Full endoscopic minimally invasive extraperitoneal modified Sugarbaker approach for para-colostomy hernia repair: Technical aspects and 2-year follow-up results of a prospective cohort.

AIM: This study aimed to assess technical aspects and clinical results of a new minimally invasive technique in parastomal hernia (PSH) repair, full endoscopic retromuscular access, after 2 years of follow-up. METHODS: Data from consecutive patients requiring minimally invasive ventral PSH repair were collected from 2019 to 2022. The inclusion criteria were patients aged between 18 and 80 years old with symptomatic PSH. Demographics and perioperative and postoperative data were collected. Postoperative pain and functional recovery were compared with preoperative data. RESULTS: Twelve patients with symptomatic PSH were included. The mean PSH defect area was 16.2 cm2 and the mean midline defect was 8.7 cm2 . No intra-operative complications or conversion to open surgery were detected. One patient (8%) required postoperative readmission due to partial bowel obstruction symptoms that required catheterization of the stoma. Pain significantly worsened after the first postoperative day compared to preoperative data but improved after the first postoperative month compared to the first postoperative week and after the 90th postoperative day compared to the first postoperative month, with significant differences. Significant restriction improvement was identified when 30 days after surgery data were compared to preoperative data and when the 180th postoperative day results were compared to 30 days after surgery. The average follow-up was 29 months. During the follow-up no clinical or radiological recurrence was observed. CONCLUSION: This paper shows low rate of intra- and postoperative complications with significant improvement in terms of pain activities restriction compared to preoperatory. After 29 months follow-up, no recurrence was identified, confirming that this approach offers good mid-term results.

Human Omental Mesothelial Cells Impart an Immunomodulatory Landscape Impeding B- and T-Cell Activation.

Mesothelial cells form the mesothelium, a simple epithelium lining the walls of serous cavities and the surface of visceral organs. Although mesothelial cells are phenotypically well characterized, their immunoregulatory properties remain largely unknown, with only two studies reporting their capacity to inhibit T cells through TGF-ß and their consumption of L-arginine by arginase-1. Whether human mesothelial cells can suppress other immune cells and possess additional leukosuppressive mechanisms, remain to be addressed to better delineate their therapeutic potential for cell therapy. Herein, we generated secretomes from omental mesothelial cells (OMC) and assess their capacity to inhibit lymphocytes proliferation, suppress activated T and B cells, as well as to modify macrophage activation markers. The secretome from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) served as a control of immuno-suppression. Although OMC and MSC were phenotypically divergent, their cytokine secretion patterns as well as expression of inflammatory and immunomodulary genes were similar. As such, OMC- and MSC-derived secretomes (OMC-S and MSC-S) both polarized RAW 264.7 macrophages towards a M2-like anti-inflammatory phenotype and suppressed mouse and human lymphocytes proliferation. OMC-S displayed a strong ability to suppress mouse- and human-activated CD19+/CD25+ B cells as compared to MSC-S. The lymphosuppressive activity of the OMC-S could be significantly counteracted either by SB-431542, an inhibitor of TGFß and activin signaling pathways, or with a monoclonal antibody against the TGFß1, ß2, and ß3 isoforms. A strong blockade of the OMC-S-mediated lymphosuppressive activity was achieved using L-NMMA, a specific inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Taken together, our results suggest that OMC are potent immunomodulators.

Feasibility of quantitative analysis of colonic perfusion using indocyanine green to prevent anastomotic leak in colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to quantify Fluorescence angiography with indocyanine green (ICG) in colorectal cancer anastomosis, determine influential factors in its temporary intensity and pattern, assessing the ability to predict the AL, and setting the cut-off levels to establish high- or low-risk groups. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively managed database, including 70 patients who underwent elective surgery for colorectal cancer in which performing a primary anastomosis was in primary plan. In all of them, ICG fluorescence angiography was performed as usual clinical practice with VisionSense™ VS Iridium (Medtronic, Mansfield, MA, USA), in Elevision™ IR Platform (Medtronic, Mansfield, MA, USA). Parameters measured at real time or calculated were T0, Tmax, ∆T, Fmax, %pos, Fpos, and Slope. RESULTS: 70 patients were included, 69 anastomosis were performed and one end colostomy. Arterial hypertension demonstrated higher Fmax, as well as the location of the anastomosis (the nearest to rectum, the most intensity detected). A statistical relationship was found between AL and the lower Fpos and Slope. The decision of changing the subjectively decided point of division did not demonstrate statistical difference on the further development of AL. All parameters were analyzed to detect the cut-off related with AL. Only in case of Fpos lower than 158.3 U and Slope lower than 13.1 U/s p-value were significant. The most valuable diagnostic parameter after risk stratification was the Negative Predictive Value. CONCLUSION: Quantitative analysis of ICG fluorescence in colorectal surgery is safe and feasible to stratify risk of AL. Hypertension and location of anastomosis influence the intensity of fluorescence at the point of section. A change of division place should be considered to avoid AL related to vascular reasons when intensities of fluorescence at the point of section is lower than 169 U or slopes lower than 14.4 U/s.

Impact of the patient-nurse ratio on health outcomes in public hospitals of the Andalusian Health Service. Ecological study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the patient-nurse ratio and its association with health outcomes in public hospitals of the Andalusian Health Service (SAS). METHOD: Cross-sectional ecological study carried out in adult units of 26 Andalusian public hospitals. Data on structure (beds, type of unit, nursing control), management (average stay, index of use of stays, complexity index) and nursing staff were collected. They were extracted from official sources: CMBDA, SAS/Health Council (CS) publications and specific respondents to Nursing Directorates. The patient-nurse ratio was calculated and related to 19 indicators of hospital quality, safety, and mortality. Measures of central tendency and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A response was obtained from 100% of the Andalusian hospitals. The average patient-nurse ratio in the three shifts was lower in hospitals with a broader portfolio of services-regional scope (11.6), followed by those with a medium portfolio-specialties (12.7) and hospitals with a basic portfolio-county (13.5). By type of unit, the medical units were 11.8 (SD = 1.8) lower than the surgical ones 13.5 (SD = 2.7). Significant differences were only found in medical units of regional hospitals 10.5 (SD = 1.4) and district hospitals 13.03 (SD = 1.46) (p = .001). In critical care, the ratio was greater than 2 patients per nurse in the three groups. When relating the ratio to health outcomes, 5 significant associations were found: pressure ulcers (p = .005), prevalence of nosocomial infections (p = .036), postoperative sepsis (p = .022), zero bacteraemia verification (p = .045) and mortality from heart failure (p = .004). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a high patient-nurse ratio in adult hospitalization units and that there is a positive association between the patient-nurse ratio and worse results related to nursing care.

Impact of the patient-nurse ratio on health outcomes in public hospitals of the Andalusian Health Service. Ecological Study. / Impacto de la ratio paciente-enfermera en los resultados de salud en los hospitales públicos del Servicio Andaluz de Salud. Estudio ecológico.

AIM: To analyse the patient-nurse ratio and its association with health outcomes in public hospitals of the Andalusian Health Service (SAS). METHOD: Cross-sectional ecological study carried out in adult units of 26 Andalusian public hospitals. Data on structure (beds, type of unit, nursing control), management (average stay, index of use of stays, complexity index) and nursing staff were collected. They were extracted from official sources: CMBDA, SAS/Health Council (CS) publications and specific respondents to Nursing Directorates. The patient-nurse ratio was calculated and related to 19 indicators of hospital quality, safety, and mortality. Measures of central tendency and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A response was obtained from 100% of the Andalusian hospitals. The average patient-nurse ratio in the three shifts was lower in hospitals with a broader portfolio of services-regional scope (11.6), followed by those with a medium portfolio-specialties (12.7) and hospitals with a basic portfolio- county (13.5). By type of unit, the medical units were 11.8 (SD=1.8) lower than the surgical ones 13.5 (SD=2.7). Significant differences were only found in medical units of regional hospitals 10.5 (SD=1.4) and district hospitals 13.03 (SD=1.46) (p=.001). In critical care, the ratio was greater than 2 patients per nurse in the three groups. When relating the ratio to health outcomes, 5 significant associations were found: pressure ulcers (p=.005), prevalence of nosocomial infections (p=.036), postoperative sepsis (p=.022), zero bacteraemia verification (p=.045) and mortality from heart failure (p=.004). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a high patient-nurse ratio in adult hospitalization units and that there is a positive association between the patient-nurse ratio and worse results related to nursing care.

Analysis of frequency, type of complications and economic costs of outlying patients in general and digestive surgery. / Análisis de la frecuencia, tipos de complicación y costes económicos en los pacientes ectópicos de cirugía general y digestiva.

INTRODUCTION: The shortage of available beds and the increase in Emergency Department pressure can cause some patients to be admitted in wards with available beds assigned to other services (outlying patients). The aim of this study is to assess the frequency, types of complications and costs of outlying patients. METHODS: Using a retrospective cohort model, we analysed the 2015 general and digestive surgery records (source: Minimum Basic Data Set and economic database). After selecting all outlying patients, we compared the complications, length of stay, costs and consequences of complications against a randomized sample of non-outlying patients with the same DRG and date of episode for every outlying patient, obtaining one non-outlying patient for each selected outlying patient. Thirteen outlying patients with no non-outlying patient pair were excluded from the study. RESULTS: From a total of 2,915 patients, 363 (12.45%) were outlying patients. A total of 350 outlying patients were analysed versus 350 non-outlying patients. There were no significant differences in complications (9.4 vs. 8.3%), length of stay (4.33 vs. 4.65 days) or costs (€3,034.12 vs. €3,223.27). Outlying patients men presented a significantly higher risk of complications compared to women (RR=2.10). Outlying patients presented complications after 2.5 or more days. CONCLUSIONS: When outlying admissions become necessary, the selection of patients with less complex pathologies does not increase complications or their consequences (ICU admissions, readmissions, reoperations or mortality), hospital stays or costs. Only in cases of prolonged outlying stays of more than 2.5 days, or in males, may more complications appear. Therefore, male outliers should be avoided in general, and patients should be transferred to the proper ward if a length of stay beyond 2.5 days is foreseen.

Economic Cost Analysis Related to Complications in General and Digestive Surgery. / Análisis de los costes económicos asociados a las complicaciones en cirugía general y digestiva.

INTRODUCTION: The aim was to assess the impact on economic costs and length of stay (LOS) of postoperative complications. METHODS: 5,822 records from BMDS (2014-2015) are included. A descriptive, univariate and multivariate study evaluated the correlation between complications, Clavien-Dindo grade and vacation periods with LOS and economic costs, based on a full-cost model, aggregated by DRG. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Mean cost per stay was €676.71, and €4,309.02 per episode. Complications appeared in 639 patients (11%). Admission to ICU was required in 203 patients, re-operation in 134 and re-admission in 243, while 66 patients died (1.1%). Complications caused significantly longer LOS (20.08 vs 5.48 days) and higher economic cost (€11,670.31 vs €3,354.12); infectious complications were the most frequent and respiratory the most expensive (€20,428.53), together with ICU admission (€20,242.66). Clavien-Dindo grade correlated with greater LOS and costs (except gradev). During vacation periods, complications and LOS are increased, but costs of these complications and LOS did not differ significantly from complications detected in non-vacation periods.

[Importance of the quality of the discharge report in the management of a surgical clinical unit]. / Importancia de la calidad del informe de alta en la gestión de una unidad clínica quirúrgica.

BACKGROUND: The discharge report is a basic document at the end of a care process, and is a key element in the coding process, since its correct wording, reliability and completeness are factors used to determine the hospital production. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From a hypothesis based on the analysis of the consistency between the discharge report and data collected from the routine clinical notes during admission, we should be able to re-code all those mis-coded, thus placing them in a more appropriate diagnosis-related group (DRG). A total of 24 patient outliers were analysed for the correct filling in of the type and reason for admission, personal history, medication, anamnesis, primary and secondary diagnosis, sugical procedure, outcome, number of diagnostic and procedures cited, concordance between discharge report and history and recoding of the DRG. RESULTS: From a total of 24 episodes, 6 had precise and valid reports, 4 were valid but not precise enough, 9 were insufficient, and 5 were clearly invalid. The recoded DRG after the documentation review was not significantly different, according to the Wilcoxon test, being changed in only 5 cases (P = .680). CONCLUSION: Quality in discharge reports depends on an adequate minimum data set (MDS) in concordance with the source documentation during admission. Discordance can change the DRG, despite it not being significantly different in our series. Self-audit of discharge reports allows quality improvements to be developed along with a reduction in information mistakes.

[One year follow-up after doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation]. / Resultados a un año tras desarterialización hemorroidal guiada por doppler.

INTRODUCTION: The Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation (DG-HAL) is a non-exeresis technique for the treatment of haemorrhoids, consisting in the ligature of the distal branches of the upper rectal artery. The aim of this work is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this technique after one year of follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 30 patients were operated on using DG-HAL for grade II or III haemorrhoids. The mean age was 49.9 years (30-70 years). The THD® (Transanal Haemorrhoidal Dearterialisation) device was employed in all cases. The procedures were performed under intradural anaesthesia in a short-stay surgery unit. The operating time, pain, bleeding, postoperative stay, and complications and symptoms after 3-6 months and 12 months were recorded. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 23minutes (15-50). The pain according to a visual analogue scale (VAS) was 5.5 during the first day (90% required analgesia). Only 2 patients required analgesia after the second day. One patient described persistent pain up to 3 months, and 2 slight bleeding. A further operation was performed due to a haemorrhoidal thrombosis on the 10(th) day. There were no other complications and no re-admissions. The mean hospital stay was 1.4 days (0-2), and normal daily activity re-established at 7-8 days. A large majority (87%) of patients described having tenesmus, which disappeared in 3 months. After one year, two patients had had further operations, 3 had recurrences (2 slight prolapses and 1 occasional bleeding). The success rate was 80%. CONCLUSIONS: Haemorrhoidal dearterialisation using Doppler-guided arterial ligation seems to be effective after one year, with a low percentage of complications.