Gum chewing enhances early recovery of bowel function following transperitoneal abdominal aortic surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Postoperative bowel dysfunction is still a major unsolved problem following transperitoneal abdominal aortic surgery. We conducted this study to establish if gum chewing during the postoperative period promotes recovery of bowel function following abdominal aortic surgery. METHODS: The subjects were 44 patients who underwent elective abdominal aortic surgery. The patients were allocated to a control group (n = 21), who received standard postoperative care, or a "gum group" (n = 23), who received standard postoperative care and were also given gum to chew three times a day from postoperative day (POD) 0-5. RESULTS: The patient characteristics, intraoperative, and postoperative care were equivalent in both groups. Flatus was passed on POD 1.49 in the gum group and on POD 2.35 in the control group (P = .0004) and the time to oral intake was 3.09 days in the gum group and 3.86 days in the control group (P = .023). The number of days to full mobilization in the hospital room was 3.35 versus 5.59 for the gum and control groups, respectively (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Gum chewing enhances early recovery of bowel function following transperitoneal abdominal aortic surgery. Moreover, it is a physiologically sound, safe, and an inexpensive part of the postoperative care.

A new hydrocolloid dressing prevents surgical site infection of median sternotomy wounds.

PURPOSE: This prospective and semi-randomized study was conducted to clarify the effectiveness of a new hydrocolloid dressing placed over median sternotomy wounds using an occlusive dressing technique. METHODS: The subjects were 253 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), who were randomized to receive either the new hydrocolloid dressing (Karayahesive, n = 117) or a polyurethane foam dressing (Tegaderm plus Pad, n = 136) immediately after sternal wound closure. Karayahesive was left in place for 7 days, whereas the Tegaderm plus Pad was removed on postoperative day (POD) 2 and replaced with an adhesive wound dressing until POD 7. RESULTS: In the Karayahesive group, complete integrity of the wound was achieved in 91% of the patients, with an infection developing in 3.4%: as a superficial surgical site infection (SSI) in three and as a deep SSI in one. On the other hand, in the Tegaderm plus Pad group, an infection developed in 10.3% (14 patients) of the patients: as a superficial SSI in nine and as a deep SSI in five (P < 0.05). The total treatment costs from the application of the dressing until completion of treatment was 699 yen for the Karayahesive and 910 yen for the Tegaderm plus Pad (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The new hydrocolloid dressing, applied with an occlusive dressing technique to median sternotomy wounds, prevented SSI and was cost effective.

Simultaneous aortic valve replacement and pectus excavatum correction in a 76-year-old man.

A 76-year-old man was admitted to our department to undergo surgical treatment for aortic valve regurgitation. On physical examination, a bowl-shaped concavity was noted. Chest computed tomography revealed left-sided heart displacement by severe pectus excavatum with a Haller index of 6.40. Considering the postoperative cardiopulmonary complications that may result from mechanical compression due to uncorrected sternal deformities, we decided to perform a simultaneous aortic valve replacement and pectus excavatum correction. The operation time was long (570 min) and involved a high-volume transfusion due to excessive bleeding caused by resection of the deformed costal cartilages and sternal osteotomy under the use of heparin. The endotracheal tube was removed on the fifth postoperative day, but reintubation was required because of hypercapnea and difficulty in sputum discharge. With the aid of tube feeding for nutritional management, his cardiopulmonary function gradually ameliorated and his general condition improved. Consequently, he was weaned from mechanical ventilation on the 14th postoperative day. The patient is doing well 1 year after surgery. We report on the surgical management for pectus excavatum in adult patients.

Aortic valve replacement after previous coronary artery bypass grafting: a case report.

We experienced a case of aortic valve replacement after previous coronary artery bypass grafting with patent bypass grafts. Based on the retrosternal anatomy assessed by preoperative angiography and thoracic computed tomography, aortic valve replacement was performed through a median resternotomy. After careful dissection of the right side of the heart and the ascending aorta, cardiopulmonary bypass was established with cannulation of the ascending aorta and bicaval venous cannulation. The patent bypass grafts were dissected only as required for clamping and were clamped during cardiac arrest. After aortic valve replacement, the patient was uneventfully weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass and had a good postoperative recovery. It is important that surgeons have a meticulous strategy for reducing the risks associated with operating on patients with patent bypass grafts. We report on the surgical management of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement after previous coronary artery bypass grafting, including careful planning during the first operation.

Coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with pulmonary aspergillosis.

Cardiovascular surgery in patients with pulmonary aspergillosis has been rarely reported. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for three cases of angina pectoris with pulmonary aspergillosis was successfully performed. Patients were discharged from our hospital without any complications of invasive Aspergillus cardiovascular infection. Careful perioperative management for preventing pulmonary complications is important.

Left atrial thrombus without mitral valve disease in a patient with nephrotic syndrome: report of a case.

Left atrial (LA) thrombi are rarely seen in patients without mitral valve disease. We report the case of a 71-year-old man found to have a large LA thrombus without mitral valve disease. The patient also suffered from atrial fibrillation and nephrotic syndrome (NS), and had a history of transient ischemic attack. Transesophageal echocardiography showed an LA thrombus attached to the LA wall, and a normal mitral valve. Blood chemistry revealed a total serum protein of 4.6 g/dl, with 2.0 g/dl of albumin and a total cholesterol level of 453 mg/dl. The plasma fibrinogen level was 366 mg/dl and the antithrombin III was 103%. An emergency operation was performed to remove the LA thrombus and a normal mitral valve was confirmed. We believe that several factors, including changes in coagulability related to the NS, steroid therapy, and diuretics, in addition to the dilated LA with atrial fibrillation, may have caused the LA thrombus formation in this patient.