Video assistance in mitral surgery. reaching the thru port access

Minimally invasive and video assisted mitral valve surgery has been used widely since beginning of 20th. Different reduced surgical approaches allowed replacing or repairing a mitral valve sparing sternal incision. Nevertheless the most used strategy has been in the last years the right mini thoracotomy and the extra thoracic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The main goal is avoiding sternal approach for mitral valve procedures and improve postoperative course of the patients. Some postoperative complication likes blood loss, need for transfusion, prolonged intubation and infection has been reduced using this alternative technique. A special advantages has been reported in elderly or high risk patients and in redo cases

Anticancer Effects of Plasma-Treated Water Solutions from Clinically Approved Infusion Liquids Supplemented with Organic Molecules

Water solutions treated by cold atmospheric plasmas (CAPs)currently stand out in the field of cancer treatment as sources of exogenous blendsof reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). It is well known that the balanceof RONS inside both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells is directly involved inphysiological as well as pathological pathways. Also, organic molecules includingphenols could exert promising anticancer effects, mostly attributed to their pro-oxidant ability in vitro and in vivo to generate RONS like O2−, H2O2, and amixture of potentially cytotoxic compounds. By our vision of combining theefficacy of plasma-produced RONS and the use of organic molecules, we could synergistically attack cancer cells; yet, so far, thiscombination, to the best of our knowledge, has been completely unexplored. In this study,L-tyrosine, an amino acid with a phenolicside chain, is added to a physiological solution, often used in clinical practice (SIII) to be exposed to plasma. The efficacy of the gasplasma-oxidized SIII solution, containing tyrosine, was evaluated on four cancer cell lines selected from among tumors with poorprognosis (SHSY-5Y, MCF-7, HT-29, and SW-480). The aim was to induce tumor toxicity and trigger apoptosis pathways. Theresults clearly indicate that the plasma-treated water solution (PTWS) reduced cell viability and oxygen uptake due to an increase inintracellular ROS levels and activation of apoptosis pathways in all investigated cancer cells, which may be related to the activation ofthe mitochondrial-mediated and p-JNK/caspase-3 signaling pathways. This research offers improved knowledge about thephysiological mechanisms underlying cancer treatment and a valid method to set up a prompt, adequate, and effective cancertreatment in the clinic

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for critically ill patients with coronavirus-associated disease 2019. An updated perspective of the European experience

Infection due to severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), i.e. Coronavirus-associated disease 2019 (COVID-2019), may occasionally lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), requiring in the most severe cases extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Yet, limited data, if any, are currently available on the role of ECMO in critically ill patients with COVID-19. We aimed at providing a snapshot analysis of ECMO for COVID-19 in Europe

Comparative spallation performance of silicone versus tygon extracorporeal circulation tubing

OBJECTIVES: Reports ranged from mixed to marginal tubing wear and spallation effects as a complication of roller pumps in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Because the rollers constantly compress part of the tubing, we sought to determine whether circuit materials behave differently under a 3-h simulation of CPB. METHODS: Two different tubing materials (silicone and Tygon) were tested with a customized experimental circuit, designed to allow in vitro simulation of CPB with priming volumes, pressures, revolutions per minute and temperatures equivalent to the clinical scenario. Samples were analysed with optical and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. We collected 200-ml fluid samples at 4 different times: before starting the CPB (T0), when the predicted revolutions per minute corresponded to about 2 min of CPB (T1), at 90 min (T2) and at 180 min (T3). At the end of CPB, we harvested 2 samples of tubing. Lastly, optical investigations and field-emission scanning electron microscopy observations were used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of circulating fragments. RESULTS: T2 and T3 fluid samples showed more particles than T1 samples. Significant differences in terms of particle numbers were detected: silicone tubing released more fragments per millilitre than Tygon tubing, with both materials releasing particles from 5 to 500 µm. Silicone tubing was associated with a time-dependent increase in small particles released (P = 0.04), whereas this did not apply to large particles or to Tygon tubing. Yet, bootstrap estimates suggested that silicone tubing was associated with the release of more small particles whereas Tygon tubing released more large particles (both P < 0.01). Unlike silicone, Tygon samples taken from the portion of the circuit not subjected to the action of the roller pump did not show any erosion on their surfaces. Samples of both materials taken from the portion subjected to the compression of the roller pump showed signs of significant deterioration. CONCLUSIONS: Silicone showed a worse spallation performance than Tygon, thus appearing less safe for more complex surgery of prolonged duration or for patients with a prior cerebral ischaemic event. Additional risk and cost-effectiveness comparisons to determine the potential benefits of one type of tubing material over the other are warranted to further expand our findings

Prospective, randomised, multicentre, open-label trial, designed to evaluate the best timing of closure of the temporary ileostomy (early versus late) in patients who underwent rectal cancer resection and with indication for adjuvant chemotherapy: the STOMAD (STOMa closure before or after ADjuvant therapy) randomised controlled trial

Introduction Temporary ileostomy is a valuable aid in reducing the severity of complications related to rectal cancer surgery. However, it is still unclear what is the best timing of its closure in relation to the feasibility of an adjuvant treatment, especially considering patient-reported outcomes and health system costs. The aim of the study is to compare the results of an early versus late closure strategy in patients with indication to adjuvant chemotherapy after resection for rectal cancer.Methods and analysis This is a prospective multicentre randomised trial, sponsored by Rete Oncologica Piemonte e Valle d’Aosta (Oncology Network of Piedmont and Aosta Valley-Italy). Patients undergone to rectal cancer surgery with temporary ileostomy, aged >18 years, without evidence of anastomotic leak and with indication to adjuvant chemotherapy will be enrolled in 28 Network centres. An early closure strategy (between 30 and 40 days from rectal surgery) will be compared with a late one (after the end of adjuvant therapy). Primary endpoint will be the compliance to adjuvant chemotherapy with and without ileostomy. Complications associated with stoma closure as well as quality of life, costs and oncological outcomes will be assessed as secondary endpoints.Ethics and dissemination The trial will engage the Network professional teams in a common effort to improve the treatment of rectal cancer by ensuring the best results in relation to the most correct use of resources. It will take into consideration both the patients’ point of view (patient-reported outcome) and the health system perspective (costs analysis). The study has been approved by the Ethical Review Board of Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital in Turin (Italy). The results of the study will be disseminated by the Network website, medical conferences and peer-reviewed scientific journals.Trial registration number NCT04372992

Surgeons' perspectives on artificial intelligence to support clinical decision-making in trauma and emergency contexts: results from an international survey

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining traction in medicine and surgery. AI-based applications can offer tools to examine high-volume data to inform predictive analytics that supports complex decision-making processes. Time-sensitive trauma and emergency contexts are often challenging. The study aims to investigate trauma and emergency surgeons' knowledge and perception of using AI-based tools in clinical decision-making processes. Methods: An online survey grounded on literature regarding AI-enabled surgical decision-making aids was created by a multidisciplinary committee and endorsed by the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES). The survey was advertised to 917 WSES members through the society's website and Twitter profile. Results: 650 surgeons from 71 countries in five continents participated in the survey. Results depict the presence of technology enthusiasts and skeptics and surgeons' preference toward more classical decision-making aids like clinical guidelines, traditional training, and the support of their multidisciplinary colleagues. A lack of knowledge about several AI-related aspects emerges and is associated with mistrust. Discussion: The trauma and emergency surgical community is divided into those who firmly believe in the potential of AI and those who do not understand or trust AI-enabled surgical decision-making aids. Academic societies and surgical training programs should promote a foundational, working knowledge of clinical AI

Time for a paradigm shift in shared decision-making in trauma and emergency surgery? Results from an international survey

Background Shared decision-making (SDM) between clinicians and patients is one of the pillars of the modern patient-centric philosophy of care. This study aims to explore SDM in the discipline of trauma and emergency surgery, investigating its interpretation as well as the barriers and facilitators for its implementation among surgeons. Methods Grounding on the literature on the topics of the understanding, barriers, and facilitators of SDM in trauma and emergency surgery, a survey was created by a multidisciplinary committee and endorsed by the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES). The survey was sent to all 917 WSES members, advertised through the society’s website, and shared on the society’s Twitter profile. Results A total of 650 trauma and emergency surgeons from 71 countries in five continents participated in the initiative. Less than half of the surgeons understood SDM, and 30% still saw the value in exclusively engaging multidisciplinary provider teams without involving the patient. Several barriers to effectively partnering with the patient in the decision-making process were identified, such as the lack of time and the need to concentrate on making medical teams work smoothly. Discussion Our investigation underlines how only a minority of trauma and emergency surgeons understand SDM, and perhaps, the value of SDM is not fully accepted in trauma and emergency situations. The inclusion of SDM practices in clinical guidelines may represent the most feasible and advocated solutions