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Introduction:  Acute appendicitis is the most common emergency condition in pediatric surgery. Historically, a triple-antibiotic therapy consisted of ampicillin, gentamicin, and clindamycin has been used postoperatively for perforated appendicitis. According to recently published trials, dual therapy consists of ceftriaxone and metronidazole only, offers a more efficient and cost-effective antibiotic management compared with triple therapy. Based on these results, our department applied dual antibiotic therapy for children with perforated appendicitis that underwent appendectomy from 2009 and forth.Aim:  The aim of our study was to compare postoperative outcomes between patients treated with triple therapy (ampicillin, gentamicin, and metronidazole) (group A) versus dual therapy (ceftriaxone and metronidazole) (group B).Methods:  Clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively collected by review of the medical records for all children who underwent appendectomy for the perforated appendix at the Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, a tertiary pediatric care center between 2007 and 2011. Children with perforated appendicitis received antibiotic therapy in accordance with the hospital's guidelines that were valid at the time the surgery took place. In the first period (years 2007-2009) (group A) a triad of ampicillin, gentamicin, and metronidazole and the second period (2009-2011) (group B) dual therapy consists of ceftriaxone and metronidazole. The two groups were compared for outcome and complications, such as wound infections, changing of antibiotic therapy, and length of stay.Results:  During the study period 1,203 patients underwent an appendectomy. Of these, 175 patients were diagnosed with perforated appendix and were treated with postoperative antibiotic's regimen. Group A and group B consisted of 89 and 86 patients, respectively. The two groups were not different significantly in terms of demographic data, length of stay, or readmission rates. However, more rates of wound infection and changing of antibiotic therapy were seen in group B, although not statistically significant (p = 0.064).Conclusion:  Dual antibiotic therapy for perforated appendicitis is a cost-effective and efficient mode of therapy compared with triple-antibiotic's regimen. However, prospective studies are required to determine whether this policy is associated with higher rates of wound infections and change in antibiotic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cytoreductive surgery and Hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) for peritoneal surface malignancies is associated with high morbidity. The increased numbers of patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC in recent years mandates risk analysis and quality assurance. However, only scarce data exist regarding causative parameters for readmission. The aim of this study was to assess readmission rates and risk factors associated with readmission.Methods: A retrospective-cohort study including patients from two high-volume centers who underwent CRS/HIPEC surgery between the years 2007-2016 was performed. Patients' demographics, peri-operative data and readmission rates were recorded.Results: 223 patients were included in the study. The 7 and 30-day readmission rates were 3.5% (n = 8) and 11% (n = 25), respectively. Late readmission rates (up to 90 days) were 11% (n = 25). The most common causes of readmission were surgical related infections (35%), small bowel obstruction (17.5%) and dehydration (14%). Post-operative complications were associated with higher readmission rates (p = 0.0001). PCI score was not associated with higher rates of readmission.Conclusion: Readmissions following CRS/HIPEC occur mainly due to infectious complications and dehydrations. Patients following CRS/HIPEC should be discharged after careful investigation to a community based continuing care with access for IV fluid replacement or antibiotics administration when required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) bezoars are the most common foreign bodies causing obstruction in the GI tract. They are frequently seen following upper GI tract surgery and surgical intervention is required often. The aim of this study is to describe the surgical management of GI bezoars.Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study, including all patients diagnosed with bezoars between May 2008 and May 2017, was conducted. Patient charts were reviewed, and demographics, clinical, surgical, and postoperative data were collected and analyzed.Results: Forty-five patients were included, with a mean age of 62.04 years (Range 18-91). Thirty patients underwent previous surgery (66.6%), most commonly surgical interventions for peptic ulcer disease (22 patients, 73.3%). Obstruction was most common in the ileum (27 patients, 60%). Thirty-nine patients (86.7%) required surgical intervention. Laparoscopy was attempted in 20 patients (51.2%), but conversion to open procedure was required in 11 patients (55%). Postoperative complication rate was 41%. No preoperative factors were found to be correlated with postoperative complications. Postoperative complications were associated with a longer length of stay (P = .006) and a higher readmission rate (P = .04). Patients treated with laparoscopy tended to have a lower BMI (P = .04), less previous surgeries (P = .04), and a bezoar located more proximally (P = .03), however, laparoscopy showed no benefit in complications rate, readmissions, and length of stay.Conclusions: GI bezoars require surgical intervention at high rates. Postoperative complications are common. Completion of an upper GI endoscopy is important and should be performed at an early stage of management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the surgical treatment for various adrenal diseases. The procedure is a common surgical practice for urologists and general surgeons and requires fundamental laparoscopic skills, nowadays common in the surgical education of residents in these practices. The aim of this study is to assess whether laparoscopic adrenalectomy differs in outcome between certified and trained surgeons and surgical residents and whether the learning curve changes the endpoint of the surgery.Materials and Methods: A cohort retrospective study, including all adult patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy between June 2008 and June 2014, was conducted. Patients' demographic, clinical, and surgical data were recorded and analyzed.Results: Fifty-three patients were included in the database (21 men, 32 women) with a mean age of 54 years (range 17-77). The cause for surgery was most commonly a benign adrenal tumor (27 patients, 50.9%) followed by large nonfunctioning adrenal tumors (16 patients, 30.1%), and adrenal cancer (8 patients, 15%). Eighteen patients (33.9%) were operated by residents (4-6 years into the residency) and 35 patients by a certified senior surgeon (66.1%). Left-sided adrenalectomy was preferred to right-sided adrenalectomy for resident tutoring (P = .03). Overall, intraoperative complications were seen in 6 patients (11.3%) and postoperative complications were seen in 9 patients (16.9%). There were no differences in operation time (P = .36), intraoperative complications (P = .76), postoperative complications (P = .96), and length of stay (P = .34) between the patients operated by senior residents and certified surgeons.Conclusion: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a complex surgical procedure that should be a part of the surgical training of surgery residents, as it is safe in guided hands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]