Quality-of-care initiative in patients treated surgically for perforated peptic ulcer.

BACKGROUND: Mortality and morbidity are considerable after treatment for perforated peptic ulcer (PPU). Since 2003, a Danish nationwide quality-of-care (QOC) improvement initiative has focused on reducing preoperative delay, and improving perioperative monitoring and care for patients with PPU. The present study reports the results of this initiative. METHODS: This was a nationwide cohort study based on prospectively collected data, involving all hospitals caring for patients with PPU in Denmark. Details of patients treated surgically for PPU between September 2004 and August 2011 were reported to the Danish Clinical Register of Emergency Surgery. Changes in baseline patient characteristics and in seven QOC indicators are presented, including relative risks (RRs) for achievement of the indicators. RESULTS: The study included 2989 patients. An increasing number fulfilled the following four QOC indicators in 2010-2011 compared with the first 2 years of monitoring: preoperative delay no more than 6 h (59·0 versus 54·0 per cent; P = 0·030), daily monitoring of bodyweight (48·0 versus 29·0 per cent; P < 0·001), daily monitoring of fluid balance (79·0 versus 74·0 per cent; P = 0·010) and daily monitoring of vital signs (80·0 versus 68·0 per cent; P < 0·001). A lower proportion of patients had discontinuation of routine prophylactic antibiotics (82·0 versus 90·0 per cent; P < 0·001). Adjusted 30-day mortality decreased non-significantly from 2005-2006 to 2010-2011 (adjusted RR 0·87, 95 per cent confidence interval 0·76 to 1·00), whereas the rate of reoperative surgery remained unchanged (adjusted RR 0·98, 0·78 to 1·23). CONCLUSION: This nationwide quality improvement initiative was associated with reduced preoperative delay and improved perioperative monitoring in patients with PPU. A non-significant improvement was seen in 30-day mortality.

The Peptic Ulcer Perforation (PULP) score: a predictor of mortality following peptic ulcer perforation. A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Accurate and early identification of high-risk surgical patients with perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) is important for triage and risk stratification. The objective of the present study was to develop a new and improved clinical rule to predict mortality in patients following surgical treatment for PPU. DESIGN: nationwide cohort study based on prospectively collected data. SETTING: thirty-five hospitals in Denmark. PATIENTS: a total of 2668 patients surgically treated for gastric or duodenal PPU between 1 February 2003 and 31 August 2009. OUTCOME MEASURE: 30-day mortality. RESULTS: We derived a new clinical prediction rule for 30-day mortality and evaluated and compared its prognostic performance with the American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) and Boey scores. A total of 708 patients (27%) died within 30 days of surgery. The Peptic Ulcer Perforation (PULP) score - comprised eight variables with an adjusted odds ratio of more than 1.28: 1) age > 65 years, 2) active malignant disease or AIDS, 3) liver cirrhosis, 4) steroid use, 5) time from perforation to admission > 24 h, 6) pre-operative shock, 7) serum creatinine > 130 µM, and 8) the four levels of the ASA score (from 2 to 5). The score predicted mortality well (area under receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) 0.83). It performed considerably better than the Boey score (AUC 0.70) and better than the ASA score alone (AUC 0.78). CONCLUSION: The PULP score accurately predicts 30-day mortality in patients operated for PPU and can assist in risk stratification and triage.

Multicentre trial of a perioperative protocol to reduce mortality in patients with peptic ulcer perforation.

BACKGROUND: Morbidity and mortality rates in patients with perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) remain substantial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a multimodal and multidisciplinary perioperative care protocol on mortality in patients with PPU. METHODS: This was an externally controlled multicentre trial set in seven gastrointestinal departments in Denmark. Consecutive patients who underwent surgery for gastric or duodenal PPU between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2009 were treated according to a multimodal and multidisciplinary evidence-based perioperative care protocol. The 30-day mortality rate in this group was compared with rates in historical and concurrent national controls. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality rate following PPU was 17·1 per cent in the intervention group, compared with 27·0 per cent in the three control groups (P = 0·005). This corresponded to a relative risk of 0·63 (95 per cent confidence interval 0·41 to 0·97), a relative risk reduction of 37 (5 to 58) per cent and a number needed to treat of 10 (6 to 38). CONCLUSION: The 30-day mortality rate in patients with PPU was reduced by more than one-third after the implementation of a multimodal and multidisciplinary perioperative care protocol, compared with conventional treatment. REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00624169 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Splenic injury after colonoscopy.

Splenic injury is a rare and serious complication of colonoscopy. The most likely mechanism is tension on the splenocolic ligament and adhesions. Eight cases were identified among claims for compensation submitted to the Danish Patient Insurance Association during the period 1992-2006, seven of which were reported after 2000. The total number of colonoscopies in Denmark in 2004 was 39 067. Seven of the eight patients were aged 65 years or over. Loops causing difficulties during the colonoscopy had been reported in four patients. All the patients had a symptom-free interval after the colonoscopy, ranging from 4 hours to 7 days, before presenting with signs of splenic injury. In all cases the spleen was torn, and the amount of blood in the peritoneal cavity ranged from 1500 mL to 5000 mL. Two patients died postoperatively. The number of cases reported after 2000 indicates that this potentially lethal complication might be more common than was previously assumed, and it is possibly under-reported. Preventive measures include good colonoscopic technique to avoid loop formation and the use of excessive force; and it is possible that emerging endoscopic technologies will lead to a reduced risk of splenic injury. The information given to patients both before and after the procedure should include information on the signs of this complication, and patients should be also informed that these signs can develop after a symptom-free interval.

Diagnostic performance of computed tomography colonography and colonoscopy: a prospective and validated analysis of 231 paired examinations.

BACKGROUND: Detection of colorectal tumors with computed tomography colonography (CTC) is an alternative to conventional colonoscopy (CC), and clarification of the diagnostic performance is essential for cost-effective use of both technologies. PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of CTC compared with CC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 231 consecutive CTCs were performed prior to same-day scheduled CC. The radiologist and endoscopists were blinded to each other's findings. Patients underwent a polyethylene glycol bowel preparation, and were scanned in prone and supine positions using a single-detector helical CT scanner and commercially available software for image analysis. Findings were validated (matched) in an unblinded comparison with video-recordings of the CCs and re-CCs in cases of doubt. RESULTS: For patients with polyps >/=5 mm and >/=10 mm, the sensitivity was 69% (95% CI 58-80%) and 81% (68-94%), and the specificity was 91% (84-98%) and 98% (93-100%), respectively. For detection of polyps >/=5 mm and >/=10 mm, the sensitivity was 66% (57-75%) and 77% (65-89%). A flat, elevated low-grade carcinoma was missed by CTC. One cancer relapse was missed by CC, and a cecal cancer was missed by an incomplete CC and follow-up double-contrast barium enema. CONCLUSION: CC was superior to CTC and should remain first choice for the diagnosis of colorectal polyps. However, for diagnosis of lesions >/=10 mm, CTC and CC should be considered as complementary methods.

A comparative study of skills in virtual laparoscopy and endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to investigate whether there is a correlation between manual skills in laparoscopic procedures and manual skills in flexible endoscopy. METHODS: In a prospective study using laparoscopy and endoscopy simulators (MIST-VR, and GI-Mentor II), 24 consecutive subjects (gastrointestinal surgeons, novice and experienced gastroenterologists, and untrained subjects) were asked to perform laparoscopic and endoscopic tasks. Their performance was assessed by the simulators' software and by observers blinded to the levels of subjects' experience. Performance in experienced vs inexperienced subjects was compared. Score pairs of three parameters--time, errors, and economy of movement--were also compared. RESULTS: Experienced subjects performed significantly better than inexperienced subjects on both tasks in terms of time, errors, and economy of movement (p < 0.05). All three performance parameters in laparoscopy and endoscopy correlated significantly (p < 0.02). CONCLUSION: Both simulators can distinguish between experienced and inexperienced subjects. Observed skills in simulated laparoscopy correlate with skills in simulated flexible endoscopy. This finding may have an impact on the design of training programs involving both procedures.

The histopathology of human gastric mucosa inhabited by Helicobacter heilmannii-like (Gastrospirillum hominis) organisms, including the first culturable case.

The aim was to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter heilmannii-like organisms in human gastric biopsies and the associated histology compared with that of Helicobacter pylori-bearing gastric biopsies. Furthermore, the feasibility of culturing H. heilmannii was examined. A consecutive series of 727 gastric biopsies from 650 patients were prospectively scrutinized for H. heilmannii. Their distribution pattern was recorded as well as the affiliated morphology of the gastric mucosa. Additional biopsies from some of the patients were examined microbiologically. Four cases (0.6%)(95% confidence intervals: 0.01-1.2%) of the examined material harboured H. heilmannii. The bacterial burden was graded as sparse in three cases, moderate in one case. The distribution pattern was patchy; thus, in no case did all biopsies from one endoscopy comprise H. heilmannii. Adhesion to epithelial cells was infrequent. A mild gastritis, active in three cases, characterized all biopsies. Lymphoid aggregates occurred in biopsies from three patients. Micropapillary tufting of the epithelial layer and intestinal metaplasia were not apparent. Culture studies proved successful in the one of the four cases assayed. In conclusion the morphology of H. heilmannii-bearing mucosa deviates from that of H. pylori-associated mucosa by the absence of epithelial damage in the former. This observation can in part be explained by the predominant location of H. heilmannii at a distance from the epithelium in contrast to the conspicuous H. pylori adhesion to epithelial cells, coupled with a usually low bacterial burden and patchy occurrence of H. heilmannii as opposed to the generally more heavy infestation with H. pylori.

Bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective nationwide series.

BACKGROUND: The risk of bile duct injury in laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been a concern since the procedure became part of the surgical armamentarium. Our study assesses the incidence, types, and treatment for laparoscopic bile duct injury. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case registration in a national database with participation by all departments of surgery performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Denmark since the first operation in January 1991. The case notes for bile duct injury have been reviewed. RESULTS: From 1991 through 1994, 57 of 7,654 patients sustained bile duct injury (0.74 percent; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.55 percent to 0.94 percent), including nine injuries occurring after conversion. The annual incidence did not decrease. Thirty-nine percent of the laparoscopic bile duct injuries were incisions, 39 percent were transections, and 12 percent were clip injuries or strictures. One patient, who sustained transection during open reoperation for bleeding after a converted procedure, died. Bile leaks for reasons other than bile duct injury occurred in 2.1 percent; 71 percent of these were cystic duct leaks. Acute cholecystitis was the indication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 968 patients, with 1.3 percent sustaining laparoscopic bile duct injury (95 percent confidence interval, 0.62 percent to 2.08 percent), while the incidence in patients with other indications for laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 0.62 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 0.44 percent to 0.82 percent) (p > 0.05). Preoperative knowledge of bile duct anatomy was available by means of preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or intravenous cholangiography in 26 percent of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy but this did not reduce the risk of bile duct injury. The frequency of bile duct injury in patients who had intraoperative cholangiography was not significantly different from those who did not. Intraoperative cholangiography was done in 14 cases of injury (diagnostic for injury in 8, misinterpreted in 2, and normal in 4 patients). The case notes described operative difficulties in 11 of 48 cases of laparoscopic bile duct injury, most often because of fibrosis or difficulty delineating the anatomy. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of bile duct injury in laparoscopic cholecystectomy is higher than previously generally anticipated and did not decrease from 1991 through 1994. Risk factors and possible preventive measures should be evaluated in prospective studies.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy causes less sleep disturbance than open abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine subjective sleep quality before and after laparoscopic vs open abdominal surgery. METHODS: Twelve patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 15 patients undergoing laparotomy were evaluated with the aid of a sleep questionnaire from 4 days before until 4 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Following laparoscopic surgery, total sleep time increased during the 1st week after the operation compared with preoperative values (p = 0.02), whereas sleep duration during weeks 2, 3, and 4 did not differ from the times reported preoperatively. Following laparotomy, sleep duration increased during the 1st, 3rd, and 4th weeks after the operation compared with preoperative values (p < 0.05). All patients experienced postoperative circadian sleep disturbance, with significantly more sleep during the daytime compared with preoperative values; the disturbance was present 1 week after laparoscopy and 4 weeks after laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: After laparotomy, total sleep time increased and there was a change in diurnal sleep distribution. These sleep alterations were less pronounced after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Thus, sleep architecture was disturbed for ?4 weeks after major abdominal surgery but for only 1 week after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Diffusion of laparoscopic technologies in Denmark.

It has been predicted that minimally invasive therapy will have dramatic consequences for the specialty of general surgery, as demonstrated by the diffusion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. To investigate the determinants of the diffusion in Denmark of five laparoscopic technologies (cholecystectomy, appendicectomy, surgery for colon cancer, surgery for inguinal hernia and fundoplication), questionnaires on seventeen factors' influence on the adoption (stimulating or impeding) were sent to fifty-nine hospitals. Fifty hospitals (85%) responded. Overall, 98% adopted laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Denmark between 1991 and 1995, whereas the remainder of the technologies were adopted by 7-65% of hospitals performing these operations. Large and specialized hospitals were the earliest adopters. The factors, nature of technology (minimally invasive versus conventional), training (appropriate training courses), competition (between specialties and between hospitals) and media attention have stimulated the diffusion, whereas three budget factors (budget for investment, budget for operation and public regulation) usually had an impeding effect. Stimulating factors prevail for all laparoscopic technologies indicating that some guidance of the adoption and use of new health technologies might be necessary. In Denmark, one of the suggested health policies to secure timely guidance is the establishment of an early warning system.

Timing of adoption of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Denmark and in The Netherlands: a comparative study.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has diffused rapidly in most industrialised countries. The aim of this study has been to analyse the impact of different hospital characteristics on the hospital adoption of LC in Denmark and The Netherlands. Data on the timing of the adoption of LC and hospital characteristics (hospital size, teaching status and location) were retrieved in both countries. Proportional hazard regression was used to analyse different multivariate models. A total of 59 Danish and 109 Dutch hospitals adopting LC were identified. The multivariate analyses showed that increased hospital size was associated with relatively early adoption of LC in Denmark. Neither this nor other hospital characteristics influenced the timing of adoption in The Netherlands. As in other countries studied, hospital size is identified as an important factor in hospital adoption, whereas teaching status and location play a more limited role. The study shows that a multivariate method, such as the proportional hazard regression, can be used to elucidate differences among countries of the impact of different factors on the adoption of medium-ticket technologies like LC. Such multinational comparisons provide valuable information for health policy and planning.

[Sedation in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy]. / Sedering ved øvre gastrointestinal endoskopi.

Sedation in connection with oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy is carried out in various ways. The investigation may be carried out with surface anaesthesia in the pharynx in well-informed and mentally stable patients but accept of renewed endoscopy is increased significantly when sedation is employed. Patients with an absolute requirement for sedation may be selected possibly employing a brief personality test. Employment of diazepam is extensively employed but diazepam interacts with cimetidin among other drugs, has a relatively long half-life and can cause secondary sedation. Midazolam has a more rapid effect, a briefer half-life, provides deeper sedation and results in more amnesia than diazepam. The oxygen tension decrease during endoscopy regardless of the sedative employed. Other sedatives, opioids, atropin or anaesthetics are not indicated under normal circumstances. Sedation can be abolished immediately after endoscopy with the bendzodiazepin-antagonist, flumazenil.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy during pregnancy]. / Laparoskopisk kolecystektomi under graviditet.

Pregnancy has been considered an absolute contraindication to laparoscopic cholecystectomy, but recently several successful cases have been published. Two patients operated upon during the second trimester with an uneventful intra- and postoperative course and subsequent uncomplicated obstetric course are reported. The procedure requires special consideration with respect to incisions, insertion of cannula and ports, establishment and maintenance of pneumoperitoneum with a pressure of 10 mmHg, intraoperative monitoring of maternal end-tidal pCO2, perioperative foetal monitoring and choice of postoperative analgesics. The use of intraoperative cholangiography is controversial, but it should probably be avoided in pregnant patients. It is not known whether perioperative tocolytic therapy is necessary. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is not contraindicated during pregnancy.

[Endoscopic treatment of colorectal obstruction with self-expandable metal endoprosthesis]. / Endoskopisk behandling af kolorektal obstruktion med selvekspanderende metal-endoprotese.

Relief of colo-rectal obstruction by means of self-expandable metal mesh stents (SEMS) has been suggested for palliation and acute decompression followed by optimization of the patients' general condition prior to definitive surgery. Twelve patients with high operative risk and/or metastatic disease were selected for stenting with a dedicated colorectal partly covered SEMS (Choo Colo-Rectal Stent, Solco Intermed Co., Seoul, Korea). Stent deployment was successful in nine, two of whom had total obstruction. In one a guidewire perforation was treated conservatively. In two patients (one benign stricture, and one rectal cancer) the stents migrated within three weeks. One re-obstructed. In the remaining six patients colonic decompression was achieved, and the stents have been patent until death (33-175 days, four patients) or are still patent (follow-up 35-80 days). These results are promising, but data from several centres should be compiled prospectively in a standardized fashion in order to allow for assessment of the method's safety and success rates before randomized trials can be initiated.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Denmark. A prospective registration]. / Laparoskopisk kolecystektomi i Danmark. En prospektiv registrering.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) was introduced in Denmark in 1991, and a prospective case register was established. All departments performing LC agreed to participate. In 1991-1992, 2,415 patients underwent LC in 44 departments. The median number of procedures was 32 (interquartile range 18-58, range 1-370), performed by a median of four surgeons per department (3-5, 1-23). Two hundred and forty-two patients (10%) had acute cholecystitis. Eighteen point five percent had had an ERCP performed prior to LC. The rate of conversion to open operation was 10.5%, occurring significantly more often in acute cholecystitis (25.6%) than in patients with other indications (8.8%) (p < 0.001). Intraoperative cholangiography was used in 22.4%. The median duration of LC was 90 minutes (70-120, 25-415). The postoperative course was without complications in 90.4%. Laparotomy for complications was necessary in 43 patients (2.0%), mainly because of bile leaks. Twelve patients (0.6%) were treated endoscopically for complications. Bile duct injury occurred in 16 patients (0.66%, 95% CI 0.34-0.99%), including three transsections, one stricture, and 12 minor injuries. Six patients (0.25%, 95% CI 0-0.45%), three of whom had procedure-related complications, died postoperatively. All were > or = 72 years of age. Median time to discharge was two days, while median time to resumed work/normal activity was eight days. A comparison with the number of LC registered in the National Patient Register indicates that reporting is complete.