Improving the Safety of Tourniquet Use in a Trauma Theatre According to the British Orthopaedic Association Guidelines: A Closed Loop Audit.

Introduction Tourniquets are used widely in trauma and orthopaedic surgery to reduce blood loss and facilitate better visualisation of the operative field; however, some complications can result from improper use such as pressure sores, chemical burns, compartment syndrome, and deep vein thrombosis. We audited the use of intraoperative tourniquets in our trauma theatre against the guidance published by the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) in 2021. Methods This was a closed-loop audit evaluating 80 trauma operations that utilised tourniquets. In the first cycle, we audited 40 operations (23 upper limbs vs 17 lower limbs) over a period of two months through a review of operation notes and theatre documentation. We presented our findings and implemented changes including the addition of tourniquet use to the operation note template and labels on the tourniquet machines aiding the calculation of tourniquet pressures. A re-audit was then performed involving a further 40 operations (20 upper limbs and 20 lower limbs). Statistical analyses were performed to compare the two cycles. Results Tourniquet time was on average similar across both audit cycles (60.7 vs 70.0, p = 0.192) with compliance up to standard in 97% of cases. Post-intervention, there was an improvement in the documentation of skin status (37 vs 69%, p = 0.004), tourniquet isolation method (43% vs 74%, p = 0.003), and tourniquet pressure (71% vs 94%, p = 0.003). The difference between tourniquet pressure and systolic blood pressure was on average lower post-intervention for the upper limb (125.9 vs 99.9, p < 0.01) and lower limb operations (154.2 vs 121.7, p < 0.01). Adherence to the British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma (BOAST) guidance with tourniquet pressure improved with intervention (25% vs 75%). Conclusion The introduction of tourniquet parameters in the operation note template and patient-specific calculation of tourniquet pressures improved the safe use of tourniquets within the trauma theatre.

Factors Affecting Outcomes of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in a Nephro-Urology Unit: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Availability of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) data from India is limited in published literature and data on patients with renal disease even more so. Documented survival-to-discharge rates worldwide range from 8 to 15% in renal disease as compared to 25% in the general population. Methods: An institution-wide format for collection of cardiac arrest data was introduced in late 2015. We have analyzed all adult onsite cardiac arrests from January 2016 to December 2019. Patient characteristics and CPR parameters were both studied in detail. Primary endpoint was defined as survival to discharge. Association between patient and treatment characteristics and survival to discharge was studied. Results: Successful CPR resulting in patient discharge occurred in 28 (31.4%) out of 89 patients. A very strong association was found between mortality and prolonged CPR (p <0.00001). Events occurring out of hours (p = 0.0029), patients admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU) (p = 0.03), initiated on inotropes (p = 0.003), and patients already on a ventilator (p = 0.0018) had poorer outcomes. Sepsis as the etiology emerged as the most significant association with mortality (p = 0.0007). Patient characteristics such as age, sex, presence or absence of chronic kidney disease, type of dialysis treatment, and vintage were found to be insignificant. Conclusion: Analysis revealed survival to discharge of 31.4%. Sepsis in association with renal disease has been found to be consistent with higher risk for mortality. Other factors such as an out of hours event, admission to ICU, early intubation and inotrope initiation were associated with worse outcomes. How to cite this article: Sharma S, Raman P, Sinha M, Deo AS. Factors Affecting Outcomes of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in a Nephro-Urology Unit: A Retrospective Analysis. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(3):322-326.

Penile Modeling in Peyronie's Disease: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Penile modeling to correct the penile curvature in Peyronie's disease (PD) may be achieved manually (intra-operatively or post-injection) or by using assisted devices (penile traction, vacuum device, or penile prosthesis). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and satisfaction associated with penile modeling in patients with PD. METHODS: A PROSPERO registered (CRD42021241729) systematic search in MEDLINE and Cochrane Library was done following PRISMA. PICO: Studies were deemed eligible if they assessed patients with PD (P) undergoing modeling procedures (I) with or without a comparative group(C) evaluating the efficacy, safety, or patient satisfaction (O). Retrospective and prospective primary studies were included. The primary outcome measure is the change in penile curvature after modeling. The secondary outcome measures are the change in stretched penile length, adverse events, and patient satisfaction after modeling. RESULTS: A total of 23 studies, involving 1,238 patients were included. Most studies (13, 56.5%) evaluated penile traction therapy. The studies were of low and intermediate quality (mean Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score of 5.7 and mean Jadad score of 3.3) with a mean level of evidence of 3.4. The mean penile curvature at baseline was between 31 and 80.8 degrees. Nine (39.1%) studies found a significant improvement (P < .05) of penile curvature after penile modeling, ranging between 11.7, and 37.2 degrees. An increase in mean stretched penile length was reported in 7 (30.4%) articles, varying between 0.4, and 1.8 cm. Serious complications such as penile prosthesis malfunctions (3.3-11.1%) and urethral injuries (2.9%) were only reported for intra-operative manual modeling. CONCLUSION: Although individual studies have noted improvement in penile curvature and stretched penile length, specific recommendations regarding penile modeling in PD cannot be provided due to limited evidence available. Further RCTs with adequate sample size, validated assessment tools, and longer follow-up are needed. Krishnappa P, Manfredi C, Sinha M et al. Penile Modeling in Peyronie's Disease: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Sex Med Rev 2022;10:427-443.

A Prospective Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin-A in the Management of Dysfunctional Voiding in Women.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the outcomes of Botulinum Toxin-A (BoNT-A) to the external urethral sphincter (EUS) in dysfunctional voiding (DV) refractory to standard urotherapy and bowel management. METHODS: Our criteria to diagnose DV in women included neurologically normal individuals with lower urinary tract symptoms, dilated proximal urethra on voiding cystourethrogram, and high detrusor pressure (PdetQmax > 20 cm H2O) associated with increased electromyography activity during voiding in urodynamic study (UDS). A total of 16 female patients with a median age of 36 years (5-60 years) received BoNT-A from June 2014 to December 2015. Patients below and above 10 years of age received 100 units and 200 units of BoNT-A to EUS, respectively. Patients were followed up till 6 months. RESULTS: Mean AUA (American Urological Association) symptom score decreased significantly from 11.75 ± 6.14 to 5.06 ± 5.1 and 4.25 ± 3.4 at day 14 and day 45 after BoNT-A, respectively (P < .0001). There were no significant improvements in maximal flow (Qmax) on uroflowmetry (UFM) and detrusor pressure at maximal flow (PdetQmax) in UDS. Significant reduction in post-void residual (PVR) from 69.31 ± 77.3 to 17.50 ± 22.3 mL at day 14 (P = .007) was observed, although the reduction was not significant at day 45. Although minor adverse effects were reported, none were serious or life-threatening. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that BoNT-A plays a role in improvement of urinary symptoms and reduces PVR at D14 in DV, but showed no improvement in UFM and urodynamic parameters, albeit with limited numbers and limited follow-up.

Use of Volume Rendered, Maximum Intensity Projection Images to Assess Whether the Medial Calyx Synonymous with the Posterior Calyx.

INTRODUCTION: This paper attempts to verify the anatomical veracity of the belief that in order to enter into a posterior calyx one must aim for the medial calyx during a percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). METHODS: Volume rendered and maximum intensity projection reconstructions of normal pelvicalyceal systems were assessed in various rotational planes. An experienced urologist decided the appropriate access for PCNL in the upper, interpole and lower calyx on each side. The selected calyx was then viewed on anteroposterior sections to decide whether they were projecting laterally or medially. RESULTS: Of the 508 calyces studied, the posterior calyx was projecting laterally in 72% and medially in 28%. In the upper calyx, the posterior calyx was projecting laterally in a majority of cases, 94% on the right and 89% on the left. In the right lower calyx, the posterior calyx was pointing laterally in 86%, whereas the distribution on the left was 64%. CONCLUSION: Our results refute the belief that the medial calyx is always synonymous with the lateral calyx.

Supracostal percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A prospective comparative study.

INTRODUCTION: A widely prevalent fear of thoracic complications with the supracostal approach has led to its underutilization in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). We frequently use the supracostal approach and compared the efficacy and thoracic complications of infracostal, supra 12(th), and supra 11(th) punctures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study of patients who underwent PCNL between January 2005 and December 2012. The patients were divided into three groups based on the access: infracostal, supra 12(th) (between the 11(th) and 12(th) ribs) and supra 11(th) (between the 10(th) and 11(th) ribs). Clearance rates, fall in hemoglobin levels, transfusion rates, perioperative analgesic requirements, hospital stay and thoracic complications were compared. RESULTS: Seven hundred patients were included for analysis. There were 179 (25.5%) patients in the supra 11(th) group, 187 (26.7%) patients in the supra 12(th) group and 334 (47.8%) patients in the infracostal group. The overall clearance rate was 78% with no difference in the three groups. The postoperative analgesic requirements were significantly higher in the supracostal groups and showed a graded increase from infracostal to supra 12(th) to supra 11(th). During the study period, only 2 patients required angioembolization (0.3%) and none required open exploration. The number of patients requiring intercostal chest drain insertion was extremely low, at 1.6% and 2.2% in the supra 12(th) and supra 11(th) groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the feasibility of the supracostal approach including punctures above the 11(th) rib, albeit at the cost of an increase in thoracic complications. Staying in the line of the calyx has helped us to minimize the most dreaded complication of bleeding requiring angioembolization.

Use of a vegetable model as a training tool for PCNL puncture.

INTRODUCTION: Training residents to perform a PCNL puncture is hampered by the non-availability of a good inanimate model that can be used for demonstration and practice. The ethics of surgical training during actual surgeries is being questioned and the role of simulation is increasingly important. Virtual reality trainers, however, are prohibitively expensive and the use of animal models is fraught with regulatory and ethical concerns. We have devised a model that can be used to teach the concept of depth perception during a PCNL puncture. METHODS: A bottle gourd was used to mimic the posterior abdominal wall. Cotton pledgets dipped in intravenous contrast were fitted into 4 mm holes made at staggered levels in the bottle gourd which was strapped onto the operating table with the cotton pledgets facing away from the surgeon. Surgeons with varying degrees of experience made fluoroscopy-guided punctures onto the cotton pledgets. We recorded the time taken for puncture in seconds and the distance of the needle exit site from the center of the cotton ball. Speed was measured by recording the fluoroscopy time in seconds on the C-arm. Accuracy was documented by using a Vernier caliper to measure the distance from the edge of the target to the actual puncture. One second of fluoroscopy time and 0.1 mm distance were each given one point. The total points accumulated over a set of 10 punctures was added to give a total score. Longer fluoroscopy times and inaccurate punctures resulted in higher scores. RESULTS: A surgeon with more than 1000 PCNLs to his credit had a score of 99. The average score of five residents was 555. CONCLUSION: The bottle gourd model provides an ethically acceptable, inexpensive, easy to replicate model that can be used to train residents in the PCNL puncture.

An audit of suprapubic catheter insertion performed by a urological nurse specialist.

AIMS: To introduce the concept that a urological Nurse Specialist can perform Suprapubic Catheter (SPC) insertions independently without significant complications, if systematic training is given. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Retrospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective audit of Suprapubic Catheter insertions performed by a Urological Nurse Specialist was conducted between April 2009 and April 2011. RESULTS: Of the total 53 patients, in 49 (92.45%) the procedure was successful. Out of the remaining four, two (3.77%) were done by a urologist. One patient's (1.89 %) SPC did not drain after placement and ultrasonography reported that the Foley balloon was lying within the abdominal wall. The other patient's SPC drained well for a month and failed to drain after the first scheduled change in a month. Since the ultrasonography showed the Foley balloon to be anterior to the distended bladder, an exploration was performed and this revealed that the SPC tract had gone through a fold of peritoneum before reaching the bladder. None had bowel injury. CONCLUSIONS: If systematic training is given, a urological Nurse Specialist can perform SPC insertions independently without significant complications.

Results of urinary dissolution therapy for radiolucent calculi.

PURPOSE: In this paper we present our experience with dissolution therapy of radiolucent calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of patients who were offered urinary dissolution therapy between January 2010 and June 2011. Patients were treated with tablets containing potassium citrate and magnesium oxide. Partial dissolution was defined as at least a 50% reduction in stone size. Patients with complete or partial dissolution were classified in the successful dissolution group. Patients with no change, inadequate reduction, increase in stone size and those unable to tolerate alkali therapy were classified as failures. Patient sex, stenting before alkalinization, stone size, urine pH at presentation and serum uric acid levels were analyzed using Fisher t-test for an association with successful dissolution. RESULTS: Out of 67, 48 patients reported for follow up. 10 (15%) had complete dissolution and 13 (19%) had partial dissolution. Alkalinization was unsuccessful in achieving dissolution in 25 (37%). Stenting before alkalinization, patient weight (< 60 vs. > 75kg) and serum uric acid levels (≤ 6 vs. > 6) were the only factors to significantly affected dissolution rates (p = 0.039, p 0.035, p 0.01 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A policy of offering dissolution therapy to patients with radiolucent calculi had a successful outcome in 34% of patients.

False urethral anastomosis.

We present images of three cases with false urethral anastomosis following urethroplasty. The likely causes are inadequate posterior urethral dissection and blind use of Hey Grove dilator. We recommend use of antegrade flexible cystoscopy to prevent this complication.

Locking plates for displaced fractures of the lateral end of clavicle: Potential pitfalls.

Roughly a quarter of all clavicle fractures occur at the lateral end. Displaced fractures of the lateral clavicle have a higher rate of nonunion. The management of fractures of the lateral clavicle remains controversial. Open reduction internal fixation with a superiorly placed locking plate is a recently developed technique. However, there are no randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of this procedure. We present a series of four cases which highlight the technical drawbacks with this method of fixation for lateral clavicle fractures. Two cases show that failure of the plate to negate the displacing forces at the fracture site can lead to plate pullout. Two cases illustrate an unusual complication of an iatrogenic injury to the acromioclavicular joint capsule which led to joint instability and dislocation. We advise caution in using this method of fixation. Recent studies have described the success of lateral clavicle locking plate fixation augmented with a coracoclavicular sling. This augmentation accounts for the displacing forces at the fracture site. We would recommend that when performing lateral clavicle locking plate fixation, it should be reinforced with a coracoclavicular sling to prevent plate failure by lateral screw pullout.

An in vitro study on human ureteric smooth muscle with the alpha1-adrenoceptor subtype blocker, tamsulosin.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of tamsulosin on ureteric contractions and its effects on the basal tone of human ureteric specimens, as clinical trials with tamsulosin have shown promising results in the spontaneous expulsion of lower ureteric calculus, but the mechanism of action of tamsulosin in the expulsion of ureteric calculus has not been elucidated in in-vitro studies on human ureters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human mid-ureteric specimens were obtained from live kidney donors. The specimen was transported in Krebs' solution and the isometric contraction of human ureteric smooth muscle was recorded in the presence of tamsulosin. Ureteric rings from 19 kidney donors were studied. RESULTS: At 100 microm tamsulosin the frequency of ureteric contraction was blocked completely, or the contraction frequency was reduced in 89% of specimens. There was no change in the frequency or in the amplitude of contraction in the remaining specimens. The basal tone of the ureter was reduced in 16% of the specimens. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that peristaltic activity in human ureteric smooth muscle is inhibited by tamsulosin. The effect of tamsulosin on basal tone is marginal.

A cost comparison of open versus percutaneous approaches to management of large staghorn calculi.

AIM: This paper compares the cost of open versus percutaneous approaches to the management of large staghorn calculi in a tertiary care hospital in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for staghorn calculi larger than 6 cm between January 1998 and December 2003 were included. Those who had confounding factors in terms of cost such as additional surgical or medical procedures and complications unrelated to the surgery were excluded. The process of costing was done by following the clinical pathway. RESULTS: There were 13 patients who had open stone surgery and 19 patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL). The major differences in cost were seen in the higher cost of instruments and consumables in the PCNL group. The cost of management of complications widened this gap. Two patients in the PCNL group and none in the residual group required redo surgery. The residual stones in the open and PCNL groups required a mean of 2525 and 3623 shocks per patient respectively. Complete clearance after redo surgery and Shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) was seen in 92% and 58% in the open and PCNL arms respectively. The overall cost per patient was $625 per PCNL and $499 per open surgery. The final mean residual stone size in the PCNL group was 4.84 mm whereas it was 0.38 mm in the open group. The effective cost of achieving complete clearance in one patient was $1078 in the PCNL group and $543 in the open group. CONCLUSION: Open stone surgery is less costly than PCNL in large staghorn calculi.

Use of pedicled tunica vaginalis flap in elaborated perineal approach for bulboprostatic anastomotic urethroplasty.

We describe the use of a pedicled tunica vaginalis flap to cover the anastomotic area after progressive elaborated perineal bulboprostatic anastomotic urethroplasty. Urethroplasty is completed in the standard technique. The tunica is opened longitudinally and dissected away as a rectangular flap from the testis and wrapped around the urethra.

Tubercular ureteric strictures.

OBJECTIVE: To review the presentation of tubercular ureteric strictures and assesses the role of balloon dilatation and open surgical repair in their management. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of tubercular ureteric strictures managed between January 1993 and December 2002. The records were analyzed to assess clinical presentation and compare the results of balloon dilatation with open surgical repair. Success was defined as adequate drainage on imaging, no worsening of renal function, no recurrence of symptoms and no requirement of intervention on further follow up. The long term success rates were compared using the t-test for proportion. RESULTS: Of 73 strictures, 88% had lower urinary tract symptoms. Genital abnormalities suggestive of tuberculosis was observed in 40% male patients. Urine examination yielded aseptic pyuria in 85%, positive AFB smears in 36% and positive AFB cultures in 32%. A small capacity bladder and non-functioning renal units were the only consistent findings on intravenous urogram. Nephrectomy was performed in 37% cases due to non salvageable kidneys at presentation. The success rate of stenting fell from 93% on immediate follow up to 59% on a follow-up of 12 months. At 90% success rates on a follow-up of 7 months open surgical repair was superior (p 0.03). Long term success following balloon dilatation in renal units with good function was 78% compared to 25% for poorly functioning units. (p= 0.01) CONCLUSION: Open surgical repair is superior to balloon dilatation in the management of tubercular ureteric strictures. Renal function may predict the success of balloon dilatation.