Outcomes of Ventral Hernia Repair After Orthotopic Liver Transplant Using Component Separation and Onlay Biologic Mesh.

INTRODUCTION: The management of ventral hernias (VHs) after orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) can be uniquely challenging because of immunosuppression coupled with large laparotomy size that can compromise the quality of the abdominal wall. The component separation with multipoint suture onlay acellular dermis fixation technique has proven to be effective in high-risk abdominal wall reconstructions. The goal of this study was to elucidate the factors that affect safety and efficacy of VH repair in post-OLT patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of 345 patients who underwent repair of VH with compartment separation and onlay acellular dermal matrix reinforcement from a single surgeon from 2012 to 2020 was conducted. Of these, 27 patients were identified with a history of OLT and were stratified based on whether the defect was a initial or recurrent hernia repair. The majority of patients had a standard chevron incision (70%). Data abstraction was performed for preoperative risk factors, hernia characteristics, surgical site complications, and postoperative course including hernia recurrence. RESULTS: A majority of cases in the study period were initial hernia repairs (59%) with no significant differences in the patient demographics and size of VH defects (190 ± 112.69 cm 2 ). Comorbidities were similar between the groups with the exception of a significantly higher baseline creatinine levels and higher history of smoking in the recurrent hernia repair group ( P < 0.05). Of the 27 cases, there were no demonstrable hernia recurrences noted and an overall 11% complication rate. Univariate analysis noted a statistically significant difference in surgical site complication rate ( P = 0.017), with the initial hernia repair group having the lowest rate of surgical site complications. CONCLUSIONS: In complex post-OLT patients with large VH, modified component separation with onlay acellular mesh was shown to have acceptable medium-term results. Further studies investigating the factors leading to postoperative complications are necessary to reduce recurrence in this evolving patient population.

"Enhanced Recovery" Protocol Compliance Influences Length of Stay: Resolving Barriers to Implementation.

Initial implementation and maintenance of an enhanced recovery protocol (ERP) is complex and has not been adequately described. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an ERP at a tertiary care academic institution. A secondary aim was to identify barriers to implementation and continued protocol compliance (PC) to further decrease length of stay (LOS). Patients undergoing colon resection from February 2, 2011 to December 19, 2014 were compared with patients that followed implementation of an ERP from August 10, 2015 to July 14, 2016. The primary endpoint was LOS. Secondary endpoints were PC, analgesia requirements, time to return of bowel function, and ileus. One hundred and seventy-seven historical controls were compared with 68 ERP patients. LOS was shorter in study patients (4.9 vs 7.1 days for open surgery; 3.3 vs 6.1 for laparoscopic surgery). Intraoperative IVF balance, morphine equivalents, and length of time to return of bowel function were significantly less in the ERP group (1445.89 ± 845.25 mL vs 3006.08 ± 1197.97 mL), (64.48 ± 114.49 vs 232.90 ± 541.47), (2.41 ± 1.32 days vs 3.82 ± 2.00 days). Rate of ileus was less in study patients (4.8 vs 14.7%). The readmission rate and 30-day National Surgical Quality Improvement Program complication rates were not significantly different. PC was negatively associated with LOS (r = -0.35, P = 0.0026). Similar to prior studies, this study demonstrates the efficacy of an ERP. Increased PC is associated with decreased LOS, thus providing further evidence that ERPs should be the standard of care. Scheduled interdisciplinary meetings to discuss patient outcomes and methods to increase PC can help further improve efficacy of ERPs.

Vertical Inset of the Latissimus Dorsi Flap Improves Reconstruction Aesthetics by Reducing Scar Burden in the "Social Breast".

PURPOSE: The skin paddle of the latissimus dorsi flap is typically inset horizontally (HILD) in breast reconstruction. We describe our experience with the vertical inset of the latissimus dorsi (VILD) and its aesthetic benefit. METHODS: We performed a case-control study comparing the most recent cases of both VILD and HILD. Scar, as seen on anterior-posterior photographs, was digitally measured and compared from 3 clinically relevant areas: (1) all visible scarring ("mirror view"), (2) scarring above the nipple ("self-view"), and (3) scarring above or medial to the nipple ("social view"). Demographics and outcomes were statistically compared. EXPERIENCE/RESULTS: Fifty of the most recent patients receiving HILD or VILD were selected for each group. Average patient age was 55.6 and 51.6 years (P = 0.32), and average follow-up was 531.6 and 606.7 days (P = 0.20), respectively. The VILD scar-length ratios were decreased by 17% in the mirror view (P ≤ 0.01), 37% in the self-view (P ≤ 0.01), and 37% in the social view (P ≤ 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between groups regarding smoking (P = 0.75), diabetes (P = 0.70), body mass index (P = 0.74), seroma (P = 0.46), infection (P = 1.0), or flap necrosis (P = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS: The VILD is safe and reliable. Measurements from anterior-posterior photographs illustrate statistically significant decreases in overall scar burden (mirror view) and statistically significant reductions in the highly visible self-view and social view. Our study is the first to quantify a reduction in scar burden by using VILD technique.

Progressive Surgical Autonomy Observed in a Hand Surgery Resident Clinic Model.

OBJECTIVE: Resident clinics (RCs) are intended to catalyze the achievement of educational milestones through progressively autonomous patient care. However, few studies quantify their effect on competency-based surgical education, and no previous publications focus on hand surgery RCs (HRCs). We demonstrate the achievement of progressive surgical autonomy in an HRC model. DESIGN: A retrospective review of all patients seen in a weekly half-day HRC from October 2010 to October 2015 was conducted. Investigators compiled data on patient demographics, provider encounters, operational statistics, operative details, and dictated surgical autonomy on an ascending 5 point scoring system. SETTING: A tertiary hand surgery referral center. RESULTS: A total of 2295 HRC patients were evaluated during the study period in 5173 clinic visits. There was an average of 22.6 patients per clinic, including 9.0 new patients with 6.5 emergency room referrals. Totally, 825 operations were performed by 39 residents. Trainee autonomy averaged 2.1/5 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.2), 3.4/5 (SD = 1.3), 2.1/5 (SD = 1.3), 3.4/5 (SD = 1.2), 3.2/5 (SD = 1.5), 3.5/5 (SD = 1.5), 4.0/5 (SD = 1.2), 4.1/5 (SD = 1.2), in postgraduate years 1 to 8, respectively. Linear mixed model analysis demonstrated training level significantly effected operative autonomy (p = 0.0001). Continuity of care was maintained in 79.3% of cases, and patients were followed an average of 3.9 clinic encounters over 12.4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Our HRC appears to enable surgical trainees to practice supervised autonomous surgical care and provide a forum in which to observe progressive operative competency achievement during hand surgery training. Future studies comparing HRC models to non-RC models will be required to further define quality-of-care delivery within RCs.

Intrapancreatic Enteric Duplication Cyst Masquerading as Groove Pancreatitis.

Intrapancreatic enteric duplication cysts are exceedingly rare, and the clinical presentation varies. We present a 48-year-old man with significant alcohol and tobacco abuse and a diagnosis of groove pancreatitis complicated by a pancreatic duct stricture, pseudocyst, and recurrent biliary obstruction. Due to failure of endoscopic therapy and concerning findings on endoscopic ultrasound with negative pathology, he underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy. Pathology revealed an intrapancreatic enteric duplication cyst, minimal chronic pancreatitis changes associated with pancreaticobiliary strictures, and no evidence of malignancy. This rare diagnosis should be considered in the differential for patients with idiopathic recurrent pancreaticobiliary duct strictures and pancreatic pseudomasses.

An Update on the Current Management of Perforated Diverticulitis.

The management of perforated diverticulitis is a challenging aspect of general surgery. The prevalence of colonic diverticular disease has increased over the last decade and will continue to increase as the baby boomers add to the elderly population. Improvements in diagnostic imaging modalities, efforts to maintain intestinal continuity, and percutaneous drainage procedures now result in several alternatives when selecting a management strategy for complicated presentations. Specifically, laparoscopic lavage and resection with primary anastomosis have emerged as options for treatment of Hinchey III and IV diverticulitis in place of diversion in the appropriately selected patient. Percutaneous drainage of Hinchey II diverticulitis in centers equipped with interventional radiology provides another minimally invasive adjunct. The objective of this paper is to provide an update on the current management of perforated diverticulitis, with a focus on the advantages and disadvantages of the surgical options for the treatment of Hinchey III and IV diverticulitis.

External Validation of Velazquez-Gomez Severity Score Index and ATLAS Scores and the Identification of Risk Factors Associated with Mortality in Clostridium difficile Infections.

Treatment guidelines for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) are limited by a lack of widely accepted clinical prediction tools (CPTs). Two published CPTs, the Velazquez-Gomez Severity Score Index (VGSSI) and ATLAS scores, were evaluated, and variables showing the greatest correlation with mortality in patients with CDI were identified to further develop an objective, mortality-based CPT. A retrospective review of the charts of 271 hospitalized patients with CDI was performed. VGSSI and ATLAS scores were assigned. Means and correlations of these scores with mortality were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on 32 known potential mortality predictor variables. Mortality was overall strongly associated with VGSSI and ATLAS scores with poor correlation within the intermediate ranges. Mean scores for nonsurvivors indicated poor calibration. The variables most associated with mortality were Age, vasopressors, steroids, creatinine level, and albumin. Although both CPTs revealed the ability to discriminate patients at greater risk for mortality, precision and overall calibration were lacking. Five variables were identified which had the greatest correlation with mortality. Utilization of these variables to enhance or modify the existing CPTs is suggested as the next step in the development of a useful and accurate mortality-based CPT for the treatment of CDI.