Report of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland/British Society of Gastroenterology Colorectal Polyp Working Group: the development of a complex colorectal polyp minimum dataset.

AIM: The management of large non-pedunculated colorectal polyps (LNPCPs) is complex, with widespread variation in management and outcome, even amongst experienced clinicians. Variations in the assessment and decision-making processes are likely to be a major factor in this variability. The creation of a standardized minimum dataset to aid decision-making may therefore result in improved clinical management. METHOD: An official working group of 13 multidisciplinary specialists was appointed by the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI) and the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) to develop a minimum dataset on LNPCPs. The literature review used to structure the ACPGBI/BSG guidelines for the management of LNPCPs was used by a steering subcommittee to identify various parameters pertaining to the decision-making processes in the assessment and management of LNPCPs. A modified Delphi consensus process was then used for voting on proposed parameters over multiple voting rounds with at least 80% agreement defined as consensus. The minimum dataset was used in a pilot process to ensure rigidity and usability. RESULTS: A 23-parameter minimum dataset with parameters relating to patient and lesion factors, including six parameters relating to image retrieval, was formulated over four rounds of voting with two pilot processes to test rigidity and usability. CONCLUSION: This paper describes the development of the first reported evidence-based and expert consensus minimum dataset for the management of LNPCPs. It is anticipated that this dataset will allow comprehensive and standardized lesion assessment to improve decision-making in the assessment and management of LNPCPs.

Unnecessary investigations in patients with acute pancreatitis: arterial blood sampling and serum biochemistry.

BACKGROUND: Most patients admitted with acute pancreatitis undergo arterial blood gas sampling (ABG) to calculate the modified Glasgow score (MGS) and serum amylase and liver function tests (LFTs) are requested frequently during admission. This study aims to assess the necessity of these investigations. MATERIALS & METHODS: A retrospective study of all patients attending a district general hospital with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis (AP) between November 2005 and November 2006 was performed. Patients were identified from clinical coding data, excluding those with serum amylase levels of < 5501 U/l thereby increasing the likelihood of correct diagnosis. Demographic data and ABC reports were retrieved from the case notes. Criteria were defined for necessity of amylase and LFT requests. RESULTS: Data were retrieved for 63 patients with 227 amylase requests, 329 LFT requests, 95 ABGs and 80 MGSs. Eight ABGs were found to have PaO2 values less than 8kPa, a result that could be predicted in all cases by pulse oximeter-derived oxygen saturations of less than 95%. When the MGS excluding the PaO2 parameter was two, only one patient out of 22 (4.5%) was upgraded to a score of three due to a PaO2 of less than 8 kPa and this could have been predicted by pulse oximeter-derived oxygen saturations of 92%. The MGS excluding the PaO2 parameter was always three or more in cases where acid-base disturbance exhibited more than a mild metabolic acidosis. One hundred and sixty-two unnecessary amylase requests and 168 unnecessary LFT requests were made according to our defined criteria, equating to 2.6 unnecessary amylase requests and 2.7 unnecessary LFT requests per admission at a cost of pounds 83.40 (pounds 1.32 per admission). CONCLUSIONS: We propose not performing ABGs if the MCS excluding the PaO2 component totals two or less. Clinical judgment would have to be exercised. Unnecessary serum biochemistry requests are frequent but at little financial expense.

Interruption of the vena cava by means of the Greenfield filter: expanding the indications.

Between 1978 and 1985, 88 patients underwent insertion of the Greenfield vena cava filter. In 21 of the 88 patients (23.9%) the filter was inserted prophylactically. Sixteen of the 21 prophylactic insertions were performed before total joint replacement in patients with a history of venous thromboembolism. Operative morbidity (4.6%) was minor and occurred only early in the series. The operative mortality rate was 4.6%. None of the deaths were related to filter insertion or pulmonary embolism. Follow-up in 65 patients (73.9%) ranged from 1 to 60 months (mean, 16.4 months). Leg edema developed in 9.2% (6/65), stasis ulceration in 3.1% (2/65), caval occlusion in 7.5% (3/40), and recurrent nonfatal embolism in 3.1% (2/65) of the patients. In the patients who received prophylactic filters before total joint replacement, there were no filter-related complications or episodes of pulmonary embolism. This series confirms the safety and effectiveness of the Greenfield filter and suggests that the indications for its use might be liberalized to include prophylactic insertion of the device in certain high-risk patients.

Dorsal sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis--the posterior paravertebral approach.

Definitive therapy for hyperhidrosis is sympathectomy. The authors have used a posterior approach to perform 36 dorsal sympathectomies for upper extremity hyperhidrosis in 18 patients (12 female, 6 male). All 18 patients suffered from excessive sweating of the upper extremity (17 palmar, 1 axillary) that caused significant psychological and occupational problems. Eleven patients (61.1%) had lower extremity involvement as well. For all 18 patients conservative medical treatment had failed. Bilateral operations were performed, via a posterior extrapleural approach, through the bed of the third rib. All 36 limbs were relieved of excess sweating. There were no deaths and only two minor wound complications. In no patient did Horner's syndrome develop. Long-term follow-up did not reveal any recurrence of hyperhidrosis. Two patients did complain of compensatory hyperhidrosis of the lower extremities. Dorsal sympathectomy was effective in all of the patients with upper extremity hyperhidrosis in this series. The posterior approach is technically simple, allows simultaneous bilateral operations, and is associated with only infrequent minor complications.

Aortocaval fistula associated with aneurysm of the abdominal aorta: current management using autotransfusion techniques.

Two patients with aortocaval fistula associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm were managed successfully using a patient care plan which includes proper monitoring of the hemodynamic state, careful dissection of the aneurysm, and return of blood loss by autotransfusion while the patient is fully anticoagulated with heparin. This unusual and serious problem in vascular surgery can be managed in an orderly and controlled fashion using these techniques.

Doppler ultrasound and supraorbital photoplethysmography for noninvasive screening of carotid occlusive disease.

Doppler ultrasound and supraorbital photoplethysmography were 95 per cent accurate in identifying or excluding significant carotid obstruction in 156 vessels of seventy-six consecutive patients undergoing arteriography. Plethysmography was more sensitive but less specific than Doppler ultrasound. These technics provide simple, rapid, and accurate detection of significant carotid occlusive disease.

Arterial embolectomy: a 34-year experience with 400 cases.

A series of 400 peripheral arterial embolectomies performed in 326 patients over a 34-year period is presented. Operative mortality was 11.0 per cent overall and 10.0 per cent in patients after the introduction and use of Fogarty catheters. The plateau in mortality is related to the association with serious underlying cardiac disease. The amputation rate was 9.5 per cent, with a corresponding 90.5 per cent limb salvage rate. Cardiac disease was the most common cause of emboli and was responsible for the majority of deaths. Mortality was considerably higher in patients with aortic and iliac emboli and in patients with recent myocardial infarcts. Amputation rates were higher with femoral and popliteal emboli and correlated directly with the time delay from onset of symptoms to performance of embolectomy. Higher amputation rates in the second half of the series are related to liberalization of the indications for embolectomy. Prompt operative management of patients with peripheral arterial emboli remains the treatment of choice. Low mortality and amputation rates can be achieved with early embolectomy and routine use of heparin.

Bovine pericardial patch angioplasty in carotid endarterectomy.

Patch angioplasty during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been shown to reduce the incidence of both early and late complications. Controversy continues, however, over the ideal patch material. Bovine pericardium (Vascu-Guard Biovascular Inc., Saint Paul, MN) offers an attractive alternative to other patch materials because of its handling and suturing characteristics that are similar to that of autogenous material. This study examines the perioperative and midterm results of bovine pericardial patch angioplasty during CEA. We studied 112 patients who underwent 129 CEAs with bovine pericardial patch angioplasty during an 18-month period. Data were collected regarding demographics, operative indications, perioperative complications, and the occurrence of late adverse outcomes based primarily on follow-up arterial duplex studies. Among this group there were 63 male (56%) and 49 female (44%) patients whose mean age was 71.8 +/- 9.1 years. In these patients there was the typical distribution of atherosclerotic risk factors. Seventy-four patients (66%) had symptomatic disease preoperatively and the remaining 38 patients (34%) were asymptomatic. Temporary cranial nerve palsy occurred in three patients (2%). There were no perioperative strokes, acute occlusions, bleeding episodes requiring reoperation, or deaths. The patients were followed up to 54 months postoperatively with a mean follow-up time of 41.7 +/- 4.4 months. During this period two patients (2%) developed three significant restenoses (70-99%). All required reoperation. There were no asymptomatic occlusions, infections, aneurysms, or rupture. These data demonstrate that bovine pericardial patch angioplasty during CEA is associated with a low incidence of both perioperative and midterm adverse outcomes.

Intraoperative assessment of arterial reconstruction by Doppler ultrasound.

The Doppler ultrasonic velocity detector is a simple, inexpensive and versatile device for intraoperative monitoring of the integrity and hemodynamics result of vascular reconstructive surgical procedures. With this instrument, an ankle-arm systolic pressure index may be obtained before and after aortoiliac and femoral reconstructive surgical procedures. If the ankle pressure index does not increase following aortofemoral bypass and a thromboembolic vascular accident has been ruled out, it is unlikely that the patient will be significantly helped by that procedure alone. The use of a sterile Doppler probe permits qualitative assessment of arterial velocity signals following femoropopliteal bypass, carotid endarterectomy and mesenteric or renal vascular procedures. The Doppler detector may also be used to assess periorbital flow dynamics following carotid endarterectomy. Selective intraoperative arteriography can be based upon the presence of residual flow abnormalities detected by Doppler ultrasound.

Persistent sciatic artery: collective review and management.

One of the rarer anatomic variants is persistent sciatic artery. Only 93 cases have been reported since the first description of this anomaly. The earlier reports were mainly pathologic descriptions, whereas the more recent have been clinically oriented. There is a slight male predominance, and the average age of presentation is 49 years old (range 6 months to 85 years). The majority of patients have symptoms of a mass, ischemia, or gluteal pain. There is no preference for the right or left side, and one in four patients has both legs affected. In this anomaly the sciatic vessel acts as the principal blood supply to the lower limb. One half of all patients develop aneurysms that are characteristically located caudal to the sciatic notch as opposed to gluteal aneurysms that are cephalad to this landmark. Various methods (some now obsolete) have been tried to treat these aneurysms, but the best results were obtained through aneurysm ablation and vascular reconstruction. Arterial bypasses succeeded when used for ischemic complications of persistent sciatic artery. Optimal management of this condition requires prompt recognition, an understanding of the developmental anatomy, exclusion and bypass of aneurysms, appropriate vascular intervention for ischemic sequelae, and close observation of asymptomatic individuals.

Day-case laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to assess the acceptability and safety of day-case laparoscopic fundoplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). METHODS: This prospective study commenced in December 1999 and lasted for 18 months. All patients had proven symptomatic GORD. Inclusion criteria were American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I or II with adequate home support. A standard anaesthetic, analgesic and antiemetic protocol was used. Patients were contacted by telephone on the night of discharge and arrangements were made for a nurse to visit the following day. Postoperative pain and nausea were assessed using visual analogue scores (scale 0-10) on a self-completion questionnaire. RESULTS: Twenty patients were included. There were no postoperative complications. All patients were discharged on the day of surgery. Median time to discharge was 6 h 30 min (range 4.5 to 9 h). One patient reattended casualty the following morning but none required readmission. There was no significant difference in median pain or nausea scores the evening after surgery or the next morning. All patients were satisfied with the information given and aftercare provided. All would recommend it to a friend and 19 of 20 would undergo the procedure as a day case again. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that day-case laparoscopic fundoplication is feasible. Patients find it acceptable and it appears safe.

Persistent sciatic artery and vein: an unusual case.

Persistent sciatic artery is a rare anomaly that has been reported in 48 patients in the North American literature. No report has contained more than two cases. This article discusses the first reported case of bilateral persistent sciatic arteries in a patient who also has normally developed superficial femoral arteries. This unique situation allowed removal of the superficial femoral artery for a malignant femoral nerve schwannoma without a concomitant reconstructive arterial procedure. A similar anomaly of the venous system permitted the operation to be done without compromising venous outflow.

Mesenteric vascular problems. A 26-year experience.

Mesenteric vascular problems are infrequent, but may be catastrophic. During a 26-year period, 55 private patients were treated for the following disorders: (1) 12 patients with visceral artery aneurysms, (2) 8 with celiac compression syndrome, (3) 13 with chronic mesenteric ischemia, (4) 12 with acute mesenteric ischemia, and (5) 10 with mesenteric ischemia associated with aortic reconstructions. Splenic artery aneurysms were managed by excision and splenectomy, while celiac and hepatic had excision with graft replacement. Patients with celiac compression syndrome underwent lysis of the celiac artery. Two patients had compression of both celiac and superior mesenteric artery (SMA). One patient required vascular reconstruction of both arteries for residual stenoses. Patients having chronic mesenteric ischemia were treated with bypass grafts, with one death (7.7% mortality) and good long-term results. Those with acute mesenteric ischemia were treated by SMA embolectomy, bowel resection, or both, with a mortality of 67%. When associated with aortic reconstructions, mesenteric ischemia carried a mortality of 100% if bowel infarction occurred after operation, but when prophylactic mesenteric revascularization was performed at the time of aortic surgery, prognosis was greatly improved, with only one death among six patients. An aggressive approach including prompt arteriography with early diagnosis and surgical therapy is advocated for these catastrophic acute mesenteric problems.

Carotid endarterectomy in patients less than 50 years old.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the results of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in a young population with premature atherosclerosis with the results of an older control group, examining perioperative morbidity and mortality data, recurrent stenosis and symptoms, late stroke, and survival data. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 26 patients less than 50 years old (mean, 43.2 +/- 3.8 years) and 30 patients greater than 55 years old (mean, 69.1 +/- 7.4 years) who underwent CEA during the same time period. Data were obtained regarding demographics, atherosclerotic risk factors, indication for CEA, perioperative complications, recurrent stenosis and symptoms, late stroke, and survival. RESULTS: Smoking was more prevalent among young patients who underwent CEA (92% vs 70%; p = 0.036). Young patients were also more likely to be symptomatic at presentation (92% vs 57%; p = 0.003). The perioperative mortality rate (0% vs 0%) and neurologic morbidity rate (0% vs 3%; p = 1.000) were low for the study patients. During a mean follow-up of 67 +/- 42.7 months, there was no significant difference in survival rate (5-year survival rate, 93% vs 81%; p = 0.373), rate of late ipsilateral (4% vs 3%) and contralateral (4% vs 3%) stroke, restenosis and occlusion (26.9% vs 14.3%), recurrent symptoms (22% vs 17%), reoperation (11.5% vs 5.7%), or contralateral disease (17% vs 23%) development that required surgery for the study or the control cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that there is a high incidence of smoking and symptomatic presentation among young patients in whom carotid occlusive disease develops. CEA may be performed in young patients with low perioperative morbidity and mortality rates. Recurrent disease, late stroke, and survival rates are not significantly different than for older patients. Follow-up with serial duplex ultrasound and reoperation for symptomatic and high-grade asymptomatic restenosis may decrease the risk of late stroke.

Mesenteric angioplasty in the treatment of chronic intestinal ischemia.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine the safety and efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in the treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) in very high-risk surgical patients. METHODS: Twenty-four focal mesenteric stenoses treated from 1984 to 1994 by PTA in 19 patients with CMI were reviewed. All 19 patients were considered poor surgical candidates. Seventeen patients had classic symptoms of CMI, and two patients had atypical abdominal complaints. Vessels dilated included the superior mesenteric artery (18), celiac artery (3), inferior mesenteric artery (1), aorta-superior mesenteric artery vein graft (1), and aorta-splenic artery vein graft (1). Complete follow-up was possible in all patients, with the exception of one patient who had no symptoms when last seen 17 months after the procedure. RESULTS: PTA was technically successful in 18 of 19 patients (95%) and 23 of 24 stenoses (96%). The lone technical failure resulted in superior mesenteric artery dissection with thrombosis and bowel infarction; the patient died despite emergent laparotomy and revascularization (mortality rate, 5%). Complete symptomatic relief was attained in 15 patients (79%), with follow-up showing continued relief of symptoms for a mean of 39 months (range, 4 to 101 months). Partial symptomatic relief was attained in three patients. Recurrent symptoms developed in three patients (20%) at a mean interval of 28 months (range, 9 to 43 months). Repeat PTA performed in two patients provided good technical results and relief from clinical symptoms. One patient had a symptomatic axillary sheath hematoma that required surgical decompression. CONCLUSIONS: Mesenteric PTA is a valuable treatment option in patients who have CMI and are considered very high operative risks. The initial technical success rate is excellent, with the majority of patients having complete symptomatic improvement and continued relief of symptoms at short-term follow-up.