Comparison of abdominal depth with subcutaneous fat thickness in predicting surgical site infection among patients undergoing hepatopancreatobiliary surgery: a prospective observational study.

Introduction: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a significant cause of postoperative morbidity resulting in an increased hospital stay and cost. Various measures have been used to predict SSI such as subcutaneous fat thickness (SCFT) and abdominal depth (AD) in case of abdominal surgeries. The objective of the study was to compare SCFT with AD to predict SSI in HPB surgeries. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from February 2020 to February 2021, which included 76 patients who underwent elective open hepatopancreatobiliary surgeries. SCFT and AD at the level of the umbilicus were measured preoperatively using the computed tomography abdomen. The occurrence of SSI was evaluated in correlation with SCFT and AD. SCFT and AD were compared using the receiver operating characteristic curve for prediction of SSI. Results: Twenty-five (32.3%) patients who underwent elective HPB surgeries developed SSI. 72% of the SSI were superficial. In multivariate analysis, only SCFT was associated with SSI, which was statistically significant. It was compared with AD using the receiver operating characteristic curve where SCFT proved to be better at predicting SSI (AUC=0.884) with cut-off =2.13 cm, sensitivity 84%, and specificity 86%), compared to AD with an AUC of 0.449. Conclusion: SSI is the common cause of increased morbidity following hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeries with risk factors including SCFT and AD. Approximately one-third of patient developed SSI, with most the common being superficial SSI. SCFT at the incision site was associated with an increased rate of SSI and the better predictor for SSI as compared with the AD.

Post-operative Pancreatitis as a Predictor of Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula in Patients Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pancreatic fistula remains the single most important determinant of morbidity and mortality following pancreaticoduodenectomy. A new entity was proposed by Saxon Connor "Post-Operative pancreatitis", which is defined by raised serum amylase more than the upper limit of institutional serum amylase value on Post-Operative day 0 or 1. There has been shown to be an association between postoperative pancreatitis and postoperative pancreatic fistula. We have conducted this study to see the incidence of postoperative pancreatitis and its association with postoperative pancreatic fistula. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study. All patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy at a tertiary care center for one and a half years were included. A cut-off value of serum amylase 80U/L was used to make a diagnosis of postoperative pancreatitis. The patients were followed up for one month. Pancreas specific complications were defined according to the definition given by the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery. RESULTS: A total of 49 pancreaticoduodenectomies were done in the given period. The incidence of postoperative pancreatitis was 31(63.3%) and postoperative pancreatic fistula was 19(38.8%). Postoperative pancreatic fistula was seen in 19(61.2%) of patients having postoperative pancreatitis (P<0.001). Post-operative pancreatitis was also significantly associated with post pancreatectomy hemorrhage, increased hospital stay, and mortality. In multivariate analysis, preoperative endoscopic biliary drainage and increased serum amylase on the first postoperative day came out to be an independent predictor of postoperative pancreatic fistula. CONCLUSIONS: Post-operative Pancreatitis was associated with an increased incidence of Post-operative pancreatic fistula and other postoperative complications like Post pancreatectomy hemorrhage and mortality.

Jejunal diverticulum and pneumatosis intestinalis presenting as pneumoperitoneum: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Jejunal diverticulum is a rare condition that affects less than 0.5 % of population. Pneumatosis is also a rare disorder marked by gas in the intestinal wall's submucosa and subserosa. Both the conditions are rare cause of pneumoperitoneum. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A case of 64 years female presented with acute abdomen and upon investigation found to have pneumoperitoneum. Exploratory laparotomy was done and intraoperatively there was multiple jejunal diverticula and pneumatosis intestinalis in separate segments of bowel and closure was done without any resection of bowel segments. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Small bowel diverticulosis was considered to be an incidental anomaly; however, it is now thought to be acquired. Pneumoperitoneum is a common complication of diverticula perforation. The occurrence of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis or subserosal dissection of air around the colon or adjacent structures has been linked to pneumoperitoneum. Complications should be managed accordingly however, occurrence of short bowel syndrome should be considered before doing resection anastomosis of involved segment. CONCLUSION: Jejunal diverticula and pneumatosis intestinalis both are rare cause of pneumoperitoneum. Combination of both the condition giving rise to pneumoperitoneum is extremely rare. These conditions can give rise to diagnostic dilemma in clinical practice. One should always think these as differentials when patient with pneumoperitoneum are encountered.

Acute abdomen due to rupture of a hydatid cyst of the liver: a rare complication - a case report.

Hydatid cyst is a parasitic disease that is transmitted from animals to humans caused by the larval stage Echinococcus, especially Echinococcus granulosus. A complication of a hydatid cyst of the liver is its rupture, either traumatic or spontaneously. Case presentation: A 19-year-old male presented with an acute abdomen for 12 h. After clinical assessment, contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a rupture of the anterior wall of the hepatic hydatid cyst with intra-abdominal and pelvic dissemination. Exploratory laparotomy was performed with the evacuation of the daughter cyst and peritoneal lavage. The patient recovered well and was discharged with albendazole therapy. Clinical discussion: Hydatid cyst rupture is a rare but serious complication. Computed tomography has high sensitivity in demonstrating cyst rupture. The patient underwent laparotomy, where disseminated cysts were evacuated, and the anterior wall of the cyst was deroofed, along with the removal of a ruptured laminated membrane. Emergency surgery plus albendazole therapy are recommended protocols for cases like ours. Conclusions: A patient from an endemic region with acute presentation of right upper quadrant pain can have spontaneously ruptured hydatidosis as a differential diagnosis. Intraperitoneal rupture and dissemination of hydatid cysts of the liver can be life-threatening if intervention is delayed. Immediate surgery is life-saving and prevents complications.

Jejunojejunal intussusception in an adult due to adenoma: a case report.

Intussusception is a rare condition in adults and presents a diagnostic challenge. Clinical presentation tends to be chronic and non-specific. Unlike the pediatric population, most adult intussusceptions have structural lesions as lead points. Here, we present a case of jejunojejunal intussusception in a 27-year female due to adenoma of small bowel.

Colonic tuberculosis masquerading as ascending colon carcinoma in a patient of FIGO Stage IIB cervical carcinoma following chemo-radiotherapy: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Colonic tuberculosis may masquerade colonic carcinoma. Also, intestinal tuberculosis may mimic colonic carcinoma, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, etc. CASE PRESENTATION: A 40 years female was diagnosed with cervical carcinoma FIGO Stage IIB underwent chemo-radiotherapy. She was symptom-free for a few months and then she developed right-sided abdominal pain and abdominal fullness for 4 months. She underwent a colonoscopy that showed ulcerative growth and friable tissue in hepatic flexure of colon and histopathology and immunohistochemistry findings suggested non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or poorly differentiated carcinoma. Then right standard hemicolectomy was performed and histopathology showed tuberculosis. The patient received medications for tuberculosis and the patient improved. CLINICAL FINDINGS AND INVESTIGATIONS: Preoperatively suspected colonic carcinoma in developing countries (where the prevalence of tuberculosis is high) may sometimes come out as colonic tuberculosis in histopathology. The biopsy sample taken from colonoscopy was examined by histopathology, which showed nonspecific results, and the case was mistakenly thought of as colonic carcinoma preoperatively. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: The case underwent right standard hemicolectomy and to the surprise, the excised specimen came out as tuberculosis. The patient received anti-tubercular drugs and the patient is symptomatically better. RELEVANCE AND IMPACT: Colonic tuberculosis can mimic colonic carcinoma. Histopathology will confirm colonic tuberculosis and response to anti-tuberculosis drugs will verify the diagnosis. Though a patient undergoing chemotherapy may develop lymphoma, colonoscopic biopsy may not be conclusive. In any symptomatic patient with colonic stricture, surgery is the treatment of choice.

Early outcome of Frey's procedure for chronic pancreatitis: Nepalese tertiary center experience.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive and persistent inflammatory disease resulting in pancreatic insufficiency leading to diabetes and steatorrhea. Abdominal pain is the most debilitating feature and is often refractory to treatment. Medical management with adequate analgesia and replacement of pancreatic enzyme supplements is the first line in management of chronic pancreatitis. Surgery is reserved for those who fail medical management. The choice of surgical procedure and timing of surgery is a topic of debate. The objective of this study was to analyze surgical safety along with short- and long- term outcomes of Frey's procedure for patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of cases of chronic pancreatitis who underwent Frey's procedure from 2016 January to 2019 February at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Demographics, intraoperative findings, perioperative outcomes, and short- and long-time outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Total of 26 patients (age ranged 17-52, male - 14) underwent Frey's procedure in the study period. Alcohol was etiology in six patients while the majority (76.9%) were nonalcoholic. Half of the patients had tropical pancreatitis. Intractable pain was present in all cases along with pseudocyst in three and pseudoaneurysm in one case. The mean preoperative Izbicki scores were 53.4 ± 17.6. Six patients had diabetes and two patients had steatorrhea. Major complications were seen in 11.5% of cases while mortality was in one patient. The median duration of the hospital stay was seven days. Over a median follow up of 17 months (range, 3-38), there were significantly lower pain scores postoperatively and 92% were pain-free. Only one new case of diabetes developed postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Our early experiences suggests that Frey's procedure can be a safe option for patients with chronic pancreatitis, with acceptable perioperative morbidity with adequate pain relief without worsening of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine function.