Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
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Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been significant disruption to all surgical specialties. In the UK, units have cancelled elective surgery and a decrease in aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) was favoured. Centres around the world advocate the use of negative pressure environments for AGPs in reducing the spread of infectious airborne particles. We present an overview of operating theatre ventilation systems and the respective evidence with relation to surgical site infection (SSI) and airborne pathogen transmission in light of COVID-19. ⋯ Evidence for laminar flow ventilation in reducing the rate of SSI in orthopaedic surgery is widely documented. There is little evidence to support its use in general surgery. Following previous viral outbreaks, some centres have introduced negative pressure ventilation in an attempt to decrease exposure of airborne pathogens to staff and surrounding areas. This has again been suggested during the COVID-19 pandemic. A limited number of studies show some positive results for the use of negative pressure ventilation systems and reduction in spread of pathogens; however, cost, accessibility and duration of conversion remain an unexplored issue. Overall, there is insufficient evidence to advocate large scale conversion at this time. Nevertheless, it may be useful for each centre to have its own negative pressure room available for AGPs and high risk patients.
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Mar 2021
Case ReportsPenile fracture associated with complete urethra and bilateral corpora cavernosa transection.
Penile fracture is a rare urological emergency caused by blunt trauma to the erect penis. It occurs due to the forcible bending of the turgid erect penis against resistance leading to tunica albuginea tear. The rupture of tunica albuginea surrounding the corpora cavernosa leads to hematoma formation and classical 'aubergine' deformity. ⋯ On surgical exploration, complete bilateral corpora cavernosa tear and penile urethral transection was noted. The patient was successfully managed with timely repair. This case highlights the need for suspicion of an associated urethral injury in patients of penile fracture with blood at the meatus.
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Mar 2021
Observational StudyThe hidden dangers of staying home: a London trauma unit experience of lockdown during the COVID-19 virus pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in reconfiguration of the NHS. Elective services were stopped and trauma services focused on decreasing patient-clinician interactions and managing injuries nonoperatively wherever possible. The everyday life of the general public changed dramatically with the introduction of a national lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This paper looks at the experience of a South West London trauma unit. ⋯ Overall, both the number of injuries seen and trauma operations completed during the enforced lockdown decreased. This is probably due to a change in the way the general public are living their lives, and the reconfigurations within the NHS in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an interesting time within trauma and orthopaedic departments, as they continue to adapt to the changing injuries and working environment.
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Mar 2021
Clinical frailty and its effect on the septuagenarian population after emergency laparotomy.
The UK has an ageing population with an increased prevalence of frailty in the over 70s. Emergency laparotomy for acute intra-abdominal pathology is increasingly offered to this population. This can challenge decision making and information given to patients should not only be based on mortality outcomes but on relative expected quality of life and change to frailty syndromes. ⋯ In the septuagenarian-plus population it is important to consider not only risk stratification with mortality scoring (P-POSSUM or NELA-adjusted risk), but to take into account frailty. Postoperative rehabilitation and careful recovery is paramount. Where possible, during the counselling and consent for emergency laparotomy, significant postoperative long-term deterioration in physical, emotional and social function should be considered.
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Feb 2021
Short-term outcomes after Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy for cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Elective surgery in the UK came to a halt during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic. As COVID-19-related infection and mortality rates in Devon and Cornwall were relatively low, however, urgent elective surgery continued in Plymouth, with the necessary precautions in place. This study aimed to assess outcomes following Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy (ILO) during the pandemic. ⋯ ILO can be performed safely during the COVID-19 pandemic with the necessary precautions in place.