Combined minimally invasive techniques to cure accidental dural tears occurring during spine surgery: epidural blood patch associated with cerebrospinal fluid drainage and ventral bed rest

We report the case of a 70-year-old man, with increased anesthetic risk, who beneficiated from a lumbar laminarthrectomy from lumbar vertebra 4 (L4) to sacral 1 (S1). A dural tear facing L5-S 1 levels occurred during surgery and was repaired intra-operatively. Postoperatively, back and radicular pain symptoms appeared along with a pseudo-meningocele. Successful treatment was only achieved after performing an epidural blood patch and closed subarachnoid drainage. This well-known but infrequent management was undertaken after a first epidural blood patch attempt, and after two unsuccessful surgical choking procedures. Management is here described, and discussed at the light of existing literature.

DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH TOOL ESOPHAGEAL PERFORATION

The article presents an experience of diagnostics and treatment in 21 patients with esophageal perforation at the period from 1995 to 2015. The perforation was often (13 patients) the complication of interventional surgery which was directed to reconstruction of esophagus passing (scarry stricture of the esophagus, esophageal cancer, achalasia of esophagus). There was noted an esophageal rupture of lower third part of esophagus in 14 cases. These complications were diagnosed in all cases and the patients underwent an operation. There was performed the opening and drainage of the mediastinum in order to prevent mediastinitis. Complications had one patient in postoperative period. There wasn’t observed lethal outcome.

Removing a broken guidewire in the hip joint: treatment options and recommendations for preventing an avoidable surgical catastrophe. A case report

CONTEXT

Hardware breakage during hip surgery can pose challenging and difficult problems for orthopedic surgeons. Apart from technical difficulties relating to retrieval of the broken hardware, complications such as adjacent joint arthritis and damage to neurovascular structures and major viscera can occur. Complications occurring during the perioperative period must be informed to the patient and proper documentation is essential. The treatment options must be discussed with the patient and relatives and the implant company must be informed about this untoward incident.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of complete removal of the implant and then removal of the broken guidewire using a combination of techniques, including a cannulated drill bit, pituitary forceps and Kerrison rongeur.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest some treatment options and recommendations for preventing an avoidable surgical catastrophe.

[Management of more frequent complications of laparoscopic surgery. Minimally invasive or always open surgery?]

BACKGROUND

Two decades after the far-reaching establishment of elective laparoscopic surgery, the questions arise whether and when the benefits of this technology can be sufficiently and safely implemented even in cases of complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The currently available literature was analyzed in the context of recommendations for the management of complications in laparoscopic surgery.

RESULTS

Intraoperative and postoperative complications of minimally invasive surgery necessitating treatment are extremely rare and can be expected in only 0.1–5 % of interventions, depending on the complexity of the intervention. In addition to adhesion-related and anatomical limitations, they are responsible for the necessity to convert to open surgery in approximately 40–60 % of the cases.

DISCUSSION

Due to the relative rarity and great variety of potential complications, there is no scientific evidence at the study level that can give reliable recommendations for a management strategy in every situation. It still has to be decided on an individual basis and depending on the particular clinical situation if a successful laparoscopic management can be sufficiently and safely carried out. It has been found that a number of complications can be well controlled by minimally invasive procedures; however, in addition to a high level of personal experience in laparoscopy, optimal technical, institutional and instrumental conditions must be available. If these factors are not present in total, a conventional open approach should still be given preference.

Outcome of iatrogenic collateral ligaments injuries during total knee arthroplasty

Soft tissue balance is an essential step in total knee arthroplasty by providing a good knee stability and an even distribution of load over the prosthesis components. During surgery, because of the need of having a good balance in most cases is necessary to do some soft tissue release in the medial compartment. Lateral release is far more rare and is generally needed for patients with valgus knees after high tibial osteotomy. Our purpose is to evaluate the complications that arise during soft tissue release and how to manage this unfortunate events for getting the best functional results for the patients. In this study, we analyzed 434 knee arthroplasties that were operated in our clinic in the past 8 years by the same knee team (2005-2012). Average age was 64.8 years. Eight of this patients had medial collateral ligament injuries during surgery, and two had lateral collateral ligament rupture. Average age of patients who suffered from medial collateral ligaments injuries was 62.8 years and for lateral collateral ligaments was 72.5 years. Body mass index was 34 for both groups. We used for evaluation the knee society pain and functional scores, and X-rays obtained after the surgery with a calibrated Siemens machine. Seven patients with MCL repair were satisfied with after surgery (Knee Society score was 87.7, and functional score was 80). One complained of knee instability associated with pain and needed revision. In LCL group, all patients had excellent results (Knee Society score was 91.5, and functional score was 85). We found that repair to collateral ligaments injuries must be obtained during surgery, especially complete ruptures of the MCL. There are several approaches to collateral ligaments ruptures during total knee arthroplasty that will be discussed during the article.

[PECULIARITIES OF METHOD AND RESULTS OF PLASTY, USING INTESTINAL SEGMENT, FOR IATROGENIC INJURY OF URETER]

Basing on analysis of the examination and treatment results in 53 patients, suffering iatrogenic injury of ureter (IIU), the indications for ureteric reconstruction using intestinal segment were the ureter long irreversible changes, while renal function preserved. A segmental ureteric plasty was done in 8 (15.1%) patients, a subtotal one--in 16 (30.2%), total--in 14 (26.4%), and bilateral--in 15 (28.3%). With the objective to prevent the bladder-intestinal reflux occurrence a distal part of the intestinal transplant was modeled. In 35 (66%) patients 2 - 3 cm of distal part of intestinal mucosa were turned out with the wrap formation. In 18 (34%) patients the creation of antireflux wrap was added by its modeling in a kind of intraileal plasty with formation of two separate channels in the intestinal-bladder anastomosis region. While performance of intraileal plasty of the bladder-intestinal reflux have occurred in 2 (11.1%) patients, and after procedure with the wrap formation--in 13 (37.1%).

Totally laparoscopic spleen-preserving splenic hilum lymph nodes dissection in radical total gastrectomy: an omnibearing method

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic spleen-preserving splenic hilum lymph nodes (LNs) dissection for advanced proximal gastric cancer using an omnibearing method.

METHODS

Between August 2013 and December 2014, 16 patients with advanced proximal gastric cancer treated in Guangdong Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, were enrolled and subsequently underwent laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy (TG) with spleen-preserving splenic hilum LNs dissection. During dissecting Nos. 10 and 11 LNs, we divided them into two parts, namely LNs anterosuperior and posterior to the splenic vessel. The clinicopathological characteristics, intraoperative outcomes and postoperative courses were retrospectively collected and analyzed in the study.

RESULTS

Laparoscopic surgery was successfully completed in all 16 patients without conversion to open surgery, and no perioperative death occurred. The mean operating time was 328.75 ± 46.96 min, and the mean estimated blood loss was 135.63 ± 62.07 ml. One patient experienced intraoperative bleeding due to the splenic vein injury which was successfully handled with laparoscopic vessel suturing, and one postoperative pulmonary infection was recorded. The mean time to first flatus was 3.56 ± 1.03 days with a mean 9.63 ± 1.50 days of postoperative hospital stay. The mean number of retrieved LNs was 28.31 ± 5.99, in which LNs anterosuperior to splenic artery was 2.88 ± 2.66 and LNs posterior was 1.38 ± 1.75.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic TG with spleen-preserving splenic hilum LNs dissection using an omnibearing method for advanced proximal gastric cancer was safe and technically feasible in experienced hands. Further studies in terms of its clinical significance are needed.

[Intraoperative bleeding during thoracic surgery : avoidance strategies and surgical treatment concepts]

ABSRACT

BACKGROUND

As a direct result of the thoracic anatomy, heavy bleeding is possible during nearly all central resections in thoracic surgery.

OBJECTIVE

Description of the incidence of intraoperative bleeding including avoidance strategies and treatment concepts. Presentation of special anatomical features of pulmonary arteries.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A literature search was performed in Pubmed, medline and by manual searching. Publications from the last 60 years were analyzed and the results are summarized in a structured review.

RESULTS

Little data is available on the incidence of intraoperative bleeding during thoracic surgery. Most data were collected retrospectively. For mediastinoscopy the incidence of severe bleeding is 0.2 %, for minimally invasive anatomical resections the incidence of intraoperative bleeding is 4.7 % and for open surgery 5 %. Bleeding from the central pulmonary artery can take a dramatic course and requires rapid and targeted therapy.

DISCUSSION

Knowledge of the anatomical topographic details, the structure, the course and the specific features of the vessels of the lungs is essential to prevent and treat bleeding. Avoidance strategies include techniques of proximal and distal vessel control, intrapericardial preparation and sharp preparation in general. Techniques of forward-looking preparation and well-prepared exit strategies in case of bleeding have to be part of the training in thoracic surgery.

A novel treatment for pulmonary hemorrhage during thromboendarterectomy surgery

Injury to the pulmonary artery during thromboendarterectomy is a rare but potentially fatal complication with no reported surgical techniques to combat it. Treatment is only supportive and morbidity is high. We report the intraoperative diagnosis and surgical management of pulmonary hemorrhage in 3 patients after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

[Patch plasty of intraoperative acute aortic dissection in a patient with severe aortic valve stenosis;report of a case]

Intraoperative aortic dissection is a rare complication, but is associated with a high mortality. We report a case of 79-year-old woman with severe aortic valve stenosis who underwent aortic valve replacement(AVR). After cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) was established, aortic dissection started at the inflow cannulation site. Because hemodynamics were stable, we performed AVR as scheduled. After declamping, excessive bleeding from the arterial cannulation site continued. CPB was reestablished by placing the arterial cannula in the left femoral artery. The ascending aorta was opened at the site of cannulation under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The entry tear was successfully repaired by entry resection and Hemashield patch plasty. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the 22nd postoperative day. Patch plasty may be useful for the management of intraoperative aortic dissection.

Preoperative magnetic resonance and intraoperative ultrasound fusion imaging for real-time neuronavigation in brain tumor surgery

PURPOSE

Brain shift and tissue deformation during surgery for intracranial lesions are the main actual limitations of neuro-navigation (NN), which currently relies mainly on preoperative imaging. Ultrasound (US), being a real-time imaging modality, is becoming progressively more widespread during neurosurgical procedures, but most neurosurgeons, trained on axial computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) slices, lack specific US training and have difficulties recognizing anatomic structures with the same confidence as in preoperative imaging. Therefore real-time intraoperative fusion imaging (FI) between preoperative imaging and intraoperative ultrasound (ioUS) for virtual navigation (VN) is highly desirable. We describe our procedure for real-time navigation during surgery for different cerebral lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed fusion imaging with virtual navigation for patients undergoing surgery for brain lesion removal using an ultrasound-based real-time neuro-navigation system that fuses intraoperative cerebral ultrasound with preoperative MRI and simultaneously displays an MRI slice coplanar to an ioUS image.

RESULTS

58 patients underwent surgery at our institution for intracranial lesion removal with image guidance using a US system equipped with fusion imaging for neuro-navigation. In all cases the initial (external) registration error obtained by the corresponding anatomical landmark procedure was below 2 mm and the craniotomy was correctly placed. The transdural window gave satisfactory US image quality and the lesion was always detectable and measurable on both axes. Brain shift/deformation correction has been successfully employed in 42 cases to restore the co-registration during surgery. The accuracy of ioUS/MRI fusion/overlapping was confirmed intraoperatively under direct visualization of anatomic landmarks and the error was < 3 mm in all cases (100 %).

CONCLUSION

Neuro-navigation using intraoperative US integrated with preoperative MRI is reliable, accurate and user-friendly. Moreover, the adjustments are very helpful in correcting brain shift and tissue distortion. This integrated system allows true real-time feedback during surgery and is less expensive and time-consuming than other intraoperative imaging techniques, offering high precision and orientation.

[Treatment of Tension Pneumothorax during Total Right Breast Extirpation and Reconstruction with a Flap of the Latissimus Dorsi Muscle]

A patient developed tension pneumothorax during surgery. A 56-year-old woman with right breast cancer and axillary gland metastasis, was to undergo total right breast extirpation/axillary gland dissection, flap collection from the latissimus dorsi muscle, and reconstruction with this flap. During total right breast extirpation/axillary gland dissection, there were no problems, but the arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) fell after the start of flap collection. After the start of reconstruction, SpO2 was reduced again. In the right lung field, no respiratory sound was heard, and chest X-ray showed right tension pneumothorax. A right thoracic drain was inserted and surgery was completed as scheduled. Thoracic CT did not reveal any abnormal findings, such as a brassiere, the day after surgery.

Sutureless 25-Gauge Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Caused by Superior Breaks Using Air Tamponade

PURPOSE

This study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 25-gauge sutureless vitrectomy in repairing primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with air tamponade.

DESIGN

This is a prospective, clinic-based, case series.

METHODS

Twenty consecutive eyes of 20 patients with primary RRD caused by superior breaks of less than a month underwent transconjunctival sutureless 25-gauge vitrectomy with intraocular air tamponade. Patients who had a follow-up of less than 6 months were excluded. Outcome measures included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), reattachment rate by a single procedure, final reattachment rate by additional procedures, and complications.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 10 months (range, 6-15 months). The proportion of eyes with BCVA of between 20/200 and 20/70 increased significantly from 15% at baseline to 65% on day 14 (P = 0.024). At final follow-up, 15%, 60%, and 25% had BCVA worse than 20/200, between 20/200 and 20/70, and better than 20/70, respectively. The mean BCVA was significantly better than baseline (logMAR, 1.4) by day 14 (logMAR, 0.87). The reattachment rate by a single procedure was 70%, and the final success rate was 100% after 1 additional procedure. The primary success rate increased to 77.8% after excluding 2 eyes with proliferative vitreoretinopathy grade C1. High myopia and large retinal break were 2 other conditions associated with failed primary reattachment. No postoperative complication was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Selected eyes with primary RRD may gain the benefit of early visual recovery when treated with 25-gauge vitrectomy and air tamponade.

The call, the save, and the threat: understanding expert help-seeking behavior during nonroutine operative scenarios

OBJECTIVE

Asking for help in the operating room occurs within a surgical culture that has traditionally valued independence, decisiveness, and confidence. A tension exists between these deeply ingrained character traits and the new culture of team-based practice that emphasizes maximizing patient safety. The objective of this study is to explore surgeon-to-surgeon help-seeking behaviors during complex and unanticipated operative scenarios.

STUDY DESIGN

Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 14 consultant surgeons from multiple specialties. We used constructivist grounded theory to explore help-seeking experiences. Analysis occurred alongside and informed data collection. Themes were identified iteratively using constant comparisons.

SETTING

The setting included 3 separate hospital sites in a Canadian academic health sciences center.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 14 consultant surgeons from 3 separate departments and 7 divisions were included.

RESULTS

We developed the "Call-Save-Threat" framework to conceptualize the help-seeking phenomenon. Respondents highlighted both explicit and tacit reasons for calling for help; the former included technical assistance and help with decision making, and the latter included the need for moral support, "saving face," and "political cover." "The Save" included the provision of enhanced technical expertise, a broader intraoperative perspective, emotional support, and a learning experience. "The Threat" included potential downsides to calling, which may result in near-term or delayed negative consequences. These included giving up autonomy as primary surgeon, threats to a surgeon's image as a competent practitioner, and a failure to progress with respect to independent judgment and surgical abilities.

CONCLUSIONS

Our "Call-Save-Threat" framework suggests that surgeons recurrently negotiate when and how to seek help in the interests of patient safety, while attending to the traditional cultural values of autonomy and decisive action. This has important implications for surgical postgraduate education and also throughout a surgeon's career trajectory.

[SUBSTANTIATION OF SURGICAL APPROACH IN IATROGENIC INJURIES OF THE BILE-EXCRETING DUCTS]

The results of examination and treatment were analyzed in 51 patients with iatrogenic injuries of the bile-excreting ducts. Patients were divided into 5 groups according to international classification (EAES, 2013). It depended on the time of detection, the nature and scale of damage of the bile ducts, mechanism of injury, development of infectious and septic complications. Injuries of the main bile duct were detected intraoperatively (n = 14). The complete intersection was in 10 patients (the first group) and the edge intersection--in 4 cases (the second group). Iatrogenic injuries of the bile-excreting ducts were revealed in 37 patients in postoperative period. There were the complete intersections in 28 cases (the third group) and the edge intersections--in 7 cases (the fifth group). Injuries of additional bile ducts were determined in 2 patients (the fifth group). An analysis of the main qualifying features of iatrogenic injuries of the bile-excreting ducts allowed defining indications to reconstructive-restorative surgery in 60.8% patients, restorative operations--in 29.4%, an external drainage--in 5.8% and reclipping of additional bile ducts in relaparoscopy--in 3.9%. The rational surgical approach allowed obtaining perfect results in 65.8% and good, satisfactory results in immediate and long-term period with low postoperative lethality of 1.95%. The study of diagnostics results and treatment of the patients with iatrogenic injuries of the bile- excreting ducts indicated about reasonability of assessment of main factors, which are based on iatrogenic injuries according to the EAES classification. An individual program of examination and more rational variant of surgery could be chosen due to this approach, which provides minimization of negative results and good quality of life.

The importance of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in the surgical decision in cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE

To determine the importance of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (IOTEE) in the surgical decision in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Prospective observational study of patients undergoing cardiac surgery from January 2009 to May 2012, which was monitored with IOTEE by the anesthesiologist in charge. The data collected were: 1) type of surgery; 2) preoperative echocardiographic diagnosis (baseline ECHO); 3) echocardiographic diagnosis before entering cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (pre-CPB IOTEE); 4) any differences between the baseline ECHO and the pre-CPB IOTEE (new pre-CPB finding) and whether these differences modified the planned surgery, and 5) echocardiographic diagnosis after disconnection of CPB (unexpected post-CPB finding) and whether these post-CPB echocardiographic findings led to reinstating it. The software program SPSS(®) was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

The total number of patients studied was 1,273. Monitoring with IOTEE showed "new pre-CPB" findings in 98 patients (7.7%), and 43.8% of these led to a change in the scheduled surgery. Of these findings, the most frequent were abnormalities of the mitral valve that had not been diagnosed, and which led to a replacement or repair that had not been scheduled. The incidence of "unexpected post-CPB findings" was 6.2% (79 patients), and 46.8% of those required reinstating the CPB and modifying the surgery performed. The failed valve repairs and dysfunctional valve prostheses were the main causes that led to re-entry into CPB. In the remaining 42 patients, with "unexpected post-CPB findings", there were no changes in the surgical procedure as the echocardiographic findings were not considered to be significant enough to re-establish CPB and revise or change the surgical procedure.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative monitoring with IOTEE by the anesthesiologist during surgery provides important information before and after the CPB that resulted in modifying surgical management.

[RADICAL ENDOSCOPIC REMOVAL OF ADENOMA OF THE MAJOR DUODENAL PAPILLA WITH SUCCESSFUL INTRAOPERATIVE CORRECTION OF COMPLICATIONS]

We introduce one of the successful clinical observations of a radical endoscopic removal of adenoma of the major duodenal papilla with severe dysplasia, as well as intraoperative correction of complications, jet bleeding and retroduodenal perforation, which occurred during this operation.

Subintimal TRAnscatheter Withdrawal (STRAW) of hematomas compressing the distal true lumen: a novel technique to facilitate distal reentry during recanalization of chronic total occlusion (CTO)

The development of a large hematoma impairing visualization of the distal true lumen is a recognized complication of antegrade recanalization of chronic total occlusions, often forcing the operator to abort the procedure or switch to a retrograde approach. We describe a novel technique utilizing an over-the-wire balloon inflated in the proximal occluded vessel to block inflow and allow aspiration of the blood from the subintimal space. This decompressed the true lumen, restored distal visualization, and allowed successful reentry using a dedicated technology. Utilization of this novel technique may rescue antegrade recanalization attempts complicated by large subintimal hematomas.

Incidental ureteral injury and repair during robotic-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To show a surgical educational video in which an incidental ureteral injury was recognized intraoperatively and was repaired during robotic-assisted total hysterectomy for a very large uterus.

DESIGN

Step-by-step demonstration of ureterolysis and repair of ureteral injury via a ureteroureterostomy technique using an educational video and schematic pictures.

SETTING

Ureteral injuries are estimated to occur with a frequency of approximately 0.02% to 0.4% during laparoscopic hysterectomy. When compared with bladder injuries, ureteral injuries are much less likely to be recognized intraoperatively, and in some cases can be missed despite the use of intraoperative cystoscopy. The sequelae from ureteral injury are not insignificant, which can easily be prevented by intraoperative recognition and immediate repair. Minimally invasive surgery using the robotic system has led to a paradigm shift in the management of urinary tract injuries, which has been traditionally approached with open surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

Robotic total hysterectomy and repair of incidental ureteral injury via ureteroureterostomy using standard end-to-end anastomosis technique and intracorporeal retrograde double J stent placement.

CONCLUSION

Robotic repair of ureteral injury during gynecologic surgery was associated with good outcomes, appeared safe and feasible, and saved the patient and the physician significant morbidity and medicolegal implications, respectively.