Caio Plopper

Remaining small bowel length: association with catheter sepsis in patients receiving home total parenteral nutrition: evidence of bacterial translocation.

Patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) have a high incidence of catheter-related sepsis, one of its major complications. The aim of this study was to correlate the length of remaining small bowel (RSB) with septic episodes related to the central venous catheter in a group of patients with severe SBS with home TPN. The length of the RSB (<50 cm or ≥50 cm) was related to the frequency of catheter sepsis, time until the first episode, and the agents responsible in eight SBS patients receiving home TPN. There were 13 episodes of catheter infection (0.88 per patient-year). The group with a shorter RSB length (five patients) presented 1.3 to 2.76 infections/year and 2 to 9 months until the first episode, compared to 0 to 0.75 infections/year (p= 0.0357) and 11 to 65 months until the first episode (p= 0.0332) in the group with the longer RSB. In the first group, the agents isolated were Enterobacteriae (Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Proteus sp.) in eight episodes and Candida sp. in one. In the latter sepsis was caused by Staphylococcus sp. in three episodes and Pseudomonas sp. in one. Therefore patients with remaining small bowel shorter than 50 cm have a higher frequency of catheter-related sepsis, particularly by enteric microorganisms. This might be an evidence of the occurrence of bacterial translocation and its role in the pathogenesis of catheter-related sepsis in patients with an extremely short RSB receiving home TPN.

Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve: A Plexus Rather Than a Nerve?

OBJECTIVES To analyze the frequency of extralaryngeal branching (ELB) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in a consecutive series of patients undergoing thyroidectomy by the same group of surgeons during an extended period and to compare our findings with the data available in the literature. DESIGN Retrospective medical record study. SETTING Academic research. PATIENTS From March 1, 1983, to September 30, 2008, 2677 patients underwent thyroidectomy. Of these, 1638 patients had surgical information about at least 1 RLN. A total of 1081 patients underwent bilateral operations. During the last 5 years of the study, intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring was performed in selected patients using a commercially available system. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Information was obtained regarding 2154 RLNs. RESULTS A total of 1390 RLNs (64.53%) had ELB. Among 447 patients in whom intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring was used, the anterior branches usually exhibited more electrophysiologic activity. CONCLUSIONS Extralaryngeal branching was found in 64.53% of RLNs in this case series. In recent patients with intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring, electrophysiologic activity was observed in the branches, particularly the anteriorly situated ones. Recognition of this frequent anatomical configuration and meticulous preservation of all branches are of paramount importance to decrease postoperative morbidity associated with thyroidectomy.

First-Bite Syndrome After Resection of the Styloid Process†

Background: First‐bite syndrome (FBS) may occur after operations on parapharyngeal space. The main symptom is excruciating pain only after the first one or two bites of meals.

Access Routes for Nutritional Therapy

Enteral nutrition (EN) and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) may provide life-sustaining therapy for surgical patients. The duration of nutritional therapy (enteral or parenteral) implies distinct access routes. We review the main aspects related to access routes for nutrient delivery. The enteral route, whenever feasible, is preferred. For EN lasting less than 6 weeks, nasoenteric tubes are the route of choice. Conversely, enterostomy tubes should be used for longer-term enteral feeding and can be placed surgically or with fluoroscopic and endoscopic assistance. The first choice for patients who will not be submitted to laparotomy is percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Postpyloric access, although not consensual, must be considered when there is a high risk of aspiration. For intravenous delivery of nutrients lasting less than 10 days, the peripheral route can be used. However, because of frequent infusion phlebitis, its role is still in discussion. Central venous catheters (CVCs) for TPN delivery may be (1) nonimplantable, percutaneous, nontunneled—used for a few days to 3 to 4 weeks; (2) partially implantable, percutaneous, tunneled—used for longer periods and permanent access; or (3) totally implantable subcutaneous ports—also used for long-term or permanent access. The subclavian vein is usually the insertion site of choice for central venous catheters. Implantable ports are associated with lower rates of septic complications than percutaneous CVCs. The catheter with the least number of necessary lumens should be applied. Central venous nutrient delivery can also be accomplished through peripherally inserted central catheters, which avoid insertion-related risks.

How to minimize complications in thyroid surgery

BACKGROUND In ancient times, operations on the thyroid gland caused unacceptable morbidity and mortality. Only after the landmark work of Kocher, the technical principles of thyroidectomy were solidly established, and are still valid nowadays. METHODS Revision article on practical suggestions to decrease morbidity associated with thyroidectomy, as well as warning against common pitfalls that the surgeon may encounter. RESULTS The following subjects are objectively addressed: how to manage upper airway obstruction, how to avoid non-esthetic scars and how to recognize the most prevalent anatomic variations concerning the recurrent nerve, the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve and the parathyroid glands, in order to decrease operative morbidity. CONCLUSION The Head and Neck Surgeon must be fully aware of the complex anatomy of the central visceral compartment of the neck, as well as must be prepared to handle some complications of thyroidectomy that can be life-threatening.

Perineural Invasion in Aggressive Skin Carcinomas of the Head and Neck

Introduction: Perineural invasion is a well-recognized form of cancer dissemination. However, it has been reported only in few papers concerning cutaneous carcinomas (basal cell, BCC, and squamous cell, SCC). Moreover, the incidence is considered to be very low. Niazi and Lambert [Br J Plast Surg 1993;46:156–157] reported only 0.18% of perineural invasion among 3,355 BCCs. It is associated with high-risk subtypes, as morphea-like, as well as with an increased risk of local recurrence. No paper was found in the literature looking for perineural invasion in very aggressive skin cancers with skull base extension, with immunohistochemical analysis. Methods: This is a retrospective review, including 35 very advanced skin carcinomas with skull base invasion (24 BCCs and 11 SCCs, operated on at a single institution from 1982 to 2000). Representative slides were immunohistochemically evaluated with antiprotein S-100, in order to enhance nerve fibers and to detect perineural invasion. The results were compared to 34 controls with tumors with a good outcome, treated in the same time frame at the same Institution. Results: Twelve (50.0%) of the BCCs with skull base invasion had proven perineural invasion, as opposed to only 1 (4.6%) of the controls, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Regarding SCCs, 7 aggressive tumors (63.6%) showed perineural invasion compared to only 1 (10.0%) of the controls, but this difference did not reach significance (p = 0.08), due to the small number of cases. Conclusions: In this series, it was demonstrated that immunohistochemically detected perineural invasion was very prevalent in advanced skin carcinomas. In addition, it was statistically associated with extremely aggressive BCCs with skull base invasion.

Do the dimensions of the femoral canal play a role in the genesis of femoral hernia

SummaryThe possibility of a biometric explanation for the genesis of femoral hernia has motivated several studies on the anatomy and dimensions of the femoral canal. However, because of methodologic flaws, there is still a lack of consistent results regarding this matter. The aim of this paper was to improve the understanding of the biometry of the femoral ring and canal and development of femoral hernia by a preperitoneal access. The longitudinal and transverse diameters and the depth of the femoral canal were measured in 50 male cadavers between 22 and 76 years of age. A great variability of diameters was found, and the right longitudinal and transverse diameters (1.65 ± 0.28 and 1.71 ± 0.37 cm) were significantly larger than the left (1.53 ± 0.26 and 1.53 ± 0.34 cm); p=0.021 and p=0.013, respectively. However, the depth of the left femoral canal (1.60 ± 0.41 cm) was significantly larger than the right (1.40 ± 0.38 cm); p=0.011. The wider femoral ring could explain the higher incidence of right femoral hernias. On the other hand, the great variability of diameters found, as large as 2.58 cm with the absence of femoral hernia, indicates that femoral ring diameter is not the only factor involved in the etiology of femoral hernia. We conclude that widened dimensions of the femoral ring alone are not a sufficient condition for the genesis of femoral hernias, but play a role in their formation, explaining their higher incidence in the right groin.

Parotidectomy for Primary Nonparotid Diseases

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the indications and results of parotid gland resections for patients with primary nonparotid diseases. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective analysis of 442 consecutive parotidectomies (76 for primary nonparotid disease) in a referral head and neck surgery service, tertiary care university hospital. RESULTS: Skin cancer (mainly squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas) was the most common indication for parotidectomy. Superficial parotidectomy with preservation of the facial nerve was the most commonly performed operation (61.8%), with some form of nerve sacrifice necessary in 31.6%. Parotid gland parenchyma and/or lymph nodes were pathologically positive in 46 cases. Neck dissections were carried out in conjunction with parotidectomy in 42 patients (1 patient had had previous neck dissection), of which 16 turned out to be pN+. CONCLUSION: Parotidectomy should be considered as part of the surgical treatment of tumors whenever oncologically necessary for appropriate margins, lymph node dissection, and for proper identification and preservation of the facial nerve.