Perioperative morbidity and mortality in surgery for dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta

OBJECTIVE: To describe complications and mortality in patients diagnosed of Stanford's type A (Daily) dissection of the ascending aorta requiring circulatory arrest for emergency placement of an aortic graft. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 21 patients treated between December 1992 and November 1997. RESULTS: Hypertension was the disease most often associated with the diagnosis (in 8 of the 21 patients). Preoperative mortality was 9.5% (2 of the 21 patients), no deaths occurred in the operating room and postoperative mortality was 15.8% (3 of the 19 patients who underwent surgery). Durations in mean time (SD) in minutes were as follows: anesthesia-surgery 437.9 (92), extracorporeal circulation 192.5 (47), aortic clamping 82.6 (20), circulatory arrest 30.5 (8). Retrograde cerebral circulation was carried out during circulatory arrest in all cases. Mean temperature during this period was 14.9 degrees C. During the postoperative period we recorded three permanent neurological complications, six cases of acute renal failure and seven respiratory complications, specifically one instance of adult respiratory distress syndrome and six of pneumonia, the most common. Consumption of blood products was high, with great interindividual variation. CONCLUSION: Anesthesia for and recovery from surgery for acute aortic dissection is complex and associated with a high rate of postoperative complication and high consumption of blood products.     

Management morbidity and mortality of poor-grade aneurysm patients

Preliminary experience with the occasional good survival of patients in Hunt and Hess Grade IV or V with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) led to a prospective management protocol employed during a 2 1/2-year period. The protocol utilized computerized tomography (CT) scanning to diagnose SAH and to obtain evidence for irreversible brain destruction, consisting of massive cerebral infarction with midline shift or dominant basal ganglia or brain-stem hematoma. These patients, along with those who exhibited poor or absent intracranial filling on CT or angiography, were excluded from active treatment and given supportive care only. All other patients had immediate ventriculostomy placement and, if intracranial pressure (ICP) was controllable (less than or equal to 30 cm H2O without an intracranial clot or less than or equal to 50 cm H2O in the presence of a clot), went on to have craniotomy for aneurysm clipping. Aggressive postoperative hypertensive, hypervolemic, hemodilutional therapy was subsequently employed. Of 54 patients with poor-grade aneurysms, ventriculostomy was placed in 47 (87.0%) and yielded high ICP's in the overwhelming majority, with the mean ICP being 40.2 cm H2O. Nineteen poor-grade aneurysm patients received no surgical treatment and survived a mean of 31.8 hours with 100% mortality. Thirty-five patients underwent placement of a ventriculostomy, craniotomy for aneurysm clipping and intracranial clot evacuation, and postoperative hypertensive, hypervolemic, hemodilutional therapy. The outcome at 3 months of the 35 patients who were selected for active treatment was good in 19 (54.3%), fair in four (11.4%), poor in four (11.4%), and death in eight (22.9%). It is concluded that poor-grade aneurysm patients usually present with intracranial hypertension, even those without an intracranial clot. Based on radiographic rather than neurological criteria, a portion of these patients can be selected for active and successful treatment. Increased ICP can be present without ventriculomegaly, and immediate ventriculostomy should be performed. As long as ICP is controllable, craniotomy and postoperative intensive care can effect a favorable outcome in a significant percentage of these patients.     

Cardiac mortality and morbidity after vascular surgery

To determine the clinical, hemodynamic and pathological features that contribute to major cardiac complications after vascular surgery, six patients with early postoperative cardiogenic shock (group 1) were analysed retrospectively and compared to nine patients without complications (group 2) who were carefully analysed prospectively. Four group 1 patients had elective repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, one had repair of a false iliac artery aneurysm and one had a femoropopliteal graft inserted. Four group 2 patients had elective repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm and five had aortobifemoral reconstruction. The Goldman multifactorial index was similar in both groups and indicated an expected death rate of 2% and a morbidity rate of 5%. In group 1, the earliest sign of cardiovascular compromise was an elevated pulmonary wedge pressure during operation. Postoperatively, electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial ischemia was present in all six patients and preceded cardiogenic shock. Autopsy of the four patients who died demonstrated triple-vessel disease in all but recent occlusion in only one patient. There was evidence of extensive subendocardial infarction in all four. Angiography of the two survivors in group 1 also demonstrated triple-vessel disease. The authors conclude that by using ordinary clinical methods it is difficult to identify patients likely to have major complications postoperatively. Elevated pulmonary wedge pressures or electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial ischemia may be early warning signs of impending cardiac catastrophe and should be treated aggressively. The underlying pathophysiology appears to be perioperative stress in a setting of severe triple-vessel coronary artery disease.     

Bloodless cardiac surgery is associated with decreased morbidity and mortality

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion with cardiac surgery accounts for 20% of transfusions in the United States. The effect of perioperative transfusion on cardiac surgery outcomes is unknown. We hypothesized that cardiac surgery with perioperative blood transfusion was associated with worse outcomes. METHODS: A prospectively maintained (Society of Thoracic Surgeons) institutional database was analyzed from 2000 to 2005. All patients undergoing coronary artery bypass and/or valve operations were evaluated for the association of preoperative and intraoperative risk factors with blood transfusion. The association of transfusion with postoperative complications and mortality was evaluated. RESULTS: During the study period, 2691 patients met inclusion criteria. Sixty-four percent received transfusions. Preoperative risk factors associated with transfusion (p < 0.05) were lung disease, elevated creatinine, peripheral vascular disease, and previous cardiac interventions. Patients requiring transfusion were older (mean 65.2 vs. 61.2 years, p < 0.001). Transfusion was associated with longer cross-clamp (median 78 vs. 88 minutes, p < 0.001) and perfusion times (median 114 vs. 128 minutes, p < 0.001). Perioperative blood transfusion was associated with increased postoperative complications (53.5% vs. 30.5%, p < 0.001). Significant transfusion-associated complications were renal failure, prolonged ventilation time, pneumonia, cardiac arrest, gastrointestinal complications, atrial fibrillation, stroke, myocardial infarction, and bleeding requiring reoperation. Blood transfusion was associated with an increased operative mortality (3.4% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.005) and length of stay after surgery (median 6 vs. 5 days p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Identification and management of risk factors associated with transfusion may reduce the transfusion requirement, minimize perioperative complications and improve outcomes. Bloodless cardiac surgery is associated with a decreased morbidity and mortality.     

Pelvic neuroblastoma: low mortality and high morbidity

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Cervical, thoracic, and pelvic neuroblastomas are regarded as having a better outcome than abdominal primaries. The aim of the study was to analyze the results of treatment of pelvic neuroblastomas in our institution. METHODS: The authors reviewed the records of 284 patients with neuroblastoma treated in our hospital during the period 1983 through 1998 and identified 17 (6%) with pelvic tumors. The revised International Neuroblastoma Staging System was used. RESULTS: There were 6 patients with stage 1 disease, 8 with stage 2, 2 with stage 3, and 1 with stage 4 disease. Intraspinal extension of the tumor was present in 7 patients (41%). Except for one child with stage 4 disease, all patients underwent an attempt of tumor excision, and 6 had a complete resection. All 7 patients with intraspinal tumor survived. Permanent postoperative neurological complications occurred in 6 patients (35%). These included sciatic nerve palsy, urinary and fecal incontinence, neuropathic bladder, and leg weakness or nerve root injury L4-S1. Three of 17 patients died, but 1 fatality was unrelated to the tumor. The overall survival rate was 82% and was not influenced by the completeness of tumor resection. CONCLUSIONS: The survival of nonmetastatic pelvic neuroblastoma in our institution is good despite incomplete tumor resection. Intraspinal extension is not a negative prognostic factor. Considering the high incidence of permanent neurological damage after surgery and the generally favorable biological characteristics of these tumors, surgical treatment should not be overaggressive.     

Emergency pulmonary resection for pneumonia. High morbidity and mortality

Emergency pulmonary resection was performed because of complicated pneumonia in eight patients (5 pneumonectomies, 2 lobectomies, 1 bilobectomy) over a 2-year period. The patients' age range was 5 months to 43 years. The indications were rapid aggravation of respiratory insufficiency in children with staphylococcal pneumonia and enlarging pneumatoceles, and massive hemoptysis in patients with chronic destructive pneumonia. Two patients died after pneumonectomy, one from contralateral aspiration and one from cardiogenic shock. Postoperative complications occurred in four cases--bronchopleural fistula and pyopneumothorax in three and thoracic empyema with massive chest-wall infection in one. Only two patients had an uneventful postoperative course. Complications of pulmonary necrosis in pneumonia may dictate urgent pulmonary resection, often pneumonectomy. Surgery will be life-saving in most cases, but high morbidity is to be expected.     

Medical optimisation can reduce morbidity and mortality associated with elective aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with aortic aneurysms have significant comorbidities which influence outcome. Our practice includes comprehensive assessment to identify comorbidities, allowing subsequent medical optimisation prior to aneurysm repair. The aim of this study was to assess this process and to identify any factors predictive of outcome. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. MATERIALS: Medical case notes of 200 patients referred with aortic pathology. METHODS: Data analysed included preoperative, perioperative and postoperative factors. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of outcome. RESULTS: Following assessment 17 patients (8.5%) were found to be unfit for intervention and 165 patients (82.5%) proceeded to aneurysm repair. In this group assessment uncovered previously undiagnosed cardiac, respiratory and renal comorbidity in 19%, 57% and 29% of patients respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that optimisation by a renal physician reduced post-operative renal impairment (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.03-0.45, P=0.002) while optimisation by a cardiologist reduced respiratory complications (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.05-0.99, P=0.049). An abnormal echocardiogram was associated with pneumonia (OR 6.9, 95% CI 1.6-29, P=0.01) and death (OR 7.9, 95% CI 1.15-54, P=0.036). CONCLUSION: Pre-operative assessment identifies previously undiagnosed comorbidity in a significant proportion of patients. Subsequent medical optimisation may reduce post-operative morbidity and mortality.     

Emergency surgery of non-ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The pain of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is believed to signify rupture, and emergency surgery for symptomatic AAA is a widely accepted practice to prevent rupture. To clarify the benefit of emergency surgery we evaluated the clinical course of emergency treated patients with non-ruptured AAAs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 110 patients (90 men, mean age 69, range 49-93; 20 women, mean age 75, range 63-89) underwent emergency repair of non-ruptured AAA between 1970 and 1992 at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH). Survival rates after surgery were analysed using product-limit-survivorship method. The survival rates after age-stratification were compared with those of patients undergone elective surgery (n=599) or emergency surgery because of ruptured AAAs (n=363) during the same period. Risk factors affecting early and late survival rates after operation were analysed by logistic regression analysis and Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Thirty-day operative mortality rates were 18 % (20/110) in the emergency non-ruptured group, compared with 7 % (42/599) in the elective group and 49 % (179/363) in the ruptured group (p<0.05). Thirty day survival rate was not changed among the nonruptured emergency group from 1970 to 1992, whereas the rates of ruptured and elective groups became better during the study period. Late survival rates for 30-day postoperative survivors were clearly reduced among the non-ruptured emergency group, without difference between the emergency operated ruptured and non-ruptured groups. Coronary artery disease was decreasing significantly early and late survival rates after emergency surgery for non-ruptured AAAs (p<0.05, logistic regression and p<0.001 Cox proportional hazard). CONCLUSIONS: Early and late mortality risk is significantly higher (p<0.001) after emergency surgery for haemodynamically stable non-ruptured AAA than after elective surgery, mainly because of coronary artery disease.     

Autotransfusion during aorto-iliac surgery

Red blood cell (RBC) quality and function during autotransfusion with the Solcotrans system were studied. Up to 64% (mean 999.5 +/- 310 ml) of the total volume of blood lost (mean 1895 +/- 707 ml) during operation in 10 patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic surgery was salvaged. No patient received homologous blood during surgery. Haemoglobin (Hb) and Haematocrit (PCV) values decreased but within acceptable limits. No evidence of DIC was found and renal function was unaffected. Mechanical and functional damage to the RBC was minimal and erythrocyte oxygen-carrying capacity was excellent. 2,3-DPGRBC concentration and RBC reduced glutathion were normal. The device was easy to handle and technical problems were not encountered. It was accurate in salvaging blood although the need for homologous blood was not entirely eliminated since four patients received homologous blood products in the postoperative period. No adverse clinical events occurred.     

Factors affecting morbidity and mortality in biliary tract surgery

Thirty-six clinical and laboratory parameters in 770 consecutive patients undergoing biliary tract surgery over a 3 year period were analyzed in an effort to define the patients at greatest risk. Twelve parameters had a significant correlation with hospital mortality, while multivariate analysis revealed that septic shock, malignant obstruction, serum albumin <3.0 gm%, history of hypertension, and plasma urea nitrogen >20 mg % had an independent significance in predicting postoperative mortality. The presence of more than 2 of these risk factors identified a group of patients with an 18% mortality rate. It is for this group of patients that adequate pre-operative preparation such as fluid resuscitation, prophylactic antibiotics, and nutritional support are essential. The controversial preoperative biliary drainage might be only indicated in this group of patients.

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Resumen Se analizaron 36 parámetros clínicos y de laboratorio en 770 pacientes consecutivos sometidos a cirugía sobre el arbol biliar en el curso de un período de tres años con el propósito de identificar los pacientes de mayor riesgo. Doce parámetros demostraron correlación significativa en la mortalidad hospitalaria, en tanto que el análisis multivariable reveló que el shock séptico, la obstrucción maligna, un nivel sérico de albúmina menor de 3.0 g%, la historia de hipertensión y un nivel plasmático de nitrógeno ureico mayor de 20 mg% poseen significancia independiente en la predicción de la mortalidad postoperatoria. La presencia de más de dos de estos factores de riesgo identifica un grupo de pacientes con tasa de mortalidad de 18%. Es en este grupo de pacientes que es esencial una adecuada preparación preoperatoria tal como resucitación con líquidos parenterales, antibióticos profilácticos y soporte nutricional; el controvertido drenaje biliar preoperatorio puede estar indicado sólo en este grupo de pacientes.

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Résumé Afin de définir une population à risque, 36 paramètres cliniques et biologiques ont été analysés chez 770 patients consécutifs opérés des voies biliaires pendant trois ans. Douze facteurs étaient significativement correlés à une mortalité hospitalière plus élevée, en analyse monofactorielle. En analyse multifactorielle, un choc septique, une obstruction d'origine maligne, une albuminémie inférieure à 3.0 gm%, des antécédents d'hypertension, et une urée sanguine supérieure à 20 mg% avaient une valeur prédictive significative de mortalité postopératoire. La présence de plus de deux de ces facteurs a correctement identifié une population pour laquelle la mortalité était de 18%. C'est donc dans cette population que les auteurs suggerent une préparation préopératoire suffisante comportant une rééquilibration hydro-électrolytique, une antibiothérapie prophylactique et une assistance nutritive. De même, le drainage biliaire préopératoire, quoique discuté, pourrait être indiqué dans ce group de patients.

     

Cardiac morbidity and mortality after surgery for gastrointestinal carcinomas

The number of Americans undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is increasing, as is the prevalence of cardiovascular disease. Clinical risk factors have been found to be useful in predicting cardiac events after vascular procedures. Their utility for predicting cardiac events after GI carcinoma surgery is unclear. We performed a retrospective review in order to determine whether clinical risk factors are useful in predicting cardiac events in patients undergoing GI carcinoma surgery and to ascertain the incidence of postoperative cardiac events. From 1998 to 2003, 333 patients were identified, with an average age of 56 years. One hundred one (30.3%) patients had one or more clinical risk factors. The overall cardiac event rate was 3.9 per cent. Age > 70 years was the only risk factor associated with a cardiac event. There was a trend toward increased cardiac risk with increasing number of risk factors. In the absence of clinical risk factors, cardiac events after surgery for GI carcinoma are low. There is an increased cardiac risk in patients > 70 years and a trend toward increased cardiac events as the number of clinical risk factors increases.     

Combined mortality and morbidity of direct surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Two hundred aneurysms of the abdominal aorta were treated surgically from 1980 to 1987 by the same surgeon. There were 187 men and 13 women whose mean age was 66.1 years. Nine patients were 80-years-old or more. Eighty-seven percent of patients had preoperative risk factors, 30% of which were coronary artery disease. The operative approach was through a transverse laparotomy in 188 patients compared to 11 midline incisions and one lumbotomy. An aortoaortic tube was inserted in 87 patients, a bifurcated prosthesis in 99, and a tube bypass in 14. Five patients (2.5%) died within the 30 day perioperative period. Death was due to colonic necrosis, right heart chamber thrombosis, renal failure after repeat operation for acute lower limb ischemia, and myocardial infarction associated with renal and respiratory failure. The morbidity rate was 15.7% (31 patients) and included seven neurologic accidents, four respiratory complications, five ischemic events of the lower limbs requiring reoperation and one amputation, four cardiac complications, two renal failures, one reversible colonic ischemia, one revision for incomplete hemostasis, one phlebitis, one sliding syndrome, and five minor infections or cutaneous complications. Mean duration of hospital stay was 10.9 days. These results confirm that direct operation on aortic aneurysms can be performed in patients from all age groups and even with associated diseases. A rapid, simple technique based on a transverse approach, minimal dissection and insertion of aortoaortic tubes, whenever feasible, appears to reduce combined mortality-morbidity.Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Societé de Chirurgie Vasculaire de Langue Française, May 20–21, 1988, La Grande Motte, France.     

Brachial vessel injuries: high morbidity and low mortality injuries

Introduction  

Reports of arterial injuries from both the civilian and military arenas report the brachial artery as the most frequently injured vessel, accounting for approximately 25–33% of all peripheral arterial injuries. The brachial artery is surrounded by important peripheral nerves —the median, ulnar and radial, and also parallels the humerus and associated veins. Due to its close proximity to these structures, associated nerve and osseous injuries are frequent with residual neuropathy from such nerve injuries, often the main sources of permanent disability.     

Femoral vessel injuries; high mortality and low morbidity injuries

Femoral vessel injuries are amongst the most common vascular injuries admited in busy trauma centers. The evolution of violence and the increase in penetrating trauma from the urban battlefields of city streets has raised the incidence of femoral vessel injuries, which account for approximately 70% of all peripheral vascular injuries. Despite the relatively low mortality associated with these injuries, there is a high level of technical complexity required for the performance of these repairs. Similarly, they incur low mortality but are associated with significantly high morbidity. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are the keys to successful outcomes with the main goals of managing ischemia time, restoring limb perfusion, accomplishing limb salvage and instituting rehabilitation as soon as possible.     

Predictors of operative morbidity and mortality in gastric cancer surgery

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify factors that predict morbidity and mortality in gastric cancer surgery. METHODS: Data on 719 consecutive patients who underwent operations for gastric cancer at Seoul National University Hospital between January and December 2002 were reviewed. RESULTS: Overall morbidity and mortality rates were 17.4 per cent (125 patients) and 0.6 per cent (four patients) respectively, and the rates of surgical and non-surgical complications were 14.7 per cent (106 patients) and 3.3 per cent (24 patients). Morbidity rates were higher in patients aged over 50 years (odds ratio (OR) 1.04 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 1.02 to 1.06)), when the gastric tumour was resected with another organ (36 per cent for combined resection versus 15.4 per cent for gastrectomy only; OR 3.25 (95 per cent c.i. 1.76 to 6.03)) and when gastrojejunostomy was used for reconstruction after subtotal gastrectomy (17.0 per cent for Billroth II versus 9.5 per cent for Billroth I; OR 2.00 (95 per cent c.i. 1.05 to 3.79)). Only three patients (2.8 per cent) with a surgical complication underwent reoperation, two for adhesive obstruction and one for intra-abdominal bleeding. CONCLUSION: Age, combined resection and Billroth II reconstruction after radical subtotal gastrectomy were independently associated with the development of complications after gastric cancer surgery.