Operating Surgeon (operating + surgeon)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Surgery for Ruptured Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm into Right Ventricular Outflow Tract: Role of Intraoperative 2D and Real Time 3D Transesophageal Echocardiography

ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 7 2010
Shrinivas Gadhinglajkar M.D.
A major limitation of the 2D echocardiography during surgery for a complex cardiac lesion is its inability to provide an accurate spatial orientation of the structure. The real time 3D transesophageal echocardiography (RT-3D-TEE) technology available in Philips IE 33 ultrasound machine is relatively new to an operation suite. We evaluated its intraoperative utility in a patient, who was operated for repair of a ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (RSOVA) and closure of a supracristal ventricular septal defect. The VSD and RSOVA were visualized through different virtual windows in a more promising way on intraoperative RT-3D-TEE than on the 2D echocardiography. The acquired images could be virtually cropped and displayed in anatomical views to the operating surgeon for a clear orientation to the anatomy of the lesion. RT-3D-TEE is a potential intraoperative monitoring tool in surgeries for complex cardiac lesions. (Echocardiography 2010;27:E65-E69) [source]


Assessment of the patency of microvascular anastomoses using microscope-integrated near-infrared angiography: A preliminary study

MICROSURGERY, Issue 7 2009
Charlotte Holm M.D., Ph.D.
Background: Technical problems at the site of the anastomosis compromise an underappreciated proportion of microsurgical free tissue transfers. Intraoperative identification of technical errors may be able to prevent reexploration surgery and early flap failure. We report the first human study on a new microscope-integrated fluorescence angiography technique, which allows for intraoperative imaging of the anastomotic site. Methods: Fifty consecutive patients undergoing reconstructive microsurgical procedures were enrolled in the study. Intraoperative near infrared indocyanine green videoangiography (ICGA) was performed on all microsurgical anastomoses, after they had been assessed by the operating surgeon by conventional clinical patency tests. Anastomoses deemed to be occluded by the ICG-angiography were intraoperatively revised, and the result of revision was compared with angiographic findings. Results: In 11/50 (22%) of patients, where the surgeon had classified the anastomoses as patent, microangiography identified a total luminal occlusion (six) and/or significant alterations in blood flow (five), potentially predisposing toward postoperative flap failure. Intraoperative revision confirmed angiographic findings in 100% of cases, and was always associated with flap survival. The decision not to revise despite anastomotic occlusion by the intraoperative angiogram was always followed by flap loss or early reexploration. A delayed return of venous blood from the flap predisposed toward postoperative flap failure. Conclusions: Hand-sewn anastomoses are subject to technical errors, and conventional patency tests have a low sensitivity for revealing anastomotic failure. Microscope integrated microangiography is an excellent method for identifying significant anastomotic problems, which would have otherwise gone unnoticed. The potential impact on early flap failure and reexploration surgery is considerable. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 2009. [source]


Work-related carpal tunnel syndrome in Washington State workers' compensation: Utilization of surgery and the duration of lost work

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 12 2009
William E. Daniell MD
Abstract Background Work-related carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a leading cause of lengthy disability. Methods This population-based retrospective cohort study used Washington State workers' compensation claims for CTS to characterize associations between utilization of CTS surgery and duration of lost work. The sample included all claims (n,=,8,224) filed during 1990,1994 (followed through 2000) and receiving lost-work compensation. Results Sixty-four percent of studied workers had CTS surgery. Among workers with >1 month of lost work, the total duration was much shorter when workers had surgery, versus those who did not (median 4.3 and 6.2 months, respectively; P,<,0.001); there was no difference when disability extended >6 months. When workers had surgery, disability was less likely to end before 6 months if non-CTS conditions were present, surgery occurred >3 months after claim filing, or employment was in an industry with high incidence of CTS; disability was more likely to end if the diagnosing provider and operating surgeon had higher CTS claims volume. Physical and rehabilitation medicine services were associated with lower probability of returning to work, with or without surgery. Conclusions There is a need to scrutinize the role of surgery and physical-rehabilitation medicine modalities in the management of CTS covered by workers' compensation. The findings suggest disability can be minimized by establishing the CTS diagnosis as early as possible and, if surgery is appropriate, conducting surgery without substantial delay and maximizing post-operative efforts to facilitate return to work. Use of surgery >6 months after filing should be considered with great caution. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:931,942, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Impact of Perioperative Systemic Steroids on Surgical Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Polyposis: Evaluation With the Novel Perioperative Sinus Endoscopy (POSE) Scoring System,

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue S115 2007
Erin D. Wright MDCM
Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: The objective of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to assess the effect of perioperative systemic steroids on subjective and objective surgical outcomes for patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis with polyposis (CRSwP). The secondary objective was to begin validation of the newly developed Perioperative Sinus Endoscopy (POSE) scoring system. Methods: Patients who had failed maximal medical therapy and were scheduled to undergo ESS were eligible for the study. Participants were randomized to receive either 30 mg of prednisone or placebo for 5 days preoperatively and 9 days postoperatively. Operative and baseline clinical data were collected using the Lund-McKay staging system including its Sinus Symptom Questionnaire as well as additional data regarding mucosal health, the technical difficulty of surgery, and endoscopic data using the Lund-Kennedy Endoscopic Score (LKES) and POSE scale. Data were also collected at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. A sample size of 24 was calculated to detect a clinically relevant difference between groups of 40%. Routine statistical comparisons were performed as were repeated measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni adjustment because of the multiple comparisons performed. To address the secondary objective, data were also collected at all postoperative time points using the POSE instrument, which was designed with the intention of enhancing face validity and responsiveness to change. Comparisons were performed between the POSE and LKES, including assessment of sensitivity to change, correlation between the two scales, and correlation with symptom scores. Results: Twenty-six patients participated in the study. Operative data demonstrated a significantly higher percentage of severely inflamed sinonasal mucosa in patients not pretreated with systemic steroids, which was associated with technically more difficult surgery in the estimation of the operating surgeon. In terms of postoperative symptoms, there was no difference between treatment groups, with both placebo and prednisone significantly improved over baseline up to 4 weeks postoperatively. Endoscopic assessment of patients postoperatively demonstrated a treatment effect (P < .05), with clinically healthier cavities seen in patients treated with prednisone up to 6 months postoperatively as compared with baseline (P < .001), although the strongest effect was seen at the 2-week time point. In comparing the two endoscopic scales, the POSE and LKES correlated highly (R > 0.70; P < .001) both in terms of absolute score and change in score. There is some evidence that the POSE score may be more sensitive to change than the LKES, and the POSE scores did correlate more strongly with symptom scores than the LKES, although both endoscopic scores correlated only weakly with symptom scores. Conclusions: The data presented in this study support the practice of administering preoperative systemic steroids to patients undergoing ESS for CRSwP. Furthermore, in the practice of surgeons who provide intensive postoperative care post-ESS, including debridement and medical therapy based on the endoscopic findings, there is evidence to support administering systemic steroids in the postoperative period. The POSE scoring system compares favorably with the LKES and may confer advantages in terms of face/content validity and responsiveness to change and is worthy of further validation. [source]


Sedation for oocyte retrieval using target controlled infusion of propofol and incremental alfentanil delivered by non-anaesthetists

ANAESTHESIA, Issue 5 2010
J. A. Edwards
Summary Oocyte retrieval is a procedure where sedation is recommended. This paper presents the process of setting up a new, non-anaesthetist delivered service in our institution, the development of safety systems and the audit data we have used to assure quality, effectiveness and safety. Logbook data were collected for 4342 cases, with detailed audit data collected for 260 cases. Safety is acceptable with a respiratory adverse incident rate of 0.5/1000 (95% CI 0.1,1.6/1000 cases). Unplanned, direct anaesthetic assistance was required in 3.5/1000 cases (95% CI 1.7,5.3/1000 cases). Anaesthetic advice was required in 7.5% cases (95% CI 4.2,10.7%) at the inception of the service, but rarely once established: 0.6% (95% CI 0.2,1.0%). Nearly all patients (99%) would have the same sedation method again, no patients required admission, and patients' co-operation was judged by the operating surgeon as very good or good in 91% of cases. [source]


Evaluation of pelvic wedge for gynaecological laparoscopy

ANAESTHESIA, Issue 10 2008
P. Kundra
Summary Seventy-eight ASA 1 and 2 women scheduled for elective diagnostic laparoscopy under general anaesthesia were randomly allocated into two groups. Patients were either positioned with a 20° Trendelenberg tilt (group T) or with a wedge placed under the pelvis (group W). A standard general anaesthetic technique was used in all patients. The endoscopic view of pelvic organs was graded on a four-point scale by the operating surgeon. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), SpO2, and peak airway pressure (Paw) were continuously measured. Significantly more patients (77%) in group W had grade 1 view (clear view of pelvic organs without additional manoeuvres) when compared with group T (46%). Mean Paw increased significantly in group T when compared with group W. The use of a pelvic wedge provides a better view of pelvic viscera than 20° Trendelenberg tilt during gynaecological laparoscopy. [source]


Preoperative prediction of long-term outcome following laparoscopic fundoplication

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 7 2002
Colm J. O'Boyle
Background: Although long-term outcomes following laparoscopic fundoplication for gastro-oesophageal disease have now been reported as very satisfactory, a small, but important, minority of patients are unhappy with the outcome, often due to recurrent reflux symptoms or new-onset dysphagia. In this study, we sought to establish whether various parameters that can be determined before surgery, can predict the long-term outcome of surgery. Methods: Data collected prospectively were evaluated to determine factors that were associated with outcome at 5 years following laparoscopic fundoplication. Inclusion criteria were complete preoperative assessment data and 5-year follow-up data. Data examined included information on preoperative age, sex, weight, home address, health insurance status, duration of reflux symptoms, previous surgery, operating surgeon, endoscopy and 24-h pH monitoring. In addition, lower oesophageal sphincter resting and residual relaxation pressures were evaluated before and after surgery. The postoperative symptoms of heartburn and dysphagia, as well as overall satisfaction 5 years following surgery was determined using a 0,10 visual analogue scale. The association of the pre- and perioperative factors and outcome at 5 years was determined by univariate and linear regression analysis. Results: Two hundred and sixty-two patients from an overall experience of over 1000 laparoscopic anti-reflux procedures met the entry criteria. There was no association between patient address, age, weight, duration of symptoms, the presence of endoscopically proven oesophagitis, operating surgeon, the necessity for conversion to an open procedure, change in lower oesophageal sphincter residual relaxation pressure and the outcome parameters. Using univariate analysis, a higher heartburn score was associated with previous abdominal surgery, female sex, no private health insurance, and a normal preoperative 24-h pH study. A higher dysphagia score was associated with a normal preoperative pH study, a postoperative increase in lower oesophageal sphincter resting pressure of more than 6 mmHg, and previous abdominal surgery. Overall satisfaction with the outcome at 5 years was higher among male patients, private patients, patients who had a hiatus hernia, and patients who had an abnormal preoperative pH study. Linear regression analysis confirmed that private insurance, male sex, and the absence of previous abdominal surgery, were the strongest predictors of an improved heartburn score, whereas male sex and private health insurance were the strongest predictors of greater satisfaction with the overall outcome. Conclusions: There are parameters that can be assessed before or during laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication that correlate with late outcome parameters. In particular, male patients and those from higher socioeconomic groups appear to have a better long-term outcome. [source]


The impact of surgeon and pathologist on lymph node retrieval in colorectal cancer and its impact on survival for patients with Dukes' stage B disease

COLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 2 2008
M. D. Evans
Abstract Objective, An adequate lymph node harvest is necessary for accurate Dukes' stage discrimination in colorectal cancer. The aim of this study is to identify the effect of variables, including the individual surgeon and pathologist, on lymph node harvest in a single institution. Method, Three hundred and eighty one consecutive patients had resection for colorectal cancer, in a single unit. Factors influencing lymph node retrieval, including individual surgeon and reporting pathologist, were subjected to uni- and multivariate analysis. Actuarial survival of all patients with Dukes' stage B and C disease was then calculated and survival compared between Dukes' stage B and C at differing levels of lymph node harvest. Results, The unit median lymph node harvest was 13 nodes/patient (95% CI 13.1,14.5). There was no difference in lymph node harvest between specialist colorectal surgeons and the pooled results of four nonspecialist consultant surgeons. However, there was a significant difference between reporting pathologists (P < 0.001). On univariate analysis, operation type, operative urgency, Dukes' stage, T-stage, reporting pathologist and use of neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer, were found to significantly affect lymph node retrieval. On multivariate analysis, operation type, T-stage, reporting pathologist and neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer remained significant variables. Patients with one or more lymph node metastasis had greater nodal harvests than those without (median 15 vs 12 P = 0.02). Survival of patients with Dukes' stage B disease was found to improve as lymph node harvest increased. Conclusion, Overall lymph node harvest, in this unit, varied according to the reporting pathologist but not operating surgeon. As lymph node harvest increased to 15 per patient, the probability of identifying a metastatic node increased. [source]


Randomised controlled trial of LigaSure versus conventional suture ligature for abdominal hysterectomy

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 7 2005
Bjørn Hagen
Objective To compare the use of LigaSure with conventional suture ligature in abdominal hysterectomy. Design Pilot randomised controlled unblinded trial with block randomisation according to three operating surgeons. Setting One Norwegian teaching hospital, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. Sample Thirty women who underwent total or subtotal abdominal hysterectomy. Methods Data, with regard to operation time expenditure and the occurrence of peri- and post-operative complications, were collected and compared between the two techniques. Main outcome measures Operation time, peri- and post-operative complications. Results Mean operation duration was 61.7 minutes with LigaSure and 54.5 minutes with conventional suture ligature. The corresponding operative blood loss was 303 and 298 mL, respectively. Occurrence of complications was few and not significantly different between the two techniques. Mean hospital stay was longer following LigaSure operations (10 vs 6 days), probably due to a certain age imbalance between the study groups. Conclusions Within the limitation of this pilot study, we did not uncover a time sparing effect from the use of LigaSure or any difference in the occurrence of blood loss and complications. [source]


Reduction of postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with rectal cancer following the introduction of a colorectal unit

BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 2 2001
Dr K. Smedh
Background: Surgery for rectal cancer is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. The reason for this has been much debated. This population-based study reports the findings on postoperative morbidity and mortality after rectal cancer surgery following the introduction of a centralized colorectal unit in a county central hospital, supervised by a colorectal surgeon using the most recent techniques. Methods: All consecutive patients with rectal cancer who underwent surgery at four county hospitals in the Västmanland county in Sweden during 1993,1996 (n = 133) were compared with patients who underwent surgery at the new colorectal unit in the county central hospital from 1996 to 1999 (n = 144). Results: The number of operating surgeons was reduced from 26 to four. The postoperative mortality rate decreased from 8 to 1 per cent (P = 0·002) and the total postoperative complication rate was reduced from 57 to 24 per cent (P < 0·001). Surgical complications dropped from 37 to 11 per cent (P < 0·001). The relaparotomy rate fell from 11 to 4 per cent (P < 0·05). Postoperative stay in hospital was reduced from a median of 13 to 9 days (P < 0·001). Conclusion: The new organization, with centralized rectal cancer surgery using modern techniques, reduced postoperative mortality and overall morbidity rates to less than half. © 2001 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd [source]


Radiation doses to staff involved in sentinel node operations for breast cancer

CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY AND FUNCTIONAL IMAGING, Issue 4 2005
T. L. Klausen
Summary Background:, The use of radioactive compounds for sentinel node biopsy is now a generally accepted part of the surgical treatment of breast cancer and melanoma, with the risk of radiation exposure to the operating team. The aim of this investigation was to study the levels of this exposure in relation to the permissible radiation dose limits. Methods:, The radiation exposure to the hands and bodies of the operating surgeons (the ,risk persons') was measured by thermoluminescent dosemeters in 79 operations and to the pathologists handling the specimens in 17 cases. Radioactivity and dose rate measurement from tumours and breast specimens were also performed. Results:, During an operation the mean skin dose (±SD) to the thermoluminescent dosemeters placed at the hand and the abdominal wall were 0·04 ± 0·04 mSv (79 operations) and 0·01 ± 0·02 mSv (67 operations) respectively. For the pathologist, the mean hand dose per operation was below the detection limit (17 operations). Correlation between the measured dose rate and the radioactive content of the tumours was 0·998. Conclusions:, The radiation exposure to the staff involved in sentinel node (SN) biopsy for breast cancer using radioactive labelled tracers will be considerably below the permissible limits, even with high numbers of SN biopsy procedures. Pregnant staff members should participate in <100 SN operations. [source]