Perioperative Outcomes of Thoracoscopic Reoperations for Clinical Recurrence of Pulmonary Malignancy.

The utility of thoracoscopic lung surgery is well established, however, reoperation for pulmonary resections has not been thoroughly studied. We sought to evaluate patient perioperative outcomes following redo thoracoscopic pulmonary resections for malignancy by comparing first and second ipsilateral operations. We included patients undergoing redo thoracoscopic pulmonary resections for clinically recurrent disease following prior lung resection for malignancy from January 1, 2011 to May 31, 2019. Nonmalignant indications were excluded. We analyzed type of procedure, diagnosis, rate of conversion to open, estimated blood loss, operating time, margin status, length of stay and complications. Forty-one patients met our inclusion criteria. The median age was 68 years (range 13-84) and 20 were women. Redo operations had longer lengths of stay with a trend toward higher rate of conversion to thoracotomy, but other perioperative outcomes were similar. No difference in outcomes was seen when patients were grouped by indication for reoperation (recurrence, multiple primaries, and metastasis) or approach of first operation (VATS vs open). However, patients undergoing an anatomic resection after a prior anatomic resection had more complications, higher blood loss, higher rate of conversions to thoracotomy, significantly longer length of stay and longer operative times than nonanatomic resections. Thoracoscopic reoperation for recurrent, metachronous, or metastatic cancer to the lung is a reasonable approach. However, the surgeon must recognize and counsel patients that in patients undergoing a redo anatomic resection, thoracoscopic reoperations are more difficult with more adverse outcomes.

Preemptive Analgesia Decreases Pain Following Anorectal Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain is a frequent cause for delayed discharge following outpatient procedures, including anorectal surgery. Both central and peripheral pain receptor sensitization are thought to contribute to postoperative pain. Blocking these receptors and preempting sensitization prevents hyperalgesia leading to lower pain medication requirements. Studies in the orthopedic, urologic, and gynecologic literature support this practice, but the use of preemptive analgesia in anorectal surgery is understudied. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of preemptive analgesia in decreasing postoperative pain. DESIGN: This is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: This study was conducted at the University of Vermont Medical Center, a tertiary care referral center in Burlington, Vermont. PATIENTS: Patients who were over 18 years of age, ASA Physical Status Classes I, II, or III, and undergoing surgery for anal fissure, fistula or condyloma or hemorrhoids were selected. INTERVENTIONS: Preoperative oral acetaminophen and gabapentin followed by intravenous ketamine and dexamethasone were given before incision compared with oral placebos. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes measured were postoperative pain scores, percentage of patients utilizing breakthrough narcotics, and rates of side effects. RESULTS: Ninety patients were enrolled. Because of patient withdrawal, screen failures, and loss to follow-up, 61 patients were analyzed (30 in the preemptive analgesia group and 31 in the control group). Patients in the active group had significantly less pain in the postanesthesia care unit and at 8 hours postoperatively. Significantly fewer participants in the active group used narcotics in the postanesthesia care unit and at 8 hours postoperatively. Average pain scores were excellent for both groups. There was no difference in the number of medication-related side effects between the 2 groups. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by the small sample size and excellent pain control in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Preemptive analgesia is safe and results in decreased pain in the early postoperative period following anorectal surgery. It should be implemented by surgeons performing these procedures. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A588.

Enterohepatic fistula in a Crohn's disease patient: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Fistulous tracts are a hallmark of Crohn's Disease. However, solid organ to intestinal fistulas are rare with previously few case reports of colosplenic fistulas and one case report of an enterohepatic fistula. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We review the available literature and present the first case report of an enterohepatic fistula in a female with Crohn's Disease to be treated operatively. The patient did well postoperatively with complete resolution of her fistula. DISCUSSION: Crohn's Disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can present with fistulas. However, a fistula between the liver and bowel is exceedingly rare with only one previous case report. This is the first report of an enteroheptic fistula that has been managed successfully with an operation. CONCLUSION: Not all enteroenteric fistulas are apparent preoperatively. When discovered, laparoscopic enterohepatic fistula takedown is feasible for this rare disease process manifestation.