Strategy for the management of acute postoperative pain in day surgery centres in Spain. DUCMA 2.0. project.

INTRODUCTION: Adequate treatment of acute postoperative pain is one of the quality requirements in ambulatory surgery and its suboptimal management is associated with delayed discharge, unplanned admissions and late admissions after home discharge. The aim of the present study was to learn about the organizational strategy for the management of postoperative pain in ambulatory surgery units (ASU) in Spain. METHODS: A cross-sectional, multicenter study was carried out based on an electronic survey on aspects related to the management of acute postoperative pain in different ASUs in our country. RESULTS: We recruited 133 ASUs of which 85 responded to the questions on the management of postoperative pain. Of the ASUs that responded, 80% had specific protocols for pain management and 37.6% provided preoperative information on the analgesic plan. The assessment of postoperative pain is carried out in 88.2% of the ASUs in the facility and only 56.5% at home. All ASUs use multimodal analgesia protocols; however, 68.2% report the use of opioids for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. Home invasive analgesia strategies are minimally used by the surveyed ASUs. CONCLUSIONS: The DUCMA study highlights that the practice of pain treatment in day surgery remains a challenge in our country and is not always in agreement with national guidelines. The results suggest the need to establish strategies to improve clinical practice and homogenize pain management in ambulatory surgery.

[Training of residents in abdominal wall surgery in Spain]. / Consideraciones en torno a la formación del residente en cirugía de pared abdominal en España.

The training of residents in abdominal wall surgery is a fundamental aspect of surgical training, representing globally 20% of its activity. In this paper, we analyze the current state of resident training in this kind of surgery in Spain, taking into account the broad spectrum it covers: general services, specific functional units, ambulatory surgery programs. To do this, based on the specifications of the specialty program, specific data were used from several different sources of direct information and a review of the results obtained by residents in hernia surgery. In general, our residents agree with their training and the recorded results are in line with objectives outlined in the program. However, it would be important to structure their teaching schedules, a rotation period in any specific unit and their involvement in outpatient surgery programs.

Could we reduce adhesions to the intra-abdominal mesh in the first week? Experimental study with different methods of fixation.

BACKGROUND: Adhesion formation is a major problem when a mesh is exposed to intraabodminal viscera, with potential severe complications (bowel occlusion, fistulas or abscesses). New methods for preventing adhesions from a polypropylene mesh placed intra-abdominally or to solve difficult situations, such as when the peritoneum cannot be closed during a TAPP repair for an inguinal hernia, are still being seeked. This study mimics in an animal model a situation that can be found in clinical practice during laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty. A polypropylene mesh could be exposed to the intra-abdominal cavity even when the peritoneum is closed due to different circumstances, with no options to guarantee the prosthetic material of being exposed to the intrabdominal viscera. Different options have been suggested to solve these situations, being proposed in this study to cover the visceral surface of the mesh with an absorbable sponge containing thrombin, fibrinogen, and clotting factors (Tachosil®, Nycomed, Takeda, Osaka, Japan), to assess its use as a barrier to prevent postoperative adhesion formation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty Wistar white rats (300-450 mg) were included in this study as experimental animals, being randomized into three groups (A, B, and C). We performed a bilateral prosthetic repair with conventional polypropylene mesh (2 × 2 cm, 82 kD). Prosthesis fixation was performed as follows. Group A: absorbable suture; group B: metal staples; group C: metal tackers. A piece of insulating absorbable sponge (Tachosil® 5 × 5 cm) was placed to cover the visceral surface of mesh placed at the right side of each animal. After 10 days, we performed a gross examination (by laparoscopy and laparotomy), measuring the quantity and the quality of the adhesions. Samples were taken for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: Tachosil®-treated prostheses showed a statistically significant decrease in the quality of the adhesion found (p < 0.05). In addition, a smaller quantity of adhesions was identified in barrier-treated animals, although this lacked statistical significance. The histologic analysis showed no significant differences: more edema with the untreated mesh and increased angiogenesis and a lower degree of necrosis in mesh covered with Tachosil®. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Tachosil® as a barrier material led to the absence of strong adhesions as it prevented direct contact between the mesh and the internal organs, preventing major problems associated with strong adhesions.

Laparoscopic treatment of cholelithiasis in cirrhotic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of laparoscopy in the treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis in patients with Child's Class A and Class B cirrhosis. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive and retrospective study. PATIENTS: We studied 14 patients (mean age 60 yrs) with Child's Class A and Class B hepatic cirrhosis who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We analyzed the occurrence of intraoperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Eight patients were women (57.14%) and 6 were men (42.85%). Eight of the 14 patients presented with Child's Class B cirrhosis and 6 patients with Class A. Cholecystectomy was programmed for all patients. The average duration of surgery was 77 min. Intraoperative complications occurred in 2 patients (14.28%) in the form of liver bed bleeding. Postoperative complications were observed in 3 patients (21.42%), 2 presented with ascites which led to a worsening of Child's Class in one of them, and the third patient presented with angina-like symptoms (acute, sharp pain in the chest irradiating to the back). Mean length of hospital stay was 3 days. No postoperative morbidity or mortality occurred, and there were no conversions. CONCLUSIONS: LC (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) is a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis in patients with well-compensated Child's Class A and Class B cirrhosis. Postoperative morbi-mortality is low, bleeding is unimportant, and both duration of surgical procedure and hospital stay are short.

[Is obesity a risk factor for complications, hospital admissions, and surgical cancellations in ambulatory surgery?]. / ¿Es la obesidad un factor de riesgo de complicaciones, ingresos y suspensiones quirúrgicas en cirugía mayor ambulatoria?

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of outcomes, unanticipated admissions and cancellations in patients operated in an Ambulatory surgery unit, and to establish the relationships with their body mass index (BMI). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An observational descriptive prospective study was conducted in the Ambulatory surgery unit of the University Hospital Virgen del Rocío of Seville, on ASA I or II adult patients proposed for day case surgery with loco-regional or general anesthesia. A cohort of 1,088 patients was classified according to their body mass index into four groups: no obesity (BMI<30), obesity i (BMI 30-34.9), obesity ii (BMI 35-39.9), and morbid obesity iii (BMI 40-49.9). Postoperative outcomes (48h), inpatient admissions, and cancellations where calculated. RESULTS: The obesity ii (BMI 35-39.9) group showed a higher incidence of postoperative complications (7.69%), unplanned admissions (7.69%), and surgical cancellations (4.87%), doubling, at least, the incidence of adverse events of the other study groups, even when no significant difference was found. Outcomes where similar in all study groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that moderate and severe obesity should be a risk factor for postoperative complications, unplanned admissions, and cancellations in outpatient surgery. Adequate patient selection and preoperative evaluation, as well as strategies for the prevention and control of the most frequents complications in obese patients are the key factors for their integration in major ambulatory surgery programs.

Antibiotic embedded absorbable prosthesis for prevention of surgical mesh infection: experimental study in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Ventral hernias are a common problem in a general surgery and hernioplasty is an integral part of a general surgeon's practice. The use of prosthetic material has drastically reduced the risk of recurrence, but has introduced additional potential complications such as surgical wound infections, adhesion formation, graft rejection, etc. The development of a wound infection in a hernia that is repaired with a prosthetic material is a grave complication, often requiring removal of the prosthesis. This experimental study examined efficacy of completely absorbable, hydrophilic, PGA-TMC (polyglycolic acid-trimethylene carbonate) prosthesis impregnated with antibiotic for reduction of infectious complications. METHODS: Antibiotic-impregnated PGA-TMC prostheses were placed intraperitoneally in 90 Wistar white rats that were randomized and distributed into four groups. Group 0 (23 rats): there were placed PGA-TMC prosthesis without antibiotic impregnation (control group). Group 1 (25 rats): meshes were placed and infected later with 1 × 10(8) UFC of S. aureus/1 ml/2 cm(2) (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, MD). Group 2 (21 rats): cefazolin-impregnated prostheses were placed (1 g × 100 ml, at the rate of 1 ml/cm(2) of prosthesis) and were subsequently infected with the same bacterial inoculate. Group 3 (21 rats): cefazolin-impregnated prostheses with double quantity of cefazolin and infected. A week later these animals were killed and specimens were extracted for bacterial quantification and histological studies. RESULTS: Evident decrease of bacterial colonization was observed in series 2 and 3 [the ones impregnated with cefazolin, in comparison with the group 1 (infected without previous antibiotic impregnation)] with statistically significant results (p < 0.00). Results were really positive when the antibiotic solution had been applied to the mesh. There have been formed adherences to the prosthesis when placing it in contact with intraabdominal viscera. However, cefazolin impregnation of the mesh has reduced an adhesion formation, mostly when the infection reached a minimum, inhibiting the inflammatory answer to the infection in a prosthetic material. CONCLUSION: Impregnation of the absorbable hydrophilic prosthesis PGA-TMC with cefazolin prevents the infection of the prosthesis placed in infected localization. Therefore, we think this option should be considered as a new and useful alternative in case of contaminated and dirty surgical fields or when a replacement of the prosthesis is required.

[Surgery in the treatment of nonvaricose upper digestive hemorrhages]. / La cirugía en el tratamiento de las hemorragias digestivas altas no varicosas.

The surgical treatment in 154 patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, was analyzed retrospectively. One hundred and twenty-two were males (79.2%) and 20.7% were females. Mean age was 58.3 years. Surgery was performed immediately or on a wait and see fashion, according to the evolution of the bleeding, during 1985-1989. Survivals were analyzed with the chi-square test with 95% confidence limits. Overall mortality was 11.68% (18 patients), 12.69% after immediate surgery and 9.1% after deferred surgery. Resections had a higher mortality than simple suture in patients with associated severe risk and urgent surgical indication. In patients with less risk, a vagotomy procedure is added if no intercurrent diseases are present. Gastrectomy should be performed only out of necessity.

[Therapy of ulcer recurrence after vagotomy of oxyntic cells with sucralfate]. / Tratamiento de las recidivas ulcerosas tras vagotomía de células oxínticas (VCO) con sucralfato.

Several methods of treatment have been proposed for the recurrences of peptic ulcers after surgery; they consist of different forms of re-operation, medical treatment (H2 receptors antagonists, cytoprotectors, etc...). First, it is convenient to establish the cause of the recurrence and to rule out the presence of hypersecretory conditions, as inadequate previous surgery or a non identified gastrinoma. Because of the enhancing effect of the cytoprotective drugs on the defense mechanisms of the mucosal barrier, the group of patients with limited acid secretion and recurrent ulcer may obtain benefit from these drugs. To demonstrate this hypothesis we realized a prospective study on 30 patients with recurrent gastro-duodenal peptic ulcer after parietal cell vagotomy without drainage; all the patients were treated with sucralfate during two months. The results can be considered favourable, with endoscopic healing of the ulcer in more than 50% of the cases at the end of the treatment.

[Risk of carcinoma of the stomach after vagotomy]. / Riesgo de carcinoma gástrico tras vagotomía.

To evaluate the influence of vagotomy in the development of gastric carcinoma, we conducted a prospective, controlled study of 183 patients diagnosed of gastric or duodenal peptic ulcer resistant to medical treatment; all cases had been treated by oxyntic cell vagotomy, without drainage, in the Departamento de Cirugía del Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla. Once a year all patients were clinically, radiologically and endoscopically evaluated. In 149 patients followed during 14 years, we did not find any case of carcinoma or premalignant lesions. Therefore, our experience does not suggest that, in the absence of drainage, vagotomy constitutes a contributory factor in the development of gastric carcinoma.

[The long-term results of the surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux by the pexis of the round ligament]. / Resultados a largo plazo del tratamiento quirúrgico del reflujo gastroesofágico mediante pexia con el ligamento redondo.

A prospective study was began in 1973 of the treatment of pathological gastroesophageal reflux and its complications using the round ligament (ligamentum teres) for gastropexy. A total of 116 patients were operated until 1987 and 100 are evaluated (77% over five years postoperation). Diagnostic procedures and surgical indications are evaluated, periodic controls were established including clinical, radiographic and gastroduodenoscopic evaluation. The results obtained in this group were satisfactory following "Frenchay Hospital" of Bristol criteria (94% favorable results) with an estimated endoscopic recurrence of 5%. The mortality was nil and complications were minimal. We conclude that this procedure should be considered among the surgical options for resolving the pathological gastroesophageal reflux and its complications, in view of the minimal morbidity, absence of mortality and excellent results obtained.

Hemobilia secondary to chronic cholecystitis.

The term hemobilia is used to describe the presence of blood in the biliary tract. We report a case of symptomatic hemobilia associated with chronic cholecystitis in a 57-year-old man with jaundice, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and epigastric pain. We review the etiology of this condition and highlight the role of abdominal ultrasonography in its diagnosis. In our case, abdominal ultrasonography revealed the presence of clots inside the gallbladder. The clinical condition was resolved by means of a cholecystectomy. The patient had an uneventful recovery.

[The treatment of upper digestive hemorrhages due to duodenal ulcer by direct hemostasis and vagotomy of the oxyntic cells]. / Tratamiento de las hemorragias digestivas altas por úlcera duodenal mediante hemostasia directa y vagotomía de células oxínticas.

Management of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage continues to present a challenge in surgical judgment. To evaluate the incidence of rebleeding, ulcer recurrence, mortality and morbidity derived from the surgical technique, we made a prospective study in patients with active bleeding duodenal ulcer (endoscopy diagnosis in all cases), excluding patients with serious intercurrent diseases NSAIDS intake drugs and over seventy years of age. In 49 patients, oxyntic cell vagotomy with undersewing bleeding ulcer were performed in the period 1972-1984. Periodic controls were established, included clinical, radiographic and gastroduodenoscopic evaluation. Five years after operation 35 patients could be evaluated. In these cases, mortality was nil. No early rebleeding was observed. Long term endoscopic results showed only 2.85% of relapses. The results obtained in this study show that oxyntic cell vagotomy with undersewing bleeding ulcer may be a technique of choice in the treatment of bleeding duodenal ulcers and it should be more extensively used in emergency services.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the treatment of biliary lithiasis: outpatient surgery or short stay unit?

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of clinical and surgical factors in a series of patients subjected to laparoscopic cholecystectomy in an outpatient unit and their relationship with time of discharge and patient acceptance. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Eighty one consecutive patients underwent to elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy during year 2002 within S.A.S. (Andalusian Health Service) from a surgical waiting list. Retrospective and comparative study between two groups: group A includes patients discharged between 24 and 48 hours after intervention; group B includes patients discharged in less than 24 hours. We analyse the clinical and surgical characteristics and post-operative outcome of both groups of patients. RESULTS: Group A was composed of 53 patients and group B of 28 patients. Factors of clinical significance which determined discharge after 24 hours included: early post-surgical incidences or complications (p = 0.017), inability to tolerate oral diet (p = 0.002), and doubts and feelings insecurity of patients regarding discharge by traditional means 62.3% (p = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and reliable procedure with a high acceptance rate and few complications. Perhaps traditional culture has to be changed to obtain better results.

[Double cancer of the gallbladder]. / Cáncer doble de vesícula biliar.

A patient is presented with two independent gallbladder carcinomas, squamous and adenocarcinoma which appeared to be independent. The pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis are discussed and a review of the literature is offered.

[Levels of satisfaction and perceived quality in a day surgery unit of a tertiary referral hospital].

INTRODUCTION: Surgical and anesthetic advances have allowed an adequate develop at the day surgery programs, with a rational application and cost-effectiveness of the hospital resorts. The aim of this study, is to know the level of quality perceived in surgical treatment in a program of day surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomised selection of 204 patients from a series of 751 operated, between April-May 2001 in a day-surgery institution, was done. Phone questionnaire was done following protocol SERCAL (sociodemographic factors and general satisfaction, accessibility, personal assistance, guarantee and fidelity service) with validation for day surgery programs. Absolute and relatives frequencies were evaluated for dichotomous and categoric variables and medium and standard deviation for numeric variables. Possible differences were evaluated by chi2 test in qualitative variables and Student's t and ANOVA test for quantitative variables. RESULTS: Response index was 70.1%. Satisfaction general index was 9.1%, for 18 numeric items (range 0-10). Social and demographic items show that the best validity of treatment were by elderly, women, retired and low cultural patients. Data reduction by factorial analysis showed 4 factors with incidence (total variance 71.62%): Scientific-technical guarantee service and adequate personal treatment (Cronbach's alpha 0.9060), comfortable and security assistance (Cronbach's alpha 0.8708), accessibility to hospital and professionals (Cronbach's alpha 0.0652), accessibility to surgical service. CONCLUSIONS: General satisfaction of the patients treated in the day-surgery program was high, 9.1 (range 0-10). 88.8% patients would recommend this type of treatment to their parents or friends and in 84.3% would repeat the same experience in the surgery unit. The best appreciate items were the direct treatment and relation, respect, intimacy and information along the assistential circuit by implicated professionals. The worst identified item was the time past in waiting surgical list.

La anestesia local con sedación como técnica de primera elección en la cirugía de hernia inguinal en régimen ambulatorio: rápida recuperación postoperatoria, alta seguridad y optimización de recursos / Local anesthesia with sedation as elective procedure in day ucise groin hernioplasty: quick postoperative recovery, high security and saving resources

Introducción: La anestesia local con sedación (ALS) se considera la técnica ‘gold estándar’ en la hernioplastia inguinal unilateral abierta, a pesar de que la anestesia raquídea (AR) sigue siendo la técnica más empleada en la práctica clínica diaria. La ALS parece aportar importantes ventajas con respecto a la AR, especialmente en el ámbito de la cirugía sin ingreso (CSI). El objetivo de este trabajo es demostrar los beneficios de ALS frente a AR en la hernioplastia inguinal en cuanto a los tiempos postoperatorios y las complicaciones postoperatorias en una unidad quirúrgica que realiza el 100 % de su actividad en régimen de Cirugía Mayor Ambulatoria (CMA). Material y método: 25 pacientes sometidos a hernioplastia inguinal con ALS y 25 con AR fueron incluidos en un estudio observacional retrospectivo comparativo. El estado clínico (ASA), el tipo de anestesia, los tiempos de recuperación en la Unidad de Recuperación Postanestésica (URPA), en la Unidad de Readaptación al Medio (URM) y durante su convalecencia en domicilio fueron comparados. Se registró cualquier complicación detectada en el periodo postoperatorio hasta el alta definitiva en ambos grupos. Resultados: Todos los pacientes fueron intervenidos según lo previsto. El tiempo de estancia media en URPA y URM, así como el tiempo transcurrido para recuperar la actividad normal tras la intervención, fueron significativamente inferiores en el grupo ALS. Las complicaciones fueron menos frecuentes y menos severas en el grupo ALS. Conclusión: Este trabajo afianza la ALS como técnica más adecuada que la AR para la intervención de hernia inguinal unilateral abierta en régimen de CMA (AU)

Introduction: Local anesthesia with sedation (LAS) is the ‘gold standar’ anesthetic technique in open groin hernioplasty, even if raquidea anesthesia (RA) is actually the most frequent anesthesia technique at the moment. LAS could contribute several advantages in this procedure especially in day case surgery. The main goal of this report is to show the benefits of LAS for groin hernioplasty regarding postoperative recovery times and outcomes in an only outpatient surgery unit. Material and methods: A 25 LAS group and a 25 RA group were enrolled in this observational retrospective comparative study. The clinical status (ASA), anesthetic technique, the Postanesthetic recovery Unit (PARU) recovery time, time before discharge, and time required to normal activity were compared. Any postoperative outcome was recorded. Results: All patients were operated as planned. Recovery times were shorter in the LAS group. Outcomes were more infrequent as well less severe in the LAS group. Conclusion: This report demonstrates that LAS is the most suitable anesthetic technique for unilateral open groin herniorraphy in Day case (AU)