Impact of frailty in surgical emergencies. A comparison of four frailty scales.

INTRODUCTION: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome, leading to declines in homeostatic reserve and physical resistance. It has been considered as a risk factor for falls, fractures, need of institutionalization, length of stay and mortality. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between frailty, 30-day postoperative mortality and morbidity, for elderly patients undergoing surgical emergencies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, observational cohort Study (September 2017-April 2019), using four different frailty scales (Clinical Frailty Scale, FRAIL scale, TRST and Share-FI) as a risk factor of 30-day postoperative outcomes, for patients older than 70 years undergoing emergency surgery. We analyzed diagnoses, clinical examination at admission, surgical procedures, and postoperative outcomes during the first 30 days or until discharge. RESULTS: 92 patients were included, with a mean age was 78.7 years (SD 6.3). Frailty prevalence varied since 14.1% obtained using FRAIL scale, to 25%, 29.2% and 30.4%, from Clinical Frailty Scale, TRST and Share-FI, respectively. All four frailty scales show statistical differences to predict major complication and mortality in our sample. FRAIL scale showed the highest sensitivity-specificity pair to predict mortality in our sample (AUC = 0.870). TRST and FRAIL scales showed the strongest measure of association (OR 7.69 and 5.92, respectively) for major complications. Regarding need for admission to the ICU, hospital stay or reoperation rate, only FRAIL scale showed a statistically significant association. CONCLUSION: Frailty represents a predictive marker of mortality and major complications, in surgical emergencies. FRAIL score, shows the strongest relationship with mortality and complications, compared to other frailty scales.

Laparoscopic peritoneal lavage versus laparoscopic sigmoidectomy in complicated acute diverticulitis: a multicenter prospective observational study.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic peritoneal lavage (LPL) is feasible in selected patients with pelvic abscess and generalized purulent peritonitis caused by acute diverticulitis. We aimed to compare LPL and laparoscopic sigmoidectomy (LS) in complicated acute diverticulitis. METHODS: This prospective, observational, multicenter study included patients with a pelvic abscess not amenable to conservative management and patients with Hinchey III acute diverticulitis, from 2015 to 2018. Sixty-six patients were enrolled: 28 (42%) underwent LPL and 38 (58%) underwent LS. In LS, patients had a primary anastomosis, with or without ileostomy, or an end colostomy (HA). Major outcomes were mortality, morbidity, failure of source control, reoperation, length of stay, and diverticulitis recurrence. RESULTS: Patient demographics were similar in the two groups. In LPL, ASA score > 2 and Mannheim Peritonitis Index were significantly higher (p = 0.05 and 0.004). In LS, 24 patients (63%) had a PA and 14 (37%) an HA. No death was recorded. Overall, morbidity was 33% in LPL and 18% in LS (p = 0.169). However, failure to achieve source control of the peritoneal infection and the need to return to the operating room were more frequent in LPL (p = 0.002 and p = 0.006). Mean postoperative length of stay was comparable (p = 0.08). Diverticular recurrence was significantly higher in LPL (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: LPL is related to a higher reoperation rate, more frequent postoperative ongoing sepsis, and higher recurrence rates. Therefore, laparoscopic lavage for perforated diverticulitis carries a high risk of failure in daily practice.

Laparoscopic approach in gastrointestinal emergencies.

This review focuses on the laparoscopic approach to gastrointestinal emergencies and its more recent indications. Laparoscopic surgery has a specific place in elective procedures, but that does not apply in emergency situations. In specific emergencies, there is a huge range of indications and different techniques to apply, and not all of them are equally settle. We consider that the most controversial points in minimally invasive procedures are indications in emergency situations due to technical difficulties. Some pathologies, such as oesophageal emergencies, obstruction due to colon cancer, abdominal hernias or incarcerated postsurgical hernias, are nearly always resolved by conventional surgery, that is, an open approach due to limited intraabdominal cavity space or due to the vulnerability of the bowel. These technical problems have been solved in many diseases, such as for perforated peptic ulcer or acute appendectomy for which a laparoscopic approach has become a well-known and globally supported procedure. On the other hand, endoscopic procedures have acquired further indications, relegating surgical solutions to a second place; this happens in cholangitis or pancreatic abscess drainage. This endoluminal approach avoids the need for laparoscopic development in these diseases. Nevertheless, new instruments and new technologies could extend the laparoscopic approach to a broader array of potentials procedures. There remains, however, a long way to go.

Surgical site infection in liver transplant recipients: impact of the type of perioperative prophylaxis.

Surgical site infection (SSI) is an important cause of morbidity after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis is one of the main modifiable risk factors. We prospectively investigated the epidemiology, risk factors, and prognosis of SSI in a cohort of 167 OLT. Two different schedules of antibiotic SSI prophylaxis were compared. Fifty-six episodes of SSI were included (0.34 episodes/patient). The SSI incidence among patients who received cefazolin and amoxicillin-clavulanate did not differ. Bacteria caused all episodes. The most common pathogen was Escherichia coli (21.25%), among which 47% were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers. The only risk factor for SSI was antibiotic therapy before OLT. Patients with SSI had a longer hospital and intensive care unit stay (P<0.05), but survival did not differ. In conclusion, SSI has a high incidence despite antibiotic perioperative prophylaxis; therefore, an integral perspective of SSI and a multifactorial approach other than antimicrobial prophylaxis are needed to prevent it.