Delayed massive hemorrhage after pancreatic and biliary surgery: embolization or surgery?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the management of delayed massive hemorrhage (DMH) after major pancreatic and biliary surgery. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Despite a decreased mortality rate for pancreatic and biliary surgery, DMH is still an important cause of postoperative mortality. The aim of the present study was to analyze the management of DMH after pancreatic and biliary surgery, and specifically to assess the role of embolization and surgical intervention. METHODS: The study group (SG) consisted of 1010 patients from 1994 to 2002 who underwent pancreatic or biliary surgery (cholecystectomy excluded). Patients from a previous study (1983-1993, n = 686) were used as a historical control group (HCG). RESULTS: The incidence of DMH (SG 2.3% vs. HCG 3.2%) declined somewhat but did not differ significantly between both periods. The number of patients with a septic complication (SG 74% vs. HCG 50%) and a sentinel bleed (SG 78% vs. HCG 100%) before the onset of DMH did not differ significantly. Embolization (SG 2 of 2 patients vs. HCG 0 of 2 patients) was not used frequently. Successful outcome after surgical intervention (SG 14 of 16 patients vs. HCG 8 of 14 patients) and the surgical procedures performed to obtain hemostasis were comparable and overall mortality (SG 22% vs. HCG 29%) was comparable. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of DMH declined somewhat from 3.2% to 2.3% over the past years. Most patients present with septic complications and a sentinel bleed before onset of DMH. Despite general acceptance of embolization in our unit, it was used infrequently in patients with DMH. Aggressive surgical intervention was the treatment of choice in patients with DMH after pancreatic or biliary surgery.     

Wrapping of skeletonized and divided vessels using the falciform ligament in distal pancreatectomy

BACKGROUND: A pancreatic fistula is a major cause of morbidity in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy (DP). A pancreatic fistula may expose skeletonized or divided vessels directly to pancreatic juice, creating a setting for vessel erosion and delayed intra-abdominal hemorrhage (DIH). With the aim of protecting vessels near the pancreatic stump from potential pancreatic fistulas, we have adopted a surgical option by which these vessels are wrapped using a pedicled falciform ligament. METHODS: After completing DP, the pedicled falciform ligament is spread out widely on major vessels exposed during resection near the pancreatic stump, and fixed to the surrounding retroperitoneal connective tissue. These procedures allow the complete separation of these vessels from the pancreatic stump. We reviewed the cases of 8 patients who underwent DP including these procedures. RESULTS: The mobilization of the falciform ligament and the wrapping of the vessels were successfully performed without any complications. Although 2 patients (14.5%) developed pancreatic fistulas, DIH did not occur in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The wrapping of the skeletonized and divided vessels using a pedicled falciform ligament is simple and easy, and may be an effective prophylactic measure against DIH following DP.     

Pyogenic liver abscess after hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery

From 1984 to 1998, a total of 2158 patients underwent hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, and 12 patients developed liver abscess after hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery; thus, the incidence of liver abscess was 0.6%. The main reasons for liver abscess were anastomotic stricture in 5 patients, obstruction of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) tube in 3 patients, and portal vein and hepatic artery obstruction due to intraoperative radiation in 1 patient, transportal chemotherapy in 1 patient, chemo-lipiodolization in 1 patient, and unknown in 1 patient. Ten of the 12 patients initially underwent percutaneous transhepatic abscess drainage of whom 2 patients subsequently received surgical drainage. The other 2 patients were treated with antibiotics only. Eight of the 12 patients were cured, but 4 patients died. The reasons for death were sepsis in 3 patients and liver failure due to portal vein and hepatic artery obstruction in 1 patient. Our results indicate that liver abscess should be taken into consideration for patients with risk factors.     

'Laparostomy': a technique for the management of intractable intra-abdominal sepsis

Following laparotomy for severe intra-abdominal sepsis, the abdominal cavity was left open to heal by granulation in 18 patients. In 14 patients, operation was required because of recurrent gastrointestinal perforation or anastomotic dehiscence. In three, the indication for this procedure was recurrent pancreatic abscess. Of the 17, 13 had previously undergone multiple operations which had failed to control sepsis. Laparostomy was performed as a primary procedure in only one case, a patient with fulminating pancreatitis requiring pancreatic necrosectomy. All patients received parenteral nutrition. The overall mortality was 28 per cent. However, there was only one death among the last 9 patients treated compared with 4 in the previous 9. The median sepsis score in the first 9 (19, range 10-26) was not significantly different (P greater than 0.05) from that in the subsequent 9 patients (17, range 8-21). Three of the four who had initially presented with severe acute pancreatitis died. No patient eviscerated and only 9 (50 per cent) required mechanical ventilation for a median duration of 5 days. The median time for wound healing was 10 weeks and 6 patients have subsequently undergone definitive surgery with satisfactory results. Laparostomy is a valuable technique in the management of severe, intractable intra-abdominal sepsis.     

经皮肝穿刺胆道置管引流术前减黄对胰十二指肠切除术后近期并发症的影响

目的 评价经皮肝穿刺胆道置管引流(percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage,PTBD)作为胰十二指肠切除术前减黄手段对于手术后结果的影响.方法 收集本院2001至2009年115例因胰头癌、胆管远端癌、壶腹癌、十二指肠乳头癌而行胰十二指肠切除患者的临床资料.患者术前采用PTBD作为减黄手段或未进行任何减黄处理,术前或引流前血清胆红素至少＞100 μmol/L且术前无胆管炎表现.115例患者分为PTBD组(42例),早期手术组(73例).对两组间胆瘘、胰瘘、腹腔感染、切口并发症、胃瘫、总并发症、围手术期死亡率、住院时间、住院费用等指标应用PEMS 3.1医学统计软件包进行统计检验.结果 围手术期死亡率PTBD组为2.38％(1例),早期手术组为2.74％(2例),差异无统计学意义.总并发症率PTBD组为54.76％(23例),早期手术组为50.68％(37例),差异无统计学意义.胆瘘、胰瘘、腹腔感染、切口并发症、胃瘫等观察指标也未显示统计学差异.在住院时间和住院费用方面,早期手术组明显优于PTBD组(P＜0.05),差异有统计学意义.结论 PTBD术前减黄对于降低因壶腹周围癌行胰十二指肠切除术术后并发症的作用有限.如果不存在胆管炎或手术需要推迟的原因,术前不需要常规PTBD减黄治疗.     

克罗恩病并发腹腔脓肿的临床特征与外科治疗

目的探讨克罗恩病(CD)合并腹腔脓肿的临床特征和外科治疗及预后。方法对2000-2005年间收治的142例CD患者其中合并腹腔脓肿的39例临床资料进行总结分析。结果本组CD患者合并腹腔脓肿的总发病率为27.5%,从发病到脓肿形成的时间范围为0-22年,平均5年。发病年龄(34.7±12.3)岁。24例(61.5%)患者既往有手术史;30例(76.9%)患者的脓肿发生在右侧腹,尤其是在吻合口附近(48.7%)。36例(92.3%)采取手术治疗,其中34例(34/36,94.4%)行手术引流加病变肠管切除,恢复良好。结论CD有较高的腹腔脓肿并发率,发病年龄多在35岁,将近50%发生在原吻合口;脓肿前的CD病程平均5年;手术方式以脓肿引流加病变肠管切除为主。     

Conservative treatment as an option in the management of pancreatic pseudocyst

BACKGROUND: Management of pancreatic pseudocysts is associated with considerable morbidity (15-25%). Traditionally, pancreatic pseudocysts have been drained because of the perceived risks of complications including infection, rupture or haemorrhage. We have adopted a more conservative approach with drainage only for uncontrolled pain or gastric outlet obstruction. This study reports our experience. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of 36 patients with pancreatic pseudocysts were treated over an 11-year period in one district general hospital serving a population of 310,000. This study group comprised of 19 men and 17 women with a median age of 55 years (range, 10-88 years). Twenty-two patients had a preceding attack of acute pancreatitis whilst 12 patients had clinical and radiological evidence of chronic pancreatitis. The aetiology comprised of gallstones (16), alcohol (5), trauma (2), tumour (2), hyperlipidaemia (1) and idiopathic (10). RESULTS: All patients were initially managed conservatively and intervention, either by radiological-assisted external drainage or cyst-enteric drainage (by surgery or endoscopy), was only performed for persisting symptoms or complications. Patients treated conservatively had 6 monthly follow-up abdominal ultrasound scans (USS) for 1 year. Fourteen of the 36 patients (39%) were successfully managed conservatively, whilst 22 patients required intervention either by percutaneous radiological drainage (12), by endoscopic cystogastrostomy (1) or by open surgical cyst-enteric anastomosis (9). Median size of the pancreatic pseudocysts in the 14 patients managed conservatively (7 cm) was nearly similar to that of the 22 patients requiring intervention (8 cm). The most common indications for invasive intervention in the 22 patients were persistent pain (16), gastric outlet obstruction (4), jaundice (1) and dyspepsia with weight loss (1). Although one patient required surgery for persistent pain, no other patients required urgent or scheduled surgery for complications of untreated pancreatic pseudocysts. Two of the 12 patients treated by percutaneous radiological drainage had recurrence of pancreatic pseudocysts requiring surgery. Two patients developed an intra-abdominal abscess following cyst-enteric drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts and one patient had a pulmonary embolism. On the mean follow-up of 37.3 months, one patient with alcoholic pancreatitis died 5 months after surgical cyst-enteric bypass. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that many patients with pancreatic pseudocysts can be managed conservatively if presenting symptoms can be controlled.     

经腹腔穿刺器置双套管引流治疗腹腔脓肿

目的 探讨经腹腔穿刺器(Trocar)置双套管引流在腹腔脓肿治疗中的应用.方法 回顾性分析2010年6-12月间在南京军区南京总医院接受经腹腔穿刺器置双套管引流的32例腹腔脓肿患者的临床资料.操作方法:超声与CT明确脓肿部位及大小后,在CT或超声下定位并明确穿刺深度,经腹腔穿刺器穿刺置双套管引流.结果 32例患者均成功穿刺,1例因胰腺癌术后出现肝转移合并多脏器功能衰竭死亡,1例因多发小肠瘘感染灶未局限需开腹手术引流;其余30例患者引流后感染症状逐渐缓解,并最终治愈,平均愈合时间为(7±3)d.2例合并穿刺处皮下出血,经局部压迫止血,出血停止.结论 经Trocar穿刺置入双套管引流治疗腹腔脓肿疗效满意,尤其适用于脓液黏稠或存在蜂窝织炎及坏死组织、脓肿呈多囊性且脓腔较大者.

Abstract：

Objective To study the effects of placement of double cannula using trocar puncture for intra-abdominal abscess drainage. Methods A retrospective study was performed to investigate the clinical data of 32 patients undergoing intra-abdominal abscess drainage with double cannula placed using trocar puncture between June 2010 and December 2010. Techniques: the location and size of the abscess was evaluated by ultrasound and CT. Placement of double cannula using trocar puncture was performed under CT or ultrasound guidance. Results Trocar puncture was successful in all the patients . One patient died of liver metastasis and multiple organ failure after surgery for pancreatic cancer. One patient required laparotomy and drainage because non-localization of sepsis from intestinal fistula. The remaining 30 patients experienced alleviation of septic symptoms after drainage and eventually cured. The mean healing time was (7±3) days. Two patients developed subcutaneous bleeding and were management by local compression. Conclusions Placement of double cannula using trocar puncture for intra-abdominal abscess drainage results in satisfactory outcomes. This technique is especially suitable for abscesses with viscous drainage, those with the presence of phlegmon or necrotic debris, and those with multiple large cavities.     

纳米刀消融治疗不可切除肝门部胆管癌的初步探索

目的:分析纳米刀消融治疗不可切除肝门部胆管癌的疗效与难点。方法:回顾性分析2016年1月—2018年6月郑州大学第五附属医院采用纳米刀消融技术治疗的26例不可切除肝门部胆管癌的临床资料。结果:全部患者顺利实施开腹纳米刀消融治疗。4例患者术中放置T管引流,11例术中放置胆道支架,4例术中放置胆道支架+放射性粒子链。8例手术前、后CA19-9均无明显升高;其余18例患者术前CA19-9明显升高,术后第1、3天进一步升高,后逐步下降。术后胆道出血1例,心房颤动2例,上消化道出血死亡1例,胆道感染3例,肝脓肿、腹腔脓肿、淋巴漏各1例,PTCD管脱落4例。22例(84.6%)患者术后胆管再通。26例患者总生存时间平均为(9.8±5.6)个月。结论:纳米刀消融治疗不可切除肝门部胆管癌安全、有效,联合胆道支架治疗可使患者获得更好疗效。     

Pancreatic transection from blunt abdominal trauma: early versus delayed diagnosis and surgical management

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pancreatic trauma is relatively uncommon, but carries high morbidity and mortality rates, especially when diagnosis is delayed or inappropriate surgery is attempted. PATIENT MATERIAL: The clinical course and surgical management of 14 patients with distal pancreatic transection or severe laceration with or without main pancreatic duct (MPD) injury caused by blunt abdominal trauma were analyzed in a university teaching hospital. The average age of the 14 patients (12 male, 2 female) was 28.9 years (range 5-56). Six patients had isolated pancreatic trauma, and intra-abdominal and extra-abdominal (mean 0.8) injuries associated with pancreatic transection were seen in the other 8 patients. RESULTS: Nine patients were diagnosed and operated on within the first 24 h. Eight of them underwent transection of the gland with MPD injury; distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy was performed in 3 and without splenectomy in 2, distal pancreatogastrostomy in 1, and - due to associated duodenal laceration and/or contusion of the pancreatic head - pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy in 2. In 1 case (grade II laceration) only external drainage was necessary. All the patients with early, correctly diagnosed parenchymal and ductal injury survived. Only 1 patient required reoperation due to haemorrhage after pancreatoduodenectomy. The other 5 cases were referred elsewhere after initial treatment, and all of them underwent some kind of external drainage. Three had undetected MPD injury, and in the other 2 cases the parenchymal lesions were either underestimated or missed. All of these cases required subsequent resection (1), internal drainage due to fistula (2), or drainage of developed abscess (2). Three of them had severe septic and pulmonary complications; 1 patient with MPD injury was lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: Patients requiring delayed surgical intervention after an unsuccessful period of observation or a subsequent operation due to undetected MPD injury demonstrated a higher rate of pancreas-specific mortality and morbidity.     

Clinical Diversity in Biliary Pancreatitis — Classification of Two Types

One hundred and seven patients with biliary pancreatitis undergoing operation from 1976 to 1989 were reviewed. To clarify the reason for failure to respond to conventional supportive therapy, 73 patients (68%) who underwent emergency surgery were retrospectively divided into two groups according to the severity of the pancreatitis evaluated at laparotomy and compared. Sixty-two had minimal or mild pancreatitis (Group I), among whom 44 (71%) had life-threatening acute biliary tract disease. All underwent biliary surgery and 4 (6%) subsequently died, 2 due to acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis. Eleven had hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis (Group II), among whom 7 had complications of acute pancreatitis such as pancreatic ascites or abscess. These underwent pancreatic and/or biliary surgery and 3 (27%) died of multi-organ failure.There appears to be two types of biliary pancreatitis refractory to conventional supportive therapy, which differ in the extent of surgery required and in mortality: (1) minimal or mild pancreatitis with persistent life-threatening acute biliary tract disease (biliary type), and (2) more severe pancreatitis (pancreas type) early in the course of the disease.     

保留十二指肠胰头切除术后并发症的防治体会

目的 探讨保留十二指肠胰头切除术后并发症的防治措施.方法 回顾性分析2003-2008年期间武汉协和医院胰腺中心行保留十二指肠胰头切除术56例病人的临床诊疗经过.结果 术后发生并发症13例(23.2%),包括胰瘘7例(12.5%),十二指肠瘘2例(5.4%);胆瘘1例(2.8%);腹膜后积液和感染2例(5.4%);腹腔大出血1例(2.8%).消化道瘘经支持治疗和维持通畅引流等治疗而痊愈,腹膜后积液和感染病人在B超引导下置管引流治愈,腹腔大出血者急诊选择性腹腔动脉造影显示胃十二指肠动脉分支破裂出血,经明胶海绵和不锈钢圈栓塞后治愈.结论 胰瘘、十二指肠瘘、胆瘘、腹腔感染和出血等是DPPHR术后主要并发症,严格掌握手术适应证,术中仔细操作,尽量保留十二指肠的血液供应是减少DPPHR术后并发症和提高手术成功率的关键,一旦出现并发症应采用正确的治疗方法 .     

Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Role of interventional radiologists in managing patients and complications

Although the mortality rate after pancreaticoduodenectomy has decreased, the morbidity rate remains high. Major morbidity is often managed with the aid of interventional radiologists. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cooperative roles of interventional radiologists and pancreatic surgeons in complex pancreatic surgery, specifically pancreaticoduodenectomy. Our pancreaticoduodenectomy database was reviewed for all patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2000. The interventional radiologic procedures for each patient were evaluated. A total of 1061 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. The overall mortality and morbidity rates were 2.3% and 35%, respectively. Five hundred ninety patients (56%) had no interventional radiologic procedures, whereas 471 patients (44%) had interventional radiologic procedures. Of those, 342 (32%) had preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) and 129 (12%) required postoperative interventional radiologic procedures. Percutaneous aspiration/catheter drainage was required in 84 patients for intra-abdominal abscess, biloma, or lymphocele, with 24 requiring two or more abscess drains. Thirty-nine patients underwent postoperative PBD for bile leaks due to anastomotic disruption, undrained biliary segments, or T-tube/ bile stent dislodgment. Eighteen patients had hemobilia/gastrointestinal bleeding treated by angiography with embolization. The reoperation rate for the entire cohort of 1061 patients was 4.1% (n = 43). Nineteen of the 129 patients (15%) requiring postoperative radiologic intervention required reoperation. Although 4 of 18 patients who required embolization for bleeding subsequently required surgical intervention for the same reason, only 4 of 84 patients undergoing abscess drainage later required operation for anastomotic disruption or unsuccessful percutaneous drainage. As would be expected, the patients who required postoperative radiologic intervention (n = 129) had a higher incidence of postoperative complications including pancreatic fistula (20% vs. 6%, P <0.01), bile leakage (22% vs. 1%, P< 0.01), and wound infection (16% vs. 8%, P < 0.01). With the complications in these 129 patients, the postoperative mortality rate was only 6.2% compared to 1.7% in patients who did not require radiologic intervention (n = 932, P< 0.01). The median postoperative length of stay was 15 days in those patients requiring postoperative radiologic intervention, 10 days in those not requiring intervention (P< 0.01; postoperative interventional radiology vs. no postoperative interventional radiology), and 29.5 days for patients needing reoperation. Interventional radiologists play a critical role in the management of some patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. Although complications such as anastomotic leaks, abscess formation, and bleeding can result in increased mortality and a longer hospital stay, the skills of the interventional radiology team provide expert management of some life-threatening complications, thus avoiding reoperation, speeding recovery times, and minimizing morbidity. Presented at the Forty-Third Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, San Francisco, California, May 19–22, 2002 (poster presentation).     

Percutaneous retrieval of a biliary stent after migration and ileal perforation

We present a case of a migrated biliary stent that resulted in a distal small bowel perforation, abscess formation and high grade partial small bowel obstruction in a medically stable patient without signs of sepsis or diffuse peritonitis. We performed a percutaneous drainage of the abscess followed by percutaneous retrieval of the stent. The entero-peritoneal fistula closed spontaneously with a drain in place. We conclude, migrated biliary stents associated with perforation distal to the Ligament of Trietz (LOT), may be treated by percutaneous drainage of the abscess and retrieval of the stent from the peritoneal cavity, even when associated with a large intra-abdominal abscess.     

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??Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of postpancreatectomy hemorrhage??A retrospective analysis of 518 patients JIANG Mai-tao??SONG Zeng-fu??JIANG Hong-chi??et al. Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery??the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University??Harbin 150001??China
Corresponding author??BAI Xue-wei??E-mail??baixuewei78@163.com
Abstract Objective To observe the effect of specific prevention and treatment measures for postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) in the intraoperative and postoperative period?? and explore the etiology??diagnosis and treatment of PPH. Methods The clinical data of 518 patients underwent pancreatic surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between 2008 and 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were devided into two groups??previous (from January 2008 to December 2010??267 cases) and recent group (from January 2011 to December 2013??251 cases)??according to whether to adopt prevention and treatment measures for PPH or not. The main prevention and treatment measures for PPH were as follows??(1) external stent drainage of the pancreatic duct??(2) application of LI's drainage tube??(3) pay attention to sentinel bleed??(4) strengthen rinse after surgery. Results The incidence of PPH in 518 patients was 8.1%. There were statistically significant differences in etiology??sites of bleeding??severity of PPH??treatment and prognosis between early and late hemorrhage (P<0.05). Compared with previous data??the recent group had significant differences in the incidence of PPH (5.6% vs. 10.5%??P=0.041)??proportion of C-level hemorrhage patients (7.1% vs. 46.4%??P=0.028)??treatment and prognosis. Pancreatic fistula rate in the recent group was lower than the previous group??17.9% vs. 25.5%??P=0.038??. The incidence of sentinel bleed in the recent group was 9.2%??of which 14 patients complicating with pancreatic fistula??and 8 patients who had sentinel bleed finally developed postpancreatectomy hemorrhage. Conclusion The causes of early PPH are mostly from the technical level. With prompt surgical treatment??the prognosis of PPH is good. Late hemorrhage is more severe??has more complex conditions and a higher mortality rate??and requires multidisciplinary treatment. Paying attention to sentinel bleed and application of prevention and treatment measures for PPH can reduce its incidence and damage.     

Distal pancreatectomy: does the method of closure influence fistula formation?

The appropriate closure of the pancreatic remnant after distal pancreatectomy is still debated. Suture techniques, stapled closure, and pancreaticoenteric anastomosis all have their supporters. In this study we have reviewed our data from distal pancreatectomy to determine whether the type of remnant closure or underlying pathologic process had any relation to postoperative fistula formation. We performed a retrospective chart review of patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy at our institution between 1993 and 2001. The charts were reviewed for morbidity and mortality. These were then related to the type of closure of the pancreatic stump. From 1993 to 2001 a total of 86 patients underwent distal pancreatectomy. Data were available on 85 patients. Indications for surgery were pancreatic tumor (69%), pancreatitis (14%), trauma (7%), and extra pancreatic disease (9%). Pancreatic fistula occurred in 14 per cent (N = 12), intra-abdominal abscess in 8 per cent (N = 7), and wound infection in 2 per cent (N = 2). There was no mortality in the series. The incidence of pancreatic fistula formation was not related to method of closure of the pancreatic remnant nor to the underlying pathologic process. Postoperative pancreatic fistulas will close spontaneously even without total parenteral nutrition.     

Intra-abdominal sepsis following pancreatic resection: incidence, risk factors, diagnosis, microbiology, management, and outcome

Intra-abdominal sepsis (IAS) following pancreatectomy is associated with the need for therapeutic intervention and may result in mortality. We retrospectively reviewed patients developing IAS following elective pancreatectomy. Risk factors for the development of sepsis were assessed. The microbiology of these infections was ascertained. The number and type of therapeutic interventions required and infectious-related mortality were recorded. One hundred ninety-six patients had a pancreatectomy performed, 32 (16.3%) of who developed IAS. Infected abdominal collections were diagnosed and therapeutically managed at a mean of 11.8 days after the index procedure (range, 4-33). Eleven of 32 (34%) of these infections were diagnosed on or before postoperative day 6, 10 of who had Whipple procedures. Statistically significant risk factors included an overt pancreatic fistula (18.8% vs 5.5%) and a soft pancreatic remnant (74.2% vs 42.3%), but not the lack of intra-abdominal drainage, an antecedent immunocompromised state, postoperative hemorrhage, or the preoperative placement of a biliary stent. Fifty-five per cent had polymicrobial infections and 26 per cent of isolates were resistant organisms. Nineteen per cent and 48 per cent of patients had an isolate positive for fungus and a Gram-positive organism, respectively. Forty-seven therapeutic interventions were used, including 10 reoperations. Length of stay was significantly prolonged in those with IAS (28.5 vs 15.2 days) and mortality was higher (15.6% vs 1.8%). We conclude: 1) septic morbidity after pancreatectomy is associated with a soft pancreatic remnant and an overt pancreatic fistula and in this series resulted in a prolonged length of stay and a significant increase in procedure-related mortality; 2) infected fluid collections may occur very early in the postoperative period before frank abscess formation, and an early threshold for diagnostic imaging and/or therapeutic intervention should be entertained in those with clinical deterioration; and 3) these infections are often polymicrobial and frequently include resistant and nonenteric organisms.     

X-ray computed tomography and percutaneous drainage change the indications for reoperation after digestive surgery

In order to assess the major clinical biological and radiological signs of an intra-abdominal abscess following digestive surgery as well as the place of automatic reoperation, this retrospective study analysed 79 patients requiring intensive therapy for such a complication since 1982. Surgery consisted in oesophagectomy (n = 38), hepatectomy or cholecystectomy (n = 12), pancreatic surgery (n = 17) and colectomy (n = 12). A postoperative abdominal abscess was recognized in 75 patients consisting in intrathoracic or intra-abdominal oesophageal fistulas (n = 31), pancreatic abscesses and fistulas (n = 17), peri- or intrahepatic abscesses (n = 11), colonic fistulas (n = 12) and acalculous cholecystitis. With regard to the intensity of symptomatology the patients have been allocated into 2 groups. In group I, including 12 patients, the infectious syndrome occurred early (3 first postoperative days), was severe and associated with positive blood cultures in 60% of cases. The patients were reoperated without previous CT-scanography. Four died postoperatively. In group II, including 67 patients, the symptomatology was more discrete. CT-scanography was highly beneficial, with discovery of an abscess in 90% of cases. In 20 patients, the abscess has been punctured and drained successfully by percutaneous route. In 6 patients with negative CT-scanography, an automatic reoperation resulted in the discovery of an abscess in 2 cases. Five out of 6 of these patients died postoperatively. It is concluded that in case of intraabdominal complication following digestive surgery: a) in case of early and severe symptomatology, a rapid reoperation is mandatory; b) CT-scanography has a high diagnostic value for abscess recognition in patients with discrete and delayed symptomatology; c) nearly one third of the abscesses can be treated successfully by percutaneous drainage; d) the value of automatic reoperations remains unsubstantiated.     

Determinants for successful percutaneous image-guided drainage of intra-abdominal abscess

HYPOTHESIS: Characteristics of intra-abdominal abscess can be used to predict successful outcome for percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD). METHODS: We performed a multicenter prospective study of patients who had intra-abdominal infections treated with PCD and intravenous antibiotics. Multivariate regression analysis determined predictors of successful outcome. RESULTS: The study included 96 patients (59% men; mean +/- SD age, 48 +/- 17 years; mean +/- SD Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, 7.4 +/- 4.9). Postoperative abscess was present in 53% of patients. Isolated microorganisms included Bacteroides species (17%), Escherichia coli (17%), Streptococcus species (14%), Enterococcus species (10%), and fungi (11%). Single abscesses were present in 83% of patients. Computed tomographic guidance was used for drainage in 80% of patients, and ultrasound was used in 20%. The duration of abscess drainage was less than 14 days in 64%. Complete resolution of the infection with a single treatment of PCD was achieved in 67 patients (70%), and with a second attempt in 12 (12%). Thirty-three patients (34%) had PCD for the resolution of intra-abdominal sepsis prior to an elective, definitive procedure. Open drainage as a result of PCD failure was required in 15 (16%) and was more likely in patients with yeast (P<.001) or a pancreatic process (P =.02). Postoperative abscess (P =.04) was an independent predictor of successful outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous catheter drainage of intra-abdominal infections was effective with a single treatment in 70% of patients and increased to 82% with a second attempt. A successful outcome is most likely with abscesses that are postoperative, not pancreatic, and not infected with yeast. Percutaneous catheter drainage is now a commonly used staging method for the resolution of intra-abdominal sepsis prior to corrective operation.     

Etiology, diagnosis and treatment of hepatic abscesses after biliary tract surgery

The majority of hepatic abscesses of biliary tract origin are the result of suppurative or non suppurative cholangitis, caused either by common duct stones, inflammatory stricture or malignancies. We report our experience of 7 consecutive liver abscesses after biliary tract surgery, treated in our surgical unit over a 2-year period, there were 6 females and 1 male with an age of 41 to 83 years. Hepatic abscess after biliary surgery developed from 10 days to 14 months postoperatively. Two patients underwent primary surgical drainage and remained clinically well 6 months and 2 years postoperatively. Five patients initially had percutaneous drainage and 4 of them subsequently underwent operative drainage; one patient declined any further operative treatment after percutaneous drainage and died 8 days later from continuing sepsis. Multiple factors may account for the development of both cholangitis and hepatic abscess following biliary tract procedures. Radiologic investigation should not only focus on the abscess itself but must also identify underlying biliary pathology. Our experience suggests that a surgical approach may be preferable to percutaneous techniques as it allows appropriate management of the associated biliary pathology.