Complicated Meckel's Diverticulum Presenting as Pneumoperitoneum in an Adolescent.

BACKGROUND The finding of pneumoperitoneum frequently leads to operative management for diagnosis and treatment. The etiology of pneumoperitoneum includes perforated viscus, such as perforated peptic ulcers, small or large intestinal perforations, appendicitis, and complicated sigmoid diverticulitis. We describe the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative course of a patient with perforated Meckel’s diverticulitis presenting with pneumoperitoneum. This unusual presenting finding highlights that Meckel’s diverticulum should be included in the differential diagnosis in adolescents and young adults presenting with pneumoperitoneum. CASE REPORT We describe a case of an 18-year-old male who presented with 1 day of abdominal pain, found to have pneumoperitoneum during workup, attributed to perforated Meckel’s diverticulum. CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis were performed, confirming pneumoperitoneum, an inflamed segment of distal ileum, and a non-visualized appendix, which made the diagnosis difficult. Perforated Meckel’s diverticulum, likely due to infection, was confirmed by diagnostic laparoscopy. The Meckel’s diverticulum was then exteriorized and removed by segmental small bowel resection with primary anastomosis. The final pathology report confirmed perforated Meckel’s diverticulum with gastric oxyntic-type mucosa. CONCLUSIONS This case illustrates an uncommon presentation of Meckel’s diverticulum in an adolescent with pneumoperitoneum. Pneumoperitoneum requires broadening the diagnosis to include other causes, including Meckel’s diverticulum, especially in the setting of an acute abdomen. This case highlights that a high index of suspicion should be kept for Meckel’s diverticulum, even in adolescents and young adults with pneumoperitoneum.

Is There Still a Role for Peritoneal Drains in Neonatal Pneumoperitoneum? A Single-Center Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Although pneumoperitoneum from necrotizing enterocolitis or spontaneous intestinal perforation is a surgical emergency, risk stratification to determine which neonates benefit from initial peritoneal drainage (PD) is lacking. METHODS: Using a single-center retrospective review of very low birth weight neonates under 1500 g who underwent PD for pneumoperitoneum (January 2015 to December 2023) from necrotizing enterocolitis or spontaneous intestinal perforation, two cohorts were created: drain "responders" (patients managed definitively with PD; includes placement of a second drain) and "nonresponders" (patients who underwent subsequent laparotomy or died after PD). Antenatal/postnatal characteristics, periprocedural clinical data, and hospital outcomes were compared between responders and nonresponders using Student's t-test, chi-squared test, or Kruskal-Wallis test as appropriate, with P < 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Fifty-six neonates were included: 31 (55%) drain responders and 25 (45%) nonresponders. Birth weight, gestational age, sex, ethnicity, use of postnatal steroids, and enteral feeds were similar between the cohorts. Nonresponders had higher base deficits (-3.4 versus -5.0, P = 0.032) and FiO2 (0.25 versus 0.52, P = 0.001) after drain placement. Drain responders had significantly shorter lengths of stay (89 versus 148 days, P = 0.014) and lower mortality (6.4% versus 56%, P < 0.001). A subgroup analysis of the nonresponders showed no differences in birth weight, vasopressor requirement, FiO2, or postdrain base deficit between nonresponders who had a drain alone versus laparotomy following drain placement. CONCLUSIONS: PD remains a viable initial therapy for pneumoperitoneum in premature very low birth weight neonates (< 1500 g), demonstrating clinical response in more than half. Ongoing clinical assessment and judgment is imperative after drain placement to ensure continued clinical improvement.

Assessment of inflammatory biomarkers to identify surgical/death necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants without pneumoperitoneum.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening disease that affects premature infants. However, the role of inflammatory biomarkers in identifying surgical/death NEC without pneumoperitoneum remains elusive. PURPOSE: We aimed to verify the value of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the combination of white blood cell (WBC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), PLR, C reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) in predicting the severity of NEC, and to construct a model to differ surgically NEC from non-surgically NEC. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 191 premature infants with NEC. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 90 infants with Stage II and IIIA NEC were enrolled in this study, including surgical/death NEC (n = 38) and medical NEC (n = 52). The values of inflammatory biomarkers were collected within 24 h of onset. RESULTS: The univariate analysis revealed that the values of WBC (p = 0.040), ANC (p = 0.048), PLR (p = 0.009), CRP (p = 0.016) and PCT (p < 0.01) in surgical/death NEC cohort were significantly higher than medical NEC cohort. Binary multivariate logistic regression analysis indicates that ANC, PLR, CRP, and PCT are capable of distinguishing infants with surgical/death NEC, and the AUC of the regression equation was 0.79 (95% CI 0.64-0.89; sensitivity 0.63; specificity 0.88), suggesting the equation has a good discrimination. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: Elevated PLR is associated with severe inflammation in surgical/death NEC patients. The prediction modelling of combination of ANC, PLR, CRP and PCT can differentiate surgical/death NEC from infants with medical NEC, which may improve risk awareness and facilitate effective communication between nurses and clinicians. However, multicentre research is needed to verify these findings for better clinical management of NEC.

Neumatosis quística intestinal, un reto diagnóstico: reporte de caso / Cystic intestinal pneumatosis, a diagnostic challenge: case report

Introducción. La neumatosis quística intestinal se describe como la presencia de gas dentro de la pared intestinal. Es una entidad poco frecuente, con una incidencia del 0,03 % en la población global. Aparece con predilección en el género masculino después de los 45 años yse localiza principalmente en el intestino delgado (42 %) y el colon. Se puede asociar a varias condiciones que en ocasiones requieren manejo quirúrgico. Caso clínico. Se presenta el caso de un hombre 75 años, con antecedente de hipertensión arterial, quien consultó por un cuadro de 15 días de evolución consistente en distensión abdominal, dolor y estreñimiento. En urgencias se solicitó una radiografía de tórax que mostró neumoperitoneo y varios niveles hidroaéreos, por lo que el cirujano de turno consideró una posible ruptura de víscera hueca. Resultados. Fue llevado a laparotomía exploratoria, donde se identificó neumatosis quística intestinal y estómago muy aumentado de tamaño, compatible con gastroparesia. Como resultado del tratamiento brindado, el paciente tuvo un desenlace satisfactorio logrando alta médica, apoyado con cuidados básicos de enfermería. Conclusiones. Si bien los casos de neumatosis quística intestinal son de presentación inusual, se puede encontrar en pacientes con hallazgos imagenológicos de neumoperitoneo. Por eso, se debe realizar un análisis concienzudo de cada paciente e individualizar el caso para el correcto diagnóstico.

Introduction. Cystic pneumatosis intestinalis is described as the presence of gas within the intestinal wall. It is a rare entity, with an incidence of 0.03% in the global population. It appears with a predilection in the male gender after 45 years of age and is located mainly in the small intestine (42%) and the colon. It can be associated with several conditions that sometimes require surgical management. Clinical case. The case of a 75-year-old man with a history of high blood pressure is presented, who consulted for a 15-day history consisting of abdominal distention, pain and constipation. In the emergency room, a chest x-ray was requested, which showed pneumoperitoneum and several air-fluid levels. The surgeon on call considered a possible rupture of the hollow viscus. Results. The patient was taken to exploratory laparotomy, where intestinal cystic pneumatosis and a greatly enlarged stomach were identified, compatible with gastroparesis. As a result of the treatment provided, the patient had a satisfactory outcome, achieving medical discharge, supported with basic nursing care. Conclusions. Although cases of intestinal cystic pneumatosis have an unusual presentation, it can be found in patients with imaging findings of pneumoperitoneum. Therefore, a thorough analysis of each patient must be carried out and the case individualized for the correct diagnosis.

[Intestinal pneumatosis and pneumoperitonum: not always a surgical indication]. / Neumatosis intestinal y neumoperitoneo: no siempre una indicación quirúrgica.

Pneumatosis intestinalis and pneumoperitoneum are not pathological entities in themselves, they are radiological signs that result from some underlying condition. In general, these are associated with serious intra-abdominal processes that result in emergency surgeries with bowel resections. Below, we present the case of an 80-year-old woman, diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer under treatment with fulvestrant and ribociclib, who was admitted to our center due to abdominal pain and vomiting. She was diagnosed with intestinal pneumatosis and pneumoperitoneum, so she underwent exploratory laparotomy for suspected intestinal ischemia. There was no evidence of intestinal necrosis or perforation, so resection was not performed. She progressed satisfactorily during hospitalization and in the tomographic control one month after discharge there was complete resolution of the condition. Although this condition has been described in relation to episodes of increased intra-abdominal pressure, such as emesis, it has also been described in patients with neoplasms, mainly of the digestive tract, either due to local damage or toxicity associated with chemotherapy. We found no reports in the literature of pneumatosis intestinalis linked to this antineoplastic medication in humans. Probably in our case the etiology was multifactorial. It is possible that ribociclib played a role, either through an indirect mechanism associated with vomiting and immunosuppression or directly on the enterocyte due to its non-specific cellular mechanism of action.

La neumatosis intestinal y el neumoperitoneo no son entidades patológicas en sí mismas, son signos radiológicos que resultan de alguna condición subyacente. En general, estos se asocian con procesos graves intraabdominales que resultan en cirugías de urgencias con resecciones de intestino. A continuación, presentamos el caso de una mujer de 80 años, con diagnóstico de cáncer de mama estadio IV en tratamiento con fulvestrant y ribociclib, que ingresó a nuestro centro por dolor abdominal y vómitos. Se diagnosticó neumatosis intestinal y neumoperitoneo por lo que se procedió a laparotomía exploradora por sospecha de isquemia intestinal. No hubo evidencia de necrosis o perforación intestinal por lo que no se realizó resección. Evolucionó durante la internación de forma satisfactoria y en el control tomográfico al mes del egreso hubo resolución completa del cuadro. Si bien está descrito esta afectación en relación a los episodios de aumento de presión intraabdominal, como en la emesis, también se describió en pacientes con neoplasias, principalmente del tubo digestivo, ya sea por daño local o por toxicidad asociada a la quimioterapia. No encontramos reportes en la literatura de neumatosis intestinal vinculada a esta medicación antineoplásica en humanos. Probablemente en nuestro caso la etiología haya sido multifactorial. Es posible que el ribociclib haya jugado un rol, ya sea por un mecanismo indirecto asociado a los vómitos y la inmunosupresión o directo sobre el enterocito debido a su mecanismo de acción celular no específico.

[Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis: a case report and literature review]. / Kistoznyi pnevmatoz tonkoi kishki: klinicheskii sluchai i obzor literatury.

Pneumatosis cystoides was first described by Du Vernay in 1783. This is a fairly rare disease with nonspecific symptoms and CT data on pneumoperitoneum. The authors present pneumatosis intestinalis in a patient with systemic connective tissue disorder. Free gas in abdominal cavity and dilated intestinal loops were an indication for emergency surgery with subsequent resection of intestine due to signs of ischemic damage. A review of clinical cases allows us to conclude that pneumoperitoneum requires careful differential diagnosis. Free gas in abdominal cavity in patients with cystic pneumatosis is an indication for emergency surgery only in case of complicated course of disease.

Air leak syndrome in animals: definition and pathogenesis.

Air leak syndrome (ALS) is described in human medicine as a constellation of clinical disorders including pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, pulmonary interstitial emphysema, pneumothorax, pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum and subcutaneous emphysema. The pathogenesis of ALS depends on the anatomy of the mediastinum and its associations with thoracic, abdominal and cervical connective tissues, as well as a physical phenomenon referred to as the Macklin effect. Various animal species develop diverse combinations of these lesions, although ALS has not been recognized in animals. However, this term aids pathologists in addressing this disease compilation. The aim of this retrospective study is to illustrate examples of ALS in animals by arbitrarily selecting 13 cases in dogs, cats, pinnipeds, sea otters and harbour porpoises. ALS can be classified into three groups based on aetiology: iatrogenic, secondary or spontaneous. Iatrogenic ALS was diagnosed in two cats with tracheal laceration following endotracheal intubation. Secondary ALS was identified in two dogs, one with acute respiratory distress syndrome and the other due to grass awn migration. Secondary ALS in pinnipeds was diagnosed following severe pulmonary parasitism, uraemic pneumonia and oesophageal perforation. The other marine mammals developed ALS following trauma. Spontaneous ALS was also diagnosed in one cat and one dog without any apparent predisposing causes.

Spontaneous pneumoperitoneum in the absence of visceral perforation in a patient with systemic sclerosis: a case report.

We present the case of a 44 year old woman with systemic sclerosis who presented with intense abdominal pain without signs of peritonitis. An abdominal computed tomography showed generalized intestinal dilation, intestinal pneumatosis and an extensive pneumoperitoneum. A diagnostic laparoscopy was performed but no perforation nor gastrointestinal leakage were found. Spontaneous pneumoperitoneum in patients with systemic sclerosis without visceral perforation is an extremely rare complication. Physicians must have a low threshold of suspicion for this entity when a patient with systemic sclerosis presents with spontaneous pneumoperitoneum in the absence of peritoneal signs.

Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 44 años con diagnóstico de esclerosis sistémica, quien presentó dolor abdominal intenso sin datos de irritación peritoneal. Una tomografía computarizada de abdomen mostró dilatación generalizada de asas intestinales, neumatosis intestinal y neumoperitoneo extenso, por lo cual se realizó una laparoscopía diagnóstica, sin encontrar sitio de perforación. El neumoperitoneo espontáneo en pacientes con esclerodermia sin evidencia de perforación visceral es una complicación extremadamente rara. El médico deberá mantener un alto índice de sospecha para esta condición ante un paciente con esclerosis sistémica que se presente con un neumoperitoneo espontáneo sin datos de irritación peritoneal.

Efficacy of bowel ultrasound to diagnose necrotizing enterocolitis in extremely low birthweight infants.

BACKGROUND: Bowel ultrasound (US) is one of the methods used to enhance diagnostic accuracy of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and its associated complications in premature newborns. AIM: To explore the diagnostic accuracy of bowel US in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants with NEC. METHODS: A single-center retrospective case-control study included 84 extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. The infants were divided into three groups: Group 1 -infants with NEC (n = 26); Group 2 -infants with feeding problems (n = 28); Group 3 -control group (n = 30). RESULTS: The specific bowel US findings in premature newborns with NEC (stage 3) included bowel wall thinning, complex (echogenic) ascites, and pneumoperitoneum, p < 0.05. The diagnostic effectiveness of these sonographic signs was 96.8% (sensitivity 75.0% and specificity 97.6%), p < 0.05. These findings with high specificity were associated with the need for surgical intervention, poor outcomes, or increased mortality. Stage 2 NEC which did not require surgery showed impaired differentiation of the bowel wall layers, absent or decreased bowel peristalsis, pneumatosis intestinalis, portal venous gas, or simple ascites, with a diagnostic accuracy of 82.9% (sensitivity 55.6%, specificity 91.4%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Bowel US can be used as an adjunct to abdominal radiography to aid in the diagnosis of infants with suspected NEC by providing more detailed evaluation of the intestine.

Nuevo método como preacondicionamiento ante adherenciolisis de difícil manejo / New method as preconditioning for adherenciolysis difficult handling

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal obstruction due to flanges is common in patients with a surgical history. OBJECTIVE: Describe a clinical case with adherenciolysis. Surgery could not be performed, so pneumoperitoneum was used as pre-conditioning for elective surgery. CLINICAL CASE: Patient with intestinal obstruction due to flanges, with impossibility of performing an adherenciolysis, for which catheters are installed to administer progressive pneumoperitoneum in order to optimize the release of flanges in elective surgery, undergoing the postoperative period with enterocutaneous fistula that required multidisciplinary management with percutaneous drainage, parenteral nutrition and nursing care, with a successful result. DISCUSSION: In a flange obstruction, an extensive adherenciolysis is often required, which carries a greater risk of intestinal injury and enterocutaneous fistula. In this case, we believe that it decreased due to the pneumoperitoneum used to generate more lax and manageable flanges. CONCLUSION: Postoperative flanges generate significant morbidity and its surgical management requires an adherenciolysis that may be laborious or impossible in the first instance, requiring in this case the use of progressive pneumoperitoneum for complete flange release, a technique not described in the literature for this purpose.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La obstrucción intestinal por bridas es frecuente en pacientes con antecedentes quirúrgicos. OBJETIVO: Describir un caso clínico con adherenciolisis frustra por cirugía, utilizando neumoperitoneo como preacondicionamiento para cirugía electiva. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente con obstrucción intestinal por bridas, con imposibilidad de adherenciolisis, por lo que se instalan catéteres para administrar neumoperitoneo progresivo con el fin de optimizar la liberación de bridas en cirugía electiva, cursando en el postoperatorio con fístula enterocutánea que requirió manejo multidisciplinario con drenaje percutáneo, nutrición parenteral y cuidados por enfermería, que finalmente resultó exitoso. DISCUSIÓN: En una obstrucción por bridas muchas veces se requiere una adherenciolisis extensa que conlleva mayor riesgo de lesión intestinal y fístula enterocutánea, que en este caso creemos que disminuyó debido al neumoperitoneo utilizado para generar bridas más laxas y manejables. CONCLUSIÓN: Las bridas postoperatorias generan morbilidad importante y su manejo quirúrgico requiere adherenciolisis que puede resultar laboriosa o imposible en primera instancia, requiriendo en este caso el uso de neumoperitoneo progresivo para la liberación de bridas completa, técnica no descrita en la literatura para este fin.

[The effect of deep neuromuscular block combined with low pneumoperitoneum pressure on postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical colorectal surgery].

Objective: To investigate the effect of deep neuromuscular blockade (DNMB) combined with low pneumoperitoneum pressure anesthesia strategy on postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial. One hundred and twenty patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery at Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from December 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023 were selected and randomly divided into two groups by random number table method. Moderate neuromuscular blockade [train of four stimulations count (TOFC)=1-2] was maintained in patients of the control group (group C, n=60) and pneumoperitoneum pressure level was set at 15 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). DNMB [post-tonic stimulation count (PTC)=1-2] was maintained in patients of the DNMB combined with low pneumoperitoneum pressuregroup (group D, n=60) and pneumoperitoneum pressure level was set at 10 mmHg. The primary measurement was incidence of moderate to severe pain at 1 h after surgery. The secondary measurements the included incidence of moderate to severe pain at 1, 2, 3, 5 d and 3 months after surgery, the incidence of rescue analgesic drug use, the doses of sufentanil in analgesic pumps, surgical rating scale (SRS) score, the incidence of postoperative residual neuromuscular block, postoperative recovery [evaluated with length of post anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay, time of first exhaust and defecation after surgery and length of hospital stay] and postoperative inflammation conditions [evaluated with serum concentration of interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6 at 1 d and 3 d after surgery]. Results: The incidence of moderate to severe pain in group D 1 h after surgery was 13.3% (8/60), lower than 30.0% (18/60) of group C (P<0.05). The incidence of rescue analgesia in group D at 1 h and 1 d after surgery were 13.3% (8/60) and 4.2% (5/120), respectively, lower than 30.0% (18/60) and 12.5% (15/120) of group C (both P<0.05). The IL-1ß level in group D was (4.1±1.8)ng/L at 1 d after surgery, which was lower than (4.9±2.6) ng/L of group C (P=0.048). The IL-6 level in group D was (2.0±0.7)ng/L at 3 d after surgery, which was lower than (2.4±1.1) ng/L of group C (P=0.018). There was no significant difference in the doses of sufentanil in analgesic pumps, intraoperative SRS score, incidence of neuromuscular block residue, time spent in PACU, time of first exhaust and defecation after surgery, incidence of nausea and vomiting, and length of hospitalization between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: DNMB combined with low pneumoperitoneum pressure anesthesia strategy alleviates the early-stage pain in patients after laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum and pneumomediastinum: rare complications of perforation peritonitis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Gas extravasation complications arising from perforated diverticulitis are common but manifestations such as pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum, and pneumomediastinum happening at the same time are exceedingly rare. This case report explores the unique presentation of these 3 complications occurring simultaneously, their diagnosis and their management, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for accurate diagnosis and effective management. CASE PRESENTATION: A 74-year-old North African female, with a medical history including hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, goiter, prior cholecystectomy, and bilateral total knee replacement, presented with sudden-onset pelvic pain, chronic constipation, and rectal bleeding. Clinical examination revealed hemodynamic instability, hypoxemia, and diffuse tenderness. After appropriate fluid resuscitation with norepinephrine and saline serum, the patient was stable enough to undergo computed tomography scan. Emergency computed tomography scan confirmed perforated diverticulitis at the rectosigmoid junction, accompanied by the unprecedented presence of pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum, and pneumomediastinum. The patient underwent prompt surgical intervention with colo-rectal resection and a Hartmann colostomy. The postoperative course was favorable, leading to discharge one week after admission. CONCLUSIONS: This case report highlights the clinical novelty of gas extravasation complications in perforated diverticulitis. The unique triad of pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum, and pneumomediastinum in a 74-year-old female underscores the diagnostic challenges and the importance of advanced imaging techniques. The successful collaboration between radiologists and surgeons facilitated a timely and accurate diagnosis, enabling a minimally invasive surgical approach. This case contributes to the understanding of atypical presentations of diverticulitis and emphasizes the significance of interdisciplinary teamwork in managing such rare manifestations.

The effects of different positions on lower extremity hemodynamics during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of two different positions on lower extremity hemodynamics during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) for prostate cancer. METHODS: A total of 196 patients who underwent RARP in our hospital from February 2020 to March 2022 were included in this study. Among them, 98 patients who underwent surgery with the Trendelenburg position and split-leg position with calf reverse arch from March 2021 to March 2022 were assigned to the observation group, while 98 patients who underwent surgery with the Trendelenburg position and low lithotomy position from February 2020 to February 2021 were assigned to the control group. Using an ultrasound diagnostic instrument to detect the internal diameter, mean blood flow velocity, and mean blood flow volume of the left deep femoral vein at different times, such as the supine position (T0), after 5 minutes of placing the patient in the leg spilt or low lithotomy position (T1), after 5 minutes of pneumoperitoneum (T2), after 5 minutes of head-down tilt or head-down tilt and calf reverse arch (T3), 1.5 hours after the start of surgery (T4), before the removal of CO2 gas (T5), and before the patient left the operating room (T6). As well as the patency of deep venous blood flow in both lower extremities before leaving the operating room, RESULTS: After establishment of pneumoperitoneum, the internal diameter of the deep femoral vein increased significantly, while the mean blood flow velocity and mean blood flow volume decreased significantly in both groups(T0) (P<0.001). With the prolongation of surgical time, the impact on lower extremity hemodynamics in the observation group was smaller than that in the control group. From T2 to T6, the internal diameter of the femoral vein in the observation group was smaller than that in the control group, while the mean blood flow velocity and mean blood flow volume were increased compared to the control group (P<0.05). Before leaving the operating room, the patency of deep venous blood flow in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: Placing patients in the Trendelenburg position and split-leg position with calf reverse arch during RARP for prostate cancer has a smaller impact on lower extremity hemodynamics than the low lithotomy position, and can relatively reduce the risk of postoperative deep vein thrombosis.

The effects of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery with Trendelenburg position on short-term postoperative respiratory diaphragmatic function.

OBJECTIVE: To study how Pneumoperitoneum under Trendelenburg position for robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery impact the perioperative respiratory parameters, diagrammatic function, etc. METHODS: Patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery in the Trendelenburg position and patients undergoing general surgery in the supine position were selected. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the type of surgery: robot-assisted surgery group and general surgery group. ① Respiratory parameters such as lung compliance, oxygenation index, and airway pressure were recorded at 5 min after intubation, 1 and 2 h after pneumoperitoneum. ② Diaphragm excursion (DE) and diaphragm thickening fraction (DTF) were recorded before entering the operating room (T1), immediately after extubation (T2), 10 min after extubation (T3), and upon leaving the postanesthesia care unit (T4). ③ Peripheral venous blood (5 ml) was collected before surgery and 30 min after extubation and was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine the serum concentration of Clara cell secretory protein 16 (CC16) and surfactant protein D (SP-D). RESULT: ① Compared with the general surgery group (N = 42), the robot-assisted surgery group (N = 46) presented a significantly higher airway pressure and lower lung compliance during the surgery(P < 0.001). ② In the robot-assisted surgery group, the DE significantly decreased after surgery (P < 0.001), which persisted until patients were discharged from the PACU (P < 0.001), whereas the DTF only showed a transient decrease postoperatively (P < 0.001) and returned to its preoperative levels at discharge (P = 0.115). In the general surgery group, the DE showed a transient decrease after surgery(P = 0.011) which recovered to the preoperative levels at discharge (P = 1). No significant difference in the DTF was observed among T1, T2, T3, and T4. ③ Both the general and robot-assisted surgery reduced the postoperative serum levels of SP-D (P < 0.05), while the robot-assisted surgery increased the postoperative levels of CC16 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery significantly impairs postoperative diaphragm function, which does not recover to preoperative levels at PACU discharge. Elevated levels of serum CC16 after surgery suggest potential lung injury. The adverse effects may be attributed to the prolonged Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic surgery.

Medical management of pneumoperitoneum, gastric pneumatosis, and hepatic venous gas secondary to 3% hydrogen peroxide toxicity in a dog.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the medical management and outcome of a dog suffering severe hydrogen peroxide toxicity. CASE SUMMARY: A 3-year-old neutered female Bichon Frise was presented to an emergency and referral practice after ingestion of 10-20 mL/kg 3% hydrogen peroxide. On presentation, the dog was obtunded, was tachypneic, and had severe gastric tympany. Abdominal radiographs revealed pneumoperitoneum, gastric pneumatosis, and hepatic venous gas. The dog was managed conservatively with supportive care and oxygen therapy. Repeat radiographs 6 hours later showed complete resolution of all gas inclusions. While hospitalized, the dog developed severe hematemesis, and abdominal ultrasound revealed severe gastric wall thickening. Subsequent endoscopy confirmed severe gastric mucosal necrosis without evidence of deeper ulceration and relatively mild petechiation of the esophagus. The dog was ultimately discharged after 5 days of hospitalization and continued to do well at home. Recheck ultrasound 5 weeks postdischarge showed normal gastric wall appearance. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of pneumoperitoneum secondary to hydrogen peroxide toxicity and the first description of the clinical course of severe toxicity in dogs.

Yield of abdominal radiographs in children with suspected intussusception; rate of pneumoperitoneum and other abdominal pathology.

OBJECTIVES: Ultrasound is the criterion standard imaging modality for the diagnosis of intussusception. However, to our knowledge the utility of abdominal radiographs to concurrently screen for pneumoperitoneum or other abdominal pathology that could have a similar presentation has not been studied. Our institutional protocol requires the performance of AP supine and left lateral decubitus views of the abdomen prior to ultrasound evaluation for intussusception, providing an opportunity to examine the yield of abdominal radiographs in this setting. Our primary objective was to determine the rate of pneumoperitoneum on screening abdominal radiographs in children undergoing evaluation for intussusception. Our secondary objective was to determine the rate that other clinically significant pathology is found on these screening abdominal radiographs. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients under 6 years of age who had any imaging ordered in our large urban pediatric emergency department to evaluate for suspected intussusception during the calendar years 2018-2020. RESULTS: 1115 patient encounters met our inclusion criteria. Among 1090 who had screening abdominal radiographs, 82 (8%) had findings concerning for intussusception. Of those not concerning for intussusception, 635 (58%) were read as normal, 263 (24%) showed moderate to large stool burden, 107 (10%) showed generalized bowel distention, and 22 (2%) showed abnormal gastric distention. Individually the remainder of all other findings compromised <1% of encounters and included radiopaque foreign body (8), intraabdominal calcification (4), pneumonia/effusion (3), pneumatosis intestinalis, abdominal mass (2), diaphragmatic hernia (1), rib fracture (1), appendicolith (1), feeding tube malposition (1), and bowel wall thickening (1). In one encounter the patient had a bowel perforation with pneumoperitoneum present secondary to ingestion of multiple magnets. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that radiograph-detected pneumoperitoneum is rare in children with suspected intussusception. Constipation is the most common abnormal finding on screening radiographs. Other findings occur in approximately 15% of total cases, some of which require further workup.