Feasibility of colorectal surgery without colonic preparation. A prospective study

INTRODUCTION: Mechanical bowel preparation (MBP), aimed at reducing the infectious complications of colorectal surgery, was considered as indispensable. This benefit is actually disputed. The aim of this study was to report an experience of colorectal surgery without MBP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hundred ninety patients without MBP and without low residue diet, who underwent colorectal surgery with primary anastomosis not requiring a diverting stoma were included. The main outcome were the rate of mortality, anastomotic leak, wound infection and intra-abdominal abscess. Secondary outcomes were duration of intravenous perfusion, nasogastric aspiration, total hospitalisation stay and time to realimentation. RESULTS: The procedure was performed by laparotomy (n=142) or laparoscopy (n=48). Forty-eight patients underwent emergency surgery. Ninety-two patients were operated for malignancy. The rate of mortality was 6.3% in correlation with the scale of AFC. The rate of anastomotic leak was 3.7%. The rate of specific morbidity was independent of scale of AFC on the contrary to the frequency of non-specific complications. The mean duration of intravenous perfusion and nasogastric suction were 6 days and 0.3 day. The patient had normal diet to the 4th day (4+/-3 days). The mean hospital stay was 13.4 days. CONCLUSION: The colorectal surgery without MBP may be safely performed and could improve the quality of life of patients in the perioperatory period.     

A modern analysis of morbidity after pancreatic resection

Complications after pancreatic resection remain prevalent. Procedure-related morbidity has previously focused on prevention of pancreatic and biliary fistulas (PFs and BFs) with other complications receiving less attention. We examined morbidity and its impact on reoperation, length of stay (LOS), and mortality following pancreatic resection. We retrospectively reviewed patients having elective pancreatectomy at the University of Tennessee affiliated hospitals during a recent 5-year time period. Factors examined included morbidity, mortality, and the need for reoperation. Patient deaths were analyzed with a focus on antecedent complications. Comparisons were made using Student's t test and chi2 analysis where appropriated. From 1997 to 2003, 125 patients had pancreatic resections: 93 Whipple procedures, 27 distal, and 5 total pancreatectomies. Twenty-nine patients (23%) did not have intraperitoneal drainage (IPD). Resections were performed for cancer in 75 per cent. Seventy complications occurred in 55 patients (44%). Morbidity related to an intra-abdominal process resulted in 16 reoperations and 4/6 deaths in this series (overall mortality, 4.8%). There were no BFs. Of 10 patients with PFs (8%), none required reoperation, and there was no PF-related mortality. No patient without IPD developed a PF. The presence of a PF significantly increased LOS when compared to those without (30.9 +/- 13.1 vs 17.4 +/- 12.2 days, P < 0.01). Forty-four per cent of all complications were related to either intra-abdominal abscess (IAA), hemorrhage, or feeding tube placement (18, 8, and 5, respectively). Management of IAA included percutaneous drainage in 16 and reoperation in 2 with 1 associated death. Hemorrhage necessitated reoperation in 6, resulted in 1 patient death, and was followed by IAA in 2. Of 5 jejunostomy tube complications, 4 required reoperation and 2 patients died. LOS was significantly greater in these 28 patients when compared to all others (28.1 +/- 16.9 vs 15.8 +/- 9.9 days, P < 0.001). Following pancreatectomy, 1) BFs should be a rare event; 2) PFs remain important but are most often managed nonoperatively with few sequelae; 3) in this series, IAA and hemorrhage were more common than PF, frequently mandated reoperation, prolonged hospitalization, and were associated with procedure related mortality; 4) feeding tube complications, though rare, are often catastrophic; 5) future efforts should focus on factors that could reduce abscess formation and a reduction in overall complications--many of which are potentially preventable.     

Emergency and elective surgery in patients over age 70

Emergency surgery in 100 patients over age 70 was associated with a 31 per cent morbidity and a 20 per cent mortality, significantly greater than the 6.8 per cent morbidity and 1.9 per cent mortality following elective procedures in the same age group (P less than .0005). Sixteen per cent (100 of 613) of all geriatric patients were operated on under emergent conditions and the postoperative hospitalization was often significantly prolonged when compared with similar elective operations (P less than .05). Emergency surgery was most commonly performed on the large bowel (25%), abdominal wall (17%), stomach (17%), biliary tract (11%), and small bowel (10%). Inguinal herniorraphy was the most frequently performed elective procedure (33%), followed by colon resection (25%), and cholecystectomy (12%). Fifty-nine per cent (23 of 39) of complications associated with urgent operation and 39 per cent (16 of 41) following elective surgery involved the cardiorespiratory systems and were frequently related to underlying diseases. Of the 20 patients who died in the intensive care unit of multisystem failure, 16 had undergone emergency procedures. Elective surgery in the elderly may be performed safely; however, emergency surgery entails a high risk to the patient and a high cost in hospital resources.     

Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors combined with colorectal procedures

Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is gaining increasing acceptance as a treatment option for primary and secondary liver tumors with minimal morbidity. The purpose of this study is to see if adding a colorectal procedure to RFA increases the risk of hepatic abscess. Of the 310 patients with 1,080 primary and secondary liver tumors undergoing laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA), 16 patients underwent RFA in combination with various colorectal procedures. Data were collected prospectively. The concomitant procedures included loop ileostomy closures in 6 patients; laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy in 3 patients; laparoscopic-assisted anterior resection in 2 patients; and open transverse colectomy, open anterior resection, open low anterior resection, open loop transverse colostomy formation, and anal stricture dilatation in 1 patient each. Mean +/- SD hospital stay was 2.9 +/- 1.7 days. There was no mortality, and the only complication was the development of a right flank abscess after laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy that was treated with percutaneous drainage. Although patients undergoing laparoscopic RFA in combination with a clean-contaminated procedure could be at high risk for secondary infection of ablated foci, this was not observed. This approach is safe and does not impair recovery from either procedure. These data support the concept that RFA may be safely used with concomitant colon resections to treat liver metastases that may be resectable but are associated with increased morbidity if resected synchronously.     

Standardized approach to laparoscopic right colectomy: outcomes in 70 consecutive cases

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this article is to describe a standard operative technique, postoperative care plan, and outcomes for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. STUDY DESIGN: A consecutive series of patients requiring laparoscopic right colectomy for neoplasia from March 1999 to April 2003 at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, were analyzed. Data collected included age, gender, indication for surgery, American Society of Anesthesiology class, body-mass index, operative duration, length of hospital stay, complications, mortality, and 30-day readmission rate. Operative steps and instrumentation for the procedure were standardized. Conversion was performed when a sequential step could not be completed in a reasonable time frame. A standard perioperative care plan was used. RESULTS: From March 1999 through April 2003, 70 laparoscopic right hemicolectomies were attempted and 64 (90.1%) were completed. Indications for resection were cancer (30) and polyps (38). The mean operative time was 85 +/- 32 minutes. Mean length of hospital stay was 3.2 +/- 2 days for completed cases and 4.3 +/- 2 days for converted cases. Anastomotic leaks occurred in 2 (2.8%) patients. The morbidity rate including the anastomotic leaks was 7.1%. There were no operative mortalities or port site tumor recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that a structured approach to laparoscopic right colectomy is associated with reasonable operative times, acceptable morbidity, and reductions in hospital stay.     

Radikale Resektion des kolorektalen Karzinoms bei Hochbetagten

INTRODUCTION: The percentage of old people with colorectal cancer is steadily increasing in Western industrialized countries. Since there are only a few reports on the extent of surgery, it is unclear whether radical lymphadenectomy can also be safely performed as a standard operation in this age group. METHODS: In a prospective study, we analyzed all patients who were > or = 80 years of age at the time of surgery and who were submitted to surgery between 1/95 and 12/00 due to a colorectal carcinoma. Target parameters were postoperative morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Fifty-seven of 665 patients (8.6%) were > or = 80 years of age. The median age was 85 years (range: 80-92). The gender ratio was 1:1.6 (G:E). Palliative surgery was performed in 19 of 57 patients. The remaining 38 patients underwent curative radical lymphadenectomy; 32 were elective and 6 emergency procedures. Mean ASA scores were 2.1 +/- 0.3 and 2.5 +/- 0.6. The following operations were performed: 13 right-sided and 15 left-sided hemicolectomies, 5 rectal resections, 3 rectal extirpations and 2 Hartmann's procedures. Two anastomotic insufficiencies (6%) had a complication-free course after revision. The rate of major surgical complications was 11%, that of internal complications 16%. Three patients (8%) died, one after an elective procedure and two after emergency laparotomy. One of the latter was an 89-year-old woman who refused to undergo a revision due to bleeding after Hartmann's procedure. Pneumonia and myocardial infarction were the cause of death in the other two patients. CONCLUSION: Radical resection can be safely performed even at an advanced age. Since age-corrected survival is comparable to that of younger patients, surgery should be performed in the elderly under elective conditions according to oncological criteria.     

A simple technique of portal vein resection and reconstruction during pancreaticoduodenectomy

Background: Cecal diverticulitis is a rare condition in the Western world, with a higher incidence in people of Asian descent. The treatment for cecal diverticulitis has ranged from expectant medical management, which is similar to uncomplicated left-sided diverticulitis, to right hemicolectomy.

Study Design: A retrospective chart review was conducted of the 49 patients treated for cecal diverticulitis at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center from 1976 to 1998. This was the largest-ever single-institution review of cecal diverticulitis reported in the mainland US.

Results: The clinical presentation was similar to that of acute appendicitis, with abdominal pain, low-grade fever, nausea/vomiting, abdominal tenderness, and leukocytosis. Operations performed included right hemicolectomy in 39 patients (80%), diverticulectomy in 7 patients (14%), and appendectomy with drainage of intraabdominal abscess in 3 patients (6%). Of the 7 patients who had diverticulectomy, 1 required right hemicolectomy at 6 months followup for continued symptoms. Of the three patients who underwent appendectomy with drainage, all required subsequent hemicolectomy for continued inflammation. Of the 39 patients who received immediate hemicolectomies, there were complications in 7 (18%), with no mortality.

Conclusions: We endorse an aggressive operative approach to the management of cecal diverticulitis, with the resection of all clinically apparent disease at the time of the initial operation. In cases of a solitary diverticulum, we recommend the use of diverticulectomy when it is technically feasible. When confronted with multiple diverticuli and cecal phlegmon, or when neoplastic disease cannot be excluded, we advocate immediate right hemicolectomy. This procedure can be safely performed in the unprepared colon with few complications. Excisional treatment for cecal diverticulitis prevents the recurrence of symptoms, which may be more common in the Western population.     

Crohn disease: results of a series of 42 intestinal resections

Forty-two patients underwent a resection for acute or chronic complications of Crohn's disease during the years 1983-1987. The colon was involved in 38% (16 patients), the small bowel in 31% (13 patients) and the ileocaecal region in 31%. In small bowel disease, the indication for operation was either an intestinal obstruction or an internal abscess. In colonic locations, poor response to medical therapy was the indication for operation in 10 patients (63%), and an acute complication in the remaining cases. The operations performed were always "radical resections": 13 resections of small bowel, 13 ileocaecal resections, 7 ileocolectomies with ileosigmoidostomies, 6 ileocolectomies with ileorectostomies, 2 left side hemicolectomies with colorectostomies and one total coloproctectomy. There was no operative mortality. A post-operative complication occurred in two patients (4.8%). The recurrence rate was 12% after 30 months average follow up in the 34 patients with only one operation for Crohn's disease. There was no second recurrence in the 8 patients operated for a first recurrence. The factors affecting recurrence after resection were: a short pre-operative time interval since first clinical symptoms: 4.6 years versus 5.3 years without recurrence (p less than 0.01); the colonic location of the Crohn's disease (p less than 0.02). Colonic location rate of the disease was found to be higher in this study as compared to others. Since "radical resection" fails to cure all patients, surgery should be restricted to acute on chronic complications.     

Outcomes of ileocolic resection and right hemicolectomies for Crohn's patients in comparison with non-Crohn's patients and the impact of perioperative immunosuppressive therapy with biologics and steroids on inpatient complications

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to compare medication use and complication rates between Crohn's disease (CD) and non-CD patients undergoing ileocolic resections and right hemicolectomies.MethodsA review of patients who underwent ileocolic resections and right hemicolectomies from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2010, was performed. Data collected included demographics and clinical information, biologics use (eg, infliximab, adalimumab), other medication use (eg, steroids), complications, and mortality.ResultsThere were 791 records reviewed, with 93 CD patients. There was no significant difference in major or minor complications, anastomotic leaks, operating room time, or postoperative ileus occurrence between the CD and non-CD groups (P > .05). Use of biologics and steroids were significantly higher among the CD patients. Mortality, age, and American Society of Anesthesiologists score were significantly higher in the non-CD group.ConclusionsIleocolic resections and right hemicolectomies in CD patients are not associated with an increase in complication rates even when the patients use steroids and biologics in the preoperative period.     

Liver abscess of hydatid origin: clinical features and results of aggressive treatment

Background : Cyst infection and subsequent liver abscess formation are complications of liver echinococcosis. Traditionally, this condition has been treated by simple drainage, a procedure associated with unsatisfactory postoperative evolution. Methods : The present paper examines a series of cases involving infected liver echinococcal cysts. Surgery was performed at the Temuco Regional Hospital after assessment was made of general and liver laboratory parameters, chest X‐ray and abdominal ultrasound were performed and antibiotic treatment was administered. The procedure consisted of surgical drainage, parasite material extirpation and pericystic membrane resection with surrounding healthy liver parenchyma. The morbidity and mortality rate, hospital stay and evidence of recurrent hydatid disease were evaluated. Results : Forty‐nine patients (21 male and 28 female), with a median age of 45 years (range 16–84 years), with infected cysts measuring 14 cm in ultrasonographical diameter (range 5–30 cm) were operated on. In the majority of cases, liver abscesses were located in the right lobe (37 patients, 75.4%) and the most frequent computed tomography scan pattern was heterogeneous (40 patients, 81.6%). The median hospital stay was 5 days, the median follow‐up period was 32 months (range 2–91 months) and perioperative morbidity was 24.4%. Surgical complications were verified in five patients (10.2%) and medical complications occurred in seven cases (14.3%). No recurrence of hydatid disease was observed. Mortality was 2% (one patient). Conclusions : Good results were obtained when hydatid liver abscesses were treated aggressively.     

Clinical application of a new compression anastomotic device for colorectal surgery

Fifty-six patients underwent large bowel anastomosis by the compression anastomotic device developed by the authors from May 1986 through December 1988. Operations performed were 40 left hemicolectomies or anterior resections of the sigmoid and rectum, 7 left colon resections, 7 right hemicolectomies, and 2 total colectomies. Twenty-one anastomoses were done on the extraperitoneal rectum, in 7 cases less than 4 cm from the anal verge and in 9 cases between 4.5 and 8 cm. Five intraoperative diverting colostomies were done (9%). The rings of the device were evacuated postoperatively after a mean of 11 days with little or no discomfort. Operative mortality was 1.8% (one patient died of myocardial infarction). Anastomotic complications were one (1.8%) clinical and one (1.8%) subclinical leak. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 14 days. This initial clinical experience shows that the anastomotic device is reliable.     

Extra-renal abscess in chronic hemodialysis patients

AIM: Infectious disease represents one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. Extra-renal abscess constitutes a specific form of infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate and analyze the clinical characteristics of extra-renal abscess in chronic hemodialysis patients. METHODS: We retrospectively studied the extra-renal abscess among chronic hemodialysis patients in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The records of 2,168 chronic hemodialysis patients from October 1986 to January 2000, were studied. The clinical features were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Sixteen patients who were enrolled during the study period developed extra-renal abscess. Ten of them were male. The mean age was 59.2 +/- 11.8 years old. More than half of the patients had diabetes (53.6%, 9/16). The locations of extra-renal abscess in these patients were liver (8/16), lung (5/16), spleen (1/16), perianal region (1/16), psoas muscle (1/16), and prostate (1/16). One patient had concurrent liver and spleen abscesses. All patients presented with fever and chills. Laboratory studies revealed leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia in 2/3 of the patients. The patients were associated with malnutrition status with lower serum albumin level (2.94 +/- 0.55 gm/dL) and lower nPCR (normalized protein catabolism rate; 0.84 +/- 0.11 gm/Kg/day) comparing to the other hemodialysis patients (albumin: 4.05 +/- 0.47 gm/dL; nPCR: 1.14 +/- 0.31gm/kg/day). There was no significant difference in kt/V between the patients with (1.28 +/- 0.34) or without abscess formation (1.47 +/- 0.36). The major causative pathogen was Klebsiella pnewnoniae. Parenteral antibiotic treatment is sufficient to treat most of the diseases, except 2 patients who needed surgical intervention. Twelve patients recovered after 2-3 weeks of treatment. Conclusions: The study indicated that extra-renal abscess is rare in chronic hemodialysis patients. The abscesses occurred mostly in liver. Diabetes mellitus and poor nutrition status were the important predisposing factors. Gram-negative bacilli, K. pneumoniae, were the major pathogen. Most of the patients responded to parenteral antibiotics and surgical draining.     

Complications after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has recently become a feasible option in the management of morbid obesity. The objective of this study was to examine the morbidity and mortality arising from LSG as a primary procedure for weight loss. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 164 patients who underwent LSG from 2004 to 2007. Patients underwent LSG as a primary procedure or as revisional bariatric surgery. The short-term morbidity and mortality were examined. RESULTS: One-stage LSG was performed in 148 patients. The major complication rate was 2.9% (4 of 149), including 1 leak (0.7%) and 1 case of hemorrhage (0.7%)-each requiring reoperation-1 case of postoperative abscess (0.7%), and 1 case of sleeve stricture that required endoscopic dilation (0.7%). One late complication of choledocholithiasis and bile duct stricture required a Whipple procedure. LSG was used as revisional surgery in 16 patients (9%); of these, 13 underwent LSG after complications related to laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, 1 underwent LSG after aborted laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and 2 underwent LSG after failed jejunoileal bypass. One of these patients developed a leak and an abscess (7.1%) requiring reoperation. One case was aborted, and 2 cases were converted to an open procedure secondary to dense adhesions. No patient died in either group. All but 3 cases were completed laparoscopically (98%). CONCLUSION: LSG is a relatively safe surgical option for weight loss as a primary procedure and as a primary step before a secondary nonbariatric procedure in high-risk patients.     

Analysis of 607 cases of choledochal sphincterotomy

This is a report of the morbidity and mortality rates in 607 patients who underwent sphincterotomy (SPH), 324 of whom were more than 60 years of age. During the operation there were technical errors in 6 cases; a false passage was made in 5 (and recognized in 4); and the duodenal wall was lacerated and repaired in 1. Postoperative morbidity developed in 43 patients (7.1%) and included general disorders in 16 (2.6%), operative complications unrelated to SPH in 12 (2.0%), and complications due to SPH in the remaining 15 (2.5%). The SPH-related complications included hemobilia (5 cases), subphrenic or perinephric abscess (4 cases), and biliary or jejunal fistula (3 cases). Postoperative mortality rate was 3.1% (19 cases). Eight of these deaths (1.3%) were due to abdominal complications which included acute pancreatitis (4), hemobilia (2), biliary fistula (2), and duodenal fistula (1). Of 544 patients reviewed after more than 1 year, there were only 12 failures (2.2%) and 23 minor sequelae. It is concluded that sphincterotomy, if correctly performed, is associated with low morbidity and mortality rates, and excellent long-term results in 94% of patients.     

Preoperative biliary drainage: Impact on intraoperative bile cultures and infectious morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Whether it is necessary to perform biliary drainage for obstructive jaundice before performing pancreaticoduodenectomy remains controversial. Our aim was to determine the impact of preoperative biliary drainage on intraoperative bile cultures and postoperative infectious morbidity and mortality following pancreaticoduodenectomy. We retrospectively analyzed 161 consecutive patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy in whom intraoperative bile cultures were performed. Microorganisms were isolated from 58% of these intraoperative bile cultures, with 70% of them being polymicrobial. Postoperative morbidity was 47% and mortality was 5%. Postoperative infectious complications occurred in 29%, most commonly wound infection (14%) and intra-abdominal abscess (12%). Eighty-nine percent of patients with intra-abdominal abscess (P = 0.003) and 87% with wound infection (P = 0.003) had positive intraoperative bile cultures. Microorganisms in the bile were predictive of microorganisms in intraabdominal abscess (100%) and wound infection (69%). Multivariatc analysis of preoperative and intraoperative variables demonstrated that preoperative biliary drainage was associated with positive intraoperative bile cultures (P <0.001), postoperative infectious complications (P = 0.022), intra-abdominal abscess (P = 0.061), wound infection (P = 0.045), and death (P = 0.021). Preoperative biliary drainage increases the risk of positive intraoperative bile cultures, postoperative infectious morbidity, and death. Positive intraoperative bile cultures are associated with postoperative infectious complications and have similar microorganism profiles. These data suggest that preoperative biliary drainage should be avoided in candidates for pancreaticoduodenectomy. Presented at the 1998 Annual Meeting of the American Gastroenterological Association, New Orleans, La., May 19, 1998.     

Subtotal colectomy for severe acute colitis: a 20-year experience of a tertiary care center with an aggressive and early surgical policy

BACKGROUND: Management of severe acute colitis (SAC) complicating inflammatory bowel disease remains a challenge despite significant advances in medical therapy. The aim of this study was to report a 20-year experience with subtotal colectomy (STC) performed for SAC. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 164 consecutive patients with a mean age of 37 +/- 15 years (range 16 to 86 years) underwent STC for SAC defined according to the criteria of Truelove and Witts. The decision for surgical treatment was based on clinical, biologic, radiologic, and endoscopic severity criteria both at entry and during hospitalization after failure to improve under medical treatment. A Brooke ileostomy was made to the right iliac fossa and a sigmoidostomy was made to the midline incision. All complications before discharge were recorded as in-hospital morbidity or mortality. RESULTS: Colonoscopy was performed in 153 patients and endoscopic diagnosis of SAC was confirmed by pathologic examination in 84% of the cases. STC was performed on an emergency basis in 40 patients with complications and only after failure of medical treatment in the remaining 124 patients. The mortality rate was 0.6%. The overall morbidity rate was 33%; 24 patients required reoperation, including 8% undergoing reoperation during followup for small bowel obstruction. Definitive pathologic diagnosis changed in one half of the patients; the final diagnosis was Crohn's disease in 110 cases, ulcerative colitis in 35, and indeterminate colitis in 19. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated the safety of STC performed in a tertiary care center for patients with SAC who presented with complications or failed to respond to intensive medical therapy.     

Splenectomy for the massively enlarged spleen

The experience at the National Cancer Institute from 1955 to 1988 with 46 cases of splenectomy for massive splenomegaly (greater than or equal to 1,500 grams) was reviewed to assess the indications, pathology, operative, and postoperative course for this procedure. The median age was 51 years. Thirty-one splenectomies (67.4%) were performed for malignancy (chronic lymphocytic leukemia, 11; chronic myelogenous leukemia, 10; lymphoma, 9; hairy cell leukemia, 1), 11 for myeloid metaplasia, and four for other nonmalignant conditions. Indications for splenectomy included hypersplenism (32 patients), symptoms (6), diagnosis (3), and splenic rupture (3). A midline incision (30 patients) was most commonly used. Median operative time was 2 hours, 50 minutes. Median operative blood loss was 1,300 ml (range, 100 ml-60 units). The splenic artery was ligated initially in 16 patients (34.8%) but did not correlate with blood loss or operating time. The median splenic weight was 2,030 grams (range, 1500-5320 gm). The postoperative complication rate was 39.1 per cent (21 complications in 18 patients). This included infection in 10 patients, bleeding in six patients. Six patients required reoperation (bleeding, 4; abscess, 1; small bowel obstruction, 1 patient). The 30-day operative mortality was 19.6 per cent (9 patients). Excluding operative deaths, 35 patients were available for follow-up evaluation. Twenty-nine patients had improvement in parameters for which splenectomy was indicated. Six patients had no change in their course after splenectomy. These findings indicate that many patients with massive splenomegaly benefit from splenectomy, however, the procedure is associated with a high risk for postoperative morbidity and mortality.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Outcome of aggressive surveillance colonoscopy in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm

PURPOSE: Emergent repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs) is associated with high perioperative morbidity and mortality. One of the significant complications of this surgery is bowel ischemia. Reports detail mortality as high as 80% when this condition is realized. The objective of this project was to determine both the incidence and the effect of mandatory postoperative colonoscopy on outcome of colon ischemia after rAAA. METHODS: From July 1995 to September 2002 all patients with an rAAA who underwent emergent aortic reconstruction were included in this review. All colonoscopies were performed within 48 hours, ischemia was graded consistently, and treatment was initiated per protocol based on grade of ischemia. Patients with grades I and II ischemia were followed up with medical management and repeat colonoscopy. All patients with grade III ischemia underwent bowel resection. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were collected to assess possible independent risk factors for and predictors of bowel ischemia. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients underwent emergent aortic reconstruction because of rAAA in the study period. Their mean age was 73 years, and 64 patients (72%) were men. Operative mortality was 42%. Eighteen percent of patients died within 24 hours, and 24% died between 1 and 30 days after surgery. Colonoscopy was performed in 62 of 72 patients who survived more than 24 hours. Bowel ischemia was documented in 26 of the 72 patients (36%). Of these, 16 patients had grade I or grade II ischemia at both initial and repeat endoscopy. Nine patients underwent exploratory laparotomy with bowel resection because of grade III ischemia; two procedures were performed because of worsening ischemia discovered at repeat colonoscopy. In patients with colonoscopic findings of bowel ischemia the mortality rate was 50% (13 of 26 patients). In those with grade III necrosis who underwent resection the mortality rate was 55%. Elevated lactate levels, immature white blood cells, and increased fluid sequestration were all variables associated with the occurrence of colon ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: Bowel ischemia is a frequent postoperative complication (42%) of repaired rAAA. Performing mandatory surveillance colonoscopy in these patients may be associated with a decrease in overall mortality and improved survival in patients with transmural bowel necrosis with no comorbid condition.     

The modified Puestow procedure for complicated hereditary pancreatitis in children

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy (modified Puestow procedure) in the treatment of complicated hereditary pancreatitis (HP) in children. METHODS: The authors reviewed their experience with the modified Puestow procedure for complicated HP in patients less than 18 years of age at a single tertiary care facility between 1973 and 1998. Main study outcomes included surgical morbidity and mortality, pre- and postoperative pancreatic function, number of hospitalizations, and percentile ideal body weight (IBW). RESULTS: Twelve patients (6 boys and 6 girls) with a mean age of 9.3 years were identified. Presenting diagnoses were abdominal pain (n = 10), failure to thrive (n = 4), pancreatic pleural effusion (n = 2), and pancreatic ascites (n = 1). Blood loss was greater in patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy to localize the duct (n = 6) than in those who underwent direct transpancreatic duct localization (n = 6; 29.1+/-6.8 v. 8.3+/-3.7 mL/kg; P = .03). Other complications in patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy included splenic devascularization requiring splenectomy (n = 1) and postoperative intraabdominal bleeding with subsequent left subphrenic abscess (n = 1). There was no surgical mortality. Five patients had steatorrhea preoperatively that resolved in 4 patients postoperatively and was well controlled in the fifth. Mean number of hospitalizations for pancreatitis in the 5 years after surgery were markedly less than in the 5 years preceding surgery (0.4+/-0.2 v. 3.5+/-0.5; P = .01, n = 9). Percentile ideal body weight tended to increase within the first postoperative year (24.6+/-6.8 v. 45.0+/-8.3; P = .07, n = 9), and by the third year this trend was clearly significant (27.0+/-7.2 v. 60.9+/-9.5; P = .01, n = 8). CONCLUSIONS: In children with complicated HP, the modified Puestow procedure improves the quality of life by improving pancreatic function, decreasing hospitalizations, and increasing the percentile ideal body weight. Direct pancreatic duct localization during the procedure had a lower morbidity rate than localization via distal pancreatectomy. It is our impression that surgery performed in the early stage of complicated disease may preserve pancreatic function.     

Ileocecectomy is definitive treatment for advanced appendicitis.

Although appendectomy is the most commonly performed emergency operation septic complications of appendectomy remain a major source of morbidity. Historically, advanced appendicitis has been treated by appendectomy with cecostomy and/or drainage tubes. Our objective was to evaluate the use of ileocecal resection for the immediate treatment of advanced appendicitis. We examined the cases of all patients undergoing ileocecal resection for appendicitis from August 1989 through April 2000. There were 92 patients (60 male and 32 female) with a median age of 34 (range 6-71). Abdominal pain was present in 98 per cent of patients with duration of 5.1+/-0.6 days. Right lower quadrant tenderness was present in 91 per cent with accompanying right lower quadrant mass in 30 per cent. Temperature on admission was 38.0+/-0.1 degrees C with a white blood cell count of 15,300+/-500. Preoperative radiological studies included abdominal X-rays (33), contrast enemas (two), CT scans (41), and abdominal ultrasound (17); these studies yielded a correct preoperative diagnosis in 89 per cent. Previous appendectomy had been performed in six patients with failed percutaneous drainage of intra-abdominal abscesses in five. There were 94 cecal resections performed in 92 patients. The extent of surgical resection varied between patients and ranged from partial cecectomy (34) to ileocecectomy (55) to ileocecectomy with diverting ileostomy (five). Intra-abdominal abscesses were present at operation in 46 cases (50%), and drains were placed in 38 (41%). Skin incisions were packed open in most cases (65); there was skin closure in 27. There was no mortality encountered in this period. There were 25 complications in 23 patients (25%). Complications included postoperative abscess (10; 11%), wound infection (10; 11%), partial small bowel obstruction (two) and pulmonary embolus (one). Reoperation was required in seven patients and CT-guided percutaneous drainage in five patients. Anastomic leaks occurred in two cases of partial cecectomy and required conversion to ileocecectomy. Mean hospital stay was 10.5+/-1.0 days with adjusted hospital costs of $31,689+/-3018. We conclude that definitive treatment of advanced appendicitis can be performed by resection of the involved areas of the ileocecum. This can be accomplished with a primary anastomosis obviating the need for ileostomy and secondary operation. This aggressive surgical approach may reduce infectious complications and reduce hospital costs.