Minimally invasive versus open central pancreatectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To compare the procedural outcomes of minimally invasive and open central pancreatectomy. A systematic review in compliance with PRISMA statement standards was conducted to identify and analyze studies comparing the procedural outcomes of minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) central pancreatectomy with the open approach. Random effects modeling using intention to treat data, and individual patient as unit of analysis, was used for analyses. Seven comparative studies including 289 patients were included. The two groups were comparable in terms of baseline characteristics. The minimally invasive approach was associated with less intraoperative blood loss (mean difference [MD]: -153.13 mL, p = 0.0004); however, this did not translate into less need for blood transfusion (odds ratio [OR]: 0.30, p = 0.06). The minimally invasive approach resulted in less grade B-C postoperative pancreatic fistula (OR: 0.54, p = 0.03); this did not remain consistent through sensitivity analyses. There was no difference between the two approaches in operative time (MD: 60.17 minutes, p = 0.31), Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3 complications (OR: 1.11, p = 0.78), postoperative mortality (risk difference: -0.00, p = 0.81), and length of stay in hospital (MD: -3.77 days, p = 0.08). Minimally invasive central pancreatectomy may be as safe as the open approach; however, whether it confers advantage over the open approach remains the subject of debate. Type 2 error is a possibility, hence adequately powered studies are required for definite conclusions; future studies may use our data for power analysis.

A meta-analysis of the utility of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in predicting survival after pancreatic cancer resection.

BACKGROUND: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is thought to reflect cancer disease burden. To assess the prognostic ability of the NLR on overall survival in patients with resectable, pancreatic cancer a meta-analysis of published literature was undertaken. METHOD: A systematic review was performed independently by two authors using PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE and Embase databases. Included studies detailed the pre-operative NLR and overall survival of pancreatic cancer patients. RESULTS: Of the 214 studies retrieved using the search strategy, 8 studies involving 1519 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Only one study did not find a statistically significant association between a high NLR and OS. The pooled Hazard Ratio was 1.77 (95% CI [1.45-2.15]; p < 0.01). The NLR cut-off values ranged from 2 to 5. There was low to moderate inter-study heterogeneity (I2 = 31%; p = 0.17), a low risk of intra-study bias, and potentially 3 unpublished (negative) studies. CONCLUSIONS: A high pre-operative NLR indicates a worse prognosis than in patients with a low NLR. There is potential to use the NLR to direct therapies. A specific cut-off value has not been established from this study and so further research is required.

Instrumental detection of cystic duct stones during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Residual cystic duct stones (CDSs) after cholecystectomy have been recognized as a cause of post-cholecystectomy pain. This study was undertaken to determine the incidence of CDSs during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). A cohort of 330 consecutive patients (80 males and 250 females) undergoing LC between November 2006 and May 2010 was studied. Their age ranged between 16 and 88 years (median 50, IQR: 36.62). The data were prospectively collected of preoperative liver function tests, imaging, the presence of intraoperative CDSs, and common bile duct stones at on-table cholangiogram. CDSs were detected intraoperatively in 64 of the 330 patients (19%). Ultrasound failed to detect CDSs in any of these cases. Deranged liver function tests were noted in 73% of the patients with CDSs and in 57% without CDSs. Common bile duct stones were detected in 9% (29) of the 330 patients. CDSs occur commonly at routine cholecystectomy, and preoperative investigations are not helpful in their diagnosis. As CDSs may lead to postoperative morbidity, they should be actively sought out during surgery if present.

Assessing the long-term outcomes of minor lower limb amputations: a 5-year study.

Our aim was to assess the long-term outcome for minor forefoot amputations. A retrospective study of 126 patients who had such amputations between 1999 and 2004 was performed. Patients were divided into 2 groups, diabetic (group A: 79 patients) and nondiabetic (group B: 47 patients). Angiograms were requested in 45 patients in group A compared with 31 patients in group B (P = ·77). In group A, 11 patients underwent further ipsilateral amputations compared with 30 patients in group B (P = ·02.). The 2 groups were equally likely to have vascular reconstruction (35% vs 37%). The overall 5-year mortality was 27%, with 58% of deaths occurring within the first year. This study shows that foot amputees have high mortality and reintervention rates. Adequate utilization of vascular services, extra vigilance in the prevention of complications, and risk factor modifications are required to improve postoperative outcomes.

Relationship between vessel size and vascular access patency based on preoperatively ultrasound Doppler.

Vascular access is a critical issue in the management of patients with end-stage renal failure and is the leading cause of hospitalization in this group of patients. The object of this study was to find out whether it would be possible to predict vascular access patency rates based on preoperative Doppler assessment of vessel size. Furthermore, this study sought to define the relationship between access flow rate and access patency. This was a prospective cohort conducted at St. Mary Hospital, London, between 2002 and 2005, where a group of 83 patients who underwent venous and arterial Doppler prior to creation of arteriovenous access underwent regular postoperative assessment at 3-month intervals of their access using flow rate and usability of the access as outcome measures. The collected data showed a positive correlation between vein size and access patency rate. Preoperative vein diameters of 1.5-3.9 mm showed a patency rate of 71.08% at follow-up at 13.8 months (range, 12-42 months). Although large-sized vessels are correlated with long-term patency, smaller vein diameters (1.5-2 mm) were found to have an acceptable patency rate at 20% over 12 months. Furthermore, data indicated a positive correlation between access flow rate and access patency, with flow rates of above 700 ml/min being associated with a patency rate of 70% at 12-month follow-up.

Popliteal artery reconstruction secondary to minor trauma in a 19-year-old morbidly obese woman.

Obesity is an increasing burden on health-care globally. Significant obesity is presenting at a younger age, with pathology that has not been previously seen. This case report illustrates the catastrophic consequences which may occur when minor trauma occurs in a young person who suffers from morbid obesity. A 19-year-old woman with BMI 50 tripped over an uneven curb, and suffered complete dislocation of the knee with associated popliteal artery injury. She required femoro-popliteal bypass using vein. This case reports the youngest person to suffer from this injury and the first in the UK.