Gastrosplenic Fistula: a Systematic Review.

Gastrosplenic fistula is an unusual complication of benign as well as malignant gastric and splenic pathologies. This pathology acquires an important clinical significance due to its rare association with life-threatening upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. The aim of this article is to review the English-language literature in order to gain a better understanding of etiological factors, diagnostic evaluation, and management of gastrosplenic fistula. The systematic search of the literature was performed on PubMed and MEDLINE from January 1950 to September 2020 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. We retrieved 44 articles matching our selection criteria from the search. There were 3 case series, 37 case reports, and 4 review of the literature. In our appraisal of articles published in PUBMED, a total of 36 cases of malignant and 10 cases of benign gastrosplenic fistula could be identified. Gastrosplenic fistula is an exceptional complication of malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract. Lymphomas particularly arising from the spleen are the commonest cause. Gastric adenocarcinoma causing GSF is extremely rare. Most cases occur spontaneously, but at times, it can be secondary to tumour necrosis following chemotherapy.

Esophageal Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review.

Involvement of esophagus with tuberculous infection is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Secondary esophageal tuberculosis is much more common than primary TB. The most common source of secondary esophageal involvement is tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis. Esophageal tuberculosis mimics carcinoma esophagus. Clinical features are same and it is difficult on imaging studies also to differentiate the two pathologies. Misdiagnosis is common. The disease is medically curable; therefore, it is essential to make all efforts to diagnose the pathology with non-surgical diagnostic modalities in suspected cases so as to save patients from the trauma of major surgical resection. Surgical intervention is indicated for failed medical therapy and complications. A total of 133 cases of esophageal TB have been reported till date. The authors encountered 4 cases of esophageal TB between April 2011 and March 2019. The aim of this article is to present our data and to provide comprehensive review of the available literature on this pathology in order to gain a better understanding of diagnostic methods and provide guidelines for the diagnosis and management of esophageal TB.

Short Bowel Syndrome: An Uncommon Clinical Entity and a Therapeutic Challenge-Our Experience and Review of Literature.

Short bowel syndrome (SBS), one of the commonest types of intestinal failure, usually secondary to extensive bowel resection, traditionally has been associated with a high mortality rate and hence a big challenge for the treating surgeons. It requires comprehensive clinical care to minimise the morbidities and mortality associated with the condition. We report a retrospective review of a series of seven patients with SBS, who presented at our surgical emergency within a period of 1 year and their outcome so as to encourage others in managing such a challenge with more positive mindsets. A retrospective analysis of seven patients with SBS admitted from January 2014 to January 2015 with a follow-up of 1 year has been done in terms of their demographic characteristics, underlying pathology and clinical outcome. A rising incidence of SBS in the younger age group (71.4%) has been observed in this analysis. Majority of patients (57.1%) had mesenteric ischemia as the underlying cause followed by each case of small bowel volvulus, internal herniation and blunt trauma abdomen. A discharge rate of 71.4% and mortality rate of 28.5% were observed. With this analysis, we believe that SBS is no more an uncommon condition. A structured clinical approach, timely surgical intervention and multidisciplinary postoperative management are essential for managing such frail patients to achieve best possible results. This will encourage others in managing such a critically challenged condition with a more positive approach and thus beneficial for both the patients and the treating surgeon.

Prospective randomized trial comparing laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) and laparoscopic totally extra peritoneal (TEP) approach for bilateral inguinal hernias.

INTRODUCTION: Bilateral inguinal hernias form a part of the complex spectrum of weakness in the region of the myopectineal orifice. Laparoscopic surgery is one of the standard approaches for bilateral hernias. We describe the results of a randomized trial that was undertaken to compare and evaluate TAPP and TEP repair for bilateral inguinal hernias. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomized into two groups. Group I (TAPP) and Group II (TEP) were compared in terms of procedure related variables, conversion, post-operative recovery and complications. Analysis was done using SPSS software version 17. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were assessed for fitness to include in the study. Seventeen patients had to be excluded due to either not meeting the inclusion criteria's or for not giving consent. The median age (52 yrs) was comparable in both groups. In Group II (TEP) mean operating time was 120.89 ± 29.28 min compared to 108.16 ± 16.10 min in Group I (TAPP). Post-operative pain scores were less in Group I(TAPP) at all levels of recording (8 h-48 h), though most patients required injectable analgesic for 32 h in both groups (p-value 0.029). Subcutaneous emphysema was more commonly noted in the Group II (TEP) (p-value 0.038). In Group I (TAPP) mean hospital stay was 52.0 ± 14.21 h while in Group II (TEP) it was 52.29 ± 9.36 h (p-value 0.427). Mean time for return to work was 11.8 ± 2.35 days in Group I (TAPP) and 12.41 ± 2.22 days in Group II (TEP) (p-value 0.339). CONCLUSION: The procedures though different in approach were quite similar in outcome. Mean operating time was increased in the TEP repairs along with immediate post-operative pain scores. The pattern of some complications like subcutaneous emphysema was significantly more in the TEP group while minor vascular injury though not significant was different in both groups. The indirect cost incurred from consumables did not vary other than need for more tacks in the TAPP group.

Appraisal of Laparoscopic Liver Resection in the Treatment of Liver Metastasis with Special Reference to Outcome in Colorectal Malignancies.

Treatment of metastatic liver disease is at the crossroads of an evolutionary transformation with more and more reports reiterating the benefits of resectional therapy in various cancers. A quest for application of laparoscopic approaches to the management of liver metastasis has arisen due to the projected benefits of less morbidity, early recovery, and equivalent oncological outcome in selected malignancies. However, the diverse and heterogenous data on indications, operative technique, and outcome evaluation make a comparative analysis of these studies difficult. This review is an appraisal of technique and outcome of minimally invasive liver resection as reported in the current literature with special reference to treatment of metastatic colorectal cancers.

Laparoscopic management of nonmidline ventral hernia.

INTRODUCTION: Ventral hernias may be primary or incisional and classified as midline ventral hernias (MVHs) or non-MVHs (NMVHs). NMVHs are rarer, and their laparoscopic management is technically challenging because of varied anatomic locations, differences in patient positioning at time of surgery, and lack of adequate lateral space for mesh fixation, compounded by the proximity of major organs and bony landmarks. A retrospective review of all the NMVHs operated on in a clinical unit is presented. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred eighty-three cases met the criteria of ventral hernia, with 25 cases (13.66%) as NMVH. These NMVHs included lumbar (n=5), suprapubic (n=7), iliac (n=10), and subcostal (n=3). Univariate and multivariate analyses were done using SPSS version 19 software (IBM, Armonk, NY). Continuous data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test/t test, and categorical data were analyzed using the chi-squared test. A P value of ≤.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Demographic profile and presentation were similar in all groups. One case each had seromuscular intestinal injury in the iliac group (P=.668), splenic injury in the lumbar group, and liver injury in the subcostal group (P=.167). In the iliac group there was 1 patient with hematoma (P=.668), whereas seroma was seen in 1 lumbar group patient and 2 iliac group patients (P=.518). Persistent cough impulse was seen in 1 case each in the iliac and lumbar groups (P=.593). One case in the iliac group recurred after primary surgery (P=.668). CONCLUSIONS: NMVHs have a similar spectrum of difficulty and complication profile as those of laparoscopic MVH repairs. Laparoscopic repair of a non-midline hernia is technically challenging but definitely feasible. The incidence of complications and recurrence rate might be more than those for MVHs, but its actual validation needs a much larger comparative study having a longer follow-up.

Laparoscopy for liver hydatid disease: where do we stand today?

Hydatid disease mostly affects the liver with Echinococcus granulosus being the most common organism. Surgery remains the gold standard in terms of therapy for patients with echinococcosis of the liver despite significant economic costs, advances in medical treatment, and interventional radiology. Laparoscopy, as a minimally invasive surgery, has well-known clinical advantages over traditional surgery. Several reports have confirmed the benefit of a laparoscopic approach to liver hydatid disease. We describe our technique and analyze numerous reports of laparoscopic hydatid liver surgery along with our results.