Impact of body mass index on short-term outcomes after differentiated thyroid cancer surgery: a nationwide inpatient database study in Japan

Introduction Recent studies have shown worse post-operative outcomes following several surgeries in underweight or obese patients. However, the association between body mass index (BMI) and short-term outcomes following thyroid cancer surgery remains unclear because of the small number of patients, deficits in background data known as risk factors (e.g. cancer stage, operative procedure, intraoperative device use and hospital volume) and categorisation of BMI. Methods We identified patients who underwent thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer from July 2010 to March 2017 using a Japanese nationwide inpatient database. We used restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses to investigate potential non-linear associations between BMI (without categorisation) and outcomes: post-operative complications (local and general), duration of anaesthesia, post-operative length of hospital stay and hospitalisation costs. The analyses were adjusted for demographic and clinical backgrounds including the above-stated factors. We also performed multivariable regression analyses for the outcomes with categorisation of BMI. Results Among 59,671 eligible patients, the median BMI was 22.9 kg/m2 (interquartile range (IQR), 20.7–25.6 kg/m2). In total, 3860 patients (6.5%) had local complications and 787 patients (1.3%) had general complications. Although there were no significant associations with local complications, such as bleeding, recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and surgical site infection, the occurrence of general complications was significantly associated with higher BMI. BMI showed a linear association with the duration of anaesthesia and U-shaped associations with post-operative length of stay and hospitalisation costs. The lowest points of the U-shaped curves occurred at a BMI of approximately 24 kg/m2. The multivariate regression analyses showed consistent results with the RCS analyses. Discussion/conclusion Whereas RCS analyses revealed no significant associations between BMI and post-operative local complications, obesity was significantly associated with the occurrence of general complications. The linear association between BMI and duration of anaesthesia corresponds to previous studies. Although post-operative length of stay and total hospitalisation costs demonstrated U-shaped associations, the slight differences would not be clinically important. Even if surgeons must pay attention to general complications in obese patients undergoing thyroid cancer surgery as well as other surgeries, underweight and overweight patients can undergo thyroidectomy as safely as patients with normal BMI.

To the Question about the Methods Used in Combustiology Practice to Assess the Condition of Patients and Predict General and Local Complications

The aim. The article is devoted to the methods used in combustiology practice to assess the condition of patients and predict general and local complications. Results. With severe thermal trauma, there is a risk of developing life-threatening conditions in the victims, in particular, sepsis and multiple organ failure. Informative for assessing the course of burn disease is a modified scale of physiological disorders, which takes into account the syndrome of systemic inflammatory response, endogenous intoxication during periods of toxemia and septicotoxemia, and concomitant pathology. The development of intoxication in severe burn injuries requires determining the degree of severity of the process and its assessment in dynamics. The toxicity of blood plasma is studied by the resistance of red blood cell membranes in the acid hemolysis reaction, indicators of the red blood cell intoxication index, and the content of universal markers of intoxication, in particular, medium-weight molecules. Methods for biosensor indication of cytotoxic factors have also been developed. Assessment of the severity of the condition of victims with burns and monitoring the effectiveness of therapy is carried out taking into account the level of procalcitonin and presepsin. To determine the effect of the wound process on the formation of early sepsis in patients with burns in the capillary zone of thermal damage, the content of homocysteine, endothelin and nitric oxide is studied. To assess the severity of the condition of burn patients and predict the development of complications, the values of integral hematological indices are informative. Reliable data on the depth of a burn wound are obtained using thermotopometry and pH measurement of burn wounds, the method of magnetic resonance imaging. In order to assess violations and dynamics of blood supply restoration in the area of thermal damage, the method of laser Doppler flowmetry and optical tissue oximetry is used. Determination of interstitial pressure in burns of the extremities and intra-abdominal pressure in common burns is a way to predict the development of compartment syndrome. To monitor the patient's glycemic status, it is proposed to determine the level of glycosylated hemoglobin. Microbiological research data is used to predict the risk of developing general complications of burn disease, as well as – together with cytological data and methods for determining the maturity of granulation tissue – to assess the readiness of granulating wounds for autodermoplasty. Conclusion. The development of new effective ways to predict and prevent the development of complications in burns is promising

Hypoalbuminemia affects one third of acute pancreatitis patients and is independently associated with severity and mortality

The incidence and medical costs of acute pancreatitis (AP) are on the rise, and severe cases still have a 30% mortality rate. We aimed to evaluate hypoalbuminemia as a risk factor and the prognostic value of human serum albumin in AP. Data from 2461 patients were extracted from the international, prospective, multicentre AP registry operated by the Hungarian Pancreatic Study Group. Data from patients with albumin measurement in the first 48 h (n = 1149) and anytime during hospitalization (n = 1272) were analysed. Multivariate binary logistic regression and Receiver Operator Characteristic curve analysis were used. The prevalence of hypoalbuminemia (< 35 g/L) was 19% on admission and 35.7% during hospitalization. Hypoalbuminemia dose-dependently increased the risk of severity, mortality, local complications and organ failure and is associated with longer hospital stay. The predictive value of hypoalbuminemia on admission was poor for severity and mortality. Severe hypoalbuminemia (< 25 g/L) represented an independent risk factor for severity (OR 48.761; CI 25.276–98.908) and mortality (OR 16.83; CI 8.32–35.13). Albumin loss during AP was strongly associated with severity (p < 0.001) and mortality (p = 0.002). Hypoalbuminemia represents an independent risk factor for severity and mortality in AP, and it shows a dose-dependent relationship with local complications, organ failure and length of stay.

Direct Endoscopic Necrosectomy: Timing and Technique

Walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) is one of the local complications of acute pancreatitis (AP). Several interventional techniques have been developed over the last few years. The purpose of this narrative review is to explore such methodologies, with specific focus on endoscopic drainage and direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN), through evaluation of their indications and timing for intervention. Findings indicated how, after the introduction of lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS), DEN is becoming the favorite technique to treat WOPN, especially when large solid debris or infection are present. Additionally, DEN is associated with a lower adverse events rate and hospital stay, and with improved clinical outcome.

The role of comorbid hypertriglyceridemia and abdominal obesity in the severity of acute pancreatitis: a retrospective study

Background The effect of comorbid hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) and abdominal obesity (AO) on acute pancreatitis (AP) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of comorbid HTG and AO and discuss which is the dominant disorder. Methods In this study, 1219 AP patients who presented with HTG or AO were stratified into four groups: non-HTG + non-AO, HTG + non-AO, non-HTG + AO, and HTG + AO. Results The 328 patients with comorbid HTG + AO were much younger (42.29 ± 11.77), mainly male (79.57%), and had higher TG levels, larger waist circumferences, and more past medical histories than the patients in the other three non-comorbid groups (P < 0.001). The comorbidity group developed more incidences of persistent organ failure and local complications (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that AO (OR = 3.205, 95% CI = 1.570–6.544), mild HTG (OR = 2.746, 95% CI = 1.125–6.701), and moderate to very severe HTG (OR = 3.649, 95% CI = 1.403–9.493) were independent risk factors for persistent respiratory failure (P < 0.05). Age > 60 years (OR = 1.326, 95% CI = 1.047–1.679), AO (OR = 1.701, 95% CI = 1.308–2.212), diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.551, 95% CI = 1.063–2.261), mild HTG (OR = 1.549, 95% CI = 1.137–2.112), and moderate to very severe HTG (OR = 2.810, 95% CI = 1.926–4.100) were independent risk factors associated with local complications (P < 0.05). Moreover, HTG seemed to be more dangerous than AO. The higher the serum TG level was, the greater the likelihood of persistent respiratory failure and local complications. Conclusions Comorbid HTG and AO will aggravate the severity and increase the incidence of local complications of AP. HTG may play a dominant role of risk in the condition of comorbidity. Chinese clinical trial registry ChiCTR2100049566. Registered on 3rd August, 2021. Retrospectively registered, https://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=127374&htm=4.

The RAGE Trial (Radial Arterial Graft in the Elderly)- A Pilot Study

Use of radial artery (RA) as a second arterial conduit in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is well established and appreciated for its higher long-term patency rate compared to vein grafts. This study tends to investigate if there are any detrimental consequences when it is used in elderly (aged 60 and above) population of Bangladesh. A total of 71 patients who received RA grafts at elective, isolated CABG operation were consecutively enrolled in this study from May 2018 to September 2019. 31 patients were in the Elderly group and 40 patients were in the Non-elderly group. The groups were compared for baseline characteristics and co-morbidities; preoperative techniques, findings, events and procedures; and postoperative outcomes or end-point variables inclusive of local complications related to RA harvesting wound. Elderly and Non-elderly groups had statistically different age (p=0.000) and Society of Thoracic Surgery (STS) Score predicted mortality (p=0.000). Operative techniques, events, findings and procedures were similar. Clinical outcomes were found to be similar with no statistical difference between the groups. Number of deaths also was not statistically different. There were no local complications related to RA harvesting wound in either of the two groups. Harvesting and grafting of radial artery in suitable patients, using meticulous "no-touch" technique and for ideal target coronary artery stenosis is as safe in the elderly patients as in the younger ones. CBMJ 2020 July: Vol. 09 No. 02 P: 08-13

Indications and outcome of surgical management of local complications of acute pancreatitis: a single-centre experience

Background: Acute pancreatitis is a common and challenging disease that can develop both local and systemic complications. According to the Atlanta classification, local complications include peri-pancreatic collection, acute necrotic collection, pseudocyst and walled-off necrosis.Methods: A hospital-based retrospective study was conducted in the department of surgery at Kathmandu medical college teaching hospital. Patients were recruited using purposive sampling method and those who underwent laparoscopic, retroperitoneal or open surgical procedures for the management of local complications of acute pancreatitis from June 2017 to July 2021. The indication, perioperative outcome and associated complications were evaluated in all the cases.Results: Between June 2017 to July 2021, 432patients were admitted to the surgery department with acute pancreatitis or with complications of acute pancreatitis. Twenty-one patients required surgical intervention in the form of external drainage, cysto-enterostomy, VARD or open necrosectomy due to failure of endoscopic or radiological intervention or due to positions of lesions being inaccessible to these techniques. All patients had clinical improvement following surgery with an acceptable complication rate given the severity of the disease.Conclusions: Although various endoscopic techniques are now available to manage the pancreatic fluid collection and pancreatic necrosis, surgery remains essential in managing the disease.

Distal versus conventional transradial access for coronary angiography and intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Distal transradial artery access (DTRA) has recently gained attention due to potential benefits in terms of local complications and risk of superficial palmar arch ischemia in case of radial artery occlusion. Purpose In this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the utility of DTRA compared to conventional transradial artery access (CTRA) for coronary angiography and intervention. Method We performed a comprehensive literature search using multiple databases from inception through February 2021 for all the studies that evaluated the efficacy and safety of DTRA for coronary angiography and intervention. The primary outcome of interest was access success rate. The secondary outcomes were periprocedural local complications (site hematoma, radial artery occlusion or spasm) and procedural characteristics (cannulation, fluoroscopy, and radial artery compression times). All meta-analyses were conducted using a random-effect model. Results A total of 8 studies including 1630 patients (805 underwent DTRA vs. 825 with CTRA), were included in the final analysis. Three of the included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and the remainder were observational studies. The access success rate was similar in the two groups (odds ratio (OR): 0.61; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.18–2.09; P=0.43; I2=72%). Similarly, no difference was observed in the overall periprocedural local complications rate (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.38–1.04, P=0.07, I2=25%). On subgroup analysis, the rate of radial artery occlusion was significantly lower in DRTA group (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.13–0.82, P=0.02, I2=0%). Regarding the procedural characteristics, the two approaches were different only in the cannulation time favoring the CTRA group (mean difference in minutes [MD] 0.96, 95% CI 0.16–1.76; P=0.02). Conclusions The DTRA represents an alternative site for radial artery access for coronary angiography and interventions, with a high success rate accompanied by a low risk of complications. Although the cannulation time was longer for the DTRA, this can potentially improve with training, practice, and utilization of ultrasound-guided punctures. The major advantage provided by the DTRA is the trend toward a lower risk of radial artery occlusion, which is frequently observed with the conventional approach. Further adequately powered RCTs are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of this approach. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Central illustration