Extracorporeal Femoro-Carotid Shunt for Transcarotid Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement may be performed with a transcarotid approach when peripheral vascular disease is prohibitive for transfemoral access. In this case, a patient who presented in cardiogenic shock secondary to severe aortic stenosis developed electroencephalographic changes during transcarotid TAVR. A temporary extracorporeal femoro-carotid shunt permitted successful TAVR.

Treatment of a duodenal-caval fistula secondary to peptic ulcer disease.

We have reported the case of a duodenal-caval fistula in a 46-year-old man with peptic ulcer disease. He had previously undergone an open Graham patch repair for a perforated anterior duodenal ulcer and had presented 1 month after surgery with an upper gastrointestinal bleeding episode. A duodenal-caval fistula was diagnosed after computed tomography and was confirmed by upper endoscopy. The patient underwent staged repair of his duodenal-caval fistula with inferior vena cava thrombectomy, pyloric exclusion, and gastrojejunostomy creation.

Evaluation of a Novel System for RFID Intraoperative Cardiovascular Analytics.

Objective: To evaluate a novel technology for real time tracking of RF-Identified (RFID) surgical tools (Biotic System), providing intraoperative data analytics during simulated cardiovascular procedures. Ineffective asset management in the Operating Room (OR) leads to inefficient utilization of resources and contributes to prolonged operative times and increased costs. Analysis of captured data can assist in quantifying instrument utilization, procedure flow, performance and prevention of retained instruments. Methods & Results: Five surgeons performed thirteen simulated surgical cases on three human cadavers. Procedures included (i) two abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repairs, (ii) three carotid endarterectomies (CE), (iii) two femoropopliteal (fem-pop) bypasses, (iv) thoracic aortic aneurysm repair, (v) coronary artery bypass graft, (vi) aortic valve replacement, (vii) ascending aortic aneurysm repair, (viii) heart transplants, and (ix) mitral valve replacement. For each case an average of 139 surgical instruments were RFID-tagged and tracked intraoperatively. Data was captured and analyzed retrospectively. Of the 139 instruments tracked across each of the 13 cases, 55 instruments (39.5%) were actually used, demonstrating a high level of redundancy. For repeat cases (i.e. CE/AAA/fem-pop): (i) average instrument usage was 41 ± 3.6 (8.8% variation) for CE (n=3); (ii) average instrument usage was 69 ± 4.0 (5.8% variation) for AAA (n=2); and (iii) average instrument usage was 48 ± 2.5 (5.3% variation) for fem- pop (n=2). Results also showed a reduction in end-of-procedure instrument counting times of 58-87%. Conclusions: We report on a method for collecting intraoperative data analytics regarding instrument usage via RFID technology. This system will help refine instrument selection, quantitate instrument utilization and prevent inadvertent retention in a patient. This should help increase efficiency in packaging and sterilization and let surgeons make objective decisions in the composition of surgical trays. Clinical and Translational Impact Statement-Intraoperative analytics of surgical tools and associated equipment may ultimately lead to safer more efficient surgeries that increase patient outcomes while decreasing the cost of care.

Endovascular treatment of pancreaticoduodenal aneurysm with braided stent-assisted coil embolization using intraoperative cone-beam computed tomography guidance.

Pancreaticoduodenal arterial arcade aneurysms are rare but are prone to rupture. We report the case of a 60-year-old woman with an asymptomatic pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm and concomitant celiac trunk occlusion that was treated using an endovascular approach. After percutaneous transfemoral access and superior mesenteric artery cannulation, intraoperative cone-beam computed tomography angiography was performed to better understand the aneurysm morphology and provide image guidance. On selecting the optimal working projection, the aneurysm and distal parent vessel were cannulated and treated by braided stent (low-profile visualized intraluminal support; MicroVention)-assisted coil embolization. Completion angiography and cone-beam computed tomography confirmed successful exclusion of the aneurysm sac and a patent pancreaticoduodenal arcade with a well-apposed stent.

Fewer Cardiopulmonary Complications and Shorter Length of Stay in Anterolateral Thoracolumbar Spine Exposures Using a Small-Incision Specialized Retractor System.

Objectives: One of the challenges of spine surgery is the need for adequate exposure of the anterolateral spinal column. Improved retractor systems with integrated lighting minimize the need for large thoracotomy, flank, or abdominal incisions. In 2013, we began using the NuVasive MaXcess® system via a minimal-access lateral incision for thoracic and thoracolumbar spine exposures. These small-access approaches may not offer adequate exposure when bleeding and other complications arise. We sought to determine the feasibility and outcomes of a minimal-access retractor during anterolateral spine exposures. Methods: An institutional-review-board-approved retrospective chart review was performed of all patients who underwent anterolateral thoracic and lumbosacral spine exposure at an academic hospital between December 1999 and April 2017. Cervical and posterior spine exposures were not included. Information regarding patient demographics, comorbid conditions, operative techniques, exposure, estimated blood loss, length of stay, and intraoperative and postoperative complications was collected. Data for standard exposure vs. minimally invasive exposures were compared. Results: Between December 1999 and April 2017, 223 anterolateral spinal exposures were performed at our institution. Of those, 122 (54.7%) patients had true lateral exposures, with 22 (18%) using the minimally invasive retractor. The mean age of our patient population was 57 years (19-89), with 65 (53%) men and a mean body mass index of 29.0 (17.4-58.6). In the standard exposure group, complications occurred in 22 (22%) patients, whereas only two (9%) complications occurred in the minimal-access group. There were no significant differences in overall intraoperative and postoperative complications, except for cardiopulmonary complications, which were reduced in the minimally invasive group (p < 0.019). Patients with minimally invasive exposure had a significantly shorter length of stay than those with standard exposure (7 vs. 13 days, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Minimal-access techniques using advanced retractor systems are both feasible and safe compared to standard techniques allowing for similar lateral spine exposure, but with smaller incisions, fewer cardiopulmonary complications, and shorter lengths of stay.

Application of Intravascular Ultrasound in End-Stage Renal Patients with Central Venous Occlusive Disease.

Central venous occlusive disease is frequently observed in patients with end-stage renal disease. Venography remains the gold standard for diagnosis, but intravascular ultrasound is a potentially beneficial adjunct that may positively influence intervention.