Endoscopic hemostasis followed by preventive transarterial embolization in high-risk patients with bleeding peptic ulcer: 5-year experience.

Background: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) due to peptic ulcer disease is one of the leading causes of death in patients with non-variceal bleeding, resulting in up to 10% mortality rate, and the patient group at high risk of rebleeding (Forrest IA, IB, and IIA) often requires additional therapy after endoscopic hemostasis. Preventive transarterial embolization (P-TAE) after endoscopic hemostasis was introduced in our institution in 2014. The aim of the study is an assessment of the intermediate results of P-TAE following primary endoscopic hemostasis in patients with serious comorbid conditions and high risk of rebleeding. Methods: During the period from 2014 to 2018, a total of 399 patients referred to our institution with a bleeding peptic ulcer, classified as type Forrest IA, IB, or IIA with the Rockall score ≥ 5, after endoscopic hemostasis was prospectively included in two groups-P-TAE group and control group, where endoscopy alone (EA) was performed. The P-TAE patients underwent flow-reducing left gastric artery or gastroduodenal artery embolization according to the ulcer type. The rebleeding rate, complications, frequency of surgical interventions, transfused packed red blood cells (PRBC), amount of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and mortality rate were analyzed. Results: From 738 patients with a bleeding peptic ulcer, 399 were at high risk for rebleeding after endoscopic hemostasis. From this cohort, 58 patients underwent P-TAE, and 341 were allocated to the EA. A significantly lower rebleeding rate was observed in the P-TAE group, 3.4% vs. 16.2% in the EA group; p = 0.005. The need for surgical intervention reached 10.3% vs. 20.6% in the P-TAE and EA groups accordingly; p = 0.065. Patients that underwent P-TAE required less FFP, 1.3 unit vs. 2.6 units in EA; p = 0.0001. The mortality rate was similar in groups with a tendency to decrease in the P-TAE group, 5.7% vs. 8.5% in EA; p = 0.417. Conclusion: P-TAE is a feasible and safe procedure, and it may reduce the rebleeding rate and the need for surgical intervention in patients with a bleeding peptic ulcer when the rebleeding risk remains high after primary endoscopic hemostasis.

2018 WSES/SIS-E consensus conference: recommendations for the management of skin and soft-tissue infections.

Skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) encompass a variety of pathological conditions that involve the skin and underlying subcutaneous tissue, fascia, or muscle, ranging from simple superficial infections to severe necrotizing infections. SSTIs are a frequent clinical problem in surgical departments. In order to clarify key issues in the management of SSTIs, a task force of experts met in Bertinoro, Italy, on June 28, 2018, for a specialist multidisciplinary consensus conference under the auspices of the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) and the Surgical Infection Society Europe (SIS-E). The multifaceted nature of these infections has led to a collaboration among general and emergency surgeons, intensivists, and infectious disease specialists, who have shared these clinical practice recommendations.

Knowledge, awareness, and attitude towards infection prevention and management among surgeons: identifying the surgeon champion.

Despite evidence supporting the effectiveness of best practices of infection prevention and management, many surgeons worldwide fail to implement them. Evidence-based practices tend to be underused in routine practice. Surgeons with knowledge in surgical infections should provide feedback to prescribers and integrate best practices among surgeons and implement changes within their team. Identifying a local opinion leader to serve as a champion within the surgical department may be important. The "surgeon champion" can integrate best clinical practices of infection prevention and management, drive behavior change in their colleagues, and interact with both infection control teams in promoting antimicrobial stewardship.

Preventive transarterial embolization in upper nonvariceal gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial embolization (TAE) is a therapeutic option for patients with a high risk of recurrent bleeding after endoscopic haemostasis. The aim of our prospective study was a preliminary assessment of the safety, efficacy, and clinical outcomes following preventive TAE in patients with non-variceal acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) with a high risk of recurrent bleeding after endoscopic haemostasis. METHODS: Preventive visceral angiography and TAE were performed after endoscopic haemostasis on patients with NVUGIB who were at a high risk of recurrent bleeding (PE+ group). The comparison group consisted of similar patients who only underwent endoscopic haemostasis, without preventive TAE (PE- group). The technical success of preventive TAE, the completeness of haemostasis, the incidence of rebleeding and the need for surgical intervention and the main outcomes were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The PE+ group consisted of 25 patients, and the PE- group of 50 patients, similar in age (median age 66 vs. 63 years), gender and comorbid conditions. The ulcer size at endoscopy was not significantly different (median of 152 mm vs. 127 mm). The most frequent were Forest II type ulcers, 44% in both groups. The distribution of the Forest grade was even. The median haemoglobin on admission was 8, 2 g/dl vs. 8,7 g/dl, p = 0,482, erythrocyte count was 2,7 × 1012/L vs. 2,9 × 1012/L, p = 0,727. The shock index and Rockall scores were similar, as well as and transfusion - on average, four units of packed red blood cells for the majority of patients in both groups, however, significantly more fresh frozen plasma was transfused in the PE- group, p = 0,013. The rebleeding rate was similar, while surgical treatment was needed notably more often in the PE- group, 8% vs. 35% accordingly, p = 0,012. The median ICU stay was 3 days, hospital stay - 6 days vs. 9 days, p = 0.079. The overall mortality reached 20%; in the PE+ group it was 4%, not reaching a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: Preventive TAE is a feasible, safe and effective minimally invasive type of haemostasis decreasing the risk of repeated bleeding and preparing the patient for the definitive surgical intervention when indicated.

Rockall Score Larger Than 7 as a Reliable Criterion for the Selection of Indications for Preventive Transarterial Embolization in a Subgroup of High-Risk Elderly Patients After Primary Endoscopic Hemostasis for Non-Variceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial embolization (TAE) is an alternative procedure to repeat endoscopy or surgical intervention in the case of re-bleeding after primary endoscopic treatment. The aim of the study was to assess the Rockall score as a criterion for TAE in the case of re-bleeding after endoscopic treatment of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB). METHODS: Out of the 673 patients who underwent emergent endoscopic hemostasis due to NVUGIB, 111 had a high risk of re-bleeding having a Forrest I-IIb ulcer and the Rockall score ≥ 5. From 111 patients, 37 accepted preventive TAE (PE+ group). The control group consisted of 74 patients who underwent standard treatment (PE- group). RESULTS: There were no differences in the demographic status between both groups, nor in the main clinical data on admission. The performance of TAE resulted in a significantly lower re-bleeding rate (1 (4.8%) vs. 11 (33%), P = 0.018). No patient who underwent TAE with the Rockall score ≥ 7 required surgery, resulting in only one re-bleeding episode (P = 0.004). Mortality reached 5% and 11% in the PE+ and PE- groups accordingly. CONCLUSION: The Rockall score ≥ 7 could be a reliable predictor of re-bleeding after primary endoscopic hemostasis as one criterion for the selection of indications for preventive TAE.

Safe laparoscopic clearance of the common bile duct in emergently admitted patients with choledocholithiasis and cholangitis.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Laparoscopic treatment of patients with choledocholithiasis and cholangitis is challenging due to mandatory recovery of the biliary drainage and clearance of the common bile duct (CBD). The aim of our study was to assess postoperative course of cholangitis and biliary sepsis after laparoscopic clearance of the CBD in emergently admitted patients with choledocholithiasis and cholangitis. METHODS: Emergently admitted patients who underwent laparoscopic clearance of the CBD were included prospectively and stratified in 2 groups i.e., cholangitis positive (CH+) or negative (CH-) group. Patient demographics, comorbidities, preoperative imaging data, inflammatory response, surgical intervention, complication rate and outcomes were compared between groups. RESULTS: Ninety-nine of a total 320 patients underwent laparoscopic clearance of the CBD, of which, 60 belonged to the acute cholangitis group (CH+) and 39 to the cholangitis negative group (CH-). Interventions were done on average 4 days after admission, operation duration was 95-105 min, and the conversion rate was 3-7% without differences in the groups. Preoperative inflammatory response was markedly higher in the CH+ group. Inflammation signs on intraoperative choledochoscopy were more evident in patients with cholangitis. Postoperative inflammatory response did not differ between the groups. The overall complication rate was 8.3% and 5.1%, respectively. Laparoscopic clearance of the CBD resulted in 1 lethal case (CH+ group), resulting in 1% mortality rate and a similar 12-month readmission rate. CONCLUSIONS: Single-stage laparoscopic intraoperative US and choledochoscopy-assisted clearance of the CBD is feasible in emergently admitted patients with choledocholithiasis and cholangitis.

Surgical treatment of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome secondary to the clavicle haematogenic subacute osteomyelitis.

A rare case of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome secondary to subacute osteomyelitis (SOM) of clavicle is presented. It was treated successfully with scalenectomy combined with clavicle and first rib resection and reconstruction of the clavicle using vascularised seventh rib transfer. Various issues involved in the diagnosis and management of such a case are discussed.

Postoperative enteral stimulation by gut feeding improves outcomes in severe acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the clinical effectiveness of postoperative enteral stimulation by gut feeding in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS: Medical records of 63 patients who were operated on within the past 4 y due to deterioration of SAP were included in this retrospective study. Patients were stratified in gut feeding (GF; n = 33) and standard therapy (ST; n = 30) groups according to the postoperative therapy provided. The GF group received postoperative standard therapy and enteral stimulation by gut feeding, and the ST group received standard therapy only. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, incidence of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), daily calories supply, complication rate, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Patient characteristics did not differ between groups when considering age and severity of the disease. All patients underwent similar surgical interventions. SIRS and MODS were observed initially with the same frequency in both groups. Regression of MODS and a lower postoperative complication rate was observed more often in the GF group. Development of early pulmonary complications was observed in 12.1% to 13.3% in both groups, irrespective of the time of surgery. Subsequently, pulmonary complications developed in 15.2% of GF patients compared with 43.3% of ST patients (P <0.05). Acute renal insufficiency developed similarly in 33.3% of the GF patients and in 26.7% of the ST patients within 3 d after admission. Acute renal insufficiency developed later on only in the ST group (26.7%, P <0.05). Wound- and catheter-related septic complications were considerably more frequent in the ST group (30.0%) than in the GF group (9.1%, P <0.05). Intensive care and hospital stays did not differ. Postoperative gut feeding was associated with 6.1% mortality in the GF compared with 26.7% in the ST (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Enteral stimulation by gut feeding is an effective supplement in the postoperative therapy of patients with SAP.