Femoral nerve blockade during endovenous laser ablation of great saphenous vein decreases pain but does not affect the use of opioids during the procedure.

BACKGROUND: Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) using tumescent anesthesia for treatment of an insufficient great saphenous vein (GSV) can be painful and require intravenous pain management and, sometimes, sedation with propofol. Femoral nerve blockade (FNB) anesthetizes the femoral nerve distribution and is usually used for anterior thigh and knee procedures. It is easy to inject with ultrasound guidance because the nerve is easy to visualize in the groin. The aim of the present double-blind, randomized controlled trial was to determine whether FNB before tumescent anesthesia decreases the pain of GSV EVLA combined with local phlebectomy. METHODS: Eighty patients who underwent GSV EVLA combined with local phlebectomy under tumescent anesthesia were randomized into two groups. The placebo group (control group; 40 patients) was given placebo FNB with 0.9% saline before tumescent injection. The FNB group (intervention group; 40 patients) received 1% lidocaine with adrenaline for FNB before tumescent injection. Only the study nurse, who performed the randomization, knew which patients were in which group. The patients and operating surgeon were unaware of the randomization group. FNB was performed under ultrasound guidance. The effectiveness of anesthesia was tested 10 minutes after injection using the pin-prick test and a numeric rating scale (NRS). The NRS was completed before and during tumescent anesthesia and during EVLA ablation and local phlebectomy. The motor function of the femoral nerve was tested at the end of the procedure and 1 hour after using the Bromage method. Patients had a follow-up visit 1 month after the procedure, and their need for pain medication and the duration of sick leave were recorded. RESULTS: No differences were found in the gender distribution, age, or GSV dimensions at baseline. The mean length of the treated GSV segment was 28 cm and 30 cm and the mean energy used was 1911 J and 2059 J in the placebo and FNB groups, respectively. The median NRS score for pain during tumescent injection around the GSV was 2 (interquartile range [IQR], 1-4) in the placebo group compared with 1 (IQR, 1-3) in the FNB group. Very little pain was experienced during laser ablation. The median NRS score was 0 (IQR, 0-0) and 0 (IQR, 0-0.75) in the placebo and FNB groups, respectively. The most painful stage was injection of tumescence to the local phlebectomy sites in both groups. The median NRS score was 4 (IQR, 3-7) in the placebo group and 2 (IQR, 1-4) in the FNB group (P = .01). During local phlebectomy, the NRS score was 2 (IQR, 0-4) vs 1 (IQR, 0-3) in the placebo and FNB groups, respectively. Only the difference in pain during injection of tumescence before local phlebectomy was significant. CONCLUSIONS: FNB seems to decrease pain during EVLA combined with local phlebectomy. Patients experienced the highest pain when tumescence was injected before local phlebectomy, and those in the FNB group experienced significantly less pain than the placebo group. No indication for routine use of FNB is indicated. However, it could be used to decrease the pain for patients who experience strong pain during varicose vein surgery, especially if extensive local phlebectomies are required.

Induction of CD73 prevents death after emergency open aortic surgery for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Mortality remains high after emergency open surgery for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA). The aim of the present study was to assess, if intravenous (IV) Interferon (IFN) beta-1a improve survival after surgery by up-regulating Cluster of differentiation (CD73). This is a multi-center phase II double-blind, 2:1 randomized, parallel group comparison of the efficacy and safety of IV IFN beta-1a vs. placebo for the prevention of death after open surgery for an infra-renal RAAA. All study patients presented a confirmed infra-renal RAAA, survived the primary emergency surgery and were treated with IFN beta-1a (10 µg) or matching placebo for 6 days after surgery. Major exclusion criteria included fatal hemorrhagic shock, chronic renal replacement therapy, diagnosed liver cirrhosis, severe congestive heart failure, advanced malignant disease, primary attempt of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), and per-operative suprarenal clamping over 30 min. Main outcome measure was all-cause mortality at day 30 (D30) from initial emergency aortic reconstruction. The study was pre-maturely stopped due to a reported drug-drug interaction and was left under-powered. Out of 40 randomized patients 38 were included in the outcome analyses (27 IFN beta-1a and 11 placebo). There was no statistically significant difference between treatment groups at baseline except more open-abdomen and intestinal ischemia was present in the IFN beta-1a arm. D30 all-cause mortality was 22.2% (6/27) in the IFN beta-1a arm and 18.2% (2/11) in the placebo arm (OR 1.30; 95% CI 0.21-8.19). The most common adverse event relating to the IFN beta-1a was pyrexia (20.7% in the IFN beta-1a arm vs. 9.1% in the placebo arm). Patients with high level of serum CD73 associated with survival (P = 0.001) whereas the use of glucocorticoids and the presence of IFN beta-1a neutralizing antibodies associated with a poor CD73 response and survival. The initial aim of the trial, if postoperative INF beta-1a treatment results on better RAAA survival, could not be demonstrated. Nonetheless the anticipated target mechanism up-regulation of CD73 was associated with 100% survival. According to present results the INF beta-1a induced up-regulation of serum CD73 was blocked with both use of glucocorticoids and serum IFN beta-1a neutralizing antibodies. The study was pre-maturely stopped due to interim analysis after a study concerning the use if IV IFN beta-1a in ARDS suggested that the concomitant use of glucocorticoids and IFN beta-1a block the CD73 induction. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03119701. Registered 19/04/2017 (retrospectively registered).

Enhanced recovery protocol in laparoscopic liver surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Enhanced recovery protocols (ERP) accelerate recovery and shorten postoperative hospital stay. This increased knowledge of ERPs has also gradually implemented into liver surgery. However, in laparoscopic liver surgery (LLS), the experience of optimized perioperative care protocols is still limited. METHODS: We prospectively studied the implementation of multimodal ERP principles to LLS in the first 100 consecutive patients. Opioid-sparing multimodal pain management was applied together with early mobilization already in the postoperative care unit (PACU). Drains and catheters were avoided and per oral intake was initiated promptly. Primary pain control was achieved with iv NSAIDS, low-dose opioid and corticosteroids. Combination of per oral ibuprofen and long-acting tramadol was routinely administered shortly after operation. The multiprofessional adherence to the protocol was also evaluated. RESULTS: Investigated LLS was performed during Aug 2016-Apr 2019. Operations were done due to malignancy in 83 (83%) of cases, mostly for colorectal liver metastases (n = 52, 52%). Forty-eight (48%) of the operated patients were female. Median age was 65 years (range 17-91). The American Society of Anaesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA) classification median was three. Median postoperative hospital stay was 2 days (range 1-8 days). More than seventy percent of patients were discharged by the second postoperative day and nearly ninety percent by the third postoperative day. Complications after surgery were few. The new ERP elements were adopted in most of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: ERP was introduced safely and effectively after LLS. The adherence to the ERP was good. Routine discharge 1-2 days after LLS is realistic and achievable.

Multidisciplinary Oncovascular Surgery is Safe and Effective in the Treatment of Intra-abdominal and Retroperitoneal Sarcomas: A Retrospective Single Centre Cohort Study and a Comprehensive Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: Radical excision of retroperitoneal or intra-abdominal soft tissue sarcomas may necessitate vessel resection and reconstruction. The aim of this study was to assess surgical results of retroperitoneal or intra-abdominal sarcomas involving major blood vessels. METHODS: This was a retrospective single centre cohort study and a comprehensive review of literature. Patients with retroperitoneal or intra-abdominal sarcomas treated by the oncovascular team in Helsinki University Hospital from 2010 to 2018 were reviewed for vascular and oncological outcomes. A comprehensive literature review of vascular reconstructions in patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma was performed. RESULTS: Vascular reconstruction was performed in 17 patients, 11 of whom required arterial reconstructions. Sixteen of the operations were sarcoma resections; the post-operative diagnosis for one patient was thrombosis instead of the presumed recurrent leiomyosarcoma. Early graft thrombosis occurred in two venous and one arterial reconstruction. Late thrombosis was detected in three (18%). The median follow up was 27 (range 0-82) months. Of the patients with sarcoma resections 5 (31%) died of sarcoma and further 4 (25%) developed local recurrence or new distant metastases. The comprehensive review of literature identified 37 articles with 110 patients, 89 of whom had inferior vena cava reconstruction only. Eight arterial reconstructions were described. Late graft thrombosis occurred in 14%. The follow up was 0-181 months, during which 57% remained disease free and 7% died of sarcoma. CONCLUSION: Vascular reconstructions enable radical resection of retroperitoneal and intra-abdominal sarcomas in patients with advanced disease. The complex operations are associated with an acceptable rate of serious peri-operative complications and symptomatic thrombosis of the repaired vessel is rare. However, further studies are needed to assess the performance of the vascular reconstructions in the long term.

The Efficacy of Carotid Surgery by Subgroups: The Concept of Stroke Prevention Potential.

OBJECTIVE: Considering carotid endarterectomy (CEA), reporting treatment delay, symptom status, and surgical complication rates separately gives an incomplete picture of efficacy; therefore, the aim was to combine these factors and develop a reporting standard that better describes the number of potentially prevented strokes. With a real life cohort and theoretical inclusion scenarios, the aim was to explore the stroke prevention potential of different carotid practices. METHODS: Landmark studies for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients were revisited. By using published estimates of treatment effect, a simplified calculator was designed to assess the five year stroke prevention rate per 1000 CEAs (stroke prevention potential [SPP], range 0-478), including the presence and recentness of symptoms, sex, increasing stenosis severity, and complication rates. Patients operated on for carotid stenosis at Helsinki University Hospital (HUH) between 2008 and 2016 were collected from a vascular registry (HUSVASC) and categorised according to the model. The local annual complication rate was re-evaluated and added to the model. The HUH patient cohort was incorporated into the SPP model, and changes over time analysed. Finally, theoretical changes in patient selection were compared in order to explore the theoretical impact of patient selection and shortening of the delay. RESULTS: Fifteen hundred and five symptomatic and 356 asymptomatic carotid stenoses were operated on with stroke plus death rates of 3.6% and 0.3%, respectively. The proportion of CEAs performed within two weeks of the index event increased over the follow up period, being 77% in 2016. The SPP increased from 123 in 2008 to 229 in 2016. Theoretically, 350 ischaemic strokes were prevented in the period 2008-16, with 1861 CEAs. CONCLUSIONS: National and international comparison of different CEA series is irrelevant if the inclusion criteria are not considered. A calculator that is easy to apply to large scale high quality registered data was developed and tested. SPP was found to increase over time, which is a probable sign of improved patient selection and an increased number of strokes prevented by the CEAs performed.

Choice of First Emergency Room Affects the Fate of Patients With Acute Mesenteric Ischaemia: The Importance of Referral Patterns and Triage.

OBJECTIVES: Despite modern advances in diagnosis and treatment, acute arterial mesenteric ischaemia (AMI) remains a high mortality disease. One of the key modifiable factors in AMI is the first door to operation time, but the factors attributing to this parameter are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting delay, with special focus on the pathways to treatment. METHODS: This was a single academic centre retrospective study. Patients undergoing intervention for AMI caused by thrombosis or embolism of the superior mesenteric artery between 2006 and 2015 were identified from electronic patient records. Patients not eligible for intervention or with chronic, subacute onset, colonic only, venous, or non-occlusive mesenteric ischaemia were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups according to the first speciality examining the patient (surgical emergency room [SER], surgeon examining the patient first or non-surgical emergency room [non-SER], internist examining the patient first). The primary endpoint was first door to operation time and secondary endpoints were length of stay and 90 day mortality. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients with AMI were included. Fifty patients (62%) died during the first 30 days and 53 (65%) within 90 days. Presenting first in non-SER (vs. SER) was independently associated with a first door to operation time of over 12 h (OR 3.7 [95% CI 1.3-10.2], median time 15.2 h [IQR 10.9-21.2] vs. 10.1 h [IQR 6.9-18.5], respectively, p = .025). The length of stay was shorter (median 6.5 days [4.0-10.3] vs. 10.8 days [7.0-22.3], p = .045) and 90 day mortality was lower in the SER group (50.0% vs. 74.5%, p = .025). CONCLUSIONS: The first specialty that the patient encounters seems to be crucial for both delayed management and early survival of AMI. Developing fast/direct pathways to a unit with both gastrointestinal and vascular surgeons offers the possibility of improving the outcome of AMI.

Simulation training streamlines the real-life performance in endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Difficulties in distributing endovascular experience among all operating room (OR) personnel prevented full-scale use of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in emergencies. To streamline the procedure of EVAR for ruptured aneurysm (rEVAR) and to provide this method even to unstable patients, we initiated regular simulation training sessions. METHODS: This is an observational study of 29 simulation sessions performed between January 2015 and December 2017. We analyzed the development of time from OR door to aortic balloon occlusion during simulations and OR door to needle times in real-life rEVARs as well as the outcome of the 185 ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) patients who arrived at the university hospital between January 2013 and December 2017. A questionnaire was sent for simulation attendants before and after the simulation session. RESULTS: In the first simulations, the door to occlusion time was 20 to 35 minutes. After adding a hemodynamic collapse to the simulation protocol, the time decreased to 10 to 13 minutes in the 10 recent simulations, including a 5-minute cardiopulmonary resuscitation (P = .01). The electronic questionnaire performed for attendees before and after the simulation session showed significant improvement in both confidence and knowledge of the OR staff regarding rEVAR procedure. In the real-life rEVARs, 75 of the 185 patients with rAAAs underwent EVAR. Among rEVAR patients, the median OR door to needle time was 65 minutes before and 16 minutes after the onset of simulations (P = .000). The overall 30-day mortality among all rAAA patients was 44.8% and 30.6% accordingly (P = .046). When patients who were turned down from the emergency surgery were excluded, the 30-day operative mortality was 39.2% and 25.1% during the periods, respectively (P = .051). The 30-day mortality was 16.2% after rEVAR and 40.6% after open surgery (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Simulation training for rEVAR significantly improves the treatment process in real-life patients and may enhance the outcome of rAAA patients.

Efficacy and safety of intravenous esmolol for cardiac protection in non-cardiac surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Haemodynamic instability predisposes patients to cardiac complications in non-cardiac surgery. Esmolol, a short-acting cardioselective beta-adrenergic blocker might be efficient in perioperative cardiac protection, but could affect other vital organs, such as the kidneys, and post-discharge survival. We performed a systematic review on the use of esmolol for perioperative cardiac protection. We searched PubMed, Ovid Medline and Cochrane Central Register for Controlled trials. Eligible randomized controlled studies (RCTs) reported a perioperative esmolol intervention with at least one of the primary (major cardiac or renal complications during the first 30 postoperative days) or secondary (postoperative adverse effects and all-cause mortality) outcomes. We included 196 adult patients from three RCTs. Esmolol significantly reduced postoperative myocardial ischaemia, RR =0.43 [95% confidence interval, CI: 0.21-0.88], p = .02. No association with clinically significant bradycardia and hypotension compared to patients receiving control treatment could be confirmed (RR =7.4 [95% CI: 0.29-139.81], p = .18 and RR =2.21 [95% CI: 0.34-14.36], p = .41, respectively). No differences regarding other outcomes were observed. No study reported postoperative renal outcomes. Esmolol seems promising for the prevention of perioperative myocardial ischaemia. However, the association with bradycardia and hypotension remains unclear. Randomized trials investigating the effect of ß1-selective blockade on clinically relevant outcomes and non-cardiac vital organs are warranted. Key messages Short-acting cardioselective esmolol seems efficient in the prevention of perioperative myocardial ischaemia. The possibly increased risk of bradycardia and hypotension with short-acting intravenous beta blockade could not be confirmed or refuted by available data. Future adequately powered trials investigating the effect of ß1-selective blockade on clinically relevant outcomes and non-cardiac vital organs are warranted.

Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis Versus Pharmacomechanical Thrombectomy for Upper Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis represents (UEDVT) 2-3% of all deep vein thrombosis. Catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) was replaced largely by pharmacomechanical thrombolysis (PMT) in our institution. In this study we compared the immediate and 1-year results as well as the total hospital costs between CDT and PMT in the treatment of UEDVT. METHODS: From 2006 to 2013, 55 patients with UEDVT were treated with either CDT or PMT at Helsinki University Hospital. Of them, 43 underwent thoracoscopic rib resection later to relieve phlebography-confirmed vein compression. This patient cohort was prospectively followed up with repeated phlebographies. CDT was performed to 24 patients, and 19 had PMT with a Trellis™ device. Clinical evaluation and vein patency assessment were performed with either phlebography or ultrasound 1 year after the thrombolysis. Primary outcomes were immediate technical success, 1-year vein patency, and costs of the initial treatment. RESULTS: The immediate overall technical success rate, defined as recanalization of the occluded vein and removal of the fresh thrombus, was 91.7% in the CDT group and 100% in the PMT group (n.s.). The median thrombolytic time was significantly longer in CDT patients than that in PMT patients (21.1 vs. 0.33 hr, P < 0.00001). There were no procedure-related complications. The 1-year primary assisted patency rate was similar in both the groups (91.7% and 94.7%). There were no recurrences of clinical DVT. The hospital costs for the acute period were significantly lower in the PMT group than those in the CDT group (medians: 11,476 € and 5,975 € in the CDT and PMT groups, respectively [P < 0.00001]). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical results of the treatment of UEDVT with CDT or PMT were similar. However, PMT required shorter hospital stay and less intensive surveillance, leading to lower total costs.

Treatment of Paget-Schroetter syndrome with a three-stage approach including thoracoscopic rib resection at the second stage.

OBJECTIVE: Young, active persons may suffer lifelong consequences of subclavian vein thrombosis, but the best treatment options remain unclear. On introduction of more active pharmacomechanical thrombus removal and thoracoscopic rib resection in our institution, we planned a diagnostic and treatment protocol and aimed to analyze the early, midterm, and intermediate-term results. METHODS: The study included 72 patients who were diagnosed with an upper limb deep venous thrombosis and underwent phlebography between 2006 and 2013. After the initial treatment, control phlebography was performed and a thoracoscopic first rib resection was considered. Postoperative balloon angioplasty was performed when appropriate, and 1-year follow-up phlebography was carried out. RESULTS: After the initial thrombus removal, 60 patients were treated with thoracoscopic first rib resection and subsequent phlebography with or without balloon angioplasty. The median time from symptom to surgery was 124 days, and six (10%) patients had a reocclusion before surgery. Ten (16.7%) patients experienced complications, which were treated mainly with a chest tube (n = 3) or thoracoscopic re-exploration (n = 4). Three months after surgery, 98.3% (59/60) experienced an overall relief of symptoms. No recurrence of clinical thrombosis or residual compression due to incomplete rib resection was seen, and 96.6% (56/58) of the patients reported an overall improvement of symptoms at 13 months. Two patients (3.4%) were treated for chronic pain and had electroneuromyography-verified nerve plexus damage. In both cases, the pain was relieved in the long run. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of early thrombus removal, thoracoscopic first rib resection, and postoperative venous balloon angioplasty seems to yield acceptable intermediate-term results after Paget-Schroetter thrombosis.

Open Abdomen Therapy with Vacuum and Mesh Mediated Fascial Traction After Aortic Repair: an International Multicentre Study.

OBJECTIVES: Open abdomen therapy may be necessary to prevent or treat abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). The aim of the study was to analyse the primary delayed fascial closure (PDFC) rate and complications after open abdomen therapy with vacuum and mesh mediated fascial traction (VACM) after aortic repair and to compare outcomes between those treated with open abdomen after primary versus secondary operation. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort, multicentre study in Sweden, Finland, and Norway, including consecutive patients treated with open abdomen and VACM after aortic repair at six vascular centres in 2006-2015. The primary endpoint was PDFC rate. RESULTS: Among 191 patients, 155 were men. The median age was 71 years (IQR 66-76). Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) occurred in 69.1%. Endovascular/hybrid and open repairs were performed in 49 and 142 patients, respectively. The indications for open abdomen were inability to close the abdomen (62%) at primary operation and ACS (80%) at secondary operation. Duration of open abdomen was 11 days (IQR 7-16) in 157 patients alive at open abdomen termination. The PDFC rate was 91.8%. Open abdomen initiated at primary (N=103), compared with secondary operation (N=88), was associated with less severe initial open abdomen status (p=.006), less intestinal ischaemia (p=.002), shorter duration of open abdomen (p=.007), and less renal replacement therapy (RRT, p<.001). In hospital mortality was 39.3%, and after entero-atmospheric fistula (N=9) was 88.9%. Seven developed graft infection within 6 months, 1 year mortality was 28.6%. Intestinal ischaemia (OR 3.71, 95% CI 1.55-8.91), RRT (OR 3.62, 95% CI 1.72-7.65), and age (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.06-1.12), were independent factors associated with in hospital mortality, but not open abdomen initiated at primary versus secondary operation. CONCLUSIONS: VACM was associated with a high PDFC rate after prolonged open abdomen therapy following aortic repair. Patient outcomes seemed better when open abdomen was initiated at primary, compared with secondary operation but a selection effect is possible.

Postoperative Cardiac Ischemia Detection by Continuous 12-Lead Electrocardiographic Monitoring in Vascular Surgery Patients: A Prospective, Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: Elderly patients undergoing vascular surgery are at major risk for perioperative cardiac complications. The authors investigated continuous electrocardiographic Holter monitoring in a postoperative setting to determine the degree of postoperative ischemic load and its possible associations with perioperative myocardial infarction. DESIGN: A prospective, observational study. SETTING: One university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 51 patients aged 65 years or older undergoing peripheral arterial surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Continuous electrocardiographic monitoring with a Holter device was started postoperatively and continued for 72 hours or until discharge. Postural changes were recorded using a 3-axis accelerometer. Standard 12-lead electrocardiography, high-sensitive troponin T measurements, and an inquiry of ischemic symptoms were performed 4 times perioperatively. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcomes were ischemic load (area under the function of ischemic ST-segment deviation and ischemic time) and perioperative myocardial infarction. During 3,262.7 patient-hours of monitoring, 17 patients (33.3%) experienced 608 transient ischemic events, all denoted by ST-segment depression. Of these 17 patients, 5 experienced perioperative myocardial infarction. The mean ischemic load in all patients was 913.2±2,797.3 µV×minute. Ischemic load predicted perioperative myocardial infarction, with an area under receiver operating characteristics curve (95% confidence interval) of 0.87 (0.75-0.99). Ischemic changes occurred most frequently during hours 24 to 60 of monitoring. Ischemia was asymptomatic in 14 of 17 patients (82.4%). CONCLUSION: Postoperative myocardial ischemia was common in peripheral vascular surgery patients and may progress to perioperative myocardial infarction. Ischemic load was a good predictor of perioperative myocardial infarction. Ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring solutions for continuous postoperative ischemia detection are warranted in the surgical ward.