Subcutaneous Tunnel Research Articles

Complications of tunneled and non-tunneled peripherally inserted central catheter placement in chemotherapy-treated cancer patients: a meta-analysis.

Tunneled peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) have potential to reduce complications compared to non-tunneled PICC in previous studies. Which is better is debatable. Thus, the aim to compare the effect of tunneled and non-tunneled PICC for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library database, and CNKI were searched from inception to March 15, 2024. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) was calculated to assess the complications of tunneled and non-tunneled PICC for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy using random- or fixed-effects models. A total of 12 articles were retrieved. Meta-analysis showed that tunneled PICC significantly decreased the risk of wound oozing (OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.20-0.41), infection risk (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.20-0.85), thrombosis risk (OR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.15-0.44), phlebitis risk (OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.13-0.40), and catheter dislodgement risk (OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.22-0.50) compared to non-tunneled PICC. The subcutaneous tunneling technology has advantages over normal technique in decreasing PICC-related complications for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. PROSPERO (CRD42024522862).

Subcutaneous tunneling versus conventional insertion of peripherally inserted central catheters in hospitalized patients (TUNNEL-PICC): a multicentre, open-label, randomized, controlled trial

We aimed to evaluate whether subcutaneous tunneling in peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) placement could reduce the occurrence of central-line associated blood stream infection (CLABSI). We conducted an open-label, multicentre, randomized, controlled trial in five tertiary hospitals. Adult hospitalized patients requiring a PICC were randomized in a one-to-one ratio to conventional (cPICC) or tunneled PICC (tPICC) arms using a centralized web-based computer-generated stratified randomization. CLABSI rates between groups were compared in a modified intention-to-treat population. Safety including the incidence of exit-site infection or hemorrhage-associated catheter removal were also compared. This trial was registered with Clinical Research Information Service of Republic of Korea (KCT0005521). From November 2020 to March 2023, 1,324 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to tPICC (n=662) and cPICC (n=662). This study was terminated early due to the cohort CLABSI rate being lower than estimated, therefore, the original sample size of 1,694 would render the study underpowered to detect a difference in CLABSI rates. In the tPICC, CLABSI occurred in 13 of 651 participants over 11,071 catheter-days (1.2/1,000 catheter-days), compared with 20 among 650 patients with cPICC over 11,141 catheter-days (1.8/1,000 catheter-days, rate ratio 0.65, 95% CI 0.30-1.38, p=0.30). The incidence of exit-site infection (29 tPICC, 36 cPICC, p=0.5) and hemorrhage-associated catheter removal (11 tPICC, 11 cPICC, p=0.99) was not different between both groups. Due to insufficient sample size, this study could not demonstrate a statistically significant CLABSI risk reduction in the tPICC group compared to the cPICC group. Both groups had similar rates of exit site infection and bleeding.

Using Descending Genicular Artery as the Recipient Artery for Free Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery Perforator Flap

Summary: This case report presents the use of the superficial circumflex iliac perforator (SCIP) flap for soft tissue reconstruction of the knee, using the descending genicular artery (DGA) as the recipient vessel. A 14-year-old female table-tennis player presented with a right knee mass diagnosed as angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma. Following resection of the mass, which left a 6.5 × 5.5 cm soft tissue defect over the patella, a free SCIP flap was harvested and used for reconstruction. The SCIP flap was chosen for its thinness and flexibility, making it suitable for the highly mobile knee joint. The superficial circumflex iliac artery (1.2 mm) was anastomosed to the DGA (1.5 mm) in an end-to-end fashion. The flap and deepithelialized skin paddle were routed through a subcutaneous tunnel, and the donor site was closed directly over a drain. The flap survived completely with no postoperative complications. Six months later, despite hyperpigmentation of the scar, the contour was satisfactory with no limitations in knee range of motion. This case underscores the advantages of the SCIP flap, particularly its compatibility with the DGA, reduced donor site morbidity, and excellent aesthetic and functional outcomes. The SCIP flap, combined with the DGA as the recipient vessel, provides an effective solution for complex knee reconstructions, offering a primary option for similar cases.

Complications of intrathecal baclofen therapy in children and young adults

OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study was to determine the frequency and nature of complications that occur during intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy, including nonsurgical complications as well as complications associated with both implantation surgeries and subsequent revisions. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who had baclofen pumps implanted at a tertiary children’s hospital from 2006 through June 2019. The study employed appropriate descriptive statistics and statistical models to analyze patient demographics, improvements in tone, and clinical complications. The authors evaluated the associations of complications as well as changes in modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) scores with various preexisting conditions (e.g., presence of gastrostomy tubes [G-tubes] and ventriculoperitoneal [VP] shunts) and surgical variations (e.g., use of newer [Ascenda] catheters and subfascial versus subcutaneous catheter tunneling). RESULTS One hundred forty-two pumps were implanted. Complications occurred in 111 patients (78.2%). The most frequent complications were catheter complications and pseudomeningoceles, each of which occurred in 63 (44%) patients. On multivariable analysis, pseudomeningoceles and percutaneous CSF leaks were significantly less likely when intrathecal catheters were placed via laminotomy versus spinal needle (OR 4.6, p = 0.044), and when catheters were passed from the posterior incision to the abdominal pump pocket deep to the thoracolumbar fascia rather than superficial to it (OR 2.7, p = 0.008). Preexisting G-tubes and VP shunts at the time of pump implantation were not associated with a significantly increased likelihood of pump malfunction or infection. Ascenda catheters were significantly less likely to have disconnections (p < 0.001) and obstructions (p = 0.016), and overall were less likely to have any catheter-related complications (p = 0.01). Patients with preexisting VP shunts at the time of implantation had a significantly greater mean decrease in MAS scores in both their lower extremities (1.8, p = 0.003) and upper extremities (1.3, p = 0.002) than did patients without shunts. CONCLUSIONS Various complications are associated with ITB therapy, most commonly catheter complications and pseudomeningoceles. There have been fewer catheter complications associated with the newest catheter model, while pseudomeningoceles have become less frequent since the surgical technique was modified to prevent them. VP shunts and G-tubes are not associated with significantly higher complication rates and shunts seem to be associated with greater efficacy of ITB therapy, as represented by a greater mean improvement in MAS scores.

Local Perineal Capillary Perforator Flaps: A Minimally Invasive Technique for the Correction of Vulvar Stenosis.

Vulvar stenosis is a debilitating condition that compromises sexual function, urination, and the ability to undergo gynecological examinations. The purpose of this study is to describe the technique of capillary perforator perineal flaps (CPPF) for the correction of vulvar stenosis. We retrospectively examined patients with vulvar stenosis treated through surgical separation and reconstruction with CPPF. The procedure involved vulvar separation with the creation of a subsequent defect, repaired using a flap, harvested laterally to the labia majora including a capillary perforator and transferred through a subcutaneous tunnel to repair the vulvar defect. The functional outcome was evaluated with the Bradford scale, comparing the preoperative and postoperative scores using the Student's t-test. thirteen patients were included, three with stenosis following treatment for vulvar cancer and ten due to lichen sclerosus. In total, we analyzed 29 flaps, with an average size of 15.6 cm2. We always included just one perforator in the flap and no postoperative complications. Stenosis was resolved in all patients, with no recurrences one year after the surgery. The preoperative average severity of the stenosis was 2.3 + 0.6, reducing to 0.3 + 0.4 post-intervention, indicating a significant improvement (p < 0.01). CPPF has proven to be a quick and safe method for the reconstruction of vulvar stenosis.

#1387 Comprehensive evaluation of clinical consequences in diverse forms of fistula elevation procedure

Abstract Background and Aims Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) superficialization is a recommended alternative autologous vascular access (VA) in patients for whom conventional AVF creation is not possible because of insufficient forearm vessels. This procedure utilizes a deeply located vein as an outflow conduit in AVF creation and makes the vein accessible for cannulation. Tunnel transposition (TT) is employed in a standard manner as a venous superficialization technique. This is accomplished by tunneling the transected vein through a subcutaneous tunnel. However, TT is frequently associated with stenosis at the area of transposition because the transposed vein is torsed, kinked, or compressed by external tissue. Thus, TT tends to be exclusively applied to the basilic vein in the upper arm considering both the anatomic positional relation and the inherent limitations of this procedure. We recently reported that elevation transposition (ET) can serve as a practical substitute for TT (Contrib Nephrol. 2019:198:1-11). ET is a simplified minimally invasive superficialization approach in which the vein is elevated and positioned in a subcutaneous pocket immediately beneath the incision. In AVF superficialization employing ET (i.e., fistula elevation procedure [FEP]), three potential outflow veins are available in the upper arm: the cephalic, basilic, and brachial veins. This study was performed to comprehensively evaluate the clinical consequences of three valid FEP techniques to ascertain whether they are reasonable alternatives to autologous VA and which, if any, have superior performance. Method The demographic and outcome data of 111 patients who underwent the FEP from April 2016 to June 2023 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The outcomes of the three fistula techniques were assessed and compared in terms of patency rates, requirements for VA intervention therapy (VAIVT), and complication rates. Results The mean follow-up period was 36.2 ± 20.1 (range, 1.3-80.8) months. The basilic, cephalic, and brachial vein-based FEP was performed in 63.1%, 23.4%, and 13.5% of cases, respectively. The overall cumulative primary and secondary patency rates were 76.2% and 98.2% at 1 year and 70.7% and 97.0% at 2 years, respectively. VAIVT was required in 32.4% of cases, and the patency rates at 1 and 2 years after VAIVT were 65.3% and 62.0%, respectively. There were no significant differences in these patency rates among the three FEP types. Minor complications such as lymphorrhea or epidermolysis occurred in only 4.5% of cases. Conclusion Our results suggest that the FEP provides three equivalently reliable options to accommodate the deeply located venous anatomy of the upper arm on individual-patient basis. The diversity of the FEP may contribute to avoiding prosthetic VA and central venous catheter-based dialysis, at least in part, by expanding the applicability of the autologous VA.

Femoral to abdomen tunneling at the bedside for medium/long term venous access.

Femoral to abdomen tunneling of small-bore central venous catheters is a bedside technique for patients with contraindications to a thoracic approach, or as an alternative to a lower extremity catheter exit site. A femoral to abdomen tunneling technique was implemented for patients receiving medium and long-term intravenous treatments with contraindications to the thoracic venous approach or as an alternative to a lower extremity catheter exit site. All venous access devices were inserted with ultrasound guidance under local anesthesia, and catheter tip placement assessed by post procedural radiography. In this case series, from January 2020 to January 2023, a total of eight FTA-tunneled venous access devices were inserted. There were seven ambulatory patients and one bedbound patient. The median length of the subcutaneous tunnel was 20 cm, ranging from 15 to 27 cm. The median length of the intravenous catheter to the terminal tip was 31 cm, ranging from 23 to 40 cm. Tip location was confirmed by post-procedural abdominal radiograph. The catheter tip locations were interpreted to be at the level of T8-T9 (2), T12 (1), L4 (2), L2 (2), L1(1).No insertion or post insertion related complication was reported. Six patients completed the scheduled intravenous treatment. One patient was unable to be tracked due to transfer to an outside facility. One catheter initially demonstrated to be coiled over the left common iliac vessel was repositioned using a high flow flush technique. There was one reported catheter dislodgment by the nurse providing care and maintenance. The overall implant days were 961, with a median dwell time of 125 days ranging from 20 to 399 days. Femoral to abdomen tunneling provides an alternative exit site useful in select patients with complex intravenous access. The data of this small retrospective review suggests this a safe and minimally invasive bedside procedure.

Modified semitendinosus muscle transposition to repair bilateral perineal hernias in dogs

Perineal hernia (PH) resulting from a weakness and tear of the pelvic muscles of the diaphragm. Repair of the pelvic muscles by surgical repositioning is the curative treatment. To report a modified technique of semitendinosus muscle transposition for perineal hernias treatment. Eleven male dogs were prospectively enrolled to repair perineal hernias incorporating contralateral semitendinosus muscle transposition. The transected muscle was rotated medially through the subcutaneous tunnel ventral to the anus up to the opposite lateral perineum. Ten dogs were neutered and 01 was intact. The mean age was 10.45 years and the mean body weight was 18.52 kg. Five dogs had been previously submitted to perineal herniorrhaphy. Partial wound dehiscence occurred in two dogs. Postoperative complications related to the technique were presented in 7 of 11 dogs. Unilateral recurrence was detected in 8 of 11 dogs. The small number of samples, the absence of a control group and the heterogeneity of breeds make it difficult to reach significant conclusions. The transposition of the semitendinosus muscle through the subcutaneous tunnel is feasible to repair perineal hernias. The technique was unable to reduce complications and recurrence rates. However, provides evidence that can be used to repair cases of bilateral and ventral perineal hernias in dogs.

Analgesic Efficacy of Epidural Patient-Controlled Analgesia on Cancer Pain: A Retrospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND: In patients with severe cancer pain, systemic analgesics are often refractory or have limited application due to the side effects of opioids. In these cases, epidural analgesia may be effective. However, data on the effects of epidural patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) on cancer pain are limited. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of epidural PCA in patients with cancer pain through a retrospective chart review. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: A single academic center in Daegu, South Korea. METHODS: The analgesic efficacy of epidural PCA on cancer pain was analyzed in patients who underwent epidural PCA using a disposable balloon pump with a flow regulator between 2012 and 2021. The pump was filled with a 600-mL mixture of 6 ampoules of 0.2% ropivacaine, 1 mg fentanyl, and normal saline. For the first use of epidural PCA, the basal rate, bolus dose, and lockout time were set as 4 mL/h, 2 mL, and 15 min, respectively. The basal rate was increased and decreased depending on the degree of pain relief effect and occurrence of side effects, respectively. To increase the usage time of epidural PCA and reduce the patient’s cost burden, the fentanyl dose was increased by 1 mg when the disposable balloon pump was replaced with a new one after exhaustion of the drug if no side effects from the previous dose were observed. Analgesic efficacy was confirmed by comparing the number of types and the total amount of opioids used in patients before and after epidural PCA application in terms of the equivalent dose of oral morphine. RESULTS: Epidural catheterization was performed 105 times, and PCA was refilled 257 times in 88 patients. On average, epidural catheterization was performed 1.2 ± 0.4 (1–3) times, and epidural PCA was refilled 3.2 ± 2.3 (1–11) times per patient. The mean duration of PCA use was 15.6 ± 13.4 (1–82) days. The mean number of opioid types used the day before the procedure and the mean smallest number of opioids used per day up to 5 days after the procedure were 3.4 ± 1.2 and 2.4 ± 1.4, respectively (P &lt; 0.05). The total amount of opioids used the day before the procedure and the smallest total amount of opioids used per day up to 5 days after the procedure were converted into oral morphine equivalent doses, respectively, and the mean doses were 449.5 ± 555.9 and 331.9 ± 462.8 mg, respectively (P &lt; 0.05). LIMITATIONS: The study results are the author’s observations from a single center. Epidural PCA was performed only on hospitalized patients. Individual differences were not considered in the composition of drugs for PCA. Transmucosal immediate-release fentanyl was not accurately converted to oral morphine; thus, it was excluded from the analysis of the total amount used, and the effect of adjuvant analgesics could not be considered. CONCLUSION: Epidural PCA using subcutaneous tunneling is a useful cancer pain control method. Furthermore, it can be safely used for a longer duration owing to its low infection risk. KEY WORDS: Cancer pain, epidural, epidural analgesia, fentanyl, pain, patient-controlled analgesia, ropivacaine, tunneling

Less invasive bonnet bypass with subcutaneous tunneling method for common carotid artery occlusion - A technical note.

Common carotid artery occlusion (CCAO) sometimes requires vascular reconstruction. Ipsilateral superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass is unsuitable due to insufficient blood flow to the external carotid artery. The bonnet bypass, one treatment option for CCAO, requires a long coronal incision and bone groove to prevent malposition and collapse of an interposition graft. However, this long incision might lead to skin complications and reduced collateral blood flow. A 60-year-old man who experienced recurrent ischemic stroke presented with the right internal carotid artery occlusion and left CCAO. The left STA was unavailable; however, both branches of his right STA were well-developed. Minimizing skin invasion was a priority because the patient had diabetes mellitus. We performed a right STA parietal branch - right MCA anastomosis, followed by a right STA frontal branch - left radial artery graft (RAG) - left MCA bonnet bypass using small intermittent skin incisions. We drilled a bone groove extending across the entire length of the interposition graft through the small intermittent skin incisions. Furthermore, we applied a right STA-RAG end-to-side anastomosis instead of an endto-end anastomosis to preserve collateral skin anastomosis. Postoperatively, the bypass remained patent, and the patient was discharged without complications. The bonnet bypass is a potential treatment for CCAO, but the procedure is invasive. Our modified bonnet bypass method enables less invasive management, preventing collapse and malposition of the interposition graft and minimizing skin complications.

Deep brain stimulation for the treatment of substance use disorders: a promising approach requiring caution.

Substance use disorders are prevalent, causing extensive morbidity and mortality worldwide. Evidence-based treatments are of low to moderate effect size. Growth in the neurobiological understanding of addiction (e.g., craving) along with technological advancements in neuromodulation have enabled an evaluation of neurosurgical treatments for substance use disorders. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) involves surgical implantation of leads into brain targets and subcutaneous tunneling to connect the leads to a programmable implanted pulse generator (IPG) under the skin of the chest. DBS allows direct testing of neurobiologically-guided hypotheses regarding the etiology of substance use disorders in service of developing more effective treatments. Early studies, although with multiple limitations, have been promising. Still the authors express caution regarding implementation of DBS studies in this population and emphasize the importance of safeguards to ensure patient safety and meaningful study results. In this perspectives article, we review lessons learned through the years of planning an ongoing trial of DBS for methamphetamine use disorder.

Tunneled Percutaneous Transesophageal Gastrostomy for Treatment of Malignant Bowel Obstruction

ABSTRACT Introduction Malignant bowel obstruction is a common complication in patients with end-stage cancer. Gastric decompression can reduce symptoms; however, percutaneous gastrostomy tube placement may not always be feasible. A percutaneous transesophageal gastrostomy (PTEG) is an alternative for nasogastric decompression. This study describes a technical modification of PTEG tube placement for patient comfort. Methods: A single-center retrospective review was performed to compare outcomes from tunneled versus nontunneled PTEGs. Similar to previous descriptions, an esophageal balloon was percutaneously punctured with a needle for placement of a tube entering the neck and tracked through the esophagus into the stomach. Rather than suturing to the neck, the tube was navigated through a subcutaneous tunnel to create a tunneled transesophageal gastrostomy. Results: Between Dec 2017 and Oct 2023, 27 patients underwent attempted PTEG tube placement, 10 of which were tunneled. Median time to death was 24 days after the procedure. Adverse events occurred in 10 of 27 patients (37.0%) and included cellulitis, tube retraction requiring tube repositioning and replacement, tube clogging, failed placement, postprocedure extended intubation, postprocedure hypotension, and aspiration. More infections were noted in the tunneled PTEGs than in the nontunneled PTEGs. Twenty-four patients reported partial or complete symptom relief. Seventeen patients were able to tolerate a liquid, low-fiber, or soft regular diet with a PTEG. Conclusion: Using established techniques of tunneling central venous catheters and the process of placing PTEG tubes, a simple modification to the procedure can have the gastrostomy exit along the chest wall rather than the neck. However, this may cause increased infectious complications.

Improved Reverse Postauricular Island Flap for Repair of Lower Conjunctival Fornix Retraction.

Repair of lower conjunctival fornix retraction is a great challenge for plastic surgeons in the aspects of orbital prosthesis retaining and cosmetic appearance. Hereby, a 25-year-old woman, suffering from lower conjunctival fornix retraction after the removal of retinoblastoma and radiotherapy, was undertaking the treatment with an improved reverse postauricular island flap for expansion of the lower conjunctival fornix, and volume augmentation of the anophthalmic socket in one stage. The flap was based on the parietal branch of the superficial temporal artery and its vascular architecture to the postauricular vascular system, and successfully transferred by passing through a subcutaneous tunnel. The satisfactory result indicated that the mentioned technique may be a good option in surgical rehabilitation of the stable depth of the lower conjunctival fornix, not only from the reliable blood supply and the suitable thickness of the flap but also from the less donor morbidity without an exposed unsightly scar. Level V.

An extended brachial plexus blockade with an original method of catheter fixation: clinical case

BACKGROUND: For extended blockade of the brachial plexus from the supraclavicular access, the catheter is fixed in the supraclavicular region. Owing to the anatomical features of the supraclavicular fossa and the short inner part of the catheter, this fixation method cannot be fully considered reliable and convenient both for the personnel operating the catheter and the patient. The most convenient place for fixing the catheter is the infraclavicular region because of its flat surface. If a catheter is installed to the brachial plexus from the supraclavicular access and the catheter is passed under the skin in the infraclavicular region, then the catheter exit site on the skin will be located further from the surgical intervention area and the inner part of the catheter will be larger.&#x0D; CLINICAL CASE DESCRIPTION: This study describes a clinical case of blockade of the brachial plexus by interscalene access with catheterization for prolonged analgesia via supraclavicular access and fixation of the catheter under the skin in the subclavian region in an older patient with polymorbidity during surgical treatment of a closed fracture of the middle third of the humerus. In anesthetic provision, when inducing brachial plexus blockade via a supraclavicular approach, the catheter was fixed in the subcutaneous tunnel of the infraclavicular region for prolonged blockade of the brachial plexus.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: This fixation method prevented internal and external dislocation of the catheter, which contributed to high-quality and long-term postoperative analgesia, early patient activity, and absence of infectious complications and created comfortable conditions for the handling of the catheter for both the medical staff and the patient.

Üç Farklı Kateter Sabitleme Tekniğinde Epidural Kateter Migrasyonunun Karşılaştırılması: Prospektif Randomize Bir Çalışma

Objective: We hypothesized that subcutaneous tunnelling will be more efficacious in preventing epidural catheter migration in the postoperative period. To compare three different fixation techniques for migration of epidural catheter in the postoperative period. Methods: Patients undergoing elective surgery with planned postoperative analgesia with lumbar epidural were included. They were divided into 3 groups based on catheter fixation – Group I: transparent adhesive dressing tape, Group II: fixator device (Locklt Plus® ) and Group III: catheter subcutaneously tunnelled vertically. The catheter mark was noted during insertion and on removal at the end of second day. The primary outcome measure was epidural catheter migration; the secondary outcome measures were complications and patient satisfaction scores. Results: Of the 170 patients recruited, 150 patients were included. The Likelihood Ratio (LR) of migration of group I in comparison to group II was 13.28 (p&lt;0.001) while with group III was 7.06 (p=0.007). There was no significant difference between groups II and III (LR 1.12, p=0.29). The satisfaction scores were comparable among Groups II and III. There was no difference in complications among groups. Conclusion: Epidural migration is significantly reduced by both tunnelling and Lockit plus® methods in comparison to a transparent adhesive dressing in patients on continuous lumbar epidural analgesia in the first two postoperative days. The subcutaneous tunnelling method is as safe in terms of migration as the LockIt plus® method of fixation. Keywords: Catheter adverse effects, epidural analgesia, epidural catheter, postoperative pain

СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЕ ТЕХНИКИ ВЫПОЛНЕНИЯ ШУНТИРУЮЩИХ ВМЕШАТЕЛЬСТВ НА БЕДРЕННОПОДКОЛЕННОМ СЕГМЕНТЕ У ПАЦИЕНТОВ С ХРОНИЧЕСКОЙ АРТЕРИАЛЬНОЙ НЕДОСТАТОЧНОСТЬЮ НИЖНИХ КОНЕЧНОСТЕЙ

Background: Despite the increasing number of X-ray endovascular operations on infrainguinal lesions of lower limb arteries open surgery remains highly relevant. The operating time of open surgeries cannot be considered satisfactory, especially when combined shunts are used in the infrainguinal position. Research objective is to improve the results of shunt operations at atherosclerotic lesions of the femoropopliteal segment by advancing the technique of determining the required extent and applying the autotransplant material. Material and methods. 72 patients were involved in the research. All the patients underwent the femoropopliteal shunt procedure. The instruments designed by us (autovenous shunt length meter and the device for tunnel formation and for applying the shunt into the tissues) were used in the first group. Patients from the second group were operated on with the use of the classical technique and equipment. Results. No combined shunts were used in the first group of patients in comparison with the second group (n=5). Statistically significant results (p&lt;0.05) between the studied groups were obtained according to such criteria as number of cases of intraoperative shunt torsion (p=0.0171), length of unused autograft material (p=0.0001), ankle brachial index increase (p=0.024), the number of early postoperative complications (p=0.028), the number of shunt dysfunctions (p=0.0203) and shunt functioning duration (p=0.013). Conclusions. The use of the patented instruments when performing femoropopliteal shunting allows to determine precisely the required amount of autotransplanted material and to provide its more convenient applying in the subcutaneous tunnel. The use of the patented instruments when performing femoropopliteal shunting with a reversed autovein made it possible to improve the technique of this revascularization operation: to accurately determine the required amount of autograft material which excluded the presence of patients with combined shunt in the first group, as well as to perform the simultaneous creation of a tunnel in the soft tissues of the thigh, shin and reliable shunt placement, excluding it’s rotation along the axis. The use of the patented instruments when performing femoropopliteal shunting allowed to get positive results in the first group, in comparison with second group of patients both in the early and late postoperative periods.

The Pedicled Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Donor Site Closure after a Large Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery Perforator Flap Harvest

Summary: The superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap is useful for covering defects in the extremities because its pedicle size can match many recipient options. However, when harvesting a large flap, skin grafting of the donor site is not highly recommended because of the mobility of the hip joint and occasional lymphorrhea. Here, we present a case of a successful reconstruction of a defect in the lower leg after sarcoma resection, using a large SCIP flap. A 58-year-old man underwent resection of a large soft tissue tumor in the lower leg, resulting in a 16 × 14 cm defect. A 25 × 14 cm SCIP flap was harvested from the groin, and the superficial circumflex iliac artery and the superficial circumflex iliac vein were anastomosed to the saphenous artery and the great saphenous vein, respectively, in an end-to-end fashion. For coverage of the groin donor site, a 25 × 8 cm pedicled anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap was harvested from the ipsilateral lateral thigh and was pulled through a subcutaneous tunnel to the groin. The additional operative time for pedicled ALT flap elevation and transfer was approximately 15 minutes. With this pedicled ALT flap, the donor site of the SCIP flap could be closed directly over a drain. The follow-up at 3 months showed complete survival of both flaps, and the patient was able to walk with a cane. The pedicled ALT flap allows for direct closure of the donor site after a large SCIP flap harvest.

#5199 ULTRASOUND EXAMINATION OF THE SUBCUTANEOUS PERITONEAL CATHETER TUNNEL IN CASES NOT RELATED TO INFECTION

Abstract Background and Aims According to the guidelines of the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis possible indications of ultrasound (US) examination of the catheter tunnel are suspected tunnel infection, initial evaluation of exit-site infection without clinical signs of tunnel involvement, follow-up of exit-site and tunnel infection after treatment and relapsing peritonitis episodes. Other authors suggest US examination of the subcutaneous tunnel in every case of peritonitis. We analyzed the associations between US findings at the catheter tunnel and their clinical impact, exclusively in cases not related to catheter infection. Method The subcutaneous tunnel of the peritoneal catheter was examined with a linear probe of 6.5-10 MHz having covered the exit site with a transparent adhesive film-dressing. For the retrospective investigation covering the last 10 years, we selected peritoneal dialysis patients who performed an US examination without clinical signs or suspect of exit site or tunnel infection. During the US examination, the distance of the external cuff from the exit site, the presence and extend of leakage or size of a hematoma (along the catheter and at the surgical site), the proximity of the inferior epigastric artery to the catheter, the configuration of the subcutaneous tunnel (including inclination and direction of the catheter at the entrance into the peritoneal cavity) and the position of the inner catheter cuff were documented. Results Several US findings were found to be associated to a specific risk or need of intervention in the follow up of the patient. The following table reassumes the US findings and the respective clinical impact. Conclusion US findings documented during the examination of the catheter tunnel in cases not related to infection have a certain clinical impact due to their association to a specific risk or need of intervention, and therefore should not be overseen during the examination.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy through a subcutaneous tunnel assessed by phase analysis of gated myocardial perfusion SPECT imaging

Cardiac resynchronization therapy through a subcutaneous tunnel assessed by phase analysis of gated myocardial perfusion SPECT imaging

(439) Penile Revascularization Utilizing The Lateral Femoral Circumflex Artery After Pelvic Fracture Urethral Injury

Abstract Introduction Pelvic fracture urethral injury (PFUI) is associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) in up to 62% of patients, often due to decreased arterial inflow. For select healthy patients with isolated arterial insufficiency, penile revascularization utilizing the inferior epigastric artery to either the cavernosal or dorsal penile artery has been shown to be an effective treatment ED. The patient originally presented with a PFUI after a motor vehicle collision. He underwent suprapubic tube placement and selective embolization of a right internal pudendal artery pseudoaneurysm. Four months later, he underwent a posterior urethroplasty with corporal splitting and inferior pubectomy. During follow-up, he reported no erectile function following his initial trauma with no prior history of erectile dysfunction. He was trialed on PDE5is which were ineffective and ICI which was discontinued due to pain and minimal efficacy. Penile Doppler ultrasound with ICI showed bilateral arterial insufficiency with peak systolic velocities of 11.3 and 18.8 cm/second and no evidence of veno-occlusive dysfunction with end-diastolic flows of 2.85 and 4.66 cm/second of the cavernosal arteries (Figure 1). Bilateral inferior epigastric arteriography demonstrated 20-30% ostial stenosis with left traumatic occlusion of the internal pudendal and complete occlusion of the right internal pudendal artery post-embolization. The dorsal penile arteries filled in a delayed fashion via small-caliber collaterals. Objective We present this case to demonstrate use of an alternative arterial donor vessel for penile revascularization. Methods An infrapubic incision was made to expose the right dorsal penile artery. Another incision was made from the right anterior superior iliac spine to just above the patella tendon. The rectus femoris and vastus lateralis were atraumatically split and the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery was exposed. Small branches were clipped (Figure 2). The most distal branch to the rectus femoris was divided to become the donor vessel, leaving the proximal branch to maintain muscular perfusion. The donor branch was mobilized and passed via a subcutaneous tunnel into the infrapubic incision (Figure 3). Using an operating microscope the dorsal penile artery was ligated and the distal end was anastomosed to the donor artery and an end-to-end fashion using 8-0 nylon interrupted sutures. A drain was placed in the thigh wound, and both wounds were closed in two layers. Results The patient was started on 325mg of daily aspirin and remained on bed rest for two days. He was discharged on postoperative day two and his thigh drain remained in place for two weeks. He was restricted to less than 30-degree abduction of the right thigh for four weeks. Four months postoperatively the patient was achieving erections with 7/10 rigidity using only 5mg of tadalafil as needed. His SHIM was 17. At six months postoperatively he had increased his tadalafil dose to 20mg and was achieving erections with 8/10 rigidity from his pre-injury baseline. Conclusions This case demonstrates an excellent result from penile revascularization utilizing the lateral femoral circumflex artery. This artery can be considered an alternate donor for penile revascularization procedures following pelvic fracture urethral injury when there is a contraindication to the use of the inferior epigastric artery. Disclosure No