Effectiveness of S-O Clip-Assisted Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection

This study aimed to assess the utility of the S-O clip during colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We conducted a retrospective study on 185 patients who underwent colorectal ESD from January 2015 to January 2020. The patients were divided into two groups: before and after the introduction of the S-O clip. Forty-two patients underwent conventional ESD (CO group) and 29 patients underwent ESD using the S-O clip (SO group). We compared the surgery duration, dissection speed, en bloc resection rate, and complication rate between both groups. Compared with the CO group, the SO group had a significantly shorter surgery duration (70.7 ± 37.9 min vs. 51.2 ± 18.6 min; p = 0.017), a significantly higher dissection speed (15.1 ± 9.0 min vs. 26.3 ± 13.8 min; p < 0.001), a significantly higher en bloc resection rate (80.9% vs. 98.8%; p ≤ 0.001), and a significantly lower perforation rate (4.3% vs. 1.3%). In the right colon, the surgery duration was significantly shorter and the dissection speed was significantly higher in the SO group than in the CO group. Moreover, the rate of en bloc resection improved significantly in the right colon. S-O clip-assisted ESD reduces the procedure time and improves the treatment effects, especially in the right colon.

Results obtained after the surgical treatment of Graves’ disease depending on the levels of anti-thyroid antibodies

Graves' disease (GD) is a hereditary autoimmune disease which is characterized by persistent abnormal hypersecretion of thyroid hormones and thyrotoxicosis syndrome development. GD affects from 0.5 % to 2.0 % of population in different regions. 46 % of these patients develop ophthalmopathy. GD is a common cause of disabilities in patients under 60 years of age. In recent years, the incidence of GD in Ukraine has increased by 9.9 % — from 106.2 to 117.9 per 100,000 individuals. This can be connected with the improved diagnostic possibilities and active disease detection as well as with the increased number of autoimmune thyroid disorders. The recent studies focus on prevention of specific complications and recurrences of GD after surgery. Objective — to compare the levels of antibodies to the thyroid‑stimulating hormone receptors (TSHR‑Ab) during different postoperative periods as well as the incidence of early and late complications depending on the surgical technique used for the treatment of GD. Materials and methods. The results of surgical treatment of 130 patients, with GD were compared. 29 male patients and 101 female patients aged from 19 to 76 (average — 44.1 ± 3.2 years), receiving their treatment for GD in Kyiv Center of Endocrine Surgery during 2010—2018, were randomly selected and divided into two groups. At the time of operation the duration of disease was from 1 to 30 years (average — 4.6 ± 1.2 years). Group 1 included 65 patients that underwent total thyreoidectomy (TT) and group 2 included 65 patients that underwent subtotal thyreoidectomy (ST). The following parameters were compared: surgery duration, the incidence of early postoperative complications, including bleedings and damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerves, and late outcomes of surgical treatment (persistent hypoparathyreoidism disorder and disorder recurrences) depending on the method of surgery (ST or TT). Furthermore, the patterns of the TSHR‑Ab level reduction were studied for different postoperative periods. Results. The comparison of surgical outcomes following TТ and ST didn’t reveal any statistically significant differences in such evaluation criteria as the average surgery duration, the average volume of intraoperative blood loss and the average duration of the postoperative inpatient treatment. The comparative assessment of the thyroid stump volume and the average amount of drained discharge showed statistically significant differences for TТ. It allows considering TТ as a surgery which causes less complications than ST. The studied parameters of early postoperative complications had no significant differences for ST and TТ. The long‑term (5 years) postoperative level of TSHR‑Ab was statistically significantly lower in patients after TT and made up 1.15 ± 0.13 IU/L (thus corresponding to the normal level). Conclusions. Total thyroidectomy is an optimal surgical technique and is more appropriate compared with subtotal thyroid gland resection. It should be noted that TT provides lower risk of complications due to significantly lower level of TSHR‑Ab in late postoperative period.

Longer Diagnosis-surgery Duration Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Early Postoperative Complications for Crohn's Disease: A Retrospective Study

Background: Early postoperative complications(ePOCs) frequently occur in Crohn’s patients after surgery. The risk factors of ePOCs for Crohn’s disease (CD), however, remain controversial. We aimed to assess the incidence and risk factors of ePOCs in CD patients after surgical resection.Methods: The retrospective study was conducted on 97 patients undergoing surgeries between January 2010 and September 2019 for Crohn’s disease in a tertiary hospital in China. Results: In total, 33 patients (34.0%) experienced ePOCs, including 11 intra-abdominal septic complications (11.3%) and 1 postoperative death (1.0%). Severe complications (Dindo–Clavien III–IV) were seen in 8 patients (8.2%). In multivariate analysis, diagnosis-surgery duration exceeding 6 months(odds-ratio [OR]=4.07; confidence interval [CI] 95%[1.10-15.09], P=0.036), serum platelet count <300*1000/mm3(odds-ratio [OR]=6.74; confidence interval [CI] 95%[1.58-28.71], P=0.01) and serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT) level >10U/L(odds-ratio [OR]=9.22; confidence interval [CI] 95%[1.23-68.99], P=0.031)were identified as independent risk factors for ePOCs. Preoperative exposure to anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents (P=1.00) were not associated with a higher risk of ePOCs. 34.0% of CD patients developed ePOCs after surgical resection.Conclusions: Diagnosis-surgery duration exceeding 6 months, serum platelet count <300*1000/mm3, and serum GGT level >10U/L were associated with an increased risk of ePOCs. Preoperative exposure to anti-TNF agents were not associated with a higher risk of ePOCs.

The usage of antibiotic therapy for septic complications in colorectal surgery

Over the past few decades, surgeons have made many attempts to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections (SSI) after elective colorectal surgery. Routine faecal diversion is no longer practiced in elective colonic surgery and mechanical bowel preparation is on the verge of being eliminated altogether. Intravenous antibiotics have become the standard of care as prophylaxis against SSI for elective colorectal operations. However, the role of antibiotics is still being debated. The aim of the study was to reduce the proportion of antibiotic-resistant strains of pathogens of infectious complications in colorectal surgery by optimizing the use of antimicrobial drugs. Method: We analyzed data of 135 patients who were operated for colorectal cancer in our general surgery department in between 2019 and 2021. Age, gender, body mass index, presence of chronic pulmonary disease, surgery duration, disease location (colon or rectum), and surgeon volume were evaluated for associations with the development of superficial or deep surgical site infection. Results: All parameters were found to be significant for the development surgical site infection except sex. Cut-off values were 63.5 years for age, 167.5 minutes for surgery duration. Conclusion. The introduction of strict monitoring of compliance with the protocols of antibiotic prophylaxis and antibiotic therapy at the level of a separate surgical unit in a multidisciplinary hospital improves conditions for the rational use of antimicrobial drugs.

Value of Radiomics of Perinephric Fat for Prediction of Intraoperative Complexity in Renal Tumor Surgery

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The aim of this study was to assess the value of computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics of perinephric fat (PNF) for prediction of surgical complexity. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Fifty-six patients who underwent renal tumor surgery were included. Radiomic features were extracted from contrast-enhanced CT. Machine learning models using radiomic features, the Mayo Adhesive Probability (MAP) score, and/or clinical variables (age, sex, and body mass index) were compared for the prediction of adherent PNF (APF), the occurrence of postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo Classification ≥2), and surgery duration. Discrimination performance was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). In addition, the root mean square error (RMSE) and <i>R</i>² (fraction of explained variance) were used as additional evaluation metrics. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A single feature logit model containing “Wavelet-LHH-transformed GLCM Correlation” achieved the best discrimination (AUC 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75–1.00) and lowest error (RMSE 0.32, 95% CI: 0.20–0.42) at prediction of APF. This model was superior to all other models containing all radiomic features, clinical variables, and/or the MAP score. The performance of uninformative benchmark models for prediction of postoperative complications and surgery duration were not improved by machine learning models. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Radiomic features derived from PNF may provide valuable information for preoperative risk stratification of patients undergoing renal tumor surgery.

Application of Design Structure Matrix to Simulate Surgical Procedures and Predict Surgery Duration

Background. The complexities of surgery require an efficient and explicit method to evaluate and standardize surgical procedures. A reliable surgical evaluation tool will be able to serve various purposes such as development of surgery training programs and improvement of surgical skills. Objectives. (a) To develop a modeling framework based on integration of dexterity analysis and design structure matrix (DSM), to be generally applicable to predict total duration of a surgical procedure, and (b) to validate the model by comparing its results with laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery protocol. Method. A modeling framework is developed through DSM, a tool used in engineering design, systems engineering and management, to hierarchically decompose and describe relationships among individual surgical activities. Individual decomposed activities are assumed to have uncertain parameters so that a rework probability is introduced. The simulation produces a distribution of the duration of the modeled procedure. A statistical approach is then taken to evaluate surgery duration through integrated numerical parameters. The modeling framework is applied for the first time to analyze a surgery; laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a common surgical procedure, is selected for the analysis. Results. The present simulation model is validated by comparing its results of predicted surgery duration with the standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy protocols from the Atlas of Minimally Invasive Surgery with 2.5% error and that from the Atlas of Pediatric Laparoscopy and Thoracoscopy with 4% error. Conclusion. The present model, developed based on dexterity analysis and DSM, demonstrates a validated capability of predicting laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery duration. Future studies will explore its potential applications to other surgery procedures and in improving surgeons’ performance and training novices.

External validation of the T.O.HO. score as predictor of success after retrograde intrarenal surgery

Background To assess the effectiveness of T.O.HO. (Tallness, Occupied lesion, Houndsfield unit evaluation) score in predicting the retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) success and to validate this scoring system. Methods The age, sex, previous stone surgery, hospitalization, surgery duration, postoperative complication, stone length, stone location, stone density, stone number, lateralization, presence of hydronephrosis, and presence of preoperative stent datas of 518 patients who underwent RIRS in our clinic between January 2013 and January 2021 were retrospectively assessed. The patients were divided into two groups as successful and unsuccessful. The T.O.HO scores of all patients were calculated. Results The success rate was 72.5%. Compared to the unsuccessful group, stone length and stone density were lower, surgery duration was shorter and there were less lower pole stones in the successful group (p<0.001). No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of the other parameters. The T.O.HO. score was significantly lower in the successful group compared to the unsuccessful group (p<0.001). According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, stone length (OR: 0.905; 95% Cl: 0.866-0.946; p<0.001), lower pole location (OR: 0.546; 95% Cl: 0.013-0.296; p<0.001), stone density (OR: 0.999; 95% Cl: 0.998-1; p=0.044) and the T.O.HO. score (OR: 0.684; 95%Cl: 0.554-0.844; p<0.001) were found as the independent risk factors for RIRS success. ROC curve analysis showed that the T.O.HO. score could predict the RIRS success with 7.5 cut-off point (AUC:0.799, CI: 0.76–0.839; p<0.001). Conclusion The T.O.HO. score can predict RIRS success with a high rate of accuracy.

Safety and effectiveness of an iris hook assisted phacoemulsification in vitrectomized eyes

AIM: To introduce a simple iris hook assisted phacoemulsification (PE) procedure and evaluate the safety and efficacy of it in completely vitrectomized eyes. METHODS: A single centre study which included 65 previously completely vitrectomized eyes of 62 patients who underwent cataract surgery. Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups. Patients received PE, and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with the assistance of iris hook (SynergetiesTM) as group A (25 eyes); patients who received PE assisted with a 25G pars plana irrigation as group B (20 eyes), and patients who received PE performed without the help of any instrument as group C (20 eyes). Main outcome measures were surgery duration, Ultrasound (U/S) total time, endothelial cell density (ECD), cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) and complications of the procedures. RESULTS: With the help of iris hook, the patients in group A had the lowest ECD loss rate (0.07±0.03, 0.09±0.03, and 0.10±0.03, P<0.05), shortest CDE (12.2±4.1, 15.8±6.0, and 16.0±6.0, P<0.05) and U/S total time (36.6±13.0s, 46.3±16.4s, and 47.6±16.1s, P<0.05), and minimal incidence of complications. The longest surgery duration was in group B (19.4±1.6min) and maximum complications rate in group C (20% miosis, 10% posterior capsular tears, 5% zonular dialysis, 5% cystoid macular edema). While best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP) and ECD did not show a significant difference among the three groups. CONCLUSION: Without prolonged surgery duration, the iris hook assistant method can minimize heat generation during surgery and incidence of complications, which transfer the challenged PE in vitrectomized eyes into a regular surgery. It does not need any change in the hydrodynamic parameters and in the bag PE technique, easy to operate even for junior surgeons.

Comparison of methods of automatic bipolar sealing and monopolar coagulation in the surgical treatment of hemorrhoids in patients with diabetes

Comparison of LigaSure and traditional methods of surgical treatment of III and IV degree hemorrhoids in patients with diabetes mellitusHemorrhoids are submucosal nodules in the anal canal that contain venules, arterioles, and smooth muscle fibers. Hemorrhoidal disease is registered in approximately 5 % of the total population, especially after 40 years. Treatment is indicated only in symptomatic cases. These symptoms include pain, itching, bleeding, thrombosis and hemorrhoidal prolapse.Aim — to compare the clinical results of he­­mor­rhoidectomy using the electrocoagulation he­mostatic device LigaSure and the traditional Milligan—Morgan method in patients with diabetes mellitus. Materials and methods. The study included 65 patients of both genders aged 18—78 years with stage 3 and 4 hemorrhoids, who underwent hemor­rhoidec­tomy: from them, 33 subject were operated with LigaSure (the main group), and 32 patients with traditional Milligan—Morgan method (control group). The following patients’ data were analyzedretrospec­tively:gender, age, pre- and postoperative hemoglobin and hematocritlevels, surgery duration, the presence of thrombosis, the number of removed and residual hemorrhoids, hospitalization duration, early and late postoperative complications, the need for narcotic analgesics, the observationalperiod, and the time to return to normal daily activity. Results. The mean surgery duration was 16 (6—45) min in the study group and 21 (7—43) min in the control group. Narcotic analgesics in the postoperative period were used in 17 (53.1 %) patients in the control group and were not used in the study group. The timerequired for return to the normal daily activity was 6 (2—15) days in the study group and 8 (2—30) days in the control group. Conclusions. It has been shown that LigaSure gave betterresults of hemorrhoidectomy versus traditional methods in patients with diabetes mellitus in terms of surgery duration, hospitalizationperiod, postoperative pain relief needs, risk of postoperative bleeding, and time required to return to normal daily activity.