Effect of programmed comprehensive nursing on delirium incidence in intensive care unit children following severe cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND Programmed comprehensive nursing was adopted for intensive care unit(ICU)children following severe cardiac surgery to improve respiratory function and delirium incidence.AIM To explore how programmed comprehensive nursing impacts respiratory func-tion and delirium incidence in ICU children post cardiac surgery.METHODS Between January 2022 and January 2024,180 pediatric patients from the Chil-dren’s Hospital of Nanjing were admitted to the ICU after cardiac surgery and randomly grouped.The control group comprised 90 patients and received routine nursing care.The observation group comprised 90 patients and received program-med comprehensive nursing.Both groups received continuous nursing care until discharge.Their respiratory function,incidence of delirium,and clinical outcomes were compared.The memory state and sleep quality of both groups were com-pared.RESULTS The incidence of delirium was 5.56%in the observation group when admitted to ICU,which was lower than that in the control group(20.00%;P<0.05).The observation group demonstrated higher peak expiratory flow rate,respiratory frequency,deep breathing volume,and tidal volume in the ICU compared with the control group.Additionally,the observation group showed higher sleep depth,sleep latency,night awakening,return to sleep,and sleep quality com-pared with the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Programmed comprehensive nursing in ICU patients following severe cardiac surgery can reduce the impact on respiratory function,improve sleep quality,and alleviate postoperative delirium,showing significant promise for clinical application.

Application of ^(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging in recurrent anastomotic tumors after surgery in digestive tract tumors

BACKGROUND This study was to investigate the application value of whole-body dynamic ^(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose(FDG)positron emission tomography/computed tomogra-phy(PET/CT)imaging in recurrent anastomotic tumors of digestive tract after gastric and esophageal cancer surgery.Postoperative patients with gastric and esophageal cancer have a high risk of tumor recurrence,and traditional imaging methods have certain limitations in early detection of recurrent tumors.Whole-body dynamic ^(18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging,due to its high sensitivity and specifi-city,can provide comprehensive information on tumor metabolic activity,which is expected to improve the early diagnosis rate of postoperative recurrent tumors,and provide an important reference for clinical treatment decision-making.METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on 53 patients with upper digestive tract tumors after operation and systemic dynamic ^(18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging indi-cating abnormal FDG uptake by anastomosis,including 29 cases of gastric cancer and 24 cases of esophageal cancer.According to the follow-up results of gas-troscopy and other imaging examinations before and after PET/CT examination,the patients were divided into an anastomotic recurrence group and anastomotic inflammation group.Patlak multi-parameter analysis software was used to obtain the metabolic rate(MRFDG),volume of distribution maximum(DVmax)of anastomotic lesions,and MRmean and DVmean of normal liver tissue.The lesion/background ratio(LBR)was calculated by dividing the MRFDG and DVmax of the anastomotic lesion by the MRmean and DVmean of the normal liver tissue,respectively,to obtain LBR-MRFDG and LBR-DVmax.An independent sample t test was used for statistical analysis,and a receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the differential diagnostic efficacy of each parameter for anastomotic recurrence and inflammation.RESULTS The dynamic ^(18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging parameters MRFDG,DVmax,LBR-MRFDG,and LBR-DVmax of postoperative anastomotic lesions in gastric cancer and esophageal cancer showed statistically significant differences between the recurrence group and the inflammatory group(P<0.05).The parameter LBR-MRFDG showed good diagnostic efficacy in differentiating anastomotic inflammation from recurrent lesions.In the gastric cancer group,the area under the curve(AUC)value was 0.935(0.778,0.993)when the threshold was 1.83,and in the esophageal cancer group,the AUC value was 1.When 86 is the threshold,the AUC value is 0.927(0.743,0.993).CONCLUSION Whole-body dynamic ^(18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging can accurately differentiate the diagnosis of postoperative anastomotic recurrence and inflammation of gastric cancer and esophageal cancer and has the potential to be an effective monitoring method for patients with upper digestive tract tumors after surgical treatment.

Effects of three-dimensional quality assessment nursing intervention on efficacy and disease management of patients undergoing esophageal cancer surgery

BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors.The three-dimensional quality structure model is a quality assessment theory that includes three dimensions:Structure,process,and results.AIM To investigate the effects of nursing interventions with three-dimensional quality assessment on the efficacy and disease management ability of patients undergoing esophageal cancer surgery.METHODS In this prospective study,the control group received routine nursing,and the intervention group additionally received a three-dimensional quality assessment intervention based on the above routine care.Self-efficacy and patient disease management abilities were evaluated using the General Self-Efficacy Scale(GSES)and Exercise of Self-Care Agency scale,respectively.IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows,version 17.0,was used for the data processing.RESULTS This study recruited 112 patients who were assigned to the control and experi-mental groups(n=56 per group).Before the intervention,there was no significant difference in GSES scores between the two groups(P>0.05).After the inter-vention,the GSES scores of both groups increased,with the experimental group showing higher values(P<0.05).At the time of discharge and three months after discharge,the scores for positive attitudes,self-stress reduction,and total score of health promotion in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The implementation of a three-dimensional quality structure model for postoperative patients with esophageal cancer can effectively improve their self-management ability and self-efficacy of postoperative patients.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery―the past, present status and the future

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has developed very rapidly in these two decades, and has replaced conven-tional open thoracotomy as a standard procedure for some simple thoracic operations as well as an option or a complementary procedure for some other more complex operations. In this paper we will review its development history, the present status and the future perspectives.

Nonintubated uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for primary spontaneous pneumothorax

Objective： The objective of the current study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of nonintubated nniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery （VATS） for the management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax （PSP）. Methods： From November 2011 to June 2013, 32 consecutive patients with PSP were treated by nonintubated uniportal thoracoscopic bullectomy using epidnral anaesthesia and sedation without endotracheal intubation. An incision 2 cm in length was made at the 6th intercostal space in the median axillary line. The pleural space was entered by blunt dissection for placement of a soft incision protector. Instruments were then inserted through the incision protector to perform thoracoscopic bullectomy. Data were collected within a minimum follow-up period of 10 months. Results： The average time of surgery was 49.0 rain （range, 33-65 rain）. No complications were recorded. The postoperative feeding time was 6 h. The mean postoperative chest tube drainage and hospital stay were 19.3 h and 41.6 h, respectively. The postoperative pain was mild for 30 patients （93.75%） and moderate for two patients （6.25%）. No recurrences ofpneumothorax were observed at follow-up. Conclusions： The initial results indicated that nonintubated uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic operations are not only technically feasible, but may also be a safe and less invasive alternative for select patients in the management of PSP. This is the first report to include the use of a nonintubated uniportal technique in VATS for such a large number of PSP cases. Further work and development of instruments are needed to define the applications and advantages of this technique.

A single institution experience using the LigaSure vessel sealing system in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for primary spontaneous pneumothorax

This study sought to report our 6-year experience with the LigaSure vessel sealing system（LVSS） in videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery（VATS） for primary spontaneous pneumothorax.A series of 180 consecutive patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax were operated on in our institution from May 2005 to December 2010.Intraoperatively,large lesions（bullae or blebs） with a diameter more than 2 cm were resected by staplers,and the residual lesions were treated by LVSS.LVSS was also used to ablate the apical area when no lesions were found.Conventional apical pleural abrasion was done in all cases.All patients were successfully treated using VATS with minimal perioperative bleeding.The mean operating time was 76 minutes（range,43-160 minutes） for single-side procedures and 169 minutes（range,135-195 minutes） for bilateral procedures,the mean number of applied staples was 1.93 per patient（range,0-8 days）,the duration of drainage was 3.8 days（range,2-15 days）,and the duration of hospital stay was 5.8 days（range,3-16 days）.Postoperative complications included persistent air leak（〉 5 days） in 11 cases（6.1%） and residual pneumothorax in 6（3.3%）.None required reoperation.The mean duration of follow-up was 57 months（range,24-105 months）.Recurrence was seen in three cases（1.7%）,and all underwent another operation thereafter.None of the lesions in the relapse cases received ablation with LVSS in the first operation.LVSS can optimize VATS for primary spontaneous pneumothorax and reduces the use of single-use staples.The method is safe,easy to use,and cost-effective and produces satisfactory results.

A comparative study of the therapeutic effect in two protocols: video-assisted thoracic surgery combined with laparoscopy versus right open transthoracic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer management

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the best intra-thoracoscopic surgery technique between video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) combined with laparoscopy and right open transthoracic esophagectomy, in patients with esophageal cancer. Methods: From November 2006 to May 2008, 221 patients with esophageal cancer were enrolled in this study, prospective randomized in two groups. 111 patients were performed the VATS technique (Experimental group), whereas in the other 110 patients esophagectomy was adopted by thoracotomy (Control group). Results: The time consuming of Experimental group was 272.3 min in average with a standard deviation(std) of 57.9, and it was 218.7 min in average with std of 91.0 in the control group (P=0.000). The operative blood loss was 219.7±194.4 mL in the Experimental group, compared with 590.0±324.4 mL in the control group, with significant difference (P=0.000). Postoperative hospital stay of Experimental group was 9.6±1.7d, and it was 11.4±2.3d in the control group (P=0.000). There was no-delayed union of incision in the Experimental group, but 6.36% in the control group (P=0.007). The disorder of gastric emptying occurred 0.9% in the Experimental group, whereas 6.4% in the Control group. There was no significant difference in survival curves and rates (P=0.555). Conclusion: There were several advantages of VATS technique, such as reduced hemorrhage, better recovery, few complications, and great number of lymph node dissection, although there was no significant difference in long-term survival rate. Thus the VATS combined with laparoscopy technique was worthy of generalization in esophageal surgery with good prospects.

Off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery for the treatment of left main with triple coronary artery disease

Objective：To obtain early results of off-pump coronarE~ artery bypass grafting（OPCAB） in patients with significant left main coronary artery（LMCA） and triple vessels stenosis by comparing with those of a similar group undergoing conventional coronary artery bypass surgery（CCAB）. Methods：Data for patients with significant LMCA and triple vessels stenosis who underwent CCAB or OPCAB were collected retrospectively between January 1999 and May 2006. Non-randomized, retrospective data analysis included demo- graphic and preoperative risk factors, operative details, clinical outcome and early follow-up. Results： The number of distal anastomo- sis and grafts varied from 3 to 6. The average number per patient was similar in the two groups （OPCAB group：3.76 ± 0.98, CCAB group：3.81 ± 1.02）. Thirty-day mortality occurred to one patient in the OPCAB group whereas two early deaths were observed in the CCAB group but did not reach statistical significance （P 〉 0.05）. The frequency of atrial fibrillation （AF）, IABP usage, mediastinitis, re-operation for bleeding （or tamponade） were similar in the two groups （P 〉 0.05）. Postoperative inotropic requirements, peak CKMB, ventilation time, blood loss, FFP, RBC transfusion need and the length of ICU-stay were all significantly lower in the OPCAB group compared with CCAB group（P 〈 0.05）.Conclusion： Significant LMCA and triple-vessel stenosis can safely and effectively undergo myocardial revascularization using OPCAB surgery. LMCA should no longer be seen as a contraindication to perform OPCAB grafting.

Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery and Outcomes for Recurrent Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Single-Institution Experience

Introduction: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is relatively common condition in young adults. Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (uniportal VATS) has been accepted as a less invasive technique for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Strong evidence suggests that Uniportal VATS procedures are technically feasible and safe with excellent outcomes comparable to conventional VATS approach. Objectives: This article aims to discuss our experience with uniportal thoracoscopic approach as a valuable option in patients with recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax. Study Design: A retrospective study analysis between January 2014 and December 2016. Materials and Methods: From January 2014 to December 2016, 22 consecutive patients with unilateral recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax were to undergo uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (uniportal VATS). Their chronic residual postoperative pain, hospital stay and recurrence rate were analyzed. Results: Twenty-two patients with unilateral recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax were included;all received uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (uniportal VATS) and mechanical pleurodesis. Conclusions: We conclude that uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (uniportal VATS) demonstrated benefits to patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax a safe, effective and also faster recovery, and decreased postoperative pain and short hospital stay.

Robotic cardiac surgery training during residency: Preparing residents for the inevitable future

Unlike other surgical residency training programs including thoracic surgery, robotic cardiac surgery skilltraining is minimal or absent in residency curricula. A review was conducted to identify residents'exposure to robotic cardiac surgery training based on databases including PubMed, MEDLINE and GoogleScholar. Published papers and cardiothoracic surgical societies with robotic cardiac surgery trainingcourses were reviewed. Robotic cardiac surgery training for residents is almost non-existent. Strategies toestablish proper robotic cardiac surgical training for residents include implementing simulation training,implementing hour requirements and establishing wet/dry lab model training in a progressive fashion.As robot-assisted cardiac surgery becomes increasingly commonplace, it will be imperative to providetraining for residents with dedicated opportunities to develop their skills in robotic cardiac surgery.

Is it the time to reconsider the choice of valves for cardiac surgery： mechanical or bioprosthetic？

Valvular heart disease is a pathologic process involving one or more of the four valves(aortic,pulmonary,mitral and tricuspid)of the heart typified by stenosis or regurgitation and leading to patient symptoms.The most common causes are tissue degeneration,rheumatic fever and congenital heart diseases.Aortic valve replacement(AVR)using either mechanical or bioprosthetic(tissue)valves via open-heart surgical

Chest radiography requirements for patients with asymptomatic COVID-19 undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery:Three case reports

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2,represents a major challenge to health care systems both globally and regionally,with many opting by cancelling elective surgeries.Cardiac operations in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 have been imperative due to their emergency nature,critical condition of patients awaiting cardiac surgery,and accumulated number of cardiac surgical interventions throughout the last months.CASE SUMMARY Here we describe three COVID-19 positive cases who underwent coronary surgery,on an urgent basis.We did not experience worsening of the patients’clinical condition due to COVID-19 and therefore a routine post-operative chest Xray(CXR)was not required.None of the health care providers attending the patients endured cross infection.Further trials would be needed in order to confirm these results.CONCLUSION While the pandemic has adversely hit the health systems worldwide,cardiac surgical patients who concomitantly contracted COVID-19 may undergo a smooth post-operative course as a routine post-operative CXR may not be required.

Robot-assisted lobectomy in a patient with poor lung function:Another advantage of robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Patients with poor lung function have a high-risk for pulmonary complications following lobectomy.The development of minimally invasive thoracic surgical techniques allows sicker patients to safely undergo lung resection.Robotic lobectomy could benefit these higher risk patients.Here we present a case of a 58-year-old female patient with poor lung function presented with a 3-cm mass in her lower left pulmonary lobe,who successfully underwent lobectomy via robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.Her forced expiratory volume in one second was slightly improved compared to the preoperative value.Her forced vital capacity continued to improve in the follow-up period.There was no recorded recurrence during the three years follow-up period.

Cardiovascular surgery in the elderly: an update

The aging of the population and improvements in outcomes after cardiovascular surgery have resulted in a worldwide growing demand of complex surgical intervention for elderly patients. We briefly review the up-to-date English-language literature with particular focus on cardiovascular surgery in elderly patients. With earlier referral, careful preoperative evaluation, strategic planning, and the continuing efforts in optimizing surgical techniques, operative mortality and morbidity following primary or reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting and valvular interventions are expected to fall in this high-risk patient subset. Importantly, accumulating evidence indicates that elderly patients may benefit from improved functional status and quality of life after cardiovascular surgical therapy(J Geriatr Cardiol 2005,2(2): 123-128).

Management of mediastinal infections after open—heart surgery in 18 cases

Two methods were employed in the management of 18 patients with mediastinal infec-tions after open-heart surgery in a 10-year-period from 1980 to 1989.The first 3 cases weretreated with local debridement and drainage of the involved areas.Of them,1 was cured and 2 de-veloped chronic osteomyelitis of the sternum with an average hospitalization of 91 d.The other 15cases were treated with radical debridement and closed retrosternal irrigation of antibiotic solutions.Fourteen out of the 15 cases were successfully cured with an average hospitalization of 15d and 1case suffered from a recurrence of infection.No hospital mortality occurred in this series and 2 latedeaths were not related to mediastinal infections.It is believed by the authors that radicaldebridement in association with retrosternal irrigation is a far much better method than localdebridement combined with drainage in the management of mediastinal infections afteropen-heart surgery.

Pediatric Cardiac Surgical Patterns of Practice and Outcomes in Europe and China:An Analysis of the European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association Congenital Heart Surgery Database

Background:The European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association(ECHSA)Congenital Heart Surgery Database(CHSD)was founded in 1999 and is open for worldwide participation.The current dataset includes a large amount of surgical data from both Europe and China.The purpose of this analysis is to compare patterns of practice and outcomes among pediatric congenital heart defect surgeries in Europe and China using the ECHSA-CHSD.Methods:We examined all European(125 centers,58,261 operations)and Chinese(13 centers,23,920 operations)data in the ECHSA-CHSD from 2006-2018.Operative mortality,postoperative length of stay,median patient age and weight were calculated for the ten benchmark operations for China and Europe,respectively.Results:Benchmark procedure distribution frequencies differed between Europe and China.In China,ventricular septal defect repair comprised approximately 70%of procedures,while Norwood operations comprised less than one percent of all procedures.Neonatal cardiac procedures were rare in China overall.For procedures in STAT mortality category 1,Chinese centers had lower operative mortality rates,while procedures in categories 3 and 5 mortality is lower in European centers.Operative mortality over the time period decreased from 3.89%to 1.64%for the whole cohort,with a sharper decline in China.This drop coincides with an increase of submitted procedures over this 13-year-period.Conclusion:Chinese centers had higher programmatic volume of congenital heart surgeries,while European centers have a more complex case mix.Palliation for patients with functionally univentricular heart was performed less commonly in China.These comparison of patterns of practice and outcomes demonstrate opportunities for continuing bidirectional transcontinental collaboration and quality improvement.

The blossom of “the rose of surgery”——The birth of heart-lung machine

The development of the heart-lung machine made repair of intracardiac lesions possible. One of the key requirements of the heart-lung machine was anticoagulation. Heparin was discovered by a medical student, Jay McLean, working in the laboratory of Dr. William Howell at Johns Hopkins. John Gibbon contributed more to the successful development of the heart-lung machine than anyone else. His interest began as a young doctor since 1930s. Gibbon＇s work on the heart-lung machine took place over the next 20 years in laboratories at Massachusetts General Hospital, the University of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Jefferson University In 1937, he reported the first successful demonstration that life could be maintained by an artificial heart and lung, and the native heart and lungs could resume fimction. After World War II, Dr. Gibbon resumed his work and received support from IBM to build a heart-lung machine on a more sophisticated scale. Eventually, the team developed a larger oxygenator that the IBM engineers incorporated into a new machine. On May 6, 1953, Dr. Gibbon performed the first successful operation using an extracorporeal circuit on an 18-year-old girl with a large atrial septal defect. It wasn＇t until 1958, when a system that involved bubbling blood was perfected, that ＂heart-lung＂ machines came of age. Despite so many chill winds and cold rains, ＂heart-lung＂ machine, the budding rose of surgery, was eventually blossom brightly in the radiant rays of sunlight. John Gibbon＇s dream had become a reality. His work serves as an important example to surgeons who are struggling today with the surgical therapies and technologies of tomorrow.

Tei index evaluates left ventricular function changes after on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery

Objective： To compare function recovery of left ventricle after off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass （OPCAB and ONCAB） using Tel index. Methods： Twenty-four patients with coronary artery disease were enrolled, twelve of which received OPCAB and the others underwent ONCAB. Left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）, E/A ratio at mitral orifice and Tel index were measured using transthoracic echocardiography before surgery and 3-7 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after surgery. Results：Tel index of both groups decreased 3-7 days after surgery, with OPCAB group＇s lower than ONCAB group＇s. The difference between pre-and post-OPCAB was significant （P〈0.01）, but not for ONCAB group （P〈0.05）. Tel index of ONCAB decreased more significant than that of OPCAB 1 month after surgery, there was statistical difference between 3-7 days and 1 month after surgery in ONCAB （P〈0.01）. Afterwards, Tel index of the 2 groups decreased steadily with no significant difference between them at other time points. LVEF and E/A ratio decreased at first, then increased gradually, with no statistical differences between the 2 groups at all time points. Conclusion： The recovery of left ventricular function after OPCAB is earlier than ONCAB. Tel index is more sensitive than LVEF and E/A ratio in detecting cardiac function recoveries and can be considered as an accurate and simple method to evaluate left ventricular systolic and diastolic function.

Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery

Aortic valve disease is a prevalent disorder that affects approximately 2% of the general adult population. Surgical aortic valve replacement is the gold standard treatment for symptomatic patients. This treatment has demonstrably proven to be both safe and effective. Over the last few decades, in an attempt to reduce surgical trauma, different minimally invasive approaches for aortic valve replacement have been developed and are now being increasingly utilized. A narrative review of the literature was carried out to describe the surgical techniques for minimally invasive aortic valve surgery and report the results from different experienced centers. Minimally invasive aortic valve replace- ment is associated with low perioperative morbidity, mortality and a low conversion rate to full sternotomy. Long-term survival appears to be at least comparable to that reported for conventional full sternotomy. Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery, either with a partial upper stemotomy or a right anterior minithoracotomy provides early- and long-term benefits. Given these benefits, it may be considered the standard of care for isolated aortic valve disease.