[Adherence to the guidelines for treatment of mild biliary acute pancreatitis in the setting of tertiary center in the Czech Republic]. / Casování chirurgické a endoskopické terapie akutní biliární pankreatitidy v podmínkách terciární nemocnice v Ceské republice.

INTRODUCTION: Cholecystectomy (CCX) represents the crucial procedure in preventing relapses of biliary acute pancreatitis (BAP). Endoscopic papilosphincterotomy (EPST) represent an acceptable alternative in patients unsuitable for surgery. Current guidelines recommend patients with mild BAP to undergo CCX in 2 maximally 4 weeks following discharge from the hospital, ideally during the same hospital stay. Adherence to the guidelines differs significantly between particular countries and institutions. AIM: To evaluate adherence to the guidelines of BAP management in conditions of tertiary hospital in the Czech Republic. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients hospitalized in the Clinic of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Brno for acute pancreatitis in years 2007-2012. Cases with both sonographic findings of lithiasis/sludge and 3-fold AST/ALT elevation were considered of clearly biliary etiology. RESULTS: We identified 328 patients treated for acute pancreatitis. Clearly biliary etiology was identified in 116 cases (54 male, 62 female). From 114 analyzed patients with complete documentation 81 underwent CCX, 23 were not operated and 10 cases were patients with history of previous CCX. Total mortality of the group was 5.3%. Out of 81 patients who had CCX was 48 cases of mild BAP. CCX was done during the same hospital stay and/or within 4 weeks from dismissal in 20 patients, therefore, current guidelines were followed in 41.7% of our study group. Eighteen out of the remaining 28 patients underwent ERCP with EPST. Therefore, within 4 weeks from dismissal 75% of our patients underwent a procedure (CCX and/or EPST) with a potential to reduce the risk of BAP recurrence. CONCLUSION: When longer (4 weeks) interval between mild BAP and CCX is applied, the current guidelines are followed in 41.7% of patients treated at our institution, which is comparable with the literature data. As much as 75% of our patients underwent a procedure (CCX and/or EPST) with a potential to reduce the risk of BAP recurrence. However, only 12.5% of index CCX is not favorable outcome that needs improvement. Similar difficulties are being dealt with in the most countries in the World.

The effect of probiotics on gut flora, level of endotoxin and Child-Pugh score in cirrhotic patients: results of a double-blind randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of Escherichia coli Nissle (Mutaflor, Ardeypharm GmbH, Herdecke, Germany) on the intestinal colonization, level of endotoxin and liver functions in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with liver cirrhosis diagnosed by means of biopsy and clinical examinations were randomly allocated to treatment with E. coli Nissle or placebo for 42 days. Standard clinical examination, biochemical and hematological examinations, level of endotoxin and microbiological examination of the stool were performed before and after the treatment. RESULTS: In comparing the treatment of E. coli Nissle and placebo, significant improvement of the intestinal colonization (P<0.001) in the E. coli Nissle group was described. We found a trend of significant lowering of the endotoxemia (P=0.07) and improvement of liver functions evaluated by Child-Pugh score (P=0.06). CONCLUSION: E. coli Nissle seems to be effective in the restoration of normal colonic colonization and can probably lower endotoxemia in cirrhotic patients.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: a severe complication of liver cirrhosis.

This report presents a survey of current knowledge concerning one of the relatively frequent and severe complications of liver cirrhosis and associated ascites-spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Epidemiology, aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, diagnosis and present possibilities of treatment are discussed.