Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Our aim was to determine whether the establishment of a dedicated operating room team leads to improved process measure compliance and clinical outcomes in an Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) program. Enhanced Recovery after Surgery programs involve the application of bundled best practices to improve the value of perioperative care. Successful implementation and sustainment of ERAS programs has been linked to compliance with protocol elements. ⋯ Dedicated operating room teams led to increased centrality among anesthesia providers, which in turn not only increased compliance, but also improved several clinical outcomes.
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Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common nosocomial infection and the leading cause of readmission among surgical patients. Many SSIs develop in the postdischarge period and are inadequately recognized by patients. To address this, we developed a mobile health protocol of remote wound monitoring using smartphone technology. The current study aims to establish its feasibility among patients and providers. ⋯ Patients and their caregivers are willing to participate in a mobile health program aimed at remote monitoring of postoperative recovery, and they are able to complete it with a high level of fidelity and satisfaction. Preliminary results indicate the ability to detect and intervene on wound complications.
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Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is used to decrease hemorrhage below the level of aortic occlusion (AO); however, the amount of collateral blood flow below the level of occlusion is unknown. Our aim was to investigate blood flow patterns during complete AO in patients who underwent CT scan after REBOA. ⋯ Aortic occlusion appears to dramatically decrease, but does not completely impede, distal perfusion during REBOA due to multiple pathways of collateralization. Active extravasation and hematomas can still be detected in the setting of full AO, with purposefully timed contrast and image acquisition. Blood flow persists below the level of both the AO and in-dwelling sheath. Dynamic flow studies are needed to determine the contribution of AO and sheath placement to distal tissue ischemia.
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Evaluation of the blood supply to gastric conduits is critically important to avoid complications after esophagectomy. We began visual evaluation of blood flow using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent imaging in July 2015, to reduce reconstructive complications. In this study, we aimed to statistically verify the efficacy of blood flow evaluation using our simplified ICG method. ⋯ Objective evaluation of blood supply to the reconstructed conduit using ICG fluorescent imaging reduces the risk and degree of anastomotic complication.