The pubofascial anchor sling procedure for recurrent genuine urinary stress incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, in a preliminary study, the outcome of a modified pubovaginal sling operation with titanium bone anchors for recurrent genuine stress urinary incontinence (GSI) in women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 13 consecutive women who underwent the modified sling procedure between September 1994 and August 1996. The subjective and objective cure of urinary stress incontinence, and the occurrence of postoperative osteitis pubis, were assessed. RESULTS: All 13 patients subjectively claimed complete urinary continence and 12 were objectively cured (12 patients agreed to undergo a repeat urodynamic study) during a median (range) follow-up of 26 (19-38) months. There were no cases of postoperative osteitis pubis, bladder injury or major complications. Mild suprapubic pain was a frequent and self-limiting complication. CONCLUSIONS: This innovative modified sling procedure is effective for recurrent urinary stress incontinence, with no complication of osteitis pubis. We suggest that this procedure should be considered as a treatment for recurrent GSI and perhaps for primary GSI. A study incorporating a longer follow-up and more patients has been planned.     

Liver transplantation: MR angiography with surgical validation

Thirty patients (mean age, 45 years) were evaluated with magnetic resonance (MR) angiography before liver transplantation to assess the accuracy of MR angiography. A series of breath-hold, two-dimensional images were acquired and subsequently processed to form three-dimensional projection angiograms. Graphic information on blood flow in the portal vein was acquired by using presaturation bolus tracking. Correlative duplex ultrasound (US) was performed in 28 patients, and surgical or autopsy correlation was available in all cases. MR angiography demonstrated patency of the portal vein in 26 (96%) of 27 patients, made possible the diagnosis of portal venous occlusion in three of three patients, depicted reversed portal flow in one patient, and provided clear delineation of the extent of varices and specific portosystemic collateral vessels. When duplex US was successful, there was full agreement with MR angiographic results in assessing portal vein patency and flow direction. All of the MR findings were corroborated at surgical exploration or autopsy. The authors conclude that MR angiography is very accurate in the portal system and is valuable in preoperative assessment for liver transplantation.     

A contemporary evaluation of cytoreductive nephrectomy with tumor thrombus: Morbidity and long-term survival

BACKGROUND: Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an aggressive entity that frequently invades the venous system. We evaluated the morbidity and survival of patients with tumor thrombus who undergo cytoreductive nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 56 patients from our institution's database who had a primary renal tumor in place and documented metastases at the time of surgery. We reviewed demographic and pathologic characteristics from these patients as well as complications and overall survival. RESULTS: Median age was 58 (37-77). There were 33 patients (59%) who had tumor thrombus with 21 (64%) involving the renal vein, 10 (30%) involving the infradiaphragmatic inferior vena cava (IVC), and 2 (6%) involving the supradiaphragmatic IVC. Median tumor size for thrombus patients was 12 cm (5-29). There were 8 (14.2%) who had complications, including 1 death. Thrombus patients were significantly more likely to have a complication (P = 0.008). Median survival for all patients was 10.7 months (0.3-61). There was no significant difference in overall survival between patients with and without thrombus (P = 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who undergo cytoreductive nephrectomy with a tumor thrombus have a higher rate of complications as compared to patients undergoing cytoreductive nephrectomy without tumor thrombus. The long-term survival, however, was not statistically different and thus aggressive surgery for select metastatic RCC patients is warranted.     

First 24-h SNAP-II score and highest PaCO2 predict the need for ECMO in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Background/Purpose

Early clinical predictors for the use of ECMO in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are lacking. We sought to evaluate the first 24-h SNAP-II score and highest PaCO₂ as predictors of ECMO support and in-hospital mortality in neonates with CDH.

Methods

Retrospective review of 47 consecutive neonates with CDH admitted to our institution from January 2007 to December 2010 was performed. Covariates of ECMO use including SNAP-II score and highest PaCO₂ within the first 24 h of NICU admission were evaluated.

Results

Of the 47 infants in this study, 24 patients were supported with ECMO. The ECMO group had a higher incidence of pulmonary hypertension, higher PaCO₂, and higher 24-h SNAP-II scores. Only the SNAP-II score and not highest PaCO₂ predicted mortality following multivariate adjustment.

Conclusions

The first 24-h SNAP-II score and highest PaCO₂ may provide some prognostic value in identifying neonates who undergo ECMO support; however neither measure was independently associated with the use of therapy. Only the SNAP-II score was associated with in-hospital mortality following multivariate adjustment. Additional study is needed to validate these results in a larger data set.     

Phase 2 Trial of an Alpha-7 Nicotinic Receptor Agonist (TC-5619) in Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Objectives:

This trial was conducted to test the effects of an alpha7 nicotinic receptor full agonist, TC-5619, on negative and cognitive symptoms in subjects with schizophrenia.

Methods:

In 64 sites in the United States, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania, and Serbia, 477 outpatients (18–65 years; male 62%; 55% tobacco users) with schizophrenia, treated with a new-generation antipsychotic, were randomized to 24 weeks of placebo (n = 235), TC-5619, 5mg (n = 121), or TC-5619, 50mg (n = 121), administered orally once daily. The primary efficacy measure was the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) composite score. Key secondary measures were the Cogstate Schizophrenia Battery (CSB) composite score and the University of California San Diego Performance-Based Skills Assessment-Brief Version (UPSA-B) total score. Secondary measures included: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale in Schizophrenia (PANSS) total and subscale scores, SANS domain scores, CSB item scores, Clinical Global Impression-Global Improvement (CGI-I) score, CGI-Severity (CGI-S) score, and Subject Global Impression-Cognition (SGI-Cog) total score.

Results:

SANS score showed no statistical benefit for TC-5619 vs placebo at week 24 (5mg, 2-tailed P = .159; 50mg, P = .689). Likewise, no scores of CSB, UPSA-B, PANSS, CGI-I, CGI-S, or SGI-Cog favored TC-5619 (P > .05). Sporadic statistical benefit favoring TC-5619 in some of these outcome measures were observed in tobacco users, but these benefits did not show concordance by dose, country, gender, or other relevant measures. TC-5619 was generally well tolerated.

Conclusion:

These results do not support a benefit of TC-5619 for negative or cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia.Key words: schizophrenia, negative symptoms, cognition     

Total hip arthroplasty after prior surgical treatment of hip fracture is it always challenging?

Salvage total hip arthroplasty (THA) presents a viable solution for failed open reduction internal fixation. This study compares salvage THA in patients with prior femoral neck fractures vs patients with prior intertrochanteric fractures. One hundred fifty-four hips in 152 patients underwent conversion from open reduction internal fixation to THA. Eighty-three patients had previous femoral neck fractures, and 69 patients (71 hips) had prior intertrochanteric fractures. Salvage THA in patients with prior intertrochanteric fractures presented a more technically demanding procedure with longer operative times and larger amounts of blood loss. Although conversion THA presents a technically challenging procedure, it is safe and yields relatively few orthopedic complications.     

Thoracoscopic patch repair of a right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a neonate

Purpose  Minimally invasive techniques continue to expand in pediatric surgery; however, there has been some debate over the appropriate operative technique for the management of congenital diaphragmatic hernias in neonates [1–3]. We present a video of a thoracoscopic patch repair of a right-sided Bochdalek congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in a 3-day-old male. Methods  Our patient was noted to have a right-sided CDH on chest X-ray following respiratory distress at the time of birth. The patient’s remaining neonatal workup also confirmed hypoplastic transverse aortic arch with coarctation, ventricular septal defect (VSD), and patent ductus arteriosus, which were initially diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound. After monitoring the patient for hemodynamic stability and discussion with the family and involved pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons, the decision was made to proceed with a thoracoscopic repair of the CDH. Results  The large right-sided CDH was noted to involve herniated small bowel, colon, and liver. The diaphragmatic defect was successfully repaired thoracoscopically using a 5 × 5 cm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patch. The patient was extubated on the second postoperative day and ultimately underwent aortic arch augmentation, VSD closure, and patent ductus arteriosus ligation and division at 1 month of age. There has been no evidence of CDH recurrence in follow-up. Conclusions  As demonstrated by our video, large right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernias requiring patch repair can be successfully repaired thoracoscopically with appropriate surgeon comfort and experience. This minimally invasive approach may also be used in neonates with associated cardiac defects with appropriate cardiothoracic surgical consultation and support. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of a thoracoscopic repair of a Bochdalek (posterolateral) hernia with a prosthetic patch in a neonate with significant congenital cardiac anomalies. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Exposure to Agent Orange is a significant predictor of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA)‐based recurrence and a rapid PSA doubling time after radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate and report the clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes after radical prostatectomy (RP) in patients with prostate cancer and previous exposure to Agent Orange (AO), particularly in relationship to race.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In 1495 veterans who had undergone RP the clinicopathological characteristics, biochemical progression rates, and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) doubling time (DT) after recurrence between AO‐exposed and unexposed men were compared using logistic and linear regression and Cox proportional hazards analyses, and stratified by race.

RESULTS

The 206 (14%) men with AO exposure were more likely to be black (P = 0.001), younger (P < 0.001), treated more recently (P < 0.001), have a higher body mass index (P = 0.001), have clinical stage T1 disease (P < 0.001), and have lower preoperative PSA levels (P = 0.001). After adjusting for several clinical characteristics, AO exposure was not significantly related to adverse pathological features but was significantly associated with biochemical progression risk (relative risk 1.55, 95% confidence interval 1.15–2.09, P = 0.004) and shorter PSADT (P < 0.001) after recurrence (8.2 vs 18.6 months). When stratified by race, these associations were present and similar in both races, with no significant interaction between race and AO exposure for predicting biochemical recurrence or mean adjusted PSADT (P interaction >0.20).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with AO exposure and treated with RP were more likely to be black, present with lower risk features, have an increased risk of biochemical progression, and shorter PSADT after recurrence. When stratified by race, the association between AO exposure and poor outcomes was present in both races. These findings suggest that among selected men who choose RP, AO exposure might be associated with more aggressive prostate cancer.     

Effect of Exercise on Disorders of Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism in Adults With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: Systematic Review of the Evidence

Background/Objective:

Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders may affect adults with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) differently than able-bodied individuals because of reduced physical activity in the SCI population. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review to determine the effectiveness of exercise to improve carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders in adults with chronic SCI.

Methods:

Studies were identified in MEDLINE (1996–2008), Cochrane Library, bibliographies of identified articles, and expert recommendations. English language articles were included if they evaluated adults with chronic SCI; evaluated exercise; and reported carbohydrate-, lipid-, and/or cardiovascular disease-related outcomes.

Results:

Twenty-two studies met inclusion criteria, including 15 intervention case-series and 7 cross-sectional surveys using self-reported physical activity measures. Intervention protocols involved active (n  =  7) or electrically stimulated (n  =  7) exercise or an educational program (n  =  1) from 8 to 52 weeks in duration. Frequency of exercise was typically 2 to 3 sessions/week, lasting 30 to 60 minutes/session. Totals of 150 and 369 subjects participated in studies with carbohydrate (n  =  12) or lipid and cardiovascular (n  =  16) outcomes, respectively; 78% were men. Level of SCI ranged from C4 to L5 and included both incomplete and complete lesions. Outcomes measures included fasting and postload blood glucose and insulin concentrations and serum cholesterol levels. Small sample sizes and variations in study design, intervention, SCI characteristics, and reported outcomes precluded quantitative pooling of results or reliable assessment of metabolic efficacy. No intervention studies assessed cardiovascular outcomes.

Conclusions:

Evidence is insufficient to determine whether exercise improves carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders among adults with SCI. Expert consensus, based on the preliminary evidence, is needed to inform future studies.