Total laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for a benign appearing tumor: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Therapeutic laparoscopy of the pancreas is still described as experimental surgery by many surgeons. Many issues remain to be clarified in determining the future of this new method. CASE PRESENTATION: The objective of the present study was to present a case of a patient who underwent totally laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for a benign appearing tumor in the tail of the pancreas and to critically discuss the treatment of the pancreatic remnant and the need to perform splenectomy with or without ligation of the splenic vessels. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy is usually performed en-bloc along with resection of the spleen, for technical reasons, making the operation short and easy. However, it should only be performed in centers with expertise in both pancreatic surgery and advanced laparoscopy. Furthermore, the use of linear stapler to cut the pancreas (4.5-mm staples) seems to prevent fistula formation and ischemia of the pancreatic stump.

Acute renal failure caused by leptospirosis and Hantavirus infection in an urban hospital.

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis (LS) and Hantavirus (HV) infection have many common clinical manifestations, including acute renal failure. In as much as clinical experience with these diseases is quite limited in urban centers, we identified cases of Leptospira and HV-induced acute renal failure and compared the clinical course and evolution of these diseases. METHODS: Patients hospitalized with acute renal failure, suspected to be caused by infection, were retrospectively studied over a 13-year period (1985-1998). Based on pertinent clinical data and positive serology, a total of 26 patients were included in the study, 17 patients with LS and 9 patients with HV infection. RESULTS: Both diseases presented as flu-like syndromes with high fever. In LS, 2 patients presented with acute meningitis and died soon after admission. Symptoms and signs from other organs began after the fifth day of illness. Jaundice occurred in 71% of LS patients but not in HV. Hemorrhagic phenomena occurred in both diseases but affected predominantly patients with icteric LS. Anuria or oliguria occurred in 76% of patients with LS and 78% with HV infection. Laboratory studies demonstrated minor transaminase elevations in all patients with LS and in 44% with HV. Hypoprothrombinemia or thrombocytopenia was uncommon, although disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) developed in 2 patients that had icteric Ls and major bleeding. Nephropathy was associated with haematuria in 71% with LS and all patients with HV. Proteinuria was evident in 35% of patients with LS compared to 78% with HV. Abnormal chest radiographs were seen in 24% with LS and in 33% with HV. In both diseases, aggressive supportive treatment was given, including hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis in 4/26 patients. Of the 26 patients, 22 survived and four died. The latter all had LS, and the causes of death were meningitis and DIC with multiple organ failure. Follow-up, after 6 months, showed that renal function had returned to normal in the 22 survivors. CONCLUSION: It is important to include LS and HV infection in the differential diagnosis of acute renal failure. Both diseases present with flu-like symptoms and may be complicated by thrombotic microangiopathy with hemorrhagic phenomena and hepatic and pulmonary involvement. Jaundice should alert the physician to icteric LS, a severe disease associated with significant mortality that requires antimicrobial treatment.