Redo accessory pathway ablation in the pediatric population

Background Literature reports 5% of recurrence/failure in paediatric accessory pathway ablations. Our aim was to investigate the reasons underlying this finding and share techniques to obtain long-term success. Methods Thirty-nine paediatric patients referred for a repeat procedure were analysed: characteristics of the pathways and the initial and redo procedures were identified. Results Mean age was 11.9 ± 3.3 years (59% males). Three patients (8%) had multiple accessory pathways. The most frequent location was left lateral (26%). Left sided pathway recurrence was caused mainly by poor contact (60%) and inadequate mapping (40%). For right lateral accessory pathways, poor contact accounted for 70% of failures. For antero-septal and para-Hisian locations, the use of cryoablation and choice of low radiofrequency energy delivery accounted for > 75% of failures. Long-term success strategies included choice of contact force catheters and radiofrequency applications at the ventricular insertion of the pathway and in the aortic coronary cusps. In postero-septal substrates, the main reason accounting for failure was deep or epicardial location of the pathway (37%), solved by using an irrigated tip catheter or applying lesions within the coronary sinus, or applications from both right and left postero-septal areas. Conclusion Acute failure and post-procedure recurrence in paediatric accessory pathway ablations have multiple reasons related to the characteristics of the pathway and the technology available. Accurate understanding of the anatomy, careful mapping and pacing manoeuvers, and incorporation of new technologies contribute to achieve a definitive success in > 98% of procedures.

Acute failure of S2-alar-iliac screw pelvic fixation in adult spinal deformity: novel failure mechanism, case series, and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE Pelvic fixation with S2-alar-iliac (S2AI) screws is an established technique in adult deformity surgery. The authors’ objective was to report the incidence and risk factors for an underreported acute failure mechanism of S2AI screws. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of ambulatory adults with fusions extending 3 or more levels, and which included S2AI screws. Acute failure of S2AI screws was defined as occurring within 6 months of the index surgery and requiring surgical revision. RESULTS Failure occurred in 6 of 125 patients (5%) and consisted of either slippage of the rods or displacement of the set screws from the S2AI tulip head, with resultant kyphotic fracture. All failures occurred within 6 weeks postoperatively. Revision with a minimum of 4 rods connecting to 4 pelvic fixation points was successful. Two of 3 (66%) patients whose revision had less fixation sustained a second failure. Patients who experienced failure were younger (56.5 years vs 65 years, p = 0.03). The magnitude of surgical correction was higher in the failure cohort (number of levels fused, change in lumbar lordosis, change in T1–pelvic angle, and change in coronal C7 vertical axis, each p < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, younger patient age and change in lumbar lordosis were independently associated with increased failure risk (p < 0.05 for each). There was a trend toward the presence of a transitional S1–2 disc being a risk factor (OR 8.8, 95% CI 0.93–82.6). Failure incidence was the same across implant manufacturers (p = 0.3). CONCLUSIONS All failures involved large-magnitude correction and resulted from stresses that exceeded the failure loads of the set plugs in the S2AI tulip, with resultant rod displacement and kyphotic fractures. Patients with large corrections may benefit from 4 total S2AI screws at the time of the index surgery, particularly if a transitional segment is present. Salvage with a minimum of 4 rods and 4 pelvic fixation points can be successful.

ACUTE LIVER FAILURE ASSOCIATED WITH HEPATITIS E INFECTION IN A YOUNG MAN WITH IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIA

Autochthonous hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an increasingly recognized zoonosis in western countries. It is often asymptomatic but may cause severe illness, particularly in immunocompromised patients or those with underlying chronic liver diseases. Even less frequently, cases of acute failure have been reported. In this article, we describe a case of an immunocompetent patient who presented with symptomatic acute HEV hepatitis and progressed to acute liver failure. The patient was transferred to another hospital for further management and transplant consideration. Unfortunately, he developed multi-organ failure thereafter and died before the transplantation became feasible. Subsequently, HEV was confirmed in archived serum by detection of HEV RNA using commercial RT-PCR. The results of this study have confirmed that HEV testing should be included in the initial evaluation of every acute liver failure regardless of travel history, risk factors or underlying chronic liver diseases. This approach might support clinical decisions and enable to use of potential antiviral therapy.

Redo Accessory Pathway Ablation in the Pediatric Population

Background: Literature reports 5% of recurrence/ failure in pediatric accessory pathway ablations. Our aim was to investigate the reasons underlying this finding and share techniques to obtain long term success. Methods: Thirty-nine pediatric patients referred for a repeat procedure were analyzed: characteristics of the pathways and the initial and redo procedures were identified.Results: Mean age was 11.9 ± 3.3 years (59% males). Three patients (8%) had multiple accessory pathways. The most frequent location was left lateral (26%). Left sided pathway recurrence was caused mainly by poor contact (60%) and inadequate mapping (40%). For right lateral accessory pathways, poor contact accounted for 70% of failures. For antero-septal and para-hisian locations, the use of cryoablation and choice of low radiofrequency energy delivery accounted for > 75% of failures. Long-term success strategies included choice of contact force catheters and radiofrequency applications at the ventricular insertion of the pathway and in the aortic coronary cusps. In postero-septal substrates, the main reason accounting for failure was deep or epicardial location of the pathway (37%), solved by using an irrigated tip catheter or applying lesions within the coronary sinus, or applications from both right and left postero-septal areas. Conclusions: Acute failure and post-procedure recurrence in pediatric accessory pathway ablations have multiple reasons related to the characteristics of the pathway and the technology available. Accurate understanding of the anatomy, careful mapping and pacing maneuvers, and incorporation of new technologies contribute to achieve a definitive success in > 98% of procedures.

Acute Glaucoma Filtering Surgery Failure following Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus Infection

Herein, we report a case of acute failure of a previously successful trabeculectomy, following an infection with herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO). HZO remains a common infection, especially among elderly and immunocompromised patients. There is a strong link between HZO infection, the incidence of secondary glaucoma, and the need for glaucoma filtering surgery. Though, to our knowledge, there are no cases reporting on the effect that a concomitant infection may have on a previously successful trabeculectomy. In our case, a 76-year-old immunocompetent male with primary open-angle glaucoma in both eyes and a history of a successful right eye trabeculectomy 1 year earlier presented with acute primary HZO involving the ophthalmic branch of the right trigeminal nerve. Appropriate topical and systemic treatment was immediately initiated. Three days later, the trabeculectomy bleb showed hyperemia and flattening and concomitant rise of intraocular pressure was noted. A week later, the cutaneous signs were improving yet the trabeculectomy had failed and high intraocular pressure was established, requiring both topical and systemic antiglaucoma medications. Our study suggests that a previously successful trabeculectomy may manifest signs of compromise and subsequent failure following a HZO infection.

MO344INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR ACUTE POSTOPERATIVE RENAL FAILURE

Background and Aims Postoperative acute renal failure (AKI) is a particular form of acute failure with several triggers. Decreased renal blood flow and the resulting ischemia seem to be the most common cause of kidney damage. The objective was to study the incidence and risk factors associated with post-operative AKI. Method It was a retrospective, descriptive study spanning a 3-year period from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019. The patients in this series were admitted to the various surgical departments. Results Our study included 618 cases of AKI. The incidence of postoperative AKI was 8.73%. The average age of our patients was 40.4 +/- 12.3 years, a male predominance with a sex ratio of 1.2. The main history was diabetes found in 39%, hypertension in 27.5% and an injection of contrast product a few days before the intervention in 14.5%. General surgery topped the list in 49.5% of our patients, followed by trauma in 25%, gyneco-obstetrics in 14.5%, and 11% for the rest of the surgeries. The associated risk factors were: hypovolemic shock, diabetes, severe sepsis. Conclusion The occurrence of acute renal failure in the postoperative period results from factors related to the field and surgery. Hence the need for early identification of risk situations, in order to reduce the incidence of renal damage during the perioperative period.