BILATERAL PNEUMOTHORAX AS A COMPLICATION OF PERCUTANEOUS TRACHEOSTOMY: CASE REPORT.

Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy is a common surgical procedure that is becoming the method of choice in critically ill patients whenever prolonged airway secure and/or ventilation support is needed. Although adverse events are relatively uncommon, serious life threatening complications can arise from this bedside procedure. We report a case of a 70-year-old female who developed extensive subcutaneous emphysema and bilateral pneumothorax immediately after a percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy procedure. Different mechanisms, such as damage to posterior or anterior tracheal wall, false passage or paratracheal placement or dislocation of the cannula are considered to be responsible for the development of pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema. Although bronchoscopic control after the tracheostomy procedure did not reveal any tracheal injury, we believe that subcutaneous emphysema and bilateral pneumothorax are most likely caused by procedure induced injuries of the trachea in addition to the applied high airway pressure induced by excessive or inappropriate ventilation. In our case report, we would like to emphasize that continuous bronchoscopic guidance during percutaneous tracheostomy is invaluable in decreasing the incidence of its overall complications, especially during enhancing the team experience.

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis in a patient with adenocarcinoma of the colon: a case report.

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis is a rare clinical entity characterized by the development of neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with malignancies. A case of a woman who presented to the Emergency Department with abdominal pain, hyperglycemia, and altered mental status is presented. After initial stabilization and correction of hyperglycemia the patient underwent emergency surgery. Laparotomy showed marked dilatation and gangrenous changes of the colon and tumor in the sigmoid colon. She was mechanically ventilated and remained ventilator-dependent for 42 days. Most of the time she was febrile; fever persisted with peaks up to 40° C despite various antibiotic treatments. On neurological examination, the patient was somnolent with left-sided hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed hyperintensities in both hippocampal areas, and electroencephalography (EEG) showed sharp-wave activity in the temporal lobes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination showed slightly elevated protein levels, and laboratory assessments showed an elevated titer of anti-Yo antibodies. Although we do not have pathological confirmation of limbic encephalitis, the diagnosis of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis was presumed on the basis of MRI findings, EEG abnormality, elevated CSF protein, positive anti YO antibodies, and neurological findings.

[Wernicke's encephalopathy as a complication of bariatric surgery]. / Wernickova encefalopatija kao komplikacija u kirurgiji debljine.

Wernicke's encephalopathy is an acute, serious brain disorder resulting from thiamine deficiency, which is important as a cofactor in several enzymes associated with carbohydrate metabolism. The encephalopathy is most often associated with severe alcohol abuse, but thiamine deficiency can be caused by many other medical conditions. Bariatric surgery is listed among the causes of Wernicke's encephalopathy. This review provides a brief overview of the risk factors that cause thiamine deficiency, along with clinical features, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures important for timely recognition, therapy and prophylaxis of Wernicke's encephalopathy that occurs as a complication of bariatric surgery.

[Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis]. / Paraneoplasticki limbicki encefalitis.

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE) is a condition characterized by nervous system damage or dysfunction without indication that the nervous system is directly affected by tumor cells. Since it is clinically presented with an array of neuropsychiatric symptoms that usually precede the occurrence of malignant disease, and because of mimicking a psychiatric disease, it can sometimes make the diagnosis difficult and can be overlooked. Typical presentations consist of progressive confusion and deficits in short-term memory, which worsen over days to weeks. The current hypothesis on the pathogenesis of PLE implicates an autoimmune process involving antigens shared by tumor cells and neuronal cells in limbic structures. It has been considered that the autoantibodies cross-react with antigens on normal cells such as the neurons, resulting in cytotoxicity, or they can form complexes with a circulating antigen to induce organ damage through immune complex deposition. The treatment of PLE involves underlying cancer removal by surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormonal treatment, and immunosuppressive therapy. Unfortunately, this therapy combination is still generally unsatisfactory. Although PLE is a relatively rare neurologic disorder, because of its association with malignancies and difficulty in diagnosing, this article gives a brief review of the literature and summarizes current knowledge of this syndrome.

[Delirium incidence in pediatric intensive care unit]. / Ucestalost delirija u pedijatrijskim jedinicama za intenzivno lijecenje.

Delirium is a serious neuropsychiatric disorder and pediatric delirium (PD) is a similarly serious condition. PD is understudied and very often misdiagnosed, especially in pediatric intensive care units (PICU). It is important to early diagnose PD, so that early psychosocial interventions and therapy can be introduced. Valid diagnostic instruments are needed at PICU to assess PD. There are many scales and tests to diagnose delirium but none of them is specific enough to diagnose PD. Although PD is a serious complication at PICU, clinical guidelines for PD are still lacking, therefore additional investigations are needed to bring them out.

Preemptive use of diclofenac in combination with ketamine in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: To examine the combined preemptive effects of low-dose ketamine, diclofenac, and their combination on postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: A total of 80 consecutive patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II, were recruited to the study. Patients were randomized to one of the following groups: group 1 received 100-mL isotonic saline intravenously (i.v.) 20 minutes before the induction of anesthesia and 5-mL isotonic saline i.v. before skin incision as a placebo; group 2 received 100-mL isotonic saline i.v. 20 minutes before the induction of anesthesia and 0.15-mg/kg ketamine diluted in 5-mL isotonic saline i.v. before skin incision; group 3 received diclofenac 1 mg/kg diluted in 100-mL isotonic saline i.v. 20 minutes before the induction of anesthesia and 5-mL isotonic saline i.v. before skin incision; and group 4 received a combination of the same diclofenac sodium and ketamine doses at the same time. Abdominal and shoulder pain intensity was assessed using the visual analog scale and verbal rating scale during 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: Patients receiving diclofenac had a significantly lower pain score between 2 and 6 hours after surgery compared with patients receiving placebo. One hour after surgery, patients receiving a combination of diclofenac and ketamine had a significantly lower pain score compared with patients receiving placebo and ketamine alone. Patients from all the 4 study groups required postoperative analgesic; however, the time to diclofenac sodium request was longer in patients receiving a combination of diclofenac and ketamine compared with patients receiving placebo (p<0.001), ketamine (p<0.001), or diclofenac (p=0.03) alone. CONCLUSIONS: The preemptive administration of a combination of low-dose ketamine plus diclofenac sodium improved postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, whereas ketamine at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg did not elicit a preemptive analgesic effect.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunt]. / Laparoskopsko odstranjenje zucnog mjehura u bolesnika s ventrikuloperitonealnim kateterom.

Because of development of laparoscopic surgery and by knowing of its pathophysiological effects on organism, indications for laparoscopic surgery have become more extensive, so this method is today used for therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. Although ventriculoperitoneal shunt is not normally considered a contraindication for laparoscopic surgery, pneumoperitoneum is described as a cause of raised intracranial pressure. Since 1992 when the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy was done at the University Department of Surgery of Sveti Duh Clinical Hospital in Zagreb, three patients with implanted ventriculoperitoneal shunt were managed successfully laparoscopically. In all three patients, there were no complications during and after the surgery. In this paper we present our experience of three cases and short review of the literature.

[Acute compartment syndrome of the muscle in intensive care patients]. / Akutni sindrom tijesnog misicnog odjeljka u bolesnika u jedinici intenzivnog lijecenja.

Acute compartment syndrome of the muscle occurs when elevation of tissue pressure in closed fascial compartments results in muscle and nerve ischemia. Prompt diagnosis and decompression is essential to avoid the devastating local complications with permanent disabilities and systemic even lethal complications. Despite its drawbacks, clinical assessment is still the diagnostic cornerstone of acute compartment syndrome. In critically multisystem injured patients, it often presents silently and clinical examination alone may be insufficient. Intracompartmental pressure measurement is a useful adjunct and can confirm the diagnosis when clinical assessment is difficult. In this article, the etiology, clinical signs, diagnosis and therapy is discussed and underscores the importance of routine surveillance for acute compartment syndrome of muscle.

[Acute compartment syndrome as a complication of prolonged surgery in the Lloyd Davies position]. / Akutni sindrom tijesnog fascijalnog odjeljka donjih ekstremiteta kao komplikacija dugotrajnih kirurskih zahvata u Lloyd Davies polozaju.

Acute compartment syndrome of the muscle is condition in which prolonged increase of tissue pressure in closed unyelding fascial compartments reduces capillary perfusion below a level necessary for tissue viability leading to muscle and nerve ischaemia for few hours. There are wide variety different clinical settings associated with compartment syndrome. Acute lower limb compartment syndrome that occur during and after prolonged surgical procedures in Lloyd Davies position is rare but potentially devastating complication that can lead serious local complications and life threatening situations as, rabdomyolysis, kidney failure and death. In this article we summarize pathophysiology, clinical staging and diagnostic procedures of acute compartment syndrome in Lloyd Davies position. We present female patient developed limb compartment sindrome after surgical procedure which lasted 6,5 hours in the Lloyd Davies position for extensive rectovaginal endometriosis. In this article we rewiev different contributing factors that may predispose to compartment syndrome during Lloyd Davies position and undescore importance of recognise the risk factor and prevent the esthablishment of acute compartment syndrome during and after surgery in the Lloyd Davies position.

Post-intubation long-segment tracheal stenosis of the posterior wall: a case report and review of the literature.

Tracheal stenosis, a well-known complication of endotracheal intubation and artificial ventilation, is most likely to occur in critically ill patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Although a rare complication, and despite technological improvements and better patient care in intensive care units, tracheal stenosis still constitutes a serious clinical problem which can also develop after a short period of mechanical ventilation. In this article, we present a very rare case report of a patient who developed a long-segment tracheal stenosis localized at the posterior wall after a relatively short period of endotracheal intubation with a high-volume, low-pressure cuffed endotracheal tube, and a review of the literature.

[Effects of pneumoperitoneumon liver function]. / Ucinci pneumoperitoneuma na jetrenu funkciju.

Effects of pneumoperitoneum on liver function during laparoscopic procedures in most patients have no clinical relevance. However, with increasing number and types of surgical procedures the laparoscopic operation is now performed in high-risk patients, including patients with pre-existing liver disease. In these patients laparoscopic procedures may lead to serious complication, including acute liver failure. Because postoperative liver damage induced by pneumoperitoneum has been underestimated, the aim of this article is to review the numerous factors influencing liver damage during laparoscopy and review of therapeutic options for their reduction.

[Acute rhabdomyolysis: a case report and literature review]. / Akutna rabdomioliza, prikaz bolesnika i pregled literature.

Acute rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome characterized by the lesion of skeletal muscle resulting in subsequent release of intracellular contents into the circulatory system, which can cause potentially lethal complications. These contents include myoglobin, creatine phosphokinase, potassium, aldolase, lactate dehydrogenase and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase. There are numerous causes that can lead to acute rhabdomyolysis and many of patients present with multiple causes. The most common potentially lethal complication of rhabdomyoloysis is acute renal failure. In this article we present a case of a patient that developed clinical signs of acute rhabdomyolysis after consumption of heroin and alcohol. After approximately nine hours of alcohol and heroin induced coma he had acute compartment syndrome of the right arm, and clinical and laboratory signs of acute rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure as a complication of rhabdomyolysis. Acute rhabdomyolysis developed in the patient as the result of acute compartment syndrome, with direct toxic activity of alcohol and diamorphine. During the period of coma, due to lying in particular position over a long period of time, pressure upon the certain part of the body caused muscle compression and capillary occlusion in fascial compartments, which led to ischemia. Upon pressure relief and beginning of tissue recovery, post ischemic compartment syndrome occurred with subsequent rhabdomyolysis. Getting out of coma the patient started to complain of severe pain in the right arm, which clinically worsened on passive stretching of the limb, with the loss of sensation and weakness. Laboratory findings showed high levels of creatine phosphokinase as the most sensitive marker of muscular damage. The peak of creatine phosphokinase level can be predictive for the development of acute renal failure because myoglobin level may return to normal within 6 hours after muscle injury. The peak of creatine phosphokinase (186.080 U/L; normal range 0-177) was recorded at 12 hours of admission. Other pertinent laboratory results such as urea, creatinine, prothrombin time, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were also changed significantly. The peak of potassium level before dialysis was 6.8 mmol/L. Emergency fasciotomy of the anterior and posterior compartment syndrome was performed by a team of physicians after clinical examination. The second look debridement was performed at 48 and 72 hours. The plastic surgical procedure was performed 4 weeks later. On admission the patient also had oliguria with dark brown pigment in his urine. Arterial blood gases revealed metabolic and respiratory acidosis. The patient was hypovolemic and IV rehydratation with crystalloids, sodium bicarbonate and mannitol started immediately upon admission. Despite therapy his urine output decreased. Hemodialysis was initiated at serum potassium level of 6.8 mm/L and continued until his urine output returned to normal in three weeks. The patient was discharged from the hospital after six weeks, with normal urine output, without functional abnormality in his upper right limb. Acute rhabdomyolysis should be considered as a possibility in any patient with prolonged imobilization while in coma as well as in any intoxicated patient. Of course, creatine phosphokinase is the most sensitive indicator of muscle injury and the degree of creatine phosphokinase elevation correlates with the amount of muscle injury and disease severity. Other laboratory findings can help identify common complications of rhabdomyolysis such as acute renal failure, metabolic derangements and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy.

[Pathophysiologic effects of CO2-pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic surgery]. / Patofizioloski ucinci CO2-pneumoperitoneja u laparoskopskoj kirurgiji.

Today, laparoscopic surgery is one of the most important diagnostic and therapeutic tools in general surgery. This minimally invasive procedure requires pneumoperitoneum for adequate visualization and operative manipulation. Carbon dioxide is the most commonly used gas for creating pneumoperitoneum, because of its high diffusibility and rapid rate of absorption and excretion. Certain specific operations that in the past required long hospitalization and were associated with severe postoperative pain and frequent complications are today performed laparoscopically. This minimally invasive technique potentially offers reduced operative time and morbidity, decreased hospital stay and earlier return to normal activities, less pain and less postoperative ileus compared with the traditional open surgical procedures. Because the postoperative benefits are superior to open surgical procedures, laparoscopy is today also used in many high risk patients in advanced age and pre-existent cardiopulmonary and respiratory diseases. However, insufflations of carbon dioxide into the peritoneum may lead to alteration in the acid-base balance, cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology. Although these changes may be well tolerated in healthy patients, in high risk patients they may increase the rate of perioperative complications. Therefore, it is very important that the anesthesiologist thoroughly understands the pathophysiology of carbon dioxide-pneumoperitoneum and treatment of potential complications. In this article, the acid-base balance, cardiovascular and pulmonary changes associated with laparoscopic surgery, and their potential complications and management are discussed based on our experience and literature data.

[Specific anesthetic management in laparoscopic surgery]. / Specificnosti anestezije u laparoskopskoj kirurgiji.

Laparoscopic surgery is a technique by which abdominal surgical treatments are performed in minimally invasive way. Many operations that once required long hospitalization are now being performed with laparoscopic technique. It has significantly reduced postoperative pain and the number of complications, shorter hospital stay, with faster recovery, and more rapid return to normal activities. These are only some of the advantages of laparoscopic surgery. The first laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Croatia was performed on May 14, 1992, at the University Department of Surgery of "Sveti Duh" General Hospital in Zagreb. By the introduction of this method as the "gold standard" in the treatment of cholelithiasis, laparoscopic surgery has been widely accepted, and today, ten years later, has become a recognized and routine surgical method. Because of its particular performance, laparoscopic surgery requires some specific anesthesiologic adjustments. Surgical treatments are usually performed in general endotracheal anesthesia, although regional or local one could be applied too. The choice of anestesiologic technique and anesthetics depends upon preoperative patient's condition, the kind of surgical treatment, anesthesiologist's evaluation, and at last upon the cooperation among patients, anesthesiologist and surgeon. The basic aim of anesthesia is respiratory and hemodynamic patient's stability, and the choice of anesthesiologic technique and anesthesia should enable satisfactory analgesia, amnesia, muscular relaxation, faster recovery and shorter hospital stay.

Prophylactic antiemetics for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: droperidol, metoclopramide, and droperidol plus metoclopramide.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of the most significant problems in laparoscopic surgery. The antiemetic effects of metoclopramide and droperidol used alone or in combination for prevention of PONV after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) were assessed in this prospective, double blind, placebo controlled randomized study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 140 patients, ASA physical status I or II, were included in the study. Patients were randomized to one of the following groups: 1, placebo; 2, metoclopramide 10 mg after the induction of anesthesia and placebo at 12 h postoperatively; 3, droperidol 1.25 mg after the induction of anesthesia and droperidol 1.25 mg at 12 h postoperatively; and 4, droperidol 1.25 mg plus metoclopramide 10 mg after the induction of anesthesia and droperidol 1.25 mg at 12 h postoperatively. Patients were observed for 24 hours for PONV, pain, need for rescue analgesics, and adverse events. RESULTS: Data were analyzed using the Student's t-test and chi-square test, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. The mean incidence of PONV was 54% with placebo, 42% with metoclopramide, 14% with two doses of droperidol alone, and 11% with a combination of metoclopramide plus droperidol. The patients receiving a combination of metoclopramide and droperidol had a significantly lower rate of PONV than those administered metoclopramide alone (P < 0.05) or placebo (P < 0.001). Those receiving two-dose droperidol alone also had a significantly lower incidence of PONV compared with metoclopramide (P < 0.05) and placebo (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the metoclopramide and placebo groups. Sedation was significantly greater in patients administered droperidol 12 h postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The combination of metoclopramide and droperidol, and two-dose droperidol alone, were found to significantly decrease the incidence of PONV after LC, whereas metoclopramide alone proved inefficient.

[Laparoscopic surgery during pregnancy]. / Laparoskopski kirurski zahvati u trudnoci.

UNLABELLED: With the development oflaparoscopic surgery, number of contraindications has become less and less. At the beginning of laparoscopic surgery pregnancy was considered an absolute contraindication to laparoscopic surgery, because of unknown influence of CO2-pneumoperitoneum on fetus. Over the past few years, in literature there have been several case reports of successful laparoscopic surgery in pregnancy. Since 1992 when the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy was done at the University Department of Surgery of Sveti Duh General Hospital in Zagreb, three pregnant women were managed successfully laparoscopically. Two laparoscopic cholecystectomies, and one laparoscopic appendectomy during pregnancy, were performed. RESULTS: In all three patients, there were no complications during and after surgery. Pregnancies were completed at term spontaneously, delivering healthy children.