Postoperative pulmonary complications following major elective abdominal surgery: a cohort study

Multimodal prehabilitation and postoperative outcomes in upper abdominal surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis

The impact of multimodal prehabilitation on postoperative complications in upper abdominal surgeries is understudied. This review analyzes randomized trials on multimodal prehabilitation with patient and hospital outcomes. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched for trials on prehabilitation before elective (non-emergency) abdominal surgery. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed study quality. Primary outcomes of interest were postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) and all-cause complications; secondary outcomes included hospital and intensive care length of stay. A meta-analysis with random-effect models was performed, and heterogeneity was evaluated with I-square and Cochran's Q test. Dichotomous variables were reported in log-odds ratio and continuous variables were presented as mean difference. Ten studies (total 1503 patients) were included. Odds of developing complications after prehabilitation were significantly lower compared to various control groups (- 0.38 [- 0.75- - 0.004], P = 0.048). Five studies described PPCs, and participants with prehabilitation had decreased odds of PPC (- 0.96 [- 1.38- - 0.54], P < 0.001). Prehabilitation did not significantly reduce length of stay, unless exercise was implemented; with exercise, hospital stay decreased significantly (- 0.91 [- 1.67- - 0.14], P = 0.02). Multimodal prehabilitation may decrease complications in upper abdominal surgery, but not necessarily length of stay; research should address heterogeneity in the literature.

Fluid therapy and pulmonary complications in abdominal surgeries: randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

There is no consensus on the most effective strategy for Postoperative Pulmonary Complication (PPC) reduction. This study hypothesized that a Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy (GDFT) protocol of infusion of predetermined boluses reduces the occurrence of PPC in patients undergoing elective open abdominal surgeries when compared with Standard of Care (SOC) strategy.

METHODS

Randomized, prospective, controlled study, conducted from May 2012 to December 2014, with ASA I, II or III patients undergoing open abdominal surgeries, lasting at least 120 min, under general anesthesia, randomized into the SOC and the GDFT group. In the SOC, fluid administration was according to the anesthesiologist's discretion. In the GDFT, the intervention protocol, based on bolus infusion according to blood pressure and delta pulse pressure, was applied. Patients were postoperatively evaluated by an anesthesiologist blinded to the group allocation regarding PPC incidence, mortality, and Length of Hospital Stay (LOHS).

RESULTS

Forty-two patients in the SOC group and 43 in the GDFT group. Nineteen patients (45%) in the SOC and 6 in the GDFT (14%) had at least one PPC (p = 0.003). There was no difference in mortality or LOHS between the groups. Among the patients with PPC, four died (25%), compared to two deaths in patients without PPC (3%) (p = 0.001). The LOHS had a median of 14.5 days in the group with PPC and 9 days in the group without PPC (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The GDFT protocol resulted in a lower rate of PPC; however, the LOHS and mortality did not reduce.

Use of thoracic fluid content for prediction of fluid balance and postoperative pulmonary complications after major abdominal surgery: an observational study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The harmful effects of excess fluids frequently manifest in the lungs. Thoracic fluid content (TFC) is a variable provided by the STARLINGTM bioreactance monitor, which represents the total volume of fluid in the chest. The objective is to analyse the association between the variation in TFC values (TFCd0%) at 24 h postoperatively, postoperative fluid balance, and postoperative pulmonary complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Prospective and analytical observational study. Patients scheduled for major abdominal surgery at a tertiary teaching hospital were included. They were monitored during the intervention and the first 24 postoperative hours with the monitor. STARLINGTM, measuring TFC and its variation in different stages of the perioperative period. Serial lung ultrasounds were performed and postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded. Logistic regression was performed to predict the occurrence of atelectasis and pulmonary congestion. The Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to verify the association between TFC and fluid balance.

RESULTS

50 patients were analyzed. TFCd0% measured on the morning of the first postoperative day increased by a median of 27.1% [IQR: 20.3-37.5] and was correlated at r = 0.44 with the postoperative balance of 677 ml [IQR: 125.5-1,412]. Increased TFC was related to a higher risk of atelectasis (OR = 1.24) and pulmonary congestion (OR = 1.3).

CONCLUSIONS

TFCd0% measured 24 h after surgery presents a moderate correlation with postoperative fluid balance. Its increase is a risk factor for the appearance of postoperative pulmonary complications.

An assessment of burden of hospital-acquired pneumonia among abdominal surgical patients in tertiary university hospital in Serbia: A matched nested case-control study

Background

In the population of abdominal surgical patients hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) significantly increases morbidity and mortality.

Patients and methods

Through regular hospital surveillance of patients who received abdominal operations, we identified postoperative HAP from 2007 to 2019. In an initial nested case-control study, every surgical patient with HAP was compared with three control patients without HAP. Control patients were matched to the cases by age, gender, the American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and type of surgical operation. Also, the patients with HAP, who died were compared with those who survived.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression analysis (MLRA) revealed that other postoperative infections, length of intensive care unit stay, use of H2RA, use of PPI/ H2RA, multiple transfusion, and use of vancomycin in surgical prophylaxis were independent RFs for occurrence of HAP. Also, MLRA identified that age, lenght of hospital stay, use of mechanical ventilation and ceftriaxone in HAP therapy were indepedenttly associated with poor outcome of HAP. All Acinetobacter baumannii isolates were resistant to aminoglycoside antimicrobial agents and showed carbapenem resistance. The most frequently used antibiotics in patients with HAP and without HAP were vancomycin and metronidazole, respectively.

Conclusion

Our study provided an insight into the burden of HAP in abdominal surgical patients, and highlighted several priority areas and targets for quality improvement.

Comparison of Postoperative Analgesic Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Bilateral Rectus Sheath Block With That of Local Anaesthetic Infiltration in Patients Undergoing Emergency Midline Laparotomy Surgeries: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Purpose Rectus sheath block (RSB) is increasingly utilised as a part of multimodal analgesia in laparotomy surgeries. We proposed this study to compare the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided bilateral RSB with local anaesthetic (LA) infiltration. The primary outcome was the visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest and cough. The secondary outcomes were the postoperative morphine consumption, time to first rescue analgesia, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and patient satisfaction score. Methods In our prospective, single-centre, randomised clinical trial, we enrolled a total of 100 patients undergoing emergency midline laparotomy surgeries. They were randomly allocated into two groups and were administered either LA infiltration (group L, n=50) or ultrasound-guided bilateral RSB (group R, n=50) with 15-20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine end operatively. The categorical and ordinal variables were analysed using Chi-square/ Fisher's exact test. The continuous and discrete variables were analysed using Mann-Whitney/independent Student t-test. Results The median VAS scores in the postoperative period were significantly lower with RSB when compared with LA. Statistically significant differences in median VAS scores were noticed at one hour (P<0.001), four hours (P=0.001), eight hours (P<0.001), and 12 hours (P=0.014) at rest, and at one hour (P<0.001), four hours (P<0.001) and eight hours (P<0.001) during cough. The median morphine consumption was less with RSB (P<0.001). The time to first rescue analgesia was prolonged with RSB (P<0.001). The incidence of PONV was significantly lower with RSB (P=0.027). Conclusion Bilateral ultrasound-guided RSB provides extended postoperative analgesia at rest and cough for patients undergoing emergency laparotomy surgeries when compared with LA infiltration. There was a significant reduction in morphine consumption, incidence of PONV, and prolonged time to first rescue analgesia with RSB.

Incidence and Associated Factors of Postoperative Pulmonary Complications after Abdominal Surgery in the Public Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background

Postoperative pulmonary complications are a wide variety of disorders that affect normal respiratory functions, which in turn lead to morbidity and mortality. The extent to which it occurs is not yet studied in most clinical settings. This study assessed the incidence and risk factors of postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing abdominal surgery under general anesthesia.

Methods

A multicenter, prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Menelik II, Tikur Anbessa Specialized, Zewditu Memorial, and Yekatit 12 Memorial hospitals after obtaining ethical clearance from each hospital. The study recruited a total of 287 participants using systematic random sampling. The data collection tool included sociodemographic, surgical, and anesthetic factors. Participants were followed for 7 days postoperatively, and any respiratory problems were recorded once identified. The collected data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used for analysis. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

About 33% of the participants that underwent abdominal surgery developed postoperative pulmonary complications. Age > 65 years (AOR = 12.091, 95% CI = 3.310–44.169), duration of surgery >3 hours (AOR = 11.737, 95% CI = 3.621–38.039), preoperative oxygen saturation <94% (AOR = 10.671, 95% CI = 3.794–30.016), and postoperative serum albumin level <3.5 g/dl (p value <0.001) were associated with postoperative pulmonary complications significantly. Conclusion and Recommendations. The incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications after abdominal surgeries was high. Age >65years, duration of surgery >3 hours, preoperative SpO2% <94%, cigarette smoking, and postoperative serum albumin level <3.5 g/dl were factors strongly associated with postoperative pulmonary complications. We recommend special care for elderly patients, limit the surgical duration to less than 3 hours, treat the underlying cause of desaturation, and correct postoperative serum albumin to prevent the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications.

Evaluation of prognostic risk models for postoperative pulmonary complications in adult patients undergoing major abdominal surgery: a systematic review and international external validation cohort study

BACKGROUND

Stratifying risk of postoperative pulmonary complications after major abdominal surgery allows clinicians to modify risk through targeted interventions and enhanced monitoring. In this study, we aimed to identify and validate prognostic models against a new consensus definition of postoperative pulmonary complications.

METHODS

We did a systematic review and international external validation cohort study. The systematic review was done in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched MEDLINE and Embase on March 1, 2020, for articles published in English that reported on risk prediction models for postoperative pulmonary complications following abdominal surgery. External validation of existing models was done within a prospective international cohort study of adult patients (≥18 years) undergoing major abdominal surgery. Data were collected between Jan 1, 2019, and April 30, 2019, in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. Discriminative ability and prognostic accuracy summary statistics were compared between models for the 30-day postoperative pulmonary complication rate as defined by the Standardised Endpoints in Perioperative Medicine Core Outcome Measures in Perioperative and Anaesthetic Care (StEP-COMPAC). Model performance was compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC).

FINDINGS

In total, we identified 2903 records from our literature search; of which, 2514 (86·6%) unique records were screened, 121 (4·8%) of 2514 full texts were assessed for eligibility, and 29 unique prognostic models were identified. Nine (31·0%) of 29 models had score development reported only, 19 (65·5%) had undergone internal validation, and only four (13·8%) had been externally validated. Data to validate six eligible models were collected in the international external validation cohort study. Data from 11 591 patients were available, with an overall postoperative pulmonary complication rate of 7·8% (n=903). None of the six models showed good discrimination (defined as AUROCC ≥0·70) for identifying postoperative pulmonary complications, with the Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia score showing the best discrimination (AUROCC 0·700 [95% CI 0·683-0·717]).

INTERPRETATION

In the pre-COVID-19 pandemic data, variability in the risk of pulmonary complications (StEP-COMPAC definition) following major abdominal surgery was poorly described by existing prognostication tools. To improve surgical safety during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery and beyond, novel risk stratification tools are required.

FUNDING

British Journal of Surgery Society.

Choice of neuromuscular block reversal agent to reduce postoperative pulmonary complications

The definition of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) is inconsistent in literature; however, PPCs include pulmonary abnormalities that adversely affect patient outcomes, such as respiratory failure, atelectasis, pneumonia, pleural effusion, and exacerbation of underlying lung conditions. Furthermore, although the incidence of PPCs varies according to its definition, surgery type, and patient population, they can lead to increased morbidity, mortality, duration of hospitalization, and medical costs; thus, efforts to identify and reduce the risk factors are important to improve patient outcomes. Among the risk factors for PPCs, residual neuromuscular block is a representative and preventable anesthesia-related risk factor that is affected by the choice of the reversal agent. However, it is not clear whether the chosen reversal agent, i.e., sugammadex, reduces PPCs better when compared to anticholinesterases. Additionally, the effects of the reversal agents on PPCs in high-risk patients, such as elderly patients, pediatric patients, those with end-stage renal disease, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, or those undergoing specific surgeries, are diverse. To reduce the PPCs associated with the use of neuromuscular blocking agents, it is important to confirm complete reversal of the neuromuscular block under neuromuscular monitoring. Additionally, efforts to reduce the incidence of PPCs through interdisciplinary communication are required.

Impact of enhanced recovery pathway in 408 gallbladder cancer resections

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the sixth most common gastrointestinal malignancy with poor prognosis. Enhanced Recovery Pathway (ERP) is associated with improved outcomes following abdominal surgical procedures. Currently, there is no study evaluating ERP in patients undergoing GBC surgery. The objective was to assess compliance with ERP elements and evaluate its impact on postoperative outcomes.

METHODS

Prospective study conducted from February 2014-2019, including elective GBC surgery. Team was educated prior to ERP implementation. Compliance with the protocol, functional gastrointestinal (GI) recovery, mobilisation, and postoperative outcomes were recorded. Impact of degree of compliance (more or less than 80%) with ERP and postoperative outcomes was evaluated.

RESULTS

In 408 patients, compliance with ERP was 84.6% (53.8-100%). Compliance >80% with ERP elements was observed in 245 patients (60%). Patients with >80% compliance had lower rate of minor (18.8% vs. 27%, p = 0.050) and significantly less major (0.8% vs. 6.1%, p = 0.002) and postoperative stay (5.84 ± 4.86 vs. 7.55 ± 6.6 days, p < 0.001) and earlier functional GI recovery. Intraoperative blood loss more than 600 ml, lower compliance (<80%) with ERP and preoperative albumin independently predicted postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates safety and efficacy of enhanced recovery pathway in gallbladder cancer. Higher compliance with the pathway was associated with significantly improved postoperative outcomes following gallbladder cancer surgery.

Impact of a continuous enhanced cardio-respiratory monitoring pathway on cardio-respiratory complications after bariatric surgery: A retrospective cohort study

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of an enhanced monitoring pathway consisting of continuous postoperative cardio-respiratory monitoring on adverse outcomes after bariatric.

DESIGN

Single-center, retrospective cohort study.

PATIENTS

Adult patients who underwent bariatric surgeries between 2009 and 2016.

INTERVENTIONS

We evaluated the use of an enhanced monitoring pathway consisting of a distant, continuous, non-invasive respiratory monitoring system on postoperative cardio-respiratory complications in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Treating physicians had the option to assign patients to enhanced monitoring (intervention group) in the postoperative period for suspected or diagnosed OSA or other clinical concerns. The control group had intermittent vital sign checks as per institutional standards.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary outcome was a composite of cardio-respiratory complications (rapid response team activation, intensive care admission, respiratory complications), major adverse cardiac events, and all-cause mortality. The secondary outcome was length of stay (LOS).

MAIN RESULTS

Of 1450 patients, 752 patients received enhanced monitoring (intervention) and 698 patients received standard monitoring (control). Univariate analysis showed that, compared to control, enhanced monitoring was associated with lower odds of composite cardio-respiratory complications (OR: 0.41, 95%CI: 0.32-0.53, p < 0.001) and lower odds of prolonged LOS > 2 days (OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.28-0.49, p < 0.001. After adjusting for potential confounders, enhanced monitoring remained associated with a reduction in composite cardio-respiratory complications (OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.46-0.88, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that postoperative enhanced monitoring pathway was associated with a lower incidence of cardio-respiratory composite events, compared to a standard of care, in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. As our results show association rather than causation, future prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm the benefit of enhanced monitoring. Findings of our study add to the existing literature involved in clinical management pathways to reduce the incidence of adverse postoperative outcomes in high-risk patients undergoing inpatient surgeries.

Do ARISCAT scores help to predict the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications in elderly patients after upper abdominal surgery? An observational study at a single university hospital

Background

The incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) is increasing in line with the rise in the number of surgical procedures performed on geriatric patients. In this study, we determined the incidence and risk factors of PPCs in elderly Thai patients who underwent upper abdominal procedures, and we investigated whether the Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia (ARISCAT) score helps to predict PPCs in Thais.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on upper abdominal surgical patients aged over 65 years who had been admitted to the surgical ward of Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand, between January 2016 and December 2019. Data were collected on significant PPCs using the European Perioperative Clinical Outcome definitions. To identify risk factors, evaluations were made of the relationships between the PPCs and various preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors, including ARISCAT scores.

Results

In all, 1100 elderly postoperative patients were analyzed. Their mean age was 73.6 years, and 48.5% were male. Nearly half of their operations were laparoscopic cholecystectomies. The incidence of PPCs was 7.7%, with the most common being pleural effusion, atelectasis, and pneumonia. The factors associated with PPCs were preoperative oxygen saturation less than 96% (OR = 2.6, 1.2–5.5), albumin level below 3.5 g/dL (OR = 1.7, 1.0–2.8), duration of surgery exceeding 3 h (OR = 2.0, 1.0–4.2), and emergency surgery (OR = 2.8, 1.4–5.8). There was a relationship between ARISCAT score and PPC incidence, with a correlation coefficient of 0.226 (P < 0.001). The area under the curve was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.665–0.774; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

PPCs are common in elderly patients. They are associated with increased levels of postoperative morbidities and extended ICU and hospital stays. Using the ARISCAT score as an assessment tool facilitates the classification of Thai patients into PPC risk groups. The ARISCAT scoring system might be able to be similarly applied in other Southeast Asian countries.

Death following pulmonary complications of surgery before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the impact of pulmonary complications on death after surgery both before and during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.

METHODS

This was a patient-level, comparative analysis of two, international prospective cohort studies: one before the pandemic (January-October 2019) and the second during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (local emergence of COVID-19 up to 19 April 2020). Both included patients undergoing elective resection of an intra-abdominal cancer with curative intent across five surgical oncology disciplines. Patient selection and rates of 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications were compared. The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative mortality. Mediation analysis using a natural-effects model was used to estimate the proportion of deaths during the pandemic attributable to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

RESULTS

This study included 7402 patients from 50 countries; 3031 (40.9 per cent) underwent surgery before and 4371 (59.1 per cent) during the pandemic. Overall, 4.3 per cent (187 of 4371) developed postoperative SARS-CoV-2 in the pandemic cohort. The pulmonary complication rate was similar (7.1 per cent (216 of 3031) versus 6.3 per cent (274 of 4371); P = 0.158) but the mortality rate was significantly higher (0.7 per cent (20 of 3031) versus 2.0 per cent (87 of 4371); P < 0.001) among patients who had surgery during the pandemic. The adjusted odds of death were higher during than before the pandemic (odds ratio (OR) 2.72, 95 per cent c.i. 1.58 to 4.67; P < 0.001). In mediation analysis, 54.8 per cent of excess postoperative deaths during the pandemic were estimated to be attributable to SARS-CoV-2 (OR 1.73, 1.40 to 2.13; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Although providers may have selected patients with a lower risk profile for surgery during the pandemic, this did not mitigate the likelihood of death through SARS-CoV-2 infection. Care providers must act urgently to protect surgical patients from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Novel application of respiratory muscle index obtained from chest computed tomography to predict postoperative respiratory failure after major non-cardiothoracic surgery

BACKGROUND

Postoperative respiratory failure (PRF) is a serious complication associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We propose a new method to predict PRF by utilizing computed tomography (CT) of the chest to assess degree of respiratory muscle wasting prior to surgery.

METHODS

Patients who received a chest CT and required invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) after major non-cardiothoracic surgery were included. Exclusion criteria included cardiothoracic surgery. Respiratory muscle index (RMI) was calculated at the T6 vertebra measured on Slice-O-Matic® software.

RESULTS

Thirty three patients met inclusion with a mean (±SD) age, BMI, and APACHE II score of 62.2 years (±12.1), 28.1 kg/m² (±7.8), and 14.1 (±4.7). Most patients were female (n = 22 [67%]). Eleven patients (33%) developed PRF with a mean of 6.0 (±10.7) initial ventilation days. There was no difference in baseline demographics between groups. RMI values for the PRF group were significantly lower when compared to the non-PRF group: 22.7 cm²/m² (±5.3) vs. 28.5 cm²/m² (±5.9) (p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

Presence of respiratory muscle wasting prior to surgery was found to be associated with postoperative respiratory failure.

Improving the use of the 'COUGH' bundle in Surgical High Dependency Unit, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee

Developing respiratory complications postoperatively is one of the major determinants of longer hospital stay, morbidity, mortality and increased healthcare costs. The incidence of postoperative respiratory complications varies from 1% to 23%. Given that postoperative respiratory complications are relatively common and costly, there have been various studies which look at ways to reduce the risk of these occurring. One such protocol is the ICOUGH bundle which stands for Incentive spirometry, Coughing and deep breathing, Oral care, patient Understanding, Getting out of bed and Head of bed elevation. This has been adapted locally to the Coughing and deep breathing, Oral care, patient Understanding, Getting out of bed and Head of bed elevation (COUGH) bundle which consists of these components excluding incentive spirometry. Within our surgical high dependency unit (HDU), the COUGH bundle should be implemented in patients who have a moderate or high risk of developing postoperative respiratory complications with an Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia (ARISCAT) score of 26 or above. Studies have shown that the ICOUGH bundle has reduced rates of pneumonia and unplanned intubation in general surgical and vascular patients. Baseline data taken from surgical HDU showed that the COUGH bundle was not well implemented. One out of eight patients who had an ARISCAT score greater than 26 had the COUGH bundle implemented on admission to the unit. Three out of eight patients had the ARISCAT score documented in their admission medical review. One patient who should have received the bundle, but did not, developed a hospital acquired pneumonia postoperatively. To address this issue, we aimed to increase awareness surrounding the COUGH bundle and to increase the number of patients who had the COUGH bundle started on admission. This quality improvement project had four cycles (plan, do, study, act) and after these, 100% of patients who had an ARISCAT score of 26 or more had the COUGH bundle implemented.

Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition Criteria Predict Pulmonary Complications and 90-Day Mortality after Major Abdominal Surgery in Cancer Patients

Although several studies have reported an association between malnutrition and the risk of severe complications after abdominal surgery, there have been no studies evaluating the use of Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria for predicting postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) following major abdominal surgery in cancer patients. This study aimed to investigate the association among the diagnosis of malnutrition by GLIM criteria, PPCs risk and 90-day all-cause mortality rate following major abdominal surgery in cancer patients. We prospectively analyzed 218 patients (45% male, mean age 70.6 ± 11.2 years) with gastrointestinal cancer who underwent major abdominal surgery at our hospital between October 2018 and December 2019. Patients were assessed preoperatively using GLIM criteria of malnutrition, and 90-day all-cause mortality and PPCs were recorded. In total, 70 patients (32.1%) were identified as malnourished according to GLIM criteria, of whom 41.1% fulfilled the criteria for moderate and 12.6% for severe malnutrition. PPCs were detected in 48 of 218 patients (22%) who underwent major abdominal surgery. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the diagnosis of malnutrition was significantly associated with the risk of PPCs. Furthermore, in multivariate model analysis adjusted for other clinical confounding factors, malnutrition remained an independent factor associated with the risk of PPCs (RR = 1.82; CI = 1.21–2.73) and 90-day all-cause mortality (RR = 1.97; CI = 1.28–2.63, for severely malnourished patients). In conclusion, preoperative presence of malnutrition, diagnosed by the use of GLIM criteria, is associated with the risk of PPCs and 90-day mortality rate in cancer patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.

Effects of intraoperative positive end-expiratory pressure optimization on respiratory mechanics and the inflammatory response: a randomized controlled trial

Applying lung protective mechanical ventilation (LPV) during general anaesthesia even in patients with non-injured lungs is recommended. However, the effects of an individual PEEP-optimisation on respiratory mechanics, oxygenation and their potential correlation with the inflammatory response and postoperative complications have not been evaluated have not been compared to standard LPV in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Thirty-nine patients undergoing open radical cystectomy were enrolled in this study. In the study group (SG) optimal PEEP was determined by a decremental titration procedure and defined as the PEEP value resulting the highest static pulmonary compliance. In the control group (CG) PEEP was set to 6 cmH2O. Primary endpoints were intraoperative respiratory mechanics and gas exchange parameters. Secondary outcomes were perioperative procalcitonin kinetics and postoperative pulmonary complications. Optimal PEEP levels (median = 10, range: 8–14 cmH2O), PaO2/FiO2 (451.24 ± 121.78 mmHg vs. 404.15 ± 115.87 mmHg, P = 0.005) and static pulmonary compliance (52.54 ± 13.59 ml cmH2O-1 vs. 45.22 ± 9.13 ml cmH2O-1, P < 0.0001) were significantly higher, while driving pressure (8.26 ± 1.74 cmH2O vs. 9.73 ± 4.02 cmH2O, P < 0.0001) was significantly lower in the SG as compared to the CG. No significant intergroup differences were found in procalcitonin kinetics (P = 0.076). Composite outcome results indicated a non-significant reduction of postoperative complications in the SG. Intraoperative PEEP-optimization resulted in significant improvement in gas exchange and pulmonary mechanics as compared to standard LPV. Whether these have any effect on short and long term outcomes require further investigations. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT02931409.

Perioperative risk factors for pulmonary complications after non-cardiac surgery

Background and Aims:

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) lead to increased morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay, and cost to the patient. This study was conducted to determine the risk factors and assess the incidence of PPC after non-cardiac surgery.

Material and Methods:

This prospective, observational study was conducted on 1,170 patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Details of patient, surgical, and anesthetic factors were collected and patients were followed up for the entire duration of hospital stay for the occurrence of PPC. Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia (ARISCAT) score and the length of hospital stay was noted for all the patients. Regression analysis was used to find the risk factors associated with development of respiratory complications.

Results:

The incidence of PPC was found to be 59 in 1,170 patients (5%) in our hospital. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients with intermediate and high risk ARISCAT scoring had higher odds of developing PPC. Higher age (>50 years), positive cough test, presence of nasogastric tube, and intraoperative pulmonary complications were identified as independent risk factors associated with the occurrence of PPC.

Conclusion:

We found 5% incidence of PPC in our study. Recognition of the delineated risk factors and routine use of ARISCAT score for preoperative assessment may help identify patients at a higher risk of developing postoperative pulmonary complications.

Impact of Postoperative Complication and Completion of Multimodality Therapy on Survival in Patients Undergoing Gastrectomy for Advanced Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

Postoperative complication (POC) adversely impacts long-term survival in patients with gastric cancer, perhaps due in part to lower rates for receipt of multimodality therapy (MMT). We sought to determine the impact of POC on MMT completion rates and overall survival (OS) in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer.

STUDY DESIGN

We analyzed 206 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer undergoing curative-intent resection from 2001 to 2015. POCs were graded using Clavien-Dindo classification and survival outcomes were compared between groups.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty patients underwent operation followed by chemoradiation therapy, 58 received perioperative chemotherapy, and 28 received total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT). Minor (Clavien-Dindo grade I to II) and major (Clavien-Dindo grade III to IV) POC occurred in 72 (35.0%) and 39 (18.9%) patients, respectively. At median follow-up of 37 months, the 3-year OS of patients experiencing a major, minor, or no POC were 33.3%, 56.9%, and 62.1% (p = 0.023), respectively. In contrast, there was no difference in 3-year OS rates in patients experiencing POC if they completed all intended MMT. Non-TNT patients who experienced a major POC were less likely to complete MMT (hazard ratio 0.36, p = 0.017), and a major POC in these patients had a significant impact on OS (hazard ratio 2.76, p = 0.011), and it did not in patients who completed MMT (hazard ratio 1.58, p = 0.336).

CONCLUSIONS

Major POC adversely affects long-term survival after gastrectomy for gastric cancer, at least in part via lower completion rates of MMT. Treatment strategy designed to ensure the completion of MMT, such as TNT, might be preferable, particularly for patients at high risk for POCs.

High-grade complication is associated with poor overall survival after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is increasingly used in peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) management. This modality is criticized for its high morbidity and mortality. We evaluate the morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing this procedure in our institution.

METHODS

A review of our institution's database was performed. All patients who underwent CRS/HIPEC between July 2011 and March 2018 were divided into three groups: no, low-grade, and high-grade complications. Prognostic factors were determined with Cox regression, while morbidity risk factors were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

225 consecutive patients underwent CRS/HIPEC. The most common primary cancer types were colorectal (35.1%), appendiceal (25.8%), and ovarian (22.2%). Median age was 55 years old (range 14-77), and patients were typically female (68.0%). 38.7% developed low-grade complications and 14.7% had high-grade complications. No 30-day mortality was observed. Different tumor origins are associated with significant differences in overall survival (p < 0.001). Patients without complications had significantly better survival than those with high-grade complications (HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.15-0.81, p < 0.001). Males were more likely to develop low-grade complications (OR 3.30, 95% CI 1.31-8.30, p = 0.011). Intra-operative blood loss was associated with greater odds of developing any post-operative complications (OR 1.001, 95% CI 1.0003-1.002, p = 0.007; and OR 1.002, 95% CI 1.001-1.002, p < 0.001, for low and high grade, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Presence of high-grade complication was associated with poorer survival in patients after CRS/HIPEC. Pre-operative careful assessment of patients is pivotal to ensure favorable patient outcome following this complex procedure.

Root causes and outcomes of postoperative pulmonary complications after abdominal surgery: a retrospective observational cohort study

Background

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) contribute significantly to overall postoperative morbidity and mortality. In abdominal surgery, PPCs remain frequent. The study aimed to analyze the profile and outcomes of PPCs in patients submitted to abdominal surgery and admitted in a Portuguese polyvalent intensive care unit.

Methods

From January to December 2017 in the polyvalent intensive care unit of Hospital Garcia de Orta, Almada, Portugal, we conducted a retrospective, observational study of inpatients submitted to urgent or elective abdominal surgery who had severe PPCs. We evaluated the perioperative risk factors and associated mortality. Logistic regression was performed to find which perioperative risk factors were most important in the occurrence of PPCs.

Results

Sixty patients (75% male) with a median age of 64.5 [47-81] years who were submitted to urgent or elective abdominal surgery were included in the analysis. Thirty-six patients (60%) developed PPCs within 48 h and twenty-four developed PPCs after 48 h. Pneumonia was the most frequent PPC in this sample. In this cohort, 48 patients developed acute respiratory failure and needed mechanical ventilation. In the emergency setting, peritonitis had the highest rate of PPCs. Electively operated patients who developed PPCs were mostly carriers of digestive malignancies. Thirty-day mortality was 21.7%. The risk of PPCs development in the first 48 h was related to the need for neuromuscular blocking drugs several times during surgery and preoperative abnormal arterial blood gases. Median abdominal surgical incision, long surgery duration, and high body mass index were associated with PPCs that occurred more than 48 h after surgery. The American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score 4 and COPD/Asthma determined less mechanical ventilation needs since they were preoperatively optimized. Malnutrition (low albumin) before surgery was associated with 30-day mortality.

Conclusion

PPCs after abdominal surgery are still a major problem since they have profound effects on outcomes. Our results suggest that programs before surgery, involve preoperative lifestyle changes, such as nutritional supplementation, exercise, stress reduction, and smoking cessation, were an effective strategy in mitigating postoperative complications by decreasing mortality.

Restrictive Spirometric Pattern and Postoperative Pulmonary Complications Following Non-cardiothoracic Surgery

Despite a substantial population of patients with a restrictive spirometric pattern, few studies have evaluated postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after non-cardiothoracic surgery in these patients. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 681 adults with a normal or restrictive spirometric pattern who were referred for preoperative evaluation of PPC risk before non-cardiothoracic surgery between March 2014 and January 2015. Overall, 8.7% (59/681) of study participants developed a PPC following non-cardiothoracic surgery. The occurrence of PPCs in patients with a restrictive spirometric pattern was higher than that in those with normal spirometry (12.4% [35/282] vs. 6.0% [24/399], P = 0.003). The occurrence of PPCs increased across the categories of restrictive spirometric pattern severity (6.0% with a normal spirometric pattern vs. 6.5% with a mild restrictive spirometric pattern [60 ≤ forced vital capacity (FVC) < 80% predicted] vs. 21.2% with a moderate-to-severe restrictive spirometric pattern [FVC < 60% predicted], P for trend test < 0.001). The length of hospital stay (P for trend = 0.002) was longer, and all-cause mortality at 30 days (P for trend = 0.008) and 90 days (P for trend = 0.001) was higher across the restrictive spirometric pattern severity. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, a moderate-to-severe restrictive spirometric pattern was associated with a higher risk of PPCs compared with a normal spirometric pattern (adjusted odds ratio 2.64, 95% confidence interval 1.22–5.67). The incidence of PPCs in patients with a restrictive spirometric pattern was higher than that in those with a normal spirometric pattern, especially in patients with a moderate-to-severe restrictive spirometric pattern. Patients with a moderate-to-severe restrictive spirometric pattern should be regarded as high risk for developing PPCs following non-cardiothoracic surgery.

Existing Predictive Models for Postoperative Pulmonary Complications Perform Poorly in a Head and Neck Surgery Population

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are common following major surgical procedures. Risk stratification tools have been developed to identify patients at risk for PPCs. While otolaryngology cases were included in the development of common predictive tools, they comprised small percentages in each tool. It is unclear how these tools perform in patients undergoing major head and neck surgery with free flap reconstruction. This retrospective review studied all free flap reconstructions in head and neck surgery over a 12-year period at a single institution in the southeastern US. Baseline demographic and medical information were included for each case. All cases were reviewed for development of major PPCs, including pneumonia and respiratory failure. The cohort underwent risk stratification using the ARISCAT and Gupta pulmonary risk indices. Performance of these predictive models for head and neck surgery was determined through receiver-operator curve comparison. 794 patients were identified with a median age of 62 years (IQR 41-83). Sixty-five percent were male. Forty-three (5.4%) developed pneumonia, 23 patients developed respiratory failure (2.9%), and 38 patients developed both (4.8%), resulting in a total PPC proportion of 13.1% (n = 104). Both ARISCAT and Gupta pulmonary risk indices demonstrated low discrimination to predict PPCs in head and neck free flap reconstruction, with areas under the curve of 0.60 and 0.65, respectively. Two major indices for prediction of postoperative pulmonary complications do not accurately identify risk in patients undergoing major head and neck surgery. Further studies are needed to develop predictive tools for PPCs in this high-risk population.

Laparoscopic colectomy for diverticulitis in patients with pre-operative respiratory comorbidity: analysis of post-operative outcomes in the United States from 2005 to 2017

BACKGROUND

Current studies suggest that laparoscopic colorectal surgery is an advantageous alternative to open surgery due to improved post-operative outcomes in high-risk patient groups. Limited data is currently available on the benefits of minimally invasive colectomy for diverticulitis in patients with significant pre-operative respiratory comorbidities.

STUDY DESIGN

The NSQIP 2005-2017 datasets were used to identify patients that underwent partial colectomies due to diverticulitis. Partial colectomy cases were identified using CPT codes and then filtered to include only ICD 9 and 10 codes for diverticulitis. Pre-operative respiratory comorbidities included dyspnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and smoking status. Propensity matching was performed based on patient demographic and pre-operative risk factor data to create comparable groups for each respiratory comorbidity subset. Outcomes of interest were 30-day post-operative mortality and morbidity, incidence of return to operating room (ROR), and hospital length of stay (LoS). Laparoscopy and open surgery groups were compared using Chi square tests for categorical variables and t tests for continuous variables. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Among 70,420 cases with diverticulitis, 15,237 cases were identified as smokers, 3934 had dyspnea, and 3219 had COPD. Patients that had open procedures had significantly greater odds of mortality (OR 2.624 for smokers; OR 2.698 for dyspnea; OR 2.663 for COPD), morbidity (OR 2.590 for smokers; OR 2.344 for dyspnea; OR 2.883 for COPD), wound complication (OR 1.989 for smokers; OR 1.461 for dyspnea; OR 1.956 for COPD), and ROR (OR 1.184 for smokers; OR 1.634 for dyspnea; OR 1.975 for COPD). Laparoscopic procedures resulted in significantly lower average LoS (5.34 vs. 9.46 days for smokers; 6.84 vs. 11.06 days for dyspnea; 7.41 vs. 12.62 days for COPD; all p < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic colectomy for diverticulitis diagnosis for a matched cohort of patients with pre-operative respiratory comorbidities such as smoking status, dyspnea, and COPD resulted in significantly improved post-operative outcomes, lower odds of mortality and morbidity, and shorter LoS.

Is incentive spirometry beneficial for patients with lung cancer receiving video-assisted thoracic surgery?

Background

The effectiveness of Incentive spirometry (IS) in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) remains lacking. We conducted a population-based study to investigate the effectiveness of IS on patients with lung cancers following VATS.

Methods

We identified patients newly diagnosed with lung cancer who underwent surgical resection by VATS or thoracotomy from the years 2000 to 2008 in the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database. Exposure variable was the use of IS during admission for surgical resection by VATS or thoracotomy. Primary outcomes included hospitalization cost, incidence of pneumonia, and length of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes included the frequency of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations at 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups after thoracic surgery.

Results

We analyzed 7549 patients with lung cancer undergoing surgical resection by VATS and thoracotomy. The proportion of patients who were subjected to IS was significantly higher in those who underwent thoracotomy than in those who underwent VATS (68.4% vs. 53.1%, P < 0.0001). After we controlled for potential covariates, the IS group significantly reduced hospitalization costs (− 524.5 USD, 95% confidence interval [CI] = − 982.6 USD – -66.4 USD) and the risk of pneumonia (odds ratio = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.32–0.95) compared to the non-IS group following VATS. No difference in ED visit frequency and hospitalization frequency at 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year follow-up was noted between the IS and the non-IS groups following VATS.

Conclusions

The use of IS in patients with lung cancers undergoing VATS may reduce hospitalization cost and the risk of pneumonia.

Perioperative Lung Protective Ventilatory Management During Major Abdominal Surgery: A Hungarian Nationwide Survey

Lung protective mechanical ventilation (LPV) even in patients with healthy lungs is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC). The pathophysiology of ventilator-induced lung injury and the risk factors of PPCs have been widely identified, and a perioperative lung protective concept has been elaborated. Despite the well-known advantages, results of recent studies indicated that intraoperative LPV is still not widely implemented in current anaesthesia practice.

No nationwide surveys regarding perioperative pulmonary protective management have been carried out previously in Hungary. This study aimed to evaluate the routine anaesthetic care and adherence to the LPV concept of Hungarian anaesthesiologists during major abdominal surgery.

A questionnaire of 36 questions was prepared, and anaesthesiologists were invited by an e-mail and a newsletter to participate in an online survey between January 1st to March 31st, 2018.

A total of one hundred and eleven anaesthesiologists participated in the survey; 61 (54.9%), applied low tidal volumes, 30 (27%) applied the entire LPV concept, and only 6 (5.4%) regularly applied alveolar recruitment manoeuvres (ARM). Application of low plateau and driving pressures were 40.5%. Authoritatively written protocols were not available resulting in markedly different perioperative pulmonary management. According to respondents, the most critical risk factors of PPCs are chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (103; 92.8%); in contrast malnutrition, anaemia or prolonged use of nasogastric tube were considered negligible risk factors. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and regular ARM are usually ignored. Based on the survey, more attention should be given to the use of LPV.

Predictors and Outcomes of Postoperative Pulmonary Complications following Abdominal Surgery in a South Indian Population

Background

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) following abdominal surgery are associated with increased morbidity and poorer outcomes. We prospectively examined risk factors associated with the development of PPC in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

Aims

The primary outcome was to determine the association of predefined risk factors in the prediction of PPC after abdominal surgery. Secondary outcomes were evaluation of outcomes of PPC.

Setting and Design

This was a prospective study conducted in the gastrosurgical and urological units of a tertiary care referral hospital in patients undergoing abdominal surgery over a period of 6 months (November 2015-April 2016).

Materials and Methods

Relevant preoperative and intraoperative variables were recorded by the anesthesiologist in a pro forma provided. Postoperatively, data from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were collected from data sheets. PPC were defined according to preset criteria and outcomes of the patients including ICU stay, hospital stay, and mortality were noted.

Statistical Analysis

Chi-square test was used to find the association of risk factors of PPC. Mann-Whitney test was used for continuous variables and McNemar's test for postoperative respiratory variables. A final regression analysis was performed with factors with significant association (P < 0.1).

Results

One hundred and fifty patients were included, and 24 patients (16%) developed PPC as defined by our criteria. Emergency surgery (44.4% of PPC) and cardiac comorbidity (23.9% of PPC) were significant associations for pulmonary complications. The length of ICU and hospital stay (LOICU, LOHS) and mortality were higher in the group with pulmonary complications (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Emergent surgery and cardiac comorbidities were independent predictors for the development of PPC. PPC are associated with increased LOHS, LOICU stay, and mortality.

Postoperative Pulmonary Complications Following Laparoscopy

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) unrelated to anesthesia, especially hydropneumothorax, are rare after gynecologic laparoscopy. Hydropneumothorax can cause respiratory failure and be life-threatening, however. Awareness, prompt diagnosis, and timely intervention are crucial for clinical management. We review the literature for PPCs, including pneumothorax, hydrothorax, hydropneumothorax, and pleural effusion following laparoscopy, and also present a recent case of hydropneumothorax seen at our institution.