Patient-Reported Outcomes of Surgery of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Evaluation Based on the Questionnaires of Anti-Aging Quality of Life and the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire

Background: Patient-reported outcomes of the quality of life (QOL) after an open thoracotomy have not been studied. To determine the physical and mental changes in surgical patients is very important for medical staffs. The surgical patient’s satisfaction and overall healthy changes were evaluated by the patient-self assessment questionnaires. Materials and Methods: From July 2007 to April 2008, 26 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) underwent surgical resection. The outcome of the QOL was evaluated by using two kinds of questionnaire surveys from the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the anti-aging QOL assessment (AA-QOL). The EORTC QLQ-C30 consisted of five domains (physical, role, cognitive, emotional, and social functionings) and global QOL. The AA-QOL contained 51 items;30 physical and 21 mental symptoms regarding the elderly and the aging population. The patients replied to the two questionnaires at two different times, i.e., at pre-surgery (baseline) and at post-surgery (2 weeks after the operation). The obtained data of these scores were averaged and compared between the two points of the pre-surgery and post-surgery. Results: Regarding the outcomes of the EORTC QLQ-C30, the physical and social functioning became significantly worse after the surgery. In contrast, the global QOL significantly became better after the surgery. For the symptom at post-surgery, three of which were “nausea and vomiting”, “pain”, and “appetite loss”, became significantly worse compared to those at pre-surgery. Regarding the outcomes of the AA-QOL, the physical symptoms (muscular pain/stiffness, palpitations, dyspnea, no feeling of good health, anorexia, and coughing and sputum) became significantly worse after the surgery. Regarding the mental symptoms, there were no significant differences. Conclusions: Regarding the outcomes based on the changes in the QOL after surgery, the physical symptoms became worse compared to the mental symptoms. To clarify the perioperative healthy changes of the QOL reported by patients with lung cancers is very important for multidisciplinary teamwork, which should play a role in providing the appropriate care and treatment and useful information for a preoperative patient’s decision making of receiving surgical treatment.

Development of a System to Support Surgical Safety-I and Safety-II. Implementation of Resilient Surgical Healthcare for Bleeding Incidents in Thoracic Surgery

Background: Since bleedings in surgery are infrequent and inexperienced, we always try to proceed with surgery assuming a crisis situation, adhere to routine procedures and its standardization. We focus on the bleeding accidents and reveal how to implement a resilient healthcare theory. By clarifying the Safety-I and Safety-II, we developed a system to support surgical safety based on the surgeon’s individual, team, and organization. Material and Methods: We searched 25 cases of bleeding incidents in thoracic surgery, which were obtained from the database of the Project to Collect Medical Near-Miss/Adverse Event Information of the Japan Council of Quality Health Care in April 2018. Retrospectively, we analyzed 13 hemorrhage cases in our department between July 2002 and March 2020. We studied their surgical factors such as procedures, sites and causes of bleeding, response, treatment, and outcomes. Results: The causes of bleeding included damage of the adhesion detachment, insertions of automatic sutures and forceps, detachment of ultrasonic scalpel, vascular taping, removal of resected lung, lymph node dissection, exfoliation of the infiltrated adventitia of vessels, pull-out of vessel, gauze attachment with staple cut-line of vessel, thoracoscopic collision, infectious vascular rupture, detachment of vascular ligature, and suction tube hit. We summarized the variation in the usual controllable and unexpected uncontrollable bleeding and learned how to respond and treat them. We built up the balanced combination of Safety-I and Safety-II in the daily routine work in normal surgery, the patient’s individual factors, the massive bleeding, and its life-threatening crisis. Conclusions: We can learn how to prevent and respond to bleeding accidents by developing a system to support surgical safety (Safety-I and Safety-II). We can flexibly respond to unexpected bleeding disturbances under constraints by adjusting the surgeon’s individuals, team, and organization.

Implementation of Resilience Engineering for Thoracic Surgery. Reconciling Work-as-Imagined and Work-as-Done

Background: The Work-As-Imagined (WAI) is a plan that is expected to be performed before surgery, and the Work-As-Done (WAD) is the result of work actually done. In order to perform safe and high-quality surgery for the individual surgeon, the surgical team, and hospital organization as a system, we have to reconcile the WAI and the WAD in resilience engineering for the real world of surgical healthcare. Objective: Based on the resilient healthcare theory, we would like to clarify the actual way of reconciling the WAI and WAD in surgery. Material and Methods: As a typical model of thoracic surgery, we use a lobectomy case for lung cancer. We describe a surgeon’s WAI and WAD, and we explain the anticipating, monitoring, responding, and learning based on the resilient healthcare theory. We reveal the gaps between the WAI and WAD during an operation, we consider the surgeon’s thinking and actual performance, and we describe the actual way of reconciling the WAI and WAD for the surgeon and surgical team. Outcomes: We described three scenes in the operating room, which are 1) by individual surgeon: adjustment for intrathoracic adhesion;2) by surgical team: adjustment for pulmonary artery bleeding;and 3) by surgical team with multi-professionals in the operating room: adjustment for life threatening pulmonary artery critical bleeding. Conclusion: In order to implement a resilient healthcare theory in everyday surgical work, it is important that 1) learning of incidents and the experience of doing well for unexpected events as lessons, and 2) constructing a circulation mechanism of anticipating, monitoring, responding, and learning.

Plasmacytosis mimicking multiple myeloma in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma(AITL)is a common subtype of peripheral T-cell lymphoma.Approximately half of patients with AITL may concurrently present with hypergammaglobulinemia.Increased numbers of plasma cells in the bone marrow are commonly observed at diagnosis.These tumors mimic plasma cell myelomas,hindering a conundrum of clinical diagnoses and potentially delaying appropriate treatment.CASE SUMMARY A 78-year-old woman experienced poor appetite,weight loss of 5 kg,fatigue 2 months before presentation,and shortness of breath 2 d before presentation,but no fever or night sweats.Physical examination revealed splenomegaly and many palpable masses over the bilateral axillary regions,approximately>2 cm in size,with rubbery consistency and no tenderness.Blood tests revealed anemia and thrombocytopenia,lactate dehydrogenase level of 153 U/L,total protein level of 10.9 g/dL,albumin to globulin ratio of 0.2,and immunoglobulin G level more than the upper limit of 3000 mg/dL.The free kappa and lambda light chain concentrations were 451 and 614 mg/L,respectively.A pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of AITL.The initial treatment was the cyclophosphamide,epirubicin,vincristine,and prednisolone regimen.Following this treatment,pleural effusion was controlled,and the patient was discharged in a stable condition and followed up in our outpatient department.CONCLUSION This report highlights the importance of differentiating reactive plasmacytosis from plasma cell myeloma in patients with hypergammaglobulinemia.A precise diagnosis of AITL requires a comprehensive evaluation,involving clinical,immunophenotypic,and histological findings conducted by a multidisciplinary team to ensure appropriate treatment.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein related protein 1 knockdown attenuates hepatic ?brosis via the regulation of MMPs/TIMPs in mice

Background: Previous research suggested that insulin-like growth factor binding protein related protein 1(IGFBPrP1), as a novel mediator, contributes to hepatic fibrogenesis. Matrix metalloproteinases(MMP) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases(TIMP) play an essential role in hepatic fibrogenesis by regulating homeostasis and remodeling of the extracellular matrix(ECM). However, the interaction between IGFBPrP1 and MMP/TIMP is not clear. The present study was to knockdown IGFBPrP1 to investigate the correlation between IGFBPrP1 and MMP/TIMP in hepatic fibrosis. Methods: Hepatic fibrosis was induced by thioacetamide(TAA) in mice. Knockdown of IGFBPrP1 expression by ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction-mediated CMB-shRNA-IGFBPrP1 delivery, or inhibition of the Hedgehog(Hh) pathway by cyclopamine treatment, was performed in TAA-induced liver fibrosis mice. Hepatic fibrosis was determined by hematoxylin and eosin and Sirius red staining. Hepatic expression of IGFBPrP1, α-smooth muscle actin( α-SMA), transforming growth factor β 1(TGF β1), collagen I, MMPs/TIMPs, Sonic Hedgehog(Shh), and glioblastoma family transcription factors(Gli1) were investigated by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting analysis. Results: We found that hepatic expression of IGFBPrP1, TGF β1, α-SMA, and collagen I were increased longitudinally in mice with TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis, concomitant with MMP2/TIMP2 and MMP9/TIMP1 imbalance and Hh pathway activation. Knockdown of IGFBPrP1 expression, or inhibition of the Hh pathway, reduced the hepatic expression of IGFBPrP1, TGF β1, α-SMA, and collagen I and re-established MMP2/TIMP2 and MMP9/TIMP1 balance. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that IGFBPrP1 knockdown attenuates liver fibrosis by re-establishing MMP2/TIMP2 and MMP9/TIMP1 balance, concomitant with the inhibition of hepatic stellate cell activation, down-regulation of TGF β1 expression, and degradation of the ECM. Furthermore, the Hh pathway mediates IGFBPrP1 knockdown-induced attenuation of hepatic fibrosis through the regulation of MMPs/TIMPs balance.

Application of Biomaterials in Cardiac Repair and Regeneration

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death throughout the world. The demand for new thera- peutic interventions is increasing. Although pharmacological and surgical interventions dramatically improve the quality of life of cardiovascular disease patients, cheaper and less invasive approaches are always preferable. Biomaterials, both natural and synthetic, exhibit great potential in cardiac repair and regeneration, either as a carrier for drug delivery or as an extracellular matrix substitute scaffold. In this review, we discuss the current treatment options for several cardiovascular diseases, as well as types of biomaterials that have been investigated as potential therapeutic interventions for said diseases. We especially highlight investigations into the possible use of conductive polymers for correcting ischemic heart disease-induced conduction abnormalities, and the generation of biological pacemakers to im- orove the conduction oathwav in heart block.

Functional and molecular mechanism of intracellular pH regulation in human inducible pluripotent stem cells

AIM To establish a functional and molecular model of the intracellular pH(pH_i) regulatory mechanism in human induced pluripotent stem cells(hiPSCs).METHODS hiP SCs(HPS0077) were kindly provided by Dr. Dai from the Tri-Service General Hospital(IRB No. B-106-09). Changes in the pH_i were detected either by microspectrofluorimetry or by a multimode reader with a pH-sensitive fluorescent probe, BCECF, and the fluorescent ratio was calibrated by the high K^+/nigericin method. NH_4Cl and Na-acetate prepulse techniques were used to induce rapid intracellular acidosis and alkalization, respectively. The buffering power(β) was calculated from the ΔpH_i induced by perfusing different concentrations of(NH_4)_2SO_4. Western blot techniques and immunocytochemistry staining were used to detect the protein expression of pH_i regulators and pluripotency markers.RESULTS In this study, our results indicated that(1) the steadystate pH_i value was found to be 7.5 ± 0.01(n = 20) and 7.68 ± 0.01(n =20) in HEPES and 5% CO_2/HCO_3^- buffered systems, respectively, which were much greater than that in normal adult cells(7.2);(2) in a CO_2/HCO_3^--buffered system, the values of total intracellular buffering power(β) can be described by the following equation: β_(tot) = 107.79(pH_i)~2-1522.2(pH_i) + 5396.9(correlation coefficient R^2 = 0.85), in the estimated pH_i range of 7.1- 8.0;(3) the Na^+/H^+ exchanger(NHE) and the Na^+/HCO_3^- cotransporter(NBC) were found to be functionally activated for acid extrusion for pHi values less than 7.5 and 7.68, respectively;(4) V-ATPase and some other unknown Na^+-independent acid extruder(s) could only be functionally detected for pHi values less than 7.1;(5) the Cl^-/OH^- exchanger(CHE) and the Cl^- /HCO_3 anion exchanger(AE) were found to be responsible for the weakening of intracellular proton loading;(6) besides the CHE and the AE, a Cl^--independent acid loading mechanism was functionally identified; and(7) in hiPSCs, a strong positive correlation was observed between the loss of pluripotency and the weakening of the intracellular acid extrusion mechanism, which included a decrease in the steady-state pH i value and diminished the functional activity and protein expression of the NHE and the NBC.CONCLUSION For the first time, we established a functional and molecular model of a pHi regulatory mechanism and demonstrated its strong positive correlation with hiPSC pluripotency.

Measuring frailty in patients with severe aortic stenosis:a comparison of the edmonton frail scale with modified fried frailty assessment in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Frailty is generally defined as a clinical syndrome of decreased physiologic reserve which drives to increased vulnerability and susceptibility to different stressors together with poor recovery to homeostasis.[1]The relevance of frailty status in a wide range of prospective cohorts is mostly related to an increasing burden in both mortality,hospital readmissions,disability,and falls.

Surgical Resection of Mitral Valve Papillary Fibroelastoma: A Robot-Assisted, Minimally Invasive Approach with Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography Imaging

Papillary fibroelastomas (PFEs) are benign tumors of the endocardium that most frequently affect cardiac valves and typically present with embolic symptoms such as stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Surgical excision is usually recommended for left-sided tumors and is associated with excellent long-term outcomes. The use of a robot-assisted, minimally invasive surgical approach for management of mitral valve disease is growing, and has been associated with shorter hospital stays and improved early quality of life. Three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) offers several advantages in the assessment of mitral valve disease and cardiac tumors, including the ability to precisely locate the site of attachment of the mass and the spatial relationships to surrounding structures. These factors are particularly important when planning a surgical approach. We report two cases of mitral valve PFEs which were successfully removed using a robot-assisted, minimally invasive surgical approach with 3D TEE imaging. This approach to treatment of PFEs is an attractive alternative to the traditional approach involving median sternotomy.

Long term outcomes of cardiac transplant for immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis:The Mayo Clinic experience

AIM: To determine the outcome of orthotopic heart transplantation(OHT) in immunoglobulin light chain(AL) amyloidosis.METHODS: The medical records of patients with AL who underwent orthotopic heart transplantation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota from 1992 to 2011 were reviewed. Patients met at least one of the following at: New York Heart Association class Ⅳ heart failure, ventricular thickness > 15 mm, ejection fraction < 40%. Selection guidelines for heart transplant included age < 60 years, absence of multiple myeloma and significant extra-cardiac organ involvement. Baseline characteristics including age, gender, organinvolvement, and New York Heart Association functional class were recorded. Laboratory data, waiting time until heart transplant, and type of treatment of the underlying plasma cell disorder were recorded. Survival from the time of OHT was calculated using KaplanMeier survival curves. Survival of patients undergoing OHT for AL was compared to that of non-amyloid patients undergoing OHT during the same time period.RESULTS: Twenty-three patients(median age 53 years) with AL received OHT. There were no deaths in the immediate perioperative period. Twenty patients have died post OHT. For the entire cohort, the median overall survival was 3.5 years(95%CI: 1.2, 8.2 years). The 1-year survival post OHT was 77%, the 2-year survival 65%, and the 5-year survival 43%. The 5-year survival for non-amyloid patients undergoing OHT during the same era was 85%. Progressive amyloidosis contributed to death in twelve patients. Of those without evidence of progressive amyloidosis, the cause of death included complications of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for 3 patients, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder for 2 patients; and for the remaining one death was related to each of the following causes: acute rejection; cardiac vasculopathy; metastatic melanoma; myelodysplastic syndrome; and unknown. Eight patients had rejection at a median of 1.8 mo post OHT(range 0.4 to 4.9 mo); only one patient died of rejection. Median survival of seven patients who achieved a complete hematologic response to either chemotherapy or autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was 10.8 years. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that long term survival after heart transplant is feasible in AL patients with limited extra-cardiac involvement who achieve complete hematologic response.

Incidence and Related Risk Factors of Junctional Ectopic Tachycardia in Infants after Cardiac Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease

Objective:Junctional ectopic tachycardia is common after cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease.However,its incidence and related risk factors in infants after cardiac surgery are not well known.The objective of this study was to determine the overall incidence and related risk factors for junctional ectopic tachycardia in neonates and infants.Methods:We enrolled a total of 271 patients aged<1 year who underwent open cardiac surgery at Severance Cardiovascular Hospital from January 2018 to December 2020.Exclusion criteria were immediate postoperative mortality,other arrhythmias detected in the perioperative period,and prematurity.Result:The overall incidence of junctional ectopic tachycardia was 12.9%.The logistic regression analysis revealed that longer cardiopulmonary bypass time,surgery involving atrioventricular node stretching,and the presence of early repolarization on preoperative electrocardiography increased the risk of junctional ectopic tachycardia.Patients with junctional ectopic tachycardia had longer intubation time and intensive care unit stay.Conclusion:Junctional ectopic tachycardia is a common arrhythmia after cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease in infants.Occasionally,infants developing junctional ectopic tachycardia after cardiac surgery have specific preoperative electrocardiography findings.The risk factors for junctional ectopic tachycardia were associated not only with surgical procedural factors but also with preoperative electrocardiographic parameters.

To ventricular assist devices or not:When is implantation of a ventricular assist device appropriate in advanced ambulatory heart failure?

Advanced heart failure has been traditionally treated via either heart transplantation,continuous inotropes,consideration for hospice and more recently via left ventricular assist devices(LVAD).Heart transplantation has been limited by organ availability and the futility of other options has thrust LVAD therapy into the mainstream of therapy for end stage heart failure.Improvements in technology and survival combined with improvements in the quality of life have made LVADs a viable option for many patients suffering from heart failure.The question of when to implant these devices in those patients with advanced,yet still ambulatory heart failure remains a controversial topic.We discuss the current state of LVAD therapy and the risk vs benefit of these devices in the treatment of heart failure.

Celiac Artery Aneurysm Due to Chronic Spontaneous Dissection: Two Cases of Surgical Repair

In this report, we describe two surgical cases of celiac artery aneurysm due to chronic and asymptomatic spontaneous dissection without atherosclerotic change or medial degeneration. Case 1 had replacement of the celiac and common hepatic arteries using a knitted Dacron prosthetic graft, and case 2 had simple aneurysmectomy. The incidence of celiac artery dissection is increasing lately, but subsequent aneurysm is relatively rare. Our two cases had no atherosclerotic risk factors, so it might be possible that celiac artery aneurysm due to spontaneous dissection may produce different findings from dissection of other arteries. We consider that the need for surgery should be determined carefully if the asymptomatic celiac artery aneurysm due to dissection is small and unless it shows any changes in its diameter in the follow-up period.

Patient-Reported Outcomes of Chemotherapy Involving Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Evaluation by Questionnaires of Quality of Life Regarding Anti-Aging and Anti-Cancer Drugs

Background: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of quality of life (QOL) during chemotherapy involving lung cancer are very important for the medical staffs. Patients’ satisfaction and healthy changes were evaluated by the patient-self assessment. Materials and Methods: From July 2007 to April 2008, a total of 19 patients received chemotherapy. The QOL data were collected by using the QOL questionnaire for cancer patients treated with anticancer drugs (QOL-ACD) and the anti-aging QOL assessment (AA-QOL). The AA-QOL contained 51 items: 30 of physical and 21 of mental symptoms of the elderly and the aging population. The patients replied to the questions at two different times, i.e., at pre-chemotherapy (baseline) and at post-chemotherapy (2 weeks after the chemotherapy). Results: Regarding the hematological toxicities, for the grade 3/4 toxicities, there were 12 neutropenia (12/19, 63.2%) and 3 thrombocytopenia (3/19, 15.8%). For the grade 3 febrile neutropenia, there were 5 cases (5/19, 26.3%). Regarding the non-hematological toxicities, there was no grade 3 and grade 4 toxicities. Based on the outcomes of the QOL-ACD, the three items (“physical condition”, “social attitude”, and “overall QOL”) at post-chemotherapy became significantly worse compared to the baseline. Regarding the outcomes of the AA-QOL, 4 items of physical symptoms (“thirst”, “anorexia”, “early satiety”, and “diarrhea”) became significantly worse compared to the baseline. Regarding the mental symptoms, 2 items (“nothing to look forward in life” and “a sense of uselessness”) became significantly worse compared to the baseline. Conclusion: Regarding the PROs of the QOL during the chemotherapy term, both the physical and mental symptoms had become worse. To clarify the changes in the QOL during chemotherapy is very important for multidisciplinary teamwork, which should play the role of providing the appropriate cares and treatment as patient-support.

Viabahn Stent Graft for Inadvertent Insertion of a Central Venous Catheter in the Subclavian Artery

Subclavian artery (SCA) injuries associated with central venous catheter (CVC) insertion are uncommon yet lethal complications that typically require surgical treatment. This case report presents the case of a 94-year-old man with an iatrogenic right SCA injury resulting from a misplaced CVC. Computed tomography revealed the catheter piercing the right internal jugular vein to enter the right SCA and then reaching the aortic arch. Emergent endovascular treatment was performed, and a 13-mm × 50-mm self-expanding Viabahn stent graft (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) was placed via the right brachial artery. The misplaced catheter was successfully removed under simultaneous postdeployment balloon dilatation. This case highlights the utility of the Viabahn stent graft for iatrogenic right SCA injury caused by a misplaced CVC and presents some insights and tips for a safer procedure.

Unexpected Postoperative Paraplegia after Thoracotomy in Lung Cancer: Incidental Migration of Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose Used for Hemostasis of Intercostal Space Bleeding

Background: We experienced a very rare complication, that is, an unexpected postoperative paraplegia due to the incidental migration of oxidized regenerated cellulose used for hemostasis of intercostal space bleeding. Patients and Methods: The objective is to analyze the cause and to take measures against the very rare complication from an empirical analysis and the literature. For a 78-year-old male with suspected lung cancer in the right upper lobe (S1), a thoracotomy was performed. For hemostasis of the bleeding from the 5th intercostal thoracotomy space, we used and placed oxidized regenerated cellulose at the continuous oozing bleeding sites. On the 3rd postoperative day, paralysis beneath thoracic vertebrae level 6 was observed. Immediate computed-tomographic (CT) scanning and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) displayed a 17 × 9 × 14 mm epidural hematoma in the spinal canal at level 5 of the thoracic vertebrae. An emergent laminectomy for the thoracic vertebra was performed to remove the oxidative cellulose and haematoma, and the compression was released. The paraplegia gradually began to recover and maintain a standing position. After 1 year from the event, the patient can walk by himself with a crutch. Results: The causes were that the oxidative cellulose materials were used for the intercostal bleeding at the open thoracotomy. The migration of the oxidative cellulose materials into the epidural space and into thoracic spinal canal through the intervertebral foramen, or gradual penetration of the oxidative cellulose materials into the spinal canal due to respiratory costal movement. As a measurement of prevention, the hemostat materials should be completely removed after finishing of the hemostasis. In the case of a difficult hemostasis, consultation of an orthopedist or neurosurgeon to perform the appropriate hemostasis in good cooperation is required. Conclusion: If postoperative paraplegia is suspected, immediate CT scanning and/or MRI examination would become powerful diagnostic procedures as soon as possible to start an interventional treatment.

Association of blood transfusion with acute kidney injury after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A metaanalysis

AIM To assess red blood cell(RBC) transfusion effects on acute kidney injury(AKI) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR). METHODS A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and clinicaltrials.gov from the inception of the databases through December 2015. Studies that reported relative risk, odds ratio or hazard ratio comparing the risks of AKI following TAVR in patients who received periprocedural RBC transfusion were included. Pooled risk ratio(RR) and 95%CI were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method. RESULTS Sixteen cohort studies with 4690 patients were included in the analyses to assess the risk of AKI after TAVR in patients who received a periprocedural RBC transfusion. The pooled RR of AKI after TAVR in patients who received a periprocedural RBC transfusion was 1.95(95%CI: 1.56-2.43) when compared with the patients who did not receive a RBC transfusion. The meta-analysis wasthen limited to only studies with adjusted analysis for confounders assessing the risk of AKI after TAVR; the pooled RR of AKI in patients who received periprocedural RBC transfusion was 1.85(95%CI: 1.29-2.67). CONCLUSION Our meta-analysis demonstrates an association between periprocedural RBC transfusion and a higher risk of AKI after TAVR. Future studies are required to assess the risks of severe AKI after TAVR requiring renal replacement therapy and mortality in the patients who received periprocedural RBC transfusion.

Evaluation and Outcome of Surgeon-Reported Incidents regarding Surgical Patient Safety

Background: We retrospectively analyzed incident reports from surgeons to learn about surgical patient safety and improve surgical quality. Material and Methods: For the 10 years and 3 months between February 2007 and May 2017, 236 incident reports from surgeons were collected. The impact levels of the incidents for patients were represented by a degree of adverse influence to a patient (level 0, 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, and 5). The outcome of the incident reports was evaluated by the profile, cause, surgery-relation, and factor. Results: The level of incidents resulted in level 0 (n = 18, 7.6%), level 1 (n = 28, 11.9%), level 2 (n = 16, 6.8%), level 3a (n = 44, 18.6%), level 3b (n = 94, 39.8%), level 4a (n = 1, 0.4%), level 4b (n = 6, 2.5%), level 5 (n = 15, 6.4%) and others (n = 14, 5.9%). The profiles of the surgery-related incidents (n = 84) showed other unexpected events (15.7%, n = 37), second surgery within 24 hours (9.3%, n = 22), and unexpected excessive bleeding (6.8%, n = 16). The cause of the sur-gery-related incidents involved hemorrhage (n = 45, 53.6%). Except for complications and accidental diseases (n = 77, 32.6%), the occurrence factor of the incidents cited factors of personal behavior (n = 85, 36.0%), human factors (n = 37, 15.7%), environmental equipment (n = 6, 2.5%), and others (n = 31, 13.1%). Conclusions: The perioperative incidents submitted by surgeons were comparatively proved to be a higher influence level for patients such as unexpected events or surgery and second surgery within 24 hours. An incident reporting system is crucial for surgeons to ensure both surgical patient safety and to improve surgical quality. An aggressive reporting attitude should become useful to enhance safety awareness on a facility-wide basis.

Surgical Closure of Coronary Cameral Fistula Draining into the Left Ventricle via a “Fistula Lake”

A left-sided lesion of a coronary cameral fistula (CCF) is extremely rare. Surgical closure of the fistula is indicated when symptoms emerge or as a preventive strategy, while surgical approaches depend on the individual anatomical structures. In particular, a CCF forming a “fistula lake” with multiple inflow vessels is so unique that few studies have focused on the technique to close it. We report the successful management of a CCF originating from multiple coronary arteries and draining into the left ventricle via a “fistula lake” by ligation and clipping of associated communication tracts. On the postoperative coronary computed tomography angiography, the fistula lake and the small vessels entering it had all disappeared.

Implementation of Resilience Engineering for Operating Room. Unveiling the Hidden Interactions among Multi-Professionals in a Surgical Team

Background: The implementation of resilience engineering for an operating room is difficult;however, its study would become important for the surgeon’s personal and surgical team in order to develop a new surgical safety management. An expert operator must perform an operation with his surgical team that includes an anesthetist, scrub nurse, and young assistant. However, there exist some gaps among these multi-professionals. Objective: From the viewpoint of an expert operator, to have an operation go well, we would describe how to reconcile their gaps. We will explain the gaps among the multi-professionals in a surgical team, such as hidden interactions between the operator and anesthetist, surgeon and scrub nurse, and expert operator and young assistant. Material and Methods: We assumed three types of interactions among the multi-professionals in the operating theater and we clarified how to bridge the gaps by revealing what the operator thinks, what the anesthetist thinks, what the scrub nurse thinks, and what the young assistant thinks in the surgical team, and by understanding how they perform during surgery. Outcomes: What the expert operator thinks and how he performs in surgery is summarized by the following three items: 1) safety is first, 2) achieving the operative purpose, and 3) fast surgery. We interviewed the surgical team members. In order for the surgery to go well, what the important thing is “safety first” for any surgical professionals. The sentence, “safety is first” is the magic words, such as “open sesame”. They can communicate with each other on the spot and build the team and system. To develop a strong and resilient surgical team, these four behaviors are important to improve the performance as a system: 1) sharing the same goal and same priority, 2) understanding gaps with clear verbal communication. Coming out from own professional boundaries (takotsubo), speaking in words, 3) all of us, having a strong will (iron heart), and learning anger management, and 4) improvising even in difficult situations. Conclusion: We would like to summarize the items learned from my three described scenes, which are 1) to develop a strong and resilient surgical team, 2) what we have to do, and how we have to perform, and 3) how we can develop a team and system.