Project description:To date there is limited data on the immune profile and outcomes of solid organ transplant recipients who encounter COVID-19 infection early post-transplant. Here we present a unique case where the kidney recipient's transplant surgery coincided with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test and the patient subsequently developed symptomatic COVID-19 perioperatively. We performed comprehensive immunological monitoring of cellular, proteomic, and serological changes during the first 4 critical months post-infection. We showed that continuation of basiliximab induction and maintenance of triple immunosuppression did not significantly impair the host's ability to mount a robust immune response against symptomatic COVID-19 infection diagnosed within the first week post-transplant.
Project description:BackgroundPulmonary segmentectomies are generally classified into simple (tri-segmentectomy or lingulectomy as well as apical or basilar segmentectomy) and complex (individual or bi-segmentectomy of the upper, middle and lower lobes). Complex segmentectomies are technically feasible by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) but remain challenging, and reports on post-operative outcomes are scarce. This study analyzes the differences between simple and complex VATS segmentectomy in terms of peri- and post-operative outcomes.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed records of all patients who underwent anatomical pulmonary segmentectomy by VATS from 2014 to 2018 in two university hospitals.ResultsA total of 232 patients (114 men; median age 67 years; range, 29-87 years) underwent VATS segmentectomy for primary lung cancer (n=177), metastases (n=26) and benign lesions (n=29). The overall 30-day mortality and morbidity rates were 0.8% and 29.7%, respectively. The re-operation rate was 4.7%. Complex segmentectomy was realized in 111 patients including 86 (77.5%) upper lobe segmentectomies and 44 (39.6%) bi-segmentectomies. There was no statistical difference between complex and simple segmentectomy in terms of operative time (145 vs. 143 min, respectively; P=0.79) and chest tube duration [median: 1 (range, 0-33) vs. 2 (range, 1-19) days, respectively; P=0.95]. Post-operative overall complication rates were similar for both groups (30% vs. 30%, respectively; P=0.99) and were not correlated with the type of segmentectomy. However, complex segmentectomy patients had a shorter length of hospitalization compared to simple segmentectomy patients [median: 5 (range, 1-36) vs. 7 (range, 2-31) days; P=0.026]. Interestingly, complex segmentectomies were realized most frequently 2 years after implementation of VATS segmentectomy (23% vs. 77%; P=0.01).ConclusionsIn comparison with simple segmentectomy, complex segmentectomy by VATS seems to present similar post-operative complication rates. Learning curve and progressive increase in acceptance by surgeons seem to be key elements for successful implementation of complex segmentectomies and could explain the shorter length of stay we observed.
Project description:BackgroundThe prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is increasing worldwide. Bariatric surgery is an option where conventional measures to achieve weight loss fail. We compared peri-operative outcomes in patients living with obesity with and without OSA undergoing bariatric surgery.MethodsRetrospective cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing bariatric surgery at a tertiary referral centre. Data were extracted from electronic patient records. Primary outcomes were the rate of peri-operative complications and level of respiratory support. Secondary outcomes were length of stay (LOS), and the highest level of care required.ResultsA total of 302 patients underwent surgery [age 47 (±11.6) years, 238 (78.8%) female, body mass index (BMI) 48.1 (±7.8) kg/m2]. A total of 101 (33.4%) patients had moderate or severe OSA, or mild OSA with significant sleepiness, and were prescribed continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), whilst 201 (66.6%) had mild OSA without symptoms or no OSA and weren't. Patients requiring CPAP were more obese (BMI 50.2 vs. 47.0 kg/m2, P=0.002). Complications were analysed individually and according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. The incidence of each individual complication did not differ between groups. When grouped into Clavien-Dindo grades, only grade I complications differed: CPAP 9% vs. non-CPAP 2.6%, P=0.02). LOS was longer in the CPAP group [3 (1.5) vs. 2 (1.0) days, P=0.002].ConclusionsThe rate of peri-operative complications in patients with OSA undergoing bariatric surgery is low and can be addressed by the provision of CPAP therapy in most cases. However, a longer LOS and more frequent Grade I complications requires selection of appropriate post-operative monitoring.
Project description:The devastating pandemic due to SARS-CoV-2 and the emergence of antigenic variants that jeopardize the efficacy of current vaccines create an urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of COVID-19, including the contribution of inflammation to disease. It also warrants for the search of immunomodulatory drugs that could improve disease outcome. Here, we show that standard doses of ivermectin (IVM), an anti-parasitic drug with potential immunomodulatory activities through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, prevents clinical deterioration, reduces olfactory deficit and limits the inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tracts in SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters. Whereas it has no effect on viral load in the airways of infected animals, transcriptomic analyses of infected lungs reveal that IVM dampens type-I interferon responses and modulates several other inflammatory pathways. In particular, IVM dramatically reduces the Il-6/Il-10 ratio in lung tissue and promotes macrophage M2 polarization, which might account for the more favorable clinical presentation of IVM-treated animals. Altogether, this study supports the use of immunomodulatory drugs such as IVM, to improve the clinical condition of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients.
Project description:ObjectiveThere is little prospective data to guide effective dosing for antibiotic prophylaxis during surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We aim to describe the effects of CPB on the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of total and unbound concentrations of cefazolin and to recommend optimised dosing regimens.MethodsPatients undergoing CPB for elective cardiac valve replacement were included using convenience sampling. Intravenous cefazolin (2g) was administered pre-incision and re-dosed at 4 hours. Serial blood and urine samples were collected and analysed using validated chromatography. Population PK modelling and Monte-Carlo simulations were performed using Pmetrics® to determine the fractional target attainment (FTA) of achieving unbound concentrations exceeding pre-defined exposures against organisms known to cause surgical site infections for 100% of surgery (100% fT>MIC).ResultsFrom the 16 included patients, 195 total and 64 unbound concentrations of cefazolin were obtained. A three-compartment linear population PK model best described the data. We observed that cefazolin 2g 4-hourly was insufficient to achieve the FTA of 100% fT>MIC for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli at serum creatinine concentrations ≤ 50 μmol/L and for Staphylococcus epidermidis at any of our simulated doses and serum creatinine concentrations. A dose of cefazolin 3g 4-hourly demonstrated >93% FTA for S. aureus and E. coli.ConclusionsWe found that cefazolin 2g 4-hourly was not able to maintain concentrations above the MIC for relevant pathogens in patients with low serum creatinine concentrations undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. The simulations showed that optimised dosing is more likely with an increased dose and/or dosing frequency.
Project description:IntroductionPreoperative testing for COVID-19 has become widely established to avoid inadvertent surgery on patients with COVID-19 and prevent hospital outbreaks.MethodsA prospective cross sectional study was carried out in two university hospitals examining the pre-operative protocols for patients undergoing otolaryngology surgery and the incidence of COVID-19 within 30 days of surgery in patients and the otolaryngologists performing surgery.ResultsOne hundred and seventy-three patients were recruited. One hundred and twenty-three (71%) patients "cocooned" for 14 days prior to surgery. All completed a questionnaire prior to admission. One hundred and fifty-six patients (90%) had reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) nasopharyngeal swabs, 14 patients (8%) had CT thorax. No cases of COVID-19 were detected among patients followed up at 30 days. Two surgeons developed COVID-19 early during the study period.ConclusionCurrent pre-operative testing protocols consisting primarily of questionnaires and RT-PCR resulted in zero cases of COVID in this cohort. It is possible that COVID-19 restrictions and high proportion of patients cocooning preoperatively were factors in ensuring a low rate of COVID-19 post-operatively.
Project description:BackgroundGlucose management is an important component of peri-operative care. The usefulness of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in noncardiac surgery is uncertain.ObjectiveTo systematically assess the glycaemic profile and clinical outcome of patients equipped with a CGM device during the peri-operative period in noncardiac surgery.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesElectronic databases were systematically searched up to July 2024.Eligibility criteriaAny studies performed in the peri-operative setting using a CGM device were included. Closed-loop systems also administering insulin were excluded. Analyses were stratified according to diabetes mellitus status and covered intra-operative and postoperative data. Outcomes included glycaemic profile (normal range 3.9 to 10.0 mmol l-1), complications, adverse events, and device dysfunction.ResultsTwenty-six studies (1016 patients) were included. Twenty-four studies were not randomised, and six used a control arm for comparison. In bariatric surgery, diabetes mellitus patients had a mean ± SD glucose of 5.6 ± 0.5 mmol l-1, with 15.4 ± 8.6% time below range, 75.3 ± 5.5% in range and 9.6 ± 6.7% above range. During major surgery, diabetes mellitus patients showed a mean glucose of 9.6 ± 1.1 mmol l-1, with 9.5 ± 9.1% of time below range, 56.3 ± 13.5% in range and 30.6 ± 13.9% above range. In comparison, nondiabetes mellitus patients had a mean glucose of 6.4 ± 0.6 mmol l-1, with 6.7 ± 8.4% time below range, 84.6 ± 15.5% in range and 11.2 ± 4.9% above range. Peri-operative complications were reported in only one comparative study and were similar in CGM and control groups. Device-related adverse events were rare and underreported. In 9.21% of cases, the devices experienced dysfunctions such as accidental removal and issues with sensors or readers.ConclusionDue to the limited number of controlled studies, the impact of CGM on postoperative glycaemic control and complications compared with point-of-care testing remains unknown. Variability in postoperative glycaemic profiles and a device dysfunction rate of 1 in 10 suggest CGM should be investigated in a targeted surgical group.
Project description:Coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2 are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. A SARS-CoV-2 is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. The majority of critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units with confirmed severe infection with SARS-CoV-2 developed an acute respiratory distress like syndrome. The main objective of this opinion paper is to raise the discussion about the possible benefit of keeping the patient with COVID-19 disease and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) in the prone position during the perioperative period, especially where this position is not a required factor for the surgical or invasive procedure. We believe that the prone position, due to its favorable pulmonary physiology, can improve the V?/Q? ratio in the perioperative period.