Nonoperative Management Strategies Research Articles

Proposed clinical pathway for nonoperative management of high-grade pediatric pancreatic injuries based on a multicenter analysis: A pediatric trauma society collaborative.

Guidelines for nonoperative management (NOM) of high-grade pancreatic injuries in children have not been established, and wide practice variability exists. The purpose of this study was to evaluate common clinical strategies across multiple pediatric trauma centers to develop a consensus-based standard clinical pathway. A multicenter, retrospective review was conducted of children with high-grade (American Association of Surgeons for Trauma grade III-V) pancreatic injuries treated with NOM between 2010 and 2015. Data were collected on demographics, clinical management, and outcomes. Eighty-six patients were treated at 20 pediatric trauma centers. Median age was 9 years (range, 1-18 years). The majority (73%) of injuries were American Association of Surgeons for Trauma grade III, 24% were grade IV, and 3% were grade V. Median time from injury to presentation was 12 hours and median ISS was 16 (range, 4-66). All patients had computed tomography scan and serum pancreatic enzyme levels at presentation, but serial enzyme level monitoring was variable. Pancreatic enzyme levels did not correlate with injury grade or pseudocyst development. Parenteral nutrition was used in 68% and jejunal feeds in 31%. 3Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram was obtained in 25%. An organized peripancreatic fluid collection present for at least 7 days after injury was identified in 59% (42 of 71). Initial management of these included: observation 64%, percutaneous drain 24%, and endoscopic drainage 10% and needle aspiration 2%. Clear liquids were started at a median of 6 days (IQR, 3-13 days) and regular diet at a median of 8 days (IQR 4-20 days). Median hospitalization length was 13 days (IQR, 7-24 days). Injury grade did not account for prolonged time to initiating oral diet or hospital length; indicating that the variability in these outcomes was largely due to different surgeon preferences. High-grade pancreatic injuries in children are rare and significant variability exists in NOM strategies, which may affect outcomes and effective resource utilization. A standard clinical pathway is proposed. Therapeutic/care management, level V (case series).

Comparison between MRI and pathology in the assessment of tumour regression grade in rectal cancer

Background:Limited data exist regarding the correlation between MRI tumour regression grade (mrTRG) and pathological TRG (pTRG) in rectal cancer.Methods:mrTRG and pTRG were compared in rectal cancer patients from two phase II trials (EXPERT and EXPERT-C). The agreement between radiologist and pathologist was assessed with the weighted κ test while the Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate survival outcomes.Results:One hundred ninety-one patients were included. Median time from completion of neoadjuvant treatment to pre-operative MRI and surgery was 4.1 weeks (interquartile range (IQR): 3.7–4.7) and 6.6 weeks (IQR: 5.9–7.6), respectively. Fair agreement was found between mrTRG and pTRG when regression was classified according to standard five-tier systems (κ=0.24) or modified three-tier systems (κ=0.25). Sensitivity and specificity of mrTRG 1–2 (complete/good radiological regression) for the prediction of pathological complete response was 74.4% (95% CI: 58.8–86.5) and 62.8% (95% CI: 54.5–70.6), respectively. Survival outcomes of patients with intermediate pathological regression (pTRG 2) were numerically better if complete/good regression was also observed on imaging (mrTRG 1–2) compared to poor regression (mrTRG 3–5) (5-year recurrence-free survival 76.9% vs 65.9%, P=0.18; 5-year overall survival 80.6% vs 68.8%, P=0.22).Conclusions:The agreement between mrTRG and pTRG is low and mrTRG cannot be used as a surrogate of pTRG. Further studies are warranted to assess the ability of mrTRG to identify pathological complete responders for the adoption of non-operative management strategies and to provide complementary prognostic information to pTRG for better risk-stratification after surgery.

Application of magnetic resonance in "non-operative treatment" strategy for rectal cancer

The primary curative modality for localized rectal cancer is total mesorectal excision (TME). Local control rate of rectal cancer has been improved after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and even pathological complete response (pCR) has been demonstrated in a significant minority. Patients who achieve pCR to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy have an excellent prognosis compared with those without pCR. If the patients with complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation can be demonstrated by clinical findings and medical imaging (cCR), a non-operative management (NOM) strategy may be pursued to preserve sphincter function and avoid complications induced by TME, which is a new tendency in the treatment of rectal cancer in recent years. Assisting diagnosis of cCR by iconography is the important element of NOM practice. Selected patients should be followed up with intensive surveillance. The curative strategy must be carried out once the recurrence is detected. Imaging modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion-weighted MRI, or proton emission tomography (PET), are limited in their ability to distinguish patients who have achieved cCR. Up to now, MRI, DW-MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy are not accurate enough to predict cCR and safely select patients for organ-sparing strategies. However, depth of tumor infiltration, extramural vascular invasion, circumferential resection margin, and location of rectal cancer can be demonstrated by high resolution MRI as independent risk factors in prediction of long-term survival of patients, which is a necessary manner of stratification treatment for rectal cancer. Therefore, patients who are defined as early rectal cancer with low risk factors are selected as candidates for NOM in recent studies in order to pursue low rate of local recurrence and distant metastasis. High resolution MRI assessment of tumor regression grade (mrTRG) can be used to assess response of rectal cancer to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, which is associated with tumor burden. mrTRG is an imaging marker that indicates the difference in survival between good and poor responders and provides an opportunity for the multidisciplinary team to offer additional treatment options before planning definitive surgery. Functional imaging and even molecular imaging are needed in the future to screen suitable rectal cancer patients who are easier to achieve cCR from neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and to evaluate the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Operative and Nonoperative Management of Blunt Liver Injuries

The purpose of this review is to discuss the indications for operative and nonoperative management in patients with blunt liver injuries. Over the past several years, research has begun to show that nonoperative management in blunt liver injuries is feasible and has favorable outcomes over immediate operations in patients who are hemodynamically stable. This includes high-grade injuries who were previously taken to the operating room, in the absence of peritoneal signs or instability, for washout and packing. This trend in management is likely multifactorial and includes improved quality of critical care medicine, advances in imaging to accurately define the injury and trend changes, and other interventional techniques such as embolization, percutaneous drainage and endoscopy. The mainstay of treatment for hemodynamically unstable patients remains operative. This article will provide current recommendations for operative and nonoperative management strategies in patients with blunt liver injuries, taking into account initial clinical picture and resources available.

Resection of Primary Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors in the Presence of Irresectable Liver Metastases

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors often present at an advanced stage and carry a variable prognosis, with many patients living long periods even with metastatic disease. Resection of the primary tumor when liver metastases are unresectable is a contentious subject with no consensus between existing guidelines. A number of recent studies have suggested a potential survival benefit as well as improved symptom control with resection. With variable results from nonoperative management strategies, the risk:benefit ratio of resection of the primary tumor may be favorable for carefully selected patients.

Subtleties in the Emergency Care of Elderly Patients with Biliary Disease

The management of acute biliary disease in the elderly population can be a challenging endeavor. Older patients often present with atypical symptoms or advanced disease, which can further complicate the treatment options. A treating physician must have a high index of suspicion for biliary disease as a cause of acute intra-abdominal emergencies in the elderly patient that presents with vague abdominal complaints. While the initial workup of these patients is similar to their younger counterparts, the utilization of advanced imaging modalities can often assist in clarifying the diagnosis. The successful treatment of an elderly patient with an acute biliary emergency must take many factors into account. Any decision to proceed with emergency surgery on an elderly patient should be predicated on thorough pre-operative cardiopulmonary risk stratification as well as the utilization of frailty scores. Candid discussions should be held with the patient and his/her family in order to highlight the benefits and risks of any invasive intervention and the associated increased mortality rate since not all patients will be a reasonable operative candidate. For patients deemed to have an appropriate mortality risk for surgical intervention, both laparoscopic and open approaches to cholecystectomy may be safely deployed in the elderly population. Elderly patients with acute biliary disease are often not suitable candidates for emergency surgery, due to the duration of their symptoms, delayed presentation, multiple underlying comorbidities, or acute physiological derangements. Thus, it is imperative that treating physicians understand the many non-operative management strategies that exist to take care of acute biliary disease in this specific patient population.

Author Reply

We appreciate the thoughtful comments made in the accompanying editorial. 1 Hudak S.J. Editorial comment. Urology. 2015; (in press) Google Scholar We agree that most communities in the United States are indeed underserved by “Urotraumatologists,” and it is imperative that graduating urology residents matriculate into clinical practice with all the necessary skills to correctly diagnose and manage traumatic insults to the genitourinary (GU) tract. To this end, a comprehensive education in urotrauma is composed of operative and nonoperative management strategies to treat a variety of injuries from differing mechanisms and clinical scenarios.

Nonoperative management of rectal cancer.

Surgery has long been the primary curative modality for localized rectal cancer. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation has significantly improved local control rates and, in a significant minority, eradicated all disease. Patients who achieve a pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant therapy have an excellent prognosis, although the combination treatment is associated with long-term morbidity. Because of this, a nonoperative management (NOM) strategy has been pursued to preserve sphincter function in select patients. Clinical and radiographic findings are used to identify patients achieving a clinical complete response to chemoradiation, and they are then followed with intensive surveillance. Incomplete, nonresponding and those demonstrating local progression are referred for salvage with standard surgery. Habr-Gama and colleagues have published extensively on this treatment strategy and have laid the groundwork for this approach. This watch-and-wait strategy has evolved over time, and several groups have now reported their results, including recent prospective experiences. Although initial results appear promising, several significant challenges remain for NOM of rectal cancer. Further study is warranted before routine implementation in the clinic.

Management of acute traumatic spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes significant morbidity and mortality. Clinical management in the acute setting needs to occur in the intensive care unit in order to identify, prevent, and treat secondary insults from local ischemia, hypotension, hypoxia, and inflammation. Maintenance of adequate perfusion and oxygenation is quintessential and a mean arterial pressure >85-90mm Hg should be kept for at least 1week. A cervical collar and full spinal precautions (log-roll, flat, holding C-spine) should be maintained until the spinal column has been fully evaluated by a spine surgeon. In patients with SCI, there is a high incidence of other bodily injuries, and there should be a low threshold to assess for visceral, pelvic, and long bone injuries. Computed tomography of the spine is superior to plain films, as the former rarely misses fractures, though caution needs to be exerted as occipitocervical dislocation can still be missed. To reliably assess the spinal neural elements, soft tissues, and ligamentous structures, magnetic resonance imaging is indicated and should be obtained within 48-72h from the time of injury. All patients should be graded daily using the American Spinal Injury Association classification, with the first prognostic score at 72h postinjury. Patients with high cervical cord (C4 or higher) injury should be intubated immediately, and those with lower cord injuries should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. However, in the acute setting, respiratory mechanics will be disrupted with any spinal cord lesion above T11. Steroids have become extremely controversial, and the professional societies for neurosurgery in the United States have given a level 1 statement against their use in all patients. We, therefore, do not advocate for them at this time. With every SCI, a spine surgeon must be consulted to discuss operative vs nonoperative management strategies. Indications for surgery include a partial or progressive neurologic deficit, instability of the spine not allowing for mobilization, correction of a deformity, and prevention of potential neurologic compromise. Measures to prevent pulmonary emboli from deep venous thromboembolisms are necessary: IVC filters are recommended in bedbound patients and low-molecular weight heparins are superior to unfractionated heparin. Robust prevention of pressure ulcers as well as nutritional support should be a mainstay of treatment. Lastly, it is important to note that neurologic recovery is a several-year process. The most recovery occurs in the first year following injury, and therefore aggressive rehabilitation is crucial.

Non-Operative Management of Hip Osteoarthritis

This paper reviews several non-operative and non-pharmacologic management strategies advocated for alleviating the pain and disability experienced by people with hip osteoarthritis. It analyzes whether painful debilitating hip osteoarthritis, which has no effective cure and is often progressive, may be affected positively by non-operative interventions designed to control osteoarthritis pain. Finally, it provides an integrated plan of management for ameliorating hip osteoarthritis pain and disability in light of this knowledge.

Antibody response to a T-cell-independent antigen is preserved after splenic artery embolization for trauma.

Splenic artery embolization (SAE) is increasingly being used as a nonoperative management strategy for patients with blunt splenic injury following trauma. The aim of this study was to assess the splenic function of patients who were embolized. A clinical study was performed, with splenic function assessed by examining the antibody response to polysaccharide antigens (pneumococcal 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine), B-cell subsets, and the presence of Howell-Jolly bodies (HJB). The data were compared to those obtained from splenectomized patients and healthy controls (HC) who had been included in a previously conducted study. A total of 30 patients were studied: 5 who had proximal SAE, 7 who had distal SAE, 8 who had a splenectomy, and 10 HC. The median vaccine-specific antibody response of the SAE patients (fold increase, 3.97) did not differ significantly from that of the HC (5.29; P = 0.90); however, the median response of the splenectomized patients (2.30) did differ (P = 0.003). In 2 of the proximally embolized patients and none of the distally embolized patients, the ratio of the IgG antibody level postvaccination compared to that prevaccination was <2. There were no significant differences in the absolute numbers of lymphocytes or B-cell subsets between the SAE patients and the HC. HJB were not observed in the SAE patients. The splenic immune function of embolized patients was preserved, and therefore routine vaccination appears not to be indicated. Although the median antibody responses did not differ between the patients who underwent proximal SAE and those who underwent distal SAE, 2 of the 5 proximally embolized patients had insufficient responses to vaccination, whereas none of the distally embolized patients exhibited an insufficient response. Further research should be done to confirm this finding.

Pediatric Appendectomy: Optimal Surgical Timing and Risk Assessment

Appendicitis is one of the most common pediatric surgical problems. In the older surgical paradigm, appendectomy was considered to be an emergent procedure; however, with changes to resident work hours and other economic factors, the operation has evolved into an urgent and deliberately planned intervention. This paradigm shift in care has not necessarily seen universal buy-in by all stakeholders. Skeptics worry about the higher incidence of complications, particularly intra-abdominal abscess (IAA), associated with the delay to appendectomy with this strategy. Development of IAA after pediatric appendectomy greatly burdens the healthcare system, incapacitates patients, and limits family functionality. The risk factors that influence the development of IAA after appendectomy were evaluated in 220 children admitted to a large urban teaching hospital over a recent 1.5-year period. Preoperative risk factors included in the study were age, sex, weight, ethnicity, duration and nature of symptoms, white cell count, and ultrasound or computed tomography scan findings (appendicolith, peritoneal fluid, abscess, phlegmon), failed nonoperative management, antibiotics administered, and timing. Intraoperative factors included were timing of appendectomy, surgical and pathological findings of perforation, open or laparoscopic procedure, and use of staple or Endoloop to ligate the appendix. Postoperative factors included were duration and type of antibiotic therapy. There were 94 (43%) perforated and 126 (57%) nonperforated appendicitis during the study period. The incidence of postoperative IAA was 4.5 per cent (nine of 220). Children operated on after overnight antibiotics and resuscitation had a significantly lower risk of IAA as compared with children managed by other strategies (P < 0.0003). Of the preoperative factors, only the presence of a fever in the emergency department (P < 0.001) and identification of complicated appendicitis on imaging (P < 0.0001) were significant risk factors for postoperative abscess development. Perforated appendicitis carries a higher risk of development of IAA that is not reduced by an emergent operative or delayed nonoperative management strategy. The timing of appendectomy appears to be an extremely important factor in reducing the incidence of IAA after all presentations of appendectomy. The role of resuscitation and antibiotics in limiting the effects of the inflammatory cascade and development of laboratory markers that accurately measure the latter need to be the focus of further research in this field.

Feasibility of a Nonoperative Management Strategy for Uncomplicated Acute Appendicitis in Children

For decades, urgent operation has been considered the only appropriate management of acute appendicitis in children. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of nonoperative management of uncomplicated acute appendicitis in children. A prospective nonrandomized clinical trial of children with uncomplicated acute appendicitis comparing nonoperative management with urgent appendectomy was performed. The primary result was 30-day success rate of nonoperative management. Secondary outcomes included comparisons of disability days, missed school days, hospital length of stay, and measures of quality of life and health care satisfaction. Seventy-seven patients were enrolled during October 2012 to October 2013; 30 chose nonoperative management and 47 chose surgery. There were no significant differences in demographic or clinical characteristics. The immediate and 30-day success rates of nonoperative management were 93% (28 of 30) and 90% (27 of 30). There was no evidence of progression of appendicitis to rupture at the time of surgery in the 3 patients for whom nonoperative management failed. Compared with the surgery group, the nonoperative group had fewer disability days (3 vs 17 days; p < 0.0001), returned to school more quickly (3 vs 5 days; p = 0.008), and exhibited higher quality of life scores in both the child (93 vs 88; p = 0.01) and the parent (96 vs 90; p = 0.03), but incurred a longer length of stay (38 vs 20 hours; p < 0.0001). Nonoperative management of uncomplicated acute appendicitis in children is feasible, with a high 30-day success rate and short-term benefits that include quicker recovery and improved quality of life scores. Additional follow-up will allow for determination of longer-term success rate, safety, and cost effectiveness.

Clinical–Pathologic Stage Discrepancy in Bladder Cancer Patients Treated With Radical Cystectomy: Results From the National Cancer Data Base

To examine the accuracy of clinical staging and its effects on outcome in bladder cancer (BC) patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC), using a large national database. A total of 16,953 patients with BC without distant metastases treated with RC from 1998 to 2009 were analyzed. Factors associated with clinical-pathologic stage discrepancy were assessed by multivariate generalized estimating equation models. Survival analysis was conducted for patients treated between 1998 and 2004 (n=7270) using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models. At RC 41.9% of patients were upstaged, whereas 5.9% were downstaged. Upstaging was more common in females, the elderly, and in patients who underwent a more extensive lymphadenectomy. Downstaging was less common in patients treated at community centers, in the elderly, and in Hispanics. Receipt of preoperative chemotherapy was highly associated with downstaging. Five-year overall survival rates for patients with clinical stages 0, I, II, III, and IV were 67.2%, 62.9%, 50.4%, 36.9%, and 27.2%, respectively, whereas those for the same pathologic stages were 70.8%, 75.8%, 63.7%, 41.5%, and 24.7%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, upstaging was associated with increased 5-year mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.80, P<.001), but downstaging was not associated with survival (HR 0.88, P=.160). In contrast, more extensive lymphadenectomy was associated with decreased 5-year mortality (HR 0.76 for ≥10 lymph nodes examined, P<.001), as was treatment at an National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center (HR 0.90, P=.042). Clinical-pathologic stage discrepancy in BC patients is remarkably common across the United States. These findings should be considered when selecting patients for preoperative or nonoperative management strategies and when comparing the outcomes of bladder sparing approaches to RC.

Surgery for Patients With Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis: Good Results at Short-, Medium-, and Long-term Follow-up.

Background:Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of foot pain, and although many episodes are self-limiting with short duration, 10% leave chronic symptoms. Recalcitrant cases can be managed surgically, with studies demonstrating good results in the short term but uncertainties over longer term outcomes.Purpose:To assess the outcome following surgical intervention for patients with plantar fasciitis.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:Seventy-nine patients were identified from operative diaries undergoing plantar fasciotomy surgery between 1993 and 2009. They were contacted to investigate long-term results using self-reported outcome measures.Results:Sixty-eight responses were received (86% response rate), with an average of 7 years (range, 1-15 years) of follow-up. Patients reported an average reduction in pain by visual analog scale of 79%, and 84% of patients were happy with the surgical results. Greater success was achieved in patients with shorter duration of symptoms preoperatively. No deterioration in success was seen over time.Conclusion:Plantar fasciotomy surgery for plantar fasciitis remains controversial, with biomechanical arguments against surgery; however, this article reports good success following surgery over a long follow-up period. The results of current operative techniques need to be fully investigated for longer term success, as do the outcomes of newer nonoperative management strategies.

Attitudes of people with osteoarthritis towards their conservative management: a systematic review and meta-ethnography

This paper determines the perceptions of people diagnosed with osteoarthritis towards their conservative management strategies. A systematic review of the published (AMED, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsychINFO, SportsDisc, MEDLINE, Cochrane Clinical Trials Registry, PubMed) and unpublished/trial registry databases (WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Current Controlled Trials, the United States National Institute of Health Trials Registry, NIHR Clinical Research Portfolio Database) searched from their inception to July 2013. Eligible studies included those which presented the attitudes or perceptions of people with osteoarthritis towards non-operative management strategies. Study quality was appraised using the CASP and the Gough's weight of evidence appraisal tools. Data were analysed through a meta-ethnography approach. Thirty-three studies including 1,314 people with osteoarthritis were sampled; the majority diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. The overarching themes indicated people with osteoarthritis delay their diagnosis, opting for self-management and informal information gathering. This informal rather than health professional-led guidance is sought and maintained as an important resource throughout the care of this population and is valued. Diagnosis is sought at a 'critical point'. Healthcare interventions largely provided are poorly perceived. The period of subsequent self-management is an expectation before the inevitable requirement for joint replacement. There remains uncertainty regarding when this is required, but the expected failure of conservative treatment to manage pain and symptoms is common. In conclusion, patients should be enthused towards the principles of self-management and clinicians should not trivialise osteoarthritis. This may provide a more valuable perception of non-operative management to promote its adoption and adherence in managing osteoarthritis.

Spectrum of oesophageal perforations and their influence on management

Oesophageal perforations are associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. A spectrum of aetiologies and clinical presentations has resulted in a variety of operative and non-operative management strategies. This analysis focused on the impact of these strategies in a single specialist centre. All patients with oesophageal perforation managed in a single oesophagogastric unit in the U.K. between January 2002 and December 2012 were identified. Gastric perforations and anastomotic leaks were excluded. Data were verified using an endoscopy database, electronic and paper records. Aetiology of perforation, management and outcomes were analysed. There were 101 adult patients with oesophageal perforation. Complete records were not available for five patients and they were excluded from the analysis. The median age was 69.5 years. Thoracic perforations were present in 84 per cent of patients. There were 51 spontaneous perforations, 41 iatrogenic and four related to foreign bodies. Oesophageal malignancy was present in 11 patients. Forty-four patients were managed surgically, 47 without operation and five patients were considered unfit for active treatment. The in-hospital mortality rate for treated patients was 24 per cent and median length of hospital stay was 31.5 days. The management of oesophageal perforation requires specialist multidisciplinary input. It is best provided in an environment familiar with the range of treatment modalities. Management decisions should be guided primarily by the degree of contamination rather than the aetiology of the defect. The routine use of stents is unproven and controversial.

Non-operative management of high-grade pancreatic trauma: Is it worth the wait?

BackgroundWhether children with pancreatic trauma should be managed non-operatively or operatively is controversial. We reviewed outcomes of high-grade pancreatic injuries at two high-volume pediatric surgical centres comparing non-operative and operative management strategies. MethodsAll pancreatic traumas presenting from January 1993 to July 2010 were reviewed. Patients with high-grade pancreatic injuries were stratified based on early operative or non-operative therapy. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared. Regression analyses were performed to assess complication rates, length of stay, and TPN duration while controlling for injury severity score and associated injuries. ResultsOf 77 patients with pancreatic injuries, 39 were grade 3 or higher. The mean ISS was 19.2±10.8. Nineteen patients (50%) had associated injuries. Fifteen patients (38%) were managed operatively. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups other than ISS (p=0.03). Duration of hospitalization (p=0.01), days of TPN (p=0.003), and overall complications (p=0.007) were higher in non-operative patients. Controlling for both ISS and any associated injury, non-operative management was associated with more complications (OR 8.11; 95% CI 1.60–41.23) and was a significant predictor of prolonged TPN (13days longer; p=0.024). ConclusionPrimary non-operative management of high-grade pancreatic injuries is associated with a significant increase in complications and TPN dependency. Early operative intervention should be pursued whenever feasible.

Conservative management of major liver necrosis after angioembolization in a patient with blunt trauma.

Management of liver injury is challenging particularly for the advanced grades. Increased utility of nonoperative management strategies increases the risk of developing massive liver necrosis (MLN). We reported a case of a 19-year-old male who presented with a history of motor vehicle crash. Abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scan revealed large liver laceration (Grade 4) with blush and moderate free hemoperitoneum in 3 quadrants. Patient was managed nonoperatively by angioembolization. Two anomalies in hepatic arteries origin were reported and both vessels were selectively cannulated and bilateral gel foam embolization was achieved successfully. The patient developed MLN which was successfully treated conservatively. The follow-up CT showed progressive resolution of necrotic areas with fluid replacement and showed remarkable regeneration of liver tissues. We assume that patients with high-grade liver injuries could be managed successfully with a carefully designed protocol. Special attention should be given to the potential major associated complications. A tailored multidisciplinary approach to manage the subsequent complications would represent the best recommended strategy for favorable outcomes.

Surveillance as a Management Strategy for Retained Third Molars: Is It Desirable?

The purpose of the present report was to define and advocate active surveillance compared with follow-up as needed (prn follow-up), as the preferred management strategy for patients who elect to retain their third molars (M3s). Active surveillance, a nonoperative management strategy for retained M3s, is characterized as a prescribed, regularly scheduled set of follow-up visits that include both clinical and radiographic examinations. Given that the risk of complications with M3 removal are age related, the rationale for recommending active surveillance instead of "prn follow-up" is that the frequency of future disease among retained M3s is sufficiently high to warrant routine scheduled follow-up visits to detect and treat disease before it becomes symptomatic. Symptomatic disease is a late finding. Patients electing active surveillance as their preferred management strategy might not avoid operative treatment in the future, but it should increase their chances of being diagnosed at the youngest age possible, thus minimizing the age-related operative complications. The author recommends that the frequency of follow-up visits be approximately every 24 months and the examination be completed by a specialist or general dentist. Active surveillance as a management strategy is based on level 5 evidence (ie, expert opinion).