Total Duration Of Hospitalization Research Articles

Comparison of the Efficacy of Postoperative Pain Relief in Ultrasound Guided Fascia Illiaca Compartment Block versus Epidural Block on Quality of Recovery (QOR-15) in Patients Undergoing Femoral Surgery

Background: The occurrence of femoral fractures is quite high. The quality of life gets affected to a large extent due to pain and post-operative delirium. Various regional block techniques like Fascia illiaca compartment block, lumbar epidural analgesia, femoral nerve block, etc. have been described for femoral fractures. In this study, we compared the efficacy of post-operative pain relief FICB and Epidural block on quality of recovery (QOR-15) in patients undergoing femoral surgery. Methods: This study included 40 patients wherein 20 patients were given FICB and 20 patients were given Epidural block. The patients were followed up for post-operative pain relief, Quality of Recovery, occurrence of delirium, disability and fraility. Results: Quality of recovery QOR-15 was similar for both the groups preoperatively as well as at 24 hour and 48 hours post-operatively. Additionally, there was no difference in the time taken to administer the block, postoperative VAS score on movement and rest, requirement of additional analgesia and opioid consumption. Moreover, there were no significant differences in WHO disability assessment, modified frailty score, prevalence of delirium, mortality, morbidity and side effects of techniques. However, the total duration of hospital stay (in days) was found to be significantly more in the epidural group as compared with the FICB group (5.75±1.61 vs 4.75±1.16; P=0.38). Conclusion: Ultrasound guided fascia iliaca compartment block is a tangible alternative to epidural block in patients undergoing femoral fracture repair.

Definition, risk factors, and outcome analysis of prolonged mechanical ventilation in children.

This study aims to explore the time threshold for defining prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) in children, along with its risk factors and outcomes. A prospective cohort study was conducted on children aged 29 days-18 years, who were consecutively admitted to two Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) at Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, from October 2020 to June 2021. The study included patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV) for more than 2 days (each day >6 h). Participants were divided into five groups based on the duration of MV (2-7 days, 8-14 days, 15-21 days, 21-30 days, >30 days) to compare rates of extubation failure, all-cause mortality one month post-discharge, incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, tracheotomy rates, total hospital stay, PICU stay, and overall hospital costs. The most clinically and statistically significant outcome variables were selected. The Youden index was used to determine the MV duration with the most significant impact on overall outcomes, defining this as PMV. Baseline characteristics, treatment information, and outcomes were compared between PMV and non-PMV groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for PMV occurrence. A total of 382 subjects were included in the study. The distribution of children across the five MV duration groups was 44.2%, 27.7%, 10.7%, 8.9%, and 8.4% respectively. The rates of at least one extubation failure in each group were 5.9%, 10.4%, 41.5%, 41.2%, and 46.9% (p < .05). Statistically significant differences were observed among groups in terms of tracheotomy rates, all-cause mortality at 1 month postdischarge, median total hospital stay, median PICU stay, and hospital costs (p < .05). Defining PMV, the most appropriate time point calculated was 12.5 days, based on at least one extubation failure and/or death within 1 month postdischarge. Higher PIM-3 scores, weight for age <-2SD, admission for respiratory distress/insufficient ventilation and/or hemodynamic instability/shock/arrhythmia, noninvasive ventilation on the first day, and undergoing blood transfusion treatment were identified as risk factors for PMV (p < .05). In children, MV for ≥13 days significantly increases mortality rates, extubation failure and tracheotomy rates, duration of PICU and total hospital stay and costs. We suggest defining PMV as MV ≥13 days, particularly for children undergoing MV for respiratory illnesses. This definition can assist clinicians in developing appropriate treatment strategies by focusing on risk factors and providing reliable prognostic consultation to patients' families.

A comparative study of ceftazidime/avibactam-based and fosfomycin plus meropenem-based regimens for managing infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in critically ill patients

The main aim of this study was to compare and analyze the effectiveness of treatment regimens using ceftazidime/avibactam (CAZ/AVI) versus fosfomycin plus meropenem (FOS/MER) for managing bloodstream infections (BSI) or ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) in critically ill patients. Between 4 January 2019, and 16 July 2023, adult patients (≥18 years old) diagnosed with BSI or VAP due to culture confirmed CRKP in ICU of a tertiary care hospital were investigated retrospectively. A total of 71 patients were categorized into two groups: 30 patients in CAZ/AVI-based, and 41 patients in FOS/MER-based group. No substantial disparities were found in the total duration of ICU hospitalization, as well as the 14- and 30-day mortality rates, between patients treated with CAZ/AVI-based and FOS/MER-based therapeutic regimens. We consider that our study provides for the first time a comprehensive understanding of treatment outcomes and associated risk factors among patients with CRKP-related infections.

Laparoscopic Appendectomy in the Treatment of Patients with Complicated Acute Appendicitis

Relevance Treatment of complicated forms of acute destructive appendicitis continues to be an urgent problem in emergency abdominal surgery. Aim of study Improving the results of surgical treatment of patients with appendiceal peritonitis with laparoscopic appendectomy.Material and methods A retrospective analysis of the treatment of 150 patients with acute appendicitis complicated by local and diffuse peritonitis aged from 17 to 69 years was carried out. There were 77 (51.3%) women and 73 (48.7%) men. Depending on the treatment tactics used, two groups of patients were divided. In the main group (64 patients), the leading treatment method was laparoscopic appendectomy. In the comparison group (86 patients), traditional approaches were used, including open appendectomy with the McBurney approach in 72 patients (83.7%) and laparotomy for diffuse peritonitis in 14 (16.4%).Results The analysis of the surgical techniques used showed that in the main group, wound postoperative complications developed in 9 patients (14.1%). In the comparison group, postoperative complications developed in 32 patients (37.2%). For local non­limited peritonitis, the total duration of hospitalization after laparoscopic appendectomy performed in 49 patients was 6.7±1.4 days, and 8.6±2.1 days (p&lt;0.05) in 72 patients who underwent open appendectomy. The duration of hospitalization was 8.2±2.7 days in case of diffuse peritonitis after laparoscopic appendectomy, sanitation and drainage of the abdominal cavity (15 cases), and 12.4±1.3 days (p&lt;0.05) in 14 patients after laparotomy, appendectomy, sanitation and drainage of the abdominal cavity, intubation of the small intestine.Conclusion Laparoscopic appendectomy may be the operation of choice for complicated forms of acute appendicitis according to developed indications. It should be performed by a surgeon experienced in endosurgical operations. To increase the efficiency of washing the abdominal cavity in case of diffuse peritonitis, it is recommended to use hardware sanitation. The capabilities of laparoscopic appendectomy make it possible to adequately perform the required amount of surgical treatment, minimize surgical trauma, and significantly reduce the rate of postoperative complications and the duration of hospital treatment compared to open appendectomy.

Interventional Treatment of Malignant Biliary Obstruction: Is It Time to Change the Paradigm?

Introduction. Biliary obstruction is a common manifestation of biliopancreatic malignancies, and its relief is an essential part of the treatment algorithm. Currently, there are three techniques to manage malignant biliary obstruction—endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), and endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD). ERCP has been adopted as a first-line treatment modality but EUS-BD is gradually emerging as a viable alternative. The aim of the current article is to assess the clinical outcomes of the three nonsurgical biliary drainage procedures. Materials and methods. A total of 102 consecutive patients with unresectable biliopancreatic malignancy inducing biliary obstruction and subjected to palliative treatment by means of ERCP, EUS-BD, or PTBD were retrospectively included in the study. Results. No difference in clinical and technical success of the procedures was found: ERCP—97.2% technical; 88.9% clinical; PTBD—94.4% technical, 72.2% clinical; EUS-BD—90% technical; 83.3% clinical. Adverse events (AEs) and reinterventions were significantly more common in PTBD (38.9% and 52.8%) and ERCP (27.9% and 25%) compared to EUS-BD (10% and 3.3%). Total duration of hospital stay and number of hospitalizations were lower in the EUS-BD compared to PTBD and ERCP groups. Conclusions. In the presence of adequate expertise, EUS-BD may be superior to PTBD and ERCP in achieving and sustaining biliary drainage in the setting of unresectable malignancy.

Short-Term Outcomes of Simultaneous Inguinal Hernia Repair at Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Children: Cohort Study

Background. Nowadays, simultaneous techniques have been widely adopted in abdominal pediatric surgery as they allow to perform surgical interventions for several diseases at the same time. However, the safety of such interventions requires further studies. Objective. The aim of the study is to analyze the short-term outcomes of simultaneous hernia repair in laparoscopic appendectomy in children. Methods. The study included data from patients hospitalized with suspected acute appendicitis in 2022–2023. The study group included children operated for acute appendicitis and who had signs of patent processus vaginalis. Percutaneous internal ring suturing (PIRS) was performed in all cases. The control group (no indirect inguinal hernia was revealed) was formed by pairwise matching of patients by gender, age (± 1 year), and appendicitis type. The surgery time, the blood loss volume, the beginning of enteral feeding, and the presence of postoperative complications were analyzed. Results. The compared groups (13 individuals each) were comparable in gender (38% boys), age (median age about 10 years), and appendicitis type (catarrhal — 31%, phlegmonous — 38%, gangrenous — 31%), and white cell count at admission, presence of serous exudate and omentum changes revealed during surgery. The beginning of enteral feeding, the stool, as well as total duration of hospital stay after surgery did not differ in two groups. Moreover, both groups were comparable in terms of surgery duration, intraoperative blood loss volume, pain syndrome severity. No pyo-inflammatory complications of abdominal cavity or postoperative wounds were revealed during the hospital stay. Conclusion. Simultaneous hernia repair via PIRS method is effective and safe method of surgical management of pediatric patients with combination of acute appendicitis and inguinal hernia.

A119 ACUTE COLONOC PSEUDO-OBSTRUCTION AFTER ENDOSCOPIC RESECTION OF A FULLY CIRCUMFERENTIAL LARGE NON-PEDUNCULATED COLORECTAL POLYP

Abstract Background Complex large non-pedunculated colorectal polyps (LNPCPs), including those involving the full circumference of the bowel, are now readily managed by minimally invasive endoscopic resection techniques. Established procedure-related adverse events include sedation related adverse events, deep mural injury, clinically significant post-resection bleeding, delayed perforation and serositis. An appreciation for potential procedure-related adverse events is critical to the effective implementation of these techniques. Aims To describe a case of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction after endoscopic resection of a fully circumferential LNPCP. Methods Case report and review of the literature Results A 91-year-old male with a history of atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease and suspected McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome underwent successful endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of a 100mm fully circumferential LNPCP in the sigmoid colon. Histopathology diagnosed a tubulovillous adenoma with high-grade dysplasia. After elective admission, he suffered from clinically significant post-EMR bleeding requiring 2 units of packed red blood cells. On post-operative day 1 he began to suffer from nausea, abdominal pain and obstipation. On examination, he was visibly distended. Abdominal X-ray revealed extensive gas-filled loops of small and large bowel with the absence of gas in the rectum. He was managed conservatively with nasogastric tube decompression. Total duration of hospital stay was 9 days. Conclusions Critical to the continued expansion of minimally invasive endoscopic resection techniques is an awareness for potential procedure-related adverse events. To our knowledge this is the first description of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction after endoscopic resection Funding Agencies None

Outpatient cervical ripening with balloon catheters: A Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

One in four labors are induced. The process of cervical ripening can be lengthy and pre-labor hospitalization is required. Outpatient cervical ripening can be an attractive alternative. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of outpatient cervical ripening with a balloon catheter compared with inpatient balloon catheter or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ). The PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from their inception to October 15, 2022. Randomized controlled trials comparing the outpatient balloon catheter with inpatient balloon catheter or inpatient PGE2 for term cervical ripening. Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed. The primary outcome was the cesarean delivery rate. The secondary outcomes included instrumental delivery, the time from intervention-to-birth, oxytocin augmentation, total hospital duration, and maternal/neonatal adverse events. Twenty-nine randomized controlled trials with a total of 6004 participants were identified. No difference in the cesarean delivery rate was revealed among the three interventions. Compared with inpatient balloon catheter, outpatient balloon catheter had shorter total hospital duration (mean difference -8.58, 95% confidence interval -17.02 to -1.10). No differences were revealed in the time from intervention-to-birth, instrumental delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, 5-min Apgar score less than 7, umbilical cord arterial pH less than 7.1, and neonatal intensive care unit admission among the three interventions. Outpatient balloon catheter in low-risk term pregnancies is an available option that could be considered for cervical ripening. The safety and effectiveness are comparable to inpatient cervical ripening methods.

Effect of the combination of HA380 hemoperfusion with CVVHDF on inflammatory indices and microcirculation in early septic shock

Purpose: To determine the clinical efficacy of combining HA380 hemoperfusion with continuous venovenous hemodialysis filtration (CVVHDF) in early-stage septic shock.&#x0D; Methods: Data from 107 patients admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Jianghan University, China from January 2020 to January 2022 were analyzed. They were divided into control group (53 cases, on conventional treatment + CVVHDF) and study group (54 cases, on conventional treatment + CVVHDF + HA380 hemoperfusion). Changes in vital signs, renal function, inflammatory markers, microcirculatory indices and disease severity were compared before and after treatment. Adverse reactions and prognostic indicators were also recorded.&#x0D; Results: In both groups, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, urea nitrogen (BUN), blood creatinine (Scr), calcitoninogen (PCT), c-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score (SOFA) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Status Scoring System II (APACHE II) decreased after 7 days of treatment. These improvements were more significant in study group relative to control group. MAP, MFI and PPV showed an elevation in study group when compared to control group. Both groups showed no marked difference in the incidence of adverse reactions (7.55 vs. 12.96 %). The study group had shorter intensive care unit (ICU) stays, duration of mechanical ventilation and total hospital stays in comparison to control group (p &lt; 0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: The combination of HA380 hemoperfusion and CVVHDF effectively improves renal function, controls septic shock, inhibits the inflammatory response, enhances microcirculation and improves short-term prognosis without significantly increasing adverse reactions. This treatment modality seems promising for early-stage septic shock pending outcomes of evaluating their long-term efficacy and prognosis.

Embolization of the middle meningeal artery for the prevention of chronic subdural hematoma recurrence in high-risk patients: a randomized controlled trial—the EMPROTECT study protocol

BackgroundMiddle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization has been proposed as a treatment of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). The benefit of the procedure has yet to be demonstrated in a randomized controlled...

Incidence Rate of Post Coronary Artery Shunt Complications; Age Dependent!

Numerous complications, such as postoperative arrhythmia and stroke, have been observed following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This study sought to examine the impact of aging on the incidence of post-coronary artery shunt complications. Aging is a physiological process experienced by every living cell, beginning early in development. Age plays a crucial role in determining postoperative complications, including those related to CABG. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 290 patients who underwent CABG at the Mordovian Republic Hospital between 2017 and 2021. The sample was divided into two age-based groups: the first group comprised 126 patients (mean age range: 55.21-60.00), and the second group included 163 patients (mean age range: 66.11-80.00). Statistical analyses employed in this study encompassed descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, T-test, one-way ANOVA test, ROC analysis, and Pearson correlation using Statistica 12 software. Elderly patients in the second group demonstrated a higher incidence of post-CABG arrhythmia (p<0.012528). Moreover, the second group experienced markedly longer ICU and total hospitalization days following CABG, with p-values of less than 0.000000 and 0.000072, respectively. Notably, elderly individuals in the second group faced an increased risk of developing psychosis after CABG surgery (p<0.007379). Furthermore, psychosis was found to be significantly associated with longer ICU hospitalization (p<0.000140). Postoperative stroke occurred more frequently among the elderly (second group) with a p-value of less than 0.037736. Consequently, postoperative stroke was associated with extended ICU hospitalization (p<0.000747). The usage of internal thoracic arteries (ITAs) was lower among the elderly (second group), with a p-value of less than 0.016145. Regarding correlations, a direct association was observed between age and ICU days, total hospitalization days, and the number of complications, with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.189046, 0.141415, and 0.138565, respectively. Elderly individuals in the second group who undergo CABG face a greater risk of developing psychosis, arrhythmia, prolonged total and ICU hospitalization, and stroke. The presence of arrhythmia, which is commonly observed in patients aged 63 years and older, significantly affects total hospitalization days. The number of complications is influenced by age, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, aortic cross-clamp time, ICU hospitalization, and total hospitalization duration.

Impact of functional independence and sociodemographic factors on post-stroke discharge destination in a super-aged rural community in Japan.

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the factors influencing the discharge destination of stroke patients in a super-aged rural community in Japan, focusing on functional independence and sociodemographic factors. Patients and Methods: We enrolled patients recovering from stroke with supratentorial lesions who were admitted to our convalescent rehabilitation hospital. The motor components of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM-motor) were assessed for each patient at admission and discharge as explanatory variables. An increase in the FIM-motor scores during hospitalization was also recorded. Additionally, sociodemographic data such as sex, age, and clinical characteristics, such as type of stroke, history of stroke, days from stroke onset to transfer to our convalescent rehabilitation hospital, total duration of hospital stay including acute care, number of co-resident household members, living with a spouse, and number of children were collected. As target values, discharge outcomes were categorized into two groups: returning home and going to a nursing home. Logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: The study sample comprised 160 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 74.80 ± 12.19 years). Of these, 114 were discharged to their homes, and 46 were transferred to nursing homes. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that higher FIM-motor scores at discharge, greater number of co-resident household members, and living with one's spouse were the most powerful predictors of a higher probability of returning home. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that functional independence levels and the number of co-resident household members were crucial factors in predicting the discharge destination of patients after stroke in a super-aged rural community in Japan. These findings imply that for older patients with lower functional independence, supportive social networks are essential for home discharge, offering clues for providing long-term healthcare in super-aged rural communities worldwide.

Transabdominal Pre-Peritoneal Versus Totally Extraperitoneal Laparoscopic Techniques for Inguinal Hernia Repair in Eastern Nepal

Background: Inguinal hernia is one of the most common surgical problems in the world, with a high risk in men. The treatment modalities have evolved from open to laparoscopic procedures. Laparoscopic procedures are getting attention and widespread utilization among surgeons. The choice between the two procedures is still a debate between the surgeons. This study aims to compare the transabdominal pre-peritoneal approach to the totally extraperitoneal approach in its perioperative outcomes. Materials and Methods: A prospective analytical study was conducted on 86 adult patients, who underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia reduction between June 2022 to June 2023 at Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital in Biratnagar, Nepal. The patients were randomized into two groups of 43 participants each and were analyzed on different variables. Results: All of the 86 patients included in the study were male. Among them, 30.23% of patients had direct inguinal hernia. There were 12.79% of patients with bilateral hernias. There was a statistically significant difference in the duration of operation among the patients undergoing totally extraperitoneal and transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair. Total duration of hospital stay was shorter in totally extraperitonealand postoperative pain was slightly lesser in totally extraperitoneal procedure. The intraoperative and postoperative complications among totally extraperitoneal and transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair were comparable. There was no conversion to open procedure or recurrence of hernia during the study period. The return to daily life took longer in the transabdominal preperitoneal procedure than in the totally extraperitoneal hernia repair. Conclusion: Totally extraperitoneal hernia repairhas an advantage over transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repairin terms of shorter operative time, postoperative pain, duration of hospital stays, and return to daily life.

Prevention of new-onset atrial fibrillation in elderly patients undergoing anatomic pulmonary resection by infusion of magnesium sulfate: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most commonly sustained arrhythmia after pulmonary resection, which has been shown to predict higher hospital morbidity and mortality. The lack of strong evidence-based medical evidence makes doctors have very few options for medications to prevent new-onset AF following thoracic surgery. Magnesium can prevent perioperative AF in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, this has not yet been fully studied in patients undergoing non-cardiac thoracic surgery, which is the aim of this study. This is a single-center, prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. In total, 838 eligible patients were randomly assigned to one of two study groups, namely, the control group or the magnesium group. The patients in the magnesium group preoperatively received 80 mg magnesium sulfate/kg ideal weight in 100 ml normal saline 30 min. The control group received the same volumes of normal saline simultaneously. The primary outcome is the incidence of new-onset AF intra-operative and on the first, second, and third postoperative days. The secondary outcomes are bradycardia, hypertension, hypotension, and flushing. The occurrence of stroke or any other type of arrhythmia is also recorded. Postoperative respiratory suppression and gastrointestinal discomfort, intensive care unit stays and total duration of hospital stays, in-hospital mortality, and 3-month all-cause mortality are also recorded as important outcomes. This study aims to prospectively evaluate the prophylactic effects of magnesium sulfate against AF compared with a placebo control group during and following anatomic pulmonary resection. The results may provide reliable evidence for the prophylactic value of magnesium against AF in patients with lung cancer. The trial was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital and has been registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: www.chictr.org.cn, identifier: ChiCTR2300068046.

Primary Closure Versus Delayed Primary Closure of Class III and IV Surgical Wounds Following Emergency Laparotomy: A Prospective Comparative Study.

Introduction Emergency surgery has a high risk of complications due to the detrimental effect of perioperative sepsis and the relative lack of preoperative optimization of patients. Despite advances in critical care for the management of sepsis, its prevention is dependent on various patient and surgeon factors. Surgical site infection continues to be a major determinant of morbidity and mortality following emergency abdominal surgery, especially in contaminated or dirty wounds. This study aims to compare two techniques of abdominal wall closure, primary closure with subcutaneous suction drains and delayed primary closure following negative pressure wound therapy, in terms of incidence of surgical site infection and morbidity. Materials and methods The study was a prospective comparative study including 50 patients with an acute surgical abdomen requiring laparotomy. The patients were randomized into two groups, Group A (n=25) who underwent primary closure, and Group B (n=25) who underwent delayed primary closure. In Group B patients, a vacuum-assisted closure device was applied in the subcutaneous space for five days prior to the closure of the skin. Outcomes were compared in terms of the incidence of superficial and deep surgical site infection, its association with diabetes mellitus, and the total duration of hospital stay. A chi-square test and an unpaired t-test were used for the test of significance. Results A total of 50 patients, comparable in age, were included in the study. The overall incidence of surgical site infection was significantly higher in patients of Group A as compared to Group B (p=0.0046). There was a positive correlation between diabetes mellitus and the occurrence of wound infection in both groups with the odds ratio being 2.67 and 2.38 respectively. The incidence of superficial wound infection was significantly higher in Group A when compared to Group B (52% versus 24%; p=0.04). Deep surgical site infection was higher in patients of Group A (20% versus 8%) but was not statistically significant (p=0.22). The average duration of hospital stay was 41.56 ± 6.96 and 37.86 ± 6.68 days for patients who developed complications fromGroups A and B respectively, while it was nearly two and a half times lower in uncomplicated cases of Groups A and B (11.71± 1.70 days and 16.58± 1.06 days respectively). The one-tailed unpaired t-test showed a significant difference in means of hospital stay between patients with and without complications (T: 17.06, critical value: 1.677). Conclusion Delayed primary closure is an effective method of managing contaminated and dirty wounds following emergency laparotomy. Negative pressure wound therapy is one technique for preventing wound bed infection and accelerating wound healing in such cases. By combining the above in emergency surgeries, the incidence of surgical site infection and duration of hospital stay can be significantly reduced.

Symptomatic periesophageal vagal nerve injury by different energy sources during atrial fibrillation ablation.

Symptomatic gastric hypomotility (SGH) is a rare but major complication of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, but data on this are scarce. We compared the clinical course of SGH occurring with different energy sources. This multicenter study retrospectively collected the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with SGH after AF ablation. The data of 93 patients (67.0 ± 11.2 years, 68 men, 52 paroxysmal AF) with SGH after AF ablation were collected from 23 cardiovascular centers. Left atrial (LA) ablation sets included pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone, a PVI plus a roof-line, and an LA posterior wall isolation in 42 (45.2%), 11 (11.8%), and 40 (43.0%) patients, respectively. LA ablation was performed by radiofrequency ablation, cryoballoon ablation, or both in 38 (40.8%), 38 (40.8%), and 17 (18.3%) patients, respectively. SGH diagnoses were confirmed at 2 (1-4) days post-procedure, and 28 (30.1%) patients required re-hospitalizations. Fasting was required in 81 (92.0%) patients for 4 (2.5-5) days; the total hospitalization duration was 11 [7-19.8] days. After conservative treatment, symptoms disappeared in 22.3% of patients at 1 month, 48.9% at 2 months, 57.6% at 3 months, 84.6% at 6 months, and 89.7% at 12 months, however, one patient required surgery after radiofrequency ablation. Symptoms persisted for >1-year post-procedure in 7 patients. The outcomes were similar regardless of the energy source and LA lesion set. The clinical course of SGH was similar regardless of the energy source. The diagnosis was often delayed, and most recovered within 6 months, yet could persist for over 1 year in 10%.

Neurosurgical perioperative management of frail elderly patients.

With the rapid increase in global aging, the prevalence of frailty is increasing and frailty has emerged as an emerging public health burden. Frail elderly patients suffer from reduced homeostatic reserve capacity, which is associated with a disproportionate decline in physical status after exposure to stress and an increased risk of adverse events. Frailty is closely associated with changes in the volume of the white and gray matter of the brain. Sarcopenia has been suggested to be an important component of frailty, and reductions in muscle strength and muscle mass lead to reductions in physical function and independence, which are critical factors contributing to poor prognosis. Approximately 10-32% of patients undergoing neurological surgery are frail, and the risk of frailty increases with age, which is significantly associated with the occurrence of adverse postoperative events (major complications, total duration of hospitalization, and need for discharge to a nursing facility). The postoperative mortality rate in severely frail patients is 9-11 times higher than that in non-frail individuals. Therefore, due attention must be paid to neurosurgical frailty and muscle assessment in elderly patients. Specialized interventions in the perioperative period of neurosurgery in frail elderly patients may improve their postoperative prognosis.

The incidence of hyponatremia in hospitalized patients due to hip fracture and its effect on mortality

Purpose: Hyponatremia is associated with high morbidity and mortality in elderly patients. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of hyponatremia and its effects on the duration of hospitalization, in-hospital and 1-year mortality in elderly patients admitted to the hospital due to hip fracture.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: After the approval of the ethics committee, patients over the age 65 and had hip surgery between January-December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The age, gender, fracture type, current comorbidities, and American Society of Anesthesiology physical status scores of the patients were recorded. Plasma Na, K, and Ca values in admission to hospital were recorded. Patients with hyponatremia and normonatremia were compared in terms of demographic data, comorbidities, duration of hospitalization, in-hospital, and 1-year mortality rates.&#x0D; Results: Of the total 253 patients, 52(%20.5) had hyponatremia at hospital admission. Demographic data were similar in hyponatremic and normonatremic patients. In hyponatremia group mean Na values were 131.13±3.96 mmol/L and significantly lower than normonatremia group (138.73±2.27). In the hyponatremic group, diabetes mellitus was observed in 23 (44%) patients, and congestive heart failure was observed in 9 (17%) patients, which was higher than the normonatremic group. The preoperative and total duration of hospitalization was 5.21±2.68 and 9.92±4.49 days respectively and higher in patients with hyponatremia. In-hospital and 1-year mortality rates were similar between the groups.&#x0D; Conclusion: The incidence of hyponatremia was found to be 20.5% in patients with hip fractures, and both the preoperative and total hospital stays were prolonged in these patients. Although mortality rates were similar in this study, hyponatremia requires careful follow-up and early treatment in these patients, since it is known that the length of hospital stay increases mortality.

The Challenges of Gastric Cancer Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the surgical treatment of patients with gastric cancer. Data from patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer during the pandemic were analyzed and the results obtained were compared with the corresponding periods of 2016-2017 and 2018-2019. Various parameters were taken into consideration and their dynamics highlight significant changes in the pandemic year compared with the two pre-pandemic periods. Statistical analysis revealed a marked decrease in the number of surgeries performed during the pandemic (p < 0.001). Severe prognostic factors for gastric cancer, including weight loss and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, were associated with an increased number of postoperative fistulas, while emesis was statistically correlated with a more advanced cancer stage (p < 0.011). There was also a reduction in the total duration of hospitalization (p = 0.044) and postoperative hospitalization (p = 0.047); moreover, the mean duration of surgical intervention was higher during the pandemic (p = 0.044). These findings provide evidence for the significant changes in clinical and therapeutic strategies applied to patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer during the study period. The ongoing pandemic has exerted a substantial and complex impact, the full extent of which remains yet to be fully comprehended.

Studying the effectiveness of varieties of anticoagulant therapy programs in patients with a severe course of COVID-19 (analysis of own clinical observations)

Background. Currently, there is no internationally approved protocol for anticoagulant therapy (ACT) in patients with COVID-19 that describes the different types of ACT programs depending on the severity of COVID-19. The objective: to determine optimal ACT programs. Materials and methods. A retrospective ana­lysis of ACT programs was conducted in 268 patients with extremely severe COVID-19 who were treated in the intensive care units. Results. The article presents the results of retrospective analysis of ACT programs in 268 patients with a very severe course of COVID-19 treated in the general intensive care unit in 2021. ACT programs in 162 patients who died because of COVID-19 and in 106 survived patients were studied separately. The total duration of hospital stay was from 9 to 55 days. ACT programs were mostly in line with Euro­pean guidelines/instructions. ACT included a stepwise combination of unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparins, and oral anticoagulants depending on the clinical course, concomitant pathology, and laboratory parameters. The systemic inflammatory response was characterized by the concentration of C-reactive protein in the blood plasma within the range of 54.7–331.4 mg/l (on average 95.4 ± 73.4 mg/ml), ferritin of 208–2094 μg/l (on average 947.16 ± 872.00 μg/l), interleukin-6 of 33.9–507.4 pg/ml (on average 152.60 ± 201.15 pg/ml). The level of D-dimer in blood plasma ranged from 3.74 to 82.0 μg/ml (on average 8.200 ± 3.525 μg/ml). Platelet content in peripheral blood ranged from 372 × 109/l to 72 × 109/l. Conclusions. The optimal ACT program in patients with severe and extremely severe COVID-19 is a program of sequential change of anticoagulant drugs to enhance their anticoagulant effect, which can be controlled by laboratory tests.