Primary Surgery Research Articles

Factors Limiting Ostomy Reversal After Cytoreductive Surgery for Ovarian Cancer: A Retrospective Study.

To investigate the factors related to non-reversal of ostomy after cytoreductive surgery in ovarian cancer. In many women with ovarian cancer, transitory ostomies are performed to limit the consequences of anastomotic leak. Although intended to be temporary, a proportion of these ostomies might never be reversed. This was a retrospective study of patients with 2014 International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology stage IIB-IVB ovarian cancer requiring a transitory ostomy during primary or secondary cytoreductive surgery at the Bergonie Institute, France, and the University Hospital of Las Palmas, Spain, between January 2012 and December 2022. Rate of ostomy reversal, its timing (weeks) and postoperative complications were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify limiting factors for ostomy reversal. During the study period, we reviewed data on 181 consecutive patients with ovarian cancer with transitory ostomy creation; 89 (49.2%) patients were not candidates for an ostomy reversal surgery because of disease progression (n=65), death (n=16), and patient's refusal of surgery (n=8). A total of 92 patients were candidates for reversal surgery and were therefore included in the final analysis. In total, 57 (62%) patients had their ostomy reversed. The mean time from ostomy creation to ostomy closure was 47.7 (standard deviation=33.1) weeks. Hartmann's procedure (leaving a rectal stump of 5-6 cm) was identified as an independent predictive factor for non-reversal of ostomy (odds ratio=6.42, 95% confidence interval=1.61-25.53; p=0.008). Complications after ostomy reversal occurred in 32 patients (34.8%). Hartmann's procedure is a limiting factor for ostomy reversal in patients with ovarian cancer. We recommend avoiding Hartmann's procedure during cytoreductive surgery, even after colorectal anastomotic leak.

Outcomes of tracheal resection and anastomosis in patients with tracheal stenosis: a clinical perspective

BackgroundTracheal stenosis results from an altered inflammatory response to mucosal damage, which leads to impairment of breathing and can even be fatal if not treated promptly (Ind J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 73(4):447–454, 2020). ENT and head and neck surgeons face difficulties while treating tracheal stenosis. Mechanical stress from extended endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy, combined with hypoxic metabolic disturbances during an underlying event, is the most frequent cause of tracheal stenosis (Al-Azhar Int Med J 3(10):149-57, 2022). The main objective of the study is to assess the outcomes of tracheal resection and anastomosis in patients who presented with tracheal stenosis. This emphasizes the need for proper case selection and timely surgical intervention to relieve the airway obstruction and to ensure the effectiveness of tracheal resection and anastomosis as the less morbid approach by avoiding a midline sternotomy.The study was conducted in a tertiary care center on 25 patients who were admitted in ENT ward from the year 2011 to year 2021. Case records of those patients who underwent tracheal resection and anastomosis were analyzed on a retrospective basis. Detailed history taking and clinical examination with appropriate investigations like flexible bronchoscopy, computed tomography with 3-dimensional reconstruction, video laryngoscopy, direct laryngoscopy, and lung function tests were carried out for all the patients in the study as required. An evaluation of GERD was also done. Appropriate surgical procedure was done with regular post-operative follow-up for 18 months.ResultsIn our study, 92% of patients had satisfactory outcomes following tracheal resection and anastomosis, while some patients experienced minor complications. In 8% of patients, the primary surgery failed, among whom one patient underwent revision surgery and is doing well. The other patient with post-traumatic stenosis with a long stenotic segment underwent Shiann Yann Lee procedure in an outside center which resulted in failure following which T tube insertion was done. The patient showed improvement and was decannulated after a month.In our study of 25 patients with tracheal stenosis, postoperative complications occurred and were managed accordingly. However, there was no significant correlation between these complications and patient age, sex, extent of stenosis, preoperative Cotton-Myer grading, or the type of surgical procedure performed. This lack of correlation may be attributed to the limited sample size.ConclusionTracheal resection and anastomosis are challenging procedures and should be done only in centers with experience. Standard treatment consists of resection of the stenotic segment with end-to-end anastomosis. The geometry of the ends to be anastomosed is matched properly to avoid gaps or weak points and for air-tight seal anastomosis.

Comparison of Surgical Outcomes of Autologous Mid-Urethral Fascia Slings and Retropubic Mid-Urethral Slings for Women Undergoing a Primary Surgery for Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Current guidelines on surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) recommend an informed decision making process between the physicians and patients reviewing all available surgical options with and without mesh. However, there is a lack of synthesized clinical evidence on some of the comparisons that can feed into patient counseling processes. The aim of this study was to review the available studies comparing clinical outcomes of an autologous fascial sling (AFS) and a retropubic (RP) synthetic sling for women undergoing a primary surgery for SUI. We conducted a literature search from 1990 to 2024 following international guidelines. We have included studies reporting on comparative outcomes of AFS and RP synthetic sling surgeries as a primary procedure. Three randomized studies were included with follow-up durations ranging from 24 months to 10 years. The mean percentage change in symptom scores ranged from 27.7% to 44.9%, with no significant difference between the two sling types. There was no difference between groups with regard to objective cure rates, subjective cure rates and length of hospital stay between AFS and RP slings. AFS surgeries had longer operative times. There were concerns about bias, particularly related to allocation, blinding, and missing outcome data. Overall, both types of slings had similar cure rates but AFSs were associated with longer operative times. The study highlights the need for more research on the comparative effectiveness of AFS and synthetic slings for SUI surgery to guide decision-making for SUI surgical treatments.

Does the initial treatment of primary tumor impact prognosis after recurrence in locally advanced rectal cancer? Results from a retrospective cohort analysis

IntroductionThe role of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) has been well proven, but its impact on patients who relapse remains unknown. This study aims to elucidate the influence of initial treatment and MRI-defined risk factors on postrecurrent survival in patients with LARC recurrence.Patients and methodsLARC patients who underwent radical surgery and subsequently developed recurrence were retrospectively identified. Patients were stratified on the basis of MRI-defined local risk assessment and the initial treatment modality for the primary tumor (NAT or primary surgery). The patients were classified into four groups: high-risk LARC with NAT (HiN), high-risk LARC with primary surgery (HiS), low-risk LARC with NAT (LoN), and low-risk LARC with primary surgery (LoS). The primary endpoint was survival after recurrence.ResultsA total of 381 patients who experienced relapse were identified from among 2329 LARC patients. Salvage surgery was performed on 33.1% of these patients. Patients who experienced single-site recurrence or who underwent salvage surgery exhibited significantly prolonged survival times after recurrence (P < 0.001). Patients in the HiS group had poorer survival after recurrence than those in the other three groups (P = 0.034). This subset of patients, characterized by receiving less adjuvant treatment after primary surgery, had a shorter recurrence interval than those in the other groups (P = 0.001).ConclusionsOur findings reaffirm the prognostic significance of salvage surgery in patients from a LARC cohort who experienced relapse. Moreover, MRI-defined high-risk LARC patients who received upfront surgery without NAT had shorter intervals of recurrence and poorer survival outcomes after recurrence. Our results highlight the critical role of NAT in improving patient survival after recurrence.Trial registrationSupplementary registration was carried out at clinicaltrials.gov (Registration number: NCT06314737) on March 14, 2024. The study was retrospectively registered.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but very aggressive cutaneous malignant tumor of neuroendocrine origin with an increasing incidence rate. Its pathogenesis is linked to Merkel cell polyomavirus, and advanced age, white skin exposed to UV and immunodeficiency are among these risk factors. Its treatment is based on surgery in localized disease and immunotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic disease. We report here the case of a 79-year-old patient, followed at the Oncology-Radiotherapy Department of the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech, for treatment of a MCC of the lower lip. He benefited from primary surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy with an encouraging response. Currently he is under surveillance. Knowledge of this rare malignant tumor will allow health professionals to improve its management by establishing the diagnosis early and indicating adequate treatment, because therapeutic advances in recent years have significantly improved survival.

Secondary Contouring for the Butterfly Graft: Improving Form and Preserving Function.

The butterfly graft (BFG) secondary contouring procedure addresses external nasal irregularities following the primary BFG surgery. We explore demographic factors associated with the desire for secondary contouring and assess patient-reported outcomes following the procedure. A retrospective analysis of 374 patients undergoing BFG between April 2020 and April 2023 identified 10 individuals electing for secondary contouring. Demographics, Nasal Obstruction Symptoms Evaluation (NOSE) scores, Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI), and decision regret scale (DRS) were collected and reported. Secondary contouring rate was 2.7% of total cases. The majority of patients desiring BFG secondary contouring were white females (90%). NOSE scores significantly improved post-primary surgery (mean change: 51.7, SD: 14.01, p-value: <0.05). Although overall NOSE scores remained improved after secondary contouring (mean change: 47.2, SD: 18.84, p-value: <0.05) compared with their preoperative NOSE scores, one patient (10%) reported worse score after secondary contouring. Four patients (40%) reported worsening after secondary contouring compared with after initial BFG surgery. DRS indicated minimal regret from patients. BFG secondary contouring is a valuable option for patients with external nasal complaints, providing improvements in nasal appearance and durable improvement in breathing outcomes. We emphasize the importance of patient counseling and appropriate patient selection. Our results suggest that patients should expect a slight worsening of NOSE scores following secondary contouring, but that significant worsening is a low risk. Level 4: Case series Laryngoscope, 2024.

The Predictive Value of the Fibrinogen-Albumin-Ratio Index on Surgical Outcomes in Patients with Advanced High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer.

The present study evaluates predictive implications of the pretherapeutic Fibrinogen-Albumin-Ratio Index (FARI) in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) patients undergoing primary cytoreductive surgery. This retrospective study included 161 patients with HGSOC International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage ≥ IIb, who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy. Associations between the FARI and complete tumor resection status were described by receiver operating characteristics, and binary logistic regression models were fitted. Higher preoperative FARI values correlated with higher ascites volumes (r = 0.371, p < 0.001), and higher CA125 levels (r = 0.271, p = 0.001). A high FARI cut at its median (≥11.06) was associated with lower rates of complete tumor resection (OR 3.13, 95% CI [1.63-6.05], p = 0.001), and retrained its predictive value in a multivariable model independent of ascites volumes, CA125 levels, FIGO stage, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). The FARI appears to act as a surrogate for higher intra-abdominal tumor load. After clinical validation, FARI could serve as a readily available serologic biomarker to complement preoperative patient assessment, helping to identify patients who are likely to achieve complete tumor resection during primary cytoreductive surgery.

Effect of the Number of Negative Lymph Nodes Removed on the Survival and Recurrence Rate After Primary Surgery in Patients with Ovarian Cancer: A Multi-Center Retrospective Cohort Study

Effect of the Number of Negative Lymph Nodes Removed on the Survival and Recurrence Rate After Primary Surgery in Patients with Ovarian Cancer: A Multi-Center Retrospective Cohort Study

Мультидисциплинарный подход в лечении рецидива рака прямой кишки с вовлечением мочевых путей

Aim. To evaluate immediate and long-term oncological results ofsurgical treatment of recurrent rectal cancer involving the urinary tractsystem to show the need for a multidisciplinary treatment approach for locally advanced recurrent rectal cancer. Material and methods. Retrospective cohort analysis with prospective supported database. Analyzed 14 cases: all patients with locally advanced rectal cancer recurrence involving urinary tract system were operated at the Clinic of Coloproctology and Minimally Invasive Surgery in 2013-2022. Results. The age of the patients was 51.6 ± 13.0 years, 6 men, 8 women. The greatest recurrence number was (88%) finded in group of primary colorectal cancer of the lower and middle parts of the rectum. In 57.2% observations patients received preoperative chemotherapy or combination with radiotherapy. Approximately 64% of primary operations were performed using an open approach. Recurrence of CRC with pT3-T4 invasion was diagnosed in 72% of cases. Metastatic damage of lymphatic nodes after primary surgery were identified in 57.2% of cases. In 2 observations primary surgery was performed with R2 resection margin, relapse in that cases was detected after 11 and 13 months. One histopathological report indicated R1 resection, relapse noted after 6 months. Adjuvant chemotherapy was performed in 10 cases (71.4%), in two cases (14.3%) – postoperative radiation therapy. Average time for recurrence detecting after primary operation was 16.5 [12-28] months. Advanced combined interventions including recurrence removal with colon resection, gynecological and urological stages (RR+CR+GR+UR) amounted to 36%, recurrence removal with resection colon and urological stage (RR+CR+UR) was performed in 43% of cases, recurrence removal without the colonic stage (RR+GR+UR and RR+UR) - 3 (21%) patients. Reconstructive surgery to restore urine derivation were performed in 12 (85.7%) cases. The average duration of the procedures was 412.5[205-490] minutes, intraoperative blood loss - 275 [150-400] ml. Early postoperative complications are classified as Clavien-Dindo III. One patient with SIRS was classified as a complication Clavien-Dindo IV. The duration of the postoperative period was 25.5 [14-30] days. Postoperative mortality was 0%. According pathohistological examination R1 resection was detected in 3 (21.4%) cases. Adjuvant chemotherapy was performed 8 (57.1%) patients, in 1 case (7.1%) combination with a course of radiotherapy. During the period 24 months after surgery the mortality rate was 14.3%, repeated relapses diagnosed in 3 (21.4%) patients, one was reoperated. Distant metastases was noted in 4 (28.6%) patients, of which in 1 case with repeated recurrence. Discussion. Our urogenital bacterial diversity analysisshowed that human testicular tissue is not a microbiologically sterile environment and also presented new data associated with testicular tissue and its possible relations with male infertility. Conclusion. The main treatment method for locally advanced rectal cancer recurrence involving the urinary tract system is surgical. Multidisciplinary approach with the involvement in the surgical team urologist oncologist made it possible to perform a one-stage radical intervention for locally advanced recurrence of rectal cancer with restoration of derivation urine without the need for subsequent reconstructive procedures on the urinary system. Keywords: rectal cancer, urinary tract, multidisciplinary approach, surgical treatment, recurrence.

Our 40 Years' Experience on Face and Neck Lift Procedures with High-SMAS Flap Techniques: How to Manage Secondary and Tertiary Surgeries.

Facial aging drives a growing demand for esthetic procedures, with nonsurgical options often falling short in longevity compared to surgery. Despite primary face and neck lift techniques receiving substantial attention, revision procedures have been relatively overlooked in terms of their unique surgical management, complication incidence, and preventive strategies. The authors present a 40-year experience with revision face and neck lifts, comprising 283 cases. The primary focus was on the high-SMAS flap technique in revision surgeries, with data collected on complications compared to primary procedures and existing literature. Secondary analysis investigated the time-lapse between primary and revision surgeries in the author's series (secondary and tertiary rhytidectomy) compared to the literature findings. Out of 283 cases, 232 were secondary and 51 were tertiary procedures. Overall complication rates in secondary cases mirrored those of primary procedures, with no statistically significant difference observed (p > 0.05). The mean interval between procedures was 9.0years (range: 3.4-28.8years), with a significant statistical difference (p < 0.05) observed between the first and second procedures (10.7years, range: 3.8-18.8years) and the second and third procedures (7.8years, range: 3.5-10.8years). Results indicate that high-SMAS flaps yield consistent and satisfying outcomes, even in secondary and tertiary cases. Complication rates are comparable to primary surgeries, underscoring the importance of meticulous attention to detail in managing the complexities associated with previous surgeries and the aging process. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Exclusive endoscopic tympanoplasty efficacy in the treatment of cholesteatoma without mastoid involvement.

The purpose of this study is to determine the recurrence rate of cholesteatoma in patients who have undergone exclusive endoscopic tympanoplasty at our tertiary referral institution. A secondary objective is to analyze different clinical aspects that could be considered risk factors for recurrence to establish if it is possible to determine when a second-look procedure is indicated instead of a clinical follow-up. A retrospective study was performed on patients who had undergone exclusive endoscopic tympanoplasty for cholesteatoma in the last eight years and who were followed up for at least one year. The efficacy of the treatment performed only with the exclusive endoscopic technique was analyzed. Then, the anamnestic and intraoperative data were studied to identify possible factors that could increase the risk of recurrence. The recurrence rate (14.5%) in patients (164) who underwent primary surgery with the exclusive endoscopic technique between January 2014 and January 2022 was similar to that in patients who underwent the microscopic technique with mastoidectomy in literature. In addition, we analyzed several clinical factors such as age, ossicular chain erosion, extension and localization of the cholesteatoma finding that only the last one could potentially be a risk factor for recurrence in this selected population. Exclusive endoscopic tympanoplasty has been shown to be effective in removing cholesteatoma in patients without evidence of mastoid involvement, with recurrence rates comparable to traditional microscopic technique and a minimally invasive approach, even considering the patient's age, ossicular chain erosion and extension of the disease.

Clinical features of gastrointestinal symptoms in women with recurrent course of deep infiltrative endometriosis

Background. Endometriosis is a chronic multifactorial disease that affects more than 170 million women of reproductive age worldwide, causing pelvic pain syndrome, dyspareunia, and symptoms of gastrointestinal dyspepsia, thereby having a negative impact on the psycho-emotional state of patients. Despite a wide range of medical and surgical treatments, the relapse rate reaches 50%, which is a global economic and social problem.The purpose of the study. To determine the spectrum of clinical features of the gastrointestinal tract in women with recurrent deep infiltrative endometriosis.Materials and methods. The study included 113 patients of reproductive age who underwent surgical treatment of common forms of external genital endometriosis. The main group consisted of 32 patients who underwent repeated surgical treatment due to relapse of deep infiltrative endometriosis, the comparison group — 51 patients without relapse of the disease one year after the primary operation, the control group — 30 patients of reproductive age who did not suffer from external genital endometriosis. An analysis of the somatic anamnesis was carried out, as well as questionnaire data on pelvic pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and functional bowel disorders in patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis, depending on the status of relapse of the disease.Results and discussion. Patients of the main group suffered significantly more often from functional diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (71.9% (23/32) versus 51.3% (26/51) in the comparison group; p = 0.006, the spectrum of which was represented by chronic gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome. In the main group, the clinical manifestations of gastrointestinal dyspepsia before surgical treatment correspond to a moderately severe degree of 17.706 (4.601) points. A significantly higher initial level of functional intestinal disorders was established during subjective assessment in the main observation group: 17.706 (4.601) points versus 10.66 (3.61) points in the comparison group; p=0.001. In women of the main observation group, one month after surgical treatment, there was a significant decrease in subjective assessment of the severity of functional intestinal disorders (from 17.71 (4.60) points to 9.86 (4.73) points; p = 0.001). The integral VAS pain score in the main group was 6.65 (1.53) points, which is significantly higher than in patients in the comparison group without relapse of the disease.Conclusions. The identified clinical and anamnestic predictors of the recurrent course of deep infiltrative endometriosis will allow us to formulate a personalized approach at the pre- and postoperative stage, aimed at preventing relapse of the disease, which will directly improve the psycho-emotional state and quality of life of women.

Surgical Site Infection after Primary Open Surgery for Laryngeal Cancer in a Tertiary Hospital in Belgrade, Serbia: A 10-Year Prospective Cohort Study.

Surgical site infection (SSI) in laryngeal cancer (LC) patients significantly increases morbidity and may postpone adjuvant therapy. Additionally, SSI can prolong hospitalization, thus representing a burden for the healthcare system. Most of the published studies refer to SSI after salvage laryngectomy. The present prospective cohort study aimed to clarify the incidence and factors associated with SSI in patients after primary open surgery for LC. Through regular hospital surveillance of patients who underwent primary partial or total laryngectomy, we gathered 24 putative factors and identified SSI from 2013 to 2022. Patients with SSI were compared with patients without SSI. SSI was observed in 21 (6.6%) of 319 patients. ULRA showed that the occurrence of SSI was significantly associated with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, other postoperative healthcare-associated (HAI) infection, T classification, N classification, advanced clinical stage (III-IV), length of stay (LOS), duration of drainage, and the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) risk index. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified two independent factors associated with SSI occurring in these patients: duration of drainage (RR (relative risk) 1.593; 95% CI 1.159-2.189; p = 0.004) and LOS (RR: 1.074; 95% CI: 1.037-1.112; p < 0.001). Our study provided insight into the burden of SSI in LC patients, highlighting several priority areas and targets for quality improvement.

On-Pump or Off-Pump Impact of Diabetic Patient Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting 5-Year Clinical Outcomes.

For diabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), there is still a debate about whether an off-pump or on-pump approach is advantageous. A retrospective review of 1269 consecutive diabetic patients undergoing isolated, primary CABG surgery from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015 was conducted. Among them, 614 received non-cardiopulmonary bypass treatment during their operation (off-pump group), and 655 received cardiopulmonary bypass treatment (on-pump group). The hospitalization outcomes were compared by multiple logistic regression models with patient characteristics and operative variables as independent variables. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional-hazard regression models for mid-term (2-year) and long-term (5-year) clinical survival analyses were used to determine the effect on survival after CABG surgery. In order to further verify the reliability of the results, propensity-score matching (PSM) was also performed between the two groups. Five-year all-cause death rates were 4.23% off-pump vs. 5.95% on-pump (p = 0.044), and off-pump was associated with reduced postoperative stroke and atrial fibrillation. These findings suggest that off-pump procedures may have benefits for diabetic patients in CABG.

Sport and sexual recovery after total hip arthroplasty in young adults: a retrospective cohort study.

Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) is the main treatment for end-stage degenerative hip arthrosis in the elderly, while became increasingly performed as treatment of secondary arthrosis in younger patients, a population at high functional requests in terms of resumption of physical activity and resumption of sexual activity. This study evaluates the physical, sports recovery and the sexual quality of life in young patients undergoing primary THA. Patients undergoing primary THA aged between 18 and 45, operated in a 10 year timeframe, were selected. Demographic, clinical, and radiological data were collected. The Harris Hip Score (HHS) was assessed before and after the surgery. The UCLA Activity Score was collected, sport participation in pre and post-operative period was acquired. The quality of sexual activity (SQoL) before and after surgery was analysed through a qualitative questionnaire. Collected data were also compared on the surgical approach, namely Direct Anterior (DAA), Postero-Lateral (PL) and Direct lateral (DL). The population consisted of 242 THA implanted in 232 patients, including 143 males and 89 females, with an average age of 37.4. The mean follow-up period was 51.0 months, with a minimum of 2.9 months and a maximum of 122.6 months. Postoperatively, the average HHS was 90.29 ± 0.9 points, compared to 62.43 ± 1.34 points preoperatively (p < 0.001). The UCLA Activity Score in the postoperative period was 7.17 ± 0.17 matching to intermediate impact sport activity. The 64% of patients reported an improvement in SQoL after-surgery, 73% of which being females that show a significant improvement in SQoL compared to males (p = 0.046). By surgical approach comparison, DAA patients demonstrated better UCLA Activity Score (p = 0.037) and Return to sport (p = 0.027) compared to PL and DL. Primary THA surgery in young adults can improve the level of physical activity and promote the involvement of subjects in moderate impact sports. Patients showed a better quality of sexual life compared to the preoperative period, an effect more evident in female patients.

Indications, Surgical Strategies And Hearing Outcomes of Revision Stapes Surgery for Otosclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis on 2602 Patients

AbstractObjectiveTo summarize current knowledge on the indications, surgical strategies, and auditory outcomes of revision stapes surgery (RSS) for otosclerosis.Data SourcesThe search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science online databases, including papers published since 2000.Review MethodsThe study was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses guidelines. We considered original series describing RSS for otosclerosis, reporting postoperative hearing outcomes according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery guidelines for conductive hearing loss (CHL) for at least 30 consecutive cases. The quality of included studies was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Pooled proportion and odds ratio (OR) meta‐analysis were conducted using random effect models.ResultsNineteen studies were included, for a total of 2602 patients (2735 ears) and 2359 postoperative hearing results. RSS was mostly performed for recurrent CHL with air‐bone gap (ABG)&gt;20 dB. Multiple concomitant causes were often present, with prosthesis placement defect and incus necrosis as the most common causes. The pooled proportion of postoperative ABG&lt;10 dB and ABG&lt;20 dB was 57.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 52.8%‐61.4%) and 79% (95% CI: 76.0%‐81.8%), respectively. Dead ears were 1.2% (95% CI: 0.7%‐2.1%). Compared to primary surgery, RSS had a significantly lower rate of ABG&lt;10 dB (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.24%‐0.54%; P &lt; .001). Both revision incudostapedotomy with/without incus reconstruction and malleovestibulopexy are viable options with nonsignificant differences in ABG closure rates (P = .182).ConclusionRSS is challenging and requires the surgeon to carefully evaluate all potential causes of previous failure and tailor the intervention according to intraoperative findings. In most cases, ABG closure within 20 dB can be achieved with a relatively low risk of dead ears.

Functional benefit of joint surgery in patients with non-vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: results of a retrospective study

BackgroundEhlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a hereditary disease characterised by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility and tissue fragility. Hypermobile EDS (hEDS is the more frequent subtype. Joint surgery may benefit certain patients after failure of medical treatments, but there is no consensus on the optimal surgical management of patients with hEDS. The aims of this retrospective study were to chart the surgical management of patients with hEDS, to determine the role of arthroscopy and to evaluate the functional results of joint surgery, including the reintervention rates.ResultsA total of 69 patients with non-vascular EDS were evaluated (60 female; 87%). Mean (SD) age at first surgery was 25.6 ± 11.1 years. Among the 69 patients, first surgeries were carried out on the knee (n = 50; 39.4%), ankle (n = 28; 22.0%), shoulder (n = 22; 17.3%), wrist (n = 18; 14.2%) and elbow (n = 9; 7.1%). One-fifth of all first operations (20.8%) were carried out by arthroscopy, most often on the knee (36% of knee surgery cases). At the time of primary surgery, the surgeon was alerted to the diagnosis or suspicion of hEDS in only 33.9% of patients. The rate of reoperations (2 to ≥ 5) was 35.7% (10/28) for the ankle, 40.9% (9/22) for the shoulder, 44.4% (4/9) for the elbow, 50% (9/18) for the wrist and 60% (30/50) for the knee. Local or regional anaesthesia was badly tolerated or ineffective in 27.8%, 36.4% and 66.6% of operations on the wrist, shoulder and elbow, respectively. Overall, the majority of patients (> 70%) were satisfied or very satisfied with their surgery, particularly on the non-dominant side. The lowest satisfaction rate was for shoulder surgery on the dominant side (58.3% dissatisfied).ConclusionsSurgery for joint instability has a greater chance of success when it is carried out in patients with a known diagnosis of EDS before surgery. The majority of patients were satisfied with their surgery and, with the exception of the knee, there was a low rate of reoperations (≤ 50%). Arthroscopic procedures have an important role to play in these patients, particularly when surgery is performed on the knee.

A novel heat recovery VRF system: Principle and cooling performance analysis

Faced with an increasingly severe energy problem and increased demand for indoor comfort, heat recovery VRF systems have demonstrated remarkable potential for energy conservation. However, traditional heat recovery VRF systems need more suboptimal energy efficiency in terms of cooling and dehumidification and fail to guarantee precise temperature and humidity control in specific environments. In this study, a novel heat recovery VRF system that can achieve highly efficient cooling while ensuring precise humidity control is proposed. It can realize four primary operation modes by changing the function of indoor heat exchangers. The results showed that the optimal volume ratio of the two compressor cylinders was 1.4, which was used as the design parameter for the system. Compared to the single-evaporation temperature system, the proposed double-evaporation temperature system has better energy efficiency and dehumidification capacity in the cooling mode. The cooling coefficient of performance (COP) can be increased by 3.18 %–6.05 %, the compressor energy consumption can be reduced by 3.07 %–7.03 %, and the moisture extraction rate and latent heat ratio of the system can be increased by 5.6 %–33.3 %.

A new approach for perioperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) measurement to establish cure in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

In this study, we analyse the possibility to omit pre-incision PTH measurement since we routinely measure it at the time of pre-surgery ambulatory admission. A total of 435 patients were enrolled. All patients with pHPT included underwent pre-surgical PTH level assessment as part of the pre-admission preparation to surgery. Intraoperative PTH was routinely assessed after induction of the anaesthesia (pre-incision PTH) and 15min after resection of the enlarged gland(s) (post-excision PTH). Moreover, calcium and PTH levels were routinely assessed on the first postoperative day. Cure was defined as an intraoperative drop of > 50% or into normal range on first post-operative day. The median value of the preoperative and pre-incision PTH were both 127 pg/ml (p = ns). Thirty-two patients (7.3%) exhibited a not appropriate drop of post-excision PTH level. Nevertheless, nineteen of them (59.3%) showed a satisfying PTH drop on 1st POD. Ten patients (2.3%) experienced a persistent disease with six achieving cure through reoperation. Additionally, three patients (0.6%) showed normalization of calcium and PTH values during the follow-up. Three patients, apparently deemed cured after an adequate PTH-drop on the day of surgery, showed persistence. Cure rate at primary surgery was 98.4%. Accuracy of our simplified protocol is 99.3%. Pre-incision PTH is not superior to preoperative PTH blood test and can be omitted without compromising the sensitivity of cure prediction. One blood sample 15min after resection, along with the postoperative PTH value on the day after surgery, is sufficient to predict the surgical outcome bearing the cost of a very low reoperation rate.

Younger age, longer delay to surgery and meniscal tears are associated with a smaller ACL remnant: An analysis from the registry of the Francophone Arthroscopic Society

AbstractPurposeThis study aimed to evaluate which preoperative patient, injury or clinical factors were associated with the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) remnant volume in patients undergoing ACL surgery. It was hypothesized that the main factors determining an insufficient ACL remnant volume at the time of surgery were younger age and longer time to surgery.MethodsA retrospective analysis from the Francophone Arthroscopic Society's registry was conducted, including 1565 patients with an ACL lesion underdoing a primary ACL surgery (reconstruction or repair) between June 2020 and June 2023. Patients were excluded in case of revision surgery and incomplete data. Preoperative factors—including patient demographics, delay to surgery, preoperative laxity and the presence of meniscal tears or cartilage lesions—were analysed to determine their influence on ACL remnant volume (estimated by the surgeon as the percentage of residual volume). Univariate, multivariate and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to explore these relationships.ResultsMultivariate analyses demonstrated that younger age (&lt;20 years and 20–30 years compared to ≥40, p = 0.02), higher time from injury to surgery (≥12 months compared to &lt;3 months, p = 0.01) and the presence of a medial (p = 0.01) or a lateral meniscal tear (p = 0.02) were significant predictors of an ACL remnant volume ≤ 50%.ConclusionsYounger age (under 30 years of age), a time from injury to surgery above 12 months and the presence of medial and lateral meniscal tears are associated with higher odds of observing a smaller ACL remnant volume at the time of the ACL surgery. These factors should be considered when planning ACL remnant preservation techniques.Level of evidenceLevel III.