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Background: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) may occur following cardiac surgery. Although preventing post‐operative complications is vitally important in cardiac surgery, there are few guidelines regarding this issue. This review aimed to characterize SNHL after cardiac surgery. Method: This systematic review was registered on PROSPERO and conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library were conducted from inception. Eligibility determination, data extraction and methodological quality analysis were conducted in duplicate. Results: There were 23 studies included in the review. In the adult population, there were six cohort studies, which included 36 cases of hearing loss in a total of 7135 patients (5.05 cases per 1000 operations). In seven cohort studies including paediatric patients, there were 88 cases of hearing loss in a total of 1342 operations. The majority of cases of hearing loss were mild in the adult population (56.6%). In the paediatric population 59.2% of hearing loss cases had moderate or worse hearing loss. The hearing loss most often affected the higher frequencies, over 6000 Hz. There have been studies indicating an association between hearing loss and extracorporeal circulation, but cases have also occurred without this intervention. Conclusion: SNHL is a rare but potentially serious complication after cardiac surgery. This hearing loss affects both paediatric and adult populations and may have significant long‐term impacts. Further research is required, particularly with respect to the consideration of screening for SNHL in children after cardiac surgery. Sensorineural hearing loss is a rare but potentially serious complication after cardiac surgery. This hearing loss affects both paediatric and adult populations and may have significant long‐term impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Readmission is a poor outcome for both patients and healthcare systems. The association of certain sociocultural and demographic characteristics with likelihood of readmission is uncertain in general surgical patients. Method: A multi-centre retrospective cohort study of consecutive unique individuals who survived to discharge during general surgical admissions was conducted. Sociocultural and demographic variables were evaluated alongside clinical parameters (considered both as raw values and their proportion of change in the 1–2 days prior to admission) for their association with 7 and 30 days readmission using logistic regression. Results: There were 12,701 individuals included, with 304 (2.4%) individuals readmitted within 7 days, and 921 (7.3%) readmitted within 30 days. When incorporating absolute values of clinical parameters in the model, age was the only variable significantly associated with 7-day readmission, and primary language and presence of religion were the only variables significantly associated with 30-day readmission. When incorporating change in clinical parameters between the 1–2 days prior to discharge, primary language and religion were predictive of 30-day readmission. When controlling for changes in clinical parameters, only higher comorbidity burden (represented by higher Charlson comorbidity index score) was associated with increased likelihood of 30-day readmission. Conclusions: Sociocultural and demographic patient factors such as primary language, presence of religion, age, and comorbidity burden predict the likelihood of 7 and 30-day hospital readmission after general surgery. These findings support early implementation a postoperative care model that integrates all biopsychosocial domains across multiple disciplines of healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The frequency of oxycodone adverse reactions, subsequent opioid prescription, effect on pain and patient care in general surgery patients are not well known. This study aimed to determine prevalence of documented oxycodone allergy and intolerances (independent variables) in a general surgical cohort, and association with prescribing other analgesics (particularly opioids), subjective pain scores, and length of hospital stay (dependent variables). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included general surgery patients from two South Australian hospitals between April 2020 and March 2022. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated associations between previous oxycodone allergies and intolerances, prescription records, subjective pain scores, and length of hospital stay. Results: Of 12 846 patients, 216 (1.7%) had oxycodone allergies, and 84 (0.7%) oxycodone intolerances. The 216 oxycodone allergy patients had lower odds of receiving oxycodone (OR 0.17, P < 0.001), higher odds of tramadol (OR 3.01, P < 0.001) and tapentadol (OR 2.87, P = 0.001), but 91 (42.3%) still received oxycodone and 19 (8.8%) morphine. The 84 with oxycodone intolerance patients had lower odds of receiving oxycodone (OR 0.23, P < 0.001), higher odds of fentanyl (OR 3.6, P < 0.001) and tramadol (OR 3.35, P < 0.001), but 42 (50%) still received oxycodone. Patients with oxycodone allergies and intolerances had higher odds of elevated subjective pain (OR 1.60, P = 0.013; OR 2.36, P = 0.002, respectively) and longer length of stay (OR 1.36, P = 0.038; OR 2.24, P = 0.002, respectively) than patients without these. Conclusions: General surgery patients with oxycodone allergies and intolerances are at greater risk of worse postoperative pain and longer length of stay, compared to patients without. Many still receive oxycodone, and other opioids that could cause cross‐reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article addresses the issue of long waiting times and limited access to colonoscopy services for rural patients in Australia. It proposes a novel tool and pathway, called the Whyalla Direct Access Tool, which is a simple questionnaire aiming to expedite rural colonoscopy referrals when it is clearly indicated. Topics include direct access to improve national bowel cancer screening, quality assurance, and streamlining access to colonoscopy services.

Background: The applicability of the vital signs prompting medical emergency response (MER) activation has not previously been examined specifically in a large general surgical cohort. This study aimed to characterize the distribution, and predictive performance, of four vital signs selected based on Australian guidelines (oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure and heart rate); with those of the MER activation criteria. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted including patients admitted under general surgical services of two hospitals in South Australia over 2 years. Likelihood ratios for patients meeting MER activation criteria, or a vital sign in the most extreme 1% for general surgery inpatients (<0.5th percentile or > 99.5th percentile), were calculated to predict in‐hospital mortality. Results: 15 969 inpatient admissions were included comprising 2 254 617 total vital sign observations. The 0.5th and 99.5th centile for heart rate was 48 and 133, systolic blood pressure 85 and 184, respiratory rate 10 and 31, and oxygen saturations 89% and 100%, respectively. MER activation criteria with the highest positive likelihood ratio for in‐hospital mortality were heart rate ≤ 39 (37.65, 95% CI 27.71–49.51), respiratory rate ≥ 31 (15.79, 95% CI 12.82–19.07), and respiratory rate ≤ 7 (10.53, 95% CI 6.79–14.84). These MER activation criteria likelihood ratios were similar to those derived when applying a threshold of the most extreme 1% of vital signs. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that vital signs within Australian guidelines, and escalation to MER activation, appropriately predict in‐hospital mortality in a large cohort of patients admitted to general surgical services in South Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evolution of surgical practice is influenced by publications in the leading journals of that field. If the authorship of a publication lacks geographical diversity, this could create bias and limit generalizability of the evidence. Accordingly, we conducted a geographical analysis of the leading Cardiothoracic Surgery journals worldwide. Methods: Using 2020 Impact Factor, we searched the leading Cardiothoracic Surgery journals over the past decade. Only original articles were included. Data regarding first, second and last authors were extracted from every article. From this, we analysed country of affiliation, highest academic degree obtained and author location by metropolitan or rural setting. Results: A total of 12,706 original articles were published in the top 5 ranked Cardiothoracic journals between 2011 and 2020. Authors originated from 69 countries, with the majority being from North America and Western Europe. The United States was the most common country of affiliation (42.8%) in all five journals, with New York City the most prominent city. A total of 63.7% of the authorship originated from large metropolitan areas (estimated as population greater than 500,000 residents), and the most common degrees obtained by authors were MD and PhD. Conclusion: The prominent Cardiothoracic authorship is predominantly located in Western countries, most commonly large metropolitan centers in the United States. This raises questions as to whether the literature adequately reflects populations in other geographical areas such as the continents of South America and Africa and rural settings. Leading journals should consider policies which encourage publication by authors from geographical locations that are underrepresented globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID‐19 pandemic has had a significant impact on global surgery. In particular, deleterious effects of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection on the heart and cardiovascular system have been described. To inform surgical patients, we performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis aiming to characterize outcomes of COVID‐19 positive patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021228533) and conformed with PRISMA 2020 and MOOSE guidelines. PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE and Web of Science were searched between 1 January 2019 to 24 February 2022 for studies reporting outcomes on COVID‐19 positive patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Study screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment were conducted in duplicate. Meta‐analysis was conducted using a random‐effects model where at least two studies had sufficient data for that variable. Results: Searches identified 4223 articles of which 18 studies were included with a total 44 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Within these studies, 12 (66.7%) reported populations undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, three (16.7%) aortic valve replacements (AVR) and three (16.7%) aortic dissection repairs. Overall mean postoperative length of ICU stay was 3.39 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.38, 6.39) and mean postoperative length of hospital stay was 17.88 (95% CI: 14.57, 21.19). Conclusion: This systematic review and meta‐analysis investigated studies of limited quality which characterized cardiac surgery in COVID‐19 positive patients and demonstrates that these patients have poor outcomes. Further issues to be explored are effects of COVID‐19 on decision‐making in cardiac surgery, and effects of COVID‐19 on the cardiovascular system at a cellular level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In under-resourced settings, general surgeons may be called upon to perform emergency operations within other specialties. Accordingly, we aimed to characterise patient outcomes after emergency neurosurgery performed by a general surgeon or general surgery trainee. Methods: PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched to 30 May 2021 for observational studies reporting outcomes after emergency neurosurgery performed by a general surgeon. Study screening, data extraction, and risk of bias using the Downs and Black checklist were performed in duplicate. Data on setting, operation undertaken, mortality rates and complications were extracted. Meta-analysis was planned but not possible due to heterogeneity. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021258097. Results: From 632 records, 14 retrospective observational studies were included, covering a total sample of 1,988 operations. Four studies were from Australia, and the remaining 10 were, respectively, from 10 other countries. Most common operations performed were decompressive surgery with burr holes or craniectomy for head trauma and insertion of intracranial pressure monitors. Rural hospitals were the most common settings. Mortality rates for procedures performed by general surgeons at latest follow-up were heterogenous, ranging from 5% for evacuation of chronic subdural haematoma in Kenya to 81% in head injured patients in a Hong Kong study. Conclusions: This is the first systematic review that synthesises the literature to characterise patient outcomes after neurosurgical operations performed by a general surgeon. Findings from this study may benefit global surgery performed in rural, remote, military or humanitarian settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Surgical patients frequently seek information from digital sources, particularly before common operations such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). YouTube provides a large amount of free educational content; however, it lacks regulation or peer review. To inform patient education, we evaluated the quality of YouTube videos on LC. Methods. We searched YouTube with the phrase "laparoscopic cholecystectomy." Two authors independently rated quality of the first 50 videos retrieved using the JAMA, Health on the Net (HON), and DISCERN scoring systems. Data collected for each video included total views, time since upload, video length, total comments, and percentage positivity (proportion of likes relative to total likes plus dislikes). Interobserver reliability was assessed using an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Association between quality and video characteristics was tested. Results. Mean video quality scores were poor, scoring 1.9/4 for JAMA, 2.0/5.0 for DISCERN, and 4.9/8.0 for HON. (ere was good interobserver reliability with an ICC of 0.78, 0.81, and 0.74, respectively. Median number of views was 21,789 (IQR 3000-61,690). Videos were mostly published by private corporations. No video characteristic demonstrated significant association with video quality. Conclusion. YouTube videos for LC are of low quality and insufficient for patient education. Treating surgeons should advise of the website's limitations and direct patients to trusted sources of information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) is the most accurate method of measuring component migration using radiographs but is restricted to use in prospective studies. Ein‐Bild‐Roentgen‐analyze (EBRA)‐Cup can be used retrospectively, but its accuracy to measure component migration following revision is unknown. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of EBRA‐Cup measurements of uncemented acetabular component migration after revision total hip replacement (THR). The secondary aim was to compare the number of cases identified using EBRA‐Cup and RSA as having proximally migrated above and below 1 mm at 2 years postoperatively. EBRA‐Cup measurements were performed on plain antero‐posterior pelvic radiographs taken at the same time as RSA radiographs in a prospective cohort of 53 hips undergoing acetabular revision. At 2 years, the mean difference between the RSA and EBRA‐Cup measurements for 17 components used to treat pelvic discontinuity was 0.90 mm, significantly greater than the mean difference of 0.28 mm for 36 components without discontinuity (P =.0001). The mean difference between the RSA and EBRA‐Cup measurements at 2 years for hips that were reconstructed with an acetabular component alone, 0.28 mm, was significantly lower than hips that were reconstructed with an acetabular component in combination with an augment and/or cage, 0.74 mm (P =.0005). In conclusion, EBRA‐Cup can accurately measure migration of uncemented acetabular components used at revision THR. The presence of pelvic discontinuity, and addition of augments and cages, significantly influenced the accuracy of EBRA‐Cup measurements. EBRA‐Cup and RSA had good agreement on classification of components that migrated proximally above or below 1 mm at 2 years, with 100% sensitivity, and 87% specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of aspirin vs enoxaparin on symptomatic venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty: the CRISTAL randomized trial. 'The brain may devise laws for the blood'William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice (1598) 1 Prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTEp) is an integral part in the care of orthopaedic patients. Aspirin versus low-molecular-weight heparin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in orthopaedic trauma patients: a patient-centered randomized controlled trial. [Extracted from the article]

Major surgery can result in severe sleep deprivation, so that stages 3 and 4 and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep are either severely, or completely suppressed.3 This is exacerbated by the surgical ward environment, where patients' sleep is frequently disturbed by both staff and technology. Further, general anaesthesia delays the onset of nocturnal melatonin secretion resulting in sleep dysfunction early in the postoperative course.4 Recent work has sought to determine the role of sleep in nociceptive pathways and subjective pain experience. [Extracted from the article]

In the ANZELA-QI pilot study sample of emergency laparotomies reported by Aitken I et al i ., a preoperative risk assessment was only documented prior to 45% of operations.2 In reality, this figure is likely an overestimate considering the number of Australian hospitals not participating in ANZELA-QI. We read with interest Anderson's editorial on emergency laparotomy1 and agree with the need for further audit and improvement in the area. Two-year outcomes from the Australian and New Zealand emergency laparotomy audit-quality improvement pilot study. [Extracted from the article]

Adrenaline in local anaesthetics: do students and junior doctors still believe the myth? Of the choices of local anaesthetic preparations, two contained adrenaline (1% lignocaine with 1:100 000 adrenaline and 0.25% bupivacaine with 1:100 000 adrenaline) and three did not (1% lignocaine, 0.25% bupivacaine and 0.25% ropivacaine). Medical students and junior doctors choose to use local anaesthetic preparations without adrenaline for areas of the body supplied by end arteries, despite there is evidence that the use of adrenaline is safe and advantageous. [Extracted from the article]