Optimal extent of initial parathyroid resection in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 1: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Hyperparathyroidism is an almost universal feature of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome. We present a systematic review and meta-analysis of the postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing initial operative treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism complicating multiple endocrine neoplasia 1. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed with a priori defined exclusion criteria for studies comparing total parathyroidectomy, subtotal parathyroidectomy, and less than subtotal parathyroidectomy. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies incorporating 1,131 patients (272 undergoing total parathyroidectomy, 510 subtotal parathyroidectomy, and 349 less than subtotal parathyroidectomy) were identified. Pooled results revealed increased risk for long-term hypoparathyroidism in total parathyroidectomy patients (relative risk 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-2.31; P = .009) versus those undergoing subtotal parathyroidectomy. In the less than subtotal parathyroidectomy or subtotal parathyroidectomy comparison group, a greater risk for recurrence of hyperparathyroidism (relative risk 1.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.79; P = .02), persistence of hyperparathyroidism (relative risk 2.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.49-3.41; P = .0001), and reoperation for hyperparathyroidism (relative risk 2.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.65-3.73; P < .0001) was noted for less than subtotal parathyroidectomy patients, albeit with lesser risk for long-term for hypoparathyroidism (relative risk 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.29-0.75; P = .002). CONCLUSION: Subtotal parathyroidectomy compares favorably to total parathyroidectomy, exhibiting similar recurrence and persistence rates with a decreased propensity for long-term postoperative hypoparathyroidism. The benefit of the decreased risk of hypoparathyroidism in less than subtotal parathyroidectomy is negated by the increase in the risk for recurrence, persistence, and reoperation. Future studies evaluating the performance of less than subtotal parathyroidectomy in specific multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 phenotypes should be pursued in an effort to delineate a patient-tailored, operative approach that optimizes long-term outcomes

Large Enterolith Complicating a Meckel Diverticulum Causing Obstructive Ileus in an Adolescent Male Patient

We present a unique case of a 16-year-old male patient who was eventually diagnosed with a large enterolith arising from a Meckel’s diverticulum. The enterolith had caused intermittent intestinal symptoms for three years before resulting in small bowel obstruction requiring surgical intervention. Meckel’s enterolith ileus is very rare with only few cases described in the literature. To our knowledge, this is only the second case of Meckel’s enterolith which had caused intermittent symptoms over a period of time, before resulting in ileus, and the first case where the intermittent symptoms lasted several years before bowel obstruction. The patient had been evaluated with colonoscopy, computerized tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging enterography (MRIE); a calcified pelvic mass had been found, but no further diagnosis other than calcification was established. The patient presented at our emergency department, with symptoms of obstructive ileus and underwent exploratory laparotomy, where a large enterolith arising from a Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) was identified, causing the obstruction. A successful partial enterectomy, enterolith removal, and primary end-to-end anastomosis took place; the patient was permanently relieved from his long-standing symptoms. Consequently, complications of Meckel’s diverticulum and enterolithiasis have to be included in the differential diagnosis of abdominal complaints

Correction to: Two years later: Is the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic still having an impact on emergency surgery? An international cross-sectional survey among WSES members

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is still ongoing and a major challenge for health care services worldwide. In the first WSES COVID-19 emergency surgery survey, a strong negative impact on emergency surgery (ES) had been described already early in the pandemic situation. However, the knowledge is limited about current effects of the pandemic on patient flow through emergency rooms, daily routine and decision making in ES as well as their changes over time during the last two pandemic years. This second WSES COVID-19 emergency surgery survey investigates the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on ES during the course of the pandemic. Methods: A web survey had been distributed to medical specialists in ES during a four-week period from January 2022, investigating the impact of the pandemic on patients and septic diseases both requiring ES, structural problems due to the pandemic and time-to-intervention in ES routine. Results: 367 collaborators from 59 countries responded to the survey. The majority indicated that the pandemic still significantly impacts on treatment and outcome of surgical emergency patients (83.1% and 78.5%, respectively). As reasons, the collaborators reported decreased case load in ES (44.7%), but patients presenting with more prolonged and severe diseases, especially concerning perforated appendicitis (62.1%) and diverticulitis (57.5%). Otherwise, approximately 50% of the participants still observe a delay in time-to-intervention in ES compared with the situation before the pandemic. Relevant causes leading to enlarged time-to-intervention in ES during the pandemic are persistent problems with in-hospital logistics, lacks in medical staff as well as operating room and intensive care capacities during the pandemic. This leads not only to the need for triage or transferring of ES patients to other hospitals, reported by 64.0% and 48.8% of the collaborators, respectively, but also to paradigm shifts in treatment modalities to non-operative approaches reported by 67.3% of the participants, especially in uncomplicated appendicitis, cholecystitis and multiple-recurrent diverticulitis. Conclusions: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic still significantly impacts on care and outcome of patients in ES. Well-known problems with in-hospital logistics are not sufficiently resolved by now; however, medical staff shortages and reduced capacities have been dramatically aggravated over last two pandemic years

Using semantic data models in knowledge-based manufacturing-workcell design

The application of advanced database concepts in the design of manufacturing work cells is discussed. After an overview of some applications of semantic and object-oriented data models in the manufacturing domain, issues relating to their use in the design of manufacturing work cells are presented. A simple data and knowledge organization that integrates ideas and constructs typically available in general-purpose semantic data models with other mechanisms specifically tailored to the target domain is then illustrated. Finally, the use of this knowledge organization within a functionality-driven, task-level design procedure is discussed and illustrated by means of an example

Large Paraesophageal Hiatus Hernia: Is Surgery Mandatory?

Purpose/Aim: Paraesophageal hiatus hernias are seldom found, however the incidence is increasing accounting for 5-10% of all hiatal hernias. The aim of this review is to emphasize controversies in clinical presentation, essential workup investigations and highlight non-surgical and surgical management options. Materials and Methods: A PubMed literature search using the keywords ‘large or giant paraesophageal hernia’, ‘hiatus or hiatal hernia’, ‘laparoscopic surgery’, ‘antireflux surgery’, ‘mesh’, ‘gastric volvulus’ and ‘diaphragmatic hernia’ published between 1998 until 2017 was conducted. Results: Presenting symptoms are non-specific and can be erroneously attributed to various more common medical conditions. Significant complications as gastric volvulus and stomach necrosis, may occur and the obscured clinical presentation can be confusing for the clinician. Management options in the elective setting are controversial, and surgical repair cannot be easily justified for a minimally symptomatic condition, especially in an elderly and perhaps frail patient. However, in the era of laparoscopic surgery around the hiatus, reduced operative stress makes surgical repair appealing in the elective setting. Surgical matters as the adjunct of an antireflux procedure or not, the use of prosthetic mesh to reinforce the hiatus, gastropexy and the clinical importance of radiological or endoscopic recurrence are still under debate. Conclusions: The laparoscopic treatment of paraesophageal hiatus hernias is effective with low morbidity rates, offered in symptomatic patients and good operative risk asymptomatic individuals. More studies are needed to assess improvement suggestions, as the use of prosthetic mesh or gastropexy, regarding complications and recurrence risks

Methods of safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy for left-sided (sinistroposition) gallbladder: A report of two cases and a review of safe techniques

INTRODUCTION: Left-sided gallbladder is a rare anatomical variation. Usually it is discovered intra-operatively and is accompanied by anatomic variations that can prove quite challenging during laparoscopy. PRESENTATION OF CASE: From a total of almost 3000 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed in our institution, two cases of left sided gallbladder were unexpectantly identified intraoperatively. There were no indications for the ectopy preoperatively. In both cases modifications of the standard laparoscopic technique were mandatory. They were performed safely with no post-operative complications. Modifications consisted of transposition of the subxiphoid entry port and alteration in the direction of traction of the rest of the graspers. A review of the literature for methods of safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy was conducted. DISCUSSION: The surgeon must be aware of the anatomic variances in the rare occasion of a left sided gallbladder, since preoperative diagnosis is very difficult. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of potential hazards and modifications of laparoscopic technique is mandatory in order to avoid complications

Unusual Case of Urethrorectal Fistula in Adolescence in a Patient with a History of Congenital Anorectal Malformation.

BACKGROUND: Urethrorectal fistula is a rare and debilitating condition. Spontaneous closure is rarely effective, and appropriate management regarding timing of repair and surgical approach remains controversial. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of an 18-year-old male found to have a urethrorectal fistula after diagnostic work up for unejaculation. The patient gradually developed recurrent urinary tract infections and urine and semen leak from his rectum. He had a medical history of an anorectal reconstruction in the second postnatal day due to an anorectal malformation. Imaging with a rectal endoscopic ultrasound scan revealed a suprasphincteric urethrorectal fistula that was further confirmed with semirigid urethrocystoscopy and placement of a nitinol guidewire through the urethral fistula orifice. Its anal orifice was 3 cm above the anal verge at the 12th hour of the rectum. The fistula orifice on the rectum was identified with a transanal approach and the fistula was managed with the performance of an advancement mucosal flap and bladder catheterization. The patient developed a recurrence with this approach and finally underwent fistula ligation and reconstruction using a scrotal flap. The patient has not had a recurrence of the fistula during his follow-up. CONCLUSION: This is an unusual case of iatrogenic urethrorectal fistula as it presented in adolescence many years from the initial operation of anorectal reconstruction and with unusual symptoms

IMAS-Fish: Integrated MAnagement System to support the sustainability of Greek Fisheries resources. A multidisciplinary web-based database management system: implementation, capabilities, utilization and future prospects for fisheries stakeholders

The Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) holds a significant amount of scientific data covering various disciplines of the marine environment in the Greek Seas. The Institute of Marine Biological Resources (IMBR/HCMR) endeavors to assess the fishery resources by undertaking fishery independent experimental surveys, as well as monitoring the commercial fisheries activities with on-board observers. However, accession to these data and furthermore compatibility of the available formats was a complicated task, since data were either stored on a local intranet database or on many individual PCs . “IMAS-Fish” was developed to overcome these issues by: (i) homogenizing all the available datasets under a relational database, (ii) facilitating quality control and data entry, (iii) offering easy access to raw data, (iv) providing processed results through a series of classical and advanced fishery statistics algorithms, and (v) visualizing the results on maps using GIS technology. Available datasets cover among others: Fishery independent experimental surveys data (locations, species, catch compositions, biological data); Commercial fishing activities (fishing gear, locations, catch compositions, discards); Market sampling data (species, biometry, maturity, ageing); Satellite derived ocean data (Sea surface temperature, Salinity, Wind speed, Chlorophyll-a concentrations, Photosynthetically active radiation); Oceanographic parameters (CTD measurements); Official national fishery statistics; Fishing fleet registry and VMS data; Fishing ports inventory; Fishing legislation archive (national and EU); Bathymetry grids. Currently, the homogenized database holds a total of more than 100,000,000 records. The web-based application is accessible through an internet browser and can serve as a valuable tool for all involved stakeholders: fisheries scientists, state officials responsible for management, fishermen cooperatives, academics, students and NGOs . This article describes in detail the IMAS-Fish implementation technicalities and provides examples on how can it be used for scientific and management purposes setting new standards in fishery science.JRC.G.4-Maritime affair

The impact of preoperative sarcopenia on postoperative complications following esophagectomy for esophageal neoplasia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Esophageal cancer is characterized by profound changes in body composition due to dysphagia and generalized cachexia. Sarcopenia or muscle wasting is a component of cachexia associated with poor postoperative performance status. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) calculated by computed tomography scans at the level of the third lumbar vertebra is an easily quantifiable and reproducible measure of sarcopenia. The aim of this meta-analysis is to investigate the impact of preoperative sarcopenia (low SMI) on postoperative complications after esophagectomy for neoplastic lesions. In this context, a comprehensive literature search was undertaken to identify studies reporting short-term postoperative outcomes in relation to their preoperative SMI values. Cumulative risk ratios (RR) and risk differences (RD) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effect model. A total of 11 studies incorporating 1,979 total patients (964 patients with sarcopeniaversus 1,015 without sarcopenia) were included in the final analysis. The results demonstrated a significant increase in overall morbidity (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.01-1.33), respiratory complications (RR 1.64, 95% CI 1.21-2.22) and anastomotic leaks (RR 1.39, 95% CI 1.10-1.76) in patients with sarcopenia. No statistically significant difference was noted in overall mortality (RD 0, 95% CI −0.02-0.02) or Clavien-Dindo grade III or greater complications (RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.96-1.42). The above results demonstrate the validity of the SMI as a predictive factor for post-esophagectomy complications. Although the risk associated with sarcopenia is not prohibitive for surgery, patients with low SMI require closer vigilance during their postoperative course due to the increased propensity for respiratory and anastomotic complications. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus. All rights reserved