Concomitant Radical Cystectomy and Infrarenal Aortic Aneurysm Repair with Cryopreserved Aortic Allograft: A Case Report

In localized muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), the gold standard treatment is radical cystectomy (RC) with bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND), associated with cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy, whereas first-line treatment for metastatic patients is cisplatin-based chemotherapy. In men with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), elective repair is recommended when its diameter is >5.5 cm, while cryopreserved arterial allografts (CAA) offer resistance to infection. A patient with simultaneous metastatic MIBC, associated with left hydronephrosis, and infrarenal AAA of 49 mm diameter was evaluated in an interdisciplinary study. Concomitant surgery was opted for; first, the AAA repair with CAA implantation was practiced, followed by retroperitoneal and common iliac lymphadenectomy. Thereafter, RC and PLND were conducted, and a Wallace-1 ileal conduit and a stoma were constructed. Chest and abdomen contrast-enhanced CT at 2 months showed the onset of two osteolytic lesions on the left ilium. At oncological re-evaluation the patient was deemed cisplatin-fit.

Early Results after Aortic Valve Replacement Using Last Generation Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve

Introduction: Few data are available about the newest generation surgical bioprosthesis. We aimed to evaluate early clinical and hemodynamic outcomes after using the INSPIRIS RESILIA aortic valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California, USA). Methods: Between July 2018 and April 2021, 80 patients underwent aortic valve replacement receiving the INSPIRIS RESILIA aortic valve at our institution. Primary outcomes were the composite of early mortality, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Secondary outcomes were hemodynamic performances of the valve, paravalvular leakage, and new pacemaker implantation. Results: The mean age of the study population was 60.6 ± 8.3 years. The mean Society of Thoracic Surgery-Predicted Risk of Mortality score was 2.9 ± 1.7%. In 43.7% of the patients, concomitant surgery was performed. The in-hospital mortality, all-stroke, and myocardial infarction rates were 2.5%, 1.2%, and 1.2%, respectively. No valve was explanted and no redo was performed. The mean postoperative trans-prosthetic gradient at discharge was 10.2 ± 4.1 mm Hg. There was no need for new pacemaker implantation. We registered only two cases with minimal (trace) paravalvular leakage. Conclusion: The use of the INSPIRIS RESILIA aortic valve in a young, low-risk population is safe and associated with very good early clinical and hemodynamic outcomes.

Patient-Reported Outcomes and Risk Factors for Decreased Improvement after Patellofemoral Arthroplasty

Patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) is acknowledged as the method for the treatment of isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA). Few previous studies have assessed the patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and risk factors of less improvement of PROs in patients undergoing PFA. A retrospective analysis was performed, including all patients who had undergone PFA. Pre- and postoperative PROs included the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and Kujala score. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to assess influencing factors of less improvement of PROs including the demographic factors (gender, age, body mass index, smoking, opioid usage, and duration of symptoms [DOSs]), surgical factors (concomitant surgery), and imaging factors (trochlear dysplasia [TD], patellar height, the degree of PFOA). A total of 46 PFAs were analyzed with a mean follow-up of 37 ± 7 months. The mean age at surgery was 61.1 ± 7.7 years. Patients showed significant improvement in all PROs (p < 0.001). Patients with TD preoperatively have greater improvement in OKS and Kujala score postoperatively (19.2 ± 5.0 vs. 23.1 ± 3.6, p = 0.038). Longer DOSs (≥1 year) had a greater mean improvement in OKS and Kujala score (p = 0.011 and p = 0.000). According to the measurement of patella height, patients with patella alta (Caton–Deschamps index [CDI] ≥1.3) showed less improvement in both OKS and Kujala score (p = 0.000 and p = 0.002). PFA is a safe and efficient surgery with good PROs. Patella alta with a CDI ≥1.3 and duration of preoperative symptoms ≤ 1 year were risk factors for decreased OKS and Kujala score improvement, while the preoperative presence of TD was significantly predictive factors for increased OKS improvement.

Atrial fibrillation management during septal myectomy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A systematic review

Introduction Atrial fibrillation is common in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and significantly impacts mortality and morbidity. In patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing septal myectomy, concomitant surgery for atrial fibrillation may improve outcomes. Methods A systematic review was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. All studies reporting the outcomes of combined septal myectomy and atrial fibrillation surgery were included. Results A total of 10 observational studies were identified, including 644 patients. Most patients had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The proportion with prior unsuccessful ablation ranged from 0 to 19%, and preoperative left atrial diameter ranged from 44 ± 17 to 52 ± 8 mm. Cox–Maze IV (n = 311) was the most common technique used, followed by pulmonary vein isolation (n = 222) and Cox–Maze III (n = 98). Patients with persistent or longstanding atrial fibrillation more frequently received Cox–Maze III/IV. Ranges of early postoperative outcomes included: mortality 0 to 7%, recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias 4.4 to 48%, cerebrovascular events 0 to 1.5%, and pacemaker insertion 3 to 21%. Long-term data was limited. Freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmias at 1 year ranged from 74% to 96%, and at 5 years from 52% to 100%. Preoperative predictors of late atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence included left atrial diameter >45 mm, persistent or longstanding preoperative atrial fibrillation and longer atrial fibrillation duration. Conclusion In patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing septal myectomy, the addition of ablation surgery adds low overall risk to the procedure, and likely reduces the risk of recurrent atrial fibrillation in the long term. Future randomised studies comparing septal myectomy with or without concomitant AF ablation are needed.

Effectiveness of Sublingual Buprenorphine and Fentanyl Pump in Controlling Pain After Open Cholecystectomy

Background: The proper management of postoperative pain improves patients’ quality of life, accelerates early postoperative recovery, shortens hospitalization period, and reduces medical costs. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of intravenous fentanyl pump and sublingual buprenorphine tablet in controlling pain after open cholecystectomy. Objectives: Evaluating the effectiveness of sublingual buprenorphine in reducing postoperative pain and complications after open cholecystectomy. Methods: This study was a double-blind, randomized clinical trial. The study population encompassed those candidates undergoing open cholecystectomy, patients with ASA class I and II, individuals undergoing no other concomitant surgery, and patients in the age range of 20 - 50 years. The first group received sublingual buprenorphine 6, 12, and 18 hours after the first administration. The second group received fentanyl as patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for 24 hours. Then nausea, vomiting, sedation, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores were evaluated at the beginning, 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after surgery. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Results: The mean age of the patients in the buprenorphine and fentanyl groups were 44.8 ± 5.5 and 42.8 ± 7.1 years, respectively. In this study, 22.5% of the patients in the buprenorphine group and 35.5% of the patients in the fentanyl group were male. During 6 and 24 hours after surgery, the pain level regarding the VAS scores was significantly lower in the buprenorphine group than in the fentanyl group; however, analgesic consumption was higher in the fentanyl group. In the early hours after surgery (2 and 6 hours), nausea and vomiting were lower in the buprenorphine group than in the fentanyl group even though the difference was not significant. Conclusions: This study suggests buprenorphine as an effective drug for patients to reduce postoperative pain because of its limited complications, inexpensiveness, and more convenient administration method.

Diagnostics of infrapatellar saphenous neuralgia—a reversible cause of chronic anteromedial pain following knee surgery

Objectives To evaluate the impact of diagnostic nerve block and ultrasound findings on therapeutic choices and predict the outcome after concomitant surgery in patients with suspected neuropathy of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve (IPBSN). Methods Fifty-five patients following knee surgery with suspicion of IPBSN neuralgia were retrospectively included. Ultrasound reports were assessed for neuroma and postsurgical scarring (yes/no). Responders and non-responders were assigned following anesthetic injection of the IPBSN. The type of procedure (neurectomy/interventional pain procedure/other than nerve-associated therapy) and pain score at initial follow-up were recorded and patients were assigned as positive (full pain relief) or negative (partial/no pain relief) to therapeutic nerve treatment. Factors associated with a relevant visual analog scale (VAS) reduction were assessed using uni- and multivariate logistic regression models and chi-square for quantitative and qualitative variables (p ≤ 0.05). Results Responders (37/55) more often had an entrapment or an evident neuroma of the IPBSN (97% vs. 6%). A positive Hoffmann-Tinel sign (p = 0.002) and the absence of knee joint instability (p = 0.029) predicted a positive response of the diagnostic nerve block (90%; 26/29). In the follow-up after therapeutic nerve treatment, all patients with full pain relief showed neuromas or entrapment of the IPBSN. Patients negatively responding to therapeutic nerve treatment more frequently showed an additional knee joint instability (25% vs. 4%). Conclusion Selective denervation for neuropathic knee pain is beneficial in selected patients with significant VAS reduction after diagnostic nerve block. Non-responders following diagnostic nerve block but sonographic evidence of IPBSN pathologies need to be evaluated for other causes such as knee joint instability. Key Points • Sonographic diagnosis of neuroma or entrapment of the IPBSN is frequently seen in patients with anteromedial knee pain and leads to a good response to diagnostic nerve block following knee surgery. • The vast majority of patients with clinical signs of IPBSN neuropathy and response to a diagnostic nerve block sustained full pain relief following therapeutic nerve treatment. • Patients not responding to therapeutic IPBSN treatment have to be evaluated for other causes of anteromedial knee pain such as knee joint instability.

Geometric changes in aortic root replacement using Freestyle prosthesis

Background The Medtronic Freestyle prosthesis has proven to be a promising recourse for aortic root replacement in various indications. The present study aims to evaluate clinical outcomes and geometric changes of the aorta after Freestyle implantation. Methods Between October 2005 and November 2020, the computed tomography angiography (CTA) data of 32 patients were analyzed in a cohort of 68 patients that underwent aortic root replacement using Freestyle prosthesis. The minimum and maximum diameters and areas of the aortic annulus, aortic root, ascending aorta, and the proximal aortic arch were measured at a plane perpendicular to the long axis of the aorta using 3D multiplanar reconstruction in both the preoperative (n = 32) and postoperative (n = 10) CTAs. Moreover, volumetric changes of the aortic root and ascending aorta were quantified. Results Mean age was 64.6 ± 10.6 years. Indications for surgery using Freestyle prosthesis were combined aortic valve pathologies, aortic aneurysm or dissection, and endocarditis, with concomitant surgery occurring in 28 out of 32 patients. In-hospital mortality was 18.6%. Preoperative diameter and area measurements of the aortic annulus strongly correlated with the implanted valve size (p < 0.001). Bicuspid valve was present in 28.1% of the patients. Diameter and areas of the aortic root decreased after freestyle implantation, resulting in a reduction of the aortic root volume (45.6 ± 26.3 cm3 to 18.7 ± 4.5 cm3, p = 0.029). Volume of the aortic root and the ascending aorta decreased from 137.3 ± 65.2 cm3 to 54.5 ± 21.1 cm3 after Freestyle implantation (p = 0.023). Conclusion Implantation of the Freestyle prosthesis presents excellent results in restoring the aortic geometry. Preoperative CTA measurements are beneficial to the surgical procedure and valve selection and therefore, if available, should be considered in pre-operative planning.

Early outcomes of patient-prosthesis mismatch following aortic valve replacement

Introduction: Patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) has been associated with numerous short- and long-term adverse events. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of PPM on early postoperative results after aortic valve replacement (AVR) in daily practice. Methods: In this single-centre retrospective study, 150 non-consecutive patients from March 2019 to January 2020 with clinically indicated AVR with/without concomitant surgery were analysed. The study protocol included operative mortality, complication rate, and pre- and postoperative echocardiographic data. PPM was considered severe with indexed effective orifice area at <0.65 cm2/m2, moderate at 0.65–0.85 cm2/m2 and none at >0.85 cm2/m2. Results: Moderate PPM was observed in 16 patients (10.6%). No patient had severe PPM. PPM was not related to early mortality ( r = 0.40, p = 0.630), intra- ( r = −0.076, p = 0.352) and postoperative ( r = −0.0134, p = 0.102) events. Conclusion: In this study, moderate PPM was a frequent finding after AVR, whereas severe PPM was not observed. PPM did not affect the early results after AVR. A long-term follow-up study in a large patient population is required to assess the actual influence of residual PPM.