Haemoblock hemostatic substance in reducing seroma formation post axillary lymph node dissection following breast conserving surgery.

BACKGROUND: Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in breast cancer management, necessitates a nuanced understanding of complications that may impede treatment progression. This study scrutinize the impact of Haemoblock hemostatic solution, evaluation it's potential in reducing seroma complication by controlling lymph flow and obliterating axillary dead space. METHOD: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded controlled trial was conducted with 58 patients undergoing breast conserving surgery (BCS) and ALND, stratified into two groups: Group A (ALND + Haemoblock, n = 29) and Group B (ALND + placebo, n = 29). Postoperative drainage charts were monitored, with the primary endpoint being the time to drain removal, Additionally, patients were observed for surgical site infection (SSI). RESULTS: Group A exhibited a marginally higher mean total drain output (398 +/- 205 vs. 326 +/- 198) compared to Group B, this difference did not attain statistical significance (p = 0.176). Equally, the mean time to drain removal demonstrated no discernible distinction between the two groups (6 +/- 3.0 vs. 6 +/- 3.0, Group A vs. Group B, p = 0.526). During follow up, nine patients in Group A required seroma aspiration (mean aspiration 31 +/- 73) as compared to Group B, 6 patients required aspiration (mean aspiration 12 +/- 36), p = 0.222). No notable disparity in SSI rates between the groups was identified. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the administration of Haemoblock did not manifest a discernible effect in mitigating seroma production, hastening drain removal, or influencing SSI rates following ALND. The study underscores the intricate and multifactorial nature of seroma formation, suggesting avenues for future research to explore combined interventions and protracted follow-up periods for a more comprehensive understanding.

A Surgical Management of Mediastinal Parathyroid Adenoma: A Regional Experience in Malaysia.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) usually presents with symptoms of hypercalcemia which is due to excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Surgical removal of the secreting tumor either adenoma or hyperplasia remains the mainstay of treatment. Around 2% to 25% of the lesions are located in the mediastinum. We reviewed our institution's surgical treatment and approach to mediastinal parathyroid adenoma (MPA). We retrospectively reviewed the demography, comorbidities, clinical presentation, surgical approach, and outcome for patients in our institution who underwent surgery for MPA from September 2019 until August 2023. All patients with MPA who underwent surgery were included in the review. The surgical approaches used were both video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and median sternotomy. There were three patients with PHPT due to MPA who underwent surgery. Out of the three patients, two were female. The mean age was 48.6 years old, ranging from 16 to 66 years old. All of them presented with PHPT with a raised mean serum calcium level of 3.52 mmol/L (range: 2.84-4.38 mmol/L) and a mean PTH or intact PTH (iPTH) level of 274.6 pmol/L (range: 8.87-695 pmol/L). Ultrasound of the neck was performed for all the patients before further investigations were done to look for the ectopic parathyroid gland. Computed tomography (CT) of the thorax showed mediastinal parathyroid mass in all the patients with an average size of 2.4 x 2.1 x 2.3cm (range: 1.3-3.8cm), which showed uptake in 99mTc-hexakis-2-methoxyisobuthylisonitrile (Tc99m-MIBI) scintigraphy. VATS was performed for two cases and an upper partial sternotomy was performed for one patient. Postoperatively, iPTH and serum calcium levels were reduced significantly for all patients. There were no post-operative complications in our study. Comprehensive diagnostic imaging and surgical planning are important for the localization of MPA. In our review, all cases were promptly diagnosed and underwent surgery without complication.

Effects of Perioperative Oral Nutrition Supplementation in Malaysian Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery for Breast and Colorectal Cancers-A Randomised Controlled Trial.

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of preoperative and an extended 90-days postoperative use of ONS among patients undergoing elective surgery for breast and colorectal cancers. Ninety-one patients were randomised into (i) Group SS received ONS up to 14 days preoperatively and postoperatively up to discharge, (ii) Group SS-E received ONS up to 14 days preoperatively, postoperatively up to discharge and for an extended 90-days after discharge and (iii) Group DS received ONS postoperatively up to discharge. Preoperatively, SS had significantly higher body weight (66.1 ± 15.3 kg vs. 62.5 ± 12.0 kg, p = 0.010) and BMI (26.8 ± 6.8 kg/m2 vs. 26.1 ± 6.7 kg/m2, p = 0.022) than DS when adjusted for baseline values. Postoperatively, SS-E had significantly higher handgrip strength (26 ± 9 kgF vs. 24 ± 6 kgF, p = 0.044) than DS at 90-days post-discharge after adjusted for preoperative values. At 90-days post-discharge, the proportions of patients in SS with albumin < 35 g/d, CAR ≥ 0.1, mPINI ≥ 0.4, mGPS score 1 or 2 were significantly reduced while in SS-E, the reduction in proportions of patients with high hsCRP and mPINI ≥ 0.4 was significant compared to upon discharge. Preoperative ONS had modest benefits in attenuating weight loss whilst postoperative supplementation up to 90-days post-discharge improved handgrip strength and inflammatory prognostic markers.

Dermacyn irrigation in reducing infection of a median sternotomy wound.

BACKGROUND: Sternal wound infection is an infrequent yet potentially devastating complication following sternotomy. Among the standard practices used as preventive measures are the use of prophylactic antibiotics and povidone-iodine as an irrigation agent. A new antiseptic agent, Dermacyn super-oxidized water (Oculus Innovative Sciences), has recently been used as a wound-irrigation agent before the closure of sternotomy wounds. METHODS: This prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare the effectiveness of Dermacyn and povidone-iodine in reducing sternotomy wound infection in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Upon chest closure and after insertion of sternal wires, wounds were soaked for 15 minutes with either Dermacyn or povidone-iodine. Subcutaneous tissue and skin were then closed routinely. Patients were followed up, and any wound infection was analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 178 patients, 88 patients were in the Dermacyn group, and 90 were in the povidone-iodine group. The mean (+/-SD) age of the patients was 61.1 +/- 7.6 years. The incidence of sternotomy wound infection was 19 cases (10.7%). Five (5.7%) of these cases were from the Dermacyn group, and 14 (15.6%) were from the povidone-iodine group (P = .033). No Dermacyn-related complication was identified. CONCLUSION: We found Dermacyn to be safe and more effective as a wound-irrigation agent than povidone-iodine for preventing sternotomy wound infection.