Surgery in practice and science最新文献

Background

Current reviews have primarily focused on the effect of exercise on colorectal cancer patient's functional abilities and cardiorespiratory performance. There is a need for more comprehensive studies to determine the effects of exercise on different components. We aimed to investigate recent pre-operative and post-operative exercise interventions conducted in patients undergoing or scheduled for colorectal cancer surgery.

Methods

The PRISMA guidelines were followed. PubMed, Web-of-Science (WoS) and Scopus databases were searched. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) tool provided the methodological quality and risk of bias for the included trials. The review findings are presented using the principles of narrative synthesis. The synthesis process encompasses steps such as “developing a preliminary synthesis, exploring relationships within and between studies, and assessing the robustness of the synthesis.”

Results

The combined use of aerobic and resistance exercises reduces hospital stay in the preoperative period, long-term exercise interventions significantly improve functional parameters, and progressive relaxation exercises performed during the preoperative and postoperative periods reduce anxiety.

Conclusions

Long-term and combined (relaxation, aerobic and resistance) rehabilitation in colorectal cancer surgery is essential to improve the physical and psychological parameters of patients. Further studies should focus on more comprehensive, long-term exercise programs and separately investigate the effects of each exercise type.

Introduction

Current guidelines suggest preoperative direct oral anticoagulant levels of < 30–50 ng/ml. However, there is limited evidence to guide this expert consensus. Reviewing assay titres and clinical outcomes may be able to inform perioperative care of the anticoagulated patient. This review aimed to determine whether DOAC assay plasma concentrations are associated with bleeding or systemic embolic events to better appreciate a possible therapeutic or hazardous reference range.

Methods

Systematic search, performed by an information specialist using a peer-reviewed search. Main search concepts were direct oral anticoagulant therapy for atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism. Data synthesised in narrative and tabular format whilst data that could be pooled was subjected to meta-analysis, using a random effects model. Meta regression was conducted for DOAC peak levels and clinical events. PRISMA guidelines were adhered to.

Results

Of 6717 retrieved publications, a total of 17 studies were included in the systematic review and 14 in the meta-analysis/regression. Studies report clinical outcome follow up ranging from 28 to 128 weeks. For every 10 ng/ml increase in DOAC assay trough and peak levels, the mean number of bleeding cases increases by 0.03(95 %CI: –0.32 –0.38, P = 0.84) and 0.09(95 %CI: –3.4 –5.3, P = 0.55) respectively, the mean number of major bleed cases increases by 0.01(95 %CI: –0.05 –0.07, P = 0.62) and 0.011(95 %CI: –0.32 –0.34, P = 0.74) respectively and the mean number of systemic embolic event cases decreases by 0.00039(95 %CI: –0.06 –0.0054, P = 0.88) and 0.04(95 %CI: –0.56 –0.48, P = 0.77) respectively.

Conclusion

There exists no significant, independent relationship, as determined by a univariate meta regression, between DOAC assay concentrations and a patient's risk of bleeding or systemic embolic embolism. This review also highlights the possibility of an absolute, patient specific DOAC assay concentration that may indicate adequate anticoagulation, above which further increases do not confer an increased risk of bleeding. However, further research to characterise this and its utility in the perioperative setting is required.

Background

Hand surgery is a competitive fellowship that draws applicants from orthopedic, plastic, and general surgery. In 2010, recommendations from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Board of Specialty Societies Match Oversight Committee and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery Workforce Task Force led to significant reforms to their respective workforces and training. This study characterizes trends in hand fellowship applicants and programs since these recommendations (2010–2023).

Materials and methods

We queried hand fellowship applicant and program data from the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

Results, discussion and conclusions

From 2010 to 2023, the number of ACGME-accredited hand fellowship programs increased across specialties (orthopedic surgery, 58 to 74 (27.6 % increase, R = 0.97, p < 0.001); plastic surgery, 14 to 19 (35.7 % increase, R = 0.91, p < 0.001); general surgery, 1 to 2 (50 % increase, R = 0.71, p = 0.004). The number of available fellowship positions commensurately increased by 38.8 % over the same time period. The number of applicants did not significantly change between 2010 (155 applicants) and 2023 (198 applicants) (R = 0.32, p = 0.27). The ratio of applicants-to-positions significantly decreased from 2010 (1.12 applicants per position) to 2023 (1.04 applicants per position) (R = -0.74, p = 0.003). Yet, applicants ranked nearly twice as many programs in 2023 (14.9 programs per applicant) compared to in 2010 (7.5 programs per applicant) (R = 0.98, p < 0.001). In light of the American Orthopaedic Association endorsing signal preferencing in the 2022–2023 residency Match, strategies to optimize rank lists in the fellowship application process should be further explored.

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of isolated hyperbilirubinemia in the detection of choledocholithiasis.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study focused on adult patients diagnosed with gallstone disease, and undergoing intra-operative cholangiogram for suspected choledocholithiasis. Those presenting with isolated hyperbilirubinemia were investigated for their risk of choledocholithiasis, and were compared with those with normal liver function tests.

Results

Out of the total 1274 patients undergoing intra-operative cholangiogram in the study period, only 18 exhibited isolated hyperbilirubinemia. Among these, four patients were found to have common bile duct (CBD) stones. This indicates that in approximately 22 % of patients, isolated hyperbilirubinemia may be associated with CBD stones. However, it is essential to note that the number of patients in the study with isolated hyperbilirubinemia was relatively small.

Conclusion

Although the incidence of isolated hyperbilirubinemia was limited in our study, the presence of CBD stones in some of these patients suggests a potential association. Isolated hyperbilirubinaemia should not be overlooked as a risk factor for CBD stones. Nonetheless, additional investigations with a larger sample size are needed to establish a more definitive understanding of the relationship between isolated hyperbilirubinemia and choledocholithiasis.

Background

Emergency laparotomy (EL) is associated with high mortality rates and is performed on a heterogenous patient population. Pre-operative risk assessment is one tool which can assist with EL patient care. We aimed to characterise rates of pre-operative risk assessment for EL patients in South Australia.

Methods

A retrospective audit of all patients undergoing EL over one year in six participating hospitals in South Australia was undertaken. Patient demographics, operation details, risk assessments (e.g. NELA, POSSUM, ACS-NSQIP) and outcomes were recorded.

Results

422 ELs were audited. Preoperative risk assessments were recorded for 42 (10 %) operations. The 30-day mortality rate was 9 %. There was no difference in mortality rates for patients with or without a risk assessment documented. Hospital participation in the Australia and New Zealand Emergency Laparotomy Audit (ANZELA) was associated with increased rates of risk assessment. Increasing patient age and then presence of certain comorbidities were also associated with increased rates of risk assessment.

Conclusions

This audit shows poor uptake of recommendations for preoperative risk assessment in EL patients in South Australia. Comparable mortality rates to previously published Australian and international data are demonstrated. Factors associated with increased risk assessment rates are identified and are relevant to future quality improvement activities.

Proper surgical technique is crucial for optimizing wound healing and reducing scar tissue formation. There are numerous measures a surgeon can take to improve wound healing; however, the angle of the incision made at the surgical site has been suggested to potentially play a role in wound healing, particularly between beveled and perpendicular incisions.

Objectives

The goal of this study was to analyze the literature and observe whether a discrepancy exists between using beveled vs perpendicular incisions in surgical procedures, as well as to understand the relationship between incision angles and physiologic wound healing.

Methods

Google Scholar, Pubmed, and MEDLINE searches regarding incision techniques were made to find relevant articles in the fields of plastic surgery, dermatologic surgery, periodontal surgery, and ophthalmic surgery which included studies from 2004 to 2023. The exclusion criteria consisted of studies that did not have a comparative design and/or were not revolved around incision angle.

Results

After filtering out irrelevant studies, we selected six studies that addressed the dichotomy between beveled and perpendicular incisions. Out of the six studies, four were in favor of beveled incisions, and the remaining studies either found no significant difference or reported benefits to some degree of using perpendicular cuts.

Discussion

The literature seems to suggest that beveled incisions have an advantage over perpendicular incisions in wound healing, particularly in the aspects of esthetic and accelerated wound healing. This is potentially due to the increased surface area of the dermis, preservation of hair follicles, and decreased incidence of infection.

Conclusion

Although the literature seems to favor beveled incisions, a definitive conclusion cannot be made as there is not sufficient evidence to support the superiority of one incision type over the other.

Introduction

We developed a home-based laparoscopic suturing simulation (HBLSS) technique, which is intended to improve the impact of a structured laparoscopic training course.

Method

A group of sixteen students were provided with the educational video, and after two weeks, all students were observed and timed performing a laparoscopic reef knot. The students were then randomized into two cohorts. The exclusive video group continued using the video for a further two weeks. The second group were shown the HBLSS technique and told to use this in conjunction with the video for a further two weeks.

Results

The entire cohort had an initial median time to form an intracorporeal reef knot of 190 s (range 459, IQR 128). After two additional weeks of using the educational video exclusively, the median time was reduced to 85 s (range 282, IQR 125), whereas the HBLSS and educational video group had a median post-training time of 28.5 s (range 36, IQR 18.5). There was a clear statistical difference between the exclusive video group and the HBLSS and video group (P = 0.008). There was also an improvement from the movement of both instruments to one instrument, reduced crossing of instruments and reduced transverse movement in the HBLSS and video group.

Conclusion

A combination of video-based teaching and HBLSS was associated with improved laparoscopic intra-corporeal knot-tying skills in comparison to the exclusive video-based teaching. This reflects the importance of imparting both cognitive and psychomotor skills to students practising laparoscopic surgery.

Introduction

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the standard of care for axillary staging in patients with clinically lymph node negative early breast cancer, reducing the need for axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and its associated risks. Intra-operative frozen section is a method of rapid pathological assessment of the sentinel node to identify the presence of metastatic disease and potentially avoid the need for a second operation in patient who will require an axillary lymph node dissection.

Methods

A retrospective review of a prospectively collected breast cancer database was performed. All patients with breast cancer who underwent SLNB and/or ALND at our institution, between May 1st 2017 to June 1st 2022 were identified. There were 565 patients who were included in the study.

Results

Intra-operative frozen section was able to accurately identify 71% of patients who had macrometastasis in their sentinel lymph node, thus allowing them to immediately proceed to ALND and avoid a second operation. In patient who had a false negative frozen section result, only 6.5% required ALND. The majority of false negative results were due to isolated tumour cells or micrometastasis, and therefore would not have required further intervention.

Conclusion

Intra-operative frozen section of sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer is useful in reducing the need for a second operation, allowing staging of the axilla to occur more efficiently and with high diagnostic accuracy.

Introduction

Work hour restrictions (WHR) have been implemented globally to improve resident safety and welfare, but many in the surgical community have raised concerns regarding the impact on resident education and operative experience. This systematic review aims to investigate the impact of WHR on general surgical resident operative caseload.

Materials and methods

Medline and Embase databases were systematically searched according to PRISMA guidelines to identify articles published between 2003 and 2022 assessing the impact of WHR on the operative experience of general surgical residents. Articles were only included if they reported on quantitative measures of operative experience and examined operative caseload after the introduction of WHR.

Results

Of 1,266 studies identified, 26 studies were included, with the majority from US literature. Total major cases underwent a 0.6 % decrease after the introduction of WHR, with surgeon chief cases undergoing a 3.3 % decrease and surgeon junior cases undergoing a 3.7 % increase. Operative trauma underwent the greatest decrease at 18.4 %. Skin & soft tissue cases underwent the greatest increase at 67.6 %.

Discussion

While WHR were often associated with reduced operative caseload in the early years following implementation, the majority of studies found a significant reduction was avoided in the long-term as training programs likely adapted to the new environment. These findings are of particular significance to countries considering the introduction of WHR for surgical residents and may guide future policy and decision-making.

Conclusions

This review demonstrated no significant change in total major cases and an increased caseload for most operative subcategories after the introduction of WHR for general surgical residents. These findings are in keeping with a previous review published in 2011.

Objective

The number of trauma patients presenting with chronic antithrombotic therapy is on the rise. The risk of hemorrhage, the leading cause of death in trauma patients, increases for those on such therapy. This study sought to compare the clinical outcomes of patients on warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), or antiplatelet agents.

Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on adult patients admitted to a Level 1 trauma center with pre-admission antithrombotic therapy. Patients were divided into those on warfarin, DOACs, and antiplatelet agents. The primary outcomes measured were hospital mortality, total blood products received, hospital length of stay (LOS), and ICU LOS.

Results

738 patients were included in the study: 191 (26 %) warfarin, 260 (35 %) DOACs, and 287 (39 %) antiplatelet. There were no differences in the demographic variables between study groups. The Injury Severity Score (ISS) was similar across the three groups as well as blood product usage, reversal agent usage, and mean hospital stay. Multivariable regression showed patients with pre-admission antiplatelet usage were more likely to have a shorter ICU LOS than those on warfarin (p = 0.048).

Conclusion

Blood product and reversal agent use was similar between patients on warfarin, DOACs, or antiplatelet agents. Patients on antiplatelet agents had a shorter ICU stay than the warfarin group, the only significant difference observed. Our results indicate similar safety profiles of antithrombotic medications in a generic trauma population, likely due to institutional protocols to increase responsiveness and immediate availability of resources when the patient has known anticoagulation.