Enteroatmospheric fistulas - the challenge of the open abdomen

Introduction: In the past two decades, the open abdomen (OA) technique has gained wide popularity as an effective approach in the cases with severe peritonitis, abdominal compartment syndrome and critical trauma. However, it is still associated with high complication rate. Enteroatmospheric fistulas are the most devastating complication. Despite the numerous techniques described in the literature, their management remains a challenging task.Material and methods: The present study analyses the frequency of enteroatmospheric fistulas in two cohorts managed by open abdomen and discussed the results from their treatment in the V.A.C. group. The first cohort includes 69 consecutive patients temporarily closed by V.A.C. abdominal dressing, whereas the other one encompasses 83 patients treated by mesh-foil laparostomy. The fistula effluent was isolated by 10 ml syringe barrel according to the technique of Verhaalen.Results: Overall, 5/69 (7.2%) fistulas were identified. All were high output (>500 ml) small bowel fistulas. One patient died before fistula closure (25%, 1/5). A controlled enterocutaneous fistula was achieved in 2 patients and spontaneous closure in one. In one case an extensive small bowel resection due to intractable ileus was performed. The mean ICU and hospital stay in the fistula group were 15.2 (7-28) and 55.6 (32-84) days versus 8.2 (2-30) and 16.7 (3-84) respectively.Conclusion: The enteroatmospheric fistulas are the most dangerous complication of the open abdomen. The best treatment is their isolation combined with V.A.C. at the early stages and resection with primary anastomosis after 3-12 months

Ingested fork impacted in stomach - challenge for risky endoscopy or primary surgery

The ingestion of metallic (radiopaque) foreign bodies remains a common problem amongst prison population. A 34-year-old male prisoner swallowed a dinner fork in an attempt to escape justice. Attempts for endoscopic extraction were unsuccessful. The patient underwent laparotomy and via gastrotomy a 15-cm length fork was removed. Based upon our previous experience, we recommend immediate surgical removal if the attempt for endoscopic retrieval had failed. Prevention measures in prison inmates may significantly decrease the incidence rate

Pseudomyxoma peritonei - a report of two cases and a review of the literature

Introduction: PMP is a rare disease with a slow but progressive course leading to death. According to the literature PMP encompass wide variety of conditions. To avoid the confusion and to facilitate the treatment and comparison of the results several authors suggested that the term `PMP` should include only the cases with appendiceal origin.Case report: We report two cases with low-grade paseudomyxoma peritonei. The first case was managed by debulking surgery alone with survival 2 years. The second case underwent complete cytoreduction plus HIPEC and 3 years later is still alive and free of disease. There was one patient with a benign appendiceal mucocele treated by appendectomy, who is free of disease 3 years later.Introduction: PMP is a rare disease with a slow but progressive course leading to death. According to the literature PMP encompass wide variety of conditions. To avoid confusion and to facilitate treatment and comparison of the results several authors suggested that the term `PMP` should include only the cases with appendiceal origin.Case report: We report two cases with low-grade paseudomyxoma peritonei. The first case was managed by debulking surgery alone with survival 2 years. The second case underwent complete cytoreduction plus HIPEC and 3 years later is still alive and free of disease. There was one patient with a benign appendiceal mucocele treated by appendectomy, who is free of disease 3 years later.Conclusion: Despite the high complication rate, cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC remains the gold standard in the treatment of pseudomyxoma peritonei. The tumor grade and completeness of cytoreduction are the main prognostic factors. Due to the rarity of the condition most of the surgeons are not experienced enough to manage these patients. Additionally, the incomplete cytoreduction is associated with poorer prognosis and significantly hampers the subsequent interventions. Thus, in the cases when it is found incidentally, the best strategy is the taking of biopsy, appendectomy and subsequent referral to a specialized center for a treatment by multidisciplinary team

Appendix perforation in appendix duplication in a man: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Although appendix duplication is diagnosed as a rare congenital anomaly of the alimentary tract in childhood, a few adult cases have also been reported. Here we report a case of appendix duplication with perforated appendicitis co-existing with acute appendicitis in an adult patient.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 33-year-old Caucasian man was admitted to our Emergency Department with right-sided lower-quadrant pain that we explored for presumed complicated appendicitis. On exploration, a perforated inflamed appendix was found coexisting with a second inflamed appendix which was subserosal and retrocecal. Appendectomies were performed, and the pathological examination confirmed the signs of acute inflammation in both appendixes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Surgeons in emergency services should be aware of anatomical anomalies such as duplication and malposition of the appendix, even in patients with a history of previous appendectomy, because misdiagnosis of appendix duplication may lead to a poor clinical outcome and medicolegal issues.</p

GASTRIC ULCER PENETRATING TO THE DUODENOJEJUNAL FLEXURE – MANAGEMENT AND PITFALLS. CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Introduction: The penetration into adjacent organs is a classical complication of peptic ulcer despite being less frequent than the other complications. The current work presents a rare case of gastric ulcer penetrating the duodenojejunal flexure and discusses the diagnostic difficulties, pitfalls, and current treatment strategy. Case report: A 63-years-old woman was admitted complaining of intermittent black stools defecations, and a weight of 44 kg. The referral gastroscopy revealed a 10 cm ulcer on the posterior wall of the stomach. The histology demonstrated severe gastritis with atypical cells. The hemoglobin level was 88g/l. The patient was scheduled for elective resection for suspected gastric cancer. The intraoperative finding was completely different – there was an ulcer approximately 4-5 cm in diameter infiltrating the transverse mesocolon and duodenojejunal flexure. The case was considered T4 cancer and we decided against elective gastrectomy. The postoperative CT showed an ulcer penetrating the duodenojejunal flexure. The second gastroscopy found an ulcer with a size of 3-4 cm. The multiple biopsies showed exacerbated chronic peptic ulcer with H. pylori infection, which was treated with proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics. The follow-up gastroscopy four months later demonstrated shrinkage of the ulcer to 15 mm with complete epithelization. One year later she gained 23 kg and was free of complaints. Conclusion: Penetration and fistulization to the duodenojejunal flexure are uncommon but possible complications of peptic ulcer disease. They are not an absolute indication for surgery. Decision-making should take into account the clinical presentation, patient age, and comorbidity

Cystic Echinococcosis of the Breast - Diagnostic Dilemma or just a Rare Primary Localization

Introduction: Although the liver and lung are the most frequently affected organs in cystic echinococcosis, the cysts may develop in any viscera and tissues. Breast is a rare primary localization with few cases described in the literature. We present an updated and systematic review and discuss the possible mechanisms of spreading, diagnostic and treatment options.Materials and methods: We performed a literature search in PUBMED using the key words &lsquo;hydatid disease&rsquo;, &lsquo;cystic echinococcosis&rsquo; and &lsquo;breast echinococcosis&rsquo; without time limitation. Only studies reporting breast cystic echinococcosis were included.Results: Overall, 121 cases with cystic echinococcosis and 2 with alveolar echinococcosis were reported. A total of 52 cases were included in the analysis. The mean size of cysts was 5.5 cm (range 1.7-12). The most common clinical presentation was painless lump presented from 4 months to 19 years before the final diagnosis. Most cases had isolated breast CE, few cases had synchronous localizations &ndash; femoral, thigh and lung, and previous liver CE. Most were active CL and CE1-2 cysts (72%). Ultrasound was used in 83%, followed by mammography (35%). Fine needle aspiration was reported in 27 cases with positive finding in 59%.Conclusions: In cases with cystic breast lesions from endemic regions we recommend the US as a gold standard. CT and MRT are more accurate but expensive tools without the potential to change the surgical tactic. In contrast to the other localizations of CE, complete excision of the cysts is the best diagnostic and treatment approach

Crohn's Disease Complicated by Ileosigmoid Fistula - Synchronous Resection or Primary Sigmoid Repair, One or Two-stage Procedure? A systematic review of the literature and prospective case series

Introduction: Although ileosigmoid fistulas (ISFs) in Crohn&rsquo;s disease (CD) are rare they can be quite challenging, especially for the inexperienced surgeons. Furthermore, current guidelines offer no clear recommendation regarding the surgical strategy in such cases. A systematic review of the literature to determine the best surgical strategy and a prospective case series are presented herein.&nbsp; Materials and methods: The systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. A single-center prospective data-base from January 1, 2014 to August 20, 2019 is presented. Age, duration of CD, and the rates of ISF, emergency, preoperative diagnosis, type of surgery, type of stoma, and complications were analyzed and a prospective case series. Results: Eleven of 69 papers with a total of 505 patients were included in the systematic analysis. The rate of ISF was 3&ndash;5% of all CD patients. The combined preoperative detection rate of all modalities was 71%. Primary repair was performed in 42% of the cases; the rate of stoma was 31.5% with a similar proportion in primary repair and sigmoid resection.In the presented series, 35 of 176 patients with CD were operated (51% in an emergency setting). There were 7 cases with ISFs (4% of all and 20% of the operated patients). Preoperative diagnosis was made at 57%. Primary repair was performed in 71%, and a two-stage intervention with a stoma &ndash; in 58% of patients. Conclusions: Primary repair should be attempted in all cases in which the sigmoid colon is disease-free or is not involved in the adja-cent abscess. The synchronous resections are not a mandatory indication for the stoma, but rather a tailored approach is recommended with an evaluation of the risk factors. Based on the available literature, no clear recommendation regarding the type of stoma can be made