Migrated tubal sterilisation clip presenting as a subcutaneous gluteal foreign body 24 years later: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of sterilisation clip migration is reportedly 25%. However, less than 1% of those who experience clip migration will present with pain, an abscess, or spontaneous extrusion. Here we present a rare case of sterilisation clip migration through the entire pelvic floor. CASE PRESENTATION: A 66-year-old female was referred from community to the Surgical Emergency Unit with a possible metallic foreign body under the skin following an attempted routine gluteal cyst excision. The patient first noticed a lump under the skin 2 years ago which gradually became more apparent and tender over the previous 2 months. The patient denied recent trauma, had no co-morbidities and had a sterilisation procedure 24 years prior. Examination revealed a non-mobile solid structure just beneath the skin 5 cm laterally from the anal verge. Inflammatory markers were normal and an ultrasound confirmed a 15 × 7 mm foreign body in the subcutaneous tissues. The foreign body was excised easily under local anaesthesia, revealing a closed Filshie sterilisation clip. The wound was closed primarily, and recovery was uncomplicated. CONCLUSIONS: This was a case of sterilisation clip migration to the subcutaneous gluteal region. A literature review revealed 34 case reports of sterilisation clip migration, mostly to the bladder. Patients with a previous sterilisation procedure and suspected subcutaneous foreign body without trauma should elicit a high index of suspicion for migrated sterilisation clips. These clips can migrate through multiple layers of muscle and fascia, including the pelvic floor.

The safety of telemedicine clinics as an alternative to in-person preoperative assessment for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with benign gallbladder disease: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The telemedicine clinic for follow up after minor surgical procedures in general surgery is now ubiquitously considered a standard of care. However, this method of consultation is not the mainstay for preoperative assessment and counselling of patients for common surgical procedures such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of assessing and counselling patients in the telemedicine clinic without a physical encounter for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who were booked for laparoscopic cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder disease via general surgery telemedicine clinics from March 2020 to November 2021. The primary outcome was the cancellation rate on the day of surgery. The secondary outcomes were complication and readmission rates, with Clavein-Dindo grade III or greater deemed clinically significant. We performed a subgroup analysis on the cases cancelled on the day of surgery in an attempt to identify key reasons for cancellation following virtual clinic assessment. RESULTS: We identified 206 cases booked for laparoscopic cholecystectomy from telemedicine clinics. 7% of patients had a cancellation on the day of surgery. Only one such cancellation was deemed avoidable as it may have been prevented by a face-to-face assessment. Severe postoperative adverse events (equal to or greater than Clavien-Dindo grade III) were observed in 1% of patients, and required re-intervention. 30-day readmission rate was 11%. CONCLUSIONS: Our series showed that it is safe and feasible to assess and counsel patients for laparoscopic cholecystectomy remotely with a minimal cancellation rate on the day of operation. Further work is needed to understand the effect of remote consultations on patient satisfaction, its environmental impact, and possible benefits to healthcare economics to support its routine use in general surgery.

Autologous blood transfusion reduces the requirement for perioperative allogenic blood transfusion in patients undergoing major hepatopancreatobiliary surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Major hepatopancreatobiliary surgery is associated with a risk of major blood loss. The authors aimed to assess whether autologous transfusion of blood salvaged intraoperatively reduces the requirement for postoperative allogenic transfusion in this patient cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single centre study, information from a prospective database of 501 patients undergoing major hepatopancreatobiliary resection (2015-2022) was analysed. Patients who received cell salvage ( n =264) were compared with those who did not ( n =237). Nonautologous (allogenic) transfusion was assessed from the time of surgery to 5 days postsurgery, and blood loss tolerance was calculated using the Lemmens-Bernstein-Brodosky formula. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with allogenic blood transfusion avoidance. RESULTS: 32% of the lost blood volume was replaced through autologous transfusion in patients receiving cell salvage. Although the cell salvage group experienced significantly higher intraoperative blood loss compared with the noncell salvage group (1360 ml vs. 971 ml, P =0.0005), they received significantly less allogenic red blood cell units (1.5 vs. 0.92 units/patient, P =0.03). Correction of blood loss tolerance in patients who underwent cell salvage was independently associated with avoidance of allogenic transfusion (Odds ratio 0.05 (0.006-0.38) P =0.005). In a subgroup analysis, cell salvage use was associated with a significant reduction in 30-day mortality in patients undergoing major hepatectomy (6 vs. 1%, P =0.04). CONCLUSION: Cell salvage use was associated with a reduction in allogenic blood transfusion and a reduction in 30-day mortality in patients undergoing major hepatectomy. Prospective trials are warranted to understand whether the use of cell salvage should be routinely utilised for major hepatectomy.

A prospective study of risk factors associated with seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare workers at a large UK teaching hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in UK healthcare workers (HCWs). METHODS: We conducted a prospective sero-epidemiological study of HCWs at a major UK teaching hospital using a SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay. Risk factors for seropositivity were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: 410/5,698 (7·2%) staff tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Seroprevalence was higher in those working in designated COVID-19 areas compared with other areas (9·47% versus 6·16%) Healthcare assistants (aOR 2·06 [95%CI 1·14-3·71]; p=0·016) and domestic and portering staff (aOR 3·45 [95% CI 1·07-11·42]; p=0·039) had significantly higher seroprevalence than other staff groups after adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity and COVID-19 working location. Staff working in acute medicine and medical sub-specialities were also at higher risk (aOR 2·07 [95% CI 1·31-3·25]; p<0·002). Staff from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds had an aOR of 1·65 (95% CI 1·32 - 2·07; p<0·001) compared to white staff; this increased risk was independent of COVID-19 area working. The only symptoms significantly associated with seropositivity in a multivariable model were loss of sense of taste or smell, fever, and myalgia; 31% of staff testing positive reported no prior symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection amongst HCWs is highly heterogeneous and influenced by COVID-19 working location, role, age and ethnicity. Increased risk amongst BAME staff cannot be accounted for solely by occupational factors.