Risk of meningitis after posterior fossa decompression with duraplasty using different graft types in patients with Chiari malformation type I and syringomyelia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Several complications have been reported after the use of grafts for duraplasty following posterior fossa decompression for the treatment of Chiari malformation type I. This study aims to investigate the rate of meningitis after posterior fossa decompression using different types of grafts in patients with Chiari malformation type I and associated syringomyelia. The search was conducted using multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. Data on the rate of meningitis, syrinx change, and rate of reoperation were extracted and investigated. Quality of evidence was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Nineteen studies were included in the final meta-analysis, encompassing 1404 patients and investigating autografts, synthetic grafts, allografts, and xenografts (bovine collagen, bovine pericardium, and pig pericardium). Autografts were associated with the lowest rate of meningitis (1%) compared to allografts, synthetic grafts, and xenografts (2%, 5%, and 8% respectively). Autografts were also associated with the lowest rate of reoperation followed by xenografts, allografts, and synthetic grafts (4%, 5%, 9%, and 10% respectively). On the other hand, allografts were associated with the highest rate of syrinx improvement (83%) in comparison to autografts and synthetic grafts (77%, and 79% respectively). Autografts were associated with the lowest meningitis, reoperation, and syrinx improvement rates. Furthermore, synthetic grafts were associated with the highest reoperation and xenografts with the highest rate of meningitis, whereas allografts were associated with the best syrinx improvement rate and second-best meningitis rate. Future studies comparing autografts and allografts are warranted to determine which carries the best clinical outcome.

Complete Common Bile Duct Injury after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Situs Inversus Totalis: A Case Report, Review of the Literature and Illustrative Case Video.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Situs Inversus Totalis (SIT) is a rare condition characterized by the transposition of internal organs. Given the anatomical variations in SIT, surgeons must exercise extreme caution when performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy to avoid iatrogenic bile duct injury. Despite the high difficulty index associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy in SIT, there is only one case report of common bile duct (CBD) injury in the English-language literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 41-year-old female patient, known to have Kartagener syndrome, underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis and was discharged home on post-operative day one. However, on post-operative day five, the patient presented to the emergency room with abdominal pain, fever, and jaundice. Laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis and hyperbilirubinemia. Radiological images revealed complete occlusion of the CBD. A delayed approach was chosen, and six weeks after her initial operation, a hepaticojejunostomy was performed. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard operative procedure for gallbladder disease. The unique anatomy of SIT increases the risk of CBD injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Surgeons are required to perform a mirror-image procedure and adhere to the basic principles of safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy in SIT. This is only the second reported case of CBD injury in SIT patients. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in SIT presents a significant challenge. In patients with SIT, preventing CBD injury is the best approach, and referral to an experienced hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgeon is recommended. A delayed approach to CBD injuries in SIT allows thorough planning and understanding of the complex anatomical variations in these patients.