Fibrin glue as adjuvant treatment for gastrocutaneous fistula after gastrostomy tube removal.

Gastrocutaneous fistulas are infrequent after gastrostomy tube removal. However, if the fistulous tract remains permeable, even low-volume output can produce significant cutaneous burns. The use of biodegradable adhesives has been described, where fibrin glue is applied directly over the fistulous tract or under the guidance of procedures such as upper or lower gastrointestinal endoscopy or fistuloscopy. We studied the use of fibrin glue in five consecutive adult patients with gastrocutaneous fistulas after gastrostomy tube removal, with no complications that might impede spontaneous closure. A comparison group included seven patients treated during the preceding 2 years with conservative medical management, who were not treated with fibrin glue. There was no difference between the two groups with regard to age and gender, nor with regard to type of gastrostomy (surgical or endoscopic). The mean output volume from the fistulas was 151.4 +/- 146.1 ml/24 h in the study group and 115.0 +/- 42.7 ml/24 h in the control group, which was not significantly different ( P = 0.80). The duration of previous conservative treatment was 93.8 +/- 85.1 days for the study group and 95.8 +/- 80.7 days for the control group and this also did not differ significantly ( P = 0.93). The time to achieve total fistula closure was 7.0 +/- 3.1 days in the study group and 32.7 +/- 15.7 days in the control group. This difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.004). The time required before oral feeding could be recommenced after spontaneous or induced closure was similar in the two groups, at 2.8 +/- 1.3 days and 4.71 +/- 2.36 days, respectively. Endoscopic guidance allows direct instillation of fibrin glue via the external opening through the whole fistulous tract. This procedure reduces the time required for the closure of gastrocutaneous fistulas.

[Abdominal complications after cardiopulmonary procedures]. / Complicaciones abdominales consecutivas a derivación cardiopulmonar.

OBJECTIVE: To know the frequency of intraabdominal complications and its impact on survival of patients submitted to cardiopulmonary bypass for common open-heart surgical procedures. BACKGROUND: The gastrointestinal complications after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) have an incidence of 0.3 to 3% but mortality can exceed 60%. Despite improvements in preoperative, operative and postoperative care it has been the general impression that abdominal complications remain a significant problem. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective case-control study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Consecutive patients submitted to cardiac surgery with CPB between March 1995 to March 1997 were included. Any gastrointestinal complication was identified as well as its diagnosis, medical or surgical management and mortality. RESULTS: One thousand and three hundred fifty two patients were studied of which 516 (38%) were operated for coronary revascularization, 502 (37%) valvular replacement, 68 (5.2%) a combination of valvular replacement and revascularization, 144 (10.6%) correction of congenital defects and 122 (9.6%) treated of diverse problems. Forty-four patients developed complications (3.3%) and they were, postoperative intestinal ileus in 14 cases (32%), half of them had concomitant hyperamylasemia. Hepatobiliary complications represented 29.5% (13 cases). Ten patients (22.7%) developed peptic ulcer disease complicated with perforation or hemorrhage. Severe acute pancreatitis was observed in two patients as well as two with bowel necrosis. Three patients had complications considered not related to CPB as grade I liver trauma, acute appendicitis and amebic colitis. The mortality was 11/44 (25%). As a control group, 73 patients operated upon over the same time period and on the same days as the study patients were analyzed. The mortality in this group was 5/73 (6.8%). The medical history of peptic ulcer disease (< 0.01) and postoperative hemodynamic unstability (< 0.05), the use of intra-aortic balloon pump (< 0.05) and respiratory failure with prolonged ventilatory support (< 0.05) were separate statistical significant determinants for the development of postoperative abdominal complications. CONCLUSIONS: Factors indicative of or contributing to periods of decreased end-organ perfusion appear to be significantly related to abdominal complications. Also, medical history of peptic ulcer disease represented an individual determinant of severe surgical complications as ulcer perforation and massive bleeding.

[Hartmann's procedure. Institutional experience with 92 consecutive cases]. / Operación de Hartmann. Experiencia institucional de 92 casos consecutivos.

BACKGROUND: Since it's description in 1923, Hartmann's procedure is widely used for the surgical treatment of acute left colonic complications when preoperative bowel lavage is not feasible and/or there is high risk of anastomotic dehiscence. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the results of Hartmann's operation in the surgical treatment of consecutive patients at a single institution during a 30-month interval. TYPE OF STUDY: Prospective, non-randomized and longitudinal study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients treated with the Hartmann procedure between March 1995 and September 1998. Surgical indication, intraoperative findings, morbidity and mortality were analyzed as well as the rate of reestablishment of bowel continuity and it's morbimortality. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients underwent a Hartmann procedure. The mean patient's age was 60 +/- 25 years (range of 21 to 88 years) and 60% were older than 65 years. An emergency operation was carried out in 91% of the cases. Most of the patients had intra-abdominal sepsis (56%) and benign colonic process (83%). The morbidity rate was 34% and mortality rate 19. During follow-up the bowel continuity was reestablished in 32% of the cases without fatalities. CONCLUSIONS: Hartmann's procedure is a good option for non-elective surgical treatment complicated rectosigmoid pathology. The morbidity and mortality of the operation are highly dependent on the degree of preoperative sepsis and the patient's preexisting condition. The rate of reestablishment of bowel continuity was low probably because of short follow-up.