The integration of minimally invasive surgery in surgical practice in a Canadian setting: results from 2 consecutive province-wide practice surveys of general surgeons over a 5-year period.

BACKGROUND: Although minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been quickly embraced, the introduction of advanced procedures appears more complex. We assessed the evolution of MIS in the province of Quebec over a 5-year period to identify areas for improvement in the modern surgical era. METHODS: We developed, test-piloted and conducted a self-administered questionnaire among Quebec general surgeons in 2007 and 2012 to examine stated MIS practice, MIS training and barriers and facilitators to the use of MIS. RESULTS: Response rates were 51.3% (251 of 489) in 2007 and 31.3% (153 of 491) in 2012. A significant increase was observed for performance of most advanced MIS procedures, especially for colectomy for benign (66.0% v. 84.3%, p < 0,001) and malignant diseases (43.3% v. 77.8%, p < 0,001) and for rectal surgery for malignancy (21.0% v. 54.6%, p < 0.001). More surgeons practised 3 or more advanced MIS procedures in 2012 than in 2007 (82.3% v. 64.3%, p < 0,001). At multivariate analysis, the 2007 survey administration was associated with fewer surgeons practising advanced MIS (odds ratio 0.13, 95% confidence interval 0.06-0.29). In 2012, more respondents stated they gained their skills during residency (p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: From 2007 to 2012 there was a significant increase in advanced MIS procedures practised by general surgeons in Québec. This technique appears well established in current surgical practice. The growing place of MIS in residency training seems to be a paramount part of this development. Results from this study could be used as a baseline for studies focusing on ways to further improve the MIS practice.

The use of higher platelet: RBC transfusion ratio in the acute phase of trauma resuscitation: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: With the recognition of early coagulopathy, trauma resuscitation has shifted toward liberal platelet transfusions. The overall benefit of this strategy remains controversial. Our objective was to compare the effects of a liberal use of platelet (higher platelet:RBC ratios) with a conservative approach (lower ratios) in trauma resuscitation. DATA SOURCES: We systematically searched Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Biosis, Cochrane Central, and Scopus. STUDY SELECTION: Two independent reviewers selected randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing two or more platelet:RBC ratios in trauma resuscitation. We excluded studies investigating the use of whole blood or hemostatic products. DATA EXTRACTION: Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. Primary outcomes were early (in ICU or within 30 d) and late (in hospital or after 30 d) mortality. Secondary outcomes were multiple organ failure, lung injury, and sepsis. DATA SYNTHESIS: From 6,123 citations, no randomized controlled trials were identified. We included seven observational studies (4,230 patients) addressing confounders through multivariable regression or propensity scores. Heterogeneity of studies precluded meta-analysis. Among the five studies including exclusively patients requiring massive transfusions, four observed a lower mortality with higher ratios. Two studies considering nonmassively bleeding patients observed no benefit of using higher ratios. Two studies evaluated the implementation of a massive transfusion protocol; only one study observed a decrease in mortality with higher ratios. Of the two studies at low risk of survival bias, one study observed a survival benefit. Three studies assessed secondary outcomes. One study observed an increase in multiple organ failure with higher ratios, whereas no study demonstrated an increased risk in lung injury or sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence to strongly support the use of a precise platelet:RBC ratio for trauma resuscitation, especially in nonmassively bleeding patients. Randomized controlled trials evaluating both the safety and efficacy of liberal platelet transfusions are warranted.

Use of intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence in determining testicular viability in testicular torsion patients in rural settings: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Testicular torsion (TT) is the result of spermatic cord twisting which can lead to significant ischemia, making it a time-sensitive surgical emergency. General surgeons in rural centers may lack the resources to adequately evaluate the viability of the affected testicle. Indocyanine green fluorescence (IGF) has been increasingly used to assess vascular perfusion in general surgery cases. In this case report, we show the use of IGF in a rural setting to assess testicular viability in TT. CASE PRESENTATION: A 17-year-old male was transferred to our rural regional hospital emergency department for sudden and persistent right scrotal pain. The onset of symptoms was approximately 52 h at presentation. TT was diagnosed with a doppler ultrasound by a radiologist. Urgent detorsion surgery was performed. Intraoperative assessment of viability was unclear after the usual means and IGF helped confirm the absence of testicle vascularization and the need for orchiectomy. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: General surgeons in rural communities are called to manage TT with limited resources and experience. IGF is widely used in general surgery and urology. Animal studies and two case reports show potential benefits of IGF in TT. In our patient, IGF was useful to confirm without a doubt that the right testicle was ischemic and non-viable. CONCLUSION: In a rural setting with limited access to radiology and distant urology coverage, IGF is an excellent resource to determine intraoperative blood flow in TT with uncertain viability.

Bariatric Surgery Should Be Offered to Active-Duty Military Personnel: a Retrospective Study of the Canadian Armed Forces' Experience.

PURPOSE: Like most Western armies, obesity affects Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel. Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for obesity. However, this is not yet accepted for active-duty soldiers in most countries. The CAF have approved bariatric surgery since 2005. Our aim is to assess weight loss, resolution of obesity-related comorbidities, and impacts of bariatric surgery on military careers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the perioperative data, long-term bariatric results, and military outcomes of 108 CAF active-duty military personnel who underwent bariatric surgery in Canada over a 61-month period. RESULTS: The cohort was predominantly male (66.7%) with a mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) of 43.6 ± 5.8 kg/m2. Roux-Y gastric bypass was performed in 59 patients, sleeve gastrectomy in 29, and gastric banding in 20. All the surgeries were performed laparoscopically. The total body weight loss at the last follow-up visit was 22.5 ± 11.0%. Remission or improvement of hypertension was observed in 91.2%, diabetes in 85.7%, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) in 43.6%, sleep apnea in 43.1%, and dyslipidemia in 42.9%. One patient (0.9%) was medically released due to postoperative complications. Fifteen patients (13.9%) were deployed postoperatively. The combined deployable and possibly deployable statuses increased from 35.4% preoperatively to 47.9% postoperatively. CONCLUSION: This is the largest series of bariatric surgeries performed in active-duty military personnel. Bariatric surgery is effective and safe and improves deployability without impairing military careers. These results are relevant to the military of many industrialized countries. Bariatric surgery should be considered for all active-duty military personnel who meet surgical criteria for the treatment of obesity.

Diverticulitis of the appendix-case report and literature review.

Appendiceal diverticulitis is a rare diagnostic most often mistaken for an acute appendicitis. A 72-year-old man presented with a transfixing abdominal pain for 48 hours. Appendicitis was diagnosed on computed tomography scan, but a neoplasm could not be excluded. A laparoscopic hemicolectomy was performed after a surgical consensus considering the neoplastic appearance of the lesion and anatomical feature. Histopathology finally revealed an appendiceal diverticulitis. Appendiceal diverticulum is a rare condition. Most will lead to an appendiceal diverticulitis, which present similarly to an appendicitis. Perforation rate and mortality rate are much higher in appendiceal diverticulitis than in appendicitis. Furthermore, appendiceal diverticular disease is strongly associated with neoplasms, especially mucinous neoplasms and thus pseudomyxoma peritonei. Considering the high complication rate and malignant association, an appendicectomy in case of an appendiceal diverticulitis or of an incidental finding of appendiceal diverticulosis should be recommended to the patient.