Laparoscopic management for gallstone ileus, case report.

INTRODUCTION: Gallstone ileus is a rare complication of cholelithiasis leading to small intestinal obstruction. Elderly females are commonly affected more than male. The diagnosis of this condition is challenging and Rigler's triad is pathognomonic. Surgery is mandatory with no clear consensus about the best surgical approach that should be adopted. CASE PRESENTATION: An elderly female patient, with no previous history of biliary diseases, presented with small bowel obstruction. Contrast enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen showed the classical Rigler's triad. Total laparoscopic enterolithotomy was performed successfully. She had smooth postoperative course and she was followed up regularly without occurrence of any biliary disease symptoms during the follow up period. CONCLUSION: Gallstone ileus should be considered in differential diagnosis of small bowel obstruction mainly in old females with no previous history of abdominal surgery. Laparoscopic enterolithotomy is safe, feasible and effective when performed by experienced surgeons.

Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction due to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: A Case Report.

We report a rare case of a 32-year-old woman with adhesive small bowel obstruction due to pelvic inflammatory disease. She had no history of abdominal surgery, gynecological complaints or constitutional symptoms of chronic illness. The diagnosis was based on the laparoscopic findings of small bowel adhesions, free peritoneal fluid, "violin string" adhesions of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome and left hydrosalpinx. Laparoscopic adhesiolysis was performed successfully, and the patient had an uneventful postoperative course. The authors conclude that pelvic inflammatory disease should be included as a cause of adhesive small bowel obstruction in sexually active young women with no history of abdominal surgery or constitutional symptoms of chronic disease. When performed by experienced surgeons, laparoscopy in such patients is feasible and safe.

Acute intermittent porphyria after right hemi-colectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Acute intermittent porphyria is a rare autosomal dominant metabolic disease. It is caused by a genetic mutation that results in deficiency of porphobilinogen deaminase enzyme, the third enzyme in heme biosynthesis. Acute intermittent porphyria precipitated by surgery is very rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 24 year-old woman who developed acute intermittent porphyria five days after right hemi-colectomy. Her presentation included neuro-visceral and psychiatric manifestations, and severe hyponatremia. She received critical care symptomatic management including mechanical ventilation. The diagnosis was based on a positive urine test for porphobilinogen and confirmed by the presence of a heterozygous mutation in the hydroxyrmethylbilane synthase (HMBS) gene (c.760delC p Leu254). DISCUSSION: Acute intermittent porphyria is the most common and life threatining type of acute porphyrias. It is more common in women and usually presents after puberty with acute abdominal pain and diverse neuro-psychiatric manifestations that can be confused with several surgical and medical diseases. Acute intermittent porphyria after surgery is most likely due to postoperative pain and low-calorie intake. Once suspected, prompt ICU management including high calorie intake are necessary to avoid serious complications and mortality before starting definitive treatment with hematin. CONCLUSION: Acute intermittent porphyria should be suspected in any patient, particularly young women, who develop diverse neuro-visceral and psychiatric manifestations and hyponatremia after surgery.

Sialolipoma of the Superficial Lobe of the Parotid Gland: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Sialolipoma of the parotid gland is very rare. We report a case of a 38-year-old woman who presented with a painless, slowly growing, mobile lump of the parotid gland. Computed tomography revealed lipoma of the superficial lobe of the parotid gland. Superficial parotidectomy was performed with uneventful postoperative course. The histology showed sialolipoma. Review of the 25 reported cases (including our case) of parotid sialolipoma shows that this tumor is more common in the fifth decade of life, on the left side and the superficial lobe. It has a slight preference for men. Its clinical presentation mimics the standard (pure) parotid lipoma and other more common benign parotid tumors particularly pleomorphic adenoma and Warthin's tumor. Surgical excision is curative with minor complications and small recurrence rate. Histological examination is necessary to establish the diagnosis and to exclude malignancy.

A survey of surgical management of acute cholecystitis in eastern Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND/AIM: It is now 60 years since early cholecystectomy was advocated for acute cholecystitis (AC). Yet, surgical opinion remains divided regarding its optimal timing. Furthermore, recent surveys have shown low utilization of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for AC. AIM: This survey aimed to assess the current management of AC in Eastern Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A postal survey was conducted by means of a questionnaire sent to 95 surgeons practicing LC. The questionnaire addressed the surgical management of AC in relation to the subspecialty of interest, duration of consultant status, number of cholecystectomies performed per year, and the percentage performed laparoscopically. RESULTS: There were 87 responders (92%); two were excluded from the analysis for different reasons. Early LC was preferred by 71% of the responders. With regard to the timing of LC, there was no significant difference in relation to the surgeon's subspecialty of interest or duration of consultant status. However, increased number of cholecystectomies and percentage of cholecystectomies performed with a laparoscopic approach were significantly associated with early LC. CONCLUSION: Early LC for AC is practiced by th e majority of surgeons in Eastern Saudi Arabia. This practice is significantly associated with increased number of cholecystectomies performed as well as with the percentage performed with a laparoscopic approach. According to the current literature, early LC for AC results in a shorter total hospital stay and reduced cost of treatment.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 427 adults with sickle cell disease: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is common in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Patients with this disease have an increased risk for gallstones. Cholecystectomy is the most common general surgical procedure performed in patients with SCD. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the standard treatment for symptomatic gallstones. To date, only small series of LC in adults with SCD have been reported. We report a large series of LC in these patients. METHODS: A retrospective study included all adults with SCD who underwent LC for symptomatic gallstones at King Fahad Hospital, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia, during a 13-year period. Data analyzed were patient demographics, preoperative blood transfusion, duration of operation, rates of conversion and morbidity, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: There were 427 patients; 56% were women with a mean age of 21 years. Blood transfusion was used in 393 patients (92%). Nineteen patients (4.5%) had endoscopic extraction of common bile duct (CBD) stones before LC. Overall, conversion to open surgery was necessary in 21 patients (5%). However, the conversion rate significantly decreased from 9% in the first half of the study to 2% during the second half (p < 0.001). The mean operation time was 76 min. There were 31 complications (7%), mostly related to SCD. There was no mortality, and the mean hospital stay was 2.6 days. CONCLUSION: Provided that standard perioperative care is ensured and the procedure is performed by experienced surgeons, LC in adults with SCD results in low rates of conversion and morbidity, no mortality, and a short hospital stay.

Timing of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.

OBJECTIVE: Although many surgeons advocate early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in acute cholecystitis, debate still exists regarding its optimal timing. This study compares the outcome of LC performed within and after 72 hours of admission in patients with acute cholecystitis. METHODS: Between January 2001 and December 2006, LC was performed in 196 consecutive patients with acute cholecystitis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed within 72 hours of admission in 82 patients (group 1) and after 72 hours in 114 patients (group 2). Data were collected prospectively. RESULTS: Both groups were matched in terms of age, sex, body mass index, fever, white blood cell count, and ultrasound findings. The overall conversion rate was 5%. No significant difference existed in conversion rates between group 1 (2.4%) and group 2 (7%) (P=0.3). The operation time (105 versus 126 minutes, P=0.008), complications (0% versus 6%, P=0.02), and total hospital stay (5 versus 12 days, P<0.001) were significantly reduced in group 1. No deaths occurred in this study. CONCLUSION: Early LC can be performed safely in most patients with acute cholecystitis, but we recommend intervention within 72 hours of admission to minimize the complication rate and shorten the operation time and total hospital stay.

Male gender is not a risk factor for the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a single surgeon experience.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Previous studies regarding the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in men have reported inconsistent findings. We conducted this prospective study to test the hypothesis that the outcome of LC is worse in men than women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1997 and 2002, a total of 391 consecutive LCs were performed by a single surgeon at King Fahd Hospital of the University. We collected and analyzed data including age, gender, body mass index (kg/m(2)), the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, mode of admission (elective or emergency), indication for LC (chronic or acute cholecystitis [AC]), comorbid disease, previous abdominal surgery, conversion to open cholecystectomy, complications, operation time, and length of postoperative hospital stay. RESULTS: Bivariate analysis showed that both genders were matched for age, ASA class and mode of admission. The incidences of AC (P = 0.003) and comorbid disease (P = 0.031) were significantly higher in men. Women were significantly more obese than men (P < 0.001) and had a higher incidence of previous abdominal surgery (P = 0.017). There were no statistical differences between genders with regard to rates of conversion (P = 0.372) and complications (P = 0.647) and operation time (P = 0.063). The postoperative stay was significantly longer in men than women (P = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that male gender was not an independent predictor of conversion (Odds ratio [OR] = 0.37 and P = 0.43) or complications (OR = 0.42, P = 0.42). Linear regression analysis showed that male gender was not an independent predictor of the operation time, but was associated with a longer postoperative stay (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Male gender is not an independent risk factor for satisfactory outcome of LC in the experience of a single surgeon.

Role of saphenous vein wall in the pathogenesis of primary varicose veins.

UNLABELLED: Varicose veins may be due to weakness of the vein wall as a result of structural problems. There are conflicting findings in the literature about these problems especially concerning collagen, elastin and smooth muscle cells content. The aim of this study was to look at the structural abnormalities of varicose veins (with and without valvular incompetence). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 70 specimens of long saphenous veins from 35 patients (24 with varicose and 11 with normal veins). Two specimens were taken from each vein approximately 3-4 cm from the saphenofemoral junction. Vein specimens were processed for histological and electron microscopic studies. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed to assess the degree of wall changes. Using the image analyzer, contents of collagen, elastin and smooth muscle cells, in addition to intimal and medial thickness, were measured. RESULTS: Light microscopy revealed significant increase in intimal and medial thickness and collagen content of media and significant decrease in elastin content in varicose veins compared with normal veins. There was no statistical significant difference between varicose veins with and without saphenofemoral valve incompetence. Electron microscopy showed marked degenerative changes in intima and media of varicose veins. CONCLUSION: The findings in our study supported the theory of primary weakness of the vein wall as a cause of varicosity. This weakness is due to intimal changes, disturbance in the connective tissue components and smooth muscle cells.

Emergency general surgical admissions. Prospective institutional experience in non-traumatic acute abdomen: implications for education, training and service.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the pattern of non-traumatic acute abdomen (NTAA) in emergency general surgical admissions in Saudi Arabia (SA) and highlight the implications for education, training and patient care. METHODS: A prospective study including all emergency general surgical admissions with NTAA at King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, SA over a 2-year period from October 2001 to September 2003. RESULTS: There were 3,706 general surgical admissions; 1,661 (45%) electives and 2,045 (55%) emergencies. A total of 1,096 admissions (mean age 27.6 years, 73% males) with NTAA were analyzed. Acute appendicitis was the most common diagnosis (47%), followed by non-specific abdominal pain (19%), gallstone disease (11%) and intestinal obstruction (8%). Surgical intervention was indicated in 65% of the admissions; 77% of these had appendectomy. There were 35 patients (3%) with malignancy, and 12 hospital deaths (1%). The mean length of hospital stay (LOS) was 6.6 days. The LOS increased significantly with age. CONCLUSION: In our setting, NTAA was the most common cause for general surgical admissions, accounting for 30% and 54% of the total surgical and emergency surgical admissions respectively. Most of the patients were young and acute appendicitis was the most common diagnosis. Further National/regional multicenter studies are needed to assess the trend of emergency surgical admissions and their impact on surgical practice, overall health care costs, medical education and training in SA.

Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy in 38 children.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical, biochemical, radiological and electrophysiological features of 38 Saudi children with persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy that have been followed since 1983. METHODS: Data from 38 patients followed at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 1983 through to 2002 was retrospectively analyzed. Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy was diagnosed on the basis of high intravenous glucose requirement, high insulin to glucose ratio, negative urinary ketones and normal tandem mass spectrometry. The patients were assessed radiologically by brain magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or both and electrophysiologically by brain stem auditory evoked potential, visual evoked response and electroencephalogram. The patients who failed medical therapy had subtotal pancreatectomy. RESULTS: The patients were severely hypoglycemic and intolerant to fast. Hypoglycemic convulsion was the most commonly presenting complaint. Eighteen patients were developmentally delayed and 14 of them had brain atrophy. All patients, except nine, did not respond to medical treatment and had surgery. Four pancreatectomized patients developed diabetes and 2 had malabsorption. One patient was treated medically during childhood and developed diabetes and weight gain during adolescence. CONCLUSION: Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy is a relatively common and serious disease among Saudi children. Early medical intervention is necessary to avoid neurological damage in our patients who are severely hypoglycemic and medical therapy unresponsive. Surgically and probably medically treated patients are at high risk of developing diabetes that could be the natural outcome of this disease.

Laparoscopic excision of a mesenteric cyst during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic management of mesenteric cysts during pregnancy has not been reported before. CASE REPORT: A young woman with a mesenteric cyst associated with a crossed ectopic kidney, underwent laparoscopic excision of the cyst in the second trimester of pregnancy. The procedure was completed without complications, and the patient was discharged on the third postoperative day. Thereafter, the pregnancy progressed uneventfully, and she delivered a healthy baby at term. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic management of mesenteric cysts during pregnancy is feasible, safe, and less invasive than laparotomy when performed in select patients by experienced surgeons.

Wolcott-Rallison syndrome in two siblings with isolated central hypothyroidism.

Two sibs with an infantile onset of hyperglycemia, recurrent hepatitis, renal insufficiency, developmental delay, and skeletal epiphyseal dysplasia are described. Clinical presentation and radiological features are suggestive of Wolcott-Rallison syndrome, a rare autosomal recessive disease. In both of our cases we found evidence of central hypothyroidism, which appears to be an associated feature of this syndrome. Hypothyroidism should be suspected and screened for in all cases of Wolcott-Rallison syndrome.

Thyroid tuberculosis mimicking carcinoma: report of two cases.

Among 527 patients with thyroid disease who underwent surgery at our hospital during a 20-year period, 2 (0.4%) had tuberculous thyroiditis mimicking carcinoma. The first patient was a 44-year-old man with a solitary thyroid nodule and the second was a 24-year old man with a thyroid abscess. The unexpected diagnosis was made postoperatively and was based on histological findings in both patients. No primary focus was found elsewhere in either patient, and both responded to antituberculous chemotherapy. Although the diagnosis is usually based on examination of resected specimens, recent reports indicate that find-needle aspiration cytology is a cost-effective technique of diagnosing thyroid tuberculosis. A review of 35 cases reported in the English literature is also discussed.