New, simple and reliable volumetric calculation technique in incisional hernias with loss of domain.

INTRODUCTION: The management of hernias with loss of domain is a challenging problem. It has been shown that the volume of the incisional hernia/peritoneal volume ratio < 20% was a predictive factor for tension-free fascia closure, after pre-operative pneumoperitoneum preparation (Goni Moreno technique). In this study, we propose an easy, reliable and fast technique to perform volumetric calculation, by the surgeon alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3D slicer software (free open-source software) was used to calculate with precision the intra-peritoneal and intra-hernia volumes, and to create a 3D reconstruction of both volumes. The measurement technique is described step by step using detailed figures and videos. RESULTS: The method was used to calculate the volumes for five consecutive patients, managed between January 2018 and March 2019. All the five patients had a ratio greater than 20% and, therefore, received a PPP program. The effectiveness of the procedure is objectified by the increase of the intraabdominal volume and the reduction of the incisional hernia/peritoneal volume ratio. The feasibility of a tension-free fascia closure was confirmed for the five patients. CONCLUSION: In addition to a standardized definition of "loss of domain", a standardized volumetric technique, easy to reproduce, needs to be adopted. Our method can be done by any surgeon with basic computer skills and radiological knowledge in an autonomous and a fast manner, thus helping to select the right technique for the right patient.

Emergency management of heat exchanger leak on cardiopulmonary bypass with hypothermia.

Heat exchanger leak on cardiopulmonary bypass is very rare, but serious. The exact incidence is not known. It is an emergency associated with the potential risk of blood contamination, air embolism and haemolysis, difficulty with re-warming, acidosis, subsequent septic shock, multi-organ failure and death. We present a prompt, highly co-ordinated algorithm for the successful management of this important rare complication. There is need for further research to look for safety devices that detect leaks and techniques to reduce bacterial load. It is essential that teams practice oxygenator change-out routines and have a well-established change-out protocol.

Approximation of papillary muscles for ischaemic mitral regurgitation combined with coronary artery bypass grafting and left ventricular aneurysmectomy: a case report.

A 72-year-old female presented with severe ischaemic mitral regurgitation following a recent myocardial infarction. She had no significant past medical history. Pre-operative echocardiogram assessment demonstrated preserved tendinous cords of the mitral leaflets, a mitral valve annulus measuring 3.2 cm with end systolic coaptation of 0.3 cm, impaired left ventricular function with an ejection fraction of 35% and significant ventricular dilatation. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed delayed enhancement in the anterolateral, septal and lateral walls and confirmed the impairment of the left ventricle and a large aneurysmal deformation. On-table transoesophageal echo showed that the distance between the two papillary muscles was over 4 cm. We performed coronary artery bypass grafting combined with a Dor Procedure and papillary muscle approximation using a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) vascular graft as a sling, without the insertion of a mitral annuloplasty ring. Postoperative echo and cardiac MRI showed improved left ventricular systolic function and reduced left ventricle volume associated with mild mitral regurgitation. We conclude that papillary muscles approximation as a method of mitral valve repair is a very effective procedure for functional ischaemic mitral regurgitation.

Tricuspid valve papillary fibroelastoma: an unusual case of dizzy spells.

An 81-year-old woman with recurrent episodes of dizzy spells was found to have a mass in the right atrium on transthoracic echocardiography. The patient underwent successful surgery to excise the mass, which was arising from the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve. Histology showed a papillary fibroelastoma. Although management is still controversial when such tumours are found incidentally in asymptomatic patients, surgery may be considered, especially if the tumour is large, due to the high risk of embolism.

Descending aortic dissection post coarctation repair in a patient with Turner's syndrome.

Dissection of the descending aorta post coarctation repair in a patient with Turner's syndrome has rarely been described. A 45-year-old woman with Turner's syndrome had repair of coarctation by resection and interposition graft. Her postoperative course was uneventful. Chest X-ray two months postoperatively showed a hematoma in the proximal descending aorta, and a CT scan confirmed dissection distal to the coarctation repair, which was treated medically. Subsequent CT scanning one year later showed the hematoma resolving with no increase in the diameter of the dissected segment.

Candida parapsilosis: two cases of endocarditis in association with the Toronto stentless porcine valve.

Candida parapsilosis endocarditis in association with prosthetic heart valves is rare. We report the first two cases of C. parapsilosis endocarditis on the Toronto stentless porcine valve (TSPV) and the first reported case of successful elimination of infection without lifelong antifungal therapy.

Repeat heart valve surgery: risk factors for operative mortality.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing repeat heart valve operations are a diverse population. We assessed risk factors for operative mortality in patients undergoing a first heart valve reoperation. METHODS: A retrospective review of hospital records was performed for 671 patients who underwent first repeat heart valve operations between 1969 and 1998. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 8.6%. Mortality fell each decade to 4.8% in the most recent period (adjusted chi(2) for linear trend P <.0005). Mortality increased from 3.0% for reoperation for a failed repair or reoperation at a new valve site to 10.6% for prosthetic valve dysfunction or periprosthetic leak and to 29.4% for endocarditis or valve thrombosis. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting was associated with a mortality of 15.4% compared with 8.2% when it was not required. Mortality for aortic valve replacement was 6.4%, mitral valve replacement 7.4%, aortic and mitral valve replacement 11.5%, tricuspid valve replacement 25.6%, periprosthetic leak repair 9.1%, and isolated valve repair 2.2%. Among 336 patients requiring replacement of prosthetic valves, mortality was 26.1% for replacement of a mechanical valve compared with 8.6% for replacement of a tissue valve (P <.0005). Multivariable analyses identified year of reoperation, age, coronary artery bypass grafting, indication, and replacement of a mechanical valve rather than a tissue valve as significant explanatory variables for operative mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Heart valve reoperations can be performed with an acceptable operative mortality. However, we have identified several categories of patients in whom reoperation carries an increased risk.

Partial mitral valve replacement for acute endocarditis.

We present a case of acute endocarditis involving the posteromedial commissure and both leaflets of the mitral valve, including a vegetation on and perforation of the anterior leaflet, in a young man with active Crohn's disease. Repair was performed using glutaraldehyde-treated bovine pericardium. Competence of the valve was achieved with no recurrence of endocarditis. This case demonstrates that extensive destruction of both leaflets of the mitral valve does not prohibit repair.

Off-pump combined coronary artery bypass grafting and left upper lobectomy through left posterolateral thoracotomy.

A 61-year-old man with angina had a lesion in the left upper lobe of his lung on chest roentgenogram. Coronary angiography revealed a dominant circumflex lesion. Combined coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and left upper lobectomy was performed through left posterolateral thoracotomy without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. Off-pump CABG abolishes the complications of cardiopulmonary bypass, while posterolateral thoracotomy provides a direct access to the circumflex vessels and is ideal for lung resection.

Mechanical or bioprosthetic valves in the elderly: a 20-year comparison.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to compare long-term results of mechanical and bioprosthetic valve replacement in patients older than 70 years. METHODS: Patients older than 70 years who had either a St. Jude Medical (SJM) mechanical prosthesis or any bioprosthesis (BP) implanted between January 1977 and December 1997 were identified. Alive patients were interviewed by telephone during a closing interval of 130 days. RESULTS: Complete follow-up was achieved with a total follow-up of 2,264 patient years. A total of 547 patients had 448 aortic valve replacements (199 SJM and 249 BP) and 99 had mitral valve replacements (76 SJM and 23 BP). A further 30 patients had double valve replacement. One hundred ninety of the 577 patients (33%) had coronary artery bypass grafting in addition to the valve replacement. Survival analysis showed no advantage for either mechanical or bioprosthetic valves. There was also no difference in thromboembolic rates, paravalvular leaks, structural dysfunction, and endocarditis rates. However, patients with mechanical valves had a significantly greater risk of major (p < 0.0001) and minor bleeding (p = 0.002) events. CONCLUSIONS: Bioprosthetic valves do not offer a survival advantage over mechanical valves among the elderly. However, anticoagulant-related mortality and morbidity is statistically higher for patients with mechanical valves.

Clinical and hemodynamic performance of the Toronto SPV bioprosthesis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: By providing a superior hemodynamic profile, the stentless valve design allows ventricular remodeling and may improve patient survival after aortic valve replacement (AVR). Compared with stent-mounted prostheses, implantation is more complex and requires a longer ischemic time; this may adversely affect surgical risk, especially if patients are elderly or require a concomitant procedure. The mid-term clinical and hemodynamic performance of the Toronto SPV bioprosthesis in a predominantly elderly patient group was analyzed. METHODS: A total of 123 patients (median age 72 years) underwent AVR with the Toronto SPV. Concomitant procedures (mainly coronary artery bypass grafting, CABG), were performed in 60 patients (49%). Clinical details were recorded, with 100% follow up (total 317 patient-years). Hemodynamic evaluation, by serial echocardiography, was performed at four and 18 months after implantation. RESULTS: The early mortality rate was low (0.8%). Mean (+/- SD) actuarial survival at 53 months was 78 +/- 5.9%, with most patients (91%) in NYHA classes I and II. Freedom from valve-related complications were: endocarditis 93.8 +/- 2.3%, thromboembolism 90.3 +/- 3.7% and bleeding 95.8 +/- 1.8%; there were no structural failures. The valve hemodynamic profile was excellent for all sizes: peak gradient 8.8 +/- 4.3 mmHg, effective orifice area 1.9 +/- 0.54 cm2 with significant improvement in left ventricular fractional shortening. CONCLUSION: In this patient population the Toronto SPV was a suitable choice. Advanced age, a requirement for concomitant procedures and increased ischemic times did not adversely affect surgical risk. AVR with the Toronto SPV provided an excellent hemodynamic profile, and improved both left ventricular function and NYHA functional class.

Repair of descending thoracic aortic dissection or aneurysm combined with repair of the proximal aorta via median sternotomy.

A single-stage procedure for repair of the whole thoracic aorta via median sternotomy is described. The procedure is based on exposure of the descending aorta, posterior to the pericardium in the oblique sinus, or exposure of the aorta in the supracoeliac region and the placement of an endoprosthesis as an intraluminal graft. The ascending aorta and arch repair can be carried out as usual. The procedure has been performed in five patients with either dissection or aneurysm in the period between 1992 and 1997.

Coarctation in teenagers: two new surgical modifications.

BACKGROUND: Definitive surgical procedure for correction of aortic coarctation presenting initially in teenagers, remains an issue. Classic subclavian angioplasty as described by Waldhausen is not recommended after the age 1 or 2 years. Prosthetic patch angioplasty has been associated with an unacceptable incidence of aneurysm formation and resection with end to end anastomosis is not always easy, owing to the development of friable collaterals. METHODS: In the last 4 years, we have utilized two surgical modifications for the treatment of primary isolated coarctation in teenagers. The first is aortoplasty, which relies on minimal resection of the coarctation segment and a plastic procedure of creating four identical flaps from the proximal and distal aorta, the interlocking of which will restore aortic lumen. The second modification is the use of a classic subclavian flap aortoplasty with the addition of a Gore-Tex graft, anastomosed between the upper lateral opening in the suture line and the distal left subclavian artery. Additionally, for the treatment of recurrent coarctation associated with cardiac anomalies, we have utilized the use of adult sized extra-anatomical conduit interposed between the ascending and the descending aorta. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: All three procedures have yielded gratifying results and we believe will increase the options available for the surgeon treating teenagers' coarctation.

A simplified technique for repair of an injured internal mammary artery.

Injury to the internal mammary artery (IMA) during harvesting or the construction of sequential anastomosis can be troublesome and may force the surgeon to abandon the use of this valuable conduit. Since July 1991, we have utilized a simple technique for repair of a damaged IMA anywhere along its length. This involves leaving the IMA as a pedicled in situ graft and anastomosing a small piece of vein graft to an arteriotomy at the site of injury. The IMA is then used as originally planned, usually to the left anterior descending, and the vein graft can be used for a second vessel or simply tied. The technique was used in 12 patients, all of whom had an uncomplicated postoperative course.

Orthotopic cardiac transplantation: a comparison of standard and bicaval Wythenshawe techniques.

We describe an alternative technique for orthotopic cardiac transplantation (bicaval Wythenshawe technique), which maintains the right and left atrial anatomy. We compared the new bicaval technique with the conventional (Lower and Shumway) technique of orthotopic cardiac transplantation to identify any beneficial physiologic and clinical outcomes resulting from maintaining the normal anatomy. Seventy-five patients were randomized on an alternate basis to two groups: group A (n = 40) had orthotopic cardiac transplantation with the bicaval technique and group B (n = 35) had conventional orthotopic heart transplantation. All patients were studied with transthoracic echocardiogram, endomyocardial biopsies, and measurement of intracardiac pressures 1, 4, and 12 weeks after transplantation. There were no statistically significant differences in the demographic profile, ischemic time, bypass time, implantation time, transpulmonary gradient, or pulmonary vascular resistance between the two groups. The hemodynamic data were collected in the absence of histologic signs of rejection. In group A right atrial pressure (mean 3.6 mm Hg) was significantly lower (p < 0.03) than in group B (mean 8.8 mm Hg). The right atrial a wave was recorded in 38 patients in group A compared with seven patients in group B (p = 0.041). Atrial tachyarrhythmias occurred in two patients in group A compared with 11 in group B (p < 0.016). Temporary pacing was required in 10 patients in group A and 16 patients in group B (p = 0.034). Four cases of mitral regurgitation (all mild) were detected in group A in comparison with 12 cases (10 mild, 2 severe) in group B (p = 0.008). The mean ejection fraction in the first week after transplantation was 58% in group A and 46% in group B (p = 0.5). In the first 3 months the need for diuretics was less in group A (mean dose 80.8 mg furosemide daily) than in group B (mean dose 134 mg furosemide daily in the first week increasing to 160 mg furosemide daily). Hospital stay was shorter in group A (mean 23 days) than in group B (mean 27 days) (p < 0.015). There were no early deaths as a result of right ventricular failure in group A (n = 0/40) compared with four (n = 4/35; 9%) in group B (p < 0.034). This difference suggests that bicaval orthotopic cardiac implantation is associated with a lower right atrial pressure, a lower likelihood of atrial tachyarrhythmias, less need for pacing, less mitral incompetence, a lower diuretic dose, and a shorter hospital stay.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)