Patient complaints in the postoperative period following spine surgery

OBJECTIVE Patient complaints are associated with a number of surgical and medical outcomes. Despite high rates of patient complaints regarding spine surgeons and efforts to study patient complaints across medicine and surgery, few studies have analyzed the complaints of patients undergoing spinal surgery. The authors present a retrospective analysis that, to their knowledge, is the first study to directly investigate the complaints of spine surgery patients in the postoperative period. METHODS Institutional records were reviewed over a 5-year period (2015–2019) to identify patients who underwent spine surgery and submitted a complaint to the institution’s ombudsman’s office within 1 year of their surgery. A control group, comprising patients who underwent spine surgery without filing a complaint, was matched to the group that filed complaints by admission diagnosis and procedure codes through propensity score matching. Patient demographic and clinical data were obtained by medical record review and compared between the two groups. Patient complaints were reviewed and categorized using a previously established taxonomy. RESULTS A total of 52 patients were identified who submitted a complaint after their spine surgery. There were 56 total complaints identified (4 patients submitted 2 each) that reported on 82 specific issues. Patient complaints were most often related to the quality of care received and communication breakdown between the healthcare team and the patient. Patients who submitted complaints were more likely to be Black or African American, have worse baseline health status, and have had prior spine surgery. After their surgery, these patients were also more likely to have longer hospital stays, experience postoperative complications, and require reoperation. CONCLUSIONS Complaints were most often related to the quality of care received and communication breakdown. A number of patient-level demographic and clinical characteristics were associated with an increased likelihood of a complaint being filed after spine surgery, and patients who filed complaints were more likely to experience postoperative complications. Improving communication with patients could play a key role in working to address and reduce postoperative complaints. Further study is needed to better understand patient complaints after spine surgery and investigate ways to optimize the care of patients with risks for postoperative complaints.

Relationship of Postoperative Pain and PONV after Minimally Invasive Surgery with the Serotonin Concentrations and Receptors’ Gene Polymorphisms

(1) Background: there is a steady increase in the number of procedures performed via minimally invasive surgery, which have many benefits, but post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and significant pain are still a common problem (2) Methods: 300 infertile women (18–40 years old) undergoing minimal invasive surgery. Interventions: laparoscopy and hysteroscopy performing, evaluation of postoperative symptoms, serotonin concentrations assessment, identify genetic polymorphisms. (3) Results: serotonin concentrations were significantly lower among women who required opioids (p = 0.006). The presence of the GG genotype in the rs6318 polymorphism of the 5HTR2C gene had a protective effect on PONV (OR = 0.503; C.I. = [0.300–0.841]; p = 0.008), when the GG variant of the rs11214763 polymorphism of the 5HTR3B gene, when the risk of PONV was 1.65-fold higher (OR = 1.652; C.I. = [1.003–2.723]; p = 0.048). Pain intensity was significantly higher among women with GG genotype of the rs6296 polymorphism of the 5HTR1B gene (OR = 1.660; C.I. = [1.052–2.622]; p = 0.029).; (4) Conclusions: the evaluation of serotonin concentration predicts requirement for opioid pain relief medication. The polymorphisms of the serotonin receptors affect the intensity of postoperative complaints.

Sutureless Glue Free Versus Sutured Limbal Conjunctival Autografts in Primary Pterygium Surgery

Introduction: Surgical excision is the definitive treatment for pterygium. Following excision, conjunctival autograft is usually preferred. Various methods for grafting with sutures, glue or autologous serum from the recipient bed are in use. The objective of this study was to compare surgical outcomes of sutureless glue free conjunctival autograft with sutured (vicryl 8-0) conjunctival autograft in primary pterygium excision. Materials and methods: A prospective randomized interventional study was carried out in 100 eyes with primary pterygium. They were divided into two groups for conjunctival graft adhesion; sutureless glue free (group 1; n=50 eyes) and sutured with absorbable (vicryl 8-0) suture (group 2; n=50 eyes). Time taken for surgery, complications, postoperative symptoms and overall satisfaction score were noted. The patients were followed up on day 1, day 14 and 6 weeks after surgery. Recurrence was noted till 1 year after surgery. Results: The mean age was 46.76 ± 11.97 years (group 1) and 47.24±12.76 years (group 2). Group 1 had shorter duration of surgery (p<0.001), less postoperative complaints (p<0.001) and better patient satisfaction (p<0.001) than group 2. Postoperative complications and gain in visual acuity in both the groups were not clinically significant. Recurrence was not significant in both groups until 1 year of follow up. Conclusion: Pterygium surgery with sutureless glue free conjunctival autograft had fewer postoperative complaints and better patient satisfaction than pterygium surgery with sutured conjunctival autograft. The postoperative complications, recurrence were comparable to conventional sutured technique.

A Randomized Comparison of Non-Channeled GlidescopeTM Titanium Versus Channeled KingVisionTM Videolaryngoscope for Orotracheal Intubation in Obese Patients with BMI > 35 kg·m−2

Videolaryngoscopes may improve intubating conditions in obese patients. A total of 110 patients with a body mass index > 35 kg∙m−2 were prospectively randomized to tracheal intubation using non-channeled Glidescope Titanium or channeled King Vision videolaryngoscope. The primary outcome was the time to tracheal intubation. Secondary outcomes included: total success rate, number of attempts, the quality of visualization, peri-procedural and post-proceduralcomplications. Time to the first effective breath was shorter with the King Vision (median; 95% CI)—36; 34–39 s vs. 42; 40–50 in the Glidescope group (p = 0.007). The total success rate was higher in the Glidescope group—100% vs. 89.1% (p = 0.03). There was a higher incidence of moderate and difficult laryngoscopy in the King Vision group. No difference was recorded in first attempt success rates, total number of attempts, use of additional maneuvers, intraoperative trauma, or any significant decrease in SpO2 during intubation. No serious complications were noted and the incidence of postoperative complaints was without difference. Although tracheal intubation with King Vision showed shorter time to the first breath, total success was higher in the Glidescope group, and all but one patients where intubation failed with the KingVision were subsequently intubated with the Glidescope.

Medical malpractice and meningiomas: an analysis of 47 cases

OBJECTIVEAmong medical practices, surgical fields, including neurosurgery, are at a high risk for medical malpractice litigation. With meningiomas contributing to 10% of the total neurosurgery litigation cases, the aim of this study was to identify demographic characteristics, reasons for litigation, and surgical complications commonly reported in these cases. This analysis serves to increase neurosurgeons’ awareness of factors associated with medical malpractice litigation.METHODSThe online legal database Westlaw was utilized to query public litigation cases related to the medical management of meningiomas between December 1985 and May 2020. Variables extracted included the following: plaintiff and defendant demographics, litigation category, plaintiff medical complaints, and trial outcomes. The authors compared these characteristics between cases with decisions in favor of the defendant and those with decisions in favor of the plaintiff.RESULTSA total of 47 cases met the inclusion criteria. Failure to diagnose (68.1%) was the most common type of malpractice claim, and surgical complications (19.1%), motor weakness (33%), and financial loss (33%) were cited as the most common postoperative complaints. Individual specialties that most often required defense due to malpractice claims were radiology (21.7%) and neurosurgery (19.6%). The jury verdict was in favor of the defense in 51.1% of cases and in favor of the plaintiff in 27.7% of cases. A settlement was reached in 19.1% of cases. The mean payout for a verdict in favor of the plaintiff was $3,409,650.22, while the mean payout for settlements was $867,555.56. The greatest average payout for specialties was in neurosurgery at $3,414,400, followed by radiology at $3,192,960. Cases with a verdict in favor of the plaintiff were more likely to involve an internal medicine physician as a defendant (p = 0.007).CONCLUSIONSOver one-half of the cases resulted in a defendant’s verdict with failure to diagnose cited as the most common reason for litigation. Radiology and neurosurgery were the most common specialties for legal cases and also had some of the largest average payouts based on specialty. Motor weakness and financial loss were the most common plaintiff postoperative complaints. These findings may inform surgeons on active measures to take, such as increasing focus on diagnostic accuracy and reducing specific postoperative complaints, such as motor weakness, through risk management and prophylactic measures, to reduce unfavorable legal outcomes.

Effect of dexamethasone gargle, intravenous dexamethasone, and their combination on postoperative sore throat: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a complication that decreases patient satisfaction and increases postoperative complaints. The present study was conducted to investigate effects of gargling with dexamethasone, intravenous dexamethasone injection and the combination of the two on the incidence and severity of POST.Methods: Study participants were 96 patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy, randomly allocated into three groups. Group G gargled with 0.05% dexamethasone solution and were infused intravenous 0.9% normal saline before general anesthesia; group I gargled with 0.9% normal saline and were infused intravenous 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone; group GI gargled with 0.05% dexamethasone solution and were infused intravenous 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone. The incidence and severity of POST, hoarseness and cough were evaluated and recorded at 1, 6, and 24 h after the surgery.Results: There were no significant differences in the total incidence of POST up to 24 postoperative hours among Group G, Group I and Group GI (P = 0.367, Group G incidence = 34.38%, [95% confidence interval, 95% CI = 17.92–50.83], Group I incidence = 18.75%, [95% CI = 5.23–32.27], Group GI incidence = 28.13%, [95% CI = 12.55–43.70]). The other outcomes were comparable among the groups.Conclusions: In patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy, gargling with 0.05% dexamethasone solution demonstrated the same POST prevention effect as intravenous injection of 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone. The incidence and severity of POST were not significantly different between the combination of gargling with 0.05% dexamethasone solution and intravenous injection of 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone and use of each of the preventive methods alone.

Preventive hygiene measures after reparative osteogenesis in patients with chronic generalized periodontitis

Relevance. Improving the efciency of dental orthopedic care for patients with generalized periodontal disease is an actual modern problem.Materials and methods. A comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of various types of toothpaste in the postoperative period of dental implantation due to partial absence of teeth, periodontitis of moderate severity during gum recession was carried out. In group I (group I, n = 32), patients used a paste containing sodium bicarbonate, in group II (n = 25) – without sodium bicarbonate. Postoperative complaints and symptoms of reactive inflammation were monitored for 10 days; before the operation, after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after it – hygiene indices Silness J., Loe H., Muhllemen; PMA index.Results. In general, the duration of postoperative reactive inflammation in the groups did not have signifcant differences, but in terms of the relief of edema, bleeding and the severity of breath from the mouth, the best results were in the patients of the group. The hygiene indices before the operation and immediately after it were comparable, but a month after the surgical intervention in patients of group I, all the hygiene indices were better, over time these differences increased and had a reliable character. The Muhlemann index was more dependent on the use of single-stage implantation technology using growth factor, while the PMA index, on the contrary, reflected the effectiveness of not only surgical technology, but also the quality of postoperative hygienic and therapeutic measures.Conclusions. Studies have shown that the systematic use in the postoperative period of toothpaste containing sodium bicarbonate allows you to stop edema, bleeding and the severity of breath from the mouth, improves the performance of basic hygiene indices than other types of toothpastes.

A Nissen-féle fundoplicatio sikeressége és az azt befolyásoló faktorok. Eredmények a Pécsi Tudományegyetemen az indikációk és tünetek függvényében

Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases in developed countries. Besides the conservative modalities, surgery plays an increasing role in the treatment of the disease. Aim: Our aim was to investigate and compare the surgical and 6-month follow-up data of patients to the literature (quality control), who underwent Nissen fundoplication in the Medical Centre of Pécs between 2007 and 2014, and to assess the factors (especially psychiatric comorbidity and antidepressants) influencing the success. Method: In summary, data of 183 fundoplications of 166 patients were collected from the medical database of the University of Pécs. Statistical analysis: For data analysis, descriptive statistical methods (relative frequency) and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were used. Results: The most frequent indication of fundoplications was hiatal hernia combined with the failure of conservative (proton-pump inhibitor, PPI) treatment (54%). Reoperation rate (8%) was similar to literature data (5–10%). 62% of the patients had postoperative complaints, which, except bloating, were more common among women. 93.67% experienced certain grade of improvement of reflux symptoms. Postoperative PPI treatment was necessary in 37% of patients and in 9% postoperative interventions had to be performed. Female gender and psychiatric comorbidity worsened, antidepressant medication improved the success rate. The results of reoperations were inferior compared to primary operations. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the success rate of fundoplications in our centre fits to the literature data and adequate antidepressant medication may improve the worse results of psychiatric patients postoperatively, however, more randomized clinical studies are needed in this issue. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(25): 1013–1023.