Complicated Postoperative Course Research Articles

Long-term outcomes after intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during lung transplantation

Over the past decade, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has replaced cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for cardiopulmonary support during lung transplantation at our institution. In this study, we present our experience using intraoperative ECMO in isolated lung transplantation and evaluate its impact on long-term graft function and survival. All patients undergoing isolated lung transplantation with or without ECMO support between January 2010 and June 2019 were evaluated. Patients transplanted using CPB were excluded. Peri-operative and follow-up results from our database and patient charts were analyzed. Follow-up continued until September 1, 2019 (median, 3.34 years). In total, 311 of 1,161 lung transplant recipients (27%) received intraoperative ECMO, with 24 (2%) patients further requiring CPB. None of the remaining 826 (71%) patients required intraoperative cardiopulmonary support. ECMO patients exhibited higher pre-transplant surgical risk profiles and endured more complicated early post-operative courses than those without ECMO (in-hospital mortality, 10.9% vs 2.3%; p < 0.001). Inevitably, this resulted in poorer overall graft survival among ECMO recipients (p = 0.0025). However, correcting for patients surviving to hospital discharge, no difference in survival between groups was observed (5-year survival, 71% vs 72%; p = 0.56). Similarly, freedom from chronic lung allograft dysfunction, biopsy-confirmed cellular rejection, or need for pulsed-steroid therapy did not differ between the groups (p = 0.99, p = 0.78, and p = 0.93, respectively). Compared with patients not requiring cardiopulmonary support, ECMO recipients endured a more complicated peri-operative and early post-operative course. However, among those surviving to hospital discharge, no differences in long-term complications or outcomes were observed.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Can Masquerade as Acute Postoperative Periprosthetic Joint Infection

Fever etiology during the first postoperative days following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may be challenging to solve. Early periprosthetic joint infection is the main reason; however, other equally important causes must be excluded such as thrombosis, deep venous thrombosis, and chest or urinary tract infections. We report the case of a 70-year-old Caucasian female patient presented with high fever reaching 39°C, fatigue, and myalgia lasting for a week after a fully cemented primary TKA. Symptoms were falsely attributed to the surgical procedure, leading to erroneous early management and a complicated postoperative course. In the era of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARs-CoV-2) pandemic, a high index of suspicion for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms and viral chest infection must be raised, primarily in vulnerable patients.

MP39-01 SAFETY OF EXPLANTATION OF HIGH SUBMUSCULAR RESERVOIRS

You have accessJournal of UrologySexual Function/Dysfunction: Surgical Therapy II (MP39)1 Apr 2020MP39-01 SAFETY OF EXPLANTATION OF HIGH SUBMUSCULAR RESERVOIRS Mehraban Kavoussi*, Adam Baumgarten, Nicolas Ortiz, Ellen Ward, and Allen Morey Mehraban Kavoussi*Mehraban Kavoussi* More articles by this author , Adam BaumgartenAdam Baumgarten More articles by this author , Nicolas OrtizNicolas Ortiz More articles by this author , Ellen WardEllen Ward More articles by this author , and Allen MoreyAllen Morey More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000000888.01AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Data supports high submuscular (HSM) placement of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) reservoirs as an alternative to space of Retzius (SOR) reservoir placement. There is no data, however, comparing HSM vs SOR reservoir explants. Herein, we present our large single surgeon experience of HSM reservoir removal. METHODS: The SlicerDicer program was used to generate a list of patients who had undergone IPP reservoir removal between January of 2011 and September of 2019 using the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code for this procedure (54406). Data was retrospectively collected on this patient cohort. Operative times, intraoperative complications, and postoperative complications were compared between the HSM and SOR groups. Cases where the IPP was removed but the reservoir was retained were excluded. Categorical variables were compared with the Fisher Exact Test, while time variables were compared with a T-test. RESULTS: Between January of 2011 and September of 2019, 89 patients underwent IPP removal by a single surgeon at our institution. Reservoir removal at the time of explant was noted in 61 cases (46 HSM, 15 SOR), which are included in this analysis. Similar rates of complications were noted between the HSM and SOR groups (p=0.43). Among 46 HSM reservoirs removed, 1 (2.2%) had a complicated postoperative course (postoperative bleed). Among 15 SOR cases, 1 (6.7%) had a complicated operative course (intraperitoneal reservoir that required laparoscopic removal). There was no significant difference in need for counter-incision between the two groups (p=0.21). There was no significant different between average operative times between the two groups (HSM: 77 minutes, SOR: 69.9 minutes) (p=0.53). CONCLUSIONS: HSM reservoir removal has similar complication rates and operative times when compared to SOR reservoir removal. Our experience with HSM reservoirs supports the safety and ease of their removal. Source of Funding: None © 2020 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 203Issue Supplement 4April 2020Page: e577-e577 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2020 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Mehraban Kavoussi* More articles by this author Adam Baumgarten More articles by this author Nicolas Ortiz More articles by this author Ellen Ward More articles by this author Allen Morey More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Alveolar Dead-Space Fraction and Arterial Saturation Predict Postoperative Course in Fontan Patients.

Fontan surgery, the final surgical stage in single ventricle palliation, redirects systemic venous blood into the pulmonary circulation for gas exchange. A decrease in pulmonary blood flow can lead to major complications and grave outcomes. Alveolar dead-space fraction represents the portion of inhaled air that does not participate in gas exchange and hence quantifies ventilation-perfusion abnormalities in the lung. Increased alveolar dead-space fraction has been associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation and worse outcome after congenital heart surgery. The association of alveolar dead-space fraction with clinical outcomes in patients undergoing Fontan operation has not been reported. None. A retrospective charts review of all pediatric patients who underwent Fontan surgery during June 2010-November 2018 in a tertiary-care pediatric hospital. Associations between alveolar dead-space fraction and arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation to a composite outcome (surgical or catheter-based intervention, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use, prolonged ventilation, prolonged hospital length of stay, or death) were explored. Secondary endpoints were parameters of severity of illness, chest drainage duration, and length of stay. Of 128 patients undergoing Fontan operation, 34 met criteria for composite outcome. Alveolar dead-space fraction was significantly higher in the composite (0.33 ± 0.14) versus control (0.25 ± 0.26; p = 0.016) group. Alveolar dead-space fraction greater than or equal to 0.29 indicated a 37% increase in risk to meet composite criteria. Admission arterial oxygen saturation was significantly lower in composite versus control group (93.4% vs 97.1%; p = 0.005). Alveolar dead-space fraction was significantly associated with increased durations of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, duration of thoracic drainage, and parameters of severity of illness. Alveolar dead-space fraction and arterial saturation may predict complicated postoperative course in patients undergoing the Fontan operation.

The Utility of Albumin Level as a Marker of Postoperative Course in Infants Undergoing Repair of Congenital Heart Disease.

We sought to examine the role of preoperative and 2nd postoperative day albumin levels as predictors for postoperative course in infants undergoing repair of congenital heart disease. This retrospective, single-center, observational study comprised consecutive infants younger than 1year who had undergone repair of tetralogy of Fallot, ventricular septal defect, complete atrioventricular canal or transposition of the great arteries over a 25 months period. We correlated preoperative and postoperative day (POD) #2 albumin level to vaso-inotropic score (VIS) and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) as markers for degree and duration of postoperative cardiac support. A composite outcome was defined as maximal vaso-inotropic score of > 10 and ICU LOS > 96h. Preoperative albumin level negatively correlated with VIS and ICU LOS. Compared to preoperative albumin level of > 4g/dL, the relative risk of meeting composite criteria was 1.5 for preoperative albumin of 3.1-4g/dL and 2.6 for preoperative albumin ≤ 3g/dL. Compared to POD#2 albumin level > 3g/dL, the relative risk of meeting composite criteria was 1.8 for albumin of 2.6-3g/dL, and 2.5 for albumin ≤ 2.5g/dL. In summary, we found that preoperative and POD#2 albumin levels predicted prolonged and complicated postoperative course. These finding may help clinicians to inform the patient's parents, early in the ICU hospitalization, as to the predicted risks and difficulties of their infant's postoperative course.

Long-term Surgical Outcome and Risk Factors in Living Kidney Donors

ContextStudies on the surgical outcome in living kidney donors mainly report perioperative complications with short follow-up. ObjectiveThe objectives of this study are to evaluate the long-term surgical outcome in living kidney donors and to identify donors with an increased risk for a complicated postoperative course. Basic ProceduresA prospectively collected database of 496 living kidney donors at the Department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery of the Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg was retrospectively analyzed in a retrospective, observational single-center study. ResultsThe median follow-up time was 37 months. The perioperative severe complication (Clavien-Dindo IIIb) rate was 2.8%, the early postoperative (PO) severe complication rate (1-3 months post operation) was 0.7%, and the late PO severe complication rate (> 3 months post operation) was 8.4%. In multivariate analyses, male sex was associated with higher overall perioperative complication rate (odds ratio [OR], 1.930; P = .005) as well as higher rate of late PO complications (OR, 2.243; P = .014). An increased body mass index was associated with a higher late and severe (Clavien-Dindo ≥ IIIb) PO complication rate (OR, 1.107; P = .009 and OR, 1.105; P = .008, respectively). Conclusions and RelevanceLong-term surgery-associated severe complications occur in 8.4% of kidney donors. Older age is associated with an increased operative time, greater intraoperative blood loss, and longer PO hospital stay. Male donors and donors with an increased body mass index have a higher risk for a complicated PO course after kidney donation. Within a shared decision-making process before living kidney donation, special awareness should be brought to these facts.

Beyond 30 Days: Analysis of Unplanned Readmissions During the First Year Following Congenital Heart Surgery.

We investigated the incidence and etiologies for unplanned hospital readmissions during the first year following congenital heart surgery (CHS) at our institution and the potential association of readmissions with longer term survival. We retrospectively reviewed 263 patients undergoing CHS at our institution from August 2011 to June 2015. Scheduled readmissions were excluded. Seventy patients accrued a total of 120 readmissions (1.7 readmission/patient) within one year after surgery. The first readmission for 57% of the patients was within 30 days postdischarge. Twenty-two patients were first readmitted between 31 and 90 days postdischarge. Eight patients were first readmitted between 90 days and 1 year postdischarge. Median time-to-first readmission was 21 days. Median hospital length of stay at readmission was two days. Causes of 30-day readmissions included viral illness (25%), wound infections (15%), and cardiac causes (15%). Readmissions between 30 and 90 days included viral illness (27%), gastrointestinal (27%), and cardiac causes (9%). Age, STAT category, length of surgery, intubation, intensive care unit, and hospital stay were risk factors associated with readmissions based on logistic regression. Distance to hospital had a significant effect on readmissions (P < .001). Patients with higher family income were less likely to be readmitted (P < .001). There was no difference in survival between readmitted and non-readmitted patients (P = .68). The first 90 days is a high-risk period for unplanned hospital readmissions after CHS. Complicated postoperative course, higher surgical complexity, and lower socioeconomic status are risk factors for unplanned readmissions the first 90 days after surgery. Efforts to improve the incidence or readmission after CHS should extend to the first 3 months after surgery and target these high-risk patient populations.

Preoperative delineation of pulmonary fissural anatomy at multi-detector computed tomography in children with congenital pulmonary malformations and impact on surgical complications and postoperative course.

Delineation of the anatomy and integrity of the pulmonary fissures at CT is important because anomalous or incomplete fissures might increase the risk of surgery and of postoperative complications. To preoperatively evaluate the integrity of the pleural fissures in children with congenital lung malformations and determine whether anomalous fissural anatomy is a risk factor for a more complicated surgery and postoperative course. We reviewed preoperative multi-detector CT scans of consecutive children who underwent open or thoracoscopic resection of a congenital pulmonary malformation from 2008 to 2018, to determine the integrity of the fissural anatomy, and compared these findings with the surgical report. We correlated postoperative factors including operating room time, days in hospital and chest tube with the operating room documented fissural integrity. We saw a significant association between the radiologically determined fissural integrity at CT and the operative findings independently for the right, left and both lungs combined (P<0.001). The sensitivity of CT to determine fissural integrity was 76.9%, specificity 95.2%, positive predictive value 95.2%, negative predictive value 76.9%, and accuracy 85.1%. There was a statistically significant association between size of the pulmonary malformation and the integrity of the fissure(s) (P=0.024). Larger lesions also resulted in a significantly longer hospitalization (P=0.024). Chest CT showed high accuracy for delineating fissural anatomy in children with congenital pulmonary malformations, with a good interobserver correlation. Incomplete lung fissures were found more often in children with larger congenital pulmonary malformations. In addition, larger lesions were associated with longer hospital stays. Therefore, children with incomplete fissures may have a longer postoperative course. Analysis of the fissural anatomy should be included in the CT report.

Flap Reconstruction for Deep Sternal Wound Infections: Factors Influencing Morbidity and Mortality

Deep sternal wound infections (DSWI) often require flap reconstruction to obliterate dead space and provide healthy soft tissue coverage. A better understanding of risk factors for complications after DSWI flap reconstruction may improve operative management. A retrospective study (2007-2018) was conducted of all patients with DSWI after cardiothoracic procedure referred to a single reconstructive surgeon for flap reconstruction. Patient and operative factors were reviewed, including procedure types and outcomes. Predictors of morbidity and mortality rates were analyzed. A total of 119 patients requiring flap reconstruction for DSWI met inclusion criteria. Unilateral (49.6%) or bilateral (40.3%) pectoralis muscle flaps were performed most frequently, followed by vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) (4.2%), omental (4.2%), and omental/pectoralis flap combination (1.7%). Superficial surgical site infection (SSI) was the predominant postoperative complication (17.6%). Débridement/revisional procedures were required in 19 patients (16%), and flap failure occurred in 5 (4.2%). Overall 30-day mortality was 15.1%. End-stage renal disease (P= .002), congestive heart failure (P= .049), low albumin (P= .004), cardiopulmonary bypass time (P= .0001), need for open chest (P= .020), and high American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification (P= .003) were associated with higher mortality. By multivariate analysis, multidrug resistance was predictive of any postoperative complication (odds ratio [OR], 5.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-23.2; P= .018), VRAM was predictive of SSI (OR, 9.6; 95% CI, 1.4-66.4; P= .022), and end-stage renal disease (OR, 8.57; 95% CI, 1.06-69.1; P= .044) was predictive of higher mortality. Pectoralis muscle flaps are the workhorse for complex sternal wound coverage, but complications after flap reconstruction for DSWIs remain high. In particular, end-stage renal disease, VRAM reconstruction, and multidrug-resistant infection may predict a complicated postoperative course in these patients.

Monteggia-like lesions in adults treated with radial head arthroplasty\u2014mid-term follow-up of 27 cases

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to analyze the functional and radiological outcome of Monteggia-like lesions in adults with unreconstructible fracture of the radial head and treatment with radial head arthroplasty.MethodsTwenty-seven patients (mean age 56 years; range 36 to 79 years) with a Monteggia-like lesion and treatment with radial head replacement were included in this retrospective study. Minimum follow-up was 2 years. Clinical assessment included the pain level with the visual analog scale in rest (VASR) and under pressure (VASP), range of motion, Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score (DASH). A detailed radiological evaluation was performed. Complications and revisions were also analyzed.ResultsAfter a mean follow-up period of 69 months (range, 24 to 170) the mean DASH score was 30 ± 24, the MEPS averaged 77 ± 20 points, the mean VASR was 2.1 ± 2.4, and VASP was 4.5 ± 3.5. Mean loss of extension was 24° ± 18 and flexion was 124° ± 20. Heterotopic ossifications were noted in 12 patients (44%). A total of 17 complications were noted in 11 patients (41%), leading to 15 revision surgeries in 9 patients (33%). Patients with a complicated postoperative course showed a worse clinical outcome compared with patients without complications measured by MEPS (68 ± 22 vs. 84 ± 16), DASH (49 ± 16 vs. 20 ± 22) and ulnohumeral motion (77° ± 31 vs. 117° ± 23).ConclusionsMonteggia-like lesions with unreconstructible radial head fracture and treatment with radial head replacement are prone to complications and revisions.

Early results of the Resilia Inspiris aortic valve in the old age patients - a retrospective comparison with the Carpentier Edwards Magna Ease.

Introduction: The Inspiris Resilia aortic valve® (INSPIRIS) is a pericardial bio-prosthesis with a new sterilization procedure that shows promising results in terms of reduced calcification. Methods: The 30-day mortality and morbidity were analyzed, comparing the INSPIRIS implanted between May 2017 and the end of January 2019, with its "predecessor", the Carpentier-Edwards Perimound Magna Ease (ME). Echocardiography was performed one-week after surgery. 125consecutively operated patients were included (59 INSPIRIS, 66 ME). Results: One patient in the ME group died and one patient in the INSPIRIS group had a complicated postoperative course due to right heart failure. Two patients (one INSPIRIS, one ME patient) suffered a perioperative stroke. The hemodynamic evaluation shows an effective reduction of mean transvalvular pressure gradients after surgery in both groups. INSPIRIS tended to have lower trans-prosthetic pressure gradients (9 mm Hg, Interquartile range [IQR] 11-7 mm Hg versus 12 mm Hg, IQR 15-9 mmHg; P = 0.001), reduced trans-prosthetic blood flow acceleration (209 cm/s, IQR 220-190 cm/s versus227 cm/s, IQR 263-191 cm/s; P = 0.003) and increased permeability indices (57%, IQR 67%- 47% versus42%, IQR 48%-38%; P8%; P < 0.001). Conclusion: There are only few clinical data available from INSPIRIS, and the present analysis confirms good results initial postoperatively with a tendency towards possibly improved hemodynamics compared to ME.

Nationwide analysis of hospital variation in preoperative radiotherapy use for rectal cancer following guideline revision

IntroductionThe revised Dutch colorectal cancer guideline (2014), led to an overall decrease in preoperative radiotherapy (RT) use. This study evaluates hospital variation in RT use for resectable rectal cancer and the influence of guideline revision, including the nationwide impact of changing RT application on short term outcomes. MethodsData of surgically resected rectal cancer patients registered in the Dutch ColoRectal Audit were extracted between 2011 and 2017. Patients were divided into groups based on time of guideline revision (<2014 and ≥ 2014). Primary outcome was guideline adherence at hospital level regarding RT application, stratified for three stage groups. Secondary outcomes included positive circumferential resection (CRM+) and 30-day complicated postoperative course. ResultsThe groups consisted of 7364 and 12,057 patients, respectively. In total, 6772 patients did not receive RT (17.6% (<2014) vs. 45.7% (≥2014), p < 0.001). The largest increase of surgery alone was observed for cT1-2N0 stage rectal cancer (35.1% vs. 91.8%, p < 0.001), with a substantial decrease in hospital variation (IQR 22.2–50.0% vs. IQR 87.6–98.0%). For cT1-3N1MRF- stage rectal cancer, a substantial amount of hospital variation in short course RT remained after guideline revision (IQR 26.8–54.1% vs. IQR 26.2–50.0%). A significant decrease in CRM+ (5.8% vs. 4.2%, p < 0.001) and complicated course (22.5% vs. 18.5%, p < 0.001) was observed. ConclusionsRadiotherapy for early-stage rectal cancer was uniformly abandoned after guideline revision, while substantial hospital variation remained for intermediate risk resectable rectal cancer in the Netherlands. The substantial nationwide decrease in the use of RT for rectal cancer treatment did not negatively impact CRM involvement.

Pain therapy to reduce perioperative complications.

The incidence rates of adverse events secondary to any operation are a well-known problem in any surgical field. One outstanding example of such adverse events is postoperative pain. Thus, the incidence of acute postoperative pain following any surgical procedure and its treatment are central issues for every surgeon. In the times of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs, acute pain therapy became an increasingly well investigated and accepted aspect in almost all surgical subspecialties. However, if it comes to the reduction of postoperative complications, in the actual context of postoperative pain, surgeons tend to focus on the operative process rather than on the perioperative procedures. Undoubtedly, postoperative pain became an important factor with regard to the quality of surgical care: both, the extent and the quality of the surgical procedure and the extent and the quality of the analgesic technique are decisive issues for a successful pain management. There is growing evidence that supports the role of acute pain therapy in reducing postoperative morbidity, and it has been demonstrated that high pain scores postoperatively may contribute to a complicated postoperative course. This overview comprises the current knowledge on the role of acute pain therapy with regard to the occurrence of postoperative complications. Most of the knowledge is derived from studies that primarily focus on the type and quality of postoperative pain therapy in relation to specific surgical procedures and only secondary on complications. As far as existent, data that report on the recovery period after surgery, on the rehabilitation status, on perioperative morbidity, on the development of chronic pain after surgery, and on possible solutions of the latter problem with the institution of transitional pain services will be presented.

O83 THE COMPREHENSIVE COMPLICATION INDEX FOR QUALITY MONITORING OF ESOPHAGOGASTRIC CANCER SURGERY SHORT TITLE: BENCHMARKING HOSPITALS WITH CCI

Abstract Introduction Assessments of postoperative morbidity are crucial to monitor the quality of surgery. The Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI®) is a novel composite measure for the total burden of postoperative morbidity. This study aimed to calculate the CCI®◻for all hospitals participating in a nationwide audit and to compare the CCI® with existing quality indicators. Method For this nationwide observational study, data was retrieved from the Dutch Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Audit (DUCA). Patients with esophageogastric cancer who underwent an esophagectomy or gastrectomy between 2016 and 2018 were included. The main outcome was the median CCI® per hospital and the percentage of patients per hospital with (1) in the 75th percentile of CCI®, (2) with a complicated postoperative course (defined as any complication in combination with a hospital stay &gt;21 days, reintervention or in-hospital/30-day mortality, and (3) with a Clavien Dindo Classification grade ≥III complication, all adjusted for differences in case-mix. Results In total, 2396 patients who underwent esophagectomy and 1373 patients who underwent gastrectomy were included. In the esophagectomy group, the median CCI® was 20.9 (interquartile range: 0.0-33.5) with at least one postoperative complication occurring in 1578 of 2396 patients (66%). In the gastrectomy group, the median CCI® was 0.0 (interquartile range: 0.0-20.9) and at least one postoperative complication occurring in 573 of 1373 patients (42%). The 75th percentile of CCI® outcome was strongly correlated with a complicated postoperative course on hospital level for both esophagectomies and gastrectomies but was not correlated with a Clavien Dindo Classification grade ≥III complication. Conclusion The CCI® can be applied in a national clinical audit to report outcomes. Hospital outcomes on the CCI® are strongly correlated with a complicated postoperative course.

Results of portosystemic shunts during extended pancreatic resections.

Patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer are increasingly explored after neoadjuvant treatment protocols. A complete resection, then, frequently includes the resection of the mesentericoportal axis. Portosystemic shunting for advanced tumours with infiltration of the splenic vein or cavernous transformation of the portal vein can enable complete tumour resection and prevent portovenous congestion of the intestine. The aim of this study was to report the results of this technique for selected patients. Patients operated for pancreatic cancer at our department between September 2012 and December 2017 using intraoperative portosystemic shunting were included in this retrospective analysis. Some 11 patients with pancreatectomy and simultaneous portosystemic shunting were included. The median age was 65.1years. A distal splenorenal shunt and a temporary mesocaval shunt were accomplished in 5 and 4 cases, respectively. Two patients were operated using persistent mesocaval shunts (from the coronary, splenic or inferior mesenteric veins). The median operating time was 9.43h. All but one patient were resected with tumour-negative resection margins; 5 patients had relevant complicated postoperative courses. There was one case of in-hospital mortality but no further 30- or 90-day mortality or graft-associated complications. Five patients were alive after a median follow-up of 24.6months. The median postoperative survival was 12months. Portosystemic shunting at the time of extended pancreatectomy is technically challenging but feasible and enables complete tumour resection in cases in which standard vascular reconstruction is limited by cavernous transformation or to prevent sinistral portal hypertension with acceptable morbidity in selected cases. Considering the limited overall survival, the potential individual patient benefit needs to be weighed against the considerable morbidity of advanced tumour resections.

Multicentre study of surgical referral and outcomes of patients with benign colorectal lesions.

BackgroundA multicentre cohort study was performed to analyse the motivations for surgical referral of patients with benign colorectal lesions, and to evaluate the endoscopic and pathological characteristics of these lesions as well as short‐term surgical outcomes.MethodsPatients who underwent surgery for a benign colorectal lesion in 15 Dutch hospitals between January 2014 and December 2017 were selected from the pathology registry. Lesions were defined as complex when at least one of the following features was present: size at least 40 mm, difficult location according to the endoscopist, previous failed attempt at resection, or non‐lifting sign.ResultsA total of 358 patients were included (322 colonic and 36 rectal lesions). The main reasons for surgical referral of lesions in the colon and rectum were large size (33·5 and 47 per cent respectively) and suspicion of invasive growth (31·1 and 58 per cent). Benign lesions could be categorized as complex in 80·6 per cent for colonic and 80 per cent for rectal locations. Surgery consisted of local excision in 5·9 and 64 per cent of colonic and rectal lesions respectively, and complicated postoperative course rates were noted in 11·2 and 3 per cent. In the majority of patients, no attempt was made to resect the lesion endoscopically (77·0 per cent of colonic and 83 per cent of rectal lesions).ConclusionThe vast majority of the benign lesions referred for surgical resection could be classified as complex. Considering the substantial morbidity of surgery for benign colonic lesions, reassessment for endoscopic resection by another advanced endoscopy centre seems to be underused and should be encouraged.

A pilot study of a novel molecular host response assay to diagnose infection in patients after high-risk gastro-intestinal surgery

PurposeSeptiCyte LAB measures the expression of four host-response RNAs in peripheral blood to distinguish sepsis from sterile inflammation. This study evaluates whether sequential monitoring of this assay has diagnostic utility in patients after esophageal surgery. Materials and methodsPatients who developed a complication within 30 days following esophageal surgery and a random sample of 100 patients having an uncomplicated course. SeptiCyte LAB scores (ranging 0–10 reflecting increasing likelihood of infection) were compared to post-hoc physician adjudication of infection likelihood. ResultsAmong 370 esophagectomy patients, 120 (32%) subjects developed a complication requiring ICU (re)admission, 63 (53%) of whom could be analyzed. Immediate postoperative SeptiCyte LAB scores were highly variable, yet similar for patients having a complicated and uncomplicated postoperative course (median score of 2.4 (IQR 1.6–3.3) versus 2.2 (IQR 1.3–3), respectively). In a direct comparison of patients developing a confirmed infectious (n = 34) and non-infectious complication (n = 12), addition of SeptiCyte LAB to CRP improved diagnostic discrimination of infectious complications (AUC 0.88 (95%CI 0.77–0.99)) compared to CRP alone (AUC 0.76 (95%CI 0.61–0.91); p = .04). ConclusionsSequential measurement of SeptiCyte LAB may have diagnostic value in the monitoring of surgical patients at high risk of postoperative infection, but its clinical performance in this setting needs to be validated.

Impact of health care organization on surgical lung cancer care

ObjectivesOrganization and governance of national healthcare might play an important role in decision-making and outcomes in patients with lung cancer. Both Denmark and the Netherlands have a high level of healthcare but a different financial coverage, governance and level of centralization. By using both national databases we analyzed the consequences of these differences on patterns of care and outcomes with a focus on morbidity, mortality and clinical staging. Materials and methodsGeneral numbers on both healthcare systems were requested. All patients who had surgery for lung cancer from 2013 to 2016 were included. Mortality, morbidity and clinical staging were analyzed for patients with NSCLC without metastases, only one operation and no neo-adjuvant therapy. ResultsIn 2016 annual budget as share of gross national product was 10.4% for both countries. In Denmark 4 hospitals performed lung surgery in 2016, compared to 43 hospitals in the Netherlands. We included 4030 Danish and 8286 Dutch patients. In the subgroup 30-day mortality was 1.5% in Denmark compared to 1.9% in the Netherlands. The percentage of patients with a complicated course was 24.4% and 34.8% respectively (p < 0.05). Accuracy between cTNM and pTNM was 53.0% in Denmark and 52.9% in the Netherlands. ConclusionSurgery for lung cancer is at a high level in both countries, reflected by low mortality-rates. Centralization has been implemented successfully in Denmark, which might explain the lower rate of patients with a complicated post-operative course, although different definitions preclude firm conclusions. In both countries correct clinical staging of lung cancer remains a challenge.

Timing of adjuvant radiation therapy and survival outcomes after surgical resection of intracranial non-small cell lung cancer metastases

Objective: To investigate if delay of adjuvant radiotherapy (ART) beyond 6 post-operative weeks affects survival outcomes in patients undergoing craniotomy or craniectomy for resection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) intracranial metastases. Patients and methodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of 28 patients undergoing resection of intracranial metastases and ART at our institution from 2001 to 2016. We assessed survival outcomes for patients who received delayed versus non-delayed ART, as well as associated risk factors. ResultsAmong 28 patients, 8 (29%) had delayed ART beyond 6 post-operative weeks. Fifteen received stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), 8 (29%) received whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), and 5 (18%) received combination WBRT + SRT. There were no significant differences in ART modality or dosing, age, sex, number of intracranial metastases, primary metastasis volume, rates of chemotherapy, extracranial metastases, or post-operative functional scores between groups. Expected post-operative survival was shorter with delayed ART (7 months versus 28 months, P = 0.01). The most common reason for delayed ART was complicated post-operative course (n = 3.38%). Significant risk factors for delayed ART included non-routine discharge (P = 0.01) and additional invasive procedures between surgery and ART start date (P = 0.02). ConclusionsOur results suggest delayed ART in patients undergoing surgical resection of intracranial NSCLC metastases is associated with shorter overall survival. However, risk factors for delayed ART, including non-routine discharge and the need for additional invasive procedures, may have in themselves reflected poorer clinical courses that may have also contributed to the observed survival differences.

Rapid progression of aortic and mitral stenosis in a patient with AA amyloidosis: a case report

BackgroundAortic stenosis is a common finding in cardiac amyloidosis (CA). Younger patients often remain asymptomatic. If unrecognized, this can lead to serious complications such as heart failure. Progression of aortic stenosis can be accelerated in patients with chronic kidney disease and need for dialysis. Perioperative risk in these patients is often high due to the underlying systemic disease.Case summaryA 40-year-old Caucasian man with known AA amyloidosis, highly active Ankylosing Spondylitis and need for chronic dialysis due to end-stage chronic renal failure presented for echocardiographic routine exam without reporting any cardiac symptoms. At the last visit 4 years ago, a normal heart valve function was noted and no echocardiographic follow-up was performed in the following. Now, rapid progression with severe aortic valve and mitral valve stenosis was stated and the patient underwent combined aortic and mitral surgical valve replacement following discussion in the multidisciplinary cardiology meeting. Macroscopic examination of the valves revealed significant calcification and histological examination showed the high presence of amyloid by Congo-red staining and immunohistological staining for AA-Amyloid. Both valve prosthetic devices showed normal function as well as a normal left ventricular ejection fraction in initial post-operative transoesophageal echocardiography. After prolonged and complicated post-operative course in the intensive care unit the patient died 3 months after surgery due to intractable multiorgan failure in combined severe abdominal septic and cardiogenic shock.DiscussionConcomitant CA and chronic dialysis can accelerate the onset of severe aortic valve stenosis. Young patients, as in this case, often stay asymptomatic, perioperative risk increases with duration of chronic dialysis and severity of valve stenosis. This increases the need for regular short-term echocardiographic examinations even in clinical stable patients.