Characterization of Risk Factors Affecting the Recurrence of Perianal Abscesses and Complications.

BACKGROUND: Perianal abscess is a common condition among adults. The treatment of choice includes early and efficient drainage. The data regarding risk factors for abscess recurrence, fistula formation, and complications are limited as recent publications mainly focus on patients with inflammatory bowel disease. OBJECTIVES: To determine risk factors for abscess recurrence and fistula formation with regard to patient and surgical characteristics. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients who presented to the emergency department and were diagnosed with perianal abscess between 2011-2020. RESULTS: We included 983 consecutive patients; 741 men, average age 43 years. Recurrence was documented in 434 cases. Crohn's disease was reported in 70, of which 50 had recurrent episodes (P < 0.0001); 121 of the 234 patients who smoked had recurrence (P = 0.0078); 8% had short symptomatic period (< 24 hours), which was a predisposing factor for recurrence, P < 0.0001. Patients in the non-recurrent group waited 2.53 hours less for surgical intervention (P < 0.0005(. The average time for recurrent episode was 18.95 ± 33.7 months. Fistula was diagnosed in 16.9% of all cases, while 11.6% were within the recurrent group. Surgical expertise of the physician did not significantly change the recurrence rate. CONCLUSIONS: Crohn's disease and smoking were the only significant risk factors for recurrence of perianal abscess. Timely intervention and drainage of sepsis should not be delayed. Involvement of more experienced surgeons did not seem to alter the natural history of the disease.

Management of Adult Intussusception-A Case Series Experience from a Tertiary Center.

BACKGROUND: The management of intussusception is controversial. Clinical presentation, with the aid of imaging modalities, enables a better selection of patients for the appropriate treatment algorithm. Conservative management versus surgical intervention with bowel resection is considered accordingly. METHODS: Retrospective review of a computerized database of patients who were admitted with intussusception between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2020, in a single tertiary center in Israel. Patients who were treated conservatively were compared to those who underwent surgery. Patients who underwent bowel resection were compared to those that had surgery without a resection. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients were diagnosed with intussusception, and 49 were operated. Bowel resection was performed in 32 cases. 20/76(26%) were successfully managed conservatively. Patients with a lead point (OR = 5.59) and colonic involvement (OR = 13.72) had a higher likelihood for resection. The likelihood of bowel resection was found to be significantly lower with proximal small bowel intussusception (OR = 0.071). CONCLUSION: Young patients presenting with intussusception may be treated conservatively when adequate criteria are met in order to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions.

LAMN port-site metastasis after laparoscopic oophorectomy for a presumed ovarian tumour treated with CRS and HIPEC.

Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN) may culminate as a mucin-secreting disease known as pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). Once the diagnosis of LAMN and PMP is made, cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS and HIPEC) are indicated.Herein, we present a female patient in her 50s who was diagnosed with an ovarian mass for which she underwent laparoscopic oophorectomy. As the pathology of the ovary showed a tumour of gastrointestinal origin, she then underwent CRS and HIPEC with a final pathology of LAMN. Six weeks later, a mucinous lesion confined to the abdominal wall was detected on a postoperative CT. Suspected for port-site metastasis at the laparoscopic trocar site, we treated this lesion using the same principles of treatment as the intra-abdominal disease. The abdominal wall mass was surgically resected, and the cavity created was irrigated with mitomycin C. On 30 months of follow-up, the patient had no evidence of disease.

Resection of Extrapulmonary Lymphangiomyoma and Post-Operative Management Considerations.

Background: Lymphangiomyomatosis is a rare disease involving the lymph vessels, causing obstruction and cystic formation with an incidence of 3-8 per million women. The disease might be sporadic or inherited. Lymphangiomyomatosis mostly affects the pulmonary system, whereas extrapulmonary Lymphangiomyomatosis may present in various site, occasionally as a localized abdominal mass. The diagnostic process might entail surgical resection to obtain a specimen for pathology that may also help to achieve a long-term control of the disease. Methods: Herein, we present a case of a 45 years old female, who suffered from pulmonary symptoms, and during her workup an abdominal mass was found. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy with resection of a left retroperitoneal bilobar mass. Results: Histopathological report revealed Lymphangiomyoma. She had a complication of a lymphatic leakage that required a second laparotomy with satisfactory clinical outcome. Conclusions: Surgeons should be aware of the pathological lymphatics and manage post-operative complications by a trial of conservative.

The Feedback Form and Its Role in Improving the Quality of Trauma Care.

Background: One of the tasks of a level I trauma center is quality improvement of level II and level III regional hospitals and emergency medical services by means of continuous education and learning processes. One of the tools for this, which provides constant monitoring of the quality of treatment, is feedback. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of feedback on the quality of trauma care. Methods: Retrospective cohort study comprising two periods of time, 2012-2013 and 2017-2018. The study group included physicians and pre-hospital staff who treated patients prior to referral to the level I center. Upon arrival when the trauma teams identified issues requiring improvement, they were asked to fill in feedback forms. Data on patients treated in the trauma shock room for whom feedback forms were filled out were also extracted. Results: A total of 662 feedback forms were completed, showing a significant improvement (p ˂ 0.0001). The majority of the medical personnel who received the most negative feedback were the pre-hospital staff. A significant increase was revealed in the number of feedbacks with reference to mismanagement of backboard spinal fixation, of the pre-hospital staff, in 2012-2013 compared to 2017-2018 (p < 0.001). Improvement in reducing the time of treatment in the field was also revealed, from 15.2 ± 8.3 min in 2012-2013 to 13.4 ± 7.9 min in 2017-2018. Conclusion: The findings show that feedback improves the treatment of injured patients. Furthermore, constantly monitoring the quality of treatment provided by the trauma team is vital for improvement.

Laparoscopic Appendectomy in the Days of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common emergencies treated by general surgeons. The treatment of choice in the majority of cases is laparoscopic appendectomy. In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a concern for a delayed referral of patients and thus a more advanced presentation of the disease leading to a prolonged and complicated course. METHODS: Retrospective review of a computerized database of patients who were admitted with acute appendicitis and underwent laparoscopic appendectomy during the COVID pandemic in a single tertiary center in Israel. Patients were compared with those who were admitted and operated for appendicitis in the same period in the previous year. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy in the study period in 2020, compared with 109 who had surgery in 2019. During the COVID pandemic 41 patients presented with complicated appendicitis versus 22 patients in 2019 (P=0.0174). The placement of peritoneal drains was more prevalent during the pandemic, 5.5% versus 11.4%, and the use of stapler device for appendicular stump closure (P=0.0105). CONCLUSIONS: During the first stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant increase in the rate of complicated appendicitis. Patients should be strongly encouraged not to refrain from medical treatment and go to the emergency room with the persistence of symptoms.

Acute Complicated Pancreatitis With COVID-19 Infection as a Potential Cause.

The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to a significant and dramatic worldwide increase in morbidity and mortality rates throughout the year 2020. Although most patients present with respiratory symptoms such as cough, fever and shortness of breath, gastrointestinal symptoms have increasingly been reported and recognized as a major element of patients' presentation. It was found that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors (the entry receptors for SARS-CoV-2) are expressed in the pancreas in addition to the lungs, kidneys and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract, which raises the hypothesis that COVID-19 can stand as an etiology for acute pancreatitis in certain circumstances. Herein, we present a case of a COVID-19 patient who presented to the emergency room with clinical, laboratory and radiological findings of acute pancreatitis several days after being diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. He was admitted and treated conservatively. Several weeks following the initial episode, the patient developed a huge pancreatic pseudocyst, which was treated successfully with endoscopic cyst-gastrostomy. To the best of our knowledge, following a meticulous review of the current English literature, this is the second case of pancreatic pseudocyst development following acute pancreatitis due to COVID-19 infection.