Coronary artery revascularization prior to abdominal nonvascular surgery.

BACKGROUND: Does preoperative revascularization of the myocardium reduce cardiac risk in noncardiac surgery? The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of preoperative cardioprotection by coronary artery revascularization in abdominal nonvascular surgery under general anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The observational clinical study included 111 consecutive patients with angiographically verified coronary artery disease. Two stratification groups of patients were compared, those with coronary artery revascularization (34 patients, 30.6%) and those without coronary artery revascularization (77 patients, 64.9%), in relation to frequency of perioperative cardiac complications. The patients were followed up until the 30th postoperative day. During operation and in the following 72 postoperative hours, the patients were monitored by continuous ST-T segment recording. Twelve-lead electrocardiography was performed immediately after surgery and on postoperative days 1, 2, and 7 as well as 1 day before discharge. Serum troponin T levels were controlled at 6, 24, and 96 h postoperatively. RESULTS: The number of patients with major cardiac complications was 0 (0.0%, n=34) in the revascularized myocardium group and 10 (12.9%, n=77) in the nonrevascularized myocardium group (P<.05). Three patients in the nonrevascularized myocardium group died of acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and malignant arrhythmias, respectively, with severe coronary artery stenosis verified angiographically. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative cardioprotection by coronary artery revascularization significantly reduces morbidity and mortality in patients who have undergone abdominal nonvascular surgery. Patients with severe coronary artery stenosis and indication for coronary artery revascularization independently of noncardiac surgery should first undergo cardiosurgical intervention prior to elective abdominal nonvascular surgery.

Hemodynamic and cardiovascular problems during modified hyperthermic intraperitoneal perioperative chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal perioperative chemotherapy (HIPEC) significantly improves patients survival with peritoneal carcinomatosis especially in low-grade tumor e.g. ovarian and appendiceal adenocarcinoma, peritoneal pseudomyxoma and grade I gastric and colorectal cancer. METHODOLOGY: During a period of nine years, hemodynamic and cardiac functions combined with urinary output during hyperthermic intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy were prospectively measured in 60 patients. RESULTS: Statistically significant hemodynamic and cardiac parameters were characterized by an increased heart rate and cardiac output as well as decreased systemic vascular resistance associated with an increased body temperature and decreased effective circulating volume. The tendency of urinary output was to decrease as the therapy progressed. CONCLUSIONS: HIPEC induces a hyperdynamic circulatory state requiring increased intravenous fluid administration, which avoids changes because of increased intra-abdominal pressure. Documented by normal blood pressure and adequate urinary output hemodynamic and intravenous fluids, titrated to frequent urinary output determination, can achieve cardiac stability.

Bulk agent Plantago ovata after Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy with Ligasure.

The aim of this study was to determine usefulness of the bulk agent Plantago ovata in reducing postoperative pain and tenesmus after open hemorrhoidectomy (Milligan-Morgan with Ligasure). Ninety-eight patients were randomized into two groups of 49 patients each. In both groups Milligan-Morgan open hemorrhoidectomy with Ligasure was performed. The first group received postoperatively two sachets daily of 3.26 g of the bulk agent, Plantago ovata, for 20 days. The control group was treated postoperatively with glycerin oil. There was no statistically significant difference in age, gender distribution and hemorrhoid grading, between the two groups. The pain score after first defecation (p < 0.001) and after 10 days (p < 0.01) and the global pain score (p < 0.001) was statistically significantly lower in the group treated with Plantago ovata, while there was no statistically significant difference in the pain level after 20 days (p > 0.05). The hospital stay was statistically significantly shorter in the group receiving Plantago ovata (2.6 +/- 0.6 vs 3.9 +/- 0.7 days, p < 0.001). The incidence of tenesmus was higher in the control group (40.8% vs 10.2%, p < 0.01). Treating patients with Plantago ovata after open hemorrhoidectomy, reduces pain, tenesmus rate and shortens postoperative hospital stay.