A Rare Case of Perforated Caecal Cancer Disguised as a Strangulated Right Inguinoscrotal Hernia.

Hernia repair surgery is among the most common procedures performed worldwide. Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer. However, bowel cancer coexisting within an inguinal hernia is extremely rare. In this report, we discuss a rare case of a 72-year-old male patient who presented with perforated caecal cancer within a strangulated right inguinoscrotal hernia.

Colocutaneous Fistula Formation Following Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Case Series.

Mesh placement remains the standard of care for inguinal hernioplasty, whether through the classic open approach or the transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) approach. Though both techniques are generally safe, they can occasionally result in visceral injuries, albeit infrequently. Mesh migration into the intestines is a morbid situation requiring emergency treatment. We present two male patients who developed mesh-enterocutaneous fistula several years after inguinal hernia repair. The first patient with a history of a bilateral TAPP hernia repair was admitted to the emergency department and underwent bilateral complete mesh removal, limited right colectomy, and wedge resection of the sigmoid colon, due to mesh erosion. The second patient, with a history of a left inguinal hernia treated by open mesh repair, presented to the emergency department complaining of intense pain in his left inguinal area. Erosion of the prosthetic mesh into the sigmoid and a colo-cutaneous fistula was identified, with sigmoidectomy and en bloc excision of the adherent mesh and end-colostomy being performed. Mesh erosion into the intestinal tract is a rare but serious condition. In patients presenting with a subcutaneous abscess in the inguinal region, clinicians should maintain a high level of suspicion for intrabdominal inflammation arising from mesh erosion into adjacent viscera. Surgical management becomes necessary in symptomatic cases or instances of fistulization.

The Utilisation of Digital Applications for Measuring Patient Outcomes Following Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Comparative Studies.

In the context of escalating obesity rates, bariatric surgery holds a crucial role in managing severely obese patients. With a demonstrated effectiveness in weight loss and with the advent of ambulatory surgery, bariatric surgery allows for a streamlined care pathway, ideally suited for postoperative surveillance using digital health applications. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the effect of eHealth-delivered health services or support for adults undergoing bariatric surgery. Five studies, encompassing 2210 patients, were analysed. The intervention group showed a 10% increase in total weight reduction and a 22% reduction in excess weight loss. ED visitation rates also trended towards reduction. Despite the absence of clear statistical superiority for DHA, the findings suggest potential benefits of DHA in postoperative monitoring.

Severe Candida infections in critically ill patients with COVID-19.

The frequency of co-infections with bacterial or fungal pathogens has constantly increased among critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the pandemic. Candidemia was the most frequently reported invasive fungal co-infection. The onset of candidemia in COVID-19 patients was often delayed compared to non-COVID-19 patients. Additionally, Candida invasive infections in COVID-19 patients were more often linked to invasive procedures (e.g., invasive mechanical ventilation or renal replacement therapy) during the intensive care stay and the severity of illness rather than more "classic" risk factors present in patients without COVID-19 (e.g., underlying diseases and prior hospitalization). Moreover, apart from the increased incidence of candidemia during the pandemic, a worrying rise in fluconazole-resistant strains was reported, including a rise in the multidrug-resistant Candida auris. Regarding outcomes, the development of invasive Candida co-infection had a negative impact, increasing morbidity and mortality compared to non-co-infected COVID-19 patients. In this narrative review, we present and critically discuss information on the diagnosis and management of invasive fungal infections caused by Candida spp. in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Is a giant incisional hernia a contraindication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide. A previous abdominal operation is not considered a significant risk factor for conversion to open cholecystectomy. We describe the case of an 80-year-old woman with a surgical history of a giant uncomplicated incisional midline hernia presenting at our department with choledocholithiasis and acute cholangitis. After an ERCP with extraction of common bile duct stones, a LC was planned. The first trocar was inserted in the right midclavicular line, using an open technique and a careful inspection of the abdominal cavity and the hernia sac content. An uncomplicated cholecystectomy was performed and the postoperative course was uneventful.

The management of thoracobiliary fistulas in children: a systematic review.

Thoracobiliary fistula (TBF) is a rare condition, in which an atypical communication between the bronchial tree and the biliary tree is present. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on Medline, Embase and Web of Science databases for studies reporting TBF in children. Data regarding patient demographics, site of fistula presentation, preoperative diagnostic procedures needed, and treatment modalities employed were extracted for further analysis. The study pool consisted of 43 studies incorporating 48 cases of TBF. The most frequent symptom was bilioptysis (67%), followed by dyspnea (62.5%), cough (37.5%) and respiratory failure (33%). Regarding the origin of fistula, the left hepatic duct was involved in 29 cases (60.4%), the right hepatic duct in 4 cases (8.3%), and the hepatic junction in 1 case (2%). Surgical management was employed in 46 patients (95.8%). Fistulectomy was performed in 40 patients (86.9%), lung lobectomy or pneumonectomy in 6 (13%), Roux en Y hepaticojejunostomy in 3 (6.5%), and decortication or drainage in 3 cases (6.5%). Three patients died (overall mortality 6.3%), while 17 patients suffered from postoperative complications (overall morbidity 35.4%). TBF in children is a rare but morbid entity which evolves as a result of congenital malformation in the majority of cases. Preoperative imaging of the biliothoracic communication and proper surgical treatment are the components of current management.

Risk factors and consequences of post-esophagectomy delirium: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Post-operative delirium (POD) is a state of mental and neurocognitive impairment characterized by disorientation and fluctuating levels of consciousness. POD in the context of esophageal surgery may herald serious and potentially life-threatening post-operative complications, or conversely be a symptom of severe underlying pathophysiologic disturbances. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to explore risk factors associated with the development of POD and assess its impact on post-operative outcomes. A systematic literature search of the MedLine, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL databases and the clinicaltrials.gov registry was undertaken. A random-effects model was used for data synthesis with pooled outcomes expressed as Odds Ratios (OR), or standardized mean differences (WMD) with corresponding 95% Confidence Intervals. Seven studies incorporating 2449 patients (556 with POD and 1893 without POD) were identified. Patients experiencing POD were older (WMD 0.29 ± 0.13 years, P < 0.001), with higher Charlson's Comorbidity Index (CCI; WMD 0.31 ± 0.23, P = 0.007) and were significantly more likely to be smokers (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.07-1.77, P = 0.01). Additionally, POD was associated with blood transfusions (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.56-2.77, P < 0.001), and a significantly increased likelihood to develop anastomotic leak (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.25-3.29, P = 0.004). Finally, POD was associated with increased mortality (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.24-5.93, P = 0.01) and longer hospital stay (WMD 0.4 ± 0.24, P = 0.001). These findings highlight the clinical relevance and possible economic impact of POD after esophagectomy for malignant disease and emphasize the need of developing effective preventive strategies.

The Prognostic Role of GLIM Criteria in Postoperative Outcomes after Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Oncologic patients often suffer from malnutrition, which might negatively affect treatment outcomes. Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM)-based malnutrition is associated with short- and long-term outcomes in cancer patients. The aim of the current meta-analysis was to determine the impact of GLIM-defined malnutrition on postoperative complications and survival in esophageal and gastric cancer patients. A systematic search was conducted to identify studies published until February 2022 that assessed the association between GLIM criteria and short- and long-term outcomes in esophageal and gastric cancer patients. We included seven observational studies reporting on a total of 3662 patients with esophageal and gastric cancer. GLIM-defined malnutrition was associated with increased overall complications (pooled HR 2.58, 95% CI 1.45-4.59, p = 0.001). Malnutrition was significantly associated with decreased overall survival (pooled HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.18-1.84, p = 0.003) as well as with decreased disease-free survival (pooled HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.36-2.33, p < 0.0001). GLIM-based malnutrition was associated with an increased risk for developing postoperative complications and impaired survival of esophageal and gastric cancer patients. Our findings support the use of GLIM criteria in clinical practice as a relatively simple and reliable tool for assessing the nutritional status of oncologic patients.

A systematic review of the surgical management of secondary aortoduodenal fistula.

OBJECTIVE: Secondary aortoduodenal fistulae (SADF) are uncommon but life-threatening conditions that occur as complications of aortic reconstructive surgery. Data on the mortality and morbidity of procedures associated with SADF remain scarce. METHODS: Comprehensive literature search was conducted on the MedLine, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Knowledge databases for cases of SADF. Data regarding patient demographics, fistula anatomy and treatment interventions performed were extracted for further analysis. RESULTS: The study pool consisted of 127 case reports, 28 case series and 1 retrospective study published between 1973 and 2021. A total of 189 patients were operated for SADF. Among the 189 patients, 141 patients (74.6%) had aortic graft excision, 26 (13.8%) aortic primary repair, and 22 (11.6%) EVAR. Although patients undergoing EVAR were older with higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, compared with patients who had graft excision and primary aortic repair these differences were not statistically significant (P = .12 and P = .22, respectively). Primary bowel repair was performed in 145 patients (76.7%), duodenectomy in 25 (13.2%), and no bowel repair in 19 (10.1%). Additional omentoplasty was performed in 65 patients (34.6%). Mortality was comparable with respect to the type of aortic and bowel repair, with no statistically significant differences recorded (P = .54 and P = .77, respectively). Omentoplasty significantly decreased the risk of death (odds ratio, 0.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-0.8, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Optimal operative management should address both the aortic and duodenal defects and be complemented with appropriate reconstructive procedures. Endovascular aortic approaches seem feasible in carefully select patients in whom duodenal repair may be omitted.

An extremely rare clinical manifestation of acute appendicitis in a nonagenarian patient: lessons still to be learned.

Abstract.

Recognizing and Managing Pancreaticopleural Fistulas in Children.

Background: Pancreaticopleural fistula, an abnormal communication between the pancreas and the pleural cavity, is a rare complication of pancreatic disease in children and is mainly associated with acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, trauma or iatrogenicinjury. The present review presents the current available data concerning the pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis and management of this unusual but difficult clinical problem among children, in order to shed light on its pathologic manifestation and raise clinical suspicion.Methods: The review of the literature was performed through a PubMed search of pediatric original articles and case reports, using the key words "pancreaticopleural fistula", "pancreatitis", "pleural effusion", "pseudocyst" and "children". The literature search revealed 47 cases of pediatric patients with pancreaticopleural fistula.Results: Diagnosis is based on the patient's medical history, physical examination and imaging, while the cornerstone of diagnosis is the presence of high pleural effusion amylase levels. The management of this disorder includes conservative, endoscopic and surgical treatment options. If treated promptly and properly, this clinical entity could have a lower rate of complications.Conclusions: The incidence of pancreaticopleural fistula in children may be underestimated in the literature, due to a reduced degree of clinical suspicion. A more heightened awareness of this entity is needed to improve the quality of life in children that suffer from this condition, as early diagnosis is essential for effective treatment and improved outcome.

A Rare Case of Cervical Vagus Nerve Schwannoma in an Adult Patient.

Schwannomas of the head and neck are relatively rare benign tumors that derive from the Schwann cells. Schwannomas are usually asymptomatic; however, tumors of bigger size may produce unspecific symptoms due to compression of the adjacent anatomic structures. Vagus nerve schwannomas may present as solitary neck masses, produce hoarseness of voice, or induce paroxysmal cough on palpation, which is also pathognomonic. Preoperative diagnosis is challenging and imaging studies may play a vital role in the diagnosis. Surgical treatment with complete tumor removal is the treatment of choice. In this study, we present a case of vagus nerve schwannoma in an adult male patient.

Surgical Management of a Pancreaticopleural Fistula After Failed Endoscopic Therapy.

Inflammatory diseases of the pancreas or pancreatic trauma result in ductal cell disruption, which in turn may lead to leakage of pancreatic fluid, mostly in the retroperitoneal space. Pancreatopleural fistulas are uncommonly encountered following pancreatic injury; however, they often prove a difficult problem to manage. Herein, we present a rare case of a 68-year-old male suffering from a pancreaticopleural fistula (PF) between the pancreatic tail and the left pleural space one year following splenectomy for trauma. About three months after percutaneous drainage of a left pleural effusion and left upper quadrant abdominal collection and endoscopic pancreatic duct stent placement, surgical management was decided. Distal pancreatectomy and Roux-en-Y drainage of the pancreatic remnant were successfully performed.

Laparoscopic Management of Concomitant Sigmoid Colon Cancer and Type 2 Endoleak Following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

The co-occurrence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and colorectal malignancy creates a significant surgical dilemma over which entity should be addressed first. A 73-year-old male was referred to our hospital due to a painful pulsatile abdominal mass. Computed tomographic angiography revealed an infrarenal aortic aneurysm measuring 5.8 cm in diameter and incidentally, a synchronous mass lesion in the sigmoid colon. The patient underwent an emergency EVAR using a Gore Excluder endograft. Postoperative CT staging for colon cancer revealed a type 2 endoleak on the grounds of a patent wide inferior mesenteric artery. The patient underwent a standard laparoscopic left colectomy with high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery in order to simultaneously address the ongoing type 2 endoleak. Follow-up examinations with computed tomographic angiography were performed confirming the resolution of the endoleak. Synchronous laparoscopic sigmoidectomy and high ligation of inferior mesenteric artery for type 2 endoleak treatment appears to be applicable with hopeful results.

Gallstone Ileus in Octogenarians: Is Cholecystectomy Really Needed?

Gallstone ileus is an uncommon complication of cholelithiasis and occurs when a gallstone migrates through a cholecystoenteric fistula and impacts within the gastrointestinal tract. Surgical intervention remains the treatment of choice, which consists of a full-thickness incision of the visceral wall and removal of the impacted gallstone. In this paper we present the treatment approach of 6 cases of gallstone ileus in octogenarians. In our cohort, intestinal obstruction was resolved through an enterotomy or gastrotomy and lithotomy/stone extraction in every patient. No cholecystectomies were undertaken. Despite the fact that gallstone ileus is diagnosed in small percent of patients suffering from gallstone disease, it accounts for a large proportion of intestine obstruction in patients older than 65 years old. Since accurate diagnosis and timely intervention are vital, providers should be familiar with the diagnostic approach and the treatment of this clinical entity.

Endoscopic versus surgical treatment for thoracopancreatic fistulas complicating chronic pancreatitis: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Thoracopancreatic fistulae are a rare complication of chronic pancreatitis. The aim of the present study is to evaluate potential risk factors for endoscopic treatment failure and explore the safety of surgery when utilized either upfront or as a "bail-out" procedure after failed endoscopic treatment. METHOD: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on the MedLine, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Knowledge databases for cases of thoracopancreatic fistulae. Data regarding patient demographics, fistula anatomy, and treatment interventions performed were extracted for further analysis. RESULTS: The study pool consisted of 75 case reports and 19 case series published between the years 1972 and 2020. Duct disruption in the pancreatic body was most commonly encountered (41.1%), and a left pleural effusion was the most common manifestation (46%). Endoscopic treatment was attempted for 104 patients with an overall success rate of 42.3% (n = 44). Predictive factors for eventual success of endoscopic treatment were the ability of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to diagnose the thoracopancreatic leak (odds ratio 9.76, 95% confidence interval 2.71-35.09, P < .001), the use of pancreatic duct stents (odds ratio 22.1, 95% confidence interval 7.92-61.61, P < .001), and the use of sphincterotomy (odds ratio 7.96, 95% confidence interval 2.1-30.1, P < .001). Conversely, the presence of pancreatic duct calculi was associated with endoscopic treatment failure (odds ratio 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.12-0.94, P = .03). Pooled results suggest that surgical outcomes were comparable between the primary and salvage surgery groups. CONCLUSION: A step-up approach from endoscopic management to salvage surgery may be effectively employed in cases of thoracopancreatic fistulae refractory to endoscopic treatment.

Epidemiology and Incidence of COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) in a Greek Tertiary Care Academic Reference Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is an emerging complication among intensive care unit (ICU) patients with COVID-19 (CAPA). In the present study, all CAPA cases during the first year of the pandemic were reviewed in critically ill patients at a 650-bed tertiary Greek COVID-19 reference hospital. METHODS: Data regarding patients admitted to the ICU of Attikon Hospital in Athens, Greece, between 22 March 2020 and 28 February 2021 with a positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2 infection were reviewed. Clinical and microbiological records were analysed including demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological features, treatment and outcomes. CAPA was determined according to the recent 2020 ECMM/ISHAM definitions. RESULTS: A total of 179 patients were admitted in the ICU and 6 (3.3%) patients were diagnosed with CAPA (4 probable and 2 possible CAPA) with 5/6 with co-infection with multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative pathogens. No patient had a history of immunosuppression. All suffered from acute respiratory distress syndrome. The median (range) time from intubation to diagnosis was 6 (1-14) days. Five patients had positive Aspergillus cultures in bronchial secretions (1 A. fumigatus, 1 A. flavus, 1 A. fumigatus + A. flavus, 1 A. fumigatus + A. terreus and 1 A. terreus) while culture was negative in one patient. All isolates were susceptible to antifungal drugs. Serum galactomannan (GM), pan-Aspergillus PCR and (1,3)-ß-D-glucan (BDG) were positive in 4/6 (67%), 5/6 (83%, 3/5 in two consecutive samples) and 4/6 (67%, in consecutive samples) patients, respectively. GM and PCR positive bronchial secretions had GM indices > 9.95 and PCR Ct < 34. All were treated with antifungal drugs with 5 out of 6 receiving isavuconazole. Mortality was 67% (4/6) with 1/4 attributed to CAPA (two died as a result of bacterial septic shock and one as a result of multiorgan failure). CONCLUSION: The incidence of CAPA in ICU patients was 3.3% and it was associated with approximately a 17% attributable mortality in the setting of MDR gram-negative pathogen co-infections.

Management of Morgagni's Hernia in the Adult Population: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Morgagni's hernia (MH) is defined by the protrusion of abdominal viscera through an anterior retrosternal diaphragmatic defect. The objective of this study was to systematically review current literature on MHs in adult population and assess their clinical characteristics and therapeutic approach. METHODS: PubMed and Cochrane bibliographical databases were searched (last search: 15th January 2021) for studies concerning MHs. RESULTS: Inclusion criteria were met by 189 studies that included 310 patients (61.0% females) with an age of 57.37 ± 18.41 (mean ± SD) years. Pulmonary symptoms, abdominal pain, and nausea-vomit were among the most frequent symptomatology. MHs were predominantly right-sided (84.0%), with greater omentum (74.5%) and transverse colon (65.1%) being the most commonly herniated viscera. The majority of cases underwent an open procedure, while 42.3% of patients had a minimally invasive procedure. Abdominal approach was mostly preferred, while a thoracic one was chosen at 20.6% of cases and a thoracoabdominal at 3.2%. Thirty-day postoperative complications were recorded at 29 patients and 30-day mortality was 2.3%. CONCLUSIONS: MH is a rare type of congenital diaphragmatic hernia which rarely manifests in adult population with atypical pulmonary and gastrointestinal symptoms. Surgery is the gold standard for their management. Open surgical approach is preferable in emergency cases, while laparoscopic surgery is favored in elective setting and is associated with shorter hospitalization. Further studies are crucial in order to elucidate etiology and optimal therapeutic approach.

Pneumothorax as a rare complication during laparoscopic total extra-peritoneal inguinal hernia repair: A case report and review of the literature.

Totally extra-peritoneal (TEP) and trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal repair are the two most commonly performed types of laparoscopic hernia repair procedures. Herein, we present a rare case of pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum that ensued during a TEP inguinal hernia repair. A 73-year-old man presented for elective laparoscopic right-sided hernia repair. After intubation, a 10-mm and two 5-mm trocars were placed in the peri-umbilical and midline area, respectively. A balloon dissector was inserted from the 10-mm trocar to develop the retro-rectus space and carbon dioxide was insufflated up to a pressure of 14 mmHg. About 55 min after insufflation, the patient presented subcutaneous emphysema, oxygen saturation dropped from 100% to 96% and pCO2 increased to 55 mmHg. Due to concerns for pulmonary embolism, he immediately underwent a chest computed tomography, which revealed pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema extended throughout the neck, thorax and upper abdomen. The patient was successfully treated conservatively with oral analgesia and supplemental oxygen and was discharged on the 4th post-operative day without any further complications.