Vacuum-assisted wound closure and mesh-mediated fascial traction for temporary closure in open abdomen: A single-arm meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Open abdomen (OA) therapy is used in the management of patients who require surgery for severe abdominal conditions. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the VAWCM technique regarding short and long-term outcomes. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central were systematically searched for studies that analyzed VAWCM therapy in OA. Primary outcomes were the complete fascial closure rate and mean duration of OA treatment. Statistical analyses were performed using R statistical software. RESULTS: Seven studies comprising 535 patients were included. We found a complete fascial closure rate of 77.3 per 100 patients (80.1%; 95% CI 59.6-88.7; I2 = 76%), with an overall mortality of 30.3 per 100 (33.5%; 95% CI 9.3-19.4; I2 = 78%). The pooled mean duration of OA treatment was 14.6 days (95% CI 10.7-18.6; I2 = 93%), while the mean length of hospital stay was 43.3 days (95% CI 21.2-65.3; I2 = 96%). As additional outcomes, we found an enteroatmospheric fistula rate of 5.6 per 100 patients (5.4%; 95% CI 2.3-13.3; I2 = 45%) and incisional hernia rate of 34.7 per 100 (34.6%; 95% CI 28.9-41.1; I2 = 0%). The subgroup analysis of mesh materials (polypropylene or polyglactin) showed a higher complete fascial closure rate for the polyglactin (89.1% vs. 66.6%; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that VAWCM is a viable option for OA treatment, successfully reaching complete fascial closure, with a low duration of the technique, even though it presented a high heterogeneity between the studies.

Risk factors for incisional hernia after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of incisional hernia (IH) after an open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair can reach up to 35%, contributing to long-term morbidity. Individual studies have been limited in identifying modifiable risk factors for IH after an open AAA repair. This meta-analysis aims to review all the risk factors for IH after an open AAA repair. METHODS: We searched Cochrane Central, Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science databases for original studies. Risk factors assessed were age, sex, comorbidities, surgical incision, blood loss, and surgical site infection (SSI). Data analysis was done using RStudio 4.1.2. We computed Relative Risk (RR) for dichotomous outcomes and Mean differences (MD) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) for continuous outcomes. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria among 1,795 screened articles. Among those ten studies, there were a total of 1,806 patients of which 341 patients developed IH. Older age (Mean 69.6-70.7 years, MD 1.39 years, CI [1.12-1.66], P < 0.01), midline vertical incision (RR 1.55, CI [1.06-2.25], P = 0.02) and increased intraoperative blood loss (MD 429.8 ml, CI [234.8- 624.8], P < 0.01) were associated with an increased incidence of IH. Surgical site infection (SSI) was noted as a risk factor for IH after open AAA repair (RR 2.36, CI [1.31-4.24], P = 0.004). No statistically significant association was found between the incidence of IH and sex (RR 1.0, CI [0.8-1.14], P = 0.98), smoking (RR 1.01, CI [0.93-1.09], P = 0.88), diabetes (RR 1.38, CI [0.85-2.25], P = 0.19), and chronic kidney disease (RR 1.55, CI [0.47-5.09], P = 0.46). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis shows that age, midline vertical incision, intraoperative blood loss, and SSI are risk factors for IH after open AAA repair.

Conventional thyroidectomy: what is the impact of the scar on the lives of operated patients?

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at investigating the aesthetic impact of scars on the lives of patients who undergo conventional thyroidectomy. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on a retrospective analysis of 98 electronic medical records of patients who underwent conventional thyroidectomy performed by the same surgeon. The impact was determined through a qualitative question and categorized into three levels of dissatisfaction. RESULTS: Among the 98 patients, 96 (97.95%) reported experiencing no functional or visual discomfort with their scars. The two unsatisfied individuals were women, and both classified their discomfort as moderate. Although the diseases that indicated surgery varied, papillary thyroid carcinoma predominated. CONCLUSION: The sample's satisfaction level indicates that, in line with the current literature, the decision to opt for cosmetically appealing methods is not justified by aesthetic complaints about scars. The benefits of lower cost and fewer complications make conventional thyroidectomy an old but reliable option for afflictions of the thyroid gland that require surgery.

Head and Neck Practice in the COVID-19 Pandemics Today: A Rapid Systematic Review.

Introduction Head and neck specialists and otorhinolaryngologists are greatly exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission in their everyday praxis. Many articles are being published regarding medical staff protection and patient management during the pandemic. Objective To provide an easy access to and a trustful review of the main aspects that have changed in the head and neck surgery and otorhinolaryngology practice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data Synthesis The search terms used were: ( head and neck or otorhinolaryngology or ORL or thyroid ) AND ( severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [ SARS-COV-2] or COVID-19 or CORONAVIRUS ). The results were limited to the year of 2020. Articles were read in English, Portuguese, French, German, and Spanish or translated from Chinese. All included articles were read by at least two authors. Thirty-five articles were included. Most articles suggest postponing elective surgeries, with exception to cancer surgeries, which should be evaluated separately. Twenty-five articles recommended some kind of screening prior to surgery, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and epidemiological data. Extra precautions, such as use of personal protective equipment (PPE), are suggested for both tracheostomies and endoscopies. Fifteen articles give recommendation on how to use telemedicine. Conclusion The use of PPE (N95 or powered air-purifying respirator [PAPR]) during procedures should be mandatory. Patients should be evaluated about their COVID-19 status before hospital admission. Cancer should be treated. Tracheostomy tube cuff should be inflated inside the tracheal incision. All COVID-19 precautions should be kept until there is a validated antiviral treatment or an available vaccine.

Surgical Practice in the Current COVID-19 Pandemic: A Rapid Systematic Review.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak started in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and evolved into a global problem in a short period. The pandemic has led to many social and health-care challenges. In this context, surgery is an area that is facing the need for many adaptations. In this systematic literature review, we analyzed different perspectives concerning this situation, aiming to provide recommendations that could guide surgeons and entities toward screening, elective and emergency surgeries, decision making, and operating room management. A computerized search in PubMed, Scopus, and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) for relevant literature up to April 4, 2020, was performed. Articles were included if they were related to surgery dynamics in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 281 articles found in our initial search and 15 articles from alternative sources, 39 were included in our review after a systematic evaluation. Concerning preoperative testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, 29 (74.4%) articles recommended some kind of screening. Another major suggestion was postponing all (or at least selected) elective operations (29 articles, 74.4%). Several additional recommendations with respect to surgical practice or surgical staff were also assessed and discussed, such as performing laparoscopic surgeries and avoiding the use of electrocauterization. On the basis of the current literature, we concluded that any surgery that can be delayed should be postponed. COVID-19 screening is strongly recommended for all surgical cases. Moreover, surgical staff should be reduced to the essential members and provided with institutional psychological support.

Conventional thyroidectomy: what is the impact of the scar on the lives of operated patients?

ABSTRACT Background: This study was aimed at investigating the aesthetic impact of scars on the lives of patients who undergo conventional thyroidectomy. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on a retrospective analysis of 98 electronic medical records of patients who underwent conventional thyroidectomy performed by the same surgeon. The impact was determined through a qualitative question and categorized into three levels of dissatisfaction. Results: Among the 98 patients, 96 (97.95%) reported experiencing no functional or visual discomfort with their scars. The two unsatisfied individuals were women, and both classified their discomfort as moderate. Although the diseases that indicated surgery varied, papillary thyroid carcinoma predominated. Conclusion: The sample's satisfaction level indicates that, in line with the current literature, the decision to opt for cosmetically appealing methods is not justified by aesthetic complaints about scars. The benefits of lower cost and fewer complications make conventional thyroidectomy an old but reliable option for afflictions of the thyroid gland that require surgery.

Surgical practice in the current COVID-19 pandemic: a rapid systematic review

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak </mac_aq>started in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and evolved into a global problem in a short period. The pandemic has led to many social and health-care challenges. In this context, surgery is an area that is facing the need for many adaptations. In this systematic literature review, we analyzed different perspectives concerning this situation, aiming to provide recommendations that could guide surgeons and </mac_aq>entities toward screening, elective and emergency surgeries, decision making, and operating room management. A computerized search in PubMed, Scopus, and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) for relevant literature up to April 4, 2020, was performed. Articles were included if they were related to surgery dynamics in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 281 articles found in our initial search and 15 articles from alternative sources, 39 were included in our review after a systematic evaluation. Concerning preoperative testing </mac_aq>for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, 29 (74.4%) articles recommended some kind of </mac_aq>screening. Another major suggestion was postponing all (or at least selected) elective operations (29 articles, </mac_aq>74.4%). Several additional recommendations with respect to surgical practice or surgical staff were also assessed and discussed, such as performing laparoscopic surgeries and avoiding the use of electrocauterization. On the basis of the current literature, we concluded that any surgery that can be delayed should be postponed. COVID-19 screening is strongly recommended for all surgical cases. Moreover, surgical staff should be reduced to the essential members and provided with institutional psychological support.

Head and Neck Practice in the COVID-19 Pandemics Today: A Rapid Systematic Review

Abstract Introduction Head and neck specialists and otorhinolaryngologists are greatly exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission in their everyday praxis. Many articles are being published regarding medical staff protection and patient management during the pandemic. Objective To provide an easy access to and a trustful review of the main aspects that have changed in the head and neck surgery and otorhinolaryngology practice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data Synthesis The search terms used were: (head and neck or otorhinolaryngology or ORL or thyroid) AND (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-COV-2] or COVID-19 or CORONAVIRUS). The results were limited to the year of 2020. Articles were read in English, Portuguese, French, German, and Spanish or translated from Chinese. All included articles were read by at least two authors. Thirty-five articles were included. Most articles suggest postponing elective surgeries, with exception to cancer surgeries, which should be evaluated separately. Twenty-five articles recommended some kind of screening prior to surgery, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and epidemiological data. Extra precautions, such as use of personal protective equipment (PPE), are suggested for both tracheostomies and endoscopies. Fifteen articles give recommendation on how to use telemedicine. Conclusion The use of PPE (N95 or powered air-purifying respirator [PAPR]) during procedures should be mandatory. Patients should be evaluated about their COVID-19 status before hospital admission. Cancer should be treated. Tracheostomy tube cuff should be inflated inside the tracheal incision. All COVID-19 precautions should be kept until there is a validated antiviral treatment or an available vaccine.