Posterior synechia formation after phacovitrectomy - Predicting factors and the role of short-acting mydriatics

PURPOSE

To evaluate the influence of topical short-acting mydriatics on the formation of posterior synechia after phacovitrectomy surgery of pars plana vitrectomy and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation.

METHODS

A prospective randomised controlled trial. Fifty-seven adult (>18 years old) patients (57 eyes) who underwent phacovitrectomy surgery at a single tertiary hospital, were randomly divided into two groups. The control group (29 eyes) received standard postoperative treatment (topical antibiotics and steroids). The study group (28 eyes) received short-acting mydriatics together with standard therapy. Patients were followed until 24 months after surgery. The primary outcome measure was the formation of posterior synechia during the follow-up period.

RESULTS

A total of 7 patients developed posterior synechia during the follow-up period (12%), 3 in the study group (11%) and 4 in the control group (14%). There was no statistical difference between the groups. Significant associations for the development of posterior synechia were surgery for retinal detachment, longer surgery duration (>93 min) and the use of tamponade, in particular silicone oil.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of topical short-acting mydriatic drops after phacovitrectomy surgery, in addition to standard post-operative treatment, did not reduce the formation of posterior synechia. However, we identified several factors that may influence or act as predictors for the development of posterior synechia: surgery for retinal detachment, using silicone oil tamponade and a longer surgery duration. Our findings may aid in the standardisation of post-phacovitrectomy surgery treatment and define potential at-risk patients who should be monitored more closely.

Using heart rate variability to develop a predictive model for post-operative cardiovascular complications following major abdominal surgery: A pilot study

BACKGROUND

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a dynamic reflection of heart rhythm regulation by various physiological inputs. HRV deviations have been found to correlate with clinical outcomes in patients under physiological stresses. Perioperative cardiovascular complications occur in up to 5% of adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery and are associated with significantly increased mortality. This pilot study aimed to develop a predictive model for post-operative cardiovascular complications using HRV parameters for early risk stratification and aid post-operative clinical decision-making.

METHODS

Adult patients admitted to High Dependency Units after elective major abdominal surgery were recruited. The primary composite outcome was defined as cardiovascular complications within 7 days post-operatively. ECG monitoring for HRV parameters was conducted at three time points (pre-operative, immediately post-operative, and post-operative day 1) and analyzed based on outcome group and time interactions. Candidate HRV predictors were included in a multivariable logistic regression analysis incorporating a stepwise selection algorithm.

RESULTS

89 patients were included in the analysis, with 8 experiencing cardiovascular complications. Three HRV parameters, when measured immediately post-operatively and composited with patient age, provided the basis for a predictive model with AUC of 0.980 (95% CI: 0.953, 1.00). The negative predictive value was 1.00 at a statistically optimal predicted probability cut-off point of 0.16.

CONCLUSION

Our model holds potential for accelerating clinical decision-making and aiding in patient triaging post-operatively, using easily acquired HRV parameters. Risk stratification with our model may enable safe early step-down care in patients assessed to have a low risk profile of post-operative cardiovascular complications.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on the frequency of post-operative complications after carotid endarterectomy

BACKGROUND

There is significant controversy surrounding the link between diabetes mellitus and post-operative complications after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The aim of this study was to identify the possible effects of diabetes on the frequency of post-operative complications after CEA.

METHODS

This prospective study was conducted at the Dedinje Clinic for Vascular Surgery, Belgrade. The patients who underwent CEA were divided into two groups: group A (37.7%) included 98 (35.1%) insulin-dependent and 181 (64.9%) insulin-independent diabetic patients, and group B (62.3%) comprised non-diabetic subjects.

RESULTS

The pre-operative characteristics were similar, except for a greater prevalence of dyslipidaemia in patients with diabetes. Post-operative cardiac events occurred more often in patients with diabetes (3.6%) than in non-diabetic patients (1.1%) (p = 0.039); post-operative neurological events among patients with diabetes were 3.6% and among non-diabetics, 0.9% (p = 0.009). Peri-operative mortality rate was 2.5% in the diabetic group and 0.9% in the non-diabetic group. The total percentage of post-operative complications was two or more times higher in the diabetic group than the non-diabetic group (8.5 vs 18.3%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes mellitus increased the surgical risk of CEA. Higher rates of mortality and post-operative complications were observed in patients being treated with oral antidiabetics than in those on insulin.