Larson, Dirk

Study Design Retrospective matched cohort analysis. Objective The majority of the literature on venous thromboembolism (VTE) after spine surgery is limited to studies of thoracolumbar surgery. Less is known regarding the incidence of VTE and associated risk factors following cervical spine surgery. Methods A total of 5,405 patients at our institution underwent cervical diskectomy, laminectomy, corpectomy, laminoplasty, or fusion between 1995 and 2012; 85 of the 5,405 patients (1.57%) suffered either a DVT (55) or pulmonary embolus (51) within 30 days postoperatively. The cases were matched 1:2 to controls based on age, sex, and date of surgery. Data regarding multiple perioperative factors, demographics, and comorbidities was collected. Results Several risk factors were identified for VTE. Significant medical comorbidities included chronic venous insufficiency (odds ratio [OR] = 3.40), atrial fibrillation (OR = 2.69), obesity (OR = 2.67), and ischemic heart disease (OR = 2.18). Staged surgery (OR = 28.0), paralysis (OR = 19.0), combined approach (OR = 7.46), surgery for infection (OR = 18.5), surgery for trauma (OR = 11.1), comorbid traumatic injuries (OR > 10), oncologic procedures (OR = 5.2), use of iliac crest autograft (OR = 4.16), two or more surgical levels (OR = 3.48), blood loss > 300 mL (OR = 1.66), and length of stay 5 days or greater (OR = 3.47) were all found to be risk factors for VTE ( p < 0.05) in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis found staged surgery (OR = 35.7), paralysis (OR = 7.86), and nonelective surgery (OR = 6.29) to be independent risk factors for VTE. Conclusions Although the incidence of VTE following cervical spine surgery is low, we identified several risk factors that may be predictive. More aggressive approaches to prophylaxis and surveillance in certain patient populations may be warranted.

Abstract Background The role of minimally invasive surgery in complicated diverticulitis is still being elucidated. The aim of this study was to compare short-term outcomes in patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery for complicated or uncomplicated diverticular disease. Methods All patients who had elective minimally invasive surgery for diverticulitis between 2003 and 2008 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Complicated disease was defined as diverticulitis associated with abscess, fistula, stricture or bleeding. Univariable analysis was performed to compare safety and short-term outcomes in patients with complicated and uncomplicated diverticulitis. Results A total of 361 patients (136 with complicated and 225 with uncomplicated diverticulitis) were operated on with either a laparoscopic (36·0 per cent) or a hand-assisted laparoscopic (64·0 per cent) surgical technique. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to age, sex, body mass index, laparoscopic approach, postoperative recovery protocol or previous open surgery. Conversion rates were similar for complicated and uncomplicated disease (14·0 versus 11·6 per cent respectively; P = 0·514). There was no difference between the groups with respect to return of bowel function (mean 3·1 versus 3·2 days respectively; P = 0·156), morbidity (27·9 versus 19·6 per cent; P = 0·070) or mean length of stay (5·4 versus 4·8 days; P = 0·186). There were no deaths within 30 days. Conclusion Elective minimally invasive colectomy is feasible for patients with uncomplicated and complicated diverticulitis, with equivalent outcomes.

AbstractBackgroundCushing’s syndrome (CS), due to multiple etiologies, is a disorder associated with the ravages of cortisol excess. The purpose of this review article is to provide a historical synopsis of surgery for CS, review a recent 10‐year period of operative management at a tertiary care facility, and to outline a practical approach to diagnosis and management.Materials and MethodsFrom 1996 to 2005, 298 patients underwent 322 operative procedures for CS at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. A retrospective chart review was carried out. Data was gathered regarding demographics, preoperative assessment, procedures performed, and outcomes. Data are presented as counts and percentages. Five‐year survival rates were calculated where applicable by the Kaplan‐Meier method. Statistical analysis was carried out with SAS, version 9 (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC).ResultsTwo‐hundred thirty‐one patients (78%) had ACTH‐dependent CS and 67 patients (22%) had ACTH‐independent CS. One‐hundred ninety‐six patients (66%) had pituitary‐dependent CS and 35 patients (12%) had ectopic ACTH syndrome. Fifty‐four patients (18%) had cortisol‐secreting adenomas, 10 patients (3%) had cortisol‐producing adrenocortical carcinomas, and 1% had other causes. Cure rates for first time pituitary operations (transsphenoidal, sublabial, and endonasal) were 80% and 55% for reoperations. Most benign adrenal processes could be managed laparoscopically. Five‐year survival rates (all causes) were 90%, 51%, and 23% for adrenocortical adenomas, ectopic ACTH syndrome, and adrenocortical carcinomas, respectively.ConclusionsSurgery for CS is highly successful for pituitary‐dependent CS and most ACTH‐independent adrenal causes. Bilateral total adrenalectomy can also provide effective palliation from the ravages of hypercortisolism in patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome and for those who have failed transsphenoidal surgery. Unfortunately, to date, adrenocortical carcinomas are rarely cured. Future successes with this disease will likely depend on a better understanding of tumor biology, more effective adjuvant therapies and earlier detection. Clearly, IPSS, advances in cross‐sectional imaging, along with developments in transsphenoidal and laparoscopic surgery, have had the greatest impact on today’s management of the complex patient with CS.