Hypoparathyroidism (hypoPT) is the most common complication following bilateral thyroid operations. Thyroid surgeons must employ strategies for minimizing and preventing post-thyroidectomy hypoPT. ...The objective of this American Thyroid Association Surgical Affairs Committee Statement is to provide an overview of its diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
HypoPT occurs when a low intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) level is accompanied by hypocalcemia. Risk factors for post-thyroidectomy hypoPT include bilateral thyroid operations, autoimmune thyroid disease, central neck dissection, substernal goiter, surgeon inexperience, and malabsorptive conditions. Medical and surgical strategies to minimize perioperative hypoPT include optimizing vitamin D levels, preserving parathyroid blood supply, and autotransplanting ischemic parathyroid glands. Measurement of intraoperative or early postoperative intact PTH levels following thyroidectomy can help guide patient management. In general, a postoperative PTH level <15 pg/mL indicates increased risk for acute hypoPT. Effective management of mild to moderate potential or actual postoperative hypoPT can be achieved by administering either empiric/prophylactic oral calcium and vitamin D, selective oral calcium, and vitamin D based on rapid postoperative PTH level(s), or serial serum calcium levels as a guide. Monitoring for rebound hypercalcemia is necessary to avoid metabolic and renal complications. For more severe hypocalcemia, inpatient management may be necessary. Permanent hypoPT has long-term consequences for both objective and subjective well-being, and should be prevented whenever possible.
In 2010, this Journal published my comprehensive review of the literature on hypertrophic scars and keloids. In that article, I presented evidence-based algorithms for the prevention and treatment of ...these refractory pathologic scars. In the ensuing decade, substantial progress has been made in the field, including many new randomized controlled trials. To reflect this, I have updated my review.
All studies were evaluated for methodologic quality. Baseline characteristics of patients were extracted along with the interventions and their outcomes. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and comprehensive reviews were included if available.
Risk factors that promote hypertrophic scar and keloid growth include local factors (tension on the wound/scar), systemic factors (e.g., hypertension), genetic factors (e.g., single-nucleotide polymorphisms), and lifestyle factors. Treatment of hypertrophic scars depends on scar contracture severity: if severe, surgery is the first choice. If not, conservative therapies are indicated. Keloid treatment depends on whether they are small and single or large and multiple. Small and single keloids can be treated radically by surgery with adjuvant therapy (e.g., radiotherapy) or multimodal conservative therapy. For large and multiple keloids, volume- and number-reducing surgery is a choice. Regardless of the treatment(s), patients should be followed up over the long term. Conservative therapies, including gel sheets, tape fixation, topical and injected external agents, oral agents, and makeup therapy, should be administered on a case-by-case basis.
Randomized controlled trials on pathologic scar management have increased markedly over the past decade. Although these studies suffer from various limitations, they have greatly improved hypertrophic scar and keloid management. Future high-quality trials are likely to improve the current hypertrophic scar and keloid treatment algorithms further.
ABSTRACTThe Banff Classification of Allograft Pathology is an international consensus classification for the reporting of biopsies from solid organ transplants. Since its initial conception in 1991 ...for renal transplants, it has undergone review every 2 years, with attendant updated publications. The rapid expansion of knowledge in the field has led to numerous revisions of the classification. The resultant dispersal of relevant content makes it difficult for novices and experienced pathologists to faithfully apply the classification in routine diagnostic work and in clinical trials. This review shall provide a complete and simple illustrated reference guide of the Banff Classification of Kidney Allograft Pathology based on all publications including the 2017 update. It is intended as a concise desktop reference for pathologists and clinicians, providing definitions, Banff Lesion Scores and Banff Diagnostic Categories. An online website reference guide hosted by the Banff Foundation for Allograft Pathology (www.banfffoundation.org) is being developed, which will be updated with future refinement of the Banff Classification from 2019 onward.
Abstract Introduction Revision surgery for failed total knee arthroplasty (TKA) continues to pose a substantial burden for patients, providers, and the United States healthcare system. Historically, ...leading causes for revision have included infection, osteolysis, loosening, stiffness, and instability. However, the predominant etiology of TKA failure has changed over time and may vary between reports based on many factors including study design, patient demographics and other regional factors. In order to effectively acknowledge modes of implant failure and maximize postoperative outcomes, it is essential to understand the present epidemiology of revision TKAs. This study aims to update the current literature on this topic by using a large national database. Specifically, we analyzed: 1) etiologies for revision TKA; 2) frequencies of revision TKA procedures; 3) various demographics including payer type and region; and 4) the length of stay (LOS) and total charges based on type of revision TKA procedure. Methods The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was used to identify all revision TKA procedures performed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013. The NIS is the largest publicly available all-payer inpatient healthcare database in the United States, yielding national estimates of hospital inpatient stays. Clinical, economic, and demographic data were collected and analyzed for 337,597 procedures. Patients were stratified according to etiology of failure, age, sex, race, US census region, and primary payor class. The mean length of stay and total charges were also calculated for each type of revision TKA procedure. Results Infection was the most common etiology for revision TKA (20.4%), closely followed by mechanical loosening (20.3%). The most common revision TKA procedure performed was all component revision (31.3%). Medicare was the primary payor for the greatest proportion of revision procedures (57.7%). The South census region performed the most revision TKA procedures (33.2%). The overall mean LOS was 4.5 days, with arthrotomy for removal of prosthesis without replacement procedures accounting for the longest stays (7.8 days). The mean total charge for revision TKA procedures was $75,028.07, with femoral component revisions demonstrating the highest charges ($90,065.11). Conclusion Infection and mechanical loosening are the leading indications for revision total knee arthroplasty in the United States. Additionally our analysis demonstrated higher rates of TKA revision in the South census region. Patients who underwent arthrotomy for removal of prosthesis without replacement procedures had the longest lengths of stay, and femoral component revisions incurred the highest charges. With the projected increase in primary TKAs performed annually, it is essential for orthopaedists to understand the factors contributing to implant failure and revision. Continued insight into the etiology and epidemiology of revision TKA procedures may be the principle step towards improving outcomes and mitigating the need for future revisions.
Intraoperative hypotension is a common side effect of general anaesthesia and might lead to inadequate organ perfusion. It is unclear to what extent hypotension during noncardiac surgery is ...associated with unfavourable outcomes.
We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL, and classified the quality of retrieved articles according to predefined adapted STROBE and CONSORT criteria. Reported strengths of associations from high-quality studies were classified into end-organ specific injury risks, such as acute kidney injury, myocardial injury, and stroke, and overall organ injury risks for various arterial blood pressure thresholds.
We present an overview of 42 articles on reported associations between various absolute and relative intraoperative hypotension definitions and their associations with postoperative adverse outcomes after noncardiac surgery. Elevated risks of end-organ injury were reported for prolonged exposure (≥10 min) to mean arterial pressures <80 mm Hg and for shorter durations <70 mm Hg. Reported risks increase with increased durations for mean arterial pressures <65–60 mm Hg or for any exposure <55–50 mm Hg.
The reported associations suggest that organ injury might occur when mean arterial pressure decreases <80 mm Hg for ≥10 min, and that this risk increases with blood pressures becoming progressively lower. Given the retrospective observational design of the studies reviewed, reflected by large variability in patient characteristics, hypotension definitions and outcomes, solid conclusions on which blood pressures under which circumstances are truly too low cannot be drawn. We provide recommendations for the design of future studies.
(PROSPERO ID). CRD42013005171.
Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) complicates 20-40% of cardiac surgical procedures and 10-20% of non-cardiac thoracic operations. Typical features include onset at 2-4 days postoperatively, ...episodes that are often fleeting and a self-limited time course. Associated adverse consequences of POAF include haemodynamic instability, increased risk of stroke, lengthened hospital and intensive care unit stays and greater costs. Underlying mechanisms are incompletely defined but include intraoperative and postoperative phenomena, such as inflammation, sympathetic activation and cardiac ischaemia, that combine to trigger atrial fibrillation, often in the presence of pre-existing factors, making the atria vulnerable to atrial fibrillation induction and maintenance. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms might enable the identification of new therapeutic targets. POAF can be prevented by targeting autonomic alterations and inflammation. β-Blocker prophylaxis is the best-established preventive therapy and should be started or continued before cardiac surgery, unless contraindicated. When POAF occurs, rate control usually suffices, and routine rhythm control is unnecessary; rhythm control should be reserved for patients who develop haemodynamic instability or show other indications that rate control alone will be insufficient. In this Review, we summarize the epidemiological and clinical features of POAF, the available pathophysiological evidence from clinical and experimental investigations, the results of prophylactic and therapeutic approaches and the consensus recommendations of various national and international societies.
A multicenter, prospective review of surgical patients with adult spine deformity.
Assessment of the incidence, risk factor, and impact of radiographical and implant-related complications (RIC) on ...health-related quality of life measures.
This study provides assessment of the incidence of RIC in adult spinal deformity surgery and impact of these complications on need for reoperation. Risk factors for development of RIC are also assessed, as well as the impact of these complications on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes measures.
A multicenter, prospective database of surgical patients with adult spinal deformity was reviewed. All patients with complete 2-year follow-up were included. HRQOL was measured using the Oswestry Disability Index, General Health Survey (36-Item Short Form Health Survey SF-36), and Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22r) at baseline, 6 weeks, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. Univariate testing was performed as appropriate. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to determine independent predictors of RIC. Multivariate repeated-measures mixed models were used to examine HRQOL, accounting for confounders.
A total of 245 patients met inclusion criteria. The incidence of RIC was 31.7% and 52.6% of those patients required reoperation. Rod breakage accounted for 47% of the implant-related complications, and proximal junctional kyphosis accounted for 54.5% of radiographical complications. Univariate analysis identified the following potential risk factors for RIC: weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, revision, stopping the fusion in the lower thoracic spine, worse SRS-Schwab classification modifiers (pelvic tilt++, pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis++, sagittal vertical axis++), higher T1 spinopelvic inclination, and higher T1 slope. Independent predictors of RIC as identified on multivariate logistic regression included American Society of Anesthesiologists (odds ratio: 1.75, P = 0.029) and sagittal vertical axis modifier ++ (odds ratio 3.43, P = 0.0001). The RIC and no RIC groups each experienced significant improvement over time, as measured on the Oswestry Disability Index (P = 0.0001), SF-36 (P = 0.0001), and SRS-22r (P = 0.0001). However, the rate of improvement over time was less for patients with RIC (SRS-22r P = 0.043, SF-36 P = 0.0001).
This study identified that nearly one-third of patients undergoing adult spinal deformity surgery experienced a radiographical or implant-related complication, and that just more than one-half of these patients experiencing complication required a reoperation within 2 years of surgery. These complications significantly affected HRQOL measures. Baseline patient characteristics and parameters of the SRS-Schwab classification can be used to help identify those patients at greater risk.
3.
ABSTRACTShort-term patient and graft outcomes continue to improve after kidney and liver transplantation, with 1-year survival rates over 80%; however, improving longer-term outcomes remains a ...challenge. Improving the function of grafts and health of recipients would not only enhance quality and length of life, but would also reduce the need for retransplantation, and thus increase the number of organs available for transplant. The clinical transplant community needs to identify and manage those patient modifiable factors, to decrease the risk of graft failure, and improve longer-term outcomes.COMMIT was formed in 2015 and is composed of 20 leading kidney and liver transplant specialists from 9 countries across Europe. The group’s remit is to provide expert guidance for the long-term management of kidney and liver transplant patients, with the aim of improving outcomes by minimizing modifiable risks associated with poor graft and patient survival posttransplant.The objective of this supplement is to provide specific, practical recommendations, through the discussion of current evidence and best practice, for the management of modifiable risks in those kidney and liver transplant patients who have survived the first postoperative year. In addition, the provision of a checklist increases the clinical utility and accessibility of these recommendations, by offering a systematic and efficient way to implement screening and monitoring of modifiable risks in the clinical setting.