Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Pathway: Association with Lower Incidence of Wound Complications and Severe Hypoalbuminemia in Patients Undergoing Posterior Lumbar Fusion Surgery

Background. Wound complications were associated with worse satisfaction and additional costs in patients underwent posterior lumbar fusion(PLF) surgery ,the relationship between enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)pathway and wound complications remains poorly characterized.Methods. In this retrospective single-center study, we compared 530 patients receiving ERAS pathway care with previous 530 patients in non-ERAS group. The primary aim of our study was to identify the relationship between ERAS program and the incidence of postoperative wound related complications and other complications following PLF surgery, other outcomes included the length of stay(LOS), 90-day hospital and rehabilitation center readmission.Results. Average patient age was 65yr. There were more patients with old cerebral infarction in ERAS group (p<0.01), other demographics and comorbidities were similar between both groups. Patients in ERAS group had a lower incidence of postoperative wound-related complications compared with non-ERAS group(12.4 vs 17.8%, p=0.02).The non-ERAS group had a significantly higher rate of wound dehiscence or poor wound healing(6% vs 3%, p=0.02). ERAS group had a lower incidence of server postoperative hypoalbuminemia(serum albumin less than 30g/L)(15.8% vs 9.0% p<0.01).Additionally, ERAS patients had a shorter postoperative LOS (8.0±1.5 vs 9.5±1.7 p<0.01), lower rate of readmission within 90 days (1.9% vs 6.4%, p<0.01) and discharge to rehabilitation center (4.2% vs 1.0%, p<0.01).Conclusion. ERAS pathway may help to decrease the rates of postoperative wound complications and server hypoalbuminemia following PLF surgery, additionally, we demonstrated that ERAS pathway was also associated with shorter LOS and lower rate of readmissions within 90-day.

Morphological evaluation of anal canal wound healing after combined operations for combined anorectal pathology

The urgency of the problem of postoperative wound healing after combined operations for combined pathology of the anal canal and rectum is quite high and contributes to the introduction into the practice of coloproctologists of new modern surgical technologies for the treatment of this pathology. The aim of the study was to conduct a comparative morphological assessment of postoperative wound healing in patients with combined pathology of the anal canal and rectum after combined operations using modern high-frequency electrosurgical and radiosurgical technologies. The results of surgical treatment of 689 patients with combined pathology of the anal canal and rectum using high-frequency electrosurgery and radiowave surgery with morphological assessment of wound healing on 3, 5, 7, 14, 21 days of the postoperative period, which were divided into 4 study groups. Using of “Surgitron” and “KLS Martin” devices for the treatment of patients with combined pathology of the anal canal and rectum was accompanied by the formation of the thinnest layers of coagulation necrosis in tissues with a depth of 0.189±0.085 mm and 0.194±0.090 mm respectively and as result patients of the first and fourth study groups had the shortest duration of inpatient treatment, which was 3-5 days and the average time of wound healing, which was 14-15 days. Patients in these study groups had the lowest inflammatory neutrophil reaction in postoperative wounds on day 3, which rapidly disappeared by day 5, on days 7-14 they had active reparative processes with the appearance of fibroblasts and connective tissue fibers, and on 21 day squamous epithelial cells, which indicated the processes of active epithelialization of wounds. The effect on the tissues of the devices “EFA” and “ERBE ICC 200” was deeper than in the above groups, forming a layer of coagulation tissue necrosis with a depth of 0.208±0.097 mm and 0.302±0.107 mm respectively, which was accompanied by patients of the third and second study groups with longer terms of inpatient treatment, which amounted to 5-7 days and increase the duration of wound healing, which amounted to 16-19 days. Patients in the 2nd and 3rd study groups showed a more pronounced inflammatory neutrophilic reaction in postoperative wounds on the 3rd day, which did not disappear until the 5th day and in half of the cases the presence of a significant number of segmental neutrophils and bacterial accumulations persisted. On days 7-14 they had weak reparative processes with the appearance of single fibroblasts and a small number of connective tissue fibers and on the 21st day single squamous epithelial cells, which indicated slow processes of wound epithelization. Using of radio-wave surgery and high-frequency electrosurgery devices promotes active epithelialization of tissues preventing scar strictures of the anal canal and improves the rehabilitation of patients in the postoperative period.

AN UPDATED GUIDELINES ON POST-OPERATIVE WOUND MANAGEMENT

Introduction: management and prevention of wounds after a surgical procedure, are important and debatable topics. Optimal adoption of guidelines for proper prevention and management of post-surgical wounds must be carried out by any surgeon or institute. Postoperative wound care is done by cleaning and dressing the wounds after the surgical procedure, preventing them from getting contaminated with the external surfaces or the microorganisms on the patient’s body. Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is the infection associated with healthcare in which the infection occurs in the wound after an invasive surgical procedure. A minimum of 5% of the patients who undergo surgical procedures will develop surgical site infections. This study draws the attention of the clinicians to a proper set of guidelines for post-operative care to minimize post-operative complications. Materials and Methods: this study is a Retrospective Cohort design. The study was considered 92 patients who had various types of surgery from during the period of 10 months. The patients who had intra-abdominal surgery are only included. The study divided 92 patients into 2 groups. In each group, 46 patients were assigned based on following NICE guidelines on postoperative wound management. Patients, for whom the NICE guidelines were followed properly at every aspect, were assigned to the first group (Group 1). Otherwise, the patients were assigned to the second group (Group 2). The study adopted a list comprising of NICE guidelines which are applicable to this study. The study assessment was done by observing the appearance of Surgical Site Infection among the patients, 3 to 7 days post-surgery. Results: it as found that 91.30% of the Group 1 patients showed significant improvement in terms of resolution while only 13.04% of the patients in improved significant without any surgical site infection (SSI). Conclusion: the study results show that the patients who were given post-operative care according to NICE guidelines had much lesser Surgical Site Infection (SSI) as compared to those who were not given post-operative care according to NICE guidelines. Keywords: surgical site infection, postoperative care, nice guidelines, wound management

Sticking to What Matters: A Matched Comparative Study of Fibrin Glue and Mechanical Fixation for Split-Thickness Skin Grafts in the Lower Extremity

Background: Split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) remain a valuable tool in the reconstructive surgeons’ armamentarium. Staple or suture mechanical fixation (MF) serves as the gold standard of care, though fibrin glue (FG) has gained popularity as a fixation modality. We compare STSG outcomes following application of FG versus MF through a study of lower extremity wounds. Methods: A retrospective review (2016-2019) of patients who underwent a STSG was performed. Two cohorts consisting of patients undergoing a STSG with FG or MF (suture or staple) were matched according to wound size, wound location, and body mass index. Results: A total of 67 patients with 79 wounds were included (FG: n = 30, wounds = 39; MF: n = 37; wounds = 40). There was no significant difference between groups regarding time to 100% graft take (FG: 39 days, MF: 35.1 days; P < .384) or 180-day graft complications (FG: 10.3%, MF: 15%; P < .737). Adjusted operative time for FG (51.8 min) was lower than for MF cases (67.5 min) at a level that approached significance ( P < .094). FG patients were significantly less likely to require a postoperative wound vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) (FG: 16.7%; MF: 76.7%; P < .001) and required a significantly lower number of 30-day postoperative visits (FG: 1.5 ± .78 visits; MF: 2.5 ± .03 visits; P < .001). The MF group had higher mean aggregate charges ($211,090) compared with the FG group (mean: $149,907), although these were not statistically significant ( P > .05). Conclusion: The use of FG for STSG shows comparable clinical outcomes to MF, with a significantly decreased need for postoperative wound VAC, the number of 30-day postoperative visits, and a lower wound-adjusted operative time.

Possibilities of practicing the skills of operative delivery in the context of simulation training

Caesarean section (CS) is one of the most common surgical procedures in the world, and its frequency continues to rise, especially in high- and middle-income countries. A technically correct CS determines the successful course of the intra- and postoperative period, promotes favorable healing of the postoperative wound.