5-Fluorouracil Neurotoxicity in the Absence of Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Deficiency Case Report

5 fluorouracil (5-FU)-related neurotoxicity is a rare and severe complication of 5-FU administration. Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency is associated with an increased risk of serious adverse reactions due to its role in 5-FU metabolism. We report a case of acute reversible neurotoxicity with global areas of diffusion restriction in a patient with colorectal adenocarcinoma being treated with leucovorin calcium, 5-fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) without DPD deficiency following uridine triacetate administration.

Uremic pneumonitis.

Uremic pneumonitis is a medical emergency, clinicians need to be alert to this severe complication from uremia, particulary in patients with limited access to healthcare.

Uremic pneumonitis.

Uremic pneumonitis is a medical emergency, clinicians need to be alert to this severe complication from uremia, particulary in patients with limited access to healthcare.

On the question of colpaporrhexis during childbirth

One of the most severe complications during childbirth is the separation of the tattoo from the vaginal arches (from the sleeve). Hugenberger was the first to draw attention to the ruptures of the vaginal fornix and gave them the name colpaporrhexis . They occur much less frequently than ruptures of the uterus, which is evident from the following: Belousov (1910) collected only about 100 cases, and that, apparently, exclusively from Russian literature; in a major work on this issue, Brindeau and Lerne land stated that the frequency of this kind of complications of labor is difficult to establish, since statistics on this issue do not exist. Obviously, the specific nature of this severe complication is characteristic of Russian obstetrics. Indeed, the statistics of Shchetkin and Belousov is based mainly on domestic casuistry (Guggenberger, Syromyatnikov, Vernits, Lvov, Poroshin, Kutova, Brunoit. E).

Same day discharge after atrial fibrillation ablation is feasible and safe. Results of a prospective study in 1015 patients

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is the standard treatment for symptomatic paroxysmal and persistent AF. It is a common practice for patients to stay overnight after the ablation for observation of possible complications. Thus, increasing volume of procedures places a significant strain on institutions. To tackle this issue, our institution developed a same-day discharge (SDD) protocol for AF ablation. Purpose To assess the feasibility and safety of the SDD protocol after at least four-hour observation in patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for AF. Methods A SDD protocol was implemented in our institution in March 2019. We conducted a prospective observational study that included all consecutive patients who underwent ablation for AF until January 2021. A detailed workflow setup provided in the figure. To compare means the Mann Whitney U test, and for categorical variables – χ2 test were used. The difference was significant when p<0.05. Results A total of n=1015 patients underwent RFA in the study period. Of those, same-day discharge was feasible in n=751 (74.1%) and n=264 stayed overnight. The mean age (SDD 62.5 SD 8.8 years vs overnight-stay 64.1 SD 9.2 years, p=0.105) and gender distribution (males SDD 46.8% vs overnight-stay 39.8%, p=0.265) did not differ between the two groups. In the SDD group no patients were readmitted for complications within 24 hours after the ablation. A severe complication was defined as pericardial effusion with drainage, pulmonary oedema, thromboembolic event and vascular complication needing surgical intervention. In total 3.0% of all patients experienced a severe complication. The main reasons for staying overnight were small groin hematoma without intervention (18.9%), nausea (14.4%) and logistic issues (32.2%). The 30-day hospital readmission rate was insignificantly higher in the overnight-stay group (19.4% vs 28.0%, p=0.113). The most common reasons for readmission were arrhythmias (SDD 10.1% vs overnight-stay 20.5%) and chest pain (SDD 7.6% vs overnight-stay 2.4%). One late pericardial effusion with drainage on day 10 after the ablation was noted in the SDD group. Conclusion Same-day discharge in patients after RFA for AF is feasible and safe with an observational period of at least four hours and immediate transthoracic echocardiography after the procedure. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Non-islet-cell tumor hypoglycemia as first manifestation of an advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia (NICTH) is a rare but severe complication of malignancy. We present the case of 55 year old man who was admitted for severe hypoglycemia. The diagnosis of insulinoma was ruled out. After clinical work-ups, we made the diagnosis of metastatic HCC with production of IGF-2.

Anterolateral minithoracotomy versus median sternotomy for the surgical treatment of atrial septal defects: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Background To compare the short-term safety and efficacy of right anterolateral minithoracotomy (ALMT) and median sternotomy (MS) for the surgical treatment of atrial septal defects (ASDs). Methods The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for comparative studies focusing on surgical repair of ASDs via ALMT or MS published up to the end of April 27, 2020. We used random-effect or fixed-effect models to obtain pooled estimates. Results A total of 7 publications, including 665 patients (ALMT 296 and MS 369), were included. Age (WMD: 1.80 years, 95% CI 0.31–3.29), weight (WMD: − 0.91 kg, 95% CI − 5.57 to 3.75), sex distribution (OR: 1.00, 95% CI 0.74–1.35) and surgical type (patch or direct closure) (OR: 1.00, 95% CI 0.67–1.49) were comparable in the ALMT group and MS group. No significant differences in the success rate (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.05–1.07) or severe complication rate (OR 1.46; 95% CI 0.41–5.22) were found between the ALMT group and the MS group. In addition, the differences in the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (WMD 6.33; 95% CI − 1.92 to 14.58 min, p = 0.13) and the operation time (WMD 5.23; 95% CI − 12.49 to 22.96 min, p = 0.56) between the ALMT group and the MS group were not statistically significant. However, the ALMT group had a significantly longer aortic cross-clamp time (2.37 min more, 95% CI 1.07–3.67 min, p = 0.0003). The intubation time was 1.82 h shorter (95% CI − 3.10 to − 0.55 h; p = 0.005), the intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 0.24 days shorter (95% CI − 0.44 to − 0.04 days; p = 0.02), and the postoperative hospital stay was 2.45 days shorter (95% CI − 3.01 to − 1.88 days; p < 0.00001) in the ALMT group than in the MS group. Furthermore, the incision length was significantly shortened by 8.97 cm in the ALMT group compared with the MS group (95% CI − 9.36 to − 8.58 cm; p < 0.00001). Conclusions In the surgical treatment of ASD, ALMT and MS are equally safe and effective in terms of success rates and severe complication rates. The surgical procedures are equally difficult, but ALMT is associated with a faster functional recovery and better cosmetic results. Compared to MS, ALMT is the better choice for select ASD patients.

Effectiveness of Using a Uterine Trainer for Teaching Surgical Hemostasis Skills

The use of the uterus simulator for teaching the surgical skills of performing surgery in case of ingrown placenta and surgical hemostasis in postpartum hemorrhage (patent No. 198996), which is a model of the uterus with anatomical landmarks and simulates a severe complication of pregnancy — ingrowth of the placenta, allows to increase the self-esteem of obstetricians-gynecologists in performing skills of surgical hemostasis.

The Renaissance of Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty appears rational – A radiograph-based comparative Study on adverse Events and patient-reported Outcomes in 353 TKAs and 98 UKAs

Purpose Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) are both considered suitable for antero-medial osteoarthritis and spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee. National registry data are consistent in showing higher revision rates for UKA. Adequately adjusted, these findings may be challenged by differences in adverse events and patient-reported outcomes, as both can have serious long-term implications. Based on preoperative radiographs, the aim was to retrospectively compare the two principle surgeries in these respects. Methods All TKA procedures in 2016 in one Swedish county council were, according to certain radiograph-based consensus criteria, visually evaluated for medial UKA suitability. Then, using different regression models, they were compared with the corresponding medial UKAs performed in 2015–2017 regarding complications and patient-reported outcomes one year after surgery. Results The UKA group showed an 82% reduced risk (OR 0.2; 95% CI 0.0–0.6) of any complications, whereas the 55% reduced risk of severe complication did not reach statistical significance (OR 0.5; 95% CI 0.1–2.1). These findings corresponded in high-volume surgeries to an absolute complication rate of 0% in the UKA group and 10% in the TKA group (p = 0.005) and to a severe complication rate of 0% and 5% respectively (p = 0.05). Though no differences were seen in any general patient-reported outcomes, the pain and function based OMERACT-OARSI responder criteria indicated in both around a 60% better chance of any response (OR 1.6 CI % 0.6–4.5) and a high response (OR 1.6; 95% CI 0.7–3.4) in the UKA group. Conclusion No differences were shown in patient-reported outcomes but a clear difference in risk of complications, favoring the UKA procedure.