The value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography for the exclusion of choledocholithiasis.

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked Files. This article is open access.To investigate the ability of Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) to exclude choledocholithiasis (CDL) in symptomatic patients.Patients suspected of choledocholithiasis who underwent MRCP from 2008 through 2013 in a population based study at the National University Hospital of Iceland were retrospectively analysed, using ERCP and/or intraoperative cholangiography as a gold standard diagnosis for CDL.Overall 920 patients [66% women, mean age 55 years (SD 21)] underwent MRCP. A total of 392 patients had a normal MRCP of which 71 underwent an ERCP investigation demonstrating a CBD stone in 29 patients. A normal MRCP was found to have a 93% negative predictive value (NPV) and 89% probability of having no CBD stone demonstrated as well as no readmission due to gallstone disease within six months following MRCP. During a 6-month follow-up period of the 321 patients who did not undergo an ERCP nine (2.8%) patients were readmitted with right upper quadrant pain and elevated liver tests which later normalised with no CBD stone being demonstrated, three (0.9%) patients were readmitted with presumed gallstone pancreatitis, two (0.6%) patients were readmitted with cholecystitis and two (0.6%) patients were lost to follow-up. Seven patients of those 321 underwent an intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) and all were negative for CBD stones. For the sub-group requiring ERCP following a normal MRCP the NPV was 63%.Our results support the use of MRCP as a tool for exclusion of choledocholithiasis with the potential to reduce the amount of unnecessary ERCP procedures

Rectal cancer : Aspects of post-operative complications

Aim: The overall aim of this thesis was to study post-operative complications in patients with rectal cancer. Methods: Post-operative complications in patients operated for rectal cancer was retrospectively analyzed in three prospective registers; the local rectal cancer registry in the Västmanland County, Sweden, the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry (SCRCR) and the National Prostate Cancer Registry (NPCR). In Papers I and II, the focus was on the complication pattern after Hartmann’s procedure (HP). In Paper III, the incidence of parastomal hernia was assessed during a period when no prophylactic mesh was used (1996-2006) compared with a period when a prophylactic mesh was routinely used (2007-2012). In Paper IV, the anastomotic leakage (AL) rate after anterior resection (AR) for rectal cancer patients who had previously received RT for prostate cancer was assessed with combined data from the SCRCR and the NPCR. Results: In Paper I, patients operated with a HP were significantly older, had a higher ASA-score, a poorer WHO performance score and lower serum albumin levels. Few developed pelvic complications. In Paper II, the intra-abdominal infection rate was 8% and the re-laparotomy rate was 10%. Multi-variable logistic regression analysis identified pre-operative radiotherapy as a risk factor for intra-abdominal infections. In Paper III, we found no difference in the rate of parastomal hernia between patients with and without a prophylactic stoma mesh. In Paper IV, we identified 59 out of 188 patients who had undergone previous radiation therapy for prostate cancer who had been operated with AR. Twelve (20%) developed an AL, of whom only one underwent re-laparotomy and there was no 90-day mortality. Conclusion: The rate of serious post-operative complications was low after HP and it seems to be a safe and appropriate alternative in old and frail patients. Pre-operative radiotherapy was a risk factor for intra-abdominal infections in rectal cancer patients operated with a HP. A prophylactic stoma mesh did not reduce the rate of parastomal hernias. In patients that had previously been irradiated for prostate cancer, a minority underwent an AR. These patients were healthy with early cancer stages and, in this selected group of patients, the AL rate was much lower than previously reported

Rectal cancer : Aspects of post-operative complications

Aim: The overall aim of this thesis was to study post-operative complications in patients with rectal cancer. Methods: Post-operative complications in patients operated for rectal cancer was retrospectively analyzed in three prospective registers; the local rectal cancer registry in the Västmanland County, Sweden, the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry (SCRCR) and the National Prostate Cancer Registry (NPCR). In Papers I and II, the focus was on the complication pattern after Hartmann’s procedure (HP). In Paper III, the incidence of parastomal hernia was assessed during a period when no prophylactic mesh was used (1996-2006) compared with a period when a prophylactic mesh was routinely used (2007-2012). In Paper IV, the anastomotic leakage (AL) rate after anterior resection (AR) for rectal cancer patients who had previously received RT for prostate cancer was assessed with combined data from the SCRCR and the NPCR. Results: In Paper I, patients operated with a HP were significantly older, had a higher ASA-score, a poorer WHO performance score and lower serum albumin levels. Few developed pelvic complications. In Paper II, the intra-abdominal infection rate was 8% and the re-laparotomy rate was 10%. Multi-variable logistic regression analysis identified pre-operative radiotherapy as a risk factor for intra-abdominal infections. In Paper III, we found no difference in the rate of parastomal hernia between patients with and without a prophylactic stoma mesh. In Paper IV, we identified 59 out of 188 patients who had undergone previous radiation therapy for prostate cancer who had been operated with AR. Twelve (20%) developed an AL, of whom only one underwent re-laparotomy and there was no 90-day mortality. Conclusion: The rate of serious post-operative complications was low after HP and it seems to be a safe and appropriate alternative in old and frail patients. Pre-operative radiotherapy was a risk factor for intra-abdominal infections in rectal cancer patients operated with a HP. A prophylactic stoma mesh did not reduce the rate of parastomal hernias. In patients that had previously been irradiated for prostate cancer, a minority underwent an AR. These patients were healthy with early cancer stages and, in this selected group of patients, the AL rate was much lower than previously reported

Rectal cancer : Aspects of post-operative complications

Aim: The overall aim of this thesis was to study post-operative complications in patients with rectal cancer. Methods: Post-operative complications in patients operated for rectal cancer was retrospectively analyzed in three prospective registers; the local rectal cancer registry in the Västmanland County, Sweden, the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry (SCRCR) and the National Prostate Cancer Registry (NPCR). In Papers I and II, the focus was on the complication pattern after Hartmann’s procedure (HP). In Paper III, the incidence of parastomal hernia was assessed during a period when no prophylactic mesh was used (1996-2006) compared with a period when a prophylactic mesh was routinely used (2007-2012). In Paper IV, the anastomotic leakage (AL) rate after anterior resection (AR) for rectal cancer patients who had previously received RT for prostate cancer was assessed with combined data from the SCRCR and the NPCR. Results: In Paper I, patients operated with a HP were significantly older, had a higher ASA-score, a poorer WHO performance score and lower serum albumin levels. Few developed pelvic complications. In Paper II, the intra-abdominal infection rate was 8% and the re-laparotomy rate was 10%. Multi-variable logistic regression analysis identified pre-operative radiotherapy as a risk factor for intra-abdominal infections. In Paper III, we found no difference in the rate of parastomal hernia between patients with and without a prophylactic stoma mesh. In Paper IV, we identified 59 out of 188 patients who had undergone previous radiation therapy for prostate cancer who had been operated with AR. Twelve (20%) developed an AL, of whom only one underwent re-laparotomy and there was no 90-day mortality. Conclusion: The rate of serious post-operative complications was low after HP and it seems to be a safe and appropriate alternative in old and frail patients. Pre-operative radiotherapy was a risk factor for intra-abdominal infections in rectal cancer patients operated with a HP. A prophylactic stoma mesh did not reduce the rate of parastomal hernias. In patients that had previously been irradiated for prostate cancer, a minority underwent an AR. These patients were healthy with early cancer stages and, in this selected group of patients, the AL rate was much lower than previously reported

Low risk of intra-abdominal infections in rectal cancer patients treated with Hartmann's procedure : a report from a national registry

To describe the postoperative surgical complications in patients with rectal cancer undergoing Hartmann's procedure (HP). Data were retrieved from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry for all patients with rectal cancer undergoing HP in 2007-2014. A retrospective analysis was performed using prospectively recorded data. Characteristics of patients and risk factors for intra-abdominal infection and re-laparotomy were analysed. Of 10,940 patients resected for rectal cancer, 1452 (13%) underwent HP (median age, 77 years). The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score was 3-4 in 43% of patients; 15% had distant metastases and 62% underwent a low HP. The intra-abdominal infection rate was 8% and re-laparotomy rate was 10%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified preoperative radiotherapy (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.14-2.77), intra-operative bowel perforation (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.08-3.67), T4 tumours (OR, 1.68; 95% CI 1.04-2.69) and female gender (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.15-2.61) as risk factors for intra-abdominal infection. ASA score 3-4 (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.12-2.34), elevated BMI (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.09) and female gender (OR, 2.06; CI, 1.41-3.00) were risk factors for re-laparotomy after HP. The rate of intra-abdominal infection was not increased after a low HP. Despite older age and co-morbidities including more advanced cancer, patients undergoing Hartmann's procedure had low rates of serious postoperative complications and re-laparotomy. A low HP was not associated with a higher rate of intra-abdominal infection. HP seems to be appropriate for old and frail patients with rectal cancer

Cardiac perforation following pacemaker implantation - a case series from Iceland.

Einn alvarlegasti fylgikvilli við gangráðsísetningu er þegar gangráðsvír rýfur gat á hjartað sem getur orsakað lífshættulega blæðingu. Lýst er 5 tilfellum sem greindust hér á landi á fjögurra ára tímabili. Farið var yfir sjúkraskrár allra sjúklinga sem greindust með rof á hjarta eftir gangráðsísetningu á Landspítala og Sjúkrahúsi Akureyrar frá 1. janúar 2007 til 31. desember 2010. Könnuð var meðferð og afdrif þessara sjúklinga. Alls greindust 5 sjúklingar, þrjár konur og tveir karlar. Meðalaldur var 71 ár. Brjóstverkur var algengasta einkennið (n=4) en enginn sjúklinganna hafði einkenni um bráða hjartaþröng. Greining fékkst í öllum tilfellum með tölvusneiðmynd af brjóstholi eða ómskoðun af hjarta. Ekkert rof greindist við gangráðsísetningu en fjögur tilfelli greindust innan þriggja vikna eftir aðgerð. Hjá þremur sjúklinganna var blóð tæmt úr gollurshúsi í gegnum bringubeinsskurð, saumað yfir gatið og nýjum gangráðsvír komið fyrir. Hjá hinum tveimur voru gangráðsvírar dregnir án skurðaðgerðar og vélindaómun notuð til að fylgjast með blæðingu í gollurshús. Einn sjúklinganna lést á gjörgæslu vegna lungnabólgu en hinir fjórir lifðu fylgikvillann af og útskrifuðust af sjúkrahúsi. Rof á hjarta er hættulegur fylgikvilli sem mikilvægt er að hafa í huga hjá sjúklingum með brjóstverk eftir gangráðsísetningu.Perforation of the heart is a serious complication following pacemaker implantation that can cause life threatening bleeding and cardiac tamponade. Here we describe five cases that were diagnosed in Iceland during a four year period. This population-based case series includes five patients diagnosed with cardiac perforation following pacemaker insertion at Landspítali and Akureyri Hospital from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010. The mode of detection, treatment given and outcome were studied. Altogether five patients (mean age 71 years, three females) were diagnosed with cardiac perforation in Iceland during the study period, one in 2008 and four in 2009. Chest pain was the most common presenting symptom (n=4) and no patient had acute cardiac tamponade. In all five cases the diagnosis was obtained with computed tomography scan or echocardiography. No perforation was detected intraoperatively but four of the cases were diagnosed within three weeks of the operation. Three patients were treated with surgical evacuation of blood via sternotomy and suture of the perforation. In the other two cases the pacemaker leads were removed in the operating room with trans-oesophageal echocardiographic guidance. Four patients survived the treatment and were discharged but one died of pneumonia in the intensive care unit. Cardiac perforation is a serious complication and should be kept in mind in patients with chest pain following pacemaker insertion

Hartmann's procedure vs abdominoperineal resection with intersphincteric dissection in patients with rectal cancer : a randomized multicentre trial (HAPIrect)

Background: The use of Hartmann's procedure in the old and frail and/or in patients with fecal incontinence is increasing, even though some data have reported high postoperative rates of pelvic abscesses. Abdominoperineal excision with intersphincteric dissection has been proposed as a better alternative and is performed increasingly both nationally and internationally. However, no studies have been performed to support this. The aim of this study is to randomize patients between Hartmann's procedure and abdominoperineal excision with intersphincteric dissection and compare post-operative surgical morbidity and quality of life. The hypothesis is that intersphincteric abdominoperineal excision provides less pelvic and perineal morbidity. Methods/design: In this multicentre randomized controlled study, Hartmann's procedure will be compared with intersphincteric abdominoperineal excision in patients with rectal cancer unsuitable for an anterior resection. The patients are operated in different ways around the ano-rectum, otherwise the same procedure is performed with total mesorectal excision and all will receive a colostomy. The one-month postoperative control will focus on post-operative surgical complications, especially the perineal-pelvic, reoperations and other interventions. After one year, late complications such as pain in the perineal or pelvic area or disorders such as secretion or bleeding from the anorectal stump will be recorded and a follow-up of quality of life performed. Histological and oncological data will also be recorded, the latter up to 5 years post-operatively. Discussion: The HAPIrect trial is the first randomized controlled trial comparing standard low Hartmann's procedure with intersphincteric abdominoperineal excision in patients with rectal cancer with the aim of categorizing the post-operative surgical morbidity