Persistent neuropathic pain after inguinal herniorrhaphy depending on the procedure (open mesh v. laparoscopy): a propensity-matched analysis

Background

A greater incidence of persistent pain after inguinal herniorrhaphy is suspected with the open mesh procedure than with laparoscopy (transabdominal preperitoneal), but the involvement of neuropathy needs to be clarified.

Methods

We examined the cumulative incidence of neuropathic persistent pain, defined as self-report of pain at the surgical site with neuropathic aspects, within 6 months after surgery in 2 prospective subcohorts of a multicentre study. We compared open mesh with laparoscopy using different analysis, including a propensity-matched analysis with the propensity score built from a multivariable analysis using a generalized linear model.

Results

Considering the full patient sample (242 open mesh v. 126 laparoscopy), the raw odds ratio for neuropathic persistent pain after inguinal herniorrhaphy was 4.3. It reached 6.8 with the propensity-matched analysis conducted on pooled subgroups of 194 patients undergoing open mesh and 125 undergoing laparoscopy (95% confidence interval 1.5–30.4, p = 0.012). A risk factor analysis of these pooled subgroups revealed that history of peripheral neuropathy was an independent risk factor for persistent neuropathic pain, while older age was protective.

Conclusion

We found a greater risk of persistent pain with open mesh than with laparoscopy that may be explained by direct or indirect lesion of nerve terminations. Strategies to identify and preserve nerve terminations with the open mesh procedure are needed.     

The effect of ofloxacin on bacillus calmette-guerin induced toxicity in patients with superficial bladder cancer: results of a randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo controlled, multicenter study

PURPOSE: We determined whether prophylaxis with ofloxacin could decrease the toxicity of bacillus Calmette-Guerin for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. We also investigated the impact of ofloxacin on bacillus Calmette-Guerin antitumor efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, multicenter study 115 patients with primary or recurrent superficial bladder cancer (Ta/T1, CIS, G1-G3) and no prior bacillus Calmette-Guerin treatment were randomized to induction treatment with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (6 plus 3 instillations) plus 200 mg ofloxacin in group 1 or plus placebo in group 2. Adverse events were assessed using a detailed grid of classification for bacillus Calmette-Guerin related adverse events. Mean patient age +/- SD was 65.6 +/- 10.4 years in the 57 group 1 patients and 65.7 +/- 8.7 years in the 58 in group 2. Median followup was 369 and 374 days in groups 1 and 2, respectively. RESULTS: Ofloxacin significantly decreased by 18.5% the incidence of class II or higher moderate and severe adverse events between instillations 4 and 6. The percent of class III adverse events was significantly decreased by ofloxacin between instillations 1 and 9. Although ofloxacin decreased adverse events involving the lower urinary tract, it did not prevent class I adverse events. Compliance with full bacillus Calmette-Guerin treatment was also improved. Of patients in group 1, 80.7% received 9 instillations compared with 65.5% in group 2 (p = 0.092). At 12 months recurrence and progression rates in group 1 and 2 were 12.7% and 17.2%, and 5.5% and 1.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic ofloxacin decreased the incidence of moderate to severe adverse events associated with bacillus Calmette-Guerin intravesical therapy, particularly class III events, which are primarily associated with patient dropout. Compliance with induction and maintenance therapy may be improved by adjuvant ofloxacin therapy. However, long-term comparative studies with other preventive strategies must be done to confirm these initial findings with compliance and recurrence-free survival as the primary end points.     

Resection of hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the major vasculature. A European case-control series

Tumor thrombus in major vasculature is a frequent finding with a poor long-term prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The utility of surgical resection is still controversial. This study compared morbidity and survival after resection for HCC with and without tumor thrombus. Data of 108 patients who underwent major hepatic resection for HCC were prospectively recorded. Patients were divided into two groups. The venous thrombectomy (VT) group included 26 patients who had HCC with tumor thrombus in the portal or hepatic veins. The matched control group included 82 patients who had HCC without tumor thrombus. Surgical technique, early outcome, and late survival were analyzed in each group. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess the prognostic value of this feature. Surgical technique was comparable in the VT and control group with regard to extent of hepatectomy, procedure duration, and transfusion requirements. Early postoperative outcome was also comparable. Actuarial survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 38%, 20%, and 13%, respectively, in the VT group (median: 9 months) versus 74%, 56%, and 33%, respectively, in the control group (median: 41 months). In the subgroup of patients with tumor thrombus limited to the portal vein, actuarial survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 50%, 26%, and 17%, respectively, (median: 12 months) and two patients lived longer than 5 years. Multivariate analysis showed that incomplete resection, alphafetoprotein level greater than 100 N, more than two tumor nodules, and tumor thrombus in major vasculature were independent factors of poor prognosis. Survival after resection for HCC with tumor thrombus in the major vasculature is poorer than after resection for HCC without tumor thrombus. However, an aggressive surgical strategy can provide significant survival with comparable morbidity in selected cases, that is, tumor thrombus located in the portal vein only and expected complete resection of the lesions.     

A new bioabsorbable sleeve for lung staple-line reinforcement (FOREseal™): report of a three-center phase II clinical trial

Objective: To investigate on the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of a new bioabsorbable material for lung staple-line reinforcement. Methods: This prospective open trial included 66 patients (mean age of 56 ± 17 years) who underwent various types of lung resection using staplers with knitted calcium alginate sleeves for buttressing (FOREseal™, Laboratoires Brothier, Nanterre, France) at three academic centers: 29 lobectomies, 22 emphysema surgeries, 15 wedge resections or lung biopsies. Intraoperative air leakage was assessed at a mean respiratory peak pressure of 30 cmH₂O, and rated as grade 1, 2, or 3. Persistent air leakage in the postoperative course, as well as any relevant event, was assessed daily. The follow-up period was of 6 months. Results: No technical problem linked to the device occurred. Hemostasis of the cutting edges was completed in all patients. Fifty-six percent of the patients had no intraoperative air leak and 27.3% had grade 1 leaks. Mean postoperative air leaks and thoracic drainage times were 1.9 ± 2.3 days and 6 ± 5.3 days, respectively. In-hospital mortality was nil. There was no empyema. Mean hospital stay was 9.1 ± 6.6 days. At follow-up, one patient underwent lung transplantation, and pathology of the explanted specimen showed the absence of device-related foreign-body inflammation. One patient complained from metalloptysis, and another one, with a metastatic invasive aspergillosis, developed an infectious recurrence that required reoperation. Conclusions: FOREseal is an ergonomic, safe, and promising new material instead of nonabsorbable materials and xenomaterials for staple-line reinforcement. A randomized comparative study is now in progress.     

Robotic Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Surgery Using GelPort as the Access Platform

Background

Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) allows for the performance of major urologic procedures with a single small incision and minimal scarring. The da Vinci Surgical System provides advantages of easy articulation and improved ergonomics; however, an ideal platform for these procedures has not been identified.

Objective

To evaluate the GelPort laparoscopic system as an access platform for robotic LESS (R-LESS) procedures.

Design, setting, and participants

Since April 2008, 11 R-LESS procedures have been completed successfully in a single institutional referral center. For the last four consecutive cases, the GelPort has been used as an access platform through a 2.5–5-cm umbilical incision.

Intervention

R-LESS cases performed with the GelPort included pyeloplasty (n = 2), radical nephrectomy (n = 1), and partial nephrectomy (n = 1).

Measurements

Perioperative data were obtained for all patients including demographic data, operative indications, operative records, length of stay, complications, and pathologic analysis.

Results and limitations

For both pyeloplasty cases, average operative time (OR time) was 235 min and estimated blood loss (EBL) was 38 cm³. For the patient undergoing radical nephrectomy for a 5.1-cm renal tumor, OR time was 200 min and EBL was 250 cm³. The final patient underwent partial nephrectomy without renal hilar clamping for an 11-cm angiomyolipoma with OR time of 180 min and EBL of 600 cm³. All R-LESS procedures attempted with the GelPort were completed successfully and without complication. Average length of hospital stay was 1.75 d (range: 1–2). The partial nephrectomy patient required transfusion of 1 U of packed red blood cells.

Conclusions

Use of the GelPort as an access platform for R-LESS procedures provides adequate spacing and flexibility of port placement and acceptable access to the surgical field for the assistant, especially during procedures that require a specimen extraction incision. Additional platform and instrumentation development will likely simplify R-LESS procedures further as experience grows.     

A New Multimodality Technique Accurately Maps the Primary Lymphatic Landing Sites of the Bladder

Background

Pathoanatomic studies have failed to map accurately the primary lymphatic landing sites of the urinary bladder.

Objective

To use single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) combined with computed tomography (CT) plus intraoperative gamma probe verification to map the primary lymphatic landing sites of the bladder.

Design, setting, and participants

Clinical trial of 60 consecutive cystectomy patients at a single centre.

Intervention

Flexible cystoscopy-guided injection of technetium nanocolloid into one of six non-tumour-bearing sites of the bladder for preoperative detection of radioactive lymph nodes (LNs) with SPECT/CT followed by intraoperative verification with a gamma probe. Backup extended pelvic LN dissection (PLND) for ex vivo detection of missed LNs.

Measurements

Three-dimensional projection of each LN site.

Results and limitations

A median of 4 (range: 1–14) radioactive LNs were detected per site and patient. Ninety-two percent of all LNs were found distal and caudal to where the ureter crosses the common iliac arteries. Eight percent were found proximal to the uretero-iliac crossing, none without simultaneous detection of additional radioactive LNs within the endopelvic region. Extended PLND resected 92% of all primary lymphatic landing sites; limited PLND resected only 52%. A few LNs may have been missed despite preoperative SPECT/CT, intraoperative gamma probe verification, and extended backup PLND.

Conclusions

Multimodality SPECT/CT plus intraoperative gamma probe show the template of the bladder's primary lymphatic landing sites to be larger than is often thought. PLND limited to the ventral portion of the external iliac vessels and obturator fossa removes only about 50% of all primary lymphatic landing sites, whereas extended PLND along the major pelvic vessels, including the internal iliac, external iliac, obturator, and common iliac region up to the uretero-iliac crossing, removes about 90%.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, ISRCTN39379749.     

Micro‐computed tomography evaluation of vertebral end‐plate trabecular bone changes in a porcine asymmetric vertebral tether

We conducted a micro‐CT analysis of subchondral bone of the vertebral end‐plates after application of compressive stress. Thoracic and lumbar vertebral units were instrumented by carrying out left asymmetric tether in eleven 4‐week‐old pigs. After 3 months of growth, instrumented units and control units were harvested. Micro‐CT study of subchondral bone was performed on one central and two lateral specimens (fixated side and non‐fixated side). In control units, bone volume fraction (BV/TV), number of trabeculae (Tb.N), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and degree of anisotropy (DA) were significantly higher, whereas intertrabecular space (Tb.Sp) was significantly lower in center than in periphery. No significant difference between the fixated and non‐fixated sides was found. In instrumented units, BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Th, and DA were significantly higher in center than in periphery. BV/TV, Tb.N, and Conn.D were significantly higher in fixated than in non‐fixated side, while Tb.Sp was significantly lower. We noted BV/TV, Tb.N, and Tb.Th significantly lower, and Tb.Sp significantly higher, in the instrumented levels. This study showed, in instrumented units, two opposing processes generating a reorganization of the trabecular network. First, an osteolytic process (decrease in BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Th) by stress‐shielding, greater in center and on non‐fixated side. Second, an osteogenic process (higher BV/TV, Tb.N, Conn.D, and lower Tb.Sp) due to the compressive loading induced by growth on the fixated side. This study demonstrates the densification of the trabecular bone tissue of the vertebral end‐plates after compressive loading, and illustrates the potential risks of excessively rigid spinal instrumentation which may induce premature osteopenia. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:232–240, 2010     

Clinical manifestations and outcomes of coronavirus disease-19 in heart transplant recipients: a multicentre case series with a systematic review and meta-analysis

Available data on clinical presentation and mortality of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in heart transplant (HT) recipients remain limited. We report a case series of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in 39 HT recipients from 3 French heart transplant centres (mean age 54.4 ± 14.8 years; 66.7% males). Hospital admission was required for 35 (89.7%) cases including 14/39 (35.9%) cases being admitted in intensive care unit. Immunosuppressive medications were reduced or discontinued in 74.4% of the patients. After a median follow-up of 54 (19–80) days, death and death or need for mechanical ventilation occurred in 25.6% and 33.3% of patients, respectively. Elevated C-reactive protein and lung involvement ≥50% on chest computed tomography (CT) at admission were associated with an increased risk of death or need for mechanical ventilation. Mortality rate from March to June in the entire 3-centre HT recipient cohort was 56% higher in 2020 compared to the time-matched 2019 cohort (2% vs. 1.28%, P = 0.15). In a meta-analysis including 4 studies, pre-existing diabetes mellitus (OR 3.60, 95% CI 1.43–9.06, I² = 0%, P = 0.006) and chronic kidney disease stage III or higher (OR 3.79, 95% CI 1.39–10.31, I² = 0%, P = 0.009) were associated with increased mortality. These findings highlight the aggressive clinical course of COVID-19 in HT recipients.