The impact of timing of cholecystectomy following gallstone pancreatitis

IntroductionCurrent guidelines for the management of acute gallstone pancreatitis recommend cholecystectomy as definitive treatment during primary admission or within 2 weeks of discharge, with the aim of preventing recurrent pancreatitis. However, cholecystectomy during the inflammatory phase may increase surgical complication rates. This study aimed to determine whether adherence to the guidelines prevents recurrent pancreatitis while minimising surgical complications.MethodsMulti-centre review of seven UK hospitals, indentifying patients presenting with their first episode of gallstone pancreatitis between 2006 and 2008.ResultsA total of 523 patients with gallstone pancreatitis were identified, of which 363 (69%) underwent cholecystectomy (72 during the primary admission or within 2 weeks of discharge; 291 following this). Overall, 7% of patients had a complication related to cholecystectomy of which a greater proportion occurred when cholecystectomy was performed within guideline parameters (13% vs 6%; p = 0.07). 11% of patients were readmitted with recurrent pancreatitis prior to surgery, with those undergoing cholecystectomy outside guideline parameters being most at risk (p = 0.006).ConclusionThis study suggests cholecystectomy within guideline parameters significantly reduces recurrence of pancreatitis but may increase the risk of surgical complications. A prospective randomised study to assess the associated morbidity is required to inform future guidelines.     

Meta-analysis of predictive factors and outcomes for failure of non-operative management of blunt splenic trauma

BackgroundThis study aimed to analyse predictive factors and outcomes of failure of non-operative management (NOM) following blunt splenic trauma.MethodsA systematic review of the literature was performed for studies comparing failed NOM (fNOM) to successful NOM (sNOM) in adults (≥16 years). The main endpoints were fNOM and associated mortality. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed. Meta-analysis of high quality studies, identified using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, was performed using fixed or random models.ResultsFour prospective and 21 retrospective studies were included. From 24,615 unselected patients, 3025 experienced fNOM (12%, range 4–52%). Meta-analysis of the high quality studies revealed that mortality was significantly higher with fNOM in unselected age groups (odds ratio 1.93, 95% confidence interval 1.04–3.57, p = 0.04, I² = 0%), in those <55 years old (OR 3.42, 95% CI 1.73–6.77, p = 0.02, I² = 0%) and in those ≥55 years old (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.20–5.82, p = 0.02, I² = 0%). There was a significant improvement in sNOM following introduction of angioembolisation protocols (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.13–0.53, p < 0.002, I² = 51%), although these five studies were non-randomised. American Association for the Surgery of Trauma injury grades 4–5, the presence of moderate or large haemoperitoneum, increasing injury severity score and increasing age were all significantly associated with increased risk of fNOM. fNOM led to significantly longer intensive care unit and overall lengths of stay.ConclusionsfNOM leads to increased resource use and increased mortality. Methods of preventing fNOM, such as angioembolisation, warrant further assessment. Patients with increasing age, AAST scores and moderate or large haemoperitoneums may benefit from closer monitoring.     

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Incidence of Incisional Hernia at the Site of Stoma Closure

Background  

The incidence of incisional hernias at the site of stoma closure is surprisingly unclear. A review of the current literature was undertaken to determine how commonly this complication may occur and to assess the quality of evidence available.     

Causes and Costs of a Decade of Litigation Following Emergency Appendectomy in England

Background

There has been recent interest in the delayed and nonoperative management of appendicitis. The present study assessed the causes and costs of litigation against surgeons following emergency appendectomy, with an emphasis on claims relating to preoperative management.

Materials and methods

Data were obtained from the English NHS Litigation Authority for claims relevant to appendectomy between 2002 and 2011. Two authors independently extracted data and classified it against predetermined criteria.

Results

Successful litigation occurred in 66 % of closed cases (147/223) with a total payout of £8.1 million. There were 24 claims against organizational operating room delays (9 % of total) and 27 against delayed diagnosis (10 %), with respective success rates of 70 and 68 %. From 21 claims relating to damage to fertility, nine were due to either delayed diagnosis or organizational operating room delays. Misdiagnosis was the second most common cause for litigation (16 %), but it had the lowest likelihood of success (49 %). Faulty surgical technique was the most common reason for litigation (39 %), with a 70 % likelihood of success. Of eight claims related to fatality, one was due to unacceptable preoperative delay leading to preventable perforated appendicitis. The overall highest median payouts were for claims of damage to fertility (£52,384), operating list delays (£44,716), and delayed diagnosis (£42,292).

Conclusions

There were significant medicolegal risks surrounding delays related to access to operating lists and diagnosis. Whereas future evidence regarding the safety of delayed appendectomy may provide scientific defense against these claims, the present study provides evidence of the current medicolegal risk to surgeons following delayed treatment of appendicitis.     

Systematic review and meta-analysis of prophylactic mesh placement for prevention of incisional hernia following midline laparotomy

Purpose

Incisional hernia is a common long-term complication after laparotomy. This study investigated whether prophylactic mesh reinforcement of laparotomy reduced the rate of incisional hernia, with emphasis on trial design and quality.

Methods

A systematic review of published literature was performed for studies comparing incisional hernia presence following conventional closure or prophylactic mesh reinforcement. Studies were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, the Jadad score and the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS). The primary endpoint was incisional hernia, assessed by meta-analysis.

Results

Seven studies [four randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and three prospective trials] included 588 patients; 262 received mesh reinforcement. All studies included elective patients at high risk of incisional hernia. Six incorporated a polypropylene mesh and one a biologic mesh. Four studies were judged high quality by NOS and two of four RCTs were at low risk of bias, although overall outcome assessment from all studies was either poor or mediocre. Mesh significantly reduced the rate of incisional hernia [odds ratio (OR) 0.15, p < 0.001]; the same effect was seen in RCTs only (OR 0.17, p < 0.001). A borderline increase of seroma seen with a fixed effect model (OR 1.82, p = 0.050) was not seen with a random effect model (OR 1.86, p = 0.210, I ² = 45 %).

Conclusion

Mesh reinforcement of laparotomy significantly reduced the rate of incisional hernia in high-risk patients. However, poor assessment of secondary outcomes limits applicability; routine placement in all patients cannot yet be recommended. More evidence regarding the rates of adverse events, cost-benefits and quality of life are needed.     

Therapy-related acute promyelocytic leukemia: observations relating to APL pathogenesis and therapy

Therapy-related acute promyelocytic leukemia (t-APL) is a well-recognized form of APL for which the underlying etiology has been well characterized. The pathogenesis of de novo (dn-APL) remains unknown; but epidemiologic studies have consistently identified increased body mass index (BMI), younger age, and ethnicity as possible risk factors. We analyzed demographics, clinical features, and treatment responses in a contemporary series of 64 patients treated with all-trans-retinoic acid and anthracycline-based therapy to assess for differences in these two etiologically distinct patient groups. Compared with patients with t-APL (n = 11), those with dn-APL (n = 53) had a greater median BMI (31.33 vs. 28.48), incidence of obesity (60.4% vs. 27.3%) (P = 0.04), and history of hyperlipidemia (45.3% vs. 18.2%) (P = 0.01). Fewer t-APL than dn-APL patients achieved complete remission at 63.6% vs. 92.5% respectively (P = 0.008). This was the result of a higher induction mortality rate of 36.4% vs. 7.5% respectively (P = 0.008). No cases of leukemic resistance were seen in either group. Overall survival (OS) was inferior in t-APL compared with dn-APL at 51% vs. 84%, respectively (P < 0.005), primarily as a result of higher induction mortality. Relapse occurred in nine patients (16.1%) overall, but no relapses occurred in the t-APL cohort. Our observations provide further support for the hypothesis that abnormalities in lipid homeostasis may in some way be of pathogenic importance in dn-APL. Therapy-related APL is sensitive to standard therapy with no cases of resistance or relapse seen. The inferior OS of the t-APL was due to induction mortality, possibly reflecting prior therapy.     

A Qualitative Exploration of Nutrition Screening,Assessment and Oral Support Used in Patients Undergoing Cancer Surgery in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Preoperative undernutrition is a prognostic indicator for postoperative mortality and morbidity. Evidence suggests that treating undernutrition can improve surgical outcomes. This study explored the provision of nutritional screening, assessment and support on surgical cancer wards in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This was a qualitative study and participants took part in one focus group or one individual interview. Data were analysed thematically. There were 34 participants from Ghana, India, the Philippines and Zambia: 24 healthcare professionals (HCPs) and 10 patients. Results showed that knowledge levels and enthusiasm were high in HCPs. Barriers to adequate nutritional support were a lack of provision of ward and kitchen equipment, food and sustainable nutritional supplements. There was variation across countries towards nutritional screening and assessment which seemed to be driven by resources. Many hospitals where resources were scarce focused on the care of individual patients in favour of an integrated systems approach to identify and manage undernutrition. In conclusion, there is scope to improve the efficiency of nutritional management of surgical cancer patients in LMICs through the integration of nutrition assessment and support into routine hospital policies and procedures, moving from case management undertaken by interested personnel to a system-based approach including the whole multidisciplinary team.