COVID-19 Elective Surgery Shutdown and Operative Experience for Graduating Plastic Surgery Independent Residents.

INTRODUCTION: The initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a temporary shutdown of elective procedures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how the elective surgery shutdown impacted case log numbers for graduating plastic surgery independent residents. METHODS: The Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education graduate self-reported case logs were retrospectively compiled for graduating independent track plastic surgery residents for the year before the pandemic (2019), 4 months into the pandemic (2020) and 16 months into the pandemic (2021). Procedures were grouped into resident review committee area and totals for each area were used for analysis. Average number of cases and standard deviations were compiled. Percent change was calculated comparing each year to the prepandemic baseline. Statistical significance was determined with Student t tests comparing average number of cases. Coefficients of variation were calculated to assess for changes in interprogram variation. Average case numbers were then compared with minimum case requirements necessary for graduation. RESULTS: The Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education graduation case log statistics were available for 238 independent residents. There were no statistically significant differences in average case number for graduating independent residents for total reconstructive breast, trunk, hand and upper extremity, or total reconstructive procedures between graduation years. The average case number of total lower extremity reconstruction increased from 2019 to 2020 (average = 83-97.4, P = 0.02). The average total number of breast aesthetic cases increased between all years (average = 92, 98, 114), with the average increase from 2019 to 2021 being statistically significant ( P = 0.02). Differences in head and neck aesthetic deformities and trunk and extremity deformities between years were not statistically significant. The average case number for all graduating plastic surgery independent residents exceeded the minimum case log requirements. CONCLUSIONS: The temporary hold on elective procedures during the pandemic decreased the opportunity for plastic surgery trainees to meet minimum case log requirements. Case log data for graduating plastic surgery independent residents demonstrate that despite the temporary suspension, the pandemic did not greatly impact the average resident case numbers.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Transferred for Treatment of Acute Limb Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Patients requiring emergent vascular surgery often undergo transfer from one facility to another for definitive surgical care. In this study, we analyzed morbidity and mortality in patients presenting for emergent lower extremity thrombectomy and embolectomy in the transferred and nontransferred populations. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed utilizing the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database for all nonelective, emergent lower extremity embolectomy or thrombectomy (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] 34,201 and 34,203) performed between 2011 and 2014. Demographics, comorbidities, and 30-day complications, and outcomes were compared among patients presenting from home versus those presenting from another hospital, emergency department, or nursing home. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the association between mode of presentation, major complications, and death. RESULTS: We identified 1,954 patients who underwent emergent lower extremity embolectomy or thrombectomy. 40.7% (795 patients) were identified as transfer patients. Odds of transfer were significantly increased if a patient was functionally dependent (odds ratio OR 1.95, P < 0.001) or had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 1.348, P = 0.05). Odds of transfer were decreased if a patient was of a nonWhite race (OR 0.511, P < 0.001). 11.7% (229) patients in the described cohort died within 30 days of surgery. Those who died were more likely to present to the treating hospital as a transfer (56.3% vs. 38.6%, P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, transfer status was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (OR 1.9: 95% confidence interval CI 1.40-2.64; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients transferred from an outside hospital or nursing home who present for emergent vascular procedures demonstrated increased mortality compared to those who present from home direct to the emergency department despite similar comorbid conditions. In addition, race was identified as an independent factor for transfer. Further studies are needed to understand the complex interactions between inter-hospital transfer patterns, emergency vascular surgery presentations, and racial biases to improve outcomes for this population.

Distal Superior Mesenteric Artery Endarterectomy Remains an Excellent Option for Mesenteric Revascularization in the Endovascular Era.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment of mesenteric lesions has become increasingly prevalent. Mesenteric bypass, however, remains the optimal treatment in the cases of chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) in young, medically fit patients given its durability. Endarterectomy has gone by the wayside, but in certain situations, this technique remains surgically relevant and should still be used. Herein, we present 2 cases of distal superior mesenteric artery (SMA) endarterectomy for mesenteric revascularization. METHODS/RESULTS: Case 1 is a 40-year-old male with history of antithrombin III deficiency, myocardial infarction, bilateral pulmonary embolism, acute aortic thrombus, and mesenteric ischemia status after placement of a proximal SMA stent and was transferred to our institution because of concern for ischemic bowel. Intraoperative angiography showed mid to distal SMA chronic thromboembolism with narrow lumen of recanalization and distal flow. No intervention was performed at that time. He developed worsening abdominal pain and weight loss over several months which required initiation of total parenteral nutrition, complicated by line-associated sepsis. Subsequent distal SMA endarterectomy was performed. He recovered well and had improved enteral intake at 1-month follow-up, and radiographic imaging at 2 months showed patent vessels. Case 2 is a 50-year-old female with extensive smoking history and hyperlipidemia and gastroesophageal reflux who presented with postprandial abdominal pain and a forty-pound weight loss over the past year. Attempted angiographic cannulation with a stent was not successful because of flush occlusion of the SMA approximately 1 centimeter distal to the ostium that was unable to be crossed. Computed tomography angiography confirmed that the SMA origin was free of atherosclerotic disease with a distal focal segment of occlusion. She underwent successful endarterectomy of this occlusion. The postoperative course was uneventful, and at 1-month follow-up, she reported continued improvement in pain and appetite. CONCLUSIONS: SMA endarterectomy can be successfully performed on mid to distal lesions of the SMA. This operation should remain a viable option in the management of CMI.

An Alternative Approach to Carotid Endarterectomy in the High Carotid Bifurcation.

BACKGROUND: Surgical exposure of a high carotid bifurcation (HCB) for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can be technically challenging due to the presence of bony structures in the most cranial portion of the neck and is associated with significant morbidity making carotid artery stenting (CAS) a common alternative. However, a high transverse neck incision with subplatysmal flaps facilitates CEA in these patients without additional exposure techniques. We present a high transverse neck incision with subplatysmal flaps as an alternative to the standard surgical exposure of the carotid bifurcation to facilitate CEA in patients with HCB. METHODS: Four patients with carotid bifurcations located cranial to the C3-4 vertebral interspace (identified on preoperative imaging) requiring intervention underwent CEA using a high transverse neck incision through an existing skin crease with subplatysmal flap elevation. CEA was performed in a standard fashion with bovine pericardial patch. RESULTS: Two male and 2 female patients with an average age of 65 years successfully underwent CEA using this incision. One patient underwent concurrent carotid body tumor excision. None of the patients required mandibulotomy or hyoid bone resection. Two patients required division of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. There were no perioperative complications. Primary patency was 100% in the 4 patients with surveillance studies, and mean follow-up of 160 days (range 54-369 days). There were no significant cranial nerve injuries. No patient required conversion to an endovascular procedure due to inaccessibility of the lesion or subsequent interventions for incomplete endarterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: A high transverse incision with subplatysmal flaps is a safe, effective, and cosmetically preferable surgical approach in patients with HCB requiring carotid artery intervention and may be an alternative to CAS.

Considerations beyond Stenosis for Carotid Endarterectomy in Treating Free-Floating Thrombus of the Carotid Artery.

BACKGROUND: Free-floating thrombus (FFT) of the carotid artery is an uncommon condition that can present with neurologic symptoms, often in the setting of ischemic stroke. The literature pertaining to the incidence and optimal treatment of this condition is limited. Herein, we report our contemporary experience with FFT across a range of degrees of carotid stenosis. METHODS: Medical records and imaging studies from a single academic medical center from January 2016 to July 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, presentation, treatment, and follow-up were abstracted. RESULTS: Six cases of FFT of the carotid artery with and without hemodynamically significant atherosclerotic disease were identified. All cases presented with ischemic stroke; one case had a hemorrhagic conversion. In each case, the FFT was visualized by at least one imaging modality including computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, and duplex ultrasound. Three patients had >50% carotid stenosis and three had <50%. All cases were treated with endarterectomy. Four of the six patients received preoperative anticoagulation. There were no postoperative complications. Median follow-up was 252 days, with one case lost to follow-up. Four of the six patients have been without restenosis, recurrence of the thrombus, nor worsening or recurrent stroke on follow-up. The fifth patient developed restenosis but remained clinically stable. CONCLUSIONS: Although current society guidelines do not recommend carotid endarterectomy as first-line treatment for symptomatic patients with <50% stenosis, it may be indicated in the context of FFT.

Postamputation diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma in a patient with lymphedema.

Chronic lymphedema is fraught with morbidity, including tissue loss. We present the case of a woman with long-standing lymphedema suffering from nonhealing ulcerations despite multiple interventions, who underwent below-knee amputation. Surgical pathology yielded a diagnosis of invasive squamous cell carcinoma. We highlight the uncommon association between lymphedema and squamous cell carcinoma, and the importance of routine pathological testing with lower extremity amputations.

Popliteal pseudoaneurysm in a young patient with multiple hereditary exostosis.

Multiple hereditary exostosis is an osteogenic disorder that causes outgrowths of cartilaginous bone tumors that are associated with adjacent neurovascular compressive injuries. We present the case of an adolescent male with multiple hereditary exostosis complicated by popliteal pseudoaneurysm formation who underwent excision of the osteochondroma and vein patch angioplasty repair of the artery. We highlight the rare association between this genetic disease and subsequent vascular complications and review the available literature of arterial complications of this disease.

Operative Case Volume for Vascular Integrated Residents and Fellows Following the Elective Surgery Shutdown due to COVID-19.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, nonemergent surgery was postponed in efforts to limit disease spread. To determine whether these changes affected vascular integrated resident (VR) and fellow (VF) operative volume, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) case log data was reviewed. Case volume and standard deviation for each major category was for graduates of 2020 and 2021 were compared to the year prior to the pandemic, 2019. There were only 3 significant changes when comparing 2020/2021 to the prepandemic baseline of 2019, with increase in abdominal obstructive cases for VRs (8.1 in 2021 vs 5.9 in 2019, P = .021), an increase in upper extremity cases for VFs (18.9 in 2021 from 15.8 in 2019, P = .029), and a decrease in venous cases for VFs (39.6 in 2021 from 48.4 in 2019, P = .011). Postponing nonemergent surgery did not translate to significant changes in operative cases for graduating VRs and VFs.

Presentation and management of rare saccular superior mesenteric artery trunk and branch aneurysms.

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) aneurysm is caused by degeneration of the visceral arteries. Although a rarely encountered entity, it requires timely management owing to the high mortality rate associated with rupture, particularly when the aneurysm is saccular in nature. As such, urgent treatment is generally indicated. We present five cases of SMA aneurysm arising from the main trunk or branches of the SMA.

A cautionary tale of an emergency cerebrovascular procedure in the COVID-19 era.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has had an impact on system processes, with airway management being significantly affected. A 37-year-old woman diagnosed with stroke was found to have a filling defect at the origin of the right internal carotid artery. She was taken to the operating room urgently for carotid endarterectomy. The procedure was uneventful; however, anaphylaxis developed on extubation, subsequently attributed to sugammadex. Institutional policies and limited resources resulted in delayed reintubation. Fortunately, she did not have lasting deficits, but this highlights the potential of current policies to lead to complications and the need to improve policies to minimize harm.

Salvage of autogenous dialysis access with balloon-assisted thrombin injection.

Arteriovenous fistulas are known to be one of the most enduring and safe hemodialysis access modalities. However, access preservation can be challenging in the setting of degeneration, including the development of complex pseudoaneurysms. Prolonged compression or thrombin injection can risk thrombosis of the fistula, and covered stent use can predispose the access to infection and other stent complications. We present a case in which endovascular balloon occlusion was used to facilitate the use of ultrasound-guided thrombin injection to resolve a dialysis access pseudoaneurysm by transiently reducing flow and preventing thromboembolism. This method is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive technique that should be considered for salvage of autogenous access compromised by pseudoaneurysm development.

Description of Technique and Short-Term Outcomes of Radial Artery Access for Vascular Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Radial artery access is widely utilized in coronary angiography with reported lower rates of vascular complications and better patient comfort. There is limited data in the literature regarding radial access in peripheral endovascular procedures. We hypothesize that radial access is safe and feasible for peripheral endovascular procedures. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients who underwent angiography using radial artery access between August 2013 and December 2017. Patient demographics and perioperative data were recorded and analyzed. PATIENT SELECTION: The operating surgeon screened patients presenting for elective angiography for possible radial artery access. Ultrasound guidance was used in all cases. Upon cannulation, the sheath was infused with an antispasmodic cocktail, and the patients were systemically anticoagulated. RESULTS: Forty-seven out of 52 patients successfully completed their procedure (90% success rate). The patients were mostly female (60%), elderly (mean age of 71 years), and had several comorbidities. Preoperative diagnoses were variable. Procedures were both diagnostic (58%) and interventional (42%) with maximum sheath size used being 7F and median fluoroscopy time of 7.5 minutes. Only 2 patients experienced perioperative complications, and both of these were minor hematomas that resolved with manual pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Transradial arterial access for peripheral vascular angiography and interventions is safe and feasible. With low complication rates and increased patient comfort, transradial access serves as an excellent alternative to transfemoral access for a variety of endovascular procedures.

Successful Treatment of Acute Limb Ischemia Secondary to Iatrogenic Distal Embolization Using Catheter Directed Aspiration Thrombectomy.

Objective: Acute limb ischemia (ALI) due to thromboembolism is a limb- and life-threatening condition regularly encountered by vascular surgeons. Iatrogenic distal embolization is occasionally seen as a complication of various endovascular procedures. We present a series of four patients who developed ALI due to arterial embolization during cardiovascular procedures that were successfully treated via catheter directed aspiration embolectomy. Methods: Retrospective review of demographics, risk factors, and procedural outcomes was completed for 4 patients who presented with ALI due to distal embolization following cardiovascular procedures. All patients were successfully treated with catheter directed aspiration embolectomy using the Penumbra Indigo System (Penumbra Inc., Alameda, California). All patients had high-quality angiography demonstrating successful embolectomy and end-procedure patency. Results: Three patients presented with Rutherford 2A and one with Rutherford 2B ALI secondary to intraoperative distal embolization. Three patients presented with ALI secondary to distal embolization during peripheral vascular interventions, and one following emergent intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) placement for myocardial infarction. All emboli were located in the infra-inguinal vasculature. Median post-operative ABIs were 0.94 (n = 4). Median length of stay was 2 days. There were no mortalities and no need for adjunctive fasciotomy, amputation, or bypass for limb salvage. All patients improved clinically after intervention, and returned to their reported pre-hospitalization functional status. Conclusion: All procedures achieved technical success with catheter-directed aspiration thrombectomy with or without adjunctive lysis. Catheter-directed aspiration embolectomy with the Penumbra Indigo System for ALI following an iatrogenic embolic event is a safe, less-invasive treatment option. The use of this technology may reduce the need for traditional open thrombectomy or thrombolytic therapy to address ALI.