Initial Experience With Robotic Liver Resection in the United States.

BACKGROUND: This study's aim was to show the feasibility and safety of robotic liver resection (RLR) even without extensive experience in major laparoscopic liver resection (LLR). METHODS: A single center, retrospective analysis was performed for consecutive liver resections for solid liver tumors from 2014 to 2022. RESULTS: The analysis included 226 liver resections, comprising 127 (56.2%) open surgeries, 28 (12.4%) LLR, and 71 (31.4%) RLR. The rate of RLR increased and that of LLR decreased over time. In a comparison between propensity score matching-selected open liver resection and RLR (41:41), RLR had significantly less blood loss (384 ± 413 vs 649 ± 646 mL, P = .030) and shorter hospital stay (4.4 ± 3.0 vs 6.4 ± 3.7 days, P = .010), as well as comparable operative time (289 ± 123 vs 290 ± 132 mins, P = .954). A comparison between LLR and RLR showed comparable perioperative outcomes, even with more surgeries with higher difficulty score included in RLR (5.2 ± 2.7 vs 4.3 ± 2.5, P = .147). The analysis of the learning curve in RLR demonstrated that blood loss, conversion rate, and complication rate consistently improved over time, with the case number required to achieve the learning curve appearing to be 60 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that RLR is a feasible, safe, and acceptable platform for liver resection, and that the safe implementation and dissemination of RLR can be achieved without solid experience of LLR.

Type 1 Diabetes Impairs Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation Via Increasing Endothelial Cell Glycolysis Through Advanced Glycation End Products, PFKFB3, and Nox1-Mediated Mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a major cause of endothelial dysfunction. Although cellular bioenergetics has been identified as a new regulator of vascular function, whether glycolysis, the primary bioenergetic pathway in endothelial cells (EC), regulates vascular tone and contributes to impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) in T1D remains unknown. METHODS: Experiments were conducted in Akita mice with intact or selective deficiency in EC PFKFB3 (6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3), the main regulator of glycolysis. Seahorse analyzer and myography were employed to measure glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration, and EDR, respectively, in aortic explants. EC PFKFB3 (Ad-PFKFB3) and glycolysis (Ad-GlycoHi) were increased in situ via adenoviral transduction. RESULTS: T1D increased EC glycolysis and elevated EC expression of PFKFB3 and NADPH oxidase Nox1 (NADPH oxidase homolog 1). Functionally, pharmacological and genetic inhibition of PFKFB3 restored EDR in T1D, while in situ aorta EC transduction with Ad-PFKFB3 or Ad-GlycoHi reproduced the impaired EDR associated with T1D. Nox1 inhibition restored EDR in aortic rings from Akita mice, as well as in Ad-PFKFB3-transduced aorta EC and lactate-treated wild-type aortas. T1D increased the expression of the advanced glycation end product precursor methylglyoxal in the aortas. Exposure of the aortas to methylglyoxal impaired EDR, which was prevented by PFKFB3 inhibition. T1D and exposure to methylglyoxal increased EC expression of HIF1α (hypoxia-inducible factor 1α), whose inhibition blunted methylglyoxal-mediated EC PFKFB3 upregulation. CONCLUSIONS: EC bioenergetics, namely glycolysis, is a new regulator of vasomotion and excess glycolysis, a novel mechanism of endothelial dysfunction in T1D. We introduce excess methylglyoxal, HIF1α, and PFKFB3 as major effectors in T1D-mediated increased EC glycolysis.

Georgia Quality Improvement Programs Multi-Institutional Collection of Postoperative Opioid Data Using ACS-NSQIP Abstraction.

BACKGROUND: Excessive postoperative opioid prescribing contributes to opioid misuse throughout the US. The Georgia Quality Improvement Program (GQIP) is a collaboration of ACS-NSQIP participating hospitals. GQIP aimed to develop a multi-institutional opioid data collection platform as well as understand our current opioid-sparing strategy (OSS) usage and postoperative opioid prescribing patterns. METHODS: This study was initiated 7/2019, when 4 custom NSQIP variables were developed to capture OSS usage and postoperative opioid oral morphine equivalents (OMEs). After pilot collection, our discharge opioid variable required optimization for adequate data capture and was expanded from a free text option to 4 drop-down selection variables. Data collection then continued from 2/2020-5/2021. Logistic regression was used to determine associations with OSS usage. Average OMEs were calculated for common general surgery procedures and compared to national guidelines. RESULTS: After variable optimization, the percentage where a total discharge prescription OME could be calculated increased from 26% to 70% (P < .001). The study included 820 patients over 10 operations. There was a significant variation in OSS usage between GQIP centers. Laparoscopic cases had higher odds of OSS use (1.92 (1.38-2.66)) while OSS use had lower odds in black patients on univariate analysis (.69 (.51-.94)). On average 7 out of the 10 cases had higher OMEs prescribed compared to national guidelines recommendations. CONCLUSION: Developing a multi-institutional opioid data collection platform through ACS-NSQIP is feasible. Preselected drop-down boxes outperform free text variables. GQIP future quality improvement targets include variation in OSS use and opioid overprescribing.

Cytomegalovirus pancreatitis in an immunocompetent patient.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a double-stranded DNA virus, which infects a large portion of the adult population. In immunocompetent patients, it typically is asymptomatic or manifests as mild and self-limiting flu-like illness symptoms, whereas in immunocompromised patients, CMV can cause significant disease. Herein we report an unusual case of CMV pancreatitis in an immunocompetent 75-year-old female. Patient developed severe significant pancreatic necrosis that failed non-operative management, and ultimately underwent pancreatic necrosectomy. Later on, she developed three spontaneous gastric perforations. The first two perforations were managed operatively, but after the third perforation family decided not to undergo another operation. The CMV pancreatitis diagnosis was based on pancreatic histopathology and confirms by a prompt response to ganciclovir. Patient was promptly started on intravenous (IV) ganciclovir which resulted in clinical recovery and she remained asymptomatic more than one-year post op. This is a rare case of CMV pancreatitis with gastric perforations in an immunocompetent patient. High degree of suspicion and appropriate treatment are important for such clinical scenarios.

Severe Intraoperative Anaphylaxis Related to Thymoglobulin during Living Donor Kidney Transplantation.

Anaphylaxis secondary to thymoglobulin (anti-thymocyte globulin) is a rare condition that can be life threatening. Thymoglobulin is a rabbit-derived T-cell depleting polyclonal immunoglobulin. It is commonly used for induction immunosuppression and/or for treatment of acute rejection in renal transplantation. We report a case of a living kidney transplant recipient who developed intraoperative anaphylactic shock secondary to thymoglobulin. The patient had a history of pet rabbit exposure. This case report highlights the importance of prompt identification and management of intraoperative anaphylaxis, which is key to a successful outcome. Induction immunosuppression selection based on patient characteristics is important. Communication between the anesthesia team and surgeons played a key role in stopping the donor surgery.

Pattern of Thyroid Lesions in Western Region of Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Analysis and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography (US) is being recognized as a traditional way of the diagnosis of various thyroid disorders, and this will help in detecting the thyroid tumors in early stage. Thyroid nodules are common and usually benign; steps to diagnose malignancy should include a careful clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, a thyroid US exam and a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. METHODS: A total of 173 registered cases were used for analysis in this study. Diagnosis was made following US-guided FNA cytology (FNAC) and histopathological diagnosis; clinicopathological and demographic data of all such patients were obtained and analyzed for the present study. For statistical analysis, Statistical Package of Social Sciences v.22 (SPSS) was used. RESULTS: In the current study, 87.3% of patients were female, and 12.7% were male. The mean age of the patients was 43.35 years, 86.4% were Saudi nationals and there was no significant difference between age groups. Overall, the distribution of lesions in all age groups was 41.6% in the right lobe, 9.3% lesions were adenomatous, 71.1% were colloid, and 10.4% were lymphocytic. The final diagnosis of thyroid lesions was confirmed after histopathological examinations. Out of 173 cases, 12.6% (20 cases) of male patients and 87.4% (139 cases) of female patients had benign lesions, respectively. Only one male case was malignant, and seven cases were malignant in female group. Eighty percent of males and 77.7% females have colloid nodules, and 15% of males and 9.3% of females have adenomatous nodules. Four cases were non-diagnostic, one case was atypia in females, and one case was suspicious of malignancy in a male. CONCLUSIONS: Most thyroid lesions in this study population were benign, while papillary carcinoma was the most common malignancy encountered. There was a marked female predominance in all types of thyroid diseases. The most common age group affected is 30 - 39 years. In Saudi Arabia, growing prevalence of thyroid cancer may be due to the increased screening using sensitive imaging in clinical practice, and ultrasonography is the most accurate and cost-effective method for detecting thyroid lesions.

Safety and efficacy of steroid withdrawal two days after kidney transplantation: analysis of results at three years.

BACKGROUND: Chronic steroid therapy in spite of myriad side effects is widely used in kidney transplantation. This prospective controlled study evaluated safety and efficacy of steroid withdrawal at 2 days in kidney recipients monitored by surveillance biopsy. METHODS: In all, 300 kidney recipients were studied; 150 in second-day steroid withdrawal group and 150 in steroid treated group (control group). Immunosuppression was basiliximab induction and maintenance was a calcineurin inhibitor and mycophenolate mofetil or sirolimus. Biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) was treated by methylpredisolone. Surveillance biopsies were completed to evaluate subclinical acute rejection (SCAR) and chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). Primary end point was acute rejection. Three-year patient and graft survival, new onset diabetes mellitus (NODM), serum creatinine and creatinine clearance were evaluated. RESULTS: Acute rejection was diagnosed in 14% in control group and 16% in steroid withdrawal group. Three-year patient and graft survival was 89% and 79% in control and 91% and 78% in steroid withdrawal group. Serum creatinine and creatinine clearance was 1.9+/-0.8 and 59+/-11 in control group and 1.8+/-0.9 mg/dl and 61+/-10 mls/minute in steroid withdrawal group. Incidence of SCAR and progression of CAN were comparable in the 2 groups. At 3-years NODM was diagnosed in 21% in control group and 4% in steroid withdrawal group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Two-day steroid withdrawal in kidney transplant recipients did not affect BPAR, SCAR, CAN, graft function and patient and graft survival compared to control group up to 3 years. NODM was significantly less in steroid withdrawal group. Two-day steroid withdrawal is safe and beneficial in kidney transplant recipients.

Successful transplantation of kidneys from deceased donors with acute renal failure: Three-year results.

BACKGROUND: Kidneys from deceased donors with acute renal failure (ARF) are generally not accepted for transplantation because of the expected poor outcome. This prospective study examined the utilization of kidneys from donors with ARF for transplantation and the outcomes. METHODS: Fifty-five kidneys from donors with ARF were transplanted. The outcome was compared with concurrent and matched 55 recipients of standard criteria donor (SCD) kidneys and 55 expanded criteria donor (ECD) kidneys. ARF kidneys were accepted from donors aged <50 years, a negative history for kidney disease, and a negative pretransplant biopsy for chronic structural changes. The immunosuppression was similar in all three groups. The outcome measurements included three-year patient and graft survival, biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR), subclinical acute rejection (SCAR), and chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN), serum creatinine, and creatinine clearance. RESULTS: Three-year patient and graft survival was 90% and 90% in ARF group, 100% and 89% in SCD group and 83% and 66% in ECD group. BPAR and SCAR were comparable in the groups but CAN was significantly higher in ECD group. Mean serum creatinine levels were 1.9+/-1.1, 1.9+/-0.9, and 2.2+/-1.3 mg/dl and mean creatinine clearances were 66+/-15, 68+/-14, and 58+/-10 mls/minute in ARF, SCD, and ECD groups, respectively (SCD and ARF vs. ECD P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Transplantation of kidneys from selected deceased donors with ARF provides comparable survival and function compared to kidneys from non-ARF donors and may be considered for transplantation to expand the donor pool to overcome the current acute shortage of kidneys.

Steroid avoidance in renal transplantation using basiliximab induction, cyclosporine-based immunosuppression and protocol biopsies.

BACKGROUND: Reducing chronic steroid exposure is important to minimize steroid-related morbidity, particularly for susceptible renal transplant recipients. Steroid-free and steroid-sparing protocols have shown benefits, but safety has not been established for all populations. We investigated the safety of steroid avoidance (SA) in a population including African-Americans, using modern immunosuppression with protocol biopsy monitoring. METHODS: A randomized-controlled SA trial (early discontinuation, days 2-7) was conducted in a population (n = 77) including African-Americans and cadaveric kidney recipients. Patients received basiliximab, cyclosporine (CsA), and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). In controls, steroids were tapered to 5 mg prednisone/d by day 30. Protocol biopsies were performed (1, 6, 12 and 24 months) to evaluate subclinical acute rejection (SCAR) and chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). RESULTS: The SA did not result in significantly higher incidences of graft loss, AR, SCAR, CAN, or renal fibrosis. SA patients experienced similar renal function, comparable serum lipid levels, and a trend toward fewer cases of new-onset diabetes. Clinical outcomes of African-American and non-African-American patients did not significantly differ. CONCLUSIONS: The SA is safe in the context of basiliximab induction and CsA-based immunosuppression. This protocol could minimize steroid-related side effects in susceptible groups, including African-Americans, without increasing the risk of AR or graft failure.

Induction immunosuppression in kidney transplant recipients older than 60 years of age : safety and efficacy of ATGAM, OKT3 and Simulect.

BACKGROUND: The choice of induction immunosuppression for kidney transplantation in elderly recipients is dictated by the consideration of the risk of infection as well as efficacy in the prevention of acute rejection, thus allowing a reduction in subsequent maintenance immunosuppression and its attendant long-term adverse effects. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of the antibody induction immunosuppression strategies in elderly recipients of kidney transplants. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We present retrospective data analysis on 183 kidney transplant recipients > or = 60 years of age at Hahnemann University Hospital (Philadelphia, PA, USA) over a 12-year period. We compared four consecutive cohorts of kidney transplant recipients receiving lymphocyte immune globulin, equine antithymocyte globulin (ATGAM) [n = 29]; muromonab CD3 (OKT3) [n = 45]; basiliximab (Simulect) with corticosteroid maintenance [n = 40]; and Simulect without corticosteroid maintenance (n = 69). RESULTS: Delayed graft function (DGF) was observed in 48% of patients receiving ATGAM, 35.6% in the OKT3 group and 35% in the Simulect group with corticosteroid maintenance and 36.2% in the Simulect group without corticosteroid maintenance. The rejection rate within the first 3 months was 31% in the ATGAM and OKT3 groups, 17.5% in the Simulect group with corticosteroid maintenance and 14.5% in the Simulect group without corticosteroid maintenance. These differences for DGF and acute rejection were statistically significant between patients receiving ATGAM and OKT3, ATGAM or OKT3 and both groups of Simulect (all p < 0.05). Patients receiving Simulect were free of adverse effects typically encountered by patients receiving polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for induction. Patients receiving Simulect had much shorter hospital stays and benefited from significant reduction of costs compared with other groups. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that kidney transplant recipients > or = 60 years of age benefit from induction therapy with Simulect followed by corticosteroid-free maintenance immunosuppression.