Preoperative investigations in thyroglossal duct cyst surgery: a 9-year experience and proposed practice guide.

INTRODUCTION: Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDC) are the commonest midline developmental cyst and have a bimodal age distribution. They usually develop in an infrahyoid position. A National survey of TGDC practice among otolaryngologists in 2012 recommended preoperative investigation with ultrasound, with or without blood tests. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of preoperative investigation for clinically diagnosed TGDC surgeries between 2012 and 2020 in a single tertiary centre was undertaken. This was collated alongside postoperative outcomes (histology, recurrence, hypothyroidism). Comparison was made with the 2012 national survey. RESULTS: Ninety-five cases of thyroglossal duct surgery in children and adults were studied. Demographic data were comparable to the literature. Ultrasonography was the most commonly used preoperative investigation. Histology of 71% of excised cysts confirmed TGDC with another 8% reported as development cysts. The excision of the cyst with a cuff of strap muscles and middle portion of hyoid bone had the lowest recurrence rate, which was 4% overall in this study. There were no cases of ectopic thyroid tissue or postoperative hypothyroidism. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Nearly a decade of thyroglossal duct cyst excisions in a large-volume unit gave detail on actual preoperative practice and outcomes. Practice was found to be consistent overall with the 2012 recommendations although not standardised across all cases. From this experience, and a literature review, a visual guide on preoperative investigations for different age groups in the form of a flow chart is proposed to reduce risk of complications while avoiding unnecessary investigations.

Planificación pre-operatoria digital en artroplastia total de cadera / Digital templating in total hip arthroplasty

Introducción: La planificación preoperatoria favorece la realización de un acto quirúrgico sin complicaciones. Actualmente existe escasa información a nivel nacional sobre la eficacia de la planificación pre-operatoria digital por lo que el objetivo del presente estudio es el analizar los resultados de la implementación de esta estrategia en una población de pacientes con indicación de artroplastia total de cadera. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional, prospectivo, analítico. Se realizó un muestreo no probabilístico de casos consecutivos atendidos en la Cátedra de Ortopedia y Traumatología de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (U.N.A). Fueron captados pacientes >18 años con indicación de ATC, entre diciembre 2018 ­ octubre 2019, previo consentimiento informado. Se relevaron datos cuya caracterización fue posible mediante un instrumento establecido previamente, ingresado en base Excel. Se utilizó el software TraumaCad® versión 2.5 de Brainlab y marcadores radiológicos King Mark®. Fueron comparados ambos tipos de planificación ejecutando análisis estadísticos con el software R.v3.4.2., siendo un valor p ˂0.05, considerado estadísticamente significativa. Resultados: 57 pacientes fueron evaluados con el método digital y los resultados fueron comparados con los de 42 pacientes en los que se utilizó una planificación manual. La relación masculino-femenino fue 1/1, siendo los del grupo de 50 a 60 años, los más afectados. La coxartrosis primaria y la necrosis ósea aséptica fueron los diagnósticos más frecuentes. El tiempo quirúrgico, la correlación entre planificación y resultados para componentes acetabular, femoral, presentaron mejores resultados en el grupo de pacientes con planificación digital. Conclusión: La planificación digital comparada con la manual presentó mayor eficacia.

Introduction: Preoperative planning allows a surgical act without complications. It can be manual or digital. Its usefulness in total hip arthroplasty (ATC) is important, being digital seemingly more beneficial since it reduces surgical time and complications. The present study analyzed the effectiveness of the digital modality. Materials and methods: Observational, prospective, analytical study. Non-probabilistic sampling of consecutive cases attended in Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the Medicine Scholl (Universidad Nacional de Asunción). Patients> 18 years of age were indicated with ATC indication, between december 2018 to october 2019, with prior informed consent. Data whose characterization was made possible by means of a previously established instrument, entered in Excel basis, were released. Each patient had both types of planning: manual and digital. For TraumaCad® version 2.5 Brainlab software and King Mark® radiological markers were used for the digital. Both types of planning were compared by executing statistical analyzes with the software R.v3.4.2., being a value p <0.05, considered statistically significant. Results: 57 patients were evaluated with the digital method and 42 with the manual. The male-female ratio was 1/1, with those in the 50-60 age group being the most affected. The most frequent reason for consultation was hip pain, with primary coxarthrosis and aseptic bone necrosis being their cause. The consultation time 1 and surgery was 12.5 days. The surgical time, the correlation between planning and results for acetabular, femoral components, were more effective with digital planning. Conclusion: Digital planning compared to the manual is more effective.

[Precise sacroiliac joint screw insertion without computed tomography, digital volume tomography or navigation systems]. / Sichere Verschraubung des Iliosakralgelenks ohne intraoperative Computertomographie, digitale Volumentomographie oder Navigationssystem.

OBJECTIVE: Improvement of sacroiliac positioning of screws by detailed preoperative planning with a DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine-the international standard to store and process medical imaging information) workstation in the absence of advanced technical facilities like intraoperative computer tomography (CT), digital volume tomography (DVT) or a navigation system. INDICATIONS: Mono- or bilateral non- or minor displaced, longitudinal sacral fractures type Denis I and II and pelvic ring fractures (Orthopedic Trauma Association) OTA type B possibly in combination with a ventral procedure. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Displaced sacral fractures type Denis II and III, fractures with central comminution and circulatory unstable patients to be stabilized in the context of emergency care. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Preoperative calculation of virtual conventional standard view X­rays with the CT dataset using common DICOM software (e.g., Siemens via® or Sectra®). Typical landmarks such as screw entry point and end point are projected into the virtual X­rays. Intraoperative navigation is performed by comparing the virtual standard views with fluoroscopic images of the C­arm, thereby, simplifying the operative procedure. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Postoperative CT scan, pain adapted partial weight bearing and X­rays of the pelvic ring after 6 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Over a 13 month period, an orthopedic surgeon inserted 26 sacroiliac screws in 19 patients utilizing the described method. Postoperative CT scans revealed that all except three screws were precisely positioned without any bone perforation. Of these three screws one had a grade one perforation and two had a grade two perforation according to Smith. No revision was necessary and no neurological deficits were detected. The operating time was on average 33 min and duration of radiation 3.8 min.

Current standards for assessing pregnancy status before surgery are subjective and should be replaced with definitive, objective evidence.

We report a case of a young woman admitted electively for laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, and again three days post-operatively as an emergency with profuse vomiting and abdominal pain. She underwent diagnostic laparoscopy, and a small gastric perforation was found at the site of the fundoplication and this was suture-repaired. On both admissions, she was "screened" for pregnancy as per current guidelines. On the second admission, following a CT scan, she was found to have a gravid uterus with a foetus of 16-18 weeks' gestation. In the opinion of the authors, this case highlights that current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines may be insufficient and could lead to unnecessary harm either to mother or foetus pre-, peri- or post-operatively.

Preoperative localization of colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative colorectal tumor localization is crucial for appropriate resection and treatment planning. As the localization accuracy of conventional colonoscopy is considered to be low, several localization techniques have been developed. We systematically reviewed the tumor localization error rates of several preoperative endoscopic techniques and synthesized information on risk factors for localization errors and procedure-related adverse events. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and the grey literature were searched. Studies were included if they reported tumor localization errors in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing resection with curative intent. Using random-effects models, pooled incidence of tumor localization errors were derived for conventional colonoscopy and colonoscopic tattooing. Due to the lack of comparative studies, a direct comparison of the pooled estimates was performed. Procedure-related adverse events, risk factors for localization errors, and the localization outcomes of other techniques such as colonoscopic clip placement, radioguided occult colonic lesion identification, and the use of magnetic endoscope imaging were also synthesized. RESULTS: A total of 38 non-randomized controlled and observational studies were included in this review (2578 patients underwent conventional colonoscopy and 643 colonoscopic tattooing). The pooled incidence of localization errors with conventional colonoscopy was 15.4 % (95 % CI 12.0-18.7), whereas that of colonoscopic tattooing was 9.5 % (95 % CI 5.7-13.3), mean difference 5.9 % (95 % CI 0.65-11.14, p = 0.03). Adverse events secondary to tattooing were infrequent, and most were cases of ink spillage. Limited information was available for other localization techniques. CONCLUSION: Conventional colonoscopy has a higher incidence of localization error compared to colonoscopic tattooing for localization of colorectal cancer. Colonoscopic tattooing is safe and leads to fewer tumor localization errors. Given the widespread adoption of laparoscopic resections for colorectal cancer, routine colonoscopic tattooing should be adopted. However, studies directly comparing different localization techniques are needed.

[Can the urine dipstick be used in the diagnosis of urinary bacterial colonizations in a preoperative urological assessment?]. / La bandelette urinaire peut-elle être utilisée pour le diagnostic des colonisations bactériennes urinaires dans le bilan préopératoire urologique?

PURPOSE: The use of the dipstick urinalysis has been validated for the diagnosis of symptomatic urinary infections, cystitis and pyelonephritis thanks to an excellent negative predictive value. For prostatitis, it is rather its positive predictive value that is interesting. The aim of this study is to validate its use in the screening of urinary colonizations in the preoperative assessment in urology. METHODS: A monocentric prospective study was carried out for one year in 2011 comparing the data from the urine dipstick test with a fresh-voided midstream urinary examination and culture performed on the day of admission with the same urine sample in 598 asymptomatic patients programmed for a urological procedure. The gold standard to diagnose a microbiological-confirmed urinary tract infection or colonization was uropathogen growth of ≥10(3) colony-forming units per ml (cfu/mL) with or without leucocyturia. RESULTS: The study disclosed 5% of colonized patients. The urine dipstick test had a 65% sensitivity and a 97% negative predictive value. However, the low sensitivity of the urine dipstick test entailed 34% of false negatives. CONCLUSION: In spite of a good negative predictive value linked to a low prevalence of colonized patients (5%), the low sensitivity of the urine dipstick test entails a non-negligible number of false negatives. Its use as a single test of preoperative screening would expose colonized patients to the prospect of an operation, which seems to be unacceptable for some of them, notably endoscopic ones. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Multifocality and bilaterality of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Papillary thyroid carcinomas frequently occur as two or more separate foci within the thyroid gland (18%-87%). However, those multifocal tumors are easy to be undetected by preoperative radiologic evaluations, which lead to remnant disease after initial surgery. We aimed to study the incidence of multifocal papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMCs), diagnostic accuracy of preoperative radiologic evaluation, predictive factors, and the chance of bilateral tumors. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy-seven patients with PTMC were included in this study. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy as an initial treatment. Medical records, pathologic reports, and radiological reports were reviewed for analysis. RESULTS: Multifocal PTMCs were detected in 100 of 277 patients (36.1%). The mean number of tumors in each patient was 1.6±1.1, ranging from 1 to 10. The additional tumor foci were significantly smaller (0.32±0.18 cm) than the primary tumors (0.63±0.22 cm) (P<0.001). There was no significant relationship between primary tumor size and the presence of contralateral tumors. With more tumors detected in one lobe, there was greater chance of contralateral tumors; 18.8% with single tumor focus, 30.2% with 2 tumor foci, and 46.2% with 3 or more tumor foci in one lobe. Sensitivity of preoperative sonography was 42.7% for multifocal tumors and 49.0% for bilateral tumors. With multivariate analysis, nodular hyperplasia was the only significant factor for multifocal tumors. CONCLUSION: In cases of PTMCs, the incidence of multifocal tumors is high. However, additional tumor foci are too small to be diagnosed preoperatively, especially under the recent guidelines on radiologic screening tests for papillary thyroid carcinoma. Multifocal PTMCs have high risk of bilateral tumors, necessitating more extensive surgery or more thorough follow-up.

Multifocality and Bilaterality of Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma

OBJECTIVES: Papillary thyroid carcinomas frequently occur as two or more separate foci within the thyroid gland (18%-87%). However, those multifocal tumors are easy to be undetected by preoperative radiologic evaluations, which lead to remnant disease after initial surgery. We aimed to study the incidence of multifocal papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMCs), diagnostic accuracy of preoperative radiologic evaluation, predictive factors, and the chance of bilateral tumors. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy-seven patients with PTMC were included in this study. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy as an initial treatment. Medical records, pathologic reports, and radiological reports were reviewed for analysis. RESULTS: Multifocal PTMCs were detected in 100 of 277 patients (36.1%). The mean number of tumors in each patient was 1.6+/-1.1, ranging from 1 to 10. The additional tumor foci were significantly smaller (0.32+/-0.18 cm) than the primary tumors (0.63+/-0.22 cm) (P<0.001). There was no significant relationship between primary tumor size and the presence of contralateral tumors. With more tumors detected in one lobe, there was greater chance of contralateral tumors; 18.8% with single tumor focus, 30.2% with 2 tumor foci, and 46.2% with 3 or more tumor foci in one lobe. Sensitivity of preoperative sonography was 42.7% for multifocal tumors and 49.0% for bilateral tumors. With multivariate analysis, nodular hyperplasia was the only significant factor for multifocal tumors. CONCLUSION: In cases of PTMCs, the incidence of multifocal tumors is high. However, additional tumor foci are too small to be diagnosed preoperatively, especially under the recent guidelines on radiologic screening tests for papillary thyroid carcinoma. Multifocal PTMCs have high risk of bilateral tumors, necessitating more extensive surgery or more thorough follow-up.

Preoperative Localization of Early Colorectal Cancer or a Malignant Polyp by Using the Patient's Own Blood.

PURPOSE: Preoperative localization is the most important preparation for laparoscopic surgery. Preoperative marking with India ink has widely been used and is considered to be safe and effective. However, India ink can cause significant inflammation, adhesions and bowel obstruction. Therefore, we have used the patient's blood instead of the ink since 2011. In this retrospective study, we wanted to examine the feasibility of preoperative localization by using the patient's blood. METHODS: Twenty-five patients who underwent preoperative localization in which 10 mL of their own venous blood was used as a tattooing agent were included in this study. The characteristics of the patients, the anatomy of the colon cancer, and the efficacy and the side effects of using this procedure were analyzed. RESULTS: In 23 cases (92%), through the laparoscope, we found perfectly localized bloody smudges in the serosa. However, in 2 cases (8%), we could not find the exact location of the lesion. No patients showed any complications. CONCLUSION: Preoperative localization of early colon cancer or a malignant polyp by using patient's blood is feasible, safe and simple. We think that using the patient's blood for localization of a lesion is better than using some other foreign material such as India ink.

Predicting intraoperative feasibility of combined TES-mMEP and cSSEP monitoring during scoliosis surgery based on preoperative neurophysiological assessment.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Combined monitoring of muscle motor evoked potentials elicited by transcranial electric stimulation (TES-mMEP) and cortical somatosensory evoked potentials (cSSEPs) is safe and effective for spinal cord monitoring during scoliosis surgery. However, TES-mMEP/cSSEP is not always feasible. Predictors of feasibility would help to plan the monitoring strategy. PURPOSE: To identify predictors of the feasibility of TES-mMEP/cSSEP during scoliosis surgery. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Prospective cohort study in a clinical neurophysiology unit and pediatric orthopedic department of a French university hospital. PATIENT SAMPLE: A total of 103 children aged 2 to 19 years scheduled for scoliosis surgery. OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility rate of intraoperative TES-mMEP/cSSEP monitoring. METHODS: All patients underwent a preoperative neurological evaluation and preoperative mMEP and cSSEP recordings at both legs. For each factor associated with feasibility, we computed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value. A decision tree was designed. RESULTS: Presence of any of the following factors was associated with 100% feasibility, 100% specificity, and 100% PPV: idiopathic scoliosis, normal preoperative neurological findings, and normal preoperative mMEP and cSSEP recordings. Feasibility was 0% in the eight patients with no recordable mMEPs or cSSEPs during preoperative testing. A decision tree involving three screening steps can be used to identify patients in whom intraoperative TES-mMEP/cSSEP is feasible. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative neurological and neurophysiological assessments are helpful for identifying patients who can be successfully monitored by TES-mMEP/cSSEP during scoliosis surgery.

Preoperative Localization of Early Colorectal Cancer or a Malignant Polyp by Using the Patient's Own Blood

PURPOSE: Preoperative localization is the most important preparation for laparoscopic surgery. Preoperative marking with India ink has widely been used and is considered to be safe and effective. However, India ink can cause significant inflammation, adhesions and bowel obstruction. Therefore, we have used the patient's blood instead of the ink since 2011. In this retrospective study, we wanted to examine the feasibility of preoperative localization by using the patient's blood. METHODS: Twenty-five patients who underwent preoperative localization in which 10 mL of their own venous blood was used as a tattooing agent were included in this study. The characteristics of the patients, the anatomy of the colon cancer, and the efficacy and the side effects of using this procedure were analyzed. RESULTS: In 23 cases (92%), through the laparoscope, we found perfectly localized bloody smudges in the serosa. However, in 2 cases (8%), we could not find the exact location of the lesion. No patients showed any complications. CONCLUSION: Preoperative localization of early colon cancer or a malignant polyp by using patient's blood is feasible, safe and simple. We think that using the patient's blood for localization of a lesion is better than using some other foreign material such as India ink.

Effectiveness of non-cardiac preoperative testing in non-cardiac elective surgery: a systematic review.

Elective surgery is usually preceded by preoperative diagnostics to minimize risk. The results are assumed to elicit preventive measures or even cancellation of surgery. Moreover, physicians perform preoperative tests as a baseline to detect subsequent changes. This systematic review aims to explore whether preoperative testing leads to changes in management or reduces perioperative mortality or morbidity in unselected patients undergoing elective, non-cardiac surgery. We systematically searched all relevant databases from January 2001 to February 2011 for studies investigating the relationship between preoperative diagnostics and perioperative outcome. Our methodology was based on the manual of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Health Technology Assessment, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) handbook, and the PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews. One hundred and one of the 25 281 publications retrieved met our inclusion criteria. Three test grid studies used a randomized controlled design and 98 studies used an observational design. The test grid studies show that in cataract surgery and ambulatory surgery, there are no significant differences between patients with indicated preoperative testing and no testing regarding perioperative outcome. The observational studies do not provide valid evidence that preoperative testing is beneficial in healthy adults undergoing non-cardiac surgery. There is no evidence derived from high-quality studies that supports routine preoperative testing in healthy adults undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Testing according to pathological findings in a patient's medical history or physical examination seems justified, although the evidence is scarce. High-quality studies, especially large randomized controlled trials, are needed to explore the effectiveness of indicated preoperative testing.

Keyhole pattern for preoperative marking for reduction mammaplasty.

BACKGROUND: There are many techniques used for reduction mammaplasty; however, the most frequently performed procedures result in an inverted T scar. Preoperative marking is an important step for the success of the procedure, especially for surgeons at the initial learning stage. However, there is no consensus regarding the best method. In 1981, Strömbeck designed a pattern for preoperative marking for reduction mammaplasty. This pattern provides stable parameters that promotes an acceptable symmetry marking. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of the Strömbeck pattern for preoperative marking for reduction mammaplasty. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients who underwent reduction mammaplasty between April 2006 and April 2007 were prospectively evaluated. Patient ages ranged from 17 to 61 years; the mean body mass index was 22.2 kg/m(2). After defining the standard landmarks of the breast, preoperative markings were made using the Strömbeck pattern. Breast reduction surgery was performed under local anesthesia with sedation. Postoperative results were evaluated according to a numerical visual analogue scale, at the seven-, 15- and 30-day follow-up periods. The Student's t test and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used for statistical analysis (P<0.05). RESULTS: The mean weight of resected breast tissue was 317.5 g for the right breast and 305.8 g for the left breast (P=0.17). Scores obtained using a visual analogue scale showed a progressive increase in the scores during the postoperative follow-up period (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The use of the Strömbeck pattern enabled surgeons to perform reduction mammaplasty with good postoperative results as seen in the follow-up periods.

Effects of prostaglandin treatment and paracervical blockade on postoperative pain in patients undergoing first trimester abortion in general anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The postoperative analgesic efficacy of a paracervical blockade (PCB) as an adjunct to general anesthesia (GA) during outpatient abortion (dilatation and curettage) is unclear, and the present study was initiated to evaluate if PCB is of significant importance per- or postoperatively. METHODS: Two hundred women (aged 18-49 years) were assigned to one of four groups; group 1 received vaginal prostaglandin (PG) (PGE1, gemeprost 1 mg) for softening of the cervix preoperatively and surgery was performed in GA, group 2 received preoperative PG and surgery was performed in GA + PCB; group 3 did not receive PG treatment and surgery was performed in GA and group 4 were subjected to GA + PCB without preoperative PG. RESULTS: Women receiving preoperative prostaglandin treatment (groups 1 and 2) reported significantly higher pain intensity already preoperatively, but also postoperatively as compared to patients not treated with PG. The patients subjected to prostaglandin treatment (groups 1 and 2) also had a significantly higher consumption of analgesics as compared to non-PG treated groups (3 and 4). The addition of PCB did not influence pre- and postoperative pain intensity significantly or consumption of analgesics. Patients receiving PG also reported significantly more nausea than the others although nausea was of low intensity. Patients receiving PG were, however, discharged earlier than the others from the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative treatment of the cervix with prostaglandins was associated with significantly higher pain intensity both pre- and postoperatively, and increased need for analgesics postoperatively and more intense nausea. PCB given just before surgery did not result in significant postoperative analgesia. More efficient techniques for pain control should be developed for women subjected to first trimester abortion with preoperative PG treatment.

Effect of deep injections of local anesthetics and basal dilatation of cervix in management of pain during legal abortions. A randomized, controlled study.

The present study was designed to investigate whether deep injections of local anesthetics provide better pain control than regular injections of local anesthetics, and to evaluate the influence of basal cervical dilatation and dilatation increase obtained on the painfulness of abortion procedure during legal abortions. A total of 66 women undergoing legal abortion were randomly allocated to treatment with deep injection (n = 31) or regular injection (n = 35) group. Subjects in the deep injection group had paracervical block involving four injections approximately 3 cm deep. Subjects assigned to the regular injection group had paracervical block involving four injections approximately 1.5 cm deep. A pain scale was administered at the end of the dilatation and end of curettage. Both groups were found to be similar with respect to age, parity, previous legal abortion, gestational age, anxiety score, procedure time, basal cervical dilatation, and dilatation increase obtained. The mean pain score during cervical dilatation was less for the deep injection versus the regular injection group (3.3 +/- 1.5 versus 4.0 +/- 1.6, p < 0.05). The mean pain score during curettage was significantly less for the deep injection versus the regular injection group (3.0 +/- 1.2 versus 3.9 +/- 1.4, p < 0.05). In conclusion, deep injection of local anesthetics is a safe adjunct in the management of legal abortion. Irrespective of injection technique, dilatation pain is correlated negatively with basal cervical dilatation and correlated positively with dilatation increase obtained.

Value of sedative premedication in female sterilization via minilaparotomy: a prospective study of two local anaesthesia regimen.

A prospective study of two local anaesthesia regimen for female sterilization is presented. A total of 1,077 female clients were sterilized via minilaparotomy under local anaesthesia (ML/LA) as outpatients. The clients underwent pre-operative screening and received pre-operative and continuing counselling. The first 257 of these clients were sedated with an intramuscular injection of pethidine after atropine premedication (pre-sedated group). The other clients (non-sedated group) were premedicated with atropine alone, without sedation. For the pre-sedated group, the mean volume of one percent lignocaine used was 18.3 (S.D. 2.2) ml, the mean length of surgical incision was 2.8 (S.D. 0.5) cm, and the mean duration of surgical was 15.8 (S.D. 5.3) minutes; 8.2% of these clients reported that they felt much pain. In comparison, 7.7% of the non-sedated group clients reported much pain following a mean of 17.7 ml of one percent lignocaine (S.D. 2.7) through an incision of mean length 2.5 (S.D. 0.5) cm for surgery lasting a mean of 14.5 (S.D. 4.5) minutes. Clients who were pre-medicated with pethidine were more likely to have multiple post-operative complaints, especially dizziness, faintness, headache, nausea and vomiting. This study found no significant difference in the clinical performance of female sterilization by minilaparotomy, duration of operation, length of incision, amount of local anaesthesia required or perception of pain between clients who were premedicated with intramuscular pethidine and those who were not.

PIP: A prospective study of two local anaesthesia regimens for female sterilization is presented. A total of 1077 female clients were sterilized via minilaparotomy under local anaesthesia (ML/LA) as outpatients. The clients underwent preoperative screening and received preoperative and continuing counseling. The first 257 of these clients were sedated with an intramuscular injection of pethidine after atropine premedication (presedated group). The other clients (nonsedated group) were premedicated with atropine alone, without sedation. For the presedated group, the mean volume of 1% lignocaine used was 18.3 (SD, 2.2) ml, the mean length of surgical incision was 2.8 (SD, 0.5) cm, and the mean duration of surgical procedure was 15.8 (SD, 5.3) minutes; 8.2% of these clients reported that they felt much pain. In comparison, 7.7% of the nonsedated group clients reported much pain following a mean of 17.7 ml of 1% lignocaine (SD, 2.7) through an incision of mean length 2.5 (SD, 0.5) cm for surgery lasting a mean of 14.5 (SD, 4.5) minutes. Clients who were premedicated with pethidine were more likely to have multiple postoperative complaints, especially dizziness, faintness, headache, nausea, and vomiting. This study found no significant difference in the clinical performance of female sterilization by minilaparotomy, duration of operation, length of incision, amount of local anaesthesia required, or perception of pain between clients who were premedicated with intramuscular pethidine and those who were not.

Preoperative or postoperative diclofenac for laparoscopic tubal ligation.

We have compared the analgesic effects of diclofenac given before operation or immediately after operation in a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy study of 40 healthy female patients undergoing laparoscopic tubal ligation. Group 1 patients received diclofenac 75 mg as a 3-ml i.m. injection 1-2 h before operation and normal saline 3 ml i.m. immediately after surgery. Group 2 patients received normal saline 3 ml i.m. before operation and diclofenac 75 mg i.m. immediately after surgery. Outcome measures were patients' perception of pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS), verbal response scale (VRS), the number of patients who required postoperative morphine, time to first postoperative morphine injection and total dose of morphine given. VAS at 30 min and at 1, 3 and 6 h after operation were, respectively (median, interquartile range) 4.5 (2.3-6.0) vs 5.3 (2.8-7.8); 3.3 (2.3-5.0) vs 4.4 (3.0-5.8); 1.4 (0-2.3) vs 1.9 (0.8-3.0); 0.5 (0-1) vs 0.7 (0-1.3), (ns). VRS at 1 and 3 h after operation were, respectively, (median, interquartile range) 2.2 (1.5-3.0) vs 2.7 (2.0-4.0) and 0.8 (0-1.3) vs 0.9 (0-1.5) (ns). Sixteen patients in group 1 compared with 17 in group 2 required postoperative morphine. Time to first morphine administration and dose given were, respectively, (median, interquartile range) 50.6 (39-60) min vs 35.7 (20-49) min (P = 0.1) and 9.0 (5-10) mg vs 9.5 (7.5-10) (P = 0.9).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

PIP: At Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, a randomized double-blind, double-dummy study of 40 women undergoing laparoscopic tubal ligation was conducted to examine the preoperative and postoperative analgesic effects of 75 mg intramuscular (i.m.) diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. 20 women first received 75 mg diclofenac 1-2 hours before tubal ligation and normal saline right after the operation. The other 20 women received the same injections in the reverse order. As outcome measures, researchers used patients' perception of pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS), verbal response scale (VRS), number of patients who needed a postoperative 10 mg morphine injection, time to first postoperative morphine injection, and total dose of morphine administered. The median pain scores on VAS were essentially the same at 30 minutes and at 1, 3, and 6 hours after the operation. The median pain scores on VRS were also the same at 1 and 3 hours after the operation. The median dose of morphine was less than 10 mg in both groups. Four women in the first group and three women in the second group did not require analgesia. Even though the median time to first morphine injection was longer for the first group than the second group (50.6 vs. 35.7 min), the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.1). These findings show that diclofenac does not provide pre-emptive analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic tubal ligation.

Recent advances in vasectomy.

PIP: Vasectomy is a simple, safe, effective, and popular method of permanent male sterilization worldwide. Physicians should do various preoperative procedures with each man requesting vasectomy: complete medical history, scrotal exam, digital rectal exam, counseling on vasectomy and other forms of contraception, and fertility history. Experienced surgeons use newer, minimally invasive surgical techniques to more quickly perform vasectomy (no- scalpel vasectomy) with reduced vasectomy-related morbidity and more patient satisfaction than the traditional surgical techniques. The traditional techniques require injection of an anesthesia, e.g., lidocaine. Surgeons can perform the no-scalpel vasectomy on an outpatient basis, which reduces complications, costs, and inconvenience. A patient who has azoospermia on 2 consecutive semen analyses at an interval of 5-6 weeks is considered infertile. Even though some studies report an increased risk of prostate cancer in vasectomized men, closer examination of the studies finds a likely screening bias or do not find an increased risk. Nevertheless, providers must inform men asking for vasectomy about these studies. They should perform an annual digital rectal examination in 50-70 year old vasectomized men (as they should for all 50-70 year old men). Vasectomized men in this age group should also have an annual serum prostatic specific antigen.^ieng

Gastric pH and volume after oral fluids in the postpartum patient.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between preoperative oral fluids and gastric pH and volume in women undergoing sterilization between one and five days postpartum. Fifty postpartum patients received 150 ml water approximately two to three hours before surgery while 50 postpartum and 50 non-pregnant women were fasted from midnight. After induction of anaesthesia, gastric contents were aspirated using a Salem sump tube and the gastric pH and volume were measured. There were no differences in intragastric pH and volume, median (range), among the postpartum fasted group, 1.19 (0.74-4.57), 22 (1-78) ml, postpartum water group 1.18 (0.70-6.4), 25.5 (3-66) ml and the non-pregnant group 1.27 (0.51-6.63), 25 (3-69) ml. There was no correlation between postpartum interval, 60 (12-120) hr, and intragastric pH or volume. It is concluded that oral water may be given safely two to three hours preoperatively to patients more than one day postpartum. Intragastric volume and acidity were not increased and the findings in postpartum patients were similar to those found in non-pregnant patients.

PIP: Anesthetists at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Shatin, New Territories of Hong Kong compared data on 100 women who underwent tubal ligation by minilaparotomy up to 5 days postpartum with data on 50 nonpregnant women who underwent tubal ligation by laparoscopy. 50 postpartum women swallowed 50 ml water 2-3 hours before surgery. 50 other postpartum women and 50 nonpregnant women consumed nothing from midnight. They wanted to examine the relationship between preoperative oral fluids and gastric pH and volume in postpartum patients between 1 and 5 days after delivery. After induction of anesthesia, the physicians used a 16-French gauge Salem sump tube to aspirate the gastric contents. They then measured the volume and pH. The fasting time before anesthesia (propofol, fentanyl, and atracurium) was the same in all groups (11.5-12 hours). Gastric pH and volume did not increase in the postpartum water group. Gastric pH and volume were similar in all 3 groups (1.18-1.27 and 22-25.5 ml, respectively). 60% of women undergoing laparoscopy and 45% of the postpartum women had a gastric pH less than 2.5 and a volume greater than 0.4 ml x kg-1. Neither gastric pH nor volume were related to fasting time or the postpartum interval (57-60.5 hours). The postpartum women who received preoperative oral fluids experienced thirst less often than did those who fasted (p .01). Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that women at more than 1 day postpartum can safely ingest water 2-3 hours preoperatively.