AB1118 OPEN MUSCLE BIOPSY AS A SAFE AND USEFUL MEANS OF DIAGNOSING VASCULITIS: A SINGLE-CENTER EXPERIENCE OF 210 BIOPSY CASES

Background:We previously reported the utility of open muscle biopsies in diagnosing vasculitis [1]. The number of open muscle biopsies performed at our department has increased to over 200. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of vasculitis and the safety of the open muscle biopsies.Objectives:To clarify the diagnostic utility of vasculitis and the safety profile of the open muscle biopsy.Methods:We retrospectively examined all cases of open muscle biopsy performed between May 2012 and June 2018 in our department. The biopsy results, the presence or absence of adverse events, and blood test data at the time of the biopsy were extracted from the patients’ electronic medical records.Results:Between May 2012 and June 2018, 210 open muscle biopsies were performed, 120 of which were done for vasculitis diagnosis. Diagnostic histopathological findings were obtained in 42 of the 120 cases (35%). The definitive diagnosis in these cases was microscopic polyangiitis (30 cases), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (seven cases), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (one case), polyarteritis nodosa (three cases), and other vasculitis (one case). In 57 cases with myeloperoxidase-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) ≥ 10 U/ml, 31 cases (54.3%) showed histopathology of vasculitis. In six cases with protainase-3-ANCA (PR3-ANCA) ≥ 10 U/ml, histopathology of vasculitis was found in one case (16.7%).In all 210 open muscle biopsy cases, complications included minor wound dehiscence (11 cases) and small subcutaneous hematoma (six cases), which were able to be managed by local treatment. Albumin was significantly lower in the patients with wound dehiscence (mean 3.2 vs 2.7, p = 0.049)Serious complications included anaphylaxis due to local anesthesia (one case), compartment syndrome due to hematoma (one case), hematoma requiring surgical removal (one case), and arterial hemorrhage requiring surgical intervention (one case). The patients in the latter three hemorrhagic cases were receiving antiplatelet drugs.Conclusion:An open muscle biopsy is useful for diagnosing vasculitis, especially for MPO-ANCA-positive anca-associated vasculitis. Its safety profile is acceptable. Serious adverse events are rare, but the procedure should be performed carefully when patients are receiving antiplatelet drugs.References:[1]Nunokawa T. et al. The use of muscle biopsy in the diagnosis of systemic vasculitis affecting small to medium-sized vessels: A prospective evaluation in Japan. Scand. J. Rheumatol. 2016;45:210–214Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Laparoscopic Appendicectomy in All Benign Pathologies of the Appendix: A retrospective study

Background: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical conditions and urgent appendicectomyis recommended and practiced for more than 100 years1,2. McBurney's appendicectomy by an open muscle splitting technique was the gold standard surgical procedure1. Laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA) is gaining popularity since 1987. But this new technique has a longer learning curve and requires expensive equipment (high capital investments).The aim of this study was to ascertain the generalizability of this novel procedure when appendicectomy is indicated.Method: This study was done over a period of six years in BIRDEM. Between March 2010 to February 2016, all consecutive cases of Laparoscopic appendicectomy was selected for the study. Operation was performed under general anaesthesia using standard three puncture technique. After the procedure all resected specimen was sent for histopathology.Result: Laparoscopicappendicectomy was attempted in 113 patients, 57(50.4%) female and 56(49.6%) males. Mean age of the patients were 35.2 years and ranged from 5 to 65 years. Laparoscopicappendicectomy was performed in emergency basis in 102(90%) due to acute appendicitis, gangrenous appendix, perforated appendix or appendicular abscess. Eleven patients (10%) underwent elective surgery due to interval appendicectomy, mucocole of appendix, incidental appendicectomy. The most common indication for laparoscopic appendicectomy in this series was acute appendicitis (62%). Only one patient (<1%) had to be converted to an open appendicectomy due to injury to caecal wall. There was no peri-operative mortality in this series. Hundred and five patients (93%) weredischarged in lessthan 24 hours of surgery and seven (6%) within 48 hours of surgery after removal of intrabdominal drain. Follow-up period was one month to two years.Conclusion: All the advantages of laparoscopy are well applied in laparoscopic appendicectomy. Morbidity, mortality and conversion rate came down to a minimum with time and experience. Hence laparoscopic appendicectomy should be the procedure of choice when appendicectomy in indicated.Bangladesh Crit Care J September 2018; 6(2): 80-83

The Influence of BIS Monitoring on Sedative Dose in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Open Muscle Biopsies – a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background The use of Propofol and Remifentanil for analgosedation in children is common and safe. For sedation monitoring clinical scores as Comfort Score (CS) as well as bispectral index (BIS) are frequently applied. The impact of BIS for sedation monitoring in pediatric patients is still under debate. This prospective study aims to investigate whether dual sedation monitoring of CS and BIS compared with monitoring of CS alone during muscle biopsies in children can reduce sedative doses, reduce awakening time and prevent complications. Methods 50 pediatric patients requiring sedation for open muscle biopsy were prospectively enrolled. Analgosedation was performed with remifentanil and propofol. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups: In 25 patients, sedation was monitored using CS alone, and in 25 patients CS and BIS monitoring were simultaneously applied. The primary outcome was the propofol dose applied during muscle biopsy. Secondary outcome parameters were recovery time and the frequency of complications. Results The median CS during the intervention in both groups was equal (11, P=1.000). The median BIS in group 2 was 59. No complications occurred in either group. There was no difference in propofol dose in either group (8.4 vs. 7.2 mg/kg/h; P=0.58) and no difference in the duration until eye opening (9 vs. 11 min; P=0.081). Conclusion For children undergoing minor surgical procedures under analgosedation, BIS monitoring does not affect the sedative dose, the time until eye opening or the frequency of complications.

Transtubular microsurgical approach to treating extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations

Object Approaches to treating extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations can be challenging due to the unique anatomy and the need to prevent spinal instability. Numerous approaches, including conventional midline, paramedian, minimally invasive, and full endoscopic approaches, have been described. The purposes of this study were to point out the outcome and clinical advantages of a transtubular microsurgical approach and to describe and illustrate this technique. Methods Between 2009 and 2012, a series of 51 patients underwent a minimally invasive dilative transtubular microsurgical approach for the treatment of extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations. All patients were clinically evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Results Both pain scores and functional status showed significant improvement after surgery (p < 0.001): radicular pain decreased from VAS score of 7.9 to one of 1.3, lower back pain from VAS score of 2.4 to 1.4, and the Oswestry Disability Index from 42.0 to 12.3. Subgroup analyses revealed no differences in outcome regarding obesity or timing of surgery (early vs late intervention). Highly significant was the correlation between preoperative radicular pain activity and timing of surgical intervention (p < 0.001). Conclusions The dilative transtubular microsurgical approach combines the advantages of the conventional open muscle-splitting approach and the endoscopic approach. The technique is easy to use with a steep learning curve. Less muscle trauma and the absence of bony resection prevent facet pain and instability, thereby contributing to a rapid recovery. Patients in this series improved excellently in the short-term follow-up.