Predicting short-term major postoperative complications in intestinal resection for Crohn’s disease:A machine learning-based study

BACKGROUND Due to the complexity and numerous comorbidities associated with Crohn’s disease(CD),the incidence of postoperative complications is high,significantly impacting the recovery and prognosis of patients.Consequently,additional stu-dies are required to precisely predict short-term major complications following intestinal resection(IR),aiding surgical decision-making and optimizing patient care.AIM To construct novel models based on machine learning(ML)to predict short-term major postoperative complications in patients with CD following IR.METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data derived from a patient cohort that underwent IR for CD from January 2017 to December 2022.The study participants were randomly allocated to either a training cohort or a validation cohort.The logistic regression and random forest(RF)were applied to construct models in the training cohort,with model discrimination evaluated using the area under the curves(AUC).The validation cohort assessed the performance of the constructed models.RESULTS Out of the 259 patients encompassed in the study,5.0%encountered major postoperative complications(Clavien-Dindo≥III)within 30 d following IR for CD.The AUC for the logistic model was 0.916,significantly lower than the AUC of 0.965 for the RF model.The logistic model incorporated a preoperative CD activity index(CDAI)of≥220,a diminished preoperative serum albumin level,conversion to laparotomy surgery,and an extended operation time.A nomogram for the logistic model was plotted.Except for the surgical approach,the other three variables ranked among the top four important variables in the novel ML model.CONCLUSION Both the nomogram and RF exhibited good performance in predicting short-term major postoperative complic-ations in patients with CD,with the RF model showing more superiority.A preoperative CDAI of≥220,a di-minished preoperative serum albumin level,and an extended operation time might be the most crucial variables.The findings of this study can assist clinicians in identifying patients at a higher risk for complications and offering personalized perioperative management to enhance patient outcomes.

Combinative approach of transzonular triamcinolonemoxifloxacin and perioperative drops to minimize postoperative complications of cataract surgery

AIM: To investigate the effectiveness of combinationtherapy with transzonular triamcinolone-moxifloxacin andconventional perioperative drops in reducing postoperativecomplications of cataract surgery. METHODS: Electronic medical records of cataractsurgery patients (single surgeon) were reviewed fromJanuary 2018 to September 2021. The rate of postoperativecomplications including prolonged and/or recurrentpostoperative inflammation, endophthalmitis, cystoid macularedema (CME), and intraocular pressure (IOP) was comparedbetween the patients receiving combinative therapy andpatients receiving drops only. RESULTS: Totally 596 patients and 1057 eyes(Combinative-Therapy group 493 and Drop-Only group 564)were included in this study. Using combination therapyreduced the relative risk of postoperative inflammationby 26.9% (16.6% Combinative-Therapy vs 22.7% Drop-Only, P=0.013). The incidence of endophthalmitis was 0in Combinative-Therapy group vs 0.5% in Drop-Only group(relative risk reduction 100%), although not statisticallysignificant (P=0.10). The incidence of severe IOP spikeswas not significantly different between Combinative-Therapy (2.4%) and Drop-Only (1.6%) groups (P=0.33).The relative risk of postoperative CME was 51.4% less inthree months follow up visit in Combinative-Therapy group,although not statistically significant (P=0.07). The visualoutcome 1-month postop. (best corrected visual acuity) wassignificantly better in Combinative-Therapy (logMAR 0.10)compared to Drop-Only (logMAR 0.14) groups (P=0.02) whilethe baseline visual acuity was not significantly different. CONCLUSION: The combinative approach oftranszonular triamcinolone-moxifloxacin plus perioperativeeyedrops is an effective method to minimize postoperativeinflammation, with better visual outcomes. It couldpotentially reduce the risk of postoperative endophthalmitisand CME (near-significant P-values;larger studies couldanalyze better considering low incidence).

Can serious postoperative complications in patients with Crohn’s disease be predicted using machine learning?

The routine introduction of novel anti-inflammatory therapies into the mana-gement algorithms of patients with Crohn’s disease over the last 2 decades has not substantially changed the likelihood of ultimate surgery.Rather it has delayed the operative need and altered the presentation phenotype.The prospect of complic-ations continues to remain high in this modern era but depending upon the cohort assessed,it remains difficult to make strict comparisons between individual spe-cialist centres.Those patients who present rather late after their diagnosis with a septic complication like an intra-abdominal abscess and a penetrating/fistulizing pattern of disease are more likely to have a complicated course particularly if they have clinical features such as difficult percutaneous access to the collection or multilocularity both of which can make preoperative drainage unsuccessful.Eq-ually,those cases with extensive adhesions where an initial laparoscopic approach needs open conversion and where there is an extended operative time,unsur-prisingly will suffer more significant complications that impact their length of hospital stay.The need for a protective stoma also introduces its own derivative costs,utilizing a range of health resources as well as resulting in important alte-rations in quality of life outcomes.Having established the parameters of the pro-blem can the statistical analysis of the available data identify high-risk cases,promote the notion of centralization of specialist services or improve the allo-cation of disease-specific health expenditure?

Machine learning in predicting postoperative complications in Crohn’s disease

Crohn's disease(CD)is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown origin that can cause significant disability and morbidity with its progression.Due to the unique nature of CD,surgery is often necessary for many patients during their lifetime,and the incidence of postoperative complications is high,which can affect the prognosis of patients.Therefore,it is essential to identify and manage post-operative complications.Machine learning(ML)has become increasingly im-portant in the medical field,and ML-based models can be used to predict post-operative complications of intestinal resection for CD.Recently,a valuable article titled“Predicting short-term major postoperative complications in intestinal resection for Crohn's disease:A machine learning-based study”was published by Wang et al.We appreciate the authors'creative work,and we are willing to share our views and discuss them with the authors.

Machine learning as a tool predicting short-term postoperative complications in Crohn’s disease patients undergoing intestinal resection: What frontiers?

The recent study,“Predicting short-term major postoperative complications in intestinal resection for Crohn’s disease:A machine learning-based study”invest-igated the predictive efficacy of a machine learning model for major postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery in Crohn’s disease(CD)patients.Em-ploying a random forest analysis and Shapley Additive Explanations,the study prioritizes factors such as preoperative nutritional status,operative time,and CD activity index.Despite the retrospective design’s limitations,the model’s robu-stness,with area under the curve values surpassing 0.8,highlights its clinical potential.The findings align with literature supporting preoperative nutritional therapy in inflammatory bowel diseases,emphasizing the importance of compre-hensive assessment and optimization.While a significant advancement,further research is crucial for refining preoperative strategies in CD patients.

Histopathological Patterns and Early Postoperative Complications among Patients with Surgically Treated Thyroid Diseases at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania

Background: Thyroid diseases are among the leading endocrine disorders affecting a large proportion of people worldwide and show geographical variation in incidence and histopathological pattern related to age, sex, dietary and environmental factors. Histopathological patterns of surgically treated thyroid diseases play an important role in early diagnosis and management of these diseases. There is, however, limited published data regarding histopathological reports on thyroid disease in our local setting. This study aimed to determine the histopathological patterns and highlight early postoperative complications among patients with surgically treated thyroid diseases at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC). Methods: This was a longitudinal study involving all patients with surgically treated thyroid diseases seen at BMC over a period of 6 months from October 2019 to March 2020. Results: A total of 84 patients were studied. Females outnumbered males by a female to male ratio of 11:1. The median age of patients was 44 [IQR, 35 - 54] years old, the youngest was 14 years old and the oldest was 76 years old. Colloid goiter was the most common non-neoplastic lesion accounting for 34 (44.7%) patients. Among the neoplastic lesions, follicular adenoma was the most commonly encountered benign pathologies (n = 16;21.1%), while papillary carcinoma was the most commonly encountered malignancy (n = 4;50%). Following thyroidectomy, 12 (14.3%) patients developed early complications, of which hemorrhage sometimes requiring blood transfusion was the leading intra/postoperative complications accounting for 4 (33.3%) patients. Other complications include temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy 2 (16.7%), surgical site infection 2 (16.7%) and tracheomalacia, bronchospasm, thyroid abscess and respiratory obstruction in 1 (8.3%) patient each, respectively. In this study, malignant thyroid lesion (p Conclusion: This study demonstrated that colloid goiter was the most common non-neoplastic lesion, and on the neoplastic category, follicular adenoma was the most common benign lesion, while papillary carcinoma was the most frequent malignant lesion.

Effect of Sequential Early Enteral Nutrition on Postoperative Rehabilitation and Complications in Gastric Cancer Patients

Objective:To analyze the effect of sequential early enteral nutrition in patients with gastric cancer after surgery.Methods:A total of 139 gastric cancer patients,treated between October 2021 and October 2023,were randomly selected and divided into two groups:Group A(68 cases,receiving early enteral nutrition)and Group B(71 cases,receiving sequential early enteral nutrition),using computer randomization.The effects of the interventions on both groups were compared.Results:Seven days post-operation,the levels of nutritional indicators in Group B were significantly higher than those in Group A(P<0.05).Group B showed significantly better levels of inflammatory factors and immune factors compared to Group A seven days post-operation(P<0.05).The postoperative complication rate in Group B was 4.23%,2 significantly lower than that in Group A,which was 16.18%(χ=5.477,P=0.019).Conclusion:The utilization of sequential early enteral nutrition in gastric cancer patients after surgery demonstrated notable improvements in nutritional status and inflammation markers,along with enhanced immunity,effectively reducing postoperative complications.

Prevention and management of postoperative deep vein thrombosis in lower extremities of patients with gastrointestinal tumor

BACKGROUND Deep vein thrombosis(DVT)is a significant postoperative concern,particularly in patients undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal(GI)cancers.These patients often present multiple risk factors,including advanced age and elevated body mass index(BMI),which can increase the likelihood of thromboembolic events.Effec-tive prophylaxis is crucial in this high-risk population to minimize complications such as DVT and pulmonary embolism(PE).This study investigates a compre-hensive DVT prevention protocol,combining mechanical and pharmacological strategies alongside early mobilization,to evaluate its effectiveness and safety in reducing postoperative thrombosis rates among GI cancer surgery patients.AIM To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of postoperative DVT prevention strate-gies in patients with GI cancer.METHODS A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 100 patients who underwent surgery for GI tumors between January and December 2022.All patients received a standardized DVT prevention protocol,which included risk assessment,mecha-nical prophylaxis,pharmacological prophylaxis,and early mobilization.The primary endpoint was the incidence of DVT within 30 days postoperatively.Se-condary outcomes included the occurrence of PE,bleeding complications,and adherence to the protocol.RESULTS The overall incidence of DVT was 7%(7/100 patients).One patient(1%)deve-loped PE.The adherence rate to the prevention protocol was 92%.Bleeding complications were observed in 3%of patients.Significant risk factors for DVT development included advanced age[odds ratio(OR):1.05;95%confidence interval(95%CI):1.01-1.09],higher BMI(OR:1.11;95%CI:1.03-1.19),and longer operative time(OR:1.007;95%CI:1.001-1.013).CONCLUSION Implementing a comprehensive DVT prevention and management protocol for patients undergoing GI tumor surgery resulted in a lower incidence.Strict adherence and individualized risk assessment are crucial for optimizing outcomes.

Influencing factors and preventive measures of infectious complications after intestinal resection for Crohn’s disease

The incidence of Crohn’s disease(CD)has increased in recent years,with most patients requiring intestinal resection.Complications after intestinal resection for CD can lead to poor prognosis and recurrence,among which infectious complic-ations are the most common.This study aimed to investigate the common risk factors,including medications,preoperative nutritional status,surgery-related factors,microorganisms,lesion location and type,and so forth,causing infectious complications after intestinal resection for CD,and to propose corresponding preventive measures.The findings provided guidance for identifying suscept-ibility factors and the early intervention and prevention of infectious complic-ations after intestinal resection for CD in clinical practice.

Ten-year multicentric retrospective analysis regarding postoperative complications and impact of comorbidities in hemorrhoidal surgery with literature review

BACKGROUND Hemorrhoidal disease(HD)is considered a low-severity pathology by both general population and physicians,but the lengthy conservative therapy and postoperative complications suggest otherwise.AIM To assess the effectiveness of different treatment options,both conservative and surgical,in contrast with some preexisting comorbidities.METHODS We conducted a retrospective,10-yearlong study between January 2011 and December 2021 in two surgical centers,a private and a state-owned hospital.We compared the efficacy and safety of several treatment options,such as open hemorrhoidectomy,stapled hemorrhoidopexy,rubber band ligation and infrared coagulation in terms of complication rates and types and their correlation with different preexisting comorbidities such as inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),use of anticoagulant medication(AM)and liver cirrhosis.We also conducted a 20-years long PubMed research(1.263 articles)for relevant comparisons.RESULTS Our study recorded 10940 patients with HD,10241 with conservative and 699 with surgical treatment.Out of these,the male-to-female ratio of 1.3,and a peak in age distribution between 59 and 68 years old(32%of patients).For the entire study,we recorded a 90%incidence of immediate pain,immediate bleeding in 1.5%(11 cases),delayed bleeding in 1.0%(7 cases),and 0.6%surgical site infections.Urinary retention was also present,with 0.2%of patients,anal stricture in 1%and fecal incontinence for 0.5%of patients(4 cases).We recorded no severe complications such as Fournier`s gangrene or rectovaginal perforations.IBD accounted for 6%of the patients,with ulcerative colitis in 12%and Chron`s disease in 10.5%.6.6%of the patients had AM,determining 4%immediate and 2%delayed bleeding,in surgically treated patients.CONCLUSION Our study determined that most common complications(pain,urinary retention,bleeding,and stricture)are correlated with each surgical technique and pre-existing comorbidities.

Intraoperative Blood Pressure Lability Acts as a Key Mediator in the Impacts of Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy on Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Major Spine Surgery

Objective Although goal-directed fluid therapy(GDFT)has been proven to be effective in reducing the incidence of postoperative complications,the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.The aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of intraoperative hemodynamic lability in the association between GDFT and the incidence of postoperative complications.We further tested the role of this mediation effect using mean arterial pressure,a hemodynamic indicator.Methods This secondary analysis used the dataset of a completed nonrandomized controlled study to investigate the effect of GDFT on the incidence of postoperative complications in patients undergoing posterior spine arthrodesis.We used a simple mediation model to test whether there was a mediation effect of average real variability between the association of GDFT and postoperative complications.We conducted mediation analysis using the mediation package in R(version 3.1.2),based on 5,000 bootstrapped samples,adjusting for covariates.Results Among the 300 patients in the study,40%(120/300)developed postoperative complications within 30 days.GDFT was associated with fewer 30-day postoperative complications after adjustment for confounders(odds ratio:0.460,95%CI:0.278,0.761;P=0.003).The total effect of GDFT on postoperative complications was-0.18(95%CI:-0.28,-0.07;P<0.01).The average causal mediation effect was-0.08(95%CI:-0.15,-0.04;P<0.01).The average direct effect was-0.09(95%CI:-0.20,0.03;P=0.17).The proportion mediated was 49.9%(95%CI:18.3%,140.0%).Conclusions The intraoperative blood pressure lability mediates the relationship between GDFT and the incidence of postoperative complications.Future research is needed to clarify whether actively reducing intraoperative blood pressure lability can prevent postoperative complications.

Initial suction drainage decreases severe postoperative complications after pancreatic trauma:A cohort study

BACKGROUND Few studies have addressed the question of which drain types are more beneficial for patients with pancreatic trauma(PT).AIM To investigate whether sustained low negative pressure irrigation(NPI)suction drainage is superior to closed passive gravity(PG)drainage in PT patients.METHODS PT patients who underwent pancreatic surgery were enrolled consecutively at a referral trauma center from January 2009 to October 2021.The primary outcome was defined as the occurrence of severe complications(Clavien-Dindo grade≥Ⅲb).Multivariable logistic regression was used to model the primary outcome,and propensity score matching(PSM)was included in the regression-based sensitivity analysis.RESULTS In this study,146 patients underwent initial PG drainage,and 50 underwent initial NPI suction drainage.In the entire cohort,a multivariable logistic regression model showed that the adjusted risk for severe complications was decreased with NPI suction drainage[14/50(28.0%)vs 66/146(45.2%);odds ratio(OR),0.437;95%confidence interval(CI):0.203-0.940].After 1:1 PSM,44 matched pairs were identified.The proportion of each operative procedure performed for pancreatic injury-related and other intra-abdominal organ injury-related cases was comparable in the matched cohort.NPI suction drainage still showed a lower risk for severe complications[11/44(25.0%)vs 21/44(47.7%);OR,0.365;95%CI:0.148-0.901].A forest plot revealed that NPI suction drainage was associated with a lower risk of Clavien-Dindo severity in most subgroups.CONCLUSION This study,based on one of the largest PT populations in a single high-volume center,revealed that initial NPI suction drainage could be recommended as a safe and effective alternative for managing complex PT patients.

Does testosterone prevent early postoperative complications after gastrointestinal surgery?

AIM:To investigate the role of sex hormones in the early postoperative complications of gastrointestinal diseases. METHODS:A total of 65 patients who underwent operations for gastric and colorectal diseases(mainly malignant diseases)were included in the study. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected at different times for analysis of estradiol,testosterone and progesterone.The only study endpoint was analysis of postoperative complications. RESULTS:Patients of both sexes were uniform but postoperative complication rate was significantly higher in female patients(P=0.027).There was no significant association of estradiol and progesterone with postoperative complications.Testosterone levels in complicated patients were significantly lower than in uncomplicated patients(P<0.05).Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve showed that a lower value of testosterone was a predictor for higher complication rate(P<0.05),and a lower value oftestosterone at later times after surgery was a better predictor of complications. CONCLUSION:Patients with low testosterone level were prone to higher postoperative complications,which was evident in both sexes.However,further studies are necessary to support this result.

Analysis of herbs use law and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in preventing and treating postoperative complications of breast cancer

Objective:Excavate the compatibility rules of traditional Chinese medicine for preventing and treating postoperative complications of breast cancer,study the potential mechanism of prevention and treatment with traditional Chinese medicine.Methods:Collate and analyze the relevant prescriptions collected from CNKI and the core drug combination and the new formula are obtained by adopting the traditional Chinese medicine inheritance auxiliary system(TCMISSV2.5).Use BATMAN-TCM online analysis tool to analyze KEGG pathways of high frequency drugs and predict the potential signal pathways.Results:Data mining has selected 10 pairs of core herb combinations and 5 new recipes of 133 prescriptions.In the network pharmacology analysis of bai zhu,huang qi,fu ling,the potential signaling pathways of its action are the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway and calcium signaling pathway.Conclusion:Herbs for invigorating spleen and qi and herbs for nourishing blood and activating blood are commonly used to prevent and treat postoperative complications of breast cancer.Core herbs may play their role by interfering with the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway and calcium signaling pathway.

A review of complications after ureteral reconstruction

Objective:This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the complications unique to ureteral reconstruction in adults,emphasizing their presentation,diagnosis,and management in the treatment of ureteral structure disease.Methods:This review involves an in-depth analysis of existing literature and case studies pertaining to ureteral reconstruction,with a focus on examining the range of complications that can arise post-surgery.Special attention is given to the presentation of each complication,the diagnostic process involved,and the subsequent management strategies.Results:Ureteral reconstruction can treat ureteral stricture disease with low morbidity;however,complications,although uncommon,can have severe consequences.The most notable complications include urinary extravasation,stricture recurrence,urinary tract infections,compartment syndrome,symptomatic vesicoureteral reflux,and Boari flap necrosis.Each complication presents unique diagnostic challenges and requires specific management approaches.Conclusion:Ureteral reconstruction is a highly effective treatment for ureteral stricture disease.Having a strong understanding of the potential complications that patients may experience following ureteral reconstruction is not only critical to adequately counsel patients but also facilitate prompt diagnosis and management of complications when they arise.

Machine learning identifies the risk of complications after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic radical gastrectomy is widely used,and perioperative complications have become a highly concerned issue.AIM To develop a predictive model for complications in laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer to better predict the likelihood of complications in gastric cancer patients within 30 days after surgery,guide perioperative treatment strategies for gastric cancer patients,and prevent serious complications.METHODS In total,998 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer at 16 Chinese medical centers were included in the training group for the complication model,and 398 patients were included in the validation group.The clinicopathological data and 30-d postoperative complications of gastric cancer patients were collected.Three machine learning methods,lasso regression,random forest,and artificial neural networks,were used to construct postoperative complication prediction models for laparoscopic distal gastrectomy and laparoscopic total gastrectomy,and their prediction efficacy and accuracy were evaluated.RESULTS The constructed complication model,particularly the random forest model,could better predict serious complications in gastric cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy.It exhibited stable performance in external validation and is worthy of further promotion in more centers.CONCLUSION Using the risk factors identified in multicenter datasets,highly sensitive risk prediction models for complications following laparoscopic radical gastrectomy were established.We hope to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of preoperative and postoperative decision-making by using these models.

Postoperative encapsulated hemoperitoneum in a patient with gastric stromal tumor treated by exposed endoscopic full-thickness resection: A case report

BACKGROUND Gastric stromal tumors,originating from mesenchymal tissues,are one of the most common tumors of the digestive tract.For stromal tumors originating from the muscularis propria,compared with conventional endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD),endoscopic full-thickness resection(EFTR)can remove deep lesions and digestive tract wall tumors completely.However,this technique has major limitations such as perforation,postoperative bleeding,and post-polypectomy syndrome.Herein,we report a case of postoperative serous surface bleeding which formed an encapsulated hemoperitoneum in a patient with gastric stromal tumor that was treated with exposed EFTR.Feasible treatment options to address this complication are described.CASE SUMMARY A 47-year-old male patient had a hemispherical protrusion found during gastric endoscopic ultrasonography,located at the upper gastric curvature adjacent to the stomach fundus,with a smooth surface mucosa and poor mobility.The lesion was 19.3 mm×16.1 mm in size and originated from the fourth ultrasound layer.Computed tomography(CT)revealed no significant evidence of lymph node enlargement or distant metastasis.Using conventional ESD technology for mucosal pre-resection,exposed EFTR was performed to resect the intact tumor in order to achieve a definitive histopathological diagnosis.Based on its morphology and immunohistochemical expression of CD117 and DOG-1,the lesion was proven to be consistent with a gastric stromal tumor.Six days after exposed EFTR,CT showed a large amount of encapsulated fluid and gas accumulation around the stomach.In addition,gastroscopy suggested intracavitary bleeding and abdominal puncture drainage indicated serosal bleeding.Based on these findings,the patient was diagnosed with serosal bleeding resulting in encapsulated abdominal hemorrhage after exposed EFTR for a gastric stromal tumor.The patient received combined treatments,such as hemostasis under gastroscopy,gastrointestinal decompression,and abdominal drainage.All examinations were normal within six months of follow-up.CONCLUSION This patient developed serous surface bleeding in the gastric cavity following exposed EFTR.Serosal bleeding resulting in an encapsulated hemoperitoneum is rare in clinical practice.The combined treatment may replace certain surgical techniques.

Usefulness of the Surgical Apgar Score to Predict the Occurrence of Major Complications in the Early Post-Operative Period of Major Surgeries: Experience of Two Second-Category Hospitals in Cameroon

Objective: The Surgical Apgar Score (SAS) is a tool for intraoperative stratification of the risk of serious complications in the early postoperative period. It varies from 0 to 10 points divided into three risk categories (0 to 4 high, 5 to 7 moderate, 8 to 10 low). The aim of the study was to evaluate its relevance in predicting the appearance of these complications. Material and methods: This descriptive and analytical study was carried out at the “Laquintinie” Hospital in Douala and at the Central Hospital in Yaounde, Cameroon. The main data were collected on a population of patients over 18 years old and recorded on a survey form. They consisted of variables of main interest and exposure variables. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis using top-down logistic regression models made it possible to evaluate the association of each variable of main interest and each exposure variable. The association was significant at P Results: Of the 88 patients studied, the SAS was 3 hours. In multivariate, this link persisted only and strongly for the SAS OR (IC) 0.1 (0.1 - 0.2) and p = 000. Conclusion: The study found a specific and powerful link between the SAS score < 4 and the occurrence of complications in the early postoperative period, in favor of its relevance in predicting them.

Direct visualization of postoperative aortobronchial fistula on computed tomography

BACKGROUND Postoperative aortobronchial fistula(ABF)is a rare complication that can occur in 0.3%-5.0%of patients over an extended period of time after thoracic aortic surgery.Direct visualization of the fistula via imaging is rare.AIM To investigate the relationship between computed tomography(CT)findings and the clinical signs/symptoms of ABF after thoracic aortic surgery.METHODS Six patients(mean age 71 years,including 4 men and 2 women)with suspected ABF on CT(air around the graft)at our hospital were included in this retrospective study between January 2004 and September 2022.Chest CT findings included direct confirmation of ABF,peri-graft fluid,ring enhancement,dirty fat sign,atelectasis,pulmonary hemorrhage,and bronchodilation,and the clinical course were retrospectively reviewed.The proportion of each type of CT finding was calculated.RESULTS ABF detection after surgery was found to have a mean and median of 14 and 13 years,respectively.Initial signs and symptoms were asymptomatic in 4 patients,bloody sputum was found in 1 patient,and fever was present in 1 patient.The complications of ABF included graft infection in 2 patients and graft infection with hemoptysis in 2 patients.Of the 6 patients,3 survived,2 died,and 1 was lost to follow-up.The locations of the ABFs were as follows:1 in the ascending aorta;1 in the aortic arch;2 in the aortic arch leading to the descending aorta;and 2 in the descending aorta.ABFs were directly confirmed by CT in 4/6(67%)patients.Peri-graft dirty fat(4/6,67%)and peri-graft ring enhancement(3/6,50%)were associated with graft infection,endoleaks and pseudoaneurysms were associated with hemoptysis(2/6,33%).CONCLUSION Asymptomatic ABF after thoracic aortic surgery can be confirmed on chest CT.CT is useful for the diagnosis of ABF and its complications.

Reoperation for early postoperative complications after gastric cancer surgery in a Chinese hospital

AIM:To investigate the occurrence of postoperative complications of gastric cancer surgery,and analyze the potential causes of reoperation for early postoperative complications. METHODS:A total of 1639 patients who underwent radical or palliative gastrectomies for gastric cancer were included in the study.The study endpoint was the analysis of postoperative complications in inpatients. RESULTS:About 31%of patients had early postoperative complications,and complications of infection occurred most frequently.Intra-abdominal hemorrhage and anastomotic leak were the main causes of reoperation,which accounted for about 2.2%.Mortality was 11.1%in the reoperation group,but was only 0.8%in other patients.The duration of postoperative stay in hospital was significantly longer and the total expenditure was markedly higher in the patients who underwent reoperation(P<0.001).There was no significant association of any available factors in this study with the high rate of reoperation.CONCLUSION:Reoperation significantly increases the mortality rate and raises the burden of the surgical unit.More prospective studies are required to explore the potential risk factors.