Laparoscopic cholecystectomy prevents readmissions. A 9-year review of acute pancreatitis in pregnancy in an Australian tertiary center.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy (APIP) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, affecting women at any gestation. The aim of this review is to investigate the demographics, etiology, management, and outcomes of pancreatitis in pregnant women in a major tertiary hospital in Queensland. METHODS: Data was collected from the hospital medical records of all patients diagnosed with APIP from 01/01/2012 until 30/04/2021 at the Mater Hospital, Brisbane. Descriptive statistical measures were employed. Spearman's rank correlation was used to challenge different risk factors for readmission. RESULTS: 26 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 38 admissions during the study period. Biliary pancreatitis was the most common etiology (n = 14, 53.8%). 42.5% of admissions were managed operatively (n = 15). 38.5% of patients had more than one admission (n = 10). Undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy on index admission correlated with a significantly lower chance of repeat admission (rs= -.48, p = .013, CI = - .737 to -.102). CONCLUSION: This is the first study of this condition in an Australian institution. It demonstrates that in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis, operative management can be safely employed at any trimester and laparoscopic cholecystectomies should be performed in the index admission to reduce the risk of readmission to hospital.

Obstructing colorectal cancer: a population-based review of colonic stenting in Queensland, Australia.

PURPOSE: Stenting is a useful treatment option for malignant colonic obstruction, but its role remains unclear. This study was designed to establish how stents have been used in Queensland, Australia, and to review outcomes. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Queensland from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2014, who underwent colonic stent insertion were reviewed. Primary outcomes of 5-year survival, 30-day mortality, and overall length of survival were calculated. The secondary outcomes included patient and tumor factors, and stoma rates. RESULTS: In total, 319 patients were included, and distant metastases were identified in 183 patients (57.4%). The 30-day mortality rate was 6.6% (n=21), and the 5-year survival was 11.9% (n=38). Median survival was 11 months (interquartile range, 4-27 months). A further operation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.19; P<0.001) and chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy (HR, 0.718; P=0.046) reduced the risk of 5-year mortality. The presence of distant metastases (HR, 2.052; P<0.001) and a comorbidity score of 3 or more (HR, 1.572; P=0.20) increased mortality. Surgery was associated with a reduced risk of mortality even in patients with metastatic disease (HR, 0.14; P<0.001). Twenty-two patients (6.9%) ended the study period with a stoma. CONCLUSION: Colorectal stenting was used in Queensland in several diverse scenarios, in both localized and metastatic disease. Surgery had a survival advantage, even in patients with metastatic disease. There was no survival difference according to whether patients were socioeconomically disadvantaged, diagnosed in a major city or not, or treated at private or public hospitals. Stenting proved a valid treatment option with low stoma rates.

Redo Pelvic Surgery and Combined Metastectomy for Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer with Known Oligometastatic Disease: A Multicentre Review.

INTRODUCTION: Historically, surgical resection for patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) had been reserved for those without metastatic disease. 'Selective' patients with limited oligometastatic disease (OMD) (involving the liver and/or lung) are now increasingly being considered for resection, with favourable five-year survival rates. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing multi-visceral pelvic resection of LRRC with their oligometastatic disease between 1 January 2015 and 31 August 2021 across four centres worldwide was performed. The data collected included disease characteristics, neoadjuvant therapy details, perioperative and oncological outcomes. RESULTS: Fourteen participants with a mean age of 59 years were included. There was a female preponderance (n = 9). Nine patients had liver metastases, four had lung metastases and one had both lung and liver disease. The mean number of metastatic tumours was 1.5 +/- 0.85. R0 margins were obtained in 71.4% (n = 10) and 100% (n = 14) of pelvic exenteration and oligometastatic disease surgeries, respectively. Mean lymph node yield was 11.6 +/- 6.9 nodes, with positive nodes being found in 28.6% (n = 4) of cases. A single major morbidity was reported, with no perioperative deaths. At follow-up, the median disease-free survival and overall survival were 12.3 months (IQR 4.5-17.5 months) and 25.9 months (IQR 6.2-39.7 months), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Performing radical multi-visceral surgery for LRRC and distant oligometastatic disease appears to be feasible in appropriately selected patients that underwent good perioperative counselling.

Body mass index and surgical outcomes in laparoscopic liver resections: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic liver resection is gaining momentum; however, there is limited evidence on its efficacy and safety in obese patients. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between BMI and outcomes after laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) using a systematic review of the existing literature. METHODS: A systematic search of Medline (Ovid 1946-present), PubMed (NCBI), Embase (Ovid 1966-present) and Cochrane Library was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement for parameters of LLR and BMI. Operative, post-operative and oncological outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Of 1460 abstracts, seven retrospective studies were analysed, published between 2015 and 2017 (study periods 1998-2017). Total patient cohort were classified as 481 obese and 1180 non-obese with a median age range of 42.5-69.4 years. Variations existed in definitions of obesity (Asia BMI >25 kg/m2 , Western BMI >30 kg/m2 ). Rates of conversion were examined in four studies (0-31%) with one reporting BMI >28 kg/m2 as an independent risk factor. Estimated blood loss and transfusion rates were similar. Operative time was increased in obese patients in one study (P = 0.02). Mortality rates ranged from 0% to 4.3% with no difference between BMI classes. No difference in major morbidity was demonstrated. Bile leak rates were increased in obese groups in one study (0-3.44%, P < 0.05). Wound infections were reported in five studies, with higher rates in obese patients (0-5.8% versus 0-1.9%). Tumour size was comparable in both groups. Completeness of resection was analysed in four studies with one study reporting increased R0 rates in obese patients (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: This systematic review highlights that current evidence shows LLR in obese patients is safe, however, further studies are required.

An Exceptional Case of Ileocolic Intussusception Secondary to Burkitt's Lymphoma: What Variations Are There in the Presentation and Management of Those Patients Who Approach Adolescence?

Intussusception is a common cause of abdominal pain among the paediatric population with up to 10% of cases occurring secondary to a pathological lead point. Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) is a highly malignant and rapidly growing B-cell neoplasm which in extremely rare cases can present as intussusception. We report a case in an otherwise healthy 15-year-old male who presented with atypical abdominal pain. Imaging subsequently indicated an ileocolic intussusception, and given that the suspicion of a pathological lead point mandates a laparotomy and bowel resection, he proceeded to surgery. The histopathology confirmed Burkitt's lymphoma as the aetiology responsible for this intussuscepted mass. A detailed discussion including a systematic review of all previous case reports explore the diagnostic dilemma of intussusceptions secondary to BL. This case report aims to highlight the clinical challenges in establishing such a diagnosis and an appreciation for the subtle variations in clinical features, as well as the differences in management between infants and adolescents.

Laparoscopic repair of a right diaphragmatic hernia in a post-partum lady.

Traumatic diaphragmatic injuries (TDI) are often challenging to diagnose. Research suggests that no single diagnostic study is sensitive or specific enough to identify such an injury, unless there is established herniation of intrabdominal contents. It is a rare cause of small bowel obstruction, which carries a substantial mortality rate. This report describes a case of a 41-year-old pregnant female who presented with irretractable vomiting and abdominal pain secondary to a delayed presentation of right-sided TDI. The most accepted mechanism regarding TDI is due to sudden elevation in the pleuroperitoneal pressure gradient. This case is unusual given its mechanism of injury during pregnancy and its right-sided location. She underwent laparoscopy which facilitated successful reduction of the hernial and closure of the defect. Postoperatively, she made an excellent recovery and was discharged within a few days. This report aims to increase the awareness amongst surgeons.