Postoperative atrial fibrillation following non-cardiac surgery: Predictors and risk of mortality.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a major complication that follows both cardiac and non-cardiac procedures. Many studies have explored POAF after cardiac procedures, however POAF following non-cardiac procedures has been understudied. METHODS: National Inpatient Sample database was utilized to conduct a retrospective study of hospitalizations with diagnosis of POAF following non-cardiac procedures between 2010 and 2015. RESULTS: 294,112 patients met the inclusion criteria. Advanced age, male gender, colonic resections, coagulopathy, fluid and electrolyte disorders and history of congestive heart failure are major predictors of POAF and in-hospital mortality. Race, type of insurance, income quartile and weekend admissions are independent determinants of mortality following POAF. CONCLUSIONS: Development of POAF and mortality is dependent upon a wide range of factors not limited to age and medical comorbidities. Although a patient may be at an increased risk for POAF this does not mean they are at an increased risk for mortality.

Telementoring. A practical option in surgical training.

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine offers significant advantages in bringing consulting support to distant colleagues. There is a shortage of surgeons trained in performing advanced laparoscopic operations. AIM: Our aim was to evaluate the role of telementoring in the training of advanced laparoscopic surgical procedures. METHODS: Student surgeons received a uniform training format to enhance their laparoscopic skills and intracorporeal suturing techniques and specific procedural training in laparoscopic colonic resections and Nissen fundoplication. Subsequently, operating rooms were equipped with three cameras. Telestrator (teleguidance device), instant replay (to critique errors), and CD-ROM programs (to provide information of reference) were used as intraoperative educational assistance tools. In phase I, four colonic resections were performed with the mentor in the operating room (group A) and four colonic resections were performed with the mentor on the hospital grounds, but not in the operating room (group B). The voice and video signals were received at the mentor's location, using coaxial cable. In phase II, two Nissen fundoplications were performed with the mentors in the operating room (group C) and two Nissen fundoplications were performed with the mentors positioned five miles away from the operating room (group D), using currently existing land lines at the T-1 level. RESULTS: There were no differences in the performances of the surgeons and outcome of the operations between groups A & B and C & D. It was possible to tackle the intraoperative problems effectively. CONCLUSIONS: The telementoring concept is potentially a safe and cost-effective option for advanced training in laparoscopic operations. Further investigation is necessary before routine transcontinental patient applications are attempted.

Stab wounds to the chest: a retrospective review of 100 consecutive cases.

In a retrospective review of 100 consecutive cases of stab wounds to the chest, 44 patients were successfully treated with tube thoracostomy, 14 patients required thoracotomy, 17 patients with small pneumothoraces were observed, and 25 patients were asymptomatic. The overall mortality was 4%, operative mortality was 7.1%, and the mortality rate for cardiac injuries was 50%. Of the eight patients with cardiac injuries, three were dead on arrival to the hospital and one patient died in the operating room. Patients treated with tube thoracostomy had a shorter hospital stay than patients managed by observation alone. Our findings support the opinion that asymptomatic patients (normal chest x-rays) may be discharged after 24 hours of observation and asymptomatic patients with nonprogressive small pneumothoraces (less than 20%) not requiring a chest tube may be discharged after 48 hours of observation. All patients should have close outpatient follow-up.