Perforated marginal ulcer after gastric bypass for obesity: a systematic review.

Marginal ulcers are a recognized complication of gastric bypass procedures for obesity. Perforated marginal ulcer (PMU) is a life-threatening complication of marginal ulcers. We performed a systematic review to understand the presentation, management, and outcomes of PMUs. PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase databases were searched to identify all studies on PMUs after gastric bypass procedures. A total of 610 patients were identified from 26 articles. The mean age was 39.8±2.59 years, and females represented most of the cohort (67%). The mean body mass index was 43.2±5.67 kg/m2. Most of the patients had undergone a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (98%). The time gap between the primary bariatric surgery and the diagnosis of PMU was 27.5±8.56 months. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain (99.5%) and a computed tomography scan was the diagnostic modality used in 72% of the patients. Only 15% of patients were on prophylactic proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers at the time of perforation, and 41% of patients were smoking at the time. Twenty-three percent of patients were on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Laparoscopic omental patch repair of the perforation (59%) was the most used technique; 18% of patients underwent open surgery, and 20% were managed non-surgically. Thirty-day mortality was 0.97%; it was 1.21% (n=5) and 0% (n=0) in those who were managed surgically and nonsurgically, respectively. Ulcers recurred in 5% of patients. In conclusion, PMU is a surgical emergency after gastric bypass that can result in significant morbidity and even mortality. This is the first systematic review in scientific literature characterizing this condition.

Optimising the outcomes of index admission laparoscopic cholecystectomy and bile duct exploration for biliary emergencies: a service model.

AIMS: The rate of acute laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains low due to operational constraints. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a service model of index admission cholecystectomy with referral protocols, refined logistics and targeted job planning. METHODS: A prospectively maintained dataset was evaluated to determine the processes of care and outcomes of patients undergoing emergency biliary surgery. The lead author has maintained a 28 years prospective database capturing standard demographic data, intraoperative details including the difficulty of cholecystectomy as well as postoperative outcome parameters and follow up data. RESULTS: Over five thousand (5555) consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed. Only patients undergoing emergency procedures (2399,43.2% of entire group) were analysed for this study. The median age was 52 years with 70% being female. The majority were admitted with biliary pain (34%), obstructive jaundice (26%) and acute cholecystitis (16%). 63% were referred by other surgeons. 80% underwent surgery within 5 days (40% within 24 h). Cholecystectomies were performed on scheduled lists (44%) or dedicated emergency lists (29%). Two thirds had suspected bile duct stones and 38.1% underwent bile duct exploration. The median operating time was 75 min, median hospital stay 7 days, conversion rate 0.8%, morbidity 8.9% and mortality rate 0.2%. CONCLUSION: Index admission cholecystectomy for biliary emergencies can have low rates of morbidity and mortality. Timely referral and flexible theatre lists facilitate the service, optimising clinical results, number of biliary episodes, hospital stay and presentation to resolution intervals. Cost benefits and reduced interval readmissions need to be weighed against the length of hospital stay per episode.

Reliability of transcranial sonography for assessment of brain midline shift in adult neurocritical patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the reliability of transcranial sonography as an alternative to computed tomography for evaluation of brain midline shift in adult neurocritical patients. EVIDENCE AQUISITION: The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched. Original studies evaluating brain midline shift in adult neurocritical patients using both transcranial sonography and computed tomography were eligible. Primary outcome measure was concordance between both methods as quantified in terms of concordance correlation coefficient. Secondary outcome measure was limits of agreement, defined as mean difference between sonography and computed tomography plus and minus 1.96 standard deviations. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Twelve studies (574 patients, 689 examinations) were eligible. Ten studies (416 patients, 492 examinations) provided adequate data for evaluation of concordance. Pooling of effect sizes showed strong concordance between both methods (concordance correlation coefficient, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.87 to 0.94). Two missing studies were imputed and effect size was adjusted to 0.88 (95% CI, 0.81 to 0.93). Nine studies (442 patients, 571 examinations) provided adequate data for estimation of limits of agreement. Pooling of effect sizes showed a bias of -0.53 mm (95% limits of agreement, -1.22 to 0.16 mm). Four missing studies were imputed and bias was adjusted to -0.68 mm (95% limits of agreement, -1.31 to -0.04 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Transcranial sonography may serve as reliable alternative to computed tomography for evaluation of brain midline shift in adult neurocritical patients. Both methods have strong concordance with acceptably narrow limits of agreement.

Efficacy of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to Quadratus lumborum block for pediatrics undergoing laparoscopic pyeloplasty. A prospective randomized double blinded study.

BACKGROUND: We designed this study to evaluate dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to local anesthetics in Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) in pediatrics either interfascial versus intravenous on the quality of postoperative analgesia and incidence of side effects. METHODS: Fifty pediatric patients ASA I and II, from eight to thirteen years old posted for laparoscopic pyeloplasty were randomized either to: QLB dexmedetomidine intravenous (QD IV) group or QLB dexmedetomidine interfascial (QD IF) group. A 24-h postoperative morphine consumption (primary outcome), time to first analgesic request, postoperative pain and sedation scores were compared. The recovery time after anesthesia and the incidences of intraoperative and postoperative hypotension or bradycardia were recorded. RESULTS: The median [IQR] 24 h postoperative morphine consumption in QD IF group [0.05 (0.05-0.10) mg/kg] was lower compared with QD IV group [0.15 (0.10-0.20) mg/kg] (P<0.001). Longer time to first analgesic request was noted in QD IF group [505 (395-583) min] in comparison to QD IV group [306 (258-388) min] (P<0.001). Pain scores were lower in QD IF group at six and eight hours postoperatively. Sedation scores were lower in QD IF group on admission to PACU and two hours postoperatively. Intraoperative hypotension and bradycardia were lower in QD IF group. Longer recovery time in QD IV group. CONCLUSIONS: Interfascial dexmedetomidine adjuvant to QLB provided better postoperative analgesia in terms of less morphine consumption, better pain scores and longer time to first analgesic request when compared with the IV dexmedetomidine.

Gall Bladder Empyema: Early Cholecystectomy during the Index Admission Improves Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: We aim to evaluate our policy of index admission management of gall bladder empyema and the effect of the timing of surgery on the outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed a series of 5400 laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Data were collected prospectively over 26 y. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1, intervention within 72 h, and group 2, intervention after 72 h of admission. We had a policy of intention to treat during the index admission, but delays sometimes occurred because of late referral, a need to optimize patients, availability of theater time, or the biliary surgeon being on leave. The groups were then compared with regard to the duration of surgery, the difficulty grading, complications, hospital stay, and conversion rate. RESULTS: A total of 372 patients were included; 160 (43%) operated on within 72 h (group 1) and 212 (57%) after 72 h (group 2). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with regard to the operation time, conversion rate, and complications rate. The difference in total hospital stay was, however, statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Surgical management of empyema should be offered as soon as possible after admission as with any acute cholecystitis. Surgery carried out after 72 h of admission is only associated with longer hospital stay but no statistically significant differences in other outcome parameters. In the presence of specialist expertise, fitness for surgery should be the determining factor of whether or not to offer surgery to these patients, regardless of the interval since their admission.

Effects of local low-dose rocuronium on the quality of peribulbar anesthesia for cataract surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Peribulbar anesthesia is associated with delayed and/or incomplete orbital akinesia compared with retrobulbar anesthesia. This study examined the effects of adding rocuronium 5 mg to two different concentrations of lidocaine-bupivacaine mixture on onset time of orbital and eyelid akinesia in patients undergoing cataract surgery. METHODS: In a double-blind study, 90 patients were equally randomized to receive a mixture of 0.5 ml normal saline, 4 ml lidocaine 2%, and 4 ml bupivacaine 0.5% (group I), a mixture of rocuronium 0.5 ml (5 mg), 4 ml lidocaine 2%, and 4 ml bupivacaine 0.5% (group II), or a mixture of rocuronium 0.5 ml (5 mg), 4 ml lidocaine 1%, and 4 ml bupivacaine 0.25% (group III). Orbital akinesia was assessed on a 0-8 score (0 = no movement, 8 = normal) at 2 min intervals for 10 min. Time to adequate anesthesia was also recorded. Results are presented as mean±SD. RESULTS: Ocular movement score decreased during the assessment period in all groups. However, at 2 min after block administration, the score decreased to 4±2 (95% CI 3,5) in groups II and III compared with 5±2 (95% CI 4,6) in group I (P<0.01). Time to adequate condition to begin surgery was 9.8±2.9 vs. 6.9±4.1 vs. 7.9±3.9 min for groups I, II, and III, respectively (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: The addition of rocuronium 5 mg to a mixture of lidocaine 2% and bupivacaine 0.5% shortened the onset time of peribulbar anesthesia in patients undergoing cataract surgery without causing adverse effects.