Small bowel obstruction caused by intraluminal migration of retained percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy internal bumper.

INTRODUCTION: Early complications associated with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy are well documented. Late complications associated with retained gastrostomy flange are rare. It is unclear why some patients with retained gastrostomy flange (internal bumper) develop mechanical obstruction and others do not. We report a case of mechanical obstruction with perforation occurring 6 months after the tube was cut. PATIENT AND METHODS: A 76-year-old hemiplegic patient with no swallowing reflex and who previously was on long-term percutaneous gastrostomy feeding tube underwent removal of the feeding tube but the internal bumper was left in situ due to encrustation. RESULTS: Due to migration of the retained flange, the patient developed small bowel obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Retained internal bumper is potentially dangerous and we recommend endoscopic retrieval of such flange.

One stop rectal bleeding clinic: the coventry experience.

Among most patients attending a rectal clinic, rectal bleeding is a common presenting feature. In most patients, the cause is attributed to a benign lesion. In a small percentage, the cause is neoplastic, and for this reason, rectal bleeding merits further study. Left-sided tumors account for the majority of these tumors and are within the reach of a flexible sigmoidoscopy. This study aimed at examining the diagnostic performance of the one stop rectal clinic in Coventry. Between November 2001 and May 2002, 250 consecutive patients were seen in the one stop rectal bleeding clinic of a tertiary referral hospital. Patients were asked of the nature of rectal bleed and altered bowel habits and were examined by digital rectal examination, with a proctoscopy and rigid sigmoidoscopy before either a full colonoscopic examination or flexible sigmoidoscopy with a completion Barium enema. During the study period, colorectal cancer was detected in 4 patients (1.6%), adenomatous polyps in 36 patients (14.4%), and ulcerative colitis in 8 patients (3.2%). In 98 patients (39.2%), no abnormality was present, and in the remaining patients, diverticulosis (n = 60; 24%) and hemorrhoids were present (n = 44; 17.6%).

Antiphospholipid syndrome: a series of surgical emergencies and the current evidence for its management.

It is generally accepted that antiphospholipid syndrome remains a major medical problem characterised by hypercoagulability, arterial and venous thrombosis and thrombocytopenia. It is unclear how best to treat these patients should they require emergency surgery. If a lupus anticoagulant is present, hypercoagulability may occur de novo but surgical interventions along with sepsis are two important predisposing factors. We describe three patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome and discuss the implications for surgery.