Colonic and anal metastases from pancreato-biliary malignancies.

Pancreato-biliary malignancies often present with locally advanced or metastatic disease. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment although less than 20% of tumours are suitable for resection at presentation. Common sites for metastases are liver, lungs, lymph nodes and peritoneal cavity. Metastatic disease carries poor prognosis, with median survival of less than 3 mo. We report two cases where metastases from pancreato-biliary cancers were identified in the colon and anal canal. In both cases specific immunohistochemical staining was utilised in the diagnosis. In the first case, the presenting complaint was obstructive jaundice due to an ampullary tumour for which a pancreato-duodenectomy was carried out. However, the patient re-presented 4 wk later with an atypical anal fissure which was found to be metastatic deposit from the primary ampullary adenocarcinoma. In the second case, the patient presented with obstructive jaundice due to a biliary stricture. Subsequent imaging revealed sigmoid thickening, which was confirmed to be a metastatic deposit. Distal colonic and anorectal metastases from pancreato-biliary cancers are rare and can masquerade as primary colorectal tumours. The key to the diagnosis is the specific immunohistochemical profile of the intestinal lesion biopsies.

CASE REPORT An Unusual Case of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome Following Resection of Extensive Posttraumatic Mesenteric Ossification.

INTRODUCTION: Heterotopic mesenteric ossification is an extremely rare condition, which often follows trauma and is frequently symptomatic. To date, there are no reports in the literature of abdominal compartment syndrome occurring after surgical resection of mesenteric calcification. The present report documents an unusual case of compartment syndrome complicating resection of extensive mesenteric calcification despite abdominal closure with the components-separation technique. METHOD: A 48-year-old man undergoing components-separation technique for posttraumatic laparostomy hernia repair (ileostomy reversal and sigmoid stricture correction) was found to have extensive heterotopic mesenteric calcification, which needed resection. RESULTS: Resection of the mesenteric calcification was complicated by intraoperative hemorrhage and unplanned small bowel resection. Later the patient developed secondary hemorrhage leading to an abdominal compartment syndrome, which was successfully treated by decompression, hemostasis, and Permacol-assisted laparotomy wound closure. The patient remains symptom-free more than 2 years after surgery. DISCUSSION: The case herein reported gives an account of the rare occurrence of abdominal compartment syndrome following resection of posttraumatic ectopic mesenteric ossifications. It is highly unusual in that it occurred because of "secondary hemorrhage" and despite abdominal closure with the components-separation technique, which had been undertaken precisely to prevent compartment syndrome with direct closure. It therefore highlights the need for continued clinical vigilance in complex posttraumatic cases.

Indications and outcomes of the components separation technique in the repair of complex abdominal wall hernias: experience from the cambridge plastic surgery department.

OBJECTIVES: The components separation technique (CST) is a widely described abdominal wall reconstructive technique. There have, however, been no UK reports of its use, prompting the present review. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2012, 13 patients who underwent this procedure by a single plastic surgeon (C.M.M.) were retrospectively evaluated. The indications, operative details, and clinical outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: There were 7 women and 6 men in the series with a mean age of 53 years (range: 30-80). Patients were referred from a variety of specialties, often as a last resort. The commonest indication for CST was herniation following abdominal surgery. All operations except 1 were jointly performed with general surgeons (for bowel resection, stoma reversal, and hernia dissection). The operations lasted a mean of 5 hours (range: 3-8 hours). There were no major intra- and postoperative problems, except in 1 patient who developed intra-abdominal compartment syndrome, secondary to massive hemorrhage. All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic improvement in their abdominal contours. None of the patients have developed a clinical recurrence after a mean follow-up of 16 months (range: 3-38 months). CONCLUSIONS: The components separation technique is an effective method of treating large recalcitrant hernias but appears to be underutilized in the United Kingdom. The management of large abdominal wall defects requires a multidisciplinary approach, with input across a variety of specialities. Liaison with plastic surgery teams should be encouraged at an early stage and the CST should be more widely considered when presented with seemingly intractable abdominal wall defects.