Is nasogastric intubation still necessary after pancreaticoduodenectomy? A case-control cohort study.

Malignant large bowel obstructions frequently require emergency surgery. Compliance with enhanced recovery after surgery programmes is significantly reduced due to non-removal of the nasogastric tube in the postoperative period. The first aim of the present study was to research factors associated with the failure of immediate nasogastric tube removal in patients who had undergone emergency surgery for malignant large bowel obstruction. The second aim was to assess the morbidity linked to nasogastric tube reinsertion. This retrospective and monocentric study included all consecutive patients admitted for acute malignant large bowel obstruction who underwent emergency surgery. Patients who were not primarily operated on were excluded (n=178; 69.3%). The group of patients requiring nasogastric tube (NGT) reinsertion was compared with the group that did not require NGT reinsertion. Seventy-nine patients underwent emergency surgery, of which 18 (22.8%) required nasogastric tube reinsertion. There was no difference between the two groups with regard to (a) immediate nasogastric tube removal (p=0.87) and (b) inclusion in an enhanced recovery programme (p=0.75). However, preoperative small bowel dilatation was associated with a reduction in the need for NGT reinsertion (p=0.04). A left-sided tumour was also associated with the need for NGT reinsertion in uni- (p=0.034) and multivariate analysis (OR=8; p<0.05). Surgical access and procedure were not significantly associated with NGT reinsertion. The postoperative course influenced NGT reinsertion, which was significantly associated with postoperative ileus (OR=4; p<0.05) and postoperative morbidity (OR=4; p<0.05). Morbidity was not linked to nasogastric tube removal. Nasogastric tube reinsertion was not affected by immediate removal of the tube. Left-sided tumours and patients at risk of postoperative ileus should be managed with caution. Immediate nasogastric tube removal is not contraindicated in the case of large bowel obstruction because it is not associated with a higher risk of NGT reinsertion.

Previous upper abdominal surgery is a risk factor for nasogastric tube reinsertion after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Postoperative nasogastric decompression has been routinely used after intestinal surgery. However, the role of nasogastric decompression in preventing postoperative complications and promoting the recovery of bowel function in children remains controversial. This systematic review aimed to assess whether routine nasogastric decompression is necessary after intestinal surgery in children. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guideline. Literature search was performed in electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, and Web of science. Studies comparing outcomes between children who underwent intestinal surgery with postoperative nasogastric tube (NGT) placement (NGT group) and without postoperative NGT placement (no NGT group) were included. Six studies were eligible for inclusion criteria including two randomized controlled trials (RCT) and four comparative observational studies. The overall rate of postoperative anastomotic leak was 0.6% (1/179) in NGT group and 0.9% (2/223) in no NGT group. The overall rate of wound dehiscence was 2.4% (4/169) in NGT group and 1.6% (4/245) in no NGT group. Meta-analysis of two RCTs in children undergoing elective intestinal surgery showed significant increase of mild vomiting in no NGT group compared with NGT group (OR 3.54 95% CI 1.04, 11.99) but no significant difference in persistent vomiting requiring NGT reinsertion (OR 3.11 95% CI 0.47, 20.54), abdominal distension (OR 2.36 95% CI 0.34, 16.59), NGT reinsertion (OR 3.11 95% CI 0.47, 20.54), wound infection (OR 1.63 95% CI 0.49, 5.48) and time to return of bowel movement (MD - 0.14 95% CI - 0.45, 0.17). There was no incidence of anastomotic leak in these 2 RCTs. However, there was an incidence of NGT-related discomfort in NGT group, which ranged from 30 to 100% of children studied. Routine postoperative nasogastric decompression can be omitted in children undergoing intestinal surgery due to no benefit in preventing postoperative complications while increasing patient discomfort.

A randomized controlled trial for evaluation of routine use of postoperative nasogastric tube decompression after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea are at risk for perioperative morbidity. The authors used a screening prediction model for obstructive sleep apnea to generate a sleep apnea clinical score (SACS) that identified patients at high or low risk for obstructive sleep apnea. This was combined with postanesthesia care unit (PACU) monitoring with the aim of identifying patients at high risk of postoperative oxygen desaturation and respiratory complications. In this prospective cohort study, surgical patients with a hospital stay longer than 48 h who consented were enrolled. The SACS (high or low risk) was calculated; all patients were monitored in the PACU for recurrent episodes of bradypnea, apnea, desaturations, and pain-sedation mismatch. All patients underwent pulse oximetry postoperatively; complications were documented. Chi-square, two-sample t test, and logistic regression were used for analysis. The oxygen desaturation index (number of desaturations per hour) was calculated. Oxygen desaturation index and incidence of postoperative cardiorespiratory complications were primary endpoints. Six hundred ninety-three patients were enrolled. From multivariable logistic regression analysis, the likelihood of a postoperative oxygen desaturation index greater than 10 was increased with a high SACS (odds ratio = 1.9, P < 0.001) and recurrent PACU events (odds ratio = 1.5, P = 0.036). Postoperative respiratory events were also associated with a high SACS (odds ratio = 3.5, P < 0.001) and recurrent PACU events (odds ratio = 21.0, P < 0.001). Combination of an obstructive sleep apnea screening tool preoperatively (SACS) and recurrent PACU respiratory events was associated with a higher oxygen desaturation index and postoperative respiratory complications. A two-phase process to identify patients at higher risk for perioperative respiratory desaturations and complications may be useful to stratify and manage surgical patients postoperatively.

The purpose of this study is to establish if obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) predicted by the STOP-BANG questionnaire would be associated with higher rates of post-operative cardiac, respiratory or neurological complications among a selected high-risk population with established major comorbidities undergoing major surgery. We hypothesise that a cohort selected for major comorbidities will show a higher post-operative complication rate that may power any potential association with co-existent OSA and identify an important target group for OSA screening and treatment pathways in preparation for major surgery. Patients attending a high-risk preadmission clinic prior to major surgery from May 2015 to November 2015 were prospectively screened for OSA using the STOP-BANG questionnaire. Patients with treated OSA were excluded. Patient data and complications were attained from the pre-admission clinic and subsequent inpatient medical record at discharge. Three-hundred-and-ten patients were included in the study (age 68.6 ± 13.1years, body mass index [BMI] 30.6 ± 7.4kg/m2; 52.9% female). Sixty-four patients (20.6%) experienced 82 post-operative complications. Seventy-five percent of the cohort had a STOP-BANG ≥ 3. There was no association between the STOP-BANG score (unadjusted and adjusted for comorbidity) with the development of post-operative complications. OSA predicted by the STOP-BANG score was not associated with higher rates of post-operative complications in patients with major comorbidities undergoing high-risk surgery. As the findings from this cohort contrast with other observational studies, more definitive studies are required to establish a causative link between OSA and post-operative complications and determine whether treating OSA reduces this complication rate.

Nasogastric Drainage May Be Unnecessary after Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Comparison of Routine vs Selective Decompression

Feeding the injured pancreas

Literature review

BackgroundIdentifying rheumatoid arthritis patients at higher risk of complications after total hip arthroplasty could make perioperative management more effective. Here we examined whether disease activity is associated with risk of such complications.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed data for 337 rheumatoid arthritis patients at our medical center who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty. Rheumatoid arthritis patients were categorized according to the simplified disease activity index (SDAI), the values of which at admission and follow-up were averaged together. Logistic regression was used to examine associations of mean SDAI with rates of dislocation, infection, periprosthetic fracture and aseptic loosening. As controls, 337 osteoarthritis patients who did not have systemic inflammation and who underwent the same procedure were matched across numerous clinicodemographic variables.ResultsAmong the 337 rheumatoid arthritis patients, 38 (11.3%) had postoperative complications, the rates of which varied significantly from 0 to 17.5% (p = 0.003) among the four subgroups whose disease activity based on mean SDAI was categorized as high, moderate, low or in remission. Each 1-unit increase in mean SDAI was associated with a significant increase in risk of postoperative complications (OR 1.015, 95% CI 1.001–1.029, p = 0.035). Across all rheumatoid arthritis patients, rate of complications did not differ significantly between patients who received disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or other treatments. Rates of dislocation, of infection or of all postoperative complications combined were significantly lower among osteoarthritis controls than among rheumatoid arthritis patients.ConclusionGreater mean SDAI is associated with higher risk of dislocation, infection and composite postoperative complications after total hip arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis patients. These patients show a significantly higher rate of postoperative complications than osteoarthritis patients, likely reflecting the influence of systemic inflammation. Disease activity should be reduced as much as possible in rheumatoid arthritis patients before they undergo total hip arthroplasty.

Controversy exists over the need for prolonged nasogastric decompression after esophagectomy. We hypothesized that early removal of the nasogastric tube would not adversely affect major pulmonary complications and anastomotic leak rates. Single-center, parallel-group, open-label, randomized (1:1) trial. A tertiary referral cancer center with high esophagectomy volume. One hundred fifty patients undergoing esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction. Either conventional nasogastric decompression for 6 to 10 days (75 patients) or early removal (48 hours) of nasogastric tube (75 patients) with stratification for pyloric drainage and anastomotic technique. The primary (composite) end point was the occurrence of major pulmonary complications and anastomotic leaks. Secondary end points were the need for nasogastric tube reinsertion and patient discomfort scores. Analysis was performed on an intent-to-treat basis. No significant differences were seen in the occurrence of the composite primary end point of major pulmonary and anastomotic complications between the delayed (14 of 75 patients [18.7%]) and early (16 of 75 patients [21.3%]) removal groups, respectively (P = .84). Nasogastric tube reinsertion was required more often (23 of 75 patients [30.7%] vs 7 of 75 patients [9.3%]) in the early group (P = .001). Mean patient discomfort scores were significantly higher in the delayed (+1.3; 95% CI, 0.4-2.2; P = .006) than in the early removal group. Significantly more patients in the delayed removal group (26 of 75 patients [34.7%] vs 10 of 75 patients [13.3%] in the early removal group; P = .002) identified the nasogastric tube as the tube causing the most discomfort. Early removal of nasogastric tubes does not increase pulmonary or anastomotic complications after esophagectomy. Patient discomfort can be significantly reduced by early removal of the nasogastric tube. Clinical Trials Registry of India Identifier: CTRI/2010/091/003023.

BackgroundColorectal cancer is a common malignant tumor appearing in the gastrointestinal tract. Surgical resection is recognized as the best means to improve patient survival. However, it is controversial whether early oral feeding (EOF) after elective colorectal resection demonstrates safety and efficacy in concerned clinical outcomes.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CNKI from inception to September 2021. Two authors independently screened the retrieved records and extracted data. EOF was defined as feeding within 24 h after surgery, while traditional oral feeding (TOF) was defined as feeding that started after the gastrointestinal flatus or ileus was resolved. The primary outcome was nasogastric tube insertion, and the secondary outcomes were the length of hospital stay and total complications. Categorical data were combined using odds ratio (OR), and continuous data were combined using mean difference (MD).ResultsWe screened 10 studies from 34 records after full-text reading, with 1,199 patients included in the analysis. Nasogastric tube reinsertion (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.08 to 2.64, p=0.02) was more frequent in the EOF group, and older ages (>60 years) were associated with higher risk of nasogastric tube reinsertion (OR 2.05; 95% CI 1.05 to 3.99, p = 0.04). Reduced length of hospital stay (MD −1.76; 95% CI −2.32 to −1.21; p < 0.01) and the rate of total complications (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.37 to 0.65, p < 0.01) were observed in EOF compared with TOF.ConclusionsEOF was safe and effective for patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery, but the higher rate of nasogastric tube reinsertion compared with TOF should not be ignored.

Category:Hindfoot; AnkleIntroduction/Purpose:Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis is commonly performed for complex deformity, arthritis, or unstable Charcot about the hindfoot. Due to this complexity, these procedures are often associated with increased morbidity and postoperative complications. There is limited data analyzing the prevalence of various preoperative diagnoses and comorbidities, as well as treatment modalities on the outcomes of TTC arthrodesis. As such, this study aims to investigate how various preoperative and intraoperative factors affect the outcomes of patients undergoing TTC arthrodesis.Methods:A multi-center retrospective review was conducted on the TTC fusions performed from 2016-2023 by one of four fellowship trained foot and ankle surgeon at an academic medical center. 74 ankles (75 patients) underwent TTC arthrodesis. Preoperative diagnosis and indications, fixation method, clinical success, and complications were obtained from the patients’ charts. Surgical indications included arthritis (n=39), Charcot neuropathy (n=23), post-traumatic (n=14), and cavovarus (n=10), osteomyelitis (n=4), and foot drop (n=3). Patients were excluded if their clinical or radiographic data were unavailable for review, or if they had less than 6 months of follow-up. Mean age was 58.2 (range 31-81) years and mean follow-up was 1.7 (range .50-5.17) years. Statistical analysis was performed using t-Student and Chi-squared tests with a p-value of 0.05 defining significance. Midline tibiotalar angle (MTA) was measured before and after surgery to assess position of fusion. Thirteen patients had preoperative ulcers at the time of surgery.Results:The most common surgical approach was lateral (n=47), then anterior (n=21) and posterior (n=7). Patients undergoing a lateral and posterior approach had statistically significantly higher rates of overall postoperative complication (lateral=51.1%, posterior=57.1%, anterior=19.0%; p=.029), although this was not specific to any single complication. Patients undergoing concomitant fibular osteotomy (n=41, 55%) experienced significantly higher rates of postoperative complications (osteotomy=61.0%, no osteotomy=21.2%; p<.001). Multivariate backward stepwise regression analysis on the occurrence of overall postoperative complications was performed to control for preoperative and intraoperative factors, finding that only concomitant fibular osteotomy was associated with increased risk of postoperative complication (odds ratio [OR]=7.494; p=.009).Conclusion:TTC arthrodesis continues to have high rates of postoperative complications and adverse outcomes. The present study found increase rates of complication in patients receiving TTC via a lateral approach, patients receiving a plate construction, and patients undergoing concomitant fibular osteotomy. Multivariate regression analysis found only concomitant fibular osteotomy to statistically significantly independently predict postoperative complication. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm these findings and further identify factors which place patients at increased risk for adverse postoperative complications.

To determine the knowledge base on clinical outcomes of surgery among persons diagnosed with serious mental illness. Despite a burgeoning literature during the last 20 years regarding perioperative risk management, little is known about intraoperative and postoperative complications among patients with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses. A systematic literature search of Medline (1966-August 2007) and review of studies was conducted. Eligible studies were of any design with at least 10 patients diagnosed with serious mental illness, reporting perioperative medical, surgical, or psychiatric complications. The search identified 1367 potentially relevant publications; only 12 met eligibility criteria. Of 10 studies of patients with schizophrenia, 9 had fewer than 100 patients, whereas one large retrospective study reported higher rates of postoperative complications among 466 schizophrenia patients compared with 338,257 controls. These studies suggest that patients with schizophrenia, compared with those without mental illness, may have higher pain thresholds, higher rates of death and postoperative complications, and differential outcomes (eg, confusion, ileus) by anesthetic technique. Two studies evaluated outcomes in patients with major depressive disorder and found higher rates of postoperative delirium and postoperative confusion. Both schizophrenia and depression patients experienced more postoperative confusion or delirium when psychiatric medications were discontinued preoperatively. We identified no studies of perioperative outcomes in patients with bipolar or posttraumatic stress disorder. There are few studies of perioperative outcomes in patients with serious mental illness. Future research should assess surgical risks among patients with serious psychiatric conditions using rigorous methods and well-defined clinical outcomes.

PurposeThe necessity of nasogastric decompression after abdominal surgical procedures has been increasingly questioned for several years. Traditionally, nasogastric decompression is a mandatory procedure after classical pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD); however, we still do not know whether or not it is necessary for PD. The present study was designed to assess the clinical benefit of nasogastric decompression after PD.MethodsBetween July 2004 and May 2007, 41 consecutive patients who underwent PD were enrolled in this study. Eighteen patients were enrolled in the nasogastric tube (NGT) group and 23 patients were enrolled in the no NGT group.ResultsThere were no differences in the demographics, pathology, co-morbid medical conditions, and pre-operative laboratory values between the two groups. In addition, the passage of flatus (P = 0.963) and starting time of oral intake (P = 0.951) were similar in both groups. In the NGT group, 61% of the patients complained of discomfort related to the NGT. Pleural effusions were frequent in the NGT group (P = 0.037); however, other post-operative complications, such as wound dehiscence and anastomotic leakage, occurred similarly in both groups. There was one case of NGT re-insertion in the NGT group.ConclusionRoutine nasogastric decompression in patients undergoing PD is not mandatory because it has no clinical advantages and increases patient discomfort.