Safety and efficacy of radiological percutaneous jejunostomy for decompression of malignant small bowel obstruction. Eur Radiol. 2013;23:2747-2753. [PMID: 23657289 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-013-2883-1]

Management of primary and metastatic malignant small bowel obstruction, operate or palliate. A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The management of patients presenting with malignant small bowel obstruction is a challenging paradigm. The aim of this systematic review was to examine different management strategies in these complex patients. The primary outcomes evaluated were the type of intervention, 30-day morbidity and mortality and overall survival rates.

METHODS

A systematic literature review of EMBase, Medline, PubMed and the Cochrane Library was performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses for studies reporting on conservative and operative management of malignant small bowel obstruction.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies (n = 882 patients) reporting on outcomes for malignant small bowel obstruction were analysed. Outcomes measured were primarily survival and relief of obstructive symptoms. The median age ranged from 52 to 66 years. The most common cause of malignant small bowel obstruction was gynaecological in nature (56%), followed by colorectal (19%). Four hundred and eighty-six patients underwent primary surgical management and the remaining 396 patients were assigned to non-surgical intervention. Median overall survival in the operative studies ranged from 2.5 to 7.4 months compared with 0.9 to 1.9 months (P < 0.05). The 30-day mortality ranged from 13% to 28% in those who underwent surgical interventions versus 2% to 61% in the non-surgical group (P = 0.09). No significant difference in median survival in gastrointestinal (GI) and gynaecological malignancies was observed (4.3 versus 5.0 months, P = 0.12). Morbidity ranged from 21% to 85% in the surgical group and 12% to 29% in the percutaneous groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Surgical intervention in malignant small bowel obstruction is associated with significant morbidity, although it may improve survival in selected patients with gynaecological and colorectal malignancy. It is imperative that realistic goals and expectations are discussed with patients preoperatively.

Fluoroscopy-guided long intestinal tube placement for the treatment of malignant bowel obstruction

The aim of the present study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of long intestinal tube placement under fluoroscopic guidance for the treatment of malignant bowel obstruction (MBO). The cases of 74 patients with MBO who underwent long intestinal tube placement under fluoroscopic guidance during the period between June 2015 and October 2017 were reviewed. The clinical characteristics were retrospectively analysed with respect to efficacy, safety and outcome. Long intestinal tube placement was successfully completed in all 74 patients. The mean time required for tube placement was 31.09±16.25 min and the mean insertion depth of the tube was 153±39 cm. In 58 cases, the symptoms of abdominal pain, abdominal bloating and vomiting were greatly improved following 1-3 days of tube decompression. The symptoms of the remaining 16 patients were not effectively relieved following decompression. No serious complications were observed in any patients. Overall, for patients with severe MBO, long intestinal tube placement under fluoroscopic guidance appears to be an effective and safe treatment, and it may improve quality of life.

Small bowel obstruction in the elderly: a plea for comprehensive acute geriatric care

Small bowel obstruction is one of the most frequent emergencies in general surgery, commonly affecting elderly patients. Morbidity and mortality from small bowel obstruction in elderly is high. Significant progress has been made in the diagnosis and management of bowel obstruction in recent years. But little is known whether this progress has benefitted outcomes in elderly patients, particularly those who are frail or have a malignancy as cause of the obstruction, and when considering quality of life and functioning as outcomes. In this review, we discuss the specific challenges and needs of elderly in diagnosis and treatment of small bowel obstruction. We address quality of life aspects and explore how the concept of geriatric assessment can be utilized to improve decision-making and outcomes for elderly patients with a small bowel obstruction.

Transjejunostomy Stent Placement in Patients With Malignant Small-Bowel Obstructions

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of transjejunostomy stent placement in patients with malignant small-bowel obstructions (SBOs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-three patients (age range, 20-81 years) who underwent transjejunostomy stent placement between March 2009 and December 2016 for one (n = 20) or two (n = 3) malignant SBOs from advanced abdominal and pelvic malignancies were included in our study. Percutaneous jejunostomy was created 30-100 cm upstream to malignant SBOs and was immediately followed by stent placement through the jejunostomy stoma during the same session. A retrospective analysis was conducted for technical success, bowel decompression, improvement of obstructive symptoms (3-point scale), improvement of food intake capacity (4-point scale), and procedure-related complications.

RESULTS

Stent placement was technically successful in 22 of 23 patients (95.7%). Bowel decompression was confirmed by enterography (n = 21) and CT (n = 16). Obstructive symptoms improved partially (n = 9) or completely (n = 13) within 2 weeks after the procedure. Food intake capacity improved by 3 points in one patient, 2 points in seven patients, and 1 point in 14 patients (p < 0.0001). Major complications (n = 3, 13.0%), including localized peritonitis (n = 2) and bowel perforation (n = 1), were successfully treated conservatively.

CONCLUSION

Transjejunostomy stent placement is an effective treatment in patients with malignant SBOs. It is technically feasible in most patients (95.7%) and provides substantial symptomatic improvement. Procedure-related complications are not rare but can be managed conservatively.

Percutaneous needle decompression in treatment of malignant small bowel obstruction

AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous needle decompression in the treatment of malignant small bowel obstruction (MSBO).

METHODS: A prospective analysis of the clinical data of 52 MSBO patients undergoing percutaneous needle decompression was performed.

RESULTS: Percutaneous needle decompression was successful in all 52 patients. Statistically significant differences were observed in symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal distension and abdominal pain before and after treatment (81.6% vs 26.5%, 100% vs 8.2%, and 85.7% vs 46.9%, respectively; all P < 0.05). The overall significantly improved rate was 19.2% (11/52) and the response rate was 94.2% (49/52) using decompression combined with nasal tube placement, local arterial infusion of chemotherapy and nutritional support. During the one-month follow-up period, puncture-related complications were acceptable.

CONCLUSION: Percutaneous needle intestinal decompression is a safe and effective palliative treatment for MSBO.

Percutaneous drainage for afferent limb syndrome and pancreatic fistula via the blind end of the jejunal limb after pancreatoduodenectomy or bile duct resection

PURPOSE

To investigate the feasibility of percutaneous drainage via the blind end of the jejunal limb (BEJL) for afferent limb syndrome and pancreatic fistula.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Percutaneous drainage via the BEJL was performed in eight patients (seven men and one woman; mean age, 63 y; range, 42-71 y) presenting with afferent limb syndrome (n = 6) or pancreatic fistula (n = 2) following pancreatoduodenectomy or bile duct resection with reconstruction at our institute from March 2005 to June 2013. Reconstruction was performed by using a modified Child method or the Roux-en-Y method, and the BEJL was surgically fixed to the abdominal wall. Afferent limb syndrome was caused by tumor recurrence or postoperative complications. Technical success, clinical success, and complications were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

Technical success of drainage via BEJL was achieved in all patients. Drainage catheters (5-10 F) were inserted into the afferent limbs of six patients, into the pancreatic duct of one patient, and into the pancreatic fistula of one patient. Metallic stents were subsequently placed to address malignant afferent limb obstruction in two patients. Clinical success was achieved in seven patients (87.5%), and no patients developed major complications. Drainage catheters were removed from four patients. The mean catheter indwelling period in all patients was 143 days (range, 21-292 d).

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous drainage via BEJL after pancreatoduodenectomy or bile duct resection may be a feasible treatment for afferent limb syndrome and pancreatic fistula.

Advances in enteral nutrition research

Enteral nutrition (EN) has some advantages in maintaining physiological function in surgical patients, and gets more and more extensive applications. This paper carries out a comprehensive analysis of enteral nutrition in terms of evaluation before applying EN, the selection of application methods, application duration, the selection of preparations, and safety. The improvement measures are finally put forward.