Risk factors for ileus after hip and knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: Postoperative ileus (POI) is one of the complications that can occur after every surgical procedure including arthroplasty. It can have detrimental consequences for the patient and portrays an economic burden on health care systems. The risk factors for POI after arthroplasty described in the literature are scarce and include hip arthroplasty, male gender and previous abdominal surgery. The purpose of the study was to determine the risk factors for POI after hip and knee arthroplasty. METHODS: A retrospective review of 2760 patients undergoing primary hip and knee arthroplasty was performed. An in-depth analysis of patient history and physical operative and postoperative course was reviewed and statistically analyzed in a univariate and multivariate setting. RESULTS: Overall incidence of POI was 0.54%. History of myocardial infarction and chronic kidney disease were statistically significant risk factors for developing POI after arthroplasty with values of p = 0.023 and p = 0.004, respectively. Other risk factors included previous abdominal surgery (p < 0.001) and hip arthroplasty (p = 0.026). Age or gender correlations were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Although postoperative ileus is an uncommon complication after joint arthroplasty, in addition to the known risk factors of male age, hip arthroplasty, and previous abdominal surgery, this study describes two previously unknown risk factors: chronic kidney disease and history of myocardial infarction. Patients with these risk factors should be monitored closely for developing postoperative ileus.

Emergency surgery for large bowel obstruction caused by cancer.

There are several options for surgical treatment of large bowel obstruction caused by cancer, depending on location of obstruction, intraoperative local findings (perforation, peritonitis, bowel dilatation proximal to obstruction) and patients' condition. Resection and anastomosis as one stage surgery would be prefered procedure. Anastomotic leakage, on the other hand, highly elevates risk of mortality and mobidity. The most important question is whether to, in resectable cases, perform primary resection with anastomosis or not. This study was retrospective and included 40 patients that have undergone emergency surgery for large bowel obstruction caused by cancer. According to whether resection and anastomosis was made at initial surgery or not, patients were grouped in group A (N = 18) and group B (N = 21), respectively. We have analysed the type of surgical procedure, days of hospitalization, mortality, anastomotic leakeage, wound infection and other postoperative complications. Our results show that there is no major difference in mortality and morbidity in these two groups, suggesting that for selected patients primary resection and anastomosis is a safe option of tratment with acceptable risk. Since there are no strict guidelines or scorring system which would point the tratment option the decision about the choice of procedure still remains the burden of surgeon and depends on its experience and subspeciality. Our experience recomends primary resection and anastomosis except in cases of bowel perforation on tumor site, in cases of extreme dilatation and atony of bowel proximal to obstruction site and severe hypoproteinemia and anemia.

Mechanical bowel preparation in colorectal surgery.

The aim of this study was to assess the use of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) and antimicrobial prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery regarding still existing controversies. A prospective study of 85 patients undergoing elective colon and rectal surgery during 2 years period was performed, divided in two groups. Group A (N = 46) with patients who underwent mechanical bowel preparation, and group B (N = 39) patients without mechanical bowel preparation. We analysed: gender, age, preoperative difficulties, diagnostic colonoscopy, tumor localization, operation performed, pathohystological findings, Dukes classification, number of lymphonodes inspected, liver metastasis, other organ infiltrations, mean time of surgery, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications and mortality. Demographic characteristics, pathohystological findings, the site of malignancy, and type of surgical procedure did not significantly differentiate the two groups. The only significance revealed in mean time of surgery (138/178 minutes) in favor of patients with MBP (p = 0.017). Mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) for elective colorectal surgery is not advantageous. It does not influence radicalism of the procedure, does not decrease neither postoperative complications, nor hospital mortality.

[Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy: our experience and literature review]. / Laparoskopska ili otvorena apendektomija: nasa iskustva i pregled literature.

AIM: The controversy of the choice between open and laparoscopic appendectomy still remains. The benefits as well as disadvantages of laparoscopy are well known. METHODS: We designed a prospective 3-year clinical study (January 1, 2008-December 31,2010) with 123 patients operated on for acute appendicitis. They were prospectively divided into laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) group with 42 results and open appendectomy (OA) group with 81 results. The following parameters were analyzed: age, sex, preoperative leukocyte count, C-reactive protein (CRP) value, preoperative ultrasound finding (US), analgesic administration and histopathologic finding. The length of the operation, length of hospitalization (LOS) and complications were compared between the two groups, along with personal postoperative satisfaction estimated by telephone survey after discharge from the hospital. RESULTS: In 90% of cases, histopathology was positive for inflammation. CRP was determined in 42 (34%) patients preoperatively, with a mean value of 59; positive histopathology finding was recorded in 31 (74%) patients with increased preoperative CRP. US was performed in 68 (55%) patients; positive US was consistent with histopathology in 44 (65%) cases. The mean time of LA/ OA was 75/72 minutes. The only statistical difference was found for LOS: 4 versus 6 days (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: LA and OA are comparable for the number of complications. The slight benefit of LA offers the surgeon free hand in decision when dealing with acute appendicitis needing urgent operation.

Laparoscopic synchronous resection of rectal cancer and liver metastases: A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: During the past decade, there are several studies which showed the advantages of the laparoscopic approach for treating colorectal cancer (CRC) or colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRCLM). However, in contrast, there are only a few reports of combined one stage synchronous laparoscopic colorectal and liver metastasis resection, cold one stage minimally invasive approach (MIA). CASE PRESENTATION: Our patient was 51 years old woman. Rectal adenocarcinoma was verified three centimeters from the anal verge. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with rectal protocol modification indicated T1N0MO stage. We decided to do transanal local excision and achieved R0 resection. Half a year after the operation on the control MRI, lymphadenopathy was found along the rectum and possible recurrence of cancer. Also on the MRI was shown solitary, 4.7 × 2.7 × 3.8 cm big metastasis in the IVa/VIII segment of the liver. The patient was shown on a multidisciplinary team and it was decided to do laparoscopic synchronous resection of rectum and liver metastases. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: During the last decades many articles with different strategies for treating CRC and liver metastasis were published. Some of them prefered two-stage surgical treatment, like liver first approach which allows initial control of liver metastases, and delivery of preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer without the fear that liver metastases will meanwhile progress beyond the possibility of cure. Alternatively, the colon first approach is where the adjuvant chemotherapy is combined with the resection of the primary colorectal tumour with liver resection being undertaken (if at all) as a subsequent operation. By developing surgery, anaesthesia and critical care, the one stage approach for patients with CRC and liver metastasis started to be a reasonable option. CONCLUSION: Totally laparoscopic synchronous resection of the colorectal cancer and synchronous colorectal liver metastasis is technically feasible and safe in the hands of the experienced abdominal surgeon. This type of approach offers all the benefits of the laparoscopic minimally invasiveness associated with good oncological outcomes, and it is indicated in well-selected patients. However, the real scientific answer to this question can be given just with randomised control trial which will be a real challenge for endoscopic surgeons in the future.

Comparison of hepatoprotective effect from ischemia-reperfusion injury of remote ischemic preconditioning of the liver vs local ischemic preconditioning of the liver during human liver resections.

AIM: To compare and evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) with local ischemic preconditioning (LIPC) of the liver during human liver resections. METHODS: A prospective, single-centre, randomised control trial was conducted in the Clinical Hospital "***" from April 2017 to January 2018. A total of 60 patients, who underwent liver resection due to colorectal cancer liver metastasis, were randomised to one of three study arms: 1) a RIPC group, 2) an LIPC group and 3) a control group (CG) in which no ischemic preconditioning was done before liver resection. The hepatoprotective effect was evaluated by comparing serum transaminase levels, bilirubin levels, albumin, and protein levels, coagulograms and through pathohistological analysis. The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT****). RESULTS: Significant differences were found in serum levels of liver transaminases and bilirubin levels between thegroups, the highest level in the CG and the lowest level in the LIPC group. Levels of cholinesterase were also significantly higher in the LIPC group. Pathohistological findings graded by the Rodriguez score showed favourable changes in the LIPC and RIPC groups versus the CG. CONCLUSION: Strong evidence supports the hepatoprotective effect of RIPC and LIPC preconditioning from an ischemia-reperfusion injury of the liver. Better synthetic liver function preservation in these two groups supports this conclusion.

Bypassing major venous occlusion and duodenal lesions in rats, and therapy with the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157, L-NAME and L-arginine.

AIM: To investigate whether duodenal lesions induced by major venous occlusions can be attenuated by BPC 157 regardless nitric oxide (NO) system involvement. METHODS: Male Wistar rats underwent superior anterior pancreaticoduodenal vein (SAPDV)-ligation and were treated with a bath at the ligated SAPDV site (BPC 157 10 µg, 10 ng/kg per 1 mL bath/rat; L-NAME 5 mg/kg per 1 mL bath/rat; L-arginine 100 mg/kg per 1 mL bath/rat, alone and/or together; or BPC 157 10 µg/kg instilled into the rat stomach, at 1 min ligation-time). We recorded the vessel presentation (filled/appearance or emptied/disappearance) between the 5 arcade vessels arising from the SAPDV on the ventral duodenum side, the inferior anterior pancreaticoduodenal vein (IAPDV) and superior mesenteric vein (SMV) as bypassing vascular pathway to document the duodenal lesions presentation; increased NO- and oxidative stress [malondialdehyde (MDA)]-levels in duodenum. RESULTS: Unlike the severe course in the SAPDV-ligated controls, after BPC 157 application, the rats exhibited strong attenuation of the mucosal lesions and serosal congestion, improved vessel presentation, increased interconnections, increased branching by more than 60% from the initial value, the IAPDV and SMV were not congested. Interestingly, after 5 min and 30 min of L-NAME and L-arginine treatment alone, decreased mucosal and serosal duodenal lesions were observed; their effect was worsened at 24 h, and no effect on the collateral vessels and branching was seen. Together, L-NAME+L-arginine antagonized each other's response, and thus, there was an NO-related effect. With BPC 157, all SAPDV-ligated rats receiving L-NAME and/or L-arginine appeared similar to the rats treated with BPC 157 alone. Also, BPC 157 in SAPDV-ligated rats normalized levels of NO and MDA, two oxidative stress markers, in duodenal tissues. CONCLUSION: BPC 157, rapidly bypassing occlusion, rescued the original duodenal flow through IAPDV to SMV flow, an effect related to the NO system and reduction of free radical formation.