Risk factors for morbidity after appendectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the risk factors for postoperative complications after an appendectomy with special regard to both the time period from hospital admission to operation and night time surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent an appendectomy due to acute appendicitis and were admitted to the University Hospital Aachen between January 2003 and January 2014 were included in this retrospective analysis. Regarding the occurrence of postoperative complications, patients were divided into the following two groups: the group with complications (group 1) and the group without complications (group 2). RESULTS: Of the 2136 patients who were included in this study, 165 patients (group 1) exhibited complications, and in 1971 patients (group 2), no complications appeared. After a univariate logistic regression analysis, six predictors for postoperative complications were found and are described as follows: (1) complicated appendicitis (odds ratio (OR) 4.8 (3.46-6.66), p < 0.001), (2) operation at night (OR 1.62 (1.17-2.24), p = 0.004), (3) conversion from laparoscopic to open access (OR 37.08 (12.95-106.17), p < 0.001), (4) an age > 70 years (OR 6.00 (3.64-9.89), p < 0.001), (5) elevated CRP (OR 1.01 (1.01-1.01), p < 0.001) and (6) increased WBC count (OR 1.04 (1.01-1.07), p = 0.003). After multivariate logistic regression analysis, a significant association was demonstrated for complicated appendicitis (1.88 (1.06-3.32), p < 0.031), conversion to open access (OR 16.33 (4.52-58.98), p < 0.001), elevated CRP (OR 1.00 (1.00-1.01), p = 0.017) and an age > 70 years (OR 3.91 (2.12-7.21), p < 0.001). The time interval between hospital admission and operation was not associated with postoperative complications in the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, respectively. However, the interaction between complicated appendicitis and the time interval to operation was significant (OR 1.024 (1.00-1.05), p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, surgical delay in the case of appendicitis and operation at night did not increase the risk for postoperative complications. However, the mean waiting time was less than 12 h and patients aged 70 years or older were at a higher risk for postoperative complications. Furthermore, for the subgroup of patients with complicated appendicitis, the time interval to surgery had a significant influence on the occurrence of postoperative complications. Therefore, the contemporary operation depending on the clinical symptoms and patient age remains our recommendation.

Elastic TPU Mesh as Abdominal Wall Inlay Significantly Reduces Defect Size in a Minipig Model.

Background: The open abdomen with mesh implantation, followed by early reoperation with fascial closure, is a modern surgical approach in difficult clinical situations such as severe abdominal sepsis. As early fascial closure is not possible in many cases, mesh-mediated fascial traction is helpful for conditioning of a minimized ventral hernia after open abdomen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical utilization of an innovative elastic thermoplastic polyurethane mesh (TPU) as an abdominal wall inlay in a minipig model. Methods: Ten minipigs were divided in two groups, either receiving an elastic TPU mesh or a nonelastic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) mesh in inlay position of the abdominal wall. After 8 weeks, mesh expansion and abdominal wall defect size were measured. Finally, pigs were euthanized and abdominal walls were explanted for histological and immunohistochemical assessment. Results: Eight weeks after abdominal wall replacement, transversal diameter of the fascial defect in the TPU group was significantly smaller than in the PVDF group (4.5 cm vs. 7.4 cm; p = 0.047). Immunhistochemical analysis showed increased Ki67 positive cells (p = 0.003) and a higher number of apoptotic cells (p = 0.047) after abdominal wall replacement with a TPU mesh. Collagen type I/III ratio was increased in the PVDF group (p = 0.011). Conclusion: Implantation of an elastic TPU mesh as abdominal wall inlay is a promising approach to reduce the size of the ventral hernia after open abdomen by mesh-mediated traction. However, this effect was associated with a slightly increased foreign body reaction in comparison to the nonelastic PVDF.

[Video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement : Minimally invasive treatment and long-term results for necrotizing pancreatitis]. / Videoassistiertes retroperitoneales Débridement : Minimalinvasive Therapie und Langzeitverlauf bei nekrotisierender Pankreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Among patients with necrotizing pancreatitis 15-20% develop infected necrosis, which entails mortality rates of up to 20%. Particularly driven by the results of the Dutch Pancreatitis Study Group there has been a paradigm change from open necrosectomy to step-up treatment with initial percutaneous and/or endoscopic drainage followed, if necessary, by minimally invasive retroperitoneal debridement. AIM OF THE STUDY: Description of case series in which patients underwent video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD) including follow-up focused on quality of life. METHODS: Systematic cohort study including all patients who underwent a VARD procedure at the Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery at Aachen University Hospital from 2011 to 2015. Quality of life was recorded using the EORTC QLQ-C 30 questionnaire and compared to a representative sample of the German general population. RESULTS: The VARD procedure was performed in 9 cases, although in 1 case conversion to an open approach due to an acute bleeding was necessary. There was no 30-day and 60-day mortality following VARD. During the postoperative stay no patient required specific treatment for surgical complications. In particular, no enterocutaneous fistula or organ perforation was observed. Regarding the quality of life score there was no significant difference concerning the global health status, compared to the sample from the general population. DISCUSSION: Our data reinforce that a step-up approach in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis is a feasible and safe treatment procedure. For the first time, we could demonstrate satisfactory results in a long-term follow-up including QOL.

Long-term outcome and quality of life after initial and repeat resection of colorectal liver metastasis: A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Repeat hepatectomy is a widely accepted treatment for patients with recurrent colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). The aim of this study was to compare initial and repeat hepatic resection concerning overall survival, prognostic factors and postoperative quality of life. METHODS: Data on patients who underwent initial or repeat hepatic resection for CRLM between 2010 and 2016 were prospectively collected and retrospectively evaluated. Follow-up data, EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-LMC21 questionnaire results for quality of life (QoL) evaluation were analyzed. RESULTS: 160 patients at a median age of 62.8 ± 11.8 years were analyzed. 122 were initially resected and 38 underwent a repeat hepatic resection. Disease-free survival (DSF) was superior in the initial resection group (p < 0.001), while there was no difference in overall survival (OS) (p = 0.288). BMI >30 (p = 0.012), extrahepatic tumor manifestation (p = 0.037), >1 CRLM manifestation (p = 0.009), and perioperative chemotherapy (p = 0.006) in the initial resection group and primary left colon tumor (p = 0.001) in the repeat resection group were identified as prognostic factors in multivariate Cox regression analysis. EORTC QLQ-LMC-21 module symptom score displayed an increased occurrence of a dry mouth in the initial hepatectomy group (p = 0.003). EORTC QLQ-C30 general functioning and symptom scores showed no difference. CONCLUSION: Repeat hepatic resection for CRLM is as effective as primary surgical treatment in terms of OS and QoL. Patients should be selected carefully concerning prognostic factors as DFS is decreased after repeat hepatic resection.

Port-site incisional hernia - A case series of 54 patients.

BACKGROUND: The increased use of laparoscopy has resulted in certain complications specifically associated with the laparoscopic approach, such as port-site incisional hernia (PIH). Until today, it is not finally clarified if port-site closure should be performed by fascia suture or not. Furthermore, the optimal treatment strategy in PIH (suture vs. mesh) is still widely unclear. The aim of this study was to present our experience with PIH in two independent departments and to derive possible treatment strategies from these results. METHODS: Between 2003 and 2013, 54 patients were operated due to port-site incisional hernia in two surgical centres. Their data were collected and retrospectively analyzed depending on surgical technique of port-site hernia repair (Mesh repair group, n = 13 vs. Suture only group, n = 41). RESULTS: Port site incisional hernia occurred in 96% (52 patients) after the use of trocars with 10 mm or larger diameter. Patients treated with mesh repair had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (32 ± 9 vs. 27 ± 4; p = 0.023) and significantly higher rates of cardiac diseases (77% vs. 39%; p = 0.026) than patients in the suture only group. Mean fascial defect size was significantly larger in the Mesh repair group than in the Suture only group (31 ± 24 mm vs. 24 ± 32 mm; p = 0.007) and mean time of operation was significantly longer in patients operated with mesh repair (83 ± 47 min vs. 40 ± 28 min; p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in mean hospital stay (3 ± 4 days; p = 0.057) and hernia recurrence rates (9%; p = 0.653) between study groups. Mean time of follow up was 32 ± 35 months. CONCLUSIONS: In Port sites of 10 mm and larger diameter fascia should be closed by suture, whereas the risk of hernia development in 5 mm trocar placements seems to be a rare complication. Port-site incisional hernia should be treated by suture or mesh repair depending on fascial defect size and the patients' risk factors regarding preexisting deseases and body mass index.

Analysis of adhesion formation of a new elastic thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) mesh in comparison to polypropylene (PP) meshes in IPOM position.

BACKGROUND: Postsurgical adhesions severely affect the patients' quality of life causing various complications like bowel obstruction or chronic pain. Especially the implantation of alloplastic prostheses in IPOM position for hernia repair carries a high risk of adhesion formation due to the close contact between mesh and viscera. The extent of adhesions mainly depends on the type and textile characteristics of the implanted mesh. The aim of this study was to examine the degree of adhesion formation of a newly developed, elastic thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) mesh in comparison to polypropylene (PP) meshes in IPOM position in a rabbit model. METHODS: Sixteen female chinchilla rabbits were laparoscopically operated. Two different meshes were placed to the left and the right lower abdominal wall in IPOM position in each rabbit. After 7 or 21 days, midline laparotomy was performed, the degree of adhesion formation was examined by the Diamond score and mesh elongation was measured under a force of 3N. Finally, the abdominal walls were explanted for immunohistochemical and histopathological investigations. RESULTS: TPU meshes showed significantly lower Diamond scores than PP meshes. After explantation, mesh elongation of the TPU mesh was significantly larger than expansion of PP under a force of 3N. Thus, the TPU mesh preserved its elastic properties after 7 and 21 days. The amount of CD68 positive, Ki67 positive and apoptotic cells within the granuloma around the fibers did not show significant differences between the study groups. CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed TPU mesh seems to reduce peritoneal adhesion formation in IPOM position in a rabbit model compared to PP meshes after 7 and 21 days. Immunohistochemistry did not reveal differences in biocompatibility of the two meshes used.