Siavash Raigani

Risk factors for wound morbidity after open retromuscular (sublay) hernia repair

BACKGROUND Retrorectus repairs (RR) of abdominal wall hernias are growing in popularity, yet wound morbidity and predictors in this context have been characterized poorly. Models aimed at predicting wound morbidity typically do not control for technique and/or location of mesh. Our aim was to describe wound morbidity and risk factors specifically in the context of RR hernia repair. Our hypothesis was that the incidence of wound morbidity with mesh sublay would be less than predicted by a model that does not control for mesh position. METHODS Consecutive RR hernia repairs with at least a 90-day follow-up were identified in our prospective database and analyzed. The primary outcome measures were the incidence of surgical-site occurrence (SSO) and surgical-site infection (SSI) via modern, standardized definitions. For predictors of SSO, statistical analysis was performed with univariate analysis, χ(2), and logistic regression as well as multivariate regression. RESULTS A total of 306 patients met the inclusion criteria. Eighty-four SSOs identified in 72 (23.5%) patients included 48 (15.7%) SSIs, 14 (4.6%) instances of wound cellulitis, 12 (3.9%) skin dehiscences, 6 (2.0%) seromas, and 4 (1.3%) hematomas but no instances of mesh excision or fistula formation. Treatment entailed antibiotics alone in 30 patients, 14 bedside drainage procedures, 9 radiographically assisted drainage procedures, and 10 returns to the operating room for debridement. After multivariate analysis, diabetes (OR 2.41), hernia width >20 cm (OR 2.49), and use of biologic mesh (OR 2.93) were statistically associated with the development of a SSO (P < .05). Notably, the mere presence of contamination was not independently associated with wound morbidity (OR 1.83, P = .11). SSO and SSI rates anticipated by a recent risk prediction model were 50-80% and 17-83%, respectively, compared with our actual rates of 20-46% and 7-32%. CONCLUSION Based on a large cohort of patients, we identified factors contributing to SSOs specifically for RR hernia repairs. Paradoxically, biologic mesh was an independent predictor of wound morbidity. The development of clinically important mesh complications and rates of wound morbidity less than anticipated by recent predictive models suggest that the retromuscular (sublay) mesh position may be more advantageous.

Online resources in pediatric surgery: the new era of medical information.

Tele-education has the potential to facilitate rapid sharing and dissemination of current research and knowledge among pediatric surgeons around the world. Classically, the exchange of surgical research occurred via national surgical conferences, articles published in peer-reviewed journals, and textbooks. The advent of Web 2.0 and the rapid pace of technologic advancement have allowed knowledge, education, and research to be exchanged online. Virtual symposiums act as online conferences where participants present and debate new research and surgical techniques in real-time web meetings. Resource libraries allow up-to-date information to be archived and viewed at the users convenience, bypassing the need to wait long periods for paper publications. Tele-education allows pediatric surgeons to connect and share ideas around the world, while saving time and money.

The Role of Surgery for Melanoma in an Era of Effective Systemic Therapy

Purpose of ReviewThe recent discovery of effective systemic treatments for melanoma has dramatically improved the prognosis for patients with advanced disease. As a result, the multidisciplinary management of melanoma has evolved significantly. In the past decades surgery was reserved for symptomatic palliation in patients with metastatic melanoma. Today surgical treatment of patients responding to systemic therapies has become an integral part of disease control.Recent FindingsCurrent efforts are focused on minimizing the morbidity of surgery (laparoscopic inguinal lymph node dissection, selective completion lymphadenectomy) as well as combining surgery with systemic therapy in novel ways (neoadjuvant targeted and/or immunotherapy, isolated limb infusion/perfusion with systemic immunotherapy).SummaryThis review examines the use of surgery for advanced melanoma in the era predating modern systemic therapy as well as potential applications moving forward.

Surgery for Localized Pancreatic Cancer: The Trend Is Not Improving

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine the trend in the use of surgery for localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma for the past 2 decades using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. MethodsWe identified a cohort of patients who received a diagnosis of localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma between 1988 and 2010 in the United States. Univariate and multivariate methods were used to determine factors associated with not receiving surgery. Cox proportional hazards regression modeling was used to determine factors associated with survival. ResultsOf 6742 patients with a diagnosis of localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma, 1715 patients (25.4%) underwent surgery. There was no significant change in use of surgery over time. Patients were less likely to undergo surgery if they were older than 50 years, black, unmarried, and located outside the East and had pancreatic head or body lesions, higher tumor grades, or tumor size greater than 2 cm (P < 0.0001). Receiving surgery had the most significant impact on the hazard of disease-specific death (hazards ratio, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.29–1.53; P < 0.0001). ConclusionsIn contrast to recent studies that suggest an increasing use of surgery, the present study demonstrates that there has been no change in the rate of use of surgery in patients with localized pancreatic disease.

Intra-abdominal (Type IV) sacrococcygeal teratoma presenting with buttock hemangioma

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common type of extragonadal germ cell tumor in infants and young children. Sacrococcygeal teratomas can uncommonly present in an intra-abdominal fashion, with minimal clinical findings. Dermatologic lesions overlying the vertebrae or buttocks are often associated with sacrococcygeal teratoma and may be the only clue to their presence. Here, we report a case of an intra-abdominal sacrococcygeal teratoma presenting with an anatomically separate buttock hemangioma.