An Unmodulated Very-Low-Voltage Electrosurgical Technology Creates Predictable and Ultimate Tissue Coagulation: From Experimental Data to Clinical Use.

Objective. We analyzed the underlying principles of an unmodulated very-low-voltage (VLV) mode, designated as "soft coagulation" in hemostasis, and demonstrate its clinical applications. Summary Background Data. While the advantage of the VLV mode has been reported across surgical specialties, the basic principle has not been well described and remains ambiguous. Methods. Characteristics of major electrosurgical modes were measured in different settings. For the VLV mode, the tissue effect and electrical parameters were assessed in simulated environments. Results. The VLV mode achieved tissue coagulation with the lowest voltage compared with the other modes in any settings. With increasing impedance, the voltage of the VLV mode stayed very low at under 200 V compared with other modes. The VLV mode constantly produced effective tissue coagulation without carbonization. We have demonstrated the clinical applications of the method. Conclusions. The voltage of the VLV mode consistently stays under 200 V, resulting in tissue coagulation with minimal vaporization or carbonization. Therefore, the VLV mode produces more predictable tissue coagulation and minimizes undesirable collateral thermal tissue effects, enabling nerve- and function-preserving surgery. The use of VLV mode through better understanding of minimally invasive way of using electrosurgery may lead to better surgical outcomes.

Management of a malpositioned central venous catheter in the accessory hemiazygos vein.

Malposition of a central venous catheter (CVC) in the accessory hemiazygos vein is an uncommon but potentially fatal complication; however, there is limited information regarding the preferred removal technique. We report a patient, a 57-year-old woman, who presented with overdose of her prescribed sedatives, who experienced this catheter complication after CVC insertion in the left internal jugular vein. The CVC was placed without resistance but routine postplacement chest X-ray showed abnormal coursing of the catheter close to the descending aorta. We used non-enhanced CT as an adjunct to safely identify the catheter position and assess for any bleeding during removal. CT images taken after retraction of the catheter tip by 10 cm showed no bleeding and we were able to remove the catheter safely. We recommend using CT as an adjunct to safely remove malpositioned catheters and reduce the risk of further complication.

Listeria monocytogenes Ankle Osteomyelitis in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis on Adalimumab: A Report and Literature Review of Listeria monocytogenes Osteomyelitis.

Localized Listeria infection predominantly occurs in the prosthetic and hip joints. We herein report a case of Listeria monocytogenes ankle osteomyelitis in a 73-year-old man receiving adalimumab who was transferred to our hospital because of suspected rheumatoid arthritis (RA) flare. He reported a four-month history of left ankle swelling. A surgical biopsy revealed L. monocytogenes osteomyelitis in the left tibia and talus bones. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotics and surgical debridement. Thus, infection due to L. monocytogenes can present as ankle osteomyelitis in immunocompromised patients and may mimic an RA flare.

Association of early antibiotic therapy and in-hospital mortality in adult mild-to-moderate acute aspiration pneumonitis: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with aspiration pneumonitis often receive empiric antibiotic therapy despite it being due to a non-infectious, inflammatory response. OBJECTIVE: To study the benefits of early antibiotic therapy in patients with suspected aspiration pneumonitis in an acute care hospital. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using electronic medical records from Teine Keijinkai Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged over 18 years admitted with a diagnosis of aspiration pneumonitis to the Department of General Internal Medicine or Emergency Department between January 1, 2008, and May 31, 2019. A diagnosis of aspiration pneumonitis was defined as a documented macro-aspiration event and a chest radiograph demonstrating new radiographic infiltrates. MAIN MEASURES: Patients were classified into the "early antibiotic treatment" group and the "no or late treatment" group depending on whether they received antibiotic therapy for respiratory bacterial pathogens within 8 h of arrival. The primary outcome was in-hospital all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay, antibiotic-free days, duration of fever, readmission within one month, and incidence of complications. KEY RESULTS: Of the 146 patients enrolled, 52 (35.6%) did not receive early antibiotic therapy, while the remaining 94 (64.4%) did. There was no difference in in-hospital mortality rates between the groups after adjustment for potential confounding variables using Cox proportional hazards analysis (hazard ratio 2.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.57-13.50, p = 0.20). Patients in the no or late treatment group had more antibiotic-free days (p < 0.001) and a shorter length of hospital stay among survivors (p = 0.040) than did those in the early antibiotic treatment group. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with respect to other secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Early antibiotic therapy for acute aspiration pneumonitis was not associated with in-hospital mortality, but was associated with a longer hospital stay and prolonged use of antibiotics.

Effect of early tracheostomy in mechanically ventilated patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the timing of tracheostomy in patients who required prolonged mechanical ventilation using two methods: analysis of early versus late tracheostomy and landmark analysis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Patients who were emergently intubated and admitted into the intensive care unit or high dependency unit between January 2011 and August 2016, with or without tracheostomy, were included. In the early and late tracheostomy analysis, all patients were divided into early (≤10 days, n = 88) and late (>10 days, n = 132) groups. In the landmark analysis, 198 patients requiring ventilation for more than 10 days were divided into early tracheostomy (≤10 days, n = 57) and nonearly tracheostomy (>10 days, n = 141) groups. We compared 60-day ventilation withdrawal rate and 60-day mortality. RESULTS: Early tracheostomy was a significant factor for early ventilation withdrawal, as shown by log-rank test results (early and late tracheostomy: P = .001, landmark: P = .021). Multivariable analysis showed that the early group was also associated with a higher chance of ventilation withdrawal in each analysis (early and late tracheostomy: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.20-2.39, P = .003; landmark: aHR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.06-2.38, P = .027). Early tracheostomy, however, was not associated with improved 60-day mortality (early and late tracheostomy: aHR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.46-1.69, P = .71; landmark: aHR = 1.46; 95% CI = 0.58-3.66; P = .42). CONCLUSION: For patients requiring ventilation, performing tracheostomy within 10 days of admission was independently associated with shortened duration of mechanical ventilation; 60-day mortality was not associated with the timing of tracheostomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b.

Massive mass embolism detected by transesophageal echocardiography in bone cement implantation syndrome: a case report.

Bone cement implantation syndrome (BCIS) is a known complication in patients undergoing cemented orthopedic surgeries; however, the etiology and pathophysiology of BCIS are not fully understood. We report the case of a patient who developed pulseless electrical activity (PEA) due to BCIS after cemented femoral head replacement. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during PEA revealed a massive embolus extending from the main pulmonary artery to the inferior vena cava. Of note, this embolus disappeared completely and rapidly after return of spontaneous circulation. TEE proved to be useful in the diagnosis and management of this case of PEA.

Remaining challenges in the diagnosis of early stage cardiac sarcoidosis.

Despite the requirement for histopathological evidence to make a definite diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis, the sensitivity of endomyocardial biopsy is still low. Recently, Japanese Circulation Society suggests a new strategy that patients diagnosed clinically do not require the endomyocardial biopsy evidence. Physicians should familiarize themselves with such paradigm shifts.

Culture-negative group B streptococcal pericarditis: A case report and literature review of the diagnostic use of polymerase chain reaction.

Although conventional microbiology cultures may be negative, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can effectively identify both typical and atypical microorganisms. With careful interpretation, PCR could become the gold-standard diagnostic test for culture-negative bacterial pericarditis.