EPIdemiology of Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) : Study protocol for a multicentre, observational trial

More than 300 million surgical procedures are performed each year. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after major surgery and is associated with adverse short-term and long-term outcomes. However, there is a large variation in the incidence of reported AKI rates. The establishment of an accurate epidemiology of surgery-associated AKI is important for healthcare policy, quality initiatives, clinical trials, as well as for improving guidelines. The objective of the Epidemiology of Surgery-associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) trial is to prospectively evaluate the epidemiology of AKI after major surgery using the latest Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) consensus definition of AKI. EPIS-AKI is an international prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study including 10 000 patients undergoing major surgery who are subsequently admitted to the ICU or a similar high dependency unit. The primary endpoint is the incidence of AKI within 72 hours after surgery according to the KDIGO criteria. Secondary endpoints include use of renal replacement therapy (RRT), mortality during ICU and hospital stay, length of ICU and hospital stay and major adverse kidney events (combined endpoint consisting of persistent renal dysfunction, RRT and mortality) at day 90. Further, we will evaluate preoperative and intraoperative risk factors affecting the incidence of postoperative AKI. In an add-on analysis, we will assess urinary biomarkers for early detection of AKI. EPIS-AKI has been approved by the leading Ethics Committee of the Medical Council North Rhine-Westphalia, of the Westphalian Wilhelms-University Münster and the corresponding Ethics Committee at each participating site. Results will be disseminated widely and published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and used to design further AKI-related trials. Trial registration number NCT04165369

Use of the adjustable trans-obturator male sling system for the treatment of male incontinence. An initial experience

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the “Adjustable Trans-Obturator Male Sling System (ATOMS)” as a new surgical technique for the treatment of different types of male urinary incontinence. Subjects and methods: Between March 2012 and December 2013, 9 patients with a mean age of 56 (range 15–74) years were operated for urinary incontinence using the ATOMS system. Incontinence had developed following bladder exstrophy repair in 2, after radical cystectomy with construction of an orthotopic neobladder in 3, after transvesical open prostatectomy in one and after radical prostatectomy in 3 patients. Preoperative evaluation included a detailed medical history, physical examination, 24-h pad tests, urodynamic assessment and sonography. Results: The mean number of pads used preoperatively was 4.6 (range 3–6). The mean operative time was 45 (range 36–50) min. No intraoperative complications were encountered. The mean hospital stay was 3.8 (range 3–6) days. Transient perineal/scrotal pain was observed in 6 patients (66.7%) and controlled with non-opioid analgesics. There were no perineal infections; however, two port infections occurred (22.2%) and repositioning of the port was done in these cases. At a mean follow-up of 9 (range 6–12) months, the overall success rate was 100% with 77.8% of the patients being completely dry (0 pads per 24 h) and 22.2% using less than 2 pads per 24 h. Conclusions: Our early experience demonstrated that the ATOMS system may be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of male urinary incontinence. It has the advantage of being feasible any time after an operation when necessary. However, long-term follow-up on a large number of cases is required to ensure its long-term efficacy and safety

Efficacy and Safety of Ceftiofur for Treating Serious Respiratory Diseases in Cattle: Clinical, Histopathological, and Microbiological Assessments

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the most serious diseases counted for economic loss and extensive usage of antibiotics in cattle. Ceftiofur, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, has been approved for use in cattle in the United States. This study was done to investigate the clinical effect of ceftiofur on calves as well as its efficacy and safety for treating BRD. Thirty Holstein calves from a dairy farm were divided into three groups. Group I served as a health control group. Group II consisted of healthy animals while Group III comprised calves clinically diagnosed with BRD. Both groups II and III received a single subcutaneous injection of ceftiofur (2mg/kg B.W) in the ear. All groups were clinically evaluated at day 0, 7, and 14 after drug administration for illness score, body weight, body gain, feed intake, body temperature, depression score, discharges, ear and coughing score. Clinical illness score showed clear signs of BRD (elevation of body temperature and depression). Nasal and ocular discharges were recorded and ranked. Significant increases in ear and coughing score were observed in diseased calves

EPIdemiology of Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI): Study protocol for a multicentre, observational trial

Introduction More than 300 million surgical procedures are performed each year. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after major surgery and is associated with adverse short-term and long-term outcomes. However, there is a large variation in the incidence of reported AKI rates. The establishment of an accurate epidemiology of surgery-associated AKI is important for healthcare policy, quality initiatives, clinical trials, as well as for improving guidelines. The objective of the Epidemiology of Surgery-associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) trial is to prospectively evaluate the epidemiology of AKI after major surgery using the latest Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) consensus definition of AKI. Methods and analysis EPIS-AKI is an international prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study including 10 000 patients undergoing major surgery who are subsequently admitted to the ICU or a similar high dependency unit. The primary endpoint is the incidence of AKI within 72 hours after surgery according to the KDIGO criteria. Secondary endpoints include use of renal replacement therapy (RRT), mortality during ICU and hospital stay, length of ICU and hospital stay and major adverse kidney events (combined endpoint consisting of persistent renal dysfunction, RRT and mortality) at day 90. Further, we will evaluate preoperative and intraoperative risk factors affecting the incidence of postoperative AKI. In an add-on analysis, we will assess urinary biomarkers for early detection of AKI. Ethics and dissemination EPIS-AKI has been approved by the leading Ethics Committee of the Medical Council North Rhine-Westphalia, of the Westphalian Wilhelms-University Münster and the corresponding Ethics Committee at each participating site. Results will be disseminated widely and published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and used to design further AKI-related trials. Trial registration number NCT04165369.