Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy for Upper Gastrointestinal Leaks and Perforations: Analysis From a Multicenter Spanish Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) is a novel technique for closing upper gastrointestinal (UGI) defects. Available literature includes single-center retrospective cohort studies with small sample sizes. Furthermore, evidence about factors associated with EVT failure is scarce. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of EVT for the resolution of UGI defects in a multicenter study and to investigate the factors associated with EVT failure and in-hospital mortality. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study in which consecutive EVT procedures for the treatment of UGI defects from 19 Spanish hospitals were recorded in the national registry between November 2018 and March 2022. RESULTS: We included 102 patients: 89 with anastomotic leaks and 13 with perforations. Closure of the defect was achieved in 84 cases (82%). A total of 6 patients (5.9%) had adverse events related to the EVT. The in-hospital mortality rate was 12.7%. A total of 6 patients (5.9%) died because of EVT failure and 1 case (0.9%) due to a fatal adverse event. Time from diagnosis of the defect to initiation of EVT was the only independent predictor for EVT failure (odds ratio [OR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.05, P = 0.005). EVT failure (OR 24.5, 95% CI 4.5-133, P = 0.001) and development of pneumonia after EVT (OR 246.97, 95% CI 11.15-5,472.58, P = 0.0001) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. DISCUSSION: EVT is safe and effective in cases of anastomotic leak and perforations of the upper digestive tract. The early use of EVT improves the efficacy of this technique.

Cumulative exposure to tacrolimus and incidence of cancer after liver transplantation.

Cancer is the leading cause of death after liver transplantation (LT). This multicenter case-control nested study aimed to evaluate the effect of maintenance immunosuppression on post-LT malignancy. The eligible cohort included 2495 LT patients who received tacrolimus-based immunosuppression. After 13 922 person/years follow-up, 425 patients (19.7%) developed malignancy (cases) and were matched with 425 controls by propensity score based on age, gender, smoking habit, etiology of liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before LT. The independent predictors of post-LT malignancy were older age (HR = 1.06 [95% CI 1.05-1.07]; p < .001), male sex (HR = 1.50 [95% CI 1.14-1.99]), smoking habit (HR = 1.96 [95% CI 1.42-2.66]), and alcoholic liver disease (HR = 1.53 [95% CI 1.19-1.97]). In selected cases and controls (n = 850), the immunosuppression protocol was similar (p = .51). An increased cumulative exposure to tacrolimus (CET), calculated by the area under curve of trough concentrations, was the only immunosuppression-related predictor of post-LT malignancy after controlling for clinical features and baseline HCC (CET at 3 months p = .001 and CET at 12 months p = .004). This effect was consistent for de novo malignancy (after excluding HCC recurrence) and for internal neoplasms (after excluding non-melanoma skin cancer). Therefore, tacrolimus minimization, as monitored by CET, is the key to modulate immunosuppression in order to prevent cancer after LT.

Endoscopic vacuum therapy and early surgical closure after pelvic anastomotic leak: meta-analysis of bowel continuity rates.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) with or without early surgical closure (ESC) is considered an effective option in the management of pelvic anastomotic leakage. This meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of EVT in terms of stoma reversal rate and the added value of ESC. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library was conducted in November 2021 to identify articles on EVT in adult patients with pelvic anastomotic leakage. The primary outcome was restored continuity rate. Following PRISMA guidelines, a meta-analysis was undertaken using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies were included, accounting for 827 patients with leakage who underwent EVT. There was large heterogeneity between studies in design and reported outcomes, and a high risk of bias. The overall weighted mean restored continuity rate was 66.8 (95 per cent c.i. 58.8 to 73.9) per cent. In patients undergoing EVT with ESC, the calculated restored continuity rate was 82 per cent (95 per cent c.i. 50.1 to 95.4) as compared to 64.7 per cent (95 per cent c.i. 55.7 to 72.7) after EVT without ESC. The mean number of sponge exchanges was 4 (95 per cent c.i. 2.7 to 4.6) and 9.8 (95 per cent c.i. 7.3 to 12.3), respectively. Sensitivity analysis showed a restored continuity rate of 81 per cent (95 per cent c.i. 55.8 to 99.5) for benign disease, 69.0 per cent (95 per cent c.i. 57.3 to 78.7) for colorectal cancer, and 65 per cent (95 per cent c.i. 48.8 to 79.1) if neoadjuvant radiotherapy was given. CONCLUSION: EVT is associated with satisfactory stoma reversal rates that may be improved if it is combined with ESC.

Systematic review of functional outcomes and quality of life after transanal endoscopic microsurgery and transanal minimally invasive surgery: a word of caution.

PURPOSE: The introduction of transanal endoscopic or minimally invasive surgery has allowed organ preservation for rectal tumors with good oncological results. Data on functional and quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes are scarce and controversial. This systematic review sought to synthesize fecal continence, QoL, and manometric outcomes after transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) or transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS). METHODS: A systematic review of the literature including Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases was conducted searching for articles reporting on functional outcomes after TEM or TAMIS between January 1995 and June 2018. The evaluated outcome parameters were pre- and postoperative fecal continence (primary endpoint), QoL, and manometric results. Data were extracted using the same scales and measurement units as from the original study. RESULTS: A total of 29 studies comprising 1297 patients were included. Fecal continence outcomes were evaluated in 23 (79%) studies with a wide variety of assessment tools and divergent results. Ten studies (34%) analyzed QoL changes, and manometric variables were assessed in 15 studies (51%). Most studies reported some deterioration in manometric scores without major QoL impairment. Due to the heterogeneity of the data, it was not possible to perform any pooled analysis or meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These techniques do not seem to affect continence by themselves except in minor cases. The possibility of worsened function after TEM and TAMIS should not be underestimated. There is a need to homogenize or standardize functional and manometric outcomes assessment after TEM or TAMIS.

Endoscopic stenting for gastroduodenal outlet obstruction of a malignant origin, real life experience in a single center.

AIM: to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of self-expandable metal stent placement for malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). METHODS: a retrospective, analytic cohort study at a single, tertiary-care center. RESULTS: thirty-six patients that underwent stent placement for GOO of malignant origin were identified during the study period. Technical success was achieved in 36 (100 %) patients and clinical success was achieved in 31 patients (86.1 %). Before the procedure, 17 (54.8 %) patients had a gastric outlet obstruction score (GOOSS) of 0, which is a complete inability of oral intake. Twenty-three patients were alive 30 days after the procedure, two (8.6 %) patients had a GOOSS of 1, ten (43.3 %) had a GOOSS of 2 and eleven (47.9 %) had a GOOSS of 3. Abdominal pain was present in all 31 patients before the procedure and only seven (22.6 %) patients continued with abdominal pain 24 hours after the procedure. During follow-up, ten (30.3 %) patients developed complications related to the stents and none of them was fatal. Additional therapy due to partial occlusion of the stent was necessary in three patients. The stents functional duration had a median of 72 days (IQR 25-75 15-105 days) and was closely related to overall survival. CONCLUSION: palliative stenting for gastroduodenal obstruction is a safe, feasible and effective therapy to treat patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction.

A Meta-analysis of Prophylaxis of Surgical Site Infections with Topical Application of Povidone Iodine Before Primary Closure.

BACKGROUND: Povidone iodine (PVI) is a widely used antiseptic solution among surgeons. A meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to establish whether application of PVI before wound closure could reduce surgical site infection (SSI) rates. METHODS: Systematic review of MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases from inception to September 2017, with no language restrictions. Only RCTs were retrieved. The primary outcome was the SSI rate. Meta-analysis was complemented with trial sequential analysis (TSA). RESULTS: A total of 7601 patients collected from 16 RCTs were analyzed. A reduction in overall SSI rate was found (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.48-0.85, P = 0.002, I2 = 65%), which was attributed to patients undergoing elective operations (n = 2358) and mixed elective/urgent operations (n = 2019). When RCTs of uncertain quality (n = 9) were excluded, the use of PVI before wound closure (n = 4322 patients) was not associated with a significant reduction of SSI (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.55-1.20, P = 0.29, I2 = 51%) and was only significant in clean wounds (RR 0.25, 95% CI 0.09-0.70, P = 0.008, I2 = 0%). For the primary outcome, the TSA calculation using a relative risk reduction of 19% and an 11% proportion of control event rate (CER) with 51% of I2, the accrued information size (n = 4322) was 32.8% of the estimated optimal information size (n = 13,148). CONCLUSIONS: There is no conclusive evidence for a strong recommendation of topical PVI before wound closure to prevent SSI.

Role of Biodegradable Stents as Part of Treatment of Biliary Strictures after Pediatric and Adult Liver Transplantation: An Observational Single-Center Study.

This brief report presents the results of 20 adult and pediatric patients treated with the use of biodegradable SX-Ella biliary stents placed by means of a transhepatic approach for the treatment of benign biliary strictures after liver transplantation. Stent insertions were always feasible (100%), and only 1 case of acute pancreatitis was observed (5%). The overall clinical success rate of the procedure, including anastomotic and nonanastomotic strictures, was 75%, and was higher in the anastomotic stricture group (81.25%) than in the nonanastomotic stricture group (50%).

Outcomes of Conversion from Sleeve Gastrectomy to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Due to GERD-a Retrospective Analysis of 35 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become one of the most performed bariatric procedures worldwide. Its main weaknesses are weight regain and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is considered the gold standard to manage GERD and related symptoms. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation from a prospective bariatric surgery database of all our institution's patients converted from SG to RYGB due to GERD between January 2010 and December 2018. Clinical characteristics and workups before SG and before and after RYGB were analyzed. RESULTS: During the study period, 35 patients needed a conversion to RYGB, due to GERD or GERD-related symptoms. Mean age was 48.6 years, 85.7% were women, and mean BMI was 31.4 kg/m2. The interval between SG and RYGB was in a range 7 to 70 months (mean 33 months). All conversions were completed laparoscopically, associating a hiatoplasty in 45.7% of cases. A complete remission of symptoms was observed in 74% of patients, some improvement in 20%, and no relief in 6%. There were 3 cases of hiatal hernia persistence and 2 of recidivism. Only 1 patient presented pathological pHmetry, while moderate esophagitis was demonstrated in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Conversion to RYGB was effective in almost all patients. Pathological acid exposure and hiatal hernias seem to be the main findings prior to conversion, justifying an exhaustive examination and aggressive approach to the hiatus. Due to the insufficient correlation between symptoms and findings on morphological and functional tests, actively searching for signs of GERD is advisable.

Resource utilization and outcomes in emergency general surgery during the COVID19 pandemic: An observational cost analysis.

BACKGROUND: Over the course of the COVID19 pandemic, global healthcare delivery has declined. Surgery is one of the most resource-intensive area of medicine; loss of surgical care has had untold health and economic consequences. Herein, we evaluate resource utilization, outcomes, and healthcare costs associated with unplanned surgery admissions during the height of the pandemic in 2020 versus the same period in 2019. METHODS: Retrospective analysis on patients ≥18 years admitted from the emergency department to General & Digestive and Gastrointestinal Surgery Services between February and May 2019 and 2020 at our center; clinical outcomes and unadjusted and adjusted per-person healthcare costs were analyzed. RESULTS: Consults and admissions to surgery declined between February and May 2020 by 37% and 19%, respectively, relative to the same period in 2019, with even greater relative decline during late March and early April. Time between onset of symptoms to diagnosis increased from 2±3 days 2019 to 5±22 days 2020 (P = 0.01). Overall hospital stay was two days less in 2020 (P = 0.19). Complications (Comprehensive Complication Index 10.3±23.7 2019 vs. 13.9±25.5 2020, P = 0.10) and mortality rates (3% vs. 4%, respectively, P = 0.58) did not vary. Mean unadjusted per-person costs for patients in the 2019 and 2020 cohorts were 5,886.72€±12,576.33€ and 5,287.62±7,220.16€, respectively (P = 0.43). Following multivariate analysis, costs remained similar (4,656.89€±390.53€ 2019 vs. 4,938.54±406.55€ 2020, P = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare delivery and spending for unplanned general surgery admissions declined considerably due to COVID19. These results provide a small yet relevant illustration of clinical and economic ramifications of this healthcare crisis.

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding due to colonic fistula caused by a gossypiboma: Case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Even in modern surgery, human mistakes cannot be totally avoided. Retained surgical items are among the most feared ones. Forgotten sponges inside patients can cause a wide range of complications due to the foreign body reaction, called gossypiboma. The incidence of gossypibomas in the literature is probably underreported due to its legal implications; however, we must know its consequences and highlight the importance of the prevention strategies. We present a case where only preventive measures would have avoided its fatal outcome. PRESENTATION OF CASE: An 85-year-old male, previous left nephrectomy 12 years before, came to the emergency room with hematochezia and hemodynamic instability. An emergent angio-CT revealed a 12 cm mass due to a gossypiboma near the descending colon; the presence of air suggested an infection and/or fistulization to the bowel. It was decided not to perform invasive procedures, resulting in the patient's death. DISCUSSION: Gossypibomas can remain asymptomatic for years, being diagnosed when causing an obstruction, malabsorption, septic symptoms or even spontaneously. This may lead to high morbidity and mortality rates. In order to prevent it, different strategies have been described, with the objective to intensify surveillance. When diagnosed, laparotomy, laparoscopic and even endoscopic procedures have been performed successfully. CONCLUSION: We suggest putting all our efforts in identifying high risk patients and surgeries, training the OR team and enhancing protocols and checklists to minimize any preventable errors.

Use of Topical Antibiotics before Primary Incision Closure to Prevent Surgical Site Infection: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) remains a concern for surgeons because of the negative impact on outcomes and health care costs. Our purpose was to assess whether topical antibiotics before primary incision closure reduced the rate of SSIs. Methods: Systematic review of MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases from inception to January 2017. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved. The primary outcome was the SSI rate. Meta-analysis was complemented with trial sequential analysis (TSA). Results: Thirty-five RCTs (10,870 patients) were included. Only ß-lactams and aminoglycosides were used. A substantial reduction of the incidence of SSIs with the application of antibiotic agents before incision closure (risk ratio [RR] 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37-0.64) was found, which remained in the analysis of 12 RCTs after removal of studies of uncertain quality. The use of ß-lactams was effective to reduce SSI in elective surgery only (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.13-0.85). In clean-contaminated fields and as an irrigation solution, ß-lactams did not reduce the risk of SSI. Aminoglycosides were not effective (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.49-1.10). After TSA, the evidence accumulated was far below the optimal information size. The heterogeneity of studies was high and methodological quality of most RCTs included in the meta-analysis was uncertain. Conclusions: Results of this meta-analysis show the data present in the literature are not sufficiently robust and, therefore, the use of topical ß-lactams or aminoglycosides before incision closure to reduce SSI cannot be recommended or excluded.

Technical Options for Malabsorption Issues After Single Anastomosis Duodenoileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic single anastomosis duodenoileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) is a recently developed one- or two-stage operation based on biliopancreatic diversion that is used to treat morbid obesity. Some midterm outcomes suggest that malabsorption is a possible complication following the procedure. Therefore, conversion to a less malabsorptive procedure may be required. We aim to describe and analyze the outcomes after laparoscopic conversion of SADI-S to non-malabsorptive or less malabsorptive procedures. METHODS: From January 2015 to April 2017, five patients underwent laparoscopic conversion to single anastomosis duodenojejunal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADJ-S) (video) following SADI-S, and one female patient underwent laparoscopic conversion to gastric bypass (GBP) following SADI-S, after presenting with severe protein-calorie malnutrition, nutritional deficiencies, poor quality of life, or increased number of bowel movements. RESULTS: Mean preoperative BMI was 24.0 kg/m2 (20.4-27.5 kg/m2). Four patients underwent SADI-S to SADJ-S conversions and one underwent a SADI-S to Roux-en-Y duodenojejunal bypass. All cases were performed laparoscopically. No relevant postoperative complications or mortality was reported and the mean hospital stay was 4.6 days. Malabsorptive symptoms resolved in all patients. All patients experienced weight regain. Mean BMI increase was 7.1 kg/m2 (5-10.8 kg/m2). CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of laparoscopic conversion to SADJ-S or GBP after SADI-S were acceptable, showing clinical improvement of malnutrition, nutritional deficiencies, and quality of life in all cases. Weight regain must be advised. These techniques appear feasible and free of severe long-term complications. Further investigation is warranted to understand the best common channel length for patients undergoing SADI-S.