Emergency surgical treatment of complicated acute diverticulitis

Twenty-five percent of patients undergoing surgery for acute complicated diverticulitis represent emergencies. This condition is currently treated by colonic resection with primary anastomosis with or without colostomy, or by a Hartmann operation. We report on our experience with 52 consecutive patients with generalized peritonitis (8 cases), peri- and paracolonic abscesses (19 cases), severe pelvic abscesses (12 cases) and multiple abscesses with visceral fistulas (13 cases). All patients had emergency surgery. In 50/52 patients (96.2%) we performed a colonic resection with primary anastomosis using a mechanical stapler and in 2/52 a Hartmann operation. The overall mortality rate was 5.8%. The morbidity rate was 22% with 9 anastomotic leakages. A diverting colostomy was constructed in 16 patients and opened in only 8 patients. In 4 cases a parastomal hernia occurred after late closure and reduction of the colostomy. This data suggest that colonic resection with primary anastomosis, even without colostomy, is a safe procedure for the emergency treatment of acute complicated diverticulitis.     

Superficial parotidectomy as first choice for parotid tumours

Parotid neoplasms represent 3% of all head and neck tumours, and most are benign. Malignant tumours account for 14-25% of cases. Surgery is the treatment of choice, with options ranging from simple enucleation to radical parotidectomy. Sixteen patients presented with a history of a painless parotid lump. Diagnosis was achieved by ultrasound scan and MRI. Fifteen superficial parotidectomies and 1 nerve-sparing total parotidectomy were carried out. At histology, 10 pleomorphic adenomas, 4 Warthin's tumours, 1 lymphoepithelial cyst and 1 sebaceous adenocarcinoma were detected. In the single case of carcinoma, the 6 peri-glandular lymph nodes included in the specimen were metastasis-free. In 3 patients (20%) a transient paresis of the facial nerve was noted. The capsule appeared breached in only 1 case of pleomorphic adenoma. Four patients (26%) were diagnosed as suffering from Frey's syndrome. A salivary fistula was recorded in 2 patients (13%). During follow-up ranging from 3 to 96 months no tumour recurrence was recorded. Superficial parotidectomy seems to be the best choice of treatment for benign parotid tumours, since it allows complete excision of the tumour with sparing of the facial nerve. A radical procedure is, however, needed if malignancy is confirmed at frozen section.     

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours: a broad spectrum of clinical presentations

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours, though rare, are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The most frequent sites of origin are the stomach and the small bowel, but they can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Mesenteric and retroperitoneal forms have been described. The Authors present their personal experience with the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumours, with particular reference to the broad spectrum of clinical presentations and to the consequent therapeutic implications. We report on a retrospective analysis of the clinical presentations and courses, surgical management and pathological features of 27 patients with such tumours treated in our institution from 1993 to 2005. The variables analysed were the morphological and clinical characteristics of the tumours, demographic data, type of surgical treatment and postoperative course. Long-term survival was evaluated on the basis of clinical and/or telephonic follow-up in all patients. One tumour was located in the oesophagus, 14 in the gastric area, 7 in the small bowel, 2 in the colon-rectum, and 3 in the peritoneum. All patients studied received radical surgical treatment. In 7 patients surgical resection was extended to other organs. No postoperative mortality or major postoperative complications were observed. Twenty-two patients are still alive at follow-up. Three patients died as a result of neoplastic relapse and 2 of other causes. The median survival was 36 months. The actuarial 3- and 5-year survival rates were 89.7% and 67.8%, respectively. Our experience indicates that the site of origin of gastrointestinal stromal tumours with their broad spectrum of clinical presentations may influence both the therapeutic choice (neoadjuvant utilisation of imatinib mesylate) and the surgical treatment (wedge resection vs enlarged operations).     

Patients with Fabry disease on dialysis in the United States.

BACKGROUND.: Fabry disease results from an X-linked deficiency of lysosomal alpha-galactosidase A and is a rare cause of end-stage renal disease. Little is known about the characteristics of patients with Fabry disease that initiate dialysis in the United States, although data from Europe suggests these individuals have a poor survival. METHODS.: Using the United States Renal Disease System database, we first studied in detail 42 Fabry patients who initiated dialysis between April 1995 (following the introduction of the new detailed HCFA 2728 form) and July 1998. To examine crude survival in a larger cohort, 95 Fabry patients were studied who initiated dialysis between 1985 and 1993, similar to the European Registry. Diabetic and non-diabetic controls matched by age, gender, race, year of dialysis initiation, and initial dialysis modality were examined for comparison. RESULTS.: During the years 1995 to 1998, the mean age of Fabry patients that initiated dialysis was 42 years, 83% were Caucasian, and 10% were African American. Despite the X-linked inheritance of Fabry disease, 12% of Fabry patients on dialysis were female. At initiation of dialysis mean serum albumin and creatinine were significantly higher and mean body mass index was significantly lower among Fabry patients, but mean glomerular filtration rate was similar to controls. Fabry patients tended to have a lower three-year survival compared to non-diabetic controls, but the results were not significantly different. In a larger cohort of Fabry patients who initiated dialysis between 1985 and 1993, the three-year survival of Fabry patients was significantly lower than non-diabetic controls: 63% (95% CI, 50 to 75%) versus 74% (95% CI, 67 to 80%; P=0.03). CONCLUSION.: End-stage renal disease is associated with significant morbidity and mortality among patients with Fabry disease. Recent evidence that progression of Fabry disease may be attenuated by enzyme replacement therapy necessitates increased awareness of Fabry disease and its comorbidities.     

Eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis of the sinonasal tract: report on the clinicopathologic features of a case and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis (EAF) is a rare fibroinflammatory lesion of the sinonasal tract that occurs mainly in young to middle-aged female patients. Only two previous cases affecting male patients have been reported, and its etiopathogenesis remains unknown. The authors report on the third case of the entity in a male patient and review the 12 previously reported cases. CASE REPORT: A 52-year-old male patient was initially seen with a 15 years history of allergic rhinitis, progressive nasal obstruction, and left-sided hearing loss. All laboratory tests were unremarkable, except the nasal discharge eosinophil count that showed a conspicuous eosinophilia. The video-assisted-nasofibroscopic examination and CT scans disclosed a thickened deviated nasal septum with a subjacent infiltrative lesion. The histologic analysis of the nasal septum showed a variable mixed inflammatory cellular infiltration mainly composed of eosinophils, plasma cells, and histiocytes with a perivascular distribution; in other areas, an angiocentric fibrosing lesion with a peculiar perivascular onion-skin pattern was observed. The patient had a partial resection of the lesion with symptomatic control. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of rhinitis and nasal eosinophilia in our case associated with the clinical aspects of the previously reported cases further support an allergic cause for EAF.     

A cause for conversion of laparoscopic splenectomy: splenic candidiasis

Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is now considered the procedure of choice for removal of the spleen in several hematologic and traumatic splenic conditions. Perisplenitis is still considered a relative contraindication. We report a rare case of isolated splenic candidiasis treated by laparoscopic splenectomy. The technical challenges of the laparoscopic approach in cases of perisplenitis are outlined. Because of dense adhesions to the diaphragm, the LS was converted to open splenectomy, and the procedure was completed through a small subcostal incision. This case report suggests the need for and effectiveness of splenectomy in patients whose fungal infection is suspected to be localized to the spleen. Laparoscopic removal of the spleen in these cases is very difficult to accomplish because of the risk for diaphragm injuries and the technical problems encountered.     

Neuronal control in gastrointestinal disease.

This short review is based on only a small selected sample of research to illustrate the wide variety of cellular mechanisms that underlie the neural basis of digestive diseases. The enteric nervous system and its effector cells are involved in the control of most gastrointestinal activities. The review summarises the neural mechanisms involved in normal and abnormal gastrointestinal functions. The gastrointestinal tract is exposed to a tremendous variety of foreign substances including those ingested with food and those produced by the extensive commensal and pathological bacterial flora. Normal functions controlled by the enteric neural circuits are well adapted to distinguish nutrients from harmful stimuli. The main enteric neural circuits have been identified in experimental animals and are being investigated in humans. The enormous variety of motor patterns observed in normal gastrointestinal tract is the result of interplay of a few fundamental mechanisms, including myogenic mechanisms; neurogenic accommodation, neurogenic propulsive mechanisms and migrating neurogenic motor activity. Motor dysfunctions of the gut are likely to be caused by abnormalities of one or more of these mechanisms. Disturbances of enteric neural functions can arise from physiological defence reactions to harmful insults, from abnormal activation of physiological circuits, or from pathological alterations of the enteric circuits. Vomit and expulsive propulsion and inflammation or bacteria neurally induced changes in motility are physiological defence mechanisms. Pathological alterations include toxic, autoimmune, genetic lesions also secondary to systemic diseases and can be partial and graded.     

Sperm chromatin structure assay as an independent predictor of fertility in vivo: a case–control study

Standard sperm parameters have a limited power for prediction of the chance of natural conception. Recent studies have indicated that the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) DNA fragmentation index (DFI), a measure for the fraction of sperms with DNA damage, is associated with fertility in vivo . The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of this parameter for prediction of infertility. One hundred and twenty-seven men from infertile couples with no known female factor and 137 men with proven fertility were included. Semen analysis was performed as recommended by the WHO. DFI was assessed using SCSA. Logistic binary regression was used to compute the odds ratios (OR) for infertility. As compared with men with a DFI <10%, men with a DFI between 10% and 20% had an increased risk for infertility (OR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.0–6.1). This was also true for men with a DFI >20% (OR 8.4; 95% CI: 3.0–23). In men with normal standard semen parameters (sperm concentration, motility and morphology) the OR for infertility was increased with DFI >20% (OR 5.1, 95% CI: 1.2–23), whereas if one of the standard semen parameters was abnormal, the OR for infertility was increased already at DFI above 10% (OR 16, 95% CI: 4.2–60). We conclude that SCSA DFI adds to the value of semen analysis in prediction of the chance of natural conception.     

Laparoscopic colorectal resection for deep infiltrating endometriosis: analysis of 436 cases

Background  

Complete removal of all visible lesions is considered the adequate treatment of pelvic endometriosis in order to reduce recurrence. Laparoscopic colorectal resection of bowel endometriosis is still challenging. A large series is reported.     

Evaluation of the influence of pulmonary hypertension in ultra-fast-track anesthesia technique in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Objective

To evaluate the influence of pulmonary hypertension in the ultra-fast-track anesthesia technique in adult cardiac surgery.

Methods

A retrospective study. They were included 40 patients divided into two groups: GI (without pulmonary hypertension) and GII (with pulmonary hypertension). Based on data obtained by transthoracic echocardiography. We considered as the absence of pulmonary hypertension: a pulmonary artery systolic pressure (sPAP) <36 mmHg, with tricuspid regurgitation velocity <2.8 m/s and no additional echocardiographic signs of PH, and PH as presence: a sPAP >40 mmHg associated with additional echocardiographic signs of PH. It was established as influence of pulmonary hypertension: the impossibility of extubation in the operating room, the increase in the time interval for extubation and reintubation the first 24 hours postoperatively. Univariate and multivariate analyzes were performed when necessary. Considered significant a P value <0.05.

Results

The GI was composed of 21 patients and GII for 19. All patients (100%) were extubated in the operating room in a medium time interval of 17.58±8.06 min with a median of 18 min in GII and 17 min in GI. PH did not increase the time interval for extubation (P=0.397). It required reintubation of 2 patients in GII (5% of the total), without statistically significant as compared to GI (P=0.488).

Conclusion

In this study, pulmonary hypertension did not influence on ultra-fast-track anesthesia in adult cardiac surgery.