Time Of Surgery Research Articles

WP1.9 - An audit of prophylactic antibiotic use in elective inguinal hernia repair

Abstract Aims National guidance states that antibiotic prophylaxis is not indicated in low-risk patients undergoing inguinal hernia repairs and that high-risk patients require a single dose. This audit aimed to compare the use of prophylactic antibiotics by general surgeons in a district general hospital performing elective inguinal hernia repair, to the current national guidance. The rate of post-operative wound infection was also recorded. Method All patients who underwent an elective inguinal hernia repair in the six months between January and June 2023, were identified retrospectively via the hospital database. Data was collected via the electronic patient record system on whether patients were prescribed antibiotics prophylactically at the time of surgery. Data was also collected on patient demographics including sex, age, BMI and rate of post-operative wound infection. Results The patient cohort was 94% male with an average age of 64. 94.79% of repairs were open. 53.33% of patients received antibiotics in line with national guidelines. Overall, 50.00% of patients in this audit had prophylactic antibiotics. The rate of post-operative wound infection was 1.04%, with 0% in patients who received prophylactic antibiotics and 2.08% in those who did not, which is not a statistically significant difference (P = 0.175). Conclusions Current evidence for antibiotic use is weak and therefore auditing local practice is essential in antibiotic stewardship. This audit is limited by the reliance on accurate record keeping, with regards to antibiotic prescribing and documentation of post-operative wound infections. Furthermore, patients may have had post-operative wound infections managed in the community setting.

WP1.12 - Unveiling Evidence Gaps in Emergency Umbilical Hernia Repair: A Scoping Review

Abstract Aim Umbilical hernias may become acutely symptomatic, strangulated, or obstructed, necessitating emergency intervention. Robust evidence is required for high-quality care in this field. This scoping review aims to elucidate the existing evidence gaps in emergency care of umbilical hernias. Methods A systematic search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL databases was conducted using a predefined strategy. Primary research reporting on any aspect of emergency umbilical hernia care and published in the English language were eligible for inclusion. Two independent authors screened abstracts and full texts, resolving disagreements through consensus or a third author. Data was charted according to core concepts addressed by each study and a narrative synthesis was performed. Results The search generated 299 abstracts, with 32 full texts assessed and 14 included in the final review. This encompassed 52,042 patients undergoing emergency umbilical hernia care. Studies were predominantly retrospective cohort designs (10/14), evenly distributed between single (6/14) and multi-centre (8/14), with only one randomised trial. Most multi-centre studies utilised national databases (7/8). Themes arising included risk profile (n=4), timing of surgery (n=4), investigations (n=1), repair method (n=8, 4 mesh vs suture; 4 laparoscopic vs open), and operative outcomes (n=11). Commonly reported outcomes were mortality (n=9), morbidity (n=7), and length of hospital stay (n=5). Conclusion This scoping review demonstrates the paucity of high-quality data concerning emergency umbilical hernia care. The significant evidence gaps highlight a pressing need for randomised trials addressing timing and technical aspects of repair, incorporating patient-reported outcomes.

EP65 - Case Series of 45 Preterm Neonates with Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Abstract Aim The objective of this study was to determine if the timing of surgery from the onset of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) diagnosis affects clinical outcomes in preterm neonates. Methods We enrolled 45 preterm neonates who were transferred to the Evelina Children’s Hospital for surgical management of NEC between 2015 and 2018. Neonates had an established diagnosis of NEC as per Bell’s staging criteria. Surgical indications were: pneumoperitoneum, failure to improve despite medical management, shock, peritonitis, abdominal mass or loops, and unresolving intestinal obstruction. Results Average time from NEC onset to surgery was 4.2 days (±9.04) for all neonates, with an average of 5.72 days (±11.42) for neonates with pneumoperitoneum and 2.05 days (±3.22) for neonates without pneumoperitoneum (p=0.09). 26 neonates (57.7%) presented with pneumoperitoneum. Time of NEC onset to surgery was inversely correlated to mortality and directly correlated to postoperative parenteral nutrition at 28 days, although neither were significant (p=0.392 and p=0.744, respectively). 6 neonates (13%) developed short gut postoperatively. Conclusions Although pneumoperitoneum is the most reliable indication for surgery, timing to operation took longer for those neonates than those without pneumoperitoneum. Longer timing to surgery was associated with lower mortality and slightly higher odds of requiring parenteral nutrition postoperatively, although not statistically significant. Though preliminary evidence suggests worse clinical outcomes for neonates with sooner surgery, more trials with larger sample sizes are needed to see if this is statistically significant.

MOY 3 - Development and external validation of the “Global Surgical-Site Infection” (GloSSI) predictive model in adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery

Abstract Aims Identification of patients at high-risk of surgical-site infections (SSI) may allow surgeons to minimise associated morbidity. However, there are significant concerns with the methodological quality and transportability of models previously developed. We aimed to develop a novel score to predict 30-day SSI risk following gastrointestinal surgery across a global context, and externally validate against existing models. Methods This was a secondary analysis of 2 prospective international cohort studies: GlobalSurg-1 (July-November 2014) and GlobalSurg-2 (January-July 2016). Consecutive adults undergoing gastrointestinal surgery were eligible. Model development was performed in GlobalSurg-2 data, with novel and previous scores externally validated in GlobalSurg-1. The primary outcome was 30-day SSI, with two predictive techniques explored: penalised regression (LASSO) and machine learning (XGBOOST). Final model selection based on prognostic accuracy and clinical utility. Results There were 14,019 patients (SSI=12.3%) for derivation, and 8,464 (SSI=11.4%) for external validation. The LASSO model was selected due to similar discrimination to XGBoost (AUC: 0.738, 0.725-0.750 versus 0.737, 0.709-0.765), but greater explainability. The final score included six variables: country income, ASA grade, diabetes, and operative contamination, approach, and duration. Model performance remained good on external validation (AUC: 0.730, 0.715-0.744; calibration-in-the-large: -0.098, slope: 1.008), and demonstrated superior performance to external validation of all previous models. Conclusion The GloSSI score allowed accurate prediction of the risk of SSI with 6 simple variables which are routinely available at the time of surgery across global settings. This can inform use of intraoperative and postoperative interventions to modify the risk of SSI and minimise associated harm.

SP6.2 - Oncological outcomes following sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with node positive breast cancer at diagnosis who achieve an axillary pathological complete response to neoadjuvant systemic therapy

Abstract De-escalation of axillary surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for patients with node positive breast cancer at diagnosis have focused on ensuring a low false negative rate for those who undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLN) only with limited data to date on oncological outcomes. This study aimed to assess the medium-term oncological outcome in patients who have an axillary pCR following NACT and undergo de-escalation of axillary surgery with only a SLN performed post NACT. A consecutive series of patients with cytologically proven node-positive breast cancer who received NACT and achieved a nodal pCR on SLN between 2013-2021 were retrospectively analysed. Eligible patients underwent an end of treatment axillary ultrasound and if axillary nodes appeared sonographically normal a sentinel node biopsy was performed, with dual modality mapping (radioisotope and blue dye) at the time of breast surgery. The primary outcome of interest was disease free recurrence (DFS), and the secondary outcome was isolated axillary recurrence. 79 patients (median age 48 years) received NACT and had cytologically proven node-positive disease at diagnosis and attained an axillary pathological complete response (pCR) post NACT. The median nodal yield at SLN was 4 (range 1-9). Median follow up was 4.4 years. Only 1 patient experienced an axillary recurrence. Triple negative subtype had the lowest overall DFS. In this cohort, axillary recurrence remains uncommon. The optimal surgical strategy for safe de-escalation of axillary surgery post NACT remains in focus with adjuncts such as nodal marking and targeted axillary currently under study.

Surgical Exploration for Intestinal Perforation in Extreme Preterm Neonates

Gastrointestinal perforation and peritonitis in preterm infants are most often due to necrotizing enterocolitis. These neonates are usually critically ill with multiorgan involvement and pose a challenge with regard to timing for definitive surgery. Peritoneal drainage is only a temporizing measure. Meticulous pre- and intra-op stabilization is mandatory for timely surgery. We describe a sick 710 g neonate where the perforation was the aftermath of intestinal obstruction from a mid-small bowel intussusception. This lays emphasis on considering other differentials for hollow viscus perforation even in extreme preterm neonates; these require surgical exploration and correction. The baby recovered well after primary resection anastomosis and several weeks of intensive care.

High proportion of undiagnosed diabetes in patients surgically treated for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm: findings from the multicentre Norwegian Aortic Aneurysm and Diabetes (ABANDIA) Study

BackgroundThe aim was to investigate the total prevalence of known and undiagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM), and the association of DM with perioperative complications following elective, infrarenal, open surgical (OSR) or endovascular (EVAR), Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) repair.MethodsIn this Norwegian prospective multicentre study, 877 patients underwent preoperative screening for DM by HbA1c measurements from November 2017 to December 2020. Diabetes was defined as screening detected HbA1c ≥ 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) or previously diagnosed diabetes. The association of DM with in-hospital complications, length of stay, and 30-day mortality rate were evaluated using adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression models.ResultsThe total prevalence of DM was 15% (95% CI 13%,17%), of which 25% of the DM cases (95% CI 18%,33%) were undiagnosed upon admission for AAA surgery. The OSR to EVAR ratio was 52% versus 48%, with similar distribution among DM patients, and no differences in the prevalence of known and undiagnosed DM in the EVAR versus the OSR group. Total 30-day mortality rate was 0.6% (5/877). Sixty-six organ-related complications occurred in 58 (7%) of the patients. DM was not statistically significantly associated with a higher risk of in-hospital organ-related complications (OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.57,2.39, p = 0.57), procedure-related complications (OR 1.48, 95% CI 0.79,2.63, p = 0.20), 30-day mortality (p = 0.09) or length of stay (HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.88,1.28, p = 0.54). According to post-hoc-analyses, organ-related complications were more frequent in patients with newly diagnosed DM (n = 32) than in non-DM patients (OR 4.92; 95% CI 1.53,14.3, p = 0.005).ConclusionTwenty-five percent of all DM cases were undiagnosed at the time of AAA surgery. Based on post-hoc analyses, undiagnosed DM seems to be associated with an increased risk of organ related complications following AAA surgery. This study suggests universal DM screening in AAA patients to reduce the number of DM patients being undiagnosed and to improve proactive diabetes care in this population. The results from post-hoc analyses should be confirmed in future studies.

ThP5.2 - Comparison of perioperative outcomes of open (CUSA) versus laparoscopic (LOTUS) major hepatectomy – revisited. First evaluation of efficacy and safety of AEON stapler

Abstract Introduction In 2019, preliminary data matching 40 cases demonstrated improved outcomes of laparoscopic major liver resections using the BOWA-LOTUS liver blade (Devon, UK). An updated and expanded comparison between open and laparoscopic major hepatectomies is presented as well as evaluating of an endovascular stapler AEON™ (Lexington Medical, Massachusetts, USA). Methods January 2020 to June 2023 patients were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Propensity score matching analysis used R statistical tool in SPSS (IBM, New York, USA) to isolate matched open and laparoscopic cases. LOTUS ultrasonic energy device was used for parenchymal transection in laparoscopic cases and CUSA (Valleylab, Colorado, USA) in open procedures. AEON endovascular stapler was used from early 2021. Results 86 patients constitute the study population after applying propensity score matching analysis in a 1:1 ratio. The median (range) age in the matched sample was 63 (27-83) yrs. Hospital stay (mean 7.8 v 14.7 days; p=0.025) and blood transfusion requirement (0 v 4 units; p=0.035) were all significantly improved when comparing laparoscopic to open. Comparison of the AEON stapler with Endo-GIA (Medtronic, MN, USA) showed no significant difference in any outcome measure, although AEON demonstrated (non-significantly) a reduced trend in operating time comparing all cases (56 v 69 mins; p=0.300) and laparoscopic (56 v 71 min; p=0.295). Conclusion The LOTUS liver blade continues to be associated with acceptable outcomes in laparoscopic liver resections. The AEON endovascular stapler was equivalent to other staplers with a trend towards a shorter operating time in liver transectional surgery.

EP529 - The Impact of Royal College of Surgeon (RCS) Guidelines on the Quality of Operation Notes Documentation: A Closed Loop Audit

Abstract Introduction Operation notes are an important component of a patient’s medical record. Accurate documentation of surgical procedures is essential to understand the details of the operation and the post-operative management plan. The aim of this audit was to assess the current practices of documentation of operation notes, identify shortcomings, and compare the outcomes after introduction of recommendations made by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) of England in 2014. Methods This retrospective and prospective closed-loop audit was conducted in August-September 2021 at Basharat Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. 125 operation notes were evaluated to analyze the current documentation practices. The findings of the initial audit were compared with the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) guidelines of Operation notes documentation. A re-audit was carried out after implementation of the improved version of operation notes. A panel reviewed 125 operation notes for adherence to international guidelines. Results The documentation rate was increased from 37.5% to 83.3% after the completion of this closed loop audit. Documentation of timing of surgery, operative findings, complications, additional procedure performed, anticipated blood loss, closure technique and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis were noted to be lacking in the initial audit. Implementation of the RCS guidelines revealed an improvement in the documentation of all parameters, with documentation rates exceeding 83% and an overall improvement of 45.8%. Conclusion This audit signifies the positive impact of RCS guidelines on the quality of operation notes documentation. Such audits should be regularly conducted for refined documentation practices, and enhanced patient care and safety.

FP8.12 - Theatre time utilisation in General Surgery at a district hospital in NHS

Abstract Aim To understand the operation theatre time utilisation in the Department of General Surgery at a busy district NHS hospital. The time spent in each step of surgery and operating list at large and understand the patterns of cancellations and its’ predictors. Method Retrospective study of all elective general surgical patients from 1 Dec 2021 to 15 May 2022. Emergency cases were excluded and statistics were performed on Statsdirect3. Results Total surgeries performed were 182 with 153 true and 41 false cancellations. Mean surgical time was 84.5 minutes (mean 73min) for all general surgical cases. Lap cholecystectomies had a mean time of 92.3mins, upper GI surgeries took 178.6mins (mean) EUA and other procedures was 30.86mins, inguinal hernia 77.2mins, umbilical hernia 68.5mins. Mean anaesthesia time was 33 mins (median 31mins). Theatre time utilised was 56.45%, anaesthesia time utilised was 15.85%, surgery time utilised was 40.60% and non-clinical time was 43.55%. Mean delay in sending for first patient was 31.58mins (median 29min). Delay in calling for first patient is statistically significant (p=0.00015) for cancellation for the last patient in the list. Mean gap in between 2 consecutive cases was 35.74mins (median 22min). Conclusion Delay in sending for the patient will lead to cancellation of the last patient on the list which is proven statistically. We utilised 82.19% of the total surgery days and cancelled 17.81% days. Non clinical time comprised of 43.55%.

Assessing the effect of body mass index on perioperative outcomes and short-term recurrence after paraesophageal hernia repair.

Previous assessments suggest that surgical results of paraesophageal hernia (PEH) repair were negatively impacted by increasing levels of obesity. A better understanding of the association of obesity on outcomes of PEH repair will support surgeons making evidence-based decisions on the surgical candidacy of individual patients. This single institution retrospective cohort study included 884 consecutive patients with giant PEH undergoing surgical repair between 1 January 2000 and 30 June 2020. Preoperative body mass index (BMI) was documented at the time of surgery. Main outcomes included perioperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, major complications, early hernia recurrence, and mortality. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age at surgery was 68.4 (11.1), and 645 (73.0%) were women. Among the 884 patients, 875 had a documented immediate preoperative BMI and were included in the analysis. Mean (SD) BMI was 29.24 (4.91) kg/m2. Increasing BMI was not associated with increased perioperative blood loss (coefficient, 0.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.01 to 0.02), prolonged length of stay (coefficient, -0.01; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.01), increased incidence of recurrent hernia (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% CI, 0.95-1.10), or increased major complications (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.82-1.05). The 90-day mortality rate was 0.3%. Furthermore, when compared with the normal weight group, overweight and all levels of obesity were not related to unfavorable outcomes. No association was found between BMI and perioperative outcomes or short-term recurrence in patients undergoing PEH repair. Although preoperative weight loss is advisable, a higher BMI should not preclude or delay surgical management of giant PEH.

Malignant transformation and tumour recurrence in sacrococcygeal teratoma: a global, retrospective cohort study.

Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is a rare congenital tumour. The risk of malignancy and recurrence are not well defined. Previous studies are small and report differing conclusions about the timing of surgery and the duration of follow-up. We studied the risk of malignant transformation and SCT recurrence after surgery to address these gaps. This was a global retrospective cohort study. Data of consecutive SCT patients was obtained from 145 institutes in 62 countries. Malignant transformation, defined as malignancy at initial resection, malignant recurrence or death due to malignancy, and its risk factors were analysed. Of the 3612 included patients, 3407 entered analysis. Risk of malignant transformation of the initial tumour, was 3.3%, 5.1%, 10.1%, and 32.9% at age three months, six months, one year, and two years, respectively. After six years, the censored risk of malignancy (64%) did not further increase. Recurrent SCT was diagnosed in 349 (10·2%) children with 126 (36·1%) malignant recurrences. Risk factors for recurrence were Altman type II (odds ratio (OR): 1·6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1·2-2·3), Altman type III (OR: 1·6, 95% CI: 1·2-2·3), initial immature histology (OR: 1·9, 95% CI: 1·4-2·6), and initial malignant histology (OR: 4·0, 95% CI: 2·9-5·4). The risk of malignancy at initial resection in SCT increases with age reaching a plateau at six years of age. Recurrence after resection occurred in 10% of patients and 36% of these were malignant at that time. Altman type II or type III, and immature or malignant histology were associated with recurrence. level III.

A minimally invasive, combined approach to the recurrent/recalcitrant sino-orbital mucocele

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the results of a minimally invasive combined endoscopic and eyelid crease/medial suprabrow incision approach in collaboration with oculoplastic and sinus surgeons for the treatment of recurrent/recalcitrant sino-orbital mucoceles. Methods Eighteen cases of recurrent/recalcitrant sino-orbital mucoceles, treated in collaboration with oculoplastic and sinus surgeons at the University of Michigan, were retrospectively reviewed. The recurrence of mucocele, reduction in proptosis, and complications were evaluated. Results The mean age at the time of surgery was 49 years (range: 17–76 years). All cases had a history of previous sinus or orbital surgeries for mucoceles. Among 18 cases, eight were due to chronic sinus infections, six due to trauma, three due to Schneiderian papilloma, and one case was secondary to an inflammatory sinus disease. Thirteen cases (72%) presented with orbital or facial cellulitis, while five cases (38%) experienced periocular swelling and limited extraocular motility. Following a mean follow-up of 19 months (range: 1–76 months)), recurrence was observed in two cases (11%): one in a cystic fibrosis patient with chronic sinusitis, and the other in a case of Schneiderian papilloma. The mean pre-operative proptosis in the affected eye was 2.78 mm, with an average decrease of 2.33 mm after surgery. Complications occurred in two cases, including one case of hypoesthesia in the forehead and one case of post-operative strabismus. Conclusion Our series of 18 cases of recurrent/recalcitrant mucoceles, with only two cases of recurrence, demonstrates that this minimally invasive approach can be successfully employed for advanced sino-orbital disease, with a low rate of adverse outcomes and aesthetically pleasing results.

Comparative Analysis of Laparoscopic and Open Tubal Ligation: Insights from a Retrospective Study in a Tertiary University Hospital

Background: Female sterilization remains a prevalent contraceptive method globally, despite a declining trend in prevalence over the past decades. Methods: To compare the outcomes of tubal ligation between laparoscopic and open surgical approaches, conducted at the Jordan University Hospital from 2010 to 2021. Results: 242 females underwent tubal ligation with 131 had open surgery and 111 had laparoscopic surgery. The median follow-up period for the cohort was 8 years. For the entire study cohort, the mean age at the time of surgery was 37.77 years (standard deviation (SD) = 4.589). A statistically significant (p < 0.0001) difference in age was found, with mean age being older in the laparoscopy group. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of gravidity (p = 0.9499) or parity (p = 0.4867). Remarkably, only two pregnancies were documented during the follow-up period, both of which were observed in the laparoscopic surgery group. Overall free-from-pregnancy rate at 8 years was 98.79%; 97.59% in the laparoscopy group and 100% in the open surgery group. Conclusions: Both open and laparoscopic tubal sterilization are equally effective permanent contraceptives. While our study contributes to the understanding of tubal ligation outcomes, further research, particularly in developing countries like Jordan, is warranted to address the unique needs and challenges of diverse populations in reproductive healthcare.

The Impact of a Multidisciplinary Team Conference on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Care: Time Barriers and Long-Term Outcomes.

Background/Objectives: The prolonged time to reach investigation and management decisions in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients can negatively impact long-term outcomes. This retrospective cohort study aims to assess the impact of a multidisciplinary team conference (MDT) on NSCLC care quality and outcomes. Methods: This retrospective study included resectable NSCLC patients who underwent pulmonary resection at Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand, from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2021. Patients were divided into two groups: non-MDT and MDT groups, based on the initiation of MDT on 1 March 2018. The study compared overall survival, disease-free survival, and waiting times for investigation and surgery between the two groups. The effect of MDT on these outcomes was analyzed using multivariable analysis with inverse-probability weighting propensity scores. Results: The study included 859 patients, with 583 in the non-MDT group and 276 in the MDT group. MDT groups had a higher proportion of stage I and II NSCLC patients undergoing pulmonary resection (78.6% vs. 59.69%, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, patients in the MDT group had a significantly higher likelihood of longer survival compared to the non-MDT group (adjusted HR 0.23, 95% CI 0.09-0.55). Median waiting times for bronchoscopy (3 days vs. 12 days, p = 0.012), pathologic report (7 days vs. 13 days, p < 0.001), and surgery scheduling (18 days vs. 25 days, p = 0.001) were significantly shorter in the MDT group. Conclusions: An MDT has a survival benefit in NSCLC care and improves waiting times for investigation and treatment steps. Further studies are needed to validate these results.

The effect of early surgery on clinical outcomes in proximal femoral fracture patients receiving chronic anticoagulation: A japanese nationwide database study

Introduction: Surgery is often delayed in patients with proximal femoral fractures who receive oral anticoagulants, to avoid complications related to perioperative bleeding. However, surgery delay may increase the risk of postoperative mortality. Our primary goal was to understand whether anticoagulated patients benefit from early surgery in terms of survival and perioperative complications.Methods: This is a multicenter retrospective cohort study of 581,189 patients with proximal femoral fractures. About 2.0 % (n = 11,385) received direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) and 1.5 % (n = 8,726) received warfarin. Surgery was performed within 48 h in 37.6 % of DOAC patients, 27.6 % of warfarin patients and in 41.9 % of nonanticoagulated patients. Survival analysis was applied to compare mortality rate, blood transfusions, systemic complications and surgical complications during hospitalization between the study groups.Results: Patients receiving anticoagulation were older and had more comorbidities than patients without anticoagulation. There were overall similar rates of mortality (0.8 %, 1.1 % and 1.2 %) and surgical complications (2.1 %, 2.1 % and 2.2 %) in non-anticoagulated, DOAC and warfarin patients. Blood transfusions and systemic complications were higher in all anticoagulated patients regardless of surgery timing. There were comparable rates of early surgery (41.9 %, 37.6 % and 27.6 %, respectively). When operated early, DOAC patients had more surgical complications (OR=1.24, p = 0.04). Warfarin patients operated early had higher mortality (OR=1.48, p = 0.08) and higher risk of blood transfusions (OR=1.24, p < 0.001).Discussion: Age and comorbidities could explain higher rates of postoperative systemic complications in anticoagulated patients. Nevertheless, overall short-term mortality was similar between the groups. Early surgery was associated with higher rates of surgical complications in DOAC patients. When operated early, patients receiving warfarin were at an increased risk of mortality (p = 0.08) and perioperative blood transfusions.

The Effect of Statins on Markers of Breast Cancer Proliferation and Apoptosis in Women with In Situ or Early-Stage Invasive Breast Cancer.

Statins, inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase, have been shown to have potential anti-carcinogenic effects through the inhibition of the mevalonate pathway and their impact on Ras and RhoGTAases. Prior studies have demonstrated a reduction in breast tumor proliferation, as well as increased apoptosis, among women with early-stage breast cancer who received statins between the time of diagnosis and the time of surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of short-term oral high-potency statin therapy on the expression of markers of breast tumor proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest in a window-of-opportunity trial. This single-arm study enrolled 24 women with stage 0-II invasive breast cancer who were administered daily simvastatin (20 mg) for 2-4 weeks between diagnosis and surgical resection. Pre- and post-treatment tumor samples were analyzed for fold changes in Ki-67, cyclin D1, p27, and cleaved caspase-3 (CC3) expression. Out of 24 enrolled participants, 18 received statin treatment and 17 were evaluable for changes in marker expression. There was no significant change in Ki-67 expression (fold change = 1.4, p = 0.597). There were, however, significant increases in the expression of cyclin D1 (fold change = 2.8, p = 0.0003), p27 cytoplasmic (fold change = 3.2, p = 0.025), and CC3 (fold change = 2.1, p = 0.016). Statin treatment was well tolerated, with two reported grade-1 adverse events. These results align with previous window-of-opportunity studies suggesting a pro-apoptotic role of statins in breast cancer. The increased expression of markers of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis seen in this window-of-opportunity study supports further investigation into the anti-cancer properties of statins in larger-scale clinical trials.

All-Polyethylene Tibial Component in Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty Offers Excellent Survivorship and Clinical Outcomes at Short-Term Follow-Up: A Multicenter Retrospective Clinical Study.

Background and Objectives: The ten-year survivorship of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is up to 96%, varying from implants and hospitals; however, most of registry studies do not distinguish between metal-back (MB) tibial implants and all-polyethylene (AP) tibial implants. The aim of the present retrospective clinical study was to analyze the clinical outcomes and survivorship of medial and lateral UKA with a newly designed all-polyethylene tibial plateau at short-term follow-up. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected consecutive patients who underwent medial or lateral UKA with AP tibial plateau was conducted, with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Primary outcomes were clinical score (VAS, OKS, and KOOS) variations from baseline up to the latest follow-up. Secondary outcomes were Likert scale variations from baseline to the follow-up, evaluation of the influence of demographic factors (age and BMI) at the time of surgery on the clinical outcomes, and evaluation of revision rate up to the last follow-up. Results: The final study population included 99 knees. The mean VAS score for the medial group significantly decreased from 7.61 ± 1.65 (pre-intervention) to 2.74 ± 2.26 (post-intervention). Similar improvements were registered for the OKS as well, for both the medial group (from 22.5 ± 12.6 to 36.6 ± 10.6, with a delta of 14.11 (10.05 to 18.17)) and the lateral group (from 22.6 ± 12.6 to 36.9 ± 11.8, with a delta of 14.24 (8.65 to 19.83)). Moreover, all the KOOS subscales reported an amelioration, both in medial UKA and lateral UKA. Furthermore, a logistic regression of delta VAS was performed in relation to the other clinical questionnaires and the demographic factors. For both medial and lateral UKAs, no statistically significant correlation was found between the VAS scale regression and the demographic factors. The survival rate free from any revision of the cohort at the latest follow-up was 96.32%. Conclusions: All-polyethylene tibial component in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty demonstrates significant improvements in clinical scores and a low failure rate at short-term follow-up.

Comparison of the short-term efficacy of MIS-TLIF and Endo-LIF for the treatment of two-segment lumbar degenerative disease

BackgroundThis study retrospectively compared short-term clinical outcomes and complications of minimally invasive surgery transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(MIS-TLIF)and endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion(Endo-LIF))for two-segmental lumbar degenerative disease, aiming to guide spine surgeons in selecting surgical approaches.MethodsFrom January 2019 to December 2023, 30 patients were enrolled,15 in the MIS-TLIF group and 15 in the Endo-LIF group. All patients were followed up for more than 3 months after surgery and the following information was recorded: (1)surgery time, difference in hemoglobin between preoperative and postoperative, surgical costs, first time out of bed after operation, postoperative hospitalization time, postoperative complication; (2) ODI score (The Oswestry Disability Index), leg and back VAS score (Visual Analogue Scale), and lumbar vertebra JOA score (Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores); (3) MacNab score at final follow-up to assess clinical outcome, CT to evaluate lumbar fusion.ResultsThere were significant differences between the two groups regarding operation time and cost, with the MIS-TLIF group performing significantly better. Intraoperative bleeding was considerably less in the Endo-LIF group compared to the MIS-TLIF group. However, there were no significant differences in the time of the first postoperative ambulation, postoperative hospitalization time, and postoperative complications. There was no significant difference in preoperative VAS, ODI, and JOA between the two surgical groups There were no significant differences in VAS(leg), ODI, and JOA scores between the two groups before and at 1 day,7 days, 1 month, 3 months and final follow-up. However, at 1 day postoperatively, the VAS( back)score in the Endo-LIF group was lower than that in the MIS-TLIF group, and the difference was statistically significant. At the final follow-up, all patients achieved grade III and above according to the Bridwell criteria, and there was no significant difference between the two surgical groups compared to each other. According to the MacNab score at the final follow-up, the excellent rate was 80.00% in the Endo-LIF group and 73.33% in the MIS-TLIF group, with no significant difference between the two groups.ConclusionThere was no significant difference in short-term efficacy and safety between Endo-LIF and MIS-TLIF for two-segment degenerative lumbar diseases. MIS-TLIF has a shorter operative time and lower costs, while Endo-LIF causes less tissue damage, blood loss, and early postoperative pain, aiding long-term recovery. Both MIS-TLIF and Endo-LIF are promising for treating two-segment lumbar degenerative disease. The choice of a surgical procedure depends on the patient’s financial situation, their ability to tolerate surgery, and the surgeon’s expertise.

Unilateral amelanotic conjunctival malignant melanoma: a case report

IntroductionCutaneous malignant melanomas rarely occur in the eye, usually in the eyelids or the conjunctiva. Conjunctival malignant melanomas are even rarer. Most melanomas are dark in color as they are pigmented. However, amelanotic conjunctival malignant melanomas, a scarce variant of the cancer, can be challenging to diagnose accurately.Case presentationWe present two cases of white Caucasian Swedish-born women who were diagnosed with unilateral amelanotic malignant melanoma in the conjunctiva of the eye. In the first case, the patient was an 81-year-old woman who was suffering from redness and foreign body sensation in the left eye. The initial diagnosis was blepharitis. Three biopsies were taken, which showed malignant melanoma in the eyelid and the conjunctiva. Unfortunately, the eye and the rest of the orbit could not be saved, and the patient had to undergo an orbital exenteration. In the second case, the patient was a 50-year-old woman, and the tumor was localized in the temporal conjunctiva of the left eye. The initial diagnosis was pinguecula, but at the time of surgery, the physician suspected conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia. The tumor was not completely removed, so adjuvant brachytherapy and local chemotherapy were used. The eye was preserved. No neck and/or lung metastasis was detected in either case at the time of diagnosis.ConclusionsConjunctival amelanotic malignant melanomas should be suspected when tumors are present in the eye and/or the eyelids. By suspecting amelanotic malignant melanoma, the delay in treatment can be shortened. Treating them as soon as possible is essential to minimize the risk of metastasis.