Important Surgical Complication Research Articles

Rationale for Using High-Frequency Ultrasound as a Routine Examination in Skin Cancer Surgery: A Practical Approach.

Ultrasound and high-frequency ultrasound assessment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer in the pre-therapeutical setting is becoming increasingly popular in the field of dermatosurgery and dermatooncology, as it can provide clinicians with relevant, "in vivo" parameters regarding tumor lateral and depth extension as well as potential locoregional spread, cancelling the need of more extensive imaging methods and avoiding a delay in diagnosis. Furthermore, preoperative sonography and color Doppler can aid in orienting the clinical diagnosis, being able in numerous situations to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions, which require a different therapeutic approach. This preoperative knowledge is of paramount importance for planning an individualized treatment regimen. Using sonography at the time of diagnosis, important surgical complications, such as neurovascular damage, can be avoided by performing a preoperative neurovascular mapping. Furthermore, sonography can help reduce the number of surgical steps by identifying the lesions' extent prior to surgery, but it can also spare unnecessary surgical interventions in cases of locally advanced lesions, which infiltrate the bone or already present with locoregional metastases, which usually require modern radiooncological therapies in accordance to European guidelines. With this review, we intend to summarize the current indications of sonography in the field of skin cancer surgery, which can help us improve the therapeutic attitude toward our patients and enhance patient counseling. In the era of modern systemic radiooncological therapies, sonography can help better select patients who qualify for surgical procedures or require systemic treatments due to tumoral extension.

A novel device to assess the oxygen saturation and congestion status of the gastric conduit in thoracic esophagectomy

BackgroundIn thoracic esophagectomy, anastomotic leakage is one of the most important surgical complications. Indocyanine green (ICG) is the most widely used method to assess tissue blood flow; however, this technique has been pointed out to have disadvantages such as difficulty in evaluating the degree of congestion, lack of objectivity in evaluating the degree of staining, and bias easily caused by ICG injection, camera distance, and other factors.Evaluating tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) overcomes these disadvantages and can be performed easily and repeatedly. It is also possible to measure objective values including the degree of congestion. We evaluate novel imaging technology to assess tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) in the gastric conduit during thoracic esophagectomy.MethodsFifty patients were enrolled, with seven excluded due to intraoperative findings, leaving 43 for analysis. These patients underwent thoracic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. The device was used intraoperatively to evaluate tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) and total hemoglobin index (T-HbI), which guided the optimal site for gastric tube anastomosis. The efficacies of StO2 and T-HbI in relation to short-term outcomes were analyzed.ResultsStO2, indicating blood supply to the gastric tube, remained stable beyond the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) end but significantly decreased distally to the demarcation line (p < 0.05). T-HbI, indicative of congestion, significantly decreased past the RGEA (p < 0.05). Three patients experienced anastomotic leakage. These patients exhibited significantly lower StO2 (p < 0.01) and higher T-HbI (p < 0.01) at both the RGEA end and the demarcation line. Furthermore, the anastomotic site, usually within 3 cm of the RGEA’s anorectal side, also showed significantly lower StO2 (p < 0.01) and higher T-HbI (p < 0.01) in patients with anastomotic leakage.ConclusionsThe novel device provides real-time, objective evaluations of blood flow and congestion in the gastric tube. It proves useful for safer reconstruction during thoracic esophagectomy, particularly by identifying optimal anastomosis sites and predicting potential anastomotic leakage.

Incisional Hernias after Vascular Surgery for Aortoiliac Aneurysm and Aortoiliac Occlusive Arterial Disease: Has Prophylactic Mesh Changed This Scenario?

Incisional hernia (IH) is an important surgical complication that has several ways of prevention, including modifications in the surgical technique of the initial procedure. Its incidence can reach 69% in high-risk patients and long-term follow-up. Of the risky procedures, open abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy is the one with the highest risk. Ways to reduce this morbid complication were suggested, and prophylactic mesh rises as an important tool to prevent recurrence. A retrospective cohort study review of medical records of patients undergoing vascular surgery for abdominal aortoiliac aneurysm (AAA) or vascular bypass surgery due to aortoiliac occlusive disease. We identified 193 patients treated between 2010 and 2020. We further performed a one-to-nine matching analysis between the use of prophylactic mesh and control groups, based on estimated propensity scores for each patient. Prophylactic mesh group had a 18% lower risk of IH, compared with the control group (relative risk: 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.74-0.93). The difference in IH rates between the groups compared was 2.6% (95% CI: -19.8 to 25.5). From the perspective of the number needed to treat, it would be necessary to use prophylactic mesh in 39 (95% CI: 35-44) patients to avoid one IH in this population. Use of prophylactic mesh in the repair of AAA significantly reduces the incidence of IH in nearly one in five cases. Our data suggest that there is benefit in the use of prophylactic mesh in open aneurysmectomy surgery regarding postoperative IH development.

Is daycare tonsillectomy a safe outpatient surgery at Pokhara ENT Center, Nepal

Introduction: Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedure in the world performed by Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon. Over the past decade, there has been progress in surgical techniques for tonsillectomy, yet pain and bleeding after tonsillectomy remain important surgical complications. With the increasing need to reduce healthcare costs in developing countries, there is currently a trend towards performing tonsillectomy on a daycare basis and this study aims at evaluating how efficacious it may be in our setting. Methods: A retrospective review of all the daycare tonsillectomy surgeries performed at the Pokhara ENT Center, Pokhara, Nepal from February 2018 to January 2019. Patients aged 15 years and up of either sex who met the paradise criteria were included while patients who met the same but had a contraindication for tonsillectomy surgery were excluded. Demographic information as well as complications within six hours of surgery before discharge and on follow-up on the seventh post-operative day were evaluated, as were any emergency room visits in the first 24 hours and any complications requiring a visit to a healthcare facility. Results: On day of surgery 17% had worst pain and on seventh post-operative day 75% had no pain, only 2% presented with primary hemorrhage and 3% presented with secondary hemorrhage. None of them required revision surgery. Conclusions: Daycare tonsillectomy is being done in only some of the centers owing to the risk of postoperative complications in our country. In our study, the number of complications was lower and not life-threatening. It can be considered a safe and cost-effective method, though patient selection is crucial.

Nesidioblastosis: an uncommon complication seen post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Adult-onset nesidioblastosis is a rare complication of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and may occur months to years after the initial surgical procedure. It is manifested by a hyperinsulinemic, hypoglycemic state. The annual incidence of adult-onset hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia is believed to be less than 0.1 in 1 000 000 with a mean age of onset of 47 years (1). Here, we describe a patient who presented with worsening hypoglycemic symptoms for 1 year prior to presentation that eventually progressed to hypoglycemic seizures. The onset of this hypoglycemia was 5 years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. A full neurological evaluation, which included an EEG, head CT, and MRI, was performed to rule out epilepsy and other seizure-related disorders. After hypoglycemia was confirmed, extensive laboratory studies were obtained to elucidate the cause of the hypoglycemia and differentiate nesidioblastosis from insulinoma. Once the diagnosis of nesidioblastosis was established, a sub-total pancreatectomy was performed, and the patient was discharged and placed on acarbose, a competitive reversible inhibitor of pancreatic α-amylase and intestinal brush border α-glucosidases which slows carbohydrate absorption. The lack of information and understanding of nesidioblastosis due to its rarity makes any knowledge of this rare but important surgical complication essential. As incidence of obesity increases, the number of gastric bypasses being performed increases with it, and understanding this disease process will be essential for the primary care provider. This is the primary reason for the writing of this publication. Nesidioblastosis is a persistent hyperinsulinemic, hypoglycemic state, mostly seen after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, with symptoms occurring postprandially. The incidence is 0.1-0.3% of all post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients. The key diagnostic clue to identifying nesidioblastosis is a positive selective arterial calcium stimulation test, showing a diffuse pattern of increased basal hepatic venous insulin concentration, whereas insulinomas would show focal increases. Pathological specimen of pancreas will show diffuse hypertrophy of beta cells. Management includes acarbose and total or subtotal pancreatectomy, which can be curative. With the prevalence of obesity increasing and more patients turning to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, more patients may be at risk of this potential surgical complication.

Complications Following Posterior Colporrhaphy With and Without Anal Sphincteroplasty: An Analysis of Cases in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database

ObjectiveWe aimed to compare postoperative complications for patients undergoing posterior colporrhaphy with or without sphincteroplasty. MethodsA retrospective cohort of women undergoing posterior colporrhaphy with or without anal sphincteroplasty was completed using the National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database (2012–2019). The primary outcome was a composite of important surgical complications, including wound complications, blood transfusion, hospital stay >48 hours, reoperation, readmission, and urinary tract infection. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for important potential confounders, including age, BMI, diabetes, and anterior prolapse surgery. ResultsA total of 5079 patients were included. Of these, 82 patients underwent a concurrent sphincteroplasty. The primary composite outcome occurred in 10.4% of patients having posterior colporrhaphy versus 19.5% having posterior colporrhaphy with sphincteroplasty. On multivariable analysis there was no increased odds of complication associated with concomitant anal sphincteroplasty (1.58, 95% CI 0.89–2.90, P = 0.12). ConclusionNearly one in five women who have posterior colporrhaphy with anal sphincteroplasty had an important surgical complication. Higher complication rates may be related to patient factors, as this was not observed after adjustment for patient factors and additional surgical procedures. Sphincteroplasty may be considered with posterior colporrhaphy in select women.

Monopolar versus bipolar cautery in tonsillectomy: A comparative study

Introduction: Tonsillectomy is the most commonly performed surgeries in otolaryngology. Despite the evolution in surgical and anaesthetic techniques, pain and bleeding are still the most important surgical complications. This study was done to compare the pain and bleeding following tonsillectomy using monopolar and bipolar cautery techniques in our population. Methods: It was a prospective, longitudinal study done over a period of one year at Gandaki Medical College, Pokhara, Nepal. Total 45 patients who underwent tonsillectomy by either monopolar or bipolar cautery were included in the study and assessed for postoperative pain and haemorhage. The data was entered in Microsoft Excel and further analysis done by statistical package for the social sciences 16.0. The association of variables was be tested by Chi square test and p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Confidence interval was be kept at 95%. Results: Out of the 45 patients who underwent tonsillectomy, 35.5% were males and 64.5% were females. The age of patients varied from 16 to 60 years. Mean age of the patients was 27.5 years. Fourty percent of the total patients underwent tonsillectomy by monopolar cautery whereas 60% patients were operated by bipolar cautery. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups regarding age, sex ratio, postoperative pain and bleeding. Conclusions: Both monopolar and bipolar cautery are equally effective methods of tonsillectomy in terms of postoperative pain and haemorrhage.

The ISCON-trial protocol: laparoscopic ischemic conditioning prior to esophagectomy in patients with esophageal cancer and arterial calcifications

BackgroundAnastomotic leakage is the most important surgical complication following esophagectomy. A major cause of leakage is ischemia of the gastric tube that is used for reconstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. Generalized cardiovascular disease, expressed by calcifications of the aorta and celiac axis stenosis on a pre-operative CT scan, is associated with an increased risk of anastomotic leakage. Laparoscopic ischemic conditioning (ISCON) aims to redistribute blood flow and increase perfusion at the anastomotic site by occluding the left gastric, left gastroepiploic and short gastric arteries prior to esophagectomy. This study aims to assess the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic ISCON in selected patients with esophageal cancer and concomitant arterial calcifications.MethodsIn this prospective single-arm safety and feasibility trial based upon the IDEAL recommendations for surgical innovation, a total of 20 patients will be included recruited in 2 European high-volume centers for esophageal cancer surgery. Patients with resectable esophageal carcinoma (cT1-4a, N0–3, M0) with “major calcifications” of the thoracic aorta accordingly to the Uniform Calcification Score (UCS) or a stenosis of the celiac axis accordingly to the modified North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) score on preoperative CT scan, who are planned to undergo esophagectomy are eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome variables are complications grade 2 and higher (Clavien-Dindo classification) occurring during or after laparoscopic ISCON and before esophagectomy. Secondary outcomes include intra- and postoperative complications of esophagectomy and the induction of angiogenesis by biomarkers of microcirculation and redistribution of blood flow by measurement of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography.DiscussionWe hypothesize that in selected patients with impaired vascularization of the gastric tube, laparoscopic ISCON is feasible and can be safely performed 12–18 days prior to esophagectomy. Depending on the results, a randomized controlled trial will be needed to investigate whether ISCON leads to a lower percentage and less severe course of anastomotic leakage in selected patients.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov, NCT03896399. Registered 4 January 2019.

The safety and efficacy of Glubran 2 as biliostatic agent in liver resection

BackgroundBiloma, an encapsulated collection of bile outside the biliary tree, supported by a predominantly iatrogenic biliary fistula, and bile likeage are two of the most important surgical complications after liver resection. We, hypothesized to conduct a project aimed to prevent, or reduce, the formation of biloma or biliary fistula applying on the hepatic resection area the cyanoacrylate glue (Glubran2).MethodsWe searched in our surgical database all patients underwent liver resection for mCRC from January 2013 to December 2018 and we found a total of 510 patients. 205 patients for Group A (study population: included patients in which we have used Glubran2 during surgical procedure) and 113 patients for Group B (control group), were enrolled.ResultsIn both Groups no patients died during hospitalization and the 30-day mortality was 0 %. During follow-up in Group A, a biliary fistula was found in 2 patients (1 %) versus 3 patients in the Group B (2,6 %). In patients enrolled in Group A no adverse event were reported relate to the use of Glubran2.ConclusionsIt is possible to affirm that the use of Glubran2 as biliostatic agent after liver resection is useful to prevent bile leakage complication and biloma formation and its use demonstrated to be safe and feasible during liver surgery.

Neoadjuvant treatment (FOLFOX4 plus hypofractionated tomotherapy) for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer: a multicenter phase II trial.

Aims:This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new neoadjuvant regimen (FOLFOX4 plus hypofractionated tomotherapy) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.Methods:Patients with stage II–III rectal cancer were treated with the pre-operative chemoradiotherapy regimen comprising FOLFOX4 (two cycles), TomoTherapy (25 Gy in five consecutive fractions, one fraction per day in 5 days on the clinical target volume at the isodose of 95% of the total dose), FOLFOX4 (two cycles), followed by surgery with total mesorectal excision and adjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFOX4 (eight cycles). The primary endpoint was pathological complete response (pCR).Results:Fifty-two patients were enrolled and 50 patients were evaluable. A total of 46 (92%) patients completed chemoradiotherapy according to the study protocol and 49 patients underwent surgery. Overall, 12 patients achieved a pCR (24.5%, 95% CI 12.5–36.5). The most common grade 3 or more adverse events were neutropenia and alteration of the alvus. Adverse reactions due to radiotherapy, mainly grade 1–2 dermatitis, tenesmus, urinary dysfunction and pain, were tolerable and fully reversible. The most important surgical complications included infection, anastomotic leakage and fistula, all resolved with conservative treatment.Conclusion:FOLFOX and hypofractionated TomoTherapy is effective and safe in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Long-term efficacy needs to be further evaluated.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02000050 (registration date: 26 November 2013) https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02000050

Lymphocele complications following renal transplantation

Introduction: Lymphocele formation following renal transplantation is a well-known complication. Mostly these are small and inconsequential, but large lymphocele may cause symptoms like pain, infection , renal dysfunction, surgical drainage of lymphatics Surgical damage of the lymphatics of the graft during the procurement and of the lymphatics around the iliac vessels of the recipients has been responsible with development of lymphocele. Several factors such as diabetes, obesity, blood coagulation abnormalities, anticoagulation prophylaxis, high dose of diuretics, delay in graft function and immunosuppressive drugs are known to be related to these complications. We report three cases of symptomatic lymphoceles managed at our centre during the past one year. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing renal transplant at our centre. Out of 18 transplant recipients 3 cases developed large symptomatic lymphoceles. These were evaluated by Computed Tomography (CT) scan/ Ultrasound (USG) and serum creatinine levels. These patients were managed by ultrasound guided aspiration and instillation of doxycyline. Results: All three patients underwent USG guided aspiration and doxycyline instillation had significant reduction in serum creatinine levels with no recurrence of lymphoceles on follow-up. Conclusions: lymphocele remains important surgical complications following renal transplantation. Prompt diagnosis and early intervention is crucial to prevent permanent renal damage..

Early Emergency General Surgery Is Associated with a Higher Incidence of Clostridium difficile Infection.

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is an important surgical complication. Emergency general surgery (EGS) is a developing area of the acute care surgical practice. Few studies evaluating the incidence and risk factors of CDI in this patient population are available. A prospectively maintained Acute and Critical Care Surgery registry spanning from 2008 to 2015 was queried for cases of operative EGS with clinical suspicion of CDI post-operatively. Diagnosis of CDI was made using toxin A/B assay in stools. Demographics, co-morbidities, surgical procedures, length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit LOS, antibiotic use, and death were obtained. The patients positive and negative for CDI were compared using chi-squared and Student's t-test. Multi-variable logistic regression was used to determine risk factors for CDI. A total of 550 patients were identified. The total incidence of CDI was 12.7%. There was no significant difference in demographics between CDI positive and negative patients. Average time to CDI diagnosis was 10.1 ± 8.5 days post-operatively. Patients who received three or more antibiotic classes were at higher risk of CDI developing post-operatively (83% vs. 75%, p = 0.04). The CDI positive patients underwent an EGS significantly earlier than CDI negative patients (0.9 ± 2.3 vs. 3.2 ± 9.2 days, p < 0.001). The most common procedures were partial colectomies (21.4%); small bowel resections/repairs (12.9%); gastric repair for perforated peptic ulcer (10%); skin and soft tissue procedure (7.1%), and laparotomies (5.7%). There was no difference in outcomes between the groups. On linear regression, an EGS performed later after admission was an independent risk factor for lower CDI (OR 0.87; CI 95% [0.79-0.96], p < 0.01). Patients undergoing an early EGS have a high incidence of CDI. The number of antibiotic classes administered post-operatively affects CDI status. Bowel resections appear to be at increased risk for CDI. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion and low threshold for testing C. difficile in high-risk EGS patients.

Complications after minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy with and without concomitant incontinence surgery: A National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database study.

To compare surgical complications for patients having minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy (MISCP) with concomitant incontinence procedure, to those having MISCP alone. Patients undergoing MISCP with and without a concomitant incontinence procedure between 2006 and 2015 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database using Current Procedural Terminology codes. The main outcome of interest was a composite of surgical site infection, bleeding requiring blood transfusion, return to the operating room within 30 days, and surgical stay >48 h. Log-binomial regression was used to identify independent risk factors for the outcome and to generate adjusted effect measures for variables of interest. Seven thousand ninety-seven women met the inclusion criteria, of which 2433 (34%) underwent a concomitant incontinence procedure. Patients having incontinence procedures were slightly older (59 ± 11 vs 58 ± 12, P < 0.0001) and had longer total operating time (225 IQR 170-267 vs 184 IQR 120-232 min, P < 0.0001). Pre-operative steroid use, wound class III/IV (vs I/II), and longer operative time were independent predictors of the composite outcome. After adjusting for baseline patient characteristics and co-morbidities, no association was observed between concomitant incontinence procedure and the composite outcome (adjusted RR 0.87, 95%CI 0.65-1.18) but there was an increased likelihood of urinary tract infection (adjusted RR 2.47 95%CI 1.89-3.27). Despite being associated with a longer operative time, performing an incontinence procedure at the time of MSCIP was not associated with an increased risk of clinically important surgical complications other than urinary tract infection.

Update on upper eyelid blepharoplasty

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is among the most frequent oculoplastic surgical procedures. It is often performed as one of the first esthetic surgical interventions by surgeons of various disciplines. While there is ahigh probability of happy and satisfied patients postoperatively, there are important potential surgical complications that should be prevented. This requires acareful preoperative, perioperative and postoperative approach. This synopsis presents the basic considerations concerning upper eyelid blepharoplasty to serve as practical surgical guidelines. This is acompendium of important preoperative, perioperative and postoperative contemplations derived from the medical literature, expert opinions and the authors' personal experiences. Careful examination and documentation of eyelid and periorbital findings are required in order to identify additional pathologies to dermatochalasis and plan the surgical approach accordingly. There is atrend in the literature and in expert opinions away from large tissue resection and towards volume preserving and volume reconstructing surgical techniques. Correct placement of the skin fold as well as maintaining lid symmetry are crucial points in order to achieve anatural appearance and patient satisfaction. Careful and realistic patient information, state of the art surgery including cautious tissue resection and correct symmetrical formation of the skin fold as well as postoperative assistance and availability increase the likelihood of satisfied patients after blepharoplasty.

Suboptimal identification of patient-specific risk factors for poor wound healing can be improved by simple interventions.

Poor wound healing is an important surgical complication. At-risk wounds must be identified early and monitored appropriately. Wound surveillance is frequently inadequate, leading to increased rates of surgical site infections (SSIs). Although the literature demonstrates that risk factor identification reduces SSI rates, no studies have focused on wound management at a junior level. Our study assesses documentation rates of patient-specific risk factors for poor wound healing at a large district general hospital in the UK. It critically evaluates the efficacy of interventions designed to promote surveillance of high-risk wounds. We conducted a full-cycle clinical audit examining medical records of patients undergoing elective surgery over 5 days. Interventions included education of the multidisciplinary team and addition of a Wound Healing Risk Assessment (WHRA) checklist to surgical admissions booklets. This checklist provided a simple stratification tool for at-risk wounds and recommendations for escalation. Prior to interventions, the documentation of patient-specific risk factors ranged from 0·0% to 91·7% (mean 42·6%). Following interventions, this increased to 86·4-95·5% (mean 92·5%), a statistically significant increase of 117·1% (P < 0·01). This study demonstrates that documentation of patient-specific risk factors for poor wound healing is inadequate. We have shown the benefit of introducing interventions to increase risk factor awareness.

Benefits and Complications of Removing Ureteral Stent Based on the Elapsed Time After Renal Transplantation Surgery.

BackgroundThe most important surgical complications of renal transplantation are stenosis and obstruction of anastomosis of the ureter to the bladder. Although the routine use of the ureteral stents to prevent such complications seems rational, the optimal time to keep the ureteral stent is still controversial.ObjectivesThis study presents the benefits and complications of removing the ureteral stent based on the elapsed time after the surgery.Patients and MethodsAll patients who underwent kidney transplantation between May 2011 and August 2014 in Modarres hospital, Tehran, Iran, were enrolled in the study. The patients were classified into three groups. The ureteral stent was removed 10, 20, and 30 days after the transplantation in these groups.ResultsA total of 529 patients underwent kidney transplant surgery in our center. Urologic complications among the three groups consisting of hydronephrosis, urinoma and collection did not have statistically significant differences.ConclusionsUreteral stent can be picked up with no increased risk of urologic complications at shorter intervals after the kidney transplantation surgery.

Early Stent Removal After Kidney Transplantation: Is it Possible?

BackgroundThe most important surgical complications of renal transplantation are stenosis and obstruction of the ureterovesical anastomosis. Routine use of ureteral stents can prevent this complication, but the optimal time for ureteral stent use is still controversial.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to compare the benefits and complications of early and delayed stent removal after surgery. Early ureteral stent removal can decrease some complications, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder irritation symptoms, persistent hematuria, and the risk of stent crusting; its benefits include easier stent removal and shorter hospitalization time.Patients and MethodsAll patients who underwent kidney transplantation from May 2011 until March 2012 in Modarres Hospital were included in this study. We classified the patients into three groups, based on time of stent removal (10, 20, and 30 days after transplantation).ResultsNinety-one patients were studied; urologic complications (hydroureteronephrosis and urinoma) in these three groups were analyzed and showed no statistical significant difference.ConclusionsWe can remove the ureteral stent earlier after kidney transplantation with no increase in the prevalence of surgical complications.

Wound morbidity after kidney transplant.

Wound morbidity is an important surgical complication after kidney transplant. To assess risk factors for postoperative wound complications and the impact of such complications on outcomes of kidney transplant. Retrospectively, 108 consecutive kidney transplant patients between January 2010 and December 2010 were included in the analysis. Wound morbidity was defined as a surgical site infection or symptomatic lymphocele requiring intervention. Patient, donor, and surgical characteristics were reviewed. Eight lymphoceles and 5 surgical site infections occurred in 12 patients. Risk factors for wound complications were recipient's age (P<.01), body mass index (P=.01), urinary tract infection (P=.01), and prolonged postoperative wound drainage (P=.047). Wound morbidity did not increase the incidence of delayed graft function, acute rejection, graft failure, or mortality. Obesity, recipient's age, urinary tract infection, and prolonged wound drainage are risk factors for wound-related complications. Graft and patient survival rates are comparable between patients with and without wound-related complications.

Intervention for access-induced ischemia: which option is the best?

Access-induced ischemia is a rare but important surgical complication with potentially devastating long-term results. The question remains which therapeutic option is the best for the different forms of ischemia. A review of the literature concerning access-induced ischemia (classification, treatment) was performed; furthermore, our own experience of more than 300 cases with ischemia was discussed. There are four different stages of dialysis access-induced ischemia syndrome (DAIIS) that need adequate treatment: stage I conservatively, stage II fistula banding, stage III proximalization operation or distal revascularization interval ligation and stage IV closure of the access. According to the many publications and to our own experience, there are good therapeutic options for many of the patients with DAIIS. However, in case of extended lesions/gangrene, closure of the access should be discussed in time before major amputation becomes necessary.

Surgical risk model for acute diffuse peritonitis based on a Japanese nationwide database: an initial report on the surgical and 30-day mortality

Acute diffuse peritonitis (ADP) is an important surgical complication associated with high morbidity and mortality; however, the risk factors associated with a poor outcome have remained controversial. This study aimed in collecting integrated data using a web-based national database system to build a risk model for mortality after surgery for ADP. We included cases registered in the National Clinical Database in Japan. After data cleanup, 8,482 surgical cases of ADP from 1,285 hospitals treated between January 1 and December 31, 2011 were analyzed. The raw 30-day and surgical mortality rates were 9.0 and 14.1 %, respectively. The odds ratios (>2.0) for 30-day mortality were as follows: American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class 3, 2.69; ASA class 4, 4.28; ASA class 5, 8.65; previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), 2.05; previous surgery for peripheral vascular disease (PVD), 2.45 and disseminated cancer, 2.16. The odds ratios (>2.0) for surgical mortality were as follows: ASA class 3, 2.27; ASA class 4, 4.67; ASA class 5, 6.54, and disseminated cancer, 2.09. The C-indices of 30-day and surgical mortality were 0.851 and 0.852, respectively. This is the first report of risk stratification after surgery for ADP using a nationwide surgical database. This system could be useful to predict the outcome of surgery for ADP and for evaluations and benchmark performance studies.