The XprESS Multi-Sinus Dilation System for the Treatment of Chronic Sinusitis: A NICE Medical Technology Guidance

The XprESS multi-sinus dilation system (XprESS) is a minimally invasive alternative to functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) used in the treatment of people with chronic or recurrent acute sinusitis refractory to medical treatment. The manufacturer of XprESS, Entellus Medical, claims the technology is as effective as FESS in improving quality of life and is associated with quicker recovery times and reduced costs. The Medical Technologies Advisory Committee (MTAC) at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) selected XprESS for evaluation. Nine trials published in 13 papers were correctly identified by the company as relevant to the decision problem, including one randomised controlled trial (REMODEL study). From this evidence, the company concluded that XprESS is as beneficial as FESS for a range of clinical endpoints. The External Assessment Centre (EAC) agreed with the company's conclusion in a subgroup of patients, but judged that the evidence did not generalise to patients within the NHS fully. The company constructed a de novo costing model. XprESS generated cost-savings of £1302 per patient compared with FESS. The EAC critiqued and updated the model's inputs, with differences in results driven by changes in assumptions on procedure duration, length of hospital stay and the proportion of procedures undertaken in an outpatient setting under local anaesthetic. Although cost-incurring in the base case, XprESS generated cost savings under certain scenarios. The MTAC reviewed the evidence and supported the case for adoption, issuing positive draft recommendations. After public consultation NICE published this as Medical Technologies Guidance 30.

Clinical assessment of endothelial function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have an increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Flow-mediated (FMD) and nitrate-mediated dilatation (NMD) are considered non-invasive methods to assess endothelial function and surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression to evaluate the impact of COPD on FMD and NMD. Studies were systematically searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and EMBASE databases. The random-effect method was used to take into account the variability among included studies. A total of eight studies were included in the final analysis, eight with data on FMD (334 COPD patients) and two on NMD (104 COPD patients). Compared to controls, COPD patients show a significantly lower FMD (MD -3.15%; 95% CI -4.89, -1.40; P < 0.001) and NMD (MD -3.53%; 95% CI -7.04, -0.02; P = 0.049). Sensitivity analyses substantially confirms the results. Meta-regression models show that a more severe degree of airway obstruction is associated with a more severe FMD impairment in COPD patients than in controls. Regression analyses confirm that the association between COPD and endothelial dysfunction is independent of baseline smoking status and most traditional cardiovascular risk factors. In conclusion, COPD is significantly and independently associated with endothelial dysfunction. These findings may be useful to plan adequate cardiovascular prevention strategies in this clinical setting, with particular regard to patients with a more severe disease.

Danish Guidelines 2015 for percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in the intensive care unit

Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy is a common procedure in intensive care. This updated Danish national guideline describes indications, contraindications and complications, and gives recommendations for timing, anaesthesia, and technique, use of fibre bronchoscopy and ultrasound guidance, as well as decannulation strategy, training, and education.

Urethral dilatation in women: urologists' practice patterns in the UK

INTRODUCTION

Review of the literature reveals little evidence to prove the efficacy of urethral dilatation for adult women with various lower urinary tract complaints. We conducted a postal survey to ascertain the actual practice of urethral dilatation among urologists in the UK.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A questionnaire was mailed to 428 consultant urologists listed as full members of the British Association of Urological Surgeons. The questionnaire consisted of 8 items about urologists' perception of indications, efficacy, and the need for repeated dilatation and anaesthesia.

RESULTS

The questionnaire response rate was 42%. Although urethral stenosis was the most common indication (97%), the majority of urologists (69%) indicated that fewer than 25% of patients had evidence of stenosis. Overall, 61% of urologists performed dilatation 7 times or more during the last year and 55% believed that less than half of the patients experienced long-term improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the lack of strong evidence to support the use of urethral dilatation in women, many urologists continue to find it a useful tool in approaching women with lower urinary tract complaints.

Vaginal creation for müllerian agenesis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of passive vaginal dilation and McIndoe vaginoplasty in the creation of a neovagina for patients with müllerian agenesis.

STUDY DESIGN

Fifty-one patients with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome were treated for vaginal agenesis at either Johns Hopkins Hospital or Emory University. These historic prospective data were obtained by a review of medical records and a current office or telephone consultation. Initial office visits dated from November 18, 1983, through June 6, 1998. Their progress towards both anatomic and functional success was followed through August 1, 2000, which was a range of 2 to 16.8 years. One-way analysis of variance, Student t test, and logistic regression analysis were performed when appropriate.

RESULTS

Four patients were lost to follow-up in various stages of the treatment. Ten patients refused vaginal dilation and proceeded to a successful modified McIndoe vaginoplasty. Of the 37 remaining patients, 91.9% anatomic and functional success was achieved from the Ingram method for vaginal dilation. Passive dilation failed in 8.1% of patients, who underwent a modified McIndoe vaginoplasty; all neovaginal creations were successful. All patients who underwent McIndoe vaginoplasty were compliant with postoperative vaginal form use. None of our patients lost vaginal space through contractions or loss of skin graft. Of those patients for whom dilation failed, only 1 patient discontinued the study because of bleeding and discomfort. In addition, only 1 patient from the 3 cases of failure had undergone a previous hymenotomy. Interestingly, 6 patients for whom dilation was successful (6/34 patients; 17.6%) had also undergone a previous hymenotomy. The mean follow-up time for all patients in this study was 111.1 +/- 7.2 months, with a range of 25 to 188 months. The mean follow-up time for those patients for whom dilation failed or who refused dilation was significantly lower at 64.5 +/- 9.5 and 65.3 +/- 18.5 months, respectively (P <.005). The mean time to successful dilation was 11.8 +/- 1.6 months with a range of 3 to 33 months. Although longer, no statistically significant difference was observed for dilation time in those patients for whom there was a failure to achieve anatomic or functional success (20.5 +/- 12.5 months; range, 8-33 months).

CONCLUSION

These data reveal that passive dilation with the Ingram method is capable of creating an adequate vaginal canal in patients with vaginal agenesis, with respect to both function and anatomy even in those patients with a previous hymenotomy and resultant scar formation. Our modified McIndoe procedure has proved to be an excellent option for patients for whom conservative dilation techniques failed and who refuse to attempt any dilation. Interestingly, our data indicate that patients may now be trending toward immediate surgical correction rather than diligently using dilation techniques to create a vaginal space.

Recanalization of obstructed fallopian tube by selective salpingography and transvaginal bougie dilatation: outcome and cost analysis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate effectiveness and cost of transcervical salpingography and recanalization in the management of infertility caused by tubal occlusion.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of patients investigated with transcervical selective salpingography and, in some instances, treated by transcervical recanalization.

SETTING

Four hundred patients with hysterosalpingography diagnosis of obstructed fallopian tubes (clinical environment) are investigated. A repeat hysterosalpingogram after administration of a prostaglandin antagonist demonstrated patency of the tubes in 82 patients and selective transcervical salpingography demonstrated patency in an additional 131 patients.

INTERVENTION

Transcervical tubal recanalization. Of the remaining 187 patients, recanalization by transcervical technique was successful in 145 patients. The underlying etiology for tubal obstruction was salpingitis isthmica nodosa in 62, salpingitis and perisalpingitis in 71, endometriosis in 8, failed surgical anastomosis in 43, and undeterminate cause in 3 patients. Pregnancy was attained in 24 patients, there were 10 minor and 1 major complication.

OUTCOME MEASURE

Attained and maintained patency of tubes, pregnancy, attendant complications.

CONCLUSION

A pregnancy rate of 12.8% was attained after transcervical recanalization of obstructed tubes. An attendant increased rate of pregnancy in patients proven patent after selective salpingography, valuable detailed information about proximal and distal tubes after recanalization of the obstructed proximal tube segment, the low rate of complications, and low cost are factors recommending the use of this technique. Moreover, tubal surgery or IVF treatment are not influenced adversely by prior transcervical tubal recanalization and remain an option for patients who failed to attain pregnancy.

Spontaneous and induced cervical ripening. Natural dilation and effacement process and current cervical ripening techniques

During gestation, the cervix forms a tight sphincter to ensure the integrity of the pregnancy. Toward the end of the pregnancy, hormone-mediated biochemical changes cause the cervix to ripen and become softer and more pliable to allow passage of the fetus. Failure of the cervix to ripen may result in delayed onset of labor and a prolonged and complicated course, especially if labor is artificially induced. Attempts to induce cervical ripening have involved the use of mechanical methods, estrogen and estrogen precursors, relaxin and prostaglandins. The ideal ripening agent is simple and noninvasive, effective within 24 hours, does not compromise mother or fetus and does not stimulate labor (during the ripening process).

Surgical treatment of chronic fissure-in-ano: a prospective randomised study

A prospective randomised study compared anal dilatation (n = 37), posterior internal sphincterotomy (n = 21) and lateral sphincterotomy (n = 20) in the surgical treatment of chronic anal fissures in 78 consecutive patients. All the operations were performed under general anaesthesia using standard techniques. Anal dilatation relieved anal pain early (immediate relief in 57% of patients; the mean pain-days +/- SD of 3.2 +/- 5.4 days). Anal fissures after this operation healed in a mean time +/- SD of 20.3 +/- 12.5 days, coming in second place to lateral sphincterotomy. Anal dilatation was followed by insignificant wound infection but its main disadvantage was a high rate of post operative anal incontinence (in 24.3% of patients). Fissurectomy and posterior internal sphincterotomy was followed by the longest period of post operative anal pain (mean +/- SD of 32.4 +/- 10 days) as compared to the other two operations. It was the least favourable operation. Lateral sphincterotomy was followed by early relief of pain (immediate relief in 95% of patients). It was not followed by wound infection. It had the quickest healing time for the fissures (a mean +/- SD of 14.7 +/- 8.7 days). It was followed by anal incontinence in only one patient. In conclusion lateral sphincterotomy was the most favourable operation and it is perhaps the operation of choice to perform in patients with chronic anal fissures needing surgical treatment.

IATROGENIC INJURIES TO THE EXTRAHEPATIC BILIARY TRACT

Iatrogenic injuries to the extrahepatic biliary tract continue to occur and result in significant morbidity. Over the last 10 years, 26 patients have been referred to Westmead Hospital for management of iatrogenic biliary tract injuries. Of these injuries, 22 occurred during cholecystectomy, three during hepatectomy and one during a pancreaticoduodenectomy. The principles of avoidance and repair are discussed. It is concluded that these injuries, although uncommon, continue to occur and that the best treatment results are achieved in specialized hepatobiliary units.

Acid suppression in the long-term treatment of peptic stricture and Barrett's oesophagus

Peptic stricture and Barrett's oesophagus are not only the major, but also the most common, complications of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. The clinical problems that these manifestations present are highly significant, and in patients with peptic stricture the resultant dysphagia can be a major disability that causes nutritional problems. Dilation of a stricture exposes the patient to a small, but significant, risk of oesophageal perforation. Barrett's oesophagus per se rarely causes morbidity, but carries a significant risk of developing oesophageal carcinoma, with its attendant morbidity and mortality. Successful anti-reflux surgery for peptic stricture and Barrett's oesophagus effectively abolishes pathological oesophageal acid exposure and provides the best indicator of the potential benefits that may be obtained from treatment with acid-inhibitory drugs. The reported experience clearly indicates that successful anti-reflux surgery results in resolution of peptic stricture following initial dilation, concomitant with persistent control of oesophageal acid exposure. In patients with Barrett's oesophagus, healing of oesophagitis is well documented after successful surgery, but it is unclear whether the Barrett's epithelium progresses or regresses significantly in all but a minority of patients. It is now established that acid pump inhibition can reduce pathological oesophageal acid exposure as effectively as successful anti-reflux surgery. In a minority of patients, however, omeprazole, 40 or 60 mg daily, divided into two doses, is necessary to achieve this effect. This is particularly true for patients with the more severe forms of disease, in whom peptic stricture and Barrett's oesophagus are most prevalent. Results indicate that peptic stricture can resolve during effective gastric acid inhibition with omeprazole, and results from controlled trials on the management of these patients with omeprazole are awaited. Similarly, there are reports of regression of Barrett's oesophagus during omeprazole therapy, but the completeness and predictability of any such effect have not yet been adequately evaluated. There is sufficient experience from long-term omeprazole treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease to indicate that maintenance of a satisfactory response of peptic stricture or Barrett's oesophagus depends upon continued effective gastric acid inhibition.