Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition in the Perioperative Period: State of the Art

Nutritional support of surgical and critically ill patients has undergone significant advances since 1936 when Studley demonstrated a direct relationship between pre-operative weight loss and operative mortality. The advent of total parenteral nutrition followed by the extraordinary progress in parenteral and enteral feedings, in addition to the increased knowledge of cellular biology and biochemistry, have allowed clinicians to treat malnutrition and improve surgical patient’s outcomes. We reviewed the literature for the current status of perioperative nutrition comparing parenteral nutrition with enteral nutrition. In a surgical patient with established malnutrition, nutritional support should begin at least 7–10 days prior to surgery. Those patients in whom eating is not anticipated beyond the first five days following surgery should receive the benefits of early enteral or parenteral feeding depending on whether the gut can be used. Compared to parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition is associated with fewer complications, a decrease in the length of hospital stay, and a favorable cost-benefit analysis. In addition, many patients may benefit from newer enteral formulations such as Immunonutrition as well as disease-specific formulations

Laparoscopic Splenectomy for Traumatic Splenic Injury after Screening Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is a widespread diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. The most common complications include bleeding and perforation. Splenic rupture following colonoscopy is rarely encountered and is most likely secondary to traction on the splenocolic ligament. Exploratory laparotomy and splenectomy is the most commonly employed therapeutic intervention for this injury reported in the literature. We present the case of a patient with this potentially fatal complication who was treated successfully at our institution. To our knowledge it is the first report in the literature of laparoscopic splenectomy as a successful minimally invasive treatment of splenic rupture following colonoscopy. The patient was a 62-year-old female who underwent screening colonoscopy with polypectomies at the cecum, descending colon and rectum. Immediately following the procedure she developed abdominal pain and had a syncopal episode. Clinical, laboratory and imaging findings were suggestive of hemoperitoneum and a ruptured spleen. A diagnostic laparoscopy was emergently performed and revealed a grade IV splenic laceration and hemoperitoneum. Laparoscopic splenectomy was completed safely and effectively. The patient’s postoperative recovery was uneventful. We conclude that splenic rupture after colonoscopy is a rare but dangerous complication. A high index of suspicion is required to recognize it early. Awareness of this potential complication can lead to optimal patient outcome. Laparoscopic splenectomy may be a feasible treatment option

Emergency Laparoscopic Repair of an Iatrogenic Gastric Perforation in a Hiatal Hernia following a Failed Endoscopic Closure

Iatrogenic gastrointestinal perforation is a rare, life-threatening complication of endoscopic procedures, which requires either endoscopic or surgical repair. We report the account of an 82-year-old woman with an iatrogenic gastric perforation of a hiatal hernia secondary to an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure. Despite immediate recognition of the complication and endoscopic closure with through-the-scope (TTS) clips, the patient developed mediastinitis, peritonitis, and sepsis. She subsequently underwent an emergency laparoscopic hiatal hernia dissection and repair of the perforation with mediastinal and peritoneal washout. Given the patient’s age and the degree of insult, subdiaphragmatic anchoring with abdominal drain placement was performed, and the hiatus was left open for additional drainage. The use of a side-viewing duodenoscope with the presence of a large hiatal hernia contributed to the risk of gastric perforation. We conclude that performing endoscopic procedures in patients with a known hiatal hernia should be carefully undertaken. If a perforation in such patients occurs, laparoscopic repair of such complications is feasible as demonstrated in this case video

Laparoscopic Removal of Angelchik Prosthesis Followed by Interval Sleeve Gastrectomy

Introduction. The Angelchik prosthesis (AP) is a historic antireflux device which consists of a C-shaped silicone ring placed around the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) and secured by Dacron tape. We present a rare experience with an AP and its impact on bariatric surgical outcomes. Case. Our patient is a 66-year-old woman who had an open antireflux procedure with an AP in 1987. She presented to a bariatric clinic for consideration of bariatric surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity and associated comorbidities. She also reported significant problems with reflux and dysphagia. After an appropriate work-up, an AP was identified at her GEJ. She was taken to the operating room for laparoscopic removal with planned interval laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Intraoperatively, the AP was identified around the GEJ; after extensive adhesiolysis, the prosthesis was removed. Postoperatively, in order to determine if the AP had caused any lasting esophageal motility problems, the patient underwent a high-resolution esophageal manometry which demonstrated normal esophageal motility. Interval laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was performed safely 9 weeks later. Conclusion. Although rarely used, it is still possible to encounter an Angelchik prosthesis in practice. General and bariatric surgeons need to be aware of this rare device and understand how to manage its related complications