Options for elective treatment of portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients in the transplantation era

We review herein our experience in the management of bleeding esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients and consider our findings in light of the dramatic changes in the treatment of cirrhosis resulting from the more widespread use of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). It does not seem realistic, at present, to propose OLT as the only effective treatment of variceal bleeding for a variety of reasons, and there remains a large group of patients who are noncompliant or unsuitable for liver transplantation. We propose that initial bleeding be controlled by endoscopic sclerotherapy, thereby allowing careful evaluation to be made electively. Grade A patients appear to be managed best by a reduced-size portacaval shunt (RPS) with prospects of good survival and few complications. Grade B patients can be managed by either sclerotherapy, RPS, or OLT, depending upon individual circumstances. Grade C patients are best managed by liver transplantation, again with excellent survival. In those grade C patients not deemed suitable for OLT (especially alcoholic patients), long-term endoscopic sclerotherapy is the best option. Changes in patient status may sometimes require revision of the treatment decision.     

全肠外营养支持在难治性炎症性肠病中的应用（附12例报告）

本文报告经药物或手术治疗失败的炎症性肠病１２例。经全肠外营养（ＴＰＮ）支持后，症状好转，营养状况都有显著改善。１例非特异性空肠回肠炎、６例溃疡性结肠炎中１例和５例Ｃｒｏｈｎ病中３例症状自然缓解，６例手术后治愈。作者认为，药物或手术治疗失败的Ｃｒｏｈｎ病可选择以ＴＰＮ为主的综合治疗，而药物或手术治疗失败的溃疡性结肠炎则以营养改善后手术治疗为宜。     

Ruptured umbilical hernia in a case of alcoholic cirrhosis with massive ascites

Umbilical hernias are common in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and ascites. However, spontaneous rupture of the hernia is not frequently seen. This is a serious complication and carries a high mortality. A search of the literature shows that patients have been managed both operatively and nonoperatively for this condition. We present a case of spontaneous rupture of an umbilical hernia in a patient with cirrhosis and ascites which was managed successfully with hernia repair.     

Average treatment effect of facility hepatopancreatobiliary malignancy case volume on survival of patients with nonoperatively managed hepatobiliary malignancies

BackgroundSurgical volume-outcome relationships have been described for a variety of procedures. There is scant literature on total institutional volume and outcomes in patients who are nonoperatively managed. We examined the average treatment effect of total hepatopancreatobiliary malignancy case volume on survival outcomes of patients with nonresected hepatobiliary malignancies.MethodsWe identified patients with hepatopancreatobiliary malignancies [pancreatic adenocarcinoma, pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms, hepatocellular carcinoma, biliary tract cancers] within the National Cancer Database (2004–2018). We determined percentile thresholds based on the total annual hepatopancreatobiliary malignancy case volume. We then identified nonoperatively managed patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or biliary tract cancers. We used inverse probability-weighted Cox regression to estimate the effect of facility volume on overall survival.ResultsWe identified 710,988 patients with hepatopancreatobiliary malignancies. Total annual hepatopancreatobiliary malignancy case volume of 32, 71, and 177 cases/year corresponded to the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles. A total of 96,420 with hepatocellular carcinoma and 52,627 patients with biliary tract cancers were managed nonoperatively. In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or biliary tract cancer, treatment at ≥25th, ≥50th, and ≥75th percentile facilities was associated with improved median, 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival compared with treatment at lower-percentile facilities. On inverse probability–weighted Cox analysis, treatment at higher-percentile facilities resulted in a lower hazard of death. Consistent findings were observed in patients with early or intermediate/advanced hepatocellular carcinoma or metastatic biliary tract cancers.ConclusionPatients with nonoperatively managed hepatocellular carcinoma or biliary tract cancer who receive treatment at higher-volume facilities have improved survival outcomes. These data suggest regionalization of care for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or biliary tract cancer to high-volume centers may improve survival.     

Management of low velocity gunshot-induced fractures

Bullets fired from civilian weapons are usually of low velocity, resulting in minimal tissue cavitation as compared to high-velocity weapons. A prospective protocol was initiated for patients sustaining a low-velocity gunshot to the extremity resulting in a stable, nonoperative fracture configuration. Treatment consisted of local irrigation and débridement, tetanus prophylaxis as required, a long acting cephalosporin intramuscularly, and splinting or casting of the fractured extremity. Twenty-five patients were managed by this protocol. This patient population was compared to a random retrospective sample of 25 patients with similar ballistic induced fractures and wounds managed by local débridement and 48 h of intravenous antibiotics. One infection occurred in each group, requiring further therapy. We conclude that the patient with a low-velocity gunshot induced fracture can be managed without the use of short-term intravenous antibiotics with no increased risk of infection.     

Surgical options in traumatic injury to the extrahepatic biliary tract

A series of 53 patients who sustained extrahepatic biliary tract trauma were analysed to define the role of the various surgical options. Of the 45 patients with gallbladder injuries, 39 were due to stab wounds. Nine of the 45 injuries were repaired by primary suture without complication. Five patients underwent cholecystostomy and all developed biliary fistulae, which resulted in prolonged hospitalization. Cholecystectomy was performed in 31 patients; in retrospect many of these gallbladders could have been preserved because on only eight occasions was the gallbladder extensively damaged. Of eight extrahepatic bile duct injuries, the three partial transections managed by primary repair had a successful outcome, while the five complete transections were managed by a variety of techniques. Delayed diagnosis, failure of operative recognition of the injury and improper management were factors that led to mortality in two patients and prolonged morbidity in another. We conclude that suture repair is the operation of choice for gallbladder stab wounds without extensive injury. Ductal injury must be recognized. Partial transections are best managed by primary repair. Complete transections should be managed by primary duct jejunal anastomosis if the expertise is available.     

Giant acquired tracheoesophageal fistulas: strategy for successful management

Giant tracheoesophageal fistulas (TEF) present a significant management problem for the head and neck surgeon. Chronic aspiration and sepsis are associated complications that occur in these patients, who are frequently already debilitated from pre-existing medical calamities. The combination results in prolonged morbidity and frequent mortality. Recently, we have managed two patients with this difficult problem. The first patient was managed using conventional methods well described in the literature with an unsuccessful outcome. The second was managed differently using a two-stage approach. The esophageal stream was first excluded from the respiratory system via a surgical approach, which to the best of our knowledge has not been previously described in the literature. After a period of convalescence, the patient's alimentary tract is reconstituted with a gastric pull-up, reversed gastric tube, or colon interposition. We propose this as an alternative method of management for TEF.     

Comparison of enoxaparin and warfarin for the prevention of venous thromboembolic disease after total hip arthroplasty. Evaluation during hospitalization and three months after discharge.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolic disease in the form of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is a major risk after a total hip arthroplasty. Enoxaparin, a low-molecular-weight heparin, has been shown to reduce the prevalence of deep venous thrombosis after total hip arthroplasty. Warfarin, an orally administered anticoagulant, has been used historically to reduce the risk of deep venous thrombosis after total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: We compared enoxaparin and adjusted-dose warfarin with respect to their safety and their efficacy in the prevention of clinically important venous thromboembolic disease, defined as distal or proximal deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, or both, during hospitalization after total hip arthroplasty. We also evaluated the prevalence of complications and mortality from venous thromboembolic disease within three months after discharge. RESULTS: Three thousand and eleven patients at 156 centers were randomly assigned to prophylactic treatment with injection of enoxaparin or oral administration of adjusted-dose warfarin during hospitalization. During the study, fifty-five (3.6 percent) of the 1516 patients who were managed with enoxaparin and fifty-six (3.7 percent) of the 1495 patients who were managed with warfarin had venous thromboembolic disease. Twenty-one patients (0.7 percent), which included four (0.3 percent) of those managed with enoxaparin and seventeen (1.1 percent) of those managed with warfarin (p = 0.0083), had venous thromboembolic disease during hospitalization. After discharge from the hospital, venous thromboembolic disease developed in ninety patients (3.0 percent): fifty-one (3.4 percent) of those managed with enoxaparin and thirty-nine (2.6 percent) of those managed with warfarin. One patient who had been managed with enoxaparin died because of a pulmonary embolism, which was confirmed at autopsy. Three additional patients (one who had been managed with enoxaparin and two who had been managed with warfarin) died, and the deaths were attributed to venous thromboembolic disease; however, no autopsies were performed. Twenty-six patients (0.9 percent) (eighteen managed with enoxaparin and eight managed with warfarin) had clinically important bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient programs providing treatment with either enoxaparin (thirty milligrams every twelve hours) or adjusted-dose warfarin for a mean of 7.3 days afforded protection against venous thromboembolic disease, with overall rates of morbidity and mortality of 3.7 and 0.6 percent, respectively, and a very low rate of major bleeding complications (0.9 percent) for three months after total hip arthroplasty. During hospitalization, the patients managed with enoxaparin had a lower rate of venous thromboembolic disease than those managed with adjusted-dose warfarin (p = 0.0083). This benefit was lost after the medication was discontinued, with no difference in the prevalences of venous thromboembolic disease between the two groups at three months after discharge from the hospital.     

Manpower at private university hospitals in Japan

We studied the numbers of teaching staff in anesthesiology departments and of patients operated on and managed by anesthesiologists at private university hospitals in 1999, in Japan. Questionnaires were sent to 49 institutions, and 36 responded (response rate, 73%). The mean number of patients managed by anesthesiologists in an institution was 3899 (range, 942-8135). The mean number of patients who were managed by a staff anesthesiologist was 428 cases (range, 118-980). The data indicate that a prompt increase in manpower at the private university hospitals is necessary to improve patient care, education, and research work.     

Renal transplantation in patients with bilateral renal carcinoma -how long should we wait?

Patients with bilateral renal carcinoma or malignancy in solitary kideny are best managed by radical nephretomy with subsequent dialysis and transplantation. Because of the risk of recurrence of the tumour, the timing of the transplant procedure is important. We report on two patients with bilateral renal carcinoma who were subjected to radical nephrectomy and then managed with dialysis and transplantation within 6 months.     

Management of Extremity Recurrences After Complete Responses to Isolated Limb Perfusion in Patients With Melanoma

Background: Despite high rates of complete responses (CRs) to isolated limb perfusion (ILP) for patients with in-transit melanoma (60% to 90%), extremity recurrences are common. We evaluated our experience with managing these recurrences to determine how best to treat these patients.Methods: Between April 1992 and April 1998, 72 patients experienced CRs after hyperthermic ILP using Melphalan, with (n = 46) or without (n = 26) tumor necrosis factor. Of these, 25 patients (35%) experienced initial recurrences in the extremities, and they form the basis of this study.Results: Three patients who underwent repeat ILP for treatment of their recurrences experienced a second CR and recurrence in the extremity (at 9, 15, and 16 months), allowing analysis of 28 cases. For 5 of 20 recurrences managed with excision, 2 of 6 managed with repeat ILP, and 0 of 2 managed with systemic treatment, the patient was free of disease at the last follow-up examination (median follow-up period, 11 months).Conclusions: Isolated extremity recurrences after CRs to ILP occurred in 35% of patients. Initially, these could be managed successfully by excision or repeat ILP for the majority of patients (92%). We recommend excision of small-volume recurrent disease, reserving repeat ILP for patients with increasing numbers of lesions or increasing rapidity of in-field recurrences.     

Delayed laparoscopy facilitates the management of biliary peritonitis in patients with complex liver injuries

BACKGROUND: Nonoperative management is now regarded as the best alternative for the treatment of patients with complex blunt liver injuries. However, some patients still require surgical treatment for complications that were formerly managed with laparotomy and a combination of image-guided studies. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 15 patients who had complex blunt liver injuries that were managed nonoperatively and in which biliary peritonitis developed. RESULTS: Delayed laparoscopy was performed 2-9 days after admission in patients with extensive liver injuries. All 15 patients had developed local signs of peritonitis or a systemic inflammatory response. Laparoscopy was indicated to drain a large retained hemoperitoneum (eight patients), bile peritonitis (four patients), or an infected perihepatic collection (three patients). Laparoscopy was successful in all patients, and there was no need for further interventions. CONCLUSION: The data indicate that as more patients with complex liver injuries are treated nonoperatively and the criteria for nonoperative management continue to expand, more patients will need some type of interventional procedure to treat complications that historically were managed by laparotomy. At this point, laparoscopy is an excellent alternative that should become part of the armamentarium of the trauma surgeons who treat these patients.     

Selective operative management of major blunt renal trauma

BACKGROUND: We reviewed the management and outcomes of patients at our Level I trauma center suffering major blunt renal trauma diagnosed and staged by CT scan. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 26 patients with blunt trauma at our institution who were initially hemodynamically stable and diagnosed with grade 4 or 5 renal injuries by CT scan. Patients were broken down into two groups based on whether they were managed conservatively or surgically. Patient characteristics and morbidity were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 14 patients managed conservatively and 12 patients managed surgically. There was no statistically significant difference in morbidity between the two groups. The only statistically significant predictor of failure of conservative management was a coexisting solid organ intra-abdominal injury. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative management of major blunt renal trauma is appropriate in hemodynamically stable patients.     

An end-to-end pancreaticojejunostomy using a mechanical purse-string device.

Pancreatic-jejunal anastomosis leaks are a major cause of morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy. We have used a mechanical purse-string device to secure the jejunum to the intussuscepted pancreatic stump in 17 patients. A major leak developed in 1 patient and minor leaks developed in 2 patients, all of which were managed nonoperatively. This technique is expeditious and safe.     

Utility of follow-up radiographs in conservatively managed acute fifth metatarsal fractures

Fifth metatarsal fractures are the most common fracture of the foot, with the majority being managed conservatively. A variety of treatment methods are described in the literature. Follow-up radiographs are taken to identify fracture displacement, and subsequently to assess for bony union throughout treatment. We assessed the utility of serial radiographic assessment in management of these fractures. Clinical notes and radiographs of 79 patients with fifth metatarsal fractures were analysed retrospectively. Serial radiographs were studied to identify displacement and the last X-ray was reviewed for evidence of fracture union. 96% of fractures were managed conservatively. 29% showed radiological healing at last clinic visit, the rest being discharged as were considered clinically healed. Similar fracture types were managed differently. 3 fractures were surgically treated after failed conservative management. 1 fracture showed displacement from initial radiographs, and was successfully managed conservatively.Without clear guidelines, these injuries are managed differently from a radiological perspective. Follow-up radiographs taken before 6–8 weeks do not appear to alter patient management. Based on the current study we present our recommendations for radiographic assessment of acute fifth metatarsal fractures.     

Outcomes of Interventional Management of Coronary Artery Disease in Kidney Transplant Recipients

BackgroundCardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death among kidney transplant (KT) recipients. Trials routinely exclude patients with end-stage renal disease when assessing the effect of coronary artery revascularization. We looked to compare long-term outcomes in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) before KT with those managed medically.MethodsWe identified all patients who underwent coronary artery catheterization before KT from January 2008 to November 2019 at the Cleveland Clinic. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality.ResultsA total of 272 patients were included, of whom 52 (19.11%) underwent PCI, and the remaining 220 patients were managed medically. The median age in the PCI group was 57.4 years (interquartile range [IQR], 46.9-61.2 years), whereas it was 53.9 years (IQR, 44.6-61 years) in the group medically managed. Baseline characteristics including sex, race, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and hyperlipidemia were comparable in both groups. The median time to KT was 2.4 years (IQR, 1-5 years) in the PCI group vs 1.2 years (IQR, 0.6-3.3 years) in the medically managed group (P = .001). Among patients who underwent PCI, 40.4% had single vessel disease and 59.6% had multivessel disease compared with 16.8% and 28.6%, respectively, in the medically managed group (P < .001). Overall, there was no difference in mortality in the PCI group compared with the medically managed group after 10 years of follow-up (P = .416).ConclusionsPatients with coronary artery disease can be safely treated with PCI before KT and have comparable outcomes to those who are managed medically.     

Safety,complications and clinical outcome after ultrasound-guided paravertebral catheter insertion for rib fracture analgesia: a single-centre retrospective observational study

Rib fractures are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral catheter insertion has been described for the management of pain secondary to rib fractures. We conducted a retrospective observational study of all patients with rib fractures who had a paravertebral catheter inserted for analgesia provision over a 4-year period. Data from the Trauma Audit and Research Network were used to compare patients with rib fractures who were managed with paravertebral catheters to those managed with systemic analgesia. A total of 314 consecutive paravertebral catheters were inserted in 290 patients. Five (1.9%) catheters were removed due to ineffective analgesia. Other minor complications occurred in three cases (0.96%). The proportion of rib fracture patients managed with paravertebral catheters increased from 31/200 (15.5%) in the first year of study to 81/168 (48.2%) in the fourth; over this time-period the observed:predicted mortality ratio fell from 1.04 to 0.66. Proportional hazard regression with and without propensity score matching demonstrated a reduction in mortality associated with paravertebral catheter use, but this became statistically non-significant when time-dependent analysis was used. Paravertebral catheters are a safe and effective technique for rib fracture analgesia; however, our data were insufficient to demonstrate any improvement in mortality.     

Surgical management of primary motor disorders of the esophagus

Primary motor disorders of the esophagus can be managed surgically with excellent results. Between the years 1972 and 1983, 40 patients were managed by us. The patients ranged in age from 14 to 79 years (mean 36.3 years). Thirty-six patients were managed primarily by the authors and 4 patients secondarily. The distribution of the hypodynamic states were achalasia in 29 patients, vigorous achalasia in 5 patients, and diffuse spasm in 1 patient, whereas the hyperdynamic states were squeeze syndrome in 2 patients, super-squeeze syndrome in 1 patient, and hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter in 2 patients. Of the 36 patients in hypodynamic states, 27 had a modified Heller myotomy and reconstruction of the gastroesophageal junction with a Belsey fundoplication and 9 had only a modified Heller myotomy. There was only one patient with reflux esophagitis. It occurred after myotomy and Belsey fundoplication for a hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter and hiatus hernia. Four patients were managed secondarily for complicated recurrent problems, one with a Belsey fundoplication and three with a jejunal interposition graft. We recommend myotomy, with or without a Belsey fundoplication, for management of primary motor disorders and avoidance of total Nissen fundoplication and a lengthening Collis gastroplasty.     

The management of posterior urethral valves by initial vesicostomy and delayed valve ablation

We managed 32 neonates and infants with temporary vesicostomy and delayed valve ablation. The criterion on which successful management was gauged was estimated creatinine clearance. Renal failure or death occurred in 30% of the patients and 7% required transplantation. There was no apparent difference between our patients managed initially with vesicostomy and other series managed initially with valve ablation in preventing the complications of posterior urethral valves.