Blood culture practices in patients with a central line at an academic medical center-Iowa, 2020.

We analyzed blood-culture practices to characterize the utilization of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommendations related to catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) blood cultures. Most patients with a central line had only peripheral blood cultures. Increasing the utilization of CRBSI guidelines may improve clinical care, but may also affect other quality metrics.

Role of inflammatory cells in pathophysiology and management of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a sight-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus. Several inflammatory cells and proteins, including macrophages and microglia, cytokines, and vascular endothelial growth factors, are found to play a significant role in the development and progression of DR. Inflammatory cells play a significant role in the earliest changes seen in DR including the breakdown of the blood retinal barrier leading to leakage of blood into the retina. They also have an important role in the pathogenesis of more advanced stage of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, leading to neovascularization, vitreous hemorrhage, and tractional retinal detachment. In this review, we examine the function of numerous inflammatory cells involved in the pathogenesis, progression, and role as a potential therapeutic target in DR. Additionally, we explore the role of inflammation following treatment of DR.

5,926 hysterectomies: complications described by Clavien-Dindo classification.

Hysterectomy is the most common major gynaecological surgery. Due to its high volume, the analysis of its results is relevant. The objective of this study was to describe intraoperative complications and reoperations, for both benign and malignant causes, using the Clavien-Dindo classification (approved by local ethics committee, number 100220). Between 2000 and 2019, 5926 elective hysterectomies were performed, of which 90.2% were for benign aetiology and 9.8% for malignant causes. The abdominal route was 52.7%, vaginal 40.1% and laparoscopic 7.2%. Intraoperative complications and reoperations (grade III Clavien-Dindo) were 4% and 2.1%, respectively. Oncological surgery had significantly more intraoperative complications (10% vs. 3.4%) and reoperations (3.6% vs. 1.9%) than benign procedures. Noteworthy, intraoperative complications required a new operation in only 3.4% for malignant and 2.8% for benign surgery. Our data showed the relevance of detecting and rectifying intraoperative complications during surgery, which consequently leads to a lower reoperation rate, minimising postoperative morbidity and mortality for patients.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? The surgical complications of hysterectomy, both intraoperative and postoperative, are extensively described. However, this information is not well systematised, in which elective and emergency surgery are mixed. In addition to the above, there are few documents comparing the results of hysterectomies due to benign versus malignant causes.What the results of this study add? Using the Clavien-Dindo classification, this study adds an organised description of intraoperative complications and reoperations of hysterectomy in the context of elective surgery. In addition, it provides information on the comparison between surgery for benign versus malignant causes, as well as information on intraoperative complications requiring a new operation.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? These findings provide clear and orderly data about the risks of elective hysterectomy and showed the relevance of detecting and rectifying intraoperative complications during the procedure. This is useful for specialists to preoperatively identify the risks for each hysterectomy group and provide their patients with more detailed information during informed consent.

Incidence of occult uterine sarcoma and other unexpected pathologies in patients having surgery for presumed myomas: A retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of occult uterine sarcomas and other unexpected pathologies in patients undergoing hysterectomies or myomectomies with a pre-operative diagnosis of uterine leiomyomas. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Tertiary hospital in Santiago, Chile. POPULATION: 921 women who underwent surgery for presumed myomas. Database analysis of surgical and pathological notes, from January 2007 to December 2017 with a preoperative diagnosis of uterine leiomyoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: number of patients with uterine sarcoma confirmed on histology. RESULTS: During this period, a total of 921 gynecological surgeries were performed for benign uterine fibroids of which 787 were hysterectomies and 134 were myomectomies. We found four cases of malignant neoplasms (0,43 %). Two were uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS), one mixed epithelial and mesenchymal tumor, and one case of incidental cervical cancer. This gives an LMS incidence of 1 in 460 and 1 in 921 of mixed epithelial and mesenchymal tumor. There were seven cases of unexpected benign pathology. This included six atypical myomas and one leiomyoblastoma epithelioid myoma. If we combine the malignant and benign cases, we would have an incidence of 1.2 % of unexpected pathology. CONCLUSION: In our series of patients undergoing myomectomies or hysterectomies for presumed myomas the incidence of LMS was 1 in 460. The incidence of any unexpected pathology including benign ones in presumed myomas was 1 in 83 (six atypical myomas, one leiomyoblastoma epithelioid myoma, two LMS, one mixed epithelial and mesenchymal tumor, one incidental cervical cancer).

Hysterectomy and Adenextomy via transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES): A UK perspective with a case series of 33 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate operative outcomes of hysterectomy +/- adnexectomy by Trans-vaginal Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery (vNOTES) in a case series of 33 patients. STUDY DESIGN: It was a prospective case series study carried out in Darent Valley and Benenden Hospital, to our knowledge, the first units in the United Kingdom to have undertaken VNOTE Hysterectomy. We collected data on a private shared drive noting patient demographics, indications for surgery, operation outcomes and patient follow-up details. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Between January and December 2018, 33 patients underwent surgery between two units. Indications for surgery included dysfunctional uterine bleeding, endometrial hyperplasia, pelvic pain, post-menopausal bleeding, prophylactic surgery in BRCA positive patients and one grade 1 stage 1 endometrial cancer in whom laparoscopic hysterectomy was technically difficult and complicated by previous midline laparotomy. Ages ranged from 35 to 75 and BMI from 20-53. Mean operation time was 68.5 min and mean blood loss intraoperatively was 269mls. 15.2% (n = 5) had a blood loss equal or more than 500 mls. There were no intraoperative complications and no conversions to open surgery. The median visual analogue pain score at 6 h post operatively and at discharge was 0. All patients received regular Paracetamol and Ibuprofen and opiate based analgesics were only used on an as required basis. Postoperative complication which included failed trial without catheter, urinary tract infection and urinary dysfunction were reported by four women (12.4%). Only 2 patients re-presented to hospital over a 30-day period and neither required inpatient management. Hysterectomy by vNOTES has advantages over traditional laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomy that include reduced requirement for intra-abdominal insufflation and head down, absence of trocar related injuries and easier operative access in patients with morbid obesity, or previous abdominal surgery such as midline laparotomy or mesh hernia repair. In addition, both tubes and ovaries can be removed easily due to easier access and visibility and there is no requirement for vaginal descent in order to do so. Plans for a comparative study between laparoscopic hysterectomy and vNOTES hysterectomy are underway.

Laparoscopic Excision Versus Ablation for Endometriosis-associated Pain: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to update the evidence on the surgical management of endometriosis-associated pain. Does laparoscopic excision offer any benefits over laparoscopic ablation? This is a systematic review and meta-analysis in which we searched MEDLINE, Embase, Institute for Scientific Information conference proceedings, the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number registry, the Register and Meta-register for randomized controlled trials, the World Health Organization trials search portal, the Cochrane Library, and the British Library of electronic theses. Three randomized controlled trials were included, which enrolled 335 participants with a sample size per study ranging from 24 to 178 participants. Of these 3 studies, data from 2 could be pooled for meta-analysis. The primary outcome measure was the reduction in the visual analog scale score for dysmenorrhea. The secondary outcome measures included the reduction in the visual analog scale score for dyspareunia, dyschezia, and chronic pelvic pain and the reduction in Endometriosis Health Profile-30 core pain scores. The meta-analysis showed that the excision group had a significantly greater reduction in symptoms of dysmenorrhea (mean difference [MD] = 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.02 to 2.00; p = .05) and dyschezia (MD = 1.31; 95% CI, 0.33-2.29; p = .009) compared with ablation. The symptoms of dyspareunia showed a nonsignificant benefit with excision (MD = 0.96; 95% CI, -0.07 to 1.99; p = .07). Data from 1 study showed a significant reduction in chronic pelvic pain (MD = 2.57; 95% CI, 1.27-3.87; p = .0001) and Endometriosis Health Profile-30 core pain scores (MD = 13.20; 95% CI, 3.70-22.70; p = .006) with the excision group compared with the ablation group. The limited available evidence shows that at 12 months postsurgery, symptoms of dysmenorrhea, dyschezia, and chronic pelvic pain secondary to endometriosis showed a significantly greater improvement with laparoscopic excision compared with ablation.

Laparoscopic Management of Ureteral Endometriosis and Hydronephrosis Associated With Endometriosis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if laparoscopic treatment of ureteral endometriosis is feasible, safe, and effective and to determine if ureteral dilatation and/or the number of incisions increases complications. DESIGN: An institutional review board-approved retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients who underwent surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis involving the ureter with hydronephrosis (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: A university hospital. PATIENTS: Of 658 patients who had surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis between November 2004 and December 2013, 198 of the 658 patients had ureteral endometriosis and required ureterolysis, and 28 of the 198 patients were identified with ureteral dilatation and hydronephrosis associated with endometriosis. INTERVENTIONS: Of these 28 cases, 15 ureterolyses, 12 reanastomoses, and 1 reimplantation were performed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Medical, operative, and pathological data on the evolution of pain, urinary complaints, fertility, complications, and recurrences were collected from clinical records. Additionally, telephone interviews were performed for the follow-up of long-term outcomes. All 28 patients had concomitant surgical procedures because of endometriosis elsewhere in the pelvis or abdomen; 12 (42.9%) underwent surgery of the bowel, whereas 5 (17.9%) had bladder surgery. The evolution of pain after surgery showed a positive response (mean dysmenorrhea evaluation measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale from 0-10 preoperatively at the short-term follow-up and the long-term follow-up: 7.25-1.73 and 0.25, respectively). Three complications were noted in the group of 28 patients with ureterohydronephrosis; 1 required surgical reintervention. Logistic regression analyses found vaginal incision (odds ratio = 2.08; 95% CI 0.92-4.73), bladder incision (odds ratio = 8.77; 95% CI 3.25-23.63), number of incisions (odds ratio = 2.12; 95% CI 1.29-3.47), and number of previous surgeries (odds ratio = 1.26; 95% CI 0.93-1.71) as independent risk factors for complications in the group of 198 patients. Three patients underwent reoperation in the group of 28 patients: 1 for ureterovaginal fistula, 1 for persistent ureter dilatation and hydronephrosis, and 1 for persistent pain. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopically assisted ureterolyses, ureteral reanastomoses, and ureteral reimplantation are feasible, safe, and effective treatments for ureteral endometriosis. Complete laparoscopic excision is possible with minimal complications, which seem to be associated with the number of incisions. Ureteral endometriosis should be suspected in all cases of deep infiltrating endometriosis.

Laparoscopic surgery for severe ureteric endometriosis.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for severe ureteric endometriosis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study of the clinical and surgical outcomes for patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for severe ureterohydronephrosis due to endometriosis. The surgery consisted of laparoscopic ureterolysis, ureteric end-to-end anastomosis and ureteral stenting at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Strasbourg Hospitals, between June 2004 and June 2009. Data were collected from patients' notes and also included telephone interview. Normally distributed data are presented as mean ± SD, and skewed data as median (range). Categoric variables are reported as absolute values and percentages. Continuous variables are compared using the paired samples t-test. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: Thirteen patients had severe disease. Two patients had non-functioning kidneys. Left sided lesions were more common (76.9%). All patients had associated deep infiltrative endometriosis (DIE) elsewhere in the pelvis. Laparoscopic treatment was feasible in all cases without the need to convert. Ureterolysis was performed in seven patients (53.8%) and segmental resection with end-to-end anastomosis in six (46.2%) patients. Ureteric wall endometriotic infiltration was present in four cases (30.8%). Median follow up duration was 24 months. All patients had improvement of their pain symptoms. There were no intraoperative complications. Major postoperative complications were seen in three patients (23%). CONCLUSIONS: Ureteric involvement is usually asymptomatic, and therefore in patients with evidence of deep endometriosis it must be excluded by ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. Laparoscopic treatment of ureteric endometriosis is feasible. Intrinsic ureteric endometriosis is quite frequent in severe ureterohydronephrosis. Complete excision of the disease is essential to improve pain symptomatology and to prevent recurrence of disease. Long term follow up is required to exclude any stenosis.

Long-term urinary retention after laparoscopic surgery for deep endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To report on chronic urinary retention after surgery for deep endometriosis and the possible risk factors for this complication. DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Four patients with deep endometriosis who developed this complication. INTERVENTION(S): Laparoscopic surgery, intermittent self-catheterization (ISC). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): To identify site(s) of lesion associated with this complication. RESULT(S): Four patients developed this complication from damage to the inferior hypogastric plexus involving the sympathetic and/or parasympathetic afferents from the bladder. One patient regained complete bladder function 8 months after surgery, and the others required ISC at the time of writing (13, 24, and 3 months after surgery). Patients with lesions located laterally and deep in the uterosacral ligaments especially near the ischial spines were at high risk. All patients were, however, satisfied with the results of surgery. CONCLUSION(S): Most such injuries are unpredictable, but in our experience, two of three patients with lesions near the ischial spine developed this complication. Chronic urinary retention after radical endometriosis surgery is rare and often under reported. Although most lesions are unilateral and have a potential for improvement, it is not known how long these effects will last. More data from other centers may help in providing additional information.

Endometriosis of bladder: outcomes after laparoscopic surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe outcomes after laparoscopic excision of deep bladder endometriosis. DESIGN: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SETTING: University hospitals. PATIENTS: Twenty-one consecutive patients with endometriotic nodule on the bladder (infiltrating detrusor muscle) from a series of 169 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome studied was resolution of bladder symptoms. Secondary outcomes included complication rates, recurrence rates, and pregnancy rates after laparoscopic surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic excision of bladder endometriosis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Laparoscopy was feasible in all cases without the need for conversion. Median follow-up was 20 months. Ten patients (47.6%) underwent partial cystectomy, and the remaining patients underwent partial-thickness excision of the detrusor muscle. Sixteen patients (76%) had associated deep lesions in the pelvis. The most common associated lesions were rectovaginal nodules (38%) and ureteric lesions (14%), with signs of obstruction. Major complications developed in 3 patients (14%), primarily related to bowel resection. Six patients became pregnant (60%). No patients experienced disease recurrence. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic excision is feasible in all types of bladder endometriosis but often involves multiple procedures to manage associated lesions, especially rectovaginal nodules and ureteric lesions. Previous reports have suggested that ureteric lesions are not associated with bladder endometriosis; however, this was not true in our series. Complications are primarily related to severity of the disease and associated procedures. Partial cystectomy is not required in all cases to achieve adequate clearance. Complete excision of the disease is associated with resolution of bladder symptoms and low recurrence rates.

Hematometra following laparoscopic resection of retrocervical and rectovaginal endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of hematometra following laparoscopic resection of rectovaginal endometriosis extending to the cervix. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): A 31-year-old woman with endometriosis and infertility. INTERVENTION(S): Combined laparoscopic and vaginal surgery. RESULT(S): The cervix had retracted into the vaginal scar after surgery, preventing the escape of menstrual blood. The hematometra was drained, and the cervix was repositioned into the vagina with use of a combined vaginal and laparoscopic approach. CONCLUSION(S): Retraction of the cervix into the cul-de-sac can occur as a complication of excision of rectovaginal nodules that extend onto the posterior surface of the cervix. Excision of the posterior cervix should avoid deep excision of the posterior lip and should be limited only to the ectocervical margin to avoid such complications.

Severe transient leukopenia following hysterosalpingography.

Severe anaphylaxis to contrast media used in hysterosalpingography is very rare. Leukopenia may sometimes be seen in severe anaphylaxis associated with shock. This case report is about an atypical presentation of anaphylaxis following the injection of Conray 280 for hysterosalpingography. The patient had severe leukopenia without other associated features of anaphylaxis that resolved spontaneously after 48 h. This type of reaction to Conray 280 has not been reported before.