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BACKGROUND: We report our experience with Gas-less laparoscopy-assisted surgery (Gas-less LAS), hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) and pure laparoscopic surgery (LS) for renal carcinoma and compare the characteristics and usefulness of these methods. METHODS: Seventeen, 14 and 16 patients were subjected to Gas-less LAS, HALS and LS, respectively. The study started with Gas-less LAS and then gradually shifted to HALS and LS. We evaluated the operative and postoperative parameters for each group. The learning curve effect was evaluated based on data from the first 10 cases of each group, which were operated on by the same surgeon and operation team. RESULTS: The learning curve of operation times in the LS group demonstrated that the operation time for this procedure is acceptable even in early-stage cases. Differences in mean operative time between the three surgical groups, excluding the conversion cases, were not statistically significant; however, there was a significant difference in blood loss volume between the groups (P </= 0.001). Operation time tended to be shorter in Gas-less LAS and the frequency of parental analgesia administration tended to be reduced in the LS group when compared to the other two groups. Of the total 47 patients treated, two cases were converted to open surgery. The major postoperative complication was one case of brain infarction in the HALS group. One patient in the LS group developed a lung metastasis 11 months after the operation. CONCLUSION: As minimally invasive operative techniques, these three methods do not differ significantly in terms of surgical outcome; however, LS tended to be slightly superior in terms of postoperative pain control and cosmetic appearance.
AIM: The purpose of this retrospective review of the charts of 51 Jehovah's Witness patients, who underwent surgery without blood transfusions, was to compare two study groups (major surgery vs minor-medium surgery). METHODS: We compared the following variables: age, sex, length of stay, type of surgical operation, use of intraoperative red cell salvaging devices, hemodilution, number of drainages and their stay, postoperative blood loss, complications, need of reoperation and mortality rate. Between medical variables we focused on blood production therapy and nutritional support (administration of iron, folate, erythropoietin and albumin) and blood tests (at the first day of admission; intraoperative; at the first postoperative day; at the discharge). RESULTS: In the two study groups, we detected statistically significant differences in the following variables: total of postoperative blood loss (p < 0.00001), complications rate (p = 0.0122) and in Hgb values (intraoperative: p = 0.0197; at the first postoperative day: p = 0.0028; at the discharge: p = 0.0100). DISCUSSION: The aims of a bloodless surgery program are: 1) minimize blood loss, reducing iatrogenic anemia and intraoperative hemorrhage loss; 2) maximize blood production by administration of erythropoietin, iron and folate; 3) maximize cardiac output by alternatives to blood transfusions, as crystalloids, colloids and blood substitutes; 4) increase oxygen content; 5) decrease metabolic rate. We focused on advantages and disadvantages of the suggested procedures. Most interesting techniques are the normovolemic hemodilution and the intraoperative red cell salvaging devices, indispensable in emergency. CONCLUSIONS: A close team-work between surgeons, anesthesiologists and hematologists is determinant in a reference center that guarantees experience, organization, professionality, respect for the patients' will and, above all, low morbidity and mortality rates, as those reported by our series.
The Joint Committee on Vascular Surgical Manpower was established in 1985 by the Society for Vascular Surgery and the North American Chapter of the International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery. It was charged to provide recommendations regarding vascular surgical manpower requirements for the next 15 years. Analysis of National Center for Health Statistics vascular operative rate data and 1690 questionnaire responses from vascular surgeons documented that vascular surgeons performed 235,400 (41%) of the total of 571,000 vascular operations undertaken in 1985. Vascular surgeons performed 87% of 30,000 aortoiliofemoral reconstructions, 77% of 72,000 peripheral vessel bypasses, 75% of 33,000 abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs, 59% of 55,000 angioaccess procedures, and 50% of 107,000 carotid endarterectomies. However, lack of accurate data on caseloads of surgeons who were not vascular specialists precludes precise prediction of manpower requirements for vascular surgery. It is important that surgical leaders and policy makers define the types of vascular surgical procedures that may be undertaken by vascular and other surgeons. Ongoing analyses must include such determinations to establish accurate data for the prediction of future manpower needs for vascular surgery. Furthermore, future manpower studies should be linked to outcome studies to assess not only numbers of surgeons and operations but quality of care as well.
Gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD) are common in the western countries and have been well studied about diagnosis and treatment. Nissen technique (a complete wrap) and Toupet technique (a partial wrap) are usually transabdominal fundoplication. Hill technique is a transabdominal posterior gastropexy. Allison technique is a transthoracic reduction method of the herniated cardia back into the abdomen, but is not frequently employed today. Belsey Mark VI technique is a transthroacic anterior plication. Collis gastroplasty is an esophageal lenghening technique and is used with standard repairs (Nissen, Belsey, and Hill). Good result rate of above mentioned surgery are about 90%. Recently, laparoscopic Nissen/Toupet technique are a standard antireflex surgery because of minimal invasiveness and more than 90% of good results. After introducing laparoscopic surgery the indication of antireflex surgery for GERD can be changed because of quality of life of patients and medicoeconomical reasons.
BACKGROUND: The majority of hip fracture patients are treated surgically, requiring anaesthesia. OBJECTIVES: To compare different types of anaesthesia for surgical repair of hip fractures (proximal femoral fractures) in adults. This is primarily regional (spinal or epidural) anaesthesia versus inhalation general anaesthesia, but also includes ketamine anaesthesia versus inhalation general anaesthesia. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Injuries Group trials register, Medline, selected orthopaedic and anaesthetic journals and conference proceedings, and reference lists of relevant articles. Date of the most recent search: August 1998. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised trials comparing different methods of anaesthesia for hip fracture surgery in skeletally mature persons. Trials comparing the use of local nerve blocks are not considered in this review. Neither are trials using different types of drugs or techniques with one type of anaesthesia. The primary outcome was mortality. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality, using a nine item scale, and extracted data. The other two reviewers independently checked these results. Wherever appropriate and possible, results were pooled. MAIN RESULTS: Fifteen trials, involving 2162 patients, which compared regional anaesthesia with general anaesthesia, were included. All trials had methodological flaws. Regional anaesthesia was associated with a decreased mortality at one month (49/766 (6.4%) versus 76/812 (9.4%)) of borderline statistical significance (Peto odds ratio 0.66, 95% confidence interval 0.46 to 0.96)). The results for three month mortality were not statistically significant, although the confidence interval does not exclude the possibility of a clinically relevant reduction (86/726 (11.8%) versus 98/765 (12.8%), Peto odds ratio 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.67 to 1.24). The reduced numbers at one year, coming exclusively from two studies, preclude any useful conclusions for long term mortality (80/354 (22.6%) versus 78/372 (21.0%), Peto odds ratio 1.10, 95% confidence interval 0.77 to 1.57). Regional anaesthesia was associated with a tendency to a longer operation (weighted mean difference 4.8 minutes, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 8.6 minutes), and a reduced risk of deep venous thrombosis (39/129 (30%) versus 61/37(76%); Peto odds ratio 0. 41, 95% confidence interval 0.23 to 0.72), although this conclusion is insecure due to possible selection bias in the subgroups in whom this outcome was measured. No other statistically significant differences in outcome were identified. There was insufficient evidence to draw any conclusions from a further two included trials, involving a total of 100 patients, which compared other types of anaesthesia. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Regional anaesthesia and general anaesthesia appear to produce comparable results for most of the outcomes studied. Regional anaesthesia may reduce short-term mortality but no conclusions can be drawn for longer term mortality.
OBJECTIVES: To describe the incidence of reoperations within 30 days, later redo procedures, and other interventions after vascular procedures. DESIGN: Analysis of vascular procedures prospectively recorded in The Swedvasc Registry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1987 to 1991, 8089 primary interventions were done for acute ischaemia, elective and emergency aortic aneurysms, intermittent claudication, critical leg ischaemia and carotid artery stenosis. Subsequent arterial surgery was identified until the end of 1995. RESULTS: Of an additional 4927 procedures, 24.1% were performed within 30 days of the first operation, 29.6% during the remaining first year, and 14.1%, 10.5% and 8.5% during the following 3 years, respectively. Thus, 15.5-41.5% of patients, depending on the indication, had further vascular surgery within a 4-year period. After operations for acute ischaemia or emergency aortic aneurysms, half of the reinterventions were performed within 30 days. In claudication, critical ischaemia, and after carotid endarterectomy, reinterventions peaked later during the first postoperative year. At 4 years the proportion without repeated surgery was 69%, patient survival 59% and event-free survival 39%. CONCLUSIONS: The considerable risk of reintervention after vascular procedures, and the limited life expectancy of patients, should be considered in treatment decisions for vascular disease.
The author describes an operating guideline for local treatment in cases dealing with sternum surgery as part of bypass surgery and saphenous vein surgery in a post-anesthesia recuperation ward for patients having cardiac problems, trying to prevent and reduce the distinct local complications which can occur such as infection or dehiscence of a wound.
The authors have completed an analytic research about costs of hospitalization and treatment for inguinal hernioplasty and costs of anesthesiologic and surgical techniques and hospitalization regimen. The authors consider possible in about 50% of cases the tension-free hernioplasty carried out with local anesthesia and day or one day surgery regimen and they have estimated that it is very less costly then traditional herniorraphy carried out with general anesthesia and hospitalization: L. 1.056.075 versus L. 2.252.650. In Emilia-Romagna we could have a considerable cost-saving, even if only the 50% of patients treated for uncomplicated inguinal hernia every year (7.133 patients with mean hospital stay = 5,8 days and total hospitalization = 41.731 days during 1993) could benefit by treatment in one day surgery regimen. In fact, leaving out of account the advantage of the rapid return the patient to work, the costs of hospital stay, esteemed in L. 25.038.600.000, would be L. 8.558.700.000. A considerable increase of one day surgery hernioplasties should be expected by the hospital administration in budget planning.
Vascular surgery represents 70% of surgery in over 60-year-old patients and 50% in over 70-year-old patients. For prophylactic reasons indications for operating should be made carefully in carotid and aneurysm surgery. In the case of chronic aorto iliacal obstructions extraanatomic procedures like femoro-femoral, ilio-femoral or axillo-femoral reconstruction should be preferred in high-risk patients. Combined intraoperative interventional procedures or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty including regional thrombolysis should be considered in the elderly.
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is now turned to be common procedure for lung cancer treatment, however, controversy still remains regarding to its adequacy and safety. We developed VATS procedure aiming at 'the equality to traditional open thoracotomy'. Important points to perform VATS are (1) incisions are placed to facilitate converting to open thoracotomy if necessary, (2) surgical operator positions at the anterior side of patient lying lateral decubitus position, (3) using instruments for open thoracotomy, or making new instruments for VATS which can utilize for open thoracotomy either, (4) the endoscope is held by instrument, not by hand, to keep proper position. Surgical operator performs VATS watching at the television monitor, not through the incision, (5) to divide vessels, such as pulmonary artery or vein, ligature by silk threads is usually put at the proximal side of transecting vessel. Underlying difference between VATS and open thoracotomy is simply the way of approach to the pleural cavity. Appropriate skills and instruments are required to perform a kind of 'microscopic surgery', so that operators are sure to perform adequate operation for lung cancer including en bloc nodal dissection at VATS safely.
The reputation of surgery is not only based on manual skill, though in the light of history the surgeon belonged rather to craft-gilds than to hippocratism. Not until the evolution of the whole medical science a new status of the surgeon was created. Today in a high degree he is a devoted servant to science, despite the priority of manual skill. An artist is praised for his brilliant abilities to manage problems by intuition, to improvise successfully, thus the surgeon can be designated as of congenial spirits. Examples describing the activities at the 2nd Surgical Clinic of the University of Vienna, illustrate these three virtues of surgery: manual skill, artistic work, scientific attitude. In this sense students as well as graduates should receive their education. In future the surgeon himself must guarantee by extreme personal engagement that this ideal conception of the surgical professional, criticising the methods of scholastic medicine, is maintained and can bear up against organization obstacles.
In a group of 39 patients with ischemic heart and valvular disease (January 1997 to May 1998), three platelet collection methods were compared in terms of safety and effectiveness. The methods were: (i) collection of autologous platelets over several weeks and freezing them for storage until surgery (frozen group, 12 patients); (ii) collection of autologous platelets on the day before surgery and preserving them without freezing (fresh group, 8 patients); and (iii) collection of autologous platelets intraoperatively (intraoperative group, 9 patients). Ten patients served as controls (control group). Blood pressure was not significantly affected by platelet collection in the frozen and fresh groups, but both systolic (P < 0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.05) decreased significantly after collecting platelets in the intraoperative group. Similarly, heart rate was unaffected by platelet collection in the frozen and fresh groups, while it increased significantly in the intraoperative group (P < 0.05). Blood loss after 24 h was significantly smaller in the fresh group than in the frozen group (P < 0.05). Total blood transfusion volume was significantly smaller in the frozen and fresh groups than in the intraoperative and control groups (P < 0.05). Bleeding time 2 h postoperatively, when administration of autologous platelets had been completed, was reduced compared with immediately postoperative values in all three groups receiving autologous platelets (P < 0.05). However, only the frozen and fresh groups showed a significantly shorter bleeding time than the control group (P < 0.05). In all three groups receiving autologous platelets, the platelet count was significantly increased after administration of autologous platelets, but only the fresh group had a platelet count that was significantly greater than the control group (P < 0.05). From these results we conclude that the frozen and fresh groups received safer treatment than the intraoperative group. Although hemostasis improved after all three regimes of autologous platelet transfusion, only the frozen and fresh groups had a reduced need for allogeneic blood transfusion compared with the control group. For this reason we conclude that the frozen and fresh groups were also superior to the intraoperative group in terms of effectiveness. However, the recovery of platelets after frozen storage was low, and to obtain a good effect with the freezing method it is necessary to collect and store large volumes of platelets. In terms of simplicity, safety, and efficacy, the fresh method seems to be the preferred technique.
Bleeding during and after cardiac operations and the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass hemodilution commonly result in blood transfusions. Excessive microvascular bleeding can result in re-exploration and prolonged hospitalization. Nearly 20% of all blood transfusions in the United States are associated with cardiac surgery. The risks associated with the use of allogeneic blood product transfusion include mistransfusion, immunologic complications, and transmission of infectious diseases. The large demand for blood products places significant pressure on the national blood supply, resulting in frequent shortages. The variability in transfusion practice of cardiac surgery patients suggests that sound blood management and a conservative approach to this population can result in reduced transfusions without increasing morbidity or mortality and avoiding complications associated with allogeneic blood transfusion.
PURPOSE: To summarize findings from health-related quality-of-life interviews with patients who had recurrent subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration and participated in a randomized pilot trial (focal confluent laser photocoagulation versus submacular surgery) that may assist in planning future assessments of health-related quality of life in patients with age-related macular degeneration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 70 patients enrolled in the pilot trial, 54 were interviewed before random assignment to treatment and provided the data analyzed for this report. Patients were scheduled for follow-up interviews at 6, 12, and 24 months after enrollment. The 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey was used in all cases and was administered by an interviewer. The summary scales, Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary, were the focus of this analysis. RESULTS: Median Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary score at baseline were 47 and 53, respectively. Distributions of scores at baseline and throughout the 2-year follow-up period were similar in the two treatment arms and consistent with those of a sample of the general US population of similar age. Distributions of both Physical Component Summary scores and Mental Component Summary scores for individual patient subgroups at baseline suggested sensitivity to some measures of baseline vision. During 2 years of follow-up interviews, median changes in Physical Component Summary scores were decreases of six points in the laser arm and three points in the surgery arm; in both treatment arms, median change in Mental Component Summary scores was an increase of 2 points. Two-year changes in visual acuity had no discernible effect on Physical Component Summary scores or Mental Component Summary scores; baseline scores were the strongest predictors of 2-year changes in Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary scores. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, summary scores from the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey and changes in scores over 2 years in this pilot trial were consistent with the ophthalmic outcome measures (reported elsewhere) that showed no important differences between the treatment arms. These health-related quality-of-life findings provided assurance that the similarity of ophthalmic outcomes in the two treatment arms did not mask changes potentially important to patients that were not captured as part of the clinical outcome data.
It was the intent of this study to document, in general, the patterns and complications of heparin and protamine usage during carotid endarterectomy, aortic and femoral-popliteal-tibial reconstructions for occlusive disease, elective and emergent abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy, thromboembolectomy, and dialysis arteriovenous (AV) fistula placement by surgeons from North America and Europe. All vascular surgeons from the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) and the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) were surveyed by a voluntary, self-reported questionnaire. Six hundred and forty-six completed questionnaires (284 from SVS and 362 from ESVS), representing a 62% response rate, were returned for evaluation. Systemic and regional administration of heparin was common during vascular procedures performed by both SVS and ESVS surgeons. Use of protamine to reverse heparin anticoagulation varied among SVS and ESVS surgeons, respectively, during: carotid endarterectomy (54% vs. 26%, p < 0.01), elective aortic reconstruction for occlusive disease (58% vs. 23%, p < 0.001), elective aortic reconstruction for abdominal aortic aneurysm (63% vs. 27%, p < 0.001), and femoral-popliteal-tibial reconstruction (44% vs. 15%, p < 0.001). Adverse reactions to protamine among the 25,219 and 12,902 cases reported from SVS and ESVS surgeons, respectively, included: hypotension (1209 and 495 cases), pulmonary artery hypertension (65 and eight cases), anaphylaxis (52 and 10 cases), and death (seven and two cases). These adverse responses accounted for 5.3% and 4.0% of the SVS and ESVS cases, respectively. Although this study is subject to the known limitations of a retrospective survey, it is clear that heparin use is common. Protamine reversal of heparin anticoagulation is more common in North America.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)