Risk factors for major adverse events after surgical closure of ventricular septal defect in patients less than 1 year of age: a single-center retrospective

Abstract Objective: To reveal the risk factors that can lead to a complicated course and an increased morbidity in patients < 1 year old after surgical ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure. Methods: We reviewed a consecutive series of patients who were admitted to our institution for surgical VSD closure who were under one year of age, between 2015 and 2018. Mechanical ventilation (MV) time > 24 hours, intensive care unit (ICU) stay longer than three days, and hospital stay longer than seven days were defined as "prolonged". Unplanned reoperation, complete heart block requiring a permanent pacemaker implantation, sudden circulatory arrest, and death were considered as significant major adverse events (MAE). Results: VSD closure was performed in 185 patients. The median age was five (1-12) months. There was prolonged MV time in 54 (29.2%) patients. Four patients (2.2%) required permanent pacemaker implantation. Hemodynamically significant residual VSD was observed in six (3.2%) patients. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed in one (0.5%) patient. Small age (< 4 months) (P-value<0.001) and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time (P=0.03) were found to delay extubation and to prolong MV time. Low birth weight at the operation was associated with MAE (P=0.03). Conclusion: Higher body weight during operation had a reducing effect on the MAE frequency and shortened the MV duration, ICU stay, and hospital stay. As a conclusion, for patients who are scheduled to undergo VSD closure, body weight should be taken into consideration.

Retalho anterolateral da coxa reverso: uma opção de reconstrução para os membros inferiores / Reverse anterolateral thigh flap: a reconstruction option for the lower limbs

Introdução: A reconstrução cutânea e de tecidos moles na região ao redor do joelho é frequentemente desafiadora para o cirurgião plástico e tem como objetivo fornecer uma boa função articular do joelho com aparência estética aceitável. O planejamento cirúrgico requer considerar a técnica mais simples que leve ao fechamento da ferida, com mínima morbidade na área doadora. Há poucos relatos do uso do retalho anterolateral (ALT) reverso na literatura, em se tratando de defeitos na fossa poplítea, joelho e porção proximal da perna. O objetivo é descrever uma serie de casos de pacientes submetidos à reconstrução de ferida em fossa poplítea, joelho e terço superior da perna com retalho ALT reverso. Métodos: Quatro pacientes, dos quais 3 eram reconstruções de fossa poplítea e 1 reconstrução de joelho e terço proximal da perna. Todos submetidos à ressecção ampla da ferida/ tumor, dissecção do retalho ALT reverso, e transposição para o defeito. Resultados: Follow-up de 2 a 18 meses, evidenciando-se morbidade mínima para área doadora, com cobertura total do defeito e ótimo resultado funcional do membro afetado, com bom resultado estético. Apenas em um dos casos evidenciou-se sofrimento e necrose parcial (15%) do retalho devido a hematoma e compressão do pedículo, nos demais não foi evidenciado sofrimento dos retalhos, deiscência, seroma ou infecção. Conclusão: O retalho ALT da coxa reverso mostrou-se uma opção viável, apresentando bom resultado funcional e estético para a reconstrução cutânea e de tecidos moles na região de fossa poplítea, joelho e terço superior da perna.

Introduction: Cutaneous and soft tissue reconstruction in the region around the knee is often challenging for the plastic surgeon and aimed at providing good knee joint function with acceptable aesthetic appearance. Surgical planning requires considering the simplest technique that leads to wound closure, with minimal morbidity in the donor area. The literature has reported only few cases of the use of the reverse anterolateral (ALT) flap for defects in the popliteal fossa, knee, and leg proximal portion. The objective is to describe a series of cases of patients who underwent reconstruction with a reverse ALT flap for wounds in the popliteal fossa, knee, and upper third of the leg. Methods: Among four patients, three received popliteal fossa reconstructions and one received knee and leg proximal third reconstructions. All the patients underwent wound/tumor extensive resection, dissection of the reverse ALT flap, and transposition to the defect. Results: During follow-up for 2 to 18 months, minimal morbidity was observed in the donor area, with a total coverage of the defect, optimal functional result of the affected limb, and good aesthetic result. Only one case had a partial necrosis (15%) of the flap due to hematoma and pedicle compression. In the other patients, no evidence of flap failure, dehiscence, seroma, or infection were found. Conclusion: The reverse ALT flap was a viable option, presenting good functional and aesthetic results for cutaneous and soft tissue reconstructions in the popliteal fossa, knee, and upper third of the leg.

Efectividad del adhesivo tisular Tisuacryl® para el cierre de heridas cutáneas en cirugía laparoscópica / Effectiveness of the Tisuacryl® as tissue adhesive for closure of cutaneous wounds in laparoscopy surgery

Uno de los beneficios de la utilización de procedimientos laparoscópicos en cirugía es reducir la morbilidad relacionada con el traumatismo quirúrgico. Es conocido que el empleo del adhesivo tisular Tisuacryl® en el cierre de heridas cutáneas favorece la hemostasia, la recuperación rápida del tejido y la disminución del edema posquirúrgico, y evita complicaciones como infección y reacción del tejido a un cuerpo extraño. Fue objetivo de esta investigación evaluar la efectividad y seguridad de la utilización del Tisuacryl® para la síntesis de los puertos de entrada en pacientes intervenidos por cirugías mínimamente invasivas, sin necesidad de aplicar sutura. Se aplicó el adhesivo tisular a 100 pacientes que acudieron al Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso para realizarse diferentes procedimientos quirúrgicos. Como variables para evaluar la efectividad y seguridad del tratamiento se tomaron la dehiscencia de la herida, aparición de infección, tiempo de síntesis de la herida y estética de la cicatriz. Los pacientes se evaluaron en el posoperatorio inmediato y en consulta externa a los 7 y 21 días de la cirugía. Se lograron excelentes resultados en cuanto al afrontamiento y la estética de las heridas. Además, los pacientes no refirieron molestias ocasionadas por el material, ni se produjeron casos de infección. Los resultados de la investigación realizada demuestran que el Tisuacryl® puede utilizarse con alta efectividad para el cierre de las heridas de 5 mm y 10 mm en la cirugía laparoscópica, sustituyendo a las suturas(AU)

One of the more beneficial uses of laparoscopy procedures in surgery is to decrease the morbidity related to surgical trauma. It is known that the use of the Tisuacryl® tissue adhesive for closure of cutaneous wounds favors the hemostasis, a fast tissue recovery and decrease of postsurgical edema avoiding complications including infection and tissue reaction to a foreign body. The aim of present research was to assess the effectiveness and safety of Tisuacryl® for synthesis of approaches in patients operated on by minimally invasive methods without the need of to apply sutures. A tissue adhesive was applied in 100 patients came to National Center of Minimal Access Surgery to undergo different surgical procedures. Among the variables to assess the effectiveness and safety of treatment were the wound dehiscence, appearance of infection, wound synthesis time and scar esthetics. Patients were assessed during the immediate postoperative period and in external consultation at 7 and 21 days after surgery. Excellent results were achieved as regards the coping and the wounds' esthetics. Also, patients were satisfied with the use of this material and there were not infections. Results of present research demonstrated that the Tisuacryl® may be used with a high level of effectiveness for closure of 5 mm and 10 mm wounds in laparoscopy surgery to replace sutures(AU)

Comparison of Fibrin Glue and Sutures for Conjunctival Wound Closure in Strabismus Surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the efficacy and tolerance of fibrin glue and sutures for closing conjunctival wounds in strabismus surgery. METHODS: In a prospective trial, we performed strabismus surgery using limbal incisions. Conjunctival wounds were closed with fibrin glue in 20 eyes of 20 patients (fibrin group) and 8-0 polyglactin suture in 20 eyes of 20 patients (suture group). Postoperative pain, tearing, and inflammation were compared at 1 day, 1 week, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks after surgery. Conjunctival incision healing was also investigated. RESULTS: One day and one week post-operatively, pain and tearing scores were lower in the fibrin group (p = 0.000, respectively). Mean surgery time was significantly shorter in the fibrin (48 +/- 5 minutes) than the suture group (63 +/- 7 minutes) (p = 0.000). Inflammation was significantly more severe in the suture group until 3 weeks postoperative (p = 0.000, respectively), but conjunctival healing did not differ between the groups. Hyperemia appeared more prominent in the fibrin group 3 and 6 weeks after surgery (p = 0.087 and 0.000, respectively). Two eyes in the fibrin group showed conjunctival gaps of more than 2 mm, which closed spontaneously by three weeks after surgery. No allergic reactions or infections developed. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrin glue proved to be as effective as sutures in closing conjunctival wounds. It provides more comfortable early postoperative courses and might be considered as an alternative to sutures in strabismus surgery.