Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Evaluation of Gastric Microcirculation by Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging during Esophagectomy.
Thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) may provoke hypotension, and that, as well as the use of vasopressors and the surgical technique, could affect splanchnic microcirculation, in which the surgical target organ is of particular interest. This study used laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) to monitor gastric microcirculation during esophagectomy. ⋯ During esophagectomy, gastric microcirculation can be followed in real-time by LSCI. Flow changes in the stomach seemed related more to surgery than to TEA/vasopressor support. Laser speckle contrast imaging could form basis for directing procedures to maintain the microcirculation.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Achalasia Treatment, Outcomes, Utilization, and Costs: A Population-Based Study from the United States.
Randomized trials show that pneumatic dilation (PD) ≥30 mm and laparoscopic myotomy (LM) provide equivalent symptom relief and disease-related quality of life for patients with achalasia. However, questions remain about the safety, burden, and costs of treatment options. ⋯ In the US, LM appears to be the preferred treatment for achalasia. Both LM and PD appear to be safe interventions. Along a short time horizon, the costs of LM and PD were not different. Mirroring findings from randomized trials, LM is associated with fewer reinterventions, less diagnostic testing, and fewer hospitalizations.
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Comparative Study
Short- and Long-Term Outcomes after a Reconstituting and Fenestrating Subtotal Cholecystectomy.
Multiple surgical techniques are recommended to perform cholecystectomy safely in difficult cases, such as conversion to open operation or subtotal cholecystectomy (STC). Reconstituting and fenestrating STC are 2 techniques for STC. The aim of this study was to investigate the short and long-term morbidity and quality of life associated with STC and to compare the outcomes after reconstituting and fenestrating STC. ⋯ Subtotal cholecystectomy is a safe and feasible technique for difficult cases for which conversion only will not solve the difficulty of an inflamed hepatocystic triangle. The choice for reconstituting or fenestrating STC depends on intraoperative conditions and both techniques are associated with specific complications.
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Lymphoscintigraphy is used to confirm the diagnosis of lymphedema; pathologic findings are abnormal transit time to regional nodes and dermal backflow. A universal protocol for the test does not exist. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the clinical severity of lymphedema correlates with lymphoscintigraphy findings. ⋯ Clinical severity of lymphedema is not associated with lymphoscintigraphy findings. A lymphoscintigram should be interpreted as normal or abnormal, and does not need to exceed 2 hours.
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Major liver resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) is associated with a 22% to 33% postoperative liver failure incidence. The aim of this study was analyze the predictive value of future liver remnant (FLR) volume for postoperative liver failure after resection for PHC and to develop a risk score to improve patient selection for portal vein embolization. ⋯ The selection of patients for portal vein embolization using only liver volume is insufficient, considering the other predictors of liver failure in PHC patients. The proposed risk score can be used for selection of patients for portal vein embolization, for adequate patient counseling, and identification of other modifiable risk factors besides liver volume.