Outcome of ERCP related to case-volume.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In some studies, high endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) case-volume has been shown to correlate to high success rate in terms of successful cannulation and fewer adverse events. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between ERCP success and complications, and endoscopist and centre case-volumes. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Swedish National Register for Gallstone Surgery and ERCP (GallRiks) on all ERCPs performed for Common Bile Duct Stone (CBDS) (n = 17,873) and suspected or confirmed malignancy (n = 6152) between 2009 and 2018. Successful cannulation rate, procedure time, intra- and postoperative complication rates and post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) rate, were compared with endoscopist and centre ERCP case-volumes during the year preceding the procedure as predictor. RESULTS: In multivariable analyses of the CBDS group adjusting for age, gender and year, a high endoscopist case-volume was associated with higher successful cannulation rate, lower complication and PEP rates, and shorter procedure time (p < 0.05). Centres with a high annual case-volume were associated with high successful cannulation rate and shorter procedure time (p < 0.05), but not lower complication and PEP rates. When indication for ERCP was malignancy, a high endoscopist case-volume was associated with high successful cannulation rate and low PEP rates (p < 0.05), but not shorter procedure time or low complication rate. Centres with high case-volume were associated with high successful cannulation rate and low complication and PEP rates (p < 0.05), but not shorter procedure time. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that higher endoscopist and centre case-volumes are associated with safer ERCP and successful outcome.

Cardiovascular complications after common bile duct stone extractions.

BACKGROUND: Common bile duct stone (CBDS) is a common condition the rate of which increases with age. Decision to treat in particular elderly and frail patients with CBDS is often complex and requires careful assessment of the risk for treatment-related cardiovascular complications. The aim of this study was to compare the rate of postoperative cardiovascular events in CBDS patients treated with the following: ERCP only; cholecystectomy only; cholecystectomy followed by delayed ERCP; cholecystectomy together with ERCP; or ERCP followed by delayed cholecystectomy. METHODS: The study was based on data from procedures for gallstone disease registered in the Swedish National Quality Register for Cholecystectomy and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (GallRiks) 2006-2014. ERCP and cholecystectomy procedures performed for confirmed or suspected CBDS were included. Postoperative events were registered by cross-matching GallRiks with the National Patient Register (NPR). A postoperative cardiovascular event was defined as an ICD-code in the discharge notes indicating myocardial infarct, pulmonary embolism or cerebrovascular disease within 30 days after surgery. In cases where a patient had undergone ERCP and cholecystectomy on separate occasions, the 30-day interval was timed from the first intervention. RESULTS: A total of 23,591 underwent ERCP or cholecystectomy for CBDS during the study period. A postoperative cardiovascular event was registered in 164 patients and death within 30 days in 225 patients. In univariable analysis, adverse cardiovascular event and death within 30 days were more frequent in patients who underwent primary ERCP (p < 0.05). In multivariable analysis, adjusting for history of cardiovascular disease or events, neither risk for cardiovascular complication nor death within 30 days remained statistically significant in the ERCP group. CONCLUSIONS: Primary ERCP as well as cholecystectomy may be performed for CBDS with acceptable safety. More studies are required to provide reliable guidelines for the management of CBDS.

Postoperative rendezvous endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography as an option in the management of choledocholithiasis.

BACKGROUND: Rendezvous endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) is a well-established method for treatment of choledocholithiasis. The primary aim of this study was to determine how different techniques for management of common bile duct stone (CBDS) clearance in patients undergoing cholecystectomy have changed over time at tertiary referral hospitals (TRH) and county/community hospitals (CH). The secondary aim was to see if postoperative rendezvous ERCP is a safe, effective and feasible alternative to intraoperative rendezvous ERCP in the management of CBDS. METHODS: Data were retrieved from the Swedish registry for cholecystectomy and ERCP (GallRiks) 2006-2016. All cholecystectomies, where CBDS were found at intraoperative cholangiography, and with complete 30-day follow-up (n = 10,386) were identified. Data concerning intraoperative and postoperative complications, readmission and reoperation within 30 days were retrieved for patients where intraoperative ERCP (n = 2290) and preparation for postoperative ERCP were performed (n = 2283). RESULTS: Intraoperative ERCP increased (7.5% 2006; 43.1% 2016) whereas preparation for postoperative ERCP decreased (21.2% 2006; 17.2% 2016) during 2006-2016. CBDS management differed between TRHs and CHs. Complications were higher in the postoperative rendezvous ERCP group: Odds Ratio [OR] 1.69 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-2.45) for intraoperative complications and OR 1.50 (CI 1.29-1.75) for postoperative complications. Intraoperative bleeding OR 2.46 (CI 1.17-5.16), postoperative bile leakage OR 1.89 (CI 1.23-2.90) and postoperative infection with abscess OR 1.55 (CI 1.05-2.29) were higher in the postoperative group. Neither post-ERCP pancreatitis, postoperative bleeding, cholangitis, percutaneous drainage, antibiotic treatment, ICU stay, readmission/reoperation within 30 days nor 30-day mortality differed between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Techniques for management of CBDS found at cholecystectomy have changed over time and differ between TRH and CH. Rendezvous ERCP is a safe and effective method. Even though intraoperative rendezvous ERCP is the preferred method, postoperative rendezvous ERCP constitutes an acceptable alternative where ERCP resources are lacking or limited.

Short-term outcomes for open and laparoscopic midline incisional hernia repair: a randomized multicenter controlled trial: the ProLOVE (prospective randomized trial on open versus laparoscopic operation of ventral eventrations) trial.

OBJECTIVE: : The aim of the trial was to compare laparoscopic technique with open technique regarding short-term pain, quality of life (QoL), recovery, and complications. BACKGROUND: : Laparoscopic and open techniques for incisional hernia repair are recognized treatment options with pros and cons. METHODS: : Patients from 7 centers with a midline incisional hernia of a maximum width of 10 cm were randomized to either laparoscopic (LR) or open sublay (OR) mesh repair. Primary end point was pain at 3 weeks, measured as the bodily pain subscale of Short Form-36 (SF-36). Secondary end points were complications registered by type and severity (the Clavien-Dindo classification), movement restrictions, fatigue, time to full recovery, and QoL up to 8 weeks. RESULTS: : Patients were recruited between October 2005 and November 2009. Of 157 randomized patients, 133 received intervention: 64 LR and 69 OR. Measurements of pain did not differ, nor did movement restriction and postoperative fatigue. SF-36 subscales favored the LR group: physical function (P < 0.001), role physical (P < 0.012), mental health (P < 0.022), and physical composite score (P < 0.009). Surgical site infections were 17 in the OR group compared with 1 in the LR group (P < 0.001). The severity of complications did not differ between the groups (P < 0.213). CONCLUSIONS: : Postoperative pain or recovery at 3 weeks after repair of midline incisional hernias does not differ between LR and OR, but the LR results in better physical function and less surgical site infections than the OR does. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00472537).

Forensic toxicology findings in deaths involving gamma-hydroxybutyrate.

Concentrations of the illicit drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) were determined in femoral venous blood and urine obtained at autopsy in a series of GHB-related deaths (N = 49). The analysis of GHB was done by gas chromatography after conversion to gamma-butyrolactone and quantitation of the latter with a flame ionization detector. The cutoff concentration of GHB in femoral blood or urine for reporting positive results was 30 mg/L. The deceased were mainly young men (86%) aged 26.5 +/- 7.2 years (mean +/- SD), and the women (14%) were about 5 years younger at 21.4 +/- 5.0 years. The mean, median, and highest concentrations of GHB in femoral blood (N = 37) were 294, 190, and 2,200 mg/L, respectively. The mean urine-to-blood ratio of GHB was 8.8, and the median was 5.2 (N = 28). In 12 cases, the concentrations of GHB in blood were negative (<30 mg/L) when the urine contained 350 mg/L on average (range 31-1,100 mg/L). Considerable poly-drug use was evident in these GHB-related deaths: ethanol (18 cases), amphetamine (12 cases), and various prescription medications (benzodizepines, opiates, and antidepressants) in other cases. Interpreting the concentrations of GHB in postmortem blood is complicated because of concomitant use of other psychoactive substances, variable degree of tolerance to centrally acting drugs, and the lack of reliable information about survival time after use of the drug.

Low recurrence rate after laparoscopic (TEP) and open (Lichtenstein) inguinal hernia repair: a randomized, multicenter trial with 5-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: To compare a laparoscopic (totally extraperitoneal patch (TEP)) and an open technique (Lichtenstein) for inguinal hernia repair regarding recurrence rate and possible risk factors for recurrence. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Laparoscopic hernia repair has been introduced as an alternative to open repair. Short-term follow-up suggests benefits for those patients operated with a laparoscopic approach compared with open techniques; ie, less postoperative pain and a shorter convalescence period. Long-term results, however, are less well known. METHODS: The study was conducted as a multicenter randomized trial with a 5-year follow-up. A total of 1512 men aged 30 to 70 years, with a primary unilateral inguinal hernia, were randomized to either TEP or Lichtenstein repair. RESULTS: Overall, 665 patients in the TEP group and 705 patients in the Lichtenstein group were evaluable. The cumulative recurrence rate was 3.5% in the TEP group and 1.2% in the Lichtenstein group (P = 0.008). Test for heterogeneity revealed significant differences between individual surgeons. The exclusion of 1 surgeon, who was responsible for 33% (7 of 21) of all recurrences in the TEP group, lowered the cumulative recurrence rate to 2.4% in this group, which was not statistically different from that of the Lichtenstein group. CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence rate for both TEP and Lichtenstein repair was low. A higher cumulative recurrence rate in the TEP group was seen at 5 years. Further analysis revealed that this could be attributable to incorrect surgical technique.

Toxicological findings of synthetic cannabinoids in recreational users.

In recent years, several synthetic cannabinoid compounds have become popular recreational drugs of abuse because of their psychoactive properties. This paper presents toxicological findings of synthetic cannabinoids in whole blood from some cases of severe intoxication including quantitative data from recreational users and a fatal intoxication. Samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in a scheduled multiple reaction mode after a basic liquid extraction. Twenty-nine synthetic cannabinoids were included in the method. In our data set of ~3000 cases, 28% were found positive for one or more synthetic cannabinoid(s). The most common finding was AM-2201. Most of the analytes had median concentrations of <0.5 ng/g in agreement with other published data. The emerging drugs MAM-2201 (n = 151) and UR-144 (n = 181) had mean (median) concentrations of 1.04 (0.37) and 1.26 (0.34), respectively. The toxicity of the synthetic cannabinoids seems to be worse than that of natural cannabis, probably owing to the higher potency and perhaps also to the presence of several different cannabinoids in the smoked incense and the difficulties of proper dosing. The acute toxic effects may under certain circumstances contribute to death.

Anabolic androgenic steroids in police cases in Sweden 1999-2009.

Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) are considered drugs of abuse and are controlled substances in Sweden since 1999. Traditionally AAS have been used by elite athletes to enhance performance, but in recent years it has become an increasing problem outside elite sport among athletes, bodybuilders and criminals. Use of AAS is associated with psychiatric side effects such as aggression, depression and violent behavior. Supraphysiological doses and long term use can cause serious physical harm such as cardiovascular toxicity and even premature death. We investigated and evaluated the drug analytical findings in forensic cases from suspected perpetrators in cases from the police where a screening for AAS was requested to get information about the prevalence of AAS use and the occurrence of poly-drug abuse. The study was based on samples submitted from the police authorities to the Department of Forensic Toxicology in Sweden during the period 1999-2009. Urines were analyzed by methods based on GC-MS and LC-MS-MS. We also analyzed the prevalence of AAS use at the prison and probation services. A total number of 12,141 urine samples (6362 police cases and 5779 inmates) were analyzed and 33.5% of the cases from the police and 11.5% of the inmates were tested positive for AAS. The users of AAS were mainly in 99.2% men with a mean age of 26.2±6.2 years whereas the women were 29.5±6.5 years old. The most frequently used AAS was nandrolone followed by testosterone and methandienone. Other illicit and licit drugs were detected in 60% of the cases from the police, strongly indicating a frequent poly-drug abuse among users of AAS.