The Edmonton Obesity Staging System Predicts Postoperative Complications After Abdominoplasty.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the relationship between Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS) and the occurrence of postoperative complications after abdominoplasty in massive weight loss patients. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective review of patients undergoing abdominoplasty between 2009 and 2019 after massive weight loss. Demographic data, laboratory findings, known risk factors for postoperative complications, as well as data on major and minor complications were extracted from the patient charts. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between the variables. RESULTS: Four hundred and five patients were included in the study. The prevalence of EOSS stages was: 0 (no comorbidities, N = 151, 37%), 1 (mild conditions, N = 40, 10%), 2 (moderate conditions, N = 149, 36%) and 3 (severe conditions, N = 70, 17%). Regression analysis showed that, controlling for body mass index (BMI), BMI Δ (maximal BMI - BMI at presentation), bariatric surgery, volume of resected tissue, and duration of surgery, EOSS stage significantly associated with the occurrence of postoperative complications. Compared with EOSS stage 0, EOSS stages 2 and 3 patients were associated with significantly more minor and major complications, respectively. The volume of resected tissue, BMI Δ, and age were associated with the occurrence of major complications. A regression model of comorbidities comprising the EOSS revealed a significant association of variables diabetes mellitus and hypertension with the occurrence of postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Edmonton Obesity Staging System is a robust predictor of postoperative complications in abdominoplasty.

Investigating the Impact of Early Valve Surgery on Survival in Staphylococcus aureus Infective Endocarditis Using a Marginal Structural Model Approach: Results of a Large, Prospectively Evaluated Cohort.

BACKGROUND: The impact of valve surgery on outcomes of Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis (SAIE) remains controversial. We tested the hypothesis that early valve surgery (EVS) improves survival by using a novel approach that allows for inclusion of major confounders in a time-dependent way. METHODS: EVS was defined as valve surgery within 60 days. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed. To account for treatment selection bias, we additionally used a weighted Cox model (marginal structural model) that accounts for time-dynamic imbalances between treatment groups. To address survivor bias, EVS was included as a time-dependent variable. Follow-up of patients was 1 year. RESULTS: Two hundred and three patients were included in the analysis; 50 underwent EVS. All-cause mortality at day 30 was 26%. In the conventional multivariable Cox regression model, the effect of EVS on the death hazard was 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI], .47-1.52). Using the weighted Cox model, the death hazard rate (HR) of EVS was 0.71 (95% CI, .34-1.49). In subgroup analyses, no survival benefit was observed in patients with septic shock (HR, 0.80 [CI, .26-2.46]), in NVIE (HR, 0.76 [CI, .33-1.71]) or PVIE (HR, 1.02 [CI, .29-3.54]), or in patients with EVS within 14 days (HR, 0.97 [CI, .46-2.07]). CONCLUSIONS: Using both a conventional Cox regression model and a weighted Cox model, we did not find a survival benefit for patients who underwent EVS in our cohort. Until results of randomized controlled trials are available, EVS in SAIE should be based on individualized decisions of an experienced multidisciplinary team. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials registry (DRKS00005045).

Outcomes in patients with burns to the perineum, buttocks and genitalia: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Burns that involve the perineum, buttocks and genitals (PBG) have been associated with more challenging therapeutic needs and worse clinical outcomes. We aimed to investigate whether PBG burns are an independent predictor for mortality, morbidity and complications in a large, heterogenous patient collective and in comparison to patients without PBG burns. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients admitted to a level one burn center between August 2014 and July 2022 were included and stratified based on the presence of PBG burns on admission (PBG & control group = CTR). Demographic baseline data, burn aetiology, inhalation trauma (IHT), full-thickness burns (FT), number of operations (NOR), mortality, length of ICU stay (LOS-ICU), length of in-hospital stay (LOHS) and bacteraemia were assessed to compare key clinical characteristics and outcomes between the groups. Multivariate regression analyses and a 1:1 propensity score matching were conducted for key clinical outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1024 patients were included in the analysis (PBG: n = 227; CTR: n = 797). PBG burns were older (median (IQR) 54 (34-72) vs. 44, (30-61) years, p < 0.0001), more frequently female (35% vs. 23%, p = 0.002) presented with larger total body surface area (TBSA) burns overall (27 (32-39) vs. 10 (13-15) %, p < 0.0001) and sustained FT burns more frequently (69% vs. 26% p < 0.0001). Scald burns were more frequently the cause of PBG burns (45% vs. 15%, p < 0.0001), PBG patients needed twice as many surgical procedures (Mean (SD) 2 (2.84) vs. 1 (1.6), p < 0.0001) as CTR. In multivariate analyses, a significant correlation was identified between length of ICU stay and presence of PBG burns. Following strict cohort matching to account for sex, age, cause of burn, TBSA %, presence of FT burn, inhalation trauma and bacteraemia, PBG burns were an independent predictor for mortality (p = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: PBG burns are at risk for prolonged intensive care, hospitalization and complications during treatment. Furthermore, the presence of PBG burns appears to be a risk factor for mortality, irrespective of patient age, TBSA affected and other relevant covariates.

Risk factors in distal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis in the hand: a retrospective study of 173 cases.

In this retrospective study we aimed to analyse the risk factors for complications after different methods of distal interphalangeal arthrodesis in the hand. Forty-four per cent were treated with K-wire/cerclage fixation, 46% with X-fuse® implants (Stryker GmbH, Selzach, Switzerland) and 10% with headless compression screws (HBS®-screw, KLS Martin Group, Tuttlingen, Germany). The median follow-up was 16 weeks (range 6-224). The overall complication incidence was 44% (minor complications 29% and major 15%). The logistic regression showed that osteoarthritis, revisional arthrodesis and smoking had a negative impact on the total complication incidence. A Cox-regression analysis showed that HBS®-screw arthrodesis was associated with a significantly lower incidence of major complications compared with K-wire/cerclage and X-Fuse®-arthrodesis. Revisional arthrodesis was five times more frequently connected with major complications than primary surgery. Smokers were three times more likely to experience major complications than non-smokers. We conclude that arthrodesis of the distal interphalangeal joint often leads to complications. Risk factors must be kept in mind.Level of evidence: III.