Paediatric surgical conditions in Malawi - A cross-sectional nationwide household survey

Background

Untreated surgical conditions may lead to lifelong disability in children. Treating children with surgical conditions may reduce long-term effects of morbidity and disability. Unfortunately, low- and middle-income countries have limited resources for paediatric surgical care. Malawi, for example, has very few paediatric surgeons. There are also significantly inadequate infrastructures and personnel to treat these children. In order to strengthen resources that could provide such services, we need to begin by quantifying the need.

Aim

To estimate the approximate prevalence of surgical conditions among children in Malawi, to describe the anatomical locations and diagnoses of the conditions and the presence of injuries.

Methods

A cross-sectional, nationwide survey of surgical needs was performed in 28 of 29 districts of Malawi. Villages, households and household members were randomly selected. A total of 1487 households were visited and 2960 persons were interviewed. This paper is a sub analysis of the children in the dataset. Information was obtained from 255 living children and inquiry from household respondents for the 255 children who had died in the past year. The interviews were conducted by medical students over a 60-day period, and the validated SOSAS tool was used for data collection.

Results

There were 67 out of 255 (26.3%) total children living with a surgical condition at the time of the study, with most of the conditions located in the extremities. Half of the children lived with problems due to injuries. Traffic accidents were the most common cause. Two-thirds of the children living with a surgical condition had some kind of disability, and one-third of them were grossly disabled. There were 255 total deceased children, with 34 who died from a surgical condition. The most prevalent causes of death were congenital anomalies of the abdomen, groin and genital region.

Conclusion

An extrapolation of the 26% of children found to be living with a surgical condition indicates that there could be 2 million children living with a condition that needs surgical consultation or treatment in Malawi. Congenital anomalies cause significant numbers of deaths among Malawian children. Children living with surgical conditions had disorders in their extremities, causing severe disability. Many of these disorders could have been corrected by surgical care.

Biomechanical analysis of practitioner's gesture for peripheral venous catheter insertion

Peripheral venous catheter insertion (PVCI) is one of the most common procedures performed by healthcare professionals but remains technically difficult. To develop new medical simulators with better representativeness of the human forearm, an experimental study was performed to collect data related to the puncturing of human skin and a vein in the antebrachial area. A total of 31 volunteers participated in this study. Force sensors and digital image correlation were used to measure the force during the palpation and puncturing of the vein and to retrieve the kinematics of the practitioner's gesture. The in vivo skin rupture load, vein rupture load, and friction loads for skin only and for both the skin and vein were (mean ± standard deviation) 0.85 ± 0.34 N, 1.25 ± 0.37 N, -0.49 ± 0.19 N, and -0.51 ± 0.16 N, respectively. The results of this study can be used to develop realistic skin and vein substitutes and mechanically assess them by reproducing the practitioner's gesture in a controlled fashion.

Deaths from surgical conditions in Malawi - a randomised cross-sectional Nationwide household survey

Background

Relatively little is known about deaths from surgical conditions in low- and middle- income African countries. The prevalence of untreated surgical conditions in Malawi has previously been estimated at 35%, with 24% of the total deaths associated with untreated surgical conditions. In this study, we wished to analyse the causes of deaths related to surgical disease in Malawi and where the deaths took place; at or outside a health facility.

Methods

The study is based on data collected in a randomised multi-stage cross-sectional national household survey, which was carried out using the Surgeons Overseas Assessment of Surgical Need (SOSAS) tool. Randomisation was done on 48,233 settlements, using 55 villages from each district as data collection sites. Two to four households were randomly selected from each village. Two members from each household were interviewed. A total of 1479 households (2909 interviewees) across the whole country were visited as part of the survey.

Results

The survey data showed that in 2016, the total number of reported deaths from all causes was 616 in the 1479 households visited. Data related to cause of death were available for 558 persons (52.7% male). Surgical conditions accounted for 26.9% of these deaths. The conditions mostly associated with the 150 surgical deaths were body masses, injuries, and acute abdominal distension (24.3, 21.5 and 18.0% respectively). 12 women died from child delivery complications. Significantly more deaths from surgical conditions or injuries (55.3%) occurred outside a health facility compared to 43.6% of deaths from other medical conditions, (p = 0.0047). 82.3% of people that died sought formal health care and 12.9% visited a traditional healer additionally prior to their death. 17.7% received no health care at all. Of 150 deaths from potentially treatable surgical conditions, only 21.3% received surgical care.

Conclusion

In Malawi, a large proportion of deaths from possible surgical conditions occur outside a health facility. Conditions associated with surgical death were body masses, acute abdominal distention and injuries. These findings indicate an urgent need for scale up of surgical services at all health care levels in Malawi.

Weight loss and BMI criteria in GLIM's definition of malnutrition is associated with postoperative complications following abdominal resections - Results from a National Quality Registry

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Although malnutrition is thought to be common among patients with intraabdominal diseases and is recognized as a risk factor for postoperative complications, diagnostic criteria for malnutrition have not been consistent. Thus, the Global Leadership Initiative in Malnutrition (GLIM) has recently published new criteria for malnutrition. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition according to weight loss and BMI criteria in GLIM's second step for the diagnosis and their association with severe postoperative complications in patients undergoing gastrointestinal resections.

METHOD

The current study includes adult patients who were prospectively included in the Norwegian Registry for Gastrointestinal Surgery in the period between 2015 and 2018. Exclusion criteria were acute surgery and lack of information regarding preoperative weight and/or postoperative complications. Severe surgical complications were classified according to the Revised Accordion Classification system and malnutrition with the GLIM criteria. Associations were assessed by logistic regression analyses, and the adjusted odds ratio included age (continuous), gender (male/female) and scores from the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.

RESULTS

Out of 6110 patients, 2161 (35.4%) were classified as with malnutrition, 1206 (19.7%) with moderate and 955 (15.6%) with severe malnutrition. Malnourished patients were 1.29 (95% CI: 1.13-1.47) times more likely to develop severe surgical complications, and 2.15 (95% CI: 1.27-3.65) times more likely to die within 30 days, as compared to those who were not.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative malnutrition is common among patients having gastrointestinal resections and is associated with an increased risk of severe surgical complications.

Children with hearing impairment in Malawi, a cohort study

Objective

To assess the outcomes of children diagnosed with hearing impairment 3 years earlier in terms of referral uptake, treatment received and satisfaction with this treatment, and social participation.

Methods

We conducted a population-based longitudinal analysis of children with a hearing impairment in two rural districts of Malawi. Key informants within the community identified the cohort in 2013 (baseline). Informants clinically screened children at baseline, and by questionnaires at baseline and follow-up in 2016. We investigated associations between sociodemographic characteristics and outcomes by multivariate logistic regression.

Results

We diagnosed 752 children in 2013 as having a hearing impairment and traced 307 (40.8%) children of these for follow-up in 2016. Referral uptake was low (102/184; 55.4%), more likely among older children (odds ratio, OR: 3.5; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.2–10.2) and less likely for those with an illiterate caregiver (OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.2–0.9). Few of the children who attended hospital received any treatment (33/102; 32.4%) and 63.6% (21/33) of caregivers reported satisfaction with treatment. Difficulty making friends and communicating needs was reported for 10.0% (30/299) and 35.6% (107/301) of the children, respectively. Lack of school enrolment was observed for 29.5% (72/244) of children, and was more likely for older children (OR: 28.6; 95% CI: 10.3–79.6), girls (OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.2–4.8) and those with an illiterate caregiver (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.0–4.1).

Conclusion

More widespread and holistic services are required to improve the outcomes of children with a hearing impairment in Malawi.

TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS TO ACCESS HEALTH CARE FOR SURGICAL CONDITIONS IN MALAWI a cross sectional nationwide household survey

Background

It is estimated that nearly five billion people worldwide do not have access to safe surgery. This access gap disproportionately affects low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). One of the barriers to healthcare in LMICs is access to transport to a healthcare facility. Both availability and affordability of transport can be issues delaying access to health care. This study aimed to describe the main transportation factors affecting access and delay in reaching a facility for health care in Malawi.

Methods

This was a multi-stage, clustered, probability sampling with systematic sampling of households for transportation access to general health and surgical care. Malawi has an estimated population of nearly 18 million people, with a total of 48,233 registered settlements spread over 28 administrative districts. 55 settlements per district were randomly selected for data collection, and 2–4 households were selected, depending on the size. Two persons per household were interviewed.

The Surgeons Overseas Assessment of Surgical need (SOSAS) tool was used by trained personnel to collect data during the months of July and August 2016.

Analysis of data from 1479 households and 2958 interviewees was by univariate and multivariate methods.

Results

Analysis showed that 90.1% were rural inhabitants, and 40% were farmers. No formal employment was reported for 24.9% persons. Animal drawn carts prevailed as the most common mode of transport from home to the primary health facility - normally a health centre. Travel to secondary and tertiary level health facilities was mostly by public transport, 31.5 and 43.4% respectively. Median travel time from home to a health centre was 1 h, and 2.5 h to a central hospital. Thirty nine percent of male and 59% of female head of households reported lack financial resources to go to a hospital.

Conclusion

In Malawi, lack of suitable transport, finances and prolonged travel time to a health care centre, all pose barriers to timely access of health care. Improving the availability of transport between rural health centres and district hospitals, and between the district and central hospitals, could help overcome the transportation barriers to health care.

Short-term outcomes after elective colon cancer surgery: an observational study from the Norwegian registry for gastrointestinal and HPB surgery, NoRGast

BACKGROUND

To describe the real burden of major complications after elective surgery for colon cancer in Norway, and to assess which predictors that are significantly associated with the short-term outcome.

METHODS

An observational, multi-centre analysis of prospectively registered colon resections registered into the Norwegian Registry for Gastrointestinal Surgery, NoRGast, between January 2014 and December 2016. A propensity score-adjusted subgroup analysis for surgical access groups was attempted, with laparoscopic resections grouped as intention-to-treat.

RESULTS

Out of 1812 resections, 14.0% of patients experienced a major complication within 30 days following surgery. The over-all reoperation rate was 8.7%, and rate of reoperation for anastomotic leak was 3.8%. Twenty patients (1.1%) died within 30 days after surgery. Higher age was not a significant predictor of major complications, including 30-day mortality. After correction for all co-variables, open access surgery was associated with higher rates of major complications (OR 1.67 (CI 1.22-2.29), p = 0.002), higher 30-day mortality (OR 4.39 (CI 1.19-16.13) p = 0.026) and longer length-of-stay (HR 0.58 (CI 0.52-0.65) p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate a low complication burden and high rate of uneventful patient journeys after elective surgery for colon cancer in Norway. Age was not associated with higher morbidity or mortality rates. Open access surgery was associated with an inferior short-term outcome.

Untreated surgical conditions in Malawi: A randomised cross-sectional nationwide household survey

Background

Noncommunicable diseases, such as surgical conditions have received little attention from public health planners in low income countries (LIC) like Malawi. Though increasingly recognised as a growing global health problem, the burden of surgical pathologies and access to surgical care has not been adequately identified in many LIC. Information on the spectrum and burden of surgical disease in Malawi is important to uncover the unmet need for surgery and for planning of the National Health Service.

Methods

This was a multistage random cluster sampling national survey. Households were selected from clusters using probability proportional to size method. 1448 households and 2909 interviewees were analysed. The Surgeons Overseas Assessment of Surgical need (SOSAS) tool was used to collect data. This electronic tablet based questionnaire tool included general information and a dual personalised head to toe inquiry on surgical conditions. The general information included number of household members, and inquired on any death within the past twelve months, and if any of the deaths in the family had a suspected surgical condition leading to that death. Data was collected by specially trained third year medical students.

Results

Out of 1480 selected households, 1448 (98%) agreed to participate, with 2909 interviewed individuals included in the study. The median household size was 6 individuals (range 1 – 47). Median age of interviewed persons was 35 years (range 0.25 – 104 years). 1027 out of 2909 (35%) of the interviewed people reported to be living with a condition requiring surgical consultation or intervention, whereas 146 of 616 (24%) of the total deaths reported to have occurred in the preceding 12 months were reported to have died from a surgically related condition. Most individuals did not seek health care due to lack of funds for transportation to the health facility. Only 3.1% of those that reported a surgical condition had surgical intervention.

Conclusions

There is a large unmet need for surgical care in Malawi. A third of the population is living with a condition needing surgical consultation or intervention, and a quarter of all deaths are potentially avoidable with surgery. Urgent scale up of surgical services and training are needed to reduce this huge gap in public health planning in the country.

The New National Registry for Gastrointestinal Surgery in Norway: NoRGast

Background and Aims:

There is an increasing demand for high-quality data for the outcome of health care. Diseases of the gastro-intestinal tract involve large patient groups often presenting with serious or life-threatening conditions. Complications may affect treatment outcomes and lead to increased mortality or reduced quality of life. A continuous, risk-adjusted monitoring of major complications is important to improve the quality of health care to patients undergoing gastrointestinal resections. We present the development of the Norwegian Registry for Gastrointestinal Surgery, a national registry for colorectal, upper gastrointestinal, and hepato-pancreato-biliary resections in Norway.

Materials and Methods:

A narrative and qualitative presentation of the development and current state of the registry.

Results:

We present the variables and the analysis tools and provide examples for the potential in quality improvement and research. Core characteristics include a strictly limited set of variables to reflect important risk factors, the procedure performed, and the clinical outcomes.

Conclusion:

A registry with the potential to present complete national cohort data is a powerful tool for quality improvement and research.

Navigated retrograde endoscopic myotomy (REM) for the treatment of therapy-resistant achalasia

BACKGROUND

In achalasia, muscle spasm may involve the proximal esophagus. When the muscle spasm is located in the proximal esophagus, conventional per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) may not be sufficient to relieve symptoms. In this paper, we describe retrograde endoscopic myotomy (REM) as a novel approach to perform myotomy of the proximal esophagus, with the application of a navigation tool for anatomical guidance during REM. We aim to evaluate the feasibility and safety of REM and usefulness of the navigation during REM.

METHOD

A 42-year-old male with type III achalasia who was treated with laparoscopic myotomy with fundoplication, multiple pneumatic balloon dilations, Botox injections and anterior POEM of the middle and distal esophagus without symptomatic effect. Repeated high-resolution- manometry (HRM) revealed occluding contractions of high amplitude around and above the aortic arch. A probe-based real-time electromagnetic navigation platform was used to facilitate real-time anatomical orientation and to evaluate myotomy position and length during REM.

RESULTS

The navigation system aided in identifying the major structures of the mediastinum, and position and length of the myotomy. Twelve weeks after REM, the Eckardt score fell from seven at baseline seven to two. We also observed improvement with reduction of the pressure at the level of previous spasms in the proximal esophagus from 124 mmHg to 8 mmHg on HRM.

CONCLUSION

REM makes the proximal esophagus accessible for endoscopic myotomy. Potential indication for REM is motility disorders in the proximal esophagus and therapy failure after POEM.

Long-term survivorship of the Corail™ standard stem

INTRODUCTION

The Corail™ stem, which was first introduced in 1986, has since been modified twice: first to make the neck thinner and then to change the location of the laser markings. The survival and complications of the first-generation straight, titanium, hydroxyapatite-coated stem are known; however, there is little specific information about the latest-generation stem. This led us to conduct a retrospective study to determine the: (1) long-term survival; (2) clinical and radiographic outcomes; (3) complications; and (4) risk factors for revision of the newest Corail™ stem.

HYPOTHESIS

The newest Corail™ AMT (Articul/EZE™ Mini Taper) standard stem has comparable survival to prior models.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This single-center, retrospective study included 133 patients (140 hips), who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), between January and December 2004, in which a Corail™ Standard stem was implanted using a posterolateral approach. Patients who underwent revision THA, THA due to femoral neck fracture or who received lateralized (offset) stems were excluded. The mean age at the time of THA was 69±13 years [35-92] in 85 men (61%) and 55 women (39%) who had a mean BMI of 27kg/m²±11 [16-39]. At the latest follow-up, 32 patients (32 hips) had died and 8 patients (8 hips) had less than 3 years' follow-up, thus were not included in the clinical evaluation. The Merle d'Aubigné (PMA) score was collected. The stem's survivorship was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method with revision for aseptic loosening and revision or implant removal for any reason as the end-points. The Cox model was used to analyze risk factors for revision. The mean follow-up was 10±3 years [3-12].

RESULTS

The PMA score was 12±2.6 [5-17] preoperatively and 16±2.7 [7-18] at the last follow-up (P<0.00001). Eighteen complications (12.8%) were recorded at the last follow-up. There were 15 early complications: 6 dislocations, 5 calcar fractures (4 treated by wire cerclage and 1 by stem change plus wire cerclage), 2 greater trochanter fractures (treated non-surgically) and 2 cases of sciatic nerve palsy. There were 3 late complications: 2 cases of iliopsoas irritation and 1 ceramic insert fracture. Stem survival for surgical revision due to aseptic loosening was 98% (95% CI: [0.96-1]). At 12 years, 95% of stems had not been revised or removed (95% CI: [0.92-0.99]). Being less than 58 years of age at the time of surgery was the only risk factor significantly associated with stem revision for any reason (P=0.04).

CONCLUSION

Survival of the Corail™ Standard stem is similar to that of previous generation stems. The changes made in this stem solved the neck failure problem and did not induce new complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV (retrospective study).

Feasibility and acceptability of training community health workers in ear and hearing care in Malawi: a cluster randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess the feasibility and acceptability of training community health workers (CHWs) in ear and hearing care, and their ability to identify patients with ear and hearing disorders.

DESIGN

Cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT).

SETTING

Health centres in Thyolo district, Malawi.

PARTICIPANTS

Ten health centres participated, 5 intervention (29 CHWs) and 5 control (28 CHWs).

INTERVENTION

Intervention CHWs received 3 days of training in primary ear and hearing care, while among control CHWs, training was delayed for 6 months. Both groups were given a pretest that assessed knowledge about ear and hearing care, only the intervention group was given the posttest on the third day of training. The intervention group was given 1 month to identify patients with ear and hearing disorders in their communities, and these people were screened for hearing disorders by ear, nose and throat clinical specialists.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome measure was improvement in knowledge of ear and hearing care among CHWs after the training. Secondary outcome measures were number of patients with ear or hearing disorders identified by CHWs and number recorded at health centres during routine activities, and the perceived feasibility and acceptability of the intervention.

RESULTS

The average overall correct answers increased from 55% to 68% (95% CI 65 to 71) in the intervention group (p<0.001). A total of 1739 patients with potential ear and hearing disorders were identified by CHWs and 860 patients attended the screening camps, of whom 400 had hearing loss (73 patients determined through bilateral fail on otoacoustic emissions, 327 patients through audiometry). Where cause could be determined, the most common cause of ear and hearing disorders was chronic suppurative otitis media followed by impacted wax. The intervention was perceived as feasible and acceptable to implement.

CONCLUSIONS

Training was effective in improving the knowledge of CHW in ear and hearing care in Malawi and allowing them to identify patients with ear and hearing disorders. This intervention could be scaled up to other CHWs in low-income and middle-income countries.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (201705002285194); Results.

What are the risk factors for dislocation in primary total hip arthroplasty? A multicenter case-control study of 128 unstable and 438 stable hips

INTRODUCTION

Dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a leading reason for surgical revision. The risk factors for dislocation are controversial, particularly those related to the patient and to the surgical procedure itself. The differences in opinion on the impact of these factors stem from the fact they are often evaluated using retrospective studies or in limited patient populations. This led us to carry out a prospective case-control study on a large population to determine: 1) the risk factors for dislocation after THA, 2) the features of these dislocations, and 3) the contribution of patient-related factors and surgery-related factors.

HYPOTHESIS

Risk factors for dislocation related to the patient and procedure can be identified using a large case-control study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A multicenter, prospective case-control study was performed between January 1 and December 31, 2013. Four patients with stable THAs were matched to each patient with a dislocated THA. This led to 566 primary THA cases being included: 128 unstable, 438 stable. The primary matching factors were sex, age, initial diagnosis, surgical approach, implantation date and type of implants (bearing size, standard or dual-mobility cup).

RESULTS

The patients with unstable THAs were 67±12 [37-73]years old on average; there were 61 women (48%) and 67 men (52%). Hip osteoarthritis (OA) was the main reason for the THA procedure in 71% (91/128) of the unstable group. The dislocation was posterior in 84 cases and anterior in 44 cases. The dislocation occurred within 3 months of the primary surgery in 48 cases (38%), 3 to 12 months after in 23 cases (18%), 1 to 5years after in 20 cases (16%), 5 to 10years after in 17 cases (13%) and more than 10years later in 20 cases. The dislocation recurred within 6 months of the initial dislocation in 23 of the 128 cases (18%). The risk factors for instability were a high ASA score with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.93 (95% CI: 1.4-2.6), neurological disability (cognitive, motor or psychiatric disorders) with an OR of 3.9 (95% CI: 2.15-7.1), history of spinal disease (lumbar stenosis, spinal fusion, discectomy, scoliosis and injury sequelae) with an OR of 1.89 (95% CI: 1.0-3.6), unrepaired joint capsule (all approaches) with an OR of 4.1 (95% CI: 2.3-7.37), unrepaired joint capsule (posterior approach) with an OR of 6.0 (95% CI: 2.2-15.9), and cup inclination outside Lewinnek's safe zone (30°-50°) with OR of 2.4 (95% CI: 1.4-4.0).

DISCUSSION

This large comparative study isolated important patient-related factors for dislocation that surgeons must be aware of. We also found evidence that implanting the cup in 30° to 50° inclination has a major impact on preventing dislocation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III; case-control study.

Adverse events and in-hospital mortality: an analysis of all deaths in a Norwegian health trust during 2011

BACKGROUND

The estimated number of in-hospitals deaths due to adverse events is often different when using data from deceased patients compared with that of a population experiencing adverse events.

METHODS

The study was conducted at three hospitals in the Bergen Hospital Trust, including a 950-bed university hospital. The objective was to study the reported deaths and investigate the probable number of deaths caused by adverse events. Information about all patients who died in the hospitals during 2011 was retrieved from the electronic patient data management system and the medical records. All deaths were classified into two groups according to Norwegian law based on whether or not the death was sudden and/or unexpected. The cause of death in the latter group was further classified as being due to either natural or unnatural causes according to national requirements. An expert review panel screened the patient records for information regarding adverse events and possible (≥ 50%) preventability. Age, length of hospital stay, and Charlson Comorbidity Index were also registered.

RESULTS

There were 59,605 unique patients admitted in 2011 and 1185 registered deaths (1.98%). The mean and median ages of the deceased were 73,8 and 78 years, respectively, and the median length of stay was 5.6 days (range). Of these deaths, 290 (24.5%) were considered sudden and/or unexpected and 218 were considered to be due to natural causes. Of the 72 unnatural deaths, 16 (1.4%) were classified as preventable or probably preventable. For 18 deaths (%) it was impossible to confirm or rule out preventability.

CONCLUSIONS

Using this method, we identified a small proportion of hospital deaths that could be classified as unnatural. Furthermore, there was a ≥ 50% chance or more that 34 deaths (2.9%) were due to causes that could have been prevented.

Proximal femoral replacement in contemporary revision total hip arthroplasty for severe femoral bone loss

Aims

Loss or absence of proximal femoral bone in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains a significant challenge. While the main indication for the use of proximal femoral replacements (PFRs) is in the treatment of malignant disease, they have a valuable role in revision THA for loosening, fracture and infection in patients with bone loss. Our aim was to determine the clinical outcomes, implant survivorship, and complications of PFRs used in revision THA for indications other than malignancy.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective review of 44 patients who underwent revision THA using a PFR between 2000 and 2013 was undertaken. Their mean age was 79 years (53 to 97); 31 (70%) were women. The bone loss was classified as Paprosky IIIB or IV in all patients. The mean follow-up was six years (2 to 12), at which time 22 patients had died and five were lost to follow-up.

Results

The mean Harris Hip Score improved from 42.8 (25.9 to 82.9) pre-operatively to 68.5 (21.0 to 87.7) post-operatively (p = 0.0009). A total of two PFRs had been revised, one for periprosthetic infection eight years post-operatively and one for aseptic loosening six years post-operatively. The Kaplan-Meier survivorship free of any revision or removal of an implant was 86% at five years and 66% years at ten years. A total of 12 patients (27%) had a complication including six with a dislocation.

Conclusion

PFRs provide a useful salvage option for patients, particularly the elderly with massive proximal femoral bone loss who require revision THA, with significant clinical improvement. While the survivorship of the implant is good at five years, dislocation continues to be the most common complication. The judicious use of larger femoral heads, dual-mobility constructs, or constrained liners may help to minimise the risk of dislocation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:325–9.

Population-based study on resection rates and survival in patients with colorectal liver metastasis in Norway

Background

Detailed knowledge about the proportion of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) undergoing resection is sparse. The aim of this study was to analyse cumulative resection rates and survival in patients with CLM.

Methods

For this population-based study of patients developing CLM during 2011–2013, data were extracted from the Norwegian Patient Registry and the Cancer Registry of Norway.

Results

A total of 2960 patients had CLM; their median overall survival was 10·9 months. Liver resection was performed in 538 patients. The cumulative resection rate was 20·0 per cent. The cumulative resection rate was 23·3 per cent in patients aged less than 40 years, 31·1 per cent in patients aged 40–59 years, 24·7 per cent in those aged 60–74 years, 17·9 per cent in those aged 75–79 years and 4·7 per cent in patients aged 80 years or more (P &lt; 0·001). In multivariable analysis, resection rate was associated with age, extrahepatic metastases, disease-free interval and geographical region. Overall survival after diagnosis of CLM was affected by liver resection (hazard ratio (HR) 0·54, 95 per cent c.i. 0·34 to 0·86), rectal cancer (HR 0·82, 0·74 to 0·90), metachronous disease (HR 0·66, 0·60 to 0·74), increasing age (HR 1·32, 1·28 to 1·37), region, and extrahepatic metastases (HR 1·90, 1·74 to 2·07). Three- and 4-year overall survival rates after hepatectomy were 73·2 and 54·8 per cent respectively.

Conclusion

The cumulative resection rate in patients with CLM in Norway between 2011 and 2013 was 20 per cent. Resection rates varied across geographical regions, and with patient and disease characteristics.

Epidemiology of Severely and Fatally Injured Patients in Western Part of Norway

Background and Aims:

Analysis of the injury mechanism and characteristics of severely and fatally injured patients in the western part of Norway.

Material and Methods:

We did a prospective registration of all severely injured patients hospitalized during a three-year period. The files of severely injured patients that died at scene or during transport were retrospectively retrieved from the Forensic Department. A total of 558 patients with an Injury Severity Score > 15 were included.

Results:

Four-hundred-forty-four men (79.6 %) and 114 women (20.4 %) with a median age of 36 and 51.5 years respectively were included. The proportion of female patients older than 80 years were 19.3 % compared to 5.6 % for men. A total of 215 (38.5 %) patients died and 149 (69.3 %) of these patients died on scene or during transport. The incidence of severely injured patients in Hordaland County was 30 per 100 000 inhabitants per year. The incidence was lowest among children below 5 years (7/100 000/year) and highest among persons older than 80 years (95/100 000/year). Men had a 3.8 times greater risk of getting seriously injured compared to women. Road traffic accidents were the cause of the injuries in 235 (42.1%) patients and 35.8% of these patients died. A total of 215 (38.5 %) patients were injured due to falls and 30.2 % of these patients died. Patients who had sustained falls were significantly older than patents with other injury mechanisms (p < 0.001, CI = 13.0–20.2). The proportion of patients with penetrating injuries was 7.3 %.

Conclusion:

The incidence of severely injured patients was 30/100000/year. Men and elderly people had a higher risk of getting severely injured. Falls were the dominating injury mechanism among elderly.

Acute Pancreatitis in Bergen, Norway

Background:

Studies on the incidence and etiology of acute pancreatitis show large regional differences. This study was performed to establish incidence, etiology and severity of acute pancreatitis in the population of Bergen, Norway.

Methods:

A study of all patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to Haukeland University Hospital over a 10-year period was performed. Information was obtained about the number of patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to the Deaconess Hospital in Bergen.

Results:

A total of 978 admissions of acute pancreatitis were recorded in these two hospitals giving an incidence of 30.6 per 100 000. Haukeland University Hospital had 757 admissions of acute pancreatitis in 487 patients. Pancreatitis was severe in 20 % (96/ 487) of patients, more often in males (25 %) than in females (14 %). Mortality due to acute pancreatitis was 3 % (16/487). Gallstones were found to be an etiological factor in 48.5 % and alcohol consumption in 19 % of patients. The risk of recurrent pancreatitis was 47 % in alcohol induced and 17 % in gallstone induced pancreatitis. The last five years of the study period, endoscopic sphincterotomy of patients with gallstone pancreatitis, resulted in drop in relapse rate from 33 % to 1.6 %.

Conclusion:

The incidence of acute pancreatitis was found to be 30.6 per 100 000 with 48.5 % associated with gallstones and 17 % alcohol induced. Incidence of first attack was 20/100 000. Pancreatitis was classified as severe in 20 % of cases with a mortality of 3 %.

Single-session alcohol sclerotherapy of symptomatic liver cysts using 10-20 min of ethanol exposure: no recurrence at 2-16 years of follow-up

PURPOSE

To assess long-term results after single-session alcohol sclerotherapy of symptomatic benign liver cysts performed with maximum 20 min of exposure to alcohol.

METHODS

We included 47 patients aged 32-88 years (42 women, 5 men) with 51 benign non-parasitic liver cysts that were exposed to ethanol for 7-20 min in a single sclerotherapy session and were followed for at least 24 months. Each cyst was emptied before injecting ethanol (10% of cyst volume, but maximum 100 mL) into it. The patient rotated from side to side to facilitate contact between ethanol and the whole cyst wall. Pre-treatment cyst volume was defined as the volume of aspirated cyst fluid after complete emptying of the cyst. Follow-up cyst volume was estimated based on computed tomography images.

RESULTS

Cyst volumes were 30-4900 (median 520) mL at pre-treatment and 0-230 (median 1) mL at 24-193 (median 56) months follow-up, a reduction of 83-100% (median 99.7%). No cyst required repeated treatment during the follow-up. Median volume reduction was 99.7% at median 49 months of follow-up for 35 cysts exposed to ethanol for 7-10 min vs. 99.6% at median 75 months of follow-up for 16 cysts exposed for 20 min (p = 0.83, Mann-Whitney test). Ethanol intoxication occurred in one patient. There were no other complications except for pain.

CONCLUSION

Long-term results of single-session alcohol sclerotherapy performed with maximum 20 min of exposure to ethanol were satisfactory with no sign of recurrence of cyst fluid.

Carcinoid Tumours in the Gastrointestinal Tract — A Population-Based Study from Western Norway

Objective:

To analyze population-based incidence, anatomic distribution and patient characteristics of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumours.

Background:

Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NE, carcinoid tumours) arise from neuroendocrine cells and are most commonly found in gastrointestinal tract and lungs. Previous studies on carcinoids report varying incidence rates, location of tumours and patient survival rates.

Methods:

Retrospective study.88 patients were diagnosed with carcinoids located in the gastrointestinal tract in the period 1983–2003 in the Norwegian counties Hordaland and Sogn og Fjordane. Patient and tumour characteristics, treatment and survival were analyzed in a sub-group of 51 patients treated at Haukeland University Hospital.

Results:

Incidence of carcinoids was 0.8 when analyzed from the counties Hordaland and Sogn og Fjordane as well as when analyzed from Haukeland University Hospital. There were 26 men and 25 women. Median age at surgery was 61 years (range 17–87 years). The tumours were located in the small bowel in 53%, appendix 18%, colon 4%, rectum 4%, stomach 8% and duodenum 10%. Five-year survival rate was 50% in stomach, 80% in duodenum, 43% in the small bowel, 100% for tumours in appendix, 40% in colon and 100% in rectum.

Conclusion:

Carcinoid tumours are relatively uncommon neoplasms and most of them are found in the small bowel. Carcinoids in the ileum tend to be more aggressive and carry a poorer prognosis than carcinoids at other locations. Tumours in the appendix are found at lower age and in an early stage. They rarely metastasize and have an excellent prognosis.

Cementless Corail™ femoral stems with laser neck etching: Long-term survival, rupture rate and risk factors in 295 stems

INTRODUCTION

Implant neck fracture involving a non-modular femoral stem is rare in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Occasional cases have been reported following laser etching of the Corail(tm) stem, but risk factors have not been precisely determined. We therefore performed a retrospective study on a series of Corail(tm) stems with laser neck etching, in order to: (1) determine the exact implant neck fracture rate at 10 years, and (2) identify associated risk factors.

HYPOTHESIS

Laser etching increases the rate of implant neck fracture.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between October 2002 and December 2003, 295 THAs were consecutively performed using the Corail(tm) stem with laser neck etching, in 286 patients: 151 male (53%), 135 female (47%); mean age, 63 years (range, 18-89 years); mean weight, 73kg (range, 45-120kg). Stems were standard in 240 cases (81%) and lateralized in 55 (19%). The main assessment criterion was stem replacement for implant neck fracture.

RESULTS

At a mean 10 years' follow-up (range, 1-11 years), 11 patients were lost to follow-up (4%) and 35 had died (12%) (with stem in situ). Overall 10-year stem survival was 91% (95% CI: [87-94%]). Sixteen patients (5.4%) underwent revision surgery for implant neck fracture, 6 (2%) bone and joint infection and in 4 cases (1.3%) the stem was replaced preventively for fracture risk suspected during a revision procedure on the cup. All fractures were of the fatigue type, implicating implant neck laser etching. Mean time to fracture was 4.5 years (range, 1.4-9.8 years). Risk factors comprised: weight>80kg (P=0.002) (OR=5.7; 95% CI: 1.9-17), age<60 years (P=0.02) (OR=3.4; 95% CI: 1.2-9.6), male gender (P=0.01) (OR=14.8; 95% CI: 1.9-113) and lateralized stem (P<0.001) (OR=6.5, 95% CI: 2.3-18).

CONCLUSION

The present 5.4% fracture rate was higher than in registry data (<1%). Fracture mechanisms involved excessive stress in an area under tension, leading to fatigue fracture. Male gender, high weight and young age were risk factors, as in the literature for fatigue fracture. Location and depth of laser etching induced fatigue fracture. The study demonstrated that laser etching creates an area of weakness in the implant neck and should therefore be eschewed in this part of the femoral stem.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective study.

Predictive factors for time to recurrence, treatment and post-recurrence survival in patients with initially resected colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND

Despite progress in resection for colorectal liver metastases (CLM), the majority of patients experience recurrence. We aimed to evaluate factors influencing time to recurrence (TTR), treatment and post-recurrence survival (PRS) related to site of recurrence.

METHODS

This is a retrospective population-based cohort study (1998-2012) of consecutive patients without extrahepatic disease treated with resection for CLM in a referral centre.

RESULTS

A total of 311 patients underwent resection for CLM. After a median follow-up of 4.2 years (range 1.2-15.2), 209 (67.4 %) patients developed recurrence, hepatic 90, extrahepatic 59 and both 60. Median TTR was 14.0 months, and 5-year recurrence-free status was 25.7 %. Five- and 10-year overall survival (OS) was 38.8 and 22.0 %, respectively. Median OS was 45 months. A multivariate analysis displayed synchronous disease (hazard ratio (HR) 1.50), American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score (HR 1.40), increasing number (HR 1.24) and size of metastases (HR 1.08) to shorten TTR (all p < 0.05). Perioperative chemotherapy (n = 59) increased overall TTR (HR 0.63) and overall survival (OS; HR 0.55). Hepatic TTR was correlated to synchronous disease (HR 2.07), number of lesions (HR 1.20), R1 resection (HR 2.00) and ASA score (HR 1.69), whereas extrahepatic TTR was correlated to N stage of the primary (HR 1.79), number (HR 1.27) and size of metastases (HR 1.16). Single-site recurrence was most common (135 of 209, 64.5 %), while 58 patients had double- and 16 triple-site relapses. Median PRS was 24.3 months. There was a difference in median PRS (months) according to site of relapse: liver 30.5, lung 32.3, abdominal 22.0, liver and lung 14.3, others 14.8 (p = 0.002). Repeated liver resections were performed in n = 57 patients resulting in 40.6 months median OS and 36.8 % 5-year OS.

CONCLUSIONS

An adverse overall TTR was correlated to number and size of metastases, ASA score and synchronous disease. Perioperative chemotherapy increased TTR and OS after surgery for CLM. Patients with solitary post-resection relapse in the liver or lungs had the potential for longevity due to multimodal treatment.

Compared fixation and survival of 280 lateralised vs 527 standard cementless stems after two years (1-7)

BACKGROUND

Restoring the native hip anatomy increases hip prosthesis survival, whereas increased femoral lateralisation creates high torque stresses that may alter prosthesis fixation. After finding lucent lines around cementless lateralised stems (Corail™, DePuy Synthes, St Priest, France) in several patients, we evaluated the effects of lateralisation in a large case-series. The objective of our study was to compare lateralised vs standard stems of identical design in terms of radiological osteo-integration and survival.

HYPOTHESIS

Lateralised stems, despite being used only when indicated by the anatomical parameters, carry a higher risk of impaired osteo-integration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted in 807 primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs) performed between 2006 and 2010 in 798 patients with a mean age of 65 ± 14.2 years. Lateralised stems were used in 280 cases (Corail High Offset KHO, n = 169; and Corail coxa vara KLA, n = 111 cases) and standard stems in 527 cases (Corail KA). Mean follow-up was 2.3 years (range, 1-7 years). The clinical evaluation included determination of the Postel-Merle d'Aubigné (PMA) score. Bone fixation and stability of the implants were assessed by determining the Engh and Massin score and the ARA score on the radiographs at last follow-up. Femoral, acetabular and global offset values were determined before and after THA. Nobles's Canal Flare Index was computed. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method with surgical revision for aseptic loosening as the end-point.

RESULTS

The PMA score improved from 12 (10-15) pre-operatively to 17.7 (14-18) (P < 0.05). After THA, in the lateralised stem group, femoral offset was restored in 217 (77%) hips and the mean change vs the pre-operative offset value was -2 mm; in the standard stem group, femoral offset was restored in 440 (83.5%) hips and the mean change was +1 mm. The Engh and Massin score values were similar in the standard stem and lateralised stem groups (24.4 ± 2.2 and 22.6 ± 2.4, respectively, NS). Revision for aseptic loosening was required in 5 patients with lateralised stems (3 KHO and 2 KLA) versus none of the patients with standard stems. There were no cases of excessive femoral offset and the mean change in offset was -2.3mm (-5.3 to -1.1). Noble's index was increased (4.27 ± 0.5 for the loosened lateralised stems, 3.65 ± 0.8 for the well-fixed lateralised stems and 3.82 ± 0.6 for the standard stems), with no significant difference across groups. Overall survival after 3.5 years of follow-up was 94.6% (95% confidence interval, 88.4-100%) with lateralised stems and 100% with standard stems (P < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

The risk of aseptic loosening was significantly higher with the lateralised stem (5/280, 1.8%) than with the standard stem (n = 0). Our findings indicate a need for careful preparation to obtain primary fixation of lateralised stems.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III, retrospective case-control study.

Evaluation of training program for surgical trauma teams in Botswana

BACKGROUND

Trauma represents a challenge to healthcare systems worldwide, particularly in low-and middle-income countries. Positive effects can be achieved by improving trauma care at the scene of the accident and throughout hospitalization and rehabilitation. Therefore, we assessed the long-term effects of national implementation of a training program for multidisciplinary trauma teams in a southern African country.

METHODS

From 2007 to 2009, an educational program for trauma, "Better and Systematic Team Training," (BEST) was implemented at all government hospitals in Botswana. The effects were assessed through interviews, a structured questionnaire, and physical inspections using the World Health Organization's "Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care." Data on human and physical resources, infrastructure, trauma administrative functions, and quality-improvement activities before and at 2-year follow-up were compared for all 27 government hospitals.

RESULTS

A majority of hospitals had formed local trauma organizations; half were performing multidisciplinary trauma simulations and some had organized multidisciplinary trauma teams with alarm criteria. A number of hospitals had developed local trauma guidelines and local trauma registries. More equipment for advanced airway management and stiff cervical collars were available after 2 years. There were also improvements in the skills necessary for airway and breathing management. The most changes were seen in the northern region of Botswana.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of BEST in Botswana hospitals was associated with several positive changes at 2-year follow-up, particularly for trauma administrative functions and quality-improvement activities. The effects on obtaining technical equipment and skills were moderate and related mostly to airway and breathing management.

Morbidity and mortality after surgery for cancer of the oesophagus and gastro-oesophageal junction: A randomized clinical trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy vs. neoadjuvant chemoradiation

OBJECTIVE

To compare the incidence and severity of postoperative complications after oesophagectomy for carcinoma of the oesophagus and gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ) after randomized accrual to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT).

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant therapy improves long-term survival after oesophagectomy. To date, evidence is insufficient to determine whether combined nCT, or nCRT alone, is the most beneficial.

METHODS

Patients with carcinoma of the oesophagus or GOJ, resectable with a curative intention, were enrolled in this multicenter trial conducted at seven centres in Sweden and Norway. Study participants were randomized to nCT or nCRT followed by surgery with two-field lymphadenectomy. Three cycles of cisplatin/5-fluorouracil was administered in all patients, while 40 Gy of concomitant radiotherapy was administered in the nCRT group.

RESULTS

Of the randomized 181 patients, 91 were assigned to nCT and 90 to nCRT. One-hundred-and-fifty-five patients, 78 nCT and 77 nCRT, underwent resection. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the incidence of surgical or nonsurgical complications (P-value = 0.69 and 0.13, respectively). There was no 30-day mortality, while the 90-day mortality was 3% (2/78) in the nCT group and 6% (5/77) in the nCRT group (P = 0.24). The median Clavien-Dindo complication severity grade was significantly higher in the nCRT group (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between patients randomized to nCT and nCRT. However, complications were significantly more severe after nCRT.

REGISTRATION TRIAL DATABASE

The trial was registered in the Clinical Trials Database (registration number NCT01362127).

Percutaneous cholecystostomy in acute cholecystitis; a retrospective analysis of a large series of 104 patients

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical course and possible benefit of a percutaneous cholecystostomy in patients with acute cholecystitis.

Methods

Retrospective study of 104 patients with severe cholecystitis or cholecystitis not responding to antibiotic therapy treated with percutaneous drainage of the gall bladder (PC) during the period 2007 – 2013. Primary outcome was relief of cholecystitis, complications following the procedure and need for later cholecystectomy.

Results

There were 57 men and 47 women with a median age of 73,5 years (range 22 – 96). 43% of the patients were ASA III or IV and 91% had cholecystitis Grade 2 or 3. About 60% of the patients had severe comorbidity (cardiovascular disease or active cancer). Drain insertion was successful in all but one patient and complications were mild, apart from two patients that needed percutaneous drainage of intraabdominal fluid collection due to bile leakage. The drain was left in place for 1 – 75 days (median 6,5). When evaluated clinically and by blood tests (CRP and white blood cell counts) we found resolution of symptoms in 101 patients (97,2%), whereas 2 patients had no obvious effect of drainage. Four patients died within 30 days, no deaths were related to the drainage procedure. Follow-up after drainage was median 12 months (range 0 – 78). During that time cholecystectomy was performed in 30 patients and 24 patients had died. Following cholecystectomy, two had died, both from cancer and more than one year after the operation.

Conclusion

Patients with acute cholecystitis were promptly relieved from their symptoms following PC. There were only minor complications following the procedure and only about 30% of the patients had a later cholecystectomy.

Bile duct injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

INTRODUCTION

Bile duct injuries occur rarely but are among the most dreadful complications following cholecystectomies.

METHODS

Prospective registration of bile duct injuries occurring in the period 1992-2013 at a tertiary referral hospital.

RESULTS

In total, 67 patients (47 women and 20 men) with a median age of 55 (range 14-86) years had a leak or a lesion of the bile ducts during the study period. Total incidence of postoperative bile leaks or bile duct injuries was 0.9% and for bile duct injuries separately, 0.4%. Median delay from injury to repair was 5 days (range 0-68 days). In 12 patients (18%), the injury was discovered intraoperatively. Bile leak was the major symptom in 59%, and 52% had a leak from the cystic duct or from assumed aberrant ducts in the liver bed of the gall bladder. Following the Clavien-Dindo classification, 39% and 45% were classified as IIIa and IIIb, respectively, 10% as IV, and 6% as V. In all, 31 patients had injuries to the common bile duct or hepatic ducts, and in these patients, 71% were treated with a hepaticojejunostomy. Of patients treated with a hepaticojejunostomy, 56% had an uncomplicated event, whereas 14% later on developed a stricture. Out of 36 patients with injuries to the cystic duct/aberrant ducts, 30 could be treated with stents or sphincterotomies and percutaneous drainage.

CONCLUSION

Half of injuries following cholecystectomies are related to the cystic duct, and most of these can be treated with endoscopic or percutaneous procedures. A considerable number of patients following hepaticojejunostomy will later on develop a stricture.

Outcome of patients with esophageal perforations: a multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have suggested that stent-grafting may improve the treatment outcome of patients with esophageal perforation, but evidence on this is still lacking.

METHODS

Data on 194 patients who underwent conservative (43 patients), endoclip (4 patients) stent-grafting (63 patients) or surgical treatment (84 patients) for esophageal perforation were retrieved from nine medical centers.

RESULTS

In-hospital/30-day mortality was 17.5 %. Three-year survival was 67.1 %. Age, coronary artery disease, and esophageal malignancy were independent predictors of early mortality. Chi squared automatic interaction detection analysis showed that patients without coronary artery disease, without esophageal malignancy and younger than 70 years had the lowest early mortality (4.1 %). Surgery was associated with slightly lower early mortality (conservative 23.3, endoclips 25.0 %, stent-grafting 19.0 %, surgery 13.1 %; p = 0.499). One center reported a series of more than 20 patients treated with stent-grafting which achieved an early mortality of 7.7 % (2/26 patients). Stent-grafting was associated with better survival with salvaged esophagus (conservative 76.7 %, endoclips 75.0 %, stent-grafting 77.8 %, surgery 56.0 %; p = 0.019). Propensity score adjusted analysis showed that stent-grafting achieved similar early mortality (p = 0.946), but significantly higher survival with salvaged esophagus than with surgical treatment (p = 0.001, OR 0.253, 95 % CI 0.110-0.585). Primary surgical repair was associated with somewhat lower early mortality (14.6 vs. 19.0 %; p = 0.561) and better survival with salvaged esophagus (85.4 vs. 77.8 %; p = 0.337) than stent-grafting.

CONCLUSIONS

Esophageal perforation was associated with a rather high mortality rate in this all-comers population. Stent-grafting failed to decrease operative mortality, but it improved survival with salvaged esophagus. The results of one of the centers indicate that increasing experience with this less invasive procedure may possibly improve the outcome of these patients.

Surgery for colorectal liver metastases: the impact of resection margins on recurrence and overall survival

Background

Several reports have presented conflicting results regarding the association between resection margins (RMs) and outcome after surgery for colorectal liver metastases (CLM), especially in the era of modern chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of RMs on overall survival (OS), time to recurrence (TTR) and local recurrence (LR) status, particularly for patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy.

Methods

A combined retrospective (1998 to 2008) and prospective (2008 to 2010) cohort study of consecutive patients with CLM without extrahepatic disease treated with primary resection at a medium volume centre.

Results

A total of 253 patients with known R status and 242 patients with defined margin width were included in the study. Patients were stratified according to margin width; A: R1, <1 mm (n = 48, 19%), B: 1 to 4 mm (n = 77), C: 5 to 9 mm (n = 46) and D: ≥10 mm (n = 71). Median time to recurrence was 12.8 months, and after five years 21.5% had no recurrence. LR (inclusive combined recurrence in other hepatic sites or extrahepatic) occurred in 40 (16.5%) cases, most frequently seen with RMs below 5 mm. Five-year OS was 42.5% in R0 and 16.1% in R1 resections (P = 0.011). Patients were also stratified according to preoperative chemotherapy (n = 88), and the difference in five-year OS between R0 (45.1%) and R1 (14.7%) was maintained (P = 0.037). By multiple Cox regression analysis R1 resections tended to an adverse outcome (P = 0.067), also when adjusting for preoperative chemotherapy (P = 0.081).

Conclusions

R1 resections for colorectal liver metastases predict adverse outcome. RMs below 5 mm increased the risk for LR and shortened the time to recurrence. Preoperative chemotherapy did not alter an adverse outcome in R1 vs. R0 patients.

Treatment of esophageal perforation in octogenarians: a multicenter study

Esophageal perforation is associated with significant mortality, and this may markedly increase with advanced age. This multicenter study investigates this issue in patients older than 80 years. Data on 33 patients >80 years old who underwent conservative (10 patients), endoclip (one patient), stent grafting (11 patients), or surgical treatment (11 patients) for esophageal perforation were collected from nine centers. Surgical repair consisted of repair on drain in one patient, primary repair in seven patients, and esophagectomy in two patients. Among patients who underwent stent grafting, one required repeat stenting and another stent graft repositioning. One patient was converted to surgical repair after stent grafting. Thirteen patients (39.4%) died during the 30-day and/or in-hospital stay. Their mortality was significantly higher than in a series of patients<80 years old (13.0%, 21/161 patients, P=0.001). Three patients (30.0%) died after conservative treatment, one (100%) after treatment with endoclips, five (45.5%) after stent grafting, and four (36.4%) after surgical repair (P=0.548). Early survival with salvaged esophagus was 42.4% (conservative treatment: 70.0% endoclips 0%, stent grafting: 54.5%, and surgical repair: 54.5%, respectively, P=0.558). Estimated glomerular filtration rate<60 mL/minute/1.73 m2 (70.0% vs. 25.0%, P=0.043) and sepsis (100% vs. 32.1%, P=0.049) at presentation were associated with increased risk of early mortality in univariate analysis. Esophageal perforation in octogenarians is associated with very high early and intermediate high mortality irrespective of the treatment method used.

Esophageal perforation: clinical patterns and outcomes from a patient cohort of Western Norway

BACKGROUND

Esophageal perforation is a rare, often life-threatening condition, and management remains challenging.

METHODS

Retrospective review of consecutive patients with esophageal perforation treated at two university hospitals between 2000 and 2010. Pertinent data from hospital records were retrieved for statistical calculations and evaluation of perforation score.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients [47% female, median age 62 years (range 15-88)] were included. The annual incidence was 4.7/1,000,000. Perforations were spontaneous in 14 patients (30%), iatrogenic in 25 (53%), and caused by trauma and foreign body impaction in 8 patients (17%). ASA score (p = 0.004), perforation localization (p = 0.001), diagnostic delay (p = 0.002), and perforation score (p < 0.001) differed significantly between patient groups with different etiology, but not between groups with different outcomes. Early diagnosis (≤24 h) was significantly associated with a low perforation score (p = 0.033). A non-operative approach was employed in 26 patients (55%) - more commonly for proximally localized perforations (p = 0.045). The non-operative group showed lower severe complication rates (p = 0.033), shorter ICU stays (p < 0.001) and durations of mechanical ventilation (p = 0.022). The overall 30-day mortality was 23.4%.

CONCLUSION

Careful clinical evaluation and appropriate, individualized treatment are important. The high mortality may be partly explained by the underlying disease and the complexity of the clinical condition in many patients.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation for traumatic full-thickness cartilage defects of the knee in 14 patients: 6-year functional outcomes

BACKGROUND

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) was introduced in 1987 in Sweden by Brittberg and Peterson for the treatment of severe chondral defects of the knee. Here, our objective was to evaluate mid-term outcomes of ACI in young athletic patients with deep chondral defects of the knee after trauma.

HYPOTHESIS

ACI is effective in filling full-thickness chondral defects of the knee.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We prospectively monitored 14 patients, with International Cartilage Repair Society grade III or IV lesions, who underwent ACI between 2001 and 2006. Standard evaluation measurements were used. Mean age at surgery was 37.7 years (range, 30-45). A history of surgery on the same knee was noted in ten (67%) patients. The defect was on the medial femoral condyle in 11 patients, lateral femoral condyle in two patients, and both femoral condyles in one patient. Mean defect surface area after debridement was 2.1cm(2) (1-6.3).

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of six years, improvements were noted in 12 (86%) patients, with an International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score increase from 40 (27.6-65.5) to 60.2 (35.6-89.6) (P=0.003) and a Brittberg-Perterson score decrease from 54.4 (11.8-98.2) to 32.9 (0-83.9) (P=0.02), between the preoperative assessment and last follow-up. The visual analogic scale pain score decreased from 66.3 (44-89) to 23.2 (0-77) (P=0.0006). In two (14%) patients, no improvements were detectable at last follow-up. The remaining 12 patients were satisfied and able to resume sporting activities, albeit at a less strenuous level. Two ACI-specific complications occurred, namely, periosteal hypertrophy treated with debridement in one patient and transplant delamination in another.

DISCUSSION

Our findings are consistent with previous reports but cover a longer follow-up period. Although the outcomes are promising, longer follow-ups are needed to confirm the long-term effectiveness of ACI.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, prospective therapeutic study.

Peritoneal carcinosis in apparently benign cortisol producing adrenal adenoma ≥ 5 cm in diameter: the need of regular postoperative surveillance

BACKGROUND

Clinical and histopathological distinction between benign and malignant adrenocortical tumors can be a challenge.Report on 2 patients with cortisol producing apparently benign adrenal adenomas ≥ 5 cm in diameter with local malignant recurrence and peritoneal carcinomatosis after endoscopic surgery.

RESULTS

Case 1: The 59-year-old male presented with adrenal hypercortisolism due to a 5.0 cm large adrenal tumor on the left side. A retroperitoneoscopic total adrenalectomy was performed. Histologically, a benign adrenal adenoma (Weiss score 1, Ki-67 < 2%) was found. 6 months later, the patient developed clinically and biochemically recurrent disease with recurrent tumor in the left adrenal region and peritoneal carcinomatosis. The patient died 5 months after second surgery. Case 2: The 32-year-old female was pregnant in 27th week when presenting with adrenal hypercortisolism due to a 5.5 cm large adrenal tumor on the left side. She was operated on using a laparoscopic approach and a total adrenalectomy was carried out. Histological examination revealed a benign adrenocortical adenoma (Weiss score 1, Ki-67 < 5%). 4 years later, the patient came back with clinically and biochemically recurrent disease. Imaging showed a 10 cm large tumor in the left retroperitoneum and a diffuse peritoneal carcinomatosis. The patient died 2 months after diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Cortisol producing adrenal tumors ≥ 5 cm in diameter are at risk to be misdiagnosed as apparently benign. Regular surveillance should be considered in patients presenting with large cortisol producing tumors.

Long-term survival from adenocarcinoma of the esophagus after transthoracic and transhiatal esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

The effects of transthoracic or transhiatal esophagectomy on the long-term survival of patients who had adenocarcinoma of the esophagus were compared, as were factors applicable in preoperative stratification of patient treatment.

METHODS

A cohort of 147 consecutive patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus was evaluated for esophagectomy between 1984 and 2000. The patients were followed prospectively and observed survival rates of patients with a transthoracic or transhiatal approach to esophagectomy were compared by standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and relative mortality ratio (RMR) using the expected survival of a matched Norwegian population.

RESULTS

A R0 resection was performed by transthoracic (n = 33) or a transhiatal (n = 55) esophagectomy in 88 (60%) patients with a median age of 61 (range: 35-77) and 70 (42-88) years, respectively (P <0.001). Tumor stages and other possible risk factors were similar in the two groups. Transthoracic or transhiatal esophagectomy resulted in a median survival time of 20.5 (95% confidence interval (CI): 10.4-57.6) and 16.4 (10.6-28.7) months, respectively. The respective survival rates were 31.2% and 27.8% by 5 years, and 21.3% and 16.6% by 10 years with an overall RMR of 1.14 (P = 0.63). Median survival time in the absence or presence of lymph node metastases was 74.0 (95% CI: 17.5-166.4) and 10.7 (7.9-14.9) months. The corresponding survival rates by 10 years with non-involved or involved nodes were 48.9% and 3.8% respectively (RMR 2.22, P = 0.007). Patients with a pT1-tumor were few and the survival rate was not very different from that of the general population (SMR = 1.7, 95% CI: 0.7-4.1). The median survival time of patients with a pT2-tumor was 30.4 (95% CI: 9.0-142) months and with a pT3-tumor 14 (9.2-16.4) months. The survival rates by 10 years among patients with a pT1 tumor were 57.0% (95% CI: 14.9-78.9), pT2 33.3% (11.8-52.2), and pT3 7.1% (1.9-15.5). The relative mortality for T3 stages compared to T1 stages was statistically significant (RMR = 3.22, P = 0.024).

CONCLUSION

Transthoracic and transhiatal esophagectomy are both effective approaches for treatment of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and survival of more than 10 years can be expected without adjuvant chemotherapy. However, increasing depth of tumor invasion and lymph node metastases reduce life expectancy.

Reproducibility of an optical measurement system for the clinical evaluation of active knee rotation in weight-bearing, healthy subjects

INTRODUCTION

A knee is typically evaluated passively by a clinician during an office visit, without using dedicated measurement tools. When the knee is evaluated with the patient standing and actively participating in the movement, the results will differ than when the knee is passively moved through its range-of-motion by the surgeon. If a precise measurement system was available, it could provide additional information to the clinician during this evaluation.

HYPOTHESIS

The goal of this study was to verify the reproducibility of a fast, flexible optical measurement system to measure rotational knee laxity during weight-bearing.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two passive reflective targets were placed on the legs of 11 subjects to monitor femur and tibia displacements in three dimensions. Subjects performed internal and external rotation movements with the knee extended or flexed 30°. During each movement, seven variables were measured: internal rotation, external rotation and overall laxity in extension and 30° flexion, along with neutral rotation value in 30° flexion. Measurement accuracy was also assessed and the right and left knees were compared. Reproducibility was assessed over two measurements sessions.

RESULTS

The calculated intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) for reproducibility was above 0.9 for five of the seven variables measured. The calculated ICC for the right/left comparison was above 0.75 for five of the seven variables measured.

DISCUSSION

These results confirmed that the proposed system provides reproducible measurements. Our right/left comparison results were consistent with the published literature. This system is fast, reproducible and flexible, which makes it suitable for assessing various weight-bearing movements during clinical evaluations.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, experimental study.

Knee rotational laxity and proprioceptive function 2 years after partial ACL reconstruction

PURPOSE

The aim of our study was to evaluate knee rotational laxity and proprioceptive function 2 years after partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. According to our hypothesis, partial ACL reconstruction could restore knee laxity and function to the intact level.

METHODS

We conducted a study in fifteen consecutive patients undergoing partial ACL reconstruction. Fifteen anteromedial bundle tears were identified intraoperatively. Partial ACL reconstructions were performed by the same senior surgeon using a single-incision technique. A bone-patellar tendon-bone graft was used in 13 cases and a double-stranded semitendinosus graft in 2 cases of chronic patellar tendonitis. The mean age at surgery was 29 years. The time between ACL tear and surgery averaged 7.8 months (range 2.5-29.5 months). We developed an original device designed to assess knee proprioception (passive and active) and measure weight-bearing rotational laxity in full extension and at 30°, 60° and 90° of knee flexion. All measurements were taken on both the reconstructed and healthy knee.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up of the study was 3.4 years (range 2.6-4.4). No statistically significant difference in rotational laxity, active or passive proprioception could be observed between the reconstructed and healthy knee. External rotation was significantly greater than internal rotation in full extension and at 30° of flexion in the reconstructed and the healthy knee (P < 0.05). For each knee, active proprioception was found to be significantly different (higher) than passive proprioception (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our study did not detect any difference in rotational laxity and proprioception between the reconstructed and the healthy knee. Therefore, partial ACL reconstruction appears to restore satisfactory knee laxity and function in case of partial ACL tear.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Improving survival following surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma--a ten-year experience

OBJECTIVE

Report results following pancreatic surgery at a tertiary referral hospital in Norway, and our experience with the effects of preoperative use of common bile duct stents, the prophylactic efficacy of octreotide, and explore significant survival factors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Prospective observational study of 275 patients during the years 1999-2009.

RESULTS

Ninety-two ductal adenocarcinomas were operated, and 183 cases were inoperable. Pylorus preserving pancreatico-duodenectomy (PPPD) was performed in 42 cases, a classic Whipple procedure (WP) in 38, distal resection in 6 and total pancreatectomy in 6 patients. Median size of the tumours was 3 cm R(0) resection was obtained in 54 patients. Lymph node metastases were found in 64 patients. 20% experienced postoperative intra-abdominal complications, and 30 days postoperative mortality was 4%. A routine use of somatostatine analogues postoperatively did not reduce the frequency of leakage. Two years survival was 34.6% and 5 years 11.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with ductal adenocarcinomas can be offered potential curative resections with acceptable rates of complication and mortality. Preoperative biliary stenting is still controversial and prophylactic octreotide should be used whenever the anastomosis is considered challenged and in cases of a soft pancreatic remnant. Five years all over survival has improved over the last decade from <5% to >11%.

Esophageal perforation: diagnostic work-up and clinical decision-making in the first 24 hours

Esophageal perforation is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition. Early clinical suspicion and imaging is important for case management to achieve a good outcome. However, recent studies continue to report high morbidity and mortality greater than 20% from esophageal perforation. At least half of the perforations are iatrogenic, mostly related to endoscopic instrumentation used in the upper gastrointestinal tract, while about a third are spontaneous perforations. Surgical treatment remains an important option for many patients, but a non-operative approach, with or without use of an endoscopic stent or placement of internal or external drains, should be considered when the clinical situation allows for a less invasive approach. The rarity of this emergency makes it difficult for a physician to obtain extensive individual clinical experience; it is also challenging to obtain firm scientific evidence that informs patient management and clinical decision-making. Improved attention to non-specific symptoms and signs and early diagnosis based on imaging may translate into better outcomes for this group of patients, many of whom are elderly with significant comorbidity.

Esophageal perforation: diagnostic work-up and clinical decision-making in the first 24 hours

Esophageal perforation is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition. Early clinical suspicion and imaging is important for case management to achieve a good outcome. However, recent studies continue to report high morbidity and mortality greater than 20% from esophageal perforation. At least half of the perforations are iatrogenic, mostly related to endoscopic instrumentation used in the upper gastrointestinal tract, while about a third are spontaneous perforations. Surgical treatment remains an important option for many patients, but a non-operative approach, with or without use of an endoscopic stent or placement of internal or external drains, should be considered when the clinical situation allows for a less invasive approach. The rarity of this emergency makes it difficult for a physician to obtain extensive individual clinical experience; it is also challenging to obtain firm scientific evidence that informs patient management and clinical decision-making. Improved attention to non-specific symptoms and signs and early diagnosis based on imaging may translate into better outcomes for this group of patients, many of whom are elderly with significant comorbidity.

Is transverse acetabular ligament an anatomical landmark to reliably orient the cup in primary total hip arthroplasty?

INTRODUCTION

Accurate positioning of the acetabular cup in primary total hip arthroplasty is critical to decrease the rate of dislocation. Inaccurate orientation of the cup is the most common error during this procedure. Target acetabular orientation is still controversial. An original study found a dislocation rate of 0.6% when the cup was aligned with the transverse acetabular ligament (TAL).

HYPOTHESIS

TAL is a patient-specific anatomical landmark and a tool for cup orientation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight cadaveric pelves (14 hips included for study) were harvested in toto at our research laboratory. Anatomical versions of the TAL, labrum and horns were measured in relation to the anterior pelvic plane. A navigator sensor and an optoelectronic device (Motion Analysis™) were used.

RESULTS

Anatomical versions of the TAL, horns and labrum averaged 1.9° (range, -8° to +13.3°), 3° (range, -12.2° to 14°), and 26.3° (range, 17.4° to 41.8°), respectively.

DISCUSSION

To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the orientation of the periacetabular soft-tissues. TAL anteversion was outside the safe zone described by Lewinnek, while labrum anteversion was within this safe-zone. We discuss the reference used, Lewinnek's safe zone, and functional orientation of the implants. Lewinnek's safe-zone does not seem to be valid. The TAL seems to be a specific reference for each patient but its reliability must still be confirmed as an adequate reference for positioning the cup in total hip arthroplasty.