Project description:BackgroundAn unplanned return to the operating room (UROR) is defined as a readmission to the operating room because of a complication or an untoward outcome related to the initial surgery. The aim of the present report is to evaluate the role of URORs after elective oncologic thoracic surgery.MethodsIn the study, 4012 consecutive patients were enrolled; among them, 71 patients (1.76%) had an unplanned return to the operating room. Age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, induction treatments, type of the first operation, indication to readmission to the operating room and type of second operation, length of stay, complication after reoperation and outcomes were collected.ResultsThe mean age was 63.3 (SD: 13.0); there were 53 male patients (74.6%); the type of the first procedure was: lower lobectomy (11.3%), middle lobectomy (1.4%), upper lobectomy (22.5%), metastasectomy (5.6%), extrapleural pneumonectomy (4.2%), pneumonectomy (40.9%), pleural biopsy (5.6%) and other procedures (8.5%). Patients presenting complications after UROR had undergone a significantly longer first procedure (p < 0.02), had a longer length of stay (p < 0.001) and had higher post-operative mortality (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe patients experiencing UROR after elective oncologic thoracic surgery have significantly higher morbidity and mortality rates when compared to standard thoracic surgery. Bronchopleural fistula remains the most lethal complication in patients undergoing UROR.
Project description:BackgroundBarn-integrated operating rooms have been used in an effort to save space and improve operating room efficiency during orthopedic surgeries. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of performing several thoracic surgeries in a barn-integrated operating room simultaneously.MethodsBoth numerical simulation and field measurement approaches were applied to evaluate the performance of the ventilation system for the barn-integrated operating room. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method was applied to simulate airflow velocity field and particle concentration field. On-site test of airflow velocities were measured with a thermal anemometer. Bacteria-carrying particle (BCP) deposition and distribution was estimated using passive air sampling (PAS) and active air sampling (AAS) methods during mock surgeries.ResultsThe airflow distribution and concentration contours showed the barn-integrated operating room to be highly effective in controlling the concentration of airborne bacteria in the operating fields. The airflow and bacteria count met the current standard of GB50333-2013 Specifications, and there was no evidence of air mixing between cabins.ConclusionsA barn-integrated operating room with several ultraclean operating tables in a single room would be a viable proposition for general thoracic surgeries in the future. As well as achieving a satisfactory level of contamination control, such an approach would reduce operating costs.
Project description:The introduction of new technologies in current digestive surgical practice is progressively reshaping the operating room, defining the fourth surgical revolution. The implementation of black boxes and control towers aims at streamlining workflow and reducing surgical error by early identification and analysis, while augmented reality and artificial intelligence augment surgeons' perceptual and technical skills by superimposing three-dimensional models to real-time surgical images. Moreover, the operating room architecture is transitioning toward an integrated digital environment to improve efficiency and, ultimately, patients' outcomes. This narrative review describes the most recent evidence regarding the role of these technologies in transforming the current digestive surgical practice, underlining their potential benefits and drawbacks in terms of efficiency and patients' outcomes, as an attempt to foresee the digestive surgical practice of tomorrow.
Project description:BackgroundOver the past decade, many hospitals have adopted hybrid operating rooms (ORs). As resources are limited, these ORs have to prove themselves in adding value. Current estimations on standard OR costs show great variety, while cost analyses of hybrid ORs are lacking. Therefore, this study aims to identify the cost drivers of a conventional and hybrid OR and take a first step in evaluating the added value of the hybrid OR.MethodsA comprehensive bottom-up cost analysis was conducted in five Dutch hospitals taking into account: construction, inventory, personnel and overhead costs by means of interviews and hospital specific data. The costs per minute for both ORs were calculated using the utilization rates of the ORs. Cost drivers were identified by sensitivity analyses.ResultsThe costs per minute for the conventional OR and the hybrid OR were €9.45 (€8.60-€10.23) and €19.88 (€16.10- €23.07), respectively. Total personnel and total inventory costs had most impact on the conventional OR costs. For the hybrid OR the costs were mostly driven by utilization rate, total inventory and construction costs. The results were incorporated in an open access calculation model to enable adjustment of the input parameters to a specific hospital or country setting.ConclusionThis study estimated a cost of €9.45 (€8.60-€10.23) and €19.88 (€16.10-€23.07) for the conventional and hybrid OR, respectively. The main factors influencing the OR costs are: total inventory costs, total construction costs, utilization rate, and total personnel costs. Our analysis can be used as a basis for future research focusing on evaluating value for money of this promising innovative OR. Furthermore, our results can inform surgeons, and decision and policy-makers in hospitals on the adoption and optimal utilization of new (hybrid) ORs.
Project description:PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine the rate of unplanned returns to the operating room (OR) within 180 days and at any time postoperatively after valved and non-valved tube shunt surgery.DesignRetrospective case-control study.MethodsA review of 357 eyes that underwent tube shunt surgery (151 valved, 206 non-valved) was conducted at an academic glaucoma service between January 2014 and December 2016. A control eye was time matched for each eye that underwent reoperation.ResultsThe reoperation rate within 180 days was 16 of 151 (10.6%) for valved and 25 of 206 (12.1%) for non-valved tube shunts and at any time postoperatively was 31 of 151 (20.5%) for valved, and 47 of 206 (22.8%) for non-valved tube shunts. Mean postoperative follow-up was 2.8 ± 1.1 years. The most common reoperations within 180 days and at any time postoperatively after valved tube shunt surgery were tube revisions (43.8% within 180 days, 38.7% any time) and external cyclophotocoagulation (CPC) (31.3% within 180 days, 38.7% anytime). The most common reoperations within 180 days after non-valved tube shunt surgery were tube revisions (32.0%), external CPC (12.0%), and vitrectomy with anterior chamber washout (12.0%) and at any time postoperatively were tube revision (34.0%), external CPC (31.9%), and tube explant (12.8%). At last follow-up, eyes that returned to the OR and controls were similar in terms of mean intraocular pressure (IOP), proportion of eyes meeting target IOP, and change in visual acuity.ConclusionsMore than 20% of eyes undergoing tube shunt surgery returned to the OR at any time postoperatively with a mean follow-up of nearly 3 years, with more than 10% of eyes undergoing reoperation within the first 180 days. Rates of reoperation were similar between valved and non-valved tube shunts.
Project description:There has been an increase in the use of image-guided technology to facilitate minimally invasive therapy. The next generation of minimally invasive therapy is focused on advancement and translation of novel image-guided technologies in therapeutic interventions, including surgery, interventional pulmonology, radiation therapy, and interventional laser therapy. To establish the efficacy of different minimally invasive therapies, we have developed a hybrid operating room, known as the guided therapeutics operating room (GTx OR) at the Toronto General Hospital. The GTx OR is equipped with multi-modality image-guidance systems, which features a dual source-dual energy computed tomography (CT) scanner, a robotic cone-beam CT (CBCT)/fluoroscopy, high-performance endobronchial ultrasound system, endoscopic surgery system, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging system, and navigation tracking systems. The novel multimodality image-guidance systems allow physicians to quickly, and accurately image patients while they are on the operating table. This yield improved outcomes since physicians are able to use image guidance during their procedures, and carry out innovative multi-modality therapeutics. Multiple preclinical translational studies pertaining to innovative minimally invasive technology is being developed in our guided therapeutics laboratory (GTx Lab). The GTx Lab is equipped with similar technology, and multimodality image-guidance systems as the GTx OR, and acts as an appropriate platform for translation of research into human clinical trials. Through the GTx Lab, we are able to perform basic research, such as the development of image-guided technologies, preclinical model testing, as well as preclinical imaging, and then translate that research into the GTx OR. This OR allows for the utilization of new technologies in cancer therapy, including molecular imaging, and other innovative imaging modalities, and therefore enables a better quality of life for patients, both during and after the procedure. In this article, we describe capabilities of the GTx systems, and discuss the first-in-human technologies used, and evaluated in GTx OR.
Project description:BackgroundPregabalin may have some potential in alleviating pain after thoracic surgery, and this meta-analysis aims to explore the impact of pregabalin on pain intensity for patients undergoing thoracic surgery.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched, and we included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of pregabalin on pain intensity after thoracic surgery.ResultsFive RCTs were finally included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control intervention for thoracic surgery, pregabalin was associated with significantly reduced pain scores at 0 h (mean difference [MD]=-0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI]=-1.10 to -0.30; P = 0.0005), pain scores at 24 h (MD=-0.47; 95% CI=-0.75 to -0.18; P = 0.001) and neuropathic pain (odd ratio [OR] = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.12 to 0.47; P < 0.0001), but demonstrated no obvious impact on the incidence of dizziness (OR = 1.07; 95% CI = 0.15 to 7.46; P = 0.95), headache (OR = 1.00; 95% CI = 0.30 to 3.35; P = 1.00) or nausea (OR = 1.24; 95% CI = 0.46 to 3.35; P = 0.68).ConclusionsPregabalin may be effective to alleviate the pain after thoracic surgery.