Abstract

INTRODUCTION Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the standard of care for the treatment of large renal stones. Bleeding-related complications remain a major concern when performing this procedure. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has recently been studied in both urologic and non-urologic procedures to reduce bleeding, transfusions and complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS In June 2021 a systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines on randomized prospective studies comparing the effects of TXA on bleeding complications during PCNL. Data was analyzed using Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS Eight studies were included with a total 1,201 patients, of which 598 received TXA and 603 received placebo. TXA was associated with less bleeding (decreased change in hemoglobin) -0.79 Hb g/dl [-1.09, -0.65] p <.00001 and decreased transfusion rates (OR 0.31 [0.18, 0.52] p <0.0001). This was also associated with lower complication rates, both minor, major and overall, OR 0.59[0.41, .85] p = 0.005, OR 0.31 [0.17, 0.56] p = 0.0001 and OR 0.40 [0.29, 0.56] p <0.00001 respectively. TXA was also associated with improved stone-free rates as compared with placebo (OR 1.79 [1.23, 2.62] p = 0.003). TXA resulted in shorter operative times (11.51 minutes [-16.25, -6.77] p =.001) and length of stay (-0.74 days [-1.13 -0.34] p = 0.0006). Two pulmonary embolisms were registered in a single study in the TXA group. CONCLUSIONS In this meta-analysis, the use of TXA during PCNL was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the following parameters when compared with placebo: change in hemoglobin, transfusion rates, complication rates, operative time, and length of stay. It was also associated with improvement in stone-free rates. These data should be considered by surgeons performing PCNL.

Abstract

BACKGROUND For patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB), finding the bleeding site is challenging. Balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) has become the preferred diagnostic modality for OGIB. The long-term outcome of patients with negative BAE remains undefined. The present study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients with negative BAE results for OGIB and to clarify the effect of further investigations at the time of rebleeding with a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available cohort studies. METHODS Studies were searched through the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases. The following indexes were analyzed: rebleeding rate after negative BAE, rebleeding rate after different follow-up periods, the proportion of patients who underwent further evaluation after rebleeding, the percentage of patients with identified rebleeding sources, and the percentage of patients with rebleeding sources in the small intestine. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I(2) test. RESULTS Twelve studies that involved a total of 407 patients were included in the analysis. The pooled rebleeding rate after negative BAE for OGIB was 29.1% (95% CI: 17.2-42.6%). Heterogeneity was significant among the studies (I(2) = 88%; p < 0.0001). The Chi-squared test did not show a difference in rebleeding rates between the short and long follow-up period groups (p = 0.142). The pooled proportion of patients who underwent further evaluation after rebleeding was 86.1%. Among the patients who underwent further evaluation, rebleeding sources were identified in 73.6% of patients, and 68.8% of the identified rebleeding lesions were in the small intestine. CONCLUSION A negative result of BAE in patients with OGIB indicates a subsequently low risk of rebleeding. Further evaluation should be considered after rebleeding.

Abstract

In Japan, the robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) started to be covered by health insurance since 2016, and it is replacing conventional open partial nephrectomy (OPN). RAPN is a minimally invasive surgery, and the spreading of RAPN in partial nephrectomy (PN) performed annually is expected to reduce the number of blood transfusions in Japan. The number of PN surgery in Japan was calculated using the Japanese NDB open data in 2018. We extracted articles comparing the transfusion rates of RAPN and OPN from 2017 to 2021 using PubMed, Web of Science, and Ichu-shi, and integrated the ratios of transfusion rates by meta-analysis. We estimated the reduction in the annual transfusion cases in PN due to the widespread use of RAPN. The total number of renal cancer surgeries in 2018 was 21,298, of which 3,876 (18.2%) were RAPN and 4,384 (20.6%) were OPN. For the comparison of transfusion implementation rate between RAPN and OPN, 871 articles were screened and 27 articles were included. The pooled ratio in transfusion rate of RAPN compared with OPN was 0.49 [0.46, 0.52]; the introduction of RAPN was estimated to have reduced the annual number of transfusions in PN by 9.1% compared with that of unintroduced RAPN. This study showed quantitatively evaluated the impact of the introduction of RAPN on the decrease in the annual number of transfusions in Japan. This method has the potential to evaluate the impact of robot-assisted surgery on the use of blood products for transfusion.

Abstract

Despite the empirical use of human albumin during pancreatectomy to replace intraoperative volume loss while preventing fluid overload and edema, its impact on postoperative outcomes remains unclear. In addition, most previous studies have focused on the effects of therapeutic albumin usage. Here, we investigated whether preemptive administration of human albumin to prevent edema during pancreatectomy could reduce the incidence of moderate postoperative complications. Adult patients undergoing pancreatectomy were assigned to either the albumin group (n = 100) or the control group (n = 100). Regardless of the preoperative albumin level, 200 mL of 20% albumin was administered to the albumin group after induction of anesthesia. The primary outcome was the incidence of moderate postoperative complications as defined by a Clavien-Dindo classification grade ≥ 2 at discharge. Intraoperative net-fluid balance, a known risk factor of postoperative complication after pancreatectomy, was lower in the albumin group than in the control group (p = 0.030), but the incidence of moderate postoperative complications was not different between the albumin and control groups (47/100 vs. 38/100, respectively; risk ratio: 1.24, 95% CI: 0.89 to 1.71; p = 0.198). Therefore, preemptive administration of human albumin to prevent fluid overload and edema during pancreatectomy is not recommended because of its lack of apparent benefit in improving postoperative outcomes.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Early graft function is crucial for successful kidney transplantation. Intravascular volume maintenance is paramount in ensuring reperfusion of transplanted kidney. This study was planned to compare whether the timing of fluid infusion can help to decrease amount of fluid given without altering early graft function during renal transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study included forty recipients, randomized into standard (Group-S) or targeted fluid therapy (Group-T). Group S received fluid according to conventional fasting deficit while Group T received at 1 ml/kg/h from the start of surgery till start of vascular anastomosis after which fluid infusion rate in both group was increased to maintain a central venous pressure of 13-15 mm of Hg till reperfusion. Primary outcome measured was serum creatinine level on first postoperative day while secondary outcomes were IV fluid given, perioperative hemodynamics, onset of diuresis, graft turgidity, urine output, and renal function during first 6 postoperative days. RESULTS The study showed Group T postoperatively had early fall in serum creatinine (day 3) than S (day 6) although this difference was not statistically significant. Group T had received significantly less fluid per kg of dry weight (T-42.7 ± 9.7 ml/kg, S-61.1 ± 11.1 ml/kg, P < 0.001), had early diuresis, better graft turgidity and urine output than Group S. CONCLUSION Targeted hydration significantly decreases the total amount of fluid infused during the intraoperative period without altering early graft function. Targeted hydration during vascular anastomosis produced stable hemodynamics and early diuresis without any side-effects pertaining to hypo or hyper-volemia.Clinical trial identifier number-CTRI/2016/07/007111.

Abstract

PURPOSE Iron deficiency is common following bariatric surgery, and treatment with intravenous iron is often required. This post hoc analysis of data from two randomized, open-label, multicenter trials evaluated the efficacy and safety of ferric derisomaltose (FDI; formerly iron isomaltoside 1000) versus iron sucrose (IS) over 4 weeks in adults with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) resulting from prior bariatric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data were pooled for participants who received FDI or IS in the PROVIDE or FERWON-IDA trials for the treatment of IDA post bariatric surgery. Efficacy outcomes included changes in hemoglobin (Hb) and iron parameters; safety outcomes included the incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), serious or severe hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs), and hypophosphatemia. RESULTS The analysis included 159 patients. Mean (standard deviation) cumulative iron doses were 1199 (± 347) mg for FDI and 937 (± 209) mg for IS. Compared with IS, FDI resulted in a faster and more pronounced Hb response, and a higher proportion of responders (Hb level increase ≥ 2 g/dL from baseline) at all time points. The incidence of ADRs was similar with FDI and IS (15.1% and 18.2%, respectively), with no serious ADRs or serious or severe HSRs reported. The incidence of hypophosphatemia was low and similar in both treatment groups, with no cases of severe hypophosphatemia observed. CONCLUSIONS In patients with IDA resulting from bariatric surgery, FDI produced a faster and more pronounced Hb response than IS. Both FDI and IS were well tolerated.

Abstract

BACKGROUND A predictive model that can identify patients who are at increased risk of intraoperative blood transfusion could guide preoperative transfusion risk counseling, optimize health care resources, and reduce medical costs. Although previous studies have identified some predictors for particular populations, there is currently no existing model that uses preoperative variables to accurately predict blood transfusion during surgery, which could help anesthesiologists optimize intraoperative anesthetic management. METHODS We collected data from 582 patients who underwent elective liver resection at a university-affiliated tertiary hospital between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020. The data set was then randomly divided into a training set (n = 410) and a validation set (n = 172) at a 7:3 ratio. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operating regression model was used to select the optimal feature, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to construct the transfusion risk model. The concordance index (C-index) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the discrimination ability, and the calibration ability was assessed with calibration curves. In addition, we used decision curve analysis (DCA) to estimate the clinical application value. For external validation, the test set data were employed. RESULTS The final model had 8 predictor variables for intraoperative blood transfusion, which included the following: preoperative hemoglobin level, preoperative prothrombin time >14 s, preoperative total bilirubin >21 μmol/L, respiratory diseases, cirrhosis, maximum lesion diameter >5 cm, macrovascular invasion, and previous abdominal surgery. The model showed a C-index of 0.834 (95% confidence interval, 0.789-0.879) for the training set and 0.831 (95% confidence interval, 0.766-0.896) for the validation set. The AUCs were 0.834 and 0.831 for the training and validation sets, respectively. The calibration curve showed that our model had good consistency between the predictions and observations. The DCA demonstrated that the transfusion nomogram was reliable for clinical applications when an intervention was decided at the possible threshold across 1%-99% for the training set. CONCLUSION We developed a predictive model with excellent accuracy and discrimination ability that can help identify those patients at higher odds of intraoperative blood transfusion. This tool may help guide preoperative counseling regarding transfusion risk, optimize health care resources, reduce medical costs, and optimize anesthetic management during surgery.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To assess the clinical effects of emergency gastroscopies on acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage patients. METHODS 212 patients with acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhages were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=106) and a control group (n=106). The experimental group underwent emergency gastroscopies, and the control group underwent the traditional treatment. We measured the hemostasis effects, the treatment indexes, and the incidences of adverse reactions to assess the clinical effects. At the same time, we recorded the hemoglobin levels, the rebleeding rates, and the mortality rate to assess the hemostasis effect. RESULTS The hemostasis effect (the total hemostasis effective rate), the treatment index (the hemostasis time, stool occult blood turning negative time, bowel sound recovery time, and the blood transfusion volumes), the hemoglobin levels, the rebleeding rates, and the mortality were better in the EG than they were in the CG (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Emergency gastroscopy is an effective treatment for acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage patients, because it improves the hemostasis effective rate and the survival rate. Clinical therapy effectively cures the hemorrhages in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhages.

Abstract

Background and study aims  It remains unclear whether the experience of endoscopists affects clinical outcomes for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGIB). We aimed to determine the feasibility and safety of colonoscopies performed by nonexperts using secondary data from a randomized controlled trial for ALGIB. Patients and methods  We analyzed clinical outcomes in 159 patients with ALGIB who underwent colonoscopies performed by two groups of endoscopists: experts and nonexperts. We compared endoscopy outcomes, including identification of stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH), successful endoscopic treatment, adverse events (AEs), and clinical outcomes between the two groups, including 30-day rebleeding, transfusion, length of stay, thrombotic events, and 30-day mortality. Results  Expert endoscopists alone performed colonoscopies in 96 patients, and nonexperts performed colonoscopies in 63 patients. The use of antiplatelets and warfarin was significantly higher in the expert group. The SRH identification rate (24.0 and 17.5 %), successful endoscopic treatment rate (95.0 and 100 %), rate of AEs during colonoscopy (0 and 0 %), transfusion rate (6.3 and 4.8 %), length of stay (8.0 and 6.4 days), rate of thrombotic events (0 and 1.8 %), and mortality (0 and 0 %) were not different between the expert and nonexpert groups. Rebleeding within 30 days occurred more often in the expert group than in the nonexpert group (14.3 vs. 5.4 % P  = 0.0914). Conclusions  The performance of colonoscopies for ALGIB by nonexperts did not result in worse clinical outcomes, suggesting that its use could be feasible for nonexperts for diagnosis and treatment of ALGIB.

Abstract

BACKGROUND The impact of early enteroscopy in the outcome of overt-obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) is still not clear. Our aim is to evaluate the impact of early enteroscopy in overt-OGIB. METHODS Pubmed/(MEDLINE), Web of Science and Scopus were systematically reviewed. Observational retrospective studies comparing early versus non-early enteroscopy in overt-OGIB were identified. Data on diagnosis, treatment and rebleeding were extracted from each study and a meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS Fifteen studies (comprising 1907 patients) were included. Early enteroscopy was performed in 470 patients and non-early in 1437 patients. Early enteroscopy was associated with a significantly higher diagnostic (odds ratio=3.2, 95% C.I. 1.9,5.3, p=0.002) and therapeutic yield (odds ratio=4.9, 95% C.I. 1.2-20.5, p=0.03). However moderate and high heterogeneity was observed for both analyses (DY I2=60.4%; p=0.002; TY I2=83.1%; p<0.001). Considering only studies when enteroscopy was performed during ongoing-bleeding or within ≤24h, ≤48h and ≤72h from bleeding, the heterogeneity was removed, maintaining a positive effect on diagnostic yield (odds ratio=4.7, 95% C.I. 3.4,6.6, p<0.001, I2=0%). An early enteroscopy did not significantly influence the rebleeding rate (OR=0.87, 95% C.I. 0.40-1.89, p=0.72) in our analysis. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, early enteroscopy, especially when performed in ongoing bleeding or within 24h, 48h and 72h of the bleeding episode, is able to increase the diagnostic yield. Although an effect on therapeutic yield was observed, the value of early intervention has to be cautiously evaluated due to high heterogeneity of results. In our meta-analysis, early enteroscopy did not significantly influence the rebleeding rate.