Minor surgery in general practice in Ireland- a report of workload and safety.

BACKGROUND: The provision of minor surgical services is an established part of the task profile of general practitioners (GPs) in many countries in Europe and elsewhere. This study aimed to collect data on the clinical process and outcomes for specified minor surgical procedures undertaken in Irish general practice by GPs experienced in minor surgery in order to document the scope and safety of minor surgery being undertaken. METHODS: Over a six-month period, 24 GPs in 20 practices recorded data on a pre-determined list of procedures undertaken in adults (aged 18 and older); procedures for ingrown toenails were also recorded for those aged 12-18 years. Clinical data were rendered fully anonymous by the participating GPs, entered onto the Excel database template and returned to the project team monthly. RESULTS: On average, each practice undertook 212 procedures in a six-month period. The four most frequent procedures include two relatively non-invasive procedures (cryosurgical ablation of skin lesions and aspiration and/or injection of joints) and two more invasive procedures (full thickness excision of skin lesion and shave, punch or incisional biopsy). Overall, 83.8% of relevant specimens were submitted for histology. Combining benign and malignant cases, there was an overall 87% clinical and histological concordance; 85% of malignancies were suspected clinically. A complication was recorded in 0.9% after 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: Irish GPs with experience in minor surgery can provide a range of surgical services in the community safely.

Implementation and Evaluation of an Opioid Risk Questionnaire in the Outpatient Plastic Surgery Setting.

Most patients undergoing plastic and cosmetic surgery are prescribed an opioid for postoperative pain control. With the advent of the opioid epidemic in our country, screening for opioid risk has become a topic of many health care discussions. However, there has been little mention of using an opioid risk questionnaire specific to the outpatient plastic surgery setting. This project consisted of distribution of an opioid risk questionnaire to adult patients undergoing outpatient plastic surgery. Data were collected at preoperative appointments from participating patients (n = 27). Although the sample size was small, two patients (7%) were identified as having a history of substance abuse, and both of those patients reported they had also received treatment for their substance abuse. In addition, six patients (22%) reported having a family history of substance abuse. Such findings suggest that clinicians working in outpatient plastic surgery should screen their patients for substance abuse and misuse.

Postoperative treatment after partial nail ablation of ingrown toenails - does it matter what we recommend? A blinded randomised study.

Trial design: In this blinded randomized study we analyzed patient reported outcome of three different treatments after nail surgery. We compared daily footbath with either alkaline or acidic soap or just a simple bandage of gauze dressing. Method: After partial nail ablation surgery, patients were randomized into three postoperative treatment modalities. Outcome in terms of reduction in pain, improvement of function, reduction of signs of infection and postoperative soothing effect were reported after one and two weeks. A generalized linear mixed model was used to analyze possible statistical differences between the groups. Results: 97 patients, 57% women, mean age 31 years, were included. Men reported significantly less pain and better function than women. Despite a registered lower growth of invasive pathogenic microbes following the use of acidic soaps, this did not lead to less infections than in the groups using either alkaline soap baths or bandaging. On the contrary, patients keeping the bandage on had significantly lower signs of infection after one week. Two patients using soap baths had growth of MRSA. Two weeks postoperatively, all three treatment alternatives had similar patient reported outcome in all parameters, and nobody needed antibiotics. Conclusions: This prospective randomized study was unable to prove that footbath with either acidic or alkaline soap should be preferred to just leave the postoperative bandage on for a week after partial nail ablation. We recommend that postoperative advice should be given on an individual basis, especially since our study did not involve patients with high risk of infections.

Antifibrinolytic therapy for preventing oral bleeding in patients with haemophilia or Von Willebrand disease undergoing minor oral surgery or dental extractions.

BACKGROUND: Minor oral surgery or dental extractions (oral or dental procedures) are widely performed and can be complicated by hazardous oral bleeding, especially in people with an inherited bleeding disorder such as haemophilia or Von Willebrand disease (VWD). The amount and severity of singular bleedings depend on disease-related factors, such as the severity of the haemophilia, both local and systemic patient factors (such as periodontal inflammation, vasculopathy or platelet dysfunction) and intervention-related factors (such as the type and number of teeth extracted or the dimension of the wound surface). Similar to local haemostatic measures and suturing, antifibrinolytic therapy is a cheap, safe and potentially effective treatment to prevent bleeding complications in individuals with bleeding disorders undergoing oral or dental procedures. However, a systematic review of trials reporting outcomes after oral surgery or a dental procedure in people with an inherited bleeding disorder, with or without, the use of antifibrinolytic agents has not been performed to date. This is an update of a previously published Cochrane Review. OBJECTIVES: Primarily, we aim to assess the efficacy of antifibrinolytic agents to prevent bleeding complications in people with haemophilia or VWD undergoing oral or dental procedures.Secondary objectives are to assess if antifibrinolytic agents can replace or reduce the need for clotting factor concentrate therapy in people with haemophilia or VWD and to establish the effects of these agents on bleeding in oral or dental procedures for each of these patient populations. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group's Coagulopathies Trials Register, compiled from electronic database searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), of MEDLINE and from handsearching of journals and conference abstract books. We additionally searched the reference lists of relevant articles and reviews. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cinahl and the Cochrane Library. Additional searches were performed in ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP).Date of last search of the Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group's Coagulopathies Trials Register: 01 March 2019. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials in people with haemophilia or VWD undergoing oral or dental procedures using antifibrinolytic agents (tranexamic acid or epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA)) to prevent perioperative bleeding compared to no intervention or usual care with or without placebo. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently screened the titles and abstracts of all identified articles. Full texts were obtained for potentially relevant abstracts and two authors independently assessed these for inclusion based on the selection criteria. A third author verified trial eligibility. Two authors independently performed data extraction and risk of bias assessments using standardised forms. MAIN RESULTS: While there were no eligible trials in people with VWD identified, two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (total of 59 participants) in people with haemophilia undergoing dental extraction were included. One trial of tranexamic acid published in 1972 included 28 participants with mild, moderate or severe haemophilia A and B and one of EACA published in 1971 included 31 people with haemophilia with factor VIII or factor IX levels less than 15%. Overall, the two included trials showed a beneficial effect of tranexamic acid and EACA, administered systemically, in reducing the number of bleedings, the amount of blood loss and the need for therapeutic clotting factor concentrates. Regarding postoperative bleeding, the tranexamic acid trial showed a risk difference (RD) of -0.64 (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.93 to - 0.36) and the EACA trial a RD of -0.50 (95% CI 0.77 to -0.22). The combined RD of both trials was -0.57 (95% CI -0.76 to -0.37), with the quality of the evidence (GRADE) for this outcome is rated as moderate. Side effects occurred once and required stopping EACA (combined RD of -0.03 (95% CI -0.08 to 0.13). There was heterogeneity between the two trials regarding the proportion of people with severe haemophilia included, the concomitant standard therapy and fibrinolytic agent treatment regimens used. We cannot exclude that a selection bias has occurred in the EACA trial, but overall the risk of bias appeared to be low for both trials. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Despite the discovery of a beneficial effect of systemically administered tranexamic acid and EACA in preventing postoperative bleeding in people with haemophilia undergoing dental extraction, the limited number of randomised controlled trials identified, in combination with the small sample sizes and heterogeneity regarding standard therapy and treatment regimens between the two trials, do not allow us to conclude definite efficacy of antifibrinolytic therapy in oral or dental procedures in people with haemophilia. No trials were identified in people with VWD.

Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection in Minor Dermatological Surgery: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify patient- and procedure-related risk factors for surgical site infection following minor dermatological surgery. DATA SOURCES: The MEDLINE, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Informit, and Scopus databases were searched for relevant literature on patient populations receiving minor surgery, where risk factors for surgical site infection were explicitly stated. STUDY SELECTION: Studies involving major dermatological surgery were excluded. The preliminary search yielded 820 studies after removing duplicates; 210 abstracts were screened, and 42 full texts were assessed for eligibility. A total of 13 articles were included. Studies were appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. DATA EXTRACTION: An electronic data collection tool was constructed to extract information from the eligible studies, and this information was distributed to participating authors. DATA SYNTHESIS: Risk factors identified included age, sex, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, use of antihypertensive or corticosteroid medications, smoking, surgery on the lower or upper extremities, excision of nonmelanocytic skin cancers, large skin excisions, and complex surgical techniques. No more than two studies agreed on any given risk factor, and there were insufficient studies for meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Re-excision of skin cancer, below-knee excisions, and intraoperative hemorrhagic complications were predictive for infection in more than one study. More high-quality studies are required to accurately identify risk factors so they can be reliably used in clinical guidelines.

Antifibrinolytic therapy for preventing oral bleeding in people on anticoagulants undergoing minor oral surgery or dental extractions.

BACKGROUND: Individuals on continuous treatment with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are at increased risk of bleeding complications during and after oral or dental procedures. Anticoagulant treatment is preferably continued at the same dose, since dose reduction or discontinuation of treatment is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism. The use of haemostatic measures during or after the procedure (or both) could enable continuation of the oral anticoagulant treatment. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the efficacy of antifibrinolytic agents for preventing bleeding complications in people on oral anticoagulants undergoing minor oral surgery or dental extractions. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Coagulopathies Trials Register, compiled from electronic database searches and handsearching of journals and conference abstract books. We also searched the reference lists of relevant articles and reviews. We searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library. Additional searches were performed using ClinicalTrials.gov, the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), the CINAHL database of nursing and allied health services, the open access ProQuest dissertation database, papers and reports from the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) and abstract books from annual scientific conferences.Date of last search: 04 January 2018. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials in people on continuous treatment with VKAs or DOACs undergoing oral or dental procedures using antifibrinolytic agents (tranexamic acid (TXA) or epsilon aminocaproic acid) to prevent perioperative bleeding compared to no intervention or usual care with or without placebo. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently screened the titles and abstracts of all identified articles. Full texts were obtained from potentially relevant abstracts and two authors independently assessed these for inclusion based of the selection criteria. A third author verified trial eligibility. Two authors independently performed data extraction and risk of bias assessments using standardized forms. The quality of the evidence was assessed using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS: No eligible trials in people on continuous treatment with DOACs undergoing oral or dental procedures were identified.Three randomised trials and one quasi-randomised trial (follow-up in all was seven days) in people on continuous treatment with VKAs were included with a total of 253 participants (mean age 60 years). Two trials published in 1989 and 1993 compared the antifibrinolytic agent TXA with placebo in people using VKAs. Two other trials were published in 1999 and 2015 and compared TXA with gelatin sponge and sutures, and dry gauze compression, respectively. In all included trials, those who were treated with VKAs had international normalised ratio (INR) values within the therapeutic range and TXA was applied locally, not systemically.The two trials from 1989 and 1993 comparing TXA with placebo showed a statistically significant beneficial effect regarding the number of major postoperative bleeding episodes requiring intervention, with a pooled risk difference (RD) of -0.25 (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.36 to -0.14) (128 participants) (moderate-quality evidence). For the two trials that compared TXA with either gelatin sponge and sutures or with dry gauze compression, there was no difference between the TXA and the standard care group, RD 0.02 (95% CI -0.07 to 0.11) (125 participants) (moderate-quality evidence). The combined RD of all included trials was -0.13 (95% CI -0.30 to 0.05) (moderate-quality evidence). There were no side effects of antifibrinolytic therapy that required treatment withdrawal (128 participants) (moderate-quality evidence). Despite heterogeneity between trials with respect to the different haemostatic measures used in the control groups, the trials were comparable regarding design and baseline participant characteristics.Overall, we considered the risk of bias to be low in the trials comparing TXA with placebo and moderate in the trials comparing TXA with alternative haemostatic measures. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this Cochrane Review, there seems to be a beneficial effect of locally applied TXA in preventing oral bleeding in people on continuous treatment with VKAs undergoing minor oral surgery or dental extractions. However, the small number of identified randomised controlled trials, the relatively small number of participants included in the trials and the differences in standard therapy and treatment regimens between trials, do not allow us to conclude definite efficacy of antifibrinolytic therapy in this population.We were unable to identify any eligible trials in people on continuous treatment with DOACs undergoing oral or dental procedures. Therefore, a beneficial effect of antifibrinolytic therapy can currently only be assumed based on data from the people using VKAs.

Physostigmine Reversal of Dysarthria and Delirium After Iatrogenic Atropine Overdose From a Dental Procedure.

BACKGROUND: Sublingual atropine, dosed at 0.4-0.8 mg, is used by dentists as an antisialogogue to facilitate and increase the speed of procedures. Concentrated ophthalmic atropine drops (10 mg/mL) are commonly used off-label for this purpose. These highly concentrated drops may result in medication errors, atropine toxicity, and the antimuscarinic toxidrome. We report a case of a man who suffered acute delirium and dysarthria (from dry mouth) after an iatrogenic overdose from a dental procedure. His symptoms were initially interpreted as a stroke, but they completely resolved with physostigmine. CASE REPORT: A 57-year-old man presented with acute dysarthria and delirium after a dental procedure; 4 hours earlier he was fitted for a temporary replacement of some premolar/molar teeth. He received sublingual atropine to assist in gingival drying for molding of his prosthesis, but a calculation error resulted in the administration of approximately 113 mg. A stroke evaluation was initially planned; however, 2.5 mg of intravenous physostigmine completely reversed his symptoms. His symptoms reoccurred and were successfully treated twice more with physostigmine; the patient was observed overnight with no additional symptoms and safely discharged the next morning. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Ophthalmic atropine drops are highly concentrated and may cause an overdose after ingestion of small amounts. This novel case highlights the importance of considering antimuscarinic poisoning in cases of acute delirium or dysarthria after dental procedures and stands as a reminder to inquire about the use of atropine drops in such cases. Timely recognition of the antimuscarinic toxidrome and appropriate use of physostigmine may prevent unnecessary testing while providing an effective therapy. This case also highlights the need for observation after resolution of delirium treated with physostigmine.

Reconstrução de parede abdominal: série de casos / Reconstruction of the abdominal wall: a case series

Introdução: Os pacientes com defeitos de parede abdominal chegam ao consultório do cirurgião plástico em situações muitas vezes complexas, necessitando de abordagem cirúrgica avançada. Métodos: Estudo primário, retrospectivo e descritivo de pacientes submetidos a procedimentos cirúrgicos de reconstrução de parede abdominal pelo Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (HC-UFPE). Resultados: Foram revisados e incluídos os prontuários de 18 pacientes, 15 (83,3%) do sexo feminino e 3 (16,7%) do masculino, com idade variando de 16 a 79 anos (média de 41 anos). Dezessete pacientes possuíam histórico de cirurgia prévia (94,4%), sendo a cesárea presente em 8 dos casos (44,4%), seguida de cirurgia oncológica com 6 (33,3%), cirurgia do trauma com 2 (11,1%) e bariátrica com 2 (11,1%). Em relação à etiologia do defeito, 8 (44,4%) eram decorrentes de fasciite necrosante, 4 (22,2%) de hérnia incisional, 2 (11,1%) por trauma, 2 (11,1%) por infecção de ferida operatória e 2 (11,1%) por neoplasia de parede abdominal, sendo somente um (5,5%) paciente com defeito de espessura total. A técnica cirúrgica de separação dos componentes foi realizada em 7 dos casos (38,9%), seguida de retalho de avanço simples em 6 (33,3%), fechamento com tela associado à abdominoplastia em 3 (16,7%), e expansor tecidual em 2 (11,1%). Quanto às complicações, houve 4 casos (22,2%). Conclusões: Defeitos de parede abdominal são casos desafiadores para o cirurgião plástico, seu tratamento se mostra árduo, porém com resultados satisfatórios mesmo nos casos mais severos.

Introduction: Patients with abdominal wall defects present challenging complications that require the use of advanced surgical approaches. Methods: This primary, retrospective, and descriptive study evaluated patients who underwent abdominal wall reconstruction at the Plastic Surgery Service of the Clinics Hospital of the Federal University of Pernambuco. Results: The medical records of 18 patients were reviewed, including 15 women (83.3%) and 3 men (16.7%), with a mean age of 41 years (range, 16-79 years). Seventeen patients (94.4%) had a history of previous surgery. The causes of abdominal injury were cesarean section in eight cases (44.4%), oncologic surgery in six (33.3%), trauma surgery in two (11.1%), and bariatric surgery in two (11.1%). The etiology of the defect was necrotizing fasciitis in eight cases (44.4%), incisional hernia in four (22.2%), trauma in two (11.1%), surgical wound dehiscence in two (11.1%), abdominal wall neoplasia in two (11.1%), and total thickness defect in one (5.5%). The surgical interventions included the component separation technique in seven cases (38.9%), simple VY advancement flap in six (33.3%), closure with abdominoplasty in three (16.7%), and tissue expander in two (11.1%). Four patients (22.2%) presented complications. Conclusions: Abdominal wall defects are challenging cases for plastic surgeons, as their treatment is difficult, but the results are satisfactory even in the most severe cases.

Nova classificação para hipertrofia dos pequenos lábios vaginais e correlação com as técnicas cirúrgicas indicadas / New classification of hypertrophy of the labia minora and correlation with indicated surgical techniques

Introdução: Primeira colocada entre as mais procuradas cirurgias plásticas genitais, a ninfoplastia ou labioplastia visa a correção da hipertrofia dos pequenos lábios vaginais e prepúcio, retirando seu excesso, sem interferir na sua função de proteção da vagina e auxílio na lubrificação genital. Diversos tipos de classificações foram propostos para facilitar a compreensão do grau de hipertrofia dos pequenos lábios vaginais e ajudar na escolha da técnica da labioplastia. Após analisar várias classificações, o autor propõe uma nova classificação, no intuito de facilitar a compreensão da hipertrofia das ninfas, capuz do clitóris e prepúcio e ajudar na escolha da técnica apropriada para labioplastia. Métodos: Foi feita uma busca na literatura médica PubMed/Medline com os termos hipertrofia lábios vaginais, labioplastia, labiaplasty, labioplasty, lábia minora hipertrophy, labial protrusion. Foram analisadas todas as classificações descritas nos trabalhos encontrados. Resultados: Uma nova classificação foi proposta. A hipertrofia dos pequenos lábios vaginais foi classificada em 4 graus: Grau 0 (≤ 1 cm), Grau 1 (> 1 cm e ≤ 3 cm), Grau 2 (> 3 cm e ≤ 5 cm) e Grau 3 (> 5 cm). Conclusões: A nova classificação, além de facilitar a compreensão do tamanho e extensão da hipertrofia das ninfas, também auxilia na escolha da técnica a ser escolhida para a labioplastia.

Introduction: Nymphoplasty or labioplasty is the most common genital plastic surgery. The objective of labioplasty is to correct hypertrophy of the labia minora and clitoral prepuce, removing excess tissue without affecting their function of protecting the vagina and aiding in genital lubrication. Several types of classifications have been proposed to facilitate the understanding of the degree of hypertrophy of the labia minora and assist in selecting the most suitable procedure in labioplasty. After analyzing several classifications, the author proposes a new classification to facilitate the understanding of hypertrophy of the labia minora, clitoral hood, and vaginal prepuce and help select the best labioplasty procedure. Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed/Medline using the following terms: hipertrofia lábios vaginais, labioplastia, labiaplasty, labioplasty, labia minora hypertrophy, and labial protrusion. All the classifications described in the identified studies were analyzed. Results: A new classification has been proposed. Hypertrophy of the labia minora was classified in four grades: grade 0 (≤ 1 cm), grade 1 (> 1 cm and ≤ 3 cm), grade 2 (> 3 cm and ≤ 5 cm), and grade 3 (> 5 cm). Conclusions: The new classification improves the understanding of the size and extent of hypertrophy of the labia minora and helps select the best procedure in labioplasty.

Recovery and prediction of postoperative muscle power - is it still a problem?

BACKGROUND: In the postoperative period, immediate recovery of muscular power is essential for patient safety, but this can be affected by anaesthetic drugs, opioids and neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA). In this cohort study, we evaluated anaesthetic and patient-related factors contributing to reduced postoperative muscle power and pulse oximetric saturation. METHODS: We prospectively observed 615 patients scheduled for minor surgery. Premedication, general anaesthesia and respiratory settings were standardized according to standard operating procedures (SOP). If NMBAs were administered, neuromuscular monitoring was applied to establish a Train of four (TOF)-Ratio of >0.9 before extubation. After achieving a modified fast track score > 10 at 4 time points up to 2 h postoperatively, we measured pulse oximetric saturation and also static and dynamic muscle power, using a high precision digital force gauge. Loss of muscle power in relation to the individual preoperative baseline value was analysed in relation to patient and anaesthesia-related factors using the T-test, simple and multiple stepwise regression analysis. RESULTS: Despite having achieved a TOF ratio of >0.9 a decrease in postoperative muscle power was detectable in most patients and correlated with reduced postoperative pulse oximetric saturation. Independent contributing factors were use of neuromuscular blocking agents (p < 0.001), female gender (p = 0.001), TIVA (p = 0.018) and duration of anaesthesia >120 min (p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: Significant loss of muscle power and reduced pulse oximetric saturation are often present despite a TOF-Ratio > 0.9. Gender differences are also significant. A modified fast track score > 10 failed to predict recovery of muscle power in most patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trial Register DRKS-ID DRKS00006032 ; Registered: 2014/04/03.

Toe Amputation After Minor Surgery in a Patient with Behçet's Disease: A Case Report.

Behçet's disease is a systemic autoimmune vasculitis. Although various clinical findings can be observed depending on the pathologic features caused by the blood vessels involved, the classic triad of the disease includes oral aphthae, genital ulcers, and uveitis. Although complications involving the aorta or the vena cava inferior can prove fatal, thrombophlebitis in the superficial veins of the lower extremities are more commonly observed. Some patients can remain asymptomatic for a long period after the diagnosis. In patients with positive pathergy test findings, trauma can trigger the inflammatory cascade. This case report presents a patient with vasculitis that occurred subsequent to minor surgery and led to amputation of the great toe in a female patient with a 14-year old history of Behçet's disease.

Antifibrinolytic therapy for preventing oral bleeding in patients with haemophilia or Von Willebrand disease undergoing minor oral surgery or dental extractions.

BACKGROUND: Minor oral surgery or dental extractions (oral or dental procedures) are widely performed and can be complicated by hazardous oral bleeding, especially in people with an inherited bleeding disorder such as haemophilia or Von Willebrand disease. The amount and severity of singular bleedings depend on disease-related factors, such as the severity of the haemophilia, both local and systemic patient factors (such as periodontal inflammation, vasculopathy or platelet dysfunction) and intervention-related factors (such as the type and number of teeth extracted or the dimension of the wound surface). Similar to local haemostatic measures and suturing, antifibrinolytic therapy is a cheap, safe and potentially effective treatment to prevent bleeding complications in individuals with bleeding disorders undergoing oral or dental procedures. However, a systematic review of trials reporting outcomes after oral surgery or a dental procedure in people with an inherited bleeding disorder, with or without, the use of antifibrinolytic agents has not been performed to date. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to assess the efficacy of local or systemic use of antifibrinolytic agents to prevent bleeding complications in people with haemophilia or Von Willebrand disease undergoing oral or dental procedures. Secondary objectives were to assess if antifibrinolytic agents can replace or reduce the need for clotting factor concentrate therapy in people with haemophilia or Von Willebrand disease and to further establish the effects of these agents on bleeding in oral or dental procedures for each of these populations. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group's Coagulopathies Trials Register, compiled from electronic database searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), of MEDLINE and from handsearching of journals and conference abstract books. We additionally searched the reference lists of relevant articles and reviews. We searched PubMed, Embase and The Cochrane Library. Additional searches were performed in ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP).Date of last search of the Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group's Coagulopathies Trials Register: 14 December 2015. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials in people with haemophilia or Von Willebrand disease undergoing oral or dental procedures using antifibrinolytic agents (tranexamic acid or epsilon aminocaproic acid) to prevent perioperative bleeding compared to no intervention or usual care with or without placebo. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently screened the titles and abstracts of all identified articles. Full texts were obtained for potentially relevant abstracts and two authors independently assessed these for inclusion based on the selection criteria. A third author verified trial eligibility. Two authors independently performed data extraction and risk of bias assessments using standardized forms. MAIN RESULTS: While there were no eligible trials in people with Von Willebrand disease identified, two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (total of 59 participants) in people with haemophilia undergoing dental extraction were included. One trial of tranexamic acid published in 1972 included 28 participants with mild, moderate or severe haemophilia A and B and one of epsilon aminocaproic acid published in 1971 included 31 people with haemophilia with factor VIII or factor IX levels less than 15%. Overall, the two included trials showed a beneficial effect of tranexamic acid and EACA, administered systemically, in reducing the number of bleedings, the amount of blood loss and the need for therapeutic clotting factor concentrates. Regarding postoperative bleeding, the tranexamic acid trial showed a risk difference of -0.64 (95% confidence interval -0.93 to - 0.36) and the EACA trial a risk difference of -0.50 (95% confidence interval 0.77 to -0.22). The combined risk difference of both trials was -0.57 (95% confidence interval -0.76 to -0.37), with the quality of the evidence (GRADE) for this outcome is rated as moderate. Side effects occurred once and required stopping epsilon aminocaproic acid (combined risk difference of -0.03 (95% CI -0.08 to 0.13). There was heterogeneity between the two trials regarding the proportion of people with severe haemophilia included, the concomitant standard therapy and fibrinolytic agent treatment regimens used. We cannot exclude that a selection bias has occurred in the epsilon aminocaproic acid trial, but overall the risk of bias appeared to be low for both trials. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Despite the discovery of a beneficial effect of systemically administered tranexamic acid and epsilon aminocaproic acid in preventing postoperative bleeding in people with haemophilia undergoing dental extraction, the limited number of randomised controlled trials identified, in combination with the small sample sizes and heterogeneity regarding standard therapy and treatment regimens between the two trials, do not allow us to conclude definite efficacy of antifibrinolytic therapy in oral or dental procedures in people with haemophilia. No trials were identified in people with Von Willebrand disease.

Early versus delayed post-operative bathing or showering to prevent wound complications.

BACKGROUND: Many people undergo surgical operations during their life-time, which result in surgical wounds. After an operation the incision is closed using stiches, staples, steri-strips or an adhesive glue. Usually, towards the end of the surgical procedure and before the patient leaves the operating theatre, the surgeon covers the closed surgical wound using gauze and adhesive tape or an adhesive tape containing a pad (a wound dressing) that covers the surgical wound. There is currently no guidance about when the wound can be made wet by post-operative bathing or showering. Early bathing may encourage early mobilisation of the patient, which is good after most types of operation. Avoiding post-operative bathing or showering for two to three days may result in accumulation of sweat and dirt on the body. Conversely, early washing of the surgical wound may have an adverse effect on healing, for example by irritating or macerating the wound, and disturbing the healing environment. OBJECTIVES: To compare the benefits (such as potential improvements to quality of life) and harms (potentially increased wound-related morbidity) of early post-operative bathing or showering (i.e. within 48 hours after surgery, the period during which epithelialisation of the wound occurs) compared with delayed post-operative bathing or showering (i.e. no bathing or showering for over 48 hours after surgery) in patients with closed surgical wounds. SEARCH METHODS: We searched The Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register (30th June 2015); The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library); The Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) (The Cochrane Library); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid MEDLINE (In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations); Ovid EMBASE; EBSCO CINAHL; the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). SELECTION CRITERIA: We considered all randomised trials conducted in patients who had undergone any surgical procedure and had surgical closure of their wounds, irrespective of the location of the wound and whether or not the wound was dressed. We excluded trials if they included patients with contaminated, dirty or infected wounds and those that included open wounds. We also excluded quasi-randomised trials, cohort studies and case-control studies. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We extracted data on the characteristics of the patients included in the trials, risk of bias in the trials and outcomes from each trial. For binary outcomes, we calculated the risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). For continuous variables we planned to calculate the mean difference (MD), or standardised mean difference (SMD) with 95% CI. For count data outcomes, we planned to calculate the rate ratio (RaR) with 95% CI. We used RevMan 5 software for performing these calculations. MAIN RESULTS: Only one trial was identified for inclusion in this review. This trial was at a high risk of bias. This trial included 857 patients undergoing minor skin excision surgery in the primary care setting. The wounds were sutured after the excision. Patients were randomised to early post-operative bathing (dressing to be removed after 12 hours and normal bathing resumed) (n = 415) or delayed post-operative bathing (dressing to be retained for at least 48 hours before removal and resumption of normal bathing) (n = 442). The only outcome of interest reported in this trial was surgical site infection (SSI). There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of patients who developed SSIs between the two groups (857 patients; RR 0.96; 95% CI 0.62 to 1.48). The proportions of patients who developed SSIs were 8.5% in the early bathing group and 8.8% in the delayed bathing group. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is currently no conclusive evidence available from randomised trials regarding the benefits or harms of early versus delayed post-operative showering or bathing for the prevention of wound complications, as the confidence intervals around the point estimate are wide, and, therefore, a clinically significant increase or decrease in SSI by early post-operative bathing cannot be ruled out. We recommend running further randomised controlled trials to compare early versus delayed post-operative showering or bathing.

The COMFORT behavioural scale provides a useful assessment of sedation, pain and distress in toddlers undergoing minor elective surgery.

AIM: The COMFORT behavioural scale was developed to assess sedation, pain and distress in children unable to report pain. Our aims were to test construct validity of the scale in toddlers undergoing minor surgery and determine the inter-rater reliability of the scale. METHODS: We consecutively enrolled 45 children aged 12-36 months from a Norwegian surgical outpatient care unit. The level of sedation, pain and distress was assessed before and after surgery with the COMFORT behavioural scale. Inter-rater reliability was estimated and construct validity was tested based on a priori defined hypotheses. A 2.5-point (15%) change in the scale was considered clinically important. RESULTS: We obtained 307 scores covering most of the scale's range, but a floor effect was clearly present. Inter-rater reliability was high between assessors (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.96; 95% CI 0.92-0.98). Clinically important differences were seen between baseline and light sedation (3.1 points, p < 0.001) and between light and deep sedation (4.6 points, p = 0.002). The difference between baseline and our definition of a pain/distress state was not clinically important (1.5 points, p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: The COMFORT behavioural scale can provide one aspect of an overall clinical assessment of sedation, and probably pain and distress, in toddlers before and after surgery.

[Fatal pulmonary embolism after acute bilateral minor surgery].

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a quite common and well-documented complication after major surgery. The causes are multifactorial, but prophylactic antithrombotic treatment reduces the risk of VTE. In Denmark, all hospitals have prophylactic antithrombotic regimes for major surgery. There is no such standard regime for minor surgery. We describe a case of a 79-year-old otherwise healthy woman, who was operated for eight hours in her upper extremities after trauma. The operation was labelled as minor surgery. Prophylactic antithrombotic treatment was never discussed. The patient died 14 hours post-operatively due to pulmonary embolism.

Gastrostomia cirúrgica: indicações atuais e complicações em pacientes de um hospital universitário / Surgical gastrostomy: current indications and complications in a university hospital

OBJETIVO: revizar as indicações e as complicações observadas após a realização de gastrostomias cirúrgicas em pacientes internados em um hospital universitário público de ensino. MÉTODOS:estudo retrospectivo não randomizado de revisão dos prontuários médicos dos pacientes submetidos à gastrostomia cirúrgica nos últimos cinco anos, sobre as indicações e complicações. RESULTADOS: no período de 2007 a 2011, 86 pacientes foram submetidos à gastrostomias cirúrgicas para nutrição enteral. A técnica operatória utilizada foi a de Stamm na totalidade dos casos. Os homens constituíram 76 (88%) dos casos e a média de idade foi 58,4 anos, a idade máxima 87 anos e a mínima de 19 anos. Foram observadas 16 (18,60%) complicações consideradas menores, 17 (19,76%) complicações graves e oito (9,3%) óbitos peri-operatórios. CONCLUSÃO: as gastrostomias cirúrgicas, embora consideradas procedimentos de menor porte, não são isentas de complicações e mortalidade. A técnica operatória de Stamm, apesar das complicações relatadas, é de fácil execução, manuseio e oferece segurança.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the surgical gastrostomies performed at a public University Hospital, their indications and complications. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, nonrandomized review of medical records of patients who underwent surgical gastrostomy from 2007 to 2011; RESULTS: , In the period of studied, 86 patients underwent surgical gastrostomies for enteral nutrition. The Stamm technique was employed in all cases. Men constituted 76 (88%) of the cases and the mean age was 58.4 years, the maximum age being 87 years and the minimum 19. We observed 16 (18.60%) minor complications, 17 (19.76%) serious complications and 8 (9.3%) perioperative deaths. CONCLUSION: Surgical gastrostomy, while considered a smaller procedure, is not without complications and mortality. The Stamm technique, despite the complications reported, is easy to perform and to handle, as well as safe.