Acute diverticulitis in COVID-19 patients: parallel management in three cases. Are the guidelines adapting? = Diverticulite aguda em pacientes com COVID-19: manejo paralelo em três casos. As diretrizes estão se adaptando?

Introduction: One concern in COVID-19 era is to treat surgical cases. According to the literature, a positive Sars-CoV-2 swab should delay surgery. The decision-making process is more challenging in cases of emergency. This report aims to present the management of acute diverticulitis in COVID patients. Case report: Three cases of perforated diverticulitis in COVID patients occurred in our institution. Two cases, whose one was symptomatic for COVID, underwent a Hartmann procedure. In the third case, a percutaneous drainage was performed, because of age and comorbidities. No complications occurred. A perianal swab and a drainage fluid swab were collected. The rRT-PCR analysis was negative for Sars-CoV-2. The decision-making process in cases of emergency surgery during a SarsCoV-2 infection is challenging. It is demonstrated that a positive Sars-CoV-2 swab should delay surgery, but we need evidence on the management of COVID-19 surgical patients during emergencies. We tried conservative solutions and avoided excessive exposition of the personnel. When pulmonary and general conditions allowed a surgical approach, we performed it. We did not find any viral presence in our patients’ body fluids and gastrointestinal samples. On the other hand, some authors reported the presence of the virus in feces specimens and anal swab tests. These contradictory findings are yet to be confirmed. Conclusion: The management of surgical emergencies in COVID-19 patients is challenging. The present work aims to give a contribution to the management of such surgical emergencies, as well as to warn colorectal surgeons about possible challenges

Ileal intussusception due to heterotopic pancreas in the ileum: a case report

Heterotopic pancreas (HP) is a rare condition where pancreatic tissue is found outside its usual location, usually within the gastrointestinal tract. While typically asymptomatic, HP can cause complications like gastrointestinal bleeding and intussusception, especially in adults, posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. A 31-year-old male presented with severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Initial imaging revealed significant ileal and cecal wall thickening. Despite antibiotic therapy, his condition worsened, necessitating exploratory laparotomy. Intraoperative findings showed ileal intussusception near the cecum, leading to ileocecal resection and ileo-colic anastomosis. Pathological examination confirmed HP as the cause of intussusception. This case underscores the importance of considering HP in adult intussusception. Timely surgical intervention is critical to prevent severe complications. At a two-year follow-up, he remained symptom-free, highlighting the necessity for prompt diagnosis and management

Huge mesenchymal hamartoma in a young adult: a case report

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver (MHL) is rare. Less than 50 adult cases have been described. Due to their potential degeneration or recurrence, a complete surgical resection must be performed. We describe a case of a 26-year-old with a palpable solid lesion, which displaced abdominal organs. Percutaneous needle biopsies suggested the diagnosis of MHL. A right hemi-hepatectomy without segment 1 was performed; the post-operative course was uneventful. The mesenchymal component of the tumour was reactive to desmin and smooth muscle actin. Low proliferation index was confirmed (MIB1). Genetic counselling: the sequencing analysis of DICER1 and CDKN1C gene was negative, DNA methylation analysis on the chromosome 11p15 region was normal. After 42 months, there was no recurrence. In conclusion, clinicians should consider MHL in the differential diagnosis. The dimension and the need of radicality impose major liver resections or liver transplantations, which should be performed in referral centres

Case Report: Ileo-Ileal Intussusception Secondary to Inflammatory Fibroid Polyp: A Rare Cause of Intestinal Obstruction

Introduction: Intussusception is a telescoping of a bowel segment into another and it can be a surgical urgency. Most adult intussusceptions arise from a lead point which can be benign or malignant. For this reason, intussusception in adults should undergo surgery. Here we describe a case of ileal inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP), presenting with ileo-ileal intussusception and obstruction. Case report: A 54-year-old Caucasian woman presented for acute abdominal pain. A radiography and a CT of the abdomen were performed, which showed signs of occlusion due to an ileo-ileal intussusception. An urgent laparoscopy was performed, the intussusception was extracorporeally reduced, the ileal segment involved was resected, and an ileo-ileal anastomosis was performed. The intussusception seemed to be caused by a 3-cm intra-mural lesion. Discussion: Intussusception is a surgical concern. While most cases are idiopathic in children, 90% of adult intussusceptions are caused by underlying diseases. Therefore, intussusception in adults should undergo surgery. Radiology is necessary for the diagnosis: the CT scan helps localizing the lesion and shows pathognomonic signs. This case report analyzes an intussusception caused by an inflammatory fibroid polyp. Accurate diagnosis of IFP is only possible with histopathological examination, helped by immunohistochemistry. The differential diagnosis is important because some lesions are malignant. Conclusion: We reported a case of intussusception caused by an IFP. The diagnosis was made with a CT scan together with intraoperative findings and histopathological examination, which excluded potential differential diagnoses. The patient underwent an explorative laparoscopy, with an ileal resection and anastomosis. Due to the risk of malignancy, surgery is mandatory

Post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia: a rare case of intestinal obstruction

Post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition that can occur after blunt or penetrating trauma. Delayed presentations are uncommon, but can lead to serious complications, such as bowel obstruction. We report a case of a 31-year-old male patient who presented five years after a thoracic trauma with symptoms of intestinal obstruction and was diagnosed with a delayed post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia. The diagnosis was made through contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan, and the patient underwent laparoscopic repair with mesh reinforcement. This case highlights the importance of considering diaphragmatic hernia in the differential diagnosis of patients with a history of trauma, even if the presentation is delayed. Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial to prevent serious complications and improve patient outcomes. This study adds to the existing literature on traumatic diaphragmatic hernias, emphasizing the need for enhanced clinical awareness, interdisciplinary cooperation, and surgical repair

Ileocolic intussusception: a case report and literature review

Intussusception is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction. In adults, it is often secondary to an underlying pathology. Imaging plays a central role in the diagnosis. Surgical intervention is the treatment of choice when bowel obstruction occurs. The goal of surgery is both therapeutic and diagnostic, allowing for resection and pathological evaluation. This case of a 76-year-old female shows that early recognition and prompt surgery are crucial for a favorable outcome. The patient exhibited symptoms of bowel obstruction. The computed tomography scan clearly demonstrated intussusception of the terminal ileum into the cecum. The patient underwent urgent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with extracorporeal anastomosis. Histological findings: intussusception with a tubulovillous adenoma with low-grade dysplasia and without invasive features. In this case, an underlying potentially malignant evolving condition was discovered and removed. In conclusion, early recognition and intervention are key to improving outcomes in patients with intussusception and intestinal obstruction signs

Infected pancreatic necrosis: outcomes and clinical predictors of mortality. A post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study

: The identification of high-risk patients in the early stages of infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is critical, because it could help the clinicians to adopt more effective management strategies. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study to assess the association between clinical risk factors and mortality among adult patients with IPN. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors of mortality. We identified 247 consecutive patients with IPN hospitalised between January 2019 and December 2020. History of uncontrolled arterial hypertension (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.135-15.882; aOR 4.245), qSOFA (p = 0.005; 95% CI 1.359-5.879; aOR 2.828), renal failure (p = 0.022; 95% CI 1.138-5.442; aOR 2.489), and haemodynamic failure (p = 0.018; 95% CI 1.184-5.978; aOR 2.661), were identified as independent predictors of mortality in IPN patients. Cholangitis (p = 0.003; 95% CI 1.598-9.930; aOR 3.983), abdominal compartment syndrome (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.090-6.967; aOR 2.735), and gastrointestinal/intra-abdominal bleeding (p = 0.009; 95% CI 1.286-5.712; aOR 2.710) were independently associated with the risk of mortality. Upfront open surgical necrosectomy was strongly associated with the risk of mortality (p < 0.001; 95% CI 1.912-7.442; aOR 3.772), whereas endoscopic drainage of pancreatic necrosis (p = 0.018; 95% CI 0.138-0.834; aOR 0.339) and enteral nutrition (p = 0.003; 95% CI 0.143-0.716; aOR 0.320) were found as protective factors. Organ failure, acute cholangitis, and upfront open surgical necrosectomy were the most significant predictors of mortality. Our study confirmed that, even in a subgroup of particularly ill patients such as those with IPN, upfront open surgery should be avoided as much as possible. Study protocol registered in ClinicalTrials.Gov (I.D. Number NCT04747990)

Acute diverticulitis management: evolving trends among Italian surgeons. A survey of the Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery (SICCR)

Acute diverticulitis (AD) is associated with relevant morbidity/mortality and is increasing worldwide, thus becoming a major issue for national health systems. AD may be challenging, as clinical relevance varies widely, ranging from asymptomatic picture to life-threatening conditions, with continuously evolving diagnostic tools, classifications, and management. A 33-item-questionnaire was administered to residents and surgeons to analyze the actual clinical practice and to verify the real spread of recent recommendations, also by stratifying surgeons by experience. CT-scan remains the mainstay of AD assessment, including cases presenting with recurrent mild episodes or women of child-bearing age. Outpatient management of mild AD is slowly gaining acceptance. A conservative management is preferred in non-severe cases with extradigestive air or small/non-radiologically drainable abscesses. In severe cases, a laparoscopic approach is preferred, with a non-negligible number of surgeons confident in performing emergency complex procedures. Surgeons are seemingly aware of several options during emergency surgery for AD, since the rate of Hartmann procedures does not exceed 50% in most environments and damage control surgery is spreading in life-threatening cases. Quality of life and history of complicated AD are the main indications for delayed colectomy, which is mostly performed avoiding the proximal vessel ligation, mobilizing the splenic flexure and performing a colorectal anastomosis. ICG is spreading to check anastomotic stumps' vascularization. Differences between the two experience groups were found about the type of investigation to exclude colon cancer (considering the experience only in terms of number of colectomies performed), the size of the peritoneal abscess to be drained, practice of damage control surgery and the attitude towards colovesical fistula

Correction to: Two years later: Is the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic still having an impact on emergency surgery? An international cross-sectional survey among WSES members

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is still ongoing and a major challenge for health care services worldwide. In the first WSES COVID-19 emergency surgery survey, a strong negative impact on emergency surgery (ES) had been described already early in the pandemic situation. However, the knowledge is limited about current effects of the pandemic on patient flow through emergency rooms, daily routine and decision making in ES as well as their changes over time during the last two pandemic years. This second WSES COVID-19 emergency surgery survey investigates the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on ES during the course of the pandemic. Methods: A web survey had been distributed to medical specialists in ES during a four-week period from January 2022, investigating the impact of the pandemic on patients and septic diseases both requiring ES, structural problems due to the pandemic and time-to-intervention in ES routine. Results: 367 collaborators from 59 countries responded to the survey. The majority indicated that the pandemic still significantly impacts on treatment and outcome of surgical emergency patients (83.1% and 78.5%, respectively). As reasons, the collaborators reported decreased case load in ES (44.7%), but patients presenting with more prolonged and severe diseases, especially concerning perforated appendicitis (62.1%) and diverticulitis (57.5%). Otherwise, approximately 50% of the participants still observe a delay in time-to-intervention in ES compared with the situation before the pandemic. Relevant causes leading to enlarged time-to-intervention in ES during the pandemic are persistent problems with in-hospital logistics, lacks in medical staff as well as operating room and intensive care capacities during the pandemic. This leads not only to the need for triage or transferring of ES patients to other hospitals, reported by 64.0% and 48.8% of the collaborators, respectively, but also to paradigm shifts in treatment modalities to non-operative approaches reported by 67.3% of the participants, especially in uncomplicated appendicitis, cholecystitis and multiple-recurrent diverticulitis. Conclusions: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic still significantly impacts on care and outcome of patients in ES. Well-known problems with in-hospital logistics are not sufficiently resolved by now; however, medical staff shortages and reduced capacities have been dramatically aggravated over last two pandemic years

Evolving trends in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 waves. The ACIE appy II study

Background: In 2020, ACIE Appy study showed that COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected the management of patients with acute appendicitis (AA) worldwide, with an increased rate of non-operative management (NOM) strategies and a trend toward open surgery due to concern of virus transmission by laparoscopy and controversial recommendations on this issue. The aim of this study was to survey again the same group of surgeons to assess if any difference in management attitudes of AA had occurred in the later stages of the outbreak. Methods: From August 15 to September 30, 2021, an online questionnaire was sent to all 709 participants of the ACIE Appy study. The questionnaire included questions on personal protective equipment (PPE), local policies and screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection, NOM, surgical approach and disease presentations in 2021. The results were compared with the results from the previous study. Results: A total of 476 answers were collected (response rate 67.1%). Screening policies were significatively improved with most patients screened regardless of symptoms (89.5% vs. 37.4%) with PCR and antigenic test as the preferred test (74.1% vs. 26.3%). More patients tested positive before surgery and commercial systems were the preferred ones to filter smoke plumes during laparoscopy. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was the first option in the treatment of AA, with a declined use of NOM. Conclusion: Management of AA has improved in the last waves of pandemic. Increased evidence regarding SARS-COV-2 infection along with a timely healthcare systems response has been translated into tailored attitudes and a better care for patients with AA worldwide