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Advances in Skin & Wound Care Jul 2024Conventional flap repair surgery has several drawbacks, including operational complexity, donor site damage, and high risk. In this case series, the authors explored an...
Conventional flap repair surgery has several drawbacks, including operational complexity, donor site damage, and high risk. In this case series, the authors explored an alternative approach for repairing exposed tendon wounds caused by trauma using absorbable gelatin sponges (AGSs) and autologous thigh skin grafts. This report presents two cases of lower-extremity skin necrosis with tendon exposure following wound debridement. The treatment approach involved early debridement, negative-pressure wound therapy, and wound irrigation with 0.9% sodium chloride. Upon achieving controlled wound infection, AGSs were applied to the exposed tendon to prevent degeneration and promote wound healing. Subsequently, areas where granulation tissue failed to cover the tendon were repaired using AGSs and 0.25-mm-thick autologous mesh skin grafts harvested from the thigh. Complete wound healing was achieved in both cases, on the 20th and 12th day after skin grafting, respectively. The proposed method proved successful in repairing exposed tendon wounds, effectively preventing infection and necrosis.
Topics: Humans; Skin Transplantation; Male; Wound Healing; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable; Transplantation, Autologous; Middle Aged; Tendon Injuries; Debridement; Adult; Female; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38899825
DOI: 10.1097/ASW.0000000000000166 -
Journal of the American College of... Jun 2024Operating room (OR) handoffs are not universally standardized, though standardized sign outs have been proven to provide effective communication in other aspects of...
BACKGROUND
Operating room (OR) handoffs are not universally standardized, though standardized sign outs have been proven to provide effective communication in other aspects of healthcare. We hypothesize creating a standardized handoff will improve communication between OR staff.
STUDY DESIGN
A frontline stakeholder approached our quality improvement (QI) team with concern regarding inadequate quality surgical technician handoffs during staff changes. An audit tool was created for a pilot cohort of 23 cases to evaluate surgical technician handoffs from 5/2022 through 11/2022. Handoffs occurred in 82.6% of cases. Elements of handoff varied significantly, with an average of 34.4% completion of critical handoff elements. Audits were reviewed with stakeholders to develop a standardized communication checklist, including domains regarding sponges, sharps, hidden items, replaced items, instruments, implants, medications, procedure overview, and specimens. An acronym of these domains, SHRIMPS, was affixed to each OR wall.
RESULTS
In the initial Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, piloted in urology, general surgery, and neurosurgery, 100% of the 15 observed cases included handoff, averaging 76 seconds per handoff. Additionally, 100% of cases announced a handoff to the surgeon, and all elements were addressed 99.6% of the time. PDSA cycle 2 involved implementation to all service lines. Of the 68 cases observed, 100% included handoff, averaging 69.4 seconds per handoff, with 98.2% of elements addressed, though only 97.1% of handoffs were announced.
CONCLUSIONS
Little communication standardization exists within the OR, especially regarding intraoperative staff changes. Implementation of a standardized handoff between surgical technicians resulted in substantial improvement in critical communication during staff changes.
PubMed: 38895954
DOI: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000001115 -
Operative Neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.) Jun 2024Microvascular decompression (MVD) is the primary surgical intervention for trigeminal neuralgia (TN), with Teflon being the most conventional decompressing material....
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Microvascular decompression (MVD) is the primary surgical intervention for trigeminal neuralgia (TN), with Teflon being the most conventional decompressing material. However, Teflon has been associated with adhesion and granulomas after MVD, which closely correlated with the recurrence of TN. Therefore, we developed a new technique to prevent direct contact between Teflon and nerve. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of MVD using the gelatin sponge (GS) insertion technique with that of Teflon inserted alone in treating primary TN.
METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the medical records and the follow-up data of 734 patients with unilateral primary TN who underwent MVD at our center from January 2014 to December 2019. After exclusions, we identified 313 cases of GS-inserted MVD and 347 cases of traditional MVD. The follow-up exceeded 3 years.
RESULTS
The operating time of the GS-inserted group was longer than that of the Teflon group (109.38 ± 14.77 vs 103.53 ± 16.02 minutes, P < .001). There was no difference between 2 groups in immediate surgical outcomes and postoperative complications. The yearly recurrence rate for GS-inserted MVD was lower at first (1.0%), second (1.2%), and third (1.2%) years after surgery, compared with its counterpart of Teflon group (3.7%, 2.9%, and 1.7% respectively). The first-year recurrence rate (P = .031) and total recurrence rate in 3 years (P = .013) was significantly lower in the GS-inserted group than Teflon group. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated better outcomes in GS-inserted MVD groups (P = .020).
CONCLUSION
The application of the GS insertion technique in MVD reduced first-year postoperative recurrence of TN, with similar complications rates compared with traditional MVD.
PubMed: 38888321
DOI: 10.1227/ons.0000000000001229 -
Journal of Medical Case Reports Jun 2024Gossypiboma, a retained surgical sponge with a foreign body reaction, is an unusual but serious complication seen in open abdominal surgeries. It is exceptionally rare... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Gossypiboma, a retained surgical sponge with a foreign body reaction, is an unusual but serious complication seen in open abdominal surgeries. It is exceptionally rare following head and neck surgeries. Here, we present a case of Gossypiboma of the upper airway following tracheostomy.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 32-year-old male presented with stridor and difficulty breathing one-month post-tracheostomy after a severe head injury following a road traffic accident. A neck radiograph was unremarkable, and a computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck showed a well-defined homogenous curvilinear membrane extending from the hypopharynx to the upper trachea. Bronchoscopic evaluation of the larynx and upper trachea revealed a retained surgical sponge, which was retrieved. The patient's breathing improved drastically post intervention.
CONCLUSION
Gossypiboma may go undetected in radiographs and may also present atypically as a homogenous membrane on a CT scan of the neck. Though rare, retained surgical items can have profound medicolegal and professional consequences on physicians. Hence, a strong clinical suspicion and vigilance for gossypiboma is necessary for patients presenting with respiratory distress post-tracheostomy.
Topics: Humans; Male; Respiratory Sounds; Adult; Surgical Sponges; Foreign Bodies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Larynx; Tracheostomy; Postoperative Complications; Accidents, Traffic
PubMed: 38886746
DOI: 10.1186/s13256-024-04490-7 -
Acta Neurochirurgica Jun 2024During pituitary surgery, CSF leaks are often treated by intrasellar packing, using muscle or fat grafts. However, this strategy may interfere with the interpretation of...
BACKGROUND
During pituitary surgery, CSF leaks are often treated by intrasellar packing, using muscle or fat grafts. However, this strategy may interfere with the interpretation of postoperative MRI and may impact the quality of resection in cases of second surgery, due to the existence of additional fibrous tissue. We present an alternative technique, using a diaphragm reconstruction with a heterologous sponge combining fibrinogen and thrombin (TachoSil), applied in selected patients with low-flow CSF leaks. This study investigates the surgical outcome of patients treated with this strategy.
METHODS
From a cohort of 2231 patients treated from June 2011 to June 2023 by endoscopic endonasal approach for pituitary surgery, the surgical technique of diaphragm repair with TachoSil patch performed in 55 patients (2.6%) was detailed, and the rate of closure failure was analyzed at 6 months postoperatively. No intrasellar packing was used and sellar floor reconstruction was performed whenever possible. The rate of postoperative CSF leak was compared with that reported in three previous publications that also used the TachoSil patch technique.
RESULTS
Patients were mostly women (F/M ratio: 1.2) with a median age of 53.6 years. Surgery was indicated for non-functioning adenomas, Cushing's disease, acromegaly, and Rathke's cleft cysts in 38/55 (69.1%), 6/55 (10.9%), 5/55 (9.1%) and 6/55 (10.9%) patients respectively. The rate of postoperative CSF leak was 1.8% (n = 1/55), which was not significantly different from that reported in the three cohorts from the literature (2.8%, p > 0.05). No postoperative meningitis was recorded.
CONCLUSIONS
In highly selected patients with low-flow CSF leaks related to small focal diaphragm defects, diaphragm reconstruction using a TachoSil patch can be a safe and valuable alternative to intrasellar packing.
Topics: Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Thrombin; Male; Fibrinogen; Adult; Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak; Drug Combinations; Aged; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Cohort Studies; Diaphragm; Postoperative Complications; Pituitary Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome; Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea; Pituitary Gland; Surgical Sponges
PubMed: 38853198
DOI: 10.1007/s00701-024-06152-5 -
Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2012) Jun 2024With the widespread use of positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT), a significantly greater proportion of patients with advanced ovarian cancer...
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE
With the widespread use of positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT), a significantly greater proportion of patients with advanced ovarian cancer (OC) are now diagnosed with superior renal-vein lymph node metastases involving retrocrural and mediastinal nodes. To the authors' knowledge, retrocrural lymphadenectomy has not yet been reported in patients with OC. The authors performed retrocrural lymph node resection in a patient with ovarian cancer.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 64-year-old woman with ovarian cancer who had not undergone surgery upon initial diagnosis was admitted to the authors' hospital because tumour markers increased during bevacizumab maintenance therapy. PETCT imaging revealed adnexal masses and multiple metastases in pelvic, paraaortic, retrocrural, and mediastinal lymph nodes. Reduction surgery was performed, and retrocrural lymph nodes were excised. However, the patient's postoperative course was complicated by a chylothorax. Because of the failure of conservative treatment, interventional embolization was performed, but failed to obstruct lymphatic vessels. The patient underwent reoperation. A fistula was located where Hem-o-lock clips penetrated the pleura, clearly indicating the injury site, which was then sutured and embedded in the surrounding diaphragmatic tissue and filled with gel sponge. The patient recovered from chylous leakage postoperatively. She later underwent chemotherapy and targeted maintenance therapy.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION
The authors may have injured the communicating branch of the thoracic duct posterior to the diaphragm during the first operation and did not ligate it. The accumulated chylous fluid finally penetrated through the weak point on the pleura and led to chylothorax 3 days later. If conservative treatment or interventional embolization are unsuccessful, surgical treatment should be selected in time.
CONCLUSION
The location of the retrocrural lymph node at the anastomosis of the chylous cistern and the thoracic duct may pose a significant risk of chylous leakage as a complication of lymphadenectomy. Full exposure of the surgical field and thorough ligation of the lymphatic vessels may lead to successful superior renal-vein lymphadenectomy.
PubMed: 38846813
DOI: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000002037 -
Trauma Case Reports Jun 2024Hemorrhage is among the leading causes of death for trauma patients. Adjunct techniques used to control bleeding include use of aortic cross clamping, application of a...
The novel use of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta for uncontrolled bleeding in a surgically inaccessible abdomen: The ruptured proper hepatic artery in a frozen abdomen.
Hemorrhage is among the leading causes of death for trauma patients. Adjunct techniques used to control bleeding include use of aortic cross clamping, application of a pelvic binder, rapidly expanding hemostatic sponges, and extra-peritoneal packing. Additionally, Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) can provide life-saving proximal control for patients with massive internal hemorrhage. This study concerns a patient treated with Zone 1 REBOA for class IV hemorrhagic shock from a spontaneous common hepatic artery rupture. REBOA was performed at bedside in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) prior to definitive selective embolization. A healthy 28-year-old male suffered a grade 4 liver laceration and pancreatic head transection with associated duodenal injury after a high-speed motor vehicle collision. On arrival, the patient required a damage control laparotomy with multiple reoperations for management of his intra-abdominal injuries. By hospital day 11, significant visceral adhesions resulted in a frozen abdomen. On hospital day 20, the patient developed massive hematemesis, hematochezia, and class IV hemorrhagic shock. Vascular surgery was called to bedside in the SICU to perform REBOA. The patient received massive transfusion protocol while a 12 Fr sheath was inserted, and an aortic occlusion balloon was inflated in Zone 1 allowing for hemodynamic stabilization for transport and definitive management in the angiography suite. This case reports a novel use of REBOA, at bedside in the SICU, for the management of a massive gastrointestinal bleed in a patient with frozen abdomen. In this case, REBOA allowed us to achieve temporary hemodynamic stability prior to definitive control in the angiography suite. Bedside use of REBOA in the SICU prevented certain exsanguination and death.
PubMed: 38835529
DOI: 10.1016/j.tcr.2024.101002 -
DEN Open Apr 2025Gossypiboma is an extremely rare adverse event occurring post-surgery, where surgical gauze is left within the body. If aseptically retained, it can lead to the...
Gossypiboma is an extremely rare adverse event occurring post-surgery, where surgical gauze is left within the body. If aseptically retained, it can lead to the formation of granulation tissue through chronic inflammation and adhesion with surrounding tissues, potentially persisting asymptomatically for many years. While diagnosis of this condition has been reported through various imaging modalities such as abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography, cases not presenting with typical findings are difficult for preoperative diagnosis, and instances where it is discovered postoperatively exist. Particularly when in contact with the gastrointestinal tract within the abdominal cavity, differentiation from submucosal tumors of the digestive tract becomes problematic. This report describes the imaging characteristics of endoscopic ultrasound and the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound-fine-needle-aspiration for tissue diagnosis in the preoperative diagnosis of intra-abdominal gossypiboma.
PubMed: 38817688
DOI: 10.1002/deo2.388 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024This report describes a case of transmural migration of a gossypiboma from the peritoneum into the urinary bladder in a 4-year-old, female spayed, mixed-breed dog. The...
This report describes a case of transmural migration of a gossypiboma from the peritoneum into the urinary bladder in a 4-year-old, female spayed, mixed-breed dog. The dog was presented on an emergency basis for complete urethral obstruction with radiographic evidence of urocystolithiasis. An exploratory laparotomy was performed and a 4-5 cm mass was identified which was confluent with the apex of the urinary bladder. The mass and bladder were exteriorized and isolated, and an apical, partial cystectomy was performed to remove the mass and gain access to the uroliths within the lumen of the bladder. A 4×4 surgical sponge was identified within the trigone of the bladder, it had multiple uroliths; another sponge was also found within the mass itself. This case demonstrates an atypical cause of urethral obstruction and serves as the first reported case of transmural migration of a gossypiboma into the urinary bladder of a dog. It also illustrates the importance of establishing routine operating procedures including gauze counts and the use of radiopaque-labeled surgical gauze.
PubMed: 38812558
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1394052 -
Cardiovascular and Interventional... Jun 2024To introduce percutaneous selective injection of autologous platelet-rich fibrin as a novel technique for persistent bile leakage repair and sharing the results of our...
PURPOSE
To introduce percutaneous selective injection of autologous platelet-rich fibrin as a novel technique for persistent bile leakage repair and sharing the results of our preliminary experience.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Seven patients (57.1% females; mean age 69.6 ± 8 years) with the evidence of persistent bile leak secondary to hepatobiliary surgery and ineffective treatment with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage were submitted to fibrin injection. Platelet-rich fibrin, a dense fibrin clot promoting tissue regeneration, was obtained from centrifuged patient's venous blood. Repeated percutaneous injections through a catheter tip placed in close proximity to the biliary defect were performed until complete obliteration at fistulography. Technical and clinical success were evaluated.
RESULTS
Bile leaks followed pancreaticoduodenectomy in five and major hepatectomy in two patients. Technical success defined as fibrin injection at BD site was achieved in all seven patients, and clinical success defined as a complete healing of the BD at fistulography was achieved in six patients. The median time to BD closure was 76.7 ± 40.5 days and the average procedure number was 3 ± 1 per patient. In one patient, defect persistance after four treatments required gelatin sponge injection. No major complications occurred. One case of post-procedural transitory hyperpirexia was registered.
CONCLUSION
In persistent biliary defects, despite prolonged biliary drainage stay, percutaneous injection of autologous platelet-rich fibrin appears as a readily available and feasible emergent technique in promoting fistulous tracts obliteration still mantaining main ducts patency.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Aged; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Treatment Outcome; Pancreaticoduodenectomy; Platelet-Rich Fibrin; Drainage; Hepatectomy
PubMed: 38806836
DOI: 10.1007/s00270-024-03735-8