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The effect of the maze procedure on the secretion of arginine-vasopressin and aldosterone.

BACKGROUND: Excessive fluid retention is a serious complication after the maze procedure that cannot be totally explained by changes in levels of atrial natriuretic peptide. We therefore measured circulating levels of arginine vasopressin and aldosterone in patients undergoing the maze procedure to study their possible role in this postoperative complication. METHODS: Serial arginine vasopressin and aldosterone levels were monitored for 72 hours in 11 patients after coronary artery bypass grafting and in 13 patients after the maze procedure. Hemodynamic data, urine output, fluid balance, and complications were recorded prospectively during the same period of time. RESULTS: Plasma levels of arginine vasopressin and aldosterone were significantly higher in patients after the maze procedure when compared with patients after coronary artery bypass grafting. CONCLUSIONS: This study documents that the maze procedure results in increased plasma arginine vasopressin and aldosterone levels and indicates that they, rather than atrial natriuretic peptide alone, participate in the excessive postoperative fluid retention that follows the maze procedure. We believe that these hormone elevations are most likely secondary to a temporary lack of response of the atrial baroreceptors. These results may explain the effectiveness of spironolactone therapy after the maze procedure.

Aldosterone↗

Survey of voiding dysfunction and urinary retention after anti-incontinence procedures.

OBJECTIVE: To describe trends in the management of prolonged voiding dysfunction and urinary retention after anti-incontinence procedures. METHODS: Physician members of the American Urogynecologic Society were queried by means of a two-page questionnaire regarding the management of prolonged voiding dysfunction and urinary retention after anti-incontinence procedures. RESULTS: A total of 344 (42%) of 825 questionnaires were completed and returned. Of the 344 respondents, 61% identified themselves as urogynecologists, 50% worked in a university-affiliated practice, and 26% had been in practice for 11-20 years. Respondents rarely encountered prolonged urinary retention after anti-incontinence procedures. Among the respondents, 30% allowed 3-6 months for resumption of spontaneous voiding before performing surgical revision, and 90% performed multichannel urodynamic studies before surgical revision. However, 66% performed surgical revision transabdominally when urinary retention occurred after retropubic urethropexy, and 61-81% of respondents performed surgical revision transvaginally when urinary retention followed needle suspension, pubovaginal sling, or tension-free vaginal tape procedures. A total of 90-96% did not perform an anti-incontinence procedure concomitantly with surgical revision. The majority of respondents reported spontaneous voiding in greater than 80% of patients, and recurrent stress urinary incontinence in less than 10% of patients after surgical revision. CONCLUSION: Although certain trends in the management of prolonged urinary retention after anti-incontinence procedures were identified, there was no clear consensus on the method of surgical revision used, nor the management of recurrent stress urinary incontinence after surgical revision. Randomized clinical trials are required to determine the optimal management of prolonged urinary retention after anti-incontinence procedures.

Female↗

Adjunctive non-pharmacological analgesia for invasive medical procedures: a randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Non-pharmacological behavioural adjuncts have been suggested as efficient safe means in reducing discomfort and adverse effects during medical procedures. We tested this assumption for patients undergoing percutaneous vascular and renal procedures in a prospective, randomised, single-centre study. METHODS: 241 patients were randomised to receive intraoperatively standard care (n=79), structured attention (n=80), or self-hypnotic relaxation (n=82). All had access to patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with fentanyl and midazolam. Patients rated their pain and anxiety on 0-10 scales before, every 15 min during and after the procedures. FINDINGS: Pain increased linearly with procedure time in the standard group (slope 0.09 in pain score/15 min, p<0.0001), and the attention group (slope 0.04/15 min; p=0.0425), but remained flat in the hypnosis group. Anxiety decreased over time in all three groups with slopes of -0.04 (standard), -0.07 (attention), and -0.11 (hypnosis). Drug use in the standard group (1.9 units) was significantly higher than in the attention and hypnosis groups (0.8 and 0.9 units, respectively). One hypnosis patient became haemodynamically unstable compared with ten attention patients (p=0.0041), and 12 standard patients (p=0.0009). Procedure times were significantly shorter in the hypnosis group (61 min) than in the standard group (78 min, p=0.0016) with procedure duration of the attention group in between (67 min). INTERPRETATION: Structured attention and self-hypnotic relaxation proved beneficial during invasive medical procedures. Hypnosis had more pronounced effects on pain and anxiety reduction, and is superior, in that it also improves haemodynamic stability.

Adult↗

Cricotracheal resection as a primary procedure for laryngotracheal stenosis in children.

OBJECTIVE: Cricotracheal resection (CTR) is being increasingly used in the treatment of children with severe laryngotracheal stenosis. In this institution the majority of children are treated with CTR as a salvage procedure having undergone previous unsuccessful laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR). Selected children have undergone CTR as a primary procedure (without previous LTR). The objective of this study is to examine the outcome for children undergoing cricotracheal resection as a primary procedure for severe laryngotracheal stenosis. METHOD: analysis from prospectively collected database. RESULTS: 17 patients underwent CTR without previous LTR or anterior cricoid split between October 1994 and September 1998. All the patients had grade 3 or 4 stenosis. After a minimum of 1 year follow up 15 children are decannulated. Five children required further surgery to achieve this. Two children still have tracheostomies. Both had extended procedures. One included bilateral arytenoid abduction for bilateral vocal cord paralysis in a patient with quadraparesis following transverse myelitis. The other child, who suffered from multiple congenital anomalies, underwent a concurrent posterior cricoid cartilage graft. Nine patients had good voice post-operatively, five had acceptable voice and three had weak or no voice. CONCLUSION: the early experience for CTR in children as a primary procedure achieved an overall decannulation rate of 88% after 1 year follow up in children with severe laryngotracheal stenosis. Five children required further surgery to achieve this. The voice outcome was variable. CTR is an alternative primary procedure to LTR for severe laryngotracheal stenosis in children. The relative indications for these procedures are discussed.

Child↗

Considerations in biventricular repair after the Norwood procedure.

OBJECTIVE: The Norwood procedure can be applicable as a first stage palliation in children who can eventually undergo a biventricular repair. Although usual management of these patients is a primary neonatal repair, in selected patients staged approach with a Norwood procedure in the neonatal period followed by a Rastelli procedure in the infancy for conversion to two-ventricle physiology has been used alternatively. METHODS: We report our experiences on two infants who underwent a previous palliation with the Norwood procedure for lesions other than hypoplastic left heart syndrome and converted to two-ventricle physiology by the use of a Rastelli-type procedure. This report examines considerations in biventricular repair after the Norwood procedure especially need for ventricular septal defect enlargement and approach to placement of the right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit. RESULTS: Both of the infants who underwent staged approach with an initial Norwood procedure for lesions other than hypoplastic left heart syndrome survived the operations and were clinically well at mid-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: In selected patients, the staged approach is an alternative in management of malformations other than hypoplastic left heart syndrome which share the important physiologic features of aortic outlet obstruction and ductal dependency of systemic circulation. We recommend routine enlargement of ventricular septal defect and proper positioning of the conduit at the time of subsequent biventricular repair.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Stroke prevention as an indication for the Maze procedure in the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

The Maze procedure has proven to be extremely effective in curing medically refractory atrial fibrillation. This analysis of our surgical results with the Maze procedure indicates that the Maze procedure, with or without associated cardiac surgery, has the lowest perioperative stroke rate of any major cardiac surgical procedure. This is surprising in view of the fact that all of the patients who undergo the Maze procedure have an elevated risk of stroke because of the presence of atrial fibrillation. In addition, many of the patients have already had strokes, further increasing the likelihood of perioperative stroke. Only 1 patient has had a stroke in the 12-year follow-up period following the Maze procedure. This is comparable to the risk of stroke in the general population and indicates that the Maze procedure essentially abolishes the risk of stroke associated with atrial fibrillation.

Adult↗

What determines the choice of procedure in stress incontinence surgery? The use of multilevel modeling.

The purpose of this study was to identify the determinants of choice of surgical procedure (anterior colporrhaphy, colposuspension, or needle suspension) to treat stress incontinence in women. We used multilevel modeling of data on 271 patients in 18 hospitals in England in 1993-94. Patient-related factors included sociodemographic details, anatomical diagnosis, symptom severity, symptom impact, previous treatment, parity, comorbidity, and general health status. Surgeon-related factors were specialty, grade, and annual volume of procedures undertaken. Hospital teaching status was considered. Some patient-related factors were associated with choice of procedure: women with a concomitant genital prolapse, with a history of high parity, and with no previous nonsurgical treatment were more likely to undergo an anterior colporrhaphy than a colposuspension or needle suspension (although this finding could be confounded by surgical specialty). In addition, women were more likely to be treated by colposuspension if their surgeon specialized in incontinence surgery (measured by annual volume of cases). Finally, being treated by needle suspension depended on there being a consultant surgeon familiar with the procedure at the hospital attended. While choice of surgical procedure depends partly on the patient's anatomical diagnosis, it is also dependent on the specialty of the surgeon whom she consults and the hospital that she attends. This variability, in turn, could have implications for the patient (as the relative effectiveness of the different procedures is unknown) and for the purchasers of care (as the relative cost-effectiveness of procedures is also unknown).

Adult↗

Outcome following, and impact of, prenatal identification of the candidates for the Norwood procedure.

OBJECTIVES: Our study evaluates hospital survival following prenatal identification of candidates for the Norwood procedure, and the impact of prenatal diagnosis on survival, preoperative stability, and postoperative morbidity. METHODS: We reviewed records of all patients who were identified prenatally as candidates for the Norwood procedure, and compared them to all postnatally diagnosed patients who underwent the Norwood procedure between August 1995 and May 2002. RESULTS: Of the 98 patients studied, 45 (46%) were diagnosed prenatally. Of these, 35 underwent the Norwood procedure, 29 (83%) of who survived. Thus, 29 of 45 (64%) patients survived from prenatal diagnosis to discharge following the Norwood procedure. Of the 53 postnatally diagnosed patients who underwent the Norwood procedure, 42 (79%) survived. Prenatal diagnosis was not associated with improvement in survival, preoperative stability, or postoperative morbidity. By multivariate analysis, ascending aortic diameter equal to or greater than 2 mm (p = 0.01), and gestational age 36 weeks or greater (p = 0.01) independently predicted survival. Based on this, patients were stratified into groups at low risk, consisting of 69 patients, and at high risk, consisting of 19 patients. Prenatal diagnosis was unassociated with improved survival in either group. Results were unchanged when the analysis was restricted to patients with hypoplasia of the left heart. CONCLUSION: From the time of prenatal diagnosis, 64% of patients survived to discharge following the Norwood procedure. Prenatal diagnosis did not affect preoperative stability, survival or postoperative morbidity. This remained the case after stratifying patients by risk, or restricting analysis to patients with hypoplasia of the left heart. Ascending aortic diameter and gestational age independently predicted survival.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗

Long-term outcomes after the atrial switch for surgical correction of transposition: a meta-analysis comparing the Mustard and Senning procedures.

Most adults with regular transposition (the combinations of concordant atrioventricular and discordant ventriculo-arterial connections) have undergone either the Mustard or Senning procedure in childhood. It is unclear whether adverse events differ according to the surgery performed. With this in mind, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare long-term outcomes. We searched systematically entries to MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from January 1966 through August 2003, supplementing the search by secondary sources. Comparative studies were required to include at least 10 patients in each cohort of Mustard or Senning procedure, and to report overall survival. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers. We used a component approach to assess quality. On the basis of assessment of heterogeneity, we then used a random-effects model for pooled analyses. In all, we included seven studies, incorporating 885 patients. We found a trend towards lower mortality for the 369 patients undergoing a Mustard procedure when compared to 474 submitted to the Senning operation, with a hazard ratio of 0.63 and 95% confidence intervals between 0.35 and 1.14 (p = 0.13). This trend increased with the size of the sample (p = 0.004). Obstruction in the systemic venous pathway was more common in those having the Mustard procedure, with a risk ratio of 3.5 and 95% confidence intervals from 1.8 to 7.0 (p < 0.001), with a trend towards greater obstruction of the pulmonary venous pathway in those undergoing the Senning procedure, 7.6% vs. 3.8% (p = 0.27). A trend towards fewer residual shunts was observed for those with Mustard baffles, 7.0% vs. 14.1% (p = 0.10). Sinus nodal dysfunction, however, was more common after the Mustard procedure. Data regarding atrial tachydysrhythmias was inconclusive. Systemic cardiac failure and functional capacity, was similar. We conclude that outcomes are not uniform among patients submitted to the Mustard and Senning procedures. Knowledge of such differences may facilitate stratification of risk and follow-up.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Cost-analyzes based on a prospective, randomized study comparing laparoscopic colposuspension with a tension-free vaginal tape procedure.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic colposuspension with tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) in terms of costs to the county. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized study, we approached 270 consecutive women presenting for evaluation of stress urinary incontinence symptoms at one university hospital. Preoperatively, and at 1-year follow-up, the women underwent urodynamic evaluation, an ultra-short pad-test and completed a lower urinary tract symptoms questionnaire. We randomized 79 consenting, eligible women to either procedure; a 1-year follow-up examination was performed on 68/71 (96%) women that were available. The procedures were performed as described previously. Main outcome measures were all relevant costs for goods and services associated with the procedures. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. The TVT procedure was performed significantly faster than the laparoscopic colposuspension, i.e. 44.9 +/- 14.2 min compared with 60.5 +/- 13.4 min (p < 0.0001). Even so, procedural costs were significantly lower for laparoscopic colposuspension than for TVT (euro 1273.4 compared with euro 1342.8 p < 0.001). At the 1-year follow-up visit, three women operated on with TVT and one operated on with laparoscopic colposuspension required re-operation for continuous stress urinary incontinence. One women operated on with TVT had her sling cut for bladder-emptying problems. Total costs, including re-operations were euro 1462.6 for a TVT procedure andeuro; 1314.5 for a laparoscopic colposuspension. CONCLUSION: In our hands, the laparoscopic colposuspension was less expensive to the county than the TVT procedure.

Adult↗

U.S. trends in obstetric procedures, 1990-2000.

BACKGROUND: During the 1980s the rate of obstetric procedures performed during delivery rose precipitously. This study follows the use of obstetric procedures through the 1990s to explore whether the patterns witnessed in the previous decade continued through the next. METHODS: Data on total obstetric procedures and eight specific procedures (cesarean section, medical and surgical induction of labor, other artificial rupture of membranes, episiotomy, repair of current obstetric laceration, vacuum extraction, forceps delivery) were obtained from the National Hospital Discharge Survey, a nationally representative survey of discharges from short-stay non-Federal hospitals. Approximately 32,000 records for women with deliveries were included in the survey each year. RESULTS: The total rate of all obstetric procedures did not change significantly from 1990 through 2000. However, as during the 1980s, rates increased for induction of labor, vacuum extraction, and repair of current obstetric laceration. Rates decreased for forceps delivery and episiotomy, also continuing 1980s trends. After a long period of increase, the rate of cesarean section declined from 1988 to 1995 but increased again from 1995 to 2000. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike the 1980s, the overall rate of obstetric procedures did not increase from 1990 to 2000, but the mix of obstetric procedures performed continued to change during this period.

Cesarean Section↗

The relationship between serum calcium and phosphate levels and cardiac valvular procedures in the hemodialysis population.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac valvular disease is a common complication in hemodialysis patients, with a prevalence of up to 9%. In these patients, calcium-phosphate imbalance is associated with systemic and cardiac calcification. We investigated the relationship between abnormal calcium and phosphate levels and valvular disease sufficiently severe to require an invasive procedure. METHODS: We analyzed data from 12,509 hemodialysis patients from the US Renal Data System database, 204 of whom underwent a valvular procedure. All were prevalent in-center dialysis patients as of 1993, when cross-sectional data were collected. RESULTS: In a Cox multivariate model, a serum phosphate level of 5.0 mg/dL or greater (>/=1.62 mmol/L) was associated with increased risk for a valvular procedure compared with a phosphate level less than 5 mg/dL (<1.62 mmol/L; hazard ratio, 1.47; P = 0.033). A calcium level less than 8.8 mg/dL (<2.2 mmol/L) was associated with fewer valvular procedures compared with a normal calcium level (hazard ratio, 0.61; P = 0.018). However, a high calcium level (>10.5 mg/dL [>2.63 mmol/L]) had no significant relationship with the outcome (hazard ratio, 0.89; P = 0.65) compared with a normal level. Calcium-phosphate product was not significant as an interaction term and therefore was not included in the final analysis. The relationship of parathyroid hormone (PTH) level to outcome was not significant. CONCLUSION: A serum phosphate level of 5.0 mg/dL or greater (>/=1.62 mmol/L) is associated with increased risk for a valvular procedure, and a low calcium level is associated with fewer valvular procedures. There is no compelling evidence that elevated calcium or PTH levels have a significant relationship to valvular disease that results in an invasive procedure.

Aged↗

Thrombogenicity of radiofrequency ablation procedures: what factors influence thrombin generation?

AIMS: Thromboembolic complications have been reported after radiofrequency ablation but the low incidence of overt clinical events has been a limitation to the study of factors affecting thrombogenic risk. The aim of this study was to determine whether radiofrequency ablation has a procoagulant effect and to examine variables that affect thrombio generation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-seven consecutive patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation were studied prospectively. Blood samples were assayed for thrombin-antithrombin III (TAT) and d-dimer (DD) at five different time points: (1) baseline; (2) after sheath insertion; (3) after electrophysiological study but before radiofrequency ablation; (4) at completion of the procedure; and (5) 24 h post-procedure. TAT levels were within the normal range at baseline and increased significantly after sheath insertion from 2.1 +/- 1.2 microg l(-1) to 13.3 +/- 16.0 microg l(-1) (P<0.01). Levels increased further to 24.0 +/- 19.9 microg l(-1) (P<0.01) after electrophysiological study but did not increase after radiofrequency ablation. TAT normalized at 24 h. DD increased significantly from baseline values (230.2 +/- 176.8 ng ml(-1)) to 285.4 +/- 237.4 ng ml(-1) (P=0.019) after sheath insertion. There was a further significant increase after electrophysiological study to 423.4 +/- 324.3 ng ml(-1) (P<0.01), and a slight but non-significant increase to 464.4 +/- 307.4 ng ml(-1) after radiofrequency ablation (P=0.159). DD remained elevated at 24 h. Procedure duration was the only variable that correlated with the relative increase in TAT and DD. The patients with the longest procedure durations had more catheters inserted, more radiofrequency applications and largely consisted of accessory bypass tract-mediated tachycardias. Heparin administration significantly blunted the relative increase in TAT after radiofrequency ablation (P=0.005). CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ablation procedures confer an increased risk of thrombosis. Catheterization and diagnostic study contribute largely to the thrombogenic stimulus. Thrombogenicity is increased in prolonged, complex procedures and is decreased in patients who have been administered heparin during the procedure.

Adult↗

[Too many heart catheter procedures in Germany ?].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Absolute numbers of cardiovascular procedures are higher in Germany as compared to other European countries. This fact is used as an argument for overuse. Therefore other indicators of an inappropriate use of these resources should be of interest. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The relationship between diagnostic cardiac catheterisations and consequent revascularisation procedures were compared in 8 European countries. In addition the indication criteria for cardiac catheterisations were reviewed in a German registry of 205.581 consecutive inpatients. RESULTS: Revascularisation procedures after diagnostic catheterisations in 8 countries range from 39,1 % to 57,9 %. Germany reaches 43,2 %. A relation between absolute numbers of diagnostic and percent subsequent revascularisation procedures does not exist. In a German registry the following indications for cardiac catheterisation could be identified: Acute Coronary Syndrome 22,9 %. Angina pectoris according to the Canadian Cardiac Society classification was present: CCS II/III in 80,3 %, CCS IV in 17,2 %. An exercise test was performed in 43 %. Final diagnoses were: significant coronary disease 69,5 %, exclusion of disease 9,4 %, lesions < 50 % 9 %, other cardiac disease 12,1 %. CONCLUSION: Absolute numbers cannot be used as an indicator of overuse of cardiovascular procedures. Instead standards for data acquisition should be established on European, national and regional levels. In addition a validation procedure for criteria has to be developed in order to judge the appropriateness of indications for invasive cardiac procedures in different health care systems.

Angiocardiography↗

The Ross procedure in children and young adults: a word of caution.

BACKGROUND: Disease of the aortic valve in children and young adults is a complex entity whose management is the subject of controversy. The Ross and the Ross-Konno procedures have become the primary choices for aortic valve replacement in children because of growth potential, optimal hemodynamic performance, and lack of the need for anticoagulation. However, concern persists regarding the longevity of the pulmonary autograft, especially in patients with aortic insufficiency. METHODS: Between June 1993 and February 2000, 72 Ross and Ross-Konno procedures were performed at our institution: 81% of the patients were less than 15 years old. Preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up clinical, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic data were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for deteriorating autograft function. RESULTS: Aortic insufficiency was an indication for the Ross procedure in 17 patients and mixed lesions with predominant aortic insufficiency in 10. Of the 45 other patients, 32 had aortic stenosis and 13 had mixed lesions with predominant aortic stenosis. There were no deaths during a follow-up of 5 to 80 months. Autograft reoperation was necessary in the follow-up period in 7 patients for severe aortic insufficiency. Moderate insufficiency was identified in 5 additional patients. Aortic insufficiency or predominant aortic insufficiency, as a preoperative hemodynamic indication for the Ross procedure, reached statistical significance (P =.031) as a risk factor for autograft failure. CONCLUSION: The Ross and the Ross-Konno procedures have changed the prognosis of children and young adults with complex aortic valve disease. However, the Ross procedure should be performed with caution in older children in whom aortic insufficiency is a preoperative hemodynamic indication. Further follow-up to delineate the risk factors for autograft dysfunction in children and young adults is necessary to better define the indications for the Ross procedure.

Adolescent↗

The relationship between behavioral states and pain responses to various NICU procedures in premature infants.

An explanatory observational study was conducted to assess the behavioral state before and during various procedures in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and to investigate the relationship between the behavioral state measured by Anderson Behavioral State Scoring System (ABSS) and the degree of pain responses as measured using CRIES (Crying, Requires O(2) for oxygen saturation above 95, Increased vital signs, Expression, and Sleeplessness.) and PIPP (Premature Infants' Pain Profile). Ninety-one observations in 6 NICU procedures were made from 54 infants with a mean gestational age (GA) of 30(+4) weeks and a mean body weight (BW) of 1484.87 g. A positive relationship was identified between ABSS and CRIES, both before (r=0.244, p=0.020) and during (r=0.745, p=0.000) the procedures, and between CRIES and PIPP (r=0.447, p=0.000) during the procedures. However, no correlation was identified between PIPP and ABSS before (r=-0.055, p=0.651) and during (r=0.214, p=0.074) the procedures. This study concluded that relatively healthy, premature infants are in a state of quiet or active sleep and can adequately express pain-related responses to the NICU procedures that are appropriate with the nature of stimulation. However, it was observed that clinicians tend to pay little attention to the state of premature infants before performing the procedures, regardless of their invasive and stimulatory nature. Further research needs to be conducted on the pain responses in physiologic and behavioral expression of critically ill infants who possibly have alteration and developmental limitations in response.

Arousal↗

A comparative study of the surgical treatment of axillary osmidrosis by instrument, manual, and combined subcutaneous shaving procedures.

Between 1986 and 1996, 128 patients underwent surgery for axillary osmidrosis via en bloc removal of subcutaneous cellular tissue. The patients were followed for 6 months to 7 years (average follow-up, 25 months). The authors propose three categories in which they classified shaving procedures: instrumental shavings (N = 84), manual shavings (N = 96), and combined shaving procedures (N = 76). A modified Inaba's shaver was used in instrument shavings. Combined shaving is mixture of instrument and conventional manual shaving. All patients were asked to complete a questionnaire postoperatively. This follow-up demonstrated that 92.9% of patients who underwent instrument shaving, 95.8% of patients who underwent manual shaving, and 97.4% of patients who underwent combined shaving experienced no odor or occasional, very mild axillary odor postoperatively. Postoperative scar formation was either invisible or excellent in 92.9% of instrument shavings, and 92.1% of patients who underwent the combined procedure reported either a hairless axilla or a marked decrease of axillary hair. The total satisfaction rate in the combined procedure was 94.7%, which is a better result than the instrument (92.9%) and the manual (91.7%) shaving procedures. The wound complication rate per patient with the combined procedure was 13.2%. There was no scar contracture or limitation in arm abduction. The combined subcutaneous shaving procedure using the modified Inaba's shaver has the advantages of rapid and accurate shaving, low incidence of hematoma formation, enhanced wound healing, and easy postoperative care. Therefore, en bloc resection of subcutaneous cellular tissue by combined shaving is a viable option for treatment of axillary osmidrosis.

Adolescent↗

Abdominoplasty with procedural sedation and analgesia.

The ability to perform abdominal cosmetic surgery in the ambulatory setting provides a more comfortable environment for the patient, ease of scheduling for the physician, and decreased costs. Avoiding the use of general anesthesia allows for quicker recovery, shorter length of hospital stay, and decreased rate of postoperative complications. The authors report 106 consecutive abdominoplasties, including fascial plication when indicated, using local anesthesia, with procedural sedation and analgesia. All procedures were performed with an anesthesiologist providing intraoperative monitoring of the patients. Their protocol uses procedural sedation and analgesia, which results in a depressed level of consciousness, but allows the patient to maintain airway control independently and continuously. The results of this approach were measured in terms of procedure time, length of hospital stay, rate of complications, total recovery time, and the level of patient satisfaction. Between January 1996 and January 1999, 106 patients underwent abdominoplasty (performed by one of the authors) under local anesthesia with procedural sedation and analgesia. All patients had an American Society of Anesthesiologists status of 1 to 3, and underwent a full abdominoplasty, including fascial plication. In 26% of the patients, allied procedures were also performed, most commonly liposuction or augmentation mammaplasty. The mean age in this series was 45 years, and all patients were available for follow-up at least 1 year after surgery. The mean operative time was 135 minutes, recovery room time was 68 minutes, and all patients were ambulatory. There were no surgical complications, including flap loss or wound dehiscence, and no complications related to anesthesia (cardiac, deep vein thrombosis, fat emboli, pulmonary embolism, etc.). Because paralytic agents were not used, none of the patients required catheterization postoperatively. Patients were generally pleased with the results of surgery. Although the extent of the surgery remains the same, this approach provided patients with an easier postoperative experience. In summary, abdominoplasty, including full fascial plication of the rectus and external oblique aponeurosis, can be performed safely and comfortably under local anesthesia with procedural sedation and analgesia. Patients are comfortable, recover quickly, and are very satisfied with their surgical result and overall experience.

Abdominal Muscles↗