Multi-site nerve block catheters for postoperative analgesia in extended scapulectomy and free-flap reconstruction.

Scapulectomy is performed as a limb-sparing procedure in the management of tumours of the proximal humerus and shoulder girdle. Analgesic outcomes following this procedure are poorly documented in the literature. In our case, satisfactory analgesia following extended scapulectomy and free-flap reconstruction was achieved with a combination of multi-site continuous nerve block catheters and patient-controlled analgesia, for a patient with chronic pain who had a high pre-operative opioid requirement. Multiple continuous nerve block catheters were used, including interscalene and paravertebral catheters to provide analgesia for the shoulder resection, with a fascia iliaca compartment catheter providing analgesia to free-flap donor site on the the anterolateral thigh. These continuous nerve block catheters contributed to effective postoperative analgesia and low postoperative intravenous opioid requirements in this case.

Relationship between predisposing and facilitating factors: Does it influence the risk of developing peri-operative pressure injuries?

This study examined the relationship between the personal predisposing factors of patients and the severity of pressure injuries (PIs) developed during surgery. This retrospective cohort study collected 439 cases of peri-operative PIs. Using binary logistic regression to identify the variables associated with PI severity, the effects of interactions between associated variables were then tested. The results of this study revealed that among the personal predisposing factors, only higher patient age (P = .001) and higher body mass index (P < .001) posed a greater risk of stage 2 PIs or higher. Among the surgery-related facilitating factors, only patients who were placed in the prone position during surgery and patients who lost ≥1000 mL of blood during surgery were at greater risk of stage 2 PIs or higher, compared, respectively, to those placed in the supine position and those who lost ≤100 mL of blood. Furthermore, the amount of blood lost during surgery moderated the influence of age on PI severity. For elderly patients who are expected to lose a large blood volume during surgery or lose an immeasurable amount of blood due to the use of cardiopulmonary bypass, taking more precautionary measures to prevent PIs is recommended.

Implementing advance care plans in the peri-operative period, including plans for cardiopulmonary resuscitation: Association of Anaesthetists clinical practice guideline.

Contemporary guidance takes a patient-centred approach and recommends discussing and planning treatments that should be considered, not just those that should be withheld. Although some organisations and communities still use specific DNACPR (do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation) forms to recommend that cardiopulmonary resuscitation is not attempted, this approach has been shown to have disadvantages and is no longer regarded as best practice. The following guidelines have been produced in response to this change. They are designed to help anaesthetists, as part of the wider healthcare team, to implement and respond to advance care planning documents before and during procedures. The guidelines apply to all procedures, however minor and low risk they are considered to be, and the same ethical and legal principles apply to procedures carried out under local or regional anaesthesia and/or conscious sedation, as well as to those under general anaesthesia.

[Chinese expert consensus on the peri-operative management of hepatectomy for liver cancer (2021 Edition)].

Hepatectomy is a major radical treatment for liver cancer. Although the hepatectomy is of great difficulty for the complicated anatomical structure and rich blood supply of liver, the operative mortality is less than 5% in most treatment centers currently along with the upgrading surgical instruments and developing surgical technology. Nevertheless, it is urgent clinical topic to furtherly reduce the incidence of complication in the wake of hepatectomy, which reaches up to 15%~50%. To standardize the peri-operative management of hepatectomy, on the basis of the standardization for diagnosis and treatment of primary hepatic carcinoma (2019), the Cancer Prevention and Treatment Expert Committee revise and update to produce the expert consensus on the peri-operative management of hepatectomy for liver cancer (2021) according to the opinions of experts in different areas. This consensus takes account of the Chinese characteristics of diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer and follows the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), which will provide reference for the peri-operative management.

Chinese expert consensus on the peri-operative management of hepatectomy for liver cancer (2021 Edition) / 中华肿瘤杂志

Hepatectomy is a major radical treatment for liver cancer. Although the hepatectomy is of great difficulty for the complicated anatomical structure and rich blood supply of liver, the operative mortality is less than 5% in most treatment centers currently along with the upgrading surgical instruments and developing surgical technology. Nevertheless, it is urgent clinical topic to furtherly reduce the incidence of complication in the wake of hepatectomy, which reaches up to 15%~50%. To standardize the peri-operative management of hepatectomy, on the basis of the standardization for diagnosis and treatment of primary hepatic carcinoma (2019), the Cancer Prevention and Treatment Expert Committee revise and update to produce the expert consensus on the peri-operative management of hepatectomy for liver cancer (2021) according to the opinions of experts in different areas. This consensus takes account of the Chinese characteristics of diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer and follows the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), which will provide reference for the peri-operative management.

Dual Actions of Ketorolac in Metastatic Ovarian Cancer.

Cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy are cornerstones of ovarian cancer treatment, yet disease recurrence remains a significant clinical issue. Surgery can release cancer cells into the circulation, suppress anti-tumor immunity, and induce inflammatory responses that support the growth of residual disease. Intervention within the peri-operative window is an under-explored opportunity to mitigate these consequences of surgery and influence the course of metastatic disease to improve patient outcomes. One drug associated with improved survival in cancer patients is ketorolac. Ketorolac is a chiral molecule administered as a 1:1 racemic mixture of the S- and R-enantiomers. The S-enantiomer is considered the active component for its FDA indication in pain management with selective activity against cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. The R-enantiomer has a previously unrecognized activity as an inhibitor of Rac1 (Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate) and Cdc42 (cell division control protein 42) GTPases. Therefore, ketorolac differs from other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by functioning as two distinct pharmacologic entities due to the independent actions of each enantiomer. In this review, we summarize evidence supporting the benefits of ketorolac administration for ovarian cancer patients. We also discuss how simultaneous inhibition of these two distinct classes of targets, COX enzymes and Rac1/Cdc42, by S-ketorolac and R-ketorolac respectively, could each contribute to anti-cancer activity.

Forced Air Warming System: Evaluation of Internal System Contamination.

BACKGROUND: Despite the indisputable need to prevent peri-operative hypothermia, some evidence in the literature questions the possible role of forced air warming systems as a risk factor for the occurrence of surgical site infection. The objective of the study is to evaluate the micro-biologic safety of a forced air warming systems (FAW) in relation to the risk of emission of micro-organisms in the surgical environment. METHODS: A quantitative, descriptive-exploratory laboratory study performed in a large hospital. An evaluation of possible internal contamination was performed by collecting air from the hose onto plates containing Trypticase Soy Agar. The experiment was performed in triplicate two months after replacing the filter and again after six months using a random sample of 50% of the FAW in use, which corresponded to 13 FAW and a total of 75 samples. RESULTS: Among the 39 samples analyzed in the first stage, only nine (23.1%) plates presented microbial growth of one or two colonies, while only six (16.7%) plates of the 36 evaluated samples in the second phase had growth of one or two colonies. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed small microbial growth of culture after 48 hours after filter replacement. New investigations that correlate the findings of micro-biology analysis and the occurrence of surgical site infection should be conducted.

Mortality, Morbidity and Related Outcomes Following Perioperative Blood Transfusion in Patients with Major Orthopaedic Surgery: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Benefits and risks of liberal and restrictive transfusion regimens are under on-going controversial discussion. This systematic review aimed at assessing both regimens in terms of pre-defined outcomes with special focus on patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgery. METHODS: We performed a literature search for mortality, morbidity and related outcomes following peri-operative blood transfusion in patients with major orthopaedic surgery in electronic databases. Combined outcome measure estimates were calculated within the scope of meta-analyses including randomised clinical trials comparing restrictive versus liberal blood transfusion regimens (e.g. MH risk ratio, Peto odds ratio). RESULTS: A total of 880 publications were identified 15 of which were finally included (8 randomised clinical trials (RCTs) with 3,693 patients and 6 observational studies with 4,244,112 patients). Regarding RCTs, no significant differences were detected between the transfusion regimes for all primary outcomes (30-day mortality, thromboembolic events, stroke/transitory ischaemic attack, myocardial infarction, wound infection and pneumonia) and a secondary outcome (length of hospital stay), whereas there was a significantly reduced risk of receiving at least one red blood concentrate under a restrictive regimen. CONCLUSION: The results of this systematic review do not suggest an increased risk associated with either a restrictive or a liberal transfusion regimen in patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgery.

Peri-operative continuation of metformin does not improve glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.

Historically, metformin was withheld before surgery for fear of metformin-associated lactic acidosis. Currently, however, this risk is deemed to be low and guidelines have moved towards the continuation of metformin. We hypothesized that continuing metformin peri-operatively would lower postoperative serum glucose level without an effect on plasma lactate levels. We performed a single-blind multicentre randomized controlled trial in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus scheduled for non-cardiac surgery and continued (MF+ group) or withheld (MF- group) metformin before surgery. The main outcome measures were the differences in peri-operative plasma glucose and lactate levels. We randomized 70 patients (37 MF+ group and 33 MF- group) with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Postoperative glucose levels were similar in the MF+ and the MF- groups (8.2 ± 1.8 vs 8.3 ± 2.3 mmol/L P = .95) Although preoperative lactate levels were slightly higher in the MF+ group compared with the MF- group (1.5 vs 1.2 mmol/L; P = .02), the postoperative lactate levels were not significantly different (1.2 vs 1.0 mmol/L; P = .18). In conclusion, continuation of metformin during elective non-cardiac surgery does not improve glucose control or raise lactate levels to a clinically relevant degree.

Establishment of patient-centered nursing mode and its effect on stress reaction at peri-operational period and postoperative rehabilitation of emmergency surgical patients / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Objective To contribute the patient-centered nursing mode and discuss its influence on stress reaction at peri-operational period and postoperative rehabilitation of emmergency surgical patients. Methods A total of 108 emergency surgery patients admitted to Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital Affiliated of Hubei University of Medicine from January 2014 to January 2017 were enrolled as research subjects, and they were divided into an observation group and a control group according to difference in nursing modes, 54 cases in each group. During the peri-operational period, the patients in control group were given routine nursing mode, while in the observation group, the patients received patient-centered nursing mode. The blood pressure, heart rate and levels of various kinds of hormone (insulin, cortisol, epinephrine) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) before and after intervention were measured; the Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) were used to evaluate the psychological stress changes; after operation, the rate of using analgesics, incidence of postoperative infection, Visual analogue scale (VAS), anus exhaust time, off-bed activity time and sleep quality scale scores were recorded to evaluate the quality of patients' postoperative rehabilitation. Results The diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, heart rate and levels of insulin, cortisol and IL-6 in two groups before operation and 2 hours after operation were significantly higher than those on admission, while the levels of epinephrine were lower than the level on admission, the degrees of increase or decrease of the observation group were slower than those of the control group, and the changes were more significant at 2 hours after operation [diastolic blood pressure (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) was 120.58±13.09 vs. 135.35±15.44, systolic blood pressure (mmHg) was 74.69±10.97 vs. 80.50±11.34, heart rate (bpm) was 83.47±11.64 vs. 92.59±12.00, insulin (mmol/L) was 12.58±1.62 vs. 15.96±1.46, cortisol (μg/L) was 128.72±20.53 vs. 140.47±21.58, epinephrine (ng/L) was 38.96±7.24 vs. 35.25±8.01, IL-6 (ng/L) was 157.64±27.06 vs.183.45±29.37, all P ＜ 0.05]. After interference, the HAMA and HAMD scores of the two groups were significantly lower than those before intervention, and the degree of decrease in the observation group was more obvious (HAMA score: 11.58±2.16 vs. 16.74±2.80, HAMD score: 9.42±2.03 vs. 13.38±2.71, both P ＜ 0.05); the rate of using analgetic [25.93% (14/54) vs. 57.41% (31/54)], incidence of postoperative infection [3.70% (2/54) vs. 16.67% (9/54)], VAS scores (4.63±1.21 vs. 6.87±1.74), anus exhaust time (days: 1.53±0.33 vs. 1.86±0.26), off-bed activity time (days: 1.57±0.19 vs. 1.72±0.24) and sleep quality scale scores (5.84±2.07 vs. 9.33±2.39) in observation group were significantly less than those in control group (all P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion The contribution and application of patient-centered nursing mode in treating emmergency surgery patients during peri-operational period is helpful to ameliorate the patients' degree of physiological and psychological stress reactions, and this mode has important significance in promoting the quality of patients' postoperative rehabilitation.

Intervention effect of antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients undergoing craniotomy for tumor resection / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of multidisciplinary intervention on antimicrobial prophylaxis in neurosurgical patients undergoing craniotomy for tumor resection.Methods By standardizing preoperative disinfection and surgical procedures, training and education of antimicrobial use, conducting quality control activities, and performing periodic feedback of supervised results, efficacy of improvement of antimicrobial prophylaxis in neurosurgical patients undergoing craniotomy for tumor resection in a hospital was observed.Results In 2013 and 2014, incidences of surgical site infection(SSI) were 7.66%(17/222)and 6.80%(27/397) respectively,there was no significant difference between two groups(X2 =0.158,P>0.05).Prophylactic use of antimicrobial agents in surgical patients were as follows: cefuroxime(n=495), cefazolin(n=103), cefathiamidine(n=9), clindamycin(n=8), and cefotaxime(n=4), types of used antimicrobial agents were rational.In 2014, the implementation rate of necessary intra-operative antimicrobial adding was 95.02%, which was higher than 87.66% in 2013(X2=7.969,P48 hours, which was lower than 57.66% in 2013, difference was significant(X2=42.88,P<0.05).Conclusion Multi-intervention measures, including standard preoperative disinfection and surgical procedures, education and training, quality control circle, and feedback of supervised results can improve standard antimicrobial prophylaxis in neurosurgical patients undergoing craniotomy for tumor resection.

Analysis for the Cause of Peri-procedural Myocardial Infarction and Risk Factors in Patients After Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To assess the risk factors for peri-procedural myocardial infarction (PMI) occurrence in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) based on the new standard of US Society for cardiovascular angiography and interventions (SCAI). Methods: According to SCAI standard, a total of 3371 relevant patients with 3516 elective PCI in our hospital were enrolled. The baseline clinical features, coronary angiography (CAG) findings and PCI procedural elements were retrospectively studied, the independent risk factors for PMI occurrence were identified by multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results: There was 108/3516 (3.1%) PMI occurred in all patients. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis presented that age (OR=1.037, 95% CI 1.016-1.058), treating multi-vessel lesions (OR=1.697, 95% CI 1.095-2.629), treating at least 1 bifurcation lesion (OR=1.869, 95% CI: 1.213-2.878) and the total length of lesion (OR=1.016, 95%CI 1.009-1.024) were the independent risk factors for PMI occurrence. Conclusions: Age, treating multi-vessel lesions, at least one bifurcation lesion and the total length of lesion were the independent risk factors for PMI occurrence in patients after elective PCI.

Reducing liver metastases of colon cancer in the context of extensive and minor surgeries through ß-adrenoceptors blockade and COX2 inhibition.

Liver metastases are a major cause of colorectal cancer death, and the perioperative period is believed to critically affect the metastatic process. Here we tested whether blocking excess release of catecholamines and prostaglandins during surgical procedures of different extent can reduce experimental liver metastasis of the syngeneic CT26 colon cancer in female and male BALB/c mice. Animals were either treated with the beta-blocker, propranolol, the COX-2 inhibitor, etodolac, both drugs, or vehicle. The role of NK cells in controlling CT26 hepatic metastasis and in mediating the effect of the drugs was assessed by in vivo depletion or stimulation of NK cells, using anti-asialo GM1 or CpG-C, respectively. Surgical extent was manipulated by adding laparotomy to small incision, extending surgical duration, and enabling hypothermia. The results indicated that combined administration of propranolol and etodolac, but neither drug alone, significantly improved host resistance to metastasis. These beneficial effects occurred in both minor and extensive surgeries, in both sexes, and in two tumor inoculation approaches. NK cell-mediated anti-CT26 activity is involved in mediating the beneficial effects of the drugs. Specifically, CpG-C treatment, known to profoundly activate mice marginating-hepatic NK cytotoxicity, reduced CT26 hepatic metastases; and NK-depletion increased metastases and prevented the beneficial effects of the drugs. Overall, given prevalent perioperative psychological and physiological stress responses in patients, and ample prostaglandin release by colorectal tumors and injured tissue, propranolol and etodolac could be tested clinically in laparoscopic and open colorectal surgeries, attempting to reduce patients' metastatic disease.

Lowering blood glucose during hip surgery does not influence coagulation activation.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycaemia during and after hip surgery is associated with coagulation activation and an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Whether lowering of glucose levels during hip surgery diminishes coagulation activation is unknown. We investigated the efficacy of the human GLP-1 analogue liraglutide to lower glucose during and after hip surgery and studied its influence on coagulation activation. METHODS: A total of 37 obese subjects who underwent hip surgery were randomized to subcutaneous liraglutide or placebo for 4 consecutive days, starting one day prior to surgery. Glucose levels and coagulation indices at three fixed time-points (pre-operative, 2 h post-operative and 3 days post-operative) were measured. RESULTS: Liraglutide reduced glucose at day three post-surgery (median glucose (IQR) liraglutide 5.5 (5.2-5.7) vs. placebo 5.8 (5.5-6.2); difference 0.3 mmol/L, P = 0.04). Changes in 6 out of 8 coagulation indices studied did not differ between the two groups. Only D-dimer levels were significantly lower in the liraglutide group at day three post-surgery and FVIII levels were significantly higher in the liraglutide group 2 h post-surgery. CONCLUSION: Although the human GLP-1 analogue liraglutide moderately reduced post-operative blood glucose levels in non-diabetic and prediabetic obese patients undergoing elective hip surgery, no changes were observed with respect to coagulation activation.

Peri-operative use of sorafenib in liver transplantation: a time-to-event meta-analysis.

AIM: To evaluate whether the application of sorafenib during the peri-operative period of liver transplantation improves prognosis in liver cancer patients. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE and MEDLINE for eligible articles. A total of 4 studies were found that fulfilled the previously agreed-upon standards. We then performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the enrolled trials that met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Out of the 104 studies identified in the database, 82 were not clinical experiments, and 18 did not fit the inclusion standards. Among the remaining 4 articles, only 1 was related to the preoperative use of sorafenib, whereas the other 3 were related to its postoperative use. As the heterogeneity among the 4 studies was high, with an I(2) of 86%, a randomized effect model was applied to pool the data. The application of sorafenib before liver transplantation had a hazard ratio (HR) of 3.29 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.33-32.56. The use of sorafenib after liver transplantation had an HR of 1.44 (95%CI: 0.27-7.71). The overall pooled HR was 1.68 (95%CI: 0.41-6.91). CONCLUSION: The results showed that the use of sorafenib during the peri-operative period of liver transplantation did not improve patient survival significantly. In fact, sorafenib could even lead to a worse prognosis, as its use may increase the hazard of poor survival.

The frequency of Th17 and Th22 cells in patients with colorectal cancer at pre-operation and post-operation.

T helper 17 (Th17) and Th22 cells regulate the development of tumors. However, their roles in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) are still unclear. A total of 49 patients with CRC and 18 healthy controls (HC) were evaluated for the percentages of circulating Th17 and Th22 cells by flow cytometry. The concentrations of serum interleukin-17A (IL-17A), IL-22 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were examined. The levels of IL-17A and IL-22 in tumors were determined by real-time PCR. We found that the percentages of Th17 and Th22 cells in the CRC patients were significantly lower than that in the HC and were associated negatively with the pathological stages of CRC. The levels of IL-17A and IL-22 mRNA transcripts were lower in the tumor tissues, particularly in the advanced CRC. After the tumor resection, the percentages of circulating Th17 and Th22 cells increased. These data suggest that decreased Th17 and Th22 responses may be associated with the development of CRC.

Effect of the comfort care in Chinese patients with breast cancer in peri-operative period: A Meta-analysis / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective We used the method ot Meta analysis to evaluate the effect of the comfort care in Chinese patients with breast cancer in peri-operative period.Methods The randomized controlled trials on the comfort care in patients with breast cancer in peri-operative period were collected using the databases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI),Wanfang Periodical Databases and Chinese Science Technology Periodical Databases which were analyzed by RevMan 5.3 software.Results Twelve randomized controlled trials were included in the study.The results of Meta-analysis revealed that the comfort care were effectively on anxiety condition,the degree of pain,the incidence rate of complicating diseases after surgery and degree of satisfaction on nursing than the conventional nursing,OR value and 95％CI were 0.26(0.13-0.50),9.98(6.00-16.61),0.24(0.13-0.42) and 4.74(2.84-7.90).Conclusions The comfort care can improve the state of anxiety,relieve the pain,reduce the postoperative complications and improve the degree of satisfaction of the patients.

The Liver Function Changes and Risk Factor Analysis in Patients at Peri-operative Period of Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To observe the liver function changes and to analyze the risk factors in patients at peri-operative period of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Methods: A total of 108 patients with cardiopulmonary bypass surgery were observed for their liver function at prior and 1, 2, 3, 6 days post-operation, the related risk factors for lever damage were studied by uni- and multivariate regression analysis. Results: Compared with pre-operative indexes,① at 1, 2, 3 and 6 days post-operation, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), direct bilirubin (DBIL) were increased, serum albumin (ALB), cholinesterase (CHE) were decreased, and at 1, 2, 3 days post-operation, total bilirubin (TBIL) was increased, at 1, 2, 3 days post-operation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was decreased, while it increased at 6 days post-operation, allP Conclusion: Multiterm of liver function could be damaged at the early stage after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery; cardiopulmonary bypass time and lactic acid level at 1 day after operation were the independent risk factors for peri-operative damage of liver function in relevant patients.

The establishment and evaluation of SHA.LIN nephrolithometry scoring system for predicting the stone-free rate of percutaneous nephrolithotomy / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To propose SHA.LIN nephrolithometry scoring system for assessing and predicting the stone-free rate of percutaneous nephrolithotomy ( PCNL) and to investigate the clinical value of SHA.LIN scoring system for nephrolithiasis in patients undergoing PCNL .Methods A literature review from 1976 to 2014 was performed to identify clinically relevant and reproducible variables that could affect the outcomes of PCNL. Six reproducible variables available from preoperative noncontrast-enhanced computed tomography were measured , including stone size ( S) , hydronephrosis ( H) , anatomic distribution (A), length of tract(L), indicator of CT(I), number of involved calices(N) and was named as SHA.LIN nephrolithometry scoring system .A retrospective analysis was conducted of clinical data of 116 patients with nephrolithiasis undergoing PCNL from June 2011 to March 2015. The general conditions , preoperative information , stone characteristics and perioperative variables were collected . The correlation of nephrolithometry scores based on SHA.LIN scoring system with stone-free status, operation time, blood loss, length of hospital stay and postoperative complications were analyzed . Receiver operating characteristic ( ROC) curves was drawn to detect sensitivity and specificity of SHA .LIN score in predicting the stone-free rates of PCNL.Results The SHA.LIN score was 9.13 ±2.24 in this cohort.The stone free rate was 75.9%(88/116).Postoperative complications occurred in 32 (27.6%) cases.In those patients with stone free, the SHA.LIN score was 8.27 ±1.62, significantly lower than that in those patients with residual stones 11.86 ±1.72 ( t =-10.069, P=0.000) .The SHA.LIN score showed significant correlation with the postoperative stone free status, operation time, estimated blood loss (P0.05).The area under curve of ROC curves for the SHA.LIN scoring system was 0.923 ( 95%CI 0.870 -0.975 ) . Conclusions The SHA.LIN nephrolithometry scoring system can predict postoperative stone-free status of PCNL and can be used for disease related assessment.Further research is required to evaluate its performance in predicting peri-operative variables and postoperative complications .

How to manage prasugrel and ticagrelor in daily practice.

Prasugrel and ticagrelor are next-generation antiplatelet agents that provide a rapider and more potent inhibition of platelet P2Y12 receptor than clopidogrel. In combination with aspirin, these new P2Y12 inhibitors are now the first line treatments for patients with acute coronary syndrome. However, these potent antiplatelet agents introduce a new paradigm in the daily management of antithrombotic drugs, particularly when an invasive procedure is planned. The pharmacology of these antiplatelet agents, and the results of the main clinical trials, are reviewed with a special focus on good prescription practices (indications, contra-indications, drug interactions), and on peri-operative management. Strategies are proposed for safely reducing the bleeding risk in elderly patients, in patients requiring concomitant oral anticoagulant therapy, or in patients with an increased haemorrhagic risk.