Multimodal Pain Control Utilizing Buprenorphine for Robotic-assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy: A Quality Improvement Comparison to Conventional Opioid Management.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the effectiveness of buprenorphine as an alternative to the use of conventional opioids perioperatively in an effort to help mitigate the impact of the use of perioperative conventional opioids for patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. METHODS: Outcomes of patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy were examined before and after implementation of novel quality improvement study that included receiving buprenorphine compared to conventional opioids for pain control intraoperatively and postoperatively. The primary end point was adequate pain control with secondary end points being analgesic consumption at home, opioid-related side effects, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: When analyzing the secondary end point of oral morphine milligram equivalents, the buprenorphine group received significantly less morphine milligram equivalent compared to the conventional opioid group (15.19 vs 47.91, P = .006). The buprenorphine group also had lower reported pain scores at discharge (4.3; scale 1-10) compared to the conventional opioid group (5.4), though this did not reach significance (P = .069). In the buprenorphine group, 76.9% strongly agreed that their pain was adequately controlled in the hospital compared to 57.5% of the conventional opioid group (P = .223). There was no difference in overall satisfaction at postoperative day 5 (P = .358). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates buprenorphine's analgesic capabilities to maintain adequate pain control and patient satisfaction compared to conventional opioids during robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, while decreasing perioperative opioid use.

Evaluation of a Chitosan Hemostat in a Porcine Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy Model: A Pilot Study.

Background and Objective: The ideal hemostatic agent for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) would provide complete hemostasis and sealing of the collecting system at a low cost. Chitosan (CS) is an established topical hemostatic agent, but standard sterilization techniques affect its functional and biologic properties, thereby preventing parenteral uses. This study sought to characterize the safety and efficacy of an implanted CS hemostat sterilized with either a standard technique, electron beam (e-beam) irradiation, or a novel technique, nonthermal nitrogen plasma, in a porcine LPN model. Methods: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomies were performed on six farm pigs and hemostasis achieved using only a CS hemostatic agent (Clo-Sur P.A.D.) that was e-beam (n = 3) or plasma sterilized (PS) (n = 3). Number of pads needed to achieve hemostasis, estimated blood loss, operative time, mass of kidney resection, and warm ischemia time were measured. Animals were monitored for 14 weeks and at harvest, retrograde ureteropyelography and histologic analysis were performed. Results: Complete hemostasis and collection system sealing were achieved in both groups. There was a trend toward less pads required for hemostasis (p = 0.056) and reduced blood loss (p = 0.096) with PS pads, although this did not achieve statistical significance. No complications were observed for 14 weeks and gross examination showed the implanted CS was encapsulated in a fibrous capsule. Histologic analysis revealed a healed nephrectomy site with residual CS and associated chronic inflammation, reactive fibrosis, and foreign body giant cell formation. Importantly, the adjacent renal tissue was intact and viable with no residual parenchymal inflammation or cytologic damage. Conclusion: CS pads alone provided safe and effective hemostasis in a porcine LPN model. PS may enhance hemostatic efficacy and resorption compared with e-beam.

Multidetector computed tomographic characteristics of nonabsorbable polymer versus titanium ligature clips in a vascular model.

OBJECTIVE: Multidetector cardiac computed tomography is commonly performed to evaluate coronary bypass grafts, but titanium clips result in significant image artifact. Multidetector cardiac computed tomographic characteristics of newly developed nonabsorbable polymer clips are unknown. This study was undertaken to compare the image characteristics of polymer clips and titanium clips applied to a vascular model. METHODS: A vascular model was created with two porcine internal thoracic arteries. Branches were ligated with 5 titanium clips on one vessel and 6 polymer clips on the other. Vessels were imaged under pressure with normal saline solution in a 16-detector computed tomographic scanner. Image intensity was quantified in absolute Hounsfield units for clips and adjacent lumen and then normalized to the average lumen intensity. RESULTS: No difference in absolute intensity was found between polymer clips and adjacent lumen (polymer clip 1021.2 +/- 19.0 absolute Hounsfield units, adjacent lumen 1001.7 +/- 15.7 absolute Hounsfield units, P = .095). A statistically significant difference was noted between titanium clips and adjacent lumen (titanium clips 3408.8 +/- 177.3 absolute Hounsfield units, adjacent lumen 1072.7 +/- 52.1 absolute Hounsfield units, P < .0001). A statistically significant difference was also noted between titanium and polymer clips (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: The use of polymer clips in coronary bypass grafts should result in significantly improved multidetector cardiac computed tomographic image quality.

Measuring the true success of laparoscopic pyeloplasty.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) is a highly successful minimally invasive management option for ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) with success rates equaling or surpassing open repair. Definitions of success have varied greatly among reports of series in the literature. We propose that true success or failure be strictly defined by resolution of obstruction on objective physiologic testing (diuretic renography or Whitaker testing) and accordingly present our results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively gathered data on all LP from December 2001 to November 2006. Ninety-two patients have matured to follow-up testing (> 3 months). Primary uncomplicated procedures were completed in 62/92 (67%) while secondary and/or complex repairs were performed in 30/92 (33%). Rigorous follow-up with physiologic testing was performed postoperatively. Patients with equivocal diuretic renal scans were evaluated with Whitaker pressure-flow studies. The subjective symptom score was assessed for our first 47 patients using a visual analog scale (VAS). Treatment in patients who lacked objective evidence of resolution of UPJO was considered a failure. RESULTS: The mean age of the cohort was 39 years (range 18-69 yrs). Average operating room time was 250 minutes (range 138-488 min), and estimated blood loss was 63 mL (range 10-500 mL). Average hospital length of stay was 1.2 days (range 1-6 d). Crossing vessels were identified in 47/92 (51%) patients. Overall mean follow-up was 13 months (range 2-54 months). There were no intraoperative complications and three perioperative complications. Overall, 85/92 (92%) patients were found to have resolution of UPJO on postoperative physiologic testing. The primary uncomplicated cohort success rate was 98%, while that for the secondary or complex repair cohort was 80%. The mean overall VAS pain score was 84%. CONCLUSION: Objective physiologic testing should be used as the measurement of true success after LP. A uniform definition of success will allow improved comparison of results with literature series and comparison with alternative management modalities.