Accuracy of diagnostic laparoscopy for early diagnosis of abdominal complications after cardiac surgery

The role of bed-side laparoscopy in the management of acute mesenteric ischemia of recent onset in post-cardiac surgery patients admitted to ICU

PURPOSE

Acute mesenteric ischemia with non-occlusive mechanism (NOMI) is a possible complication after cardiac surgery in patients admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Since the diagnosis is often difficult with CT-scan, some authors have evaluated the role of bed-side diagnostic laparoscopy (DL). We aimed to contribute to this topic with a personal series.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated patients admitted to ICU after cardiac surgery since 2009 up to 2019, successively operated on for a suspected NOMI of recent onset with non-conclusive CT. They were divided into laparoscopic (Ls) and laparotomic (Lt) group, depending on whether or not they had a DL. They were compared for the CT false-positive (FP) and true-positive (TP) rate and the surgical outcome.

RESULTS

Seventy-three patients were enrolled. Lt included 30 patients (41%), Ls 43 (59%). The overall FP were 38 (52%), with a higher incidence in Ls. There was no difference in the mortality rate. The morbidity rate was higher in Lt, and especially in Lt-FP. The TP were 35 (47.9%). The mean operating time (OT) in the Lt-TP group was similar to the sum of the mean OT of the laparotomies plus that of the laparoscopies in the Ls-TP group. Conversely, when considering only laparotomic procedures, the Lt-TP had higher mean OT, such as an increased blood loss CONCLUSIONS: Post-cardiosurgical patients admitted to ICU have a relatively high rate of NOMI, in which CT-scan is often initially non-conclusive. Our data and those from the literature seem to show that in such cases bed-side DL may be an advantageous and safe procedure to avoid needless laparotomy and enables a more tailored open surgery.

Role of Laparoscopy in Diagnosing and Treating Acute Nonspecific Abdominal Pain

Background

Nonspecific abdominal pain (NSAP) is a pain for which no immediate cause is evident on acute admission and does not necessitate emergency surgical intervention. NSAP is a frequent reason for presentation in the emergency department (ED). Laparoscopy is a well-established technique that allows a surgeon to visualize the abdominal cavity after insufflation through a few small incision ports. Despite the increasing availability of laparoscopic investigation, the availability of a laparoscope in the ED settings in Pakistan is low due to the expense and maintenance needs of the system.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the role of laparoscopy in diagnosing the cause of acute NSAP and its role in treating the pathology of disease in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) of Services Hospital, which is a government sector hospital in Lahore, Pakistan.

Materials and methods

This study was conducted in Services Hospital Lahore, Pakistan, from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2019. The study included patients aged 12 to 70 years of either sex who presented to the ED with abdominal pain for whom no diagnosis could be achieved on clinical assessment, laboratory findings, and radiological findings (x-ray abdomen, ultrasonography, and computed tomography scan). All study participants underwent diagnostic laparoscopy under general anesthesia. Patients were monitored weekly via follow-up postoperatively for the first month and then monthly for 12 months. All study data were recorded on a predesigned proforma. The data were analyzed using IBM Corp. Released 2012. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.

Results

A total of 122 patients diagnosed with acute NSAP were enrolled in our study (mean age, 46.4 ± 20.3 years). The study population consisted of 52 male patients (42.6%) and 70 female patients (57.4%). Our study participants had a mean body mass index of 24.2 ± 3.3 kg/m². The most common ED presentation was lower abdominal pain. One hundred sixteen patients (95.1%) had positive findings on laparoscopy, while six patients (4.9%) had no identified pathology on laparoscopy. The most frequent pathology was appendicular in origin, followed by pelvic inflammatory disease. Surgical management of patients through laparoscopy was performed in 97 patients (79.5%). Conversion to laparotomy was done in 12 patients (9.8%). Definite diagnosis was established in 118 patients (96.7%). Port site infection occurred in four patients (3.3%), chest infection in five patients (4.1%), deep venous thrombosis in one patient (0.8%), and anastomotic leakage in one (0.8%) patient. Four patients (3.3%) developed recurrence of symptoms.

Conclusions

This study explored the role of laparoscopy in diagnosing and treating patients presenting to the ED with acute NSAP. According to our results, laparoscopy is a safe and effective method for diagnosing and treating acute NSAP with low postoperative morbidity and potentially decreased risk of postoperative complications. Physicians should consider laparoscopy as a first-line invasive investigation for patients presenting with undiagnosed acute abdominal pain.

Early laparoscopic exploration for acute mesenteric ischemia after cardiac surgery

Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) after cardiac surgery is a rare but fatal complication. Early diagnosis and intervention can be lifesaving. We report two cases of patients who underwent early diagnostic laparoscopy for suspicious AMI after cardiac surgery and demonstrated favorable outcomes. An 83-year-old male with severe left ventricular dysfunction underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Severe ileus with gaseous distension of the small bowel was developed on the 3rd postoperative day and computed tomographic angiography (CTA) showed pneumatosis intestinalis of small bowel suggestive of AMI. An immediate bedside laparoscopy was performed and it showed preserved perfusion of small bowel. He recovered without complication under supportive medical management. Another 69-year-old male who underwent aortic valve replacement complained of whole abdominal tenderness with severe distension on the 3rd postoperative day. The CTA found segmental non-enhancing bowel wall with air bubbles suggestive of AMI with possible microperforation. A diagnostic laparoscopy demonstrated small-bowel infarction with pus-like fluid collection in the peritoneal cavity. The operation was converted to laparotomy and complete resection of ischemic segments of small bowel was done. He recovered well without any other complications and discharged home on the 35th postoperative day.

Expert Elicitation to Inform a Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Screening for Renal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Population screening for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) using ultrasound has the potential to improve survival outcomes; however, a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) has yet to be performed. Owing to the lack of existing evidence, we performed structured expert elicitation to derive unknown quantities to inform the CEA.

OBJECTIVE

To elicit the cancer stage distribution (proportion of individuals with each stage of cancer) for different RCC screening scenarios and the annual transition probabilities for undiagnosed disease becoming diagnosed in the National Health Service.

METHODS

The study design and reporting adhered to the Reporting Guidelines for the Use of Expert Judgement in Model-Based Economic Evaluations. The elicitation was conducted face-to-face or via telephone between each individual expert and the facilitator, aided by online material. For multinomial data, Connor-Mosimann and modified Connor-Mosimann distributions were fitted for each expert and for all experts combined using mathematical linear pooling.

RESULTS

A total of 24 clinical experts were invited, and 71% participated (7 urologists, 6 oncologists, 4 radiologists). The modified Connor-Mosimann distribution provided the best fit for most elicited quantities. Greater uncertainty was noted for the elicited transition probabilities compared with the elicited stage distributions.

CONCLUSION

We performed the first expert elicitation of RCC screening parameters, crucial information that will inform the CEA of screening. In addition, the elicited quantities may enable future health economic evaluations assessing the value of diagnostic tools and pathways in RCC.

Bedside diagnostic laparoscopy for critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit: Retrospective study and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Bedside diagnostic laparoscopy could be helpful in extremely critically ill patients. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the safety and diagnostic accuracy of bedside diagnostic laparoscopy in the identification of intra-abdominal pathology in critically ill patients and to compare its accuracy and outcomes with the ones of laparotomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted on the medical records of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Careggi University Hospital and submitted to bedside diagnostic laparoscopy between January 2006 and May 2017. This group of patients was compared with a group of patients that were admitted to the ICU and submitted directly to explorative laparotomy for suspected intra-abdominal pathologies.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-nine patients (M/F = 81/48, mean age = 71.64 years) underwent bedside diagnostic laparoscopy in ICU. 154 patients instead were submitted directly to explorative laparotomy in operatory room (mean age 75.70 years, M/F = 94/60). Among the 129 patients submitted to bedside laparoscopy, 53.49% were positive for intra-abdominal pathologies whereas 46.51% were negative, while among the 154 patients submitted directly to laparotomy, 76.62% were positive for intra-abdominal pathologies whereas 23.38% were negative. In 55.03% of all patients submitted to bedside laparoscopy, a non-therapeutic laparotomy was avoided, while the 33.76% of patients submitted directly to laparotomy had a non-therapeutic laparotomy that could be avoidable.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results pinpoint the advantages of performing bedside diagnostic laparoscopy in the ICU setting, which can be considered an option every time there is the suspicion of an intra-abdominal pathology.

Diagnosis and treatment of postoperative intestinal perforation in infants and young children with congenital heart disease: A report of three cases

The aim of the present study was to analyze risk factors of intestinal perforation following surgery for the treatment of congenital heart disease in infants and young children, and to summarize experiences of diagnosis and treatment. A total of 3,270 children, who underwent congenital heart disease surgery under extracorporeal circulation from January 2010 to July 2015, were retrospectively analyzed. Among these children, three (0.09%) developed postoperative intestinal perforation. Primary diseases were Tetralogy of Fallot (two cases) and ventricular septal defect combined with atrial septal defect (one case). The age range of the children was 6-11 months and the weight range was 7.3-8.6 kg. Furthermore, these children underwent radical surgery under general anesthesia and extracorporeal circulation in low temperatures. Abdominal symptoms appeared 4-10 days after surgery, and included poor appetite, abdominal distension, intermittent vomiting, high fever, refractory irritability, crying and shortness of breath. One case was confirmed by routine abdominal puncture and the remaining two were confirmed by the detection of free gas under the diaphragm, as revealed by abdominal X-ray. Following the diagnosis of intestinal perforation, emergency intestinal fistula surgery was performed. At 3-5 days post-surgery, the patients underwent treatment by fasting and intravenously administered parenteral nutrition. Diet was increased following recovery of bowel function. All patients recovered following active treatment and 3-4 months following hospital discharge, the fistula was successfully closed. In conclusion, a concerted effort should be made to identify intestinal perforation in infants and young children with postoperative congenital heart disease during emergency surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment may significantly improve prognosis and reduce mortality.

Drainoscopy: a doorway to the abdomen in the post-surgical patient

The ability to optically visualize the abdominal cavity in the post-surgical patient can prove to be invaluable, particularly when imaging studies and exam findings can be difficult to interpret. Post-surgical drains are often used and provide a window into the abdominal cavity. In this proof-of-concept study, it is demonstrated that an ordinary drain can be used as a point of access and hence a doorway into the abdominal cavity. This technique has been termed drainoscopy, and the approach is demonstrated with video supplement.

Emergency pancreatic surgery--demanding and dangerous

BACKGROUND

Elective pancreatic surgery can be carried out with mortality rates below 5% in specialized centers today. Only few data exist on pancreatic resections in emergency situations. The aim of the study was to characterize indications, procedures, and outcome of emergency pancreatic surgery in a tertiary center.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data of all patients undergoing pancreatic operations at the authors' institution between October 2001 and December 2012 were analyzed regarding primary emergency operations in terms of indications, procedures, perioperative complications, and outcome. Emergency operations after preceding resections were excluded from the analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-three emergency operations were performed during the observation period. Indications were duodenal perforation (n = 8), upper GI bleeding (n = 6), complicated pseudocysts (n = 3), bile duct perforation (n = 2), pancreatic bleeding after blunt abdominal trauma (n = 1), pancreatic stent perforation (n = 1), necrotizing cholecystitis (n = 1), and ileus (n = 1). Procedures included partial and total duodeno-pancreatectomy (n = 15), cystojejunostomy (n = 2), distal pancreatectomy (n = 4), reconstruction of the ampulla Vateri (n = 1), and duodenectomy (n = 1). Median intraoperative blood loss was 750 (200-2500) ml and OP time 4.25 (1.75-9.25) h. Mean ICU stay was 21.3 (1-80) days with an overall surgical morbidity of 52.2%. Overall in-hospital mortality was 34.8% (8/23 pat.).

CONCLUSIONS

Emergency pancreatic operations are infrequent and mainly performed due to duodenal perforation or bleeding; blunt abdominal trauma is rarely leading to emergency pancreas resections. They are associated with an increased morbidity and mortality and require a high level of surgical as well as interdisciplinary experience. Perioperative anesthesiological care and interventional radiological complication management are essential to improve outcome in this selective patient collective.

Acute bowel ischemia after heart operations

Acute bowel ischemia is a perioperative complication that is frequently unrecognized as a cause of death after cardiac surgical procedures, with an in-hospital mortality of 50% to 100%. In recent years, controversy regarding the most appropriate approach to resolve clinical or laboratory suspicion and the limited therapeutic options have led to very little improvement in patient prognosis. This article reviews the related literature examining the actual prevalence, pathophysiologic mechanisms, predisposing factors, diagnostic tests, and therapeutic approaches providing a glance at new promising tools in diagnostic workup.

Abdominal catastrophes in the intensive care unit setting

Patients in the setting of the intensive care unit can develop intra-abdominal complications that may worsen outcome. Clinical suspicion of such complications coupled with early diagnosis and treatment may reduce morbidity and mortality associated with these processes. This article addresses the diagnosis and management of some of the common causes of intra-abdominal catastrophes.

Intestinal ischemia after cardiac surgery: analysis of a large registry

Background

Intestinal ischemia after cardiac surgery is a rare but severe complication with a high mortality. Early surgery can be lifesaving. The aim was to analyze the incidence, outcome, and risk factors for these patients.

Methods

A prospectively collected database with patients who underwent 18,879 cardiac surgical procedures between 1996 and 2011 was investigated. All patients with registered gastrointestinal complications were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare patients with and without intestinal ischemia.

Results

Seventeen patients suffered from intestinal ischemia (0.09%), 10 of whom (59%) died. By investigating preoperative parameters independent risk factors were steroids, peripheral vascular disease, cardiogenic shock, and New York Heart Association class 4. When including pre-, per-, and postoperative parameters, only postoperative ones were significant, including elevated creatinine (> 200 μmol/L), prolonged ventilator time, need for intra-aortic balloon pump, and cerebrovascular insult (CVI). The gastrointestinal complications score (GICS) showed a ROC area of 0.87. This was superior compared with EuroSCORE (0.74), to predict intestinal ischemia.

Conclusions

Intestinal ischemia after cardiac surgery is more common in patients with a poor cardiac state, but the use of steroids, peripheral vascular disease, postoperative kidney failure, and CVI were also predictive. GICS score, developed for all GI complications after cardiac surgery, is also of value in predicting this particular complication. The risk factors presented can be used as an aid in the diagnosis of these patients.

Diagnostic Laparoscopy in the Intensive Care Unit

Primary and acquired abdominal pathology accounts for a significant proportion of sepsis and SIRS in the ICU population. Abdominal processes often present a difficult diagnostic dilemma in the truly critically ill patient who, due to hemodynamic instability or severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring high-level ventilatory support, is at significant risk during transport to radiology department. Furthermore, the accuracy of radiologic studies in the ICU setting is often limited. Laparoscopy provides a "minimally invasive" definitive modality to diagnose intra-abdominal problems. It may quickly provide the necessary information to define further management. In selective circumstances, it may actually allow appropriate intervention. However, the overall mortality of patients who undergo diagnostic laparoscopy in the ICU is high regardless of diagnostic findingsduring this procedure. Although not a technically difficult procedure, diagnostic laparoscopy does require a certain skill level, especially when limited time and unfavorable patient physiology are taken into account. The use of diagnostic laparoscopy should be limited to patients in whom a therapeutic intervention is feasible.

Clinical significance of liver ischaemia after pancreatic resection

BACKGROUND

Liver ischaemia after pancreatic resection is a rare but potentially serious complication. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of postoperative liver ischaemia after pancreatic resection.

METHODS

All consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic resection between January 2007 and August 2008 in the Department of Surgery in Heidelberg were identified retrospectively from a prospectively collected database and analysed with a focus on postoperative hepatic perfusion failure. Laboratory data, computed tomography (CT) findings, symptoms, therapy and outcome were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 762 patients underwent pancreatic resection in the study period. Seventeen patients (2·2 per cent) with a postoperative increase in liver enzymes underwent contrast-enhanced CT for suspected liver perfusion failure. The types of perfusion failure were hypoperfusion without occlusion of major hepatic vessels (6 patients) and ischaemia with arterial (5) and/or portal vein (6) involvement. The overall mortality rate was 29 per cent (5 of 17 patients). Therapy included conservative treatment (7), radiological or surgical revascularization and necrosectomy or resection of necrotic liver tissue (10). Outcome varied from full recovery (4 patients) to moderate systemic complications (6) and severe complications (7) including death. Simultaneous involvement of the portal vein and hepatic artery was always fatal.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative liver perfusion failure is a rare but potentially severe complication following pancreatic surgery requiring immediate recognition and, if necessary, radiological or surgical intervention.

Risk factors for gastrointestinal complications in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery

OBJECTIVE

To determine the risk factors for the development of gastrointestinal complications (GICs) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

DESIGN

A single-center, retrospective study.

SETTING

A tertiary care hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Six thousand seven hundred ninety-four patients undergoing isolated CABG surgery between 2002 and 2006.

INTERVENTIONS

Clinical characteristics of the patients with GICs and control group patients were analyzed by stepwise logistic regression analysis. The control group consisted of a total of 95 patients randomly selected among the ones who had no gastrointestinal finding or symptoms (cohort: control, 1:5 ratio).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Nineteen patients (0.3%) developed major surgical GICs after CABG surgery. Overall, the 30-day mortality was 42.1% among patients with GICs and 2.6% without GICs. Multivariate analysis identified 4 independent predictors for GICs: age greater than 70 years (p = 0.001; odds ratio [OR] = 5.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-25.9), reoperation for bleeding (p = 0.005; OR = 7.7; 95% CI, 2.8-56.2), a prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time (p = 0.007; OR = 3.7; 95% CI, 1.3-15.6), and an increased postoperative creatinine level (p = 0.036; OR = 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-13.4).

CONCLUSION

A delayed diagnosis of complications is an important problem in the management of major surgical GICs. The present results suggest that surgeons and intensivists must be alert to patients older than 70 years, a cardiopulmonary bypass time longer than 60 minutes, reoperation for bleeding after CABG surgery, and postoperative creatinine level higher than 1.7 mg/dL.

Bedside diagnostic laparoscopy to diagnose intraabdominal pathology in the intensive care unit

Introduction

Delayed diagnosis of intraabdominal pathology in the intensive care unit (ICU) increases rates of morbidity and mortality. Intraabdominal pathologies are usually identified through presenting symptoms, clinical signs, and laboratory and radiological results; however, these could also delay diagnosis because of inconclusive laboratory tests or imaging results, or the inability to safely transfer a patient to the radiology room. In the current study we evaluated the safety and accuracy of bedside diagnostic laparoscopy to confirm the presence of intraabdominal pathology in an ICU setting.

Methods

This retrospective study, carried out between January 2006 and June 2008, evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of bedside diagnostic laparoscopy performed on patients with a suspicion of ongoing intraabdominal pathology. Clinical indications for bedside diagnostic laparoscopy were: ultrasonography (US) images of gallbladder distension or wall thickening of more than 3 to 4 mm, with or without pericholecystic fluid; elevation of laboratory tests (bilirubin, transaminases, myoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, gamma-glutamyltransferase); high level of lactate/metabolic acidosis; CT images inconclusive for intraabdominal pathology; or inability to perform a CT scan. Patients did not undergo bedside diagnostic laparoscopy if they presented clear indications for open surgery, coagulopathy, abdominal wall infection or high intraabdominal pressure.

Results

Thirty-two patients underwent bedside diagnostic laparoscopy (Visiport Plus, Autosuture, US), 14 of whom had been admitted to the ICU for major trauma, 12 for sepsis of unknown origin and 6 for complications after cardiac surgery. The procedure was performed on an average of eight days after ICU admission (95% confidence interval = 5 to 15 days) and mean procedure duration was 40 minutes. None of the procedures resulted in complications. Bedside diagnostic laparoscopy was diagnostic for intraabdominal pathology in 15 patients, who subsequently underwent surgery, except in two cases of diffuse gut hypoperfusion. Diagnosis of cholecystitis was obtained in seven cases: two were treated with laparotomic cholecystectomy and five with percutaneous gallbladder drainage positioning.

Conclusions

Bedside diagnostic laparoscopy represents a safe and accurate technique for diagnosing intraabdominal pathology in an ICU setting and should be taken into consideration when patient transfer to radiology or the operating room is considered unsafe, or when routine radiological examinations are not conclusive enough to reach a definite diagnosis.

Laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment of postoperative complications

BACKGROUND

There is no unequivocal attitude to a laparoscopy as to the means in the diagnosis and treatment of postoperative surgical complications. Our study sought to determine the role of laparoscopy in the management of suspected postoperative complications.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of the patients who underwent laparoscopy for complications of previous surgery over a 6-year period.

RESULTS

Sixty-four patients underwent laparoscopy for complications during the study period including 49 laparoscopies, 14 laparotomies, and 1 endoscopic procedure. The median delay between operations was 2 +/- 4.5 days. In 18 (28.1%) patients, laparoscopy did not find intra-abdominal pathology. The conversion to open surgery was necessary in 9 (14.1%) patients. Seven patients underwent more than 1 relaparoscopy. No cases of misdiagnosis were observed. Morbidity was 12.5%. There was no laparoscopy-related death.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopy is an effective tool for the management of postoperative complications after open and laparoscopic surgery. It avoids diagnostic delay and unnecessary laparotomy.

The role of diagnostic laparoscopy for acute abdominal conditions: an evidence-based review

Diagnostic laparoscopy is minimally invasive surgery for the diagnosis of intraabdominal diseases. This study aim was a critical examination of the available literature on the role of laparoscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of acute intraabdominal conditions. A systematic literature search of English-language articles on MEDLINE, the Cochrane database of evidence-based reviews, and the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects was performed for the period 1995-2006. The level of evidence in the identified articles was graded. This review examines the role of diagnostic laparoscopy for acute nonspecific abdominal pain, trauma, and the acute abdomen experienced by the critically ill patient. The indications, contraindications, risks, benefits, diagnostic accuracy of the procedure, and associated morbidity are discussed. The limitations of the available literature are highlighted, and evidence-based recommendations for the use of diagnostic laparoscopy to determine acute intraabdominal conditions are provided.

Early relaparoscopy for management of suspected postoperative complications

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis of complications after laparoscopic surgery is difficult and sometimes late.

METHODS

We compared the outcome of patients who had early (<48 h) relaparoscopy for suspected postoperative complication to those where relaparoscopy was delayed (>48 h).

RESULTS

During the study period, 7726 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery on our service. Of these, 57 (0.7%) patients had relaparoscopy for suspected complication. The primary operations were elective in 48 patients and emergent in nine. Thirty-seven patients had early, 20 had delayed, secondary operations. The most common indication in the early group was excessive pain (46%) followed by peritoneal signs in 35%. In the delayed group, the most common indication was signs of systemic inflammatory response syndrome in 30% and peritoneal signs in 25%. Relaparoscopy was negative in 16 (28%) patients with no difference between groups. The identified complication was treated laparoscopically in 37(65%) patients, and the rest were converted. The patients in the delayed group had a significantly longer hospital stay (p < 0.003) and had a higher rate of complications (p < 0.05). They also had a higher mortality rate (10% vs. 2.7%), but the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

A policy of early relaparoscopy in patients with suspected complications enables timely management of identified complications with expedient resolution.

Ischemic colitis: analysis of risk factors for postoperative mortality

BACKGROUND

Ischemic colitis is a disease with high postoperative mortality when surgery is necessary. The definition of risk factors for perioperative mortality, which is currently lacking in the literature, could be helpful in clinical decision making and in optimizing perioperative treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Based on a prospective database, 85 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for ischemic colitis between November 04, 2001 and October, 26, 2004 at the Department of Surgery, University of Heidelberg, were included in this study. The influence of different known factors on perioperative mortality such as age, type of operation, blood loss, comorbidities, hospital course, and complications was tested by univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven percent of patients were operated as emergency cases (within 24 h after surgical evaluation). About half of the patients underwent subtotal or total colectomy and 80% had stoma creation. Twenty-two percent of patients developed surgical complications and 47% of patients died in the further postoperative course. Univariate analysis showed underlying cardiovascular diseases, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status, emergency surgery, total colectomy, elevated intraoperative blood loss and intraoperative allogeneic blood transfusion or transfusion of fresh frozen plasma to be associated with an increased postoperative mortality. Multivariate analysis confirmed ASA status > III, emergency surgery, and blood loss to be independently associated with postoperative mortality in ischemic colitis.

CONCLUSIONS

The mortality of patients requiring surgery for ischemic colitis will remain high as the majority of afflicted patients are patients with significant comorbidities in a reduced general condition. But earlier diagnosis and measures to reduce blood loss may contribute to improving the overall outcome.

The laparoscopic approach in abdominal emergencies: has the attitude changed? : A single-center review of a 15-year experience

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopy has been practiced more and more in the management of abdominal emergencies. The aim of the present work was to illustrate retrospectively the results of a case-control 5-year experience of laparoscopic versus open surgery for abdominal emergencies carried out at our institution, especially with regard to whether our attitude toward use of this procedure has changed as compared with the beginning of our laparoscopic emergency experience (1991-2002).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2002 to January 2007 a total of 670 patients underwent emergent and/or urgent laparoscopy (small bowel obstruction, 17; gastroduodenal ulcer disease, 16; biliary disease, 118; pelvic disease and non-specific abdominal pain (NSAP), 512; colonic perforations, 7) at the hands of a surgical team trained in laparoscopy

RESULTS

The conversion rate was 0.15%. Major complications ranged as high as 1.9% with no postoperative mortality. A definitive diagnosis was accomplished in 98.3% of the cases, and all such patients were treated successfully by laparoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that laparoscopy is not an alternative to physical examination/good clinical judgment or to conventional noninvasive diagnostic methods in treating the patient with symptoms of an acute abdomen. However it must be considered an effective option in treating patients in whom these methods fail and as a challenging alternative to open surgery in the management algorithm for abdominal emergencies.

Source control in the management of severe sepsis and septic shock: An evidence-based review

OBJECTIVE

In 2003, critical care and infectious disease experts representing 11 international organizations developed management guidelines for source control in the management of severe sepsis and septic shock that would be of practical use for the bedside clinician, under the auspices of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, an international effort to increase awareness and to improve outcome in severe sepsis.

DESIGN

The process included a modified Delphi method, a consensus conference, several subsequent smaller meetings of subgroups and key individuals, teleconferences, and electronic-based discussion among subgroups and among the entire committee.

METHODS

The modified Delphi methodology used for grading recommendations built on a 2001 publication sponsored by the International Sepsis Forum. We undertook a systematic review of the literature graded along five levels to create recommendation grades from A to E, with A being the highest grade. Pediatric considerations to contrast adult and pediatric management are in the article by Parker et al. on p. S591.

CONCLUSION

Source control represents a key component of success in therapy of sepsis. It includes drainage of infected fluids, debridement of infected soft tissues, removal of infected devices or foreign bodies, and finally, definite measures to correct anatomic derangement resulting in ongoing microbial contamination and to restore optimal function. Although highly logical, since source control is the best way to reduce quickly the bacterial inoculum, most recommendations are, however, graded as D or E due to the difficulty to perform appropriate randomized clinical trials in this respect. Appropriate source control should be part of the systematic checklist we have to keep in mind in setting up the therapeutic strategy in sepsis.