BACKGROUND: Studies of ERCP-related morbidity seldom include a sufficient patient follow-up. The aim of this study was to characterize and to evaluate the frequency of complications, cardiopulmonary untoward events in particular. METHODS: All patients undergoing ERCP during a 2-year period were included in this prospective study. Complications were assessed at the time of ERCP and by postal/telephone contact at 30-days after the procedure. RESULTS: A total of 1177 ERCPs were included in the analysis, of which 56.2% were therapeutic. The 30-day complication rate was 15.9%; the procedure-related mortality rate was 1.0%. Post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred in 3.8% of patients (3 deaths). Hemorrhage or perforation occurred with 0.9% and 1.1%, respectively, of the procedures (3 deaths). One perforation that resulted in the death of the patient occurred after placement of an endoprosthesis. Cholangitis occurred in relation to 5% of the ERCP procedures (3 deaths). Cardiorespiratory complications occurred in 2.3% (2 deaths). Dilated bile duct ( p = 0.0001), placement of stent ( p = 0.001), and use of more than 40 mg of hyoscine-N-butyl bromide ( p < 0.05) were risk factors for complications by multivariate analysis. Risk of pancreatitis was increased with age under 40 years ( p = 0.0078), placement of stent ( p = 0.031), and a dilated bile duct ( p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study confirms that the complication rate of ERCP including therapeutic procedures is high. Cardiopulmonary complications were not as common as expected, despite being the special focus of the study.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

[Treatment of acute cholecystitis in Denmark. A questionnaire study].

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Acute Disease↗

PubMed2003

[Treatment of gastroduodenal obstruction with self-expanding stent].

Self-expanding metal stents are used in some centres as non-surgical palliation for malignant gastric outlet obstruction as an alternative to surgery. No randomized studies exist comparing these two treatment modalities. Descriptive series have shown high success rates of 82-100% for stent placement, and 75-100% of the patients experience relief of the vomiting and ability to eat semisolid to solid food. Reobstruction was seen in about 15% of the patients requiring a second stenting. Serious complications to the stenting procedure have been reported in case studies. It is recommended to perform randomized studies of stenting versus open and laparoscopic surgical bypass for malignant gastric outlet obstruction.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

PubMed2003

Hemodynamic effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure after abdominal surgery.

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Abdomen↗

PubMed2003

Learning curves and impact of previous operative experience on performance on a virtual reality simulator to test laparoscopic surgical skills.

BACKGROUND: The study was carried out to analyze the learning rate for laparoscopic skills on a virtual reality training system and to establish whether the simulator was able to differentiate between surgeons with different laparoscopic experience. METHODS: Forty-one surgeons were divided into three groups according to their experience in laparoscopic surgery: masters (group 1, performed more than 100 cholecystectomies), intermediates (group 2, between 15 and 80 cholecystectomies), and beginners (group 3, fewer than 10 cholecystectomies) were included in the study. The participants were tested on the Minimally Invasive Surgical Trainer-Virtual Reality (MIST-VR) 10 consecutive times within a 1-month period. Assessment of laparoscopic skills included time, errors, and economy of hand movement, measured by the simulator. RESULTS: The learning curves regarding time reached plateau after the second repetition for group 1, the fifth repetition for group 2, and the seventh repetition for group 3 (Friedman's tests P <0.05). Experienced surgeons did not improve their error or economy of movement scores (Friedman's tests, P >0.2) indicating the absence of a learning curve for these parameters. Group 2 error scores reached plateau after the first repetition, and group 3 after the fifth repetition. Group 2 improved their economy of movement score up to the third repetition and group 3 up to the sixth repetition (Friedman's tests, P <0.05). Experienced surgeons (group 1) demonstrated best performance parameters, followed by group 2 and group 3 (Mann-Whitney test P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Different learning curves existed for surgeons with different laparoscopic background. The familiarization rate on the simulator was proportional to the operative experience of the surgeons. Experienced surgeons demonstrated best laparoscopic performance on the simulator, followed by those with intermediate experience and the beginners. These differences indicate that the scoring system of MIST-VR is sensitive and specific to measuring skills relevant for laparoscopic surgery.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed2003

Preoperative dexamethasone improves surgical outcome after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of preoperative dexamethasone on surgical outcome after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Pain and fatigue are dominating symptoms after LC and may prolong convalescence. METHODS: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 88 patients were randomized to intravenous dexamethasone (8 mg) or placebo 90 minutes before LC. Patients received a similar standardized anesthetic, surgical, and multimodal analgesic treatment. All patients were recommended 2 days postoperative duration of convalescence. The primary endpoints were fatigue and pain. Preoperatively and at several times during the first 24 postoperative hours, we measured C-reactive protein (CRP) and pulmonary function, pain scores, nausea, and number of vomiting episodes were registered. Analgesic and antiemetic requirements were recorded. Also, on a daily basis, patients reported scores of fatigue and pain before and during the first postoperative week and the dates for resumption of work and recreational activities. RESULTS: Eight patients were excluded from the study, leaving 40 patients in each study group for analysis. There were no apparent side effects of the study drug. Dexamethasone significantly reduced postoperative levels of CRP (P = 0.01), fatigue (P = 0.01), overall pain, and incisional pain during the first 24 postoperative hours (P < 0.05) and total requirements of opioids (P < 0.05). In addition, cumulated overall and visceral pain scores during the first postoperative week were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Dexamethasone also reduced nausea and vomiting on the day of operation (P < 0.05). Resumption of recreational activities was significantly faster in the dexamethasone group versus placebo group (median 1 day versus 2 days) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Preoperative dexamethasone (8 mg) reduced pain, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and duration of convalescence in patients undergoing noncomplicated LC, when compared with placebo, and is recommended for routine use.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[The surgical crisis].

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Clinical Competence↗

PubMed2002

Recovery after uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: After laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the duration of convalescence is 2 to 3 weeks with an unclear pathogenesis. This study was undertaken to analyze postoperative recovery after uncomplicated elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive unselected employed patients were followed up prospectively from 1 week before to 1 week after outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Daily computerized monitoring of physical motor activity and sleep duration and night sleep fragmentation (actigraphy), subjective sleep quality, pulmonary function, pain, and fatigue were registered. Treadmill exercise performance (preoperatively and at postoperative days 2 and 8) and nocturnal pulse oximetry at the patients' homes (preoperatively and postoperative nights 1-3) were completed. RESULTS: Median age was 41 years (range, 21-56). Compared with preoperatively, levels of physical motor activity, fatigue, and pain scores were normalized 2 days after operation. Subjective sleep quality was significantly worsened on the first postoperative night, and sleep duration was significantly increased on the first 2 postoperative nights. There were no significant perioperative changes in actigraphy night sleep fragmentation, incidence of self-reported awakenings or nightmares/distressing dreams, exercise performance, or nocturnal oxygenation. Pulmonary peak flow measurements were normalized the day after operation. CONCLUSION: After uncomplicated outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy, there is no pathophysiologic basis for recommending a postoperative convalescence of more than 2 to 3 days in otherwise healthy younger patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Assessment of technical surgical skills.

OBJECTIVE: To review methods of assessment of technical surgical competence, and to point out the potential benefit of such assessment to training and safe practice. DESIGN: Review of publications about methods of evaluation of technical surgical competence. Studies were identified through MEDLINE using the keywords surgery, assessment, operative skills, training, and competence. The references cited in these studies were reviewed to find out whether any other trials fitted the selection criteria. SETTING: Teaching hospital, Denmark. RESULTS: There are several validated methods that allow objective assessment of operative skills for both open and laparoscopic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Objective assessment of technical surgical skills is possible and reliable and valid methods are available. There are good reasons to implement evaluation programmes as a part of surgical education.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed2002

Lack of circadian variation in the activity of the autonomic nervous system after major abdominal operations.

OBJECTIVE: Most sudden postoperative deaths occur during the night and we conjectured that this was associated with circadian variations in the autonomic nervous tone, reflected in heart rate variability. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTINGS: University hospital, Denmark. SUBJECTS: 44 patients who had had major abdominal operations. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were monitored with 24-hour Holter ECG on the second postoperative day-evening-night. We calculated heart rate variability from the standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals (excluding ectopics-NN intervals) around the mean NN interval for the period of measurement (SDNN), the root mean square of the standard deviation of the differences between NN intervals (RMSSD), the percentage of NN intervals differing by more than 50 msec from adjacent NN intervals (pNN50) and the coefficient of component variance (meanNN/SDNN). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Heart rate and heart rate variability. RESULTS: Circadian variation calculated from the SDNN (p = 0.43) the pNN50 (p = 0.11), the RMSSD (p = 0.47), and mean NN:SDNN ratio (p = 0.13) was absent postoperatively. Circadian variation in the heart rate was present but was set on a higher level compared with reference values. CONCLUSION: After major abdominal operations there was a lack of circadian variation in the autonomic nervous tone.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Factors that affect the variability in heart rate during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

OBJECTIVE: To find out if drugs, position, and endoscopic manipulation during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) influence the changes in the variability of heart rate. DESIGN: Single-blind randomised trial. SUBJECTS: 10 volunteers given butyscopolamine, glucagon, or saline intravenously on three different study days, and 10 patients who had ERCP without butylscopolamine or glucagon. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Holter tape analysis for ischaemia and changes in the variability of heart rate. RESULTS: 5 volunteers developed tachycardia after butylscopolamine, while 2 developed tachycardia after glucagon. During ERCP 9 patients developed tachycardia, and 2 developed myocardial ischaemia. Vagal tone decreased in the volunteers after butylscopolamine, but no changes were seen after glucagon or placebo, or in patients during ERCP. CONCLUSIONS: Butylscopolamine reduced vagal tone in volunteers. Patients who were having ERCP without butylscopolamine had a stable vagal tone. The previously observed reduced vagal tone during ERCP may therefore be primarily the result of giving butylscopolamine.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Characteristics and prediction of early pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Small-scale studies have suggested a large inter-individual variation in early postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, emphasizing the need for improved analgesic treatment and valid predictors. We investigated prospectively the association between a preoperative nociceptive stimulus by ice water (cold pressor test), neuroticism, dyspepsia, patient history of biliary symptoms, intraoperative factors, and demographic information in 150 consecutive patients undergoing uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy for their influence on early postoperative pain. During the first postoperative week patients registered overall pain, incisional, visceral, and shoulder pain on a visual analogue scale and verbal rating scale, and daily analgesic requirements were noted. Throughout the first postoperative week overall pain showed a pronounced inter-individual variability. Incisional pain dominated in incidence and intensity compared with visceral pain, which in turn dominated over shoulder pain. In a multivariate analysis model, preoperative neuroticism, sensitivity to cold pressor-induced pain, and age were identified as independent risk factors for early postoperative pain. Our results suggest that future analgesic studies after laparoscopic cholecystectomy should focus on reduction of incisional pain.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Sleep disturbances after non-cardiac surgery.

After major non-cardiac surgery sleep pattern is usually disturbed with initial suppression of rapid eye movement sleep with a subsequent rebound during the first post-operative week. Deep sleep is also suppressed for several days after the operation and subjective sleep quality is impaired. The sleep disturbances seem to be related to the magnitude of trauma and thereby to the surgical stress response and/or post-operative opioid administration. Post-operative sleep disturbances may contribute to the development of early post-operative fatigue, episodic hypoxaemia, haemodynamic instability and altered mental status, all with a potential negative effect on post-operative outcome. Minimizing surgical trauma and avoiding or minimizing use of opioids for pain relief may prevent or reduce post-operative sleep disturbances. Post-operative sleep pattern represents an important research field, since it may have a significant negative on post-operative outcome. 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd

Journal Article↗