Merits, demerits and methods of preoperative biliary drainage for malignant obstructive jaundice

One hundred twenty-four patients with malignant obstructive jaundice undergoing Whipple's procedure were divided into two groups. Group I, 72 patients with an average preoperative serum bilirubin level of 13.3 mg/dl underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy after the level dropped to 5.88 mg/dl by preoperative external biliary drainage (21 patients with PTCD and 51 with cholecystostomy). Group II, 52 patients with a mean bilirubin level of 7.18 mg/dl received Whipple' procedure without preoperative drainage. There was no significant difference in mortality and morbidity between the two groups. We believed that biliary drainage is essential to patients with severe jaundice, otherwise the mortality and morbidity would be much higher AS to method of biliary drainage, we recommend cholecystostomy in hands not skillful with PTCD.     

Bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase values before and after surgery for biliary obstruction

From a study of 178 patients who underwent operation for biliary obstruction, we found that preoperative bilirubin values above 14 mg/dl and alkaline phosphatase values over 5 times normal meant that common duct stones were an unlikely cause of the obstruction. Jaundice for more than 4 weeks before operation, bilirubin values greater than 10 mg/dl and the presence of significant fibrosis in the portal spaces indicated a lower than average chance of postoperative resolution of jaundice. After successful biliary surgery, the rate of decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase was haphazard and of little diagnostic value. The postoperative rate of decrease in the bilirubin values followed first-order kinetics and averaged 8 percent/day. This rate was not significantly influenced by the disease process, the length of preoperative clinical jaundice or the absolute height of the preoperative serum bilirubin level.     

Effect of Jejunal and Biliary Decompression on Postoperative Complications and Pancreatic Leakage Arising from Pancreatojejunostomy after Pancreatoduodenectomy

Background Since its introduction, reconstruction after pancreatoduodenectomy has undergone numerous modifications, leading to a dramatic decline in the mortality rate. However, the reported morbidity rate, due mainly to pancreatic leakage, still remains high. Methods Between January 1999 and April 2005, 102 consecutive patients underwent pancreatojejunostomy after pancreatoduodenectomy. Patients treated by biliary decompression alone (n = 58) were compared with patients treated by jejunal decompression alone (n = 40). Four patients who underwent both biliary and jejunal decompression were excluded from the study. Results Patients who underwent jejunal decompression had a significantly lower incidence of overall postoperative complications (P = 0.028), pancreatic leakage (P = 0.009), and infection (P = 0.011) than patients who underwent biliary decompression. Only one patient who underwent biliary decompression died as a direct result of pancreatic leakage. Conclusions Discontinuation of biliary decompression with postoperative jejunal decompression using tube jejunostomy may be a good option in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy, because it appears to reduce the incidence of overall postoperative complications, pancreatic leakage, and infection.     

Percutaneous transhepatic drainage for malignant biliary obstruction

Percutaneous transhepatic drainage ( PTHD ) is an adjunct in the management of malignant biliary obstruction. It can be used for two purposes: as a palliative measure alone or as part of the preoperative preparation. This study assesses the efficacy of this technique. The charts of all patients undergoing PTHD were reviewed, and the data were collated according to the intent of catheterization. In the palliative group (18 patients), bilirubin levels fell from 20 +/- 1.8 to 10 +/- 1.9 mg/dl. PTHD complications developed in 14 (78%), the 1-month mortality was 56 per cent (10/18), and all of the patients have died (mean, 2.3 months). In the preoperative group (17 patients), bilirubin levels fell from 17 +/- 1.4 to 6 +/- 0.6 mg/dl, PTHD complications developed in three (18%), and postoperative complications occurred in five (30%). All patients in the preoperative group survived operation, 11 of 16 dying a mean of 4.5 months postoperatively. The five surviving patients have lived 2 to 25 months. The authors conclude that PTHD significantly lowers the serum bilirubin in both preoperative and palliative groups. In the preoperative group, its use is associated with low morbidity and may improve the patient's preoperative condition. In the palliative group, PTHD is associated with an appreciable morbidity that tempers the enthusiasm for its routine use in this circumstance.     

Endotoxemia in obstructive jaundice. Observations on cause and clinical significance

Perioperative endotoxemia was detected in 24 of 40 patients who underwent operation for obstructive jaundice (bilirubin level greater than 5.8 mg/dl). Endotoxemia was associated with an increased admission serum bilirubin level (p less than 0.05) and white blood cell count (p less than 0.05) and a decreased hematocrit value (p less than 0.05), but there was no significant association with other established preoperative risk factors. Patients with preoperative endotoxemia had a decreased immunoglobulin M anti-J5 endotoxin titer (p less than 0.05) and a decreased serum bile acid concentration (p less than 0.05). Preoperative endotoxemia was associated with reduced creatinine clearance before and after operation (p less than 0.05). There was no association between endotoxemia and clinical sepsis, gram-negative infection, or small-bowel colonization. Patients who died had increased preoperative serum fibrin degradation products (p less than 0.05).     

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.     

Value of preoperative drainage of the bile ducts in obstructive jaundice]

Hepato-biliary surgery for obstructive jaundice is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Experimental and clinical studies on obstructive jaundice revealed endotoxaemia, coagulation disorders and depressed immune function. Many studies have been carried out to identify the operative risk factors. The serum bilirubin level seemed to be a significant factor. Biliary decompression via a percutaneous or endoscopic retrograde approach was therefore proposed to improve the surgical outcome. The first retrospective studies have suggested a reduction of morbidity and mortality. Subsequent randomized studies have not confirm the benefit of preoperative biliary drainage because of procedure-related complications. The article reviews the literature on preoperative biliary drainage and proposes the indications, choice of method and optimal duration of biliary drainage.     

Renal dysfunction after myocardial revascularization.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we evaluate the incidence of and analyse the pre and intraoperative risk factors for the development of postoperative renal dysfunction (PRD), and the impact of such an event on perioperative mortality and on hospital length of stay. In addition, we sought to investigate the influence of a mildly increased serum creatinine (1.3-2.0 mg/dl) on perioperative mortality and morbidity. METHODS: The study included 2445 consecutive patients who had no pre-existing renal disease (creatinine or=2.1 mg/dl with a preoperative-to-postoperative increase >or=0.9 mg/dl. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed where appropriate. RESULTS: Global 30-day mortality was 0.7%. The incidence of PRD was 5.6% (136 patients). Mortality for patients who experienced PRD was 8.8 vs. 0.1% for patients who did not (P<0.001). PRD increased the length of hospital stay by 3.4 days (7.6 vs. 11.0 days; P<0.001), and patients who needed haemodialysis (11%) had a perioperative mortality of 33.3% and a mean hospital length of stay of 16 days. Multivariable logistic regression identified the following variables as independent predictors of PRD: age (P=0.017; odds ratio (OR) 1.3 per 10 years), angina class III/IV (P=0.003; OR 1.7); cardiopulmonary bypass time (P=0.007; OR 1.01 per minute); preoperative serum creatinine levels: group 1 (1.3-1.6 mg/dl (P<0.001; OR 5.5)) and group 2 (1.7-2.0 mg/dl (P<0.001; OR 14.2)). Finally, a mild elevation of the preoperative creatinine level (1.3-2.0 mg/dl) increased significantly the probability of perioperative mortality, low cardiac output, haemodialysis and prolonged hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Although the likelihood of PRD in patients without pre-existing renal dysfunction is relatively low, it dramatically increases mortality, morbidity and length of stay after CABG. Mildly elevated (>1.2 mg/dl) preoperative serum creatinine level significantly increases the perioperative mortality and morbidity.     

Effect of preoperative biliary drainage on surgical outcome after pancreatoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND: The role of preoperative biliary drainage in patients with biliary obstruction undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy remains controversial. Several authors failed to show any effect of preoperative biliary drainage, whereas others even reported an increased morbidity following pancreatoduodenectomy. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed in a consecutive series of 257 patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy between November 1993 and November 1999. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients (38%) underwent preoperative biliary drainage for a median time period of 10 days (range 1 to 41) prior to resection. Cumulative postoperative morbidity was 47% (120 patients), the reoperation rate was 4.3% (11 patients), and mortality was 2.3% (6 patients). There was no difference in total morbidity, infectious complications, reoperation rate, mortality, or long-term survival between patients with or without preoperative biliary drainage. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative biliary instrumentation and biliary drainage do not affect early or late outcome in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy.     

Safety and Effectiveness of Left Hepatic Trisegmentectomy for Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Left hepatic trisegmentectomy has been performed for huge malignant tumors, but it is rarely applied in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Twelve consecutive patients (7 men and 5 women; mean age, 64 years) underwent left hepatic trisegmentectomy in our institution between January 2000 and December 2003. The preoperative management and postoperative outcomes of this surgical procedure were presented and retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative biliary drainage and portal vein embolization were performed in 6 patients (50%) and 9 patients (75%), respectively. The preoperative estimated volume ratio of the posterior segment /the whole liver was 44.8 ± 7.0% (34.3–54.3), the plasma retention rate of indocyanine green at 15 minutes was 8.6 ± 2.2% (4.7–13.7), and the serum total bilirubin level before surgery was 1.0 ± 0.4 mg/dl (0.4–1.7). The serum total bilirubin level on the first postoperative day was 3.3 ± 0.4 mg/dl (1.4–6.2). There was no hospital death or postoperative hepatic failure. The incidence of positive resectional margin was 25%. With biliary decompression and preoperative portal embolization techniques, left hepatic trisegmentectomy was a safe and curative resectional option for hilar cholangiocarcinoma.     

Preoperative Biliary Drainage of Severely Jaundiced Patients Increases Morbidity of Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Results of a Case-Control Study

Background

Recent studies have indicated that preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) should not be routinely performed in patients suffering from obstructive jaundice before surgery. The severity of jaundice that mandates PBD has yet to be defined. Our aim was to investigate whether PBD is truly justified in severely jaundiced patients before pancreaticoduodenectomy. The parameters evaluated were overall morbidity, length of hospital stay, and total in-hospital mortality.

Methods

From January 2000 to December 2012, a total of 240 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary tumors. Group A comprised 76 patients with preoperative serum bilirubin ≥15 mg/dl who did not undergo PBD before surgery. Group B comprised another 76 patients, matched for age and tumor localization (papillary vs. pancreatic head) who underwent PBD 2–4 weeks before pancreaticoduodenectomy and were identified from the same database.

Results

Less operative time was required in the ‘no PBD’ group compared with the ‘PBD’ group (210 vs. 240 min). Total intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusions were also significantly less in the ‘no PBD’ group. There was no difference detected in the rate of pancreatic fistula or biliary fistula formation. Group A patients demonstrated significantly lower morbidity than group B (24 vs. 36 %, respectively) and therefore required briefer hospitalization (11 vs. 16 days). Mild infectious complications appear to be the main factor that enhanced morbidity in the PBD group. However, total in-hospital mortality was not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusions

Even severe jaundice should not be considered as an indication for PBD before pancreaticoduodenectomy, as PBD increases infections and postoperative morbidity, therefore delaying definite treatment.     

Effect of Preoperative Biliary Decompression on Pancreaticoduodenectomy-Associated Morbidity in 300 Consecutive Patients

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between preoperative biliary drainage and the morbidity and mortality associated with pancreaticoduodenectomy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Recent reports have suggested that preoperative biliary drainage increases the perioperative morbidity and mortality rates of pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: Peri-operative morbidity and mortality were evaluated in 300 consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done to evaluate the relationship between preoperative biliary decompression and the following end points: any complication, any major complication, infectious complications, intraabdominal abscess, pancreaticojejunal anastomotic leak, wound infection, and postoperative death. RESULTS: Preoperative prosthetic biliary drainage was performed in 172 patients (57%) (stent group), 35 patients (12%) underwent surgical biliary bypass performed during prereferral laparotomy, and the remaining 93 patients (31%) (no-stent group) did not undergo any form of preoperative biliary decompression. The overall surgical death rate was 1% (four patients); the number of deaths was too small for multivariate analysis. By multivariate logistic regression, no differences were found between the stent and no-stent groups in the incidence of all complications, major complications, infectious complications, intraabdominal abscess, or pancreaticojejunal anastomotic leak. Wound infections were more common in the stent group than the no-stent group. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative biliary decompression increases the risk for postoperative wound infections after pancreaticoduodenectomy. However, there was no increase in the risk of major postoperative complications or death associated with preoperative stent placement. Patients with extrahepatic biliary obstruction do not necessarily require immediate laparotomy to undergo pancreaticoduodenectomy with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates; such patients can be treated by endoscopic biliary drainage without concern for increased major complications and death associated with subsequent pancreaticoduodenectomy.     

Biliary bile acid concentration is a simple and reliable indicator for liver function after hepatobiliary resection for biliary cancer

BACKGROUND: The functional recovery of the remnant liver after an extended hepatectomy is critical for the outcome of the patient. The aim of this prospective study was to examine whether biliary bile acids could be an indicator for postoperative liver function. METHODS: Externally drained bile samples were obtained from 51 patients with biliary or periampullary carcinomas before and after surgery. Patients were categorized into 3 groups: group A, 29 hepatectomized patients without liver failure; group B, 7 hepatectomized patients with liver failure (maximum serum bilirubin level, >10 mg/dL); and group C, 15 patients who underwent biliopancreatic resection without hepatectomy, with a good postoperative course. Bile samples were withdrawn 1 day before surgery and on postoperative days 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7. Total bile acids were measured with a 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase method. RESULTS: Before surgery, the concentration of bile acids was higher in groups A and C than in group B, and correlated significantly with the indocyamine green disappearance rate (KICG) values (R(2) = 0.557; P <.0001). After surgery, bile acid concentrations decreased in all 3 groups until postoperative day 2, which was followed by a gradual increase. The concentration recovered to the preoperative level in groups A and C but remained low in group B. Biliary bile acid concentrations on day 2 correlated significantly with remnant liver KICG values (R(2) = 0.257; P =.0019). Among several parameters studied, including KICG, remnant liver KICG, biliary bile acids, and biliary bilirubin, biliary bile acid concentration had the most predictive power for occurrence of postoperative liver failure. CONCLUSION: Biliary bile acid concentration could be a simple, real-time, reliable indicator of preoperative and postoperative liver function.     

Influence of preoperative biliary drainage on postoperative morbidity and mortality after pancreatoduodenectomy

Pancreatoduodenectomy is the only potentially curative treatment for peripapillary tumors. However, postoperative mortality remains as high as 5% and as many as 50% of patients have postoperative morbidity. Preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and placement of a biliary drainage stent aim to achieve a precise diagnosis, reduce jaundice and improve the results of surgery for biliary malignancies, but the effectiveness of preoperative biliary drainage in the prevention of postoperative infections is controversial. A retrospective analysis was performed in a series of 58 patients with periampullary tumors who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy and the relationship between preoperative biliary drainage and postoperative complications was examined. Biliary drainage (25.8%) before pancreatoduodenectomy was significantly associated with more frequent biliary and pancreatic anastomotic leakage (60% with drainage versus 20.9% without drainage), higher postoperative morbidity, and greater mean postoperative length of hospital stay (33.3 days with drainage versus 21.6 without drainage). No significant difference was found between the two groups in postoperative mortality at 30 days (13.7%). The effectiveness of biliary drainage before surgery in patients with pancreatic and peripancreatic lesions has not been well established, but we believe that this procedure should be avoided whenever possible in patients with potentially resectable pancreatic and peripancreatic lesions. Prospective randomized studies are required to clarify the indications for preoperative biliary drainage in these patients.     

Safe and Permissible Limits of Hepatectomy in Obstructive Jaundice Patients

The safe and permissible limits of hepatectomy in obstructive jaundice patients and the usefulness of preoperative portal embolization (PE) for increasing the limit for safe hepatectomy were examined. We classified 416 patients with hepatectomy performed over 9 years under the following headings: normal liver function (n = 242); chronic hepatitis (n = 71); liver cirrhosis (n = 64); and liver after relief of obstructive jaundice (n = 39). Hepatectomy was done after the total bilirubin level was reduced below 3 mg/dl by preoperative biliary drainage. Factors influencing the maximum total bilirubin level measured within 2 weeks after hepatectomy were investigated, and this level was taken to reflect the degree of surgical stress. PE was carried out in 18 patients with obstructive jaundice. The maximum total bilirubin, expressed as a logarithm, was significantly correlated with the percent of liver resected in all groups. Hepatectomy followed by a maximum total bilirubin of less than 8.5 mg/dl was accepted as safe, and hepatectomy followed by a bilirubin level of 14.4 mg/dl was deemed the maximum permissible resection. On the basis of these results, the safe and permissible limits of hepatectomy in patients with obstructive jaundice were 48.7% and 71.6%, respectively. PE decreased the maximum total bilirubin from 8.5 mg/dl to 3.9 mg/dl when 48.7% of the liver (a safe proportion in all cases) was resected; PE increased the safe limit of hepatectomy from 48.7% to 67.4% when a maximum posthepatectomy total bilirubin level of 8.5 mg/dl was accepted as safe.     

Pancreaticoduodenectomy after placement of endobiliary metal stents

Contemporary treatment programs for patients with potentially resectable pancreatic cancer often involve preoperative therapy. When the duration of preoperative therapy exceeds 2 months, the risk of plastic endobiliary stent occlusion increases. Metal stents have much better patency but may complicate subsequent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). We evaluated rates of perioperative morbidity, mortality, and stent complications in 272 consecutive patients who underwent PD at our institution from May 2001 to November 2004. Of these 272 patients, 29 (11%) underwent PD after placement of a metal stent, 141 underwent PD after placement of a plastic stent, 10 had PD after biliary bypass without stenting, and 92 had PD without any form of biliary decompression. No differences were found between the Metal Stent group and all other patients in median operative time, intraoperative blood loss, or length of hospital stay. No perioperative deaths occurred in the Metal Stent group versus 3 (1.2%) deaths in the other 243 patients. The incidence of major perioperative complications was similar between the two groups, including the rates of pancreatic fistula, intra-abdominal abscess, and wound infection. Furthermore, there were no differences in the perioperative morbidity or mortality rates between patients who underwent preoperative biliary decompression with a stent of any kind (metal or plastic) and those patients who underwent no biliary decompression at all. Metal stent-related complications occurred in 2 (7%) of 29 patients during a median preoperative interval of 4.1 months; in contrast, 75 (45%) of the 166 patients who had had plastic stents experienced complications, including 98 stent occlusions, during a median preoperative interval of 3.9 months (P < 0.001). We conclude that the use of expandable metal stents does not increase PD-associated perioperative morbidity or mortality, and as such an expandable metal stent is our preferred method of biliary decompression in patients with symptomatic malignant distal bile duct obstruction in whom surgery is not anticipated, or in whom there is a significant delay in the time to surgery. Presented at the Forty-Sixth Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Chicago, Illinois, May 14–18, 2005 (oral presentation). Supported by the Lockton Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.     

Efficacy of preoperative biliary tract decompression in patients with obstructive jaundice

Fifty consecutive matched patients with benign or malignant biliary tract obstruction were compared to determine the efficacy of preoperative percutaneous biliary drainage (PBD). Twenty-five patients underwent PBD for an average of nine days before operation; 25 patients underwent percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography ( PTHC ) followed immediately by operation. Serum bilirubin levels before PTHC were 16.5 +/- 7.6 mg/dL and 14.9 +/- 7.6 mg/dL in PBD and non-PBD groups, respectively. Serum bilirubin levels decreased to 6.5 +/- 6.2 mg/dL preoperatively in patients having PBD. One week after operation, bilirubin levels were 4.2 +/- 4.3 mg/dL and 9.0 +/- 5.2 mg/dL in the PBD and non-PBD groups, respectively. Major morbidity (sepsis, abscess, renal failure, or bleeding) occurred in two patients (8%) having PBD and in 13 patients (52%) without PBD. One patient (4%) with PBD, and five patients (20%) without PBD, died. The mean hospital stay was shorter for the PBD group. Preoperative PBD reduces operative mortality and morbidity and results in a more rapid resolution of hyperbilirubinemia during the postoperative period.     

Outcome after pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary cancer: An analysis from the veterans affairs national surgical quality improvement program

The aim of this study is to define the risk factors that predict adverse outcomes for patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary cancer in the Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (VA). The VA National Surgical Quality Improvement Program prospectively collected data on 462 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy in 123 VA medical centers from 1990 to 2000. Independent variables included 68 preoperative and 12 intraoperative variables. The main outcome measures were 30-day postoperative mortality and morbidity, as measured by a set of 20 pre-defined complications. Predictive models for 30-day morbidity and mortality were constructed using logistic regression analysis. The 30-day morbidity rate was 45.9% (212/462). The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 9.3% (43/462). Significant predictors of mortality included: preoperative serum albumin, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, preoperative bilirubin >20mg/dl, and operative time. The use of preoperative biliary tract instrumentation did not predict postoperative death or septic complications. This study provides a set of preoperative risk factors that are predictive of adverse outcome following pancreaticoduodenectomy. These factors may assist in patient selection for this procedure and are likely to facilitate risk-adjusted comparison of pancreaticoduodenectomy outcomes between different health care systems. 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).     

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary malignancies: the effect of bile colonization on the postoperative outcome

Objectives The presence of bacteria in the bile of patients undergoing biliary tract surgery has been proposed as associated to an increased incidence of postoperative complications. The present study was designed to determine whether colonization of the bile has an adverse effect in terms of postoperative infectious or noninfectious complications and mortality in a homogenous population of patients suffering from periampullary region malignancies, who all underwent resectional (curative) procedures. Materials and methods Between January 1997 and December 2002, 115 patients (n = 115) suffering from periampullary region malignancies underwent resectional procedures. Fifty-two of the above patients were referred having undergone preoperative internal biliary drainage. During the operation, bile was routinely isolated from the common bile duct and was sent for culture and sensitivity. Based on the bile culture results, the patients were divided in sterile and colonized group and were retrospectively compared in terms of postoperative outcome and mortality. Results Of the 115 bile cultures, 67 were colonized with bacteria and 48 were sterile. Postoperatively, 40 patients developed 35 noninfectious and 21 infectious complications. Univariate analysis did not disclose statistically significant differences in overall, noninfectious or infectious morbidity and mortality between the two groups of patients. Although not statistically significant, a higher incidence (22 vs 10%) of postoperative leaks in the colonized group of patients was noticed. Multiple regression analysis disclosed that colonized bile was independently related to the advanced age, preoperative biliary drainage presence, elevated preoperative serum bilirubin levels and low preoperative serum albumin levels but did not predispose to an increased postoperative morbidity, mortality, or reoperation rate. Conclusion The present study did not conclude in any statistically significant differences in the postoperative infectious and noninfectious morbidity as well as mortality, between colonized and sterile groups of patients who underwent resectional procedures for malignancies of the periampullary region. Although internal biliary drainage introduces microorganisms into the biliary tree, this colonization does not increase the risk of either infectious or noninfectious complications or postoperative death. Thus, the likelihood of bacterobilia should not contraindicate the procedure in selected cases.     

Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in patients with preoperative renal failure

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of preoperative renal failure on the outcome of patients undergoing infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. Of 251 patients undergoing AAA repair from 1977 to 1984, 10% had evidence of preoperative chronic renal failure. These patients were classified according to their preoperative serum creatinine values; group I had preoperative creatinine levels of 2 to 4 mg/dl, group II had creatinine levels greater than 4 mg/dl but no history of hemodialysis, and group III consisted of patients on chronic hemodialysis before operation. One of 16 patients in group I developed transient high-output renal failure postoperatively. Four of the six patients in group II (67%) developed significant postoperative deterioration of renal function and required acute hemodialysis. Of the four patients in group III maintained on chronic hemodialysis preoperatively, one died of sepsis from an ischemic colon. This experience suggests that patients with mild renal dysfunction (serum creatine value less than 4 mg/dl) can undergo elective AAA repair without additional morbidity. Patients on hemodialysis before operation can also safely undergo surgical repair of their AAAs electively if dialyzed the day before operation. Patients with severe renal dysfunction (serum creatinine greater than 4 mg/dl) who are not on hemodialysis should be considered for dialysis preoperatively in an attempt to reduce the high incidence of serious postoperative renal functional deterioration and subsequent morbidity.