Surgical technique in constructing the jejunojejunostomy and the risk of small bowel obstruction after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

BackgroundMechanical problems at the level of the jejunojejunostomy (JJ) have been identified as a cause of small bowel obstruction (SBO) after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).ObjectivesThe objective of the study was to investigate associations between specific surgical techniques used to construct the JJ and the subsequent risk of SBO.SettingNationwide Registry, Sweden.MethodsThe risk of SBO after primary RYGB surgery during 2012–2019 was assessed using data from the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry and the Swedish National Patient Register. The impact of unidirectional or bidirectional stapling and length of the mesenteric division (0, 1–4, or ≥5 cm) at the JJ was analyzed with adjustments for known covariates.ResultsWe analyzed outcomes from 23,448 patients (mean follow-up = 4.3 ± 2.2 yr). In multivariate analysis, bidirectional stapling of the JJ was associated with a reduced 30-day risk of SBO (hazard ratio [HR] = .52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .29–.95, P < .05), whereas limited mesenteric division (1–4 cm) increased the risk of SBO (HR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.14–2.42, P < .01). The long-term incidence of SBO was increased by bidirectional stapling but unaffected by mesenteric division. However, mesenteric division decreased the long-term risk of SBO in patients with a bidirectionally stapled JJ (1–4 cm, HR = .59, 95% CI = .38–.90, P < .05; ≥5 cm, HR = .30, 95% CI = .14–.65, P < .005).ConclusionsThe surgical technique for construction of the JJ may affect the incidence of SBO after RYGB surgery.     

Use of Tissue Plasminogen Activator as a Surrogate Measure for Central Venous Catheter Dysfunction and Survival Outcome in Children with Cancer: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Central venous catheter (CVC) dysfunction is often associated with thrombosis, which in turn has been linked with poorer survival outcomes in cancer patients. Our objective was to examine the association of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administration as a surrogate measure of CVC dysfunction with survival in pediatric cancer patients. The present study uses data from a population-based retrospective cohort of pediatric oncology patients from the Canadian Maritime provinces treated between 2000 and 2017 at the IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS. Demographics, diagnosis, date of death or date of last visit, and tPA use for CVC dysfunction were obtained from clinical databases and the provincial Cancer in Young People in Canada registry. The association between tPA administration and survival was examined using a Cox regression model adjusted for sex, age at diagnosis, cancer type, thrombosis, CVC duration, diagnosis era, and treatment modalities. Out of 821 patients, 206 received one or more doses of tPA during upfront therapy. The death rate was 21% and 15% respectively in patients who did and did not receive tPA. In the adjusted regression model, after receiving one or more doses of tPA, children had significantly poorer survival as compared to those that did not receive tPA (HR: 1.496, 95% CI: 1.019, 2.197). CVC dysfunction may be associated with a poorer prognosis in pediatric cancer patients. Future studies should corroborate these findings in other populations, examine the influence of other potential confounders, and determine the role of CVC dysfunction in prognostic models of cancer survival.     

Airway management in children with cleft palate and/or micrognathia

Cleft lip and/or palate is the commonest congenital craniofacial abnormality affecting approximately 1 in 700 newborns each year. It comprises of a heterogenous group of disorders affecting facial growth and cosmesis, that are associated with increased risk of airway obstruction, sleep disordered breathing (SDB), glue ear and chronic ear disease, feeding difficulties, and failure to thrive (FTT). Cleft palate (CP) can be accompanied by an abnormally undersized jaw, known as micrognathia; although micrognathia can also be found in isolation. The craniofacial abnormalities found in these children can lead to a reduction in airway size due to the tongue falling backwards. The risk of airway obstruction ranges from intermittent airway collapse during sleep (obstructive sleep apnoea, OSA) to potentially life-threatening airway compromise necessitating intubation or a tracheostomy. This paper sets out to describe the pathophysiology of airway compromise in these children, recognising clinical symptoms and appropriate referral strategy, as well as a broad range of management options.     

翁维良教授活血通络法治疗多发性大动脉炎长时医案举隅

大动脉炎是一种慢性进行性非特异性炎性疾病，以抗炎、抑制免疫、扩血管等内科治疗为主，由于大动脉炎具有反复发作的特点，因此如何控制病情发展、减少受累血管、控制血压、缓解症状成为治疗的重点与难点。文章系统分析翁维良教授应用活血通络法治疗大动脉炎长时医案1则（治疗33 a），通过对其诊治思路、用药经验进行分析，总结出翁教授在活血通络基础上，根据疾病不同发展阶段本虚标实的偏盛，运用搜风通络、清热解毒、清肝平肝治疗大动脉炎的临证经验。     

Management of acute sigmoid volvulus: A Tunisian experience

Background/objectiveSigmoid volvulus is the most common type of volvulus. Its epidemiological features, as well as its management, differ between developed and developing countries. This work aims to analyze the epidemiological features thus allowing to compare them to the rest of the “volvulus belt’’ and assess the surgical management of sigmoid volvulus in Tunisia.MethodThis is a retrospective review of 64 patients with sigmoid volvulus treated in the General Surgery department of Jendouba Hospital. January 2005–December 2019.Results64 patients were treated for acute sigmoid volvulus. The sex ratio male to female ratio was 5.4/1 with male predominance. 5.4:1 (54 males to 10 females). The mean age was 62 years. The classic triad of intestinal occlusion was reported in 56 patients. The mean duration of symptoms was 4.2 days. An accurate preoperative diagnosis was made in 58 cases. Forty patients had a viable bowel obstruction, and all of them had a resection and primary anastomosis. Sixteen patients had a gangrenous bowel obstruction, of which 6 patients had resection-primary anastomosis, and 10 had Hartmann's procedure. Out of the total five deaths reported, there were only two among patients who had resection-primary anastomosis for gangrenous bowel obstruction. The most common postoperative complication was wound infections in 5 cases. The median length of hospital stay following surgery was 8 days. No recurrences of volvulus after a median follow-up of 11 months.ConclusionsAlthough Tunisia belongs to the volvulus belt, the epidemiologic features of sigmoid volvulus tend rather be similar to those of developed countries. The use of primary surgery, if no endoscopy is performed, is a good alternative. For patients who have contraindications for endoscopic treatment, surgical treatment is the only option.     

Long-term outcomes of colonic stent as a "bridge to surgery"for left-sided malignant large-bowel obstruction

BackgroundThe role of self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) as a bridge to surgery in left-sided malignant colonic obstruction is still debated. Here we assess the morbidity, mortality and long-term oncological outcomes as a bridge to surgery for patients with left-sided malignant colonic obstruction.MethodProspective observational study with retrospective analysis of patients with left-sided malignant colonic obstruction undergoing stenting. April 2006–April 2018. We assessed all patients with intent-to treat and per protocol analyses and long-term follow-up variables.ResultsColonic stent was performed in 117 patients. Technical and clinical success of SEMS placement: 94.4% (111/117), only 4.3% perforation. Elective surgery resection following the strategy of SEMS was performed in 83.8% (98/117). A laparoscopic approach was: 25.6% (30/117); 76.9% in the last two years. Primary anastomosis rate: 92.8% (91/98), without protective stoma in any patients. Anastomotic leakage rate: 8.2% (8/97). Median follow-up: 44.5 months (range 0–109). The intent-to-treat analysis showed overall and disease-free survival rates of 63.3% (74/117) and 58.1% (68/117), and local and distant recurrence rates: 9.4% (11/117) and 58.1% (68/117). In the per protocol analysis, overall and disease-free survival rates: 63.2% (62/98) and 60.2% (58/98), and local and distant recurrence rates: 10.2% (10/98) and 36.7% (36/98). Disease progression was predominantly observed during the first 5 years' follow-up as disease recurrence; after five years' follow-up, 60% of the patients were disease-free.ConclusionsAccording to the results of the study SEMS as a bridge to surgery achieves perioperative results comparable to non-occlusive colonic cancer surgery and does not adversely affect long-term oncological outcomes. Further investigations are needed.     

微创经皮肾镜取石术与输尿管镜下碎石术治疗输尿管上段嵌顿性结石的疗效比较

目的 比较微创经皮肾镜取石术(mPCNL)与输尿管镜下碎石术(URL)治疗输尿管上段嵌顿性结石中的疗效及安全性。方法 回顾性分析2017年1月至2019年2月在本院收治的85例输尿管上段嵌顿性结石患者的临床资料。38例患者采用mPCNL术（mPCNL组），47例患者采用URL术（URL组），比较两组患者的手术时间、术后住院时间、并发症发生率、术后3～5 d的结石清除率、术后30 d的结石清除率情况。结果 mPCNL组手术时间、术后住院时间明显大于URL组，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 手术效果方面，mPCNL组术后3～5 d结石清除率[100%（38/38）]明显高于URL组[85.1%（40/47）]，术后1个月mPCNL组结石清除率[100%（38/38）]明显高于URL组[93.6%（44/47）]，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 术后并发症方面，mPCNL组总并发症发生率为13.2%（5/38）、URL组为128%（6/47），差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 mPCNL与URL对输尿管上段嵌顿性结石均具有良好疗效，而mPCNL在不明显增加手术并发症的基础上具有更好的结石清除率，可作为一种常规方法。     

隔药灸神阙八阵穴对术后粘连性肠梗阻患者疗效及炎性反应因子的影响

目的：探讨隔药灸神阙八阵穴对术后粘连性肠梗阻（AIO）患者疗效及血清白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）水平的影响。方法：选取2013年1月至2017年4月唐山市人民医院收治的行腹腔手术患者280例作为研究对象，按照随机数字表法随机分为对照组和观察组，每组140例，对照组采用常规治疗；观察组在对照组基础上给予隔药灸神阙八阵穴，均治疗1周。比较2组患者临床疗效、治疗后肠功能评分、治疗前后胃动素（MOT）水平、IL-6、TNF-α水平。结果：观察组总有效率为91.43%，显著高于对照组77.14%（P<0.05）；治疗后，观察组恢复排气时间、腹部症状缓解时间、肠鸣音恢复时间均短于对照组（P<0.05）、2组患者MOT水平均低于治疗前，且观察组的MOT水平低于对照组（P<0.05）、2组患者的血清IL-6、TNF-α水平均显著低于治疗前，且观察组的血清IL-6、TNF-α水平均低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：隔药灸神阙八阵穴治疗AIO疗效显著，能改善患者胃肠功能，降低MOT水平，有效调节血清IL-6、TNF-α水平。