Selecting pH cut-offs for the safe verification of nasogastric feeding tube placement: a decision analytical modelling approach.

OBJECTIVES: The existing British National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) safety guideline recommends testing the pH of nasogastric (NG) tube aspirates. Feeding is considered safe if a pH of 5.5 or lower has been observed; otherwise chest X-rays are recommended. Our previous research found that at 5.5, the pH test lacks sensitivity towards oesophageal placements, a major risk identified by feeding experts. The aim of this research is to use a decision analytic modelling approach to systematically assess the safety of the pH test under cut-offs 1-9. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We mapped out the care pathway according to the existing safety guideline where the pH test is used as a first-line test, followed by chest x-rays. Decision outcomes were scored on a 0-100 scale in terms of safety. Sensitivities and specificities of the pH test at each cut-off were extracted from our previous research. Aggregating outcome scores and probabilities resulted in weighted scores which enabled an analysis of the relative safety of the checking procedure under various pH cut-offs. RESULTS: The pH test was the safest under cut-off 5 when there was ≥30% of NG tube misplacements. Under cut-off 5, respiratory feeding was excluded; oesophageal feeding was kept to a minimum to balance the need of chest X-rays for patients with a pH higher than 5. Routine chest X-rays were less safe than the pH test while to feed all without safety checks was the most risky. DISCUSSION: The safety of the current checking procedure is sensitive to the choice of pH cut-offs, the impact of feeding delays, the accuracy of the pH in the oesophagus, as well as the extent of tube misplacements. CONCLUSIONS: The pH test with 5 as the cut-off was the safest overall. It is important to understand the local clinical environment so that appropriate choice of pH cut-offs can be made to maximise safety and to minimise the use of chest X-rays. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN11170249; Pre-results.

The role of the laparoendoscopic single site totally extraperitoneal approach to inguinal hernia repairs: a review and meta-analysis of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Laparoendoscopic single site (LESS) surgery may have perceived benefits of reduced visible scarring compared to conventional laparoscopic (LAP) totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repairs. We reviewed the literature to compare LESS TEP inguinal hernia repairs with LAP TEP repairs. METHODS: We searched electronic databases for research published between January 2008 and January 2012. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies reported on 325 patients. The duration of surgery was 40-98 minutes for unilateral hernia and 41-121 minutes for bilateral repairs. Three studies involving 287 patients compared LESS TEP (n = 128) with LAP TEP (n = 159). There were no significant differences in operative duration for unilateral hernias (p = 0.63) or bilateral repairs (p = 0.29), and there were no significant differences in hospital stay (p > 0.99), intraoperative complications (p = 0.82) or early recurrence rates (p = 0.82). There was a trend toward earlier return to activity in the LESS TEP group (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Laparoendoscopic single site surgery TEP hernia repair is a relatively new technique and appears to be safe and effective. Advantages, such as less visible scarring, mean patients may opt for LESS TEP over LAP TEP. Further studies with clear definitions of outcome measures and robust follow-up to assess patient satisfaction, return to normal daily activities and recurrence are needed to strengthen the evidence.

CONTEXTE: La chirurgie laparoendoscopique à orifice unique (LESS) a comme avantage perçu une réduction des cicatrices apparentes comparativement aux réparations laparoscopiques (LAP) classiques totalement extrapéritonéales (TEP) des hernies. Nous avons passé en revue la littérature afin de comparer les réparations des hernies inguinales par chirurgie LESS TEP et par LAP TEP. MÉTHODES: Nous avons interrogé les bases de données électroniques pour y recenser la recherche publiée entre janvier 2008 et janvier 2012. RÉSULTATS: En tout, 13 études ont porté sur 325 patients. La durée de la chirurgie a été de 40 à 98 minutes pour les réparations de hernies unilatérales et de 41 à 121 minutes pour les réparations de hernies bilatérales. Trois études regroupant 287 patients ont comparé la technique LESS TEP (n = 128) à la technique LAP TEP (n = 159). On n'a observé aucune différence significative quant à la durée de la chirurgie des réparations de hernies unilatérales (p = 0,63) ou bilatérales (p = 0,29) et aucune différence significative de durée des séjours hospitaliers (p > 0,99), de complications peropératoires (p = 0,82) ou de taux de récurrences précoces (p = 0,82). On a noté une tendance à un retour plus rapide aux activités dans le groupe soumis à la technique LESS TEP (p = 0,07). CONCLUSION: La réparation de hernie par chirurgie TEP laparoendoscopique à un seul orifice est une technique relativement nouvelle et semble sécuritaire et efficace. Ses avantages, par exemple des cicatrices moins apparentes, pourraient pousser les patients à opter pour la technique LESS TEP plutôt que LAP TEP. Il faudra procéder à d'autres études fondées sur des définitions paramétriques claires et comportant un suivi robuste pour évaluer la satisfaction des patients, la reprise des activités quotidiennes normales et les taux de récurrences afin de consolider les preuves.

Thoracoscopic-assisted four-phase esophagectomy with four-field lymph node dissection for esophageal cancer: case report and description of a new technique.

Complete (R0) resection and extent of lymphadenectomy are important prognostic factors for survival in patients undergoing surgery for esophageal carcinoma. We describe the first case of combined open and thoracoscopic esophagectomy with extended lymphadenectomy including abdominal, cervical, right, and left mediastinal (four-field, four-phase) nodal clearance in a 37-year-old woman with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. This report provides a tailored strategy to achieve a high level of tumor clearance and complete resection. The approach described challenges the limitations of standard radical nodal clearance and may encourage surgeons to consider more extensive resections.

A literature review on the role of totally extraperitoneal repairs for groin pain in athletes.

A literature review was made on the role of totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repairs for groin pain in athletes. Electronic databases were searched for literature published from January 1993 to November 2011. There were 10 articles incorporating 196 patients included in this review. Thirty percent of patients were reported to have direct inguinal hernias, 22% had indirect inguinal hernias, and 41% had dilated internal rings. Of note, 30% of cases had no macroscopic abnormality. Four studies reported on an early follow-up ranging between 3 and 6 weeks. Only minimal or mild symptoms were reported. Up to 33% of patients had impaired ability to perform at peak levels. Up to 53% of patients had persistence of symptoms at the early follow-up. Total follow-up time ranged from 3 to 80 months, and most patients were active (90%-100%). At long-term follow-up, 3% to 10% were unable to play, and 5% were reported as being unable to train. Two studies from the same center reported on TEP surgery for osteitis pubis, and most patients returned to sporting activity after 4 to 8 weeks. TEP repair is a good operative intervention in athletes with chronic groin pain not relieved by conservative measures. Athletes recover quickly and return to sport early.

Influence of respiratory variables on the on-line detection of exhaled trace gases by PTR-MS.

BACKGROUND: Modern gas analysis techniques permit real time and on-line quantification of multiple volatile trace gases within a single exhalation. However, the influence of various respiratory manoeuvres affecting exhalation flow and the kinetics of metabolite release to the gas-phase remain largely unknown. METHODS: We examined variation in the concentrations of selected trace gases over a range of expiratory flows (50; 100; 250 ml/s) and after 30 second periods of breathold and paced hyperventilation. On-line measurement of breath samples from healthy volunteers (n=10) was performed by proton transfer mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Exhaled acetone increased with higher expiratory flow rate (805, 838, 898 ppb, p=0.02). Levels of methanol (206 vs 179 ppb, p<0.01), acetaldehyde (26 vs 22 ppb, p<0.01), ethanol (410 vs 208 ppb, p=0.01) and dimethyl sulphide (113 vs 103 ncps, p<0.01) fell significantly following 30s hyperventilation. After 30 second breathold levels of methanol (206 vs 217 ppb, p=0.02), acetone (805 vs 869 ppb, p<0.01), isoprene (348 vs 390 ppb, p=0.02) and dimethyl sulphide (113 vs 136 ncps, p=0.02) increased significantly. Variation in respiratory parameters did not significantly alters the level of acetonitrile, propanol and butyric acid within the breath of healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that respiratory manoeuvres significantly influence the measured concentration of a number of exhaled VOCs that are of potential importance within the clinical setting. Our results support the adoption of standardised practices for breath gas analysis by on-line and real time mass spectrometry methods.