The abdominal compartment syndrome: a report of 3 cases including instance of endocrine induction

Three patients with the abdominal compartment syndrome are presented and discussed. In one of the patients the condition was induced in an endocrine fashion, since trauma was sustained exclusively by the middle third of the left leg. The development of the syndrome as a remote effect of local trauma has never been reported previously. In all three instances only insignificant amounts of intraperitoneal fluid was found and the increase in abdominal pressure was due to severe edema of the mesentery and retroperitoneum. Since the condition is highly lethal, early diagnosis is imperative, and this starts by carrying a high index of suspicion. Measurement of the intraperitoneal pressure easily confirms this diagnosis. It is emphasized that measurements at various sites, like bladder and stomach, in each patient is essential to confirm the diagnosis, since one of the sites may be rendered unreliable due to intraperitoneal processes impinging on the affected site and affecting its distensibility

A mini-invasive approach to transduodenal sphincteroplasty

A right lumbar approach to the duodenum was developed to perform transduodenal sphinctero-plasty for the treatment of retained common bile duct stones. With experience, the procedure was reduced to a mininvasive approach. Nine patients with symptomatic choledocal stones were subjected to translumbar transduodenal sphincteroplasty. Eventually it became obvious that limited dissection was equally effective in exposure of pertinent anatomical structures and ease of performance. Four patients were intervened using the mini-invasive approach. In one instance the procedure was combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy and cholangiogram. There was no mortality or morbidity and there was universal clearance of the common bile duct

A mini-invasive approach to transduodenal sphincteroplasty.

A right lumbar approach to the duodenum was developed to perform transduodenal sphinctero-plasty for the treatment of retained common bile duct stones. With experience, the procedure was reduced to a mininvasive approach. Nine patients with symptomatic choledocal stones were subjected to translumbar transduodenal sphincteroplasty. Eventually it became obvious that limited dissection was equally effective in exposure of pertinent anatomical structures and ease of performance. Four patients were intervened using the mini-invasive approach. In one instance the procedure was combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy and cholangiogram. There was no mortality or morbidity and there was universal clearance of the common bile duct.

The abdominal compartment syndrome: a report of 3 cases including instance of endocrine induction.

Three patients with the abdominal compartment syndrome are presented and discussed. In one of the patients the condition was induced in an endocrine fashion, since trauma was sustained exclusively by the middle third of the left leg. The development of the syndrome as a remote effect of local trauma has never been reported previously. In all three instances only insignificant amounts of intraperitoneal fluid was found and the increase in abdominal pressure was due to severe edema of the mesentery and retroperitoneum. Since the condition is highly lethal, early diagnosis is imperative, and this starts by carrying a high index of suspicion. Measurement of the intraperitoneal pressure easily confirms this diagnosis. It is emphasized that measurements at various sites, like bladder and stomach, in each patient is essential to confirm the diagnosis, since one of the sites may be rendered unreliable due to intraperitoneal processes impinging on the affected site and affecting its distensibility.

Transduodenal sphincteroplasty in the treatment of choledocholithiasis in pregnancy

Transduodenal sphincteroplasty is a safe, effective, reliable procedure in the treatment of choledocholithiasis. The fact that it can be practiced without radiographic surveillance makes it uniquely applicable during pregnancy. There are no reports applying this mode of treatment to the pregnant woman with choledocholithiasis

Proximal duodeno-jejunostomy for the safe management of the difficult duodenal stump

Seven patients with peptic ulcer disease had severe scarring of the duodenum, making its closure at the time of gastrectomy difficult. They were managed intraoperatively with proximal duodeno-jejunostomy as a means to avoid the catastrophic complication of disruption of the duodenal stump closure with its consequent peritonitis. The jejunum used for this anastomosis was an extension of the long limb of a Roux en Y which is brought up to perform the gastrojejunostomy. The end to end duodeno-jejunostomy is performed proximal to a side to side gastrojejunostomy, hence the name, proximal duodeno Jejunostomy. These seven patients had no unexpected immediate postoperative complications during the thirty days following surgery and were all discharged from the hospital well. During the same three and a half year period twenty five other patients were submitted to gastrectomy and had two duodenal stump leaks after conventional closures. One patient died and the other survived after prolonged intensive care stay. These differences were not statistically significant. These duodenojejunostomies are non-functional anastomoses and should consequently stricture, but in one patient it remained open and he developed bile reflux gastritis in spite of the Roux en Y gastrojejunostomy constructed to avoid this complication. These anastomoses should be constructed as stenotic as possible

Proximal duodeno-jejunostomy for the safe management of the difficult duodenal stump.

Seven patients with peptic ulcer disease had severe scarring of the duodenum, making its closure at the time of gastrectomy difficult. They were managed intraoperatively with proximal duodeno-jejunostomy as a means to avoid the catastrophic complication of disruption of the duodenal stump closure with its consequent peritonitis. The jejunum used for this anastomosis was an extension of the long limb of a Roux en Y which is brought up to perform the gastrojejunostomy. The end to end duodeno-jejunostomy is performed proximal to a side to side gastrojejunostomy, hence the name, proximal duodeno Jejunostomy. These seven patients had no unexpected immediate postoperative complications during the thirty days following surgery and were all discharged from the hospital well. During the same three and a half year period twenty five other patients were submitted to gastrectomy and had two duodenal stump leaks after conventional closures. One patient died and the other survived after prolonged intensive care stay. These differences were not statistically significant. These duodenojejunostomies are non-functional anastomoses and should consequently stricture, but in one patient it remained open and he developed bile reflux gastritis in spite of the Roux en Y gastrojejunostomy constructed to avoid this complication. These anastomoses should be constructed as stenotic as possible.

Transduodenal sphincteroplasty in the treatment of choledocholithiasis in pregnancy.

Transduodenal sphincteroplasty is a safe, effective, reliable procedure in the treatment of choledocholithiasis. The fact that it can be practiced without radiographic surveillance makes it uniquely applicable during pregnancy. There are no reports applying this mode of treatment to the pregnant woman with choledocholithiasis.

Response of sporotrichosis granuloma to local application of iodine

Chronic sporotrichosis granuloma of the skin is usually the result of non compliance with oral iodine therapy for whatever reason. Excision of the lesion, local iodine application with povidone iodide for six days and delayed primary skin grafting is presented as a quick, effective and acceptable alternative, if oral treatment is not tolerated. The ineffectiveness of local excision and grafting without adequate iodine therapy is demonstrated by this case

Response of sporotrichosis granuloma to local application of iodine.

Chronic sporotrichosis granuloma of the skin is usually the result of non compliance with oral iodine therapy for whatever reason. Excision of the lesion, local iodine application with povidone iodide for six days and delayed primary skin grafting is presented as a quick, effective and acceptable alternative, if oral treatment is not tolerated. The ineffectiveness of local excision and grafting without adequate iodine therapy is demonstrated by this case.

Gastric vascular pedicle patch esophagoplasty for stricture.

Three patients with Barrett's esophagus and strictures between the middle and distal thirds of the esophagus, of 5 to 26 years duration at the time of the plasty, were treated with an infradiaphragmatic Nissen fundoplication and gastric vascular pedicle patch esophagoplasty, based on the right gastroepiploic vessels. Follow-up for 2 patients has been 6 and 7 years; both patients are asymptomatic except for periodic mild dysphagia in 1. The third patient developed cancer after 1 symptom-free year, and had esophagectomy with colon interposition. The results of this operation justify its use in recalcitrant lower intrathoracic esophageal strictures that do not respond to antireflux operation or dilation.

The surgical treatment of adenocarcinoma of the duodenum distal to the ampulla of Vater.

The case analysis of five patients with post-ampullary adenocarcinoma of the duodenum showed this to be a tumor which favors local extension into surrounding organs, instead of lymphatic or hepatic metastasis. This justifies and aggressive resectional approach to treatment, pancreaticoduodenectomy being the basic operation to be applied. Proximity to the superior mesenteric vessels involving them in four out of five of our tumors, is the major anatomic limiting factor. Leaving vascular control for the end of the excision and perfusing them to maintain viability of the gut until a comfortable vascular anastomosis can be constructed, should solve the problem. Misdiagnosis proved to be a prominent source of error, causing delays and inappropriate therapy. The Cancer Registry of Puerto Rico has documented an incidence of carcinoma of the duodenum similar to that of the ampulla of Vater. This fact demands the same care in the conduct of diagnostic procedures of the distal duodenum as is customary in the visualization of the ampulla.