How Long Is Antibiotic Therapy Necessary After Urgent Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis?

Objective

The objective of the study was to analyze surgical site infection (SSI) frequency with different duration antibiotic courses to establish the minimum necessary duration.

Methods

This is an observational study of prospective surveillance of 287 consecutive patients (mean age 67.8 years) operated on for acute cholecystitis of grade II severity in the first 72 h. Postoperative antibiotics had been withdrawn before diagnosis of any infection as an inclusion criterion. Patients were classified into three groups, according to therapy duration: group 1 (0–4 days, n?=?45, 15.7 %); group 2 (5–7 days, n?=?75, 26.1 %); and group 3 (>7 days, n?=?167, 58.2 %). A multivariable analysis of risk infection was performed.

Results

Overall SSI frequency in groups 1, 2, and 3 was 2.2, 10.7, and 9 %, respectively. Risk analysis showed an increase in both crude and adjusted relative risks of overall infection in group 2 (crude relative risk (RR): 4.80 (0.62–37.13); adjusted RR, 2.03 (0.20–20.91)) and in group 3 (crude RR, 4.04 (0.55–29.79); adjusted RR, 2.35 (0.28–20.05)) by comparison with group 1, although without statistical significance. As a result, treatment lasting 4 days or less was not associated with overall surgical site infection incidence higher than longer treatment.

Conclusion

Antibiotic treatment over 4 days after early cholecystectomy provides no advantage in decreasing surgical site infection incidence.     

Delayed Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Acute Calculous Cholecystitis: Is it Time for a Change?

Background

Our aim was to evaluate the advantages and limitations of delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in a tertiary center.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis of all patients admitted to our institution with acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) between January 2003 and December of 2012 was performed. Data collected included patient demographics and comorbidities, presenting symptoms, laboratory findings, imaging results, length of stay (LOS), time to surgery, and surgical complications.

Results

A total of 1078 patients were admitted with ACC. There were 593 females (55%), and the mean age was 57 ± 0.6 years. Mean LOS at initial admission, re-admission until surgery, and following surgery was 7.9 ± 0.2, 1.5 ± 0.1, and 3.4 ± 0.2 days, respectively. Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) tube was inserted in 24% of the patients. Only 640 (59%) patients eventually underwent LC. Mean time to surgery was 97 ± 9.8 days, and 16.4% of patients were readmitted in this time period resulting in a mean total LOS of 10.6 ± 0.2 days. Conversion rate to open surgery was 5.8% and bile duct injury occurred in 1.1%. Postoperative complications occurred in 9.8% of the patients, and 30-day mortality was 0.6%. Patients with more severe inflammation according to Tokyo Criteria grade were more likely to undergo PC, were more likely to be readmitted while waiting for LC, and also had more postoperative complications.

Conclusions

Delayed LC is associated with significant loss of follow-up, long LOS, and higher than expected use of PC. Conversion rates are lower than in the literature while rates of bile duct injury and mortality are comparable. We believe these data as well as the available literature are sufficient to change our hospital policy regarding the surgical treatment of ACC from delayed to early same admission surgery in appropriate cases.

     

Specialised Chronic Compartment Measurement Clinic in a District General Hospital: Is it Worthwhile?

INTRODUCTION

Chronic compartment syndrome is one of the conditions that cause exertional pain in the young. In this condition, a careful history taking is usually the key for making the correct diagnosis, but intracompartmental pressure measurement that has high sensitivity and specificity rates can add invaluable confirmation, especially when surgical decompression is indicated. In a district general hospital there is usually a logistical problem in performing compartmental pressure measurement. In this study, we describe our experience in dealing with such a problem by setting up a quarterly specialised clinic for intracompartmental pressure measurement that, according to our knowledge, is unique in the UK.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 42 patients referred to our specialised clinic and documented the referral patterns, clinical picture, additional investigations, pressure measurement results, final diagnosis and outcome of treatment. The intracompartmental measurement was recorded pre- and post-exercise on the treadmill for 1 min or 5 min and results were interpreted according to published criteria.

RESULTS

The mean age of the referred 42 patients was 33.1 years (range, 15–78 years). There were 16 positive results (38%) confirming the diagnosis of chronic compartment syndrome and four clinically characteristic cases of this condition with negative results. There were 22 negative results (53%), one borderline, and three patients were not tested for different reasons. All of the 10 patients who were treated surgically had positive pre-operative test results.

CONCLUSIONS

An inappropriate referral rate of approximately 52% was encountered that had a significant impact on the waiting time for the proposed test (5.7 months), which is far longer than the 18-week target for treatment in the NHS. We found that a positive test is a strong predictor of a successful outcome of surgical treatment. Such a specialised clinic, therefore, should only receive carefully assessed patients.     

Update Experience of Surgery for Acute Limb Ischaemia in a District General Hospital – Are We Getting Any Better?

INTRODUCTION

The aims of this study were to audit results of a 10-year experience of surgery for acute limb ischaemia (ALI) in terms of limb salvage and mortality rates, and to compare results with a historical published series from our unit.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All emergency operations performed during the period 1993–2003 were identified from theatre registers and patient notes reviewed to determine indications for, and outcome of, surgery. Data were compared to a similar cohort who underwent surgery from 1980 to 1990.

RESULTS

There was a 33% increase in workload from 87 to 116 patients between the two time periods. The number of patients with idiopathic ALI reduced (24% versus 4%; P < 0.05), and there were fewer smokers (71% versus 39%; P < 0.05) and a greater number of claudicants (17% versus 35%; P < 0.05) in those treated from 1993–2003. Latterly, more patients underwent pre-operative heparinisation (33% versus 80%; P < 0.05), received prophylactic antibiotics (14% versus 63%; P < 0.05), and had anaesthetic presence in theatre (46% versus 88%; P < 0.05). There was also a reduction in local anaesthetic procedures (80% versus 41%; P < 0.05). Despite increased pre-operative (15% versus 47%; P < 0.05) and on-table imaging (0% versus 16%; P < 0.05) technical success did not improve. Whilst complication rates were identical at 62%, there were fewer cardiovascular complications in the recent cohort. The 30-day mortality rate for embolectomy fell from 45% to 33%. Multivariate analysis revealed age > 70 years, prolonged symptom duration, ASA score ≥ III, lack of prophylactic antibiotics, absence of an anaesthetist, and operations performed under local anaesthetic to be associated with increased risk of mortality. Factors adversely affecting limb salvage included prolonged duration from symptom onset to operation, and a history of claudication or smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite improvements in pre- and peri-operative management, arterial embolectomy/thrombectomy remains a procedure with a high morbidity and mortality. Further attempts to improve outcome must be directed at early diagnosis and referral as delay from symptom onset to surgery is a major determinant of outcome.     

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis: Does Timing Matter?

Acute cholecystitis is a common cause of acute abdominal pain and the definitive treatment is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. When to perform surgery remains controversial. To find out whether laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed for acute cholecystitis irrespective of the time since onset of acute symptoms. A total of 200 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed for acute cholecystitis were evaluated for duration of surgery, conversion rates, biliary and other organ injury, and postoperative stay. Kruskal–Wallis tests, Mann–Whitney tests, and paired t-tests using SPSS software. Thirty patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 48 h of onset of symptoms (group 1), 60 patients underwent surgery between 48 h and 6 weeks of onset of symptoms (group 2), and 110 patients underwent surgery after 6 weeks of onset of symptoms (group 3). While the duration of surgery was significantly shorter in group 3 compared to groups 1 and 2 (57.5 min vs. 53.5 min vs. 34.2 min), there were no conversions or major biliary or other organ injury in any of the three groups. Postoperative stay was also comparable between the three groups (3 days vs. 3.1 days vs. 3.08 days). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can safely be performed at any time after the onset of acute cholecystitis.     

Stenting for Large Bowel Obstruction – Evolution of a Service in a District General Hospital

INTRODUCTION

Stenting for obstructing large bowel malignancy is a technique that is gradually increasing in popularity. The two main indications are for palliation and as a ‘bridge to surgery’. Some of the proposed advantages of colonic stenting are safety, reduced morbidity and mortality, avoidance of a stoma and shorter hospital stay.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study of consecutive patients who had self-expanding metal stents deployed between February 2001 and June 2006. Data were collected from the MEDITECH electronic integrated healthcare information support system and case note review. Data concerning demographics, primary diagnosis, and location of malignant stricture, indication for stenting, method of stenting, outcome, complications and mortality rates were obtained and analysed on Microsoft Excel.

RESULTS

Colonic stenting was first performed in the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2001. Thirty-two procedures have been performed since then. The median age was 80 years and the majority of cases were palliative (28 of 32), with three of the remaining cases successfully stented as a ‘bridge to surgery’. Initially, this was performed as a radiological procedure; however, the success rate was noted to be better if a surgical endoscopist was also involved. We recorded a 57% clinical success rate in the group of patients that had the colonic stent inserted radiologically; however, the group where this was inserted as a combined radiological and endoscopic procedure yielded a clinical success rate of 78%. We experienced stent-migration in four patients (13%) and rectal perforation in one patient (3%). There was no tumour re-obstruction or stent-related mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

A colonic stenting service can be introduced into a district general hospital with low morbidity and mortality. A well-motivated team is required and combined endoscopic and radiological approach in our hands appears to offer the best results.     

Is the Male Gender an Independent Risk Factor for Complication in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis?

This paper was designed to investigate the gender dependent risk of complication in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard procedure for benign gallbladder disorders. The role of gender as an independent risk factor for complicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains unclear. A retrospective single-center analysis of laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed for acute cholecystitis over a 5-year period in a community hospital was performed. Within the period of examination, 1884 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed. The diagnosis was acute cholecystitis in 779 cases (462 female, 317 male). The male group was significantly older (P = 0.001). Surgery lasted significantly longer in the male group (P = 0.008). Conversion was done in 35 cases (4.5%). There was no significant difference in the rate of conversion between both groups. However the rate of conversion was significantly higher in male patients > 65 years (P = 0.006). The length of postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in the male group (P = 0.007), in the group > 65 years (P = 0.001) and following conversion to open surgery (P = 0.001). The male gender was identified as an independent risk factor for prolonged laparoscopic cholecystectomy on multivariate analysis. The male gender could be an independent risk factor for complicated or challenging surgery in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.Key words: Acute cholecystitis, Gallbladder disease, Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Cholecystolithiasis, GallstonesGallbladder disorders represent common medical problems for which surgery is usually indicated. With about 1 million procedures performed worldwide per year and close to 170,000 in Germany alone, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) belongs to one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures.¹ Over the last decades this procedure has grown to be the standard procedure for the management of benign gallbladder disease.^2–4 The surgical challenges in LC, especially converting from laparoscopic to open surgery has been a matter of concern.^5–9 The gender-associated risk of complication in laparoscopic cholecystectomy has not been clearly defined.^2,10–11The aim of this study was to investigate whether the male gender is an independent risk factor for complication in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis (AC).     

The Central Urology Multidisciplinary Team – Is it Time to Change the Referral Criteria? An Audit of Practice in a District General Hospital in London

INTRODUCTION

All cancer patients are discussed in multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs). Certain patients are referred to the Central MDT based on specific national criteria. We wanted to see whether the Central MDT aided in the decision-making process above that of the Local MDT alone.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All MDT forms (local and central) for 2007 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 217 patients were reviewed at the Local MDT. Of these 217 cases, 102 (47.0%) cases were referred to the Central MDT and 15 of the 102 (14.7%) cases were awaiting investigations at the time of the Local MDT and were, therefore, excluded. For the prostate cancer cases (n = 67), the Central MDT did not change outright the Local MDT decision in any case, but in 6 of 67 (9.0%), advised/excluded patients from clinical trials. For bladder cancer cases (n = 19), 4 of 19 (21.0%) patients had their management changed by the Central MDT. The one kidney cancer case had its Local MDT decision changed by the Central MDT.

CONCLUSIONS

This audit suggests that the Central MDT plays a useful role in the decision-making process for bladder and kidney cancers, and helps determine eligibility for clinical trials in metastatic prostate cancer patients. Its value over the Local MDT alone in the decision-making process for non-metastatic prostate cancer is questionable.     

General Paediatric Surgical Provision of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in a District General Hospital – A 12-Year Experience

INTRODUCTION

A small, but significant, number of children require long-term nutritional support. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of providing a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) service for children in a district general hospital and to raise awareness of the suitability of the procedure to be performed on paediatric surgery lists in similar hospitals across the UK.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A multidisciplinary paediatric nutrition team was established and all children accepted for PEG insertion between 1995 and 2007 were entered onto a database prospectively and are included in this study. PEG tubes were inserted by the standard pull-through technique under general anaesthetic.

RESULTS

A total of 172 procedures were performed in 76 children. The median age at first tube insertion was 3 years (range, 0.5–18 years). Length of follow-up ranged from 1 month to 12.6 years. Fifty-eight children (76%) had a neurological abnormality, the commonest being cerebral palsy. All but one procedure were performed successfully, of which 63 (37%) were new insertions, 99 change of tube, 4 changed from surgical gastrostomy and 6 from PEG to button gastrostomy. The median hospital stay was 2 days (range, 2–7 days) for new insertions and 1 day for tube changes. There were 10 (6%) early complications within 30 days, the commonest being peritubal infection (6). The 39 late complications included 16 peritubal infection/granulomata, 9 ‘buried bumpers’, 4 worsening of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, 2 gastrocolic fistulae, 3 gastrocutaneous fistulae and 4 tubal migration. There was no mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

We have demonstrated that paediatric PEG procedures and continuing management by a supporting team can be successfully and efficiently provided in the district general hospital. It should be possible for the majority of similar hospitals to provide local access and increase the availability of PEG feeding for children.     

Simultaneous Gastric Banding and Cholecystectomy in the Treatment of Morbid Obesity: Is it Feasible?

Background: In the last decade, laparoscopic surgery for morbid obesity has become widely employed, including a marked increase in the placement of adjustable gastric bands (AGB). Among the co-morbidities of morbid obesity is cholelithiasis. The question arises whether concomitant cholecystectomy increases the risk of postoperative infectious complications due to the association of a potentially contaminated procedure with a clean operation, placement of an AGB. The aim of this study is to evaluate the postoperative outcome in patients submitted to laparoscopic AGB with cholecystectomy. Methods: From January 2000 to January 2004, 308 patients (85 men and 223 women) had AGB placed. BMI ranged from 38.9 to 65.6 kg/m² (mean 41.6). In 17 patients (5.5%), gallstones were detected by ultrasonography, and cholecystectomy was performed together with the AGB. Mean operative time for placement of the AGB was 58 ± 18 min, and in those with cholecystectomy 86 ± 17min (P =0.20). Results: All patients that had placement of AGB and cholecystectomy had satisfactory postoperative outcome. No infectious complications were observed. Conclusion: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed simultaneously with placement of an AGB has been a safe procedure.     

Early Cholecystectomy after Acute Admission with Cholecystitis: How Much Work?

Background  

This study was designed to determine the number of cases and amount of operating room time required, for a population of 600,000, to provide definitive treatment in the form of cholecystectomy for all patients admitted as an emergency with cholecystitis.     

What can you do in 12 weeks as a house officer in anaesthesia at a District General Hospital?

Editor—A house officer in anaesthetics and intensive care?It must be a holiday! Do you feel like a medical student again?Are you allowed to do anything? These are some of the commentsI repeatedly heard throughout my 3 month placement from doctorsin other specialities outside anaesthesia and intensive care(ITU). However, contrary to     

‘Nephrostomy-Free’ Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: Experience in a UK District General Hospital

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the first-line treatment for large and complex renal calculi. Accepted UK practice is to insert a nephrostomy tube at the end of the procedure to drain the kidney and reduce potential complications. ‘Tubeless’ or ‘nephrostomy-free’ PCNL has been advocated in selected patients as it is thought to reduce length of hospital stay, analgesia requirements and pain experienced. We present our outcomes of a consecutive series (n = 101) of ‘nephrostomy-free’ PCNLs compared to standard PCNL over a 4-year period.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2004 and October 2006, we performed 55 standard (with nephrostomy tube) PCNLs (Group 1). From October 2006 onwards, we changed our technique and have performed 46 consecutive ‘nephrostomy-free’ PCNLs (JJ stent inserted), independent of patient and stone factors (Group 2). We have compared the two groups in terms of length of hospital stay (LOS), analgesia requirements, transfusion rates, haemoglobin (Hb) decrease and immediate, early and late complications.

RESULTS

‘Nephrostomy-free’ PCNL significantly reduced the length of hospital stay (2.8 vs 5.1 days; P < 0.001), morphine-based analgesia requirements (23% no morphine required vs 2.8%; P < 0.001), transfusion rate (2.5% vs 7%; P < 0.01) and mean Hb decrease (1.89 g/dl vs 2.25 g/dl; P > 0.05). Overall, no patient experienced a serious complication. All attempted ‘nephrostomy-free’ PCNLs were completed (stone clearance 95%) and no patient needed an unplanned nephrostomy. Only 5% in Group 2 needed their ureteric JJ stent removing earlier than planned secondary to pain. Both groups were comparable in terms of immediate, early and late complications, though three patients in Group 1 developed chronic loin pain and one patient in the ‘nephrostomy-free’ group developed a delayed perirenal haematoma.

CONCLUSIONS

‘Nephrostomy-free’ percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a safe, effective and feasible procedure independent of patient and stone factors. It decreases the length of hospital stay, the pain experienced and the need for morphine-based analgesia; we feel it should be the standard of care for patients undergoing a PCNL.     

Hospital Discharge in the Day Following Open Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Is it Feasible and Safe?

Background  Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) either laparoscopic or open has been increasingly employed in the treatment of patients with morbid obesity. Laparoscopic approach is believed to be superior over open approach in terms of shorter hospital stay and easier recovery. We aimed to assess feasibility and safety of open RYGBP with short stay in comparison with laparoscopic RYGBP. Methods  One hundred and ninety consecutive patients were assigned to open (n = 103) or laparoscopic (n = 87) RYGBP. The first 20 patients of the laparoscopic arm were excluded due to procedure learning curve. Patients were treated by a multidisciplinary team focused on successfully RYGBP with short stay (1 day). Results  Short stay was reached by 90% of patients operated with open approach and 81% by laparoscopy (P = 0.070). Discharge in the second day was reached by 97% of patients in both groups. Procedure length [(median (IQR)] was faster for open RYGBP [103 (70–180 min) vs. 169 (105–248 min); P < 0.0001]. Thirty-day readmission rate was similar between groups (3% vs. 7%; P = 0.266). There was no death in either group. Conclusion  Short stay (1 day) following open gastric bypass was a feasible and safe procedure. This approach might have economic impact and might increase patient acceptance for open RYGBP.     

Is Laparoscopy a Risk Factor for Bile Duct Injury During Cholecystectomy?

Background and Objectives:

Previously, risk factors for bile duct injury have been identified as acute cholecystitis, male gender, older age, aberrant biliary anatomy, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1998 to 2006 was performed with an inclusion criterion of cholecystectomy performed on hospital day 0 or 1. Patient- and hospital-level factors potentially associated with bile duct injury were examined by logistic regression.

Results:

A total of 377,424 cholecystectomy patients were identified. There were 1124 bile duct injuries (0.30%), with 177 (0.06%) in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group and 947 (1.46%) in the open cholecystectomy group (P < .001). On multivariate analysis, significant risk factors for bile duct injury were male gender (odds ratio [OR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–1.38; P = .006), age >60 years (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.61–3.09; P < .001), and academic hospital status (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.05–1.79; P = .02). Acute cholecystitis was associated with a lower risk of bile duct injury (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.46–0.99; P = .044).

Conclusion:

Independent risk factors for bile duct injury included male gender, age >60 years, and academic hospital status. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, obesity, insurance status, or hospital volume was not associated with an increased risk of bile duct injury.     

Is it time for a new TNM classification in esophageal carcinoma?

PURPOSE: To investigate the importance of lymph node yield (LNY) and the ratio of afflicted lymph nodes in esophageal carcinoma patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1992 and 2004, 368 patients with esophageal carcinoma underwent surgery. Esophagectomy with curative intent was performed in 255 patients. Subtotal esophagectomy was performed either by thoracoabdominal (104 patients, 40.8%) or by transhiatal approach (151 patients, 59.2%). RESULTS: According to the LNY, patients were grouped into 3 groups. Twenty-six patients had < or =5, 96 had 6 to 18, and 113 had > or =19 dissected lymph nodes. In patients with nodal involvement (pN1), no significant overall survival differences were identified when stratifying subgroups according to the LNY. However, LNY had striking prognostic relevance in pN0 patients. The median overall survival was 23 (< or =5 LN), 36 (6-18 LN), and 88 months (> or =19). Even for patients with tripled LNY than the proposed minimum by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) (18 LN), the rate of patients with detected lymph node metastases was only 46%, compared with 61% for patients with a LNY of > or =19 (P = 0.002). In pN1 patients classified according to the ratio of afflicted lymph nodes, median overall survival was 27 months in patients with a ratio <11%, compared with 15 and 13 months in patients with a ratio of 11% to 33% and >33%, respectively (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression modeling identified ratio as the strongest independent prognostic factor for overall survival in pN1 and the LNY in pN0 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The minimal regional LNY of 6 lymph nodes as recommended by the UICC for esophageal carcinoma is far too low to appropriately stage the disease. The LNY and the ratio should be reflected in the next version of the UICC classification.     

General anaesthesia for the cocaine abusing patient. Is it safe?

Background. Commonly, cocaine abusing patient are scheduledfor elective surgery with a positive urine test for cocainemetabolites. As many of these patients were clinically non-toxic[normal arterial pressure and heart rate, normothermic, anda normal (or unchanged from previous) ECG, including a QTc interval<500 ms], we have recently proceeded with elective surgeryrequiring general anaesthesia in this patient group. Methods. Forty urine cocaine positive patients were comparedwith an equal number of drug-free controls in a prospective,non-randomized, blinded analysis. Intraoperative mean arterialblood pressure, ST segment analysis, heart rate and body temperaturewere recorded and compared. Results. Cardiovascular stability during and after general anaesthesiain cocaine positive, non-toxic patients was not significantlydifferent when compared with an age and ASA matched drug-freecontrol group. Conclusions. These results demonstrate that the non-toxic cocaineabusing patient can be administered general anaesthesia withno greater risk than comparable age and ASA matched drug-freepatients.