Preoperative Serum Albumin Level as a Predictor of Abdominal Wound-Related Complications After Emergency Exploratory Laparotomy.

Background Serum albumin is generally considered to be a predictor of patients' nutritional status. Previous studies have used serum albumin to assess postoperative morbidity, mortality, and various other surgical outcomes in cardiac surgeries and elective gastrointestinal surgeries. In this study, we used preoperative serum albumin levels to assess postoperative surgical site wound complications in patients who underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy. Methodology Preoperative serum albumin level was observed in 60 patients who underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy due to various pathological conditions and were divided into those with hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin level <3.5 g/dl and >3.5 g/dL). Postoperative surgical site infections, wound dehiscence, and various complications, such as duration of hospital stay, prolonged ileus, the incidence of enterocutaneous fistula, the incidence of anastomotic leak, and 30-day mortality, were assessed. Results In our study, about 65% of the patients had hypoalbuminemia. Among them, 56.4% of the patients had surgical site infections according to the Southampton grade, with a statistically significant p-value of <0.001. Moreover, 87.2% of the patients had wound dehiscence according to the World Union Wound Healing Societies Surgical Wound Dehiscence wound grading, with a statistically significant p-value of <0.001. In addition, statistical significance was noted between preoperative hypoalbuminemia and increased postoperative hospital stay, with a p-value of <0.001. Conclusions Preoperative serum albumin value is a formidable predictor of postoperative surgical site infections, wound dehiscence, and duration of hospital stay in patients who underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy.

A rare presentation of gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) - The Bouveret's syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Bouveret's Syndrome is a rare cause of Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) caused by a gall stone which has migrated into the duodenal bulb from a bilioduodenal fistula. It is an uncommon condition and only a few cases have been reported in the medical literature till to date. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of a 45 year old woman who presented to us with recurrent pain in the upper abdomen for the last 8 years, and that progressed to develop symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed duodenal ulceration with a stony hard lesion in the first part of duodenum. An contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan of the abdomen performed later confirmed the presence of cholecystoduodenal fistula and a gall-stone in proximal jejunum. DISCUSSION: Bouveret's syndrome is a case of gastric outlet obstruction caused by the impaction of a large gall stone in the duodenum as a result of a cholecystoduodenal fistula. It constitutes 1-3% of cases of gall stone ileus which in turn complicates only 0.3-4% cases of cholelithisasis. Bouveret's syndrome is managed surgically. CONCLUSION: Bouveret's syndrome being an uncommon condition may pose a difficulty in diagnosis and dilemma in managing such patients. An awareness is hence essential.

Technical difficulties and its remedies in laparoscopic cholecystectomy in situs inversus totalis: A rare case report.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered to be the gold standard surgical procedure for cholelithiasis and is one of the commonest surgical procedures in the world today. However, in rare cases of previously undiagnosed situs inversus totalis (with dextrocardia), the presentation of the cholecystitis, its diagnosis and the operative procedure can pose problems. We present here one such case and discuss how the diagnosis was made and difficulties encountered during surgery and how they were coped with. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 35 year old female presented with left hypochondrium pain and dyspepsia, for 2 years. A diagnosis of cholelithiasis with situs inversus was confirmed after thorough clinical examination, abdominal and chest X-rays and ultrasonography of the abdomen. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which is the standard treatment, was performed with numerous modifications in the positioning of the monitor, insufflator, ports and the position of the members of the surgical team and the laparoscopic instruments. The patient had an uneventful recovery. DISCUSSION: Situs inversus totalis is itself a rare condition and when associated with cholelithiasis poses a challenge in the management of the condition. We must appreciate the necessity of setting up the operating theatre, the positioning of the ports, the surgical team and the instruments. CONCLUSION: Therefore, it becomes important for the right handed surgeons to modify their techniques and establish a proper hand eye coordination to adapt to the mirror image anatomy of the Calot's triangle in a patient of situs inversus totalis.

Colocolic intussusception in an older child: a rare case report and a literature review.

Intussusception is a common cause of intestinal obstruction and colicky abdominal pain in the children, particularly infants, the commonest being the ileocolic variety with colocolic variety being a very rare entity. We present a case of colocolic intussusception in a 13-year-old boy which is otherwise seen in adults, precipitated by colonic malignancies. The patient presented with acute abdominal pain and bleeding perrectum with obstipation for 7 days. Preoperative USG abdomen was normal, and abdominal X-rays showed multiple air fluid levels. Intraoperative findings included a polypoidal growth in the descending colon as the leading point with the formation of a colo-colic intussusception. Following reduction and segmental resection, histopathology reported mucinous adenocarcinoma of colon which is also a rarity in pediatric age group. This case has been compared with previous cases reported in the literature.

A rare presentation of midgut malrotation as an acute intestinal obstruction in an adult: Two case reports and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Midgut malrotation is a congenital anomaly presenting mainly in the childhood. Its presentation as an acute intestinal obstruction is extremely rare in adults usually recognized intra-operatively, therefore a high index of suspicion is always required when dealing with any case of acute intestinal obstruction. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report two cases of young adults who presented with symptoms of acute intestinal obstruction and were diagnosed intra-operatively as cecal volvulus and paraduodenal hernia, respectively, caused by midgut malrotation. Post-operative CT scan confirmed these findings. DISCUSSION: Malrotation of the intestinal tract is a product of an aberrant embryology. The presentation of intestinal malrotation in adults is rare (0.2-0.5%). Contrast enhanced CT can show the abnormal anatomic location of a right sided small bowel, a left-sided colon and an abnormal relationship of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) situated to the left of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) instead of to the right. CONCLUSION: Anomalies like midgut malrotation can present as an operative surprise and awareness regarding these anomalies can help surgeons deal with these conditions.

A rare presentation of hepatic and splenic cystic malignant fibrous histiocytoma: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas in late adult life. But primary visceral malignant fibrous histiocytoma is a very rare entity. In peripheries, it is known to have an aggressive behavior but its biological pattern when involving liver and spleen is not well understood due to the rarity of its occurrence. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver and spleen as multiple cystic lesions in a 30 years old man is reported. The patient presented with hepatosplenomegaly resulting in central abdominal distention. Pre-operative investigations pointed toward the diagnosis of malignant cystic disease. The tumor presented as multiple hepatic cysts with massive hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. These cysts contained hemorrhagic fluid. Biopsy revealed highly cellular pleomorphic spindle cells fascicles arranged in storiform pattern at places with frequent mitoses. Immunohistochemistry revealed viamentin positivity. The tumor is compared with previous case reports. DISCUSSION: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of liver and spleen has been mentioned in the literature as isolated case reports and most of these present as solid lesions but presentation as multiple cysts is also a possibility as was seen in this patient. It can be confirmed only on histo-pathology supported by immunohistochemistry. The disease carries guarded prognosis due to its rapid progression and diagnostic dilemma pre-operatively. CONCLUSION: This rare malignancy affecting the viscera can be diagnosed only with high index of suspicion and awareness regarding its presentation can help surgeons deal with it.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of colon.

Primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the colon is an aggressive entity. We report a 41-year-old man with a combination of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the cecum, treated by right hemicolectomy and ileo-transverse anastomosis. Postoperatively he received adjuvant chemotherapy. However, the tumor recurred at the original site within two months and thereafter the patient was lost to follow up.

Carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder: report of a case.

We report herein the rare case of a 40-year-old woman with a 10-year history of dull abdominal pain, in whom a carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder was confirmed by postoperative histological findings. A review of the world literature revealed that only 22 other such cases have been documented, all of which were diagnosed by incidental findings at the time of surgery or at post mortem. Although these patients may present with liver metastasis, rarely do they manifest with features of a carcinoid syndrome. The rarity of this entity prompted us to present our patient's case report, followed by a brief review of the literature on the previous 22 cases.