Outcomes of Open Surgery for Retroperitoneal Hematoma in Covid-19 Patients: Experience from a Single Centre.

Background: Spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma is a severe and potentially fatal complication that appears in the course of anticoagulation therapy. Therapeutic doses of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) are used for the prevention of thrombosis in patients seriously ill with Covid-19. Methods: We describe 27 (0.14%) patients with retroperitoneal hematomas who required emergency surgery out of 19108 patients with Covid-19 who were hospitalized in Batajnica COVID Hospital between March 2021 and March 2022. All the patients were on therapeutic doses of LMWH. The existence of retroperitoneal hematoma was confirmed by abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography scans. Results: Open surgery was performed on 27 patients with spontaneous retroperitoneal hematomas (12 female and 15 male). The mean age of the study population was 71.6+-11.9 years. D-dimer was significantly elevated two days before the surgery in comparison with the values on the day of surgery (p=0.011). Six patients (22.23%) survived, while 21 (77.77%) patients died. Conclusion: Bleeding in Covid-19 patients treated by LMWH is associated with an increased risk of developing retroperitoneal hematoma. Open surgery for retroperitoneal hematoma in Covid-19 patients on anticoagulation therapy is a procedure associated with a high rate of mortality.

Predicting mortality in severe polytrauma with limited resources.

BACKGROUND: Objective evaluation of the severity of injured patients is crucial for the adequate triage, decision-making, operative and intensive care management, prevention, outcome studies and system quality assessment. This study aimed to compare six, widely- used, trauma scores as predictors of mortality, and to identify the most powerful among them in limited-resources settings. METHODS: Seventy-five polytraumatized patients, admitted to the ICU of the Clinic for Emergency Surgery (Level 1 trauma center, CSS Belgrade) from June 2018-August 2020, were included in the study. The inclusion criteria were age≥16, ISS≥16 and SOFA≥5 points. Scores were evaluated using logistic regression model and analysis of areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). RESULTS: During the 26 months period, highly selected cases, mostly of blunt trauma (97.3%), due to a road traffic accident (68%) and free-falls (25.3%) were included. Surgery was indicated in 56 (74.7%) and non-operative treatment in 19 (25.3%) cases, with overall mortality rate at 36%. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that all six trauma scores (ISS, NISS, APACHE2, SOFA, TRISS, KTS) were significant mortality predictors (p<0.001). Observed cut-off values for ISS: 39.5, NISS: 42, APACHE 2: 25, SOFA 6.5 points are predictive for mortality in non-survivors. A multivariate analysis showed that the most powerful mortality predictors are TRISS and APACHE 2 with AUCs: 0.9 and 0.866. CONCLUSION: According to our study the most powerful mortality predictors are APACHE 2 and TRISS, even in limited-resources hospital settings, while statistically significant KTS, did not perform as expected. We propose the appliance of the KTS, as the tool for exploiting 'golden hour', ISS or NISS during admission stage and APACHE 2 or TRISS for use in the first 24 hours after admission to ICU.

"Zooming" in strategies and outcomes for trauma cases with Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥16: promise or passé?

OBJECTIVE: Rescuing severe trauma cases is extremely demanding. The present study purposed to analyze the efficiency of trauma management at Emergency Centre, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, included outcome within 28 days. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 131 intensive care unit trauma cases with total Injury Severity Score ≥16, in terms of administrating the two strategies: (i) definitive surgical repair and (ii) damage control laparotomy. RESULTS: The damage control laparotomy cases revealed statistically higher Injury Severity Score and APACHE II scores, significant brain dysfunction, and hemorrhagic shock on arrival (p<0.001). In addition, the damage control laparotomy had a higher rate of respiratory complications, multiple organ deficiency syndrome, and surgical wound complications (p=0.017, <0.001, and 0.004, respectively), with more days on mechanical ventilation (p=0.003). Overall mortality was 29.8%. Although higher early mortality within ≤24 h in the damage control laparotomy (p=0.021) had been observed, no difference between groups (p=0.172) after the 4th day of hospitalization was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Trauma patients have a high mortality rate in the 1st hours after the incident. Compelling evidence linking host and pathogen factors, such as mitochondrial apoptosis pathways, appears to correlate with loss of organ dysfunction, both cytopathologically and histopathologically. Adequate selection of patients necessitating damage control laparotomy, allowed by the World Society of Emergency Surgery, abdominopelvic trauma classifications, and improvements in resuscitation, may improve the results of severe trauma treatment.

Comparison of Preoperative Evaluation with the Pathological Report in Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms: A Single-Center Experience.

The key to the successful management of pancreatic cystic neoplasm (PCN), among which intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is the one with the highest risk of advanced neoplasia in resected patients, is a careful combination of clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings. This study aims to perform the comparison of a preoperative evaluation with pathological reports in IPMN and further, to evaluate and compare the diagnostic performance of European evidence-based guidelines on pancreatic cystic neoplasms (EEBGPCN) and Fukuoka Consensus guidelines (FCG). We analyzed 106 consecutive patients diagnosed with different types of PCN, among whom 68 had IPMN diagnosis, at the Clinical Center of Serbia. All the patients diagnosed with IPMNs were stratified concerning the presence of the absolute and relative indications according to EEBGPCN and high-risk stigmata and worrisome features according to FCG. Final histopathology revealed that IPMNs patients were further divided into malignant (50 patients) and benign (18 patients) groups, according to the pathological findings. The preoperative prediction of malignancy according to EEBGPCN criteria was higher than 70% with high sensitivity of at least one absolute or relative indication for resection. The diagnostic performance of FCG was shown as comparable to EEBGPCN. Nevertheless, the value of false-positive rate for surgical resection showed that in some cases, overtreating patients or treating them too early cannot be prevented. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to adequately select patients for the resection considering at the same time both the risks of surgery and malignancy.

Twenty-Eight-Day Mortality of Blunt Traumatic Brain Injury and Co-Injuries Requiring Mechanical Ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to assess the impact of co-injuries and consequent emergency surgical interventions and nosocomial pneumonia on the 28-day mortality of patients with severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and seventy-seven patients with TBI admitted to the emergency trauma intensive care unit at the Clinical Center of Serbia for more than 48 h were studied over a 1-year period. On admission, the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Injury Severity Score (ISS) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (APACHE II) were calculated. At admission, an isolated TBI was recorded in 45 of the patients, while 44 had three or more co-injuries. RESULTS: Of the 177 patients, 78 (44.1%) died by the end of the 28-day follow-up period. They had a significantly higher ISS score (25 vs. 20; p = 0.024) and more severe head (p = 0.034) and chest (p = 0.013) injuries compared to those who survived. Nonsurvivors had spent more days on mechanical ventilation (9.5 vs. 8; p = 0.041) and had a significantly higher incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) than survivors (67.9 vs. 40.4%; p < 0.001). A high Rotterdam CT score (OR 2.062; p < 0.001) and a high APACHE II score (OR 1.219; p < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors of early TBI-related mortality. CONCLUSION: Patients who had TBI with a high Rotterdam score and a high APACHE II score were at higher risk of 28-day mortality. VAP was a very common complication of TBI and was associated with an early death and higher mortality in the subgroup of patients with a GCS ≤8.

Interventional Treatment of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome during Severe Acute Pancreatitis: Current Status and Historical Perspective.

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a marker of severe disease. It occurs as combination of inflammation of retroperitoneum, visceral edema, ascites, acute peripancreatic fluid collections, paralytic ileus, and aggressive fluid resuscitation. The frequency of ACS in SAP may be rising due to more aggressive fluid resuscitation, a trend towards conservative treatment, and attempts to use a minimally invasive approach. There remains uncertainty about the most appropriate surgical technique for the treatment of ACS in SAP. Some unresolved questions remain including medical treatment, indications, timing, and interventional techniques. This review will focus on interventional treatment of this serious condition. First line therapy is conservative treatment aiming to decrease IAP and to restore organ dysfunction. If nonoperative measures are not effective, early abdominal decompression is mandatory. Midline laparostomy seems to be method of choice. Since it carries significant morbidity we need randomized studies to establish firm advantages over other described techniques. After ACS resolves efforts should be made to achieve early primary fascia closure. Additional data are necessary to resolve uncertainties regarding ideal timing and indication for operative treatment.

Severe Blunt Hepatic Trauma in Polytrauma Patient - Management and Outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the fact that treatment of liver injuries has dramatically evolved, severe liver traumas in polytraumatic patients still have a significant morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the options for surgical management of severe liver trauma as well as the outcome. METHODS: In this retrospective study 70 polytraumatic patients with severe (American Association for the Surgery of Trauma [AAST] grade III-V) blunt liver injuries were operated on at the Clinic for Emergency Surgery. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 48.26±16.80 years; 82.8% of patients were male. Road traffic accident was the leading cause of trauma, seen in 63 patients (90.0%). Primary repair was performed in 36 patients (51.4%), while damage control with perihepatic packing was done in 34 (48.6%). Complications related to the liver occurred in 14 patients (20.0%). Liver related mortality was 17.1%. Non-survivors had a significantly higher AAST grade (p=0.0001), higher aspartate aminotransferase level (p=0.01), lower hemoglobin level (p=0.0001), associated brain injury (p=0.0001), perioperative complications (p=0.001) and higher transfusion score (p=0.0001). The most common cause of mortality in the "early period" was uncontrolled bleeding, in the "late period" mortality was caused by sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. CONCLUSION: Patients with high-grade liver trauma who present with hemorrhagic shock and associated severe injury should be managed operatively. Mortality from liver trauma is high for patients with higher AAST grade of injury, associated brain injury and massive transfusion score.

Surgical management of AAST grades III-V hepatic trauma by Damage control surgery with perihepatic packing and Definitive hepatic repair-single centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Severe liver injury in trauma patients still accounts for significant morbidity and mortality. Operative techniques in liver trauma are some of the most challenging. They include the broad and complex area, from damage control to liver resection. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is a retrospective study of 121 trauma patients with hepatic trauma American Association for Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade III-V who have undergone surgery. Indications for surgery include refractory hypotension not responding to resuscitation due to uncontrolled hemorrhage from liver trauma; massive hemoperitonem on Focused assessment by ultrasound for trauma (FAST) and/or Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) as well as Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) findings of the severe liver injury and major vascular injuries with active bleeding. RESULTS: Non-survivors have significantly higher AAST grade of liver injury and higher Injury Severity Score (ISS) (p = 0.000; p = 0.0001). Non-survivors have significant hypotension on arrival and lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on admission (p = 0.000; p = 0.0001). Definitive hepatic repair was performed in 62(51.2 %) patient. Damage Control, liver packing and planned re-laparotomy after 48 h were used in 59(48.8 %). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of the surgical approach. There was significant difference in the amount of red blood cells (RBC) transfusion in the first 24 h between survivors and non-survivors (p = 0.001). Overall mortality rate was 33.1 %. Regarding complications non-survivors had significantly prolonged bleeding and higher rate of Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (p = 0.0001; p = 0.0001), while survivors had significantly higher rate of pleural effusion (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: All efforts in the treatment of severe liver injuries should be directed to the rapid and effective control of bleeding, because uncontrollable hemorrhage is the cause of early death and it requires massive blood transfusion, all of which contributes to the late fatal complication.

Risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients with severe traumatic brain injury in a Serbian trauma centre.

INTRODUCTION: The aims of this study were (1) to assess the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), (2) to identify risk factors for developing VAP, and (3) to assess the prevalence of the pathogens responsible. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The following data were collected prospectively from patients admitted to a 24-bed intensive care unit (ICU) during 2013/14: the mechanism of injury, trauma distribution by system, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score, the Injury Severity Score (ISS), underlying diseases, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, use of vasopressors, need for intubation or cardiopulmonary resuscitation upon admission, and presence of pulmonary contusions. All patients were managed with a standardized protocol if VAP was suspected. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) were measured on the day of VAP diagnosis. RESULTS: Of the 144 patients with TBI who underwent mechanical ventilation for >48h, 49.3% did not develop VAP, 24.3% developed early-onset VAP, and 26.4% developed late-onset VAP. Factors independently associated with early-onset VAP included thoracic injury (odds ratio (OR) 8.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.05-35.70; p=0.003), ISS (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.15; p=0.002), and coma upon admission (OR 13.40, 95% CI 3.12-57.66; p<0.001). Age (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.07; p=0.002), ISS (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04-1.13; p<0.001), and coma upon admission (OR 3.84, 95% CI 1.44-10.28; p=0.007) were independently associated with late-onset VAP (Nagelkerke r(2)=0.371, area under the curve (AUC) 0.815, 95% CI 0.733-0.897; p<0.001). The 28-day survival rate was 69% in the non-VAP group, 45.7% in the early-onset VAP group, and 31.6% in the late-onset VAP group. Acinetobacter spp was the most common pathogen in patients with early- and late-onset VAP. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the extent of TBI and trauma of other organs influences the development of early VAP, while the extent of TBI and age influences the development of late VAP. Patients with early- and late-onset VAP harboured the same pathogens.

Interleukin-12 as a predictor of outcome in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the role of serum Interleukin-12 level as early marker of severity of the SAP and correlation between IL12, SIRS score, APACHE II and Ranson score in prediction of illness severity as well as of outcome of SAP. METHODOLOGY: We evaluated a total of 234 patients with first onset of SAP, appears in last 24 hours, admitted in surgical Intensive care unit (ICU). Severe Acute Pancreatitis was diagnosed with an APACHE II score of 8 or higher, and/or a Ranson score of 3 or higher, and/or Balthazar scores of 5 or higher. Serum IL-12 concentrations were measured with a commercially aviable IL-12 kit, on admission and days 3, 7, and 14. RESULTS: IL-12 concentration was significantly higher at 24h compared with IL-12 levels at admission (P = 0.010) and after 72h (P = 0.005). IL-12 concentrations significantly correlated with IL-6 concentrations (r = 0.209, P < 0.001), IL-8 concentrations (r = 0.527, P < 0.001), IL-10 concentrations (r = 0.552, P < 0.001), interpheron-gamma (r = 0.740, P < 0.001), TNF-alpha (r = 0.088, P < 0.05), C-reactive protein (r = -0.097, P < 0.001), in-hospital death (r = -0.171, P < 0.001), APACHE II score (r = 0.140, P < 0.001), and Ranson score (r = -0.319, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The serum values of the IL-12 can be used as an early marker of severity and course of SAP.

Suprahilar vascular control and stapling device transection of Glissonian pedicle in major and minor hepatectomies.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In this study we analyzed our experience of suprahilar-posterior intrahepatic Glissonian pedicle approach using an endo-GIA vascular stapling device for the pedicle and hepatic vein division. METHODOLOGY: Sixty-eight 68 major and 102 minor liver resections were performed. The hilar extrahepatic structures remain intact, and during parenchyma dissection by CUSA, the whole right or left or the appropriate segmental pedicle was isolated intrahepatically and then transected using a stapler device. RESULTS: The minor liver resections was associated with significantly shorter surgery duration (95.1 + 31.1 vs. 186.6 +/- 56.5) and transection time (35.9 +/- 14.5 vs. 65.3 +/- 17.2) than major hepatectomies (p < 0.001 for all). The mean blood loss was 255.6 + 129.9 mL in minor resection and 385.7 + 200.1 mL in major resection (p = 0.003). The mean blood transfusion requirement was 300.8 + 99.5 mL for the patients with minor hepatectomy and 450.9 + 89.6 mL for those with major liver resection (p = 0.067). There was no significant difference in morbidity and mortality between the groups (p = 0.989; p = 0.920). Major as well as minor liver resection were a superior oncologic operation with no significant difference in the 3-year overall survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: Liver transection using CUSA with suprahilar endo-GIA stapling of Glisson's pedicle, as well as major hepatic veins represents an effective and safe surgical procedure.

Spontaneous rupture of giant liver hemangioma: case report.

INTRODUCTION: Hemangioma is the most frequent benign solid tumor of the liver. It is well known that a giant liver hemangioma carries the risk of spontaneous rupture, followed by hemoperitoneum and hemorrhagic shock with possible fatal outcome. CASE OUTLINE: This is a case report of the spontaneous rupture of a giant cavernous hemangioma of the liver in an 85-year old patient.The patient was presented with abdominal pain and hemorrhagic shock. Emergency ultrasonography and computed tomography of the abdomen showed a heterogeneous ruptured solid tumor of the right liver lobe, multiple cysts in the left lobe and massive hemoperitoneum. The patient was successfully managed by immediate exploratory laparotomy, surgical enucleation of the hemangioma under intermittent inflow vascular occlusion, temporary perihepatic packing and planned second look relaparotomy. CONCLUSION: Immediate surgical procedure is indicated mandatory in unstable patients with a ruptured giant hemangioma of the liver. Surgical enucleation under intermittent inflow vascular occlusion and temporary perihepatic packing could be a life-saving procedure in those patients.

Distal ileal endometriosis as a cause of ileus: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is a benign condition affecting females of reproductive age. Although intestinal endometriosis is common, it is rarely manifested as an acute bowel obstruction secondary to ileal endometriosis. Enteric endometriosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis when assessing females of reproductive age with acute small bowel obstruction. CASE OUTLINE: A 41-year-old woman presented with symptoms and signs of an acute small bowel obstruction requiring emergency surgery. A small bowel resection was performed with end-to-end anastomosis. Histological examination demonstrated endometriosis with fibrosis and stricture of the ileal segment. This case is important to report as it highlights the diagnostic difficulty this particular condition pre sents to an emergency surgeon. CONCLUSION: In the differential diagnosis, endometriosis should be taken into consideration when assessing females of reproductive age who present with abdominal pain and small bowel obstruction.

Glissonean pedicle approach in major liver resections.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver resections are still one of the most challenging operations. The aim of this study was to analyze the efficiency and safety of the intrahepatic Glissonean pedicle approach vs. classical Hilar dissection in major hepatectomies. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-four patients were assigned to the Glissonean approach (GA, n=34), while the Hilar dissection were assessed as historical control, matched for the age, gender, comorbidities and Child-Pugh score (HD, n=34). RESULTS: The GA was associated with significantly shorter surgery duration (191.18±41.10 vs. 246.62± 56.55), transection time (38.94±14.56 vs. 56.32±19.40) and ischemic duration (26.03±11.27 vs. 41.18±12.80) than HD (p<0.001 for all). The amount of blood loss was significantly lower in GA (245.59±169.39 vs. 344.71±166.25; p=0.018). The amount of blood transfusion was significantly lower in GA during surgery (322.86±102.07 vs. 414.76±135.48) as well as postoperatively than HD (246.67±5.77 vs. 336.67±120.55) (p=0.038 and p=0.026. respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Major hepatectomy can be performed more easily using the Glissonean pedicle approach than by hilar dissection. En-masse transection of pedicles, as well as hepatic veins, using endo-GIA vascular stapler could be performed safely. Liver surgeons should know the Glissonean pedicle approach.

The efficacy of three transection techniques of the liver resection: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver resection is a demanding procedure due to the risk of massive blood loss. Different instruments for liver transection are available today. The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to analyze the efficacy of three different parenchyma transection techniques of liver resection. METHODOLOGY: A total of 60 non-cirrhotic patients undergoing hepatectomy were randomly selected for clamp crushing technique (CRUSH), ultrasonic dissection (CUSA) or bipolar device (LigaSure), n=20 in each group. All patients had liver resection under low central venous pressure anaesthesia (CVP), with ischemic preconditioning and intermittent inflow occlusion. Primary endpoints were surgery duration, transection duration, cumulative pedicle clamping time, intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion. Secondary endpoints included the postoperative liver injury, postoperative morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Overall surgery duration was 295 vs. 270 vs. 240min for LigaSure, CUSA and Clamp Crushing Technique, respectively. The transection duration was 85 vs. 52.5 vs. 40 minutes, respectively. These three different resection techniques of non-cirrhotic liver produced similar outcome in terms of intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion, postoperative complications and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The Clump Crushing Technique, CUSA and Liga Sure are equally safe for resection of non-cirrhotic liver. Liver resections can be performed safely if the entire concept is well designed and the choice of dissection device does not affect the outcome of hepatectomy.

Decompressive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure versus percutaneous puncture with placement of abdominal catheter in patients with abdominal compartment syndrome during acute pancreatitis: background and design of multicenter, randomised, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Development of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) has a strong impact on the course of disease. Number of patients with this complication increases during the years due more aggressive fluid resuscitation, much bigger proportion of patients who is treated conservatively or by minimal invasive approach, and efforts to delay open surgery. There have not been standard recommendations for a surgical or some other interventional treatment of patients who develop ACS during the SAP. The aim of DECOMPRESS study was to compare decompresive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure and percutaneus puncture with placement of abdominal catheter in these patients. METHODS: One hundred patients with ACS will be randomly allocated to two groups: I) decompresive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure or II) percutaneus puncture with placement of abdominal catheter. Patients will be recruited from five hospitals in Belgrade during two years period. The primary endpoint is the mortality rate within hospitalization. Secondary endpoints are time interval between intervention and resolving of organ failure and multi organ dysfunction syndrome, incidence of infectious complications and duration of hospital and ICU stay. A total sample size of 100 patients was calculated to demonstrate that decompresive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure can reduce mortality rate from 60% to 40% with 80% power at 5% alfa. CONCLUSION: DECOMPRESS study is designed to reveal a reduction in mortality and major morbidity by using decompresive laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure in comparison with percutaneus puncture with placement of abdominal catheter in patients with ACS during SAP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NTC00793715.

SIRS score on admission and initial concentration of IL-6 as severe acute pancreatitis outcome predictors.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Early recognition of severe form of acute pancreatitis is important because these patients need more agressive diagnostic and therapeutical approach an can develope systemic complications such as: sepsis, coagulopathy, Acute Lung Injury (ALI), Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS), Multiple Organ Failure (MOF). To determine role of the combination of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) score and serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6) level on admission as predictor of illness severity and outcome of Severe Acute Pancreatitis (SAP). METHODOLOGY: We evaluated 234 patients with first onset of SAP appears in last twenty four hours. A total of 77 (33%) patients died. SIRS score and serum IL-6 concentration were measured in first hour after admission. RESULTS: In 105 patients with SIRS score 3 and higher, initial measured IL-6 levels were significantly higher than in the group of remaining 129 patients (72 +/- 67 pg/mL, vs 18 +/- 15 pg/mL). All nonsurvivals were in the first group, with SIRS score 3 and 4 and initial IL-6 concentration 113 +/- 27 pg/mL. The values of C-reactive Protein (CRP) measured after 48h, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score on admission and Ranson score showed the similar correlation, but serum amylase level did not correlate significantly with Ranson score, IL-6 concentration and APACHE II score. CONCLUSION: The combination of SIRS score on admission and IL-6 serum concentration can be early, predictor of illness severity and outcome in SAP.

Prospective evaluation of the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in abdominal surgery patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori infection is accepted to be associated with two mutually exclusive diseases duodenal ulcer and gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship and prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in different surgical diseases. METHODOLOGY: With use of simple serologic assays for detecting IgA and IgG antibodies to HP antigen, we studied the association of infection with HP and 15 surgical diseases. RESULTS: The prevalence of HP was 68.60% (results of assays were positive for 142 patients out of 207). This study confirmed statistically significant correlation between HP seropositivity and pancreatic cancer (p = 0.02), hepatocellular cancer (p = 0.000), gastric cancer (p = 0.01), colon cancer (p = 0.002), rectal cancer (p = 0.001), intestinal cancer (p = 0.026), stenosis pylori (p = 0.01), ulcer diseases (p = 0.004), jaundice (p = 0.002); statistically significant inverse association between HP seropositivity and the acute appendicitis (p = 0.013) and no correlation with HP infection and cholecystitis (p = 0.716), cholelithiasis (p = 0.06), and ulcer hemorrhage (p = 0.064). CONCLUSION: The use of simple serological tests to identify patients with HP infection could help to calculate the risk of development of severe gastrointestinal diseases.

[Surgical treatment of liver injury--5-year experience].

Due to improved methods of treatment and management of hemorrhage, the mortality from liver injuries has decreased significantly over the past few decades. In spite of that, liver injuries still represent diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. This retrospective study included 197 patients surgically treated because of trauma of the liver at The Clinic for Emergency Surgery, during the period 2004-2009. The results showed significant difference in mortality rates in cases of penetrating wounds compared to blunt trauma and gunshot wounds. The severity of injury evaluated by Organ Injury Scale was significantly higher in gunshot wounds compared to blunt and penetrating trauma. The correlation of severity of injuries and mortality rates showed that the mortality is significantly lower in patients with grade 1, 2, and 3 injuries compared to grades 4 and 5 (p = 0.016). Specific complication rate was 28.4%, while mortality rate was 21.8%. The results reflect diagnostic and treatment problems, as well as the importance of multidisciplinary approach to the patients with liver trauma.

[Acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome--what should we know?].

Acutelunginjury (ALI) and its more severe form acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are syndromes with a spectrum of increasing severity of lung injury defined by physiologic and radiographic criteria. There are many clinical disorders as sociated with the development of ALI/ARDS and can be divided into those associated with direct or indirect lung injury. Early detection and protective lung ventilation strategy contribute to lowering the mortality rate.