The ChoCO-W prospective observational global study: Does COVID-19 increase gangrenous cholecystitis?

BACKGROUND

The incidence of the highly morbid and potentially lethal gangrenous cholecystitis was reportedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the ChoCO-W study was to compare the clinical findings and outcomes of acute cholecystitis in patients who had COVID-19 disease with those who did not.

METHODS

Data were prospectively collected over 6 months (October 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021) with 1-month follow-up. In October 2020, Delta variant of SARS CoV-2 was isolated for the first time. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed and reported according to the STROBE guidelines. Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients who had COVID-19 were compared with those who did not.

RESULTS

A total of 2893 patients, from 42 countries, 218 centers, involved, with a median age of 61.3 (SD: 17.39) years were prospectively enrolled in this study; 1481 (51%) patients were males. One hundred and eighty (6.9%) patients were COVID-19 positive, while 2412 (93.1%) were negative. Concomitant preexisting diseases including cardiovascular diseases (p < 0.0001), diabetes (p < 0.0001), and severe chronic obstructive airway disease (p = 0.005) were significantly more frequent in the COVID-19 group. Markers of sepsis severity including ARDS (p < 0.0001), PIPAS score (p < 0.0001), WSES sepsis score (p < 0.0001), qSOFA (p < 0.0001), and Tokyo classification of severity of acute cholecystitis (p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group. The COVID-19 group had significantly higher postoperative complications (32.2% compared with 11.7%, p < 0.0001), longer mean hospital stay (13.21 compared with 6.51 days, p < 0.0001), and mortality rate (13.4% compared with 1.7%, p < 0.0001). The incidence of gangrenous cholecystitis was doubled in the COVID-19 group (40.7% compared with 22.3%). The mean wall thickness of the gallbladder was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group [6.32 (SD: 2.44) mm compared with 5.4 (SD: 3.45) mm; p < 0.0001].

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of gangrenous cholecystitis is higher in COVID patients compared with non-COVID patients admitted to the emergency department with acute cholecystitis. Gangrenous cholecystitis in COVID patients is associated with high-grade Clavien-Dindo postoperative complications, longer hospital stay and higher mortality rate. The open cholecystectomy rate is higher in COVID compared with non -COVID patients. It is recommended to delay the surgical treatment in COVID patients, when it is possible, to decrease morbidity and mortality rates. COVID-19 infection and gangrenous cholecystistis are not absolute contraindications to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy, in a case by case evaluation, in expert hands.

Physiological parameters for Prognosis in Abdominal Sepsis (PIPAS) Study: a WSES observational study

BACKGROUND

Timing and adequacy of peritoneal source control are the most important pillars in the management of patients with acute peritonitis. Therefore, early prognostic evaluation of acute peritonitis is paramount to assess the severity and establish a prompt and appropriate treatment. The objectives of this study were to identify clinical and laboratory predictors for in-hospital mortality in patients with acute peritonitis and to develop a warning score system, based on easily recognizable and assessable variables, globally accepted.

METHODS

This worldwide multicentre observational study included 153 surgical departments across 56 countries over a 4-month study period between February 1, 2018, and May 31, 2018.

RESULTS

A total of 3137 patients were included, with 1815 (57.9%) men and 1322 (42.1%) women, with a median age of 47 years (interquartile range [IQR] 28-66). The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 8.9%, with a median length of stay of 6 days (IQR 4-10). Using multivariable logistic regression, independent variables associated with in-hospital mortality were identified: age > 80 years, malignancy, severe cardiovascular disease, severe chronic kidney disease, respiratory rate ≥ 22 breaths/min, systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg, AVPU responsiveness scale (voice and unresponsive), blood oxygen saturation level (SpO₂) < 90% in air, platelet count < 50,000 cells/mm3, and lactate > 4 mmol/l. These variables were used to create the PIPAS Severity Score, a bedside early warning score for patients with acute peritonitis. The overall mortality was 2.9% for patients who had scores of 0-1, 22.7% for those who had scores of 2-3, 46.8% for those who had scores of 4-5, and 86.7% for those who have scores of 7-8.

CONCLUSIONS

The simple PIPAS Severity Score can be used on a global level and can help clinicians to identify patients at high risk for treatment failure and mortality.

Prospective Observational Study on acute Appendicitis Worldwide (POSAW)

BACKGROUND

Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common surgical disease, and appendectomy is the treatment of choice in the majority of cases. A correct diagnosis is key for decreasing the negative appendectomy rate. The management can become difficult in case of complicated appendicitis. The aim of this study is to describe the worldwide clinical and diagnostic work-up and management of AA in surgical departments.

METHODS

This prospective multicenter observational study was performed in 116 worldwide surgical departments from 44 countries over a 6-month period (April 1, 2016-September 30, 2016). All consecutive patients admitted to surgical departments with a clinical diagnosis of AA were included in the study.

RESULTS

A total of 4282 patients were enrolled in the POSAW study, 1928 (45%) women and 2354 (55%) men, with a median age of 29 years. Nine hundred and seven (21.2%) patients underwent an abdominal CT scan, 1856 (43.3%) patients an US, and 285 (6.7%) patients both CT scan and US. A total of 4097 (95.7%) patients underwent surgery; 1809 (42.2%) underwent open appendectomy and 2215 (51.7%) had laparoscopic appendectomy. One hundred eighty-five (4.3%) patients were managed conservatively. Major complications occurred in 199 patients (4.6%). The overall mortality rate was 0.28%.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study confirm the clinical value of imaging techniques and prognostic scores. Appendectomy remains the most effective treatment of acute appendicitis. Mortality rate is low.

Laparosocopic Appendectomy, Cost-Effectiveness of Three Different Techniques Used to Close the Appendix Stump

It is generally agreed that laparoscopic appendectomy is a valuable operative method. The aim of the study was to evaluate cost-effectiveness of three different techniques used to close the appendix stump.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study that compared three groups of patients who were operated on laparoscopically for acute appendicitis in 2013 at our institution. We used an endoscopic clip to close the appendix stump in the first group (n=20), endoscopic stapler was applied in the second group (n=20), and in the third group of patients the appendix base was closed with a laparoscopic suture (n=20). These groups were matched by age, sex and BMI.

RESULTS

The average operative cost was the highest in the second group. Cost of the laparoscopic appendectomy with the application of the endoscopic clip was significantly lower (first group) and comparable to the third group. Observed differences in total hospitalization costs were associated only with the chosen appendix stump closure technique.

CONCLUSIONS

Clip closure of the appendix base is an easy and cost-effective procedure. The laparoscopic suture technique is the cheapest but technically demanding. According to our experience endoscopic stapler may be useful in some cases, although it is the most expensive method.

Comparison of the results of laparoscopic appendectomies with application of different techniques for closure of the appendicular stump

Background

Nowadays laparoscopy is used frequently not only in elective surgery but also in abdominal emergencies, including acute appendicitis. There are several techniques used to close the appendicular stump during laparoscopic appendectomy. The aim of the study was to present and compare the results of minimally invasive appendectomies performed with the use of endoscopic staplers (group A), titanium endoclips (group B) and invaginating sutures (group C).

Methods

Three hundred seven patients (mean age = 35.6; SD = 15.9; 178 males,129 females) operated on laparoscopically for acute appendicitis from January 2010 to December 2014 at our department were included in the study. We reviewed retrospectively patients’ data including: age, sex, duration of the surgical procedure and hospital stay, mortality, intraoperative and postoperative complication rates in all analyzed groups.

Results

There were 102 patients in group A (mean age = 35.8;SD = 15.4; 57 males, 45 females). The average hospital stay in this group was 4.3 days (SD = 1.7), average operation time was 62.0 min (SD = 15), postoperative complication rate was 5.9 %. There were 160 patients in group B (mean age = 35.0; SD = 16.3; 96 males, 64 females). The average hospital stay in this group was 3.6 days (SD = 1.4), average operation time was 62.9 min (SD = 13.5), postoperative complication rate was 5.6 %. There were 45 patients in group C (mean age =37.3; SD = 15.8; 25 males, 20 females). The average hospital stay in this group was 4.6 days (SD = 2.0), average operation time was 73.9 min (SD = 20.8), postoperative complication rate was 6.7 %. There were no intraoperative complications and no mortality in all compared groups of patients operated on laparoscopically for acute appendicitis.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic appendectomies with application of different techniques for closure of the appendicular stump are useful and safe. In our study the shortest hospital stay and lowest complication rate were observed in patients operated with the use of titanium endoclips. The longest hospital stay and operation time and the highest complication rate was associated with the use of invaginating sutures.

[Tension-free technique for the repair of strangulated abdominal hernias]

There are just few studies regarding the use of tension-free techniques during the emergency operations of strangulated hernias among all the articles on the subject of surgical herniorrhaphy. Assessment of safety of the use of mono- or double-filament polypropylene mesh for the repair of strangulated hernia constituted the aim of the study. There were 81 inguinal and 34 other hernias (mostly incisional) in the group of 115 surgically treated patients with strangulated abdominal wall hernias. During the surgical operation in 84 patients strangulated bowel loop was reduced, 22 patients were treated with reduction of larger omentum, 7 patients required bowel resection (including 2 resections of Meckel diverticulum) and 2 resections of the omentum. All patients received prophylactic dose of broad-spectrum antibiotic during the surgical procedure and for 2-4 days after the operation. There were 15 cases of surgical site complications noted. Only two such cases (purulent infection in two patients and necrosis of wound margins in one) constituted potential threat to the implant. The incidence of local surgical complications was somewhat lower in the group of inguinal hernias as compared to the others (11.1% vs. 17.6%). The data from our study confirm the fact that mono- or double-filament polypropylene mesh can be safely used for the repair of strangulated hernia and the risk of local surgical complications is scant.

Is the Lichtenstein Operation of Strangulated Groin Hernia a Safe Procedure?

BACKGROUND

In spite of many published articles describing the hernia repairs, there are only a few original reports concerning the polymer mesh application during emergency procedures for strangulated inguinal hernias. The aim of our study was to evaluate the results of the Lichtenstein and Bassini operations for strangulated groin hernias and to show the changing number of the tension-free repairs.

METHODS

From 1997 to 2004, the Bassini procedure was performed in 21 patients, 6 of whom underwent small intestine resection and 2 others required resection of the necrotic omentum. The strangulated intestinal loop or omentum were released in 13 cases. After the repair 1 patient died of shock caused by intestinal necrosis. Of 56 patients who underwent an emergency Lichtenstein procedure, 55 were followed-up. A small intestine resection was performed in 2 cases to correct segmental necrosis. The gangrenous omental appendix of the sigmoid colon was excised in 1 patient, and necrotic omental fragments were resected in 2 cases. The strangulated intestinal loop or omentum was released in 51 patients. All patients were given wide-spectrum antibiotics intravenously.

RESULTS

Between 1997 and 2000 tension-free procedures were performed in half of the patients undergoing emergency operation for strangulated hernia; between 2001 and 2004 such procedures were employed in more than 90% of the cases. In 2 patients we observed a small inflammatory infiltration of the wound that resolved within several days after Lichtenstein repair. A serous fluid collection was present in 2 cases. The treatment consisted of puncture and was successful in both cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of monofilament polypropylene mesh for strangulated inguinal hernia repair is safe, and the risk of the local infectious complications is low.

[Laparoscopy in abdominal emergencies]

Up-to-dated concepts about the use of laparoscopy in the "acute abdomen" have been discussed. Most frequently performed procedures in abdominal emergencies and trauma were presented. Indications, contraindications, advantages and drawbacks with regard to own experience and literature were discussed.

[The decade of laparoscopic cholecystectomy]

The role of laparoscopy in the treatment of gallbladder stones has been discussed. Operative technique, intraoperative difficulties, complications and its treatment were presented. Indications, postoperative course, advantages and drawbacks of minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of cholelithiasis were discussed.

[Acute appendicitis--open or laparoscopic surgery?]

Laparoscopy is used more and more frequently in the treatment of abdominal emergencies including acute appendicitis. This technique has a lot of advantages especially in the group of the young female patients, where the differential diagnosis between gynecological diseases and appendicitis is difficult.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study is designed to compare the results of open and laparoscopic exploration in patients with suspected appendicitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From 1998-2001 we performed 278 operations for suspicion of appendicitis in the 2nd Dept. of Surgery of the Jagiellonian University. There were 127 laparoscopic procedures performed in 46 men and 81 women (mean age 28.6 years) and 151 classical exploration in 99 men and 52 women (mean age 37.9 years). We reviewed retrospectively the patients' data analysing age, sex, duration of the procedure, length of the hospital stay, intraoperative and postoperative complication rate.

RESULTS

The patients operated classically were older than patients operated laparoscopically. The proportion of male and female patients was reversed in both types of exploration. The female patients composed a majority (2/3) in the case of laparoscopic procedures and minority (1/3) in the case of open operations. The average duration of open appendectomy was 43 min. as compared with 49 min. of laparoscopic procedure, which was however getting shorter in the analysed period. The mean length of the hospital stay was twice shorter after laparoscopic appendectomy (4.8 days vs 8.4 days). There were only 4 (3.15%) complications connected with laparoscopic technique and 34 (22.52%) complications after open appendectomy. There were 12 (9.45%) conversions, most of them in patients with the retrocoecal position of the appendix. The diagnosis of acute appendicitis was confirmed in similar percentage in both operation types (laparoscopy--78.74%, open technique--79.47%). There were also similar proportions of the patients with no macroscopical changes in the appendix and with other abdominal diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopy allows for the precise diagnosis and final treatment in most patients with the suspected acute appendicitis. Some patients also avoid laparotomy. Hospital stay is significantly shorter and complication rate is markedly lower among patients operated laparoscopically.

[Type 1 carcinoids and ECL-cell hyperplasia of the gastric mucosa]

Carcinoids develop from neuroendocrine cells. These cells share the same origin from ancestor stem cells in the regenerative zone of the gut. There are a few types of neuroendocrine cells in the stomach, mainly: G cells (antrum), D cells (corpus and antrum), ECL cells (corpus and fundus), D1 cells, EC cells, P cells and X cells. Each type of the endocrine cell is able to a tumor formation, but the gastric carcinoids are most likely to derive from ECL cells. The dominant type of cells of the corpus and fundus mucosa are the ECL cells. They constitute up to 30-40% of the neuroendocrine cells of the stomach and release histamine which is responsible for parietal cells stimulation. Hypergastrinemia predisposes ECL cells to proliferation. There is a continuity of changes ranging from simple hyperplasia to ECL cells carcinoids (often multiple). Among three types of gastric carcinoids, type three is aggressive and highly malignant, while type one is the most common but of low malignant potential. This publication presents 7 patients with extensive ECL cells hyperplasia and type 1 gastric carcinoids. The endocrine cells and carcinoids were visualized with the immunohistochemical reaction to chromogranin A. Prolonged, lasting several years observations of some of the patients under study confirm the indolent character of the disease. Individual, type-adapted, conservative treatment is sufficient.

[Maffucci's syndrome with giant tumor of the thoracic wall]

Maffucci's syndrome is a rare nonhereditary malformation of mesodremal dysplasia origin which consists of multiple hemangiomas of the soft tissue and multiple enchondromas. Only approximately 170 cases of this disease have been reported in the literature. Maffucci's syndrome is known to be associated with tumors of mesodermal origin. Chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma and angiosarcoma are the most common malignant neoplasms and the benign tumors consist of pituitary adenoma, adrenal cortical adenoma, parathyroid adenoma, thyroid adenoma and breast fibroadenoma. We present a case report of a 26-year old female patient with Maffucci's syndrome and a giant thorax tumor composed of fibroadenoma and canalicular adenoma.

[Mammography screening for breast cancer]

Principles of the population-based mammography screening for breast cancer have been presented. Methodology, results and limitations of this method have been discussed.