A team approach to anterior lumbar spine surgery in the military

Vascular ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 246-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anahita Dua ◽  
Jennifer Fox ◽  
Bhavin Patel ◽  
Eric Martin ◽  
Michael Rosner ◽  
...  

We report a five year military experience with anterior retroperitoneal spine exposure combining vascular and neurosurgical spine teams. From August 2005 through April 2010 (56 months), hospital records from a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Complications, estimated blood loss, transfusions, operative time and length of stay were documented. Eighty-four patients with lumbar spondylosis underwent primary (63, 75%) or secondary exposure (21, 25%) of a single- (66, 79%) or multilevel disc space (18, 21%). Median operative time and estimated blood loss were 127 minutes (range, 30–331 minutes) and 350 mL (range, 0–2940 mL). The overall complication rate was 23.8%. Postoperative complications included six blood transfusions (7%), three patients with retrograde ejaculation (3.57%) or surgical site infection; two with a prolonged ileus (2.38%) or ventral hernia and one each with a bowel obstruction (1, 1.19%), deep venous thrombosis or lymphocele. All-cause mortality was 1%. In conclusion, a team approach can minimize complications while offering the technical benefits and durability of an anterior approach to the lumbar spine.

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Signe Elmose ◽  
Mikkel Ø. Andersen ◽  
Else Bay Andresen ◽  
Leah Yacat Carreon

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) compared to placebo in low-risk adult patients undergoing elective minor lumbar spine surgery—specifically with respect to operative time, estimated blood loss, and complications. Studies have shown that TXA reduces blood loss during major spine surgery. There have been no previous studies on the effect of TXA in minor lumbar spine surgery in which these variables have been evaluated.METHODSThe authors enrolled patients with ASA grades 1 to 2 scheduled to undergo lumbar decompressive surgery at Middelfart Hospital into a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Patients with thromboembolic disease, coagulopathy, hypersensitivity to TXA, or a history of convulsion were excluded. Patients were randomly assigned, in blocks of 10, to one of 2 groups, TXA or placebo. Anticoagulation therapy was discontinued 2–7 days preoperatively. Prior to the incision, patients received either a bolus of TXA (10 mg/kg) or an equivalent volume of saline solution (placebo). Independent t-tests were used to compare differences between the 2 groups, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.RESULTSOf the 250 patients enrolled, 17 patients were excluded, leaving 233 cases for analysis (117 in the TXA group and 116 in the placebo group). The demographics of the 2 groups were similar, except for a higher proportion of women in the TXA group (TXA 50% vs placebo 32%, p = 0.017). There was no significant between-groups difference in operative time (49.53 ± 18.26 vs 54.74 ± 24.49 minutes for TXA and placebo, respectively; p = 0.108) or intraoperative blood loss (55.87 ± 48.48 vs 69.14 ± 83.47 ml for TXA and placebo, respectively; p = 0.702). Postoperative blood loss measured from drain output was 62% significantly lower in the TXA group (13.03 ± 21.82 ml) than in the placebo group (34.61 ± 44.38 ml) (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in number of dural lesions or postoperative spinal epidural hematomas, and there were no thromboembolic events.CONCLUSIONSTranexamic acid did not have a statistically significant effect on operative time, intraoperative blood loss, or complications. This study gives no evidence to support the routine use of TXA during minor lumbar decompressive surgery.Clinical trial registration no.: NCT03714360 (clinicaltrials.gov)


Author(s):  
Inderpal S. Sarkaria ◽  
Nabil P. Rizk ◽  
Rachel Grosser ◽  
Debra Goldman ◽  
David J. Finley ◽  
...  

Objective Robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) is an emerging complex operation with limited reports detailing morbidity, mortality, and requirements for attaining proficiency. Our objective was to develop a standardized RAMIE technique, evaluate procedure safety, and assess outcomes using a dedicated operative team and 2-surgeon approach. Methods We conducted a study of sequential patients undergoing RAMIE from January 25, 2011, to May 5, 2014. Intermedian demographics and perioperative data were compared between sequential halves of the experience using the Wilcoxon rank sum test and the Fischer exact test. Median operative time was tracked over successive 15-patient cohorts. Results One hundred of 313 esophageal resections performed at our institution underwent RAMIE during the study period. A dedicated team including 2 attending surgeons and uniform anesthesia and OR staff was established. There were no significant differences in age, sex, histology, stage, induction therapy, or risk class between the 2 halves of the study. Estimated blood loss, conversions, operative times, and overall complications significantly decreased. The median resected lymph nodes increased but was not statistically significant. Median operative time decreased to approximately 370 minutes between the 30th and the 45th cases. There were no emergent intraoperative complications, and the anastomotic leak rate was 6% (6/100). The 30-day mortality was 0% (0/100), and the 90-day mortality was 1% (1/100). Conclusions Excellent perioperative and short-term patient outcomes with minimal mortality can be achieved using a standardized RAMIE procedure and a dedicated team approach. The structured process described may serve as a model to maximize patients’ safety during development and assessment of complex novel procedures.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (CN_suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 245-246
Author(s):  
John Thomas Pierce ◽  
Prateek Agarwal ◽  
Paul J Marcotte ◽  
William Charles Welch

Abstract INTRODUCTION Lumbar spine surgery can be successfully performed using various anesthetic techniques. Previous studies have shown varying results in selected outcomes when directly comparing spinal anesthesia (SA) to general anesthesia (GA) in lumbar surgery. We sought to elucidate the more expedient anesthetic technique. METHODS Following IRB approval, a retrospective review of patients undergoing elective lumbar decompression surgery using GA or SA was performed. Demographic data known to influence perioperative morbidity was collected as well as safety and efficiency parameters. After controlling for patient and procedure characteristics, simple linear and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify differences in operative blood loss, operative time, time from entering the OR until incision, time from bandage placement to exiting the OR, total anesthesia time, time in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), and length of hospital stay. RESULTS >544 consecutive lumbar laminectomy and discectomy surgeries were identified with 183 undergoing GA and 361 undergoing SA. The following times were all shorter for patients receiving SA than GA: operative time (97.4 vs. 151.8 min., P < 0.001), total anesthesia time (145.6 vs. 217.5 min., P < 0.001), time from entering the OR until incision (38.3 vs. 46.8 min., respectively, P < 0.001), time from bandage placement until exiting the OR (10.2 vs. 17.2 min., P < 0.001), and length of hospital stay (1.5 vs. 3.1 days, P < 0.001). The mean PACU length of stay was longer in the SA group than the GA group (178.0 vs. 116.5 min., P < 0.001). Estimated blood loss was less in the SA group than the GA group (62.1 vs. 176.3 mL, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Spinal anesthesia may be the more expedient method of anesthesia in lumbar spinal surgery for all perioperative time points except for time in the PACU.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma M. Sim ◽  
Matthew H. Claydon ◽  
Rhiannon M. Parker ◽  
Gregory M. Malham

OBJECT The anterior approach to the lumbar spine may be associated with iliac artery thrombosis. Intraoperative heparin can be administered to prevent thrombosis; however, there is a concern that this will increase the procedural blood loss. The aim of this study was to examine whether intraoperative heparin can be administered without increasing blood loss in anterior lumbar spine surgery. METHODS A prospective study of consecutive anterior approaches for lumbar spine surgery was performed between January 2009 and June 2014 by a single vascular surgeon and a single spine surgeon. Patients underwent an anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) at L4–5 and/or L5–S1, a total disc replacement (TDR) at L4–5 and/or L5–S1, or a hybrid procedure with a TDR at L4–5 and an ALIF at L5–S1. Heparin was administered intravenously when arterial flow to the lower limbs was interrupted during the procedure. Heparin was usually reversed on removal of the causative retraction. RESULTS The cohort consisted of 188 patients with a mean age of 41.7 years; 96 (51.1%) were male. Eighty-four patients (44.7%) had an ALIF, 57 (30.3%) had a TDR, and 47 (25.0%) had a hybrid operation with a TDR at L4–5 and an ALIF at L5–S1. One hundred thirty-four patients (71.3%) underwent a single-level procedure (26.9% L4–5 and 73.1% L5–S1) and 54 (28.7%) underwent a 2-level procedure (L4–5 and L5–S1). Seventy-two patients (38.3%) received heparinization intraoperatively. Heparin was predominantly administered during hybrid operations (68.1%), 2-level procedures (70.4%), and procedures involving the L4–5 level (80.6%). There were no intraoperative ischemic vascular complications reported in this series. There was 1 postoperative deep venous thrombosis. The overall mean estimated blood loss (EBL) for the heparin group (389.7 ml) was significantly higher than for the nonheparin group (160.5 ml) (p < 0.0001). However, when all variables were analyzed with multiple linear regression, only the prosthesis used and level treated were found to be significant in blood loss (p < 0.05). The highest blood loss occurred in hybrid procedures (448.1 ml), followed by TDR (302.5 ml) and ALIF (99.7 ml). There were statistically significant differences between the EBL during ALIF compared with TDR and hybrid (p < 0.0001), but not between TDR and hybrid. The L4–5 level was associated with significantly higher blood loss (384.9 ml) compared with L5–S1 (111.4 ml) (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS During an anterior exposure for lumbar spine surgery, the administration of heparin does not significantly increase blood loss. The prosthesis used and level treated were found to significantly increase blood loss, with TDR and the L4–5 level having greater blood loss compared with ALIF and L5–S1, respectively. Heparin can be administered safely to help prevent thrombotic intraoperative vascular complications without increasing blood loss.


2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 300-307
Author(s):  
Maria Baimas-George ◽  
Michael J. Passeri ◽  
William B. Lyman ◽  
Andrew Dries ◽  
Tarun Narang ◽  
...  

As bariatric surgery increases, there is a growing population of patients with biliary obstruction and anatomy which precludes transoral access through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Minimally invasive transgastric ERCP (TG-ERCP) offers a feasible alternative for the treatment. A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic-assisted TG-ERCP between 2010 and 2017. Chart abstraction collected demographics, procedural details, success rate, and postoperative outcomes. Forty patients were identified, of which 38 cases were performed laparoscopically and two robotically. Median operative time was 163 minutes, with an estimated blood loss of 50 cc. TG-ERCP was performed successfully in 36 cases (90%); sphincterotomy was completed in 35 patients (97%). Sixty per cent already had a cholecystectomy; in the remaining patients, it was performed concurrently. Major complications included stomach perforation (n = 1), pancreatitis (n = 3), and anemia requiring transfusion (n = 2). In patients with biliary obstruction and anatomy not suitable for ERCP, TG-ERCP can be performed in a minimally invasive fashion, with a high rate of technical success and low morbidity. We describe a stepwise, reproducible technique because it is an essential tool for the shared armamentarium of endoscopists and surgeons.


Hand ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Sasor ◽  
Julia A. Cook ◽  
Stephen P. Duquette ◽  
Elizabeth A. Lucich ◽  
Adam C. Cohen ◽  
...  

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of upper extremity discomfort. Surgical release of the median nerve can be performed under general or local anesthetic, with or without a tourniquet. Wide-awake carpal tunnel release (CTR) (local anesthesia, no sedation) is gaining popularity. Tourniquet discomfort is a reported downside. This study reviews outcomes in wide-awake CTR and compares tourniquet versus no tourniquet use. Methods: Wide-awake, open CTRs performed from February 2013 to April 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts: with and without tourniquet. Demographics, comorbidities, tobacco use, operative time, estimated blood loss, complications and outcomes were compared. Results: A total of 304 CTRs were performed on 246 patients. The majority of patients were male (88.5%), and the mean age was 59.9 years. One hundred patients (32.9%) were diabetic, and 92 patients (30.2%) were taking antithrombotics. Seventy-five patients (24.7%) were smokers. A forearm tourniquet was used for 90 CTRs (29.6%). Mean operative time was 24.97 minutes with a tourniquet and 21.69 minutes without. Estimated blood loss was 3.16 mL with a tourniquet and 4.25 mL without. All other analyzed outcomes were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Operative time was statistically longer and estimated blood loss was statistically less with tourniquet use, but these findings are not clinically significant. This suggests that local anesthetic with epinephrine is a safe and effective alternative to tourniquet use in CTR. The overall rate of complications was low, and there were no major differences in postoperative outcomes between groups.


2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-191
Author(s):  
A. Ercoli ◽  
A. Fagotti ◽  
M. Malzoni ◽  
G. Ferrandina ◽  
T. Susini ◽  
...  

This study describes the surgical technique and intra- and postoperative complications associated with the use of a radiofrequency bipolar coagulator in a series of 18 Piver type III-IV radical hysterectomies performed in cervical cancer patients. Preliminary vessel-by-vessel dissection of the lateral parametria was possible in 17 out of 18 (94%) cases, and a direct application of a radiofrequency bipolar coagulation instrument was performed to coagulate the posterior and anterior parametrial tissues in all cases. We were able to easily coagulate isolated vessels up to 5 mm of maximal diameter. In no case were clamps or hemoclips necessary to complete hemostasis. We did not observe any parametrial vessel damage or heat-related injury of the surrounding normal tissue. The median size of the parametria removed was 44 mm (range 31–58) and nodes were detected in 15 cases (83%). Median operative time and estimated blood loss for the whole procedure including systematic pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy was 250 min (range 200–410) and 550 ml (range 400–2500), respectively. Median follow-up time was 9 months (range 5–13). No complications specifically related to the use of radiofrequency coagulation were found. In conclusion the radio-frequency coagulation with this instrument appears to be a safe technique that is particularly useful in reducing blood loss and operative time without affecting radicality in patients undergoing radical hysterectomy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Newaj Abdullah ◽  
Deepansh Dalela ◽  
Ravi Barod ◽  
Jeff Larson ◽  
Michael Johnson ◽  
...  

<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>We sought to evaluate the association of obesity with surgical outcomes of robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) using a large, multicentre database.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We identified 1836 patients who underwent RPN from five academic centres from 2006-2014.  A total of 806 patients were obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>). Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared between obese and non-obese patients. Multivariable analysis was used to assess the association of obesity on RPN outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 806 (44%) patients were obese with median BMI of 33.8kg/m<sup>2</sup>. Compared to non-obese patients, obese patients had greater median tumour size (2.9 vs. 2.5 cm, p&lt;0.001), mean RENAL nephrometry score (7.3 vs. 7.1, p = 0.04), median operating time (176 vs. 165 min, p=0.002), and median estimated blood loss (EBL, 150 vs. 100 ml, p=0.002), but no difference in complications. Obesity was not an independent predictor of operative time or EBL on regression analysis. Among obese patients, males had a greater EBL (150 vs. 100 ml, p&lt;0.001), operative time (180 vs. 166 min, p&lt;0.001) and warm ischemia time (WIT, 20 vs. 18, p=0.001) and male sex was an independent predictor of these outcomes on regression analysis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In this large, multicentre study on RPN, obesity was not associated with increased complications and was not an independent predictor of operating time or blood loss.  However, in obese patients, male gender was an independent predictor of greater EBL, operative time, and WIT.  Our results indicate that obesity alone should not preclude consideration for RPN.<strong></strong></p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 744-752
Author(s):  
Hailun Zhan ◽  
Chunping Huang ◽  
Tengcheng Li ◽  
Fei Yang ◽  
Jiarong Cai ◽  
...  

Objectives. The warm ischemia time (WIT) is key to successful laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis comparing the self-retaining barbed suture (SRBS) with a non-SRBS for parenchymal repair during LPN. Methods. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library was performed up to March 2018. Inclusion criteria for this study were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational comparative studies assessing the SRBS and non-SRBS for parenchymal repair during LPN. Outcomes of interest included WIT, complications, overall operative time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, and change of renal function. Results. One RCT and 7 retrospective studies were identified, which included a total of 461 cases. Compared with the non-SRBS, use of the SRBS for parenchymal repair during LPN was associated with shorter WIT ( P < .00001), shorter overall operative time ( P < .00001), lower estimated blood loss ( P = .02), and better renal function preservation ( P = .001). There was no significant difference between the SRBS and non-SRBS with regard to complications ( P = .08) and length of hospital stay ( P = .25). Conclusions. The SRBS for parenchymal repair during LPN can significantly shorten the WIT and overall operative time, decrease blood loss, and preserve renal function.


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