Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Surgeon-Physician Co-management Models on Short Term Outcomes for Vascular Surgery Inpatients.

OBJECTIVE: As the population ages, vascular surgeons are treating progressively older, multimorbid patients at risk of peri-operative complications. An embedded physician has been shown to improve outcomes in general and orthopaedic surgery. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the impact of surgeon-physician co-management models on morbidity and mortality in vascular inpatients. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, conference abstract listings, and clinical trial registries. REVIEW METHODS: Studies comparing adult vascular surgery inpatients under co-management with "standard of care" were eligible. The relative risks (RRs) of mortality, medical complications, and 30 day re-admission between co-management and standard care were calculated. The effect of co-management on the mean length of stay was calculated using weighted means. Risk of bias was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomised Studies, and certainty assessment with the GRADE analysis tools. RESULTS: No randomised trials were identified. Eight single institution studies between 2011 and 2020 with 7 410 patients were included. All studies were observational using before-after methodology. Studies were of high to moderate risk of bias, and outcomes were of very low GRADE certainty of evidence. Co-management was associated with a statistically significantly lower relative risk of mortality (RR 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.44 - 0.92; p = .02), cardiac complications (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.25 - 0.87; p = .02), and infective complications (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.35 - 0.67; p < .001) in vascular inpatients. No statistically significant differences in length of stay (MD -0.6 days, 95% CI -1.44 - 0.24 days; p = .16) and 30 day re-admission (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.84 - 1.08; p = .49) were noted. CONCLUSION: Early results of physician and surgeon co-management for vascular surgery inpatients showed promising results from very low certainty data. Further well designed, prospective studies are needed to determine how to maximise the impact of physicians within a vascular service to improve patient outcomes while effectively using hospital resources.

An audit of secondary prevention for peripheral arterial disease in primary care - scope for improved collaboration between vascular surgery and general practitioners.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common cause for referral from primary care to vascular surgery. Best medical therapy (BMT), encompassing anti-platelets, statins, smoking cessation, blood pressure and glycaemic control, is a cornerstone of PAD management. However, these easily modifiable risk factors are often left unaddressed between referral and clinic review. METHODS: A prospective audit of electronic 'Healthlink' referrals by GPs to the vascular department for symptomatic PAD between July 2021 and June 2022 was performed. Referrals were individually reviewed for demographics, symptoms, medical history, smoking status and medications. An information leaflet on BMT was posted to all GP practices in the Soalta region as part of an educational intervention, with plans to re-audit after 6 months. RESULTS: One-hundred-and-seventy referrals were analysed. The median age was 68.5 years (range 33-94) and 69% (n = 117) were male. The typical vasculopath comorbidity profile was noted. Fifty-two percent (n = 88) were referred with claudication-type pain and 25% (n = 43) with critical limb ischaemia (CLI). Twenty-eight percent (n = 33) were active smokers and 31% (n = 36) had no smoking status documented. Regarding BMT, only 34.5% (n = 40) and 52% (n = 60) were on anti-platelets and statins, respectively. Suspected CLI was not significantly associated with BMT prescription at referral (p = 0.664). Only eleven referral letters mentioned risk factor optimisation. CONCLUSIONS: Our first-cycle results identified significant scope for improvement in community-based risk factor modification for PAD referrals. We aim to continue supporting and educating our colleagues that effective medical management can start safely in primary care and further explore the barriers preventing this.

Editor's Choice - Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Lower Extremity Vascular Complications after Arterial Access for Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA): An Inevitable Concern?

OBJECTIVE: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is used to temporise non-compressible torso haemorrhage. Recent data have suggested that vascular access complications secondary to REBOA placement are higher than initially anticipated. This updated systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled incidence rate of lower extremity arterial complications after REBOA. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, conference abstract listings, and clinical trial registries. REVIEW METHODS: Studies including more than five adults undergoing emergency REBOA for exsanguinating haemorrhage that reported access site complications were eligible for inclusion. A pooled meta-analysis of vascular complications was performed using the DerSimonian-Laird weights for the random effects model, presented as a Forest plot. Further meta-analyses compared the relative risk of access complications between different sheath sizes, percutaneous access techniques, and indications for REBOA. Risk of bias was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomised Studies (MINORS) tool. RESULTS: No randomised controlled trials were identified, and the overall study quality was poor. Twenty-eight studies including 887 adults were identified. REBOA was performed for trauma in 713 cases. The pooled proportion rate of vascular access complications was 8.6% (95% confidence interval 4.97 - 12.97), with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 67.6%). There was no significant difference in the relative risk of access complications between 7 and > 10 F sheaths (p = .54), or between ultrasound guided and landmark guided access (p = .081). However, traumatic haemorrhage was associated with a significantly higher risk of complications compared with non-traumatic haemorrhage (p = .034). CONCLUSION: This updated meta-analysis aimed to be as comprehensive as possible considering the poor quality of source data and high risk of bias. It suggested that lower extremity vascular complications were higher than originally suspected after REBOA. While the technical aspects did not appear to impact the safety profile, a cautious association could be drawn between REBOA use for traumatic haemorrhage and a higher risk of arterial complications.

A Report of Penile Mondor's Disease After Mechanochemical Ablation and Adjunct Foam Sclerotherapy of Bilateral Lower Extremity Truncal Incompetence.

INTRODUCTION: Mondor's disease of the penis, or superficial thrombophlebitis affecting penile veins, is a rare condition. Common causes include prothombotic states, venous stasis or excessive manipulation. The literature includes one case report of Mondor's Disease after endovenous laser ablation and foam sclerotherapy and a case series after open saphenofemoral junction ligation. However, there have been no noted cases of this rare complication after mechanochemical ablation of the GSV. CASE DETAILS: A 50-year-old man with bilateral great saphenous venous incompetence had truncal mechanochemical ablation of both above-knee GSV segments with the ClariveinTM device with adjunctive 1% Fibrovein foam to varicose tributaries. Day three post-operatively he began experiencing suprapubic pain and noted tender "cord-like" veins along the penile shaft. Duplex investigation of the penis demonstrated occlusive thrombus in the superficial veins draining into the dorsal vein of the penis. The patient was treated with 75 mg oral Clopidogrel for four weeks and his symptoms resolved without functional impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular surgeons should be aware that this rare albeit self-limiting thrombotic complication can occur after endovenous mechanochemical ablation of the great saphenous vein with adjunct foam sclerotherapy, particularly as this procedure is performed very frequently. Interestingly, the majority of reported cases have occurred after bilateral interventions. The patients can be reassured that their symptoms will likely settle and the use of anti-thrombotic therapy is largely at the surgeon's discretion.

Eversion Endarterectomy - An Alternative Approach to Occlusive External Iliac Artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: While endovascular intervention is the recommended first option for management of common iliac artery (CIA) lesions, it lacks durable patency for Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC)-II C and D lesions involving the external iliac artery (EIA). Aorto-femoral bypass is a durable option but is unsuitable in patients with significant co-morbidities. Eversion endarterectomy provides an alternative to both endovascular and extensive open aortoiliac reconstruction for occlusive EIA disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center, retrospective review (2000-2020) of all patients undergoing eversion endarterectomy for EIA disease was undertaken. Demographic, clinical, operative and follow-up data were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty eversion endarterectomies were performed in 47 patients. The median age was 65.0 years (range 46-82) and 66.6% were male. Sixty-eight percent (n = 34) were ASA grade 3. Indications for intervention were disabling claudication (44%) and critical limb ischaemia (56%). Angiography demonstrated 22 TASC C and 28 TASC D lesions. The median follow-up was 18.5 months (range 0-149). The technical success rate was 100%, and 84% (n = 42) experienced an immediate symptomatic improvement. Primary and primary-assisted patency at one, three and five years was 86%, 82% and 74%, and 100%, 96% and 92%, respectively. The five-year limb salvage rate was 96%. Eight limbs required reintervention to maintain patency, either by open (n = 2), endovascular (n = 3) or hybrid approach (n = 3). Thirty-day mortality was 2% (n = 1) with 10% (n = 5) experiencing a procedure-related morbidity. All-cause mortality was 38% (n = 19) during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Eversion endarterectomy is a safe, effective alternative treatment for occlusive EIA disease. This study reports durable patency at five years and low perioperative morbidity and mortality.

Factors influencing surgical management of acute appendicitis in a large university hospital without a dedicated emergency theatre.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency. Its management reflects the efficacy of acute care surgery. Limited theatre space is an escalating issue, especially without dedicated emergency theatre access. Pre-operative delays are associated with longer length of stay, higher costs and post-operative complications. AIMS: Calculate time to theatre (TTT) from admission to appendicectomy and investigate factors impacting TTT. METHODS: A retrospective review of all emergency appendicectomies from June 2017 to October 2018. Demographic, clinico-pathological and radiological data were extracted from electronic patient record. RESULTS: One hundred forty-eight patients underwent emergency appendicectomy during the study period. Fifty-six percent (n = 84) were male, and the median (range) age was 30.5 (17-76) years. Sixty-one percent had pre-operative imaging. The median (range) TTT was 18.37 (2-114) h; 7.5% (n = 11) waited > 48 h, 29.7% (n = 44) were operated on after 8 p.m. and 26% (n = 38) were done on elective lists. Male gender, admission CRP > 100 and admission before 12 p.m. significantly shortened TTT (p = 0.030, p = 0.004 and p = 0.001, respectively). However, pre-operative ultrasound, previous acute appendicitis and surgery on an elective list significantly prolonged TTT (p = 0.015 and p = 0.024, respectively). The median (range) LOS was 3 (1-24) nights. Ten percent (n = 15) had post-operative complications; however, longer TTT was not associated with higher complication rates (p = 0.196). CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights the impact of limited theatre access for on-call emergency admissions, with a significant portion of appendicectomies being done on elective lists or out-of-hours.