Cecal distension on non-tumoral left colonic obstacle: Management strategy in two cases.

Diastatic damage of the caecum is only described in left colon neoplastic obstructions. However, diverticular sigmoid stenosis can likely cause cecal diastatic distention. In emergency, ileo-cecal resection removing the area of diastatic damage or externalizing the cecal perforation can be an interesting alternative to subtotal colectomy. The left colonic stenosis is treated later so the colon can be spared with better long-term functional outcome than after subtotal colectomy.

Ci-hox12 tail gradient precedes and participates in the control of the apoptotic-dependent tail regression during Ciona larva metamorphosis.

At the onset of the Ciona intestinalis metamorphosis, the first event is tail regression characterized, by a contraction, an apoptotic wave and Primordial Germ Cells (PGC) movement. All these cell behaviors originate from the posterior tail tip and progress to the anterior. Interestingly, earlier in Ciona development, the antero-posterior (A/P) patterning of the tailbud epidermis depends on two antagonist gradients, respectively FGF/MAPK at the posterior and retinoic acid (RA) at the anterior part of the tail. Fundamental genes such as Ci-hox1, Ci-hox12 and Ci-wnt5, classically involved in chordates A/P polarity and patterning, are controlled by these gradients and exhibit specific expression profiles in the tail epidermis. In this study, we first confirmed by video-microscopy that tail regression depends on a postero-anterior wave of a caspase-dependent apoptosis coupled with a contraction event. Concomitantly an apoptotic-dependent postero-anterior movement of PGC was observed for the first time. Unexpectedly, we observed that expression of the posterior hox gene, Ci-hox12, was extended from a posterior localization to the entire tail epidermis as the larvae progress from the swimming period to the settlement stage. In addition, when we disturbed FGF/MAPK or RA gradients we observed strong effects on Ci-hox12 expression pattern coupled with modulation on the subsequent tail regression dynamics. These results support the idea that Ci-hox12 expression in larval tail precedes and participates in the regulation of the postero-anterior cell behavior during the subsequent tail regression.

Outcome in porcine acellular dermal matrix reinforcement of infected abdominal wall defects: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: Management of infected abdominal wall defects is a subject of debate, and the use of prosthetic mesh repair is not recommended due to the dramatic rate of mesh infection. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the recurrence rate and long-term outcomes of repairing infected abdominal wall defects using the Strattice porcine acellular dermal matrix reinforcement through a single-stage surgical approach. METHODS: From August 2010 to May 2012, consecutive patients treated for infected abdominal wall defects using Strattice, a biologic prosthesis, were enrolled. All data were collected prospectively and all patients were followed for physical examination and CT scan evaluation. The primary outcome measure was the recurrence rate. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were enrolled and 14 were evaluable. Of these, eight patients had mesh infections and six had enterocutaneous fistulas. Median follow-up was 13 months (range, 3-22) and median length of hospitalization was 13 days (range, 4-56). The Strattice was placed in the intraperitoneal underlay position in 12 patients, and in the retro-rectus position for two. Post-operative complications included skin dehiscence (n = 3), wound infection (n = 2), skin necrosis (n = 1), and seroma (n = 2). At the end of follow-up, six patients (43 %) experienced abdominal wall defect recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The utility of biologic prostheses to repair infected abdominal wall defects is controversial; however, currently, they remain the only alternative to a two-staged surgery. Prospective, randomized studies in larger populations of patients are necessary to fully determine the usefulness of biologic prostheses in this setting.

Ischemic gastritis: a rare but lethal consequence of celiac territory ischemic syndrome.

AIM: Ischemic gastritis is poorly known by physicians and is often fatal if not correctly diagnosed. Here, we report on the clinical, endoscopic and imaging features and treatment outcomes for five ischemic gastritis patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-centre study of patients treated for ischemic gastritis between January 2009 and April 2012. All patients underwent transluminal angioplasty or open revascularization surgery. RESULTS: Five patients (4 men, 1 female) were included in the present study. The condition was diagnosed in two cases of peritonitis with gastric or duodenal perforation, two cases of acute epigastric pain and one case of gastric bleeding, profuse vomiting and hypovolemic shock. Three of the five patients had endoscopically proven gastric ulcerations or necrosis. A computed tomography scan contributed to the diagnosis in all cases. The symptoms resolved in all cases after gastric revascularization via an aortohepatic bypass (N.=1), a renohepatic bypass (N.=1), a retrograde iliosuperior mesenteric bypass (N.=2) with associated celiac artery angioplasty (N.=1) and celiac and superior mesenteric artery angioplasty (N.=1). During follow-up, three patients died of starvation due to short bowel syndrome (N.=1) or metastatic lung cancer (N.=2). CONCLUSION: Ischemic gastritis is a component of celiac territory ischemia syndrome and is closely associated with chronic or acute mesenteric ischemia. Computed tomography always informs the diagnosis. The rapid healing observed here after revascularization confirmed the ischemic nature of the condition and the inappropriateness of gastric resection in this context.

Automated pulse pressure and stroke volume variations from radial artery: evaluation during major abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Off-line calculation of the pulse pressure variation (PPV(ref)) has repeatedly been shown to be a reliable predictor of fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients. This study was designed to assess the ability of two algorithms for automated calculation of PPV (PPV(auto)) (Intellivue MP 70) and stroke volume variation (SVV(auto)) (FloTrac/Vigileo) to predict fluid responsiveness during abdominal surgery. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 56 fluid challenges given for haemodynamic instability in 11 patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Fluid responsiveness was defined as an increase in stroke volume index (SVI) >10%. PPV(ref), PPV(auto), SVV(auto), and SVI (oesophageal Doppler) were recorded simultaneously before and after each fluid challenge. RESULTS: PPV(auto) and SVV(auto) both correlated with PPV(ref) [r(corr)=0.87 (P<0.0001) and 0.84 (P<0.0001), respectively; n=77]. All three indices measured before fluid challenges were higher in responder (n=32) than in non-responder (n=24) fluid challenges (P < or = 0.02). The mean areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.96 (PPV(ref)), 0.96 (PPV(auto)), and 0.95 (SVV(auto)), and the optimal threshold value for each variable was 13%, 13%, and 12%, respectively. All indices correlated with the fluid challenge-induced changes in SVI (PPV(ref): r(corr)=0.65; PPV(auto): r(corr)=0.58; SVV(auto): r(corr)=0.58, P<0.001 for all). CONCLUSIONS: PPV(auto) and SVV(auto) predict fluid responsiveness as accurately as off-line PPV(ref) in patients with haemodynamic instability during major abdominal surgery.

[Dermoid cyst of the diaphragm: a case report]. / Kyste dermoïde du diaphragme: un cas.

Dermoid cysts involving the diaphragm are rare and their symptomatology is non-specific. CT is the principal diagnostic tool, but it may fail to distinguish whether a cyst is located above, below, or within the diaphragm. Surgical excision of dermoid cysts is recommended because of the possibility of malignant degeneration.

Endovascular versus open revascularization for chronic mesenteric ischemia: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate and compare short- and long-term outcomes of percutaneous angioplasty and open revascularization for chronic intestinal ischemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous angioplasty (n = 14) or open revascularization (n = 15) for chronic intestinal ischemia were prospectively studied from 2000 to 2006. All patients were symptomatic with at least thrombosis or 80% stenosis of superior mesenteric artery. RESULTS: No patient was lost to follow-up. Patients were older in percutaneous angioplasty than in the open revascularization group (p = 0.0009). Open revascularization allowed to revascularize more vessels (1.4 versus 1, p = 0.01). There was no difference between groups regarding major complications, mortality, hospital length of stay, and symptomatic recurrence. Primary re-stenosis was only observed in three patients (21.4%) in the percutaneous angioplasty group. Survival at 2 years estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method was 58% in the percutaneous angioplasty group and 70% in the open revascularization group (p = NS). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous angioplasty should be preferentially offered to older patients and those unable to undergo open revascularization.

Surgical revascularization for chronic intestinal ischemia.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess outcome after surgical revascularization for chronic intestinal ischemia (CII). METHODS: From 1980 until 2003, 34 patients underwent revascularization for CII. Records were reviewed for operative technique, perioperative mortality and long-term outcomes. CII was diagnosed on the basis of clinical, arteriographic and angio-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria. Revascularization patency was monitored by arteriography, color duplex ultrasound scanning (CDS), computed tomography (CT)-scanning or angio-MRI. RESULTS: The celiac artery (CA) was severely diseased in 26 cases and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in 30 cases. Four patients presented single-vessel, 15 patients two-vessel, and 15 three-vessel involvement. Revascularization was performed by either simple (N=15) or double (N=19) bypass grafting. In 2 patients bypass grafting was combined with reimplantation. One patient underwent reimplantation alone. Median follow-up was 45 months. The 30-day mortality rate was 3%; there were 22 late death (64%). Primary revascularization patency was 94% at 1 month and 79.4% at 4 years. Clinical success rates were 85% and 70% respectively at 1 month and at 4 years. CONCLUSION: To choose the most suitable intervention, the Authors distinguished isolated CII treatable by single SMA revascularization from the digestive arteritis affecting the supramesocolic level of the abdomen, which requires double CA and SMA revascularization.

[Perioperative management of asplenic patients]. / Prévention du risque infectieux postopératoire chez les patients splénectomisés.

OBJECTIVE: In 2003, asplenia had involved 250000 patients in France. These patients are at risk of severe infection, mostly with capsulated bacteria as pneumococci, meningococci and Haemophilus. The higher mortality and morbidity due to infection in asplenic patient led in June 2003 a French expert committee to propose preventive management based on vaccination and antibioprophylaxis. STUDY DESIGN: Update article. DATA SYNTHESIS: For vaccination, two vaccines against pneumococci are available. The first one, the antipolysaccharide (Pneumo 23) is recommended for adults. It is effective for the majority of the serotypes even if its efficacy can be variable. The second one a conjugated pneumococcal vaccine (Prenevar) is used for children under two years because it has higher activity on antibiotic resistant strains therefore increasing antibiotic prophylaxis efficiency. When splenectomy is required, vaccination against pneumococci, Haemophilus (b type) and C meningococci must be performed at least 15 days before surgery, in order to get better immune stimulation. In case of emergency, vaccines have to be administrated within 30 days after surgery. Antibioprophylaxis is based on cefazolin injection before splenectomy and by postoperative intravenous amoxicillin administration. As soon as oral intake is allowed, antibioprophylaxis is continued for at least two years in adults and five years in children. Both antibiotic and vaccination have been reported to reduce pneumococcus infections.

Emergency major abdominal surgery in patients over 85 years of age.

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcome and prognostic parameters of patients over 85 years of age undergoing major abdominal emergency surgery. The medical records of 45 consecutive patients aged over 85 years who underwent major abdominal emergency surgery between May 1999 and November 2001 were reviewed. The mean patient age was 88 years. Eight patients were American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) IV or V, 21 were ASA III, and 16 were ASA I or II. We performed 38 median and 7 right subcostal laparotomies. Perioperative mortality was 26.6% (3 times higher than that of the overall population at the same age). Perioperative complications occured in 29.5% of patients. Ten patients returned home after surgery, of whom 70% remained alive at the end of the study. Twenty-three left the hospital for a long-term care institution or post-acute care unit: of these 20% remained alive at the end of the study. Among ASA I or II patients, 43.7% remained alive at the end of the study, although 18.7% died within 1 month of the surgery. Among ASA III, IV, or V patients, only 17.2% remained alive at the end of the study, and 34.5% died within 1 month of the surgery. None of patients classified as ASA IV or V survived for more than 6 month after surgery. With an overall mortality rate of about 30%, and with the clear correlation between increased mortality and higher ASA scores, the place of palliative treatment must remain a major consideration for patients in this age group classified ASA III or higher. When surgery is performed, early return home, should be encouraged.

[Results of infrainguinal revascularization in patients with end-stage renal disease]. / Résultats des revascularisations sous-inguinales chez les malades en insuffisance rénale terminale.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of bypass in patients with endstage renal disease (ESRD) and to determine predictive factors and precise bypass indications. METHOD: Forty one patients with ESRD underwent 50 bypass, 6 limbs were stage II and 44 stage III or IV according to Leriche and Fontaine classification. Revascularisations procedures were 47 infrainguinal bypass and 3 miscellaneous. Median follow up was 17,0+/-15,7 months. RESULTS: Perioperative mortality rate was 12% (n = 6). Morbidity was as follow : 1 perioperative major imputation and 8 secondary ones. There were 26 secondary death (12 from cardiac events), cumulative survival rate declined to 42,9+/-7,7% and limb salvage rate to 77,2+/-7,5% at 2 years. Primary and secondary potency rates were 53,5+/-10,4% and 70,6+/-10%. Quality of life was good in 28% of revascularised patients. Among risk factors, myocardial events showed a statistical significance in predicting survival, good runoff and bypass occlusion showed a statistical significance in predicting limb salvage. CONCLUSION: Revascularisation can be performed in ESRD patients. However to improve the results full evaluation of myocardial risks, skin lesions and infection of the feet, available autologous vein and nutritional status may be needed in those patients.

[Progressive cannabis-induced arteritis: a clinical thromboangiitis obliterans sub-group?]. / L'artérite progressive cannabique, un sous-type clinique de la thromboangéite oblitérante?

INTRODUCTION: Since the end of the nineteen-nineties, cannabis is not only incriminated in the onset of thromboangiitis obliterans but also in inducing artheromatous lesions in young subjects. OBSERVATION: A young, Caucasian, 18 year-old man was referred for cannabis withdrawal in the treatment of arteritis of the left leg. DISCUSSION: Cannabis is by far the illicite psychoactive substance most consumed by the 15-25 year-olds. Data in the literature, notably since the end of the nineteen-nineties, show that cannabis is accused of provoking arterial disease similar to that which is found in Buerger's disease (or thromboangiitis obliterans) in young subjects of whichever sex.

[Management of duodenal adenomatosis in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis]. / Prise en charge et traitement de l'adénomatose duodénale de la polypose adénomateuse familiale.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To review our global management of duodenal adenomas in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis and report the results of different therapeutic approaches. To present the outcome and possible sequels of pancreaticoduodenectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified five cases of duodenal adenomas in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis over a period of 10 years (1992-2001), we followed the progression of their Spigelman score. Results of conservative and surgical treatment were collected. RESULTS: Duodenal adenomas were discovered 5-33 years after the first operation for colonic polyposis. The score of Spigelman was as follows: 2, stage 2; 3, stage 3; 1, stage 4. Endoscopic laser therapy followed by Sulindac prescription was proposed in three cases, with only one success. Duodenopancreatectomy was performed in four patients: once the diagnosis of adenoma was made in one patient, due to Spigelman stage 4 with severe dysplasia, because development of intramucosal carcinoma under surveillance in one patient, and after failure or complication of conservative treatment in two others. Worsening of Spigelman score was observed in two out of four patients submitted to conservative therapy. Correlation between Spigelman score and final examination of the specimen was correct in two cases. There was neither significant morbidity nor long-term nutritional sequel after pancreaticoduodenectomy. CONCLUSION: Duodenal adenomas may recur or progress into malignant degeneration under conservative treatment. The pancreaticoduodenectomy is an acceptable solution for stage 4 of Spigelman, especially when severe dysplasia is present.

[Management of splenectomized patients]. / Prise en charge des patients splénectomisés.

PARTIAL SPLENECTOMY: Partial resection is possible in certain indications for splenectomy. Partial splenectomy is the best way to prevent postsplenectomy infections, even though vaccination and antibiotic prophylaxis must be prescribed. This association is also necessary when the patient undergoes an autograft to reimplant splenic tissue or develops splenosis, i.e. fortuitous autotransplantation of splenic parenchyma. GUIDELINES FOR PLANNED SPLENECTOMY: Prophylactic vaccination should be performed 15 days, or 6 weeks, before surgery. Antibiotic prophylaxis includes a preoperative injection of cefazolin followed by intravenous amoxicillin, then Oracilline (Penicilline V) with resumption of oral intake. SURGICAL ASPECTS: Indications for laparoscopic surgery have broadened, laparotomy being reserved for the most difficult cases. Special care is recommended concerning complications, particularly respiratory disorders (pleural effusion, atelectasia) and acute pancreatitis.

[Adenocarcinoma of the gastric stump]. / Adénocarcinome sur moignon gastrique.

Cancer of the gastric stump is a classical late complication of gastrectomy for benign lesion. This tumor is defined by various criteria, including a minimal delay of 5 years since the initial gastrectomy and the benignity of the initial lesion. Early diagnosis is difficult since suggestive clinical signs are usually associated with advanced tumors. Prognosis is globally bad and theoretically justifies routine endoscopic screening. For tumors which can be radically resected, completion gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy is indicated and allows a 40% 5-year survival. In other cases, palliative treatment remains a major concern.

[Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and severe limb ischaemia]. / Angioplastie transluminale percutanée et ischémie sévère des membres inférieurs.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the outcome and the place of transluminal angioplasty (ATL) in the treatment of severe limb ischaemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy two legs at stage III and IV of Fontaine's classification have been exclusively treated by endoluminal procedures. The success was valued both on the haemodynamic post-operative improvement of the run-off flow and on the clinical statut leading to the conservation at mid-term of a functional limb. Patency and survival rate had been valued by actuarial method. RESULTS: Seventy percent of the limbs were haemodynamically improved. For the global population, a 48% clinical success rate was obtained at 6 months but 30.5% of limbs were loss. Primary patency rate was respectively 79, 71 and 68% at 6, 12 and 24 month. The quality of the run-off arteries has been the most influential factor. CONCLUSION: Endoluminal treatment of chronic limb ischaemia had lead to a clinical improvement in 48% of cases. Multi-stages and distal atherosclerotic disease of this patients limits ATL indications which results depend of run-off quality.

[Gastric conservation in severe caustic lesions of the digestive tract: is it legitimate?]. / Conservation gastrique dans les lésions caustiques sévères du tube digestif: est-elle légitime?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate advantages and drawbacks of a controlled conservative management of patients with severe gastric caustic injuries. METHODS: Among 40 patients with severe caustic gastric burns (> IIb), 28 with stade III lesions (mosaic necrosis: n = 10, extensive or circumferential necrosis: n = 18) were managed prospectively from 1990 to 1998. Twenty-two patients had associated stage III oesophageal lesions and 6 had stage III duodenal lesions. All patients were followed up by daily surgical examination. Total gastrectomy with esophageal exclusion or stripping was performed in case of perforation. RESULTS: Five immediate and 7 secondary total gastrectomies, two associated esophagectomies and two jejunal resections were performed. Mortality rate was 18% (5/28). Sixteen gastric preservations (60%) were achieved, including 7 complete and 9 partial because of gastric stricture. Eighteen esophagoplasties for oesophageal strictures or after gastrectomy were performed without mortality. CONCLUSION: Stage III caustic injuries of the stomach, when they are not immediately life-threatening, do not systematically require total gastrectomy. A strict conservative attitude can be done with significant morbidity and acceptable mortality and significantly raises the numbers of preserved stomach.

[Hemorrhagic digestive metastases from testicular choriocarcinoma]. / Métastases digestives hémorragiques du choriocarcinome testiculaire.

The metastasis of testicular choriocarcinoma are often hemorrhagic, primarily of cerebral or pulmonary seat. The secondary digestive localizations are rare and of bad forecast when they bleed. The surgical operation by laparotomy allows the topographic diagnosis and the treatment, but was made responsible for hemorrhagic decompensation of other metastatic localizations engaging the vital forecast.