Additional Procedures Research Articles

Limited vs. Extended Resection of Stanford Type A Acute Aortic Dissections.

Background and Objectives: This is a propensity-matched, single-center study of limited versus extended resection for type A acute aortic dissection (AAAD). Materials and Methods: This study collected retrospective data for 440 patients with acute type A aortic dissection repairs (limited resection, LR-215; extended resection, ER-225), of which 109 pairs were propensity-matched to LR versus ER. Multivariate analysis was performed for inpatient death, long-term survival and the composite outcome of inpatient death/TIA/stroke. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared at 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 years using the log-rank test. Results: Mean age was 66.9 ± 13 years and mean follow-up was 5.3 ± 4.7 years. A total of 48.9% had LR. In-hospital mortality was 10% (LR: 6% vs. ER: 13.8%, p < 0.01). ER, NYHA class, salvage surgery and additional procedures were predictors of increased mortality in unmatched data. Propensity-matched data showed no difference in TIA/stroke rates, LOS, inpatient mortality or composite outcomes. LR had better survival (LR: 77.1% vs. ER: 51.4%, p < 0.001). ER (OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.27, 3.08, p = 0.003) was a significant predictor of worse long-term survival. At 15 years, aortic re-operation was 17% and freedom from re-operation and death was 42%. Conclusions: Type A aortic dissection repair has high mortality and morbidity, although results have improved over two decades. ER was a predictor of worse perioperative results and long-term survival.

A biased random-key genetic algorithm for the knapsack problem with forfeit sets

This work addresses the Knapsack Problem with Forfeit Sets, a recently introduced variant of the 0/1 Knapsack Problem considering subsets of items associated with contrasting choices. Some penalty costs need to be paid whenever the number of items in the solution belonging to a forfeit set exceeds a predefined allowance threshold. We propose an effective metaheuristic to solve the problem, based on the Biased Random-Key Genetic Algorithm paradigm. An appropriately designed decoder function assigns a feasible solution to each chromosome, and improves it using some additional heuristic procedures. We show experimentally that the algorithm outperforms significantly a previously introduced metaheuristic for the problem.

Functional and Symptomatic Improvements Based on the Femoral Tunnel Drilling Technique in Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction.

The current literature comparing femoral tunnel techniques often reports on short-term outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), but only a few studies have analyzed long-term outcomes. In addition, many studies have compared transtibial to anteromedial portal techniques without differentiating whether rigid or flexible reaming is used, making it difficult to infer how the techniques truly compare to one another. This study aimed to detect differences in patient-reported outcome scores in those treated with three different femoral tunnel drilling techniques. This study is a prospective cohort study. Of 650 patients treated for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries with ACLR, 350 were 5+ years out from surgery. Of these patients, 111 completed patient-reported outcome surveys (PROs). The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to detect differences between patients treated with either of the three femoral tunnel drilling techniques: transtibial (TT), anteromedial portal with rigid reaming (AMP-RR), or anteromedial portal with flexible reaming (AMP-FR). Bonferroni correction was applied to the p-values to reduce the risk of making a type 1 error. No differences were found between the three groups in demographics or postoperative PROs. However, there was a significant change between pre-surgery and post-surgery PROs. TT, when compared to AMP-RR, had a greater increase in satisfaction and greater improvement in a patient's ability to go up and down the stairs from pre-surgery to post-surgery. AMP-FR, when compared to TT, had greater improvement of the patient's knee stiffness/swelling. AMP-FR, when compared to AMP-RR, had greater improvement in knee pain during stairs and the ability to go down the stairs. No differences in return to sport, additional procedures on the affected knee (meniscal surgeries or cyclops lesion excisions), or revision surgery rates were found. Overall, postoperative PROs did not show statistically significant differences between the three femoral tunnel drilling techniques. Differences, however, were identified in the responses to specific questions on PRO surveys, which may have otherwise been overlooked. It is important to recognize the differences between TT, AMP-RR, and AMP-FR in the improvement of stair climbing and swelling/stiffness as these likely directly affect a patient's satisfaction from pre-ACLR to post-ACLR.

Selective complex fractionated atrial electrogram ablation based on the number-of-fractionation for persistent atrial fibrillation refractory to pulmonary vein isolation.

Previous studies have suggested that the prolonged or highly fractionated electrograms during atrial fibrillation (AF) are closely related to the reentrant driver regions. We hypothesized that exploration and ablation of these critical complex atrial fractionated electrograms (CFAE) may improve the outcome of persistent AF (PeAF) refractory to conventional PVI. A total of 73 PeAF patients with residual inducibility or failed cardioversions of AF after PVI were enrolled and underwent number-of-fractionation mapping (NFM) by counting the number of fractionations in 2.5s at each of the points using the CARTO3 (ICL mode) and EnSite (fractionation map) systems. After NFM, selective CFAE ablation (NFM-CA) targeting the sites of the upper 40% of the counted fraction number (NF40) was performed as an additional procedure for refractory PeAF. We investigated the prognosis of these patients within 24months after the index ablation procedure and the relationship between changes in activation patterns during the ablation procedure and their prognosis. We also performed a propensity score-matched analysis comparing these patients with historical controls (HC) to identify the optimal indications for NFM-CA. The AF/AT free survival rate was 79.1% at 12months and 56.7% at 24months. Patients with AF termination or AF cycle length prolongation > 21ms during the procedure had significantly better AF/AT-free survival rates than those without notable activation changes (87.7% vs. 69.0%, logrank p = 0.028). After propensity-matched analysis, AF/AT-free survival showed comparable results between the two groups (1year; NFM 72.1% vs. HC 77.1%, logrank p = 0.649). NFM-CA is a versatile and less invasive adjunctive procedure for patients with PVI-refractory PeAF who showed a comparable prognosis to patients with PVI-compliant PeAF. In particular, remarkable activation changes during the procedure (AFCL prolongation > 21ms or acute termination) suggest a favorable prognosis.

Comparison of Post-Hemorrhoid Surgery Pain Profiles in Older and Younger Adults

IntroductionOlder and younger adults are offered similar analgesic options after hemorrhoid surgery (HS), but the differences in pain between the two populations are unknown. This study aims to compare postoperative pain outcomes after HS in older and younger individuals. MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of electronic medical records of patients who underwent HS between 2018 and 2023. Patients were excluded if additional anorectal procedures were performed at the time of HS. Data related to pain-related outcomes were compiled: (1) need for narcotic prescription refills; (2) documentation of a pain-related phone call within 30 d; (3) urgent postoperative office visit before regular scheduled follow-up; and (4) pain-related postoperative emergency department visits. Associations between age and pain-related outcomes were tested using Fisher's exact test, chi-square test, and covariate adjusted logistic regression modeling. ResultsThere were a total of 249 patients, 60 older adults, and 189 younger adults. Compared to younger patients, older adults demonstrated a reduced frequency of pain-related phone calls (10.3 versus 32.1%, P < 0.01) and opioid refills (0 versus 14.4%, P < 0.01). After adjusting for confounders, older age remained inversely associated with pain-related postoperative phone calls (odds ratio = 0.25, 95% confidence interval = [0.1-0.6], P = 0.003). ConclusionsOlder adults had better pain outcomes after HS in comparison to younger patients. These findings suggest that the postoperative analgesic needs of older patients after HS are lower than those of younger patients. Decisions regarding opioid prescription in older adults recovering from HS should be tailored to avoid narcotic-related complications.

Sinonasal anatomical findings associated with revision functional endoscopic sinus surgery in chronic rhinosinusitis

BackgroundFunctional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a crucial additional procedure employed in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). It has mostly overtaken the external methods for managing CRS that do not respond to medicinal treatment. Over the years, several instruments have been created to eliminate anatomical obstructions and restore proper function in the sinus drainage pathways. The purpose of this work was to reflect on various anatomical findings after primary functional endoscopic sinus surgery and their relationship with sinus surgery revision.MethodsThis is a prospective cohort study conducted on 40 participants with CRS. The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test version 22 (SNOT-22) was utilized as a measure of results and was filled out by participants both prior to and following their operation (at the 6-month and 12-month intervals).ResultsThere were multiple anatomical findings encountered in CRS persistence and subsequent need for revision FESS; the most common was incomplete ethmoidectomy (both anterior and posterior) 62.5% (N = 25), and the least common was misplaced antrostomy and partial or full resection of the middle turbinate 7.5% (N = 3). Preoperative total SNOT-22 scoring ranged from 42 to 86 with mean 58.83 ± 12.08, while 6-month postoperative scoring ranged from 10 to 32 with mean 21.48 ± 5.12, and 12-month postoperative scoring ranged from 15 to 37 with mean 28.83 ± 5.52. There was significant improvement (P = 0.001). The ages of patients range between 18 and 62 years.ConclusionsSeveral common anatomical findings are often found during revision surgeries by analysis of CT scans and endoscopic examination of participants who underwent revision FESS for recurrent or persistent CRS, and this often shows persisting anatomical features or incompletely excised cells that correspond to persistent symptoms and signs of CRS, and the most common was incomplete ethmoidectomy. Also, there was significant improvement regarding outcome measure SNOT-22, 6-month and 12-month period postoperative as contrasted with preoperative scoring.

Cognitive bias and contextual information management: Considerations for forensic handwriting examinations

AbstractAs for other largely subjective perceptual and cognitive processes, the forensic analysis and interpretation of handwriting is potentially susceptible to bias. Cognitive bias may subconsciously influence the outcome of specific tasks at any point in an examination, during pre‐analysis, analysis, comparison, interpretation and/or reporting of results. One class of cognitive bias, contextual bias, may arise from information provided by the client, results reported from other forensic disciplines within a laboratory or the content of the questioned and/or known material itself. The base rate information (i.e., examiner knowledge, experience, and innate beliefs) associated with the type and range of examinations an examiner has previously encountered may also lead to bias. Bias introduced at any stage of the examination process, and even prior to the examination (e.g., when deciding what is collected for examination) may affect the examination outcome.This Overview focuses on contextual information management (CIM) protocols that are used to remove potentially biasing task‐irrelevant case information from the view of the reporting forensic handwriting examiner (FHE). Where laboratory resources and logistics allow for these procedures to be in place, they should be applied as part of the pre‐analysis stage of the examination process that is, at a stage in the examination prior to the reporting FHE accessing the examination material or associated documentation. Also highlighted are some additional procedures that have been proposed by others to minimize the opportunity for cognitive bias to arise in handwriting examinations.This article is categorized under: Jurisprudence and Regulatory Oversight &gt; Expert Evidence and Narrative

An efficient PGD solver for structural dynamics applications

We propose in this paper a Proper Generalized Decomposition (PGD) solver for reduced-order modeling of linear elastodynamic problems. It primarily focuses on enhancing the computational efficiency of a previously introduced PGD solver based on the Hamiltonian formalism. The novelty of this work lies in the implementation of a solver that is halfway between Modal Decomposition and the conventional PGD framework, so as to accelerate the fixed-point iteration algorithm. Additional procedures such that Aitken’s delta-squared process and mode-orthogonalization are incorporated to ensure convergence and stability of the algorithm. Numerical results regarding the ROM accuracy, time complexity, and scalability are provided to demonstrate the performance of the new solver when applied to dynamic simulation of a three-dimensional structure.

Intervention at an early threshold for post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation in preterm infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Very few adequately powered studies exploring early thresholds for intervention in the management of post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) in preterm infants have identified consistent neurodevelopmental advantages at 12-30months. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis on the efficacy and safety of early versus conservative thresholds for intervention, primarily aimed at normalizing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, in the management of PHVD in preterm infants. Multiple databases were searched for eligible papers, and prospective randomized trials involving preterm infants were selected. The results are expressed as relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The main outcome was survival without moderate-to-severe neurodevelopmental impairment at 12-30months. Ten articles representing seven randomized trials comparing early versus conservative thresholds for interventions were included. Five trials (n = 545 infants) reported no difference in the main outcome between early and conservative groups [RR 0.99 (0.71, 1.37)]. Sensitivity analysis excluding data from a medication trial did not alter the main outcome [RR 1.15 (0.95, 1.39)]. Infants in the early threshold group received significantly more interventions [RR 1.48 (1.05, 2.09)]. Deaths before discharge/during the initial study period [RR 1.04 (0.70, 1.54)] or a composite of death or shunt insertion [RR 1.04 (0.86, 1.27)] were comparable between the two groups. Early intervention for PHVD, before a clinical or ultrasound threshold is met, leads to additional clinical procedures but does not improve survival without moderate-severe neurodevelopmental impairment at 12-30months. Caution should be exercised in interpreting these results due to significant variation between the studies. Supplementary file 3 (MP4 131172kb).

The financial impact of delays to percutaneous nephrolithotomy surgery at a county hospital

AbstractIntroductionPercutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a standard management for complex renal stone disease. However, the implications of delays in PCNL are under‐explored. We hypothesized that increased time prior to intervention in a county hospital system would be associated with higher hospital charges, increased clinic and hospital visits, and increased procedural interventions.MethodsA single‐center retrospective chart review of 132 adult patients undergoing PCNL at a county hospital from April 2019 to December 2022 was performed. Groups were organized based on time from diagnosis to surgery (&lt;4 months, 4–6 months, &gt;6 months). Key outcomes included hospital charges, insurance types, ureteral stent versus nephrostomy decompression, presence of stent encrustation, and number of preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans, emergency department (ED) visits, and interventions. Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA was used for determining group differences between continuous variables, and χ2 was used for categorical variables.ResultsA total of 132 PCNLs were analyzed with a median diagnosis‐to‐operating room (OR) period of 135 days. Compared to patients with diagnosis‐to‐OR period less than 4 months, those with PCNL performed in 4–6 months and over 6 months had 7% and 36% higher hospital charges respectively ($27 607 vs. $29 416 vs. $37 622, p = 0.018). Delays to PCNL surgery resulted in more CT scans (p = 0.019), clinic visits (p &lt; 0.001), and interventions (p = 0.003).ConclusionOur study showed that in a medically underserved population, increased diagnosis‐to‐OR period led to increased healthcare utilization, additional procedures, and hospital charges. Changes aimed at reducing the time from diagnosis to surgery could reduce the financial burden for both patients and the healthcare system.

Validation of Contrast-Enhanced Mammography as Breast Imaging Modality Compared to Standard Mammography and Digital Breast Tomosynthesis.

Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) is a relatively new imaging technique that allows morphologic, anatomic and functional imaging of the breast. The aim of our study was to validate contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) compared to mammography (MMG) and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in daily clinical practice. This retrospective study included 316 consecutive patients who underwent MMG, DBT and CEM at the Centre for Prevention and Diagnosis of Chronic Diseases of Primorsko-goranska County. Two breast radiologists independently analyzed the image data, without available anamnestic information and without the possibility of comparison with previous images, to determine the presence of suspicious lesions and their morphological features according to the established criteria of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) lexicon. The diagnostic value of MMG, DBT and CEM was assessed by ROC analysis. The interobserver agreement was excellent. CEM showed higher diagnostic accuracy in terms of sensitivity and specificity compared to MMG and DBT, the reporting time for CEM was significantly shorter, and CEM findings resulted in a significantly lower proportion of equivocal findings (BI-RADS 0), suggesting fewer additional procedures. In conclusion, CEM achieves high diagnostic accuracy while maintaining simplicity, reproducibility and applicability in complex clinical settings.

Standard Total Ankle Arthroplasty vs. Patient-Specific Instrumentation: A Comparative Study.

This retrospective study aims to compare surgical outcomes between two cohorts of patients who underwent total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) using either standard technique or patient-specific instrumentation (PSI). A consecutive series of patients who affected of end-staged ankle osteoarthritis were retrospectively assessed and divided into two groups based on TAA techniques: a TAA standard technique group and a TAA-using PSI group. The two groups were compared in terms of operative time, additional procedures, complications (neurovascular and wound problems, infection, loosening and osteolysis, revision and explantation rates, and perioperative fracture), clinical scores, and range of motion (ROM). Fifty-one patients underwent standard TAA, while 13 patients underwent TAA with PSI. At 1-year follow-up, there were no significant differences in complication rates between the two groups (p > 0.05). AOFAS scores were similar, with the standard TAA group scoring 83.33 ± 7.55 and the PSI group scoring 82.92 ± 9.7 (p = 0.870). Likewise, the postoperative ROM did not differ significantly, with 15.12 ± 7.6 degrees for the standard TAA group and 16.05 ± 6.7 degrees for the PSI group (p = 0.689). However, the standard TAA group experienced significantly longer operative time (107.1 ± 22.1 min) compared to the PSI group (91.92 ± 22.9 min, p = 0.032). Additionally, the standard TAA group required more adjunctive procedures (29.7%) compared to the PSI group (7.7%, p = 0.04). Residual pain was also more frequently reported in the standard TAA group (62.7%) than in the PSI group (30.7%, p = 0.038). While both techniques resulted in comparable complication rates, clinical scores and ROM, the PSI group reported significantly shorter operative time and less residual pain, thus requiring fewer postoperative procedures.

Innovative hemostasis technique for cesarean section in placenta previa: A retrospective study.

To evaluate hemostatic efficacy, complications, and subsequent pregnancy outcomes in women with placenta previa who underwent combined vertical compression sutures in the lower uterine segment and intrauterine balloon tamponade (Hot-Dog method) to achieve hemostasis after cesarean section. We retrospectively reviewed data for 117 women with singleton pregnancy diagnosed with placenta previa who underwent cesarean section between 29 and 38 weeks' gestation. Treatments were as follows: (1) conventional-intravenous oxytocin administration after placental detachment and suturing of bleeding points at the detachment site as needed (conventional group) (n = 47). (2) Intrauterine balloon tamponade alone (balloon group) (n = 41). (3) Vertical compression sutures + intrauterine balloon tamponade (Hot-Dog group) (n = 29). The placenta accreta spectrum prevalence was significantly higher in the balloon and Hot-Dog groups versus the conventional group. The prevalence of anteriorly located placenta was significantly higher in the Hot-Dog versus balloon groups. Intraoperative and total blood loss were significantly higher in the Hot-Dog versus conventional groups. Postoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the Hot-Dog versus balloon groups. Fewer additional procedures for managing postoperative hemorrhage were required in the Hot-Dog versus conventional and balloon groups. The number of subsequent pregnancies in the conventional, balloon, and Hot-Dog groups was 11 (23.4%), 8 (19.5%), and 4 (13.8%), respectively; all resulted in live births at term without serious obstetric complications. The Hot-Dog method is a straightforward and safe hemostasis technique for placenta previa that preserves fertility and controls severe bleeding.

Closing the Loop on Revision: The Impact of Emotional Well-Being on Elective Revision After Breast Reconstruction.

A diagnosis of breast cancer has a significant impact on a patient's physical and emotional health. Breast reconstruction improves quality of life and self-esteem following mastectomy. However, many patients undergo additional elective revision procedures after reconstruction. This study aims to assess the relationship between perioperative emotional well-being and elective revisions in breast reconstruction. A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent breast reconstruction with a single surgeon from January 2007- December 2017. Revision procedures were defined as additional operations that fall outside the index reconstructive plan. Medical records were reviewed for a history of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and/or major depressive disorder (MDD). Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with revision. A total of 775 patients undergoing breast reconstruction were included, of which 121 (15.6%) underwent elective revision. Overall, a history of any psychiatric history (p<0.001), depression alone (p=0.001%), and GAD and depression together (p=0.003) were significantly associated with revision surgery. On multivariate logistic regression controlling for comorbidities and reconstruction modality, depression alone and GAD and depression together were significantly associated with increased likelihood of revision surgery (OR 3.20, p<0.001; OR 2.63, p<0.001). Peri-operative emotional well-being and reconstruction modality impact the rate of secondary revision surgery. An understanding of the surgical and patient-related risk factors for revision can provide more informed patient-decision making and improve surgical planning.

Trends in Top Surgery Patient Characteristics, Wound Complications, and CPT Code Use by Plastic Surgeons: A Decade-Long Analysis.

Gender-affirming top surgery is becoming increasingly common, with greater diversity in the patients receiving top surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine national trends in patient demographics, characteristics, wound complication rates, and concurrent procedures in patients receiving gender-affirming top surgeries. Patients with gender dysphoria who underwent breast procedures, including mastectomy, mastopexy, breast augmentation, or breast reduction by a plastic surgeon between 2013 and 2022, were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. These procedures were considered to be gender-affirming "top surgery." Univariate analyses were performed to examine trend changes in the patient population and types of additional procedures performed over the last decade. There was a 38-fold increase in the number of patients who received top surgery during the most recent years compared to the first 2 years of the decade. Significantly more individuals receiving top surgery in recent years were nonbinary ( P < 0.01). There was a significant decrease in percentage of active smokers ( P < 0.01) while there was an increase in percentage of patients with diabetes ( P = 0.03). While there was a significant increase in the number of obese patients receiving top surgery ( P < 0.01), there were no differences in postoperative wound complications between the years. Significantly more patients received additional procedures ( P < 0.01) and had about a 9-fold increase in distinct number of additional CPT codes from 2013-2014 to 2021-2022. Our study found that there has been (1) a significant increase in the number of top surgery patients from 2013 to 2022 overall and (2) a particular increase in patients with preoperative comorbidities, such as a higher body mass index and diabetes. Understanding current and evolving trends in patients undergoing surgical treatment for gender dysphoria can inform individualized care plans that best serve the needs of patients and optimize overall outcomes.

Implementation of a Patient Decision Aid for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Improves Patient Procedural Knowledge but Does Not Impact Perceived Involvement With the Shared Decision-Making Process.

Shared decision-making (SDM) is a method for a patient and physician to cooperatively consider a diagnostic or therapeutic option, ultimately empowering the patient to make an informed decision. Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is a procedure that would benefit from SDM given the risk of serious adverse events, the high rate of arrhythmia recurrence, and alternative treatment options. Implementing a patient decision aid (PDA) may help facilitate AF ablation SDM by succinctly conveying important information to patients. Patients scheduled for initial AF catheter ablation were randomized to a virtual SDM visit utilizing a PDA, which covered procedural risks and benefits, or a virtual control visit with a tool outlining periprocedural processes. Preoperatively, patients completed a questionnaire assessing procedural risk and benefit knowledge, as well as perceived involvement with the decision-making process. Unpaired t-tests were used to compare groups. The SDM group scored significantly better overall on knowledge-based questions compared to the control group (69% correct [n=34] vs 53% [n=32]; P=0.00013). In particular, the SDM group was significantly more likely to answer questions correctly about stroke risk (P=0.01), anticoagulation (P=0.01), and potential need for additional procedures (P=0.03 and P=0.03). Perceived involvement in the decision-making process was overall not improved with PDA use (4.7 vs 4.6 out of 5; P=0.72). The addition of a PDA for AF ablation significantly improved procedural knowledge but did not impact patients' perceived involvement in the decision-making process compared to traditional preprocedural discussion alone.

Cold plasma in wound healing

Even today, not all wounds can be healed. Treatment, which often takes many years, is a burden for patients and is very cost-intensive. Therefore, additional procedures such as cold plasma are becoming increasingly popular. Active components of cold plasma include electromagnetic radiation and free radicals. The active principle is based on, among other things, damage to bacterial cells and positive interaction with epithelial and endothelial cells. Angiogenesis and cellular oxygen metabolism are stimulated. The evidence base is still limited and heterogeneous, as some results are contradictory and comparability is difficult. However, new, well-designed studies have confirmed previous findings. In order to create a solid database, further studies are needed.

Developments in the Use of Indocyanine Green (ICG) Fluorescence in Colorectal Surgery.

Indocyanine Green (ICG) has significantly advanced minimally invasive surgery. It is widely recognized for its ability to visualize blood vessel patency in real-time across various surgical specialties. While its primary use in colorectal surgery is to evaluate anastomoses for leaks, numerous other applications have been documented in the literature. In this review, we aim to explore both established and emerging applications of ICG fluorescence in colorectal surgery, with the goal of improving patient outcomes. This includes preoperative tumor marking and the detection of metastatic disease. Some applications, such as lymphatic mapping, require further research to determine their impact on clinical practices. Conversely, others, like the intraoperative localizations of ureters, necessitate additional procedures and are not yet widely accepted by the surgical community. However, the development of alternative compounds could offer better solutions. Future research should focus on areas like quantitative ICG and protocol standardization in prospective multicenter studies.

Preoperative Nonselective Chest Computed Tomography Prior to Primary Cardiac Surgery Results in Meaningful Change to Surgical Management: Systematic Review and Pooled Prevalence Meta-Analysis

Routine screening chest computed tomography (CT) prior to primary cardiac surgery is advocated by some surgeons due to the purported benefits of identifying significant aortic calcification that impacts ongoing management, such as performing anaortic off-pump surgery or adjusting cannulation strategy. Additionally, axial imaging can identify incidental findings that may require concomitant or staged procedures such as ascending aortic dilatation or pulmonary lesions. The objective of this study was to quantify the impact that nonselective chest CT prior to primary cardiac surgery had on subsequent management. A systematic review and pooled prevalence meta-analyses were performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Included studies performed non-selective chest CT prior to primary cardiac surgery. A total of eight studies, including 2,250 patients were included. The rate of mortality and stroke was low (1% and 2%, respectively). Calcification of the ascending aorta was identified in 15% of patients (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.0-26.0). A significant change to the surgical plan such as cannulation strategy, off-pump surgery, cancellation, or an additional procedure was required in 7% (95% CI 2.0-12.0). Clinically relevant incidental findings requiring in-patient management or follow-up were identified in 10% (95% CI 6.0-14.0). Nonselective CT chest prior to primary cardiac surgery identifies clinically relevant findings that result in a modification of the surgical plan in a significant population of patients to address the risk of stroke associated with aortic calcification as well as the identification of important incidental findings such as pulmonary lesions.

Ilizarov External Fixator Versus Orthofix LRS in Management of Femoral Osteomyelitis: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

Treatment of osteomyelitis (OM) is challenging. Ilizarov bone transport is a commonly used technique for management of OM. The recently introducedlimb reconstruction system (LRS) has been effectively used for management of OM. It was suggested to be easier in use and less invasive. The present retrospective study aimed to compare LRS and Ilizarov bone transport in management of femoral OM using a propensity score matched analysis. The present retrospective study included 80 consecutive patients with femoral OM. The studied patients were managed either using Ilizarov external fixator (n = 40) or Orthofix LRS (n = 40). The clinical outcome measurements included union time, limb length discrepancy, additional operative procedures, refracture and infection. Patients in the LRS group were exposed to significantly higher frequency of bone transport (30.0 versus 15.0%) and lower frequency of acute compression and lengthening (10.0 versus 32.5%). Patients in Ilizarov group had significantly higher frequency of tobramycin pellets as compared to their counterparts. The studied groups were comparable regarding the operative complications including pin-tract infection, non-union at docking site and refracture. Patients in the Ilizarov had significantly shorter time to union (8.2 ± 3.2 versus 11.0 ± 5.6 months, p = 0.012). No statistically significant differences were found between the studied groups regarding the quality-of-life domains. Use of Ilizarov external fixator and Orthofix LRS devices proved to be effective and reliable. Their influences on patients' quality appear to be comparable.