Short and Long-Term Outcomes After Surgical Procedures Lasting for More Than Six Hours

Latrophilin-2 mediates fluid shear stress mechanotransduction at endothelial junctions

Endothelial cell responses to fluid shear stress from blood flow are crucial for vascular development, function, and disease. A complex of PECAM-1, VE-cadherin, VEGF receptors (VEGFRs), and Plexin D1 located at cell-cell junctions mediates many of these events. However, available evidence suggests that another mechanosensor upstream of PECAM-1 initiates signaling. Hypothesizing that GPCR and Gα proteins may serve this role, we performed siRNA screening of Gα subunits and found that Gαi2 and Gαq/11 are required for activation of the junctional complex. We then developed a new activation assay, which showed that these G proteins are activated by flow. We next mapped the Gα residues required for activation and developed an affinity purification method that used this information to identify latrophilin-2 (Lphn2/ADGRL2) as the upstream GPCR. Latrophilin-2 is required for all PECAM-1 downstream events tested. In both mice and zebrafish, latrophilin-2 is required for flow-dependent angiogenesis and artery remodeling. Furthermore, endothelial-specific knockout demonstrates that latrophilin plays a role in flow-dependent artery remodeling. Human genetic data reveal a correlation between the latrophilin-2-encoding Adgrl2 gene and cardiovascular disease. Together, these results define a pathway that connects latrophilin-dependent G protein activation to subsequent endothelial signaling, vascular physiology, and disease.

Defining the association between the prolonged operative time and 90-day complications in patients undergoing radical cystectomy

Objective

Radical cystectomy is a complex lengthy procedure associated with postoperative morbidity. We aimed to assess the operative time (OT) in patients undergoing radical cystectomy and its impact on 90-day postoperative complications and readmission rates.

Methods

The retrospective cohort study included 296 patients undergoing radical cystectomy and urinary diversion from May 2010 to December 2018 in our institution. The OT of 369 min was set as a cutoff value between short and long OT groups. The primary outcome was 90-day postoperative complication rates. Secondary outcomes were gastrointestinal recovery time, length of hospital stay, and 90-day readmission rates.

Results

The overall incidence of 90-day postoperative complications was 79.7% where 43.2% representing low-grade complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification (Grade 1 and Grade 2), and 36.5% representing high-grade complications (Grade≥3). Gastrointestinal tract and infectious complications are the most common complications in our data set (45.9% and 45.6%, respectively). On multivariable analysis, prolonged OT was significantly associated with odds of high-grade complications (odds ratio 2.340, 95% confidence interval 1.288-4.250, p=0.005). After propensity score-matched analysis, a higher incidence of major complications was identified in the long OT group 55 (51.4%) compared to 35 (32.7%) in the short OT group (p=0.006). A shorter gastrointestinal tract recovery time was noticed in the short OT group (p=0.009). Prolonged OT was associated with a higher 90-day readmission rate on univariate and multivariate analyses (p<0.001, p=0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

Prolonged OT (>369 min) is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications and readmission rates. The perception of potential postoperative complications requires careful monitoring of these patients which could translate into better operative outcomes.

Latrophilin-2 mediates fluid shear stress mechanotransduction at endothelial junctions

Endothelial cell responses to fluid shear stress from blood flow are crucial for vascular development, function and disease. A complex of PECAM-1, VE-cadherin, VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) and PlexinD1 located at cell-cell junctions mediates many of these events. But available evidence suggests that another mechanosensor upstream of PECAM-1 initiates signaling. Hypothesizing that GPCR and Gα proteins may serve this role, we performed siRNA screening of Gα subunits and found that Gαi2 and Gαq/11 are required for activation of the junctional complex. We then developed a new activation assay, which showed that these G proteins are activated by flow. We next mapped the Gα residues required for activation and developed an affinity purification method that used this information to identify latrophilin-2 (Lphn-2/ADGRL2) as the upstream GPCR. Latrophilin-2 is required for all PECAM-1 downstream events tested. In both mice and zebrafish, latrophilin-2 is required for flow-dependent angiogenesis and artery remodeling. Furthermore, endothelial specific knockout demonstrates that latrophilin plays a role in flow-dependent artery remodeling. Human genetic data reveal a correlation between the latrophilin-2-encoding Adgrl2 gene and cardiovascular disease. Together, these results define a pathway that connects latrophilin-dependent G protein activation to subsequent endothelial signaling, vascular physiology and disease.

Video-Assisted vs Robotic-Assisted Lung Lobectomies for Operating Room Resource Utilization and Patient Outcomes

Importance

With increased use of robots, there is an inadequate understanding of minimally invasive modalities' time costs. This study evaluates the operative durations of robotic-assisted vs video-assisted lung lobectomies.

Objective

To compare resource utilization, specifically operative time, between video-assisted and robotic-assisted thoracoscopic lung lobectomies.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients aged 18 to 90 years who underwent minimally invasive (robotic-assisted or video-assisted) lung lobectomy from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022, with 90 days' follow-up after surgery. The study included multicenter electronic health record data from 21 hospitals within an integrated health care system in Northern California. Thoracic surgery was regionalized to 4 centers with 14 board-certified general thoracic surgeons.

Exposures

Robotic-assisted or video-assisted lung lobectomy.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was operative duration (cut to close) in minutes. Secondary outcomes were length of stay, 30-day readmission, and 90-day mortality. Comparisons between video-assisted and robotic-assisted lobectomies were generated using the Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables and the χ2 test for categorical variables. The average treatment effects were estimated with augmented inverse probability treatment weighting (AIPTW). Patient and surgeon covariates were adjusted for and included patient demographics, comorbidities, and case complexity (age, sex, race and ethnicity, neighborhood deprivation index, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, nonelective hospitalizations, emergency department visits, a validated laboratory derangement score, a validated institutional comorbidity score, a surgeon-designated complexity indicator, and a procedural code count), and a primary surgeon-specific indicator.

Results

The study included 1088 patients (median age, 70.1 years [IQR, 63.3-75.8 years]; 704 [64.7%] female), of whom 446 (41.0%) underwent robotic-assisted and 642 (59.0%) underwent video-assisted lobectomy. The median unadjusted operative duration was 172.0 minutes (IQR, 128.0-226.0 minutes). After AIPTW, there was less than a 10% difference in all covariates between groups, and operative duration was a median 20.6 minutes (95% CI, 12.9-28.2 minutes; P < .001) longer for robotic-assisted compared with video-assisted lobectomies. There was no difference in adjusted secondary patient outcomes, specifically for length of stay (0.3 days; 95% CI, -0.3 to 0.8 days; P = .11) or risk of 30-day readmission (adjusted odds ratio, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.84-1.98; P = .13). The unadjusted 90-day mortality rate (1.3% [n = 14]) was too low for the AIPTW modeling process.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, there was no difference in patient outcomes between modalities, but operative duration was longer in robotic-assisted compared with video-assisted lung lobectomy. Given that this elevated operative duration is additive when applied systematically, increased consideration of appropriate patient selection for robotic-assisted lung lobectomy is needed to improve resource utilization.

The impact of minimally-invasive esophagectomy operative duration on post-operative outcomes

Background

Esophagectomy, an esophageal cancer treatment mainstay, is a highly morbid procedure. Prolonged operative time, only partially predetermined by case complexity, may be uniquely harmful to minimally-invasive esophagectomy (MIE) patients for numerous reasons, including anastomotic leak, tenuous conduit perfusion and protracted single-lung ventilation, but the impact is unknown. This multi-center retrospective cohort study sought to characterize the relationship between MIE operative time and post-operative outcomes.

Methods

We abstracted multi-center data on esophageal cancer patients who underwent MIE from 2010 to 2021. Predictor variables included age, sex, comorbidities, body mass index, prior cardiothoracic surgery, stage, and neoadjuvant therapy. Outcomes included complications, readmissions, and mortality. Association analysis evaluated the relationship between predictor variables and operative time. Multivariate logistic regression characterized the influence of potential predictor variables and operative time on post-operative outcomes. Subgroup analysis evaluated the association between MIE >4 h vs. ≤4 h and complications, readmissions and survival.

Results

For the 297 esophageal cancer patients who underwent MIE between 2010 and 2021, the median operative duration was 4.8 h [IQR: 3.7-6.3]. For patients with anastomotic leak (5.1%) and 1-year mortality, operative duration was elevated above the median at 6.3 h [IQR: 4.8-8.6], p = 0.008) and 5.3 h [IQR: 4.4-6.8], p = 0.04), respectively. In multivariate logistic regression, each additional hour of operative time increased the odds of anastomotic leak and 1-year mortality by 39% and 19%, respectively.

Conclusions

Esophageal cancer is a poor prognosis disease, even with optimal treatment. Operative efficiency, a modifiable surgical variable, may be an important target to improve MIE patient outcomes.

A systematic review meta-analysis and meta-regression on the implications of an aberrant right hepatic artery in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for the treatment of malignant disease

We investigated the outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy in the presence of an aberrant right hepatic artery (aRHA). We systematically reviewed Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science until April 2023 for studies comparing pancreaticoduodenectomy outcomes with and without aRHA. Endpoints included postoperative mortality, R0 resection margins, pancreatic fistulae, hemorrhage, biliary leak/fistulae, delayed gastric emptying, operative duration, and blood loss. Eight retrospective studies involving 1514 patients were included. The risk ratio (RR) for postoperative mortality and odds ratio (OR) for R0 resection between the aRHA and normal anatomy groups were 1.37 (95%CI:0.74-256) (I2=0%, P=0.99) and 1.03 (95%CI:0.67-1.59) (I2=10%, P=0.35). Besides a longer operative duration in the aRHA group, mean difference (MD) 54.64 (95% CI: 8.51-100.77) (I2=94%, P<0.01), there were no significant differences in secondary endpoints. Meta-regression revealed a significant association between aRHA reconstruction and postoperative mortality (β=0.0179, P<0.01). This review displayed non-statistically significant differences in terms of surgical and oncological outcomes between patients with aRHA and patients with normal hepatic artery anatomy undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. However, the observed trend of increased postoperative mortality in patients with aRHA, combined with extended surgical duration and the link between aRHA reconstruction and postoperative mortality, prevents drawing definitive conclusions. Further research through high-quality studies is warranted.

Understanding Outcomes After Major Surgery

The global volume of surgery is increasing. Adverse outcomes after surgery have resource implications and long-term impact on quality of life and consequently represent a significant and underappreciated public health issue. Standardization of outcome reporting is essential for evidence synthesis, risk stratification, perioperative care planning, and to inform shared decision-making. The association between short- and long-term outcomes, which persists when corrected for base-line risk, has significant implications for patients and providers and warrants further investigation. Candidate mechanisms include sustained inflammation and reduced physician activity, which may, in the future, be mitigated by targeted interventions.

The effect of preoperative steroids for at least 10 days on complications following craniotomy for tumor resection: A database, retrospective cohort study

Introduction

The effect of chronic steroid therapy on postoperative outcomes after craniotomy for tumor resection remains understudied.

Research question

This study aimed to fill this gap and to identify risk factors of postoperative morbidity and mortality among patients on chronic steroid use undergoing craniotomy for tumor resection.

Materials and methods

Data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program were used. Patients who underwent craniotomy for tumor resection between 2011 and 2019 were included. Perioperative characteristics and complications were compared among patients with and without chronic steroid therapy, defined as steroid use for at least 10 days. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to assess the impact of steroid therapy on postoperative outcomes. Subgroup analyses involving patients on steroid therapy were conducted to explore risk factors of postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Results

Of 27,037 patients, 16.2% were on steroid therapy. On regression analyses, steroid use was significantly associated with any postoperative complication, infectious complication, urinary tract infection, septic shock, wound dehiscence, pneumonia, non-infectious, pulmonary, and thromboembolic complications, cardiac arrest, blood transfusion, unplanned reoperation, readmission, and mortality. On subgroup analysis, risk factors for postoperative morbidity and mortality among patients on steroid therapy included older age, higher American Society of Anesthesiology physical status, functional dependence, pulmonary and cardiovascular comorbidities, anemia, dirty/infected wounds, prolonged operative time, disseminated cancer, and a diagnosis of meningioma.

Discussion and conclusion

Preoperative brain tumor patients on steroids for 10 or more days are at a relatively high risk of postoperative complications. We recommend a judicious use of steroids in brain tumor patients, both in terms of dosage and duration of treatment.

Open versus laparoscopic Hartmann's procedure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Hartmann's procedure is traditionally performed in emergency situations where single-step procedures with immediate anastomosis may be unsafe. However, it can be associated with significant morbidity and low colostomy reversal rate. Whilst randomised controlled trials and a Cochrane review have reported strong evidence of laparoscopic over open colectomies, no such reviews have been performed for Hartmann's procedure. Hence, this paper aims to summarise the existing evidence to determine the efficacy of laparoscopic Hartmann's procedure over its open counterpart.

METHODS

Embase, Medline and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to 15 November 2020 for keywords relating to 'laparoscopy' and 'Hartmann' using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Odds ratio was estimated for dichotomous outcomes and weighted mean difference was estimated for continuous outcomes.

RESULTS

From the 836 articles yielded from the search strategy, 12 articles were selected for meta-analysis. Pooled analysis revealed that laparoscopic Hartmann's procedure (LHP) allows for a shorter length of stay, and a lower risk of overall surgical site infections and superficial surgical site infections. There was no significant difference in other outcomes. Single-arm analysis of LHP also showed an unprecedented high colostomy reversal rate of over 80%.

CONCLUSION

In clinically suitable patients, laparoscopic Hartmann's procedure has benefits over open Hartmann's procedure. Despite the selection bias of single-arm studies, LHP has reported a high stoma reversal rate of over 80%. Future well-controlled studies should be done to affirm the findings.

Textbook outcome among voluntary donors undergoing major living donor hepatectomy

Purpose

Textbook outcome (TO) is a composite measure of outcome and provides superior assessment of quality of care after surgery. TO after major living donor hepatectomy (MLDH) has not been assessed. The objective of this study was to determine the rate of TO and its associated factors, after MLDH.

Methods

This was a single center retrospective review of living liver donors who underwent MLDH between 2012 and 2021 (n = 1022). The rate of TO and its associated factors was determined.

Results

Among 1022 living donors (of whom 693 [67.8%] were males, median age 26 [range, 18–54] years), TO was achieved in 714 (69.9%) with no donor mortality. Majority of donors met the cutoffs for individual outcome measures: 908 (88.8%) for no major complications, 904 (88.5%) for ICU stay ≤ 2 days, 900 (88.1%) for hospital stay ≤ 10 days, 990 (96.9%) for no perioperative blood transfusion, 1004 (98.2%) for no 30-day re-admission, and 1014 (99.2%) for no post-hepatectomy liver failure. Early donation era (before streamlining of donor operative pathways) was associated with failure to achieve TO [OR 1.4, CI 1.1–1.9, P = 0.006]. TO was achieved in 506/755 (67%) donors in the early donation era versus 208/267 (77.9%) in the later period (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Despite zero mortality and low complication rate, TO was achieved in approximately 70% donors. TO was modifiable and improved with changes in donor operative pathway.

Comparison of long-term results of obliterative colpocleisis and reconstructive vaginal surgery including sacrospinous ligament fixation in patients with total genital prolapse

Background

Treatment of total genital prolapse in elderly patients is still controversial in terms of postoperative objective and subjective results.

Aim

The present study aimed to compare the long-term objective and subjective cure rates of sacrospinous ligament fixation and Le Fort operation for treatment of total genital prolapse.

Patients and Methods

Patients over the age of 60 with stage 3 or 4 pelvic organ prolapse that presented to the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine of *** University. The study sample consisted of 17 patients that underwent Le Fort operation and 29 patients that underwent sacrospinous ligament fixation. Data on duration of operation, intraoperative complications, duration of hospital stay, and differences between preoperative and postoperative estimated blood loss, postoperative complications, and relapse in the long term were obtained. Questionnaires exploring quality of life, incontinence, and pelvic floor disorders were applied to the patients.

Results

As subjective cure rates, postoperative patient satisfaction (P = 0.001), regret rate (P = 0.038) and recommendation rate (P = 0.044), as well as postoperative questionnaire results, Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire and SF36 were found to be significantly better in the Le Fort group (respectively P = 0.039 and 0.042). As objective cure rates, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of postoperative cystocele, rectocele, and cystorectocele (P = 0.955) and postoperative recurrence of prolapse beyond the hymen (P: 0.893). Duration of operation and duration of hospital stay were found to be significantly shorter in the Le Fort group (respectively P = 0.032 and 0.012).

Conclusion

Le Fort operation could be the intervention of choice in sexually inactive elderly patients with stage 3 or 4 pelvic organ prolapse.

Risk of Dementia According to Surgery Type: A Nationwide Cohort Study

The relationship between dementia and surgery remains unclear. Research to elucidate the relationship between them is scarce, and conducting epidemiological research is complicated. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and risk of dementia according to the surgery type. We performed a retrospective propensity score-matched cohort study using nationwide representative cohort sample data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service in South Korea between 2003 and 2004. Incidence rates for dementia were obtained by dividing the number of patients with dementia by person-years at risk. To identify the risk of dementia according to the type of surgery, we investigated the hazard ratio by each surgery type. The incidence rates of dementia in control, musculoskeletal, and two or more surgeries groups were 9.66, 13.47, and 13.36 cases per 1000 person-years, respectively. The risk of dementia in the musculoskeletal and two or more surgeries groups was 1.44-fold higher (95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.22–1.70) and 1.42-fold higher (95% CI, 1.17–1.72) than that in the control group, respectively. Patients who underwent musculoskeletal surgery and two or more surgeries had a higher risk of dementia; however, there was no association with the type of anesthesia administered.

Use of energy device in general surgical operations: impact on peri-operative outcomes

BACKGROUND

The introduction of energy devices has significantly expanded the scope of surgical expedition. The LigaSure™ vessel sealing system is a bipolar electrosurgical device, recently introduced to our practice. Its impact on peri-operative outcomes in a variety of major operations was evaluated in this study.

METHODS

A retrospective review of operations performed following the adoption of the LigaSure™ vessel sealing device was carried out. Five categories of operations were evaluated (Thyroidectomies, Gastrectomies, Colectomies, Pancreaticoduodenectomies, and Anterior/Abdomino-perineal resection [A/APR of the rectum). Peri-operative outcomes (duration of operation, intra-operative blood loss, blood transfusion rates) were compared with a cohort of similar operations performed using conventional techniques. Data analysis and comparisons were done on a subgroup basis.

RESULTS

A total of 117 operations were performed using the LigaSure™ device with thyroidectomies being the most common (66/117-56.4%). Compared to cases done using conventional techniques of suture and knot with electrocautery (120 cases), the use of LigaSure™ was associated with a significant reduction in operation time in all categories of operations. Intraoperative blood loss was also lower in all categories of cases, but this was only statistically significant following A/APR and Thyroidectomies. Generally, there was a trend towards a reduction in blood transfusion rates.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of energy devices for surgical operations is feasible in a resource-limited setting. It has the potential of improving outcomes.

Olfactory Dysfunction Predicts Frailty and Poor Postoperative Outcome in Older Patients Scheduled for Elective Non-Cardiac Surgery

OBJECTIVES

Frailty has been suggested to take part in the recently demonstrated link between olfactory dysfunction and overall mortality risk. Preoperative assessment of frailty is essential to detect the most vulnerable patients scheduled for surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether olfactory dysfunction is a reliable predictor of preoperative frailty and postoperative outcome.

DESIGN

This was a single-center prospective observational study conducted between July and October 2020 in Brussels, Belgium.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

155 preoperative patients aged from 65 years old and scheduled for elective non-cardiac surgery.

MEASUREMENTS

Olfactory function was examined using the Sniffin' Sticks 12-item identification test. Frailty was assessed using the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) and handgrip strength. The clock drawing test (CDT) from the EFS was also analyzed separately to evaluate cognitive function. Patients were followed for postoperative complications and mortality over one year.

RESULTS

Olfactory dysfunction was significantly associated with the EFS score, anosmic patients having a higher median EFS score than normosmic patients (6[4-7] vs 4[2-5], p = .025). Anosmic patients had an increased odds of being frail after adjusting for possible confounding factors (OR: 6.19, 95% CI: 1.65-23.20, p = .007) and were more at risk of poor postoperative outcome (including complications and death) (OR: 4.33, 95% CI: 1.28-14.67, p = .018).

CONCLUSIONS

Olfactory dysfunction is associated with preoperative frailty determined by the EFS and with poor post-surgical outcome at one-year.

Risk of Dementia in Patients Who Underwent Surgery under Neuraxial Anesthesia: A Nationwide Cohort Study

The incidence of dementia in patients with surgery under neuraxial anesthesia and the possibility of surgery under neuraxial anesthesia as a risk factor for dementia were investigated. We performed a retrospective matched cohort study with nationwide, representative cohort sample data of the Korean National Health Insurance Service in South Korea between 1 January 2003, and 31 December 2004. The participants were divided into control (n = 4488) and neuraxial groups (n = 1122) using propensity score matching. After 9 years of follow-up, the corresponding incidences of dementia were 11.5 and 14.8 cases per 1000 person-years. The risk of dementia in the surgery under neuraxial group was 1.44-fold higher (95% confidence interval [95%CI], 1.17-1.76) than that in the control group. In the subgroup analysis of dementia, the risk of Alzheimer's disease in those who underwent surgery under neuraxial anesthesia was 1.48-fold higher (95%CI, 1.17-1.87) than that in those who did not undergo surgery under anesthesia. Our findings suggest that patients who underwent surgery under neuraxial anesthesia had a higher risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease than those who did not undergo surgery under neuraxial anesthesia.

Prehabilitation before surgery: Is it for all patients?

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of prehabilitation interventions in adult patients before elective major surgery.

RECENT FINDINGS

Exercise training before elective adult major surgery is feasible and safe. Efficacy has been determined but the clinical effectiveness remains uncertain. Early data suggest a reduction in morbidity, length of stay, and an improvement in the quality of life. Nutritional and psychological interventions are less well evaluated, and when they are, it is often in combination with exercise interventions as part of multimodal prehabilitation.

SUMMARY

Studies evaluating multimodal prehabilitation interventions before elective major surgery in adults are producing encouraging early results, but definitive clinical effectiveness is currently very limited. Future research should focus on refining interventions, exploring mechanisms, establishing minimum dosage, interrogating interactions between therapies, and urgent implementation of large-scale clinical effectiveness studies.

Three-dimensional virtual planning for nodule resection in solid organs: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review the effects of 3D-imaging virtual planning for nodule resection in the following solid organs: lung, liver, and kidney.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched through September 31, 2020 to include randomized and non-randomized controlled studies that compared outcomes of surgical resection of lung, liver, or kidney nodule resection with and without 3D virtual planning with computed tomography. From each article, the mean operation time (OT), mean estimated blood loss (EBL), mean postoperative hospital stay (POHS), and the number of postoperative events (POE) were extracted. The effect size (ES) of 3D virtual planning vs. non-3D planning was extracted from each study to calculate the pooled measurements for continuous variables (OT, EBL, POHS). Data were pooled using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

The literature search yielded 2397 studies and 10 met the inclusion criteria with a total of 897 patients. There was a significant difference in OT between groups with a moderate ES favoring the 3D group (ES,-0.56; 95%CI: 0.91,-0.29; I² = 83.1%; p < .001). Regarding EBL, there was a significant difference between 3D and non-3D with a small ES favoring IGS (ES,-0.18; 95%CI: 0.33,-0.02; I² = 22.5%; p = .0236). There was no difference between the 3D and non-3D groups for both POHS (POHS ES,-0.15; 95%CI: 0.39,0.10; I² = 37.0%; p = .174) and POE (POE odds ratio (OR),0.80; 95%CI:0.54,1.19; I² = 0.0%; p = .0.973).

CONCLUSIONS

3D-imaging planning for surgical resection of lung, kidney, and liver nodules could reduce OT and EBL with no effects on immediate POHS and POE. Improvements in these perioperative variables could improve medium and long-term postoperative clinical outcomes.

Patent foramen ovale and long-term risk of ischaemic stroke after surgery

AIMS

Pre-operatively diagnosed patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with an increased risk of ischaemic stroke within 30 days after surgery. This study aimed to assess the PFO-attributable ischaemic stroke risk beyond the perioperative period.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This observational study of adult patients without history of stroke undergoing non-cardiac surgery with general anaesthesia examined the association of PFO with ischaemic stroke 1 and 2 years after surgery using multivariable logistic regression. Of the 144 563 patients included, a total of 1642 (1.1%) and 2376 (1.6%) ischaemic strokes occurred within 1 and 2 years after surgery, 54 (4.7%) and 76 (6.6%) among patients with PFO, and 1588 (1.1%) and 2300 (1.6%) among patients without PFO, respectively. The odds of ischaemic stroke within 1 and 2 years after surgery were increased in patients with PFO: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51-2.69; P < 0.001 and aOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.64-2.68; P < 0.001, respectively. Among patients who underwent contrast transoesophageal echocardiography, the frequency of PFO was 27%, and the increased stroke risk in patients with PFO was robust (aOR 3.80, 95% CI 1.76-8.23; P = 0.001 for year 1). The PFO-attributable risk was mitigated by post-operative prescription of combination antithrombotic therapy (odds ratio 0.41, 95% CI 0.22-0.75; P for interaction = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Patients with PFO are vulnerable to ischaemic stroke for an extended period of time after surgery. Physicians should consider implementing PFO screening protocols in patients scheduled for major non-cardiac surgery.

Influence of Operative Time in the Results of Infrainguinal Bypass for Chronic Limb Threatening Ischemia

BACKGROUND

An increased operative time (OT) has been associated with a higher rate of adverse outcomes after several surgical procedures although scarce evidence exists for infrainguinal bypass surgery (IBS) and its impact beyond the postoperative period. The aim of this study was to define surgical characteristics related to a prolonged OT in IBS for chronic limb threatening ischemia and its influence on postoperative and 1-year outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of 249 consecutive patients (mean age 72.4 years, 73.1% male) undergoing IBS for CLI between 2008 and 2018. The characteristics related to the duration of surgery and its impact on outcome were assessed with a multiple linear regression and a multivariate logistic regression, respectively.

RESULTS

Interventions associated with a prolonged OT included the bypass to a below-the-knee artery (additional 36 min, p = 0.002), the need for an alternative vein or a hybrid PTFE-vein graft (additional 37 min, p = 0.02) and inflow associated procedures (additional 47 min, p < 0.001). OT was associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications (OR for each additional 30 min 1.123, 95% CI 1.021-1.234) and need for a sociosanitary facility at discharge (OR 1.143, 95% CI 1.033-1.265). At 1-year of follow-up, OT was related to a higher major amputation rate (OR 1.201, 95% CI 1.036-1.393) and non-significantly to mortality (OR 1.125, 95% CI 0.999-1.268).

CONCLUSIONS

A prolonged OT is a risk factor for adverse outcomes after IBS that extends beyond the immediate postoperative period. Further research is needed to evaluate how an expected high OT might influence decision-making.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Preoperative Vedolizumab Treatment and Postoperative Complications in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The impact of vedolizumab, a gut-selective monoclonal antibody, on postoperative outcomes is unclear. This study aimed to assess the impact of preoperative vedolizumab treatment on the rate of postoperative complications in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] undergoing abdominal surgery.

METHODS

A systematic search of multiple electronic databases from inception until May 2017 identified studies reporting rates of postoperative complications in vedolizumab-treated IBD patients compared to no biologic exposure or anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treated IBD patients. Outcomes of interest included postoperative infectious complications and overall postoperative complications. Pooled risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using the random-effects model.

RESULTS

Five studies comprising 307 vedolizumab-treated IBD patients, 490 anti-TNF-treated IBD patients and 535 IBD patients not exposed to preoperative biologic therapy were included. The risk of postoperative infectious complications (risk ratio [RR] 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37-2.65) and overall postoperative complications [RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.46-2.15] were not significantly different between vedolizumab-treated patients and those who received no preoperative biologic therapy. In addition, the risk of postoperative infectious complications [RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.34-2.90] and overall postoperative complications [RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.44-1.92] were not significantly different between vedolizumab-treated vs anti-TNF-treated patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative vedolizumab treatment in IBD patients does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of postoperative infectious or overall postoperative complications compared to either preoperative anti-TNF therapy or no biologic therapy. Future prospective studies which include perioperative drug level monitoring are needed to confirm these findings.

Prehabilitation and Nutritional Support to Improve Perioperative Outcomes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of physical exercise and nutrition interventions in adult patients before elective major surgery.

RECENT FINDINGS

Exercise training before elective adult major surgery is feasible, safe, and efficacious, but the clinical effectiveness remains uncertain. Early data suggests a reduction in morbidity, length of stay, and quality of life, but the results of larger definitive studies are awaited. Nutritional interventions are less well evaluated and when they are, it is often in combination with exercise interventions as part of a prehabilitation package.

SUMMARY

Studies evaluating exercise and nutrition interventions before elective major surgery in adults are producing encouraging early results, but definitive clinical evidence is currently very limited. Future research should focus on refining interventions, exploring mechanism, and evaluating the interactions between therapies and large-scale clinical effectiveness studies.