Stercoral re-perforation after colostomy takedown: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Stercoral perforation (SP) is a rare surgical condition that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Most of these patients undergo emergent surgery, including colostomy, and some undergo colostomy takedown after recovery. Stercoral re-perforation after colostomy takedown followed by colostomy for SP has not yet been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 79-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain for one day. Abdominal-pelvis computed tomography revealed pneumoperitoneum with diffuse mesenteric fat haziness of the left abdomen. During laparoscopic exploration, a 3-cm-sized perforated site was found at the sigmoid-descending colon, with fecal material and reactive fluid outside the colon. Loop colostomy formation was performed, and a takedown was completed after 3 months. Two years 4 months after the initial procedure, the patient was re-admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain. She underwent a second laparoscopic colostomy formation and was discharged, although the postoperative clinical course was poorer than that after the first surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This case of stercoral re-perforation after colostomy takedown followed by colostomy formation for SP has important clinical implications and can be a reference for physicians. When the first colostomy formation was performed for SP, the decision on performance of a colostomy takedown should be made after carefully considering several factors.

Bowel Puncture During Insertion of a Femoral Central Line in the Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND Central venous catheter (CVC) insertion is commonly performed in the emergency department. The femoral vein is often chosen for insertion of CVCs due to its lower risk for complication. We present a rare complication of bowel puncture during insertion of a femoral CVC in the emergency department in a 46-year-old female. CASE REPORT A 46-year-old female with a history of partial gastrectomy and colostomy was transported to the emergency department after being found unconscious. Despite multiple attempts, intravenous access could not be obtained. The emergency physician proceeded to insert a left femoral CVC to obtain venous access. Ultrasound was not used due to perceived urgency, as well as a bedside assessment that the patient's anatomy was straight forward. Stool-like material was aspirated upon inserting the introducer needle, which was quickly removed. An upright x-ray showed no free air, but due to the patient history, an exploratory laparotomy was performed. A single-side perforation in the mid-sigmoid with a small hematoma along the antimesenteric wall was found. The puncture was over sewn, and the patient recovered well; the patient's initial presentation was ultimately considered to be due to medication misuse. CONCLUSIONS This case highlights the importance of using caution in blind attempts at femoral CVC in patients with prior abdominal surgery. It is also important to note the need to avoid insertion of CVCs without the use of ultrasound or when in a rush. If venous access is needed quickly, peripheral or intraosseous venous access can be obtained much more quickly and safely.

Case report of sigmoid colon perforation and colocutaneous fistula due to retropubic midurethral sling placement for stress urinary incontinence.

BACKGROUND: Sigmoid bowel perforation is a very rare and serious complication of the retropubic tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure for female stress urinary incontinence. The complication can be avoided with the use of the correct manipulation technique. CASE PRESENTATION: A 75-year-old female patient underwent a retropubic TVT procedure in the local hospital for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. The procedure was smooth. Two weeks after surgery, the patient began to complain of fever and bloody, purulent discharge from the left suprapubic skin wound. During a 4-month period after surgery, she was admitted to the local hospital 4 times for similar infection symptoms. The infections were temporarily controlled with antibiotic administration. The reason for the refractory infection of the left suprapubic skin wound was not identified until a foreign TVT mesh was found in the sigmoid colon via a colonoscopy. We diagnosed that the TVT mesh caused a sigmoid colon perforation that led to colocutaneous fistula. An exploratory laparotomy revealed that the TVT tape perforated into and out of the sigmoid colon. An 8-cm long left part of mesh was removed. Two ruptures of sigmoid colon were mended without the need for bowel resection. At the 4-years follow-up after laparotomy, the patient was doing well and still continent. CONCLUSIONS: Urologists and gynecologists should be aware of the possibility of colon bowel injury in SUI patients with prior sling surgeries. Patient having recurrent suprapubic cutaneous infection may have high degree of suspicion of colon injury after TVT sling. The passage of the retropubic space procedure should be slow and always along the pubic bone according to the anatomy.

Successful recovery in a paediatric patient with polytrauma following multiple gunshot wounds: Case report and review of literature.

Our case report evaluates a 2½ year old boy who presented to emergency care, following multiple gunshot injuries and was managed emergently using a multidisciplinary surgical approach at our center. The patient was unresponsive, had poor perfusion, bilaterally decreased air entry, a distended abdomen, and multiple entry and exit wounds. A multidisciplinary team including Paediatric Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Paediatric anaesthesiology team and Orthopaedic surgery were taken on board. Following effective immediate management and stabilization, the patient was admitted to the ward under careful observation. He was discharged on post-operative day 28 after a successful recovery and on his 6 month follow-up, the patient had shown significant improvement, with normal bowel and pulmonary function. Rapid intervention along with a multidisciplinary surgical approach helped ensure the success of the treatment. Prior permission from the patient's guardians was acquired before the preparation of this manuscript.

Surgery for intra-abdominal abscess due to intestinal perforation caused by toothpick ingestion: Two case reports.

RATIONALE: Failure to pass though the gastrointestinal tract can result in inflammatory response, reactive fibrosis, and intestinal perforation. Fish bones, chicken bones, and toothpicks are the most common types of foreign substances that produce intestinal perforation during ingestion. PATIENT CONCERNS: Case 1: A 49-year-old female was hospitalized with abdominal pain and a fever. The fever lasted for 5 days before hospitalization. Case 2: A 72-year-old male was hospitalized with abdominal pain and fever. The fever lasted for 4 days before hospitalization. DIAGNOSES: Case 1: An abdominal pelvic computed tomography (APCT) scan revealed a large inflammatory mass formation and linear high-density material within the inflammatory mass. The presence of foreign bodies, including acupuncture needles or intrauterine devices was ruled out. Case 2: An APCT scan revealed that there was a small abscess formation measuring about 2.5 cm abutting the abdominal wall and a parasitic infestation was ruled out. INTERVENTIONS: Case 1: An exploratory laparotomy was performed. After removal of the abscess pocket, the sigmoid colon was found to be perforated, and there was a firm, sharp foreign body in the abscess pocket that measured about 5 cm and resembled a toothpick. Case 2: Laparoscopic exploration was then performed. When the abscess was removed from the abdominal wall using a harmony scalpel, a 4 cm foreign body that resembled a toothpick appeared in the abscess pocket. OUTCOMES: The patients recovered well after surgery and were discharged. LESSONS: Two of the above case reports describe the cases in which the presence of toothpicks was suspected clinically, resulting in the surgery of intra-abdominal abscess caused by intestinal perforations.

Transanal high pressure barotrauma causing colorectal injuries: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Rectal perforation by foreign bodies is known; however, high-pressure injury leading to rectal blowout has been confined to battlefields and is less often encountered in general medical practice. Apart from iatrogenic injuries during colonoscopy, barotrauma from compressed air is encountered very less frequently. Owing to the infrequent nature of these injuries, the mechanism is still not well understood. We present our experience with treating high-pressure transanal barotrauma to the rectum and colon in three similar cases. CASE PRESENTATION: The mode of injury was accidental or a cruel, perverted joke played by acquaintances. The high-pressure air jet column overcomes the anal sphincter barrier, pushing enormous amounts of air through the anus into the bowel, which ruptures when the burst pressure is reached. A huge amount of free gas was noted in the peritoneal cavity on x-rays, and a big gush was noted during surgery. All these cases had rectosigmoid junction blowout with multiple colonic injuries. The patients underwent exploratory laparotomy with resection of severely injured segments and proximal ileostomy. They underwent restoration of bowel continuity after 2-3 months and were doing well in follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Colorectal injuries by pneumatic insufflation through the anus depends on the air pressure, air flow velocity, anal resting pressure, and the distance between the source and anus. The relative fixity of the rectum and the bends of the sigmoid make the rectosigmoid junction more prone to rupture by high-pressure air jet. Education regarding such machines and their safe use must be encouraged because most of these cases are accidental and due to ignorance.

Sigmoid gallstone ileus: a challenging diagnosis

Gallstone ileus is a rare (1%­4%) complication of gallstone disease. Gallstones entering the gastrointestinal tract by penetration may cause obstruction at any point along their course through the tract; however, they have a predilection to obstruct the smaller-caliber lumen of the small intestine (80.1%) or stomach (14.2%). The condition is seen more commonly in the elderly who often have significant co-morbidities. Gallstone ileus causing large bowel obstruction is rare. We report the case of a 95-year-old woman who presented with a history of abdominal pain without fever, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis with oral contrast revealed a high-density structure within the lumen of the distal sigmoid colon, initially suspected to be a foreign body. Medical management failed and surgical intervention was not possible. Autopsy revealed peritonitis and a rupture of the sigmoid colon at the site of a cylindrical stone found impacted in an area of fibrotic narrowing with multiple diverticula. A necrotic, thick-walled gallbladder had an irregular stone in its lumen that was a fracture match with the stone in the sigmoid. Adhesions, but no discrete fistula, were identified between the gallbladder and the adjacent transverse colon. The immediate cause of death was peritonitis caused by colonic perforation by the gallstone impacted at an area of diverticular narrowing. To our knowledge, such autopsy findings have not been previously reported.

[Perforation as a delayed complication after endoscopic full-thickness resection in a recurrent adenoma of the sigmoid]. / Perforation als Spätkomplikation nach endoskopischer Vollwandresektion eines Rezidivadenoms im Colon sigmoideum.

The endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) is established in ablation of recurrent colorectal adenomas, which cannot be removed by endoscopic resection in cases of fibrosis. The EFTR can be applied with low risk, in one step, with the use of special devices, such as the full-thickness resection device (FTRD®). The main risks described in literature are bleeding and perforations. The mentioned perforations were explained by previous defects of the device system or patient-related predisposed parameters for perforation.We report the case of a 55-year old woman who underwent an endoscopic full-thickness resection with the FTRD® due to a recurrent adenoma with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasm in the sigmoid. After primary uncomplicated development, she presented with a secondary perforation with purulent peritonitis seven days after intervention, so a sigmoid-resection was necessary. There were no signs of defects with the FTRD® system or patient-related predisposed parameters, which prefer a perforation.Our case-report demonstrates the necessity for clinical follow up, after primary uncomplicated endoscopic full-thickness resection, to recognize delayed complications.

Chronic nodules of sigmoid perforation caused by incarcerated intrauterine contraception device.

RATIONALE: It is extremely rare for an intrauterine contraception device (IUD) to cause uterine perforation and Sigmoid perforation for a long time without being detected. PATIENT CONCERNS: We present a case of a patient who has suffered from abdominal pain after 4 years of placement of an IUD, and found that the IUD was incarcerated by ultrasound. DIAGNOSES: Laparoscopic and hysteroscopic examination revealed that the incarcerated IUD caused uterine perforation and sigmoid perforation for a long time. One end of the intrauterine device completely penetrated the anterior wall muscle layer of the uterus and the full layer of the sigmoid colon, located in the intestinal lumen, and the perforated portion of the sigmoid colon formed a chronic nodule. INTERVENTIONS: We extended the sigmoid colon perforation and uterine perforation by laparoscopy, removed the incarcerated IUD from the uterus through the vagina, trimmed the chronic nodules of the sigmoid perforation, repaired the sigmoid colon, and repaired the uterine perforation. OUTCOMES: The patient was cured and discharged 22 days after surgery. The patient was naturally pregnant 3 months after surgery and delivered by cesarean section 12 months after surgery. We saw a good recovery of the uterus and sigmoid colon during cesarean section. LESSONS: The patient was placed with an intrauterine device made of a special material and was not monitored after placement, causing the uterus and sigmoid perforation to be undetected for a long time. The IUD placed in the patient should be monitored regularly. If the IUD is found to be incarcerated or displaced, attention should be paid to uterine perforation and intestinal perforation.

Dual site intestinal perforation due to toothpick.

We present a case where a toothpick perforation in both the large and small bowel was intra-operatively diagnosed. A 45-years-old man presented with 48 hours abdominal pain associated with fever. The abdomen was tender at the McBurney point with signs of localized peritonitis. We suspected an acute appendicitis. The patient underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy. During the operation we exposed a toothpick perforating both sigmoid and small bowel. The toothpick was removed and a direct suture of the two perforations was performed. No faecal contamination or purulent peritonitis was showed. The patient was given 5 days of intravenous antibiotics and recovery was uncomplicated. Perforations caused by foreign body ingestion are often non-specific and misdiagnoses such as diverticulitis or acute appendicitis are common. The diagnosis is most commonly made on radiological imaging or intraoperatively. Abdominal X-ray is unlikely to detect a foreign body unless it is high bone density or metal, CT scan has a higher yield. In our patient, although the ultrasound didn't show directly an appendicitis, we didn't decide to perform other diagnostic exams because of the typical clinical feature. 80 to 90% of foreign bodies transit the gastrointestinal tract without causing an associated pathology. However, the distal ileum and recto sigma tract are risk areas for impaction and perforation due to their caliber. There are no guidelines for the management of foreign bodies in the lower gastrointestinal tract. Case reports describe managing patients non-operatively with antibiotics or with surgery, as in this case.

Right pneumothorax secondary to colonoscopic perforation: a case.

AIM: The purpose of this study is to determine the anatomical aspects, mechanisms, risk factors and appropriate management of development of pneumothorax during a routine colonoscopy. CLINICAL CASE: We report a case of an accidental bowel wall injury during diagnostic colonoscopic with consequent pneumoperitoneum; this was followed by expansion of gas through diaphragmatic fenestration perhaps congenital, in right pleural cavity causing pneumothorax. DISCUSSION: Rarely, colonic perforation during colonoscopy can occur into the extraperitoneal space, thus leading to the passage and diffusion of air along the fascial planes and large vessels, possibly causing pneumoretroperitoneum, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, pneumothorax, and subcutaneous emphysema. The combination of intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal perforation has also been reported. Pneumothorax following a colonoscopy sigmoid perforation is an extremely rare but severe and often lifethreatening complication. CONCLUSION: If the patient develops dyspnea and pneumoderma during or after this procedure, a chest radiogram or thoracoabdominal CT should be taken for diagnostic purposes. Urgent treatment, starting with chest tube insertion(s) and laparotomy or laparoscopy could be lifesaving.

Enterocutaneous fistula treatment: case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work is to evaluate the treatment strategies for a common major surgery complication like the enterocutaneous fistula (ECFs). Since there is not any standard treatment for this common disease and since new therapies, like NPWT and fibrin sealants, have come up a review of all their indications seemed useful. We also present two clinical cases treated in this way. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A research was made in the principle databases such as: "Cochrane", "Pubmed", "Google Scholar" and "Google" using the following Key words "enterocutaneous fistula", "fibrin glue", "VAC", "VAC treatment", "fistula", "conservative treatment", "surgery" and using the MESH Function to search similar key words and expand the research. When two or more article with the same design were encountered (e.g. systematic reviews or case reports etc.) the newest one was chosen as data source. RESULTS: As far as somatostatine and its analogues are concerned, they showed a significant reduction of both time (13.95 vs 20.5 days) and percentage (72% vs 44%) of fistula closure against placebo in 2 meta-analysis. NPWT showed a high success rate between 90% and 100% but longer closure time between 4 weeks and 6 months. Fibrin glues showed heterogeneous results due to the great differencies in fistulas anatomy and treatment technique in the various studies, with 64-100% success rate in closure and a median 11,25 vs 23,25 days against total parenteral nutrition (TPN) alone. CONCLUSIONS: Because of ECFs often come up in patient in bad conditions who are not fitted for surgery and because of their high Mortality and Morbidity, a multimodal approach is necessary. Although TPN is a cornerstone of their treatment, NPWT showed is superiority in reducing fistula output and in some cases leading to fistula closure, nevertheless it often needs long treating time. Fibrin glues often needs complex devices and are nota s good as NPWT in treating the around tissues, but they can be useful when fistulas are only accessible from a little external orifice or they show a complex branched tract; thus they are good when surgery is not possible and the fistula has a mid- or low- output. The lack of prospective randomized studies or meta analysis and systematic review to compare the different methodics makes it impossible to show any evidence of superiority, but the combined application seems reasonable for a tailored treatment.

Malakoplakia of the large intestine: an incidental extremely rare finding.

Malakoplakia is a rare inflammatory disease, most commonly found in the urinary tract. It appears be related to a functional deficiency of macrophages, resulting in an inability to destroy digested bacteria and it is associated with various conditions that cause immunodeficiency. A rare case of malakoplakia of the colon in a healthy 68-year old male is presented. The patient underwent emergency surgery with colon resection and an end stoma with closure of the distal bowel (Hartmann's procedure), due to incarcerated ventral hernia and sigmoid-colon rupture. He underwent reversal of the Hartmann's procedure four months after the initial operation. The histological examination from the anastomotic rings revealed Michaelis-Gutmann bodies that are pathognomonic of malakoplakia. He received per os ciprofloxacin, bethanecol and ascorbic acid for 12 months. Follow-up endoscopy did not exhibit any signs of the disease. A case of a healthy patient presenting with malakoplakia without any underlying disease that causes immunodeficiency is extremely rare. Treatment of malakoplakia involves the eradication of microorganisms. Cholinergic agonists, such as bethanechol and ascorbic acid, as well as antimicrobial treatment with trimpethoprim/sulphamethoxazol and rifampicin are most commonly being used. Long-term antimicrobial treatment has been reported (6 months to 3 years).

Seat Belt Syndrome and the Submarine Effect: A Case Report.

The seatbelt sign is indicative of severe internal lesions in as many as 30% of cases. In the "submarine effect" the body slides below the belt, acting like hinge. "Seatbelt syndrome" describes the presence of the seat belt sign plus an intra-abdominal or spinal injury. We present the case of a driver in a car accident in whom severe soft tissue and visceral lesions were caused by a two-point seat-belt reproducing a complete "seatbelt syndrome".

Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Removal Post-Transplant - A Rare Case of Delayed Bowel Perforation.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a well-established form of renal replacement therapy and the practice of leaving catheters in situ post-transplantation widely accepted. We present a rare complication: a child presenting with anal protrusion of the PD catheter.The patient is an 11-year-old boy with a background of renal dysplasia and congenital cutis laxa. Twenty-three weeks after dialysis was commenced, the patient underwent a renal transplant. Thirteen weeks post-transplant, the patient felt an unusual sensation after defecation. The curled end of the catheter was seen protruding from the anus. He was admitted, and investigations showed stable graft function, with abdominal X ray showing no free air.Intraoperative findings showed a small perforation of the sigmoid colon sealed off by adherence of several small intestinal loops. This was repaired laparoscopically after removal of the distal part of the catheter per rectum. No peritoneal contamination was seen. He was treated with 5 days of intravenous antibiotics and gradual introduction of enteral feeds. His graft function remained stable throughout.Timing of catheter removal varies, from the time of transplantation to over 3 months post-transplantation. Bowel perforation due to PD catheter insertion is rare and tends to occur at the time of insertion. Anal protrusion of a PD catheter in childhood is extremely rare and unrecorded in a pediatric patient with a connective tissue disorder. Our case highlights that serious complications can occur in the period between transplantation and elective PD catheter removal and that, in the immunocompromised patient, signs can be subtle.