Open repair for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms precipitated by chronic aortic dissection

Chronic dissection of the thoracoabdominal aorta may require surgical repair for aneurysm, malperfusion, or rupture. Endovascular repair is made difficult by a noncompliant dissection septum, visceral vessels arising from different lumens, and the common use of diseased aortic landing zones. Thus, open repair remains the gold standard in terms of favorable outcomes and durability. During thoracoabdominal aortic repair, we use a multimodal strategy to prevent spinal cord and visceral or renal artery ischemia; key modalities include cerebrospinal fluid drainage, left heart bypass with and without visceral protection, cold renal protection, and aggressive reimplantation of intercostal or lumbar arteries. Patients with chronic dissection require lifelong surveillance, as there is a significant risk for subsequent intervention on unrepaired aortic segments.

Longitudinal Follow-Up With Radiologic Screening for Recurrence and Secondary Hiatal Hernia in Neonates With Open Repair of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia—A Large Prospective, Observational Cohort Study at One Referral Center

Objective: After neonatal repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) recurrence is the most severe surgical complication and reported in up to 50% after patch implantation. Previous studies are difficult to compare due to differences in surgical techniques and retrospective study design and lack of standardized follow-up or radiologic imaging. The aim was to reliably detect complication rates by radiologic screening during longitudinal follow-up after neonatal open repair of CDH and to determine possible risk factors.Methods: At our referral center with standardized treatment algorithm and follow-up program, consecutive neonates were screened for recurrence by radiologic imaging at defined intervals during a 12-year period.Results: 326 neonates with open CDH repair completed follow-up of a minimum of 2 years. 68 patients (21%) received a primary repair, 251 (77%) a broad cone-shaped patch, and 7 a flat patch (2%). Recurrence occurred in 3 patients (0.7%) until discharge and diaphragmatic complications in 28 (8.6%) thereafter. Overall, 38 recurrences and/or secondary hiatal hernias were diagnosed (9% after primary repair, 12.7% after cone-shaped patch; p = 0.53). Diaphragmatic complications were significantly associated with initial defect size (r = 0.26). In multivariate analysis left-sided CDH, an abdominal wall patch and age below 4 years were identified as independent risk factors. Accordingly, relative risks (RRs) were significantly increased [left-sided CDH: 8.5 (p = 0.03); abdominal wall patch: 3.2 (p < 0.001); age ≤4 years: 6.5 (p < 0.002)]. 97% of patients with diaphragmatic complications showed no or nonspecific symptoms and 45% occurred beyond 1 year of age.Conclusions: The long-term complication rate after CDH repair highly depends on surgical technique: a comparatively low recurrence rate seems to be achievable in large defects by implantation of a broad cone-shaped, non-absorbable patch. Longitudinal follow-up with regular radiologic imaging until adolescence is essential to reliably detecting recurrence to prevent acute incarceration and chronic gastrointestinal morbidity with their impact on prognosis. Based on our findings and literature review, a risk-stratified approach to diaphragmatic complications is proposed.

Comparison of Laparoscope-Assisted Single-Needle Laparoscopic Percutaneous Extraperitoneal Closure versus Open Repair for Pediatric Inguinal Hernia

Background: Laparoscopic repairs have gained gradual acceptance in pediatric inguinal hernia over the past decade. However, consensus about the optimal management is still lacking. The aim of this study is to present a modified single-needle laparoscopic approach with the assistance of a laparoscope and to evaluate the surgical outcomes in comparison with traditional open repair method. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical data of children who underwent laparoscope-assisted single-needle laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC) and open repair (OR) for inguinal hernia from 2014 to 2019. Data were reviewed and analyzed with respect to the operating time, the incidence of metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia (MCIH), recurrence, and other complications. Results: In our cohort, 961 patients in the OR group and 1098 patients in the LPEC group were analyzed retrospectively. Mean operative time was significantly shorter in the LPEC group (22.3±3.5 min) than in the OR group (27.8±5.9 min) for bilateral hernia repair (p<0.001). Iatrogenic cryptorchidism occurred statistically more frequently in the OR group than in the LPEC group (0.4% vs. 0%, p=0.013). In addition, the incidence of MCIH was 3.7% (33/887) in the OR group and 0.3% (3/1014) in the LPEC group (p<0.01). Conclusion: Based on the current outcomes, laparoscope-assisted single-needle LPEC provides a simple and attractive option for the administration of pediatric patients with inguinal hernia/hydrocele to reduce the MCIH.

Outcomes and Complications of Open Versus Minimally Invasive Repair of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: An acute Achilles tendon rupture is one of the most common sports injuries, affecting 18 per 100,000 persons, and its operative repair has been evolving and increasing in frequency since the mid-1900s. Traditionally, open surgical repair has provided improved functional outcomes, reduced rerupture rates, and a quicker recovery and return to activities at the expense of increased wound complications such as infections and skin necrosis compared with nonoperative management. In 1977, Ma and Griffith introduced the percutaneous approach, and over the following decades, multiple improved techniques, and modifications thereof, have been described with comparable outcomes with open repair. Purpose: The current study aimed to provide updated level 1 evidence comparing open repair with minimally invasive surgery (MIS) through a comprehensive search of the literature published in English, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, and German while avoiding limitations of previous studies such as heterogeneous study designs and a small number of included trials. Study Design: Meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, 2 independent team members searched several databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing open repair and MIS of Achilles tendon ruptures. The primary outcomes were (1) functional outcomes, (2) reruptures, (3) sural nerve injuries, and (4) infections (deep/superficial), whereas the secondary outcomes were (1) skin complications, (2) adhesions, (3) other complications, (4) ankle range of motion, and (5) surgical time. Results: There were 10 RCTs that qualified for the meta–analysis with a total of 522 patients. Overall, 260 (49.8%) patients underwent open repair, while 262 (50.2%) underwent MIS. The mean postoperative AOFAS score was 94.8 and 95.7 for open repair and MIS, respectively, with a nonsignificant difference (mean difference [MD], –0.73 [95% CI, –1.70 to 0.25]; P = .14; I2 = 0%). The pooled mean total complication rate was 15.5% (0%-36.4%) for open repair and 10.4% (0%-45.5%) for MIS, with a nonsignificant statistical difference (odds ratio [OR], 1.50 [95% CI, 0.87-2.57]; P = .14; I2 = 40%). The mean rerupture rate was 2.5% (0%-6.8%) for open repair versus 1.5% (0%-4.6%) for MIS, with a nonsignificant statistical difference (OR, 1.56 [95% CI, 0.42-5.70]; P = .50; I2 = 0%). No cases of sural nerve injuries were reported in the open repair group. The mean sural nerve injury rate was 3.4% (0%-7.3%) in the MIS group, which was statistically significant (OR, 0.16 [95% CI, 0.03-0.46]; P = .02; I2 = 0%). The mean overall superficial infection rate was 6.0% (0%-18.2%) and 0.4% (0%-4.5%) for open repair and MIS, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (OR, 5.70 [95% CI, 1.80-18.02]; P < .001; I2 = 0%). The mean overall deep infection rate reported in the open repair group was 1.4% (0%-5.0%), while no deep infection was reported in the MIS group, with no statistically significant difference (OR, 3.14 [95% CI, 0.48-20.54]; P = .23; I2 = 0%). There were no significant differences between the open repair and MIS groups in the skin necrosis and dehiscence rate, adhesion rate, or keloid scar rate. The mean surgical time was 51.0 and 29.7 minutes for open repair and MIS, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (MD, 21.13 [95% CI, 15.50-26.75]; P < .001; I2 = 15%). Conclusion: Open Achilles tendon repair was associated with a longer surgical time, higher risk of superficial infections, and higher risk of ankle stiffness, while MIS was associated with a greater risk of temporary sural nerve palsy. The rerupture rate and functional outcomes were mostly equivalent. We found MIS to be a safe and reliable technique. However, high–quality standardized RCTs are still needed before recommending MIS as the gold standard for managing Achilles tendon ruptures.

Endovascular Treatment of Innominate Artery Bifurcation Injury with Balloon-Expandable Covered Stents Utilizing Kissing Stent Technique

Major injury of the innominate artery is traditionally treated with an open repair which is technically challenging, associated with large volumes of blood loss and prolonged operative times. Endovascular treatment with covered stent placement across the injury is an attractive alternative. However, placement of a single covered stent across the innominate artery bifurcation into one of its distal branches will not prevent bleeding because of retrograde perfusion from the unstented branch distal to the bifurcation. Here, we report a case of successful endovascular repair of one such injury involving the innominate artery bifurcation with ongoing extravasation into the mediastinum. The injury was successfully treated by utilizing 2 balloon-expandable covered stents placed in kissing fashion from the innominate artery into both of its distal branches. This technique of parallel covered stent placement across a bifurcation could effectively repair bifurcation injuries while maintaining patency of both distal branches.

Results 25 Years After Hemiarthroplasty for Chondrolysis of the Shoulder. A Report of Two Cases

Two patients (age, 34 and 52 years) underwent an open repair of concealed rotator cuff tear with the aid of color arthrography using gentian violet. Postoperatively, they developed chondrolysis of the shoulder, which was treated with hemiarthroplasty. Twenty-five years after hemiarthroplasty, both patients showed good shoulder function without significant glenoid erosion on radiographs. Satisfactory long-term results are most probably due to maintenance of humeral head centering and glenohumeral conformity. These are the longest follow-up cases of arthroplasty for chondrolysis of the shoulder in the literature. We conclude that hemiarthroplasty can be a reasonable option for patients with this unfortunate disorder.

P030 OPEN VERSUS LAPAROSCOPIC UMBILICAL AND EPIGASTRIC HERNIA REPAIR: NATIONWIDE DATA ON SHORT- AND LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

Aim The aim of the study was to evaluate the rates of 90-day readmission and reoperation for complication, together with rate of operation for recurrence after either open or laparoscopic mesh repair for primary umbilical or epigastric hernias with defect widths above 1 cm. Material and Methods A merge of data between the Danish Hernia Database and the National Patient Registry provided data from 2007-2018 on perioperative information, 90-day readmission, 90-day reoperation for complication, and long-term operation for hernia recurrence Results A total of 6,855 patients were included, of whom 4,106 (59.9%) and 2,749 (40.1%) patients had an open or laparoscopic repair, respectively. There were significantly more patients readmitted with a superficial surgical site infection 2.5% (102/4,106) after open repair compared with laparoscopic repair (0.5% (15/2,749), P &lt; 0.001. The 90-day reoperation rate for complications was significantly higher for open repairs 5.0% (205/4,106) compared with laparoscopic repairs 2.7% (75/2,749), P &lt; 0.001. The incidence of a reoperation for a severe condition was significantly increased after laparoscopic repair 1.5% (41/2,749) compared with open repair 0.8% (34/4,106), P = 0.010. The 4-year cumulative incidence of operation for recurrence was 3.5% after open and 4.2% after laparoscopic repairs, P = 0.302. Conclusions Recurrence rates were comparable between open and laparoscopic repair of umbilical and epigastric hernias. Open repair was associated with a significantly higher rate of readmission and reoperation due to surgical site infection, whereas the rate of reoperation due to a severe complication was significantly higher after laparoscopic repair.