Incidence of postoperative week 1 management changes after resident-performed phacoemulsification cataract surgery

Background The goal of this study was to investigate the incidence of departures from routine care at the postoperative week 1 (POW1) visit following uneventful resident-performed cataract surgery in asymptomatic patients who had a normal postoperative day 1 (POD1) examination. Methods A retrospective chart review of phacoemulsification surgeries performed by the senior resident class at Montefiore Medical Center between June 20, 2018 and April 1, 2019 was performed. The most recent preoperative visit note, operative report, POD1 visit note, and POW1 visit note were evaluated and variables were recorded. Exclusion criteria consisted of any complications that would have necessitated close follow-up and a POW1 visit, whether discovered preoperatively, intraoperatively, at the POD1 visit, or leading up to the POW1 visit. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of unanticipated management changes at the POW1 visit following resident-performed cataract surgery. Results The charts of 292 surgical cases of 234 patients that underwent phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation were reviewed. 226 cases (77%) had an uncomplicated pseudophakic fellow-eye history, with a routine surgery, and POD1 examination. 19 of these patients had symptomatic presentations at the POW1 timepoint, and an additional 30 had no POW1 visit at all. In total, 177 cases were included in the study, and only 4 of these cases (2.3%) had an unexpected management change at the POW1 visit. Conclusions Asymptomatic patients who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgeries performed by resident surgeons followed by a routine POD1 visit had a low incidence of unexpected management changes at the POW1 visit. These results suggest that regularly scheduled POW1 visits could potentially be omitted for patients deemed to be at low risk for complications, and instead performed on an as-needed basis.

Rapidly Evolving Deep Dissecting Hematoma With Sudden Onset, Developed One Month After A Minimal Trauma.

Background: Deep dissecting hematoma is a rapidly extending blood collection that splits the hypodermis from muscle fascia, constituting a medical surgical emergency. The natural history of this condition includes trauma (even minor physical injury) shortly before onset of the lesion, occurring in a patient with advanced dermatoporosis. Case presentation: We report the admission of a 70-year-old woman to the emergency department of our hospital for the onset of a deep dissecting hematoma one month after a negligible trauma in the right leg, complicating secondary iatrogenic dermatoporosis. Bedside ultrasound examination was used to eliminate differential or additional diagnoses and to assess the main features of the hematoma (dimensions, existence of blood supply). Surgical debridement and hematoma drainage were performed due to rapid horizontal extension of the hematoma and unresolved pain, with the operative report confirming the diagnosis. Conclusion: This observation emphasises that in patients with severe dermatoporosis, several weeks can elapse between a minor impact and the sudden development of a limb-threatening deep dissecting hematoma.

Unusual Case of Gallbladder Adenocarcinoma Metastasis to the Abdominal Wall 11 Years Later: Synchronous Presentation with Two Malignant Colon Tumors, Coincidence or Not?

Introduction. Abdominal wall masses are a common finding in clinical practice. A high percentage of these masses are malignant. We present the case of a patient operated for a gallbladder adenocarcinoma, who consulted eleven years later for a malignant mass of the abdominal wall in synchrony with two adenocarcinomas of the left colon and sigmoid. Case Report. A 75-year-old male underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy with an incidental diagnosis of adenocarcinoma in situ (TisN0M0 according to AJCC 8th edition). The operative report mentioned that the removal of the gallbladder was difficult due to the inflammatory process, and the gallbladder was accidentally opened during the operation. It was not clear from the operative report whether an extraction bag was utilized to remove the specimen, but the histopathological study confirmed an open gallbladder. He presented 11 years later with an asymptomatic heterogeneous complex cystic mass involving the anterior rectus abdominis muscle. Colonoscopy showed synchronous tumors in the descending and sigmoid colon with pathology confirming adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent an elective laparotomy with resection of the anterior abdominal wall mass, left hemicolectomy, and sigmoidectomy. The histopathological results of the abdominal mass (CK7, CK20, EMA, CEA positive) were described as metastasis of adenocarcinoma of biliary origin. Discussion. Port site recurrences are rare complications following laparoscopic surgery when malignancy is unsuspected. Possible factors related to local implantation include direct seeding of spilled bile or tumor cells into the wound or shedding of tumor cells due to pneumoperitoneum-induced loss of the peritoneal barrier at the trocar site. In the absence of distant metastasis, treatment should include wide port site excision with malignancy-free surgical margins. Conclusion. Abdominal wall metastasis from gallbladder carcinoma is rare, and its synchronous presentation with a malignant neoplasm of the colon is exceptional. This is the first report of a patient with abdominal wall metastasis from a gallbladder adenocarcinoma operated eleven years ago that debuted synchronously with two adenocarcinomas of the left colon and sigma.

The impact of accurate documentation of parotid tumor operative reports on secondary surgical procedure

Objective: To develop a comprehensive operative report schema based on the accuracy of primary operative reports (OpR) assessed on a department’s experience with parotid gland tumor re-operations. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Setting: A tertiary referral center, the Department of Otolaryngology and Laryngological Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland from 2008 to 2017. Subjects: Out of 1154 surgeries, 71 patients underwent reoperation. Their OpR were categorized into accurate and non-accurate, and re-operation field and re-operation course were categorized as anticipated or unanticipated, according to defined criteria. Intervention: None Main outcome measures: The impact of accuracy of the first OpR on re-operation course. Results: In this series, OpR were 39% (14/36) accurate, 61% (22/36) non-accurate. Re-operation fields were 16% (11/71) anticipated, 37% (26/71) unanticipated. Re-operation courses were 37% (26/71) anticipated, 63% (45/71) unanticipated. An anticipated re-operation course followed 20% (5/26) of accurate and 20% (5/26) of non-accurate primary OpR. An unanticipated re-operation course followed 20% (9/45) of accurate and 40% (18/45) of non-accurate OpR. There is no significant relationship between the re-operation course and accuracy of the first OpR (Chi2(1)=0.69; p=0.40466). The most common variable that affected non-accuracy of the OpR was facial nerve function after surgery (6/12). Conclusions: The operative report should be based on clear criteria, robust classification and comprehensive protocol. This will improve follow-up and facilitate the planning of re-operation.

Case costing in spine surgery: Can surgeons assist with accurate capture of operating room costs?

Surgical case costing is critical for health leaders to make decisions about resource utilization. Synoptic reporting offers the potential for surgeons to capture these costs and work with other leaders to make evidence-based decisions. The purpose of this study was to determine whether surgeons documented intra-operative cost drivers as part of their operative report. This article outlines a synoptic reporting system at a quaternary spine care centre. Data were captured from 2015 to 2020. Surgeon rates of documentation for specific devices, bone graft, and surgical adjuncts were evaluated. It is hoped that the results of this survey will help to guide programs to capture costs in other settings.

Air vs Gas Tamponade During Macular Hole Repair Surgery

Purpose: This work investigates the visual and anatomical outcomes of full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) repair surgery using air in comparison to gas tamponade. Methods: A retrospective consecutive review of medical records was undertaken of all patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for idiopathic FTMH at an academic practice from January 2010 to May 2017. Each operative report was reviewed to investigate the agent used for tamponade at the end of the surgery. Preoperative hole duration and size as measured using optical coherence tomography as well as successful postoperative hole closure were recorded. Use of gas or air was not randomized and was instilled at surgeon discretion. Results: The final analysis included 211 eyes. Gas was used as the tamponade agent in 171 of the 211 eyes; most of these eyes (144 of 171) received sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and the remainder received perfluoropropane (C3F8). Forty eyes underwent only a complete fluid-air exchange without any gas placement following vitrectomy. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in mean preoperative macular hole size ( P = .43). Nine of the 171 macular holes receiving gas tamponade failed to close (5.3%). One of the 40 macular holes receiving only air failed to close (2.5%). There was no statistically significant difference in hole closure rates between the 2 groups ( P = .45). Conclusions: Air served as an equally efficacious internal tamponade agent in comparison to nonexpansile gas following idiopathic FTMH repair surgery.

Pancreatic neck thickness: A possible key to stump closure technique selection after distal pancreatectomy

Background To date, no stump closure technique has been shown to be superior in lowering the risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreatectomy. The aims our study were to investigate the possibility to influence POPF risk by selection of stump closure technique according to pancreatic parenchyma thickness and to establish a thickness cut-off value for selection of a hand-sewn and stapled closure technique. Methods A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy at a single centre was performed. Anatomical determination of the transection site (pancreatic neck, body, or tail) was based on operative report and postoperative follow-up computed tomography (CT), with the thickness measured on the most recent CT image before surgery. Patients were classified by the thickness of the transection site, and sub-classified according to stump closure technique. POPF incidence, morbidity, mortality, and baseline-characteristics were investigated between groups. Results Among the 115 cases included in the analysis, the incidence of POPF was 33%, with no difference between stapled (29.9%) and hand-sewn (37.5%) closure techniques (p=0.426), regardless of transection site thickness. Among those with a transection site <13 mm, the incidence of POPF was 4.6% in the stapler subgroup versus 45.5% in the hand-sewn subgroup (p=0.0002). Among patients with a transection site ≥13 mm, the incidence of POPF was 75% in the stapler subgroup versus 30.8% in the hand-sewn subgroup (p=0.007). Conclusions Transection in the pancreatic neck, stapler closure of thin parenchyma, and hand-sewn closure of thick parenchyma were associated with significantly lower risk of POPF.

A smart decision: smartphone use for operative data collection in arthroscopic shoulder instability surgery

Objective This study tested validity, accuracy, and efficiency of the Orthopaedic Minimal Data Set Episode of Care (OME) compared with traditional operative report in arthroscopic surgery for shoulder instability. As of November 2017, OME had successfully captured baseline data on 97% of 18 700 eligible cases. Materials and Methods This study analyzes 100 cases entered into OME through smartphones by 12 surgeons at an institution from February to October 2015. A blinded reviewer extracted the same variables from operative report into a separate database. Completion rates and agreement were compared. They were assessed using raw percentages and McNemar’s test (with continuity correction). Agreement between nominal variables was assessed by unweighted Cohen’s kappa and a concordance correlation coefficient measured agreement between continuous variables. Efficiency was assessed by median time to complete. Results Of 37 variables, OME demonstrated equal or higher completion rates for all but 1 and had significantly higher capture rates for 49% (n = 18; P &lt; .05). Of 33 nominal variables, raw proportional agreement was ≥0.90 for 76% (n = 25). Raw proportional agreement was perfect for 15% (n = 5); no agreement statistic could be calculated due to a single variable in operative note and OME. Calculated agreement statistic was substantial or better (κ &gt; 0.61) for 51% (n = 17) for the 33 nominal variables. All continuous variables assessed (n = 4) demonstrated poor agreement (concordance correlation coefficient &lt;0.90). Median time for completing OME was 103.5 (interquartile range, 80.5-151) seconds. Conclusions The OME smartphone data capture system routinely captured more data than operative report and demonstrated acceptable agreement for nearly all nominal variables, yet took &lt;2 minutes to complete on average.