Avoiding, diagnosing and treating well leg compartment syndrome after pelvic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing prolonged pelvic surgery may develop compartment syndrome of one or both lower limbs in the absence of direct trauma or pre-existing vascular disease (well leg compartment syndrome). This condition may have devastating consequences for postoperative recovery, including loss of life or limb, and irreversible disability. METHODS: These guidelines represent the collaboration of a multidisciplinary group of colorectal, vascular and orthopaedic surgeons, acting on behalf of their specialty associations in the UK and Ireland. A systematic analysis of the available peer-reviewed literature was undertaken to provide an evidence base from which these guidelines were developed. RESULTS: These guidelines encompass the risk factors (both patient- and procedure-related), diagnosis and management of the condition. Key recommendations for the adoption of perioperative strategies to facilitate prevention and effective treatment of well leg compartment syndrome are presented. CONCLUSION: All surgeons who carry out abdominopelvic surgical procedures should be aware of well leg compartment syndrome, and instigate policies within their own institution to reduce the risk of this potentially life-changing complication.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of vein cuffs for below-knee synthetic bypass.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to investigate the possible benefit of vein cuffs for femoral to below-knee popliteal and femorodistal vessel synthetic bypass grafts. METHODS: PubMed, the Cochrane library, Embase and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for all studies on any clinical effect of vein cuffs on synthetic grafts. Outcomes were selected based on inclusion in two or more studies: primary patency and limb survival. The data were subjected to meta-analysis by outcome. RESULTS: Three cohort and two randomized studies were selected for inclusion, involving 885 patients. Meta-analysis of five studies examining below-knee popliteal bypass showed a significant improvement for primary patency in cuffed grafts at 2 years, but not at 1 or 3 years (odds ratio at 2 years 0·46, 95 per cent confidence interval 0·22 to 0·97; P = 0·04). Limb salvage was significantly improved in cuffed grafts up to 2 years. Limb survival was also improved for cuffed distal grafts at 2 years (odds ratio 0·29, 0·11 to 0·75; P = 0·01) but showed no difference at any other time interval. Study quality was generally poor, with conflicting results. CONCLUSION: There was a small but significant benefit for vein cuffs on synthetic grafts used for femoral to below-knee popliteal anastomoses, but little benefit for femorodistal anastomoses.

Does earlier detection of critically ill patients on surgical wards lead to better outcomes?

INTRODUCTION: Patients at risk of catastrophic deterioration are often identified too late. Delayed identification of sick patients and delayed referral to intensive care units might be associated with poor outcomes. The goal of the review is to assess the potential impact of systems that enable early detection of critically ill surgical patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Medline search was performed in September 2004. Other articles were identified using the bibliographies of papers found through Medline. All interventional trials reviewing the effect of Critical Care Outreach and Medical Emergency Teams were reviewed. RESULTS: There is evidence that simple algorithms based on bedside observations can identify a large proportion of sick patients on general wards. Non-randomised studies have shown mixed results on impact of these interventions on mortality, cardiopulmonary arrests and intensive care admissions. The majority of studies do not specifically address surgical patients. A ward-based randomised trial from the UK seems to suggest improved mortality following the introduction of a Critical Care Outreach service with an Early Warning Score. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The literature about Critical Care Outreach and Medical Emergency teams is characterised by methodological weaknesses. However there is a common suggestion that early detection might improve outcome of critically ill surgical patients.

The pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of the acute coagulopathy of trauma and shock: a literature review.

BACKGROUND: The acute coagulopathy of trauma and shock is associated with significant mortality and, currently, there are no validated laboratory tests which allow for a rapid recognition and treatment of this condition. Therefore, early detection of any clot abnormality in trauma could improve the diagnosis of trauma-associated coagulopathy and subsequent interventions. METHODS: Review of the literature. RESULTS: The standard laboratory tests, including prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time, are unreliable and describe only an isolated fragment of the complex coagulation pathways. Additionally, thromboelastography and thromboelastometry operate in a non-linear regime which implies that clot formation is the product of both the clotting process and the effect of the measurement. The assessment of the clot microstructure using a scanning electron microscope has resulted in a subjective analysis of a clot structure, showing also poor correlation between the coagulation pathways and clot development. The fractal dimension provides information on the structure and quality of the initial clot, which subsequently acts as a template for how the mature clot will behave. However, these data require further verification in an in vivo setting. At present, the treatment of the coagulopathy is delivered by empirically administered massive transfusion protocols, which lack a specific target for replacement therapy. CONCLUSIONS: There is enough evidence to demonstrate that we urgently need a robust test, which would determine and quantify both the rate and the extent of coagulation abnormalities. This could help to tailor the treatment of coagulopathy according to the patient's needs.

Phraseology in pathology reports. A comparative study of interpretation among pathologists and surgeons.

This questionnaire based study compared the interpretation, use and preferences, among pathologists and surgeons, of descriptive phrases found in surgical reports. The results show that there is a wide variation in individual interpretation of phrases in both groups. The frequency of usage of phrases by pathologists and preference for phrases by surgeons were also diverse. The adoption of a limited number of descriptive phrases that are mutually understood and acceptable for use by both pathologists and clinicians is recommended to avoid interpretive ambiguity in pathology reports.

The effects of platelet inhibitors on platelet uptake and restenosis after femoral angioplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of two platelet inhibitors, aspirin and iloprost, on platelet uptake and restenosis at the site of angioplasty in patients undergoing femoral or popliteal angioplasty. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Prospective, open, randomised group comparison. SETTING: Two university hospitals. PATIENTS: 43 patients undergoing femoral or popliteal angioplasty were randomised. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received either aspirin (300 mg/day), iloprost (8 hours/day i.v. infusion) or no antiplatelet medication during angioplasty and on the subsequent two days. MEASURES: Platelet uptake was measured using 111Indium-labelled platelets. Restenosis was assessed by repeat angiography at 3 months and clinical symptoms up to 12 months. RESULTS: Median changes in platelet uptake were similar in the three treatment groups, but all platelet radioactivity ratios > 2.0 occurred in the control group. Restenosis at 3 months was observed in 3 control, 5 aspirin and 1 iloprost patient. Further surgical intervention was performed in 3 control and 3 aspirin patients, but in none of the iloprost patients up to 12 months after angioplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Antiplatelet therapy may prevent large increases in platelet deposition at the angioplasty site, but the link between platelet deposition and restenosis was not substantiated in this study.

Problematic renal calculi presenting during pregnancy.

Urinary tract calculi presenting during pregnancy are rare, with less than 0.1% of pregnancies being associated with stones, the vast majority being asymptomatic and a chance finding. We outline six cases treated over an 8-year period. They presented with combinations of pain, sepsis and obstruction. Intervention was required in four cases: insertion of antegrade nephrostomy, double-J stent, Dormia basket stone extraction, open pyelolithotomy and induction of labour. In each case the pregnancy had a successful outcome. Renal colic can precipitate premature labour. Delayed diagnosis and intervention can result in permanent renal impairment. Ionising radiation and anaesthetic agents may be harmful during pregnancy. The problem is rarely encountered and we therefore present information on the relative risks in each trimester of exposure to the mother and fetus and present a clinical algorithm for the management of these patients.

Vascular trauma in civilian practice.

Vascular trauma is associated with major morbidity and mortality, but little is known about its incidence or nature in Britain. A retrospective study of 36 patients requiring operative intervention for vascular trauma under one vascular surgeon over a 6-year period was undertaken. Twenty-four patients suffered iatrogenic trauma (median age 61 years); including cardiological intervention (19), radiological intervention (2), varicose vein surgery (1), umbilical vein catherisation (1) and isolated hyperthermic limb perfusion (1). There were 23 arterial and three venous injuries. Twelve patients had accidental trauma (median age 23 years). Three of the ten patients with blunt trauma were referred for vascular assessment before orthopaedic intervention, two after an on-table angiogram and five only after an initial orthopaedic procedure (range of delay 6 h to 10 days). Injuries were arterial in nine, venous in two and combined in one. Angiography was obtained in six patients, and in two patients with multiple upper limb fractures identified the site of injury when clinical localisation was difficult. A variety of vascular techniques were used to treat the injuries. Two patients died postoperatively and one underwent major limb amputation. Thirty-two (89%) remain free of vascular sequelae after a median follow-up of 48 months (range 3-72 months). Vascular trauma is uncommon in the United Kingdom. To repair the injuries a limited repertoire of vascular surgery techniques is needed. Therefore, vascular surgical assessment should be sought at an early stage to prevent major limb loss.

Caesarean delivery in a parturient with a femoro-femoral crossover graft and congenital aortic stenosis repaired by the Ross procedure.

We report a case of a patient with congenital aortic stenosis previously repaired using the Ross procedure, who presented to our unit for urgent caesarean delivery. Management was complicated by moderate residual cardiac disease and the presence of a suprapubic femoro-femoral crossover graft. Following application of five-lead electrocardiogram and invasive blood pressure monitoring, anaesthesia was induced via combined spinal-epidural with epidural volume extension. A high transverse surgical approach avoided the course of the vascular graft, while further precautions included the immediate availability of vascular surgeons and cell salvage. Our anaesthetic technique was tailored to minimise disruption to cardiovascular function, and in particular to limit regurgitant flow across the pulmonary valve. This case highlights the value of early identification of high-risk parturients and multidisciplinary involvement at delivery. Risk stratification in the patient with grown-up congenital heart disease is based upon timely evaluation of the underlying congenital pathology, surgical history and subsequent functional status.

Does the addition of clonidine affect duration of analgesia of bupivacaine wound infiltration in inguinal hernia surgery?

We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind study to compare analgesia obtained by wound infiltration using 29 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine alone, or with the addition of clonidine hydrochloride 150 micrograms. A third group received bupivacaine wound infiltration with clonidine 150 micrograms i.m. to control for the systemic effects caused by absorption of clonidine. We studied 46 adults undergoing elective inguinal hernia repair. The general anaesthetic technique, postoperative analgesia and wound infiltration technique were standardized. There was no difference in time to first analgesic request or to total analgesic consumption between the three groups during the 24-h study. Visual analogue scores (VAS) at rest and after coughing were noted over a 24-h period. The only difference was higher VAS scores at rest at 24 h in the control group who received i.m. clonidine. We conclude that for elective inguinal hernia repair, postoperative analgesia obtained by bupivacaine wound infiltration was not improved by the addition of clonidine 150 micrograms.

Theatre footwear: a health hazard?

Theatre footwear frequently appears to be contaminated with blood. We assessed objectively the nature and degree of contamination of theatre shoes after cleaning. Two hundred pairs of theatre shoes were randomly selected from three hospitals in South East Wales. Hospital 1 (H1), 100 pairs of shoes, Hospital 2 (H2), 40, Hospital 3 (H3), 60. They were examined for general appearance, the presence of bacterial pathogens and blood, using a leuchomalachite green assay. The majority of shoes were dirty, 63% in H1, 80% in H2, and 95% in H3. Six per cent of shoes in H1, 2.5% in H2 and 0% in H3 were contaminated with staphylococcus aureus. No shoes were contaminated with pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thirty six per cent of shoes in H1, 40% in H2 and 57% in H3 were contaminated with blood. In H1 it was possible to determine the grade of staff to whom the shoes belonged. Fifty eight per cent of consultant surgeons' shoes tested positive for blood, 50% of junior surgeons, 16% of operating department assistants and none of nurses' theatre shoes. The high level of blood contamination following cleaning may pose a potential HIV or hepatitis B risk to patients, manual shoe cleaner and surgeons. We have demonstrated that current shoe cleaning practices are ineffective. We propose methods that should eliminate this risk. Procedures will need to be defined.

An assessment of the long saphenous vein for potential use as a vascular conduit after varicose vein surgery.

PURPOSE: There is controversy in the surgical management of varicose veins between stripping of the long saphenous vein (LSV) and high ligation. Moreover, preservation of the LSV is desirable for future coronary or peripheral artery bypass. We have studied 75 limbs in 44 patients after high saphenous ligation with multiple stab phlebectomy. METHODS: Subjective assessment of the outcome of surgery was made with a linear analog scale, and objective cosmetic outcome was assessed by an independent observer (LF) who had not been involved in the surgical treatment of these patients with our modification from the criteria first described by Jakobsen. Patency, length, and diameter of the LSV was measured 6 to 14 months (mean 12 months) after operation with a duplex scanner and a color-flow scanner. Valvular incompetence in the LSV and perforators was also assessed. RESULTS: Results show a good subjective and objective outcome in 95% and 97% of limbs, respectively. The LSVs were patent from ankle to groin in 68% and from ankle to knee in 82%, with a mean diameter of 4.0 +/- 0.1 mm (mean +/- SEM). There was no statistically significant difference in symptomatic outcome and presence of reflux in the LSV (X2 = 0.465; p = 0.4954; NS) or objective cosmetic outcome and the presence of reflux in the LSV (chi 2 = 2.916; p = 0.0877; NS). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that high saphenofemoral ligation combined with multiple "stab avulsions" preserves an LSV with characteristics suggesting suitability for future use as a vascular prosthesis with good early symptomatic and cosmetic results.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: incidental carcinoma of the gallbladder with abdominal wall and axillary node metastasis.

A case report is presented of intra-mural gallbladder carcinoma discovered incidentally after laparoscopic cholecystectomy who subsequently developed abdominal wall recurrence at the epigastric exit port, and axillary lymph node metastases. Possible preventative steps for tumour dissemination and a management plan if incidental carcinoma is diagnosed is discussed. The use of a non-porous retrieval bag, early recognition of the carcinoma and excision of the exit wound are advocated.