Atrial Fibrillation Occurring During Acute Hospitalization: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Acute atrial fibrillation is defined as atrial fibrillation detected in the setting of acute care or acute illness; atrial fibrillation may be detected or managed for the first time during acute hospitalization for another condition. Atrial fibrillation after cardiothoracic surgery is a distinct type of acute atrial fibrillation. Acute atrial fibrillation is associated with high risk of long-term atrial fibrillation recurrence, warranting clinical attention during acute hospitalization and over long-term follow-up. A framework of substrates and triggers can be useful for evaluating and managing acute atrial fibrillation. Acute management requires a multipronged approach with interdisciplinary care collaboration, tailoring treatments to the patient's underlying substrate and acute condition. Key components of acute management include identification and treatment of triggers, selection and implementation of rate/rhythm control, and management of anticoagulation. Acute rate or rhythm control strategy should be individualized with consideration of the patient's capacity to tolerate rapid rates or atrioventricular dyssynchrony, and the patient's ability to tolerate the risk of the therapeutic strategy. Given the high risks of atrial fibrillation recurrence in patients with acute atrial fibrillation, clinical follow-up and heart rhythm monitoring are warranted. Long-term management is guided by patient substrate, with implications for intensity of heart rhythm monitoring, anticoagulation, and considerations for rhythm management strategies. Overall management of acute atrial fibrillation addresses substrates and triggers. The 3As of acute management are acute triggers, atrial fibrillation rate/rhythm management, and anticoagulation. The 2As and 2Ms of long-term management include monitoring of heart rhythm and modification of lifestyle and risk factors, in addition to considerations for atrial fibrillation rate/rhythm management and anticoagulation. Several gaps in knowledge related to acute atrial fibrillation exist and warrant future research.

Potassium-lowering effects of sodium zirconium cyclosilicate in the early post-transplant period.

PROBLEM: Hyperkalemia is a serious condition among intra-abdominal transplant recipients, and the safety and efficacy of sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) for its management during the early post-transplant period are not well-established. METHODS: Adults who received at least one 10-g dose of SZC within 14 days after an intra-abdominal transplant between January 2020 and July 2022 were included in our study. The primary outcome was the change in potassium (K+) levels following the first SZC dose. Other analyses explored adjunctive potassium-lowering therapies, potential gastrointestinal complications, and patient subgroups based on therapy and transplant type. RESULTS: Among the recipients (n = 46), 11 were kidney recipients, 26 were liver recipients, seven were simultaneous liver/kidney recipients, and two were simultaneous pancreas/kidney recipients. The mean time to first dose post-transplant was 7.6 (±4) days, and the mean change in serum K+ after the initial SZC dose was -.27 mEq (p = .001). No gastrointestinal complications were observed following the SZC dose. The mean increase in serum bicarbonate was .58 mEq (p = .41) following the first dose of SZC. Four kidney recipients required dialysis following the SZC dose. CONCLUSION: This study represents the largest investigation on the use of SZC in transplant recipients. A single 10-g dose of SZC reduced serum K+ levels in all subgroups, while the use of adjunctive K+-lowering therapies did not provide additional reduction beyond the effects of SZC. Importantly, no gastrointestinal complications were observed. These findings suggest that SZC may be a safe and promising therapeutic option for hyperkalemia management following solid organ transplantation.

Preventive effects of first-generation antihistamine on emergence agitation or delirium: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: The effects of first-generation antihistamines in preventing postoperative emergence agitation or delirium are unclear. Determining the postoperative effects of first-generation antihistamines may provide important insights into the management of patient safety. Therefore, we performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy and safety of postoperative first-generation antihistamines. METHODS: Patients who used first-generation antihistamines in the intensive care unit or operating room were included. Primary outcomes were assessed postoperative emergence agitation or delirium with binary and continuous variables. The secondary outcome was any adverse event. RESULTS: Nine studies were included. The frequency of postoperative emergence agitation, measured using binary variables, tended to be lower in patients receiving chlorpheniramine or diphenhydramine than those receiving saline. However, evaluation using the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale as a continuous variable revealed that only chlorpheniramine was effective at lowering postoperative emergence agitation. Only one study assessed delirium but found no benefit of first-generation antihistamines. Adverse events for first-generation antihistamines did not differ from that of other drugs. CONCLUSION: Our results provide limited evidence that some first-generation antihistamines may prevent postoperative emergence agitation and are safe. To further verify this possibility, new RCTs with clear and universal assessment criteria for postoperative emergence agitation or delirium should be conducted.

Risk prediction algorithms for prolonged postoperative ileus: A systematic review.

AIM: Prolonged postoperative ileus (PPOI) is common and is associated with a significant healthcare burden. Previous studies have attempted to predict PPOI clinically using risk prediction algorithms. The aim of this work was to systematically review and compare risk prediction algorithms for PPOI following colorectal surgery. METHOD: A systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and CINAHL Plus. Studies that developed and/or validated a risk prediction algorithm for PPOI in adults following colorectal surgery were included. Data were collected on study design, population and operative characteristics, the definition of PPOI used and risk prediction algorithm design and performance. Quality appraisal was assessed using the PROBAST tool. RESULTS: Eleven studies with 87 549 participants were included in our review. Most were retrospective, single-centre analyses (6/11, 55%) and rates of PPOI varied from 10% to 28%. The most commonly used variables were sex (8/11, 73%), age (6/11, 55%) and surgical approach (5/11, 45%). Area under the curve ranged from 0.68-0.78, and only three models were validated. However, there was significant variation in the definition of PPOI used. No study reported sensitivity, specificity or positive/negative predictive values. CONCLUSION: Currently available risk prediction algorithms for PPOI appear to discriminate moderately well, although there is a lack of validation data. Future studies should aim to use a standardized definition of PPOI, comprehensively report model performance and validate their findings using internal and external methodologies.

Sustainability of an enhanced recovery pathway after minimally invasive gynecologic oncology surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Same day discharge is safe after minimally invasive gynecology oncology surgery. Our quality improvement peri-operative program based on enhanced recovery after surgery principles led to an increase in same day discharge from 30% to 75% over a 12 month period. Twelve months after program implementation, we assessed the sustainability of same day discharge rates, determined post-operative complication rates, and evaluated factors affecting same day discharge rates. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 100 consecutive patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery at an academic cancer center from January to 2021 to December 2021. This cohort was compared with the active intervention cohort (n=102) from the implementation period (January 2020 to December 2020). Same day discharge rates and complications were compared. Multivariable analysis was performed to assess which factors remained associated with same day discharge post-intervention. RESULTS: Same day discharge post-intervention was 72% compared with 75% during active intervention (p=0.69). Both cohorts were similar in age (p=0.24) and body mass index (p=0.27), but the post-intervention cohort had longer operative times (p=0.001). There were no significant differences in 30-day complications, readmission, reoperation, or emergency room visits (p>0.05). There was a decrease in 30-day post-operative clinic visits from 18% to 5% in the post-intervention cohort (p=0.007), and unnecessary bowel prep use decreased from 35% to 14% (p<0.001). On multivariable analysis, start time (second case of the day) (OR 0.06; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.35), and ward narcotic use (OR 0.12; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.42) remained associated with overnight admission. CONCLUSION: Same day discharge rate was sustained at 72%, 12 months after the implementation of a quality improvement program to optimize same day discharge rate after minimally invasive surgery, while maintaining low post-operative complications and reducing unplanned clinic visits. To maximize same day discharge, minimally invasive gynecologic oncology surgery should be prioritized as the first case of the day, and post-operative narcotic use should be limited.

Measuring the impact of specific surgical complications after ovarian cancer cytoreductive surgery on short-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to measure the impact of specific peri-operative complications after primary cytoreductive surgery on relevant patient outcomes and use of resources. METHODS: A cohort of patients with advanced ovarian cancer who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery at two institutions (2006-2016) were studied. Specific known complications ('exposures') within 30 days of surgery were evaluated to determine the impact on outcomes. Exposures included bowel leak, superficial surgical site infection, deep surgical site infection, venous thromboembolic event, and cardiac event. Outcomes were prolonged lengths of stay, readmission or non-home discharge, reoperation, organ failure, delay to adjuvant chemotherapy, and 90-day mortality. Population attributable risk (PAR) was used to estimate the proportion of adverse outcomes that could be prevented by elimination of a causal exposure and considers both the strength of the association and the prevalence of the complication; adjusted PARs (aPAR) were calculated using adjusted relative risks (aRR) adjusted for stage (IIIC vs IV) and American Society of Anesthesiology score (<3 vs ≥3). RESULTS: A cohort of 892 patients was included. Each of the evaluated exposures had an impact on readmission/non-home discharge (aPAR range 5.3 to 13.5). A venous thromboembolic event was significantly associated with 90-day mortality (aRR=2.9 (95% CI 1.3 to 6.7); aPAR=8.6 (95% CI -1.8 to 19.1)) and organ failure (aRR=4.7 (95% CI 2.3 to 9.5); aPAR=13.9 (95% CI 2.8 to 25.1)). Similarly, a cardiac event was most strongly associated with organ failure and was very impactful (aPAR=19.0 (95% CI 6.8 to 31.1)).Bowel leak was a major contributor to poor outcome, including reoperation (aPAR=45.5 (95% CI 34.3 to 56.6)), organ failure (aPAR=13.6 (95% CI 2.6 to 24.6)), readmission/non-home discharge (aPAR=5.3 (95% CI 1.6 to 9.0)), delay to adjuvant chemotherapy (aPAR=5.9 (95% CI 2.3 to 9.4)), and prolonged lengths of stay (aPAR=13.0 (95% CI 9.1 to 16.9)). CONCLUSION: Going beyond reporting complications using common scales to measure their genuine impact provides important information for providers, patients, and payers. We report that less frequent exposures, including a venous thromboembolic event, cardiac events, and bowel leaks, have a high impact on patients and use of resources.

Evaluation of a tiered opioid prescription algorithm in an ERAS pathway: exploring opportunities for further refinement.

BACKGROUND: Opioid over-prescription is wasteful and contributes to the opioid crisis. We implemented a personalized tiered discharge opioid protocol and education on opioid disposal to minimize over-prescription. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intervention by investigating opioid use post-discharge for women undergoing abdomino-pelvic surgery, and patient adherence to opioid disposal education. METHODS: We analyzed post-discharge opioid consumption among 558 patients. Eligible patients included those who underwent elective gynecologic surgery, were not taking scheduled opioids pre-operatively, and received discharge opioids according to a tiered prescribing algorithm. A survey assessing discharge opioid consumption and disposal safety knowledge was distributed on post-discharge day 21. Over-prescription was defined as >20% of the original prescription left over. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 61% and 59% in the minimally invasive surgery and open surgery cohorts, respectively. Overall, 42.8% of patients reported using no opioids after hospital discharge, 45.2% in the minimally invasive surgery and 38.6% in the open surgery cohort. Furthermore, 74.9% of respondents were over-prescribed, with median age being statistically significant for this group (p=0.004). Finally, 46.4% of respondents expressed no knowledge regarding safe disposal practices, with no statistically significant difference between groups (p>0.99). CONCLUSION: Despite implementation of the tiered discharge opioid algorithm aimed to personalize opioid prescriptions to estimated need, we still over-prescribed opioids. Additionally, despite targeted education, nearly half of all patients who completed the survey did not know how to dispose of their opioid tablets. Additional efforts are needed to further refine the algorithm to reduce over-prescription of opioids and improve disposal education.

Low-grade versus high-grade serous ovarian cancer: comparison of surgical outcomes after secondary cytoreductive surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Retrospective series have shown secondary cytoreductive surgery improves oncological outcomes in recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer. We aim to compare surgical procedures and complications between patients with low-grade and high-grade recurrent serous ovarian cancer. METHODS: This retrospective single-institution study includes patients with recurrent low-grade and high-grade serous ovarian cancer undergoing surgery between January 2012 to December 2021. Patients were propensity matched 1:3 for residual tumor at first surgery, presence of ascites and performance status. Complexity of surgery and postoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 116 patients undergoing secondary cytoreductive surgery were included with 29 patients (25%) having low-grade ovarian cancer. The median age of the patients was 54 years (range: 19-85) and 57 years (range: 29-78) in low-grade and high-grade ovarian cancer, respectively (p=0.13). Stages III/IV at diagnosis were more frequent in patients with high-grade ovarian cancers (p<0.001). Peritoneal involvement was higher in low-grade compared with high-grade ovarian cancer as shown by the higher rate of diaphragmatic (41.4% vs 21.8%, p=0.05), abdominal wall (41.4% vs 18.4%, p=0.02) and pelvic (51.7% vs 21.8%, p=0.01) peritonectomy. Multiple bowel resections were higher in low-grade ovarian cancer (24.1% vs 8.0%, p=0.04), while high-grade ovarian cancer had a higher rate of nodal recurrences (73.2%% vs 37.9%, p=0.03). Overall, surgical complexity was higher in low-grade ovarian cancer (58.6% vs 36.8%; p=0.05), with higher median estimated blood loss (400 vs 200 mL; p=0.01) compared with high-grade. Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 26 patients (89.7%) with low-grade and 84 (96.6%) with high-grade (p=0.16) ovarian cancer, with no significant differences in postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary cytoreductive surgery in low-grade serous ovarian cancer patients was associated with higher complexity, multiple bowel resections, and higher median estimated blood loss than in high-grade serous ovarian cancer. The comparable rate of postoperative complications suggests that secondary cytoreductive surgery in this group of patients is feasible in expert centers.

Association between pediatric postoperative delirium and regional cerebral oxygen saturation: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium (POD) represents a prevalent and noteworthy complication in the context of pediatric surgical interventions. In recent times, a hypothesis has emerged positing that cerebral ischemia and regional cerebral oxygen desaturation might serve as potential catalysts in the pathogenesis of POD. The primary aim of this study was to methodically examine the potential relationship between POD and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) and to assess the predictive and evaluative utility of rSO2 in the context of POD. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted at the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China, spanning the period from November 2020 to March 2021. The research cohort comprised children undergoing surgical procedures within this clinical setting. To measure rSO2 dynamics, cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to monitor rSO2 levels both before and after surgery. In addition, POD was assessed in the paediatric patients according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria. The analysis of the association between the rSO2 index and the incidence of POD was carried out through the application of either the independent samples t-test or the nonparametric rank-sum test. To ascertain the threshold value of the adjusted rSO2 index for predictive and evaluative purposes regarding POD in the pediatric population, the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve was employed. RESULTS: A total of 211 cases were included in this study, of which 61 (28.9%) developed POD. Participants suffering delirium had lower preoperative rSO2mean, lower preoperative rSO2min, and lower postoperative rSO2min, higher ∆rSO2mean, higher amount of ∆rSO2mean, lower ∆rSO2min (P < 0.05). Preoperative rSO2mean (AUC = 0.716, 95%CI 0.642-0.790), ∆rSO2mean (AUC = 0.694, 95%CI 0.614-0.774), amount of ∆rSO2mean (AUC = 0.649, 95%CI 0.564-0.734), preoperative rSO2min (AUC = 0.702, 96%CI 0.628-0.777), postoperative rSO2min (AUC = 0.717, 95%CI 0.647-0.787), and ∆rSO2min (AUC = 0.714, 95%CI 0.638-0.790) performed well in sensitivity and specificity, and the best threshold were 62.05%, 1.27%, 2.41%, 55.68%, 57.36%, 1.29%. CONCLUSIONS: There is a close relationship between pediatric POD and rSO2. rSO2 could be used as an effective predictor of pediatric POD. It might be helpful to measure rSO2 with NIRS for early recognizing POD and making it possible for early intervention.

Opioid use after surgical treatment in the Danish population-Protocol for a register-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Over the past 25 years, global opioid consumption has increased. Denmark ranks fifth in opioid use globally, exceeding other Scandinavian countries. Postsurgical pain is a common reason for opioid prescriptions, but opioid use patterns after patient discharge from the hospital are unclear. This study examines trends in opioid prescription among Danish surgical patients over a year. METHODS: This register-based cohort study will use data from Danish governmental databases related to patients undergoing the 10 most frequent surgical procedures in 2018, excluding cancer-related and minor procedures. The primary outcome will be the dispensed postoperative opioid prescriptions at retail pharmacies over four quarters. Secondary analyses will include associations with sex, age, education attainment, and oral morphine equivalent quotient. Surgical treatments and diagnoses will be identified using NOMESCO procedure codes and ICD-10 codes. Opioids will be identified by ATC codes N02A and R05DA04. Subjects will be classified as preoperative opioid consumers or non-opioid consumers based on opioid prescriptions redeemed in the 6 months before surgery. DISCUSSION: The study will use extensive national register-based data, ensuring consistent data collection and enhancing the generalizability of the findings to similar healthcare systems. The study may identify high-risk populations for long-term opioids and provide information to support opioid prescribing guidelines and public health policies.

Postoperative anemia in cardiac surgery patients: a narrative review.

PURPOSE: Anemia reduces the blood's ability to carry and deliver oxygen. Following cardiac surgery, anemia is very common and affects up to 90% of patients. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of data examining the prognostic value of postoperative anemia. In this narrative review, we present findings from the relevant literature on postoperative anemia in cardiac surgery patients, focusing on the incidence, risk factors, and prognostic value of postoperative anemia. We also explore the potential utility of postoperative anemia as a therapeutic target to improve clinical outcomes. SOURCE: We conducted a targeted search of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews up to September 2022, using a combination of search terms including postoperative (post-operative), perioperative (peri-operative), anemia (anaemia), and cardiac surgery. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The reported incidence of postoperative anemia varied from 29% to 94% across the studies, likely because of variations in patient inclusion criteria and classification of postoperative anemia. Nonetheless, the weight of the evidence suggests that postoperative anemia is common and is an independent risk factor for adverse postoperative outcomes such as acute kidney injury, stroke, mortality, and functional outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In cardiac surgery patients, postoperative anemia is a common and prognostically important risk factor for postoperative morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, there is a lack of data on whether active management of postoperative anemia is feasible or effective in improving patient outcomes.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'anémie réduit la capacité du sang à transporter et à fournir de l'oxygène. Suite à une chirurgie cardiaque, l'anémie est très fréquente et touche jusqu'à 90 % des patient·es. Néanmoins, il existe peu de données examinant la valeur pronostique de l'anémie postopératoire. Dans ce compte rendu narratif, nous présentons les résultats de la littérature pertinente sur l'anémie postopératoire chez les patient·es ayant bénéficié d'une chirurgie cardiaque, en mettant l'accent sur l'incidence, les facteurs de risque et la valeur pronostique de l'anémie postopératoire chez les personnes ayant bénéficié d'une chirurgie cardiaque. Nous explorons également l'utilité potentielle de l'anémie postopératoire en tant que cible thérapeutique pour améliorer les devenirs cliniques. SOURCES: Nous avons réalisé une recherche ciblée dans MEDLINE, Embase et la base de données des revues systématiques Cochrane jusqu'en septembre 2022, en utilisant une combinaison de termes de recherche, notamment postopératoire (postoperative/post-operative), périopératoire (perioperative/peri-operative), anémie (anemia/anaemia) et chirurgie cardiaque (cardiac surgery). CONSTATATIONS PRINCIPALES: L'incidence rapportée de l'anémie postopératoire variait de 29 % à 94 % d'une étude à l'autre, probablement en raison des variations dans les critères d'inclusion des patient·es et la classification de l'anémie postopératoire. Néanmoins, le poids de la preuve suggère que l'anémie postopératoire est courante et constitue un facteur de risque indépendant pour les devenirs postopératoires indésirables tels que l'insuffisance rénale aiguë, les accidents vasculaires cérébraux, la mortalité et les devenirs fonctionnels. CONCLUSION: Chez la patientèle en chirurgie cardiaque, l'anémie postopératoire est un facteur de risque commun et pronostiquement important de morbidité et de mortalité postopératoires. Néanmoins, il y a un manque de données sur la faisabilité ou l'efficacité de la prise en charge active de l'anémie postopératoire pour améliorer les devenirs des patient·es.

New Noninvasive Method for the Assessment of Central Venous Oxygen Saturations in Critically Ill Patients.

OBJECTIVES: To compare noninvasive external jugular vein oxygen saturations (SjvO2) and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) from a blood sample in patients admitted to the intensive care unit. DESIGN: A prospective, comparative, monocentric clinical trial design was used. SETTING: The study was performed in the Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva (Switzerland). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 79 patients were enrolled; patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (patients with COVID-19, n = 36) and patients after liver transplantation (posttransplant patients, n = 43). INTERVENTIONS: Simultaneous measurement of SjvO2 by near-infrared spectroscopy and ScvO2 from central venous blood samples using a blood gas analyzer in stable hemodynamic conditions. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A strong linear correlation was evidenced in both the COVID-19 and posttransplant patient groups between the 2 modalities. The Bland-Altman analysis showed low bias in accordance with low percentage error in both groups (0.57% and 8.09% for patients with COVID-19; 0.00% and 13.72% for posttransplant patients). CONCLUSIONS: Central venous oxygen saturation can be estimated reasonably by the continuous noninvasive measurement of SjvO2 using near-infrared spectroscopy.

Subcuticular Suture Type at Cesarean Delivery and Infection Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical site infections (SSI) are common causes of postoperative morbidity at cesarean delivery (CD). The objective of this study was to compare the risk of SSI and other wound complications associated with different suture materials for subcuticular skin closure at CD. DATA SOURCES: We searched Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, and Clinicaltrials.gov from inception to June 3, 2021, and limited our search to English, peer-reviewed, randomized controlled trials and cohort studies. STUDY SELECTION: Of 1541 titles identified, 4 studies met the selection criteria and were included. Studies were included if the population was pregnant individuals undergoing transverse incision primary or repeat, elective or emergent CD with subcuticular skin closure, and if outcomes related to SSI, wound seroma, hematoma, or dehiscence were reported. We completed the assessment using Covidence review management software. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two authors independently reviewed studies and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool for randomized trials (RoB 2.0) and the Cochrane Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies-of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tools for cohort studies. We compared SSI risk and secondary outcomes of hematoma, seroma, and dehiscence between skin closure with monofilament (poliglecaprone 25 or polypropylene) versus multifilament (polyglactin 910) sutures using a fixed-effects meta-analysis. Statistical heterogeneity was estimated using the I2 statistic. Monofilament sutures were associated with a reduced risk of SSI (RR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.52-0.98, I2 = 0%) compared to multifilament sutures. There was no difference in the risk of secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: Monofilament suture for subcuticular skin closure at CD was associated with decreased risk of SSI compared to multifilament suture.

Safety and efficacy of frameless stereotactic robot-assisted intraparenchymal brain lesion biopsies versus image-guided biopsies: a bicentric comparative study.

PURPOSE: User-friendly robotic assistance and image-guided tools have been developed in the past decades for intraparenchymal brain lesion biopsy. These two methods are gradually becoming well accepted and are performed at the discretion of the neurosurgical teams. However, only a few data comparing their effectiveness and safety are available. METHODS: Population-based parallel cohorts were followed from two French university hospitals with different surgical methods and defined geographical catchment regions (September 2019 to September 2022). In center A, frameless robot-assisted stereotactic intraparenchymal brain lesion biopsies were performed, while image-guided intraparenchymal brain lesion biopsies were performed in center B. Pre-and postoperative clinical, radiological, and histomolecular features were retrospectively collected and compared. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty patients were included: 131 frameless robot-assisted stereotactic intraparenchymal brain lesion biopsies in center A and 119 image-guided biopsies in center B. The clinical, radiological, and histomolecular features were comparable between the two groups. The diagnostic yield (96.2% and 95.8% respectively; p = 1.000) and the overall postoperative complications rates (13% and 14%, respectively; p = 0.880) did not differ between the two groups. The mean duration of the surgical procedure was longer in the robot-assisted group (61.9 ± 25.3 min, range 23-150) than in the image-guided group (47.4 ± 11.8 min, range 25-81, p < 0.001). In the subgroup of patients with anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet therapy administered preoperatively, the intracerebral hemorrhage > 10 mm on postoperative CT scan was higher in the image-guided group (36.8%) than in the robot-assisted group (5%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In our bicentric comparative study, robot-assisted stereotactic and image-guided biopsies have two main differences (shorter time but more frequent postoperative hematoma for image-guided biopsies); however, both techniques are demonstrated to be safe and efficient.

Clinical utility of the carcinoembryonic antigen level in patients with stage III colon cancer after surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: The association between perioperative and post-adjuvant carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels and recurrence and prognosis remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate whether perioperative CEA levels are an integral component of the assessment of recurrence and prognosis of patients with stage III colon cancer (CC). METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at the Cancer Institute Hospital of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research from 2005 to 2013. We enrolled patients with stage III CC who underwent complete resection of a primary tumor and received adjuvant chemotherapy. We analyzed the association between perioperative and post-adjuvant CEA levels and recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A total of 564 consecutive patients were included in the analysis. The RFS and OS of patients with high postoperative CEA levels were significantly worse than those of patients with normal postoperative CEA levels. In the multivariate analysis, high postoperative CEA levels were associated with shorter RFS and OS. The number of risk factors, postoperative CEA levels, and T/N-stage all had a cumulative effect on RFS and OS. CONCLUSIONS: High postoperative CEA levels and the number of risk factors are associated with recurrence and worse prognosis for patients with stage III CC.

Surgical Patients' Evaluation of Pain Management Quality and Surgical Nurses' Pain-Related Knowledge and Attitudes.

PURPOSE: The present study was aimed at investigating the quality of pain management evaluated by inpatients in surgical clinics, and pain-related knowledge and attitudes of nurses working in surgical clinics, surgical units, or emergency services. METHODS: The study was conducted as a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The study data were collected from inpatients in surgical clinics (N = 306), and from nurses working in surgical clinics, surgical units, or emergency services (N = 57) between January 2020 and September 2020. The Revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire (APS-POQ-R) and Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (NKASRP) were the tools used for data collection. RESULTS: The mean scores the participants obtained from the severity of worst pain, pain relief, and satisfaction with pain treatment components of the APS-POQ-R were 6.14 ± 2.59, 59.28 ± 22.26, and 8.99 ± 1.62, respectively. There were significant differences between many components of the APS-POQ-R in terms of such variables as age, sex, undergoing previous surgery, presence of pain before surgery, surgery performed, and type of anesthesia (p < .05). The mean score the participants obtained from the NKASRP was 15.35 ± 3.87. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the patients' pain was relieved moderately, that they were very highly satisfied with pain treatment, and that the nurses' pain-related knowledge and attitude levels were below the moderate level. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Nurses should support patients whose in-bed activities were prevented due to pain, involve them in pain treatment decisions, advise them about pain treatment options, and encourage them to use nonpharmacological methods.

Exercise therapy in postoperative patients with temporomandibular joint internal derangement: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative patients with temporomandibular joint internal derangement (ID) often have problems such as limited mouth opening and pain. Exercise therapy can be advantageous for improving the recovery of patients following surgery. However, there is continuing discussion on the precise aspects of the exercise program, including the optimal timing, length, intensity, and use of assistive equipment. Hence, this study aimed to incorporate pre-existing exercise treatment regimens and investigate their impact. METHODS: Publications that detailed the clinical treatment of patients with temporomandibular joint ID who received postoperative exercise therapy interventions were included. Nine databases were searched until October 1st, 2023. The JBI critical appraisal tools were used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. RESULTS: Five studies were finally included for subsequent analysis; two were randomised controlled studies, and three were quasi-experimental. Exercises suitable for such patients encompass vertical, transverse, and horizontal stretching, among which vertical stretch can be divided into active and passive movements. The start time ranged from the first to the fifth week after surgery, with a duration of 1-6 months. Although the data in the studies could not be integrated and further analysed, preliminary results showed that maximum mouth opening and pain in patients improved significantly. The therapeutic effect of combining three exercise methods was best and was related to patient compliance. CONCLUSION: Exercise therapy positively affects postoperative rehabilitation in patients with temporomandibular joint ID. It is proposed that targeted, comprehensive studies be conducted to provide a basis for designing more sophisticated exercise therapy regimens and further confirm its curative effect.

The Transition Between Surgery and Ward: Patients' Experiences of Care in a Postoperative Care Unit.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe adult patients' experiences of postoperative care in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) after undergoing surgery in Sweden. DESIGN: Qualitative inductive study. METHODS: Individual interviews with 14 adults who had experience of being cared for in the PACU were conducted on day 14 to day 26 after surgery. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. FINDINGS: Early recovery in the PACU was described as a small step in the recovery process and as a time of transition from surgery to the ward. When patients perceived the PACU staff as competent, and as having a positive attitude, providing individualized care, and addressing symptoms or discomfort without being specifically alerted, patients felt safe and cared for. When they were not personally acknowledged, the patients felt abandoned in the highly technological environment. CONCLUSIONS: To enhance the transition from surgery to the ward, patients need to be personally acknowledged. Their symptoms need to be properly treated by competent staff with a positive and proactive attitude. This creates safe care that supports the transition from the PACU to the ward, as well as the overall recovery process.

The Prevalence and Risk Factors for Postoperative Thirst: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Thirst is a symptom of dehydration and one of the main complications affecting postoperative outcomes and comfort. Persistent water scarcity can have a detrimental effect on the cognitive function and psychology of patients. However, the current evidence about the prevalence and risk factors for postoperative thirst is not fully understood. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of postoperative thirst and provide guidance for clinical practice. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, Clinicaltrials.gov, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Database. Eligible studies were evaluated using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The collected data were pooled and analyzed using Stata15.0. FINDINGS: A total of 11 cross-sectional studies were included involving 20,612 patients. Eight studies reported prevalence and the pooled prevalence of postoperative thirst was 76.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.664 to 0.858). Five studies contributed to meta-syntheses of risk factors for postoperative thirst. The results indicated that sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.13 to 1.84, I2 = 80.2%, P = .006), anesthesia drug (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.06 to 2.06, I2 = 94.8%, P < .001), surgical type (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.49 to 0.9, I2 = 77.9%, P = .004) were statistically associated with postoperative thirst. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a high prevalence of postoperative thirst. Sex, anesthesia drug, and surgical type are risk factors that influence postoperative thirst. Nurses and other health care professionals should routinely assess the postoperative thirst of patients and perform targeted interventions to alleviate their distressing symptoms and improve the quality of care.

Safe driving recommendations following lower extremity orthopedic surgery: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: We analyzed the published literature on return-to-driving (RTD) recommendations following lower extremity orthopedic surgery, including knee and hip arthroplasty and ankle and foot surgery. METHODS: We conducted a PubMed MEDLINE database search for the relevant literature spanning from 1988 to 2022. Data were extracted from the selected articles independently by six investigators, and the mean, standard deviation, and range of RTD recommendations for each surgical region and procedure were calculated. RESULTS: The 34 studies included in our review evaluated brake response time, reaction time, movement time, braking force, and other parameters. Average RTD recommendations in weeks were: hip surgeries, 4.1 (± 2.7); foot surgeries, 6.67 (± 0.94); Achilles surgeries, 6.67 (± 0.25); ankle surgeries, 4 (± 2); knee surgeries, 5.42 (± 0.77); and multiple lower extremity surgeries, 3.85 (± 0.15). CONCLUSION: Our findings can assist physicians in providing informed recommendations to patients, promoting safe driving practices, and optimizing postoperative recovery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level III: Retrospective comparative study.