Scandinavian Journal of Surgery最新文献

Background and objective: Decreased skeletal muscle mass and quality are one of the several markers used for sarcopenia diagnosis and are generally associated with increased rates of post-operative infections, poorer recovery and increased mortality. The aim of this review was to evaluate methods applied to detect markers of sarcopenia and the associated outcomes for patients undergoing emergency laparotomy.

Methods: This review was conducted with reference to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. MEDLINE, Embase and Google Scholar databases were searched. Studies detecting patients with sarcopenia or skeletal muscle decline markers and the associated outcomes after emergency laparotomy surgery were considered. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate publication quality.

Results: Out of 103 studies, which were screened, 19 full-text records were reviewed and 7 studies were ultimately analyzed. The study cohort sizes ranged from n = 46 to n = 967. The age range was 36-95 years. There were 1107 females (53%) and 973 males (47%) across all 7 studies. All studies measured psoas muscle mass and three studies assessed psoas muscle quality using computerized tomography (CT) imaging. No study assessed muscle strength or function, while five studies showed an association between low muscle mass and increased mortality rates after emergency laparotomy. Among the three studies, which assessed muscle quality, two of three studies showed poorer 30-day survival rates.

Conclusions: The existing literature is limited, however it indicates that low psoas muscle mass and quality markers are associated with increased 30-day mortality rates after emergency laparotomy. Therefore, muscle markers can be used as a new feasible tool to identify most at risk patients requiring further interventions.

Background and aims: A deep sternal wound infection is a life-threatening complication after cardiac surgery. This study was conducted to describe the mortality associated with postoperative deep sternal wound infections after cardiac surgery and to find risk factors linked to increased mortality in 1 year follow-up.

Material and methods: A total of 7973 open-heart surgeries were performed at Tampere University Hospital. Deep sternal wound infection patients were identified, their 1-year mortality status was recorded, and the related risk factors were analyzed.

Results: We detected a total of 129 (1.6%) postoperative deep sternal wound infection patients. The 1-year mortality associated with a postoperative deep sternal wound infection was 20.2%. No preoperative or perioperative, statistically significant factors associated with increased 1-year mortality were found. A prolonged stay in an intensive care unit after surgery as well as stroke, delirium, wound secretion, and co-infection were associated with increased 1-year mortality.

Conclusion: The risk factors found for increased 1-year mortality were all postoperative. The quality of surgical treatment as well as precise postoperative care and evaluation remain the most important factors to decrease later mortality due to deep sternal wound infections.

Background and objective: An association between body mass index (BMI) and pancreatic cancer is suggested in observational studies. However, further studies are required to substantiate available evidence. The aim of this study was to explore the association between BMI and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) risk, treatment, and mortality.

Methods: A registry-based cohort study was performed by combining data from four registries in Norway. Baseline data were collected between 1963 and 1975 with follow-up data collected until 2018. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox regressions were estimated. Chi-square tests were used to analyze differences between groups.

Results: The study cohort consisted of 1,723,692 individuals. A total of 8973 PDAC cases were identified during 55,744,749 person-years of follow-up. A 5 kg/m² increase in BMI was associated with an increased risk of PDAC if high BMI at young age (16-29 years) (hazard ratio (HR): 1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-1.31), both for men (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.15-1.46) and women (HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.05-1.28). In men, there was a 52% increase in risk of early-onset PDAC (2 increase in BMI. A total of 2645 individuals were diagnosed with stage 1-3 disease, of whom 1131 underwent curative surgery. In all, 49% of normal weight, 38% overweight, and 30% obese individuals with stage 1-3 PDAC underwent surgery with curative intent (p < 0.001). Cancer survival was lower in overweight and obese individuals for both sexes. Analysis adjusted for sex, age, and period of diagnosis confirmed increased risk of cancer death in obese individuals.

Conclusion: This study suggests that increased BMI in young adults may increase the risk of PDAC, and higher BMI in men is associated with an increased risk of early onset PDAC (

Background and aims: Per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has become an established treatment for achalasia, but no Scandinavian studies with long-term follow-up exist. This study from a tertiary referral center in Norway investigates the short-, mid-, and long-term feasibility, safety, efficacy, and complications of POEM.

Methods: Prospective data from the first 84 patients who underwent POEM from 2014 to 2019 were analyzed. The median follow-up time was 44 months. Clinical success was defined as the Eckardt score (ES) ⩽3, and reflux as pathological if the acid exposure time (pH < 4) was more than 6%. ES was used for symptom evaluation before, and at 6, 12, and up to 64 months after POEM.

Results: A total of 50 males and 34 females were included. A total of 43 (51%) were treatment naïve, 24 (28.6%) had been previously treated with botulinum toxin, pneumatic balloon dilatation, or both, and 17 (20.2%) were previously treated with Heller's myotomy. The median post-POEM ES at 12 months was 1 (0-9), compared to pre-POEM 7 (4-12) (p < 0.01). At 12 months after POEM, clinical success persisted in 74 patients (88.1%). Clinical success was the highest for patients who were naïve to treatment, 41/43 (95%), and lower for those previously treated with Heller's myotomy 12/17 (70.6%). Long-term follow-up at 5-6 years of 42 patients showed a clinical success rate of 94%. We experienced adverse events in five patients (6%). Post-POEM pathological reflux was found in 46% (28/61). After 3-4 years, the median ES was 1, and after 5-6 years, it was 2.

Conclusion: POEM was safe and relieved the symptoms of achalasia significantly and persistently. The procedure had a better outcome in treatment naïve than previously treated patients. However, POEM is associated with significantly increased esophageal acid exposure.

Twitter summary: Norwegian single-center study: POEM had a clinical success rate of 94% after 5-6 years since its introduction at the center in 2014, providing a safe and effective treatment for achalasia.

Background and objective: Gallstones are highly prevalent, and more than 9000 cholecystectomies are performed annually in Denmark. The aim of this guideline was to improve the clinical course of patients with gallstone disease including a subgroup of high-risk patients. Outcomes included reduction of complications, readmissions, and need for additional interventions in patients with uncomplicated gallstone disease, acute cholecystitis, and common bile duct stones (CBDS).

Methods: An interdisciplinary group of clinicians developed the guideline according to the GRADE methodology. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were primarily included. Non-RCTs were included if RCTs could not answer the clinical questions. Recommendations were strong or weak depending on effect estimates, quality of evidence, and patient preferences.

Results: For patients with acute cholecystitis, acute laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended (16 RCTs, strong recommendation). Gallbladder drainage may be used as an interval procedure before a delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with temporary contraindications to surgery and severe acute cholecystitis (1 RCT and 1 non-RCT, weak recommendation). High-risk patients are suggested to undergo acute laparoscopic cholecystectomy instead of drainage (1 RCT and 1 non-RCT, weak recommendation). For patients with CBDS, a one-step procedure with simultaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy and CBDS removal by laparoscopy or endoscopy is recommended (22 RCTs, strong recommendation). In high-risk patients with CBDS, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is suggested to be included in the treatment (6 RCTs, weak recommendation). For diagnosis of CBDS, the use of magnetic resonance imaging or endoscopic ultrasound prior to surgical treatment is recommended (8 RCTs, strong recommendation). For patients with uncomplicated symptomatic gallstone disease, observation is suggested as an alternative to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (2 RCTs, weak recommendation).

Conclusions: Seven recommendations, four weak and three strong, for treating patients with symptomatic gallstone disease were developed. Studies for treatment of high-risk patients are few and more are needed.

Endorsement: The Danish Surgical Society.