Postoperative Bleeding Episodes Research Articles

Anticoagulation and Bleeding in Patients With Ventricular Assist Devices

A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a lifesaving therapy for end-stage heart failure, but it is associated with major complications such as bleeding and thrombosis. Anticoagulation is an important part of LVAD therapy; it requires meticulous management and monitoring for prevention of thromboembolic and bleeding events. Recommendations for thromboprophylaxis vary among pulsatile and nonpulsatile devices and require multiple pharmacological agents to achieve adequate anticoagulation. Patients expected to undergo LVAD implantation must have a comprehensive evaluation for underlying coagulopathies. During the perioperative period, all measures must be taken to prevent excessive bleeding and maintain hemostasis. Postoperative bleeding and thromboembolic episodes must be minimized to prevent significant complications of ventricular assist device therapy. Bleeding and thromboembolism are an impediment to a patient's quality of life as they can result in multiple hospitalizations, along with serious consequences such as death and permanent disability.

Nationwide Multicenter Study on Posttonsillectomy Bleeding

Objective: 1) Assess risk factors for the frequency of postoperative hemorrhage. 2) Apply a new classification of postoperative hemorrhage using a clear definition and 7 grades depending on severity. 3) Assess multiple bleeding episodes after tonsil surgery. Method: The study is based on a complete census of tonsillectomies (TE), tonsillotomies (TO), and adenoidectomies (AE) within 9 months in Austria. Postoperative hemorrhage was defined as every bleeding episode after extubation and classified in grades A1, A2, B1, B2, C, D, and E according to severity and the treatment needed. Results: Included were 9,405 patients: 48.5% TE with or without (±) AE, 37.1% AE, and 14.0% TO ± AE. Postoperative hemorrhage was far more frequent for TE than for TO or AE ( P < .001). A return to theater was necessary for 4.6% after TE. Adults had a significantly higher risk of postoperative bleeding than children for all types of surgeries ( P < .05). Males had a significantly higher risk of postoperative bleeding episodes ( P < .05). The “hot” operation techniques (bipolar diathermy or Coblation) showed a significantly increased risk of hemorrhage ( P < .05). The evidence of a light bleeding episode increased the risk of a severe bleeding episode ( P < .05). Conclusion: Assessing all grades of postoperative hemorrhage offers a far more precise picture about postoperative bleeding. Risk factors for postoperative hemorrhage have been the type of surgery, age, and operation technique.

Topical sucralfate for pain after oral CO2 laser surgery: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial

PurposeThe aim of this study was to assess the effect of topical sucralfate on postoperative pain scores and other secondary outcomes including the frequency and duration of analgesic use and postoperative bleeding episodes after CO2 laser treatment of oral leukoplakia. Patients and MethodsIn this prospective trial, a total of 80 patients were randomized into the sucralfate group (n = 40) or the control group (n = 40). Postoperative pain scores, the frequency and duration of analgesic requirements, and postoperative wound bleeding episodes were compared between the 2 groups from the operative day to postoperative day 6. ResultsPatients in the sucralfate group experienced significantly less postoperative pain on postoperative days 1 and 2. Although there was no significant difference in frequency and duration of analgesic use between the 2 groups, a trend toward lower frequency and fewer days of analgesic use in the sucralfate group was observed. ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the efficacy of topical sucralfate application in diminishing postoperative pain after CO2 laser therapy for oral leukoplakia. Topical sucralfate can be considered a feasible adjuvant medication for the control of pain after CO2 laser treatment of oral leukoplakia.

Tonsilar haemorrhage and re-admission: a questionnaire based study

The aim of our study was to investigate the accuracy of haemorrhage rate in the community (i.e., actual rate versus hospital recorded rate) for tonsil operations. Bleeding episodes were investigated for 695 consecutive patients undergoing tonsillectomy, adenotonsillectomy and tonsillotomy at the Department of ORL, H&NS, MU of Graz, Austria, between January 1 2007 and June 30 2008 by questionnaire. Main purposes of our study were the evaluation of the incidence of postoperative haemorrhage, need for revision surgery, medical care of patients experiencing postoperative bleeding and multiple bleeding episodes. Haemorrhage was defined as any bleeding, be it minimal or significant, after extubation. The study group comprised 407 patients who answered the questionnaire: 61.7% adults, 22.1% school children between 6 and 15years and 16.2% children aged less than 6years. Exactly 100 patients (24.6% of 407) showed some kind of postoperative bleeding, but only 79 of them (19.4% of 407) were recorded at hospital. A return to theatre due to haemorrhage was required in 4.7% of all 407 cases. Combining hospital records and data from the questionnaire allowed us to estimate an overall haemorrhage rate of 21.4% for all 695 patients. Every fifth patient experiencing postoperative haemorrhage did not return to the hospital he or she was operated in. We would have missed 21.0% of all bleeding episodes by assessing re-admitting patients suffering postoperative bleeding only. We conclude that haemorrhage rate is considerably higher than assumed by investigating hospital records only and strongly related to the definition of postoperative bleeding and to the study design.

Does the Radiofrequency Procedure for Fecal Incontinence Improve Quality of Life and Incontinence at 1-Year Follow-Up?

Fecal incontinence is a socially isolating disease that causes physical and psychologic distress. Radiofrequency delivered to the anal canal is a surgical modality for fecal incontinence that has been noted to be safe and potentially effective. The aim of this study was to evaluate improvement in fecal incontinence and quality of life after the radiofrequency procedure at 1-year follow-up. After institutional review board approval, patients with fecal incontinence for at least 3 months were prospectively recruited between March 2003 and June 2004. Patients enrolled in the study underwent the Secca procedure. The Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence Score and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire were completed at the first visit and then at 12-month follow-up. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyze the difference between baseline and follow-up. A total of 24 patients (23 females) were enrolled in the study, and 16 were available at the 12-month follow-up visit. The main causes of fecal incontinence were either idiopathic or included obstetric injury, aging, and trauma from previous anorectal surgeries. The mean operative time was 45.5 +/- 8.3 minutes, and the mean number of radiofrequency lesions in the anal canal was 65.5 +/- 13.8. There were 3 self-limited episodes of postoperative bleeding and 1 instance of constipation that was resolved with laxatives. There were no delayed complications. The mean Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence Score improved from a mean of 15.6 (+/- 3.2) at baseline to 12.9 (+/- 4.6) at 12 months (P = .035). The mean Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire score improved in all subsets except for the depression subscore. Radiofrequency is a safe, minimally invasive tool for treating patients with fecal incontinence. Improvement in fecal incontinence and quality of life was maintained at 12 months without delayed morbidity. The actual significance of this improvement is yet to be determined.

Failed Closure of Paravalvular Leak with an Amplatzer® Occluder Device After Mitral Valve Replacement

Failed Closure of Paravalvular Leak with an Amplatzer® Occluder Device After Mitral Valve Replacement

Dexamethasone and Risk of Nausea and Vomiting and Postoperative Bleeding After Tonsillectomy in Children

Dexamethasone is widely used to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in pediatric tonsillectomy. To assess whether dexamethasone dose-dependently reduces the risk of PONV at 24 hours after tonsillectomy. Randomized placebo-controlled trial conducted among 215 children undergoing elective tonsillectomy at a major public teaching hospital in Switzerland from February 2005 to December 2007. Children were randomly assigned to receive dexamethasone (0.05, 0.15, or 0.5 mg/kg) or placebo intravenously after induction of anesthesia. Acetaminophen-codeine and ibuprofen were given as postoperative analgesia. Follow-up continued until the 10th postoperative day. The primary end point was prevention of PONV at 24 hours; secondary end points were decrease in the need for ibuprofen at 24 hours and evaluation of adverse effects. At 24 hours, 24 of 54 participants who received placebo (44%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 31%-59%) had experienced PONV compared with 20 of 53 (38%; 95% CI, 25%-52%), 13 of 54 (24%; 95% CI, 13%-38%), and 6 of 52 (12%; 95% CI, 4%-23%) who received dexamethasone at 0.05, 0.15, and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively (P<.001 for linear trend). Children who received dexamethasone received significantly less ibuprofen. There were 26 postoperative bleeding episodes in 22 children. Two of 53 (4%; 95% CI, 0.5%-13%) children who received placebo had bleeding compared with 6 of 53 (11%; 95% CI, 4%-23%), 2 of 51 (4%; 95% CI, 0.5%-13%), and 12 of 50 (24%; 95% CI, 13%-38%) who received dexamethasone at 0.05, 0.15, and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively (P = .003). Dexamethasone, 0.5 mg/kg, was associated with the highest bleeding risk (adjusted relative risk, 6.80; 95% CI, 1.77-16.5). Eight children had to undergo emergency reoperation because of bleeding, all of whom had received dexamethasone. The trial was stopped early for safety reasons. In this study of children undergoing tonsillectomy, dexamethasone decreased the risk of PONV dose dependently but was associated with an increased risk of postoperative bleeding. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00403806.

Successful Use of Recombinant Factor VIIa (rVIIa, NovoSeven) in Two Patients with Bernard Soulier Syndrome and Dental Extraction

Background: Bernard Soulier syndrome (BSS) is a platelet function disorder that results from partial to complete deficiency or dysfunction of the GP Ib-IX-V receptor. Specific treatment of bleeding episodes or prophylaxis for the prevention of bleeding during surgical procedures is platelet transfusion. Alloimmunization by HLA antigens and antibody formation to the GPIb-IX-V complex frequently occur and, thus limit future responses to platelet transfusions. Recent patient studies have suggested that rVIIa may be an effective therapy for treatment of bleeding in BSS.Case Reports: We report on our experience with rFVIIa in two patients with BSS and dental extraction. Patient 1 is a 21-year-old woman (extraction of 2 wisdom teeth). In 2000, after a first extraction of one wisdom tooth, which was covered by administration of DDAVP and platelet transfusion, a bleeding episode occurred, requiring resurgery. Patient 2 is a 14 year old boy (extraction of 4 wisdom teeth). rFVIIa was used as first line therapy. An initial dose of rFVIIa (100 μg/kg/bw) was administered 15 min prior to surgery, followed by three doses of 90 μg/kg/bw at 120 min intervals and three doses at 8 hour intervals postoperatively. In the first three days after surgery, 90μg/kg/bw rFVIIa were administered every 12 hours. Tranexamic acid (CyklokapronÒ 3 × 1 g/d) was started postoperatively and continued for 10 days. There were no postoperative bleeding episodes and no platelet transfusion was required.In conclusion, rFVIIa in combination with tranexamic acid appears to be an effective and safe therapeutic alternative for prophylaxis of bleeding episodes in dental extraction in patients with BSS.

Blunt dissection versus electronic molecular resonance bipolar dissection for tonsillectomy: Operative time and intraoperative and postoperative bleeding and pain

To compare operative time, intraoperative and postoperative bleeding and pain using two different techniques for tonsillectomy: electronic molecular resonance bipolar tonsillectomy and blunt dissection tonsillectomy. From January 2005 to December 2006, a prospective, randomised study was performed in 800 children, aged from 3 to 10 years, admitted to the ENT (Ear Nose Throat) Unit of Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy to undergo tonsillectomy. Patients were randomised into two surgical groups, Group A (electronic molecular resonance tonsillectomy, EMRBT) and Group B (blunt dissection tonsillectomy). Operative time, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative complications were recorded. During 10 days after surgery, children and their parents were also asked to provide a rating of the patients' current pain intensity using a visual analogue scale. In this period, the parents were also asked to note the analgesic drugs administered. Duration of surgery and blood loss were significantly much lower in the group undergoing electronic molecular resonance bipolar tonsillectomy (p<0.0001). Postoperative pain scores resulted significantly different between the two methods on days 5 (p=0.05) and 8 (p=0.001) in evaluations by mothers. Moreover, in evaluations by patients pain scores resulted significantly different between the two methods on days 3 (p=0.02), 8 (p=0.005) and 9 (p=0.01). We found no difference between boys and girls in pain scores in the 10 days considered, nor between children older than 5 yrs and children younger than or aged 5 years. No statistically significant differences between the two techniques were found in the use of analgesics in all postoperative evaluations. This study showed that the use of electronic molecular resonance bipolar tonsillectomy, compared to blunt dissection, has several advantages. Reduced operative time and intraoperative bleeding make EMRBT more cost effective and allow an increased number of operations. Concerning postoperative pain, the two techniques did not present significant differences in the use of analgesics. The number of postoperative bleeding episodes was also similar in the two groups of patients.

Port-A-Cath insertions in acute leukemia: does thrombocytopenia affect morbidity?

Background Unnecessary delay of insertion of Port-A-Cath indwelling venous catheters in thrombocytopenic patients may result from fear of potential morbidity. This study sought to compare the morbidity of Port-A-Cath insertions in acute leukemic patients with platelet counts below and above 50 × 10 9/L. Method Incidence and profile of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) and other complications were determined in 80 consecutive Port-A-Cath insertions in pediatric patients with acute leukemia from January 2002 to December 2004. Subgroup analysis was performed for patients with platelet levels below and above the recommended safe level of 50 × 10 9/L. Results Twenty-two (27.5%) patients had insertions performed at platelet levels below the recommended level (median, 35.3; range, 10-49 × 10 9/L); postoperative counts were correspondingly higher (median, 66.0; range, 20-207 × 10 9/L) with perioperative platelet transfusion. Catheter-related bloodstream infection incidence was similar in patients with platelets less than and greater than the recommended threshold (18.2% vs 17.2%, respectively), and likewise for CRBSIs encountered in the immediate 30 postoperative days (4.6% and 5.2%, respectively). Only 2 episodes of postoperative bleeding occurred, both in the group with platelet counts greater than 50 × 10 9/L, with an equally low incidence of other local and mechanical complications in both subgroups. Patient demographics and other preoperative blood parameters did not differ significantly. Conclusion Preoperative thrombocytopenia was not associated with increased incidence of postoperative complications for Port-A-Cath insertions in acute leukemic children.

Ten-Year Experience in Porto-Caval Hemitransposition for Liver Transplantation in the Presence of Portal Vein Thrombosis

Porto-caval hemitransposition (PCH) in liver transplantation allows revascularization of the liver when the porto-mesenteric axis is thrombosed. We, here, review our experience over an 11-year period. A total of 23 patients underwent liver transplantation using PCH. Immunosuppression was based on tacrolimus, with sirolimus used in case of renal insufficiency. Most common diagnoses were hepatitis C, Laennec's, Budd-Chiari and cryptogenic cirrhosis. Six patients needed splenectomy prior to transplant, 5 during transplant, 1 post-transplant, 11 had no splenectomy. Overall survival was 60% at 1 year and 38% at 3 years, with 10 of 23 patients currently alive and the longest survivor at 9.3 years. Most common cause of death was sepsis/multisystem organ failure, followed by pulmonary embolism. A total of 7/23 patients experienced post-operative gastrointestinal bleeding episodes, 6/23 patients developed thrombosis of the vena cava (median 162 days post-op). Post-operative ascites was noted in almost all patients. Renal dysfunction was commonly seen even after the first month post-transplant. PCH offers a feasible option for liver transplantation in those patients with complex thrombosis of the mesenteric and portal circulation.

The Use of Recombinant Factor VIIa (NovoSeven®) in a Patient with Bernard Soulier Syndrome and Dental Extraction.

Background: Bernard Soulier syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive platelet function disorder that impairs platelet adhesion to von Willebrand factor, especially at high shear flow. The disorder results from partial to complete deficiency or dysfunction of the GP Ib-IX-V receptor. Bernard Soulier syndrome typically results in prolonged bleeding time, thrombocytopenia, and giant platelets. The main clinical symptoms, evident from early childhood, include frequent episodes of epistaxis and hemorrhage associated with mucocutaneous bleeding or trauma. Specific treatment of bleeding episodes or prophylaxis for the prevention of bleeding during surgical procedures are platelet transfusions. This treatment option is not devoid of complications.Alloimmunization by HLA antigens and antibody formation to the GPIb-IX-V complex frequently occur and, thus limit future responses to platelet transfusions. Recent patient studies have suggested that recombinant factor VIIa (rVIIa, NovoSeven®) may be an effective therapy for treatment of bleeding in patients with congenital platelet function defects and other acquired platelet disorders, including thrombocytopenia.Case Reports: We report on our experience with rFVIIa in a 21-year-old woman with Bernard Soulier syndrome and dental extraction (2 wisdom teeth). In 2000, after a first extraction of one wisdom tooth, that was covered by administration of DDAVP and platelet transfusion, a bleeding episode occurred, requiring resurgery. This time rFVIIa was used as first line therapy. An initial dose of rFVIIa (100 μg/kg/bw) was administered 15 min. prior to surgery, followed by two doses of 90 μg/kg/bw at 120 min intervals postoperatively. In the first three days after surgery, 90μg/kg/bw rFVIIa were administered every 12 hrs. Tranexamic acid (Cyklokapron® 3 x 1 g/d) was started postoperatively and continued for 10 days. There were no postoperative bleeding episodes and no platelet transfusion was required.In conclusion, rFVIIa in combination with tranexamic acid appears to be an effective and safe therapeutic alternative for prophylaxis of bleeding episodes in dental extraction in patients with Bernard Soulier syndrome.

Efficacy of Sucralfate in the Postoperative Management of Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

To evaluate the effectiveness of sucralfate in influencing throat pain, otalgia, analgesic requirement, bleeding, mucosal recovery, and incidence of postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. A prospective double-blind randomized study. University-affiliated tertiary referral hospital. Eighty adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome requiring uvulopalatopharyngoplasty were recruited and randomly allocated into either a sucralfate treatment group or a control group. All patients underwent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Patients enrolled in the sucralfate group (n=40) were instructed to gargle the sucralfate suspension and then to swallow. Patients enrolled in the control group (n=40) were instructed to gargle placebo suspension at the same doses and schedule. Postoperative throat pain, otalgia, amount of analgesic required, degree of strength (defined as patients' general well-being and return to regular daily activities), percentage of mucosal covering, and postoperative bleeding. Throat pain and otalgia occurred significantly less often in sucralfate group, with less analgesic requirement and with rapid mucosal healing and early return to regular daily activities. There was no significant difference in episodes of postoperative bleeding between the 2 groups (P=.37). Although sucralfate therapy may not provide complete analgesia after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, it may reduce the amount of analgesic required, thus preventing dose-related adverse effects from the analgesic agent. It can also significantly reduce the total number of days needed to return to normal daily activities (P=.41).

Arterial Anastomosis Without Sutures Using Ring Pin Stapler for Clinical Renal Transplantation: Comparison With Suture Anastomosis

The metal ring pin stapler was initially developed for microvascular surgery and there has been little experience of their use in larger vessels. We determined if the titanium ring pin coupling system could be safely and rapidly applied for arterial reconstruction in clinical renal transplantation. The donor renal artery was end-to-end anastomosed to the internal iliac artery with titanium ring pin staplers in 36 patients. Anastomotic, clamp and total operative time and vascular problems were compared with those in the control group of sutured anastomosis in 39 transplant recipients. The completion of mechanical anastomosis required half the time of suture anastomosis. Mean clamp time was 17.8 minutes in the nonsuture group and 28.1 minutes in the control group. There was no significant difference in total operative time between the 2 groups. A small anastomotic line leak was noted in each group, which was temporary and self-limited. There were no postoperative anastomotic failures, postoperative bleeding episodes or need to revise the anastomosis (100% patency rate) in the 2 groups. Of the patients 61 were followed for 2 to 5 years. Transplant renal artery stenosis was observed in 1 patient in the nonsuture group but 3 in the control group. The anastomotic technique with the ring pin system is safe and simple, permitting an expeditious and everting anastomosis with a smooth intima-to-intima junction. Application of this technique may decrease warm ischemia time and the incidence of anastomotic artery stenosis, thus, improving outcomes.

LAPAROSCOPIC RENAL-ADRENAL SURGERY IN PATIENTS ON ORAL ANTICOAGULANT THERAPY

Patients requiring chronic anticoagulation are theoretically at increased risk for hemorrhage or thromboembolism perioperatively. Experience with laparoscopic renal/adrenal surgery in patients on chronic warfarin is limited. We assessed hemorrhagic/thromboembolic complications in this group of patients. The records of 787 patients undergoing laparoscopic renal/adrenal surgery were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 25 patients on chronic oral anticoagulation with warfarin were identified. The indications for warfarin therapy as well as perioperative management were reviewed. Clinical parameters, including operative time, estimated blood loss, hemorrhagic/thromboembolic complications and transfusions, were documented and compared with those in patients not receiving chronic anticoagulation. Atrial fibrillation (56% of cases) and a prosthetic mitral valve (28%) were the most frequent indications for chronic anticoagulation. Bridging anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin was the most frequent management method (68% of cases). Patients with anticoagulation were older (p <0.001) and hospitalized longer (<0.001) than those without anticoagulation. Operative time, estimated blood loss and the conversion rate were not significantly different between the groups. However patients on chronic warfarin significantly more often required transfusion (24% vs 5.2%, p <0.005) and had more postoperative bleeding episodes (8% vs 0.9%, p <0.05) than patients not on chronic anticoagulation. No thromboembolic events occurred in the anticoagulated group, while 3 occurred in the nonanticoagulated group (p = 1). Laparoscopic renal/adrenal surgery in patients requiring chronic anticoagulation therapy can be performed safely. The risk of intraoperative bleeding is not increased, although the incidence of postoperative bleeding as well as transfusions is higher.

Colovesical Fistula: Not a Contraindication to Elective Laparoscopic Colectomy

Traditionally, diverticular fistula was thought to be a contraindication for laparoscopic colectomy. The advent of hand-assisted laparoscopy has allowed repair of a diverticular fistula to be technically feasible laparoscopically. We present our experience with laparoscopic colectomy in patients with diverticular fistulas. Patients with colovesical or colovaginal fistulas secondary to diverticular disease were consecutively entered into a database over a five-year period. All operations were electively performed by a single group of colorectal surgeons. Patient demographics, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, type of surgery, operating time, hospital length of stay, and early and late complications were recovered by chart review. These results were then compared to results from a group of patients who had undergone elective laparoscopic colectomy for recurrent diverticulitis during the same period by the same group of surgeons. Altogether, 40 consecutive operations for diverticular fistulas were performed, 36 of which were started laparoscopically (90 percent). The average patient age was 65 years and the average American Society of Anesthesiologists class was 2. Patient demographics were similar among the group with recurrent diverticulitis (n = 149). The average hospital stay was 6.2 days for the fistula group and 4.4 days in the recurrent diverticulitis group. The average operating time was 220 minutes for the fistula group vs. 176 minutes for the uncomplicated group (P < 0.002). The conversion rate was significantly higher in the fistula group (25 percent vs. 5 percent, P < 0.001). There were no postoperative anastomotic leaks or bleeding episodes requiring reoperation in the fistula group. Diverticular fistula should no longer be considered a contraindication for laparoscopic colectomy. These cases are more complex, as evidenced by the longer operating times and higher conversion rates when compared with resections for uncomplicated recurrent diverticulitis. Although the length of hospital stay was longer for patients who underwent laparoscopic colectomy for diverticular fistula, those whose operations were completed laparoscopically had the same outcome as patients with uncomplicated disease. We anticipate that minimally invasive surgery will become the standard of care for colovesical fistula, as it now is for uncomplicated diverticular disease.

CO2 laser surgery: a larynx preservation alternative for selected hypopharyngeal carcinomas.

Transoral CO2 laser surgery (TLS) has demonstrated good oncologic results and low morbidity in the treatment of selected laryngeal carcinomas, but experience in hypopharyngeal carcinomas (HC) is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of TLS in the treatment of selected HC. Twenty-eight patients with HC were treated with TLS and neck dissection. Tumors with preoperative invasion of thyroid cartilage at CT, deep growth into the cervical space or tongue base, and tumors crossing the posterior midline or involving the cervical esophagus were excluded. Postoperative radiation to the neck was administered when more than one lymph node was involved, when the metastasis diameter was greater than 2 cm, or when extranodal spread was found at the pathologic study. The sample included two T1, 16 T2, nine T3, and one T4 tumors. Stage classification was: II, 21.4%; III, 28.6%; and IV, 50%. Four-year overall and disease-specific survival rates were 43.4% and 59.4%, respectively, with 78.5% function preservation. Nine patients (32.1%) did not need a nasogastric feeding tube. The mean duration of the feeding tube in the remaining patients was 15.27 +/- 27.3 days. We had two postoperative bleeding episodes that required endoscopic coagulation and three postoperative pneumonias caused by aspiration. TLS is an alternative for the treatment of selected HC associated with a high larynx preservation rate.

An approach to venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis regimens for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) have not been adequately addressed in the literature. This study presents the results of our prophylactic regimen in LRYGBP at a tertiary care hospital. A retrospective review of 255 morbidly obese patients undergoing LRYGBP between March 2000 and February 2003 was conducted. Patients received preoperative subcutaneous heparin (SQH) (5000u or 7500u) and every 8 hours thereafter during hospitalization. Sequential compression devices (SCD) were utilized during and after surgery unless ambulating. Early ambulation was enforced. 255 patients underwent LRYGBP, with 5 (1.9%) converted to open. Average preoperative weight and body mass index (BMI) were 138 kg and 50, respectively. Operative time averaged 174 minutes. Average length of stay was 2.2 days. 9 patients (3.6%) had a prior history of deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism (DVT/PE), one of whom had a DVT/PE postoperatively. 2 patients developed DVT/PE within 30 days. Overall DVT/PE incidence was 1.2%. There were 6 postoperative bleeding episodes (2.4%). This regimen provides excellent prophylaxis against VTE in the hospital setting.

Long term follow-up after splenectomy performed for immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

Splenectomy is the only treatment of ITP known to have "curative" effects in a substantial fraction of patients. However, the true long-term outcome is uncertain and controversial because published series have not adjusted for the duration of follow-up. This IRB-approved retrospective study included all patients with ITP who underwent splenectomy between 1988-1993 at three major medical centers and required a minimum postoperative 5-year follow-up. Complete response (CR) was defined as all postsplenectomy platelet counts >150 x 10(9)/L without treatment; partial response (PR) as platelet counts > or =50 x 10(9)/L without treatment; and failure as platelet counts <50 x 10(9)/L or receiving therapy after splenectomy. Seventy-five patients identified with ITP underwent splenectomy from 1988 to 1993. Three patients died prior to 5-year follow-up, and 56 of the 72 patients (78%) were evaluable with follow-up for five years or longer, median 7.5 years. The immediate postoperative complete remission rate was 77%; 57% of patients have remained in prolonged CR. Thirty-seven patients (66%) have not required any therapy after splenectomy. Eight patients had platelet counts >150 x 10(9)/L for 4-8.5 years before relapsing; no clear plateau was attained in the remission curve. There was no operative mortality. Ten patients (18%) reported minor postoperative bleeding episodes. No life-threatening infections, significant heart disease, or pulmonary hypertension developed after splenectomy in the 434 patient-years of follow-up. This study helps to define the long-term results of splenectomy for ITP.

Technical standardization of laparoscopic splenectomy: experience with 105 cases.

Some reports have suggested that laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) can be successfully performed in adults. However, several aspects of this procedure remain as yet undefined; therefore, several attempts have been made to modify the standard technique to try to optimize the procedure. Herein we analyze our experience with 105 laparoscopic splenectomies. From 1993 to 2000, 105 patients underwent LS at our hospital. Twelve of these patients also underwent a concomitant cholecystectomy. There were 66 women and 39 men whose ages ranged between 4 and 78 years (median, 27.7). All patients underwent an elective laparoscopic splenectomy. Seventy five patients had thrombocytopenia (ITP), 14 had hereditary spherocytosis, eight were affected by b-thalassemia, two had splenic cysts, two had lymphoma, (two had myeloid chronic leukemia, one patient presented with a splenic abscess and one had incurred an iatrogenic spleen lesion during adrenalectomy. The first patients in this series were positioned in dorsal decubitus; however, as the team's experience increased, the right lateral decubitus became the position of choice because it provides better exposure of the splenic hilum. This procedure requires the use of only four trocars. Mean operating time was 95 min (range, 35-320). Hospital stay ranged from 2 to 21 days (median, 4.5). There was only one conversion to open surgery. One patient died in the postoperative period due to the evolution of a preexisting malignant disease. We recorded nine complications-four subphrenic abscesses, two cases of pleuritis, two episodes of postoperative bleeding, and one intestinal infarction 16 days after surgery. Only two patients needed redo surgery. We believe that the laparoscopic approach is a valid alternative to open splenectomy, but mastery of some of the technical details of this procedure could greatly help avoid its complications. On the basis of our experience, it seems that the lateral approach should be considered the position of choice because it provides exposure and easier dissection of the splenic hilar structures. We also found that a 30 degrees scope and an ultrasonic dissector allowed for perfect vision and optimal hemostasis during the procedure. At the end of procedure, the spleen should be fragmented and then extracted using an extraction bag.