The impact of socioeconomic status on 30-day mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection.

Socioeconomic status (SES) impacts outcome in a number of diseases. Our aim was to compare the outcome of hospitalized coronavirus disease 219 (COVID-19) patients in low and high SES group. Prospective cohort study of hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 in three acute hospitals. Electronic case notes were analyzed for baseline characteristics and admission investigations. Scottish index for multiple deprivation (SIMD) was used to divide patients into two groups: more deprived (SIMD 1-5) and less deprived (SIMD 6-10) and results compared. Poor outcome was defined as either need for intubation and/or death. One hundred and seventy-three patients were identified, one was excluded. One hundred and eight (62.8%) were males, mean age was 68.5 ± 14.7 years. Commonest comorbidity was hypertension 87 (50.6%). One hundred and seventeen (68.0%) patients were in more deprived group. Baseline characteristics, admission blood profile and reason for admission were evenly matched in both groups. Outcomes were comparable in both groups: transfer to critical care (27.4% vs 27.3%; P = .991), intubation (18.8% vs 20.2%; P = .853), 30-day all-cause mortality (19.7% vs 14.5%; P = .416) and overall poor outcome (30.8% vs 30.9%; P = .985). Median time to discharge was 7 days longer (17 vs 10 days; P = .018) and median time to death was 4.5 days longer in more deprived group (17 vs 12.5 days; P = .388). Contrary to recent literature on COVID-19 in other geographical areas, our study suggests that the SES does not have any impact on outcome of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, however it negatively impacts length of stay.

Achieving the critical view of safety in the difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective study of predictors of failure.

BACKGROUND: Bile duct injury rates for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) remain higher than during open cholecystectomy. The "culture of safety" concept is based on demonstrating the critical view of safety (CVS) and/or correctly interpreting intraoperative cholangiography (IOC). However, the CVS may not always be achievable due to difficult anatomy or pathology. Safety may be enhanced if surgeons assess difficulties objectively, recognise instances where a CVS is unachievable and be familiar with recovery strategies. AIMS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the achievability of the CVS during all consecutive LC performed over four years. The primary aim was to study the association between the inability to obtain the CVS and an objective measure of operative difficulty. The secondary aim was to identify preoperative and operative predictors indicating the use of alternate strategies to complete the operation safely. RESULTS: The study included 1060 consecutive LC. The median age was 53 years, male to female ratio was 1:2.1 and 54.9% were emergency admissions. CVS was obtained in 84.2%, the majority being difficulty grade I or II (70.7%). Displaying the CVS failed in 167 LC (15.8%): including 55.6% of all difficulty grade IV LC and 92.3% of difficulty grade V. There were no biliary injuries or conversions. CONCLUSION: All three components of the critical view of safety could not be demonstrated in one out of 6 consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Preoperative factors and operative difficulty grading can predict cases where the CVS may not be achievable. Adapting instrument selection and alternate dissection strategies would then need to be considered.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors do not increase the risk of poor outcomes in COVID-19 disease. A multi-centre observational study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hypertension is associated with an increased risk of severe outcomes with COVID-19 disease. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are widely used as a first line medication for the treatment of hypertension in the UK, although their use was suggested in early reports to increase the risk associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of hospitalised patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 was conducted across three hospital sites with patients identified on the 9th April 2020. Demographic and other baseline data were extracted from electronic case records, and patients grouped depending on ACE inhibitor usage or not. The 60-day all-cause mortality and need for intubation compared. RESULTS: Of the 173 patients identified, 88 (50.8%) had hypertension. Of these 27 (30.7%) used ACE inhibitors. We did not find significant differences in 60-day all-cause mortality, the requirement for invasive ventilation or length of stay between our patient cohorts after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to the growing evidence supporting the continued use of ACE inhibitors in COVID-19 disease, although adequately powered randomised controlled trials will be needed to confirm effects.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on core surgical training.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption in training which is even more pronounced in the surgical specialties. We aim to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on core surgical training. METHODS: All core surgical and improving surgical trainees in West of Scotland region were invited to participate in an online voluntary anonymous survey via SurveyMonkey. RESULTS: 28 of 44 (63.6%) trainees responded, 15 (53.6%) were CT1/ST1. 14 (50.0%) working in teaching hospital and 15 (53.6%) working in general surgery. 20 (71.4%) felt that due to the pandemic they have less opportunity to operate as the primary surgeon. 21 (75.0%) have not attended any outpatient clinics. 8 (28.6%) did not have any form of access to the laparoscopic box-trainer. 20 (71.4%) felt their level of confidence in preforming surgical skills has been negatively impacted. 18 (64.3%) found it difficult to demonstrate progress in portfolio. 21 (75.0%) trainees have not attended any teaching. 10 (35.7%) trainees have been off-sick. 8 (28.6%) trainees have felt slightly or significantly more stressed. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pandemic has an unprecedented negative impact on all aspects of core surgical training. The long term impact on the current cohort of trainees is yet to be seen.

Case report: incidental findings of COVID-19 infection on positron emission tomography/computed tomography for staging of a giant gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

We report the incidental finding of COVID-19 in a 59-year-old male, with no significant cardiorespiratory past medical history who underwent a fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan for investigation of a likely gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). There may be significant discrepancies between clinical symptoms and radiological severity with COVID-19 infection. FDG-PET scanning has the potential to complement traditional radiological imaging in COVID-19 in diagnosis of subclinical diagnosis or early stage disease, as well as monitoring disease progression.

Hartmann's Pouch Stones and Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: The Challenges and the Solutions.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Hartmann's pouch stones (HPS) encountered during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) may hinder safe dissection of the cystic pedicle or be complicated by mucocele, empyema, or Mirizzi syndrome; distorting the anatomy and increasing the risk of bile duct injury. We studied the incidence, presentations, operative challenges, and outcomes of HPS. METHODS: A cohort study of a prospectively maintained database of LCs and bile duct explorations performed by a single surgeon. Patients were divided into two groups: those with HPS and those without. Patients' demographics, clinical presentation, intra-operative findings, and postoperative outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Of the 5136 patients, 612 (11.9%) had HPS. The HPS group were more likely to present with acute cholecystitis (27.9% vs 5.9%, P = .000) and more patients underwent emergency LC (50.7% vs 41.5%, P = .000). The HPS group had more difficult cholecystectomies, with 46.1% vs 11.8% in the non-HPS group being operative difficulty grade 4 and 5. Mucocele, empyema, and Mirizzi syndrome were more common in the HPS group (24.0% vs 3.7% P = .000, 30.9% vs 3.7% P = .000, 1.8% vs 0.9% P = .000, respectively). There was no significant difference in the open conversion rate or complications. CONCLUSION: HPS increase the difficulty of LC. Surgeons should be aware of their presence and should employ appropriate dissection strategies. Sharp or diathermy dissection should be avoided. Dislodging the stone into the gall bladder, stone removal, swab dissection, and cholangiography are useful measures to avoid ductal injury and reduce the conversion rate.

Diagnostic laparoscopy to investigate unexplained lactic acidosis in critically ill patients - A descriptive single centre cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Unexplained lactic acidosis (LA) in a critically ill patient often prompts investigations to rule out any reversible intra-abdominal cause. Equivocal results can lead to an emergency laparotomy (EL) with subsequent high morbidity and mortality rates. Our objective was to determine the clinical impact of urgent diagnostic laparoscopy (UDL) in such patients. METHODS: This was a descriptive single-centre cohort study. UDL on 28 consecutive critically ill patients with unexplained LA who were referred to a single surgeon over 16 years period were analysed. UDL was proformed either at bedside or in theatre without prior computerised tomography (CT) scan. Patient's demographics, ASA grade, referral route and intraoperative findings were analysed. RESULTS: Eighteen patients underwent bedside UDL in the critical care setting and further 10 had UDL in theatre. Fourteen patients had normal UDL, out of these 10 had LA secondary to low cardiac output states. Fourteen patients had positive UDL findings. Seven patients had features of mesenteric ischaemia, two had gangrenous gallbladder, two had hepatic ischaemia, one patient had acute pancreatitis, one had gangrenous uterus and one had gastric volvulus. Five of the 14 patients with positive UDL were converted to laparotomy for definitive management. In total, of the 28 patients in the cohort, 23 patients avoided EL. CONCLUSION: UDL is useful and feasible investigation for unexplained LA in the critically ill patients and it can avoid unnecessary EL in many patients. We would recommend the use of UDL as a safe and feasible investigation in such patients.