Surgical left atrial appendage closure: success rate and its relationship with cerebrovascular accident

Background: Several surgical procedures such as excision or exclusion are recommended for the closure of the left atrial appendage (LAA). This study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the success rate of different surgical techniques for LAA closure, their respective complications, and the rate of post-surgical cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Methods: This retrospective study included 150 consecutive patients who underwent LAA closure most commonly after mitral valve surgery within 3 to 6 months after surgery. An expert echocardiographic fellow collected the data on patients’ surgical LAA closure methods and history of CVA, types of prosthetic valves, mortality, and bleeding. Results: The failure rate for complete LAA closure was 36.7% (55 patients) in our study. The greatest success rate of complete LAA closure was seen in purse-string method (75.5%), followed by resection method (71.4%), while the lowest success rate (≈ 33.3%) was observed in ligation method. A significant relationship was observed between clots on the surface of metallic valve and postoperative CVA (P = 0.001; likelihood ratio: 32). significant relationship between partial LAA closure and the incidence of post-surgical CVA (P > 0.050). Conclusion: We observed the highest success rate of complete LAA closure in purse-string method followed by resection method. Interestingly, our results showed that despite the higher rate of residual LAA clot in cases of partial LAA closure, the occurrence of post-surgical CVA was mostly related to the presence of clots on the surface of metallic mitral prostheses rather than the presence of partial LAA closure.

Comparison of three purse-string suture techniques for prevention of anal leakage during surgery

OBJECTIVE To compare 3 anal purse-string suture techniques for resistance to leakage and to identify the suture technique requiring the fewest tissue bites to create a consistent leak-proof orifice closure. ANIMALS 18 large-breed canine cadavers. PROCEDURES 3 purse-string suture techniques (3 bites with 0.5 cm between bites [technique A], 5 bites with 0.5 cm between bites [technique B], and 3 bites with 1.0 cm between bites [technique C]) were evaluated. Each technique involved 2-0 monofilament nylon suture that was placed in the cutaneous tissue around the anus and knotted with 6 square throws. Standardized 2.0-cm-diameter circular templates with the designated bite number and spacing indicated were used for suture placement. Leak-pressure testing was performed, and the pressure at which saline was first observed leaking from the anus was recorded. The median and interquartile (25th to 75th percentile) range (IQR) were compared among 3 techniques. RESULTS Median leak pressure for technique A (101 mm Hg; IQR, 35 to 131.3 mm Hg) was significantly greater than that for technique C (19 mm Hg; IQR, 14.3 to 25.3 mm Hg). Median pressure did not differ between techniques A and B (50 mm Hg; IQR, 32.5 to 65 mm Hg) or between techniques B and C. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Placement of an anal purse-string suture prevented leakage at physiologic colonic and rectal pressures, regardless of technique. Placement of 3 bites 0.5 cm apart (technique A) is recommended because it used the fewest number of bites and had the highest resistance to leakage.

Secondary nipple reconstruction using two surgical techniques

Background Although the initial projection after primary nipple reconstruction is excellent, nipple projection gradually flattens in most cases due to multiple causes. Although various methods have been reported to rebuild the nipple after nipple flattening, the most effective method of secondary nipple reconstruction remains unknown. The aim of this study was to review our institution’s experiences with secondary nipple reconstruction.Methods We conducted a retrospective review from March 2012 to January 2019. We performed secondary nipple reconstruction if the primary reconstructed nipple height differed by more than 6 mm from the normal nipple height. We chose the method of nipple revision according to the degree of tissue scarring and the remaining nipple projection.Results We performed secondary nipple reconstruction on a total of 27 nipples, using pursestring sutures for 19 nipples and star flaps in eight nipples. The median follow-up period was 8 months (range, 6–19 months) after the final nipple reconstruction. Among the 19 nipples reconstructed using purse-string sutures, 10 (53%) demonstrated acceptable projection of more than 5 mm. Among the eight nipples reconstructed using star flaps, six (75%) showed acceptable projection of more than 5 mm. Most of the patients (73%) were satisfied (scores of 4 or 5) with the nipple reconstruction overall.Conclusions Few studies have presented favorable outcomes of secondary nipple reconstruction. When the star flap and purse-string suture methods were used depending on the remaining nipple height and scarring, appropriate projection could be achieved.

Radical direct inguinal hernia surgery

E. Balogh (Zentrbl. F. Chir. No. 44/1929) suggests, when opening the inguinal canal, to dissect longitudinally the fascia transversa and separate it from all sides as far as possible from the underlying preperitoneal fatty tissue. Then, on the inside of the transverse fascia, apply a purse-string suture, removing the peritoneum with the instrument inward. Further, the operation ends, typically according to Basini.

A Comparative Study Between Different Surgical Techniques For Left Atrial Exclusion in Patients Undergoing Concomitant Cardiac Surgery

Objectives: To find out the most successful surgical technique to obliterate left atrial appendage (LAA) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who had undergone concomitant cardiac surgery. Background: About 10%-65% of patients develop AF following cardiac surgery [Rho 2009; Mathew 2004; Maesen 2012]. Cerebral cardio-embolic stroke remains the most serious complication in AF patients. LAA is the main anatomical source for thromboembolic events. The use of oral anticoagulants (OAG) is considered to be an effective method for reduction of thromboembolic complications [Johnson 2000]. The use of oral anticoagulants is faced by two important facts which are the therapy duration is still unknown [Kirchhof 2017] and importantly that between 30-50% of patients are not candidates for oral anticoagulants due to the high bleeding risk or other contraindications [Johnson 2000; Kirchhof 2017; Kirchhof 2014]. In such patients, LAA obliteration would be an optimal alternative technique as it will reduce the stroke risk by 50% [Go 2014]. Several surgical techniques with variable degrees of success rates have been used. It still is unclear which surgical technique is optimum to achieve a successful obliteration of the LAA and a considerable reduction of the postoperative stroke events in AF patients. Patients and methods: A total of 100 patients have been subjected to surgical LAA exclusion from April 2017 to April 2019 in two different centers. All patients had postoperative transesophageal echo (TEE) examination to confirm the success of LAA occlusion. All patients included in our study suffered from AF at the time of surgery or in past history, which was confirmed by ECG examination in their previous medical files. A variety of surgical techniques to close the LAA have been utilized, including surgical excision by means of scissors, patch exclusion by means of an endocardial patch, suture exclusion and finally stapler exclusion. TEE examination 16 months postoperatively divided our patients into four groups as follows: successful LAA occlusion, Patent LAA, excluded LAA with persistent flow into LAA, and remnant LAA with a stump connection with LAA more than 1 cm. Results: Out of 100 patients, 30 patients (30%) underwent surgical LAA excision, 24 patients (24%) underwent surgical epicardial suture ligation, eight patients (8%) underwent patch exclusion using autologous pericardial patch, 33 patients (33%) underwent LAA internal orifice purse string suture obliteration, and five patients (5%) underwent stapler exclusion. Forty-two patients out of 100 (42%) showed successful LAA closure. The successful LAA occlusion occurred mostly in LAA excision patients 87%, 24% in LAA internal orifice purse string suture obliteration patients, 21% in epicardial suture ligation patients, and 37.5% in patch exclusion patients. The stapler exclusion was very disappointing as we did not record a single case out of the five patients who showed a successful LAA occlusion. Stroke events were recorded in all surgical techniques except the LAA excision technique. The stroke rate after two years follow up was zero in the surgical excision group, 49% in the suture exclusion group, 20% in the patch exclusion group, and 40% in stapler exclusion group. Conclusion: Surgical LAA excision is the most successful technique for LAA occlusion and represents a promising technique for the reduction of thromboembolic events in AF patients who undergo a concomitant cardiac surgery.