Closure Of Defect Research Articles

HoloPatch: improving intracardiac patch fit through holographically modelled templates.

Structural heart defects, including congenital ventricular septal defect closure or intracardiac rerouting, frequently require surgical reconstruction using hand-cut patch materials. Digitally modelled patch templates may improve patch fit and reduce outflow tract obstruction, residual defect risk, and conduction system damage. In this study, we benchmarked mixed-reality and a desktop application against a digitalized model of a real implanted patch. Ten patients scheduled for the repair of various defects consented to prospective inclusion in the study. After surgery, a digital model of the implanted patch was created from the residual material. Five clinical experts created 10 digital patches, 1 per patient, both in mixed-reality and desktop application, for comparison with the reference measurements, including the digitalized model of the real patch used during the surgery. Subjective residual shunt risk prediction was performed using both modalities. Digital patches created in mixed-reality closely matched the surgical material, whereas those created using desktop applications were significantly smaller. Different evaluators showed varying preferences for the application of the residual shunt risk and area. Digitally created patches can assist surgeons in preoperatively sizing of patch implants, potentially reducing post-operative complications.

The Fate of the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Following Interrupted Aortic Arch Repair.

Objectives: To examine the probability of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) reintervention following interrupted aortic arch (IAA) repair in neonates with LVOT obstruction (LVOTO) risk. Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included 150 neonates who underwent IAA repair (2003-2017); 100 of 150 (67%) had isolated IAA repair (with ventricular septal defect closure) and 50 of 150 (33%) had concomitant LVOT intervention: conal muscle resection (n = 16), Ross-Konno (n = 7), and Yasui operation (n = 27: single-stage n = 8, staged n = 19). Demographic and morphologic characteristics were reviewed. Factors associated with LVOT reoperation were explored using multivariable analysis. Results: Concomitant LVOT intervention was more likely in neonates with type B IAA, bicuspid aortic valve, aberrant right subclavian artery, smaller aortic valve annulus, and ascending aorta dimensions. On follow-up, five-year freedom from LVOT reoperation was highest following Ross-Konno (100%), 77% following Yasui (mainly for neo-aortic regurgitation), 77% following isolated IAA repair (mainly for LVOTO), and 47% following IAA repair with concomitant conal resection, P = .033. While all patients had low peak LVOT gradient at time of discharge, those who had conal resection developed higher gradients on follow-up (P = .007). Ross-Konno and Yasui procedures were associated with higher right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reoperation. In the cohort following isolated IAA repair, aortic sinus Z score was associated with LVOT reoperation. Conclusions: Both Yasui and Ross-Konno operations effectively mitigate late LVOTO risk. The highest risk of reintervention for LVOTO was associated with conal muscle resection while the lowest risk is associated with Ross-Konno. The RVOT reoperation risk in patients who had Ross-Konno or Yasui does not seem to affect survival.

Transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect using the cocoon membranous VSD occluder

BackgroundTranscatheter device closure is a well-established treatment for suitable ventricular septal defects (VSDs). The Cocoon Membranous VSD Occluder is a relatively new device specifically designed for perimembranous VSDs. Existing research on the Cocoon Membranous VSD Occluder for closing PM VSD is limited. ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe a single-center experience using the Cocoon Membranous VSD Occluder for perimembranous VSD. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed data from patients who underwent device closure of perimembranous VSD using the Cocoon occluder between May 2023 and April 2024. Procedural success, complications, and short-term outcomes were evaluated. ResultsBetween May 2023 and April 2024, 13 patients with perimembranous VSD and left-to-right shunt underwent device closure with the Cocoon Membranous VSD Occluder. Twelve patients (92.3 %) achieved successful VSD closure. The mean age was 8.06 years with standard deviation (SD) of 7.24 years. The mean weight was 11.98 kg with SD of 18.93 kg. The mean VSD size was 4.96 mm with SD of 0.92 mm. The VSD was crossed from the right ventricle in 5 patients and from the left ventricle in 9 patients. All patients had successful device placement from the right ventricle approach. The Cocoon Membranous VSD device size ranged from 6 to 4 mm to 12–4 mm. In one smaller patient, the device was electively removed due to significant flow through an additional exit, and the patient subsequently underwent surgery. Another patient developed hemoglobinuria on the fourth day, which resolved by the tenth day with hydration therapy. Two patients experienced trivial to mild aortic regurgitation, and one had Wenckebach phenomenon that resolved the next day. In the short-term follow-up (mean duration of 4.33 months), all patients were doing well, had good device performance, and showed no evidence of heart block. ConclusionsDevice closure of perimembranous VSD in infants with the Cocoon Membranous VSD Occluder appears to be safe and effective in carefully selected patients during short-term follow-up. Larger studies with long-term data are necessary for future recommendations.

Associations between hypopharyngeal defect closure and quality of life in long-term total laryngectomy survivors.

Few studies have examined health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in long-term total laryngectomy survivors in relation to the type of hypopharyngeal defect. A cross-sectional study was performed in long-term total laryngectomy survivors, treated between 2000 and 2020. The primary outcome was HRQOL, assessed using the FACE-Q Head and Neck Cancer Module, in relation to the type of hypopharyngeal closure (primary closure, partial or circumferential reconstruction). Seventy-nine survivors were included with a median follow-up of 92.1 months (IQR 75.6-140.2 months). Patients requiring partial hypopharyngeal reconstruction (n = 18) scored significantly worse than patients with primary closure (n = 51) on 4 of 13 FACE-Q domains: functional domains of eating (p = 0.03), speech (p = 0.05), and swallowing (p = 0.03), and the psychological domain of speaking-related distress (p = 0.02). No statistically significant differences were found between the circumferential hypopharyngeal defect reconstruction group (n = 10). Stricture occurrence was the only clinical factor associated with worse eating, speaking, swallowing, eating-related distress, and cancer worry in multivariable analyses. Several functional and psychological domains were significantly worse following partial hypopharyngeal reconstruction than in patients who received primary closure. Efforts to reduce stricture rates to enhance reconstructive outcomes following total laryngectomy merit further research.

A comparative study on effects of defect closure versus non-closure in laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal repair of direct inguinal hernia.

Totally extraperitoneal (TEP) and transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair are the principal techniques in laparoscopic hernia repair. Seroma formation and pain are frequent complications of moderate-large size laparoscopic direct inguinal hernia mesh repair. This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of defect closure in moderate-large direct inguinal hernias and its effect on various outcomes. This is a prospective cohort study from September 2020 to August 2021, where a total of 88 patients with uncomplicated direct inguinal hernia (M3 or more) were enrolled in the study and divided into two equal groups of TEP defect closure and non-closure, and various outcome measures were noted. The majority of patients were male (94.31%), with a mean age range of 18-85 years, and had right-sided inguinal hernia (46.5%). Seroma formation at 10th POD in the defect closure and non-closure were 24% and 33% (p value: 0.225), which reduced to 11% and 18%, respectively, at 1 month (p value: 1.000). All seromas resolved within 6 months. Pain in VAS at 10th POD in the defect closure and non-closure were 1.55±0.571 and 1.38±0.527, respectively (p value: 0.121), which gradually decreased to 1.20±0.524 and 1.16±0.420 at a 6-month interval (p value: 0.689). The mean operative time in the bilateral and unilateral defect closure groups was 72.3±4.1 and 56.5±4.3 min, respectively, whereas that in the bilateral and unilateral defect non-closure groups was 62.3±3.7 and 45.7±3.6 min, respectively. The defect closure was found to have higher pain and less seroma formation at various intervals of time following TEP for moderate-large direct inguinal hernia. Although these findings were statistically insignificant, they may be clinically significant, and further studies with a larger sample size are suggested.

Evaluation of the safety and feasibility of outpatient colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection

Background and AimsEndoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is increasingly utilized for resection of benign nonpedunculated colorectal polyps and early cancers. However, there is concern that adoption of ESD may be limited by increased resource utilization with routine post-procedure admission. As endoscopic closure of ESD wounds has improved, in 2022 we adopted an outpatient colorectal ESD protocol. MethodsThis study was a retrospective evaluation of adult patients that underwent colorectal ESD from 1/2022 to 4/2023. When technically feasible, the wound was closed by clips or suturing. Following the procedure, patients were observed for up to 2 hours and discharged if they had no abdominal pain and there was no intra-operative muscle injury. We evaluated for operative success (en bloc resection, R0 and curative resection) as well as safety (post-procedure pain, perforation, delayed bleeding). ResultsA total of 111 lesions were removed by ESD in 105 consecutive patients. 19/111 (17%) had prior endoscopic mucosal resection. All lesions were successfully removed: en bloc resection rate was 93%, R0 and curative resection rate was 90%. 99/111 (89%) of the wounds were closed, most commonly using clips (60/111; 54%). There were two small intraprocedural perforations, both managed with clip closure and the patients did not require admission. Among patients with defect closure, there were no delayed bleeds requiring hospitalization and only 1 episode of self-limited bleeding. In contrast, among 12 patients with resection sites not amenable to closure, there was 1 delayed bleed requiring hospitalization, 2 minor bleeds assessed at the emergency department and 2 self-limited bleeds. ConclusionsIn this retrospective study we demonstrate the feasibility of outpatient colorectal ESD. Among 105 patients, only 2 required hospital admission: one for post-procedure pain and one for delayed bleeding. We find that after endoscopic closure of ESD wounds, hospital admission is generally unnecessary and significant post-procedure bleeding is rare.

Contemporary survival outcomes of congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunt in children with borderline pulmonary vascular resistant index compared to Eisenmenger syndrome

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with congenital heart disease (PAH-CHD) is a complication that occurs after unrepaired significant systemic-to-pulmonary shunt. Treatment options for PAH-CHD-predominantly left-to-right (L-R) shunt in children with borderline-high pulmonary vascular resistant index (PVRi) have been debated. We aimed to assess the treatment and survival of children with PAH-CHD-predominantly L-R shunt with borderline to high PVRi, using Eisenmenger syndrome (ES) for comparison. In 1995–2021, a total of 142 patients with ES and 192 children with PAH-CHD-predominantly L-R shunt were eligible for our analysis. The PVRi in ES patients was 26.7 ± 16.8 WU m2. Most patients (91%) received PAH-targeted therapy. Of the 192 children with PAH-CHD-predominantly L-R shunt, the baseline PVRi was 9.2 ± 5.8 WU m2. A total of 64 patients (33.3%) had borderline PVRi (4–8 WU m2) and 98 patients (51%) had high PVRi (> 8 WU m2). Most patients (88.5%) responded to acute pulmonary vasodilatory testing and underwent repair, with 158 undergoing defect closure and 12 having fenestrated closure. A treat-and-repair strategy was used in 33 children (17.1%). The 10- and 15-year survival rates for patients with ES were 79.3% and 72.4%, respectively, which was significantly inferior to children with borderline PVRi [97.3% and 87.8% (p = 0.02)]; and high PVRi [91.6% and 89.5% (p = 0.06)], respectively. The survival rate of children receiving treat-and-repair was slightly higher than that of ES (p = 0.16). The independent mortality risk in children with PAH-CHD-predominantly L-R shunt was persistent PAH following the defect correction (adjusted hazard ratio 5.8, 95% CI 1.7–19.9, p = 0.005).Trial registration: TCTR20200420004.

Evaluation of intracardial hemodynamics in children under 1 year of age with atrial septal defect

Aim: evaluation of the intracardiac hemodynamics and determination indications for early correction of the atrial septal defect in children before 1 year age.Methods. The study included patients observed from 2010 to 2021. The first group was formed from children under the age of 12 months with ASD and were observed for the next 4 years until its interventional or surgical elimination. The second group included healthy children of the appropriate age. All patients underwent an echocardiographic (ECHO) study with assessment of the main parameters of hemodynamics and intracardial structures.Results. The first group included 887 children with ASD, the control group included 887 healthy children. The age of the patients included in the study was 6 ± 2.6 months. for group I and 6 ± 2.5 months. for the second one. It was found that in young children with ASD, the first manifestation of hemodynamic changes was dilatation of the right ventricle, then the right atrium and finally dilatation of the pulmonary trunk, which was accompanied by an increase in pressure in the pulmonary circulation and weight loss. In 11% of patients, spontaneous closure of the ASD occurs within the first year of life. Almost 20% of patients are younger than 6 months. have clinical and hemodynamic indications for surgical treatment of ASD.Conclusions. Indications for the atrial septal defect closure should be determined taking into account clinical, anatomical and hemodynamic parameters.

Reply Re: “The effect of traction force on eyelid blood perfusion during closure of defects”

Reply Re: “The effect of traction force on eyelid blood perfusion during closure of defects”

Atrial septal defect closure with axillary mini thoracotomy and total peripheral cannulation: a novel approach

Atrial septal defect closure with axillary mini thoracotomy and total peripheral cannulation: a novel approach

Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Through-the-Scope Suture System for Gastrointestinal Defects: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Recently, a through-the-scope suturing (TTSS) system has received FDA approval and has been evaluated for closing mucosal defects postintervention. We hereby performed a systematic review and pooled meta-analysis of available studies to assess the safety and efficacy of this intervention. We queried the following databases through April 26, 2023: Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science Core Collection. Endoscopists utilizing TTSS for the following reasons were included: endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, peroral endoscopic myotomy, perforation, fistula closure, and/or stent fixation. The outcomes assessed were technical success, primary clinical success (closure of defect without additional intervention), and overall clinical success (closure of defect with/without additional intervention). Random effects model with the DerSimonian Laird approach was used to report event rates expressed as proportions with a 95% CI. A total of 12 studies with 512 patients (mean age of 61.5 ± 18.4y, 54.6% females) were included. The technical success rate was 96.0% (CI: 94.3%-97.7%). The primary clinical success rate was 74.8% (CI: 65.5%-84.1%). The overall clinical success rate was 95.4% (CI: 92.6-98.2%). Only 1 mortality case unrelated to intervention was reported. The TTSS appears safe and effective for closing mucosal defects after therapeutic endoscopic interventions. Further cost-effective studies should be performed comparing with endoclips for use in clinical settings.

A case of truncus arteriosus with severe heart failure and pulmonary stenosis: bridge to transplant candidacy with surgical correction and a ventricular-assist device.

Ventricular-assist device therapy for small patients with congenital heart disease is challenging due to its complex anatomy and hemodynamics. We describe a 3-year-old patient with heart failure with truncus arteriosus in the palliative stage. The patient underwent palliative right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction following bilateral pulmonary artery banding. At 6months of age, the patient developed severe truncal valve regurgitation and left ventricular dysfunction. Emergent truncal valve replacement with a mechanical valve was performed, but left ventricular dysfunction persisted. At 3years of age, the patient developed acute progression of heart failure triggered by influenza infection. The patient was intubated and transferred to our center to determine the indication for heart transplantation. On the second day after admission, signs of multiorgan failure appeared. Emergent ventricular-assist device implantation for both ventricles was performed with truncal valve closure, ventricular septal defect closure, atrial septal defect closure, and re-right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction. The right ventricular-assist device was successfully removed on the seventh postoperative day. Due to the small pulmonary arteries, severe pulmonary stenosis persisted after ventricular-assist device implantation, but it gradually improved with multiple pulmonary angioplasties. The patient was registered in the Japanese organ transplant network and is awaiting a donor organ in a stable condition.

A novel gastric defect closure method using lines and reopenable clips with the through-the-scope tying technique.

A novel gastric defect closure method using lines and reopenable clips with the through-the-scope tying technique.

Evolution of atrial septal defect closure: Is MICS a new standard of care?

Evolution of atrial septal defect closure: Is MICS a new standard of care?

Intracardiac Echocardiography-Guided Transseptal Puncture Invisible by Transesophageal Echocardiography After Secundum Atrial Septal Defect Closure

Intracardiac Echocardiography-Guided Transseptal Puncture Invisible by Transesophageal Echocardiography After Secundum Atrial Septal Defect Closure

Externally Applied "Through-the-Scope" Clip Closure During Endorobotic Submucosal Dissection.

Endorobotic submucosal dissection (ERSD) is a recent, novel technique combining submucosal dissection and robotic transanal approach. We strongly believe that ERSD increases precise dissection and dexterity, improves visuality, and enables the dissection to be completed in the submucosal plane. However, during these procedures, adverted defects and bleeding can occur. These complications can be managed by suturing and/or coagulation using the da Vinci SP® surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA). Closing defects with sutures can be time-consuming and technically more demanding. Nevertheless, through-the-scope (TTS) clips can manage these complications faster and potentially more cost-effectively. This prevents using additional robotic instruments (needle driver) and barbed sutures. This video aims to show using externally applied TTS clips for defect closure with robotic assistance following ERSD. TTS clips are flexible endoscopic clips in the market. They are designed for hemostasis, endoscopic marking, and defect closure in endoscopic procedures. The TTS clips are sent to the surgical field through the GelPOINT® Path transanal platform (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA), and it can be controlled with a robotic instrument indirectly. The TTS clips were used in 3 patients who underwent ERSD due to rectal lesion, and informed consents were obtained. The first patient was a 49-year-old woman referred with a rectal lesion at 12 cm from the anal verge found on screening colonoscopy. After submucosal injection, dissection was started, and the lesion was removed successfully. The mucosal defect in the upper rectum was successfully closed with a single externally placed TTS clip. The second patient was a 39-year-old man with a 40-mm recurrent polyp extending from 6 to 10 cm of the anal verge. Due to submucosal fibrosis, a larger defect area was left at the end of the tissue resection, and two TTS clips were used to approximate this defect. The last patient was a 53-year-old woman with a 35 mm lesion at 11 cm from the anal verge. Some bleeding was observed during the excision, and multiple TTS clips were used to prevent post-procedure bleeding. TTS clips were placed successfully in all cases. All 3 patients were discharged home the same day without complication. Histopathology revealed benign lesions with free deep and radial margins. No morbidity was detected after the procedures. Our video demonstrates the successful application of externally applied TTS clips for defect closure and hemostasis following ERSD in varying cases. The externally applied clip management is a viable alternative for accelerated, reliable, and inexpensive defect closures after ERSD. See Video Vignette.

Hybrid intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair for incisional hernias: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Laparoscopic IPOM is technically challenging, especially regarding fascial closure. Hybrid repair has been proposed as a simpler approach. We aimed to compare hybrid and laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair (IPOM) in patients undergoing ventral hernia repair (VHR). We performed a systematic review of Cochrane, Scopus, and MEDLINE databases to identify studies comparing hybrid versus laparoscopic IPOM VHR reporting the outcomes of recurrence, mortality, seroma, postoperative complications, reoperation, surgical site infection, and operative time. Statistical analysis was performed using RStudio 4.1.2 using a random-effects model. We screened 2,896 articles and fully reviewed 22 of them. A total of five studies, encompassing 664 patients were included. Among them, 337 (50.8%) underwent laparoscopic IPOM. All patients had incisional hernias, with a mean diameter varying from 3 to 12.7cm, 60% were women, with a mean BMI varying from 29.5 to 38. The hybrid approach had a lower rate of seroma when compared to the laparoscopic (OR 0.22; 95% CI 0.05 to 0.92; p = 0.038; I²=78%). We found no difference in recurrence, mortality, postoperative complications, reoperation, surgical site infection, and operative time between groups. Hybrid IPOM is a safe and effective method for incisional hernia repair. Moreover, it facilitates fascial defect closure and decreases postoperative seromas.

Perventricular device closure of the ventricular septal defects in children-first experience in the United Arab Emirates

BackgroundVentricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital cardiac malformation, accounting for approximately 30% of congenital heart defects. Conventional surgical repair using cardiopulmonary bypass is invasive and associated with morbidities and prolonged hospital stay. With the advent of interventional approaches and availability of different occluding devices, the technique of perventricular device closure is evolving and being implemented successfully in larger groups of patients. We present herein, our initial experience of perventricular device closure for the ventricular septal defects in children to assess risks and benefits.MethodsFrom March, 2023 to February, 2024, we have performed perventricular closure of ventricular septal defects in 13 children, under guidance of transesophageal echocardiography without cardiopulmonary bypass support. The median age at operation was 2 year (range 1.3–10 years) with the median body weight 11 kg (range 8.7–16.6 kg). Sixty-nine percent were males. The ventricular septal defect sizes ranged from 2.7 to 6 mm (mean 4.7 mm). Seven defects were perimembranous, four sub-aortic and two were muscular. One patient also underwent pulmonary artery de-banding with pulmonary artery balloon angioplasty and other one patent ductus arteriosus ligation, concomitantly. For defect closure, we used ventricular septal defect occlusion device (MemoPart™, Lepu Medical Technology Company, China) through a 3-cm skin incision in the lower- third of the sternum. The device sizes ranged from 5 to 8 mm (mean 6.9+-1.8 mm) and all patients except for two required symmetrical devices.ResultsAll patients underwent device closure successfully. The procedural duration ranged between 32 and 52 min. None of the patients required cardiopulmonary bypass. The mean ventilation time and intensive care unit stay was 3 and 24 h, respectively. None of the patients required inotropic support or blood transfusions. Moreover, no patients developed any arrhythmias including heart block. The average length of hospital stay was 4.4 days. At the latest follow up, there were no residual shunts, conduction disturbances, device dislodgement or major aortic or tricuspid valve complications seen in any patients. There was no mortality.ConclusionsPerventricular device closure of ventricular septal defects is a less invasive, extremely safe and effective method in children. It is associated with very fast recovery, shorter hospitalization time and better cosmetic incision. Moreover, it avoids cardiopulmonary bypass. The modifications and refinements in the design, material and implantation techniques will help in expanding the indications and prevent complications in the long-term.

Safety and efficacy of a modified endoscopic full-thickness resection technique for gastric submucosal tumors: a case series.

Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) has proven effective and economical for patients with gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs). However, the poor operative field of view, the risk of massive hemorrhage, and the difficulties in defect closure have limited its widespread application. Herein, we described a modified EFTR technique developed to simplify the dissection and defect closure procedures using common and economical endoscopic accessories. Forty-two patients who underwent the modified EFTR for gastric SMTs in the Shenzhen Guangming District People's Hospital were enrolled in the case series. Following a cross incision to expose the intraluminal surface the tumors were captured by suction through a transparent cap and the roots were ligated using a loop. The tumors and part of the suction tissue were removed along the ligated root. A tension-relieving closure was performed by clipping the raised plica in four quadrants outside the ligated root. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and therapeutic outcomes were evaluated retrospectively. All tumors had an R0 resection. The median procedure time was 51.8min (IQR 34.25 min). No severe perioperative adverse events occurred. No residual lesion or recurrence was reported during the follow-up period of 9.84 months (IQR 5.0 months). The safety and practicability of Modified-EFTR could allow for wide clinical application in patients with micro-gastric SMTs.

Biomimetic and non-biomimetic approaches in dura substitutes: the influence of mechanical properties.

The dura mater, the furthest and strongest layer of the meninges, is crucial for protecting the brain and spinal cord. Its biomechanical behavior is vital, as any alterations can compromise biological functions. In recent decades, interest in the dura mater has increased due to the need for hermetic closure of dural defects prompting the development of several substitutes. Collagen-based dural substitutes are common commercial options, but they lack the complex biological and structural elements of the native dura mater, impacting regeneration and potentially causing complications like wound/postoperative infection and cerebrospinal fluid leakage. To face this issue, recent tissue engineering approaches focus on creating biomimetic dura mater substitutes. The objective of this review is to discuss whether mimicking the mechanical properties of native tissue or ensuring high biocompatibility and bioactivity is more critical in developing effective dural substitutes, or if both aspects should be systematically linked. After a brief description of the properties and architecture of the native cranial dura, we describe the advantages and limitations of biomimetic dura mater substitutes to better understand their relevance. In particular, we consider biomechanical properties' impact on dura repair's effectiveness. Finally, the obstacles and perspectives for developing the ideal dural substitute are explored.