Audrius Dulskas | Vilnius University (original) (raw)

Papers by Audrius Dulskas

Zeitschrift für Gastroenterologie

Anaesthesia, 2021

SummarySARS‐CoV‐2 has been associated with an increased rate of venous thromboembolism in critica... more SummarySARS‐CoV‐2 has been associated with an increased rate of venous thromboembolism in critically ill patients. Since surgical patients are already at higher risk of venous thromboembolism than general populations, this study aimed to determine if patients with peri‐operative or prior SARS‐CoV‐2 were at further increased risk of venous thromboembolism. We conducted a planned sub‐study and analysis from an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study of elective and emergency patients undergoing surgery during October 2020. Patients from all surgical specialties were included. The primary outcome measure was venous thromboembolism (pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis) within 30 days of surgery. SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis was defined as peri‐operative (7 days before to 30 days after surgery); recent (1–6 weeks before surgery); previous (≥7 weeks before surgery); or none. Information on prophylaxis regimens or pre‐operative anti‐coagulation for baseline comorbidities was no...

Obesity Surgery, 2018

Background Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are cornerstone in multimodal analgesia... more Background Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are cornerstone in multimodal analgesia protocols. This point is of great value in morbidly obese patients due to the high prevalence of restrictive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that NSAIDs do not increase acute bariatric surgery complications while optimizing postoperative analgesia. Methods Databases of two medical centers were retrospectively reviewed to find all patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2017. Inclusion criteria were BMI greater than 30 kg/m 2 and age of 16-75 years old. Patients who suffered from severe organ failure or coagulation disorders were excluded. Patient's demographics, obesity-related diseases (diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia), postoperative pain scores, and morphine consumption in PACU, as well as early and late surgical complications, were collected. Patients included from the first institution (where NSAIDs analgesia was prohibited: control group) were compared to patients from the second institution (where NSAIDs analgesia was mandatory: case group). Results The study population included 270 patients, 134 in the control group, and 136 in the case group. NSAIDs usage produced better analgesia with significant reduction in morphine consumption and PACU length of stay. Also, incidence of surgical complications was the same in the two groups. Conclusions NSAIDs administration do not increase postoperative complication rate after bariatric surgery. Although NSAID administration provided better analgesia and shorter PACU stay, future prospective studies are needed to confirm these encouraging results and to evaluate their impact on postoperative rehabilitation.

Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, 2018

The mainstay of management for locally advanced rectal cancer is chemoradiotherapy followed by su... more The mainstay of management for locally advanced rectal cancer is chemoradiotherapy followed by surgical resection. Following chemoradiotherapy, a complete response may be detected clinically and radiologically (cCR) prior to surgery or pathologically after surgery (pCR). We aim to report the overall complete pathological response (pCR) rate and the reliability of detecting a cCR by conventional pre-operative imaging. A pre-planned analysis of the European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) 2017 audit was performed. Patients treated by elective rectal resection were included. A pCR was defined as a ypT0 N0 EMVI negative primary tumour; a partial response represented any regression from baseline staging following chemoradiotherapy. The primary endpoint was the pCR rate. The secondary endpoint was agreement between post-treatment MRI restaging (yMRI) and final pathological staging. Of 2572 patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery in 277 participating centres across 44 countries, 673 (26...

Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Sep 1, 2018

Laparoscopy has now been implemented as a standard of care for elective colonic resection around ... more Laparoscopy has now been implemented as a standard of care for elective colonic resection around the world. During the adoption period, studies showed that conversion may be detrimental to patients, with poorer outcomes than both laparoscopic completed or planned open surgery. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether laparoscopic conversion was associated with a higher major complication rate than planned open surgery in contemporary, international practice. Combined analysis of the European Society of Coloproctology 2017 and 2015 audits. Patients were included if they underwent elective resection of a colonic segment from the caecum to the rectosigmoid junction with primary anastomosis. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day major complication rate, defined as Clavien-Dindo grade III-V. Of 3980 patients, 64% (2561/3980) underwent laparoscopic surgery and a laparoscopic conversion rate of 14% (359/2561). The major complication rate was highest after open surgery (l...

The Lancet. Infectious diseases, Jan 13, 2018

Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, b... more Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with e...

ANZ Journal of Surgery, 2016

Background: Metastatic colorectal cancer is a disease of advancing age. Increased life expectancy... more Background: Metastatic colorectal cancer is a disease of advancing age. Increased life expectancy has dramatically increased the number of older patients being assessed for hepatectomy. The objective of the study is to assess the safety and survival of hepatic resection in older patients, with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) and compare that with younger patients. Methods: All patients undergoing hepatic resection of CLM were included. Patients were divided in groups, less than 75 and 75 and over. Prospectively collected data on patient demographics and post-operative complications were retrospectively analysed. Overall survival was calculated in both groups. Results: Twenty-nine patients over the age of 75 underwent hepatic resection for CLM. A total of 158 patients under the age of 75 underwent resection. Overall, 66% of patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 64% underwent major resection. Ninety-day mortality was 1 out of 29 and 1 out of 158, respectively (P = 0.15). Overall complication rate was low, 4 out of 29 and 26 out of 158 (P = 0.45). Median length of stay was similar in the older population, 8.5 versus 8 days (P = 0.65). Overall 5-year survival was 58% in the over 75 group and 56% in the under 75 group (P = 0.31). Conclusion: Hepatic resection for CLM can be achieved safely in patients over the age of 75 and with equivalent short-and long-term outcomes.

Diseases of The Colon & Rectum, Oct 6, 2020

In a 56-year-old man, an 8-mm ulcerated lesion 8 cm from the anal verge, on the anterior rectal w... more In a 56-year-old man, an 8-mm ulcerated lesion 8 cm from the anal verge, on the anterior rectal wall, was found. The histopathology report showed well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, without lymphovascular invasion. Whole-body CT showed no distant metastasis, and no tumor was visible on pelvic MRI. The patient underwent bowel preparation with enemas and thrombosis prophylaxis the day before surgery. Just before the surgery, patient took antibiotics (500 mg of metronidazole and 1.5 g of cefuroxime).

Lietuvos chirurgija, 2013

Diseases of The Colon & Rectum, Sep 22, 2021

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence on the efficacy of acupuncture in bowel dysfunction treatme... more BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence on the efficacy of acupuncture in bowel dysfunction treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the potential value of acupuncture in the treatment of low anterior resection syndrome. DESIGN: This was an open-design pilot study. SETTINGS: This was a single-center study. PATIENTS: Nine (5 female) patients with major low anterior resection syndrome were included. INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent acupuncture by a trained specialist once a week for 10 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Bowel function was assessed by using the low anterior resection syndrome score and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center bowel function instrument before the procedure, just after finishing the course of acupuncture, and 6 months after the treatment. RESULTS: The average age was 56.44 (50–65; SD ±5.4). Median age was 56 years. At the end of the procedure, all patients reported significant improvement in low anterior resection syndrome symptoms: the average low anterior resection syndrome score before acupuncture was 39 (±2.7), after acupuncture it was 30.3 (±10.6), and 6 months after acupuncture it was 7.22 (±10.244; p < 0.000). The average Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center bowel function instrument score before acupuncture was 55.33 (±11.55), after the procedure it was 60 (±14.97), and 6 months later it was 70.22 (±12.2; p < 0.000). LIMITATIONS: The small sample size and the fact that this is a single-center nonblinded study are limitations of this work. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture may be effective in low anterior resection syndrome treatment and needs further evaluation. The procedure is safe and feasible. See Video at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B700. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03916549. EL PAPEL DE LA ACUPUNTURA TRADICIONAL EN EL TRATAMIENTO DEL SÍNDROME DE RESECCIÓN ANTERIOR BAJA: UN ESTUDIO PILOTO ANTECEDENTES: Existe evidencia limitada sobre la eficacia de la acupuntura para el tratamiento de la disfunción intestinal. OBJETIVO: El objetivo de este estudio piloto fue investigar el valor potencial de la acupuntura en el tratamiento del síndrome de resección anterior baja. DISEÑO: Este fue un estudio piloto de diseño abierto AJUSTES: Este fue un estudio en un solo centro PACIENTES: Fueron incluidos nueve pacientes con síndrome de resección anterior baja (muy sintomáticos), cinco de ellos eran mujeres INTERVENCIONES: Todos los pacientes fueron tratados con acupuntura, una vez a la semana durante diez semanas por un especialista capacitado. PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO: La función intestinal fue evaluada, antes del procedimiento, justo al finalizar el ciclo de acupuntura y a los seis meses, utilizando la puntuación (score) para el síndrome de resección anterior baja y el instrumento de función intestinal del Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. RESULTADOS: La edad media fue 56,44 (50 - 65) (DE ± 5,4). Edad mediana 56 años. Al final del procedimiento, todos los pacientes manifestaron una mejoría significativa de los síntomas del síndrome de resección anterior baja: La puntuación promedio del síndrome de resección anterior baja antes de la acupuntura fue 39 (± 2,7), después de - 30,3 (± 10,6) y 6 meses después de 7,22 (± 10,244) (p <0,000). El puntaje promedio del instrumento de función intestinal del Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center antes de la acupuntura fue 55.33 (± 11.55), después del procedimiento 60 (± 14.97) y 6 meses después 70.22 (± 12.2) (p <0,000). LIMITACIONES: Tamaño de muestra pequeño, estudio no cegado en un solo centro. CONCLUSIONES: La acupuntura puede ser eficaz en el tratamiento del síndrome de resección anterior baja, pero es necesario continuar evaluando su utilidad. El procedimiento es seguro y factible. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B700.

Visceral medicine, Dec 15, 2018

period, of which 9 (6.92%) had to undergo sTME. The average age of the patients was 62.7 ± 7.07 y... more period, of which 9 (6.92%) had to undergo sTME. The average age of the patients was 62.7 ± 7.07 years; 44.4% of the patients were male and 55.6% female. The average tumour size in the sTME group was 2.8 ± 1.05 cm (range 1.5-5) and 2.61 ± 1.36 cm (range 1-5) in the pTME group (p = 0.696). When comparing postoperative complications, statistically significant results were not found in either of the groups (p = 0.55). Operation time of pTME was significantly shorter on average, i.e. 43 min, compared to sTME (p < 0.0267). The average number of harvested lymph nodes was 12.44 ± 7.126 in the sTME and 12.5 ± 8.06 in the pTME group (p = 0.986). The circumferential resection margin (CRM) was negative in 92.6% (25/27) of specimens, while the CRM was positive in 2 cases (7.4%), both of which were from the sTME group. The average follow-up time was 22.8 months (8-80 months) for patients undergoing sTME and 19.33 months (2-88 months) for patients after pTME (p = 0.71). Conclusions: TEM is a relatively safe method for treating patients with early rectal cancer without high-risk features. It can be used in exceptional cases with high-risk features when the patient is not fit for radical surgery.

British Journal of Surgery, Mar 24, 2023

Combat injuries are more often associated with blast, penetrating, and high-energy mechanisms tha... more Combat injuries are more often associated with blast, penetrating, and high-energy mechanisms than civilian trauma 1. These different mechanisms make combat trauma to the abdomen a serious problem that, if undiagnosed, can lead to fatal outcomes. Injuries of the colon account for 15 per cent of all combat injuries. Even after many years of treatment improvements, there remains ongoing debate about optimal management and whether performing an anastomosis is safe 2. The treatment of colonic combat injuries has evolved from a typically conservative approach to the more specific operative guidance tailored to help choose between resection with anastomosis and stoma formation 3-5. When presented with a patient with a colonic injury, an individualized approach to diagnostics and surgery should be applied. This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on colonic injuries sustained during the antiterrorist

Colorectal Disease, Jan 11, 2023

World Journal of Urology, Jul 27, 2021

To describe our institution’s initial experience with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP)... more To describe our institution’s initial experience with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) using the Senhance® robotic system. A prospective analysis of 127 robot-assisted radical prostatectomies was performed. Patient demographics, preoperative and intraoperative parameters, histopathological examination results, intraoperative and early postoperative complications were obtained and analyzed. The median patient age was 61.0 ± 6.36 (from 37 to 73) years, with a mean body mass index of 26.2 ± 3.79 kg/m2. Of 127 patients, 16.5% (n = 21) underwent a pelvic lymph node dissection, 29.1% (n = 37) underwent one sided or bilateral nerve sparing. Post-operative extracapsular invasion (≥ pT3) was found in 15% (n = 19) of the cases and a Gleason score ≥ 7 in 74.8% of all patients. Our median operative time was 180 ± 41.98 min [interquartile range (IQR) 150–215], and median blood loss was 250 ± 236 (IQR 175–430) ml. Of 127 patients, 33.9% (n = 43) had positive margins, of them 28.7% in pT2 and 57.9% in pT3. Fifteen patients (11.8%) experienced complications, of them only three had Clavien–Dindo ≥ 3. Operation time decreased by about 60 min and estimated blood loss decreased by about 200 ml from the initial experience of each surgeon. Robotic prostatectomy using a Senhance® robotic system is feasible, and warrants further study to determine whether it can improve patient outcomes.

Lietuvos chirurgija, Apr 12, 2017

Colorectal Disease, Feb 7, 2022

Techniques in Coloproctology, Mar 19, 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the initial experience of a single robotic center with the ... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the initial experience of a single robotic center with the Senhance® robotic systems (TransEnterix Surgical Inc, Morrisville, NC, USA) in colorectal surgery. We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients who underwent colorectal surgery using the Senhance® robotic systems, from November 2018 to November 2020. Perioperative, intraoperative, and short-term postoperative data were assessed. There were 57 patients (28 women and 29 men, mean age 61.7 ± 6.2 years [range 23–84 years]). Forty-eight (84.2%) patients underwent surgery for colorectal cancer (22 colon cancer and 26 rectal cancer) and 9 (15.8%) for benign conditions. Mean operating time was 194 min ± 57.8 min (range 90–380 min). In total, 27(47.4%) operations were performed on the colon and 30 (52.6%) on the rectum; mean length of postoperative hospital stay was 8 ± 6.2 days (range 3–48 days). There were 2 (3.4%) conversions to open surgery. No intraoperative complications occurred. Seven patients (12.3%) had postoperative complications 3 (5.3%) of whom had to be treated under general anesthesia. There was no mortality. In 48 patients operated on for colorectal cancer, the mean lymph-node harvest was 18 ± 7.9 (range 7–38 lymph nodes). In the rectal cancer group of 26 patients, the distal resection margin was 3.3 ± 1.8 cm. In our experience, surgery using the new Senhance® robotic system was safe and feasible in surgery of the colon and rectum. Randomized controlled trials comparing this type of colorectal surgery with laparoscopic and/or other types of robotic surgery are needed.

Colorectal Disease, Sep 18, 2019