Postsurgical Care Research Articles

UNDERSTANDING THE MANAGEMENT OF MALIGNANT GLIOMAS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN A HIGH VOLUME TERTIARY GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL IN THE PHILIPPINES

Abstract AIMS Malignant glioma is a common primary brain tumor with a great burden of disease. When COVID-19 set in, it became a challenge to manage an already difficult treatment process in low-resource-setting centers. Despite this, conventional recommendations and standard treatment protocols are followed. However, outcomes were perceived to deviate from the convention, hence the reason for this study which is to understand the nature of outcomes in the management of malignant gliomas during the COVID-19 pandemic in Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), the largest government tertiary hospital in the Philippines. METHOD A retrospective chart review of nine clinically and histologically diagnosed cases of malignant gliomas admitted in SPMC between April 2020 to September 2021 was performed. The clinical presentations, image correlation, and outcomes were listed. Then, classified as desirable, undesirable but acceptable, or unacceptable based on factors identified. Qualitative analysis by deduction including outcomes determining possible modifications in treatment of future cases was done. RESULTS Of the nine cases, one was listed as desirable, one with unacceptable outcome due to management complications, and the rest were labeled as undesirable but acceptable either because of advanced disease or poor KPS score. Three major factors were determined: the roles of pre-hospital and initial treatment delays, the decision for surgical treatment, and the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION The shift in the outcomes of malignant gliomas during COVID-19 shows the management challenge in low resource centers. There is an increase in highly malignant cases with guarded prognosis due to lack of education, support, and resources in terms of early diagnosis, treatment, and post-surgical care. This was aggravated by the restrictions imposed by the pandemic and financial crisis, especially for patients below the poverty line. Delays in management show a significant influence on prognosis regardless of treatment. As such, possible modifications in the current treatment algorithm are hereby recommended.

Guided bone regeneration improves defect fill and reconstructive outcomes in 3-wall peri-implantitis defects.

This multi-center, randomized clinical trial compared the long-term outcomes of guided bone regeneration (GBR) with open flap debridement (OFD) in treating peri-implantitis-related bony defects with ≥3 osseous walls over 36 months. The study aimed to evaluate the healing potential of GBR using a deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) graft and native bilayer collagen membrane (NBCM) compared to OFD without the use of graft materials. Sixty-six individuals diagnosed with peri-implantitis were randomly assigned to either GBR (34 patients) or OFD (32 patients). The OFD group served as the control, where inflamed tissue was removed and the implant surface decontaminated using 3% hydrogen peroxide, but no bone graft was placed. The GBR group received DBBM and NBCM for defect reconstruction. Radiographic defect fill (RDF), probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP), suppuration (SUP), mucosal recession (MREC), and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were assessed over the study duration. Post-surgical care included azithromycin, ibuprofen, and chlorhexidine rinses. The study involved baseline assessments, surgical interventions, and follow-ups at 6, 12, and 36 months. Supportive peri-implant therapy was provided every 3 months during the additional 24-month follow-up. Primary outcome was RDF at 36 months. Secondary outcomes included PPD, BOP, SUP, MREC, and PROs. Descriptive statistics and ANCOVA models were used for analysis. At 36 months, GBR resulted in a mean RDF of 2.13 ± 1.26 mm, compared to 1.64 ± 1.54 mm with OFD (p = .18). No significant differences were found in PPD, BOP, SUP, REC, or PROs between the groups. Treatment success (defined as no additional bone loss, PPD ≤ 5 mm, no BOP, and no SUP) was achieved in 46.2% of GBR cases and 20% of OFD cases (p = 0.053). GBR provided improved short-term defect fill and higher treatment success compared to OFD, although the differences were not statistically significant. Both procedures maintained clinical parameters over 36 months, with similar patient satisfaction (PROs) observed for GBR and OFD. The adjunct use of DBBM and NBCM may offer clinical benefits for peri-implantitis cases with specific bony defect morphology.

Postoperative Otoplasty Care With ChatGPT-4: A Study on Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Assisted Patient Concern and Education.

Otoplasty is a cosmetic surgery that is performed to alter the size, shape, or position of the ear by using permanent stitches. Its main purpose is to correct protruding ears, a condition known as prominauris. After the surgery, it is crucial to provide proper care to ensure successful recovery. However, obtaining timely medical advice can be difficult, especially in remote areas or places with limited resources. To address this issue, incorporating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools like Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT)-4 into postsurgical care could help fill the gap in patient education and support. This study aims to assess whether ChatGPT4 can be a reliable, accurate, and effective method for answering the most common patient questions and concerns post-otoplasty. The main objective was to assess the AI chatbot's capacity to deliver precise, concise, and pertinent information, especially in situations where health care professionals are limited in availability. In this study, over 50 patients were engaged, and ChatGPT4 was employed to present the same 5 common postoperative questions post-otoplasty surgery care. The AI chatbot's responses were analyzed for accuracy, response time, clarity, and relevance. The chatbot could potentially provide timely assistance, answer questions, and address concerns related to postsurgical care in otoplasty. The responses exhibited a perfect accuracy rate of 100%, closely corresponding to existing medical guidelines. This study explores the potential of AI-driven solutions to enhance patient education and support, especially in areas where access to health care professionals may be limited. However, professional medical advice is crucial in postoperative care and cannot be replaced by ChatGPT-4. By leveraging AI tools like chatbots, individuals in remote or resource-limited settings can potentially receive valuable information and guidance, contributing to successful rehabilitation and overall health care outcomes. Ethical considerations around the use of AI in health care must also be carefully addressed to ensure patient privacy, data security, and appropriate clinical oversight.

A Survey of Pain and Musculoskeletal Dysfunction Prevalence After Gender-Confirming Surgery of the Urogenital System

Purpose: We sought to (1) explore the prevalence of pain, and movement and urogenital dysfunction reported following gender confirming vaginoplasty (V) and phalloplasty (P), (2) identify which providers were consulted for pain, and movement and urogenital dysfunction after surgery, and (3) compare these factors between people receiving V and P surgeries. Methods: A custom internet survey, built in REDCap, was distributed through LGBTQIA+ organizations across the US. The survey collected demographic information, types of surgery, postsurgical impairments (pain and urogenital dysfunction), and activity limitations, along with the types of providers seen and interventions provided. Summary statics were calculated and proportions or means and standard deviations based on the data structure. Nonparametric measures were used to test associations between postsurgical care, gender identity, and geographic location. Results: 584 responses remained after data cleaning of which 89 people reported having vaginoplasty (V) and 118 had phalloplasty (P). The average age of respondents was 28.6 ± 5.2 years. 70% of respondents reported pain, 25% difficulty moving, 23% bowel or bladder dysfunction, and 9% dyspareunia. Significantly more respondents who had V reported dyspareunia, while more respondents who had P reported incontinence. 20%, 29%, 15%, and 13% of included respondents received care from a physical therapist for pain, difficulty moving, incontinence, and dyspareunia, respectively. Discussion: These results indicate that both individuals who undergo V or P procedures report musculoskeletal pain, movement problems, and pelvic floor dysfunction following GCS. Notably, these issues are commonly addressed in cisgender patients by physical rehabilitation providers. However, less than half of our sample were referred to a physical therapist.

Nerve Blocks for Post-Surgical Pain Management: A Narrative Review of Current Research.

Opioids remain the mainstay of post-surgical pain management; however, concerns regarding addiction and side effects necessitate the exploration of alternatives. This narrative review highlights the potential of nerve blocks as a safe and effective strategy for post-surgical pain control. This review explores the use of various nerve block techniques tailored to specific surgical procedures. These include nerve blocks for abdominal surgeries; fascial plane blocks for chest surgeries; nerve blocks for arm surgeries; and nerve blocks for lower limb surgery including; femoral, hip, and knee surgeries. By targeting specific nerves, these blocks can provide targeted pain relief without the negative side effects associated with opioids. Emerging evidence suggests that nerve blocks can be as effective as opioids in managing pain, while potentially offering additional benefits such as faster recovery, improved patient satisfaction, and reduced reliance on opioids. However, the effectiveness of nerve blocks varies depending on type of surgery, and in individual patients. Rebound pain, which temporary increase in pain after a block wears off, can occur. In addition, some techniques require specialized guidance for accurate placement. In conclusion, nerve blocks show great promise as effective alternatives for managing post-surgical pain. They can reduce the need for opioids and their side effects, leading to better patient outcomes and satisfaction. Future studies should assess the long-term impacts of specific nerve blocks on mortality rates, cost-effectiveness, and their incorporation into multimodal pain management approaches to further enhance post-surgical care.

The Analysis Study of Surgical Management and Outcome of Acute Compartment Syndrome: An Orthopaedic and Traumatology Systematic Review

Background: Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a serious medical condition that occurs when increased pressure within a closed muscle compartment reduces blood flow and can lead to permanent damage. This systematic review aims to analyze the management strategies, complications, and outcomes of acute compartment syndrome based on current literature. Methods: The review analyzed data from multiple studies, including both prospective and retrospective studies. Results: The analysis included eight studies with a total of 1,019 patients. Factors influencing outcomes in ACS included the time to fasciotomy, fracture status, muscle necrosis indicators, and patient-related factors. Early intervention and appropriate management were associated with better functional outcomes and reduced complications. Conclusion: Effective management of ACS relies heavily on timely intervention and proper post-surgical care. The studies reviewed highlight the importance of early fasciotomy and monitoring for complications to improve patient outcomes.

Comprehensive assessment of corneal microstructural changes following V4c implantable collamer lens surgery using in vivo confocal microscopy

BackgroundImplantable Collamer Lense (ICL) presents a viable alternative to conventional refractive surgeries, but their impact on corneal microstructure remains unclear. By employing in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), we examined changes in stromal and endothelial cells following the insertion of V4c ICLs, with the goal of enhancing post-surgical care and outcomes.MethodsIn this longitudinal investigation, we conducted detailed preoperative assessments on 103 eyes from 53 participants. Follow-up evaluations were carried out after surgery at set intervals: one day, one week, one month, three months, six months, and twelve months. We used IVCM to analyze changes in stromal and endothelial cells. To assess differences between pre- and post-surgery variables and to investigate correlations with age, axial length (AL), and spherical equivalent refraction (SER), we applied a repeated measures mixed-effects model, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05.ResultsNo vision-threatening complications were reported post-surgery. Significant reductions in stromal cell density (SCD) were observed postoperatively, with anterior and mid- SCD reaching their lowest values at 3 months and posterior SCD at 1 month, remaining below baseline at 12 months. endothelial cell density (ECD) and percentage of hexagonal cells (PHC) decreased initially, recovering by 12 months. Conversely, endothelial cellular area (ECA) and coefficient of variation of cell size (CoV) increased postoperatively, with the most significant change at 1 week. Endothelial deposits were detected in 49 of 101 eyes on postoperative day 1, half of them were absorbed within 3 months post-surgery. Changes in posterior SCD were negatively related to AL, while AL, SER, lens thickness showed associated with endothelium changes.ConclusionOur findings elucidate the corneal microstructural changes following V4c ICL implantation, particularly the significant early reductions in stromal and endothelial cell densities. We recommend careful management of viscoelastics during surgery to minimize endothelial deposits that may harm the endothelium. Enhanced early postoperative monitoring and these surgical adjustments can lead to improved surgical and post-surgical care, ultimately supporting better patient recovery.

Postoperative Outcomes of Breast Cancer Surgery in Tertiary Care Units in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Breast cancer is a serious health problem in Pakistan and has high incidence and mortality rate. This paper seeks to compare and contrast surgical care and patient management by analyzing postoperative results of breast cancer operations in tertiary health care centers of Pakistan. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study designed in tertiary care unit of Nishtar hospital Multan where medical records of female breast cancer patients who underwent surgery between January 2024 to June 2024 were analyzed. The demographic data, surgical procedures, postoperative morbidities, hospital stays, and readmission rates data were analyzed using multivariate statistics. Results: In total 300 patients were selected in the study. The rate of developing post-operative complications was 20%, and the most frequent of them were infections (12%). The mean days to recovery including those who were discharged and stayed at home was twenty-one days with a readmission ratio of fifteen percent. Specific factors that were found to have a significant influence on the outcomes consisted of age, comorbidities as well as the surgical method used with the latter having a (p ≤ 0.01). Conclusion: This finding of study stated that the postoperative outcomes of breast cancer surgeries in Pakistani tertiary care units were determined by patients’ characteristics, medical co morbidities, and surgical procedures. Implementing standard of care and making available better surgical modalities can improve the patient care and post-surgical care maybe reduced the rate of further complications among breast cancer patients.

Withdrawal/Withholding of Life-Sustaining Therapies: Limitation of Therapeutic Effort in the Intensive Care Unit.

Background/Objectives: The change in critically ill patients makes limitation of therapeutic effort (LTE) a widespread practice when therapeutic goals cannot be achieved. We aimed to describe the application of LTE in a post-surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU), analyze the measures used, the characteristics of the patients, and their evolution. Methods: Retrospective observational study, including all patients to whom LTE was applied in a postsurgical ICU between January 2021 and December 2022. The LTE defined were brain death, withdrawal of measures, and withholding. Withholding limitations included orders for no cardiopulmonary resuscitation, no orotracheal intubation, no reintubation, no tracheostomy, no renal replacement therapies, and no vasoactive support. Patient and ICU admission data were related to the applied LTE. Results: Of the 2056 admitted, LTE protocols were applied to 106 patients. The prevalence of LTE in the ICU was 5.1%. Data were analyzed in 80 patients. A total of 91.2% of patients had been admitted in an emergency situation, and 56.2% had been admitted after surgery. The most widespread limitation was treatment withholding (83.8%) compared to withdrawal (13.8%). No differences were found regarding who made the decision and the type of limitation employed. However, patients with the limitation of no intubation had a longer stay (p = 0.025). Additionally, the order of not starting or increasing vasopressor support resulted in a longer hospital stay (p = 0.007) and a significantly longer stay until death (p = 0.044). Conclusions: LTE is a frequent measure in critically ill patient management and is less common in the postoperative setting. The most widespread measure was withholding, with the do-not-resuscitate order being the most common. The decision was made mainly by the medical team and the family, respecting the wishes of the patients. A joint patient-centered approach should be made in these decisions to avoid futile treatment and ensure end-of-life comfort.

Application of Nanotechnology and Phytochemicals in Anticancer Therapy.

Cancer is well recognized as a leading cause of mortality. Although surgery tends to be the primary treatment option for many solid cancers, cancer surgery is still a risk factor for metastatic diseases and recurrence. For this reason, a variety of medications has been adopted for the postsurgical care of patients with cancer. However, conventional medicines have shown major challenges such as drug resistance, a high level of drug toxicity, and different drug responses, due to tumor heterogeneity. Nanotechnology-based therapeutic formulations could effectively overcome the challenges faced by conventional treatment methods. In particular, the combined use of nanomedicine with natural phytochemicals can enhance tumor targeting and increase the efficacy of anticancer agents with better solubility and bioavailability and reduced side effects. However, there is limited evidence in relation to the application of phytochemicals in cancer treatment, particularly focusing on nanotechnology. Therefore, in this review, first, we introduce the drug carriers used in advanced nanotechnology and their strengths and limitations. Second, we provide an update on well-studied nanotechnology-based anticancer therapies related to the carcinogenesis process, including signaling pathways related to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), Wnt, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), Notch, and Hedgehog (HH). Third, we introduce approved nanomedicines currently available for anticancer therapy. Fourth, we discuss the potential roles of natural phytochemicals as anticancer drugs. Fifth, we also discuss the synergistic effect of nanocarriers and phytochemicals in anticancer therapy.

Post-Surgical Dental Precautions/Prophylaxis in Pediatric Patients: Results of a 2023 Survey of the Membership of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA)

IntroductionGuidelines regarding post-surgical dental care have been common in adult total joint arthroplasty patients, despite limited supporting evidence in the literature. There is anecdotal evidence that similar precautions are implemented frequently in post-operative pediatric orthopaedic patients without any published evidence to guide clinicians. Material and MethodsA survey of the Active Members of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) was performed to assess the use of post-surgical guidelines regarding dental care (procedures and prohylaxis) in pediatric patients. A 20-question survey regarding this subject was developed with the input of, and approved by, the Evidence-Based Practice Committee of POSNA, and a link to participate was distributed to the Active Membership. ResultsOne hundred and seventy-three POSNA members opened the link to the survey. 163 respondents self-identified as Active, for a response rate of 19.8%. One hundred and fifty-seven (96.3%) reported direct involvement in surgical and post-surgical care of pediatric orthopaedic patients. Sixty-two (39.4%) indicated use of a post-operative protocol regarding dental interventions. Forty percent of those indicating use of guidelines were uncertain of the specifics of the protocol(s) used at their institution. Eighty-five percent of those utilizing protocols felt that the use of guidelines was a valuable topic for investigation. ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that many of the active members of POSNA utilize post-surgical guidelines for dental care, particularly for those patients who have undergone spinal surgery with permanent implants. This is despite the fact that there is limited evidence to support their use in adult total joint patients, and no literature regarding use of such guidelines in pediatric orthopaedic patients. Level of EvidenceLevel V

O84 BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT VIA IMPEDANCE CARDIOGRAPHY: AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BASED PROOF-OF-CONCEPT

Objective: Accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement is crucial for the diagnosis, risk assessment, treatment decision-making, and monitoring of cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately, the gold-standard, cuff-based BP measurement suffer from inaccuracies and discomfort. As a result, continuous, cuff-less, and non-invasive BP assessment methods are merging as promising alternatives. This study is the first to comprehensively assess impedance cardiography (ICG) for Machine Learning enabled BP measurement. Methods: We analysed ICG data from 71 young and healthy adults. Nine different Machine Learning algorithms were evaluated for their BP estimation performance. Accuracy measures comprised mean difference, standard deviation, Limits of Agreement, mean absolute error, and root mean squared error. Additionally, the B-Score was calculated to evaluate the “true”, relative performance of the best-performing model. Results: The Multi-Linear Regression model showed the highest performance (mean difference = -0.01, r = 0.82) for systolic BP. The Support Vector Regressor model achieved the best results (mean difference = 0.15, r = 0.51) for diastolic BP. Both models exhibited positive B-Scores, indicative of their predictive capability. All tested models’ estimations correlated with both systolic and diastolic reference BP (r &gt; 0.72 / r &gt; 0.34, p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: The study highlights the potential of ICG based Machine Learning algorithms for accurately estimating arterial BP. Such algorithms can provide accurate and continuous BP data. This offers the possibility of enhancing patient care, timely diagnostics, and treatment decision-making. Our approach is especially promising for post-surgical and intensive care environments.

Feasibility study of the use of a wearable vital sign patch in an intensive care unit setting.

Multiple studies and review papers have concluded that early warning systems have a positive effect on clinical outcomes, patient safety and clinical performances. Despite the substantial evidence affirming the efficacy of EWS applications, persistent barriers hinder their seamless integration into clinical practice. Notably, EWS, such as the National Early Warning Score, simplify multifaceted clinical conditions into singular numerical indices, thereby risking the oversight of critical clinical indicators and nuanced fluctuations in patients' health status. Furthermore, the optimal deployment of EWS within clinical contexts remains elusive. Manual assessment of EWS parameters exacts a significant temporal toll on healthcare personnel. Addressing these impediments necessitates innovative approaches. In this regard, wearable medical technologies emerge as promising solutions capable of continual monitoring of hospitalized patients' vital signs. To overcome the barriers of the use of early warning scores, wearable medical technology has the potential to continuously monitor vital signs of hospitalised patients. However, a fundamental inquiry arises regarding the comparability of their reliability to the current used golden standards. This inquiry underscores the imperative for rigorous evaluation and validation of wearable medical technologies to ascertain their efficacy in augmenting extant clinical practices. This prospective, single-center study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of heart rate and respiratory rate measurements obtained from the Vivalink Cardiac patch in comparison to the ECG-based monitoring system utilized at AZ Maria Middelares Hospital in Ghent. Specifically, the study focused on assessing the concordance between the data obtained from the Vivalink Cardiac patch and the established ECG-based monitoring system among a cohort of ten post-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Of these patients, five were undergoing mechanical ventilation post-surgery, while the remaining five were not. The study proceeded by initially comparing the data recorded by the Vivalink Cardiac patch with that of the ECG-based monitoring system. Subsequently, the data obtained from both the Vivalink Cardiac patch and the ECG-based monitoring system were juxtaposed with the information derived from the ventilation machine, thereby providing a comprehensive analysis of the patch's performance in monitoring vital signs within the ICU setting. For heart rate, the Vivalink Cardiac patch was on average within a 5% error range of the ECG-based monitoring system during 85.11±10.81% of the measured time. For respiratory rate this was during 40.55±17.28% of the measured time. Spearman's correlation coefficient showed a very high correlation of 8 for heart rate and a moderate correlation of for respiratory rate. In comparison with the ventilated respiratory rate (ventilation machine) the Vivalink and ECG-based monitoring system both had a moderate correlation of A very high correlation was found between the heart rate measured by the Vivalink Cardiac patch and that of the ECG-based monitoring system of the hospital. Concerning respiratory rate the correlation between the data from the Vivalink Cardiac patch, the ECG-based monitoring system and the ventilation machine was found to be moderate.

Exploring the acceptability of and adherence to prehabilitation and rehabilitation in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Prehabilitation combines exercise, nutritional, and psychological interventions administered before surgery to improve patient outcomes. This comprehensive review and meta-analysis examined the feasibility, adherence, and effectiveness of prehabilitation in frail, high-risk individuals undergoing major abdominal surgery. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases to identify relevant studies evaluating prehabilitation programs published between 2010 and 2023, either as observational studies or randomized clinical trials (RCTs). The 23 articles (13 RCTs and 10 observational studies) included 1849 older male and female patients aged 68.7±7.2 years. Nineteen of the included studies reported on adherence to prehabilitation programmes, which was generally good (>75%) over different models, settings, and durations. Factors such as patients' desire for expedited surgery, self-assessment of fitness, personal and professional obligations, health issues, holidays, and advancement of surgery dates negatively affected adherence to prehabilitation programmes. When compared with rehabilitation or standard pre- and post-surgical care, prehabilitation was associated with a 25%, albeit not statistically significant reduction in postoperative complications, according to data from 14 studies reporting on postoperative complications (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.17, P= 0.43; I2=65%). Prehabilitation has been found to improve the 6-min walk test significantly by 29.4m (MD+29.4m, 95% CI 5.6 to 53.3, P=0.02; I2=39%), compared with rehabilitation or standard pre- and post-surgical care. Prehabilitation was acceptable to patients, with good adherence, and improved physical function.

Assessing the predictive value of elevated postoperative syndecan-1 levels for progressive acute kidney injury and kidney replacement therapy necessity in adult cardiac surgery patients

BackgroundThe development of acute kidney injury (AKI) post-cardiac surgery significantly increases patient morbidity and healthcare costs. Prior researches have established Syndecan-1 (SDC-1) as a potential biomarker for endothelial injury and subsequent acute kidney injury development. This study assessed whether postoperative SDC-1 levels could further predict AKI requiring kidney replacement therapy (AKI-KRT) and AKI progression.MethodsIn this prospective study, 122 adult cardiac surgery patients, who underwent valve or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or a combination thereof and developed AKI within 48 h post-operation from May to September 2021, were monitored for the progression to stage 2–3 AKI or the need for KRT. We analyzed the predictive value of postoperative serum SDC-1 levels in relation to multiple endpoints.ResultsIn the study population, 110 patients (90.2%) underwent cardiopulmonary bypass, of which thirty received CABG or combined surgery. Fifteen patients (12.3%) required KRT, and thirty-eight (31.1%) developed progressive AKI, underscoring the severe AKI incidence. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that elevated SDC-1 levels were independent risk factors for progressive AKI (OR = 1.006) and AKI-KRT (OR = 1.011). The AUROC for SDC-1 levels in predicting AKI-KRT and AKI progression was 0.892 and 0.73, respectively, outperforming the inflammatory cytokines. Linear regression revealed a positive correlation between SDC-1 levels and both hospital (β = 0.014, p = 0.022) and ICU stays (β = 0.013, p < 0.001).ConclusionElevated postoperative SDC-1 levels significantly predict AKI progression and AKI-KRT in patients following cardiac surgery. The study’s findings support incorporating SDC-1 level monitoring into post-surgical care to improve early detection and intervention for severe AKI.

Use of Vaginoscopy after Vaginoplasty in Individuals with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Study ObjectiveTo explore the use of exam under anesthesia with vaginoscopy (EUA-V) following vaginoplasty in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). DesignRetrospective cohort MethodsAn IRB-approved retrospective chart review was performed of the post-surgical follow-up care of all patients diagnosed with classical CAH who sought care at a tertiary children's hospital from 2000-2017 and had undergone vaginoplasty at that institution. ResultsTwenty-six patients met inclusion criteria. The median age at vaginoplasty was 1.25 years (IQR: 0.67, 9). Median post-surgical follow-up was 5.5 years (IQR: 1.5, 9). Twenty six EUA-Vs were performed, on 22 patients. Four were for complication assessment (rectovaginal fistula (1); urethrovaginal fistula (3)—on the same patient). The remaining 22 EUA-Vs, performed on 20 patients with two each undergoing two EUA-Vs, were planned for routine evaluation of vaginal patency. They were done a median of 0.67 years (IQR: 0.25, 2) following surgery and at a median of 6.67 years of age (IQR: 1.75, 12). Of these, five EUA-Vs identified stenosis in five patients (25%), a median of 0.91 years (IQR: 0.5, 7) after surgery, at a median age of 8.42 years (IQR: 2, 10.92). Of the four who did not undergo EUA-V, one had stenosis on clinical exam with ultrasound-verified hematocolpos. The remaining three were all prepubertal at last follow-up. ConclusionThe majority of CAH patients following vaginoplasty underwent routine EUA-V, roughly a quarter of which detected stenosis. EUA-Vs may play a beneficial role in routine post-op care following vaginoplasty in patients with CAH.

Wound area severity index (WASI): A novel tool for assessing and predicting healing times in hidradenitis suppurativa postsurgical wounds.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) presents challenges in management due to its chronic nature and high risk of recurrence. Post-surgical wound care plays a crucial role in treatment, even if standardized methods for assessing and predicting healing times are lacking. The aim of the study is to introduce the Wound Area Severity Index (WASI) as a novel tool to guide clinicians in assessing postsurgical wound progression and predicting potential healing times. A team of wound healing experts assessed 93 post-surgical HS wounds resulting from wide excision and secondary intention healing. For each wound healing time, wound area, wound bed score (WBS), and WASI were evaluated. WASI includes four parameters: area, temperature, depth and wound Bed, each with four severity levels. The total WASI score ranges from 4 to 16. Spearman correlation and Kruskal-Wallis tests were employed for statistical analysis. WASI strongly correlated with wound healing time (rho: 0.813, p < 0.001). Higher WASI scores were associated with prolonged healing, while lower scores indicated almost healed wounds. The WASI score has proven to be more highly predictive of healing times when compared to the individual parameter of the Area (moderate positive correlation, r: 0.77) and the WBS (negative correlation, r: -0.72). A total WASI score of 4 corresponded to a median healing time of 7 days, while a score exceeding 9 suggested a median healing time of 56 days. WASI has proven to be a valuable tool for assessing and predicting healing times in post-surgical HS wounds. Its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and ability to integrate multiple parameters make it a promising addition to wound care practice.

One-year opioid consumption trajectories among individuals receiving multidisciplinary postsurgical care: a single-center observational study from the Toronto General Hospital Transitional Pain Service

IntroductionThe Transitional Pain Service (TPS) is an innovative, personalized approach to postsurgical opioid consumption and pain management. The objectives of this study were to identify trajectories of opioid consumption and...

Navigating challenges in anesthesia for robotic urological surgery: a comprehensive guide.

Robotic surgery has emerged as a cornerstone in urological interventions, offering effectiveness and safety for patients. For anesthesiologists, this technological advancement presents a myriad of new challenges, spanning from patient selection and assessment to intraoperative dynamics and post-surgical pain management. This article aims to elucidate these challenges and provide guidance for anesthesiologists in navigating the complexities of anesthesia administration in robotic urological procedures. Through a detailed exploration of patient optimization, team coordination, intraoperative adjustments, and post-surgical care, this article serves as a valuable resource for ensuring the success of such interventions.

Exploring the impact of rehabilitation on post-surgical recovery in elbow fracture patients: a cohort study.

Elbow fractures, characterized by their complexity, present significant challenges in post-surgical recovery, with rehabilitation playing a critical role in functional outcomes. This study explores the efficacy of rehabilitative interventions in enhancing joint range of motion (ROM) and reducing complications following surgery for both stable and unstable elbow fractures. A cohort of 15 patients, divided based on the stability of their elbow fractures and whether they received post-operative rehabilitation, was analyzed retrospectively. Measurements of ROM-including flexion, extension, pronation, and supination-were taken at three follow-ups: 15-, 30-, and 45-day post surgery. The study assessed the impact of rehabilitation on ROM recovery and the resolution of post-surgical complications. The findings indicated no statistically significant differences in ROM improvements between patients who underwent rehabilitation and those who did not, across all types of movements measured. However, early rehabilitative care was observed to potentially aid in the mitigation of complications such as joint stiffness, especially in patients with stable fractures. While rehabilitation did not universally improve ROM recovery in elbow fracture patients, it showed potential in addressing post-operative complications. The study underscores the importance of individualized rehabilitation plans and highlights the need for further research to establish evidence-based guidelines for post-surgical care in elbow fractures.