-
Journal of Clinical Medicine Nov 2023With new variants challenging the effectiveness of preventive measures, we are beginning to recognize the reality that COVID-19 will continue to pose an endemic threat.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
With new variants challenging the effectiveness of preventive measures, we are beginning to recognize the reality that COVID-19 will continue to pose an endemic threat. The manifestations of COVID-19 in lung transplant recipients during index admission are poorly understood with very few cases reported in recent lung transplant recipients. Optimal management of immunosuppression and antiviral therapy in recent transplant recipients is challenging.
METHODS
We performed a retrospective analysis identifying lung transplant recipients at our institution who contracted COVID-19 in the immediate postoperative period (within index admission). In addition, we performed a systematic review from January 2020 to August 2023 identifying all publications on the PUBMED database regarding COVID-19 infection in lung transplant recipients during index admission.
RESULTS
We report four cases of COVID-19 pneumonia in lung transplant recipients in the immediate postoperative period and we describe the clinical course, treatment options, and immunosuppression changes to manage this unique clinical problem. All patients made a full recovery and were eventually discharged home. Within our review of the literature, the most prevalent presenting symptoms were cough, dyspnea, and fatigue. Six (75%) patients decreased or held their antimetabolite. The two most common treatments were monoclonal antibodies (38%) and remdesivir (63%).
CONCLUSION
Although previous literature demonstrates that COVID-19 can be deadly in recent lung transplant recipients, rapid treatment with anti-viral therapy/immunotherapy, deescalating immunosuppression, and treatment of respiratory decompensation with Decadron was effective in our patients.
PubMed: 38002643
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12227028 -
Medicine Aug 2023Duloxetine, a serotonin-norepinephrine dual reuptake inhibitor, may improve analgesia after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). However, there is still no consensus on its... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Duloxetine, a serotonin-norepinephrine dual reuptake inhibitor, may improve analgesia after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). However, there is still no consensus on its effectiveness and safety. We conducted the meta-analysis to investigate the analgesic effect and safety of duloxetine for the treatment of patients received total knee or hip arthroplasty.
METHODS
Pubmed, Cochrane Central Registry for Clinical Trials, Embase, OVID, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched using a predetermined search strategy from inception to September 21, 2022. Only randomized controlled trials of duloxetine in treatment of patients after total knee or hip arthroplasty were included. Data collection and extraction, quality assessment, and data analyses were performed according to the Cochrane standards.
RESULTS
A total of 8 randomized controlled trials with 739 patients were included in the literature review of postoperative pain and adverse effects. The result of meta-analysis showed statistically significant lower opioid requirement with duloxetine (P < .05) for the different postoperative period. Duloxetine group had significant reductions in visual analog score for the 24-hour (walking: WMD = -0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.69 to -0.26, P = .007; resting: WMD = -1.06; 95%CI = -1.85 to -0.27, P = .008) and 1-week (walking: WMD = -0.96; 95%CI = -1.42 to -0.50, P < .001; resting: WMD = -0.69; 95%CI = -1.22 to -0.16, P = .01); knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score over 3-month (WMD = 2.94; 95%CI = -0.30 to 6.18, P = .008) and complication (odds ratio = 4.74; 95%CI = 0.23 to 96.56, P = .01) postoperative period compared with the control group. However, no difference on numeric rating scale (P > .05) for the different postoperative period; visual analog score (P > .05) for the 6-week or 3-month and knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (P > .05) for the 6-week postoperative period. Furthermore, it did not increase the incidence of adverse effects (odds ratio = 0.87; 95%CI = 0.72 to 1.05, P = .15).
CONCLUSION
Duloxetine could decrease the opioids consumption and relieve early postoperative pain without increasing the risk of adverse medication effects in patients undergoing total knee or hip arthroplasty. Considering the ongoing opioid epidemic, duloxetine could act as a good supplement in multimodal pain management protocol for patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty.
Topics: Humans; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; Duloxetine Hydrochloride; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Pain Management; Knee Joint; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Analgesics, Opioid; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37653762
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034895 -
British Journal of Anaesthesia Jul 2023Postoperative ulnar neuropathy (PUN) is an injury manifesting in the sensory or motor distribution of the ulnar nerve after anaesthesia or surgery. The condition... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Postoperative ulnar neuropathy (PUN) is an injury manifesting in the sensory or motor distribution of the ulnar nerve after anaesthesia or surgery. The condition frequently features in cases of alleged clinical negligence by anaesthetists. We performed a systematic review and applied narrative synthesis with the aim of summarising current understanding of the condition and deriving implications for practice and research.
METHODS
Electronic databases were searched up to October 2022 for primary research, secondary research, or opinion pieces defining PUN and describing its incidence, predisposing factors, mechanism of injury, clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and prevention.
RESULTS
We included 83 articles in the thematic analysis. PUN occurs after approximately 1 in 14 733 anaesthetics. Men aged 50-75 yr with pre-existing ulnar neuropathy are at highest risk. Preventative measures, based on consensus and expert opinion, are summarised, and an algorithm of suspected PUN management is proposed, based upon the identified literature.
CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative ulnar neuropathy is rare and the incidence is probably decreasing over time with general improvements in perioperative care. Recommendations to reduce the risk of postoperative ulnar neuropathy are based on low-quality evidence but include anatomically neutral arm positioning and padding intraoperatively. In selected high-risk patients, further documentation of repositioning, intermittent checks, and neurological examination in the recovery room can be helpful.
Topics: Male; Humans; Ulnar Neuropathies; Ulnar Nerve; Anesthesia; Postoperative Period; Incidence
PubMed: 37198029
DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2023.04.010 -
European Journal of Pain (London,... May 2022Children with cognitive impairment (CI) are at risk of experiencing pain. Several specific pain rating scales have been developed to date. Thus, the aim of this... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Children with cognitive impairment (CI) are at risk of experiencing pain. Several specific pain rating scales have been developed to date. Thus, the aim of this meta-analysis was to estimate the degree of reliability of different pain assessment scales for the postoperative pain in children with CI.
DATABASES AND DATA TREATMENT
PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were approached: all studies validating and/or using pain assessment tool in children (0-20 years) with CI published in English from the 1st of January 2000 to the 1st of January 2022 were included. Only studies reporting the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to evaluate the concordance between caregivers' and external researchers' scores were eligible.
RESULTS
Twelve studies were included (586 children with CI, 60% males; weighted mean age 9.9 years - range 2-20). Five of them evaluated the Non-Communicating Children's Pain Checklist-Postoperative Version (NCCPC-PV) scale whereas four the original and revised Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale. The analysis showed an overall ICC value of 0.76 (0.74-0.78) for the NCCPC-PV scale, with a high heterogeneity index (I = 97%) and 0.87 (0.84-0.90) for the FLACC scale, with a discrete I index (59%).
CONCLUSIONS
The NCCPC-PV and FLACC pain rating scales showed the strongest evidence for validity and reliability for assessing postoperative pain in children with CI. However, due to the high heterogeneity of the studies available, these results should not be considered conclusive.
SIGNIFICANCE
This review is focused on the assessment of pain in children with CI in the postoperative period. Simplified observation-based pain assessment tools that rely on evaluating non-verbal expressions of pain should be recommended for children with difficulties to communicate their feelings. Even if there is a high degree of heterogeneity in clinical presentations among youth with CI, two tools (NCCPC-PV and FLACC) have emerged as reliable and valid in this population.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Checklist; Child; Child, Preschool; Cognitive Dysfunction; Female; Humans; Male; Pain Measurement; Pain, Postoperative; Reproducibility of Results; Young Adult
PubMed: 35271756
DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1936 -
Archives of Plastic Surgery May 2023Hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease (SCD) are traditionally considered a relative contraindication to free tissue transfer, due to concerns that erythrocyte...
Hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease (SCD) are traditionally considered a relative contraindication to free tissue transfer, due to concerns that erythrocyte sickling will increase the risk of microvascular thrombosis and flap failure. This article describes a case report with the successful use of free tissue transfer in a patient with SCD and provides a systematic literature review on free tissue transfer in SCD. A retrospective chart review was performed of a patient with SCD who underwent free tissue transfer at the authors' institution. A systematic literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was performed using the keywords "free tissue transfer," "free flap," or "microsurgery" and "sickle cell" on PubMed, Ovid/Medline, and Scopus. A 29-year-old male with delayed presentation of an electrical burn to the face and scalp underwent wound closure with a free anterolateral thigh flap. Key management principles included red blood cell transfusion to keep hemoglobin S under 30% and hemoglobin greater than 10 g/dL, maintenance of hydration, normothermia, adequate analgesia, and postoperative anticoagulation. Systematic literature review identified 7 articles describing 13 cases of free tissue transfer in 10 patients with SCD, with combined complete free flap success in 10 of the 13 flaps. Free tissue transfer can be successfully performed in patients with SCD. However, evidence on the optimal management of this unique patient population in the perioperative period after free tissue transfer is limited to case reports in the literature.
PubMed: 37256042
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1763260 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2021Acute postoperative pain is one of the most common concerns during the early postoperative period in colorectal surgery. Opioids still represent the cornerstone of...
Acute postoperative pain is one of the most common concerns during the early postoperative period in colorectal surgery. Opioids still represent the cornerstone of postoperative pain management, yet they often result in significant side effects such as nausea and/or vomiting, sedation, urinary retention, delayed recovery of colonic motility, respiratory depression, and postoperative ileus. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been widely used for postoperative analgesia in various abdominal surgeries. The primary aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the postoperative opioid requirements of patients in the TAP block group and the control group (placebo). The secondary aims included evaluation of the efficacy of TAP blocks in postoperative pain management, the measurement of time to first request for opioids, the measurement of length of hospital stay (LoS), and the documentation of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting. We searched for articles reporting the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the application of TAP block in colorectal surgery published before September 2021. Eight RCTs involving 615 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Seven articles reported the results of TAP blocks in laparoscopic surgery and eight in both laparoscopic and open surgery. The need for opioids and the intensity of pain at rest within 24 h after laparoscopic and combined (laparoscopic and open) surgeries were significantly lower in the TAP block group compared with the "no block" group. The intensity of pain during coughing within 24 hours after laparoscopic surgery was significantly lower in the TAP block groups compared to the groups without block. There were no statistically significant differences between the TAP block and "no block" groups in overall (over the entire hospital stay) postoperative opioid consumption and length of hospital stay after laparoscopic surgery, as well as in postoperative nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic and combined surgeries.
PubMed: 35295183
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.802039 -
International Journal of Colorectal... Feb 2023Sarcopenia is a multifactorial loss of muscle mass that can complicate surgical outcomes and increase morbidity and mortality. Parastomal hernias can occur after any... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Sarcopenia is a multifactorial loss of muscle mass that can complicate surgical outcomes and increase morbidity and mortality. Parastomal hernias can occur after any surgery requiring stoma formation and is an area of concern as a complication as it can require a second surgery or emergency surgical intervention.
AIM
To assess the impact of sarcopenia on parastomal hernia formation in the postoperative period.
METHOD
A systematic search of publications using MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases was conducted in June 2022. Data were extracted, and a narrative synthesis was undertaken. The Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool (CCAT) assessed the quality of the included studies. The systematic review included original research studies, prospective and retrospective designs, and human studies written in English. Reviews, conference papers, opinion papers, and those including participants < 18 years old were excluded. No restrictions on the date of publication and study setting were applied.
RESULTS
Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, and these were conducted between 2016 and 2021; 56% (n = 5) used a retrospective study design. The mean sample size was 242.5 participants (SD = ±358.6). No consistent or standardized way of defining sarcopenia or measuring muscle mass was seen between the studies reviewed. However, 45% (n = 4) of the studies reported a significant relationship between sarcopenia and wound healing complications, including an increased incidence of parastomal and incisional hernias. The average CCAT score was 27.56 (SD = ±4.39).
CONCLUSION
There is no definitive relationship between sarcopenia and hernia development; however, four studies found a significant relationship between sarcopenia and hernia formation. It must also be considered that different disease processes can cause sarcopenia either through the disease process itself, or the treatment and management. More research and consistent measurements are needed before comparable and consistent outcomes can be compiled.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Incisional Hernia; Retrospective Studies; Prospective Studies; Sarcopenia; Surgical Stomas; Surgical Mesh
PubMed: 36757565
DOI: 10.1007/s00384-023-04329-5 -
Pediatric Surgery International Jan 2022Hirschsprung's associated enterocolitis (HAEC) is a complication of Hirschsprung's Disease (HD) with considerable morbidity and mortality. The variability in...
PURPOSE
Hirschsprung's associated enterocolitis (HAEC) is a complication of Hirschsprung's Disease (HD) with considerable morbidity and mortality. The variability in presentation leads to a wide variety of the reported prevalence pre-and postoperatively. This systematic review aimed to clarify the prevalence of HAEC in short-(S-HD), long (L-HD), TCA and the type of operation used.
METHODS
A systematic literature-based search for relevant cohorts was performed using Pubmed/Medline, Cochrane Library from its inception to May 2021. Studies reporting on pre-and postoperative enterocolitis, segment length, and surgical procedure (Soave, Swenson, Duhamel) were included. Pooled prevalence and subgroup analysis have been calculated for pre-and postoperative HAEC.
RESULTS
4738 articles were identified from the literature search, among which 57 studies, including 9744 preoperative and 8568 postoperative patients, were included. The groups were sorted by length of the aganglionic segment for further analysis. The pooled prevalence for preoperative HAEC was 18.3% for all types, 15.2% for S-HD and 26.1% for TCA. The pooled prevalence for postoperative HAEC was in total 18.2% for all segment lengths and used techniques. Subgroup analysis showed no significant difference in the occurrence of postoperative enterocolitis between the three techniques.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of preoperative HAEC increases with segment length. However, pooled data suggest that the postoperative risk for developing HAEC, independently of the employed method and segment length, is comparable to the preoperative risk.
Topics: Enterocolitis; Hirschsprung Disease; Humans; Infant; Morbidity; Postoperative Complications; Postoperative Period; Prevalence
PubMed: 34595554
DOI: 10.1007/s00383-021-05020-y -
Transplant International : Official... Jun 2021Following liver transplant (LT), osteoporosis is a severe complication that causes morbidity. However, the incidence and risk factors of osteoporosis and fractures have... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Following liver transplant (LT), osteoporosis is a severe complication that causes morbidity. However, the incidence and risk factors of osteoporosis and fractures have not been well described. Single-arm meta-analysis of studies reporting osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fractures post-LT was performed with meta-regression for study period. Dichotomous variables, continuous variables and time-to-event variables were pooled in odds ratio, weighted mean difference and hazard ratio, respectively. For risk factors with limited data, a systematic review of literature was conducted. There was a significant increase in both osteoporosis and fractures compared to non-LT patients. Osteopenia, osteoporosis and incident fractures were newly diagnosed in 34.53% (CI: 0.17-0.56, n = 301), 11.68% (CI: 0.05-0.24, n = 1251) and 20.40% (CI: 0.13-0.30, n = 4322) of LT patients, respectively. Female gender (P = 0.017) increased risks of osteoporosis but not older age and BMI. Older age, lower pre-LT bone mineral density (BMD), presence of bone disease pre-LT were significant risk factors for fractures but not female gender, post-menopausal state, BMI, smoking and alcohol. There is a high incidence of skeletal complications post-LT. Older age, lower pre-LT BMD and presence of bone disease pre-LT are significant risk factors that are associated with incident fractures physicians should be cognisant of in liver transplant recipients.
Topics: Aged; Bone Density; Female; Fractures, Bone; Humans; Incidence; Liver Transplantation; Osteoporosis
PubMed: 33835638
DOI: 10.1111/tri.13863 -
In Vivo (Athens, Greece) 2022Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common endocrine malignancy with a rising incidence. There is a need for a non-invasive preoperative test to enable better... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND/AIM
Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common endocrine malignancy with a rising incidence. There is a need for a non-invasive preoperative test to enable better patient counselling. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the potential role of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in the diagnosis and prognosis of PTC.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Scopus databases (last search date was December 1, 2021). Studies investigating the expression of miRNAs in the serum or plasma of patients with PTC were deemed eligible for inclusion.
RESULTS
Among the 1,533 screened studies, 39 studies met the inclusion criteria. In total, 108 miRNAs candidates were identified in the serum, plasma, or exosomes of patients suffering from PTC. Furthermore, association of circulating miRNAs with thyroid cancer-specific clinicopathological features, such as tumor size (13 miRNAs), location (3 miRNAs), extrathyroidal extension (9 miRNAs), pre- vs. postoperative period (31 miRNAs), lymph node metastasis (17 miRNAs), TNM stage (9 miRNAs), BRAF V600E mutation (6 miRNAs), serum thyroglobulin levels (2 miRNAs), I avid metastases (13 miRNAs), and tumor recurrence (2 miRNAs) was also depicted in this study.
CONCLUSION
MiRNAs provide a potentially promising role in the diagnosis and prognosis of PTC. There is a correlation between miRNA expression profiles and specific clinicopathological features of PTC. However, to enable their use in clinical practice, further clinical studies are required to validate the predictive value and utility of miRNAs as biomarkers.
Topics: Carcinoma; Carcinoma, Papillary; Circulating MicroRNA; Humans; MicroRNAs; Mutation; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Prognosis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; Thyroid Neoplasms
PubMed: 35738604
DOI: 10.21873/invivo.12866