Postoperative ileus--early, late or no surgery at all?

One third of all relaparotomies are due to early postoperative bowel obstructions. Operations on the small bowel and colon are predominant among the primary procedures. The main causes of obstructions are adhesions. The symptoms of intestinal obstruction in the early postoperative period can be masked by a prolonged postoperative ileus. Reoperation of bowel obstruction is easier and safer in the first ten postoperative days compared to delayed reintervention after unsuccessful conservative treatment. When obstruction occurs after the first postoperative week, an initial conservative therapy for 7 to 10 days can be successful in over 50%.     

Enteroscopic treatment of early postoperative small bowel obstruction

Background: Early postoperative small bowel obstruction (EPSBO) occurs in 1% of patients undergoing laparotomy and has a mortality rate exceeding 17%. Nasogastric (NG) decompression is successful in avoiding reoperation in 73% of patients. Repeat laparotomy has been recommended when obstruction does not resolve after 14 days of NG decompression. We report four patients with EPSBO treated successfully with push enteroscopy after failed NG decompression. Methods: Four patients who failed NG decompression underwent push enteroscopy instead of repeat laparotomy. EPSBO was diagnosed if obstruction lasting more than 14 days developed after initial resolution of postoperative ileus, high NG output persisted postoperatively for 21 days in the absence of sepsis, or radiographic signs of obstruction persisted. Small bowel series or computed tomography were utilized when radiographic assessment was necessary. The Olympus SIF 100 push enteroscope was introduced with an overtube using topical anesthesia and intravenous sedation. After maximal insertion, the enteroscope was withdrawn without evacuation of insufflated air. NG tubes were placed after enteroscopy and patients were followed clinically. Flatus, defecation, and tolerance of a general diet defined resolution of EPSBO. Results: EPSBO resolved 24 to 36 h following enteroscopy, and all patients were discharged on general diets 48 h after return of bowel function. Readmission has not been necessary during 18- to 30-month follow-up. Conclusions: Our experience suggests that push enteroscopy is successful in treating EPSBO and should be considered prior to reoperation. Push enteroscopy may eliminate the hazards of repeat laparotomy and reduce the morbidity, treatment cost, and lengthy hospital stays associated with this uncommon surgical complication.     

腹部手术后早期小肠内疝的诊治

目的 研究术后早期小肠内疝的临床特点. 方法回顾性研究1994-2006年38例腹部手术后早期小肠梗阻(early postoperative small bowel obstruction,EPSBO)患者的临床资料.结果 手术治疗术后早期小肠梗阻(发生于术后30 d内)的38例中各种原因所致小肠内疝占9例(23.7%).男6例,女3例,平均年龄53.6岁(32～72岁).术后出现症状的平均时间为7.8 d(2～17 d),平均行保守治疗时间为3.4 d(1～8 d).术后早期内疝的主要临床表现为:完全性机械性梗阻表现,症状重,进展快,可早期出现肠绞窄.影像学检查可能发现特征性内疝表现,以增强CT检查最佳.本组术中见6例患者已发生肠绞窄,其中4例患者发生肠坏死.本组共行肠切除术5例.术后平均住院时间为15.8 d(8～42 d).1例患者术后发生切口感染,无围术期死亡患者.结论 小肠内疝可发生于术后早期,易于发生绞窄坏死,应积极外科手术治疗,可获得理想的效果.     

Early Postoperative Small Bowel Obstruction is an Independent Risk Factor for Subsequent Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction in Patients Undergoing Open Colectomy

Background

This prospective study was performed to investigate whether postoperative ileus (POI) or early postoperative small bowel obstruction (EPSBO) affects the development of adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO) in patients undergoing colectomy.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 1,002 patients who underwent open colectomy by a single surgeon. POI was defined as the absence of bowel function for more than 5 days or as a delay in oral intake beyond 7 days postoperatively. EPSBO was defined as the clinical and radiologic identification of SBO after resuming oral intake between postoperative days 7 and 30. Adhesive SBO was defined as SBO developing after 30 days because of intraperitoneal adhesion. The associations between POI, EPSBO, patient- and surgery-related variables, and the development of adhesive SBO were analyzed.

Results

A total of 85 (8.5 %) patients developed POI, and 42 patients (4.2 %) developed EPSBO, with seven patients experiencing both POI and EPSBO. During the follow-up period (median 51 months), 70 patients (7.0 %) developed adhesive SBO, six (8.6 %) of whom needed laparotomy. The occurrence of adhesive SBO was significantly higher in patients with EPSBO than in those without EPSBO (26.5 vs. 7.5 % at 5 years, P < 0.001), but not in patients with POI (13.4 vs. 7.8 % at 5 years, P = 0.158). Multivariable analysis showed colostomy (hazard ratio [HR] 2.530, P = 0.006) and EPSBO (HR 4.063, P < 0.001) as independent risk factors for adhesive SBO.

Conclusions

The development of adhesive SBO after colectomy is more frequent in patients with EPSBO and colostomy; however, POI does not increase the risk of adhesive SBO.     

术后早期炎性肠梗阻的特点与诊断治疗原则

目的：探讨术后早期炎性肠梗阻的特点和诊断治疗原则。方法：回顾经治的7例术后早期炎性肠梗阻,21－59岁,术后4－9天发生肠梗阻,结合献进行分析探讨。结果：先经保守治疗,包括胃肠减压,完全胃肠外营养,应用生长激素,生长抑素和肾上腺皮质激素等。3例肠梗阻症状解除,例需经手术治疗,术后症状缓解,其中1例发生肠瘘。结论：术后早期炎性肠梗阻多发生在术后2周内,临床症状以呕吐,腹胀为主,腹痛相对较轻,发病原因包括机械性梗阻因素和肠动力障碍性因素,很少发生绞窄,治疗宜先行保守治疗,无效后考虑手术治疗。     

Risk Factors for Early Postoperative Small-Bowel Obstruction After Colectomy in Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND: Currently, colectomies are the most frequently performed procedure to manage colorectal cancer. However, early postoperative small-bowel obstruction (EPSBO) is a common serious complication after colectomy. The purpose of our study was to assess the incidence of EPSBO after colectomy for colorectal cancer, and attempt to identify associated risk factors for EPSBO. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2006, 504 patients who underwent a colectomy for colorectal cancer were prospectively monitored and entered into the study. Patients were assessed to have an EPSBO if, within the first 30 days, they presented with symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distention, lasting for at least 2 days, with radiologic findings of small-bowel obstruction after evidence of small-bowel motility return. In this study, the following parameters were monitored prospectively: anti-adhesive, intraoperative adverse events (bleeding, bowel perforation), diversion stoma, repair of mesenteric defect, intra-abdominal drainage, local remnant tumor, status of bowel preparation, status of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, obesity, and history of previous abdominal surgery. The influence of these factors on the development of EPSBO after colectomies for colorectal cancer was analyzed. Cases were classified according to anastomotic level and extent of pelvic dissection into pelvic surgery group (PSG) and colonic surgery group (CSG). The influence of these factors on the development of EPSBO according to our classification also was analyzed. RESULTS: EPSBO developed in 41 cases (8.1%) and was the most frequently occurring complication during the early perioperative period. The frequency of EPSBO according to our classification of cases into PSG and CSG shows that EPSBO developed in 6.8% of PSG compared with 10.6% of CSG cases (p = 0.13). Local remnant tumor (odds ratio (OR) = 3.4) and poor ASA grading (OR = 3.5) were independent risk factors for the development of EPSBO after colectomies for colorectal cancer. In our subgroup analysis according to our classification based on anastomotic level and extent of pelvic dissection, local remnant tumor and poor ASA grading also independently increased the risk of developing EPSBO in PSG. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that pelvic surgeries do not have a higher rate of EPSBO compared with colonic surgeries. Local remnant tumor and poor systemic condition seems to be independent risk factors for EPSBO after colectomies for colorectal cancer, especially with pelvic surgery. These findings suggest that particular attention is needed to reduce the rate of EPSBO in patients who undergo colectomies for colorectal cancer.     

Hyaluronic acid-carboxycellulose membrane (Seprafilm) reduces early postoperative small bowel obstruction in gastrointestinal surgery

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose membrane (Seprafilm) on early postoperative small bowel obstruction (EPSBO). It also examined whether using Seprafilm affected surgical site infection rates in gastrointestinal surgery. One hundred eighty-four patients who had Seprafilm placed during gastrointestinal surgery between October 2000 and December 2003 were included in the study (Seprafilm group) and were compared with a matched cohort (control group) of patients operated on without Seprafilm. All patients were retrospectively assessed for EPSBO and surgical site infections. The incidence of EPSBO was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the Seprafilm group (12/184) than in the control group (26/183). The incidence of surgical site infection between the Seprafilm (15.2%) and control (13.7%) groups was not statistically significant. The placement of Seprafilm helped to prevent EPSBO and had no significant adverse affect on surgical site infections.     

Indication and risk of internal intestinal splinting. Comments and supplement to the published article of W. Kapral: Splinting of the small intestine with the Miller-Abbot tube. Chirurg (1984) 55:394

The usefulness of splinting of the bowel to prevent recurrent bowel obstruction caused by adhesions is analysed. For that is differentiated between three possible indication groups: 1. late bowel obstruction, 2. early postoperative bowel obstruction, 3. mixed peritonitic and mechanical ileus. The risk of splinting of the bowel can only be seen in relation to the number of recurrences, complications and mortality rates as seen in the three indication groups, treated without splinting. From that it shows that in case of peritonitis splinting can only be an adjuvant measure of therapy, and that in case of both recurrent late bowel obstruction and early postoperative bowel obstruction splinting of the bowel has a real preventive effect. This differentiation in indication is of no importance in childhood.     

Stellenwert der intraluminalen Darmdekompression durch eine endoskopisch plazierte Dennis-Sonde in der Therapie des Ileus

For determination of the efficacy of intraluminal bowel decompression by an endoscopically placed Dennis tube, 174 patients with paralytic ileus or different kinds of partial small bowel obstruction were reviewed retrospectively. There were 66 cases (37.9%) of early post-operative ileus (A), 27 (15.5%) of late postoperative ileus (B), 38 (21.8%) of paralytic ileus (C), 31 (17.8%) with obstruction due to advanced intraabdominal tumors (D), and 12 (6.8%) of obstructive ileus caused by inflammatory stenosis of the small bowel in Crohn's disease (E). Successful endoscopic placement of the intestinal tube was achieved in 97.2% of patients. Placement of the tube was impossible in 5 cases. A total of 95 patients (54.6%) were successfully managed by long intestinal tube decompression. Success rates for the individual groups were 71.2% (A), 18.5% (B), 86.8% (C), 16.1% (D), and 41.7% (E). Some 75 patients (43.1%) had to be operated on because of insufficient conservative therapy. Four patients with advanced intraabdominal tumors died during the treatment with the intestinal tube; 13 patients died postoperatively. There was no tube-related mortality, but tube-related complications occurred in 6.9%. We conclude that intraluminal intestinal tube decompression after endoscopic placement provides a therapeutic tool with a concomitant low complication and high success rate in paralytic and early postoperative ileus.     

Laparoscopic treatment of acute small bowel obstruction: A multicentre retrospective study

Background: Laparoscopic surgery is thought to promote early recovery and quicker return to bowel function. The objective was to evaluate the rate and predictive factors of success, the causes of failure, the morbidity, and mortality during and after hospitalization, as well as to determine whether laparoscopic treatment of acute small bowel obstruction offers the same benefits as for other laparoscopic procedures. Methods: The records of 308 patients with acute small bowel obstruction treated laparoscopically in 35 centres between 1 October 1988 and 30 September 1996 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Treatment was implemented completely by laparoscopy (‘success’ group) in 168 patients (54.6%). Conversion to laparotomy (‘failure’ group) was required in 140 patients (45.4%; during the same operation in 126 patients and after a median delay of 4 days (range: 1–12 days) in 14 patients). There were significantly more successes in patients with a history of one or two surgical interventions than in those with more than two (56%vs 37%; P < 0.05). There were significantly more successes in patients who had undergone appendectomy only (67/94; 71%) than in patients who (i) had no antecedent surgery (52%; P < 0.05), or (ii) underwent other surgery (33%; P < 0.001). The rate of success was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in patients operated on early (< 24 h) and in patients with bands (54%), than in those with adhesions (31%) or with other causes of obstruction (15%). The median duration of postoperative ileus was significantly shorter in the ‘success’ group than in the ‘failure’ group (2 days vs 4 days; P < 0.001). The median duration of postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the ‘success’ group than in the ‘failure’ group (4 days vs 10 days; P < 0.001). Fewer immediate wound complications were sustained in the ‘success’ group than in the ‘failure’ group (1.2%vs 10.7%; P < 0.001). The total number of immediate or delayed complications and particularly the number of recurrent obstructions after hos­pitalization as well as the number of deaths did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusions: Successful laparoscopic treatment of small bowel obstruction can be expected in patients who are seen early, and who have had one or two previous interventions (particularly appendectomy, especially if bands are found).     

Laparoscopic management of small bowel obstruction: Indications and outcome

Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of a laparoscopic, minimal access approach for the management of patients with small bowel obstruction. Forty patients underwent laparoscopic treatment of radiologically documented or suspected small bowel obstruction based on history and/or motility study. None had chronic abdominal or pelvic pain. The operation was completed laparoscopically in 14 patients (3 5%) and with laparoscopic-assisted procedures in 12 (30%); 14 (35%) required conversion to open celiotomy because of dense adhesions (precluding complete inspection or adhesiolysis), small bowel necrosis in the setting of small bowel obstruction, or neoplasia. Three iatrogenic enterotomies occurred while "running" the bowel. There were three (7%) postoperative procedure-related complications (wound infection, intra-abdominal abscess, ileus). The combined group of patients treated laparoscopically or with laparoscopic-assisted procedures had a shorter hospital stay than those converted to open celiotomy (4 ±0.6 vs. 7 ±0.7 days; P <0.003). At median follow-up of 12 months, 21 of 26 patients managed laparoscopically or with laparoscopic-assisted procedures remain asymptomatic; all 21 patients with an operatively confirmed site of mechanical obstruction managed by a minimal access approach remain asymptomatic. Laparoscopic treatment of small bowel obstruction is effective, leads to a shorter hospital stay, and has good long-term results. A minimal access approach to treatment of small bowel obstruction should be considered in selected patients. Presented at the Thirty-Eighth Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Washington, D.C., May 11–14, 1997, and published as an abstract in Gastroenterology 112:A1459, 1997.     

Strictureplasty in Crohn's disease.

Fifty patients with fibrotic small bowel strictures secondary to long-standing Crohn's disease underwent a total of 225 strictureplasties during the period from June 1984 to July 1988. Forty-two patients (84%) presented with obstructive symptoms. Patients had a 1- to 30-year history of Crohn's disease (mean, 14 years). Sixty-two per cent of patients were taking steroids at the time of admission, and 70% had had previous small bowel resections. All patients had one or more areas of small bowel affected with a fibrotic stricture and partial obstruction. Short strictures were treated by Heinecke-Mikulicz strictureplasties, and longer strictures by Finney side-to-side strictureplasties. In 30 patients (60%), 6- to 65-cm segments of small bowel were also resected due to acute inflammation with phlegmon or fistulae. Patients were discharged from the hospital 5 to 20 days after operation (mean, 10 days). After operation all patients with obstructive symptoms reported relief of symptoms and weight gain. Steroid doses could be tapered and nutritional parameters, such as total lymphocyte count, and serum albumin improved. Strictureplasty had 0% mortality and 16% morbidity rates. Complications included 3 enterocutaneous fistulae, 2 intra-abdominal abscesses, 2 hemorrhages requiring transfusion, 1 prolonged postoperative ileus that could be treated conservatively in 2 patients, and 1 restricture of a strictureplasty. Patients were followed for 1 to 40 months after operation (mean, 8 months). Resection of small bowel disease, especially that associated with perforation, is usually required in Crohn's disease. However, strictureplasty minimizes the need for bowel resection in patients with short fibrotic strictures resulting in recurrent small bowel obstruction.     

Migrating gallstone: from Bouveret's syndrome to distal small bowel obstruction

Gallstone ileus is an uncommon cause of small bowel obstruction. When the gallstone lodges inside the duodenum and causes gastric outlet obstruction, it is termed Bouveret's syndrome. However, it is rather unusual to seen the evolution of a migrating gallstone (from duodenum to distal small bowel) in a patient during the same hospital admission. We report a case of gallstone ileus from the initial presentation of gastric outlet obstruction to the development of distal small bowel obstruction within the same hospital admission, and its total laparoscopic treatment.     

中西医结合微创治疗粘连性肠梗阻

目的：探索中西医结合与微创技术联合治疗粘连性肠梗阻的疗效。方法：31例粘连性肠梗阻，在急性期以中西医结合疗法辨证施治，解除急性梗阻；梗阻缓解后行腹腔镜粘连松解术，预防梗阻复发。结果：急性期经中西医结合治疗，肠梗阻均解除。缓解期行腹腔镜粘连松解术，成功26例（83．9％）；中转开腹手术5例（16．1％）。腹腔镜粘连松解术后胃肠功能恢复时间0．5－2d；术后住院时间2－4d。26例腹腔镜粘连松解术后随访（3个月－3年），均无肠梗阻复发的表现。结论：中西医结合微创治疗粘连性肠梗阻中转开腹率较低，并发症发生率低，术后效果好，无梗阻再发。     

Gastrointestinal complications following infrarenal endovascular aneurysm repair

Gastrointestinal complications are known to occur after open elective aortic aneurysm repair. This leads to increased morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and hospital costs. The authors hypothesize a change in the character and/or frequency of early postoperative gastrointestinal complications after endovascular aneurysm repair as compared to open abdominal aortic repair. This is a retrospective cohort study in which the medical records of 153 consecutive patients who underwent endovascular infrarenal aneurysm repair from November 1998 to August 2001 were reviewed for gastrointestinal complications. Of these 153 patients, 9 (5.9%) had postoperative gastrointestinal complications. Three patients (1.9%) underwent exploratory laparotomy for small bowel obstruction. One patient had had a right hemicolectomy for cancer 2 years before stent graft placement. This patient needed a partial small bowel resection. One patient had had a right hemicolectomy 4 months before stent graft placement; he had lysis of adhesions with no bowel resection. A third patient underwent operative repair of an incarcerated inguinal hernia. Six patients (3.9%) had paralytic ileus that was treated by nasogastric tube or observation resulting in an extended hospital length of stay. All cases of ileus resolved without any operative intervention. No patients in this series developed any intestinal ischemia, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, or gastrointestinal bleeding. After endovascular aneurysm repair, gastrointestinal complications such as ileus and postoperative small bowel obstruction are seen with a similar frequency as after open aortic repair. This occurs despite the absence of a laparotomy with mesenteric dissection and evisceration. In this series, these complications are associated with longer hospital length of stay but no increased mortality rate. No instances of colonic ischemia, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, or gastrointestinal bleeding were seen in this series.     

肠内全程导管减压法用于术后早期炎性肠梗阻治疗的研究

目的评价经鼻置入导管行肠内全程减压在术后早期炎症性肠梗阻保守治疗中的作用。方法回顾性分析北京大学第三医院2005年3—8月收治的8例腹部手术后早期炎症性肠梗阻的病人，使用鼻胃管减压等常规保守治疗无效后，经鼻置入导管行肠内全程减压，并进行胃肠减压治疗，观察其治疗效果。结果与鼻胃管相比，使用肠内全程导管减压后，病人的胃肠减压量明显增加、腹围和腹腔内压力明显降低；通过3～10d的经鼻置入导管减压等保守治疗后，8例病人的肠梗阻症状均缓解，未再接受手术治疗。结论经鼻肠内全程导管减压用于治疗术后早期肠梗阻安全有效，且可能使病人免于再次急诊手术。     

Bowel Obstruction after Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Background: Bowel obstruction has been frequently reported after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP). The aim of this study was to review our experience with bowel obstruction following LRYGBP, specifically examining its etiology and management and to strategize maneuvers to minimize this complication. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 9 patients who developed postoperative bowel obstruction after LRYGBP. Each chart was reviewed for demographics, timing of bowel obstruction from the primary operation, etiology of obstruction, and management. Results: 9 of our initial 225 patients (4%) who underwent LRYGBP developed postoperative bowel obstruction. The mean age was 46 ± 12 years, with mean BMI 47 ± 9 kg/m². 6 patients developed early bowel obstruction, and 3 patients developed late bowel obstruction. The mean time interval for development of early bowel obstruction was 16 ±16 days. The causes for early bowel obstruction included narrowing of the jejunojenunostomy anastomosis (n=3), angulation of the Roux limb (n=2), and obstruction of the Roux limb at the level of the transverse mesocolon (n=1). The mean time interval for development of late bowel obstruction was 7.4 ± 0.5 months. The causes for late bowel obstruction included internal herniation (n=2) and adhesions (n=1). 6 of 9 bowel obstructions (66%) were considered technically related to the learning curve of the laparoscopic approach. Eight of the 9 patients required operative intervention, and 6 of the 8 reoperations were managed laparoscopically. Management included laparoscopic bypass of the jejunojejunostomy obstruction site (n=5), open reduction of internal hernia (n=2), and laparoscopic lysis of adhesion (n=1). Conclusions: Bowel obstruction is a frequent complication after LRYGBP, particularly during the learn ing curve of the laparoscopic approach. Specific measures should be instituted to minimize bowel obstruction after LRYGBP as most of these complications are considered technically preventable.     

Early operation or conservative management of patients with small bowel obstruction?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome after initial non-operative treatment in patients with small bowel obstruction (SBO). DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University hospital, Norway. PATIENTS: One hundred and fifty-four patients with 166 episodes of SBO admitted during the period (1994-1995). Patients younger than 10 years as well as patients with large bowel obstruction, paralytic ileus, incarcerated hernia or SBO caused by cancer were excluded from the study. INTERVENTIONS: Patients with signs of strangulation were operated on early. The rest were given a trial of conservative treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Need of operative treatment. Incidence of bowel strangulation, complications and death. RESULTS: There were 166 cases of SBO. Twenty patients were operated on early among whom bowel was strangulated in 9. Among the 146 patients initially treated conservatively 93 (64%) settled without operation, 9 (6%) had strangulated bowel and 3 (2%) died. Of the 91 patients with partial obstruction but no sign of strangulation, 72 (79%) resolved on conservative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with partial obstruction with no sign of strangulation should initially be treated conservatively. When complete obstruction is present, it may settle on conservative management, but the use of supplementary diagnostic tools might be desirable to find the patients who will need early operative treatment.     

术后早期炎性肠梗阻42例诊治观察

目的探讨术后早期炎性肠梗阻的发病机制、临床特点、诊治方法及预防措施。方法对2008年10月至2012年7月山西省定襄县中医院收治的42例腹部手术后早期炎性肠梗阻患者的临床资料进行回顾分析,42例患者均表现为排气后肠蠕动一度恢复、进食后又出现以腹胀为主的肠梗阻症状,经查体和X线腹部平片确诊。结果 40例经保守治疗后治愈,于5～21d（中位时间9d）肠蠕动重新恢复,效果良好。2例保守治疗2周不见缓解,1例由于黏连导致血运障碍而行部分小肠切除术,另1例腹腔肠管广泛黏连、扩张,行黏连松解术并肠排列术,中位治愈时间为15d。结论术后早期炎性肠梗阻,多发于腹部手术后2周以内,治疗取决于引起梗阻的原因及临床病情进展情况,首选保守治疗。