Stent-Assisted Balloon-Induced Intimal Disruption and Relamination in Aortic Dissection Repair (STABILISE): A Meta-Analysis of Early Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: This meta-analysis aims to determine the early clinical outcomes and rate of complete false lumen obliteration associated with the stent-assisted balloon-induced intimal disruption and relamination in aortic dissection repair (STABILISE) technique in the management of aortic dissection. METHODS: Electronic databases searches were performed on PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify studies reporting early outcomes of the STABILISE technique. In addition, we retrospectively analyzed all patients treated with the STABILISE technique for aortic dissection at our institution. The case series data were pooled with relevant studies to perform a meta-analysis of proportions using random-effects models. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety two patients from 9 relevant studies were pooled with an additional 13 patients undergoing STABILISE at our institution over a 3-year period. Pooled in-hospital mortality rate was 6% [95% confidence interval (CI); 3%-10%, I2 = 0.00%] and the overall rate of intraoperative aortic rupture was 4% [95% CI; 2%-8%, I2 = 0.00%]. The rate of in-hospital reintervention was 8% [95% CI; 5%-14%, I2 = 13.37%]. Median follow-up ranged from 8 to 36 months. Pooled cumulative mortality at follow-up was 8% [95% CI; 4%-18%, I2 = 23.15%]. The overall rate of late reintervention was 11% [95% CI; 7%-17%, I2 = 0.00%]. Complete obliteration of the false lumen in the thoracic aorta was achieved in 93% of patients [95% CI; 84%-97%, I2 = 47.49%] and in the abdominal aorta in 86% of patients [95% CI; 79%-91%, I2 = 0.00%]. CONCLUSIONS: The STABILISE technique carries an acceptable operative safety profile with low in-hospital morbidity and mortality and excellent complete false lumen obliteration.

Chronic inflammatory pulmonary artery lesion causing right pulmonary artery stenosis 15 years post Blalock-Taussig shunt ligation.

Discrete central endovascular pulmonary arterial lesions raise clinical concern for malignancy such as primary pulmonary artery sarcoma. We present a case of a female in her late teens who had an obstructive mid right pulmonary artery lesion found on follow-up imaging 15 years after Tetralogy of Fallot repair. The lesion was in the vicinity of a previously ligated Blalock-Taussig shunt and causing right PA stenosis with delayed perfusion to the right lung, and a flow-related distal left PA aneurysm. The lesion was excised and confirmed histologically to be inflammatory in nature. Intraoperative microbiology demonstrated growth of the Kytococcus species, and she was managed with 6 weeks of intravenous antibiotics, with a full recovery.

Left Upper Lobe Multi-Segmentectomy Versus Lobectomy for Early-Stage Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The left upper lobe (LUL) has unique hilar anatomy, and LUL multi-segmentectomy (apical trisegmentectomy and lingulectomy) may result in different outcomes than both single anatomical segmentectomy and left upper lobectomy in the management of early-stage primary lung cancer; however no meta-analyses have been performed. The aim of this meta-analysis is to determine if LUL multi-segmentectomy is non-inferior to left upper lobectomy for long-term survival outcomes, or superior for in-hospital outcomes. METHODS: Electronic databases searches were performed on PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify studies comparing outcomes in LUL multi-segmentectomy vs left upper lobectomy in early-stage lung cancer (clinical stage T2 N0 or less). Long-term postoperative overall and disease-free survival were assessed via reconstruction of Kaplan-Meier survival curves. In-hospital complications and length of stay, as well as long term recurrence were analysed via random effects models. RESULTS: Five relevant studies were identified, including 1,196 patients. Overall survival did not differ at 5 years (multi-segmentectomy 92.6% vs lobectomy 89.3%, P=0.188), but patients undergoing LUL multi-segmentectomy had better disease-free survival at 5 years (93.1% vs 88.4%, P=0.041). Patients undergoing LUL multi-segmentectomy had a shorter mean length of hospital stay (mean difference -0.26 days, 95% CI; -0.39 to 0.14, P<0.01, I2=0.00%). There was no difference in combined in-hospital complications (P=0.14), local recurrence (P=0.35), distant recurrence (P=0.23), or overall recurrence (P=0.39). CONCLUSION: LUL multi-segmentectomy is associated with reduced hospital length of stay, but no difference in long-term overall survival compared with left upper lobectomy in the management of early-stage primary lung cancer.

Conventional Glycaemic Control May Not Be Beneficial in Diabetic Patients Following Cardiac Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Stress hyperglycaemia is common following cardiac surgery. Its optimal management is uncertain and emerging literature suggests that flexible glycaemic control in diabetic patients may be preferable. This study aims to assess the relationship between maximal postoperative in-hospital blood glucose levels (BSL) and the morbidity and mortality outcomes of diabetic and non-diabetic cardiac surgery patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis of all patients undergoing cardiac surgery at a tertiary single centre institution from 2015 to 2019 was undertaken. Early management and outcomes of hyperglycaemia following cardiac surgery were assessed via multivariable regression modelling. Follow-up was assessed to 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: Consecutive non-diabetic patients (n=1,050) and diabetic patients (n=689) post cardiac surgery were included. Diabetics with peak BSL ≤13.9 mmol/L did not have an increased risk of morbidity or mortality compared to non-diabetics with peak BSL ≤10.0 mmol/L. In non-diabetics, stress hyperglycaemia with peak BSL >10.0 mmol/L was associated with overall wound complications (5.7% vs 8.8%, OR 1.64 [1.00-2.69], p=0.049) and postoperative pneumonia (2.7% vs 7.3%, OR 2.35 [1.26-4.38], p=0.007). Diabetic patients with postoperative peak BSL >13.9 mmol/L were at an increased risk of overall wound complication (7.4% vs 14.8%, OR 2.47 [1.46-4.16], p<0.001), graft harvest site infection (3.7% vs 11.8%, OR 3.75 [1.92-7.30], p<0.001), and wound-related readmission (3.1% vs 8.8%, OR 3.11 [1.49-6.47], p=0.002) when compared to diabetics with peak BSL ≤13.9 mmol/L. CONCLUSION: In non-diabetics, stress hyperglycaemia with peak BSL >10.0 mmol/L is associated with morbidity. In diabetic patients, hyperglycaemia with peak BSL ≤13.9 mmol/L was not associated with an increased risk of morbidity or mortality compared to non-diabetics with peak BSL ≤10.0 mmol/L. Further investigation of flexible glycaemic targets (target BSL ≤13.9 mmol/L) in diabetic patients is warranted.

Cavernous haemangioma of anterior mitral valve leaflet: diagnostic utility of 3D echocardiography.

Mitral valve (MV) haemangiomas are rare primary cardiac tumours which may cause progressive cardiac failure as well as sudden death. We present a case of a 44-year-old woman referred for surgical correction of symptomatic severe mitral regurgitation. Preoperative two-dimensional transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) were reported as demonstrating complex bi-leaflet prolapse causing severe mitral regurgitation. The patient was listed for MV surgery. Only on preoperative CT coronary angiogram was a filling defect noted, leading to suspicion of a cardiac tumour. Prior to skin incision, three-dimensional (3D) TOE revealed a 2×3 cm mass attached to the anterior leaflet of the MV. The tumour was subsequently resected, and the MV replaced. Postoperative histopathology confirmed a large cavernous haemangioma of the anterior MV leaflet. This case highlights a rare cause of severe mitral regurgitation and demonstrates the utility of 3D TOE as an adjunctive modality in confirming the suspected diagnosis of a cardiac tumour.

Zone 1 Aortic Arch Hybrid Endovascular Repair with Extra-anatomical Bypass: A Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this meta-analysis is to determine the morbidity and mortality outcomes of adult patients with aortic arch disease managed with extra-anatomical bypass avoiding median sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass, with simultaneous or staged hybrid zone 1 endovascular aortic repair. METHODS: Systematic literature searches of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were carried out to identify relevant studies on zone 1 hybrid arch repair. Extracted data were analyzed by random effects models. Primary outcomes included 30-day or in-hospital mortality. Longitudinal survival was analyzed up to 7 years from date of operation. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital morbidity, as well as late endoleak and reintervention. RESULTS: Twenty studies incorporating 348 patients were included. In-hospital or 30-day mortality was 10.1% (95% confidence interval, 6.7-14.9%). Overall operative technical success was 89.8% (83.7-93.8%). Early type 1 endoleak rate was 14.0% (7.4-24.7%). Stroke prevalence was 9.5% (6.1-14.3%). Spinal cord paraplegia prevalence was 3.8% (1.9-7.6%). Retrograde aortic dissection prevalence was 4.1% (1.5-10.6%). Survival at 1 year postoperatively was 77.2% (66.1-85.4%). Survival at 3 years postoperatively was 73.7% (59.2-84.4%). Survival beyond 4 years postoperatively (range 58-80 months) was 65.9% (53.6-76.4%). Late type 1 endoleak prevalence was 11.8% (5.5-23.7%). Overall rate of reintervention was 11.6% (6.4-20.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Zone 1 hybrid repair has evidence for satisfactory short- and long-term morbidity/mortality outcomes and may be considered as an alternative approach to aortic arch disease.

Medical and conservative surgical management of bacterial sternoclavicular joint septic arthritis: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Sternoclavicular joint septic arthritis (SCJ SA) is a rare infectious disease process with reported life-threatening complications such as mediastinal abscess and mediastinitis. The available literature reports variable success of medical management and a predominance of surgical management, with a 58% rate of surgical washout/debridement and high rates (47%) of resection of the SCJ and medial third of the clavicle. METHODS: A retrospective case series of radiologically or microbiologically confirmed cases of bacterial SCJ SA at Fiona Stanley Hospital was analysed. Demographic data, investigations, management and outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Eleven cases of bacterial SCJ SA were identified. Eight cases were of primary SCJ SA, whilst three cases were secondary to haematogenous seeding. Recognized risk factors such as intravenous drug use, diabetes mellitus, trauma, smoking and immunosuppression were present. The most common complication was clavicular osteomyelitis (64%). Life-threatening complications included mediastinal abscess and rapidly progressive necrotizing myositis. Nine patients (82%) were managed with primary medical therapy, with two patients failing antibiotic therapy and requiring joint washout. Two patients were taken for urgent washout on presentation. Four cases (36%) resulted in operative SCJ washout. There were no cases requiring resection of the SCJ or clavicle. CONCLUSION: This series suggests that SCJ SA can be primarily treated medically in the absence of life-threatening complications. In addition, medical management may be sufficient for cases complicated by clavicular osteomyelitis. Need for surgical resection of the SCJ and medial third of the clavicle may be less than previously reported.

Deep Sternal Wound Infections After Cardiac Surgery: A New Australian Tertiary Centre Experience.

BACKGROUND: Deep sternal wound infections (DSWI) after cardiac surgery impose a significant burden to patient outcomes and health care costs. The objective of this study is to identify risk factors, microbiological characteristics and protective factors for deep sternal wound infections following cardiac surgery in an Australian hospital. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study on 1,902 patients who underwent cardiac surgery at Fiona Stanley Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Western Australia from February 2015 to April 2019. Patients were grouped into having either deep sternal wound infections or no wound infections. RESULTS: Of 1,902 patients, 26 (1.4%) patients had DSWI. On multivariate analysis, male gender was associated with DSWI with an adjusted odds ratio of 7.390 (95% CI 1.189-45.918, p=0.032). Increased body mass index (BMI) had an odds ratio of 1.101 (95% 1.03-1.18, p=0.008). Increased length of stay (LOS) had an odds ratio of 1.05 (95% CI 1.02-1.08, p=0.002). Left main disease had an odds ratio of 3.076 (95% CI 1.204-7.86, p=0.019). The presence of hypercholesterolaemia had an odds ratio of 0.043 (95% CI 0.009-0.204, p<0.001). Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were the most common organisms found in deep sternal wound infections (23.1% and 26.9% respectively). Polymicrobial growth occurred in 19.2% of patients. One gram of topical cephazolin was applied in 315 patients. None of these patients developed a deep sternal wound infection (p=0.022). CONCLUSION: In a large Australian tertiary centre, male gender, increased BMI, presence of left main coronary artery disease, and increased length of hospital stay are significantly associated with the risk of deep sternal wound infections. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are common organisms in deep sternal wound infections. Topical antibiotics such as cephazolin are useful in preventing deep sternal wound infections. The presence of hypercholesterolaemia is a protective factor and we hypothesise that this is due to long-term statin use.

Strangulated small bowel obstruction complicating totally extra-peritoneal laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Totally extraperitoneal (TEP) laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is a surgical method of inguinal hernia repair that avoids entry into the peritoneum, thus significantly reducing likelihood of intra-peritoneal complications. Herein, we describe a rare case in which a 42-year-old man presented with acutely strangulated small bowel in an internal hernia through the peritoneum and posterior rectus sheath 6 days postelective TEP laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. He presented with acute onset severe abdominal pain and intractable vomiting. After CT diagnosis, emergent laparotomy was performed, and 20 cm of non-viable small bowel required resection, with enteric anastomosis. The peritoneal defect was identified and repaired. The patient was discharged 4 days postoperatively with an uneventful postoperative course.

Large air-filled intrapulmonary bronchogenic cyst associated with tension pneumothorax during air travel.

A 38-year-old woman developed a spontaneous right-sided tension pneumothorax during light aircraft travel. The aircraft was diverted to a regional centre, where emergent needle thoracostomy and chest tube insertion were performed. History suggested that this was the second episode of pneumothorax, with an untreated event with similar symptomatology during air travel 1 year ago. She was taken for surgical intervention. Intraoperative findings were of a large right middle lobe cyst of uncertain origin; the procedure was subsequently aborted. A CT chest demonstrated a large multiseptated air-filled pulmonary cystic lesion. Inpatient stay was notable for persistent right pneumothorax with interval cyst rupture. A right middle lobectomy was subsequently performed with histopathology showing a benign epithelioid bronchogenic cyst. Recovery was unremarkable with no residual pneumothorax or further episodes at 2 months postoperatively. Preventative excision of air-filled pulmonary abnormalities should be considered prior to air travel.

Preoperative cigarette smoking and short-term morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis.

Currently, the choice of whether or not to electively operate on current smokers is varied among cardiothoracic surgeons. This meta-analysis aims to determine whether preoperative current versus ex-smoking status is related to short-term postoperative morbidity and mortality in cardiac surgical patients. Systematic literature searches of the PubMed, MEDLINE and Cochrane databases were carried out to identify all studies in cardiac surgery that investigated the relationship between smoking status and postoperative outcomes. Extracted data were analysed by random effects models. Primary outcomes included 30-day or in-hospital all-cause mortality and pulmonary morbidity. Overall, 13 relevant studies were identified, with 34 230 patients in current or ex-smoking subgroups. There was no difference in mortality (p=0.93). Current smokers had significantly higher risk of overall pulmonary complications (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.27 to 1.64; p<0.001) and postoperative pneumonia (OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.27 to 2.06; p<0.001) as well as lower risk of postoperative renal complications (OR 0.82; 95% CI 0.70 to 0.96; p=0.01) compared with ex-smokers. There was a trend towards an increased risk of postoperative MI (OR 1.29; 95% CI 0.95 to 1.75; p=0.10). No difference in postoperative neurological complications (p=0.15), postoperative sternal surgical site infections (p=0.20) or postoperative length of intensive care unit stay (p=0.86) was seen. Cardiac surgical patients who are current smokers at the time of operation do not have an increased 30-day mortality risk compared with ex-smokers, although they are at significantly increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications.