Post-Ureteroscopy Infections Are Linked to Pre-Operative Stent Dwell Time over Two Months: Outcomes of Three European Endourology Centres

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate outcomes of pre-operative stent dwell time on infectious complications following ureteroscopy and stone treatment to identify a time cut-off. Material and Methods: Three tertiary referral centres in Europe retrospectively collected outcomes of ureteroscopy and laser fragmentation (URSL) for all patients with pre-operative indwelling ureteric stents over a period of up to 5 years. Data was collected on patient details, stone demographics, stent dwell time, complications and stone free rate (SFR). Matching for age, sex, operative time, stone size and post-operative stent insertion. To examine for a threshold effect, monthly cut-offs were used to compare post-ureteroscopic febrile UTIs. Binomial logistic regression was used (SPSS v.24) with a significance level set at 0.0036. The risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and the number needed to harm (NNH) are reported. Results: There were 467 patients with a pre-operative stent for analysis. These patients (n = 315) were matched to non-stented controls after excluding 152 patients to achieve adequate matching. There was a significant difference in rates of post-ureteroscopic febrile UTI between stented vs non-stented patients (RR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.10–6.48, p = 0.03). On adjustment, a dwell time of more than two months was associated with an increased risk of post-ureteroscopic febrile UTI (RR = 3.94, 95% CI: 1.30–12.01, p = 0.02), this increased risk rose with longer dwell time. At stent time longer than four months was associated with a significantly increased risk of post-ureteroscopic febrile UTI (5% vs. 15%, RR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.56–6.10, p = 0.001), with the number needed to harm at 10. Conclusions: Overall infectious complication rates from URSL are low. The risk of post-operative UTI after four months of dwell time is nearly tripled compared to less than four months.

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A comparison of performance of Shepard and Sheehy collar button ventilation tubes

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215100117761 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 105 (11) ◽

pp. 896-898 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Judith M. Heaton ◽

Brian J. G. Bingham ◽

Jonathan Osborne

Keyword(s):

Otitis Media With Effusion ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Middle Ear Effusion ◽

Recurrence Rates ◽

Tube Extrusion ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Ventilation Tubes ◽

Ear Effusion

AbstractThis study was designed to confirm the longer in situ life of the Sheehy collar button compared with the Shepard tube and to assess the complication rate associated with the two tubes. Cases of bilateral otitis media with effusion had a Shepard tube inserted in one ear and a Sheehy contralaterally. The insertion position was allocated randomly. The patients were then assessed at three-monthly intervals for two years. In 71 percent of those in whom at least on tube had extruded, the Sheehy remained in situ longer. The antero-inferior tube remained longer than the postero-inferior whichever type was used. There was no significant difference between complication rates, or recurrence rates of middle ear effusion after tube extrusion, for the two types. We conclude that use of a Sheehy rather than a Shepard tube carries no increased risk of complications and the patient may require further surgery less often in total.

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Abstract 249: The Costs and Acute Outcomes Following Pulmonary Vein Isolation for Atrial Fibrillation in Elderly Patients a Comparison Between Cryoballoon and Radiofrequency Ablation

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.140.suppl_2.249 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 140 (Suppl_2) ◽

Author(s):

Chao-Feng Chen

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Length Of Stay ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

Pulmonary Vein ◽

Pulmonary Vein Isolation ◽

Left Atrial ◽

Dwell Time ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Rf Ablation ◽

Significant Difference

Backgroup: Limited comparative data exist regarding catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) using second-generation cryoballoon (CB-2) ablation versus radiofrequency (RF) ablation in elderly patients (>75 years ). This study aims to compare the costs and periprocedural outcomes in elderly patients using these two strategies. Methods: Elderly patients (>75years) with symptomatic drug-refractory AF were included in the study. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was performed in all patients by CB or RF. The costs and periprocedural outcomes of the two strategies are compared using SPSS 22. Results: 324 elderly patients with symptomatic drug-refractory paroxysmal/short-lasting persistent AF received PVI using RF (n=176) and CB-2 (n=148) from September 2016 to April 2019. The CB-2 was associated with shorter procedure duration and left atrial dwell time (128.9±18.3 vs. 152.8±18.9 minutes, P<0.001; 89.4±18.4 vs. 101.9± 22.2minutes, P <0.001), but greater fluoroscopy utilization (24.3±10.9 vs. 19.2±7.5 minutes, P <0.001). Periprocedural complications occurred in 3.4% (CB-2) and 9.1% (RF) of patients (P=0.037). There was no significant difference between 2 groups for AF/atrial tachycardia (AT) recurrence until discharge (16.2 vs. 18.7%, P = 0.552). The length of stay after ablation was shorter, but the costs were greater in the CB-2 group ( P <0.001). Conclusions: Both CB-2 and RF ablation appear to be safe and effective for AF in elderly patients (>75 years). In addition, CB-2 is associated with shorter procedure time, left atrial dwell time, and length of stay after ablation, as well as lower complication rates, but its costs and fluoroscopy time are greater than those of the RF group.

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Comparison of open reduction and internal fixation versus closed reduction and percutaneous fixation for medial malleolus fractures

Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics ◽

10.1177/2473011417s000286 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 2473011417S0002

Author(s):

Andrew Matson ◽

Stephen Barchick ◽

Samuel Adams

Keyword(s):

Internal Fixation ◽

External Fixation ◽

Closed Reduction ◽

Open Reduction ◽

Wound Complications ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Percutaneous Fixation ◽

Open Injury ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference

Category: Ankle, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Open approaches are often used for the operative treatment of medial malleolar (MM) fractures. Compared to percutaneous approaches, open approaches may entail an increased risk of operative morbidity, postoperative pain, wound complications, and reoperation for hardware removal. However, inherent to minimally invasive or percutaneous techniques is incomplete fracture visualizationwhich may hinder acceptable reduction. In this study, we aimed to compare patients treated with closed reduction and percutaneous fixation (CRPF) to those patients treated with traditional open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). We hypothesized that the two groups would be similar with regard to patient factors, injury variables, and outcomes. Methods: The study group consisted of 184 consecutive patients who met inclusion criteria and were treated with operative fixation of a MM fracture from 2011-2015 at a single institution. Forty underwent CRPF and 144 underwent ORIF. Patient demographics, injury characteristics, treatment methods, and outcome variables were recorded through review of patient charts, radiographs, and operative reports. Results: Patient variables were similar between groups except for years of age, which was greater on average in the CRPF group (55 vs. 48, p = 0.03). The CRPF treatment group had a higher rate of initial open injury (22% vs. 7%, p<0.01), a lower rate of MM fracture comminution (12% vs. 29%, p = 0.03), and a higher rate of provisional external fixation (35% vs. 14%, p<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference observed between the CRPF and ORIF groups with regard to outcomes including: nonunion (2% vs. 3%), malunion (10% vs. 5%), time to union (10 weeks, each), removal of hardware (8% vs. 14%), or wound complications (0% vs. 4%). Conclusion: Both CRPF and ORIF resulted in acceptable radiographic outcomes and low complication rates for the treatment of MM fractures. Compared to the ORIF group, patients in the CRPF group on average were older and more often had comminution, open fractures, and provisional external fixation.

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Complication rates of external ventricular drain insertion by surgeons of different experience

Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England ◽

10.1308/rcsann.2017.0221 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 100 (3) ◽

pp. 221-225 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

J Yuen ◽

W Selbi ◽

S Muquit ◽

T Berei

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Antibiotic Prophylaxis ◽

Infection Rate ◽

External Ventricular Drain ◽

Operating Time ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Surgeon Experience ◽

Duration Of Surgery

Introduction Insertion of external ventricular drain (EVD) is a widely accepted, routinely performed procedure for treatment of hydrocephalus and raised intracranial pressure. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a surgeon’s experience affects the associated complication rate. Methods This retrospective study included all adult patients undergoing EVD insertion at a single centre between July 2013 and June 2015. Medical records were retrieved to obtain details on patient demographics, surgical indication, risk factors for infection and use of anticoagulants or antiplatelets. Surgeon experience, operative time, intraoperative antibiotic prophylaxis, need for revision surgery and EVD associated infection were examined. Information on catheter tip position and radiological evidence of intracranial haemorrhage was obtained from postoperative imaging. Results A total of 89 patients were included in the study. The overall infection, haemorrhage and revision rates were 4.8%, 7.8% and 13.0% respectively, with no significant difference among surgeons of different experience. The mean operating time for patients who developed an infection was 22 minutes while for those without an infection, it was 33 minutes (p=0.474). Anticoagulation/antiplatelet use did not appear to increase the rate of haemorrhage. The infection rate did not correlate with known risk factors (eg diabetes and steroids), operation start time (daytime vs out of hours) or duration of surgery although intraoperative (single dose) antibiotic prophylaxis seemed to reduce the infection rate. There was also a correlation between longer duration of catheterisation and increased risk of infection. Conclusions This is the first study demonstrating there is no significant difference in complication rates between surgeons of different experience. EVD insertion is a core neurosurgical skill and junior trainees should be trained to perform it.

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Perioperative glycemic measures among non-fasting gynecologic oncology patients receiving carbohydrate loading in an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol

International Journal of Gynecological Cancer ◽

10.1136/ijgc-2019-000991 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 533-540

Author(s):

Stephanie Alimena ◽

Michele Falzone ◽

Colleen M Feltmate ◽

Kia Prescott ◽

Leah Contrino Slattery ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Enhanced Recovery ◽

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery ◽

Gynecologic Oncology ◽

Infectious Complications ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Glucose Testing ◽

Carbohydrate Loading ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Preoperative Carbohydrate Loading

IntroductionPreoperative carbohydrate loading is an effective method to control postoperative insulin resistance. However, data are limited concerning the effects of carbohydrate loading on preoperative hyperglycemia and possible impacts on complication rates.MethodsA prospective cohort study was performed of patients enrolled in an enhanced recovery after surgery pathway at a single institution. All patients underwent laparotomy for known or suspected gynecologic malignancies. Patients who had been diagnosed with diabetes preoperatively and those prescribed total parenteral nutrition by their providers were excluded. Data regarding preoperative carbohydrate loading with a commercial maltodextrin beverage, preoperative glucose testing, postoperative day 1 glucose, insulin administration, and complications (all complications, infectious complications, and hyperglycemia-related complications) were collected. The primary endpoint of the study was the incidence of postoperative infectious complications, defined as superficial or deep wound infection, organ/space infection, urinary tract infection, pneumonia, sepsis, or septic shock.ResultsOf 415 patients, 76.9% had a preoperative glucose recorded. The mean age was 60.5±12.4 years (range 18–93). Of those with recorded glucose values, 30 patients (9.4%) had glucose ≥180 mg/dL, none of whom were actually given insulin preoperatively. Median preoperative glucose value was significantly increased after carbohydrate loading (122.0 mg/dL with carbohydrate loading vs 101.0 mg/dL without, U=3143, p=0.001); however, there was no relationship between carbohydrate loading and complications. There was a significantly increased risk of hyperglycemia-related complications with postoperative day 1 morning glucose values ≥140 mg/dL (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.23; p=0.03). Otherwise, preoperative and postoperative hyperglycemia with glucose thresholds of ≥140 mg/dL or ≥180 mg/dL were not associated with increased risk of other types of complications.DiscussionCarbohydrate loading is associated with increased preoperative glucose values; however, this is not likely to be clinically significant as it does not have an impact on complication rates. Preoperative hyperglycemia is not a risk factor for postoperative complications in a carbohydrate-loaded population when known diabetic patients are excluded.PrecisWhile glucose increased with carbohydrate loading in non-diabetic patients, this was not associated with complications.

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Morbidity, mortality, and health care costs for patients undergoing spine surgery following the ACGME resident duty-hour reform

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2014.5.spine13283 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 502-515 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Ranjith Babu ◽

Steven Thomas ◽

Matthew A. Hazzard ◽

Yuliya V. Lokhnygina ◽

Allan H. Friedman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Mortality Rate ◽

Patient Outcomes ◽

Spine Surgery ◽

Teaching Hospitals ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Reform Era ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Resident Duty

Object The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) implemented resident duty-hour restrictions on July 1, 2003, in concern for patient and resident safety. Whereas studies have shown that duty-hour restrictions have increased resident quality of life, there have been mixed results with respect to patient outcomes. In this study, the authors have evaluated the effect of duty-hour restrictions on morbidity, mortality, length of stay (LOS), and charges in patients who underwent spine surgery. Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to evaluate the effect of duty-hour restrictions on complications, mortality, LOS, and charges by comparing the prereform (2000–2002) and postreform (2005–2008) periods. Outcomes were compared between nonteaching and teaching hospitals using a difference-in-differences (DID) method. Results A total of 693,058 patients were included in the study. The overall complication rate was 8.6%, with patients in the postreform era having a significantly higher rate than those in the pre–duty-hour restriction era (8.7% vs 8.4%, p < 0.0001). Examination of hospital teaching status revealed complication rates to decrease in nonteaching hospitals (8.2% vs 7.6%, p < 0.0001) while increasing in teaching institutions (8.6% vs 9.6%, p < 0.0001) in the duty-hour reform era. The DID analysis to compare the magnitude in change between teaching and nonteaching institutions revealed that teaching institutions to had a significantly greater increase in complications during the postreform era (p = 0.0002). The overall mortality rate was 0.37%, with no significant difference between the pre– and post–duty-hour eras (0.39% vs 0.36%, p = 0.12). However, the mortality rate significantly decreased in nonteaching hospitals in the postreform era (0.30% vs 0.23%, p = 0.0008), while remaining the same in teaching institutions (0.46% vs 0.46%, p = 0.75). The DID analysis to compare the changes in mortality between groups revealed that the difference between the effects approached significance (p = 0.069). The mean LOS for all patients was 4.2 days, with hospital stay decreasing in nonteaching hospitals (3.7 vs 3.5 days, p < 0.0001) while significantly increasing in teaching institutions (4.7 vs 4.8 days, p < 0.0001). The DID analysis did not demonstrate the magnitude of change for each group to differ significantly (p = 0.26). Total patient charges were seen to rise significantly in the post–duty-hour reform era, increasing from $40,000 in the prereform era to $69,000 in the postreform era. The DID analysis did not reveal a significant difference between the changes in charges between teaching and nonteaching hospitals (p = 0.55). Conclusions The implementation of duty-hour restrictions was associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications for patients undergoing spine surgery. Therefore, contrary to its intended purpose, duty-hour reform may have resulted in worse patient outcomes. Additional studies are needed to evaluate strategies to mitigate these effects and assist in the development of future health care policy.

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Worse outcomes for patients undergoing brain tumor and cerebrovascular procedures following the ACGME resident duty-hour restrictions

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/2014.5.jns1314 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 121 (2) ◽

pp. 262-276 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Ranjith Babu ◽

Steven Thomas ◽

Matthew A. Hazzard ◽

Allan H. Friedman ◽

John H. Sampson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brain Tumor ◽

Length Of Stay ◽

Patient Outcomes ◽

Teaching Hospitals ◽

Neurosurgical Procedures ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Reform Era ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Neurosurgical Patients ◽

Significant Difference

Object On July 1, 2003, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) implemented duty-hour restrictions for resident physicians due to concerns for patient and resident safety. Though duty-hour restrictions have increased resident quality of life, studies have shown mixed results with respect to patient outcomes. In this study, the authors have evaluated the effect of duty-hour restrictions on morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and charges in patients who underwent brain tumor and cerebrovascular procedures. Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to evaluate the effect of duty-hour restrictions on complications, mortality, length of stay, and charges by comparing the pre-reform (2000–2002) and post-reform (2005–2008) periods. Outcomes were compared between nonteaching and teaching hospitals using a difference-in-differences (DID) method. Results A total of 90,648 patients were included in the analysis. The overall complication rate was 11.7%, with the rates not significantly differing between the pre– and post–duty hour eras (p = 0.26). Examination of hospital teaching status revealed that complication rates decreased in nonteaching hospitals (12.1% vs 10.4%, p = 0.0004) and remained stable in teaching institutions (11.8% vs 11.9%, p = 0.73) in the post-reform era. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significantly higher complication risk in teaching institutions (OR 1.33 [95% CI 1.11–1.59], p = 0.0022), with no significant change in nonteaching hospitals (OR 1.11 [95% CI 0.91–1.37], p = 0.31). A DID analysis to compare the magnitude in change between teaching and nonteaching institutions revealed that teaching hospitals had a significantly greater increase in complications during the post-reform era than nonteaching hospitals (p = 0.040). The overall mortality rate was 3.0%, with a significant decrease occurring in the post-reform era in both nonteaching (5.0% vs 3.2%, p < 0.0001) and teaching (3.2% vs 2.3%, p < 0.0001) hospitals. DID analysis to compare the changes in mortality between groups did not reveal a significant difference (p = 0.40). The mean length of stay for all patients was 8.7 days, with hospital stay decreasing from 9.2 days to 8.3 days in the post-reform era (p < 0.0001). The DID analysis revealed a greater length of stay decrease in nonteaching hospitals than teaching institutions, which approached significance (p = 0.055). Patient charges significantly increased in the post-reform era for all patients, increasing from $70,900 to $96,100 (p < 0.0001). The DID analysis did not reveal a significant difference between the changes in charges between teaching and nonteaching hospitals (p = 0.17). Conclusions The implementation of duty-hour restrictions correlated with an increased risk of postoperative complications for patients undergoing brain tumor and cerebrovascular neurosurgical procedures. Duty-hour reform may therefore be associated with worse patient outcomes, contrary to its intended purpose. Due to the critical condition of many neurosurgical patients, this patient population is most sensitive and likely to be negatively affected by proposed future increased restrictions.

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Impact of Children's Hospital Designation on Outcomes and Costs after Cholecystectomy in Adolescent Patients

The American Surgeon ◽

10.1177/000313481808401001 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 84 (10) ◽

pp. 1547-1550

Author(s):

Cynthia M. Tom ◽

Roy P. Won ◽

Scott Friedlander ◽

Rie Sakai-Bizmark ◽

Christian De Virgilio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Length Of Stay ◽

Surgical Procedures ◽

Infectious Complications ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Uninsured Patients ◽

Younger Patients ◽

Intraoperative Cholangiogram ◽

Black Patients ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Inpatient Database

Variations in the management of adolescents at children's hospitals (CHs) and nonchildren's hospitals (NCHs) have been well described in the trauma literature. However, the effects of CH designation on outcomes after common general surgical procedures have not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes and costs of adolescent cholecystectomies performed at CHs and NCHs. Within the California State Inpatient Database (2005–2011), we identified 8117 cholecystectomy patients aged 13 to 18 years at CHs and NCHs. Outcomes (laparoscopy, intraoperative cholangiogram, length of stay (LOS), and complications) and costs were analyzed. CHs cared for younger patients, more uninsured patients, and more black patients. NCHs were associated with higher laparoscopy use (95.7% vs 88.3%, P < 0.01), higher intra-operative cholangiogram rates (28.8% vs 11.9%, P < 0.001), shorter LOS (3.2 vs 5.0 days, P < 0.01), and lower costs by $5797 per patient ($11,219 vs $17,016, P < 0.01). Although there was no significant difference in overall complication rates, CHs had higher rates of infectious complications (2.0% vs 1.0%, P = 0.004). Adolescent cholecystectomies are safely performed at NCHs while achieving increased laparoscopy use, shorter LOS, and lower costs compared with CHs.

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THE IMPACT OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE SURGERY ON PERIOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS IN OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE PATIENTS

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/01.neu.0000317318.33365.f1 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 62 (3) ◽

pp. 693-699 ◽

Cited By ~ 65

Author(s):

Paul Park ◽

Cheerag Upadhyaya ◽

Hugh J.L. Garton ◽

Kevin T. Foley

Keyword(s):

Adverse Events ◽

Minimally Invasive ◽

Perioperative Complications ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Obese Patients ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

Lumbar Spinal ◽

The Impact

Abstract OBJECTIVE Open lumbar spinal surgery in overweight or obese patients has been associated with increased risk of perioperative complications. The impact of minimally invasive spinal (MIS) surgery on the incidence of perioperative adverse events in overweight or obese patients, however, has not been well evaluated. METHODS A retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing lumbar MIS surgery from January 2006 to April 2007 was performed. Of the 77 patients identified, 56 had a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 kg/m2 or greater. RESULTS Of the 56 patients with a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater, 32 (57.1%) were men; the mean age was 54.1 years. The mean BMI was 31.0 kg/m2 (range, 25.1–43.8 kg/m2). Using a broad definition of an adverse event, eight (14.3%) complications were identified. In the discectomy/laminotomy subgroup (31 patients), two (6.5%) adverse events were noted. In the fusion subgroup (25 patients), six (24%) adverse events were noted, most of which were minor. Of the 21 patients with a BMI less than 25 kg/m2, eight (38.1%) were men, and the mean age was 43.7 years. The mean BMI was 22.5 kg/m2 (range, 16.8–24.6 kg/m2). Three (14.3%) complications were noted overall. In the discectomy/laminotomy subgroup (17 patients), two (11.8%) adverse events occurred. One (25%) complication developed in the four patients making up the fusion subgroup. There was no statistically significant difference in complication rates between groups. Logistic regression also found no statistically significant relationship between BMI and perioperative complications. CONCLUSION There does not appear to be an increased risk of developing perioperative complications in overweight or obese patients undergoing MIS surgery, which may reflect a potential benefit of the MIS approach.

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The safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation following endoscopic submucosal dissection for Barrett's neoplasia

Diseases of the Esophagus ◽

10.1093/dote/dox133 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S Subramaniam ◽

K Kandiah ◽

F Chedgy ◽

P Meredith ◽

G Longcroft-Wheaton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Radiofrequency Ablation ◽

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection ◽

Endoscopic Resection ◽

Stricture Formation ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Safety And Efficacy ◽

Submucosal Dissection ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Tertiary Center ◽

Significant Difference

SUMMARY The current standard of treating early Barrett's neoplasia is resection of visible lesions using endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) followed by ablative therapy to the Barrett's segment. There is increasing evidence to support the use of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) where en-bloc resection and lower recurrence rates may be achieved. However, ESD is associated with deep submucosal dissection when compared to EMR. This may increase the risk of complications including stricture formation with subsequent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy. The aim of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of RFA following EMR and ESD as well as when RFA was used without prior endoscopic resection. The primary outcome measure was complication rates. Clearance of dysplasia (CRD) and clearance of intestinal metaplasia (CRIM) were secondary outcomes. A retrospective analysis of a cohort of 91 patients referred for RFA from a single academic tertiary center was performed. The choice of endoscopic resection method was tailored according to the lesion type and morphology. Focal and circumferential ablation was performed after initial follow up endoscopy postresection. Patients proceeded straight to RFA in the absence of any visible lesions. In this study, the ESD group had a higher proportion of cancers compared to the EMR cohort (74.1% vs. 30.2%, P < 0.01) prior to RFA. All complications post RFA occurred in the groups with previous endoscopic resection. There was no significant difference in the total complication rate (7.4% vs. 9.3%, P = 0.78) and stricture formation rate (3.7% vs. 9.3%, P = 0.38) between the ESD and EMR groups. CRD was achieved in 96.3% in the ESD group, 88.4% in the EMR group, and all patients in the RFA alone group. CRIM rates were similar in the EMR and ESD groups (81.4% vs. 85.2%) but higher in the RFA alone group (90.5%). In conclusion, RFA following ESD is very effective and not associated with an increased risk of complications compared to EMR. This supports the application of RFA in the treatment algorithm of patients undergoing ESD for Barrett's neoplasia.

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