scholarly journals 397 Impact of COVID-19 on Theatre Utility

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Luney ◽  
C Little

Abstract Introduction Covid-19 has significantly impacted the environment in which surgeons operate. Level-2 PPE is worn in our orthopaedic theatres, with increased time taken for simple tasks due to claustrophobia, excessive heat, and difficulties in communication due to masks, including donning and doffing. We sought to determine the impact of Covid-19 on theatre utility. Method 8week period during Covid-19 was reviewed for semi-elective orthopaedic surgery. Pre-Covid-19 case controls for age, procedure and ASA were identified. Electronic database was used to determine total time in theatre complex, time taken for anaesthesia, total procedure time, and time taken for patient to leave the theatre. Results 27patients undergoing semi-elective surgery during Covid-19 pandemic and 27-matched controls from before pandemic were identified. No statistically significant difference in procedural or anaesthetic time. Significant difference in time interval between cases (14minutes pre-Covid-19 v 58minutes during Covid-19; p < 0.05). Mean theatre start times are 51minutes later during Covid-19. Conclusions Procedural times of surgery have not significantly increased, however the time between cases has increased; resulting in a decrease in overall theatre complex utility and direct impact on future costing.

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Romero ◽  
Juan Diaz ◽  
Isabella Alviz ◽  
David Briceno ◽  
Chintan Trivedi ◽  
...  

Introduction: General anesthesia is routinely used during the implantation of S-ICD which dramatically prolongs total procedure time, patient recovery time and adds unnecessary potential complications. The tumescent local anesthesia (TLA) technique provides anesthesia of large areas of skin and subcutaneous tissue by means of the direct infiltration of large volumes of a dilute local anesthetic solution into subcutaneous fat. Hypothesis: TLA during S-ICD implantation is feasible and associated with a reduction in total procedure time. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted in two medical centers during 2019. Five patients underwent S-ICD with TLA due to baseline conditions that represented relative contraindications to general anesthesia (e.g, muscular dystrophy). A large volume of a local anesthesia solution (i.e., 1 liter of normal saline, 30 cc of 1% lidocaine, 30 cc of bupivacaine, 1 mg of epinephrine, 12.5 mEq of sodium bicarbonate) was used in each patient and injected 10 minutes prior to incisions. Five other patients who underwent S-ICD under general anesthesia served as controls. The skin-to-skin time, total length of procedure and post-procedural pain levels were compared between groups. Results: A total of 10 patients were included (male: 60%; mean age: 62 ± 16). All devices were implanted for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. TLA was considered the best anesthetic approach in five patients who had medical conditions that represented a high risk of complications if general anesthesia was employed. In the group of TLA, an average of 260 ± 45 cc was administered. The skin-to-skin times were 44.8 ± 13.9 minutes in patients who underwent general anesthesia vs. 46.2 ± 14.3 minutes in TLA (p = 0.3). The total procedural time was 148 ± 28 min vs 64.2 ± 13.4 min (p <0.001) for general anesthesia and TLA, respectively. There was a significant difference between groups in pain scale following the procedure being better pain control with TLA. Conclusions: S-ICD implantation using TLA appears to be a feasible and safe option in patients with contraindications to general anesthesia. This technique significantly decreases total procedure time with better post-procedural pain control.


2020 ◽  
Vol 08 (06) ◽  
pp. E809-E814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Kim Jun Teh ◽  
Shu Wen Tay ◽  
Kaina Chen ◽  
Samantha Jingyun Koh ◽  
Yu Jun Wong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and study aims Using personal protective equipment (PPE) can reduce risk of disease transmission. During the COVID-19 pandemic, enhanced PPE (EPPE) is recommended when performing endoscopy. We aimed to evaluate the impact of EPPE on colonoscopy performance when compared to standard PPE (SPPE). Patients and methods A review of electronic medical records and endoscopy reports of consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopy during two similar one-month time periods (in 2019 and during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020) was performed. SPPE was used in 2019 and EPPE was used in 2020. Patient clinical data and procedure-related information were captured and analyzed. The primary outcomes were time to cecum (TTC) and total procedure time. Secondary outcomes were adenoma detection rate (ADR), polyp detection rate (PDR) and cecal intubation rate (CIR). Statistical analysis was performed using STATA v16.1. Results Two hundred and forty-seven colonoscopy procedures were analyzed. Baseline demographics and indications for colonoscopy of patients in both groups were similar. There were no significant differences in median TTC (10.0 vs 10.0 min, P = 0.524) or total procedure time (22.5 vs 23.0 min, P = 0.946) between colonoscopy performed in SPPE and EPPE. The ADR, PDR and CIR were also similar. Conclusion Our findings suggest that use of EPPE does not affect colonoscopy performance.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 4023
Author(s):  
Young-Woo Song ◽  
Jong-Seung Kim ◽  
Jang-Hyun Kim ◽  
Ji-Man Park ◽  
Ui-Won Jung ◽  
...  

Background: This in vitro study mainly aimed to compare VARO Guide® to the surgical guide fabricated by CAD/CAM (NAVI Guide®) in terms of accuracy and efficacy of the implant surgery held in the dentiform model. Methods: Twenty surgeons, 10 dentists in the beginner group and 10 dentists in the expert group, participated in the study. Each surgeon conducted fully guided surgery in dentiform models twice, once with VARO Guide® (VG surgery) and the other time with a conventional type of templates, NAVI Guide® (NG surgery). Based on the superimposition of presurgical and postsurgical STL files, the positional deviations between the virtually planned and actually placed implants and the time spent on presurgical preparation and surgical procedures were estimated and compared. Results: All dimensional deviations were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the expert and beginner groups regardless of the guide system. The total procedure time (mean (median)) of the VG surgery (26.33 (28.58) min) was significantly shorter than that of the NG surgery (378.83 (379.35) min; p < 0.05). While the time spent only for the fully guided implant surgery (from the start of the surgical guide sitting onto the dentiform model to the final installation of the implant fixture) was comparable (p > 0.05), the presurgical preparation time spent on virtual implant planning and surgical guide fabrication in the VG surgery (19.63 (20.93) min) was significantly shorter compared to the NG surgery (372.93 (372.95) min; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Regardless of experience, both VG and NG surgery showed reliable positional accuracy; however, the total procedure time and the preparation time were much shorter in the VG surgery compared to the NG surgery.


Author(s):  
Marjolein Garsen ◽  
Maaike Steenhof ◽  
Alex Zwiers

Abstract Background Cancer is a serious global health problem and a major cause of death. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has established several regulatory initiatives to expedite the development and authorization of drugs to ensure timely access of patients. In this study, we analyzed the procedural timelines of marketing authorization applications for anticancer drugs in the EU, with a specific focus to special regulatory programs, scientific advice and company size. Methods Anticancer drugs that received an opinion from the EMA between January 2010 and December 2019 were included in the study. Public assessment reports were used to obtain publicly available information of the drugs. Results We identified 96 applications for new anticancer drugs. 34 applications were granted access to at least one expedited program offered by the EMA. Total procedure time was reduced from average 370 to 200–215 days when accelerated assessment was granted. Granting of a conditional marketing authorization or an orphan designation, as well as having scientific advice, only mildly affected total procedure time. Average total procedure time of small companies was much longer compared with medium-sized and large companies (483 versus 356 days), which was caused by an increased clock stop time. Conclusion Total procedure time for anticancer is mainly affected by the granting of accelerated assessment, which reduced the total procedure time, and company size, where total procedure time is much longer for small companies. Small companies are advised to have, and especially adhere to scientific advice to reduce procedure time and increase the chance of success.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Sivesh K. Kamarajah ◽  
Behrad Barmayehvar ◽  
Mustafa Sowida ◽  
Amirul Adlan ◽  
Christina Reihill ◽  
...  

Background. Preoperative risk stratification and optimising care of patients undergoing elective surgery are important to reduce the risk of postoperative outcomes. Renal dysfunction is becoming increasingly prevalent, but its impact on patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgery is unknown although much evidence is available for cardiac surgery. This study aimed to investigate the impact of preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgeries. Methods. This prospective study included consecutive adult patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgeries attending preassessment screening (PAS) clinics at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) between July and August 2016. Primary outcome measure was 30-day overall complication rates and secondary outcomes were grade of complications, 30-day readmission rates, and postoperative care setting. Results. This study included 370 patients, of which 11% (41/370) had eGFR of <60 ml/min/1.73 m2. Patients with eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 were more likely to have ASA grade 3/4 (p<0.001) and >2 comorbidities (p<0.001). Overall complication rates were 15% (54/370), with no significant difference in overall (p=0.644) and major complication rates (p=0.831) between both groups. In adjusted models, only surgery grade was predictive of overall complications. Preoperative eGFR did not impact on overall complications (HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.45–1.54; p=0.2). Conclusions. Preoperative eGFR does not appear to impact on postoperative complications in patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgeries, even when stratified by surgery grade. These findings will help preassessment clinics in risk stratification and optimisation of perioperative care of patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I A Minciuna ◽  
M Puiu ◽  
G Cismaru ◽  
S Istratoaie ◽  
G Simu ◽  
...  

Abstract INTRODUCTION Catheter ablation is the treatment of choice for patients with recurrent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) in which antiarrhythmic drug therapy has failed to maintain sinus rhythm. Since its first introduction, intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) has proved to increase the efficacy and reduce complications in AF catheter ablation. One of the main advantages of ICE in the electrophysiology laboratory is the reduction of radiation exposure, for both the patient and the physician. Multiple recent studies have shown the feasibility and safety of zero or near-zero fluoroscopy AF ablation, including transseptal puncture, and outlined the importance of using ICE under the support of 3D mapping systems in reducing radiation exposure. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to show whether the use of ICE reduced the radiation exposure and total procedure time in recurrent paroxysmal AF patients undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation. METHODS Forty patients that undergone radiofrequency catheter ablation for recurrent paroxysmal AF between January 2018 and May 2019 were included. They were divided in two groups: Group 1 – 20 patients in which ICE was performed and Group 2 – 20 patients in which ablation was performed without ICE guidance. We compared the total ablation time and fluoroscopy dose and time between the two groups. The total ablation time was defined as the time from the groin puncture until the withdrawal of all catheters. RESULTS Among the 40 patients included, 28 were men (70%) and the mean age was 57 years old. The mean procedure time was similar between the two groups (175 ± 52.0 for group 1 and 193 ± 49.9 for group 2, p = 0.33). The difference between the two groups was observed in fluoroscopy dose (9914.13 ± 5018.14 vs. 14561.43 ± 7446.1, p = 0.02) and time (26.04 ± 12.5 vs. 40.52 ± 12.6, p = 0.001). We found that in both groups higher fluoroscopy dose was correlated with higher fluoroscopy time (R = 0.74, p = 0.0001 vs. R = 0.57, p = 0.008) and higher total procedure time (R = 0.63, p = 0.002 vs. R = 0.46, p = 0.03). Furthermore, there was also a correlation between higher fluoroscopy dose and time (R = 0.59, p = 0.005 vs. R = 0.58, p = 0.006). No severe procedure-related complications were recorded. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that the use of ICE for recurrent paroxysmal AF catheter ablation reduces radiation exposure by lowering the fluoroscopy dose and the time of exposure. As a result, by increasing the training and learning curve in low-experienced centers it may finally get us closer to the ideal zero or near-zero fluoroscopy ablation. Abstract P338 Figure. ICE-guided transseptal puncture


2017 ◽  
Vol 05 (08) ◽  
pp. E729-E735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuusaku Sugihara ◽  
Keita Harada ◽  
Yoshiro Kawahara ◽  
Daisuke Takei ◽  
Shiho Takashima ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and study aims Few studies have directly compared endo-knives for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in humans. We compared the performances of the Mucosectom2 and SB knife Jr. Patients and methods Two trainee endoscopists performed ESD of 36 lesions in this prospective, randomized controlled trial. Mucosal incision with a 1.5-mm Dual knife and submucosal dissection using the Mucosectom2 were performed in 1 group. Mucosal incision with a 1.5-mm Dual knife and submucosal dissection with a SB knife Jr. were performed in the other group. The primary outcome was the ESD procedure time. Secondary outcomes were total procedure time, self-completion rates, and adverse events. Results ESD time in Mucosectom2 patients was not significantly shorter than in SB knife Jr. patients (57 ± 32 min vs. 61 ± 44 min, respectively; P = 0.94). Total procedure time in Mucosectom2 patients was not significantly shorter than in SB knife Jr. patients (81 ± 42 min vs. 82 ± 51 min, respectively; P = 0.85). The trainee self-completion rate was slightly higher in SB knife Jr. patients than in Mucosectom2 patients, although the difference was not significant (94 % vs. 100 %, respectively; P = 0.959). Fewer hemostatic procedures using the Coagrasper were performed in Mucosectom2 patients than in SB knife Jr. patients, although the difference was not significant (0.62 vs. 0.7, respectively; P = 0.432). Conclusions Mucosectom2 and SB knife Jr. did not significantly differ in performance for colorectal ESD to safely and reliably enhance ESD. Knife selection is not as important for learning colorectal ESD as patient- and lesion-related factors.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18;4 (4;18) ◽  
pp. 325-331
Author(s):  
JiHee Hong

Background: Transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) is a commonly used interventional pain management procedures to treat radicular leg pain. Although most reported complications of TFESI are minor, serious morbidity has also been demonstrated including spinal cord infarction, paraplegia, and quadriparesis. Suggested mechanisms include direct vascular injury or intravascular injection of particulate steroid. Objective: We compared 2 different needle types, Whitacre and Quincke type needles, with regard to intravascular injection rate with total procedure time and the amount of radiation during lumbar TFESI. Study Design: Prospective, randomized trial. Setting: An interventional pain management practice in South Korea. Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval, 149 patients undergoing lumbar TFESI for radicular leg pain were randomly assigned to one of 2 needle groups (Whitacre needle or Quincke type needle). After final confirmation of intravascular injection with digital subtraction angiography, total procedure time and amount of radiation exposure during TFESI were measured. Results: The overall incidence of intravascular injection was 10.4% (28/269). We analyzed the overall incidence of intravascular injection according to the 2 different needle types. The incidence of intravascular injection of the Whitacre needle was 5.4% (8/146), whereas the incidence of intravascular injection of the Quincke needle was 16.2% (20/123). Total procedure time and amount of radiation required to complete the TFESI in the Whitacre and Quincke needle groups was 168.4 ± 57.9 (seconds) and 33.4 ± 15.9 (cGy/cm2 ), 131.9 ± 46.0 (seconds) and 33.2 ± 15.8 (cGy/cm2 ), respectively. Limitations: The physician who performed the TFESI was not blinded to the type of needle for detecting intravascular injection. This study was focused on lumbar TFESI, however, most TFESIs are performed at the L4-5 or L5-S1 level. Conclusion: The Whitacre needle had the benefit of reducing the incidence of intravascular injection with minimal differences in technical difficulties and the amount of radiation exposure during lumbar TFESI. Key words: Transforaminal epidural steroid injection, complication, intravascular injection, Whitacre needle, Quincke needle, procedure time, radiation, digital subtraction angiography


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi-ying Zhang ◽  
Zi Liu ◽  
Ya-li Wang ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Wen Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Postoperative radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) improves outcomes of cervical cancer patients with risk factors. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has an inferior survival than open radical hysterectomy (ORH), however, the impact of MIS on postoperative RT remains uncertain. The study compared the impacts of MIS versus ORH on delivering of adjuvant RT or CRT for intermediate- or high-risk early-stage cervical cancer. Methods Data on stage IB1-IIA2 patients who underwent radical hysterectomy and postoperative RT/CRT in our institution, from 2014 to 2017, were retrospectively collected. Patients with high or intermediate-risk factors who met the Sedlis criteria received postoperative pelvic external beam radiotherapy (50Gy/25f) with platinum-based chemotherapy (0–6 cycles) according to guidelines. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared in the two surgical groups. Results One hundred and twenty-nine patients eligible for the study (68 in ORH; 61 in MIS groups) had similar clinicopathologic features except for the stage (highest in MIS was IB1; IIA1 in ORH) and presence of lymph vascular space invasion (higher in MIS group). The median time interval from surgery to chemotherapy and to RT was shorter in the MIS group. Three-year DFS and OS were similar in both groups. Further sub-analysis indicated that the DFS and OS in intermediate/high-risk groups had no significant difference. Cox-multivariate analyses found that tumor size > 4 cm and time interval from surgery to RT beyond seven weeks were adverse independent prognostic factors for DFS. Conclusions In early-stage (IB1-IIA2) cervical cancer patients with intermediate or high-risk factors who received postoperative RT or CRT, no matter they received ORH or MIS as their primary treatment, the DFS and OS had no significant difference, despite TI from surgery to postoperative adjuvant therapy being shorter in the MIS group than ORH.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Geraint Herbert ◽  
Charlotte Thomas

Abstract Background It has been widely reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on waiting lists for elective surgery in the NHS. Delays in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) are likely to prolong suffering for symptomatic patients and risk increasing complications for patients which may then require emergency care and intervention. In this study we aim to quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on elective waiting lists and to assess what implications this might have on patient care and outcomes.  Methods Electronic health records were retrospectively interrogated for patients undergoing LC in both March 2019 (prior to the COVID-19 pandemic) and March 2021. The following data was captured: age, gender, elective vs emergency operation, laparoscopic vs open, total vs subtotal cholecystectomy, use of drains, length of stay/daycase rates, the number of emergency presentations prior to operation and the number of days between being listed for surgery and their operation. The results were analysed using SPSS Statistics (IBM, New York).  Results 111 patients were included in the study (25 male and 86 female). Of these, 60 had their LC in 2019, and 51 in 2021. The age and gender distribution of the patients in both time periods were similar. The median number of days on the waiting list was significantly higher (P &lt; 0.001) for patients in 2021 at 379.5 days, compared with 153 days in 2019. There was a significant increase in the number of emergency presentations prior to LC in 2021 (P = 0.025) with an average of 0.7 presentations per patient compared with 0.45 in 2019. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the number of emergency LC performed in 2021 (P = 0.002), with 15 performed compared with 4 in 2019, representing 29.4% and 6.7% of all LC respectively. There was no significant change in rates of conversion to open, drains or subtotal cholecystectomy. There was no significant difference in daycase rates for elective patients in either period (55% vs 58%). Conclusions Whilst there has been no change in the operative outcomes for patients undergoing LC, there has been a stark increase in the length of time patients are on a waiting list prior to undergoing elective LC. This has resulted in a significant increase in the number of emergency presentations and the number of emergency LC performed. This study demonstrates the wider impact of increasing waiting list times beyond the prolonged suffering of symptomatic patients. A significant reduction in waiting list times would be beneficial to both patients and healthcare providers, with the aim of reducing the number of emergency presentations. A reduction in these would have a positive impact on acute services and on the associated cost implications.  


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