Influence of statins on postoperative wound complications after inguinal or ventral herniorrhaphy

The lipid-lowering agents, statins, are the most commonly prescribed class of drugs in the western world. Because of their widespread use, many patients undergo surgical procedures while on statins. Statins, in addition to cholesterol-lowering effects, also have anticoagulant, immunosuppressive, and antiproliferative properties that may affect the risk of local wound complications. This study investigated the relationship between statins and postoperative wound complications in a large cohort of patients undergoing inguinal or ventral hernia repair. Data mining was performed in the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN)16 Data Warehouse. This database contains clinical and demographic information about all veterans cared for at the ten VA Medical Centers that comprise the South Central VA Healthcare Network in the mid-south region of the US. Aggregate data (age, body mass index, smoking history, gender, race, history of diabetes, statin use, and postoperative wound complications) were obtained for all patients who underwent inguinal or ventral hernia repair during the period October 1, 1996–November 30, 2004. During the period of the query, 10,782 patients (10,676 male, 106 female), 1,242 (11.5%) of whom received statins, underwent herniorrhaphy. Statin use did not affect the risk of wound infection or delayed wound healing. Statin use was, however, associated with an increased rate of local postoperative bleeding complications (P=0.01). When the type of hernia, age, smoking, diabetes, and body mass index were included in a multivariate analysis, statins remained borderline significant as an independent predictor of wound hematoma/postoperative bleeding (P=0.04), odds ratio 1.6 (95% CI 1.03–2.44). Patients who undergo inguinal herniorrhaphy while on statins have an increased risk of postoperative wound hematoma/hemorrhage. Focus on additional factors that may affect the propensity to postoperative bleeding and on meticulous intraoperative hemostasis are particularly important in such patients.     

Complications of intestinal augmentation and substitution cystoplasty

Summary The content of these papers has been heavily weighted towards reconstructions performed utilizing segments of stomach. This was not done to place a value judgment on this type of reconstruction, rather it helps establish an awareness of: (1) potentially serious metabolic and gastrointestinal complications not previously reported in children and (2) particularly frequent symptomatic disturbances collectively included in the hematuria-dysuria syndrome. Recognition of problems specifically associated with a certain type of intestinal segment, as well as complications generally accompanying any form of intestinal reconstruction, will hopefully provide pediatric urologists and nephrologists with a better understanding of the issues that must be addressed in using these newer surgical techniques and focus attention on the specific indications and contraindications for incorporating intestinal segments into the urinary tract. Although long-term follow-up information still remains sparse, it appears that regular surveillance programs are required and both pediatric nephrologists and urologists need to be part of these programs.     

Could bipolar vessel sealers prevent bile leaks after hepatectomy?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this work was to test the feasibility of using a bipolar low thermal acting system inducing collagenic sealing but not protein coagulation to secure hepatic parenchyma cutting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty consecutive hepatectomies were carried out using kellyclasy plus ligatures and clips (controls), while the following 50 hepatectomies used kellyclasy plus bipolar vessels sealer (BVS). Blood loss, duration of hepatic pedicle clamping, length of hospital stay, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in blood loss and duration of clamping between controls and BVS. Specific complications (9/21 in the control group vs 1/49 for the BVS group, p<0.00045) and length of hospital stay (14 days in the control group vs 11 days in the BVS group, p<0.014) were statistically lower in BVS group than in the controls, mainly due to prevention of bile duct leakages. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that BVS may be particularly efficient to achieve bilistasis leading to the highest level of safety in performing hepatectomies. Further studies are now needed to confirm its superiority on the classical biliary ducts occlusion techniques.     

Fast Track—Different Implications in Pancreatic Surgery

Concepts in “fast-track” surgery, which provide optimal perioperative care, have been proven to significantly reduce complication rates and decrease hospital stay. This study explores whether fast-track concepts can also be safely applied and improve the outcomes of major pancreatic resections. Perioperative data from 255 consecutive patients, who underwent pancreatic resection by means of fast-track surgery in a high-volume medical center, were analyzed using univariate and multivariate models. Of the 255 patients, 180 received a pancreatic head resection and 51 received distal, 15 received total, and 9 received segmental pancreatectomies. The patients were discharged on median day 10 with a 30-day readmission rate of 3.5%. The in-hospital mortality was 2%, whereas medical and surgical morbidities were 17 and 25%, respectively. Fast-track parameters, such as first stools, normal food, complete mobilization, and return to normal ward, correlated significantly with early discharge (p < 0.05). Patients’ age, operation time, and early extubation proved to be independent factors of early discharge, shown through multivariate analysis (odds ratio: 4.0, 2.0, and 2.8, respectively; p < 0.05). Low readmission, mortality, and morbidity rates demonstrate that fast-track surgery is in fact feasible and safe and promotes earlier discharge without compromising patient outcomes.     

Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiodrainage as Rescue Therapy for Symptomatic Biliary Leakage Without Biliary Tract Dilation After Major Surgery

Symptomatic biliary leakage following major upper abdominal surgery is a severe complication resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Treatment options usually include either endoscopic intervention or surgical revision. These options may be burdened by a high perioperative risk for the patient (e.g., patients with severe disease) or simply may not be possible (e.g., nonpreserved gastroduodenal passage). In the past, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage did only seem to be a viable option for patients with dilated bile ducts. Here, we present our experience in a consecutive series of patients with symptomatic biliary leakage following major upper abdominal surgery and without dilation of the biliary system that underwent percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage was feasible in 15 of 18 patients (83.3%). The procedure was technically not possible in three patients (16.7%). In 10 of the 15 patients (66.6%) with feasible percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage, biliary leakage was definitely controlled without the need for surgical revision. Depending on the experience with the interventional procedure, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage should be considered as an alternative for treatment of symptomatic biliary leakage instead of immediate reoperation. Presented at the Digestive Disease Week 2005 (DDW), Chicago, IL, May 14–19, 2005 (poster presentation).     

喉返神经解剖在甲状腺手术中的应用研究

目的探讨解剖喉返神经在甲状腺手术中的应用。方法回顾分析因甲状腺疾病行手术治疗的236例患者的临床资料,共施行甲状腺手术335侧次;甲组101例行甲状腺手术158侧次,术中均未解剖喉返神经,其中57例行双侧甲状腺手术。乙组135例行甲状腺手术同时解剖喉返神经177侧次,其中42例因双侧甲状腺手术而行双侧喉返神经解剖。结果喉返神经损伤均发生在切除甲状腺范围包含背侧腺体时。甲组暂时性损伤2例,永久性损伤1例,损伤率为1.9%;乙组暂时性损伤1例,无永久性损伤病例,损伤率为0.56%;两组差异有统计学意义(χ2=0.382,P<0.01)。结论甲状腺手术中解剖喉返神经能减少喉返神经的损伤,切除背侧腺体时应常规解剖喉返神经。     

肝硬变门静脉高压及其合并症与肝移植

目的探讨肝硬变门静脉高压及其合并症对肝移植的影响及其治疗原则。方法对近年来有关肝硬变门静脉高压及其合并症对肝移植的影响的文献进行系统分析。结果肝硬变门静脉高压时脾肿大、脾功能亢进、门静脉血栓、门体分流、侧支循环等对肝移植手术产生不同程度的影响，增加了手术的难度和复杂性，术前和术中正确处理这些合并症，可有效提高肝移植的成功率。结论正确处理终末期肝硬变门静脉高压及其合并症，可拓宽肝移植的适应证、提高移植的成功率和远期疗效。     

老年股骨颈骨折围手术期的治疗分析

目的探讨老年人股骨颈骨折的治疗及围手术期的处理。方法回顾性分析2003年1月～2006年12月手术治疗的201例老年股骨颈骨折患者资料，其中男51例，女150例，年龄60～98岁，平均78．2岁。按Garden分型，Ⅱ型20例，Ⅲ型86例，Ⅳ型95例。采用多枚中空螺钉固定、Morre型人工股骨头置换术或双极人工股骨头置换手术进行治疗。结果本组患者平均住院10～14d，5～7d即能早期下床活动，住院期间及术后1年内无一例死亡。85％患者获得8个月～4年（平均2年）的随访，功能恢复按Harris评分，优良率为85％。结论老年人各脏器机能衰退，多同时合并各种内科疾病，手术治疗存在风险，但老年人股骨颈骨折的手术治疗仍能取得满意疗效。