IntroductionAnastomotic leak (AL) is a serious complication following colorectal surgery. This study aimed to identify factors associated with the development of AL and analyze its impact on survival.Materials and MethodsAll consecutive adult colorectal cancer resections with curative intent and anastomosis formation were included from a prospectively maintained bi-national database between 2007 and 2020. The primary outcome measure was the rate of AL. The secondary outcome measure was 5-year overall survival (OS).ResultsThere were 7566 eligible patients. The rate of AL was 2.3% and 4.4% in patients with colon and rectal cancer respectively. AL was a significant independent predictor of reduced 5-year OS in patients who underwent curative surgery for rectal cancer (Odds ratio 1.999, p = 0.017). Emergency surgery (p = 0.013), surgery at a public hospital (p < 0.01), and an open surgical approach (p = 0.002) were all significantly associated with a higher risk of AL in patients with colon cancer, with higher rates of AL noted in left colectomies as compared to right hemicolectomies (6.8% vs 1.6%, p < 0.05). In rectal cancer patients, ultra-low anterior resections had the highest risk of AL (4.6%), and associations were found with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.011), surgery in a public hospital (p = 0.019), and an open approach (p = 0.035). Anastomosis formation technique (hand-sewn vs stapled) did not impact on rate of AL.DiscussionClinicians should be cognizant of the predictive factors for AL and consider early intervention for patients at risk of this.
Objective: The aim of this article is to share our experience of thumb defects based on the defect irrespective of the etiology of the defect and to work towards standardizing the treatment for thumb defects.
Methodology: This study was conducted at the Burns and plastic surgery center at Hayatabad Medical complex from 2018 to 2021. Thumb defects were divided into small (< 3 cm), medium (4-8cm) and large defects (> 9cm). Post-operatively, patients were evaluated for complications. The type of flaps were stratified for size and site of the soft tissue defects to generate a standardized algorithm for thumb soft tissue reconstruction.
Results: After scrutinizing the data, 35 patients qualified for the study, including 71.4% (25) males and 28.6% (10) females. The mean age was 31.17+15.8SD. Right thumb was affected in majority of the study population (57.1%). Majority of the study population was affected by machine injury and post-traumatic contractures, affecting 25.7% (n=9) and 22.9% (n=8) respectively. First web-space and injuries distal to IPJ of thumb were the most common areas affected, accounting for 28.6% (n=10) each. First dorsal metacarpal artery flap was the most common flap followed by retrograde posterior interosseous artery flap, observed in 11 (31.4%) and 6 (17.1%) cases. The most common complication observed in the study population was flap congestion (n=2, 5.7%) with a complete flap loss in 1 patient (2.9%) cases. Based on the cross tabulation of flaps against the size and location of defects, an algorithm was developed to help standardize reconstruction of thumb defects.
Conclusion: Thumb reconstruction is critical in restoring hand function of the patient. The structured approach towards these defects make their assessment and reconstruction easy especially for novice surgeons. This algorithm can further be extended to include defects of the hand irrespective of etiology. Most of these defects can be covered with local easy to do flaps without the need for a microvascular reconstruction.
Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are a novel therapeutic approach to wound dressings because of their antibacterial properties. Silver has been used throughout history for many purposes. However, evidence-based information about the benefits of AgNP-based wound dressings and potential adverse effects is still required. This study is to comprehensively review the benefits and complications of AgNP-based wound dressings for different wound types and address the knowledge gaps.
Material and methods: We collected and reviewed the relevant literature from available sources.
Results: AgNP-based dressings have antimicrobial activity and promote healing with only minor complications, making them suitable for several types of wounds. However, we could not identify any reports on AgNP-based wound dressings for common acute traumatic wounds, such as lacerations and abrasions; this includes comparative studies of AgNP-based and conventional wound dressings for such wound types.
Conclusions: AgNP-based dressings benefit traumatic, cavity, dental, and burn wounds with only minor complications. However, further studies are needed to discern their benefits for specific traumatic wound types.
Currently used techniques of flexor tendon repair and methods of postoperative rehabilitation differ significantly from those used still 10-15 years ago. Techniques of the repair evolved from 2-strand sutures (the Kessler suture) in the direction of much stronger 4-strand and 6-strand sutures (the Adelaide and Savage sutures), what reduced the risk of failure of the repair and made possible more intensive rehabilitation. Also rehabilitation regimes changed on more comfortable for patients than older protocols and allowed to achieve better functional outcomes of the treatment. This study presents updated trends in management of flexor tendon injuries in the digits, with regard to operative technique and postoperative rehabilitation protocols.
We aim to systematically review the psychological and social outcomes of patients post-bariatric surgery. The comprehensive search using keywords yielded 1224 records utilizing search engines PubMed and Scopus. After a careful analysis, 90 articles were found to be eligible for complete screening that collectively reported the use of 11 different BS procedures reported among 22 countries. This review is unique in that we collectively presented the result of various psychological and social outcome parameters (depression and anxiety, self-confidence, self-esteem, marital relationship, and personality traits) after BS. Regardless of the BS procedures performed, most studies over months to years presented a positive outcome of the parameters considered, while few presented contrasting unsatisfactory results. Thus, the surgery was not a cessation factor for these results to be permanent and thus suggested psychological interventions and long-term monitoring for assessing the psychological effects after BS. Additionally, the patient's endurance to check weight and eating habits after surgery is ultimately necessary.
Introduction: Liver biopsy is a safe and helpful diagnostic tool for many liver disorders. It can be performed using various techniques. Regardless of the technique, the liver biopsy is considered to be a safe procedure.
Aim of the study: We aimed to analyze the indications, techniques, results, and complications of liver biopsies in the paediatric age group.
Material and methods: We retrospectively obtained the data from the medical history records of 63 paediatric patients who underwent the liver biopsy. The data were analyzed statistically.
Results: The most often performed type of biopsy was core needle biopsy (tru-cut), followed by core needle aspiration biopsy, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, open biopsy, and laparoscopic biopsy. Complications in the form of hematoma occurred only in 2 cases. The most common indications for the procedure were viral hepatitis monitoring/diagnosis, focal lesions, and autoimmune hepatitis. The histopathological results were predominantly hepatitis (viral and non-viral) and neoplasm.
Conclusions: Liver biopsy is a safe procedure regardless of the technique used to obtain a tissue sample. Therefore, it should not be avoided when it is indicated.
AbstractIntroductionType II and III (paraoesophageal and mixed) hiatal hernia treatment remains a technically difficult procedure carrying a risk of complications and recurrence as high as 40%. Using synthetic meshes entails possible serious complications; efficacy of biologic materials remains unclear and requires further research.AimThe aim of the article was to present the centres experience of type II and III large hiatal hernia treatment using the ligamentum teres and to draw attention to potential benefits of conducted procedures.Material and MethodsThe study enrolled 6 patients: 3 women and 3 men aged 37-58 with radiologically and endoscopically confirmed large paraoesophageal hernias. The patients underwent Nissen fundoplication and hiatal hernia repair using the ligamentum teres. The patients were followed up for six months with subsequent radiological and endoscopic assessment.ResultsDuring the six-month follow-up no clinical or radiological characteristics of hiatal hernia recurrence were observed in the patients. Two patients reported symptoms of dysphagia; mortality was 0%.ConclusionsHiatal hernia repair using the vascularized ligamentum teres may constitute an effective and safe method of large hiatal hernia repair.
AbstractAim:Inflammatory markers are effective in determining the prognosis of malignant diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of HALP and LCR with tumor response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and their effects on prognosis in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.
Methods: 88 patients who received nCRT with the diagnosis of LARC were included in the study. First, all patients were divided into 2 groups: patients with pathological and clinical complete response (pCR+cCR) group 1 and patients with non-complete response group 2. The 82 patients who underwent surgery were divided into two groups according to the TRG Dworak: good response and poor response groups. Inflammation markers such as HALP and LCR were obtained using biochemical parameters.
Results: HALP and LCR were higher in the complete response group than in the none-complete response group (p<0.05). When TRG 3-4 (good response group) and TRG 0-1-2 (poor response group) were compared, HALP and LCR were higher in the good response group (p<0.05). The cut-off point for the HALP value was 30.17, the sensitivity was 88.2%, and the specificity was 43.7%. The cut-off point for the LCR value was 0.402, the sensitivity was 88.2%, and the specificity was 63.4%. It was found that HALP and LCR calculated prior to neoadjuvant CRT could not predict overall survival.
Conclusions: We believe that inflammatory markers such as HALP and LCR can effectively identify rectal cancer patients who respond best to nCRT.
Introduction: Epidemiology and the outcomes of acute appendicitis in elderly people are very different from the younger patients. Aim of this study was to investigate the significance of frailty syndrome in the course of acute appendicitis.
Methods: All patients over 65 years old who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy between 2013 and 2021 in 2nd Department of General Surgery were included in the study. In our assessment Modified Frailty Index and Brief Geriatric Assessment were performed.
Results: In the analyzed period 106 appendectomies were performed in patients over 65 years old. Postoperative complications occurred in 13 patients (12.3%). Prolonged hospitalization (over 3 days) was observed in 48 patients (45.3%). Multivariate analysis showed that every ASA class (OR=2.406; 95% CI 1.089-5.316; p=0.030) and postoperative complication (OR=5.692; 95% CI 1.077-30.073; p=0.041) are risk factors for prolonged hospitalization. Our study identified diabetes (OR=5.956; 95% CI 1.391-25.510; p=0.016) as a risk factor for postoperative complications.
Conclusions: According to our study Modified Frailty Index and Brief Geriatric Assessment does not correlate with prolonged hospitalization or higher risk for postoperative complication after appendectomy in elderly people.