Perioperative Outcomes of Systematic Mesopancreas Dissection for Pancreatic and Periampullary Carcinoma at a Tertiary Referral Center From a Low Middle-Income Country.

Introduction Systematic mesopancreas dissection (SMD) is an emerging surgical approach in pancreatic cancer surgery. There is still debate about early postoperative and pathological outcomes using SMD in pancreatic cancer surgery. This study has been conducted to compare the perioperative outcomes, the lymph node yield, and the margin status in patients who underwent standard pancreaticoduodenectomy (ST-PD) and SMD-PD for pancreatic and periampullary carcinoma. Methods A retrospective comparative study was conducted in patients who underwent PD for pancreatic and periampullary carcinoma in a single unit of gastrointestinal and hepatopancreatobiliary surgery at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Nepal. Early perioperative and pathological outcomes were compared between the SMD-PD and ST-PD. Results The demographic data of 30 patients who underwent SMD-PD was comparable with the historical data of 40 patients who underwent ST-PD. The intraoperative blood loss and postoperative complications were found to be comparable between ST-PD and SMD-PD. However, the median operative time for SMD-PD was longer than ST-PD (360 minutes [IQR: 90 minutes] vs. 360 minutes [IQR: 60 minutes]). The rate of margin negative resection was similar between both groups. The median lymph node yield was significantly high in patients who underwent SMD-PD (17.5 (IQR: 6.5) vs. 11 [IQR-10.75]; p < 0.05). Conclusion SMD is safe and feasible for treating periampullary carcinoma and is particularly helpful in increasing lymph node yield.

Comparative Study of Perioperative Outcomes Between Modified Blumgart Duct to Mucosa and Dunking Pancreaticojejunostomy.

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) is the ''Achilles heel" of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) which affects perioperative as well as oncological outcomes. However, there is a lack of information about the superiority of the type of anastomosis in terms of overall morbidity and postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after PD. Here, we compare the outcomes of modified Blumgart PJ with the dunking technique of PJ. METHODOLOGY: A case-control study of a prospectively maintained database of 25 consecutive patients undergoing modified Blumgart PJ (study group) and 25 patients who underwent continuous dunking PJ (control group) between January 2018 to April 2021 was done. Between groups, comparisons were made for the duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, original fistula risk score, overall complications as graded by Clavien Dindo (CD), POPF, post pancreatectomy haemorrhage (PPH), delayed gastric emptying (DGE), and 30-day mortality at 95% confidence level. RESULTS: Among 50 patients, 30 (60%) were male. The most common indication for PD was ampullary carcinoma (44% in the study group vs. 60% in the control group). The duration of surgery was approximately 41 minutes longer in the study group compared to the control (p = 0.02), while the intraoperative blood loss was similar between the two groups (496.00 ± 226.35 ml vs 508.00 ± 180.67 ml, p = 0.84). While there was no significant difference in mean fistula risk score between the two groups, the POPF (8% vs 32%, p = 0.03), PPH (0% vs 20%, p =0.02), and overall major complications (CD≥ III) according to CD Grading (12% vs 40%, p = 0.02) were significantly lower in the study group. Similarly, the duration of hospital stay in the study group was 4.64 days shorter than the control group (p = 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the 30-day mortality between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Modified Blumgart pancreaticojejunostomy has better perioperative outcomes in terms of procedure-specific complications like POPF, PPH, overall major postoperative complications, and duration of hospital stay.

Overuse of Intravenous Proton Pump Inhibitors in General Medicine and Surgery Wards.

BACKGROUND: Overuse of stress ulcer prophylaxis is prevalent globally despite guidelines leading to the added cost, especially the intravenous proton pump inhibitor (IVPPI). This study aims to analyze the prevalence of such overuse and be aware of rational use which may help develop local guidelines. METHODS: This study analyzed the prospectively collected data on IVPPI use in adult patients in general wards of medicine and surgery at Patan Hospital, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Nepal, from April-Jun 2022. Ethical approval was obtained. Variables analyzed were the patient's age, gender, history of peptic ulcer disease, risk for stress ulcer and gastrointestinal bleeding, the status of nil per os (NPO ≥12 hours), appropriate use of IVPPI, and cost. RESULTS: Prevalence of IVPPI use was 36.24% (274/756 admissions), surgery 39.45(189/479), medicine ward 30.68% (85/277). The mean age was 43.1 ±18.6 years, males 113(41.2%), surgery 189 (69%). Inappropriate overuse in 253(92.3%, significantly more in surgery-182 than medicine-7, p=0.001. Appropriate use was in 21 (7.7%, i.e., NPO-15, NPO + gastrointestinal bleed, and NPO + non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs each 3). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of IVPPI use was 36.24%. Inappropriate overuse of IVPPI was high (92.2%, 253/274), more in surgery. The nil per os status was the main reason for appropriate use of IVPPI.

Splenic artery aneurysm with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Splenic artery aneurysm is one of the most common visceral aneurysms. Patients are usually asymptomatic. Splenic artery aneurysm if untreated has the potential for rupture and is therefore life-threatening. Its association with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction is rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 25-year female was incidentally diagnosed with a splenic artery aneurysm with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction with splenomegaly 8 years back during the 5th month of her second pregnancy. No intervention was done back then. Recently, she presented to the surgical gastroenterology outpatient department with an increasing abdominal mass. On examination, the patient was pale and splenomegaly was present. Hematological reports were suggestive of hypersplenism. The patient underwent splenectomy and aneurysmal resection with a proximal splenorenal shunt as the best course of treatment. DISCUSSION: Due to the rarity of the disease, the management is still challenging and needs further study. Diagnosis can be made clinically with support from imaging modalities. Surgical treatment has a good outcome in such patients. Even with the availability of less invasive procedures such as endovascular treatment, open surgery is preferred. CONCLUSION: Proximal splenorenal shunt is a well-accepted surgical procedure for extrahepatic portal vein obstruction. Splenectomy and aneurysmal resection can relieve hypersplenism and treat splenic artery aneurysm in patients with isolated splenic artery aneurysm at the splenic hilum.

Transmesenteric hernia with closed-loop small bowel obstruction: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Transmesenteric hernia is a subtype of internal abdominal hernia (IAH) and a rare cause of small bowel obstruction in adults. Difficulty in reaching a definitive diagnosis due to non-specific clinical and imaging findings often cause life-threatening bowel ischemia. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 37-year-old female who presented with clinical and imaging features of small bowel obstruction. She underwent an emergency laparotomy where the diagnosis of transmesenteric hernia causing closed-loop obstruction was made. The non-viable portion of the intestine was resected, anastomosis of the ileum along with the closure of the mesenteric defect was performed. DISCUSSION: IAH is the protrusion of abdominal viscera, most commonly small bowel loops through a peritoneal or mesenteric defect into the abdominal or pelvic cavity. Considered common in children, it is rare in adults and is most common after abdominal surgeries like Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Clinical features and imaging findings are non-specific causing delay in the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion is required while assessing the patient with symptoms suggestive of acute bowel obstruction as the preoperative diagnosis of a transmesenteric hernia is challenging.

Chylous leak following pylorus-preserving gastrectomy with D1 lymphadenectomy for carcinoma stomach: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Chyle leak is the leakage of milk-like triglyceride-rich lymphatic fluid from the lymphatic system to the peritoneal cavity. The incidence of chyle leak after radical gastrectomy is very low. CASE PRESENTATION: A 77-year-old female presented with complaints of decreased appetite and weight loss for six months. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a polypoidal growth along the greater curvature and the histopathological report of the biopsy taken showed high-grade tubular adenoma with high-grade dysplasia. The patient underwent pylorus-preserving gastrectomy with D1 lymphadenectomy. Postoperatively, after initiation of the oral diet, the abdominal drain started draining milky white fluid, which was rich in triglyceride. The patient was managed conservatively with nil per oral, total parenteral nutrition, and somatostatin analogue. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The appearance of milky, nonpurulent fluid in abdominal drain concurrent with the initiation of oral feeding is characteristic of postoperative chyle leak. In our case, we managed the case successfully over a few days with total parenteral nutrition, nil per oral status, and somatostatin analogue. CONCLUSION: The incidence of chyle leak after gastrectomy is low, if it occurs it prolongs the hospital stay. Higher age, female gender, and early enteral feeding have been seen as the risk factors for chyle leak. Conservative treatment is effective and is the treatment of choice.

Transduodenal surgical ampullectomy for intra-ampullary papillary tubular neoplasm (IAPN): A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Intra-ampullary papillary tubular neoplasms (IAPNs) are relatively rare kind of neoplasms occurring in the region of the papilla which exhibit significant malignant transformation. The patient was concerned about his pain and the possibility of malignancy. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 47-year-old male who presented with persistent upper abdomen pain. Following detail investigations, he was diagnosed as IAPN and managed by transduonal ampullectomy (TDA). CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The insidious onset of IAPN along with its high risk of malignancy makes it mandatory for its proper treatment. Although, endoscopic approach is advantageous for initial therapy, it has some technical difficulties. Hence TDA forms the cornerstone in the management of IAPN with good prognosis. CONCLUSION: Transduodenal ampullectomy is a safe and feasible option for IAPN. It can be the first choice of treatment in selected cases where endoscopic papillectomy is not available.

An unusual case of intestinal obstruction due to abdominal cocoon: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Abdominal cocoon (AC) or Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis (EPS) is a rare cause of bowel obstruction and due to non-specific presentation, it can be misdiagnosed and often mistreated. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of 42 years male with a history suggestive of complete small bowel obstruction (SBO) without a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) or peritoneal dialysis. CT imaging as well as the intraoperative finding of a cocoon membrane encasing the small bowel led to the diagnosis of abdominal cocoon. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Abdominal cocoon can be idiopathic or secondary to peritoneal dialysis, tuberculosis, or other rare causes. Patients usually present with features of SBO with varying severity. Diagnosis is aided by imaging investigations mainly CT scan and management is primarily surgical and usually involves adhesiolysis, total removal of the membrane with or without bowel loop resection. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of abdominal cocoon warrants awareness of the disease and a high index of suspicion of the treating clinician in patients with intestinal obstruction and an abdominal lump without a history of previous abdominal surgery. CT can guide diagnosis and early operative management seems to bear the best outcomes.