Surgery duration predicts urinary retention after inguinal herniorrhaphy: a single institution review.

BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia repair, laparoscopic or open, is one of the most frequently performed operations in general surgery. Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) can occur in 0.2-35 % of patients after inguinal hernia repair. The primary objective of this study was to determine the incidence of POUR after inguinal hernia repair. As a secondary goal, we sought to determine whether perioperative and patient factors predicted urinary retention. METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair with synthetic mesh at the Medical College of Wisconsin from January 2007 to June 2012. Procedures were performed by four surgeons. Clinical information and perioperative outcomes were collected up to hospital discharge. Urinary retention was defined as need for urinary catheterization postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 192 patients were included in the study (88 bilateral, 46 %) and (104 unilateral, 54 %). The majority of subjects (76 %) underwent laparoscopic repair. The overall POUR rate was 13 %, with 25 of 192 patients requiring a Foley catheter prior to discharge. POUR was significantly associated with bilateral hernia repairs (p = 0.04), BMI ≥ 35 kg/m(2) (p = 0.05) and longer operative times (p = 0.03). Based on odds ratio (OR) estimates, for every 10-min increase in operative time, an 11 % increase in the odds of urinary retention is expected (OR 1.11, CI 1.004-1.223; p = 0.04). For every 10-min increase in operative time, an 11 % increase in POUR is expected. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral hernia repairs, BMI ≥ 35 kg/m(2), and operative time are significant predictors of POUR. These factors are important to determine potential risk to patients and interventions such as strict fluid administration, use of catheters, and potential premedication.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for melanoma: is there a correlation of preoperative lymphatic mapping with sentinel lymph nodes harvested?

BACKGROUND: Nodal status is the most significant prognostic factor in melanoma. No study has examined the relationship between lymphoscintigraphy, γ probe counts, harvested nodes, and nodal status. METHODS: Two-hundred sixty two patients were identified who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy for melanoma between 2001 and 2010. Clinicopathologic and treatment information was collected. The number of lymph nodes and basins demonstrated on lymphoscintigraphy was compared to those at surgery. γ Probe counts were compared. RESULTS: Median age was 54.5 years (range, 18-90 years) with 52.3% male. Average Breslow depth was 2.0 (1.9) mm; 99.6% of lymphoscintigraphy studies identified at least 1 basin, 80% showed only 1 (range, 0-4). Lymphoscintigraphy identified on average 1.5 (0.9) sentinel nodes and 31% with secondary node. Surgery excised on average 2.6 (1.4) nodes involving 1.2 (0.5) basins; 17.6% had a positive sentinel lymph node. There was no difference in the sum or average of γ counts between positive and negative sentinel lymph node groups (P = 0.2, P = 0.5). When comparing lymphoscintigraphy and surgical excision, the correlation of lymphatic basins was r = 0.67 and of lymph node numbers was r = 0.33. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphoscintigraphy should be used to identify the proper lymphatic basins for a sentinel node procedure, however, the removal of nodes must continue until the background count is less than 10%. The correlation of lymph node number identified on lymphoscintigraphy to surgical excision is weak. γ Probe counts cannot be used to differentiate positive from negative nodes and the positive lymph node is not always the hottest node.

Nondiagnostic fine-needle aspirations of the thyroid: is the risk of malignancy higher?

BACKGROUND: Nondiagnostic fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) pose a dilemma in the management of patients with thyroid nodules. In most cases, these patients undergo either repeat FNA or surgical resection. However, a significant number of patients will only be observed, assuming that the risk of malignancy is low. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether the risk of malignancy is higher in patients with thyroid nodules and nondiagnostic FNAs. METHODS: We reviewed reports from 4286 consecutive FNA biopsies performed on patients with thyroid nodules at our institution between 2002 and 2010. We divided FNAs into two categories: diagnostic and nondiagnostic. We collected demographic, follow-up, and pathology data from both groups and then analyzed them with analysis of variance and chi-square tests. RESULTS: Of the 4286 FNAs, 259 were classified as nondiagnostic (6%). We saw no significant differences in age or gender between patients with diagnostic versus nondiagnostic FNAs. Of the patients with nondiagnostic FNAs, 62 underwent diagnostic thyroidectomy (24%), 74 had a repeat FNA (29%), and 123 had observation only (47%); thus, 136 patients had a cytologic or pathologic diagnosis. Patients with nondiagnostic FNAs had a significantly higher rate of all types of thyroid cancer, compared with those with diagnostic FNAs (12% versus 5%, respectively; P < 0.001). Impressively, the chance of papillary thyroid cancer was twofold higher in patients with nondiagnostic FNAs. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of nondiagnostic FNA at our institution during this period (6%) was relatively low. However, the incidence of malignancy in these patients was significantly higher. Therefore, we recommend that patients with thyroid nodules and nondiagnostic FNAs undergo either repeat biopsy or diagnostic thyroidectomy.

Variations in AP and frog-leg pelvic radiographs in a pediatric population.

INTRODUCTION: It is common for pediatric patients with a history of hip dysplasia to undergo anteroposterior (AP) and frog-leg (FL) lateral radiographs to monitor development of the hip. Because of sensitivity of pediatric tissues to ionizing radiation, we sought to document the relationship between AP and FL radiographs and to determine which image was better to assess acetabular dysplasia. METHODS: An Institutional Review Board-approved, retrospective review was conducted on 33 patients screened for hip dysplasia at a single institution. We sought to determine whether either film was more likely to be qualitatively better in position and whether there were differences in acetabular measures between the 2 radiographs. Standard measurements on AP and FL radiographs were made by 5 observers on 2 different occasions to assess interobserver and intraobserver variability. RESULTS: The mean age was 23+1 months, and 80% were female; none of the children had hip dysplasia. There was no statistical significance in the quotient of pelvic rotation (AP 1.2 + 0.1 degrees and FL 1.1 + 0.1 degrees; P = 0.84). There was a statistical difference in obturator height in mm (AP 16.0 + 0.3 and FL 17.8 + 0.2; P = 7.2E-10). The mean intraobserver variability for the acetabular index was 1.8 + 0.2 and 1.7 + 0.2 degrees for AP and FL alignments, respectively (P = 0.58), and the mean interobserver variability was 1.7 + 0.1 and 1.7 + 0.1 degrees, respectively (P = 0.75). The measurements of linear variability between the AP and FL showed no statistical significant difference with the exception of the left Hilgenreiner distance in mm (AP 1.00 + 0.08 and FL 0.81 + 0.08; P = 0.02). DISCUSSION: These results demonstrate that there is little clinical difference in variability of positioning and rotational variables between AP and FL radiographs for hip dysplasia. These results indicate that either image could be used assess to acetabular dysplasia thus decreasing risks of ionizing radiation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Fine needle aspiration of the thyroid: a contemporary experience of 3981 cases.

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is an essential tool for the management of thyroid nodules. Recently, several national organizations have recommended FNA of all thyroid nodules >1 cm. With the increase use of imaging in the practice of medicine over the last decade, the number of incidentally discovered thyroid nodules is rising. Therefore, we analyzed our experience to determine if these changes in practice led to alterations in the population of patients undergoing FNA at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected from 981 consecutive patients who underwent thyroid FNA at our institution between 2002 and 2009. Patients were divided in two groups: the early time period 2002-2005 (group 1) and later time period 2006-2009 (group 2). Data from the two groups were analyzed with t-test and χ(2) tests (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). RESULTS: Comparing the groups, the number of FNAs performed in the later time period increased significantly by 250%. Patients in the later time period (group 2) were more likely to be female and were significantly older. With regard to FNA diagnoses, the number of benign FNAs increased, while the percentage of FNAs diagnosed as malignant and as follicular neoplasm decreased. There also appears to be an increase in the incidence of thyroiditis. CONCLUSIONS: The use of thyroid FNA has markedly increased during this contemporary series. This rise in thyroid FNA appears to be due to biopsy of benign thyroid nodules. With time, more females and older patients have undergone FNA, possibly reflecting the increased use of imaging studies in this patient population.

Hürthle cell metaplasia on fine-needle aspiration biopsy is not by itself an indication for thyroid surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the malignancy rate in patients with Hürthle cell metaplasia (HCM) on fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). METHODS: The pathology results of patients with benign colloid (BC) and HCM on FNAB were compared using a prospective database. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-three (65%) patients had BC on FNAB, and 82 (35%) had HCM. The mean nodule size was similar in both groups (25 ± 2 mm vs 26 mm ± 2 mm, P = .83). Malignancy was identified on the final pathology report in 21 (14%) versus 13 (16%) patients in the BC and HCM groups, respectively (P = .66). Of the patients with malignancy, the tumor was determined as microcarcinoma in 76% in the BC groups versus 85% in the HCM group (P = .48) and as incidental in 71% versus 85% (P = .39). CONCLUSIONS: A result of HCM on FNAB carries a similar rate of malignancy as BC and should not be treated differently. Most of the malignancies found were incidental microcarcinomas.