Near-infrared fluorescent imaging for parathyroid identification and/or preservation in surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism

IntroductionNear infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) is a novel intraoperative technology that has shown promising results in the localisation of parathyroid glands (PGs) over the last decade. This study aimed to assess the potential utility of NIRAF in first time surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).MethodsAn observational study over a period of 3 years in patients who underwent surgery for PHPT was designed. Data on the use of NIRAF and fluorescent patterns in different organs (thyroid and parathyroid) and parathyroid pathology (single versus multi-gland disease) were explored. In addition, cure rates and operating times were compared between the NIRAF and no-NIRAF groups to determine the potential value of NIRAF in this cohort.ResultsIn 230 patients undergoing first time surgery for PHPT, NIRAF was used in 50 patients. Of these 50 patients, NIRAF was considered to aid parathyroid identification in 9 patients (18%). The overall cure rate at 6 months of follow-up was 96.5% (98% in NIRAF and 96.1% without NIRAF; p=1.0). The median (interquartile range) operating time was longer in the NIRAF arm at 102 minutes (74-120 minutes) compared to the no-NIRAF arm at 75 minutes (75-109 minutes); however, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.542). Although the median parathyroid to thyroid (P/T) auto-fluorescence (AF) ratio was similar between single gland and multi gland disease (2.5 vs to 2.76; p=1.0), the P/T AF ratio correlated negatively with increasing gland weight (p=0.038).ConclusionThe use of NIRAF resulted in some potential “surgeon-perceived” benefit but did not lead to improvements in cure rates. The negative correlation between fluorescent intensity and gland weight suggests loss of fluorescence with pathology, which needs further investigation. Further studies on larger cohorts of patients, in depth analysis of fluorescence patterns between normal, adenomatous, and hyperplastic glands and evaluation of user experience are needed. Primary hyperparathyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, autofluorescence, near-infrared fluorescence, parathyroid glands, endocrine, surgery

Laparoscopic peritoneal lavage versus sigmoidectomy for management of perforated diverticulitis: meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Introduction: Controversy exists regarding the role of laparoscopic peritoneal lavage in patients with perforated diverticulitis. Our objective was to conduct the first meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT's) to compare the outcomes of patient undergoing laparoscopic peritoneal lavage with sigmoidectomy in patients with perforated diverticulitis. Methods: In accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement standards, we conducted a systematic search of electronic information sources, including MEDLINE; EMBASE; CINAHL; CENTRAL; The World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry; ClinicalTrials.gov; ISRCTN Register and bibliographic reference lists. We applied a combination of free text and controlled vocabulary search adapted to thesaurus headings, search operators and limits in each of the above databases. Overall morbidity, mortality, and postoperative complications were defined as the primary outcome parameters. Procedure time and length of hospital stay were secondary outcomes. The combined overall effect sizes were calculated using fixed-effect or random-effects models. Results: We identified 4 RCT's comparing outcomes of laparoscopic peritoneal lavage and open sigmoidectomy for perforated diverticulitis. All studies included only Hinchey grade III diverticulitis. The subsequent analysis, including 390 patients, demonstrated that laparoscopic peritoneal lavage of perforated diverticulitis was associated with significantly increased rates of overall morbidity (OR: 1.30, 95% CI 1.07-1.57, p = 0.007) and intra-abdominal abscess (OR: 3.10, 95% CI 1.71-5.63, p = 0.0002) compared to sigmoidectomy. However, there was no significant difference in mortality (OR: 0.86, 95% CI 0.42-1.77, p = 0.69) and re-operation (OR: 1.20, 95% CI 0.36-4.02, p = 0.77) rates between the two groups. Between-study heterogeneity was non-significant in all analyses, except reoperation rate (I2 = 79%, p = 0.002). The available data did not allow an appropriate analysis of procedure time, length of hospital stay and other postoperative complications. Conclusion: Our analysis of randomised trials demonstrated that laparoscopic peritoneal lavage of perforated diverticulitis may lead to more adverse events than open sigmoid resection. Future high quality RCT's are indeed required to provide stronger evidence as no definitive conclusion can be drawn considering the limited number of available RCT's

Risk factors for postoperative complications after adrenalectomy for phaeochromocytoma: multicentre cohort study

Background: To determine the incidence and risk factors for postoperative complications and prolonged hospital stay after adrenalectomy for phaeochromocytoma. Methods: Demographics, perioperative outcomes and complications were evaluated for consecutive patients who underwent adrenalectomy for phaeochromocytoma from 2012 to 2020 in nine high-volume UK centres. Odds ratios were calculated using multivariable models. The primary outcome was postoperative complications according to the Clavien–­­Dindo classification and secondary outcome was duration of hospital stay. Results: Data were available for 406 patients (female n = 221, 54.4 per cent). Two patients (0.5 per cent) had perioperative death, whilst 148 complications were recorded in 109 (26.8 per cent) patients. On adjusted analysis, the age-adjusted Charlson Co-morbidity Index ≥3 (OR 8.09, 95 per cent c.i. 2.31 to 29.63, P = 0.001), laparoscopic converted to open (OR 10.34, 95 per cent c.i. 3.24 to 36.23,

The development and validation of a scoring tool to predict the operative duration of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: The ability to accurately predict operative duration has the potential to optimise theatre efficiency and utilisation, thus reducing costs and increasing staff and patient satisfaction. With laparoscopic cholecystectomy being one of the most commonly performed procedures worldwide, a tool to predict operative duration could be extremely beneficial to healthcare organisations. Methods: Data collected from the CholeS study on patients undergoing cholecystectomy in UK and Irish hospitals between 04/2014 and 05/2014 were used to study operative duration. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was produced in order to identify significant independent predictors of long (> 90 min) operations. The resulting model was converted to a risk score, which was subsequently validated on second cohort of patients using ROC curves. Results: After exclusions, data were available for 7227 patients in the derivation (CholeS) cohort. The median operative duration was 60 min (interquartile range 45–85), with 17.7% of operations lasting longer than 90 min. Ten factors were found to be significant independent predictors of operative durations > 90 min, including ASA, age, previous surgical admissions, BMI, gallbladder wall thickness and CBD diameter. A risk score was then produced from these factors, and applied to a cohort of 2405 patients from a tertiary centre for external validation. This returned an area under the ROC curve of 0.708 (SE = 0.013, p  90 min increasing more than eightfold from 5.1 to 41.8% in the extremes of the score. Conclusion: The scoring tool produced in this study was found to be significantly predictive of long operative durations on validation in an external cohort. As such, the tool may have the potential to enable organisations to better organise theatre lists and deliver greater efficiencies in care

Management and outcomes of spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma: current practice

Objectives: To review the current management options for ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at acute presentation and assess the impact of each treatment modality on short- and long-term patient related outcome. Study design: A PubMed search was undertaken for review articles from 1950 to 2019 using key phrases “Ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma”, “trans-arterial embolization”, “resection”, “computed tomographic scan” and “conservative management”. Further manual search was performed to identify key articles from the reference list. Methodology: All papers with previous described management for ruptured HCC were reviewed. The morbidity, mortality and comparison of various management options were reviewed. Current practice guidelines were visited to identify common practice protocols. Conclusion: Ruptured HCC is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Multiple management options can be applied guiding by patient’s overall condition. Conservative management is associated with overall poor outcome. Staged liver resection is associated with better outcome with improved morbidity and mortality

A model for assessment of peri-operative outcomes following hepato-pancreatic and biliary surgery

Hepato-pancreatic and biliary surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A large number of these complications can be avoided and promote better outcomes. Peri-operative complications can have significant impact on the overall cost of the procedure. Number of steps can be adopted in the post-procedure phase with accurate documentation, stratification, classification and categorisation of complications. This will help to monitor departmental surgical outcomes and necessary steps that can be adopted to improve patient safety. This study will aim to propose a structure to record post-operative surgical complications following hepato-pancreatic and biliary (HPB) surgery. This record keeping and reflection will help to improve patient care and outcome

Major hepatic resection following portal vein embolisation: indications, technique and peri-operative outcome

Major liver resections are limited by the volume of future liver (FLR) remnant with the risk of subjecting patient to post surgery liver failure. This increases morbidity and mortality of the patients. However, the technique of ipsilateral portal vein embolisation (PVE) has given surgeons extra mileage to consider major liver resections previously thought to be unresectable. Al cases should be discussed in a multidisciplinary setting. A good knowledge of portal anatomy and variations should be known as part of selection procedure for PVE. Base liver functional status should be reviewed before consideration given to PVE. CT volumetry assessment should be made before and after PVE to assess for resectability. Multiple embolic materials are used in current practice, but none have shown superiority. Several complications are related to application of PVE, however it is generally regarded a safe procedure. At least four weeks are required to assess for FLR with repeat abdominal cross-sectional imaging. Patients with normal liver function tests achieve maximum hypertrophy in four weeks versus patients with underlying liver disease. Liver surgery is scheduled upto 2 to 6 weeks following embolisation. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of current indications, technique, complications and outcomes following PVE