Elina Quiroga

Management of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in the endovascular era.

OBJECTIVES Our institution treats about 30 patients per year with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA). Between 2002 and 2007, our 30-day mortality averaged 58%. In July 2007, we implemented an algorithm to promote endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) when feasible. This report describes the outcome with this approach. METHODS Data on patients presenting with rAAA between July 1, 2002, and June 30, 2007, were reviewed and used for comparison to prospectively collected data. Data on patients presenting between July 1, 2007, and April 30, 2009, were collected on all patients after implementation of a structured protocol. The primary outcome measure was 30-day mortality. Data were analyzed using logistic regression. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and a log-rank test were performed to compare survival times for three groups (pre-protocol, post-protocol with open surgery, and post-protocol with EVAR). RESULTS During the study period, 187 patients with rAAA presented to our institution. Before implementation of the algorithm, 131 patients with rAAA presented and 128 were treated. The 30-day mortality rate was 57.8%. After implementation of the protocol, 56 patients with rAAA were managed. Twenty-seven patients (48%) underwent successful EVAR, and 24 patients (43%) underwent open repair. Five patients (9%) underwent comfort care only. In the post-protocol period, 5 patients in the EVAR group (18.5%) and 13 patients in the open group (54.2%) died during the follow-up period for an overall 30-day mortality rate of 35.3% (P = .008 vs 57.8% pre-protocol). After implementation of a structured protocol for managing rAAA, there was a relative risk reduction in 30-day mortality of 35% compared to the time before implementation of the protocol (95% confidence interval [CI], 14%-51%) corresponding to an absolute risk reduction of 22.5% (95% CI, 6.8%-38.2%) and an odds ratio of 0.40 (95% CI, 0.20-0.78; P = .007). After adjusting for key factors predicting mortality, the odds ratio is 0.25 (95% CI, 0.10-0.57; P = .001). CONCLUSION Use of an algorithm favoring endovascular repair resulted in a highly significant reduction in rAAA mortality in our urban hospital. Thirty-day mortality for open repair was no different between pre- and post-protocol eras. With modern techniques of resuscitation and surgical management, a majority of patients presenting with rAAA can survive.

Long-term outcomes after laparoscopic antireflux surgery.

OBJECTIVES:We studied the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) and the factors that determine it, as neither has been previously well established.METHODS:From September 1993 (start of our program) to September 1999, 441 patients underwent LARS. Preoperative symptoms and the results of esophageal functional studies as well as details of the operation and follow-up were recorded prospectively in our database. In 2004, with the help of a private investigator, we were able to contact 288 (65%). There were no differences in presentation profiles of those patients contacted and those we could not.RESULTS:At a median follow-up of 69 months, individual symptoms, among those who had it preoperatively, were as follows: heartburn (N = 282) improved in 254 (90%) and resolved in 188 (67%); regurgitation (N = 258) improved in 238 (92%) and resolved 199 (70%); dysphagia (N = 123) improved in 96 (78%) and resolved in 76 (62%); cough (N = 119) improved in 82 (69%) and resolved in 48 (40%); and hoarseness (N = 106) improved in 73 (69%) and resolved in 50 (47%). Univariate regression analysis showed that the presence of heartburn (P = 0.02), male gender (P = 0.03), and younger age (P = 0.04) predicted symptom resolution, whereas preoperative dysphagia (P = 0.03), airway manifestations (P = 0.03), bloating (P = 0.04), and defective esophageal motility (P = 0.08) were negative predictive factors. By multivariate analysis, male gender, dysphagia, and age remained significant (P < 0.05). Seven patients (2%) developed a new onset of dysphagia; 32 patients (11%) developed new or increased diarrhea and 27 patients (9%) developed bloating postoperatively. One hundred nineteen patients (41%) were taking some form of antacid medication; 66 (23%) patients were using PPIs and 10 (3%) had undergone reoperation.CONCLUSION:LARS provides effective long-term relief of GERD. Younger patients, men, and those without dysphagia are predictors of superior outcomes.

Gastroesophageal and pharyngeal reflux detection using impedance and 24-hour pH monitoring in asymptomatic subjects : Defining the normal environment

Airway symptoms are often caused by aspiration of refluxed materials into the larynx. In this study we sought to define the frequency, character, and proximal extent of refluxed contents — including nonacid reflux—in normal subjects using intraluminal impedance to improve our understanding of the relationship between reflux and aspiration. Ten subjects, who had no symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease or airway disease, underwent impedance/pH monitoring with a catheter that allowed simultaneous esophageal and pharyngeal monitoring. Impedance detected 496 gastroesophageal reflux episodes in the 10 subjects during 240 hours of study. The majority, 399 (81% of the total) were acid reflux episodes (pH<4). Ninety-seven were nonacid (pH>4).Most reflux episodes (348 of 496) reached the mid esophagus (9 cm above lower esophageal sphincter). There were 51 reflux episodes that reached the pharynx (PR). Only 13 (25%) of PR were acidic (pH < 4), while 38 were nonacid. Twenty-six PR episodes were liquid and 25 were mixed (liquid and gas). The median number of PR episodes measured with impedance was 5 (0-10). In asymptomatic subjects, most episodes of gastroesophageal reflux are acidic and reach the midesophagus. Reflux into the PR appears to be more common than previously believed, and most of these episodes are not acidic. Thus, traditional 24-hour pH monitoring may underestimate the presence of pharyngeal reflux. The combination of impedance with pH monitoring markedly enhances our ability to accurately detect potential microaspiration.

Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic antireflux surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-related airway disorder.

A strong link exists between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and airway diseases. Surgical therapy has been recommended as it is more effective than medical therapy in the short term, but there is little data on the effectiveness of surgery long-term. We analyzed the long-term response of GERD-related airway disease after laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery (LARS).MethodsIn 2004, we contacted 128 patients with airway symptoms and GERD who underwent laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) between 12/1993 and 12/2002. At median follow-up of 53 months (19–110 mo) we studied the effects on symptoms, esophageal acid exposure, and medication use and we analyzed the data to determine predictors of successful resolution of airway symptoms.ResultsCough, hoarseness, wheezing, sore throat, and dyspnea improved in 65-75% of patients. Heartburn improved in 91 % (105/116) of patients and regurgitation in 92% (90/98). The response rate for airway symptoms was the same in patients with and without heartburn. Almost every patient took proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) preoperatively (99%, 127/128) and 61% (n = 78) were taking double or triple dose. Postoperatively, 33% (n = 45) of patients were using daily anti-acid therapy but no one was on double dose. The only factor that predicted a successful surgical outcome was the presence of abnormal reflux in the pharynx as determined by 24-hour pharyngeal pH monitoring. One hundred eleven (87%) patients rated their results as excellent (n = 78, 57%) or good (n = 33, 24%). Conclusion LARS provides an effective and durable barrier to reflux, and in so doing improves GERD-related airway symptoms in ∼70% of patients and improves typical GERD symptoms in ∼90% of patients. Pharyngeal pH monitoring identifies those patients more likely to benefit from LARS, but better diagnostic tools are needed to improve the response of airway symptoms to that of typical esophageal symptoms.

Medium- and long-term outcome of laparoscopic redo fundoplication.

BackgroundFor a small subset of patients, laparoscopic fundoplication fails, typically resulting in recurrent reflux or severe dysphagia. Although redo fundoplications can be performed laparoscopically, few studies have examined their long-term efficacy.MethodsUsing a prospectively maintained database, the authors identified and contacted 41 patients who had undergone redo laparoscopic fundoplications at the University of Washington between 1996 and 2001. The median follow-up period was 50 months (range, 20–95 months). Current symptoms were compared with those acquired and entered into the authors’ database preoperatively. Patients also were asked to return for esophageal manometry and pH testing.ResultsAll redo fundoplications were performed laparoscopically. There were no conversions. The most common indication for redo fundoplication was recurrent reflux. The most common anatomic abnormality was a herniated wrap. Heartburn improved in 61%, regurgitation in 69%, and dysphagia in 74% of the patients. Complete resolution of these symptoms was achieved, respectively, in 45%, 41% and 38% of these same patients. Overall, 68% of the patients rated the success of the procedure as either “excellent” or “good,” and 78% said they were happy they chose to have it. For those who underwent reoperation for gastroesophageal reflux disease, distal esophageal acid exposure according to 24-h pH monitoring decreased after redo fundoplication from 15.7% ± 18.1% to 3.4% ± 3.6% (p = 0.041).ConclusionAlthough not as successful as primary fundoplication, a majority of patients can expect durable improvement in their symptoms with a laparoscopic redo fundoplication.

Impaired esophageal function in morbidly obese patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease : evaluation with multichannel intraluminal impedance

BackgroundMorbid obesity is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and both have an independent association with motility disorders. Impaired esophageal function is thought to play a role in the development of dysphagia after fundoplication and bariatric procedures (especially restrictive procedures). The authors aimed to define both the physiology and the underlying pathophysiology of swallowing using a novel technique, multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII), which can accurately determine the clearance of a swallowed bolus through the esophagus, in combination with traditional manometry, which can measure peristalsis.MethodsSimultaneous MII, manometry, and pH monitoring were performed for 10 asymptomatic subjects, 22 consecutive nonobese patients with GERD (GERD), and 22 consecutive morbidly obese patients with GERD (MO-GERD) who were under evaluation for antireflux and bariatric surgery at the University of Washington. In this study, MII was defined as abnormal if less than 80% of swallowed liquid boluses cleared the esophagus completely.ResultsAll GERD and MO-GERD patients had abnormal pH monitoring. The manometric findings were similar for the GERD and MO-GERD patients.All the asymptomatic subjects had normal manometry and impedance test results. Abnormal manometry would have predicted that approximately 23% of GERD and MO-GERD patients had defective emptying. However, when measured with impedance, esophageal clearance was found to be defective in two times as many GERD and nearly three times as many MO-GERD patients.ConclusionsIn patients with GERD, impedance often detects impairments in esophageal motility not identified by manometry. Morbidly obese patients with GERD have a higher incidence of impaired esophageal motility than nonobese patients with GERD. This may have implications for bariatric procedures, especially those that are restrictive.

Does combined multichannel intraluminal esophageal impedance and manometry predict postoperative dysphagia after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) is an effective treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease; however, some patients develop dysphagia postoperatively. Manometry is used to evaluate disorders of peristalsis, but has not been proven useful to identify which patients may be at risk for postoperative dysphagia. Multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) evaluates the effective clearance of a swallowed bolus through the esophagus. We hypothesized that MII combined with manometry may detect those patients most at risk of developing dysphagia after LNF. Between March 2003 and January 2007, 74 patients who agreed to participate in this study were prospectively enrolled. All patients completed a preoperative symptom questionnaire, MII/manometry, and 24-h pH monitoring. All patients underwent LNF. Symptom questionnaires were administered postoperatively at a median of 18 months (range: 6-46 months), and we defined dysphagia (both preoperatively and postoperatively) as occurring more than once a month with a severity >or=4 (0-10 Symptom Severity Index). Thirty-two patients (43%) reported preoperative dysphagia, but there was no significant difference in pH monitoring, lower esophageal sphincter pressure/relaxation, peristalsis, liquid or viscous bolus transit (MII), or bolus transit time (MII) between patients with and without preoperative dysphagia. In those patients reporting preoperative dysphagia, the severity of dysphagia improved significantly from 6.8 +/- 2 to 2.6 +/- 3.4 (P < 0.001) after LNF. Thirteen (17%) patients reported dysphagia postoperatively, 10 of whom (75%) reported some degree of preoperative dysphagia. The presence of postoperative dysphagia was significantly more common in patients with preoperative dysphagia (P= 0.01). Patients with postoperative dysphagia had similar lower esophageal sphincter pressure and relaxation, peristalsis, and esophageal clearance to those without dysphagia. Neither MII nor manometry predicts dysphagia in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease or its occurrence after LNF. The presence of dysphagia preoperatively is the only predictor of dysphagia after LNF.

Impact of point-of-care ultrasound training on surgical residents' confidence.

OBJECTIVE Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a vital tool for diagnosis and management of critically ill patients, particularly in resource-limited settings where access to diagnostic imaging may be constrained. We aimed to develop a novel POCUS training curriculum for surgical practice in the United States and in resource-limited settings in low- and middle-income countries and to determine its effect on surgical resident self-assessments of efficacy and confidence. DESIGN We conducted an observational cohort study evaluating a POCUS training course that comprised 7 sessions of 2 hours each with didactics and proctored skills stations covering ultrasound applications for trauma (Focused Assessement with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) examination), obstetrics, vascular, soft tissue, regional anesthesia, focused echocardiography, and ultrasound guidance for procedures. Surveys on attitudes, prior experience, and confidence in point-of-care ultrasound applications were conducted before and after the course. SETTING General Surgery Training Program in Seattle, Washington. PARTICIPANTS A total of 16 residents participated in the course; 15 and 10 residents completed the precourse and postcourse surveys, respectively. RESULTS The mean composite confidence score from pretest compared with posttest improved from 23.3 (±10.2) to 37.8 (±6.7). Median confidence scores (1-6 scale) improved from 1.5 to 5.0 in performance of FAST (p < 0.001). Residents reported greater confidence in their ability to identify pericardial (2 to 4, p = 0.009) and peritoneal fluid (2 to 4.5, p < 0.001), to use ultrasound to guide procedures (3.5 to 4.0, p = 0.008), and to estimate ejection fraction (1 to 4, p = 0.004). Both before and after training, surgical residents overwhelmingly agreed with statements that ultrasound would improve their US-based practice, make them a better surgical resident, and improve their practice in resource-limited settings. CONCLUSIONS After a POCUS course designed specifically for surgeons, surgical residents had improved self-efficacy and confidence levels across a broad range of skills.

Hypothermia is Associated with Increased Mortality in Patients Undergoing Repair of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of hypothermia on mortality in patients presenting with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA). Methods: Between July 2007 and September 2009, 73 patients with ruptured AAAs presented to our Emergency Department (ED). Thirteen patients did not receive surgical treatment; of the 60 patients (46 men; mean age 76 years, range 63–90) who did, 35 had endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and 25 open repair. Body temperatures, which were recorded upon arrival to the ED and operating room, during the procedure, and just prior to leaving the operating room, were analyzed for any association with mortality or hypotension. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day mortality rate. Results: Six (17%) patients in the EVAR group and 10 (40%) patients in the open group died during the 30-day period. Temperature upon arrival to OR, lowest temperature recorded during the procedure, and temperature at the end of the procedure were higher among survivors (p<0.005), independent of the repair technique implemented. Patients in the EVAR group left the OR with a mean temperature of 35.5°C versus 35.0°C for patients in the open group (p=0.12). Conclusion: Hypothermia is associated with increased mortality after repair of rAAA. Efforts to correct hypothermia are more frequently successful in patients undergoing EVAR. Increased communication with anesthesia providers, as well as aggressive measures to correct hypothermia, including active intravascular rewarming methods, should be considered to improve mortality in this gravely ill patient population.

Hybrid-Fenestrated Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Novel Technique for Treating Patients With Para-Anastomotic Juxtarenal Aneurysms

This article describes a novel technique that combines off-label endovascular methods with an open surgical debranching procedure to facilitate repair of a para-anastomotic juxtarenal aortic aneurysm. We present a case of recurrent aortic aneurysmal disease 10 years after infrarenal tube graft repair. The aneurysm was treated in two stages; first by retrograde aortobirenal bypass with a bifurcated graft. Subsequently, fenestrated endografting was performed with a custom-altered TX-2 thoracic stent graft (COOK, Bloomington, IN), with fenestrations for both the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries. As compared with a purely open approach, this technique offers an alternative for managing juxtarenal aneurysms with less physiologic insult.