Treatment of persistent complex seroma postventral incisional hernia repair by capsulectomy and scarification using argon beam coagulator.

We present a case of chronic complex seroma following ventral incisional hernia repair with a mesh. The patient was managed initially conservatively by observation followed by multiple percutaneous aspirations and tube drainage. After 6 months of conservative management, the patient remained symptomatic and the surgical scar showed evidence of ulceration, skin necrosis and sinus formation. Therefore, a definitive surgical treatment in the form of capsulectomy and scarification using argon beam coagulator was performed. He remained asymptomatic with no sign of seroma development or hernia recurrence at a 3-year follow-up.

Endoscopic removal of an incidentally discovered intrauterine contraceptive device eroding into the rectum.

Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) is a common birth control method. It is safe but can be associated with serious complications including migration into the peritoneal cavity and penetration into other intra-abdominal and pelvic viscera; most commonly the rectosigmoid colon. Different retrieval methods including endoscopy, laparoscopy or open abdominal surgery have been described. We report the case of 38-year-old woman who became pregnant shortly after insertion of the IUCD 6 years prior to presentation. She delivered vaginally and 'expulsion' of the device was assumed. Some 4 years later, she had another IUCD inserted and remained asymptomatic till she recently presented with iron-deficiency anaemia. As part of the investigation, diagnostic colonoscopy was performed. Surprisingly, the old IUCD was found penetrating into the midrectum. Uneventful endoscopic removal was performed and she remained well at 3-month follow-up. Migrating IUCD remains asymptomatic and may be discovered accidentally during routine investigation for some other symptoms.

Boerhaave's Syndrome: Delayed Management Using Over-the-Scope Clip.

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of Boerhaave's syndrome is often missed or delayed. This subsequently leads to a high mortality rate, which could be greatly reduced if treatment is instituted early, within 24 hours of perforation. Treatment ranges from conservative management to operative intervention depending on the time of presentation and the patient's clinical condition. Endoscopic intervention in the form of over-the-scope clip (OTSC) application is gaining popularity with very promising results. CASE REPORT A 43-year-old male was diagnosed with Boerhaave's syndrome and treated initially by insertion of bilateral chest drainage, intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics, and total parenteral nutrition. He was transferred to our facility 9 days later. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a 1.5 cm deep longitudinal ulcer involving the distal esophagus and extending to the Z-line. Due to the perforation site, a size 12 OTSC clip was used. Application of a second clip was needed to achieve complete closure of the perforation site. Contrast swallow was done 4 days later showed no leak. The patient was started on oral intake and was discharged home in good general condition after a hospital stay of 16 days. CONCLUSIONS Delayed presentation of Boerhaave's syndrome can be treated safely by an over-the-scope clip. This endoscopic method hastens recovery and shortens the hospital stay.

Evidence-based surgery: The obstacles and solutions.

Surgeons are often accused of lagging behind their medical colleagues in embracing evidence based medicine and utilizing new research tools to conducting high quality randomized controlled trials. Although there has been a noticeable improvement in the quantity and quality of high quality studies in surgical journals, the widespread practice of evidence based surgery is still poor. Unlike evidence based medicine, the practice of evidence based surgery is hampered by inherent problems and obstacles. This article reviews these difficulties and the limitations of randomized controlled trials in surgical practice. It also outlines some solutions that may help remedy this ongoing problem.

A case of sigmoid colon duplication in an adult woman.

Colonic duplication is a rare congenital anomaly that is often diagnosed in childhood, but may go unrecognised until adulthood. It often presents with chronic abdominal pain and constipation, and the preoperative diagnosis may be difficult. We present a case of sigmoid duplication in a 33-year-old Indonesian woman who presented with right-sided colicky abdominal pain and vomiting. Clinical examination was unremarkable and radiological investigations raised the possibility of a giant colon diverticulum. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy that revealed a tubular sigmoid duplication. A sigmoid colectomy with end-to-end anastomosis was performed. She was discharged a week later and remained well at 1 year follow-up. Colon duplications rarely present in adult life and the accurate diagnosis is often made at laparotomy.

Iatrogenic oesophageal transection during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has been hailed as an easy and safe procedure when compared with other bariatric operations. However, it may be associated with well-recognised early complications such as leaks and bleeding, as well as late ones such as stenosis and weight regain. Iatrogenic complete oesophageal transection has never been reported before as a complication. We report a case of complete oesophageal transection during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy that was not recognised intraoperatively. The repair of this iatrogenic injury was staged, with the final stage carried out some 3 months after the initial procedure. This case report highlights the possible occurrence of complete oesophageal transection during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and suggests steps to avoid and correct such complications.

A rare approach to entero-atmospheric fistula.

PATIENT: Female, 60 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Recurrent incisional hernia Symptoms: - MEDICATION: - Clinical Procedure: Limited ileo-cecal resection Specialty: Surgery. OBJECTIVE: Diagnostic/therapeutic accidents. BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic entero-atmospheric fistula is devastating and its management is extremely difficult because it is often associated with fluid and electrolyte disturbances, nutritional problems, and life-threatening sepsis. CASE REPORT: A 60-year-old woman underwent laparoscopic repair of a recurrent incisional hernia that was complicated by iatrogenic cecal injury necessitating a limited ileocecal resection and onlay prosthetic mesh repair of the hernia. Postoperatively, sloughing of the overlying skin led to mesh exposure. An attempted rotational flap coverage was complicated by small bowel injury, which was recognized and repaired. However, an entero-atmospheric fistula developed after the removal of contaminated mesh. The fistula was initially treated by vacuum-assisted closure dressing and later was converted to a 'stoma'. Six months later, the small bowel segment bearing the fistula was excised and bowel continuity was restored. CONCLUSIONS: In selected cases, the conversion of entero-atmospheric fistula to a 'stoma' allows the patient to be discharged home early and maintain good nutritional status while awaiting the definitive surgical intervention.

Colonic lymphoma presenting acutely with perforated colo-splenic fistula.

INTRODUCTION: Primary colonic lymphoma is rare. It comprises less than 1% of large bowel malignancies. Affected patients often present with non-specific vague symptoms with subsequent delays in diagnosis and management. PRESENTATION OF CASE: An immuno-competent 35-year-old male presented with left iliac fossa pain, fever and constipation. Clinical examination revealed left-sided abdominal peritonism. After the initial radiological and endoscopic investigations, a provisional diagnosis of a localized perforation of a splenic flexure diverticulum was made and ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage of the abscess was performed. The patient failed to settle on conservative treatment and therefore exploratory laparotomy was carried out. An inflammatory phlegmon consisting of a left paracolic gutter abscess, the spleen and the splenic flexure of the colon was resected en-bloc and a primary colo-colic anastomosis was performed. His operative recovery was complicated by wound infection which was treated conservatively. The histopathology revealed colo-splenic fistula secondary to a perforated colonic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The spleen contained multiple metastatic lymphomatous deposits. He was started on chemotherapy and remained well at 5-year follow up. DISCUSSION: Colon non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may present initially with an acute abdomen due to perforation. It mimics any acute surgical condition. Perforation and fistulaization into the spleen is very rare. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the delay and difficulty in diagnosing primary colonic lymphoma without resorting to surgical resection.

Portal vein thrombosis after restorative proctocolectomy for familial adenomatous polyposis and sigmoid cancer.

Postoperative portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is rare, but has been described after various open as well as minimal access abdominal operations, especially splenectomy and colorectal surgical procedures. We report the case of a 39-year-old female who underwent restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for familial adenomatous polyposis with sigmoid cancer. She presented 14 days later with vague upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and high output stoma. Doppler ultrasonography confirmed PVT and therefore anticoagulant therapy was started. Her condition improved dramatically and she underwent closure of ileostomy after finishing adjuvant chemotherapy. She remained well at 3-year follow-up with good pouch function and no local or distant recurrence. A high index of suspicion is essential for early diagnosis and prompt treatment of postoperative PVT after restorative proctocolectomy. Early anticoagulation is essential to avoid subsequent complications.