Revision using distal inflow for high flow hemodialysis access alters arterial flow characteristics in the dialysis arm.

OBJECTIVE: Revision using distal inflow (RUDI) is currently proposed in patients on hemodialysis having a high flow access (HFA; >2 L/min) or hemodialysis access-induced distal ischemia (HAIDI). However, a recurrence of high flow or hand ischemia is not unusual in the years after RUDI. The aim of the present study was to describe changes in flow characteristics and arterial diameters in the dialysis arm after RUDI for HFA. METHODS: Volume flow, diameter, peak systolic velocity and end diastolic velocity of the brachial artery (BA) were studied 2 and 12 months after RUDI using duplex imaging. In a portion of patients, these characteristics were also assessed at proximal and distal portions of radial and ulnar arteries (proximal forearm radial artery, distal radial artery, ulnar artery, and distal ulnar artery), and in the greater saphenous venous interponate. HFA patients were grouped according to presence of concomitant hand ischemia (HFA-HAIDI) or absence (HFA). RESULTS: Fifteen patients (54 ± 16 year old; 10 males; HFA-HAIDI, n = 6; HFA, n = 9) with a BA HFA (flow volume, 2740 ± 322 mL/min) undergoing RUDI were studied between March 2011 and October 2016 in two Dutch hospitals. After 2 months, flow volume had decreased (1180 ± 189 mL/min), but again increased at 12 months (1520 ± 217 mL/min; P < .001). BA diameters did not change (7.4 ± 0.5 mm), but proximal forearm radial diameters doubled (overall 2.6 ± 0.2 mm to 5.4 ±1.0 mm; P < .001), albeit less prominent in HFA-HAIDI (+80%) than in HFA (+130%; P = .019). During follow-up, the distal ulnar artery peak systolic velocity in HFA-HAIDI (83 ± 10 cm/s) was higher compared with the HFA group (54 ± 5 cm/s; P < .01). Dilatation was not present in the greater saphenous venous interponate. CONCLUSIONS: RUDI for HFA reduction does not reverse BA dilatation, suggesting irreversible structural arterial wall damage possibly contributing to recurrent high flow. Radial artery remodeling is attenuated in HFA patients previously reporting concurrent hand ischemia diminishing the likelihood of high flow recurrence in this subgroup.

Subpleural multilevel intercostal continuous analgesia after thoracoscopic pulmonary resection: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Sufficient pain control and rapid mobilisation after VATS are important to enhance recovery and prevent complications. Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is the gold standard, but failure rates of 9-30% have been described. In addition, TEA reduces patient mobilisation and bladder function. Subpleural continuous analgesia (SCA) is a regional analgesic technique that is placed under direct thoracoscopic vision and is not associated with the mentioned disadvantages of TEA. The objective of this study was to assess surgical feasibility, pain control and patient satisfaction of SCA. METHODS: Observational pilot study in patients who underwent VATS pulmonary resection and received SCA (n = 23). Pain scores (numeric rating scale 0-10) and patient satisfaction (5-point Likert scale) were collected on postoperative day (POD) 0-3. Secondary outcomes were the period of urinary catheter use and period to full mobilisation. RESULTS: Placement of the subpleural catheter took an average of 11 min (SD 5) and was successful in all patients. Pain scores on POD 0-3 were 1.2 (SD 1.2), 2.0 (SD 1.9), 1.7 (SD 1.5) and 1.2 (SD 1.1) respectively. On POD 0-3 at least 79% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied on pain relief and mobilisation. The duration of subpleural continuous analgesia was 4 days (IQR 3-5, range 2-11). Urinary catheters were used zero days (IQR 0-1, range 0-6) and full mobilisation was achieved on POD 2 (IQR 1-2, range 1-6). CONCLUSION: Subpleural continuous analgesia in VATS pulmonary resection is feasible and provides adequate pain control and good patient satisfaction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This pilot study was not registered in a trial register.

Three Year Patency and Recurrence Rates of Revision Using Distal Inflow with a Venous Interposition Graft for High Flow Brachial Artery Based Arteriovenous Fistula.

OBJECTIVES: Upper arm arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) occasionally develop high flow. Revision using distal inflow (RUDI) effectively reduces flow of high flow accesses (HFA) in the short-term and is also popularised for treatment of haemodialysis access induced distal ischaemia (HAIDI). The long-term efficacy is unknown. The study's aim was to report on 3 year RUDI patency and recurrence rates for HFA with and without HAIDI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with a HFA with or without HAIDI undergoing RUDI using greater saphenous vein (GSV) interposition between March 2011 and October 2017 at three facilities. AVFs were termed HFA if flow volumes exceeded 2 L/min on two consecutive measurements using dilution techniques. HAIDI was diagnosed as recommended. Following RUDI, follow up was not different from standard care in AVF patients. Data on post-operative flows and re-interventions were extracted from electronic patient files. Loss to follow up was avoided. Rates of patency and HFA recurrence were analysed. RESULTS: During the observation period, 21 patients were studied (7 females, 54 years ± 3). Fourteen had uncomplicated HFA whereas seven had additional HAIDI. Immediately post-operatively, flows decreased threefold (3120 mL/min ± 171 vs. 1170 mL/min ± 87, p < .001). Overall 3 year primary patency was 48% ± 12 (HFA, 55% ± 15 vs. HAIDI/HFA, 29% ± 17, p = .042). Secondary patency was identical in both groups (overall, 84% ± 9). Interventions were percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (n = 12, 9 patients), thrombectomy (n = 7, 3 patients), and revision with new interposition grafts (n = 3). After 3 years, 51% ± 12 were free of high flow (HFA, 32% ± 13 vs. HAIDI/HFA, 100%, p = .018). High immediate post-operative access flow predicted recurrence (OR 1.004 [1.000-1.007], p = .044). Patients with recurrence were 12 years younger than those without (p = .055). CONCLUSION: RUDI with GSV interposition for HFA offers acceptable patency rates after 3 years although re-interventions are often required. High immediate post-operative flows and young age are associated with recurrent high flow.

Basilic vein transposition for unsuitable upper arm hemodialysis needle access segment may attenuate concurrent hand ischemia.

INTRODUCTION: Some hemodialysis patients with a brachial arteriovenous fistula (AVF) have an unsuitable upper arm needle access segment (NAS) necessitating basilic vein transposition (BVT). It was frequently observed that a portion of these patients spontaneously experienced a warmer and less painful dialysis hand after BVT. Aim of this study was to determine whether BVT for an inadequate NAS attenuated hemodialysis access-induced distal ischemia in patients with a brachial AVF. METHODS: Patients with a brachial AVF and an unsuitable NAS also reporting hand ischemia and scheduled to undergo BVT between 2005 and 2016 in a single facility were studied. Hand ischemia was graded as proposed in a 2016 consensus meeting. Hand ischemic questionnaire (HIQ-) scores (0 points, no ischemia-500 points, maximal ischemia), digital brachial index (DBI, ischemia <0.6) and access flow (mL/min) before and after BVT were compared. The cephalic vein and all side branches of the basilic vein were ligated during the BVT. FINDINGS: Ten patients were studied (8 males, 61 [54-75] years). BVT was performed 8 [4-10] months following the initial AVF construction. HIQ-scores dropped from 220 [71-285] to 9 [0-78] (P = 0.043) postoperatively, whereas DBI increased from 0.51 [0.39-0.67] to 0.85 [0.68-0.97] (P = 0.012). DBI and HIQ-scores were inversely correlated (R2 =71%, P = 0.001). Access flows dropped significantly (Flowpre 1120 mL/min [1100-2300] vs. Flowpost 700 mL/min [600-1760]; P = 0.018). Surgery-associated complications were absent and dialysis continued uninterruptedly. Eight patients reported total recovery from hand ischemia six weeks postoperatively. DISCUSSION: Basilic vein transposition for an unsuitable upper arm needle access segment may attenuate hand ischemia in patients with a brachial AVF previously reporting hemodialysis access-induced distal ischemia.

Medium-term outcome of sacral nerve modulation for constipation.

BACKGROUND: Sacral nerve modulation has been reported as a minimally invasive and effective treatment for constipation refractory to conservative treatment. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and sustainability of sacral nerve modulation for constipation in the medium term (up to 6 years) and to investigate potential predictors of treatment success. DESIGN: We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. SETTINGS: The study was performed at 2 tertiary-care centers in Europe with expertise in pelvic floor disorders and sacral nerve modulation. PATIENTS: Patients were eligible if they had had symptoms of constipation persisting for at least 1 year, if conservative treatment (dietary modification, laxatives and biofeedback therapy) had failed, and if predefined excluded conditions were not present. INTERVENTION: The first phase of the treatment process was percutaneous nerve evaluation. If this was successful, patients underwent sacral nerve modulation therapy with an implanted device (tined-lead and implantable pulse generator). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Follow-up was performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, and yearly thereafter. Outcome was assessed with the Wexner constipation score. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients (13 men, 104 women) with a mean age of 45.6 (SD, 13.0) years underwent percutaneous nerve evaluation. Of these, 68 patients (58%) had successful percutaneous nerve evaluation and underwent implantation of a device. The mean Wexner score was 17.0 (SD, 3.8) at baseline and 10.2 (SD 5.3) after percutaneous nerve evaluation (p < .001); the improvement was maintained throughout the follow-up period, although the number of patients continuing with sacral nerve modulation at the latest follow-up (median, 37 months; range, 4-92) was only 61 (52% of all patients who underwent percutaneous nerve evaluation). The sole predictive factor of outcome of percutaneous nerve evaluation was age: younger patients were more likely than older patients to have a successful percutaneous nerve evaluation phase. LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by a lack of consistent outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: : Despite improvement in Wexner scores, at the latest follow-up sacral nerve modulation was only being used by slightly more than 50% of the patients who started the first phase of treatment. Further studies are needed to reassess the efficacy and sustainability of sacral nerve modulation.

[Retrograde irrigation of the colon: treatment for faecal incontinence after low anterior resection]. / Zelf retrograad spoelen: behandeling van fecale incontinentie na lage anterieure resectie.

Two patients, a woman aged 75 and a man aged 63 years, developed faecal incontinence after low anterior resection. Their external sphincter function was intact. They were advised to irrigate their bowel with normal tap water and reached complete pseudocontinence. Faecal incontinence is not always due to sphincter dysfunction. One of the other causes of incontinence is the lack of compliance of the rectum, as seen in patients with a low anterior resection. The part of the colon that has replaced the original rectum is not able to distend in the same manner as the rectum. Irrigation of the colon is a simple means of allowing the patient to achieve pseudocontinence. When the colon is cleaned it will take one or two days before new faeces arrive and a risk for incontinence occurs. It is important to irrigate with safe tap water at a temperature of around 37 degrees C. Most patients treated in this way feel safe to go out again. The irrigation can be performed in patients without the need for extensive diagnostics. This method of irrigation can be used in other forms of faecal incontinence as well.

Molding therapy of positional plagiocephaly: subjective outcome and quality of life.

To evaluate quality of life (QOL) and parental satisfaction in children diagnosed and treated with molding helmet therapy (MHT) for positional plagiocephaly, a retrospective chart research was performed on 166 children who had visited the craniofacial outpatient clinic in the University Hospital of Maastricht between 2002 and 2003. Two questionnaires were sent to parents of these children. The first was used to measure QOL (TAPQOL questionnaire) and was related to a healthy control group. The second evaluated parents' satisfaction concerning the shape of their children's head before and after treatment. One hundred forty-two children were diagnosed with positional plagiocephaly. The group consisted of 111 boys (78.2%) and 31 girls (21.8%). Ninety-eight patients were treated by MHT and 44 had no treatment. Indications for treatment were an ARGENTA classification of type 3 or worse and subjective rating of head shape by the parents. Parents of all children treated with MHT were sent both questionnaires. Forty-six parents (response rate 47%) returned the questionnaires. This group consisted of 39 boys and eight girls. The healthy control group consisted of 251 children between the ages of 1 and 5 years and was used to validate the questionnaire in a previous study. There were no significant differences in QOL scores between the healthy control group and children treated with molding helmet therapy (P > 0.05). Parents gave an average rating of 3.6 before therapy and 7.5 after therapy, a difference of 3.9. Of 46 parents whose children had MHT, only two would not repeat or recommend this therapy. Reasons were unsatisfying result and, in one case, serious pressure spots with hair loss. The population in this study was similar to other studies. Results showed no difference in QOL between treated children and a healthy control group. This study showed that MHT in children with severe positional plagiocephaly does not have long-term adverse effects on QOL. Differences in subjective rating show that MHT has a good result on head shape. A 96% satisfaction rate shows that it is a pleasant therapy and gives a satisfying result.