Prophylactic Flomax for prevention of postoperative urinary retention

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One discussion this week involved the use of prophylactic flomax in preventing postoperatuve urinary retention (POUR).

Reference: Ghuman A, et al. Prophylactic use of alpha-1 adrenergic blocking agents for prevention of postoperative urinary retention: A review & meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. American Journal of Surgery. 2018 May;215(5):973-979. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2018.01.015. Epub 2018 Feb 3.

Summary: With an increase in outpatient and fast-track surgical procedures, urethral catheterization is used less commonly thus increasing the likelihood of POUR. Urethral catheterization, a mainstay of initial management for patients with POUR, can
be associated with prolonged length of hospital stay and complications, such as urinary tract infections that may increase cost of care.

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Sugarbaker vs Keyhole repair in parastomal hernias

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One discussion this week involved the Sugarbaker repair vs Keyhole repair.

Reference: DeAsis FJ et al. Current state of laparoscopic parastomal hernia repair: a meta-analysis. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2015 Jul 28;21(28):8670-8677. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i28.8670

Summary:  The primary differences between keyhole repair and Sugarbaker repair are the orientation of the bowel and the presence of a slit in the mesh. In the modified Sugarbaker approach, the bowel is exteriorized through the side of the mesh, whereas in the Keyhole approach the bowel is inserted through a 2 to 3 cm slit in the center of mesh. Both methods apply the mesh intraperitoneally (DeAsis et al, 2015, p.8673).

DeAsis et al (2015) performed a systematic review of PubMed and Medline. The primary outcome analyzed was recurrence of parastomal hernia. Secondary outcomes were mesh infection, surgical site infection, obstruction requiring reoperation, death, and other complications.

In an analysis of 15 articles involving 469 patients, the recurrence rate was 10.2% (95%CI: 3.9-19.0) for the modified laparoscopic Sugarbaker approach, and 27.9% (95%CI: 12.3-46.9) for the keyhole approach. There were no intraoperative mortalities reported and six mortalities during the postoperative course.

The review concluded that the non-slit mesh modified Sugarbaker approach and the slit mesh Keyhole approach are currently the most reported options for laparoscopic repair. When choosing between the two, a modified Sugarbaker technique appears to be a superior method given the low recurrence rates compared to the keyhole technique if an ePTFE mesh is used (p.8676).

Use of DOTATATE in the surgical management of small bowel neuroendocrine tumors

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A discussion this week included the use of DOTATATE in the surgical management of small bowel neuroendocrine tumors.

Reference: Howe JR et al. The surgical management of small bowel neuroendocrine tumors: consensus guidelines of the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANTES). Pancreas. 2017 Jul;46(6):715-731. doi:10.1097/MPA.0000000000000846

Summary: The three most commonly used 68Ga-labeled somatostatin receptor PET imaging agents are 68Ga-DOTATATE, 68Ga-DOTATOC and 68Ga-DOTANOC. Despite the slight variation of the somatostatin receptor affinity of these agents, all of them have shown excellent sensitivity in detection of NETs. At this time, there is no evidence of significant diagnostic superiority of one agent over the others.

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Quick review: Receptors effecting the bladder

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A discussion this week involved a review of receptors effecting the bladder.

Reference: University of Washington. Urination. No date. Retrieved from https://courses.washington.edu/conj/bess/urination/urination.html, 25 January 2019.

Summary: The image below illustrates the innervation of the different bladder muscles. It was presented for the benefit of the residents.

receptors and bladder

(https://courses.washington.edu/conj/bess/urination/urination.html)

Symptomatic hyperthyroidism following parathyroidectomy

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A discussion in January included postoperative hyperthyroidism following parathyroidectomy.

Reference: Patel SG, et al. Hyperthyroidism after parathyroid surgery: A prospective analysis of potential contributing factors. (unpublished)

Summary:

In a prospective study of 101 patients between 2014 and 2015, Patel et al examined surgical extent, anatomic findings, thyroid manipulation, anesthetic medication, and outcomes in order to identify potential intraoperative contributing factors for hyperthyroidism after parathyroidectomy.

Unilateral exploration was found to be significantly less often associated with postoperative hyperthyroidism than bilateral exploration. Additionally, incidence was lower with intraoperative ephedrine and four-fold higher with bilateral exploration. The authors recommend that “postoperative TSH screening for those who require bilateral exploration and/or symptoms of hyperthyroidism should be strongly considered.”

It is stated that this prospective study is the first “to evaluate the type and extent of thyroid manipulation during parathyroid exploration as a cause of hyperthyroidism.”

Due to the fact that the data/manuscript is currently unpublished, minimal information is shared here. We will post a notification when it is published. Our deepest thanks to Dr. Patel for his generosity in sharing this information.

Additional reading: Madill EM, Cooray SD, Bach LA. Palpation thyroiditis following subtotal parathyroidectomy for hyperparathyroidism. Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Case Reports. 2016 July; pii: 16-0049. doi: 10.1530/EDM-16-0049

Mai VQ et al. Palpation thyroiditis causing new-onset atrial fibrillation. Thyroid. 2008;18(5):571-573. doi:10.1089/thy.2007.0246

Stang MT, et al. Hyperthyroidism after parathyroid exploration. Surgery. 2005 Dec;138(6):1058-1064.

 

Thymus carcinoid in multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 1 (MEN-1)

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A discussion this week included thymus carcinoid in MEN-1.

References: Sadacharan D, et al. Rapid development of thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma despite transcervical thymectomy in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2013 Jul-Aug;17(4):743-746. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.113774.

Teh BT, et al. Thymic carcinoids in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. Annals of Surgery. 1998 Jul;228(1):99-105.

Summary: Thymic carcinoid is a rare malignancy, associated with MEN-1 and has no effective treatment (Teh et al, 1998). This is an insidious tumor not associated with Cushing’s or carcinoid syndrome. Local invasion, recurrence, and distant metastasis are common.

Teh et al (1998) recommended the following:

  • In asymptomatic gene carriers with biochemical evidence of hyperparathyroidism, parathyroidectomy with concurrent thymectomy should be considered as soon as possible.
  • In young gene carriers without evidence of hyperparathyroidsim, careful and regular follow-up should be done, including a CT scan or MRI of the chest as well as an octreoscan.

(p.104)

A case report by Sadacharan et al (2013) estimate that thymic neuroendocrine (NE) tumors are reported in only 1-8% of cases and are a major cause of mortality in MEN-1 and gastroentero pancreatic tumors, and are detected approximately 7-29 years after surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). They found a complete surgical excision through a trans-sternal route is the only curative treatmet for thymic NE tumors. Aggressive enbloc resection of involved structures is recommended. Some have advocated routine postop radiotherapy to prevent loco-regional recurrence (Teh et al, 2013).

They further claim that MEN-1 patients need to be screened for thymic NE tumors by routine annual CT or MRI of the thorax even after transcervical thymetcomy (TCT) at the time of parathyroid surgery.

 

 

Surgical management of Crohn’s Disease

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One discussion this week involved the surgical management of Crohn’s Disease.

Reference: Strong S, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the surgical management of Crohn’s Disease. Diseases of the Colon and Rectum. 2015 Nov;58(11):1021-1036. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000000450

Summary: The authors state “these guidelines should not be deemed inclusive of all proper methods of care or exclusive of methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. The ultimate judgment regarding the propriety of any specific procedure must be made by the physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient” (p.1021).

OPERATIVE INDICATIONS

Failed Medical Therapy

  1. Patients who demonstrate an inadequate response to, develop complications from, or are noncompliant with medical therapy should be considered for surgery. Grade of Recommendation: Strong  based on low-or very low-quality evidence, 1C.
  2. Patients receiving therapy with anti-TNFs, high-dose glucocorticoids and/or cyclosporine may warrant staged procedures because of concerns about postoperative complications; however, decisions should be individualized based on the patient’s risk stratification, overall clinical status, and surgeon judgment. Grady of Recommendation: Weak based on low- or very low-quality evidence, 2C.

Inflammation

  1. Patient with acute colitis who have symptoms or signs of impending or actual perforation should typically undergo surgery. Grade of Recommendation: Strong based on low- or very low-quality evidence, 1C.

Stricture

  1. Endoscopic dilation may be considered for patients with symptomatic small-bowel or anastomotic strictures that are not amenable to medical therapy. Grade of Recommendation: Strong based on low- or very low-quality evidence, 1C.
  2. Surgery is indicated for patients with symptomatic small-bowel or anastomotic strictures that are not amenable to medical therapy and/or dilation. Grade of Recommendation: Strong based on low- or very low-quality evidence, 1C.
  3. Patients with strictures of the colon that cannot be adequately surveyed endoscopically should be considered for resection. Grade of Recommendation: Strong based on low- or very-low quality evidence, 1C.

Penetrating Disease

  1. Patients with a free perforation should undergo surgery. Grade of Recommendation: Strong based on moderate-quality evidence, 1B.
  2. Patients with enteroparietal, interloop, intramesenteric, or retroperitoneal abscesses may be managed by antibiotics with or without percutaneous drainage. Surgical drainage with or without resection should be considered when this is not successful. Grade of Recommendation: Weak based on moderate-quality evidence, 2B.
  3. Patients with enteric fistulas and symptoms or signs of localized or systemic sepsis that persist despite appropriate medical therapy should be considered for surgery. Grade of Recommendation: Strong based on low- or very low-quality evidence, 1C.

Hemorrhage

  1. Stable patients with significant GI heomrrhage may be evaluated and treated by endoscopic and/or interventional radiological techniques. Unstable patients should typically undergo operative exploration. Grade of Recommendation: STrong based on low- or very low-quality evidence, 1C.

Growth Retardation

  1. Prepubertal patients with significant growth retardation despite appropriate medical therapy should be considered for surgery. Grade of Recommendation: STrong based on moderate-quality evidence, 1B.

Neoplasia

  1. Patients with long-standing Crohn’s disease of the ileocolic region or colon should have endoscopic surveillance of the large bowel. Grade of Recommendation: Strong based on moderate-quality evidence, 1B.
  2. Total proctocolectomy should be considered for patients with carcinoma, a nonadenoma-like dysplasi-associated lesion or mass (DALM), high-grade dysplasia, or multifocal low-grade dysplasia of the colon or rectum. Grade of Recommendation: Strong based on moderate-quality evidence, 1B.
  3. Suspicious lesions (mass, ulcer) identified in patients with Crohn’s should typically be biopsied, especially when considering a small-bowel strictureplasty. Grade of Recommendation: Strong based on low- or very low-quality evidence.

For complete guidelines (site-specific operations, technical considerations), methodologies, and definition of GRADE system-grading recommendations, see full text article.