Intraperitoneal drain placement and outcomes after elective colorectal surgery: international matched, prospective, cohort study

Despite current guidelines, intraperitoneal drain placement after elective colorectal surgery remains widespread. Drains were not associated with earlier detection of intraperitoneal collections, but were associated with prolonged hospital stay and increased risk of surgical-site infections.Background Many surgeons routinely place intraperitoneal drains after elective colorectal surgery. However, enhanced recovery after surgery guidelines recommend against their routine use owing to a lack of clear clinical benefit. This study aimed to describe international variation in intraperitoneal drain placement and the safety of this practice. Methods COMPASS (COMPlicAted intra-abdominal collectionS after colorectal Surgery) was a prospective, international, cohort study which enrolled consecutive adults undergoing elective colorectal surgery (February to March 2020). The primary outcome was the rate of intraperitoneal drain placement. Secondary outcomes included: rate and time to diagnosis of postoperative intraperitoneal collections; rate of surgical site infections (SSIs); time to discharge; and 30-day major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade at least III). After propensity score matching, multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to estimate the independent association of the secondary outcomes with drain placement. Results Overall, 1805 patients from 22 countries were included (798 women, 44.2 per cent; median age 67.0 years). The drain insertion rate was 51.9 per cent (937 patients). After matching, drains were not associated with reduced rates (odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95 per cent c.i. 0.79 to 2.23; P = 0.287) or earlier detection (hazard ratio (HR) 0.87, 0.33 to 2.31; P = 0.780) of collections. Although not associated with worse major postoperative complications (OR 1.09, 0.68 to 1.75; P = 0.709), drains were associated with delayed hospital discharge (HR 0.58, 0.52 to 0.66; P < 0.001) and an increased risk of SSIs (OR 2.47, 1.50 to 4.05; P < 0.001). Conclusion Intraperitoneal drain placement after elective colorectal surgery is not associated with earlier detection of postoperative collections, but prolongs hospital stay and increases SSI risk

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p<0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p<0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Retroperitoneal Air as First Sign of Sigmoid Perforation in an Octogenarian

Sigmoid perforation is a common surgical problem at the emergency department. It usually appears with abdominal pain of sudden onset and free abdominal air in the X-ray. Nevertheless, there are a few rare cases where retroperitoneal air is the first sign of sigmoid perforation. An 82-year-old female patient visited the emergency department due to abdominal pain and blood in her stool. The patient was afebrile and no signs of rebound tenderness were revealed. The abdominal X-ray did not reveal any sign of free intraperitoneal air. An abdominal computed scan tomography was performed which revealed a large quantity of retroperitoneal air. The patient underwent diagnostic laparotomy. Her sigmoid colon had ruptured toward its mesosigmoid with no indications of diverticulitis. Sigmoidectomy was performed. Her postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged 10 days after. Sigmoid perforation toward the retroperitoneal space is an extremely rare clinical scenario, which can be promptly managed only with high clinical suspicion. © 2020, Association of Surgeons of India

Giant liver tumor causing dyspnea upon exertion

Asymptomatic elevation of the right hemidiaphragm should always raise suspicion of a silent hepatic tumor. Prompt multimodality imaging plays a critical role in the identification of this entity; high clinical suspicion is the key element for diagnosis of a possible hepatic tumor. © 2018 The Authors. Clinical Case Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Occult Breast Cancer Presented with Axillary Lymph Node Metastases: A Small Case Series to a Frustrating Medical Issue

Occult breast carcinoma (OBC) presenting with axillary metastases and no identifiable breast tumor is a rare entity that can be a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Retrospectively, we gathered data from five female patients who presented to us with enlarged axillary nodes. Data collected included age at diagnosis, presenting complaints, imaging studies, surgical findings, histology, treatment, and progress. All patients underwent mammographic examination as well as breast ultrasound with no evidence of disease. In all five cases, there was a positive preoperative biopsy of the affected lymph node for breast adenocarcinoma. All patients were treated with modified radical mastectomy (MRM) except for one case, in which ALND was performed. The histology reports of three patients that underwent MRM revealed no sign of intramammary adenocarcinoma. In two cases, there was history of contralateral breast cancer. Only one patient did not receive perioperative chemotherapy. The disease-free survival ranges between 6 months and 2 years. OBC presenting with axillary metastases is an unusual presentation, and there is not enough evidence to support recommendations regarding the management. For patients with no evidence of metastatic disease, the management can be individualized. There is vast heterogeneity in studies concerning the treatment of OBC. © 2020, Association of Surgeons of India

Colonic bleeding from migrated cement

Migration of foreign bodies through the colonic wall can be the result of inflammation or effect of radiotherapy. Patients with such condition may remain asymptomatic. Careful assessment of patient' history can provide valuable information in symptomatic cases such as colonic obstruction or bleeding. © 2018 The Authors. Clinical Case Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Treatment of colon cancer with multiple liver metastases

Treatment of patients with colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases is challenging. We present the case of a 34-year-old woman who had about 50 liver metastases from an adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy led to a remarkable response of the hepatic metastases. The patient was subjected to sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis and synchronous treatment of all liver metastases. The number of liver lesions should not in itself present a contraindication to resection. This is the first report of successful concomitant surgical treatment of sigmoid adenocarcinoma and multimetastatic liver disease. © 2020, Copyright © 2020 Baylor University Medical Center

Long-term sequelae of the less than total thyroidectomy procedures for benign thyroid nodular disease

Introduction: Nodular goiter is the most common disorder of the thyroid gland. Less than total thyroidectomy procedures are considered the gold standard in the surgical management of nodular thyroid disease despite its propensity for recurrence. The aim of the study was to assess long-term sequelae of the less than total thyroidectomy procedures. Material and methods: In this single-center retrospective study, records of 154 patients that underwent less than total thyroidectomy, for nodular disease and/or hyperthyroidism between 1998 and 2013, were reviewed. Patients with malignant findings in the histology report and a follow-up of less than 5 years were excluded. Results: The mean age of the recorded patients was 65.1 ± 12.91 years of which 132 were females. Subtotal thyroidectomy was performed in 45.5% of the study population, 22.1% underwent partial thyroidectomy, while the remaining 32.5% underwent lobectomy. Long-term thyroxine supplementation was administered in 138 patients (89.6%). Recurrence of clinically important nodules (>1 cm) was observed in 68.2% of patients but only 11% of the population underwent completion thyroidectomy. In the univariate analysis, the duration of follow-up (p = 0.00005, C.I.: 0.903–0.965) as well as the type of operation (p = 0.035, C.I.: 1.031–2.348) appeared to have a significant correlation with nodular recurrence. The multivariate analysis identified the duration of follow-up (p = 0.0005, C.I.: 0.908–0.973) as the only significant predictive factor of nodular recurrence. Conclusion: This is the first study with such a long duration of post-operative follow-up. The high rate of nodular recurrence in less than total thyroidectomy procedures along with the lifelong need for thyroxine supplementation suggest that a more conservative surgical approach is needed. When surgery is recommended, we suggest total thyroidectomy as the treatment of choice to avoid the recurrence of disease, the high cost associated with frequent follow-ups by means of sonography as well as thyroxine replacement therapy. © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature