A Reproducible and Effective Technique for Coronary Sinus Injury Repair

Objective: Coronary sinus injury related to the use of a retrograde cardioplegia catheter is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication with mortality reported as high as 20%. We present a series of iatrogenic coronary sinus injuries as well as an effective method of repair without any ensuing mortality. Methods: There were 3,004 cases that utilized retrograde cardioplegia at our institution from 2007 to 2018. Of these, 15 patients suffered a coronary sinus injury, an incidence of 0.49%. A pericardial roof repair was performed in 14 cases in which autologous pericardium was sutured circumferentially to normal epicardium around the injury with purified bovine serum albumin and glutaraldehyde injected into the newly created space as a sealant. Incidence of perioperative morbidity and mortality, operative time, and length of stay were collected. Results: In our series, there were no intraoperative or perioperative mortalities. Procedure types included coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve replacement and repair, or combined CABG and valve procedures. Median (interquartile range) cross-clamp time was 100 (88 to 131) minutes, cardiopulmonary bypass duration was 133 (114 to 176) minutes, and length of stay was 6 (4 to 8) days. None of the patients returned to the operating room for hemorrhage, and there were no complications associated with the repair of a coronary sinus injury when using the pericardial roof technique. Conclusions: Coronary sinus injuries can result in difficult to manage perioperative bleeding and potentially lethal consequences from cardiac manipulation. Our series supports the pericardial roof technique as an effective solution to a challenging intraoperative complication.

Gender-specific differences in haemostatic parameters and their influence on blood loss in bimaxillary surgery

Objective The objectives of this prospective cohort study were to establish gender-related differences in blood loss and haemostatic profiles associated with bimaxillary surgery. In addition, we aimed to identify if any gender differences could be established which might help predict blood loss volume. Materials and methods Fifty-four patients (22 males; 32 females) undergoing bimaxillary surgery for skeletal dentofacial deformities were eligible for inclusion. Blood samples were taken 1 day preoperatively and 48 h postoperatively for detailed gender-specific coagulation analysis incorporating global coagulation assays (endogenous thrombin potential) and specific coagulation parameters. Blood loss was measured at two different time points: (1) the end of surgery, visible intraoperative blood loss (IOB) using ‘subtraction method’; and (2) 48 h postoperatively perioperative bleeding volume (CBL-48 h) using ‘haemoglobin-balance method’ and Nadler’s formula. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to identify relevant parameters affecting the amount of blood loss. Results Significant differences in IOB and CBL-48 h were observed (p < 0.001). Men had higher IOB versus women, lacking statistical significance (p = 0.056). In contrast, men had significantly higher CLB-48 h (p = 0.019). Reduced CBL-48 h was shown to be most closely associated with the level of Antithrombin-III being decreased in females. Conclusions Male gender is associated with higher IOB and CBL-48 compared with females. Gender does not affect IOB regarding haemostatic profile but does correlate strongly with procedure length. Conversely, CBL-48 is closely associated with gender-specific imbalances in the anticoagulant system. Clinical relevance Knowledge of gender-related differences will help clinicians establish predictive factors regarding excessive blood loss in orthognathic surgery and identify at-risk patients.

Case Report: Anaesthetic Management of Placenta Percreta

Background: The placenta is a complicated organ and is partially understood. It is the essential part for physiological changes leading to a successful pregnancy. Placenta percreta is the most severe and least common form of placenta accreta in which villi penetrate the entire myometrial thickness and reach or traverse the serosa to encroach adjacent organs. Patients with placenta percreta are at a greater risk of life-threatening perioperative bleeding as well as massive and deadly thromboembolic events. Case report: Our patient was a 34-year-old gravida 5female who underwent elective cesarean section at 37 weeks of gestation with a diagnosis of placenta accreta or percreta. Intraoperative findings showed placenta percreta with bladder wall involvement. Hence, hysterectomy was done. Anticipated intraoperative haemorrhage and hemodynamic instability were managed properly. Discussion: Placenta percreta is the most serious among abnormal placentation, sometimes leading to catastrophic blood loss and very high maternal mortality and morbidity up to 10%. The most important risk factor in placenta percreta is placenta previa (low lying placenta) after cesarean delivery. Our patient met all these risk factors. Prenatal diagnosis of an invasive placenta is paramount for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality by implementing a multidisciplinary approach. Keywords: haemorrhage, placenta percreta, hysterectomy, high-risk pregnancy.

Sevoflurane Preconditioning and Total Knee Arthroplasty Bleeding: A Randomized Controled Trial

Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a highly complex and effective surgery even though its perioperative bleeding may increase the need for blood transfusion and its associated infection risk, cardiovascular overload, increased costs, and mortality. As tourniquet reduces intraoperative bleeding it may be associated with postoperative bleeding, venous thrombosis, and distal ischemia. The reperfusion may trigger a local and systemic inflammatory response. Anesthetic preconditioning (APC) with sevoflurane minimizes ischemia-reperfusion syndrome (I/R). This study evaluated the effects of APC with sevoflurane on perioperative bleeding in TKA.Methods: We allocated 30 patients into two groups: a sevo group (sevoflurane 2% for 15 minutes before the tourniquet) and a control group (propofol infusion). Laboratory tests were collected right before the tourniquet (LAB PRE, in the operating room) and after its release at four moments: LAB POST (immediately after), LAB 2 (two hours after), LAB 12 (12 hours after), and LAB 24 (24 hours after). The volume of the suction drain was measured at one, two, 12, and 24 hours after the end of the surgery. Antifibrinolytics were not administered.Results: There was no statistically significant difference in bleeding-related variables, such as drained volume and hemoglobin and hematocrit measurements. Drainage volume was higher in the first two hours after the procedure, while hematocrit decreased pre- to post-operatively and between two- and 12-hours post-procedure.Conclusion: Sevoflurane as an anesthetic preconditioning did not reduce postoperative bleeding in TKA surgery.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov – NCT03379103; December 20, 2017.

Tracheostomy Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients in a Low Resource Setting

Objectives: COVID-19 predominately affects safety net hospitals. Tracheostomies improve outcomes and decrease length of stay for COVID-19 patients. Our objectives are to determine if (1) COVID-19 tracheostomies have similar complication and mortality rates as non-COVID-19 tracheostomies and (2) to determine the effectiveness of our tracheostomy protocol at a safety net hospital. Methods: Patients who underwent tracheostomy at Los Angeles County Hospital between August 2009 and August 2020 were included. Demographics, SARS-CoV-2 status, body mass index (BMI), Charlson Co-morbidity Index (CCI), length of intubation, complication rates, decannulation rates, and 30-day all-cause mortality versus tracheostomy related mortality rates were all collected. Results: Thirty-eight patients with COVID-19 and 130 non-COVID-19 patients underwent tracheostomies. Both groups were predominately male with similar BMI and CCI, though the COVID-19 patients were more likely to be Hispanic and intubated for a longer time ( P = .034 and P < .0001, respectively). Both groups also had similar, low intraoperative complications at 2% to 3% and comparable long-term post-operative complications. However, COVID-19 patients had more perioperative complications within 7 days of surgery ( P < .01). Specifically, they were more likely to have perioperative bleeding at their tracheostomy sites ( P = .03) and long-term post-operative mucus plugging ( P < .01). However, both groups had similar 30-day mortality rates. There were no incidences of COVID-19 transmission to healthcare workers. Conclusions: COVID-19 tracheostomies are safe for patients and healthcare workers. Careful attention should be paid to suctioning to prevent mucus plugging. Level of Evidence: 3

O-EGS04 Is group and save necessary for all patients undergoing emergency cholecystectomy: A 6-year retrospective audit

Background Emergency cholecystectomy (EC) has a low perioperative bleeding risk. There is no current national guideline to suggest routine preoperative Group and Save (G&S) is necessary. Our Trust guideline recommends preoperative G&S for all EC operations. In 2018, a Trust-wide policy was adopted based on an audit, which concluded that routine preoperative G&S is unnecessary for elective cholecystectomy. All G&S require 2samples taken separately, which can delay surgery. The cost to process one sample for G&S is £28. Therefore, a study was set up to assess the need for routine G&S in patients undergoing EC. Methods This retrospective observational study was based on a prospectively collected hospital database from March 2015 to March 2021 using MS-Excel. All patients who underwent EC (laparoscopic and/or open) within 10 days during index admission were included. All elective cholecystectomies were excluded. Patients were divided into GS-patients (patients with G&S) and NGS-patients (patients without G&S). The primary outcome is the difference between the incidence of ‘Perioperative blood transfusion’ (PBT) between the studied groups. The overall cost-effectiveness is considered as a secondary outcome. The categorical data were analysed using the Chi-square test; a p-value &lt;0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results In this 6year period, 2210patients underwent cholecystectomy. Of these, 496patients (22.4%) who underwent EC were included. 447patients (90.1%) were in GS group and 49patients (9.9%) were in the NGS group. None from the NGS group required PBT, whereas 3patients (0.6%) in the GS group received blood transfusion. However, PBT was truly indicated in 1patient due to the associated cardiovascular comorbidities. On the contrary, 2patients did not fit the ‘restrictive transfusion threshold’ criteria of JPAC. There was no statistically significant difference in PBT requirement between the studied groups (p = 0.331). Deferring routine G&S for EC could have saved our institution £24,976. Conclusions Our study has demonstrated that preoperative G&S is not indicated for all emergency cholecystectomies. It takes approximately 1 hour for G&S to be processed unless crossmatching is required. Group O-negative or O-positive blood can be provided to patients when urgent blood transfusion is needed depending on their age and gender. Thus, we conclude that G&S should be restricted to patients with low preoperative haemoglobin, bleeding and clotting disorders, those known to have abnormal blood antibodies and significant cardiovascular comorbidities.

Current Clinical Practice for Thromboprophylaxis Management in Patients With Cushing’s Syndrome Across Reference Centers of the European Reference Network on Rare Endocrine Conditions (Endo-ERN)

Background: Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is associated with an hypercoagulable state and an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Evidence-based guidelines on thromboprophylaxis strategies in patients with CS are currently lacking. We aimed to map the current clinical practice for thromboprophylaxis management in patients with CS across reference centers (RCs) of the European Reference Network on Rare Endocrine Conditions (Endo-ERN), which are endorsed specifically for the diagnosis and treatment of CS. Using the EU survey tool, a primary screening survey, and subsequently a secondary, more in-depth survey were developed. Results: The majority of the RCs provided thromboprophylaxis to patients with CS (n=23/25), although only one center had a standardized thromboprophylaxis protocol (n=1/23). RCs most frequently started thromboprophylaxis from CS diagnosis onwards (n=11/23), and the majority stopped thromboprophylaxis based on individual patient characteristics, rather than standardized treatment duration (n=15/23). Factors influencing the initiation of thromboprophylaxis were ‘medical history of VTE’ (n=15/23) and ‘severity of hypercortisolism’ (n=15/23). Low-Molecular-Weight-Heparin was selected as the first-choice anticoagulant drug for thromboprophylaxis by all RCs (n=23/23). Postoperatively, the majority of RCs reported ‘severe immobilization’ as an indication to start thromboprophylaxis in patients with CS (n=15/25). Most RCs (n=19/25) did not provide standardized testing for variables of hemostasis in the postoperative care of CS. Furthermore, the majority of the RCs provided preoperative medical treatment to patients with CS (n=23/25). About half of these RCs (n=12/23) took a previous VTE into account when starting preoperative medical treatment, and about two-thirds (n=15/23) included ‘reduction of VTE risk’ as a goal of treatment. Conclusions: There is a large practice variation regarding thromboprophylaxis management and perioperative medical treatment in patients with CS, even in Endo-ERN RCs. Randomized controlled trials are needed to establish the optimal prophylactic anticoagulant regimen, carefully balancing the increased risk of (perioperative) bleeding, and the presence of additional risk factors for thrombosis.

Study on the method of enucleation of anterior uterine fibroids by transverse incision of the lower uterine segment during cesarean section

Introduction A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of fibroid enucleation in the anterior wall of the uterus by transverse uterine incision during cesarean section. Methods The medical history, surgical data, preoperative and postoperative changes in the blood system, and complications of 90 pregnant women who underwent myomectomy of the anterior uterine wall during cesarean section at the second Department of Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Fujian Province were analyzed retrospectively. Results No significant differences were noted in the leiomyoma number, pathological type, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin level, perioperative bleeding incidence, blood transfusion frequency, postoperative fever incidence, and duration of lochia between the study and control groups. The proportion of large fibroids was slightly higher in the study group than in the control group (p < 0.05), and the operation time and average hospitalization time were slightly longer in the study group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The distribution of type III–V fibroids was slightly more in the study group than in the control group (p < 0.05), and the distribution of type VI fibroids in the study group was less than that in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion Fibroid enucleation is safe and effective in the anterior wall of the uterus through the lower uterine transverse incision in cesarean section. It has the potential to reduce the risk of pelvic and intrauterine adhesions in the future.

Reduction of Perioperative Blood Loss and Operating Time for Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair by Intravenous Administration of Tranexamic Acid

(Background) Tranexamic acid (TXA) is widely used in hip and knee arthroplasty to reduce perioperative bleeding. Recently, its use has been expanded to arthroscopic surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative use of TXA in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR).(Methods) A cohort comprising 129 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic primary RCR at our institution was retrospectively investigated according to whether they received TXA (April 2018 to December 2020, TXA group, n=64) or did not receive TXA (April 2016 to March 2018, non-TXA group, n=65). TXA was administered at a dose of 1 g intravenously. Rotator cuff tears were repaired by the suture bridge technique. Videos of the arthroscopic procedures were reviewed and rated for visual clarity using a 10-point numeric rating scale. Arthroscopic procedures were divided into glenohumeral, resection of bursal tissue and acromioplasty, and RCR steps. Each step was rated separately. Age, sex, body mass index, hemoglobin level before and on days 1 and 7 after surgery, operating time, mean arterial pressure, tear size, and number of anchors used for cuff repair were compared between the two groups. (Results) There were no statistically significant differences in the patient demographic data. The operating time was significantly shorter in the TXA group than in non-TXA group (97.8 ± 21.8 min vs 116.2 ± 26.0 min). The clarity of the visual field was similar between the two groups during the glenohumeral phase but was significantly higher in the TXA group during the resection of bursal tissue and acromioplasty and RCR phases. Hemoglobin level was not significantly different between the groups on postoperative day 1 but was significantly higher in the TXA group on day 7.(Conclusion) Administration of a single intravenous dose of TXA improved visual clarity in arthroscopic RCR, decreased the total operating time, and reduced hemoglobin loss on postoperative day 7.