Higher Risk Of Postoperative Complications Research Articles

Extent of aortic replacement and operative outcome in open proximal thoracic aortic aneurysm repair

ObjectivesThere are few data to delineate the risk differences among open aortic procedures. We aimed to investigate the influence of the procedural types on the outcomes of proximal thoracic aortic aneurysm repair. MethodsAmong 1900 patients who underwent aortic replacement in our institution between 2005 and 2019, 1132 patients with aortic aneurysm who underwent a graft replacement of proximal thoracic aorta were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on the extent of the aortic replacement: isolated ascending aortic replacement (n = 52); ascending aortic replacement with distal extension with hemiarch, partial arch, or total arch replacement (n = 126); ascending aortic replacement with proximal extension with aortic valve or root replacement (n = 620); and ascending aortic replacement with distal and proximal extension (n = 334). “Eventful recovery,” defined as occurrence of any key complications, was used as the primary end point. Odds ratios for inability to achieve uneventful recovery in each procedure were calculated using ascending aortic replacement as a reference. ResultsOverall, in-hospital mortality and stroke occurred in 16 patients (1.4%) and 24 patients (2.1%). Eventful recovery was observed in 19.7% of patients: 11.5% in those with ascending aortic replacement, 36.5% in those with partial arch or total arch replacement, 16.6% in those with proximal extension with aortic valve or root replacement, and 20.4% in those with distal and proximal extension (P < .001). With ascending aortic replacement as the reference, a multivariable logistic regression revealed partial arch or total arch replacement (odds ratio, 10.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-189.5) was an independent risk factor of inability to achieve uneventful recovery. ConclusionsOpen proximal aneurysm repair in the contemporary era resulted in satisfactory in-hospital outcomes. Distal extension was associated with a higher risk for postoperative complications.

Stop the BleedⓇ

There are few data to delineate the risk differences among open aortic procedures. We aimed to investigate the influence of the procedural types on the outcomes of proximal thoracic aortic aneurysm repair.Among 1900 patients who underwent aortic replacement in our institution between 2005 and 2019, 1132 patients with aortic aneurysm who underwent a graft replacement of proximal thoracic aorta were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on the extent of the aortic replacement: isolated ascending aortic replacement (n = 52); ascending aortic replacement with distal extension with hemiarch, partial arch, or total arch replacement (n = 126); ascending aortic replacement with proximal extension with aortic valve or root replacement (n = 620); and ascending aortic replacement with distal and proximal extension (n = 334). “Eventful recovery,” defined as occurrence of any key complications, was used as the primary end point. Odds ratios for inability to achieve uneventful recovery in each procedure were calculated using ascending aortic replacement as a reference.Overall, in-hospital mortality and stroke occurred in 16 patients (1.4%) and 24 patients (2.1%). Eventful recovery was observed in 19.7% of patients: 11.5% in those with ascending aortic replacement, 36.5% in those with partial arch or total arch replacement, 16.6% in those with proximal extension with aortic valve or root replacement, and 20.4% in those with distal and proximal extension (P < .001). With ascending aortic replacement as the reference, a multivariable logistic regression revealed partial arch or total arch replacement (odds ratio, 10.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-189.5) was an independent risk factor of inability to achieve uneventful recovery.Open proximal aneurysm repair in the contemporary era resulted in satisfactory in-hospital outcomes. Distal extension was associated with a higher risk for postoperative complications.

Considerations for the Use of Local Anesthesia in the Frail Elderly: Current Perspectives.

The frail, elderly population is at a high risk of postoperative complications. Besides perioperative rehabilitation techniques and management by geriatric teams, the least invasive techniques in anesthesia are required, making regional anesthesia very interesting in terms of benefit-risk ratio. Among them, local anesthesia is a simple, reproducible, inexpensive technique applied to many superficial or deep surgeries, which should make it a gold standard for the frail person. This review provides an update on the current possibilities for various surgeries and exclusion.

Feasibility of a tele-prehabilitation program in high-risk patients with colon or rectal cancer undergoing elective surgery: a feasibility study

BackgroundPrehabilitation appears to be an effective strategy to reduce postoperative complications and enhance recovery after colorectal surgery. Although many patients prefer (unsupervised) home-based prehabilitation, adherence can be problematic. Combining home-based prehabilitation with tele-monitoring might demonstrate a higher adherence than unsupervised prehabilitation; however, evidence on its feasibility and effectiveness in patients with colorectal cancer scheduled for elective surgery who are at high risk for postoperative complications is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a bimodal tele-prehabilitation program in patients with colorectal cancer at high risk for postoperative complications.MethodsHigh-risk patients (oxygen uptake at the ventilatory anaerobic threshold ≤11 mL/kg/min or oxygen uptake at peak exercise ≤ 18 mL/kg/min) with colorectal cancer were included in a home-based bimodal tele-prehabilitation program. The program consisted of a personalized tele-monitored moderate to high-intensity interval training intervention and nutritional counseling. Feasibility was measured by participation rate, dropout rate, adherence to the physical exercise training session’s frequency, intensity, and time, and retention rate. Patient appreciation was measured by a patient appreciation questionnaire. Changes in preoperative physical fitness as secondary outcomes were quantified by time to exhaustion on a constant work rate (cycle) test, number of repetitions on the 30-s chair-stand test, and walking speed on the 4-m gait speed test.ResultsThe participation rate was 81%, there were no adverse events, and all participants managed to complete the tele-prehabilitation program (retention rate of 100%). Adherence with regard to the exercise program’s frequency, intensity, and time was respectively 91%, 84%, and 100%. All participants appreciated the tele-prehabilitation program. Time to exhaustion on the constant work rate test improved (not statistically significant) from a pre-prehabilitation median score of 317 seconds to a post-prehabilitation median score of 412 seconds (p = 0.24). Median number of repetitions on the 30-s chair-stand test improved from 12 to 16 (p = 0.01).ConclusionsTele-prehabilitation seems feasible in high-risk patients with colorectal cancer, but efforts should be made to further improve adherence to physical exercise training intensity. More research is needed to establish the (cost-)effectiveness of tele-prehabilitation regarding preoperative improvements in preoperative aerobic fitness and postoperative reduction of complications.Trial registrationISRCTN, ISRCTN64482109. Registered 09 November 2021 - Retrospectively registered.

The impact of chronic kidney disease and dialysis therapy on outcomes of elderly patients with hip fractures: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hip fractures are a commonly occurring comorbidity in patients with chronic kidney disease. To evaluate the comparative rates of post-operative complications, revision surgery, and mortality after hip fracture surgery in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis. A systematic search of the academic literature was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines across five databases: Web of Science, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Scopus, and MEDLINE. A random-effect meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the overall comparative risks of post-operative complications in chronic kidney disease patients. Out of 993 studies, 11 eligible studies were included in the review, with a total of 72618 chronic kidney disease patients (mean age: 75.3 ± 3.0 years), and 50566 healthy controls (75.3 ± 2.6 years). Meta-analysis revealed a higher risk of post-operative complications (Odd's ratio: 1.76), revision surgeries (1.69), and mortality-related outcomes (2.47) after hip fracture surgery in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis as compared to chronic kidney disease patients not undergoing hemodialysis. We report higher risks of post-operative complications, revision surgery, and mortality in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis as compared to chronic kidney disease patients not undergoing hemodialysis.

264 Evaluating the risk of post-operative complications in obstructive sleep apnea patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep-related breathing condition that leads to increased sympathetic activity. Previous studies have shown OSA is associated with increased oxidative stress and inflammation along with decreased perfusion, all of which can contribute to impaired wound healing. It is currently unknown whether patients with OSA are at a higher risk for post-operative complications after Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) compared to those without OSA, therefore we aimed to address this knowledge gap.

Robot-assisted kidney transplantation: Is it getting ready for prime time?

Kidney transplantation (KT) is the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal disease, providing a better survival rate and quality of life compared to dialysis. Despite the progress in the medical management of KT patients, from a purely surgical standpoint, KT has resisted innovations during the last 50 years. Recently, robot-assisted KT (RAKT) has been proposed as an alternative approach to open surgery, especially due to its potential benefits for fragile and immunocompromised recipients. It was not until 2014 that the role of RAKT has found value thanks to the pioneering Vattikuti Urology Institute-Medanta collaboration that conceptualized and developed a new surgical technique for RAKT following the Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long-term follow-up recommendations for introducing surgical innovations into real-life practice. During the last years, mirroring the Vattikuti-Medanta technique, several centers developed RAKT program worldwide, providing strong evidence about the safety and the feasibility of this procedure. However, the majority of RAKT are still performed in the living donor setting, as an “eligible” procedure, while only a few centers have realized KT through a robotic approach in the challenging scenario of cadaver donation. In addition, despite the spread of minimally-invasive (predominantly robotic) surgery worldwide, many KTs are still performed in an open fashion. Regardless of the type of incision employed by surgeons, open KT may lead to non-negligible risks of wound complications, especially among obese patients. Particularly, the assessment for KT should consider not only the added surgical technical challenges but also the higher risk of postoperative complications. In this context, robotic surgery could offer several benefits, including providing a better exposure of the surgical field and better instrument maneuverability, as well as the possibility to integrate other technological nuances, such as the use of intraoperative fluorescence vascular imaging with indocyanine green to assess the ureteral vascularization before the uretero-vesical anastomosis. Therefore, our review aims to report the more significant experiences regarding RAKT, focusing on the results and future perspectives.

Complications and re-operations after extensor mechanism repair surgery in a large cross-sectional cohort: females and tobacco-users at highest risk for adverse outcomes.

There is little information on patients most at risk for poor outcomes following surgical repair of extensor mechanism tendon injuries. The purpose of this study is to provide an epidemiological overview of patients undergoing patellar or quadriceps tendon repair and to assess the incidence of postoperative complications, readmissions, and revision repairs among this population. Retrospective data were obtained using the PearlDiver database for patellar tendon repair and quadriceps tendon repair patients between 2010 and 2020. Baseline demographics, incidences of 90-day readmissions and postoperative complications, and reoperation rates were collected for each group. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the predictive power of each demographic variable on the incidence of postoperative complications and reoperations. In total, 1543 patients underwent patellar tendon repair and 601 underwent quadriceps tendon repair. Complications within 90-days were observed in 33.7% of patients with patellar tendon repair and 39.2% of patients with quadriceps tendon repair. Reoperation rates were 4.2% and 4.8% for patellar tendon repair and quadriceps tendon repair, respectively. Females in both patellar tendon repair and quadriceps tendon repair groups were at significantly higher risk for post-operative complications (patellar tendon repair OR 3.0, 95% CI 2.4-3.7; quadriceps tendon repair OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.9-4.6; p < 0.001 for both). Older age (p < 0.001), female gender (p < 0.001), CCI (p < 0.001), tobacco use (p < 0.001), and obesity (p < 0.01) were all predictors of experiencing at least one complication following patellar tendon repair. For quadriceps tendon repair, female gender (p < 0.001) and CCI (p < 0.001) were the strongest predictors of experiencing at least one complication, while older age, tobacco use, and obesity (p < 0.05 for all) were also significant independent predictors. Patellar tendon repair patients are younger on average than quadriceps tendon repair patients. Although females are less likely to sustain extensor mechanism ruptures compared to males, females are significantly more likely to have at least one complication after quadriceps or patellar tendon repair. These findings may be used by surgeons, patients, and payors to understand who is most at risk for adverse outcomes following extensor mechanism repair surgery, resulting in earlier intervention and counseling to reduce the likelihood of a poor outcome following extensor mechanism repair surgery. Level III.

Outcome evaluation of decompression surgery combined with cerebellar tonsillectomy compared without cerebellar tonsillectomy for Chiari type I malformation patients.

Surgical intervention is an important treatment option to improve the prognosis for Chiari type I malformation (CM-I) patients. However, there is no consensus about surgical strategies. The article intends to evaluate the effect of decompression combined with or without cerebellar tonsillectomy in the treatment of CM-I. Following PRISMA's principles, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases and references to relevant articles were searched to include only original articles on decompression combined with or without cerebellar tonsillectomy in CM-I patients. Through meta-analysis, the data on clinical improvement, radiological improvement, and complications were pooled. Nine articles, including 399 CM-I patients undergoing decompression alone and 343 undergoing decompression with cerebellar tonsillectomy, meet the inclusion standard. In comparison, the improvement rate of clinical symptoms or signs in patients with cerebellar tonsillectomy is higher and statistically significant (RR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.75-0.95; P = 0.006). However, decompression with cerebellar tonsillectomy is also significantly higher in the incidence of postoperative complications (RR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.36-0.80; P = 0.002). No statistical difference is discovered between the two groups in the improvement rate of syringomyelia (RR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.57-1.03; P = 0.08). Although decompression with cerebellar tonsillectomy is superior than decompression alone in clinical improvement for CM-I patients, it also faces a higher risk of postoperative complications. The reduction of syringomyelia in the two groups can be considered equally effective without significant differences. In the future, the results of the research require multicenter and large-scale randomized controlled trials to verify in clinical practice. CRD42022321750 (PROSPERO).

Trends in the Prevalence and Postoperative Surgical Complications for Smokers Who Underwent a Total Knee Arthroplasty from 2011 to 2019: An Analysis of 406,553 Patients.

Smoking is a modifiable risk factor for complications following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). It is unclear if the declining prevalence of tobacco use in the U.S. population is reflected in patients undergoing elective TKA. This study aims to investigate (1) the incidence of 30-day complications following TKA in smokers and (2) trends in preoperative smoking status among TKA patients. In this study, patients undergoing primary elective TKA in the United States from 2011 to 2019 were identified in the American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database. Our cohort included 406,553 cases, 8.13% of which had smoked cigarettes within 1 year of undergoing TKA. Smokers were propensity score-matched to a group of nonsmokers, with each n = 32,533. The incidences of 30-day complications, readmission, and non-home discharge were compared between groups. The rate of preoperative smoking among elective primary TKA patients remained stagnant from 2011 to 2019. Smokers had higher rates of superficial surgical site infections (SSIs; 1.1 vs. 0.5%, p < 0.001), deep SSI (0.3 vs. 0.2%, p = 0.012), wound disruption (0.4 vs. 0.2%, p < 0.001), pneumonia (0.5 vs. 0.3%, p < 0.001), and 30-day readmission (3.6 vs. 2.7%, p < 0.001) compared with nonsmokers. No significant trends in 30-day complications were noted between 2011 and 2019. This study supports the success of national efforts to reduce the prevalence of smoking and reports a modest effect within the TKA population. However, almost 1 in 10 patients undergoing elective TKA continues to smoke and maintains a higher risk of postoperative complications.

O-309 Surgery versus IVF/ICSI in infertile women with rectosigmoid endometriosis: the FERTILITY-RECTOSIGMOID study

Abstract Study question To compare the live birth rate in infertile patients with rectosigmoid endometriosis treated by surgery or IVF/ICSI. Summary answer In infertile women with rectosigmoid endometriosis, IVF/ICSI is associated with a higher live birth rate and a shorter time to conceive than first-line surgery. What is known already The choice between surgery and IVF/ICSI is based on several variables including concomitant infertility factors, presence of (sub)occlusive symptoms, preference of patients. Until now, there is no evidence to favor first-line IVF/ICSI or first-line surgery in women affected by rectosigmoid endometriosis wishing to conceive. Study design, size, duration This was a prospective patient’s preference study enrolling infertile women with rectosigmoid endometriosis who underwent first-line surgery or IVF/ICSI. Symptoms and fertility outcomes were compared between the two groups. Participants/materials, setting, methods Rectosigmoid endometriosis was diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance enema. All study patients underwent computed tomographic colonography (CTC) to assess the degree of stenosis of the intestinal lumen. Inclusion criteria were infertility; bilateral tubal patency; age &amp;lt; 40 years. Exclusion criteria were history of surgery for endometriosis; previous IVF/ICSI cycles; oocyte donation or vitrified oocyte procedures; poor ovarian reserve; estimated bowel stenosis &amp;gt; 70% at CTC; (sub)occlusive symptoms; oligospermia (sperm count &amp;lt; 15 million/mL). Main results and the role of chance Two hundred twenty-nine patients underwent IVF/ICSI. Patients underwent up to 4 IVF/ICSI cycles. Overall, 128 women had a live birth (55.9%; 95% C.I., 49.2%-62.4%). Two bowel sub occlusions occurred during IVF-ICSI. 198 patients underwent surgical treatment of rectosigmoid endometriosis. Nine patients have postoperative complications: four rectovaginal fistula, two anastomotic leakage, two pelvic abscess and one postoperative bleeding. At a median follow-up of 23 months after surgery (range, 12-56 months), 91 women had a live birth (44.9%; 95% C.I., 38.0%-56.1%). The live-birth rate was significantly higher in patients who underwent IVF/ICSI than in those who underwent surgery (p = 0.047). The time to conception that resulted in live birth was significantly shorter in patients who underwent IVF/ICSI (mean ± SD, 11.9 ± 7.6 months) than in those who underwent surgery (18.5 ± 8.1 months; p = 0.037). Six months after surgery or first IVF/ICSI cycle, there was a higher improvement of pain (p &amp;lt; 0.001) and intestinal symptoms (p &amp;lt; 0.001) in women surgically treated. No bowel endometriosis-related complication occurred during pregnancy. There was no difference in perinatal outcomes between the two groups. Limitations, reasons for caution The nonrandom allocation to treatments and the relatively small sample sized limits the strength of our results. Wider implications of the findings IVF/ICSI is associated with a higher live birth rate and a shorter time to conceive than surgery. The disadvantages of IVF/ICSI are potential endometriosis-related complications during the procedure and persistence of symptoms. Surgery improves symptoms but it has a higher risk of postoperative complications, which may negatively impact spontaneous conception. Trial registration number CE Liguria - ID 10766 - n. 394 (Approval: 10/2020)

Machine Learning-Based Systems for the Anticipation of Adverse Events After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

Pediatric congenital heart disease (CHD) patients are at higher risk of postoperative complications and clinical deterioration either due to their underlying pathology or due to the cardiac surgery, contributing significantly to mortality, morbidity, hospital and family costs, and poor quality of life. In current clinical practice, clinical deterioration is detected, in most of the cases, when it has already occurred. Several early warning scores (EWS) have been proposed to assess children at risk of clinical deterioration using vital signs and risk indicators, in order to intervene in a timely manner to reduce the impact of deterioration and risk of death among children. However, EWS are based on measurements performed at a single time point without incorporating trends nor providing information about patient's risk trajectory. Moreover, some of these measurements rely on subjective assessment making them susceptible to different interpretations. All these limitations could explain why the implementation of EWS in high-resource settings failed to show a significant decrease in hospital mortality. By means of machine learning (ML) based algorithms we could integrate heterogeneous and complex data to predict patient's risk of deterioration. In this perspective article, we provide a brief overview of the potential of ML technologies to improve the identification of pediatric CHD patients at high-risk for clinical deterioration after cardiac surgery, and present the CORTEX traffic light, a ML-based predictive system that Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children's Hospital is implementing, as an illustration of the application of an ML-based risk stratification system in a relevant hospital setting.

Laparoscopic Treatment Strategies for Liver Echinococcosis.

Liver echinococcosis is clinically mainly composed of hepatic cystic echinococcosis (CE) and hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (AE). At present, laparoscopy has been comprehensively applied in the treatment of two types of liver echinococcosis. For hepatic CE treatment, both laparoscopic total pericystectomy and laparoscopic hepatectomy can achieve radical results, but the former is considered the first choice owing to its being more minimally invasive; laparoscopic subtotal pericystectomy and laparoscopic partial pericystectomy can be accepted as complementary options, considering the presence of complicated cysts and the level of laparoscopic technique in remote hospitals; laparoscopic cystectomy is simple, but it is not currently recommended for treatment of hepatic CE owing to poor efficacy and high risk of postoperative complications. For hepatic AE treatment, laparoscopy not only achieves the same radical effect as open surgery in selected patients, but also is more minimally invasive, so it has a better prospect.

Use of a self-expanding metal stent to treat acute esophageal perforation in a 4-year-old child

Esophageal perforations are associated with a high morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Most cases are managed conservatively with antibiotics, nutritional supplementation, and percutaneous drainage of fluid collections. Direct surgical repair is reserved for patients with hemodynamic instability or evidence of clinical worsening due to the high risk of postoperative complications. Utilization of stents in the treatment of acute esophageal perforation has become well-established in adults, but evidence remains lacking in the pediatric population. We present the case of a 4-year old male with an acute esophageal perforation who was successfully treated with an esophageal self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) in lieu of direct surgical repair. He failed extubation on postoperative day (POD) 6 due to tracheal compression by the oversized stent but exhibited good healing with successful extubation on POD 13. This case report demonstrates that esophageal stents may be a promising alternative to surgical repair in the pediatric population. Further studies and trials should be performed to compare the effectiveness of esophageal stenting to direct surgical repair. Modification and downsizing of the adult SEMS design for pediatric anatomy is recommended to prevent complications such as tracheal compression and prolonged intubation.

A comparative Study of Novel Extramedullary Fixation and Dynamic Hip Screw in the Fixation of Intertrochanteric Fracture: A Finite-Element Analysis.

BackgroundDynamic hip screw (DHS) is one of the most widely internal fixations for stabilizing intertrochanteric fracture, however, with a high risk of postoperative complications. The triangle support fixation plate (TSFP) is developed to reduce the postoperative complications. The purpose of study is to evaluate the biomechanical performance of the DHS and TSFP and demonstrate the rationality of triangular internal fixation for stabilizing intertrochanteric fractures.MethodsThe CT data of the proximal femur were used to establish finite-element models. Evans type I and IV intertrochanteric fracture were constructed and stabilized with the DHS and TSFP. The Von-Mises stress, maximum principal stress, minimum principal stress, and displacement were used to evaluate the biomechanical effect of two implants on intertrochanteric fracture.ResultsUnder a 600N axial load, the maximum stress and displacement of an intact proximal femur were 13.78 MPa and 1.33 mm, respectively. The peak stresses of the bone in the TSFP were 35.41 MPa and 68.97 MPa for treating Evans type I and IV intertrochanteric fractures, respectively, which were lower than those in the DHS. The maximum overall displacement and relative distance of the fracture surface in the DHS fixation model were 1.66 mm and 0.10 mm for treating Evans type I intertrochanteric fracture, which was 29.59% and 150% higher than that in the TSFP, and were 2.24 mm and 0.75 mm for treating Evans type IV intertrochanteric fracture, which was 42.58% and 650% higher than that in the TSFP.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the TSFP has obvious advantages in stress distribution and stability than the DHS, providing a promising option for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures.

Effect of Age Alone on Outcome of Acute Surgical Conditions Among Healthy Patients (Non-smokers, Non-obese, and No Comorbid Conditions).

The impact of age alone in relation to postoperative outcomes needs to be further elucidated. This study investigated whether increasing age was associated with increased morbidity and mortality for patients with no comorbidities undergoing acute care surgery (ACS). The 2016-2018 National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database was used to identify adult patients who underwent ACS performed on an urgent/emergent basis. Patients overweight or with pre-existing medical comorbidities were excluded. Patients were divided into age groups in decades. The association between outcomes and the different age groups, other patient characteristics, and perioperative factors was examined by multivariate logistic regression. 22,770 patients were identified, of which 73.5% were appendectomies, and 21.6% were open procedures. Increasing age correlated with higher unadjusted complication rates and mortality. Multivariate analyses revealed that compared to patients ≤ 30 years old, mortality was not different for patients 31-60 years old, but it was higher for the age groups > 61 years old. Patients aged 51-60 and from 71 and above were associated with higher risks of complications. Subset analysis on octogenarians revealed a 1.14-fold higher odds of mortality for every year of increasing age. Preoperative risk factors including open procedure, wound class, and American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) class were also associated with greater risks of mortality in octogenarians. Patients older than age 50 were at higher risk for postoperative complications, and mortality significantly increased for each decade past 60 years old in healthy individuals.

Intraoperative protective mechanical ventilation in patients requiring emergency abdominal surgery: the multicentre prospective randomised IMPROVE-2 study protocol

IntroductionEmergency abdominal surgery is associated with a high risk of postoperative complications. One of the most serious is postoperative respiratory failure (PRF), with reported rates up to 20%–30% and attributable...

Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition Following Knee Injury or Surgery: Pathophysiology, Classification, and Treatment

Background: Arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI), a process in which quadriceps activation failure is caused by neural inhibition, is common following knee injury or surgery. No classifications exist to describe the variable presentations of AMI following knee injury. Indications: AMI can result in significant morbidity following knee injury, and it is essential to recognize and treat. It is crucial to identify patients at higher risk of postoperative complications as surgery should be delayed for specific rehabilitation programs. Understanding the pathophysiology of AMI is vital as this can guide therapeutic interventions. Technique Description: AMI following knee injury can present in a variety of ways including inhibition of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) muscle, extension deficits due to hamstring contracture, as well as chronic extension deficits. They also respond differently to conventional treatment modalities and often require longer and specific rehabilitation programs. Therefore, we propose a classification to define these different presentations. Results: Grade 0 is a normal VMO contraction. Grade 1a is when VMO contraction is inhibited but activation failure is reversible with simple exercises while Grade 1b requires longer and specific rehabilitation programs. Grade 2a is when VMO contraction is inhibited with an associated extension deficit due to hamstring contracture, but activation failure and loss of range of motion is reversible with simple exercises. However, Grade 2b is refractory to simple exercises, and longer and specific rehabilitation programs are required. Grade 3 is a chronic extension deficit that is irreducible without extensive posterior arthrolysis. Conclusion: In conclusion, AMI is a process in which quadriceps activation failure is caused by neural inhibition and is common following knee injury or surgery. Not taking AMI into account preoperatively can result in a very high risk of stiffness postoperatively. We propose a classification for AMI following knee injury or surgery, which describes different presentations and can be used to guide management.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy does not increase peri-operative morbidity following radical cystectomy.

To determine whether use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is associated with a higher risk of post-operative complications following radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer (BCa). We retrospectively reviewed records of patients undergoing RC for non-metastatic urothelial BCa at 13 tertiary care centres from 2007-2019. Patients who received NAC ('NAC + RC' group) were compared with those who underwent upfront RC ('RC alone' group) for intra-operative variables, incidence of post-operative complications as per the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC) and rates of re-admission and re-intervention. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of CDC overall and CDC major (grade III-V) complications. We also analysed the trend of NAC utilization over the study period. Of the 3113 patients included, 968 (31.1%) received NAC while the remaining 2145 (68.9%) underwent upfront RC for BCa. There was no significant difference between the NAC + RC and RC alone groups with regards to 30-day CDC overall (53.2% vs 54.6%, p = 0.4) and CDC major (15.5% vs 16.5%, p = 0.6) complications. The two groups were comparable for the rate of surgical re-intervention (14.6% in each group) and re-hospitalization (19.6% in NAC + RC vs 17.9% in RC alone, p = 0.2%) at 90days. On multivariable regression analysis, NAC use was not found to be a significant predictor of 90-day CDC overall (OR 1.02, CI 0.87-1.19, p = 0.7) and CDC major (OR 1.05, CI 0.87-1.26, p = 0.6) complications. We also observed that the rate of NAC utilization increased significantly (p < 0.001) from 11.1% in 2007 to 41.2% in 2019, reaching a maximum of 48.3% in 2018. This large multicentre analysis with a substantial rate of NAC utilization showed that NAC use does not lead to an increased risk of post-operative complications following RC for BCa. This calls for increasing NAC use to allow patients to avail of its proven oncologic benefit.

Algorithm-based management of complications after pancreatic resection

Improving the failure-to-rescue rate (ie, the mortality rate of patients who have major postoperative complications), is an important priority for surgical quality improvement.1,2 Pancreatic resections are complex operations with a high risk of postoperative complications. One of the most common complications after pancreatic surgery is postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). The incidence of POPF ranges from 3% to 45% at high-volume institutions. POPF can lead to further devastating complications, such as bleeding requiring intervention, multiple organ failure, and mortality.