Laparoscopy in management of appendicitis in high-, middle-, and low-income countries : a multicenter, prospective, cohort study

Background Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency worldwide. Differences between high- and low-income settings in the availability of laparoscopic appendectomy, alternative management choices, and outcomes are poorly described. The aim was to identify variation in surgical management and outcomes of appendicitis within low-, middle-, and high-Human Development Index (HDI) countries worldwide. Methods This is a multicenter, international prospective cohort study. Consecutive sampling of patients undergoing emergency appendectomy over 6 months was conducted. Follow-up lasted 30 days. Results 4546 patients from 52 countries underwent appendectomy (2499 high-, 1540 middle-, and 507 low-HDI groups). Surgical site infection (SSI) rates were higher in low-HDI (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.33-4.99, p = 0.005) but not middle-HDI countries (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.76-2.52, p = 0.291), compared with high-HDI countries after adjustment. A laparoscopic approach was common in high-HDI countries (1693/2499, 67.7%), but infrequent in low-HDI (41/507, 8.1%) and middle-HDI (132/1540, 8.6%) groups. After accounting for case-mix, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.71, p <0.001) and SSIs (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.33, p <0.001). In propensity-score matched groups within low-/middle-HDI countries, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.11-0.44) and SSI (OR 0.21 95% CI 0.09-0.45). Conclusion A laparoscopic approach is associated with better outcomes and availability appears to differ by country HDI. Despite the profound clinical, operational, and financial barriers to its widespread introduction, laparoscopy could significantly improve outcomes for patients in low-resource environments. Trial registration: NCT02179112.Peer reviewe

Prophylactic open abdomen in patients with postoperative intra-abdominal hypertension

Postoperative intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is a frequent occurrence in critically ill patients operated on for severe abdominal trauma, secondary peritonitis or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. IAH may progress to abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) with new-onset organ dysfunction. Early recognition of IAH and interventions that prevent the development of ACS may preserve vital organ functions and increase the probability of survival. The best method to prevent postoperative ACS is to leave the abdomen open during the operation. The decision to leave the abdomen open is usually based on the surgeon's judgment without intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) measurements during the operation. Because significant morbidity and mortality are associated with the open abdomen, the measurement of IAP immediately after the fascial closure, when feasible, could offer an objective method for determining the optimal IAP threshold for leaving the abdomen open. The management of the open abdomen requires a temporary abdominal closure (TAC) system that would ideally prevent the development of ACS and facilitate later primary fascia closure. Among several TAC systems, the most promising are those that provide negative pressure to the wound or continuous fascial traction or both

Kolonoskopian tarve ei ole muuttunut

Kommentti Hannu Paajasen artikkeliin SLL 71(42)2633, 201

Position paper : timely interventions in severe acute pancreatitis are crucial for survival

Peer reviewe

Laparoskooppinen appendisektomia

English summar

Preoperative prognostic factors for severe diffuse secondary peritonitis : a retrospective study

The aim of this study was to analyse preoperative risk factors for mortality or intensive care unit admission to describe severe peritonitis. This was a single academic centre retrospective study of consecutive adult patients operated for diffuse secondary peritonitis between 2012 and 2013. Patients with appendicitis or cholecystitis were excluded. Independent risk factors were identified using binary and ordinal logistic regression. A total of 223 patients were analysed. Overall 30-day mortality was 14.5 %. Postoperatively, 32.3 % of patients were admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU). Independent risk factors for severe peritonitis were septic shock (odds ratio (OR) 37.94, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 14.52-99.13), chronic kidney insufficiency (OR 5.98 (95 % CI 1.56-22.86), severe sepsis (OR 4.80, 95 % CI 2.10-10.65) and cardiovascular disease (OR 2.58, 95 % CI 1.22-5.47). Patients lacking these factors had no mortality. ICU admission was refused in 24 (10.8 %) patients with 70.8 % mortality. In a subgroup of patients without treatment limitations (n = 190), independent risk factors for weighted outcome of ICU admission or mortality were septic shock (OR 11.89, 95 % CI 4.98-28.40), severe sepsis (OR 5.56, 95 % CI 2.39-12.89), metastatic malignant disease or lymphoma (OR 3.11, 95 % CI 1.34-7.20) and corticosteroid use (OR 2.98, 95 % CI 1.18-7.51). When receiving full level of care, patients with preoperative organ dysfunctions in this subgroup had 8.2 % 30-day mortality. Preoperative organ dysfunctions, chronic kidney insufficiency and cardiovascular disease are the most important risk factors for severe peritonitis. Without these risk factors, patients had no mortality.Peer reviewe

Transverse laparostomy is feasible and effective in the treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome in severe acute pancreatitis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Only recently has the important role of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) been recognized as a contributing factor to the multiple organ failure commonly seen in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Decompressive laparostomy for ACS is a life-saving procedure usually performed through a midline incision followed by a negative pressure wound dressing. High risk of intestinal fistulas and frequent inability to close the fascia with ensuing planned ventral hernia has prompted the search for alternative techniques. Subcutaneous fasciotomy may be effective in early and less severe cases of ACS but it is always accompanied with a ventral hernia.</p> <p>Case report</p> <p>A patient with SAP developed manifest ACS and was treated with bilateral subcostal laparostomy. Immediately after decompression, the intra-abdominal pressure dropped from 23 mmHg to 10 mmHg, and the respiratory, cardiovascular and renal functions improved markedly leading to full recovery. The abdominal incision including the fascia and the skin was closed gradually over 4 relaparotomies, and during the 6 months' follow up there are no signs of ventral hernia or other wound complications.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Transverse subcostal laparostomy is a promising alternative decompression technique for ACS in SAP. It is feasible, effective and might provide a chance of early fascial closure. Comparative studies are needed to define its role as a decompressive technique for ACS.</p