Biomolecular inflammatory response to surgical energy usage in laparoscopic surgery: results of a randomized study

Novel quantitative assessment indicators for efficiency and precision of endoscopic submucosal dissection in animal training models by analyzing an electrical surgical unit

OBJECTIVES

Although endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) training is important, quantitative assessments have not been established. This study aimed to explore a novel quantitative assessment system by analyzing an electrical surgical unit (ESU).

METHODS

This was an ex vivo study. Step one: to identify the novel efficiency indicators, 20 endoscopists performed one ESD each, and we analyzed correlations between their resection speed and electrical status. Step two: to identify the novel precision indicators, three experts and three novices performed one ESD each, and we compared the stability of the electrical status. Step three: three novices in step two performed 19 additional ESDs, and we analyzed the learning curve using novel indicators.

RESULTS

Step one: the percentage of total activation time (AT) of ESU in the procedure time (β coefficient, 0.80; P < 0.01) and AT required for submucosal dissection (β coefficient, -0.57; P < 0.01) were significantly correlated with the resection speed. Step two: coefficient of variation of the AT per one pulse (0.16 [range, 0.13-0.17] vs. 0.26 [range, 0.20-0.41], P = 0.049) and coefficient of variation of the peak electric power per pulse during mucosal incision (0.14 [range, 0.080-0.15] vs. 0.25 [range, 0.24-0.28], P = 0.049) were significantly lower in the experts than in the novices. Regarding the learning curve, the percentage of total AT of ESU in the procedure time and AT required for submucosal dissection had a trend of improvement.

CONCLUSION

Novel indicators identified by analyzing ESU enable quantitative assessment for endoscopist's skill.

Effect of Surgical Humidification on Inflammation and Peritoneal Trauma in Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Pre-clinical studies indicate that dry-cold-carbon-dioxide (DC-CO2) insufflation leads to more peritoneal damage, inflammation and hypothermia compared with humidified-warm-CO₂ (HW-CO2). Peritoneum and core temperature in patients undergoing colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery were compared.

METHODS

Sixty-six patients were randomized into laparoscopic groups; those insufflated with DC-CO2 or HW-CO2. A separate group of nineteen patients undergoing laparotomy were randomised to conventional surgery or with the insertion of a device delivering HW-CO2. Temperatures were monitored and peritoneal biopsies and bloods were taken at the start of surgery, at 1 and 3 h. Further bloods were taken depending upon hospital length-of-stay (LOS). Peritoneal samples were subjected to scanning electron microscopy to evaluate mesothelial damage.

RESULTS

Laparoscopic cases experienced a temperature drop despite Bair-Hugger^TM use. HW-CO2 restored normothermia (≥ 36.5 °C) by 3 h, DC-CO2 did not. LOS was shorter for colon compared with rectal cancer cases and if insufflated with HW-CO2 compared with DC-CO2; 5.0 vs 7.2 days, colon and 11.6 vs 15.4 days rectum, respectively. Unexpectedly, one third of patients had pre-existing damage. Damage increased at 1 and 3 h to a greater extent in the DC-CO2 compared with the HW-CO2 laparoscopic cohort. C-reactive protein levels were higher in open than laparoscopic cases and lower in both matched HW-CO2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective RCT is in accord with animal studies while highlighting pre-existing damage in some patients. Peritoneal mesothelium protection, reduced inflammation and restoration of core-body temperature data suggest benefit with the use of HW-CO2 in patients undergoing CRC surgery.

Changes of TNF-α, PDGF and HA in nasal secretions and olfactory function of patients with chronic sinusitis before and after endoscopic sinus surgery

This study aimed to investigate the changes of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), platelet-derived factor (PDGF), hyaluronic acid (HA) in nasal secretions and olfactory function in patients with chronic sinusitis before and after endoscopic sinus surgery. A total of 94 patients with chronic sinusitis treated at Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine (Xiangyang, China) from May 2016 to April 2017 were randomly divided into the control and observation groups, with 47 patients in each group. The observation underwent endoscopic sinus surgery, while the control group were treated with traditional extranasal surgery. The treatment efficacy of the two groups were compared 3 months after the treatment. A self-designed symptom questionnaire was used to evaluate the symptom scores. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the TNF-α, PDGF and HA levels in nasal secretions. The olfactory function of the patients was evaluated by the standard T&T olfactometry test. The life quality before and after the treatment was compared by using the SNOT-20 questionnaire. The treatment efficacy of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). Both groups showed improved symptom scores after the treatment, while improvement in the observation group was more obvious (P<0.05). The observation showed significantly lower TNF-α level than the control group (P<0.05). One, four and eight weeks after treatment, the levels of PDGF and HA were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). Both groups exhibited significantly improved olfactory function scores after treatment, and improvement in the observation group was more than that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, decreased scores of SNOT-20 in the observation group was more significant (P<0.05). Compared with traditional surgery, endoscopic surgery resulted in lighter postoperative inflammatory responses, better nasal mucosa repair, and more improved postoperative olfactory function.