Anesthesia for non-obstetric surgery during pregnancy in a tertiary referral center: a 16-year retrospective,matched case-control,cohort study

IntroductionThis retrospective, matched case-control cohort study describes the incidence, indications, anesthesia techniques and outcomes of pregnancies complicated by surgery in a single tertiary-referral hospital.MethodsRetrospective review of the hospital records of 171 patients who had non-obstetric surgery in the current pregnancy, between 2001 and 2016. Pregnancy outcomes of these women were firstly compared with all contemporary non-exposed patients (n=35 411), and secondly with 684 non-exposed control patients, matched for age, time of delivery and parity.ResultsThe incidence of non-obstetric surgery during pregnancy was 0.48%, mostly performed during the second trimester (44%) and under general anesthesia (81%). Intra-abdominal surgery (44%) was the most commonly performed procedure, predominantly using laparoscopy (79%). Women undergoing surgery delivered earlier and more frequently preterm (25% vs. 17%, P=0.018); and birth weight was significantly lower [median (95% CI) 3.16 (3.06 to 3.26) vs. 3.27 (3.22 to 3.32) kg, P=0.044]. When surgery was performed under general anesthesia, low birth weight was more frequent (22% vs 6%, P=0.046). Overall pregnancy outcomes were neither influenced by trimester nor location (intra- vs extra-abdominal) of surgery. However, preterm birth rate secondary to surgery was higher for interventions during the third trimester, compared with other trimesters (10% vs 0, P <0.001).ConclusionPregnant women who underwent surgery delivered preterm more frequently and their babies had lower birth weights. Laparoscopic surgery did not increase the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes. General anesthesia was associated with low birth weight. Whether these associations suggest causation or reflect the severity of the underlying condition remains speculative.     

Clinical and radiological factors predicting recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma: A retrospective cohort study

BackgroundChronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is commonly encountered in the elderly patients and the recurrence rate is still high, therefore, identifying risk factors for CSDH recurrence is essential. The present study aimed to identify clinical and radiological factors predicting the recurrence of CSDH.MethodsWe retrospectively identified 461 patients with CSDH who underwent surgical evacuation in our department. Univariable analyses were performed at first, variables with a P-value of <0.05 were entered into multivariable logistic regression model. Kendall's tau-b test was used to evaluate the relationship between brain atrophy and postoperative pneumocephalus.ResultsUnivariable analyses revealed that patients with the following characteristics have a higher recurrence rate, including age ≥80 years, antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant use, GOS = 3, the volume of drainage ≥100 ml, midline shift ≥10 mm, severe brain atrophy, severe postoperative pneumocephalus. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that midline shift ≥10 mm, severe brain atrophy, severe postoperative pneumocephalus, and volume of drainage ≥100 ml were independent risk factors for CSDH recurrence. Kendall's tau-b test revealed that there was no correlation between brain atrophy and postoperative pneumocephalus.ConclusionsMidline shift ≥10 mm, severe brain atrophy, severe postoperative pneumocephalus, and volume of drainage ≥100 ml were independent risk factors for CSDH recurrence, CSDH patients with these characteristics should be taken precautions of recurrence and a closely follow-up should be carried out.     

Analysis of risk factors for amputation in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: a cohort study from a tertiary center

Objective: This study aimed to analyze risk factors for amputation (overall, minor and major) in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).Methods: 407 patients with DFUs (286 male, 121 female; mean age = 60, age range = 32-92) who were managed in a tertiary care centre from 2009 to 2019 were retrospectively identified and included in the study. DFUs were categorized based on the Meggit-Wagner, PEDIS, S(AD)SAD, and University of Texas (UT) classification systems. To identify amputation risk-related factors, results of patients with DFUs who underwent amputations (minor or major) were compared to those who received other adjunctive treatments using Chi-Square, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Spearman correlation analysis.Results: The mean C-reactive protein (CRP) and White Blood Cell (WBC) values were significantly higher in patients with major or minor amputation than in those without amputation. The mean Neutrophil (PNL), Platelets (PLT), wound width, creatinine and sedimentation (ESR) values were significantly higher in patients with major amputation compared to other groups of patients. Elevated levels of High-density lipoprotein (HDL), Hemoglobin (HGB) and albumin were determined to be protective factors against the risk of amputation. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a positive-sided, strong-levelled, significant relation between Wagner grades and amputation status of patients.Conclusion: This study has identified specific factors for major and minor amputation risk of patients with DFUs. Especially infection markers such as CRP, WBC, ESR and PNL were higher in the amputation group. Most importantly, Meggit Wagner, one of the four different classification systems used in the DFUs, was determined to be highly associated with patients’ amputation risk.Level of Evidence: Level IV, Prognostic Study     

Risk factors for pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy: A retrospective study in a Thai tertiary center

AIM To analyze the risk factors of postoperative pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy in a Thai tertiary care center.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 179 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at our hospital from January 2001 to December 2016. Pancreatic fistula were classified into three categories according to a definition made by an International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula. The risk factors for pancreatic fistula were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.RESULTS Pancreatic fistula were detected in 88/179 patients(49%) who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Fifty-eight pancreatic fistula(65.9%) were grade A, 22 cases(25.0%) were grade B and eight cases(9.1%) were grade C. Clinically relevant pancreatic fistula were detected in 30/179 patients(16.7%). The 30-d mortality rate was 1.67%(3/179 patients). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that soft pancreatic texture(odds ratio = 3.598, 95%CI: 1.77-7.32) was the most significant risk factor for pancreatic fistula. A preoperative serum bilirubin level of 3 mg/d L was the most significant risk factor for clinically relevant pancreatic fistula according to univariate and multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION Soft pancreatic tissue is the most significant risk factor for postoperative pancreatic fistula. A high preoperative serum bilirubin level( 3 mg/d L) is the most significant risk factor for clinically relevant pancreatic fistula.     

Incisional hernia repair after kidney transplantation in a tertiary high-volume center: outcomes from a 10-year retrospective cohort study

International Urology and Nephrology - Incisional hernia (IH) after Kidney Transplantation (KT) is a challenging complication due to both technical reasons and patients’ complexity. Data...     

Double-guidewire-assisted biliary cannulation: experiences from a single tertiary referral center

Background  

Even in experienced hands, a common problem with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is difficulty reaching a deep biliary cannulation. The most recent alternative method for difficult biliary cannulation is the double-guidewire technique. The current prospective study aimed to clarify the feasibility and safety of the double-guidewire-assisted biliary cannulation at the authors’ institution.     

Bladder cancer in Sri Lanka: Experience from a tertiary referral center

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies occurring worldwide. No published data exists on bladder cancer in Sri Lanka. The objective of the study was to determine the clinicopathological characteristics of histologically confirmed transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder in Sri Lanka. METHODS: Three hundred and one patients were diagnosed with primary bladder cancer during a 7.5-year period from 1993 to 2000. Two hundred and eighty-one patients (239 men and 42 women; mean age, 66 years; range, 26-88) with TCC of the bladder were evaluated with regard to clinical presentation, cystoscopic findings and histopathological data. RESULTS: Transitional cell carcinoma accounted for 93.4% of primary bladder cancer. There was a male predominance with a sex ratio of 6:1. The majority of patients (63.7%) were in the 7th and 8th decades of life. Painless hematuria was the most common presenting symptom (52.7%), followed by painful hematuria (39.2%). The median duration of hematuria for all TCC patients, as well as for muscle-invasive TCC patients, was 3 months. Papillary configuration at cystoscopy, was found in 89.7% of non-invasive urothelial tumors. In contrast, 77.8% of invasive TCC patients had a solid/mixed tumor configuration. One hundred and forty-five patients (51.6% of TCC) had non-invasive urothelial tumor and 136 patients (48.4%) had muscle-invasive disease. In the non-invasive urothelial tumor category, 61 patients (42.0%) had pTa tumors and 84 patients (58.0%) had pT1 tumors. Of newly diagnosed TCC cases, 5.3% were found to be T1G3 urothelial carcinomas. Fifty-six patients (38.6%) with non-invasive urothelial tumor had a tumor greater than 5 cm in size. CONCLUSIONS: More than 90% of primary bladder tumors in Sri Lanka are TCC, with nearly half the patients having muscle-invasive diseases on initial presentation. Even in non-invasive urothelial tumors, the majority (58.0%) have lamina propria invasion.     

Orthopaedic injury patterns at a tertiary referral hospital in Ethiopia: a prospective observational study

ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify the composition of orthopaedic injuries in Ethiopia.BackgroundInjuries are among the most common causes of death worldwide. This is especially true in developing countries, which lag in preventive efforts and have inadequate resources to treat injuries efficiently. As a result, understanding the trauma burden is crucial for future prevention and treatment accessibility initiatives.MethodsWe conducted an observational study using prospectively collected emergency orthopaedic trauma data between January 2018 and December 2021 from Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The incidence of all fractures, demographic data, trauma mechanisms, and injury types were examined by stratifying cases based on patients presenting from Addis Ababa, the capital city, or outside of Addis Ababa. These groups were chosen to account for the demographic differences that exist between individuals living in the capital city and other regions.ResultsOur study included 4712 patients with similar distribution from Addis Ababa and outside of Addis. Overall, 70% were between 18 to 55 (median 30). Road traffic incidents accounted for the most overall injuries (41%), including 130 motorcycle injuries (2.8%), while falls were the predominant mechanism (51.3%) for patients from Addis. Injuries of the lower limb accounted for 66% of injuries (n=4262/6412), the femur being the most affected (22%), followed by the pelvis and acetabulum (16%). One-quarter presented with open fractures and another quarter had multiple injuries. Multivariate analysis further demonstrated patients outside of Addis were 37% more likely to have multiple fractures and 69% more likely to have open fractures.ConclusionFuture directives should focus on preventive measures and address the management of complex injuries to overcome trauma injuries’ health and economic impacts. The initiatives shall focus on the varying primary mechanisms of injury for the different population groups in the capital city and in rural regions outside of the capital city.     

Risk factors for the recurrence of stage II perforated colorectal cancer: A retrospective observational study

BackgroundPatients with perforated colorectal cancer (PCRC) experience higher recurrence rates than those with non-perforated tissue. We identified the promoting factors of stage II PCRC recurrence after R0 surgery.MethodThis retrospective observational study included patients treated for colorectal cancer at a single facility between 2007 and 2016, and compared the clinicopathological features of patients with perforating versus non-perforating stage II tumors who underwent R0 resection, while focusing on recurrences.ResultsThirty-two and 112 patients (predominantly men) with perforating and non-perforating tumors, respectively, were included. The perforated group had significantly higher proportions of T4 tumors than the non-perforated group (44% vs. 15%). The perforated group had significantly lower numbers of resected lymph nodes than the non-perforated group (6 vs. 17). Seven of 17 patients with follow-up data in the perforated group experienced recurrence (41%), versus 19 of 104 in the non-perforated group (18%). In the non-perforated group, male sex (89% vs. 60%, p = 0.030), T4 stage (32% vs. 9%, p = 0.029), and fewer resected lymph nodes (12.5 vs. 18.6, p = 0.003) were significantly associated with recurrence; however, no such influences on recurrence were observed in the perforated group. The recurrence sites in the perforated group were mostly local (6 patients, 86%). Conversely, recurrences in the non-perforated group were mostly distant; 8 of 19 patients (42%) had liver metastasis and 1 (5%) had lung metastasis.ConclusionPatients with stage II PCRC experienced higher recurrence rates regardless of clinicopathological features and had high local recurrence rates indicating possible local tumor cell dispersal owing to perforation.     

Inflammation markers and risk factors for recurrence in 35 patients with a posttraumatic chronic subdural hematoma: a prospective study

OBJECT: To evaluate the role of local inflammation in the pathogenesis and postoperative recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH), the authors conducted an investigation in a selected group of patients who could clearly recall a traumatic event and who did not have other risk factors for CSDH. Inflammation was analyzed by measuring the concentration of the proinflammatory and inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8. The authors also investigated the possible relationship between high levels of local inflammation that were measured and recurrence of the CSDH. METHODS: A prospective study was performed between 1999 and 2001. Thirty-five patients who could clearly recall a traumatic event that had occurred at least 3 weeks previously and who did not have risk factors for CSDH were enrolled. All patients were surgically treated by burr hole irrigation plus external drainage. The concentration of inflammatory cytokines was very high in the lesion, whereas it was normal in serum. In five cases in which recurrence occurred, concentrations of both IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly increased (p < 0.01) in comparison with cases without a recurrence. In a layering hematoma, the IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.05). Layering CSDHs were also significantly correlated with recurrence. Trabecular hematoma had the lowest cytokine levels and the longest median interval between trauma and clinical onset. The interval from trauma did not significantly influence recurrence, although it did differ significantly between the trabecular and layering CSDH groups. Concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 in the CSDHs did not differ significantly in relation to either the age of the hematoma (measured as the interval from trauma) or the age of the patient. CONCLUSIONS: Brain trauma causes the onset of an inflammatory process within the dural border cell layer; high levels of inflammatory cytokines were significantly correlated with recurrence and layering CSDH. A prolonged postoperative antiinflammatory medicine given as prophylaxis may help prevent the recurrence of a CSDH.     

Surgical site infections in a tertiary health care center: Prospective cohort study

Purpose  

To investigate the incidence and risk factors associated with the development of surgical site infections (SSIs) using the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS).     

Meconium peritonitis: A 22-year review in a tertiary referral center

BackgroundMeconium peritonitis (MP) is a sterile, chemical peritonitis resulting from in-utero fetal bowel perforation. Severe cases may lead to serious morbidities and mortalities.ObjectiveTo review the common antenatal ultrasound abnormalities associated with MP, and identify radiological and clinical prognostic factors.Materials and methodsRetrospective review of all neonates with MP from January 1997 to December 2019 treated in our hospital was performed. Antenatal ultrasound findings, clinical presentations and outcomes were analyzed.ResultsThirty-five neonates (17 males, 18 females) were included in the study. Thirty-two (91.4%) attended antenatal screening, and 27 (84.4%) of them had abnormalities identified on antenatal ultrasound. The most common abnormality was polyhydramnios (43.8%). Nineteen (54.3%) patients were inborn. Twenty (57.1%) patients were born prematurely. Laparotomy was required in 85.7% of patients. The median time to laparotomy was shorter in the inborn group [1 day (0–9 days) vs 4 days (2–34 days), p = 0.001], but the duration of post-operative hospital stay was comparable [71 days (16–423 days) vs 73.5 days (23–231 days)]. However, such duration was found to be significantly longer in the pre-term group when compared to full-term [58.5 days (16–89 days) vs 85 (21–423 days), p = 0.01]. The most common pathology was small bowel atresia and there were two mortalities.ConclusionDue to the advancement in prenatal detection, pediatric anesthesia, intensive care and surgical techniques, the morbidity and mortality of MP has much decreased. Effective multi-disciplinary antenatal counseling facilitated the perinatal management of MP and resulted in comparable prognosis and outcome in inborn and outborn neonates.Level of evidence3