Assessing the safety of continued perioperative antithrombotic therapy in endoscopic airway surgery for laryngotracheal stenosis.

PURPOSE: Given the increasing utilization of endoscopic surgery, particularly for airway stenosis management in the era of COVID-19 due to prolonged intubation, it is important to examine whether continuing antithrombotic therapy perioperatively influences bleeding complications. We examined the impact of perioperative antithrombotic use on postoperative bleeding complications following endoscopic airway surgery for laryngotracheal stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study from January 2016 to December 2021 of cases of patients ≥18 years who underwent endoscopic airway surgery for posterior glottic, subglottic, and tracheal stenosis at a single institution. Cases were excluded if they were an open airway surgery. The primary outcome was the occurrence of postoperative bleeding complications across cases of patients naive to and on baseline antithrombotic therapy, and those with preoperative continuation versus cessation of antithrombotic therapy. RESULTS: 258 cases across 96 patients met inclusion criteria. Of these 258 cases, 43.4 % (n = 112) were performed for patients on baseline antithrombotic therapy and 56.6 % (n = 146) for those not on antithrombotic therapy. Likelihood of perioperative continuation of apixaban was 0.052 (odds ratio, 95 % Confidence Interval: 0.002-0.330, p < 0.001). Likelihood of perioperative continuation of aspirin was 9.87 (odds ratio, 95 % Confidence Interval: 2.32-43.0, p < 0.001). Two instances of postoperative bleeding were found: both in patients who were on aspirin without perioperative cessation for COVID-related coagulopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that perioperative continuation of aspirin is relatively safe in the setting of endoscopic surgery for airway stenosis management. Prospective investigations to increase understanding of perioperative antithrombotics for COVID-related coagulopathy are warranted.

Outcome of Open Surgery in Disease Progression of Post-COVID Rhinomaxillary Mucormycosis Treated by Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery and Proposed Evaluation Scale for Maxillary Sinus Disease and Osteomyelitis.

Introduction: Rhinomaxillary Mucormycosis (RMM) is a condition peculiarly seen as post-COVID-19 opportunistic infections with Maxillary Sinus Disease and Osteomyelitis (MSDO). The open method of debridement and closed method are two types of surgical modalities available. There is no scoring method for this infection in maxilla. This paper aims to study the clinical and CT-based outcome of open versus closed surgery of MSDO in post-COVID-19 RMM and propose a new scoring method to evaluate the disease severity, progression as well as recovery. Material and Methods: Symptomatic cases of RMM (n = 17) with a history of closed surgical treatment were enrolled for this prospective clinical study. These cases were then treated by medicinal and open surgical method. The clinical and CT scan outcomes were compared by proposed new scoring method.The CT-based score for Maxillary Sinus Disease (MSD) and Maxillary Osteomyelitis (MO) from pre-FESS (CT1), Post-FESS (Preoperative, CT2), and Post-operative (CT3) were compared for both right and left sides. One-way ANOVA test and post HOC tests were used for statistical evaluation. Conclusion: The open method of maxillary sinus surgery has given significant improvement in the treatment of RMM already treated by a closed endoscopic approach. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12663-022-01803-5.

The clinical impact of COVID-19 on endoscopic surgery in Japan: Analysis of data from the National Clinical Database.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on elective endoscopic surgeries in Japan using the National Clinical Database. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological factors and surgical outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG), and laparoscopic low anterior resection (LLAR) and compared the monthly numbers of each procedure performed in 2020 with those in 2018 and 2019. The degree of infection in prefectures was classified into low and high groups. Results: In 2020, the number of LCs (except for acute cholecystitis) was 76 079 (93.0% of that in 2019), the number of LDGs was 14 271 (85.9% of that in 2019), and the number of LLARs was 19 570 (88.1% of that in 2019). Although the number of robot-assisted LDG and LLAR cases increased in 2020, the growth rate was mild compared with that in 2019. There was little difference in the number of cases in the degree of infection in the prefectures. The numbers of LC, LDG, and LLAR cases decreased from May to June and recovered gradually. In late 2020, the proportion of T4 and N2 cases of gastric cancer and the number of T4 cases of rectal cancer increased compared with those in 2019. There was little difference between the proportions of postoperative complications and mortality in the three procedures between 2019 and 2020. Conclusion: The number of endoscopic surgeries decreased in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the procedures were performed safely in Japan.

Rhino-Orbital Mucormycosis in a COVID-19 Patient: A Dreadful Challenge

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2). COVID-19 infections may be associated with a wide range of bacterial and fungal co-infections. Recent studies are reporting invasive fungal infection associated with severe COVID-19. Herein, we report a case of COVID-19 rhino-orbital mucormycosis infection caused by Rhizopus sps in a 32 year old diabetic patient who was successfully managed with early aggressive debridement of infected tissue endoscopically with extended ethmoidectomy by modified Denker's approach along with orbital decompression and antifungal therapy with Liposomal Amphotericin B and Posaconazole. Serial diagnostic nasal endoscopy showed no evidence of progression of the infection. The patient was discharged on 21st day of hospitalization still on oral Posaconazole for a total of 3 months. Copyright © 2022, Kathmandu University. All rights reserved.

American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts

The proceedings contain 6 papers. The topics discussed include: transversus abdominis plane block versus local wound infiltration for postoperative pain after laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection: a randomized, double-blinded study;mortality and pulmonary complications in emergency general surgery patients with COVID-19: a large international multicenter study;sex differences associate with late microbiome alterations after murine surgical sepsis;should all minimal access surgery be robot-assisted? a systematic review into the musculoskeletal and cognitive demands of laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery;risk of recurrence after endoscopic resection of nonpedunculated T1 colorectal cancer;and generalizability of randomized controlled trials in rectal cancer.

A Case of Symptomatic Endobronchial Hamartoma Causing Right Upper Lobe (RUL) Atelectasis

Introduction: Pulmonary Hamartomas are the most common benign tumors of lungs. Hamartomas are usually asymptomatic and are incidentally diagnosed on chest imaging. Symptomatic cases usually involve endobronchial mucosa. We describe a case of a symptomatic patient who was noted to have a right upper lobe collapse by an endobronchial lesion. This lesion was confirmed to be a cartilaginous hamartoma and was definitively treated by electrosurgical by Argon plasma (APC). Description: A 37 year old obese male active smoker presented to the ER for worsening Shortness of air (SOA) for two weeks. He had dry cough for similar duration without any fevers. On physical examination he was afebrile with normal vital signs but without hypoxia and otherwise normal physical examination. Labs revealed normal white cell count. A COVID test was negative. CT chest showed an endobronchial lesion obstructing the right upper lobe (RUL) with some internal fat density measuring at least 1.5cm causing complete collapse of RUL. No mediastinal or hilar adenopathy was noted. A flexible bronchoscopy showed a pedunculated smooth lesion arising from RUL bronchus anteriorly occluding the RUL bronchus. FNA of the lesion did not show any malignant cells. Using electrosurgery by APC the lesion was removed en bloc. A histopathology showed findings of cartilaginous hamartoma. A follow up Chest X-ray showed improvement in RUL atelectasis. Discussion: Pulmonary hamartomas are the most common benign pulmonary tumors and comprise 6% of solitary pulmonary nodules. Mostly detected on chest imaging as an incidental finding however CT chest has characteristic finding of pop corn shaped calcifications, fat density. Symptomatic cases are usually endobronchial and can be definitively treated with endoscopic techniques.

A Retrospective Analysis of the Impact of Health Disparities on Treatment for Single Suture Craniosynostosis before and During the Pandemic

Background/Purpose: Candidates for endoscopic treatment for craniosynostosis must be less than 6 months old. Given the narrow window of eligibility for endoscopic therapy, there is significant potential for barriers to health care access to impact the type of surgery a patient receives. We hypothesized that COVID may further worsen these potential disparities. Therefore this study evaluates the impact of COVID on proportion of surgeries for craniosynostosis performed open vs endoscopically based on race and ethnicity as well as socioeconomic status. Methods/Description: Charts were reviewed for children with single suture craniosynostosis from January 2014- March 2020 (pre-COVID cohort) and March 2020- September 2021 (COVID cohort). Children with syndromic craniosynostosis, significant comorbidities, or who presented after age 3 years were excluded. 110 children were in the pre-COVID group;56 were treated open and 54 endoscopically. The mean age of presentation for the endo group was 1.86 months and 10.7 months for the open group;mean age of surgery for the endo group was 2.60 months and 13.4 months for the open group. Of the 47 patients in the COVID cohort, 26 were treated endoscopically and 21 were treated open. The average age of presentation for the endo group in the COVID cohort was 1.91 months and average age of the open group was 10.6 months. Mean age at time of surgery for endoscopy in the COVID cohort was 2.66 months;mean age at time of open surgery in the COVID cohort was 12.66 months. There was no significant difference in age of presentation or age of surgery across cohorts when considering type of surgery performed. Rate of endoscopy in the pre-COVID versus COVID cohorts was not significantly different with 49% of patients in the pre-COVID cohort treated endoscopically and 55% treated endoscopically during the COVID period (P= 0.49). In both the pre-COVID and COVID cohorts there were significant differences between age of presentation, age of surgery, and type of surgery received based on race- black and Hispanic patients presented later, had surgery later and underwent open surgery more frequently than their white/Asian counterparts (P= 0.0095, P=0.0067). With respect to insurance status, in the Pre-COVID cohort 68% of patients without insurance or with Medicaid underwent open surgery and 32.6% underwent endoscopic surgery. In those with private insurance, 40.3% underwent open surgery and 59.7% had endoscopic surgery (P= 0.0071). However, there was no difference in age of presentation or type of surgery based on insurance status during COVID. The pandemic did not alter age of presentation/ age of surgery or rates of patients receiving endoscopic surgery in patients with single suture craniosynostosis. There was no relationship between insurance status and type of surgery received during the pandemic, however Hispanic and black patients continued to present later and underwent surgery at an older age compared to their white/ Asian counterparts as they did pre pandemic.

Surgical Outcome of Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis in Corona Virus Associated Patient: A Prospective Study from a Tertiary Care Center in Eastern India

INTRODUCTION: Second wave of covid19 affected India significantly with total numbers of cases 31,440,950 and total death 4,21,224. As India acheived stablity in fight against covid, another challenge emerged in the form of Mucormycosis. Mucormycosis is a serious angioinvasive infection caused by the order Mucorales and class of Mucormycetes. It is associated with high mortality in immunocompromised mainly diabetic patients if not treated agressively. METHODS: Our Hospital, IGIMS was declared exclusive covid facility in April 2021 and subsequently was declared dedicated hospital for Mucormycosis.During this two month period demographic, Clinical details and outcome were collected prospectively. RESULTS: During two month period, 500 cases were seen in OPD, 300 patients were admitted and 120 patients were operated. 47 patients have cerebral involvement. 11 patients with extensive involvement of brain including cavernous sinus were not offered surgery, because of poor pronosis. 4 patients of this group improved 5 patients died and 2 patients were discharged in moribund condition. Another 26 patients with only meningeal involvement and small lesion, with no mass effect and was treated conservatively. 16 of this group improved, Four (with poor coma score expired. Another 4 patients were transferred to other medical facilities and details of these patients are not available. 10 patients having large fungal lesion in non eloquent area along with mass effect were operated. six patients were operated with microscopic technique and 4 patients with endoscopic technique. eight patients were earlier, Covid RT-PCR positive and was treated with steroid and oxygen inhalation. Another two patient had fever , but Covid RT-PCR was negative and was treated at home with oxygen cylinder.All of them were treated with liposomal amphotrecin B. Sinus surgery was performed in all patients. Eight patient did well and was discharged from hospital in good condition. One patient, in which endoscopic cerebral exploration was done expired. Another patient was discharged with severe neurological sequlae. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Rhincerebral Mucormycosis spreading outside sinonasal cavity to the base of the brain can be treated by neurosurgical intervention.

Evaluation of YouTube laparoscopic hysterectomy videos as educational materials during the COVID-19 era using the LAParoscopic surgery Video Educational GuidelineS (LAP-VEGaS) and LAP-VEGaS video assessment tool.

With increasing numbers of laparoscopic hysterectomies, surgical trainees are compelled to learn more about endoscopy. Owing to coronavirus disease-related social distancing requirements, online education has gained prominence. Here, we aimed to investigate the laparoscopic hysterectomy video quality on YouTube using the LAParoscopic surgery Video Educational GuidelineS (LAP-VEGaS). YouTube was searched on June 7, 2020 using 'laparoscopic hysterectomy'. Three examiners evaluated videos using Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (GOALS). Subsequently, videos were assessed for their conformity to the LAP-VEGaS and LAP-VEGaS Video Assessment Tool. Interobserver reliability was estimated using intraclass coefficients and Cronbach's alpha. Cochran's Q test was used to determine correlations among quantitative data. The median GOALS score was 21.50. The observers' GOALS scores were significantly correlated. The results showed low conformity to the LAP-VEGaS. YouTube is the most used platform among trainees. The low YouTube video educational quality highlights the necessity for peer review, as trainees increasingly seek such resources during the pandemic.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? YouTube is the most commonly used online resource for educational material among surgical trainees. Online videos usually do not undergo a peer-review process. The LAParoscopic surgery Video Educational GuidelineS (LAP-VEGaS) may be used to assess the educational quality of surgical videos.What do the results of this study add? To our knowledge, this is the first study on the quality of laparoscopic hysterectomy videos available on YouTube and the first study to evaluate YouTube laparoscopic surgery videos using the LAP-VEGaS Video Assessment Tool (VAT). Our study revealed the low educational quality of YouTube laparoscopic hysterectomy videos. The LAP-VEGaS VAT seems to be a valid and practical tool for assessing online laparoscopic hysterectomy videos.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Medical communities, especially tertiary care or academic centres, may upload educational peer-reviewed videos for trainees seeking this type of resource, especially during the coronavirus disease pandemic, as surgical education alternatives are limited.

Endoscopic endonasal surgery during COVID-19 pandemic: Management guideline.

Current SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic is challenging medical and surgical activities. Specifically, within neurosurgery, endoscopic endonasal approaches pose a high risk of contagion for healthcare personnel involved in it. Initially, the recommendation was to avoid such surgeries. However, the pandemic has dragged on and new solutions must be proposed to continue carrying out these approaches safely. Given the lack of established protocols, we propose the following one, which concisely establishes the measures to be taken in both urgent and scheduled surgery. In addition, a new protection-aspiration device (Maskpirator) is described.

[Endoscopic endonasal surgery during COVID-19 pandemic: Management guideline]. / Cirugía endoscópica endonasal durante la pandemia COVID-19: protocolo de actuación.

Current SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic is challenging medical and surgical activities. Specifically, within neurosurgery, endoscopic endonasal approaches pose a high risk of contagion for healthcare personnel involved in it. Initially, the recommendation was to avoid such surgeries. However, the pandemic has dragged on and new solutions must be proposed to continue carrying out these approaches safely. Given the lack of established protocols, we propose the following one, which concisely establishes the measures to be taken in both urgent and scheduled surgery. In addition, a new protection-aspiration device (Maskpirator) is described.

Endoscopic surgical treatment for rhinogenic contact point headache: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This meta-analysis study was designed to analyze endoscopic surgery's role in treating rhinogenic contact point headache. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive review of the last 20 years' English language regarding Rhinogenic contact point headache and endoscopic surgery. We included the analysis papers reporting post-operative outcomes through the Visual Analogue Scale or the Migraine Disability Assessment scale. RESULTS: We provided 18 articles for a total of 978 RCPH patients. While 777 (81.1%) subjects underwent functional nasal surgery for RCPH, 201 patients (20.9%) were medically treated. A significant decrease from the VAS score of 7.3 ± 1.5 to 2.7 ± 1.8 was recorded (p < 0.0001). At quantitative analysis on 660 patients (11 papers), surgical treatment demonstrated significantly better post-operative scores than medical (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: At comparison, surgical treatment in patients with rhinogenic contact points exhibited significantly better values at short-term, medium-term, and long term follow up. Endoscopic surgery should be proposed as the choice method in approaching the symptomatic patient.

Status of Pituitary Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Even in ideal circumstances, the performance of safe and effective endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery requires complicated orchestration of care amongst multiple medical and surgical teams in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative settings. The current COVID-19 pandemic further complicates this highly orchestrated effort. Healthcare systems around the globe are working to adapt to the rapidly changing healthcare landscape as information about the SARS-CoV-2 virus is discovered and disseminated. The nature of the transsphenoidal corridor exposes the pituitary surgery team to increased risk of virus exposure.

Endoscopic skull base and transoral surgery during COVID-19 pandemic: Minimizing droplet spread with negative-pressure otolaryngology viral isolation drape.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has raised concern of transmission of infectious organisms through aerosols formation in endonasal and transoral surgery. METHODS: Retrospective review. We introduce the negative-pressure otolaryngology viral isolation drape (NOVID) system to reduce the risk of aerosol. NOVID consists of a plastic drape suspended above the patient's head and surgical field with a smoke evacuator suction placed inside the chamber. RESULTS: Four patients underwent endonasal (4) and endo-oral surgery (1). Fluorescein was applied to the surgical field. Black light examination of fluorescein-treated operative fields revealed minimal contamination distant to the surgical field. In two prolonged cases with high-speed drilling, droplets were identified under the barrier and on the tip of the smoke evacuator. Instruments and cottonoids appeared to be a greater contributor to field contamination. CONCLUSIONS: Negative-pressure aspiration of air under a chamber barrier, which appears to successfully keep aerosol and droplet contamination to a minimum.