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In 1980, postlaryngectomy voice and speech rehabilitation was revolutionized with the introduction of a surgical-prosthetic method termed tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) voice restoration (Singer & Blom, 1980). This approach to voice [...], Purpose: The literature on postlaryngectomy voice and speech rehabilitation is long-standing. Although multiple rehabilitation options have existed over the years, the acquisition and use of esophageal speech (ES) has decreased significantly over the past 40 years. This reduction coincides with the increased application of tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) voice restoration. The literature suggests that voice acquisition failures observed secondary to TEP may represent a similar phenomenon that led to ES acquisition failures. Method: A comprehensive review of the literature on ES and TEP voice/speech was conducted. Specific attention was directed toward information on ES and TEP speech failures. Information on pharyngoesophageal segment (PES) spasm in the context of ES and TEP voicing failures was of specific importance. Results: Similarities between voicing failures with both ES and TEP were identified. In order to resolve spasm in TEP speech, proactive efforts to eliminate it were undertaken, and regardless of the method used, voicing improvements were observed. These data suggest that both ES and TEP speech acquisition failures may be related to the same control mechanisms influencing the PES. Conclusions: The elimination of PES spasm provides evidence that justifies the reconsideration of ES. Consequently, ES may return as an increasingly viable postlaryngectomy voice and speech rehabilitation option.

Author(s): Jan Waskowski [sup.1] , Joerg C. Schefold [sup.1] , Carmen A. Pfortmueller [sup.1] , Martin Müller [sup.2] , Benjamin Hess [sup.1] , Patrick Zuercher [sup.1] Author Affiliations: Dear Editor, [...]

Hospital readmission following major surgery is common and expensive and can serve as a marker for quality of care provided. In 2004, nearly 1 in 5 Medicare beneficiaries were readmitted [...], Background: Rates of hospital readmission following surgery can serve as a marker for quality of care. The aim of this study was to establish the rates and causes of readmission and emergency department visits after vascular surgery and to understand how these patients are managed. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study including all in patients who underwent major vascular surgery between September 2015 and June 2016 at a tertiary vascular care centre in Toronto. Patients were followed at 30 days after discharge via telephone interview. Results: We enrolled 133 patients (94 men [70.7%] and 39 women [29.3%] with a mean age of 65.3 years). The most common index admission diagnosis was peripheral artery disease (67 patients [50.4%]). At 30 days, 19 patients (14.8%) had been readmitted or had visited the emergency department, most commonly after lower extremity revascularization (19.4%). Ten patients were readmitted a mean of 16.8 days following discharge; surgical site infection was the most common cause for readmission (3 patients). The most common treatment was antimicrobial therapy (4 patients). The mean hospital length of stay was 14.4 days. Nine patients presented to the emergency department a mean of 10.6 days after discharge; 6 reported a wound issue, and most (6 of 9) were managed with oral antibiotic treatment. Conclusion: Early readmission/emergency department visits after lower extremity revascularization surgery in patients with peripheral artery disease are common and are often due to surgical site infection or wound-related issues. Follow-up within 7-10 days and a specialized wound care team may help reduce the occurrence of these events. Contexte : Les taux de readmission a l'hopital apres une chirurgie peuvent servir d'indicateur de la qualite des soins. L'etude visait a determiner les taux et les causes de readmissions et de visites a l'urgence chez les patients ayant subi une chirurgie vasculaire et a etudier la facon dont ces patients etaient pris en charge. Methodes : Nous avons mene une etude de cohorte observationnelle prospective portant sur tous les patients qui ont ete hospitalises pour une importante chirurgie vasculaire entre septembre 2015 et juin 2016 dans un centre de soins tertiaires vasculaires a Toronto. Nous avons fait un suivi telephonique aupres de ces patients 30 jours apres leur conge. Resultats : Nous avons recrute 133 patients (94 hommes [70,7 %] et 39 femmes [29,3 %] dont l'age moyen etait de 65,3 ans). Le diagnostic le plus courant a l'admission initiale etait la maladie arterielle peripherique (67 patients [50,4 %]). A 30 jours, 19 patients (14,8 %) avaient ete rehospitalises ou s'etaient presentes a l'urgence; la plupart avaient initialement subi une revascularisation des membres inferieurs (19,4 %). Dix patients ont ete rehospitalises en moyenne 16,8 jours apres leur conge; l'infection du site operatoire etait la cause la plus courante de readmission (3 patients). Le traitement le plus courant chez les patients rehospitalises etait le traite ment antimicrobien (4 patients). La duree mediane des sejours a l'hopital etait de 14,4 jours. Neuf patients se sont presentes a l'urgence en moyenne 10,6 jours apres leur conge; 6 ont signale un probleme avec leur plaie, et la majorite (6 des 9 patients) ont recu une antibiotherapie orale. Conclusion : Les readmissions ou les visites a l'urgence de patients atteints d'une maladie arterielle peripherique peu apres une chirurgie de revascularisation des membres inferieurs sont courantes et souvent attribuables a une infection du site operatoire ou a des problemes associes a la plaie. Un suivi apres 7 a 10 jours ainsi que les services d'une equipe specialisee en soin des plaies pourraient contribuer a reduire la frequence de ce type d'evenement.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a common complication after surgical procedures and have substantial associated health care costs. (1) The SSI bundle--simultaneous implementation of a variety of quality improvements --has [...], Surgical site infections (SSI) are a common complication after surgical procedures. To reduce the incidence of SSIs, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital decided to institute a bundle of initiatives to change multiple factors simultaneously based on best available evidence and the understanding of infection pathophysiology. We used National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data on the incidence of SSIs in our targeted and essentials, general surgery and orthopedic surgery cases before and after the implementation of an SSI reduction bundle. This article discusses whether the use of intervention bundles may assist in the reduction of a variety of postoperative surgical complications.

Obesity is a common disease affecting more than 300 million adults worldwide. (1) It is defined as a body mass index greater than 30. In Canada, the prevalence of obesity [...], Obesity is a common disease affecting adults and children. The incidence of obesity in Canada is increasing. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a relatively new and effective procedure for weight loss. Owing to an increase in the number of bariatric surgical procedures, general surgeons should have an understanding of the complications associated with LSG and an approach for dealing with them. Early postoperative complications following LSG that need to be identified urgently include bleeding, staple line leak and development of an abscess. Delayed complications include strictures, nutritional deficiencies and gastresophageal reflux disease. We discuss the principles involved in the management of each complication. L'obesite est une maladie fort repandue, tant chez les adultes que chez les enfants, et son incidence est en hausse au Canada. La gastrectomie longitudinale laparoscopique (GLL) est une intervention relativement nouvelle et efficace pour la perte de poids. Compte tenu de l'augmentation du nombre d'interventions chirurgicales bariatriques, les chirurgiens generalistes doivent se familiariser avec les complications associees a la GLL et avec leur prise en charge. Les complications postoperatoires immediates de la GLL qu'il faut savoir reconnatre sans retard sont l'hemorragie, les fuites le long de la ligne d'agrafes et la formation d'abces. Parmi les complications plus tardives, mentionnons les stenoses, les carences alimentaires et le reflux gastro-oesophagien. Nous presentons les principes qui sous-tendent la prise en charge de chaque complication.