Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries

BACKGROUND

As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care.

METHODS

We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries.

RESULTS

A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care.

STUDY REGISTRATION

ISRCTN51817007

Rectourethral fistula reconstruction in elderly patients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article discusses etiologic considerations, evaluation, and contemporary approaches to managing rectourethral fistula (RUF) with particular emphasis on geriatric patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

With the advent of multimodal approaches to treating prostate cancer, such as radiation and ablative therapies, the incidence of RUF is increasing, especially in the geriatric population. Surgical repair and healing of RUF in patients with prior radiation is more challenging than in those without prior radiation or ablation because of fibrotic and ischemic changes in surrounding tissues. There is, at present, a lack of consensus over a standardized approach to RUF management because of the heterogeneity in presentation and limited, primarily retrospective, experience in the literature. Nonetheless, an evolving array of surgical approaches now exists for fistula excision and tissue interposition.

SUMMARY

Immediate recognition and management of RUF is paramount to prevent related complications. Patient selection and counseling are key to selecting the best approach for repair, whereas a multidisciplinary team, including colorectal and plastic surgery colleagues, may optimize outcomes.

Cutaneous fistulization of the hydatid disease: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review

AIM

To provide an overview of the medical literature on cutaneous fistulization in patients with hydatid disease (HD).

METHODS

According to PRISMA guidelines a literature search was made in PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, and Google databases were searched using keywords to identify articles related to cutaneous fistulization of the HD. Keywords used were hydatid disease, hydatid cyst, cutaneous fistulization, cysto-cutaneous fistulization, external rupture, and external fistulization. The literature search included case reports, review articles, original articles, and meeting presentations published until July 2016 without restrictions on language, journal, or country. Articles and abstracts containing adequate information, such as age, sex, cyst size, cyst location, clinical presentation, fistula opening location, and management, were included in the study, whereas articles with insufficient clinical and demographic data were excluded. We also present a new case of cysto-cutaneous fistulization of a liver hydatid cyst.

RESULTS

The literature review included 38 articles (32 full text, 2 abstracts, and 4 unavailable) on cutaneous fistulization in patients with HD. Among the 38 articles included in the study, 22 were written in English, 13 in French, 1 in German, 1 in Italian, and 1 in Spanish. Forty patients (21 males and 19 females; mean age ± standard deviation, 54.0 ± 21.5 years; range, 7-93 years) were involved in the study. Twenty-four patients had cysto-cutaneous fistulization (Echinococcus granulosus); 10 had cutaneous fistulization (E multilocularis), 3 had cysto-cutaneo-bronchio-biliary fistulization, 2 had cysto-cutaneo-bronchial fistulization; and 1 had cutaneo-bronchial fistulization (E multilocularis). Twenty-nine patients were diagnosed with E granulosis and 11 had E multilocularis detected by clinical, radiological, and/or histopathological examinations.

CONCLUSION

Cutaneous fistulization is a rare complication of HD. Complicated HD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cases presenting with cutaneous fistulization, particularly in regions where HD is endemic.

Rectourethral Fistulas Secondary to Prostate Cancer Treatment: Management and Outcomes from a Multi-Institutional Combined Experience

PURPOSE

Rectourethral fistula is a known complication of prostate cancer treatment. Reports in the literature on rectourethral fistula repair technique and outcomes are limited to single institution series. We examined the variations in technique and outcomes of rectourethral fistula repair in a multi-institutional setting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively identified patients who underwent rectourethral fistula repair after prostate cancer treatment at 1 of 4 large volume reconstructive urology centers, including University of California-San Francisco, University College London Hospitals, Lahey Clinic and Devine-Jordan Center for Reconstructive Surgery, in a 15-year period. We examined the types of prostate cancer treatment, technical aspects of rectourethral fistula repair and outcomes.

RESULTS

After prostate cancer treatment 201 patients underwent rectourethral fistula repair. The fistula developed in 97 men (48.2%) after radical prostatectomy alone and in 104 (51.8%) who received a form of energy ablation. In the ablation group 84% of patients underwent bowel diversion before rectourethral fistula repair compared to 65% in the prostatectomy group. An interposition flap or graft was placed in 91% and 92% of the 2 groups, respectively. Concomitant bladder neck contracture or urethral stricture developed in 26% of patients in the ablation group and in 14% in the prostatectomy group. Postoperatively the rates of urinary incontinence and complications were higher in the energy ablation group at 35% and 25% vs 16% and 11%, respectively. The ultimate success rate of fistula repair in the energy ablation and radical prostatectomy groups was 87% and 99% with 92% overall success.

CONCLUSIONS

Rectourethral fistulas due to prostate cancer therapy can be reconstructed successfully in a high percent of patients. This avoids permanent urinary diversion in these complex cases.

Post-Colonoscopy Complications: A Systematic Review, Time Trends, and Meta-Analysis of Population-Based Studies

OBJECTIVES

Many studies around the world addressed the post-colonoscopy complications, but their pooled prevalence and time trends are unknown. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies to examine the pooled prevalence of post-colonoscopy complications ("perforation", "bleeding", and "mortality"), stratified by colonoscopy indication. Temporal variability in the complication rate was assessed.

METHODS

We queried Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane library for population-based studies examining post-colonoscopy complications (within 30 days), performed from 2001 to 2015 and published by 1 December 2015. We determined pooled prevalence of perforations, post-colonoscopy bleeding, post-polypectomy bleeding, and mortality.

RESULTS

We retrieved 1,074 studies, of which 21 met the inclusion criteria. Overall, pooled prevalences for perforation, post-colonoscopy bleeding, and mortality were 0.5/1,000 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4-0.7), 2.6/1,000 (95% CI 1.7-3.7), and 2.9/100,000 (95% CI 1.1-5.5) colonoscopies. Colonoscopy with polypectomy was associated with a perforation rate of 0.8/1,000 (95% CI 0.6-1.0) and a post-polypectomy bleeding rate of 9.8/1,000 (95% CI 7.7-12.1). Complication rate was lower for screening/surveillance than for diagnostic examinations. Time-trend analysis showed that post-colonoscopy bleeding declined from 6.4 to 1.0/1,000 colonoscopies, whereas the perforation and mortality rates remained stable from 2001 to 2015. Overall, considerable heterogeneity was observed in most of the analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Worldwide, the post-colonoscopy complication rate remained stable or even declined over the past 15 years. The findings of this meta-analysis encourage continued efforts to achieve and maintain safety targets in colonoscopy practice.

Pruritus Ani

Pruritus ani is a common condition with many different potential causes. Because of this, it can be difficult to treat. It is important to identify and eliminate any inciting factors, which are often unintentional consequences of the patient's attempts to alleviate symptoms. If no reversible cause is found, simple measures with diet modification and perianal hygiene are tried before using topical medications or procedures.

Colorectal cancer screening: a global overview of existing programmes

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third among the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide, with wide geographical variation in incidence and mortality across the world. Despite proof that screening can decrease CRC incidence and mortality, CRC screening is only offered to a small proportion of the target population worldwide. Throughout the world there are widespread differences in CRC screening implementation status and strategy. Differences can be attributed to geographical variation in CRC incidence, economic resources, healthcare structure and infrastructure to support screening such as the ability to identify the target population at risk and cancer registry availability. This review highlights issues to consider when implementing a CRC screening programme and gives a worldwide overview of CRC burden and the current status of screening programmes, with focus on international differences.

Complications during colonoscopy: prevention, diagnosis, and management

Colonoscopy is largely performed in daily clinical practice for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Although infrequent, different complications may occur during the examination, mostly related to the operative procedures. These complications range from asymptomatic and self-limiting to serious, requiring a prompt medical, endoscopic or surgical intervention. In this review, the complications that may occur during colonoscopy are discussed, with a particular focus on prevention, diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches.

Skin disease in pregnancy

Skin manifestations during pregnancy are common and diversified. This review will focus on the most important entities to be recognized by obstetricians. These are, on the one hand, physiological changes, where unnecessary investigations should be avoided, and on the other, the specific dermatoses of pregnancy. These develop electively in pregnancy, and they are currently grouped into three disorders: polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, atopic eczema of pregnancy, and pemphigoid gestationis. Arguments for recognition of these are presented including detection of anti-BP180 antibodies. Follow-up and treatment depend on the precise diagnosis. Risks in fetal prognosis may occur in rare pemphigoid gestationis cases.

Robotic, intraperitoneal harvest of the rectus abdominis muscle

BACKGROUND

The rectus abdominis muscle is a workhorse for free and pedicled muscle coverage. Traditional harvest violates the anterior rectus sheath and requires an abdominal incision. Robotic harvest can be reliably and efficiently performed using three ports and no additional incisions.

METHODS

Ten robotic rectus muscle harvests were performed at three institutions as free flaps for extremity coverage and pedicled flaps for minimally invasive pelvic surgery requiring soft-tissue reconstruction. Three contralateral ports and an intraperitoneal approach were used in each harvest. Demographic information, operative variables, and outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

All cases were completed robotically by three surgeons at three different institutions. Four muscles were harvested as free flaps for lower extremity and six muscles were used as pedicled flaps, three for abdominopelvic defect reconstruction and two for protection of visceral repair following salvage prostatectomy or anterior pelvic exenteration. Average robotic setup time was 15 minutes. Average robotic harvest time was 45 minutes. Two 8-mm ports and one 12-mm port were used in each case. One patient developed a grade I decubitus ulcer during an extended operation. There were no other complications. All muscles were completely viable following harvest. There were no conversions to open technique, and no hernias or bulges were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Robotic rectus muscle harvest is safe, efficient, and reproducible. The anterior rectus sheath can be left completely intact, eliminating incisional morbidity. The cumulative incisional length can be less than 2 inches even for extensive, multiservice pelvic procedures.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, V.

The management of abdominal hydatidosis after the rupture of a pancreatic hydatid cyst: a case report

Introduction

Echinococcosis or hydatidosis is a zoonosis caused by cestodes from the genus Echinococcus; its habitat is the small intestine of the definitive host, represented by dogs/carnivorous animals, where it produces eggs which are eliminated in the environment. Cystic echinococcosis represents more than 95% of the hydatidosis cases registered annually. The most frequent localization is the hepatic one, followed by the pulmonary localization with a ratio of 2.5:1. A pancreatic localization represents 0.2% of hydatidosis cases with a higher possibility of disseminating intra-abdominally. The incidence of hydatidosis in Romania has not been investigated yet through national studies.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 54-year-old Caucasian man who underwent emergency surgery in 1989 for symptoms suggestive for an acute abdomen. He was diagnosed intraoperatively with rupture of a pancreatic hydatid cyst, having a caudal localization and complicated by necrotic acute pancreatitis. Our objective is to describe a patient with hydatidosis, with unfavorable evolution after two surgical interventions, with intra-abdominal dissemination, for whom we considered the best therapeutic choice to be long-term anti-parasite drugs.

Conclusions

He has been treated with albendazole for 6 years and he shows a very good tolerance; praziquantel (600mg/week) was also administered and he is under clinical and biological screening. There is no general consensus on the duration of anti-parasite treatments.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1752-1947-9-27) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Acquired recto-uretral fistulas: etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and therapeutic options

Rectouretral fistulas are a rare disease, but represent an important problem for the patient that suffers them and a challenge for the urologist and colorectal surgeon who has to manage them. A wide review has been performed focusing on etiopathogenic factors, diagnostic and therapeutic options including the analysis of different surgical techniques. PubMed, MEDLINE y EMBASE medical database were searched up to September 2014.

Management of bleeding and perforation after colonoscopy

Bleeding is a relatively rare complication occurring mainly after snare polypectomy. The majority of cases can be managed successfully by endoscopic means leaving very few cases which will ultimately need an operation. Colonic perforation, on the other hand is a serious complication that requires intensive and careful management. Prompt recognition of the perforation during the procedure allows, in selected cases, immediate endoscopic closure with an uneventful and full recovery followed by close monitoring and surgical management in case of clinical deterioration. The criteria for the right selection of perforation cases amenable to endoscopic treatment do still need to be confirmed by prospective studies and further experience is required before a standard algorithm on the endoscopic management of perforations is developed.

Prompt management is most important for colonic perforation after colonoscopy

Purpose

The incidence of complications after colonoscopy is very low. The complications after colonoscopy that are of clinical concern are bleeding and perforation. The present study was conducted to determine the clinical outcomes and the risk factors of a colostomy or a colectomy after colonoscopic colon perforation.

Methods

From March 2009 to December 2012, the records of all patients who were treated for colorectal perforation after colonoscopy were reviewed retrospectively. The following parameters were evaluated: age, sex, purpose of colonoscopy, management of the colonic perforation, and interval from colonoscopy to the diagnosis of a colonic perforation. A retrospective analysis was performed to determine the risk factors associated with major surgery for the treatment of a colon perforation after colonoscopy.

Results

A total 27 patients were included in the present study. The mean age was 62 years, and 16 were males. The purpose of colonoscopy was diagnostic in 18 patients. The most common perforation site was the sigmoid colon. Colonic perforation was diagnosed during colonoscopy in 14 patients, just after colonoscopy in 5 patients, and 24 hours or more after colonoscopy in 8 patients. For the treatment of colonic perforation, endoscopic clipping was performed in 3 patients, primary closure in 15 patients, colon resection in 2 patients, Hartmann's procedures in 4 patients, and diverting colostomy in 3 patients. If the diagnosis of perforation after colonoscopy was delayed for more than 24 hours, the need for major treatment was increased significantly.

Conclusion

Although a colonic perforation after colonoscopy is rare, if the morbidity and the mortality associated with the colonic perforation are to be reduced, prompt diagnosis and management are very important.

International multicenter experience with an over-the-scope clipping device for endoscopic management of GI defects (with video)

BACKGROUND

The over-the-scope clip (OTSC) provides more durable and full-thickness closure as compared with standard clips. Only case reports and small case series have reported on outcomes of OTSC closure of GI defects.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a large, multicenter experience with OTSCs for the management of GI defects. Secondary goals were to determine success rate by type of defect and type of therapy and to determine predictors of treatment outcomes.

DESIGN

Multicenter, retrospective study.

SETTING

Multiple, international, academic centers.

PATIENTS

Consecutive patients who underwent attempted OTSC placement for GI defects, either as a primary or as a rescue therapy.

INTERVENTIONS

OTSC placement to attempt closure of GI defects.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Long-term success of the procedure.

RESULTS

A total of 188 patients (108 fistulae, 48 perforations, 32 leaks) were included. Long-term success was achieved in 60.2% of patients during a median follow-up of 146 days. Rate of successful closure of perforations (90%) and leaks (73.3%) was significantly higher than that of fistulae (42.9%) (P < .05). Long-term success was significantly higher when OTSCs were applied as primary therapy (primary 69.1% vs rescue 46.9%; P = .004). On multivariate analysis, patients who had OTSC placement for perforations and leaks had significantly higher long-term success compared with those who had fistulae (OR 51.4 and 8.36, respectively).

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective design and multiple operators with variable expertise with the OTSC device.

CONCLUSION

OTSC is safe and effective therapy for closure of GI defects. Clinical success is best achieved in patients undergoing closure of perforations or leaks when OTSC is used for primary or rescue therapy. Type of defect is the best predictor of successful long-term closure.

Treatment of urethrorectal fistulas caused by radical prostatectomy - two surgical techniques

INTRODUCTION

The repair of complex urethrorectal fistulas, which can be the result of treating prostate cancer with radical prostatectomy, is a big problem in urology and its final result is not always satisfactory. There are no universally accepted methods for repairing such fistulas. In our work we present a retrospective analysis of patients treated for urethrorectal fistulas after previous radical prostatectomy. The methods used were the initial excision and suture of the fistula, or a gracilis muscle flap interposition.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In the years 2000-2012, four patients were treated because of urethrorectal fistulas after radical prostatectomy. In two patients, open radical prostatectomy had been performed. Two other patients had been operated laparoscopically. Two patients had a primary fistula repair. They were operated using anterior perineal access. Two others were treated with the use of a gracilis muscle flap.

RESULTS

During the follow up, there was no recurrence of fistulas. Medium follow up for the first two patients was 120 and 156 months, and follow up of two other patients was 16 and 23 months. Until now, there were no final postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Repair of the fistulas requires an individual approach to each case. Excision and suturing of the fistula gives a very good final result, especially when the primary reconstruction is performed. Repair of urethrorectal fistula using a gracilis muscle flap appears to be an excellent option in cases of complex recurrent fistulas. It is also associated with low morbidity in patients and a high success rate.

Risk of colon cancer after computed tomography-diagnosed acute diverticulitis: is routine colonoscopy necessary?

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines recommend computed tomography (CT) for diagnosing diverticulitis and for routine follow-up colonoscopy to rule out cancer. Scientific data to support routine colonoscopy after acute diverticulitis are scarce and conflicting. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of colon cancer mimicking diverticulitis, and hence the need for routine colonoscopy after CT-diagnosed acute diverticulitis.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective analysis of patients treated for acute diverticulitis in a single academic institution during 2006-2010. Data regarding age, sex, laboratory parameters, prior diverticulitis, surgical operations, pathology reports, and CT characteristics were collected. Risk factors for finding colon cancer after CT-diagnosed acute diverticulitis were identified by multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 633 patients with CT-diagnosed acute diverticulitis. Of these patients, 97 underwent emergency resection, whereas 536 were treated conservatively, 394 of whom underwent colonoscopy. The findings showed 17 cancers (2.7 %) in patients with an initial diagnosis of acute diverticulitis. As shown by CT, 16 cancer patients (94 %) had abscess, whereas one patient had pericolic extraluminal air but no abscess. Of the patients with abscess, 11.4 % had cancer mimicking acute diverticulitis. No cancer was found in the patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis. Besides abscess, other independent risk factors for cancer included suspicion of cancer by a radiologist, thickness of the bowel wall exceeding 15 mm, no diverticula observed, and previously undiagnosed metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine colonoscopy after CT-proven uncomplicated diverticulitis seems to be unnecessary, but colonoscopy should be performed for patients with a diagnosis of diverticular abscess.

A clinical report of the management of episodic idiopathic pruritus occurring during endodontic therapy

INTRODUCTION

In endodontic practice, conditions may arise that are unexpected despite thorough preparation. The purpose of this case report was to describe how a condition of episodic idiopathic pruritus, which was undiscovered in the medical history taking, was managed without a loss of time.

METHODS

A 29-year-old woman presented to the graduate endodontic clinic for conventional endodontic treatment of tooth #30 and intravenous moderate sedation for dental phobia. Before the administration of intraoral local anesthetics or intravenous medications, the patient was unable to keep still because of itching. When questioned, the patient reported that she suffers from this condition fairly regularly. The patient reported that the itching could be initiated by stress or for no apparent reason. Intraoral local anesthesia was administered, intravenous access was attained, and an analgesic and antihistamine were given.

RESULTS

Two minutes after the administration of the antihistamine, the itching resolved, and the treatment was completed without further incident.

CONCLUSIONS

This case provides an example of how an unexpected incident of episodic idiopathic pruritus was managed via the intravenous route without a loss of scheduled appointment time.

Specimens from biopsies of colorectal polyps often harbor additional diagnoses

Objectives. The utility of examining specimens from colorectal biopsies of polyps for nonneoplastic diseases is currently unknown. Our objectives were to characterize such additional diagnoses that could be rendered. Methods. We retrospectively and prospectively reviewed specimens from endoscopic biopsies of colorectal polyps obtained during routine screening or surveillance. Results. 17 of 168 specimens (10.1%) contained additional diagnoses, including schistosomiasis, eosinophilic colitis, intestinal spirochetosis, melanosis coli, and other entities. These findings were easily overlooked because they often affected mucosa that was spared by the polyps or were often evident only at high magnification. Schistosomiasis, eosinophilic colitis, and intestinal spirochetosis were clinically occult. Conclusions. Specimens from biopsies of colorectal polyps often harbor other diagnoses, in addition to polyps, and can be simultaneously screened for polyps and examined for nonneoplastic diseases. Detection of other diagnoses in addition to polyps requires awareness, examination at high magnification, and examination of areas spared by the polyps.