Bile duct injury repair: when? what? who?

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with a two-to-four times higher risk of bile duct injury (BDI) than open cholecystectomy. BDI can lead to significant morbidity and even mortality. The first priority in BDI is to control peritoneal and biliary sepsis and to convert an acute BDI to a controlled external biliary fistula (EBF) — this can be achieved by endoscopic and/ or radiological intervention in most cases. This should be followed by assessment of the extent of injury — both biliary and vascular. Immediate management of BDI recognized during cholecystectomy depends on the type of injury, the condition of the patient, and the experience of the surgeon. For BDI recognized after cholecystectomy, early repair is not recommended, as the results are poor. The EBF may evolve into a benign biliary stricture (BBS), which should be electively repaired by a Roux-en-Y hepatico-jejunostomy. The use of an endoscopic stent as definitive management of BDI is not recommended. Long-term follow-up is essential after the repair of a BBS, as recurrence can occur several years after repair. Recurrent BBS is best treated with endoscopic balloon dilatation. Excellent early and long-term results can be obtained in specialized units at tertiary care referral centers.     

Congenital esophageal atresia successfully treated by early ligation of a tracheoesophageal fistula and delayed repair of the esophagus in a premature infant: Report of a case

We report herein the case of a premature infant with esophageal atresia (EA) and a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) associated with cardiac anomalies who was successfully treated by an early ligation of the TEF following gastrostomy, and delayed repair of the esophagus. A 1212-g male was born prematurely at 31 gestational weeks, at which time he was diagnosed as having EA with TEF and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), ventricular septal defect (VSD), and atrial septal defect (ASD). A gastrostomy was initially performed but following extubation he gradually became tachypneic. A chest roentogenogram revealed atelectasis and ground-glass appearance, and reintubation was required. Ligation of the TEF was performed 53h after his birth. Following the improvement of his respiratory condition through ventilatory support and the intratracheal administration of pulmonary surfactant, he underwent repair of the esophagus on the 6th day of life. Postoperatively, he suffered from heart failure, but was treated with peritoneal dialysis and pharmacological closure of the PDA. Weaning the infant from the ventilator proved difficult, but it was finally achieved when he had reached a weight of 2268g at 3 months of age by enteral feeding. Our experience of this case demonstrates that early ligation of TEF should be performed for a premature infant with EA and TEF before respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) has developed. If a gastrostomy is required to prevent gastric distention, it should be followed by simultaneous or immediate ligation of the TEF.     

Postlaminectomy arteriovenous fistula masked by stenosis of the inferior vena cava

Discovery of a postlumbosacral discectomy fistula between the right iliac artery and vein was obscured by an associated severe stricture of the infrarenal inferior vena cava in a 49-year-old man. During venous stenting for treatment of peripheral edema, the fistula was suspected because of faint pulsatile right iliac vein flow and increased O₂ saturation of the venous blood. The suspicion was confirmed on subsequent iliac arteriography. Surgical closure of the fistula with arterial interposition grafting was then performed. The patient improved substantially.     

Percutaneous transcatheter occlusion of coronary artery fistulas using detachable balloons

Three pediatric patients underwent successful transcatheter coronary artery fistula occlusion using the Debrun system. This latex balloon system offers several advantages over other occlusion systems. First, the balloon delivery and release is controlled. Second, “test occlusions” can be performed that allow simultaneous balloon inflation, coronary cineangiography, and electrocardiographic monitoring. Third, because the balloons are flow-directed, they are easily positioned in properly chosen locations. Finally, the balloons can be constructed to suit the size of the fistula. In this study, two patients received only one balloon; in the other patient two balloons were placed in the same fistula. All fistulas drained into either the right atrium or ventricle and were successfully occluded. After a follow-up period of up to 3 years, no local or systemic reactions to the balloons were recognized. We conclude that detachable balloon occlusion of coronary artery fistulas is a safe, effective alternative to surgical ligation in selected pediatric patients.     

Diagnostic lessons learnt from a series of enterovesical fistulae

Objective An enterovesical fistula (EVF) is an uncommon condition requiring careful and sometimes extensive preoperative investigation. Our experience over a 10‐year period has been reviewed with emphasis on the diagnostic investigations performed. Patients and method Forty‐two patients (30 male) have been studied. Presenting symptoms, diagnostic investigations, and subsequent treatment have been reviewed. Results The site of the fistulae were; 37 colonic, 2 rectal, and 3 ileal. The commonest presenting symptoms were; pneumaturia 75%, faecaluria 63% and urinary tract infections 57%. The positivity rate of the investigations performed were; cystoscopy 89%, urine cytology 86%, barium enema 65%, computerized tomography (CT) scanning 55%, IVP 35%, and cystography 27.5%. The causes of the fistula were; diverticular disease 71%, carcinoma 20%, Crohn's disease 7%, and radiotherapy 2%. Conclusions We recommend cystoscopy and urine cytology for faecal material as the first‐line investigations in all patients with a suspected enterovesical fistulae. CT scanning and barium enema should not be first line investigations but may be performed subsequently to help determine the aetiology and planning of surgery.     

Evaluation of an aortic stent graft for use in surgery on esophageal cancer involving the thoracic aorta

Objective: The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate whether aortic stent grafting can be applied to the treatment of an esophageal cancer involving the thoracic aorta. Methods: The canine thoracic aorta was partially resected without aorta being clamped after emplacement of an endovascular stent graft. Study I; The aortic whole layer of 1 cm in length and 1/4 of the circumference was resected and was covered by a free fascia patch of the abdominal rectal muscle immediately after stent graft placement. Study II; The aortic adventitia and the outer half of the media of the same size was resected on day 3, 7,14, 21, and on day 28, after the stent graft placement. The resected portion was covered by the free fascia patch in half experimental dogs, and was uncovered in the others. Study III; The aortic adventitia and the outer half of the media of 1 cm in length and 1/2 of the circumference was resected and was uncovered on day 7 after stent graft placement. Histological examinations were performed on day 28 and at one year after aortic resection. Results: The aortic wall could be resected in all cases with no complication, except in resection of 1/2 the circumference where the aorta had become narrow. There was no difference in healing of the resected portion of the aorta between with and without fascia covering. Conclusion: An aortic endovascular stent graft could be applied to surgery for an esophageal cancer involving the aorta.     

食管癌颈部吻合术中前壁单层吻合术的应用

目的　探讨食管癌颈部吻合术中前壁单层吻合的临床应用价值 ,并与同期荷包状食管胃吻合法 (前壁双层吻合法 )相比较。方法　对 32 1例食管癌行根治性切除及食管胃颈部吻合术 ,其中前壁双层吻合 16 1例 ,前壁单层吻合16 0例。结果　双层吻合术中 ,吻合口瘘 5例 (3.13% ) ,随访 137例 ,吻合口直径 <0 .5 cm者占 5例 (3.5 % ) ,0 .5 - 1cm者70例 (5 0 .9% ) ,1cm以上者 6 2例 (4 5 .6 % ) ,单层吻合术中 ,吻合口瘘 7例 (4 .38% ) ,随访 131例 ,吻合口直径 <0 .5 cm者无 1例发生 ,0 .5 - 1cm者 5 3例 (4 0 .8% ) ,>1cm以上者 78例 (5 9.2 % )。结论　食管癌颈部吻合术中 ,前壁单层吻合能减少吻合口狭窄 ,改善术后病人的生活质量 ,而吻合口瘘发生率无明显增加。     

Amebic abscess of the liver manifested by “hemoptysis”: US,CT, and MRI findings

Ultrasonographic (US), computed tomographic (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of a patient suffering from an amebic abscess of the liver complicated by a bronchohepatic fistula are presented. Subsequent to US, CT provided the specific diagnosis. Multiplanar MRI was valuable to directly visualize the secondary diaphragmatic rupture and the bronchohepatic fistula.     

肛瘘经括约肌间瘘管结扎后肛门功能恢复的相关影响因素分析

目的 探讨肛瘘经括约肌间瘘管结扎后肛门功能的恢复情况及其影响因素。方法 采取病例对照研究方法,选取海口市中医医院2019年1月—2022年8月收治的172例肛瘘患者作为研究对象。统计分析患者手术前后肛门功能恢复情况,根据患者术后3个月的肛门功能恢复情况将其分为良好组140例、不良组32例。比较两组患者的手术指标、术后并发症及基线资料,采用多因素一般Logistic回归分析影响手术后肛门功能恢复的相关因素。结果 良好组手术后创面愈合更早（P <0.05）,疼痛持续时间更短（P <0.05）,总体平均住院总时间短于不良组（P <0.05）。良好组与不良组术后1、2、3个月的Wexner量表评分比较,采用重复测量设计的方差分析,结果 ①不同时间点的Wexner量表评分有差异（P <0.05）;②两组的Wexner量表评分有差别（P <0.05）,良好组Wexner量表评分较不良组低,肛门功能恢复较好。③两组的Wexner量表评分变化趋势有差异（P <0.05）。良好组患者的病程、瘘管长度、Parks分型、术后切口感染率、二次手术率（再次实施清创手术）、治疗依从性（术后用药是否遵从医嘱）、术后机械性刺激率（术后各种外因刺激肛门）与不良组比较,差异均有统计学意义（P <0.05）。多因素一般Logistic回归分析结果显示,肛瘘患者病程［O^R =1.842（95% CI：1.105,3.073）］、瘘管长度［O^R =1.788（95% CI：1.137,2.812）］、术后切口感染［O^R =1.694（95% CI：1.081,2.653）］、再次手术［O^R =1.347（95% CI：1.018,1.783）］、治疗依从性［O^R =1.493（95% CI：1.058,2.108）］是肛瘘患者括约肌间瘘管结扎后肛门功能恢复不良的影响因素（P <0.05）。结论 肛瘘患者经括约肌间瘘管结扎后肛门功能大部分恢复良好,但是肛瘘患者病程较长、瘘管长度较长、出现术后切口感染、术后再次手术、治疗依从性差可能会增大患者术后肛门功能恢复不良的风险。