Continuous monitoring of adverse effects improves surgical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: There has been significant debate about the advantages and disadvantages of using administrative databases or clinical registry in healthcare improvement programs. The aim of this study was to review the implementation and outcomes of an accountability policy through a registry maintained by professionals of the surgical department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients admitted to the department between 2003 and 2022 were prospectively included. All adverse events (AEs) occurring during the admission, convalescent care in facilities, or at home for a minimum period of 30 days after discharge were recorded. RESULTS: Out of 60,125 records, 24,846 AEs were documented in 16,802 cases (27.9%). There was a progressive increase in the number of AEs recorded per admission (1.17 in 2003 vs. 1.93 in 2022) with a 26% decrease in entries with AEs (from 35.0% in 2003 to 25.8% in 2022), a 57.5% decrease in reoperations (from 8.0% to 3.4%, respectively), and an 80% decrease in mortality (from 1.8% to 1.0%, respectively). It is noteworthy that a significant reduction in severe AEs was observed between 2011 and 2022 (56% vs. 15.6%). CONCLUSION: A prospective registry of AEs created and maintained by health professionals, along with transparent presentation and discussion of the results, leads to sustained improvement in outcomes in a surgical department of a university hospital.

Correlation between visual scores and parathyroid function.

This mini review summarizes the controversies regarding routine parathyroid identification reviews publications that assess visual scores to predict parathyroid function after thyroidectomy during the pre-ICG era.

International Consensus Panel Recommendations for the Optimization of Traditional and Single-Use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in the Treatment of Acute and Chronic Wounds.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, there are no international standardized guidelines or recommendations to guide the clinical decision-making process on when to initiate various negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) systems for acute and chronic wounds. Specifically, no established recommendations or guidance exists regarding the type of NPWT system to use, traditional (tNPWT) or single-use (sNPWT), and how to transition between the 2 systems. METHODS: An expert panel was convened to (1) provide recommendations to clinicians on when to consider NPWT use in acute and chronic wound management and (2) develop a practical decision-making tool to guide on the appropriateness of the different NPWT modalities (tNPWT or sNPWT) and when they should be utilized. RESULTS: The panel made recommendations and designed a clinical decision-making tool to aid the consideration for initiating NPWT and the optimal system to be utilized based on (1) therapeutic goals, (2) wound-related factors, (3) patient satisfaction and quality of life, (4) care setting-related factors, (5) economic-related factors, and (6) NPWT system-related factors. CONCLUSIONS: The panel recommendations took into consideration the clinical, operational, and financial factors in the clinical decision-making process of NPWT use to enable optimal patient and health care system outcomes.

Late Recovery of Parathyroid Function after Total Thyroidectomy in Children and Adults: Is There a Difference?

BACKGROUND: Parathyroid failure after total thyroidectomy is the commonest adverse event amongst both children and adults. The phenomenon of late recovery of parathyroid function, especially in young patients with persistent hypoparathyroidism, is not well understood. This study investigated differences in rates of parathyroid recovery in children and adults and factors influencing this. METHODS: A joint dual-centre database of patients who underwent a total thyroidectomy between 1998 and 2018 was searched for patients with persistent hypoparathyroidism, defined as dependence on oral calcium and vitamin D supplementation at 6 months. Demographic, surgical, pathological, and biochemical data were collected and analysed. Parathyroid Glands Remaining in Situ (PGRIS) score was calculated. RESULTS: Out of 960 patients who had total thyroidectomy, 94 (9.8%) had persistent hypoparathyroidism at 6 months, 23 (24.5%) children with a median [range] age 10 [0-17], and 71 (75.5%) adults aged 55 [25-82] years, respectively. Both groups were comparable regarding sex, indication, extent of surgery, and PGRIS score. After a median follow-up of 20 months, the parathyroid recovery rate was identical for children and adults (11 [47.8%] vs. 34 [47.9%]; p = 0.92). Sex, extent, and indication for surgery had no effect on recovery (all p > 0.05). PGRIS score = 4 (HR = 0.48) and serum calcium >2.25 mmol/L (HR = 0.24) at 1 month were associated with a decreased risk of persistent hypoparathyroidism on multivariate analysis (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Almost half of patients recovered from persistent hypoparathyroidism after 6 months; therefore, the term persistent instead of permanent hypoparathyroidism should be used. Recovery rates of parathyroid function in children and adults were similar. Regardless of age, predictive factors for recovery were PGRIS score = 4 and a serum calcium >2.25 mmol/L at 1 month.

[A study of the predictive value of the primary review and complementary examinations in assessing the need for surgery in patients with stab wounds in the torso]. / Estudio del valor predictivo de la revisión primaria y de las exploraciones complementarias para anticipar la necesidad de intervención quirúrgica en pacientes con heridas de arma blanca en el torso.

INTRODUCTION: Observation is the gold standard for stable patients with stab wounds. The aim of the study was to analyse the value of the primary review and complementary examinations to predict the need for surgery in stab wound patients in order to decrease observation times. METHODS: A retrospective study of stab wound patients recorded in a database. Clinical and diagnostic workup parameters were analysed. The main variable was the need for surgery. RESULTS: A total of 198 patients were included between 2006 and 2009, with a mean injury severity score (ISS) of 7.8±7, and 0.5% mortality. More than half (52%) of the patients suffered multiple wounds. Wound distribution was 23% neck, 46% thorax and 31% abdomen. Surgery was required in 73 (37%) patients (59% immediate, 27% delayed and 14% delayed). The need for surgery was associated with a lower revised trauma score (RTS), evisceration, active bleeding, and fascial penetration. Initial and control haemoglobin levels were significantly lower in patients who required surgery. A positive computerised tomography (CT) scan was associated with surgery. There were complications in 18% of patients, and they were more frequent in those who underwent surgery. There was no difference in complication rates between immediate and delayed (P=.72). Surgery was finally required in 10% of the patients with no abnormalities in the primary review and diagnostic workup, and 6% of those developed complications. CONCLUSION: None of the parameters studied could individually assess the need for surgery. Primary and secondary reviews were the most important diagnostic tool, but CT scan should be used more often. An observation period of 24 hours is recommended in torso penetrating wounds.

Causes and treatment of recurrent hyperparathyroidism after subtotal parathyroidectomy in the presence of multiple endocrine neoplasia 1.

BACKGROUND: Subtotal parathyroidectomy (SPTX) is the treatment of choice for hyperparathyroidism in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (HPT-MEN-1). There are scarce data on the causes, timing, and appropriate surgical treatment of patients with recurrent HPT-MEN-1. The aim of this study was to investigate the timing, causes, site of recurrence, and surgical treatment of recurrent HPT-MEN-1 in patients who underwent SPTX. METHODS: The study was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data on patients with HPT-MEN-1 with SPTX at two referral institutions. The data collected included the following: demographics, duration of follow-up, weight of resected parathyroid tissue, type of remnant, time to reoperation, cause/site of recurrence, and surgical treatment. We studied prognostic factors of recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 69 patients underwent SPTX and were followed for a mean of 75.3 months. After the surgery, 15 patients were left with a single "normal" gland and 54 with a 50- to 70-mg remnant of a partially excised abnormal gland. Nine patients (13%) had a recurrence within a mean of 85 months (12-144 months). Patients with a recurrence had been followed longer (115 vs. 66 months; p = 0.005). Five recurrences occurred in a parathyroid remnant, 3 in a previously "normal" gland; the fifth recurrence was in both a hyperplastic remnant and a fifth gland. Remedial surgery included five subtotal resections and four immediate parathyroid autotransplantations. Two patients had a second recurrence due to a supernumerary gland. Factors related with recurrence are the follow-up time (p < 0.01) and thymectomy (p < 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence of HPTP-MEN-1 usually is located in preserved parathyroid tissue with no preference for a previously normal gland or a remnant. A second recurrence is most likely seen in a supernumerary gland. Recurrence is associated with the follow-up time and thymectomy.