Advantages of multidisciplinary management of bile duct injuries occurring during cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to highlight the advantages of treatment of bile duct injury (BDI) occurring during cholecystectomy on the basis of a multidisciplinary cooperation of expert surgeons, radiologists, and endoscopists. METHODS: Sixty-six patients had major BDIs or short- or long-term failures of repair. BDI was diagnosed intraoperatively in 27 patients (40.9%) and postoperatively in 39 (59.1%) patients. Among referred patients, 30 had complications from bile leak, 15 from obstructive jaundice, and 20 from recurrent cholangitis. Two patients died from sepsis after delayed referral before repair was attempted. Eleven additional patients had minor BDIs with bile leak both with and without choleperitoneum. RESULTS: Of patients with major BDI, surgical repair was performed in 41 (64.1%). Postsurgical morbidity rate was 15.8%, and there was no mortality. The rate of excellent or good results after surgical repair was 78.0% (32 of 41 patients), and this increased to 87.8% (36 of 41 patients) by continuing treatment with stenting in postsurgical strictures. Biliary stenting alone was performed in 23 patients (35.9%), with excellent or good results in 17 (73.9%). More than 200 endoscopic and percutaneous procedures were performed for initial assessment, treatment of sepsis, nonsurgical repair, contribution to repair, and follow-up. Patients with minor BDIs underwent various combinations of surgical and endoscopic or percutaneous treatments, always with good results. CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary approach was of paramount importance in many phases of treatment of BDI: initial assessment, treatment of secondary complications, resolution of sepsis, percutaneous stenting before surgical repair, dilatation of strictures after repair, final treatment in patients not repaired surgically, and follow-up.     

Single center experience with third-generation cryosurgery for management of organ-confined prostate cancer: critical evaluation of short-term outcomes, complications, and patient quality of life

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Technical refinements such as improved ultrasonographic localization and the routine use of urethral warmers and small-gauge needle delivery systems have renewed interest in cryosurgical treatment as a minimally invasive option for selected patients with localized prostate cancer. Only three reports of quality of life (QoL) in prostate cryoablation exist, and none report on patients treated with third-generation cryoablative technology. We critically examine our initial series of consecutive patients at a single institution undergoing primary third-generation cryosurgical treatment of localized prostate cancer with respect to treatment outcome, morbidity profile, and QoL parameters. To our knowledge, this is the first QoL report on third-generation cryoablation of the prostate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively review the records of 89 consecutive patients with median followup of 11 months (1-32) who have undergone third-generation cryosurgical ablation of the prostate as primary treatment for localized prostate cancer with intention to cure. Patients were risk stratified according to preprocedural parameters of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), clinical stage, and Gleason score. PSA trends were recorded and treatment effectiveness was observed using different definitions of biochemical failure. Charts were reviewed for postprocedure complications. Quality of life was measured prospectively using the University of California, Los Angeles, Prostate Cancer Index as well as American Urological Association symptom scores. We compare a percent of baseline score (%BS) for various domains between our series of patients treated with primary cryoablation with a series of patients undergoing brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer. RESULTS: Treatment success was defined by achievement of a PSA nadir of < or =0.1 ng/mL and by biochemical disease-free survival (BDFS) assessed with both a PSA threshold of < or =0.4 ng/dL over time and the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) definition of three consecutive rises in PSA. According to risk stratification, 86%, 81.5%, and 78% of low-, intermediate-, and high-risk patients, respectively, achieved a PSA nadir of < or =0.1 ng/mL. Overall, at 12 months follow-up, 94% of patients achieved BDFS using ASTRO criteria while 70% achieved BDFS using a PSA threshold of < or =0.4 ng/mL. With risk stratification, 74%, 70%, and 60% of low-, intermediate-, and high-risk patients, respectively, achieved BDFS defined by PSA threshold of < or =0.4 ng/mL. Complications were rare. The response rate for Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) questionnaires was 71% for cryoablation patients and 51% for brachytherapy patients. At 12 months follow-up, patients undergoing cryoablation on average achieved urinary and bowel domain scores comparable to baseline, but sexual domains remained well below baseline. When compared with a brachytherapy series with better baseline sexual function (P = 0.04) and urinary function (P = 0.03), cryotherapy patients experienced more negative impact on sexual function steadily for up to 12 months (P = 0.02). Urinary function was similar between the groups until 18 months, at which time cryoablation patients fared better (P = 0.01); this was sustained up to 24 months (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment success with cryosurgery varies with definition; however, our results are comparable to other series with regard to short-term cancer control. Complication rates in this series of third-generation cryosurgical patients are low. QoL characteristics of third-generation cryoablation are similar to those described in second-generation cryoablation series. Compared with brachytherapy, cryotherapy results in less irritative and obstructive voiding symptoms in the early post-treatment period and may improve urinary function up to 24 months after treatment. In a small group of older patients with baseline erectile dysfunction undergoing cryoablation, sexual function returns to 20% of its baseline value with up to 12 months follow-up.     

Human ventral parietal cortex plays a functional role on visuospatial attention and primary consciousness. A repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation study

In this paper, we used repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in 18 normal subjects to investigate whether the ventral posterior parietal cortex (PPC) plays a causal role on visuospatial attention and primary consciousness and whether these 2 functions are linearly correlated with each other. Two distinct experimental conditions involved a similar visual stimuli recognition paradigm. In "Consciousness" experiment, number of consciously perceived visual stimuli was lower by about 10% after rTMS (300 ms, 20 Hz, motor threshold intensity) on left or right PPC than after sham (pseudo) rTMS. In "Attentional" Posner's experiment, these stimuli were always consciously perceived. Compared with sham condition, parietal rTMS slowed of about 25 ms reaction time to go stimuli, thus disclosing effects on endogenous covert spatial attention. No linear correlation was observed between the rTMS-induced impairment on attention and conscious perception. Results suggest that PPC plays a slight but significant causal role in both visuospatial attention and primary consciousness. Furthermore, these high-level cognitive functions, as modulated by parietal rTMS, do not seem to share either linear or simple relationships.     

Endoscopic internal drainage for the management of leak,fistula, and collection after sleeve gastrectomy: our experience in 617 consecutive patients

BackgroundEndoscopy plays a pivotal role in the management of adverse events (AE) following bariatric surgery. Leaks, fistulae, and post-operative collection after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) may occur in up to 10% of cases.ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic internal drainage (EID) for the management of leak, fistula, and collection following SG.SettingRetrospective, observational, single center study on patients referred from several bariatric surgery departments to an endoscopic referral center.MethodsEID was used as first-line treatment for the management of leaks, fistulae, and collections. Leaks and fistulae were treated with double pigtail stent (DPS) deployment in order to guarantee internal drainage and second intention cavity obliteration. Collections were treated with endoscropic ultrasound (EUS)–guided deployment of DPS or lumen apposing metal stents.ResultsA total of 617 patients (83.3% female; mean age, 43.1 yr) were enrolled in the study for leak (n = 300, 48.6%), fistula (n = 285, 46.2%), and collection (n = 32, 5.2%). Median follow-up was 19.5 months. Overall clinical success was 84.7% whereas 15.3% of cases required revisional surgery after EID failure. Clinical success according to type of AE was 89.5%, 78.5%, and 90% for leak, fistula, and collection, respectively. A total of 10 of 547 (1.8%) presented a recurrence during follow-up. A total of 28 (4.5%) AE related to the endoscopic treatment occurred. At univariate logistic regression predictors of failure were: fistula (OR 2.012), combined endoscopic approach (OR 2.319), need for emergency surgery (OR 1.755), and previous endoscopic treatment (OR 4.818).ConclusionEarly EID for the management of leak, fistula, and post-operative collection after SG seems a safe and effective first-line approach with good long-term results.     

Transorbital endoscopic approaches to the skull base: a systematic literature review and anatomical description

Neurosurgical Review - Transorbital endoscopic approaches are increasing in popularity as they provide corridors to reach various areas of the ventral skull base through the orbit. They can be used...     

Peyronie’s disease may negatively impact the sexual experience of a couple and female sexual function: a single center study

BackgroundPeyonie’s disease (PD) mostly affects males in the fifth decade of life, with a prevalence in the general population ranging between 0.5% and 20.3%. The pathology of PD is characterized by fibrosis of the tunic albuginea of the cavernous bodies of the penis, with the presence of pain in the erection and penile deformity. This is associated with decreased sexual function for both participants. The objective of the study was to investigate the influence of PD pathology on both male patients’ and their female partners’ sexual spheres, and analyze changes in sexual function and perception following penile correction surgery.MethodsProspective study, we included male patients with PD and their female partner sexually active. Patients underwent corporoplasty with multiple plications. The male and female sexuality was evaluated before surgery and three months after male treatment by the Female sexual Function Index (FSFI); International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF); Visual Analogical Scale (VAS).ResultsFrom January 2018 to November 2019 we included 35 couple. The female subjects before partner’s surgery presented dyspareunia, loss of sexual desire, inability to achieve orgasm, and sexual dissatisfaction. At three months after surgical treatment there was an improvement of sexual function in both male patients and female partners (desire P<0.0001, arousal P<0.0001, lubrification P<0.0001, orgasm P<0.0001, satisfaction P<0.0001, pain P<0.0001). As regarding male patients the pain decreased significantly (VAS score from 6 to 2.5), while there was no statistically significant improvement in erectile function (P=0.05).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that a viable approach to treatment of PD patients that involves their partners could lead to better functional and psychological results.     

Penetrating Cardiac Injuries: Recent Experience in South Africa

Background Penetrating cardiac injury is a dramatic and lethal form of trauma. The majority of patients will die before reaching medical care, but for those who arrive at hospital alive, the diagnostic acumen and rapid surgical intervention of physicians and surgeons can lead to successful outcomes. Materials and Methods A structured diagnostic and management approach is used in our trauma unit to deal with penetrating cardiac injury. A retrospective study of 117 patients with penetrating trauma to the heart was conducted over 32 months; the purpose of this study was to describe our protocol and review overall outcome with this type of injury. Demographic details, mechanism of injury, and mode of presentation were recorded. Mortality and morbidity data were collated and echocardiographic follow-up was performed. Results There were 109 male patients, mean age 29 years (range: 15–54 years) and 8 female patients, mean age 35 years (range: 23–56 years). Most patients (96/117) had sustained stab wounds, and the associated mortality was 15.6%. Twenty-one patients had sustained gunshot wounds (GSW), with a mortality of 81%. Gunshot wounds were significantly more likely to result in death (P ≤ 0.0001). Five patients sustained multiple cardiac wounds, and three of them died. The risk of death was not different between patients sustaining single or multiple cardiac wounds (P = 0.11). Eleven patients had thoracoabdominal injury, and 3/11 (27%) died; all of those that died had sustained GSW. The risk of death was not different between patients sustaining thoracoabdominal wounds and those with isolated thoracic injury (P = 1.0). Among the 51 patients with stab wounds who presented with cardiac tamponade, the mortality was only 8%. Compared to the other patients with stab wounds, cardiac tamponade conferred a significant survival advantage (P = 0.02). Conclusions A high index of suspicion for penetrating cardiac injury and an understanding of the modes of presentation can lead to rapid diagnosis even by inexperienced junior staff. Such a structured approach to patients with penetrating trauma to the chest leads to early definitive management and acceptable results.     

Impact of biliary complications in right lobe living donor liver transplantation

Biliary reconstruction is one of the most challenging parts of right lobe living donor liver transplantation (RL LDLT), and biliary complications have been reported as the first source of surgical complications of this procedure. We reviewed biliary reconstruction and complications in 27 consecutive RL LDLTs. We compared the first 14 procedures (group 1) to the last 13 (group 2). Seven patients (25.9%) experienced a biliary complication (five leaks and two strictures). The incidence of biliary complications was 11.1% in RL grafts with a single duct and 55.5% in graft presenting multiple bile ducts (P = 0.03). Four of the 18 patients with a duct-to-duct reconstruction (22.2%) and three of the 11 patients with a Roux-en-Y reconstruction (27.3%) developed a biliary complication (P = ns). The incidence of biliary complications significantly decreased from 42.9% (n = 6) in the first group to 7.6% (n = 1) in the second group (P = 0.05). The overall 1-year graft and patient survival were 57.1% and 64.3% in group 1 versus 100.0% and 100% in group 2 (P = 0.01; P = 0.006). Biliary complications remain one of the most important technical complications affecting RL LDLT. Nevertheless, attention and surgical refinement can lead to a significant reduction of the biliary complication rate, improving graft and patient survival.     

Effectiveness of systemic amoxicillin/metronidazole as an adjunctive therapy to full-mouth scaling and root planing in the treatment of aggressive periodontitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The systemic use of combined amoxicillin and metronidazole (AMX/MET) as an adjunctive treatment to full‐mouth scaling and root planing (FMSRP) has been proposed for the treatment of generalized aggressive periodontitis; however, its effectiveness and clinical safety remain to be defined. The purpose of the present meta‐analysis is to assess the effectiveness of FMSRP + AMX/MET compared to FMSRP alone. Methods: An electronic search of eight databases and a hand‐search of 10 international dental journals were conducted through September 11, 2011. Gain in clinical attachment level (CAL), reduction in probing depth (PD), secondary outcomes, and adverse events were analyzed. A random‐effect model was used to pool the extracted data. The weighted mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated for continuous outcomes, whereas risk difference (RD) with 95% CI was used for dichotomous data; heterogeneity was assessed with the χ²‐based Cochran Q test and I² statistic. The level of significance was set at P <0.05. Results: After the selection process, six randomized clinical trials were included. Results of the meta‐analysis showed significant CAL gain (MD, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.61; P <0.05) and PD reduction (MD, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.77; P <0.05) in favor of FMSRP + AMX/MET; moreover, no significant RD was found in the occurrence of adverse events (RD, 0.01; 95% CI, ?0.02 to 0.04; P >0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the meta‐analysis seem to support the effectiveness and the clinical safety of FMSRP + AMX/MET; however, future studies are needed to confirm these results.     

Direct access to a frontal sinus osteoma and reconstruction of the orbital roof displaced by the lesion by titanium mesh

Osteomas are the most common benign tumors of the paranasal sinuses. They are usually localized in the frontal sinus and less often in the other paranasal sinuses. In this article, we report the surgical treatment of an unknown frontal sinus osteoma discovered after an acute exophthalmos. We have chosen an external approach to obtain a radical excision of the tumor, but we prefer a direct frontal incision following a horizontal wrinkle to the classic bicoronal flap to avoid an unsightly scar because of patient's hair loss. We discuss the surgical approach, the reconstruction of the roof of the orbit involved, and patient's satisfaction.