Cold machine perfusion versus static cold storage of kidneys donated after cardiac death: a UK multicenter randomized controlled trial.

One third of deceased donor kidneys for transplantation in the UK are donated following cardiac death (DCD). Such kidneys have a high rate of delayed graft function (DGF) following transplantation. We conducted a multicenter, randomized controlled trial to determine whether kidney preservation using cold, pulsatile machine perfusion (MP) was superior to simple cold storage (CS) for DCD kidneys. One kidney from each DCD donor was randomly allocated to CS, the other to MP. A sequential trial design was used with the primary endpoint being DGF, defined as the necessity for dialysis within the first 7 days following transplant. The trial was stopped when data were available for 45 pairs of kidneys. There was no difference in the incidence of DGF between kidneys assigned to MP or CS (58% vs. 56%, respectively), in the context of an asystolic period of 15 min and median cold ischemic times of 13.9 h for MP and 14.3 h for CS kidneys. Renal function at 3 and 12 months was similar between groups, as was graft and patient survival. For kidneys from controlled DCD donors (with mean cold ischemic times around 14 h), MP offers no advantage over CS, which is cheaper and more straightforward.

Proximal radial artery ligation after distalization of a high flow brachio-cephalic fistula. A novel approach to inflow reduction.

High flow fistulae present a common challenge to vascular access (VA) surgeons and many strategies have been described, each with their benefits and limitations. There are no NK-DOQI guidelines for the management of high flow fistulae or indeed the management of those refractory to more conventional approaches. We discuss a novel technique to inflow reduction in a previously distalized brachiocephalic fistula and recommend the technique of proximal radial artery ligation.

Patterns of management of intussusception outside tertiary centres.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Intussusception is a common problem in young children and should have an excellent outcome in expert hands. Many children are treated in district general hospitals (DGH), which do not have specialist paediatric surgeons. The aim of this study was to clarify current patterns of management for such patients. METHODS: The authors conducted a postal survey of DGH consultant paediatricians, radiologists, and general surgeons in a populous region of England. RESULTS: One hundred forty-one (44%) consultants who responded comprised similar proportions of consultants from each specialty. Most respondents (79%) thought that in their location paediatricians should take responsibility for resuscitation of children with suspected intussusception. Two-thirds indicated that abdominal ultrasound scan, either alone or in combination with another modality, was their investigation of choice for confirming the diagnosis. Preferences for contrast medium for radiologic reduction varied; paediatricians favoured air (46%) or saline (28%), surgeons preferred water-soluble contrast (58%), and radiologists preferred to use barium (49%). Fifty-three percent of consultants indicated they would transfer a child with confirmed intussusception to a tertiary centre before attempting reduction, 42% would attempt reduction locally, and 5% would operate locally without attempting radiologic reduction. After failed reduction, a further 23% of consultants would consider transfer, but the remainder would operate locally. Only 13% of paediatricians thought that their surgeons had appropriate facilities and support to operate on intussusception, but 36% of surgeons claimed to be doing so. Most consultants (84%) admitted seeing fewer than 5 cases per year; 98% of surgeons were in this group. Only 16% of consultants (mostly paediatricians) were aware of any written clinical policy for managing paediatric intussusception in their hospital. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the management of paediatric intussusception outside tertiary centres is not uniform or standardised, and that improvements are necessary. J Pediatr Surg 36:312-315.

The effect of a dedicated emergency theatre facility on emergency operating patterns.

Following the introduction of a dedicated 24-hour emergency theatre facility in a 500-bed district general hospital, the total amount of emergency general surgery performed after 22.00 hours has been reduced from 37.2 to 13.1%, with a concomitant increase in emergency day-time operating from 22.1 to 51.2%. The majority of the workload was previously performed by the junior grades, and this has remained unchanged. Operative experience has not been diminished with the reduction in night-time surgery, and senior supervision has been enhanced. There has been no significant difference in mortality or morbidity with the changes in operating patterns. Utilization of the theatre staff and time during the night has been improved.