Dragos Stojanovic

Low Fresh Gas Flow Balanced Anesthesia Versus Target Controlled Intravenous Infusion Anesthesia in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Cost-Minimization Analysis

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic surgery is widely recognized as a well-tolerated and effective method for cholecystectomy. It is also considered cost saving because it has been associated with a decreased hospital length of stay. Variables that might lead to increased costs in laparoscopic surgery are the technique and drugs used in anesthesia. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to compare the costs of 2 anesthetic techniques used in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC)--balanced versus IV anesthesia--from the standpoint of an outpatient surgical department, with a time horizon of 1 year. METHODS Patients scheduled to undergo elective LC were enrolled in this prospective case study. Patients were randomly allocated to receive balanced anesthesia, administered as low fresh gas flow (LFGF) with inhalational sevoflurane and IV sufentanil in a target controlled infusion (LFGF SS group), or IV anesthesia, administered as IV propofol/sufentanil in a target controlled infusion (TCI group). We used a microcosting procedure to measure health care resource utilization in individual patients to detect treatment differences. The costs of medications used for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia during surgery were considered for LFGF SS and TCI. Other end points included duration of anesthesia; mean times to early emergence, tracheal extubation, orientation, and postanesthesia discharge (PAD); pain intensity before first analgesia; number of analgesics required in the first 24 hours after surgery; and prevalences of nausea, vomiting, and agitation. RESULTS A total of 60 patients were included in this analysis (male/female ratios in the LFGF SS and TCI groups: 11/19 and 12/18, respectively; mean [SD] ages, 48 [7.9] and 47 [8.6] years; and mean [SD] body mass indexes, 26 [2.0] and 26 [3.0] kg/m2). The costs of anesthetics were significantly lower with LFGF SS compared with TCI (euro17.40 [euro2.66] vs euro22.01 [euro2.50] [2006 euros]). Times to early emergence and tracheal extubation were significantly shorter with LFGF SS than TCI (5.97 [1.16] vs 7.73 [1.48] minutes and 7.57 [1.07] vs 8.87 [1.45] minutes, respectively). There were no significant between-group differences in mean duration of anesthesia; times to orientation and PAD; pain intensity before first analgesia; number of analgesics required in the first 24 hours; or prevalences of nausea, vomiting, and agitation. Because no clinically significant differences in the anesthetic results were observed, a cost-minimization analysis was conducted and found that using LFGF SS, the outpatient surgical department could realize a budget savings of euro454 per 100 patients. For the nearly 1000 expected patients per year, the savings for the department was calculated as euro4540. CONCLUSION The results from this cost analysis in these patients who underwent elective LC suggest that the use of sevoflurane through the LFGF technique would be cost saving in this outpatient surgical department.

Dyslipidemia in subclinical hypothyroidism

INTRODUCTION Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as an increased serum TSH and normal serum FT4 concentration. In subclinical hypothyroidism, thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies are frequently present. Subclinical hypothyroidism may have endogenous or exogenous causes. The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism is rather high. The number of patients progressing to overt hypothyroidism may be higher. These patients may be asymptomatic, or have only mild symptoms or a single symptom. MATERIAL AND METHODS We investigated 35 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism in order to establish the type and degree of dyslipidemia and effects of therapy with L-thyroxine (50 micrograms/d) during three months. RESULTS Serum cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and apo B were increased. A significant reduction of serum cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and apo B concentrations was established during thyroid hormone replacement. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Only a few studies reported higher LDL and lower HDL-cholesterol values in subclinical hypothyroidism. Much interest was thus aroused to evaluate whether or not subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with hypercholesterolemia. Only patients with serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentration above 10 mU/L had a significant reduction of serum cholesterol concentration during thyroid hormone replacement. Most patients with subclinical hypothyroidism should be treated with thyroxine to prevent progression to overt hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy may slow the progression of coronary heart disease, because of its beneficial effects on lipids. These findings and especially high rate of progression towards overt hypothyroidism suggest early thyroxine treatment.

Thoracic electrical bioimpedance theory and clinical possibilities in perioperative medicine

This article is a short review of thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB) theory and clinical capabilities. Cardiac output measurement is used primarily to guide therapy in complex, critically ill patients. Thoracic electrical bioimpedance is one of several noninvasive techniques that have been investigated to measure cardiac output and other hemodynamic parameters. Opinions in current literature continue to be conflicting as to the utility of thoracic electrical bioimpedance to that purpose. There is a limited number of good designed studies but they imply TEB is an accurate and reliable noninvasive method for determining cardiac output/cardiac index and it would be valuable for patients and circumstances in which intracardiac pressures and mixed venous blood samples are not necessary. PREDRAG STEVANOVIĆ ( ) • RADISAV ŠĆEPANOVIĆ • DRAGAN RADOVANOVIĆ •

[Oxidized LDL and C-reactive protein as markers for detection of accelerated atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes].

INTRODUCTION High levels of inflammatory markers are associated with an increased risk for development of coronary heart disease (CHD). The aim of this study was to estimate relations between oxidized LDL (oxLDL), C-reactive protein (CRP) and conventional lipid risk factors for CHD in type 2 diabetics without coronary heart disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS Three groups of subjects were included in the study. 44 well-controlled type 2 diabetics (25 female/19 male; 54.50 +/- 6.54 years); FBG: 5.67 +/- 0.69: HbA1c: 6.5 +/- 1.6%) without clinical signs of CHD; the second group included 24 hypercholesterolemic healthy subjects (14 female/28 male; 51.30 +/- 5.76 years). The control group included 24 normocholesterolemic healthy subjects (17 female/12 male; 48.1 +/- 8.37 years). Lipid profiles were measured by enzymatic methods. OxLDL was measured by a commercially available sandwich ELISA (Mercodia AB, Uppsala, Sweden). Hs-CRP was measured by chemiluminiscence (Immulite-DPC) using Behring Latex hs-CRP assay. RESULTS Serum oxLDL levels were significantly higher in diabetic patients (p<0.05) and subjects with hypercholesterolemia (p<0.01) compared with control subjects. Levels of CRP were significantly increased in hypercholesterolemic subjects, compared with controls (p<0.01). Levels of CRP in diabetic patients also were significantly increased compared to those of controls (p<0.05). In type 2 diabetes oxLDL significantly correlated with CRP (r=0.657; p=0.0001), TG:HDL-C ratio (r=0.690; p=0.0001). In hypercholesterolemic subjects oxLDL significantly correlated with oxLDL:LDL ratio (r=0.788, p=0.0001) but not with CRP. In controls, oxLDL significantly correlated with oxLDL:LDL ratio (r=0.679; p=0.0001, and CRP (r=0.802; p=0.0001). CONCLUSION It is of great importance to identify type 2 diabetics and hypercholesterolemic healthy subjects with high levels of oxLDL and CRP, because they are at increased risk for development of accelerated atherosclerosis.

A case-control study of papillary thyroid cancer in children and adolescents.

Thyroid carcinomas in children and adolescents are rare tumors and the most common among them is papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Its etiology is still under research and has not been clearly defined thus far, especially in young individuals. The aim of this case–control study was to determine potential risk factors for the development of PTC in children and adolescents. This type of study has not been carried out previously in this age group. A case–control study was carried out during a 15-year period, between 1995 and 2009. The case group included 75 patients with PTC younger than 20 years of age, with the youngest patient being 6.5 years old; 45 patients were female and 30 were male. The control group included the same number of participants, and the cases were individually matched by sex, age, and place of residence. Conditional univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods were applied in data analysis. According to univariate logistic regression analysis, PTC in children and adolescents was significantly related to the following factors: family history of thyroid cancer, family history of residence in an endemic-goiter area, family history of benign thyroid disease, and family history of nonthyroid malignant tumors. According to the multivariate logistic regression method, PTC in children and adolescents was independently related to a family history of thyroid cancer (odds ratio=4.5, 95% confidence interval=1.2–19.8) and a family history of nonthyroid malignant tumors (odds ratio=3.8, 95% confidence interval=1.4–8.7). In conclusion, all of the factors associated with the development of PTC in children and adolescents were related to their family history.

Off-pump myocardial revascularization using the Octopus tissue stabilizer system.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) has changed the approach to contemporary coronary surgery. Development of new surgical devices and techniques has reduced morbidity and mortality during off-pump surgery. From March 2000-April 2002, a total of 136 patients underwent open heart surgery using off-pump technique and fast-track anesthesia at Dedinje Cardiovascular Institute. Octopus Medtronic coronary stabilizer was used for stabilization of targeted vessel. Arterial grafts were used 169 times and saphenous vein 69 times. Average number of anastomoses was 1,830,73 per patient. One patient (0.74%) died. Three patients (2.21%) underwent surgery revision due to postoperative bleeding and one (0.74%) because of graft dysfunction. Perioperative myocardial infarction was registered 2 times (1.47%), pneumothorax 3 times (2.21%), postoperative arrhythmias 11 times (8.09%), transitory ischemic attack once (0.74%) and deep wound infection once (0.74%). Twelve patients (8.82%) required prolonged inotropic support. Angiographies early revealed patent grafts in 8 patients (5.88%). OPCAB is a safe and effective alternative approach to coronary artery revascularization. Use of coronary stabilizer has improved the safety and quality of OPCAB surgery.

Treatment of colorectal liver metastases with a combination of liver resection and radiofrequency ablation

INTRODUCTION Radiofrequency ablation is a new invasive procedure that is being increasingly used in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases. Resection as the only potential cure for colorectal liver metastases is limited by the size and the itrahepatic localization of lesions. Radiofrequency ablation may extend the limitations of classic surgery. In this work we analyzed the combination of surgical liver resection and radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study included 11 patients with colorectal metastases. Colon resection and radiofrequency ablation have been performed in five (5) patients, three (3) patients underwent liver resection and radiofrequency ablation, and in three (3) patients colon resection, liver resection and radiofrequency ablation were performed. RESULTS In our study group, there were 6 (54.54%) men and 5 (45.45%) women aged 55 to 66 years and 52 to 67 years of age, respectively. During operations, we treated 30 liver metastases, 2.72 metastses per patient. There were from 2 to 4 ablation metastases. The diameter of colorectal metastases was between 11 mm and 44 mm. Most of ablation metastases (12 or 40%) were between 2.1 cm and 3 cm in diameter. Only 10% of ablation metastases were over 40 mm in diameter. DISCUSSION The majority of patients with metastatic colorectal hepatic tumors are not candidates for surgical resection, due to tumor size, location and multifocality. However, we can treat advanced colorectal cancers and colorectal liver metastases with a combination of liver resection and radiofreqency ablation. In this way we can operate and give a chance to patients with multifocal metastases and metastases with a diametar over 40 mm. CONCLUSION A combination of liver resection and radiofrequency ablation in treatment of advanced colorectal cancers with liver metastases is a good treatment modality which increases the number of operabile cases.

Parathyroid gland adenoma: Case report

Introduction Primary hyperparathyroidism is a generalized disorder resulting from excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone involving one or more parathyroid glands. Both familial and sporadic forms exist. Histologic examination reveals parathyroid adenoma in about 90% of patients, although it is sometimes difficult to distinguish an adenoma from a normal gland. Primary hyperparathyroidism is commonly characterized by hypercalcaemia, hypophosphatemia and excessive bone resorption. Case report This is a case report of a 52-year old female patient with toxic thyroid adenoma and a parathyroid gland adenoma. The patient underwent partial thyroidectomy as a method of choice in treatment of toxic thyroid adenoma. Two years later, clinical hyperparathyroidism caused by an adenoma of parathyroid gland has manifested and was surgically removed. Discussion and conclusion In mild hypercalcaemia, many patients are asymptomatic and this condition is frequently discovered accidentally during routine laboratory screening. In order to provide operative treatment efficiency in thyroid nodule cases, besides thyroid gland morphological diagnostics, it is necessary to perform a preoperative verification of parathyroid glands as well. This diagnostic approach is essential in identifying possible simultaneous occurrence of multiple diseases, such as: thyroid and adenoma of parathyroid gland, in order to diminish incorrect diagnostic estimates.

Synchronous adenocarcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (gist) in the stomach - report of two cases

Online first: October 9, 2018 SUMMARY Introduction Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly in the stomach or the small intestine. The surgery of the stomach is the dominant way of treatment of these tumors. The synchronous detection of adenocarcinoma and gastric GIST is not a very common condition, which is often diagnosed intraoperatively and has a significant impact on the prognosis of these patients. Outline of cases We herein report two cases of gastric GIST with synchronous adenocarcinoma tumors, which were detected incidentally, intraoperatively, while the patients were undergoing surgery for a primary gastric adenocarcinoma. The first case was of a 76-year-old female patient. The histopathological analysis of the operative specimen firstly showed a poorly differentiated advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. The second tumor, from the gastric serosa, was a spindle cell GIST of low risk. It was diffusely positive for DOG1, CD34, and CD117. Its proliferative index was established using the Ki67 antibody. The number of mitoses was one per 5 mm2. The second case was of a 65-year-old male patient. The histopathological analysis revealed an early, well-differentiated, intestinal type adenocarcinoma of the gastric mucosa. The synchronous tumor from the serosa of the stomach was a spindle cell gastrointestinal stromal tumor (CD34, DOG1, and CD117 diffusely positive) of low risk. The proliferative index of this tumor, labeled with the Ki67 antibody, was very low. Necrosis was not present, nor was mitosis. Conclusion Synchronous adenocarcinomas and GIST of the stomach are not very commonly associated, and are usually detected intraoperatively and after an immunohistochemical analysis. Recognition of this condition has a very important role in a differential diagnosis and the exclusion of metastases of malignant tumor deposits. Based on the tumor severity, the radicalness of the surgical intervention is determined, which affects the outcome of these patients.