Alison Smith

Repair of incisional hernias with biological prosthesis: a systematic review of current evidence

BACKGROUND No consensus has been reached on the use of bioprosthetics to repair abdominal wall defects. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the outcomes from studies describing this use of various bioprosthetics for incisional hernia repair. METHODS Studies published by October 2011 were identified through literature searches using EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. RESULTS A total of 491 articles were scanned, 60 met eligibility criteria. Most studies were retrospective case studies. The studies ranged considerably in methodologic quality, with a modified Methodological Index of Nonrandomized Studies score from 5 to 12. Many repairs were performed in contaminated surgical sites (47.9%). At least one complication was seen in 87% of repairs. Major complications noted were wound infections (16.9%) and seroma (12.0%). With a mean follow-up period of 13.6 months the hernia recurrence rate was 15.2%. CONCLUSIONS There is an insufficient level of high-quality evidence in the literature on the value of bioprosthetics for incisional hernia repair. Randomized controlled trials that use standardized reporting comparing bioprosthetics with synthetic mesh for incisional hernia repair are needed.

A multi-institutional analysis of prehospital tourniquet use

BACKGROUND Recent military studies demonstrated an association between prehospital tourniquet use and increased survival. The benefits of this prehospital intervention in a civilian population remain unclear. The aims of our study were to evaluate tourniquet use in the civilian population and to compare outcomes to previously published military experience. We hypothesized that incorporation of tourniquet use in the civilian population will result in an overall improvement in mortality. METHODS This is a preliminary multi-institutional retrospective analysis of prehospital tourniquet (MIA-T) use of patients admitted to nine urban Level 1 trauma centers from January 2010 to December 2013. Patient demographics and mortality from a previous military experience by Kragh et al. (Ann Surg. 2009;249:1–7) were used for comparison. Patients younger than 18 years or with nontraumatic bleeding requiring tourniquet application were excluded. Data were analyzed using a two-tailed unpaired Student’s t test with p < 0.05 as significant. RESULTS A total of 197 patients were included. Tourniquets were applied effectively in 175 (88.8%) of 197 patients. The average Injury Severity Score (ISS) for MIA-T versus military was 11 ± 12.5 versus 14 ± 10.5, respectively (p = 0.02). The overall mortality and limb amputation rates for the MIA-T group were significantly lower than previously seen in the military population at 6 (3.0%) of 197 versus 22 (11.3%) of 194 (p = 0.002) and 37 (18.8%) of 197 versus 97 (41.8%) of 232 (p = 0.0001), respectively. CONCLUSION Our study is the largest evaluation of prehospital tourniquet use in a civilian population to date. We found that tourniquets were applied safely and effectively in the civilian population. Adaptation of this prehospital intervention may convey a survival benefit in the civilian population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Epidemiologic study, level V.

Nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among students at a Louisiana medical university

r Staphylococcus aureus is an epidemiologically important pathogen. Nasal colonization occurs in approximately 27% of healthy individuals. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization is increasing among the healthcare personnel in US hospitals, and the percentage of MRSA isolated from hospitals in Louisiana has almost doubled over the past decade.1 Although a variety of studies have examined the prevalence of nasal carriage of S. aureus and MRSA in diverse healthcare subpopulations (i.e., nurses, paramedics, and clerical workers), few studies in the United States have examined the potential contribution of medical students and graduate medical trainees who are exposed daily to a hospital environment as reservoirs for this bacteria.2,3 The aim of our study is to evaluate the nasal carriage rate of S. aureus in students and graduate medical trainees at a Louisiana health sciences center and to determine whether direct exposure to a hospital environment influences the prevalence of nasal S. aureus colonization rates. Nasal swabs were collected from medical and graduate medical trainees with direct hospital exposure (clinical group, n = 52). Controls without hospital exposure were selected from the graduate student and pre-clinical medical student populations (non-clinical group, n = 42). All swabs were analyzed for presence of the methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA using standard microbiological techniques. Epidemiological information concerning risk factors for nasal carriage was obtained. The mean age of participants was 28 years (range 19–44 years) with a male-to-female ratio of 2.4. There was no difference between the clinical and non-clinical groups in terms of previously identified risks factors for S. aureus carriage except for hospital exposure (p < 0.0001). The clinical group had a significantly larger number of individuals colonized compared to the non-clinical group (p < 0.05). Isolates from 3 of these individuals showed methicillin resistance (Table 1). Two of the subjects positive for MRSA were senior medical students, and one was a first year graduate medical trainee. All three had no additional risk factors for MRSA colonization. By comparison, none of the individuals in the non-clinical group tested positive for MRSA. 1 MSSA, methicillin sensitive S. aureus; MRSA, methicillin resistant S. aureus.

Generics: Are all immunosuppression agents created equally?

BACKGROUND The Affordable Care Act initiated innumerable cost-containment measures, including promoting generic conversion from brand medications and directing the Food and Drug Administration to decrease requirements for generic approvals. Despite this mandate, few data existed on generic conversion of immunosuppressant medications with narrow therapeutic troughs. METHODS A retrospective analysis of our initial experience with generic tacrolimus (n = 39) was performed using a control cohort from our renal transplant database. A rejection and cost analysis was performed using a consecutive 2-year prior cohort (n = 159) as a control to determine the effect of generic conversion on tacrolimus a narrow therapeutic index immunosuppressant medication. RESULTS During the first year after transplantation, the generic group had a greater drug variability (20% ± change in trough levels) that required more dosage adjustments (5.42 vs 3.59 drug dosage changes; P = .038) to obtain a stable dose, required increased number of intravenous magnesium infusions (4.95 vs 1.68 infusions; P = .001), and incurred a greater incidence of rejection (23.1% vs 10.2%; P = .024). A yearly institutional cost was evaluated against a negotiated

Racial Disparity in Renal Transplantation: Alemtuzumab the Great Equalizer?

18,000/yearly central pharmacy cost savings compared with a

Successful Treatment of Recurrent Pulmonary Mucormycosis in a Renal Transplant Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review

652,862 institutional cost to treat unanticipated rejections. CONCLUSION Programmatic conversion from brand to generic tacrolimus resulted in increased drug variability, a greater incidence of magnesium wasting, and more episodes of rejection, leading to increases in institutional costs of care. This government-driven attempt at cost containment may be applicable to noncritical medications such as antibiotics and antihypertensives, but this policy should be reconsidered for narrow therapeutic index medications, such as tacrolimus and other immunosuppressant medications.

A Rationale to Use Bladder Boari Flap Reconstruction for Late Kidney Transplant Ureteral Strictures.

OBJECTIVES Racial disparity as a barrier to successful outcomes in renal transplants for African Americans has been well described. Numerous unsuccessful attempts have been made to identify specific immunologic and socioeconomic factors. The objective of our study was to determine whether alemtuzumab (AL) induction abolishes this discrepancy and improves allograft survival in African American recipients. METHODS A retrospective chart review of consecutive adult renal transplants was conducted between 2006 and 2014. Kaplan-Meier analysis and hazard ratios were calculated for the African Americans (AA) and white groups. Multiple linear regressions were performed to assess independent variables (race, retransplant, sex, donor type, induction agent) on allograft survival. RESULTS A significant difference in allograft survival was identified between whites (n = 272) and AA (n = 445), with AA experiencing more graft losses (18.2% vs 12.1%, P = 0.0351). Induction with AL improved outcomes in all transplant recipients. Multiple linear regression identified that the strongest predictor of allograft failure was induction without AL (P < 0.0001). The data for a subset analysis matched for follow-up length demonstrated that whites compared with AA (n = 157, 67 whites and 90 AA) had lower rates of allograft failure in the absence of AL induction (14.9% vs 44.4%, P = 0.0156, hazard ratio = 2.077). In contrast, AL induction (n = 275, 105 whites and 170 AA) eliminated the racial disparity in allograft failure (5.7% vs 9.4%, P = 0.8248, hazard ratio = 1.504). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to describe the effects of AL induction therapy on AA renal transplant recipients beyond the first posttransplant year. Our early results suggest that AL induction therapy abolishes the disparity in renal allograft failure.

Laparoscopic skills training of surgical residents: a comparison of two proficiency-based independent approaches

Background. We describe the unusual case of a recently transplanted cadaveric renal transplant recipient who presented with recurrent pulmonary mucormycosis. Case Report. An 18-year-old man with end stage renal disease secondary to congenital renal agenesis status after cadaveric kidney transplant 4 months before presented with acute onset of fever, hemoptysis, and back pain. The patient underwent an emergent left lower lobectomy due to the critical nature of his illness. He was also treated with amphotericin with resolution of his symptoms. One week later, he had evidence of recurrent disease on imaging with a surgical site infection. He underwent reexploration with evacuation of an empyema and debridement of a surgical site infection. He was continued on IV antifungal therapy with isavuconazonium and amphotericin. Radiographic clearance of disease with three months of treatment was apparent with no evidence of recurrence at seven-month follow-up. Discussion. Opportunistic infections in solid organ transplant patients represent a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Most patients are treated with prophylactic anti-infective agents. However, rare infections such as pulmonary mucormycosis remain a risk. The transplant physician must be aware of these uncommon infections and their treatment strategies, including the management of uncommon recurrent disease.

Role of oral and intravenous pre-operative antibiotics in elective colon surgery

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of Boari flap reconstruction (BFR) in the management of late-onset transplant ureteral strictures (TUS). METHODS Between March 2007 and March 2014, there were 730 patients who underwent kidney transplant (KTx) at our institution. We identified 16 patients with TUS, occurring more than 60 days after KTx. Baseline clinical and posttransplant characteristics were reviewed and stratified upon treatment modality. Outcomes for each treatment modality were determined. RESULTS Median time from transplant to the treatment of TUS was 703 days (range, 65-2617 days). BFR was the most common treatment modality and was used in 87.5% of patients (n = 14/16). This procedure was performed as both a primary treatment and as a salvage procedure in recurrent TUS refractory to balloon dilation and neoureterocystotomy. Incidence of BFR failure was 6.3% (n = 1/14). BFR as a primary treatment was more successful compared to other methods (P  <  .01). CONCLUSION Late TUS after KTx is a difficult complication to treat. Our study suggests that BFR can provide a higher success rate of primary treatment compared to other common treatment options. BFR can be used as a primary treatment of TUS or as a salvage procedure with similar success. Additional follow-up is necessary to evaluate the long-term efficacy of BFR for the treatment of late-onset TUS.

Incidence and management of leukopenia/neutropenia in 233 kidney transplant patients following single dose alemtuzumab induction.

Aim: Current financial and work hour constraints make proctored on-site laparoscopic simulation training challenging. An independent learning approach utilizing proficiency-based training is a potential solution. The purpose of this study was to determine if an independent approach using a portable, laparoscopic training device within one’s home environment could effectively train novices in laparoscopic procedural skills. Methods: After baseline testing, laparoscopic novices (n = 16) were randomized to one of two study groups. The on-site group (n = 7) received unlimited access to the workplace laparoscopic trainers and the home group (n = 9) received portable laparoscopic trainers for home. Both groups underwent self-directed, proficiency-based training for three months then were retested. Results were compared with parametric and non-parametric statistical tests. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The practice rate (56%) and practice time (range, 0.18 to 2.6 h) were poor in both groups during the training period. At post-test, the number of participants who demonstrated an improvement (86% on-site, 78% home) on the peg task was not different between groups. The successful completion of the suturing task post-test had significantly improved compared with pre-test in both groups (71% vs. 29% on-site; 44% vs. 22% home, P < 0.001). Although the majority of participants reported it was difficult to practice on a regular basis (86% on-site, 89% home), 56% of the home group participants agreed that the at-home trainer was a helpful teaching modality. Conclusion: Learning of laparoscopic skills by novice trainees can be augmented by an independent learning approach using either home or on-site laparoscopic trainers. Although over half the candidates found it was useful to have the training device at home, none of the participants practiced more than an hour or two in the three month training period. Thus, the solution to conducting training does not lie in merely providing home training, but rather to understand the work-related stressors and reconfigure jobs.