General Versus Neuraxial Anesthesia for Appendectomy: A Multicenter International Study.

BACKGROUND: In resource-limited countries, open appendectomy is still performed under general anesthesia (GA) or neuraxial anesthesia (NA). We sought to compare the postoperative outcomes of appendectomy under NA versus GA. METHODS: We conducted a post hoc analysis of the International Patterns of Opioid Prescribing (iPOP) multicenter study. All patients ≥ 16 years-old who underwent an open appendectomy between October 2016 and March 2017 in one of the 14 participating hospitals were included. Patients were stratified into two groups: NA-defined as spinal or epidural-and GA. All-cause morbidity, hospital length of stay (LOS), and pain severity were assessed using univariate analysis followed by multivariable logistic regression adjusting for the following preoperative characteristics: age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking, history of opioid use, emergency status, and country. RESULTS: A total of 655 patients were included, 353 of which were in the NA group and 302 in the GA group. The countries operating under NA were Colombia (39%), Thailand (31%), China (23%), and Brazil (7%). Overall, NA patients were younger (mean age (SD): 34.5 (14.4) vs. 40.7 (17.9), p-value < 0.001) and had a lower BMI (mean (SD): 23.5 (3.8) vs. 24.3 (5.2), p-value = 0.040) than GA patients. On multivariable analysis, NA was independently associated with less postoperative complications (OR, 95% CI: 0.30 [0.10-0.94]) and shorter hospital LOS (LOS > 3 days, OR, 95% CI: 0.47 [0.32-0.68]) compared to GA. There was no difference in postoperative pain severity between the two techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Open appendectomy performed under NA is associated with improved outcomes compared to that performed under GA. Further randomized controlled studies should examine the safety and value of NA in lower abdominal surgery.

Opioids After Surgery in the United States Versus the Rest of the World: The International Patterns of Opioid Prescribing (iPOP) Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: The International Patterns of Opioid Prescribing study compares postoperative opioid prescribing patterns in the United States (US) versus the rest of the world. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The US is in the middle of an unprecedented opioid epidemic. Diversion of unused opioids contributes to the opioid epidemic. METHODS: Patients ≥16 years old undergoing appendectomy, cholecystectomy, or inguinal hernia repair in 14 hospitals from 8 countries during a 6-month period were included. Medical records were systematically reviewed to identify: (1) preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative characteristics, (2) opioid intake within 3 months preoperatively, (3) opioid prescription upon discharge, and (4) opioid refills within 3 months postoperatively. The median/range and mean/standard deviation of number of pills and OME were compared between the US and non-US patients. RESULTS: A total of 4690 patients were included. The mean age was 49 years, 47% were female, and 4% had opioid use history. Ninety-one percent of US patients were prescribed opioids, compared to 5% of non-US patients (P < 0.001). The median number of opioid pills and OME prescribed were 20 (0-135) and 150 (0-1680) mg for US versus 0 (0-50) and 0 (0-600) mg for non-US patients, respectively (both P < 0.001). The mean number of opioid pills and OME prescribed were 23.1 ±â€Š13.9 in US and 183.5 ±â€Š133.7 mg versus 0.8 ±â€Š3.9 and 4.6 ±â€Š27.7 mg in non-US patients, respectively (both P < 0.001). Opioid refill rates were 4.7% for US and 1.0% non-US patients (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: US physicians prescribe alarmingly high amounts of opioid medications postoperatively. Further efforts should focus on limiting opioid prescribing and emphasize non-opioid alternatives in the US.

Caring for the surgical patient with limited ICU resources.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The current review aims to discuss the management of surgical patients in an ICU in countries where resources are limited. RECENT FINDINGS: ICU beds in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) are limited and also have limited human and structural resources. The working force has been described to be the costliest factor. Nevertheless, costs for intensive care in LMICs are one third from the cost reported from high-income countries. Alternative options have been described, so intensive care can be delivered outside ICU. Examples are Rapid-Response Systems and Medical Emergency Teams. SUMMARY: The care of the surgical patients in an intensive care setting in countries with resource limitations should be optimized, protocols for standardized care implemented and Better research and resource allocation, as well as investment in healthcare training are essential for the development of intensive care in LMICs is necessary.

Giant squamous cell carcinoma of the gallbladder: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the biliary tract. The majority of cases are adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is the histological type present in 12% of all neoplasias accounting for approximately 12% of gallbladder neoplasms. It can occur in its pure form reaching 1%-3% of the tumors. Many patients are at an advanced stage when diagnosed and have bad therapeutic efficacy. CASE SUMMARY: A 45-year-old male patient presented with left flank pain for 1 year and irradiated to the mesogastric region. He denied fever, vomiting, and any other intestinal changes. He reported a weight loss of 10 kg in a period of 7 mo. He denied alcoholism, smoking, drug use, or prior illness. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed in the gallbladder fossa a voluminous mesogastric heterogeneous collection that had a thick and irregular capsule with liquid and gaseous contents. A predominantly hypoattenuating rounded material with partially calcified margins measuring about 2.0 cm related to gallstone was also emphasized. No lymphadenomegalies or free fluid was observed in the abdominal cavity. Patient underwent laparotomy where a huge tumor was observed affecting the transverse colon and gallbladder. This mass was resected en bloc removing gallbladder and transverse colon together with corresponding mesocolon and regional lymphadenectomy. There were no complications in the postoperative period. Although oncological treatment was performed, the patient died 6 mo after surgery. CONCLUSION: Squamous cell carcinoma represents a rare disease. Patients often present with large, bulky tumors with involvement of adjacent organs. In spite of progress in surgical techniques and adjuvant chemotherapy, the prognosis remains poor.

COLOSTOMY CLOSURE: RISK FACTORS FOR COMPLICATIONS.

BACKGROUND: : The restoration of intestinal continuity is an elective procedure that is not free of complications; on the contrary, many studies have proven a high level of morbidity and mortality. It is multifactorial, and has factors inherent to the patients and to the surgical technique. AIM: : To identify epidemiological features of patients that underwent ostomy closure analyzing the information about the surgical procedure and its arising complications. METHOD: : It was realized a retrospective analysis of medical records of patients who underwent ostomy closure over a period of seven years (2009-2015). RESULTS: : A total of 39 patients were included, 53.8% male and 46.2% female, with mean age of 52.4 years. Hartmann´s procedure and ileostomy were the mainly reasons for restoration of intestinal continuity, representing together 87%. Termino-terminal anastomosis was performed in 71.8% of cases, by using mainly the manual technique. 25.6% developed complications, highlighting anastomotic leakage; there were three deaths (7.6%). The surgical time, the necessity of ICU and blood transfusion significantly related to post-operative complications. CONCLUSION: : It was found that the majority of the patients were male, with an average age of 52 years. It was observed that the surgical time, the necessity of blood transfusion and ICU were factors significantly associated with complications.

Complications of radiofrequency ablation of hepatic tumors: Frequency and risk factors.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become an important option in the therapy of primary and secondary hepatic tumors. Surgical resection is still the best treatment option, but only a few of these patients are candidates for surgery: multilobar disease, insufficient liver reserve that will lead to liver failure after resection, extra-hepatic disease, proximity to major bile ducts and vessels, and co-morbidities. RFA has a low mortality and morbidity rate and is considered to be safe. Thus, complications occur and vary widely in the literature. Complications are caused by thermal damage, direct needle injury, infection and the patient's co-morbidities. Tumor type, type of approach, number of lesions, tumor localization, underlying hepatic disease, the physician's experience, associated hepatic resection and lesion size have been described as factors significantly associated with complications. The physician in charge should promptly recognize high-risk patients more susceptible to complications, perform a close post procedure follow-up and manage them early and adequately if they occur. We aim to describe complications from RFA of hepatic tumors and their risk factors, as well as a few techniques to avoid them. This way, others can decrease their morbidity rates with better outcomes.

Colostomy closure: risk factors for complications / Fechamento de colostomia: fatores de risco para complicações

ABSTRACT Background : The restoration of intestinal continuity is an elective procedure that is not free of complications; on the contrary, many studies have proven a high level of morbidity and mortality. It is multifactorial, and has factors inherent to the patients and to the surgical technique. Aim : To identify epidemiological features of patients that underwent ostomy closure analyzing the information about the surgical procedure and its arising complications. Method : It was realized a retrospective analysis of medical records of patients who underwent ostomy closure over a period of seven years (2009-2015). Results : A total of 39 patients were included, 53.8% male and 46.2% female, with mean age of 52.4 years. Hartmann´s procedure and ileostomy were the mainly reasons for restoration of intestinal continuity, representing together 87%. Termino-terminal anastomosis was performed in 71.8% of cases, by using mainly the manual technique. 25.6% developed complications, highlighting anastomotic leakage; there were three deaths (7.6%). The surgical time, the necessity of ICU and blood transfusion significantly related to post-operative complications. Conclusion : It was found that the majority of the patients were male, with an average age of 52 years. It was observed that the surgical time, the necessity of blood transfusion and ICU were factors significantly associated with complications.

RESUMO Racional: A reconstrução de trânsito intestinal é procedimento realizado eletivamente que não é isento de complicações, pelo contrário, muitos estudos evidenciam alto grau de morbimortalidade, dependendo de fatores inerentes ao paciente, bem como da própria técnica operatória. Objetivo: Identificar as características epidemiológicas dos pacientes submetidos à reconstrução intestinal, além de analisar as informações a respeito do procedimento cirúrgico e as complicações decorrentes. Método: Foi realizado análise retrospectiva dos prontuários dos pacientes submetidos à reconstrução intestinal no período de sete anos (2009-2015). Resultado: Foram incluídos 39 pacientes, sendo 53,8% homens e 46,2% mulheres, com idade média de 52 anos. As operações tipo Hartmann e ileostomia foram os motivos para a reconstrução do trânsito intestinal, representando juntas 87% dos pacientes. A anastomose terminoterminal foi realizada em 71,8% dos casos, utilizando principalmente a técnica manual. 25,6% dos pacientes apresentaram complicações, destacando-se a fístula de anastomose. Três (7,6%) morreram. O tempo operatório, necessidade de UTI e transfusão sanguínea apresentaram significância estatística com as complicações pós-operatórias. Conclusão: Verificou-se que a maioria foi de homens, com média de idade de 52 anos. Entre as variáveis estudadas, observou-se que a duração da operação, a necessidade de transfusão sanguínea e de UTI foram fatores complicadores com significância estatística.