P-BN49 The predictive role of white cell and platelet count for infective complications following splenectomy

Background

Temporary elevation of white cell count (WCC) and platelets are commonly observed after splenectomy and can therefore make it difficult for the surgeon to distinguish a normal physiological response from potential infection. Clinicians are often misled by elevated post-operative WCC after splenectomy, resulting in delayed discharges and prolonged unnecessary hospital stays for patients. The aim of this study was to establish what constitutes a normal rise in WCC and platelets after splenectomy.

Methods

All 127 patients who had undergone a splenectomy between July 2016 and January 2021 were identified from a search of our centre's hospital episode statistics data.  WCC and platelet count on post-operative days one to seven as well as at least one long-term follow-up result count were identified from electronic hospital records. Hospital records were searched for data on pre-operative steroid administration and peri-operative infections.

These cohort data were retrospectively analysed in SPSS using stepwise logistic regression, correlation analysis, and T-tests, as well as descriptive statistics.

Results

86 (68%) patients underwent an elective splenectomy and 41 (32%) an emergency splenectomy. 35 (27.6%) patients developed infections post-operatively, while 92 (72.4%) did not. Logistic regression suggested that a raised WCC (above 17.5x109/L) at day 3 post-op was a significant predictor of infection (p < 0.001): average WCC at day 3 for patients with infection was 20.00x109/L (SD = 6.23x109/L) compared to 14.86x109/L (SD = 4.01x109/L) for those without. Infective outcomes were not influenced by whether the surgery was emergency or elective. Overall, average WCCs were 9.63x109/L pre-operatively and 15.07x109/L long-term post-operatively. Even in the absence of infection, splenectomy led to a long-term rise in WCC of 3.8x109/L from baseline, to an average of 13.0x109/L [SD = 5.41x109/L): a T-test on the 56 patients without infection and with both pre-op and long-term WCCs showed a mean rise of 3.76x109/L, p < 0.0001).

Platelet count was not correlated with infection, though platelet counts rose from a mean of 261 × 109/L (SD = 103.4x109/L) pre-operatively to 581 × 109/L (SD = 236.3x109/L) at 7-day and 619 × 109/L (SD = 293.5x109/L) at long-term follow up across all patients – an average increase of 357 × 109/L, which did not significantly differ between patients with and without infective complications.

Conclusions

A rise in WCC and platelet count is normal post-splenectomy.  A rise in WCC>17.5x109/L on day 3 post-splenectomy is strongly correlated with infection (regardless of trauma or platelet count). Long-term follow up suggests that while much of the WCC increase is transient, WCC remains higher than pre-operatively, as does platelet count, in post-splenectomy patients. A raised WCC or platelet count without signs of infection should not preclude timely discharge in otherwise well patients.

O-B06 The Impact of Covid-19 on Bariatric surgery in England during 2020

Background

The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on NHS services across England. Due to the significant rise in demand for beds in both ward and ITU environments, trusts were forced to reduce the number of operations carried out to help reduced the burden on secondary care services. Whilst efforts were made to preserve operations where possible, the Covid-19 burden has had a significant impact on bariatric surgery throughout 2020. The following research looks at the true impact of Covid-19 on bariatric surgery in England and analyses this in relation to the Covid-19 burden.

Methods

Data relating to operation numbers was taken from The Surgical Workload Outcomes Audit (SWORD) database. The SWORD database was interrogated for the years 2017 – 2020. A mean number of operations was calculated using the 2017-2019 data and compared to data from 2020 for gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric banding and biliopancreatic diversion. Operations performed and other demographic data was analysed regionally and compared to Covid-19 deaths throughout England. Covid-19 data was obtained from the national government dashboards.

Results

The results of the study show that Nationally there was a significant decline in bariatric surgery operations carried out throughout 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Overall there was a 53.5% reduction in bariatric surgery operations carried out in 2020. Looking at the individual operation types, there was a 50.7% reduction in gastric bypass surgery, a 50% reduction in biliopancreatic diversion and a 51.9% reduction in sleeve gastrectomy. There was a greater reduction in gastric bands, with a 78.1 % reduction in procedures which may also reflect changes in current practice with regards to the use of gastric bands. On reviewing data at a local level, all trusts were significantly impacted by the pandemic with the reduction in services ranging from 50% to 100% reduction in operations performed.

Conclusions

Overall, despite national efforts to preserve as many operations as possible, there was a significant reduction in the delivery of bariatric surgery services throughout England during the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to this reduction in service provision, it is likely that there are now much larger waiting lists which will need to be addressed as we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. Whilst there was a similar reduction in services across most trusts due to the elective nature of the operations, variation should be further analysed to allow for better planning and resource allocation for futor future waves or future pandemics.

P-OGC83 The Impact of Covid-19 on Malignant Upper GI Operations in England During 2020

Background

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the overwhelming number of patients requiring ITU due to serious Covid-19 infections, trusts throughout England reduced their operation numbers to reduce the burden on secondary care services. Whilst efforts were made to preserve cancer services in England, the Covid-19 burden still significantly impacted the provision of oesophagectomies and gastrectomies. The following research aims to look at the true impact of Covid-19 on operation numbers in England and compare these to the Covid-19 burden. 

Methods

Data relating to operation numbers was taken from The Surgical Workload Outcomes Audit (SWORD) database. The SWORD database was interrogated for the years 2017 – 2020. A mean number of operations was calculated using the 2017-2019 data and compared to data from 2020. Operations performed and other demographic data  was analysed regionally and compared to Covid-19 deaths throughout England. Covid-19 data was obtained from the national government dashboards. 

Results

Results showed that there was a significant reduction in the number of operations performed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This was closely correlated with Covid deaths throughout England. Variations between centres were present throughout the UK, however the overall trend reflected more than a 40% reduction in gastrectomies and more than a 30% reduction in oesophagectomies, which equated to 1018 less gastrectomies and 490 less oesophagectomies performed in 2020. There was significant variation between centres, the impact on individual centres and oesophagectomy rates ranged from -0.8% reduction to a 100% reduction in operations carried out in 2020. Gastrectomies was similarly affected, varying between a 2.7% and 89.5% reduction in operations carried out in 2020. 

Conclusions

Overall, despite efforts to preserve procedures, particularly for malignant disease, there was significant fall in operations performed throughout 2020. As a consequence of this, it is likely that patients requiring life saving or life extending operations did not receive their treatment. The data suggests that overall gastrectomies were worse hit than oesophagectomies across England. Variances in performance across the UK should be further analysed to allow better planning and resource allocation for future waves or future pandemics. 

P-BN45 The Impact of Covid-19 on Benign Upper GI Operations in England During 2020

Background

Since the cancellation of elective surgery in early 2020 due to the threat of Covid-19, surgical provisions in England have continued to be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Elective surgery makes up the majority of surgical procedures performed in England and therefore   cancelled operation lists and increased demand for ITU beds has had a significant impact upon the surgical services delivered to patients through out 2020. The following research looks at the impact of Covid-19 on benign upper GI surgery in England and reviews the relationship between Covid-19 deaths and operations performed throughout England and analyses the data at a regional level. 

Methods

Data relating to operation numbers was taken from The Surgical Workload Outcomes Audit (SWORD) database. The SWORD database was interrogated for the years 2017 – 2020. A mean number of operations was calculated using the 2017-2019 data and compared to data from 2020. Operations performed and other demographic data  was analysed regionally and compared to Covid-19 deaths throughout England. Covid-19 data was obtained from the national government dashboards. 

Results

The results show that there is a correlation with increasing Covid deaths and lower rates of elective surgery. Furthermore, elective surgery was worse hit than emergency surgery with a slower recovery overall. Cholecystectomies were reduced by a total of 20817 (31.4%) for the year 2020 with a greater reduction seen in elective operations (35.6%). However, similar reductions were seen in both laparoscopic (31.4%) and open (37.5%) Similarly, bile duct explorations and elective splenectomy were reduced by 34.4% and 23.4% respectively. Comparatively, both paraumbilical and inguinal hernias also saw reductions of greater than 40% in 2020 when compared to the mean of the previous 3 years. Regional variances were seen between operation numbers performed and Covid-19 rates, however the overall trend remained the same for national level data. 

Conclusions

Overall, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on operations, particularly on those deemed as benign and ‘less urgent’. Whilst a global impact across all benign operations was seen, greater reductions were seen in elective operations compared to emergency operations. Hernia operations and bile duct exploration saw greater overall reductions compared to cholecystectomies and splenectomies, which suggests that whilst operation numbers were reduced, efforts were made to prioritise operations with greater clinical need throughout the pandemic. On analysis of the data in relation to Covid-19 rates and deaths, variation was seen across the regions in the UK, however overall the trend remained the same. Centres and regions worse hit by Covid-19 performed less operations during 2020. However, further qualitative research to investigate why certain centres maintained higher levels of performance during the pandemic would be beneficial for planning for future waves and future pandemics. 

Randomised controlled trial to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of expectant management versus preoperative imaging with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in patients with symptomatic gallbladder disease undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy at low or moderate risk of common bile duct stones (The Sunflower Study): a study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Surgery to remove the gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC)) is the standard treatment for symptomatic gallbladder disease. One potential complication of gallbladder disease is that gallstones can pass into the common bile duct (CBD) where they may remain dormant, pass spontaneously into the bowel or cause problems such as obstructive jaundice or pancreatitis. Patients requiring LC are assessed preoperatively for their risk of CBD stones using liver function tests and imaging. If the risk is high, guidelines recommend further investigation and treatment. Further investigation of patients at low or moderate risk of CBD stones is not standardised, and the practice of imaging the CBD using magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in these patients varies across the UK. The consequences of these decisions may lead to overtreatment or undertreatment of patients.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We are conducting a UK multicentre, pragmatic, open, randomised controlled trial with internal pilot phase to compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of preoperative imaging with MRCP versus expectant management (ie, no preoperative imaging) in adult patients with symptomatic gallbladder disease undergoing urgent or elective LC who are at low or moderate risk of CBD stones. We aim to recruit 13 680 patients over 48 months. The primary outcome is any hospital admission within 18 months of randomisation for a complication of gallstones. This includes complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for the treatment of gallstones and complications of LC. This will be determined using routine data sources, for example, National Health Service Digital Hospital Episode Statistics for participants in England. Secondary outcomes include cost-effectiveness and patient-reported quality of life, with participants followed up for a median of 18 months.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study received approval from Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee. Results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN10378861.

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy and lithotripsy in treating difficult biliary ductal stones: Two case reports

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is preferred for managing biliary obstruction in patients with bilio-enteric anastomotic strictures (BEAS) and calculi. In patients whose duodenal anatomy is altered following upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract surgery, ERCP is technically challenging because the biliary tree becomes difficult to access by per-oral endoscopy. Advanced endoscopic therapies like balloon-enteroscopy or rendevous-ERCP may be considered but are not always feasible. Biliary sepsis and comorbidities may also make these patients poor candidates for surgical management of their biliary obstruction.

CASE SUMMARY

We present two 70-year-old caucasian patients admitted as emergencies with obstructive cholangitis. Both patients had BEAS associated with calculi that were predominantly extrahepatic in Patient 1 and intrahepatic in Patient 2. Both patients were unsuitable for conventional ERCP due to surgically-altered UGl anatomy. Emergency biliary drainage was by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) in both cases and after 6-weeks’ maturation, PTC tracts were dilated to perform percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy and lithotripsy (PTCSL) for duct clearance. BEAS were firstly dilated fluoroscopically, and then biliary stones were flushed into the small bowel or basket-retrieved under visualization provided by the percutaneously-inserted video cholangioscope. Lithotripsy was used to fragment impacted calculi, also under visualization by video cholangioscopy. Satisfactory duct clearance was achieved in Patient 1 after one PTCSL procedure, but Patient 2 required a further procedure to clear persisting intrahepatic calculi. Ultimately both patients had successful stone clearance confirmed by check cholangiograms.

CONCLUSION

PTCSL offers a pragmatic, feasible and safe method for biliary tract clearance when neither ERCP nor surgical exploration is suitable.

Short-term outcomes after emergency surgery for complicated peptic ulcer disease from the UK National Emergency Laparotomy Audit: a cohort study

OBJECTIVES

This study used national audit data to describe current management and outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for complications of peptic ulcer disease (PUD), including perforation and bleeding. It was also planned to explore factors associated with fatal outcome after surgery for perforated ulcers. These analyses were designed to provide a thorough understanding of current practice and identify potentially modifiable factors associated with outcome as targets for future quality improvement.

DESIGN

National cohort study using National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) data.

SETTING

English and Welsh hospitals within the National Health Service.

PARTICIPANTS

Adult patients admitted as an emergency with perforated or bleeding PUD between December 2013 and November 2015.

INTERVENTIONS

Laparotomy for bleeding or perforated peptic ulcer.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was 60-day in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included length of postoperative stay, readmission and reoperation rate.

RESULTS

2444 and 382 procedures were performed for perforated and bleeding ulcers, respectively. In-hospital 60-day mortality rates were 287/2444 (11.7%, 95% CI 10.5% to 13.1%) for perforations, and 68/382 (17.8%, 95% CI 14.1% to 22.0%) for bleeding. Median (IQR) 2-year institutional volume was 12 (7-17) and 2 (1-3) for perforation and bleeding, respectively. In the exploratory analysis, age, American Society of Anesthesiology score and preoperative systolic blood pressure were associated with mortality, with no association with time from admission to operation, surgeon grade or operative approach.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing surgery for complicated PUD face a high 60-day mortality risk. Exploratory analyses suggested fatal outcome was primarily associated with patient rather than provider care factors. Therefore, it may be challenging to reduce mortality rates further. NELA data provide important benchmarking for patient consent and has highlighted low institutional volume and high mortality rates after surgery for bleeding peptic ulcers as a target for future research and improvement.

Coding in surgery: impact of a specialized coding proforma in hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery

BACKGROUND

Coding inaccuracies in surgery misrepresent the productivity of hospitals and outcome data of surgeons. The aim of this study was to audit the extent of coding inaccuracies in hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery and assess the financial impact of introducing a coding proforma.

METHODS

Coding of patients who underwent elective HPB surgery over a 3-month period was audited. Codes were based on International Classification of Diseases 10 and Office of Population and Census Surveys-4 codes. A coding proforma was introduced and assessed. New human resource group codes were re-assigned and new tariffs calculated. A cost analysis was also performed.

RESULTS

Prior to the introduction of the coding proforma, 42.0% of patients had the incorrect diagnosis and 48.5% had missing co-morbidities. In addition, 14.5% of primary procedures were incorrect and 37.6% had additional procedures that were not coded for at all. Following the introduction of the coding proforma, there was a 27.5% improvement in the accuracy of primary diagnosis (P < 0.001) and 21% improvement in co-morbidities (P = 0.002). There was a 7.2% improvement in the accuracy of coding primary procedures (P = not significant) and a 21% improvement in the accuracy of coding of additional procedures (P < 0.001). Financial loss as a result of coding inaccuracy over our 3-month study period was £56 073 with an estimated annual loss of £228 292.

CONCLUSION

Coding in HPB surgery is prone to coding inaccuracies due to the complex nature of HPB surgery and the patient case-mix. A specialized coding proforma completed 'in theatre' significantly improves the accuracy of coding and prevents loss of income.

Updated guideline on the management of common bile duct stones (CBDS)

Common bile duct stones (CBDS) are estimated to be present in 10-20% of individuals with symptomatic gallstones. They can result in a number of health problems, including pain, jaundice, infection and acute pancreatitis. A variety of imaging modalities can be employed to identify the condition, while management of confirmed cases of CBDS may involve endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, surgery and radiological methods of stone extraction. Clinicians are therefore confronted with a number of potentially valid options to diagnose and treat individuals with suspected CBDS. The British Society of Gastroenterology first published a guideline on the management of CBDS in 2008. Since then a number of developments in management have occurred along with further systematic reviews of the available evidence. The following recommendations reflect these changes and provide updated guidance to healthcare professionals who are involved in the care of adult patients with suspected or proven CBDS. It is not a protocol and the recommendations contained within should not replace individual clinical judgement.

Pancreatic trauma

Pancreatic trauma is relatively uncommon and although the surgical management is in many cases comparatively simple, occasionally complex technical surgery is required. Early diagnosis is paramount, although this remains difficult. The challenge of pancreatic trauma is compounded by a high incidence of associated injuries to adjoining organs and major vascular structures that may require damage control surgery and delayed definitive repair and add to the high frequency of postoperative complications, morbidity and mortality.

Guidelines on the management of common bile duct stones (CBDS)

The last 30 years have seen major developments in the management of gallstone-related disease, which in the United States alone costs over 6 billion dollars per annum to treat. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has become a widely available and routine procedure, whilst open cholecystectomy has largely been replaced by a laparoscopic approach, which may or may not include laparoscopic exploration of the common bile duct (LCBDE). In addition, new imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance cholangiography (MR) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) offer the opportunity to accurately visualise the biliary system without instrumentation of the ducts. As a consequence clinicians are now faced with a number of potentially valid options for managing patients with suspected CBDS. It is with this in mind that the following guidelines have been written.

Randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication compared with proton-pump inhibitors for treatment of chronic gastro-oesophageal reflux

BACKGROUND

Both laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) and proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy are established in the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). The aim of this study was to compare these two treatments in a randomized clinical trial.

METHODS

Between July 1997 and August 2001, 340 patients with a history of GORD for at least 6 months were investigated by endoscopy, 24-h pH monitoring and manometry. Of these, 217 were randomized, 109 to LNF and 108 to PPI therapy. The two groups were well matched for age, sex, weight and severity of reflux. Twenty-four-hour pH monitoring and manometry were performed 3 months after treatment, and quality of life was assessed in both groups using the Psychological General Well-being Index and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale at 3 and 12 months after treatment.

RESULTS

At 3 months there was an improvement in lower oesophageal sphincter pressure from 6.3 to 17.2 mmHg in the LNF group but no change in the PPI group (8.1 and 7.9 mmHg before and after treatment respectively) (P < 0.001). The mean DeMeester acid exposure score improved from 42.7 to 8.6 (P < 0.001) in the LNF group and from 36.9 to 17.7 in the PPI group (P < 0.001). The mean gastrointestinal symptom and general well-being scores improved from 31.7 and 95.4 respectively before treatment to 37.0 and 106.2 at 12 months after LNF, compared with changes from 34.3 and 98.5 to 35.0 and 100.4 respectively in the PPI group. The differences in both of these scores were significant between the two groups at 12 months (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

LNF leads to significantly less acid exposure of the lower oesophagus at 3 months and significantly greater improvements in both gastrointestinal and general well-being after 12 months compared with PPI treatment.