Preoperative Factors Predict Postoperative Trajectories of Pain and Disability Following Surgery for Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal analysis of prospectively collected data. OBJECTIVE: Investigate potential predictors of poor outcome following surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: LSS is the most common reason for an older person to undergo spinal surgery, yet little information is available to inform patient selection. METHODS: We recruited LSS surgical candidates from 13 orthopedic and neurological surgery centers. Potential outcome predictors included demographic, health, clinical, and surgery-related variables. Outcome measures were leg and back numeric pain rating scales and Oswestry disability index scores obtained before surgery and after 3, 12, and 24 postoperative months. We classified surgical outcomes based on trajectories of leg pain and a composite measure of overall outcome (leg pain, back pain, and disability). RESULTS: Data from 529 patients (mean [SD] age = 66.5 [9.1] yrs; 46% female) were included. In total, 36.1% and 27.6% of patients were classified as experiencing a poor leg pain outcome and overall outcome, respectively. For both outcomes, patients receiving compensation or with depression/depression risk were more likely, and patients participating in regular exercise were less likely to have poor outcomes. Lower health-related quality of life, previous spine surgery, and preoperative anticonvulsant medication use were associated with poor leg pain outcome. Patients with ASA scores more than two, greater preoperative disability, and longer pain duration or surgical waits were more likely to have a poor overall outcome. Patients who received preoperative chiropractic or physiotherapy treatment were less likely to report a poor overall outcome. Multivariable models demonstrated poor-to acceptable (leg pain) and excellent (overall outcome) discrimination. CONCLUSION: Approximately one in three patients with LSS experience a poor clinical outcome consistent with surgical non-response. Demographic, health, and clinical factors were more predictive of clinical outcome than surgery-related factors. These predictors may assist surgeons with patient selection and inform shared decision-making for patients with symptomatic LSS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

Prehabilitation for surgical oncology patients: empowering patient volition.

Prehabilitation is the improvement of patient health in anticipation of a physiological stressor, such as major surgery. Prehabilitation optimizes health by taking a proactive approach to promoting exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications. Engaging patients in the pre-operative phase provides an opportunity to positively impact their recovery and return to functional baseline by reducing post-operative deconditioning. At the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Canada, the Interprofessional Multidisciplinary Prehabilitation Assessment Consultation Team (IMPACT-Surgical Oncology) was developed. The program was initiated in January 2015 and assesses approximately 3-5 patients/week (with a total of over 250 patients so far). This program offers patients individualized pre-operative assessments, including medical optimization, functional, and nutritional assessments, as well as counseling for mood-related issues, smoking/alcohol cessation, and preparing for surgery (such as ensuring adequate home supports/functional equipment prior to surgery). By providing holistic, person-centered, individualized pre-operative optimization strategies, patients and families feel empowered, motivated, and in control of their own health.

Fast-track protocols in colorectal surgery.

Fast-track surgery (FTS) is a set of protocols aimed to reduce the physiological burden of surgery thus improving outcomes. FTS aims to use evidence-based practice to reduce complications, improve post-operative quality of life and decrease hospital length of stay. This review seeks to examine the evidence base for protocols employed in colorectal surgery in the areas of pre-operative preparation, anaesthetic management, intraoperative and surgical factors and post-operative care. Despite the evidence that recovery after colorectal surgery can be enhanced by using these approaches, implementation of FTS protocols has been slow. Acceptance of FTS protocols by all members of the multi-disciplinary team and a change in organisational structure to accommodate structured peri-operative care, are imperative to implementation.

Utilidad de la expresión de Ki67 en las biopsias preoperatorias para predecir la recidiva bioquímica del cáncer de próstata después de la prostatectomía radical / The usefulness of Ki67 expression in the biopsy specimens, to predict the biochemical progresion of the prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la utilidad de la expresión de Ki67 de las biopsias diagnósticas preoperatorias, para predecir la recidiva bioquímica del cáncer de próstata después de la prostatectomía radical. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Analizamos la expresión de Ki67 en las biopsias ecodirigidas de 103 pacientes a los que se les practicó prostatectomía radical. El tiempo medio de seguimiento es de 3,4 años (1,3-8,8 años). Correlacionamos la recidiva bioquímica con los factores pronósticos clásicos como el PSA (>10/=7/3%/3%/3%/10/=7/<7) y clasificación pT (pT3/pT0-2), para predecir la progresión bioquímica del cáncer de próstata después de la prostatectomía radical

OBJETIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of Ki67 expression in the biopsy specimens, to predict the biochemical progression of the prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyse the Ki67 expression in the biopsy specimens of 103 patients treated with radical prostatectomy. The mean follow up is 3.4 years (1.3-8.8 years). We correlate the biochemical progression with traditional prognostic factors as the PSA (>10/=7/3%/3%/3%/10/=7/<7) and pT ification (pT3/pT0-2), to predict the biochemical progression of the prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy

Current trends in preoperative patient evaluation and management for podiatric surgeons.

In preparation for elective foot and ankle surgery, the podiatric surgeon often will refer the patient for a preoperative evaluation. Surgeons rely on the input of that consultant to provide a determination as to the operative risk for the patient. This article reviews the fundamental parts of the preoperative evaluation, perioperative patient management, and recent changes and trends within this arena.

Declining value of preoperative autologous donation.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD) has been shown to decrease allogeneic blood transfusion requirements in major elective surgery. Changes in transfusion practice motivated an examination of blood use from 1993 to 2000 of patients participating in the Héma-Québec PABD program. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood donation and transfusion, type of surgery, and demographic characteristics were prospectively entered into a computer database for patients participating in the Héma-Québec PABD program. RESULTS: Autologous donations represented from 0.8 to 2 percent of total blood collections and have declined by 26 percent after peaking in 1995. The mean number of units collected per patient declined, as did the number of units transfused per patient and the utilization rate. For radical prostatectomy, knee replacement surgery, hip replacement surgery, and scoliosis, utilization rates were 72, 60, 83, and 78 percent in 1993 compared with 50, 50, 58, and 58 percent in 2000, respectively. In 2000, 18 percent of patients were receiving a 1-unit autologous transfusion. Depending on the surgical procedure, 85 to 95 percent of patients avoided allogeneic transfusion; this did not change significantly from 1993 to 2000. CONCLUSION: Patients participating in the PABD program successfully avoided allogeneic transfusion in over 85 percent of cases. However, declining utilization rates and frequent 1-unit transfusions demonstrate the decreasing utility of PABD over time.

An analysis of a preoperative pediatric autologous blood donation program.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of a pediatric autologous blood donation program. DESIGN: A retrospective study of patient charts and blood-bank records. SETTING: The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, a tertiary care, pediatric centre. PATIENTS: One hundred and seventy-three children who received blood transfusions for a total of 182 procedures between June 1987 and June 1997. INTERVENTIONS: Autologous and homologous blood transfusion required for major surgical intervention, primarily spinal fusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgeons' accuracy in predicting the number of autologous blood units required for a given procedure, compliance rate (children's ability to donate the requested volume of blood), utilization rate of autologous units and rate of allogeneic transfusion. RESULTS: The surgeons' accuracy in predicting the number of autologous units required for a given procedure was 53.8%. The compliance rate of children to donate the requested amount of blood was 80.3%. In children below the standard age and weight criteria for blood donation the compliance rate was 75.5%. The utilization rate of autologous units obtained was 84.4% and the incidence of allogeneic transfusion was 26.6%. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high rate of compliance and utilization of predonated autologous blood in the children in the study. Preoperative blood donation programs are safe and effective in children, even in those below the standard age and weight criteria of 10 years and 40 kg.

"Nulla per os [NPO] after midnight" reassessed.

The concept that fasting produces an "empty stomach" has been shown to be incorrect. Numerous studies demonstrate that fasting neither diminishes gastric volume nor decreases gastric acidity and the risk of pulmonary aspiration is not increased by the preoperative intake of clear liquids. Nevertheless, most surgeons and anesthesiologists continue to adhere to the traditional NPO after midnight tradition, a tradition which should be abandoned. Withholding fluids preoperatively is not only of no benefit to patients but may even be harmful. Based on current knowledge and experience, the following guidelines, which represent a beneficial and humane advance for all surgical patients, are recommended. 1) Adults and children undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia as inpatients or outpatients in good health (ASA Class I or II) and without specific contra-indications (such as morbid obesity, gastrointestinal disease, etc.) should be allowed and encouraged to drink clear fluids up to two hours before surgery. 2) Patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia and major regional blocks that might require conversion to general anesthesia should remain NPO for solids and non-clear liquids for a minimum of six hours before scheduled surgery. 3) Patients undergoing elective surgery under regional local anesthesia in good health and without specific contra-indication should be allowed and encouraged to have their normal breakfast and fluids as desired on the day of surgery.