Surgical treatment of acute cholecystitis in patients with confirmed COVID-19: Ten case reports and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Research concerning postoperative outcomes of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients revealed unfavorable postoperative results with increased morbidity, pulmonary complications and mortality. Case reports have suggested that COVID-19 is associated with more aggressive presentation of acute cholecystitis. The aim of the present study is to describe the perioperative assessment and postoperative outcomes of ten patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection with concomitant acute cholecystitis who underwent cholecystectomy. CASE SUMMARY: We report a total of 10 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients with concomitant acute cholecystitis that underwent cholecystectomy. Six patients were males, the mean age was 47.1 years. Nine patients had moderate acute cholecystitis, and one patient had severe acute cholecystitis. All patients were treated with urgent/early laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Regarding the Parkland grading scale, two patients received a Parkland grade of 3, two patients received a Parkland grade of 4, and six patients received a Parkland grade of 5. Eight patients required a bail-out procedure. Four patients developed biliary leakage and required endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with biliary sphincterotomy. After surgery, five patients developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and required intensive care unit (ICU) admission. One patient died after cholecystectomy due to ARDS complications. The mean total length of stay (LOS) was 18.2 d. The histopathology demonstrated transmural necrosis (n = 5), vessel obliteration with ischemia (n = 3), perforation (n = 3), and acute peritonitis (n = 10). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 patients with acute cholecystitis had difficult cholecystectomies, high rates of ICU admission, and a prolonged LOS.

Laparoscopic appendectomy in complicated appendicitis with compromised appendix base: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with compromised appendix base constitute a subgroup of patients with complicated appendicitis, and there is few available information. OBJECTIVE: To study the frequency of stump leaks and fistulae in patients with complicated appendicitis with compromised stump. METHOD: This is an observational, retrospective study of patients that underwent laparoscopic appendectomy with compromised appendix stump. RESULTS: From 2015 to 2019, 158 patients with complicated appendicitis were operated, of them 54 had compromised base or stump. There were 66.7% men, with a mean age of 38.7 years. For stump closure, a simple knot was employed in 57.4%, and in 42.6% an invaginated suture was employed. Regarding complications, 16.7% developed intraabdominal abscess, 7.4% ileus and 7.4% had wound infection. We found one stump leak and one stump fistula. The mean length of stay was 5.4 days (range: 1-20). There were 5 reoperations, 4 for abscess drainage and 1 for stump leak. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with acute complicated appendicitis with compromised appendicular base, laparoscopic surgery either with simple knot or with invaginated suture resulted in low frequency of stump leaks and fistula.

ANTECEDENTES: Los pacientes con base apendicular comprometida constituyen un subgrupo de pacientes con apendicitis complicada y existe poca información al respecto. OBJETIVO: Conocer la frecuencia de fístulas y fugas fecales en pacientes con apendicitis complicada con base apendicular comprometida. MÉTODO: Se trata de un estudio observacional, retrospectivo y transversal de pacientes operados de apendicectomía laparoscópica con base apendicular comprometida. RESULTADOS: De 2015 a 2019 se encontraron 158 casos de apendicitis complicada, de los cuales 54 tenían la base apendicular comprometida. Hubo predominio de varones (66.7%) y la edad media fue de 38.7 años. En el 57.4% de los casos se realizó un nudo simple y en el 42.6% un punto transfictivo con invaginación del muñón. En relación con las complicaciones, el 16.7% desarrollaron abscesos intraabdominales, el 7.4% íleo y el 7.4% infección de herida. Hubo un paciente con fuga del muñón y un paciente con fístula cecal. El tiempo medio de estancia hospitalaria fue de 5.4 días (rango: 1-20). Se realizaron cinco reintervenciones: cuatro para drenaje de absceso intraabdominal y una por fuga del muñón. CONCLUSIONES: En los pacientes con base apendicular comprometida, el manejo laparoscópico con ligadura simple o con punto transfictivo resulta en una baja frecuencia de fuga y fístula del muñón apendicular.

Sarcopenia predicts worse postoperative outcomes and decreased survival rates in patients with colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have shown an association of sarcopenia with adverse short- and long-term outcomes in multiple gastrointestinal cancer types. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of sarcopenia on the postoperative outcomes and survival rates of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases. We included studies that compared postoperative outcomes or survival rates in sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients with CRC. RESULTS: A total of 44 observational studies, comprising 18,891 patients, were included. The pooled prevalence of sarcopenia was 37% (n = 7009). The pooled analysis revealed an association between sarcopenia and higher risk of total postoperative complications (23 studies, OR = 1.84; 95% CI 1.35-2.49), postoperative severe complications (OR = 1.72; 95% CI 1.10-2.68), postoperative mortality (OR = 3.21; 95% CI 2.01-5.11), postoperative infections (OR = 1.40; 95% CI 1.12-1.76), postoperative cardiopulmonary complications (OR = 2.92; 95% CI 1.96-4.37), and prolonged length of stay (MD = 0.77; 95% CI 0.44-1.11) after colorectal cancer surgery. However, anastomotic leakage showed comparable occurrence between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients (OR = 0.99; 95% CI 0.72 to 1.36). Regarding survival outcomes, sarcopenic patients had significantly shorter overall survival (25 studies, HR = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.57-2.14), disease-free survival (HR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.29-1.88), and cancer-specific survival (HR = 1.77; 95% CI 1.40-2.23) as compared with non-sarcopenic patients. CONCLUSION: Among patients with colorectal cancer, sarcopenia is a strong predictor of increased postoperative complications and worse survival outcomes.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy after endoscopic treatment of choledocholithiasis: a retrospective comparative study.

Patients with combined choledocholithiasis and cholecystitis require treatment of both diseases. The aim of our study was to analyze perioperative results of next-day (< 24 h) vs. early (> 24 h) laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after endoscopic clearance of common bile duct stones. We conducted a retrospective study of patients that underwent LC after endoscopic treatment of choledocholithiasis, with combined diagnoses of common bile duct stones (with or without acute cholangitis) and gallbladder stones (with acute or chronic cholecystitis). From January 2014 to May 2017, 87 patients underwent LC after endoscopic sphincterotomy: 40 patients within 24 h (NDLC) and 47 after 24 h (ELC). Regarding pre-ERCP diagnosis, 29 (72.5%) of patients in the NDLC group and 33 (70.2%) of patients in the ELC group had high-risk of choledocholithiasis (p = 0.814), acute cholecystitis (32.5 vs. 25.5%, p = 0.474) and acute cholangitis (17.5 vs. 17%, p = 0.953). The median time from ERCP to LC was 23 h (IQR 22-23) in the NDLC group and 72 h (IQR 48-80) in the ELC group (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found in regard to operative time, estimated blood loss, overall morbidity and rate of conversion to open surgery. Patients in the NDLC group had a shorter total length of stay (2 vs. 4 days, p < 0.001). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed within the first 24 h after endoscopic treatment of choledocholithiasis is safe and feasible, without increased postoperative morbidity and associated with reduction of the hospital length of stay.

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) delivered via a modified perfusion system for peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The long-term survival of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin has been achieved with cytoreductive surgery, which removes all macroscopic implants, combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The current technology for administering intraperitoneal heated chemotherapy is expensive and, for some institutions, unaffordable. We conducted this study to assess the temperature stability provided by a modified, inexpensive system, to offer a simple and low cost alternative to the standard HIPEC delivery equipment. METHODS: Ten patients with histologically diagnosed peritoneal metastases of adenocarcinoma or pseudomyxoma peritonei underwent cytoreductive surgery and received HIPEC with 5-fluorouracil for 90 min, delivered via our modified system. The temperature was recorded from two probes: one in the inflow catheter and one in the outflow catheter. The intra-abdominal temperature was monitored meticulously to maintain it at between 41 and 42 °C. RESULTS: All patients underwent cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC using our modified delivery system. Temperature stability was achieved in all patients, with a mean of 41.4°. There were no thermal injuries associated with any of the ten perfusions. The mean hospital stay was 15 days and the median survival was 30 months. CONCLUSION: Analysis of this data demonstrates that the uniform delivery of HIPEC at 41° with this modified system is feasible and safe. The outcome of the patients treated with cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC with this modified system compares favorably to other published series. Its low cost and simple design will give more patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis access to this treatment.

Propuesta de enfoque diagnóstico y terapéutico de la carcinomatosis peritoneal originada en el colon / A diagnostic and therapeutic proposal in peritoneal carcinomatosis originating in the large bowel

Introducción. El cáncer colorrectal corresponde a la cuarta causa de cáncer a nivel mundial, con una incidencia de 17,2 por cada 100.000 habitantes, y en Colombia es de 10,6 por 100.000, con gran mortalidad. El cáncer metastásico a peritoneo se considera una condición sistémica, para la cual se ofrece la quimioterapia paliativa por su mal pronóstico. La cirugía citorreductora junto con la quimioterapia hipertérmica intraperitoneal, constituye una gran opción para estos pacientes, optimizando su condición y la supervivencia global. La adecuada selección de los pacientes permite mitigar las complicaciones secundarias al procedimiento. Objetivo. Plantear un flujograma para la selección de los pacientes con carcinomatosis colorrectal utilizando la escala de gravedad de la enfermedad de la superficie peritoneal, para administrar quimioterapia hipertérmica intraperitoneal. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo una búsqueda sistemática de los artículos en las bases de datos Pubmed, Embase y Cochrane, con los términos MeSH: "colorectal cancer", "peritoneal metastases" y "peritoneal carcinomatosis"; se encontraron cuatro artículos basados en el uso de la cirugía citorreductora y la quimioterapia intraperitoneal hipertérmica, que valoraban las características de los pacientes, el tratamiento recibido y su seguimiento. Resultados y discusión. Se propone un flujograma con base en las características clínicas, imaginológicas e histológicas, que permite clasificar la gravedad de los pacientes y, por lo tanto, definir quiénes se beneficiarían de la quimioterapia sistémica frente a la quimioterapia intraperitoneal hipertérmica, con la finalidad de disminuir la tasa de complicaciones y optimizar su manejo.

Introduction. Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer worldwide, with an incidence of 17.2 per 100,000 population, and in Colombia the incidence is 10.6 per 100,000, associated with high mortality. Metastatic cancer to the peritoneum is considered a systemic condition, for which only palliative chemotherapy is offered due to the poor prognosis. Cytoreductive surgery plus intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy is great option for these patients, optimizing their condition and overall survival. Objective. The aim of this article is to propose a flowchart for the selection of patients with colorectal carcinomatosis using the severity score scale of surface peritioneal disease for the proper administration of intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy. Material and methods. We completed a systematic search for articles in the PubMed, EMBASE and COCHRANE data bases with the MESH terms "colorectal cancer", "peritoneal metastases" and "peritoneal carcinomatosis", encountering four articles based on the use of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy that assessed the patients characteristics, the treatment received, and the follow-up. Results and discussion. We propose a flow diagram based on the clinical, imaging and histological characteristics, that allows classifying the severity of the disease, and therefore define those that can benefit from systemic chemotherapy versus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and thus reduce complications rates and optimize management.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis: initial experience in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) has been traditionally considered a terminal disease with median survivals reported in the literature of 6 to 12 months. Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are playing an ever increasing role in the treatment of these patients. Excellent results have been achieved in well-selected patients but there is a very steep learning curve when starting a new program. A program for peritoneal surface malignancies in which patients with PC of gastrointestinal or gynecological origin were treated using multimodality therapy with combinations of systemic therapy, cytoreductive surgery (CRS), and HIPEC was initiated in December 2007 at "Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Oaxaca," Mexico. We present the results of our initial experience. From December 2007 to February 2011, 26 patients were treated with CRS and HIPEC. There were 21 female patients. Most common indication (46%) was recurrent ovarian cancer. Mean duration of surgery was 260 minutes. Mean Peritoneal Cancer Index was 9. Twenty-three (88.5%) patients had a complete cytoreduction. Major morbidity and mortality rates were 19.5 and 3.8 per cent, respectively. Mean hospital stay was 8 days. At a mean follow-up of 20 months, median survival has not been reached. Rigorous preoperative workup, strict selection criteria, and mentoring from an experienced cytoreductive surgeon are mandatory and extremely important when starting a center for PC.

Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) in the management of peritoneal surface malignancies of colonic

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) continues to play an increasing role in the management of peritoneal surface malignancies of colorectal origin. The prognosis of patients and the responses to cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC depend on the histology, the degree of malignant transformation, the adequacy of the cytoreductive surgery, and the response to systemic therapy. Continuous interaction between medical and surgical oncologists is needed to identify the most appropriate patients for and the most efficient sequence of the available therapeutic modalities.