilateral right-sided embolization, there were no failures. Of the 68 unilateral left-sided embolization attempts, there was a 4.4% failure rate. Of all of the right-sided embolization attempts, 18.9% failed, while 3.2% of the left-sided attempts failed.

Conclusion:

This review represents the largest contemporary series of varicocele embolization outcomes currently in the literature. Our 19.3% technical failure rate for bilateral varicocele embolization is higher than the current published rate of 13% and is largely related to failure to successfully occlude the right gonadal vein. This supports our belief that bilateral varicoceles are best managed with a primary microsurgical approach, where technical failure rates are expected to be less than 5% based on published data. Men with unilateral left-sided varicoceles should be offered both options as they have similar failure rates, but with embolization offering some clear advantages to the patient.     

Arthroscopic glenoid removal for symptomatic component loosening in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty: can it work?

BackgroundGlenoid loosening is a common cause of failure in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA). Arthroscopic evaluation and removal of the loose glenoid component is a treatment option, but data on this technique is limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes following arthroscopic glenoid removal for aTSA patients with symptomatic glenoid loosening.MethodsA retrospective case series was performed to identify aTSA patients with symptomatic glenoid component loosening, who underwent arthroscopic evaluation and glenoid removal from 2005-2019. Date of index shoulder arthroplasty, culture results, and any subsequent revision shoulder procedures were documented. All patients were contacted via telephone to obtain American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Simple Assessment Numeric Evaluation, satisfaction scores (0-100), reoperation performed at an outside facility, and whether they would undergo the operation again.ResultsTwenty-three patients were identified who underwent arthroscopic glenoid removal, of which 20 (87%) were available for a follow-up. Patients had a mean age of 65.6 ± 11.9 years, body mass index of 29.4 ± 6.2 kg/m², and 12/20 were females (60%). The average time from index aTSA to arthroscopic glenoid removal was 7.0 ± 3.6 years (range, 1.9-11.9 years). All patients had loose glenoids at the time of arthroscopic evaluation and 5 patients (25%) had concurrent rotator cuff tears. All patients had cultures obtained at the time of arthroscopy and none were positive. Five patients (25%) underwent revision to reverse total shoulder arthroplasty at a mean 7.4 ± 4.2 months, for a survival of 75% at final follow-up. Comparing patients who underwent revision to those who did not, there was no difference in age (61.0 ± 9.2 vs. 67.1 ± 12.6 years, P = .34), body mass index (29.8 ± 9.5 vs. 29.2 ± 5.1 kg/m², P = .86), sex (100% vs. 47% female, P = .06), time from index aTSA to glenoid removal (63.0 ± 38.4 vs. 91.4 ± 43.9 months, P = .34), or presence of rotator cuff tear (20% vs. 27%, P = 1.0). Of the 15 patients (75%) who did not undergo reoperation, the average American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Simple Assessment Numeric Evaluation, and Satisfaction scores were 54.3 ± 29.2, 53.5 ± 27.6, and 65.9 ± 37.9 respectively, at an average follow-up of 36.0 ± 19.5 months (range, 12-67 months). No patient (0%) who underwent reoperation would undergo the arthroscopic glenoid removal again, whereas 12 patients (60%) who did not undergo reoperation would choose to have an arthroscopic glenoid removal again.ConclusionsGlenoid loosening is an unfortunate complication of aTSA. Survival was 75% for patients who underwent arthroscopic glenoid removal with modest patient reported outcomes. In appropriately selected patients, arthroscopic glenoid removal is a reasonable treatment option to consider for symptomatic glenoid component loosening.     

How to deal with glenoid type B2 or C? How to prevent mistakes in implantation of glenoid component?

Background

Although TSA has been shown to significantly yield better outcomes than hemiarthroplasty, glenoid prosthesis loosening remains the most common complication. Inadequate primary fixation enables the glenoid component to move. In primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA), glenoid involvement and proper morphology vary considerably. Postero-inferior glenoid hypoplasia could be associated with some degree of osteoarthritis. According to Walch, 24 % of glenoids in GHOA are type B2 or C (excessive posterior retroversion), which increases the challenge for the glenoid component fixation.

Materials and methods

A total of 30 cases of TSR with glenoid type B2 (20 cases) and type C (10 cases) were reviewed. Mean follow-up was 11.2 months. A metal-backed (MB) glenoid component was implanted, with a posterior bone graft reconstruction. Pre- and post-operative clinical evaluation was done using the Constant–Murley score and the SST from Matsen.

Results

There is no glenoid loosening, no joint narrowing and no radiolucent line. There was no bone graft osteolysis. With 4 patients revised (4 conversions from TSR to RSR for 3 instabilities and 1 secondary rotator cuff tear), on the overall 30 patients cohort, Constant score pain increased from 1.6 to 13.4, forward flexion from 92° to 146° and Constant score from 27 (36 %) to 70 (95 %). The statistical difference between pre- and post-operative values is greatly significant.

Conclusion

Although MB prostheses have been noted to have a higher rate of loosening than full-cemented PE, this is not our experience, even in case of glenoid type B2 or C, where the technical challenge is demanding and most of the time a posterior bone graft is necessary.     

Which is most pungent: isoflurane, sevoflurane or desflurane?

We compared the pungency and tolerability of three inhaled anaestheticsin a randomized, double-blind study. Eighty-one unpremedicatedpatients (n=27, each group) inhaled 2 MAC of isoflurane(2.3%), desflurane (12%) or sevoflurane (4%) for 60 s froman anaesthetic breathing circuit via a mask. Two blinded observersrecorded coughing, complaints of burning and irritation, andhow long the inhalation was tolerated. One sevoflurane patientcoughed, but completed the study period, whereas 11 isofluranepatients and 20 desflurane patients coughed, objected verballyor removed the mask forcefully. All sevoflurane, 20 isofluraneand seven desflurane patients completed the study period (average60, 49 and 33 s, respectively, P<0.05). The irritabilitygrading was: desflurane > isoflurane > sevoflurane(P<0.05). Sevoflurane is the least irritating agent for inhalationat 2 MAC concentration. Br J Anaesth 2000; 85: 305–7     

Single-use trocar: is it possible to reprocess it after the first use?

The aim of this study was to verify and describe the presence of microorganisms in the single-use trocar after its use in surgical procedures, and after this device was submitted to cleaning, conditioning, and sterilization by physicochemical processes (formaldehyde, ethylene oxide, and hydrogen peroxide plasma). Twenty-eight trocars of the Ethicon, Auto-suture, and Aesculap brands, were randomly selected and analyzed after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The results have shown that cultures grown of the material collected from the trocars, immediately after its use and before its sterilization process, showed the presence of bacteria and fungi in 46.5% (13). In 53.5% (15) of the trocars, the presence of microorganisms was not detected, very likely due to niche's scarcity. In the cultures grown of the 28 trocars after being submitted to sterilization processes, the presence of microorganisms was not verified. We can therefore conclude that although trocars possess compartments not easily accessed for cleaning, these devices can be adequately cleaned and effectively sterilized, when well manipulated, in the institution where the study was carried out by the processes of steam sterilization at low temperature and formaldehyde, ethylene oxide, and hydrogen peroxide plasma.     

Which is less invasive--distal pancreatectomy or segmental resection?

BACKGROUND: For a pancreatic body tumor, distal pancreatectomy (DP) has been a standard operation. Segmental resection (SR) of the pancreas has been introduced as a less invasive procedure in consideration of preservation of the pancreatic functions and postoperative quality of life. Surgical stress and exocrine and endocrine functions of the residual pancreas were compared between DP and SR. METHODS: Clinical findings including serum levels of C reactive protein (CRP), fasting blood sugar, a 120 min value of the 75 g oral glucose tolerance test, and N-benzol-L-tyrosyl-p-aminobenzoic acid excretion value (a pancreatic exocrine function test) were compared between 47 patients with DP and 10 with SR performed for benign pancreatic diseases. RESULTS: Operation time was longer in SR (356 min) than in DP (272 min; P = 0.0123). Operative blood loss and peri-operative blood transfusion were not different between the two groups. Serum levels of CRP increased after the operation, reaching the peak on postoperative day 2 or 3, and decreased thereafter The peak of serum CRP level was similar between the two groups (13.4+/-1.8 mg/dl in SR and 14.8+/-1.1 mg/dl in DP). Postoperative hospital stay in 10 patients with SR (65 days) was significantly longer than that in 47 with DP (33 days; P = 0.0001). When postoperative complications were compared between the two groups, the incidence of pancreatic fistula was significantly higher in SR (4/10 [40%]) than in DP (4/46 [9%]; P = 0.0103). Abdominal abscess was seen in 30% of SR and in 11% of DP. Postoperative intra-abdominal hemorrhage was seen only in one patient with SR After DP, glucose tolerance deteriorated at short-term in nine of 24 patients examined and at long-term in two of five patients examined. Only one patient showed improvement of glucose intolerance at short-term after the operation. On the other hand, SR showed no alteration of the pancreatic endocrine and exocrine functions in eight patients examined. CONCLUSIONS: SR is superior to DP from the view-point of preservation of the pancreatic functions, although SR has a longer operation time, a longer hospital stay and a higher incidence of postoperative complications.     

Size reduction ascending aortoplasty: is it dead or alive?

OBJECTIVE: Reduction ascending aortoplasty is a controversial procedure. Some believe that it can be appropriately applied when the anatomic features are favorable. Others suggest that it should be restricted to those patients who are at unacceptably high risk for more radical procedures, and there are also those who believe that reduction ascending aortoplasty should not be applied at all. The purpose of the article is to draw conclusions on the applicability of reduction ascending aortoplasty in modern cardiovascular surgery. METHODS: The issue was examined in the mirror of the authors' own experiences, by review and scrutiny of the literature available on the subject, and by conducting an extensive survey of the profession. RESULTS: We found that given proper indications (ie, poststenotic dilatations of <6 cm in diameter, absence of cystic medial necrosis, and a technique that decreases aortic diameter to <3.5 cm), nonreinforced reduction ascending aortoplasty performed concomitantly with aortic valve replacement appears to be a simple and safe procedure, with low morbidity and mortality and rare late complications. External reinforcement might extend the scope of indication for reduction ascending aortoplasty to ascending aortic aneurysms associated with aortic regurgitation and to those with primary structural aortic wall disease with comparable results. Experience also has shown that late complications might be further reduced by means of proper proximal anchoring and extending the wrap past the origin of the innominate artery. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that reduction ascending aortoplasty is certainly alive. Although it does not appear to be an extremely popular operation, about half of the surgeons who responded believe it to be justified. Regardless of which modality is used, lifetime monitoring of ascending aortic size is essential and so advised. Because of recent sporadic reports of "under-the-wrap" aortic wall atrophy and rupture, the issue of reinforcement of reduction ascending aortoplasty requires continued re-evaluation.     

Jugular phlebectasia in children: is it rare or ignored?

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Phlebectasia of the jugular veins is a venous anomaly that usually presents in children as a soft cystic swelling in the neck during straining. The purpose of this report is to discuss the differential diagnosis, the methods of imaging, the mode of treatment, and to demonstrate some factors that have made us believe that the condition may not be an actual rarity but rather has been ignored. METHODS: Eight cases of unilateral internal jugular phlebectasia were treated surgically (ie, excision of the dilated portion of the vein) from 1987 to 1998. The age of the patients ranged from 3 to 14 years. There were 3 girls and 5 boys. The lesions were right sided in 6, and left sided in 2 children. The patients underwent surgery after comparative ultrasonographic confirmation of the diagnosis. Furthermore, the authors prepared a simple questionnaire for evaluating the level of knowledge about this lesion among the related specialists. One hundred ten physicians were asked to describe the jugular phlebectasia and its ideal treatment. RESULTS: All of the patients were discharged from the hospital 24 hours after surgery. Follow-up periods ranged from 6 months to 6 years and no complaints were noted at the time of most recent visits. Our questionnaire results showed that 96% of 73 pediatricians, 37% of 22 otorhinolaryngologists, and 40% of 15 pediatric surgeons did not know what the jugular phlebectasia was. CONCLUSIONS: Color Doppler sonography alone is sufficient for the diagnosis of jugular phlebectasia. The authors recommend surgical excision in asymptomatic cases for cosmetic and psychological purposes. The rarity of the lesion may be caused by a lack of knowledge among the related physicians and the tendency of reporting only surgical results.     

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.