Video assisted retroperitoneal debridement for infected pancreatic necrosis: A two port approach for difficult access.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: The incidence of acute pancreatitis varies globally, and its rates are increasing. Timely intervention in cases of infected necrosis is crucial to effective management. The landscape of acute pancreatitis management has undergone transformation through adopting a "step-up" strategy, accentuating the shift towards minimally invasive techniques. CASE PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old patient with acute pancreatitis and infected pancreatic necrosis underwent a challenging yet successful treatment using video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement employing a two-port approach facilitated access for an intricate area. The procedure, performed 45 days after admission, effectively reduced peripancreatic collections, demonstrating the efficacy of this approach in managing complex cases of infected pancreatic necrosis. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The management of acute pancreatitis has evolved towards a comprehensive strategy involving early hydration, nutritional support, effective pain management, and interventions. Infected pancreatic necrosis poses a serious complication, with minimally invasive techniques such as video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD) emerging as preferred options. The efficacy and safety of VARD in complex cases are highlighted, although challenges persist, especially in extensive necrosis. CONCLUSION: The VARD procedure, a key component of the step-up approach, exhibits a remarkable safety profile, substantially reducing postoperative complications and mortality compared to open surgical counterparts. However, challenges persist in managing cases of infected Walled-Off Necrosis with deep extension, necessitating carefully considering a minimal-access approach. We report our experience using the VARD in a two-port approach.

Association between clinical and surgical variables with postoperative outcomes in patients treated for intestinal obstruction for non-malignant conditions: a cross-sectional study.

Intestinal obstruction is considered a frequent surgical pathology related to previous surgical procedures. Many different factors can lead to different outcomes when surgical management is needed. Therefore, we aim to describe the factors related to morbidity and mortality in surgical management of IO in a single-center experience. Retrospective observational study with a prospective database, in which we described patients who underwent surgical management due to intestinal obstruction between 2004 and 2015. Demographics, perioperative data, surgical outcomes, morbidity, and mortality were described. 366 patients were included. Female were 54.6%. Mean age was 61.26. Laparoscopic approach was done in 21.8% and the conversion rate was 17.2%. Intestinal resection was performed in 37.9% of the cases. Postoperative complications were observed in 18.85%. Reintervention and mortality were 9.5% and 4.1% respectively. Laparoscopic approach shows lesser time of intestinal transit (mean 28.67 vs. mean 41.95 h), and restart of oral intake after surgery (mean 96.06 vs. mean 119.65) compared with open approach. Increased heart rate and intensive care unit length of stay were related with mortality (p 0.01 and 0.000 respectively). For morbidity, laparotomy and need and duration of ICU stay were related with any complication statistically significant (p 0.02, 0.008, 0.000 respectively). Patients with increased heart rate in the emergency room, decreased amount of intravenous fluids, need and higher length of stay in the intensive care unit, and delay in resuming oral intake after surgery appear to have poor outcomes. Laparoscopic approach seems to be a safe and feasible approach for intestinal obstruction in selected patients.

Boerhaave syndrome: Successful conservative treatment. Case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Spontaneous esophageal perforation or "Boerhaave" syndrome is an uncommon pathology, with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Clinical scores such as the Pittsburgh classification could guide the treatment and helps to assess mortality risk. Conservative management could be performed in selected cases. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 19-year-old male patient with a previous history of anxiety and depression, who enters the emergency room with vomiting and epigastric pain followed by swelling at the neck and dysphagia. Neck tomography and chest tomography were obtained showing subcutaneous emphysema. Conservative management was indicated and after 10 days of in-hospital stay and no complications, the patient was discharged. Any complication was observed after 30, 60, and 90 days of follow-up. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Selected patients with Boerhaave syndrome could benefit from conservative management. Risk classification could be performed using the Pittsburgh score. Nil per os, antibiotic treatment, and nutritional support are the cornerstone of nonoperative management. CONCLUSION: Boerhaave syndrome it's an infrequent pathology, with mortality rates ranging between 30 and 50 %. Early identification and on-time management are required to have favorable outcomes. Pittsburgh score can be used to guide the selection of patients who benefit from conservative treatment.

Variations in clinical course and surgical outcomes of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 Pandemic: a multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes in the presentation and treatment of surgical pathologies. Therefore, we aim to describe the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical presentation and management of acute appendicitis (AAp) and its surgical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter cohort study with prospectively collected databases. Three high-volume centers were included and all patients over 18 years of age who underwent appendectomy for AAp were included. Multiple logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression were performed, and odds ratio, relative risk, and B-coefficient were reported when appropriate, statistical significance was reached with p-values < 0.05. RESULTS: 1.468 patients were included (709 in the pre-pandemic group and 759 in the COVID-19 group). Female patients constituted 51.84%. Mean age was 38.13 ± 16.96 years. Mean Alvarado's score was 7.01 ± 1.59 points. Open surgical approach was preferred in 90.12%. Conversion rate of 1.29%. Mortality rate was 0.75%. There was an increase of perforated and localized peritonitis (p 0.01) in the COVID-19 group. Presence of any postoperative complication (p 0.00), requirement of right colectomy and ileostomy (p 0.00), and mortality (p 0.04) were higher in the COVID-19 group. Patients in the pre-pandemic group have a lesser risk of mortality (OR 0.14, p 0.02, 95% CI 0.02-0.81) and a lesser relative risk of having complicated appendicitis (RR 0.68, p 0.00, 95% CI 0.54-0.86). CONCLUSION: Complicated appendicitis was an unexpected consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to surgical consultation delay, increased rates of morbidity, associated procedures, and mortality, influencing the clinical course and surgical outcomes of patients with AAp.

Transversus abdominis release (TAR) procedure: a retrospective analysis of an abdominal wall reconstruction group.

Complex abdominal wall defects are important conditions with high morbidity, leading to impairment of patients' physical condition and quality of life. In the last decade, the abdominal wall reconstruction paradigm has changed due to the formation of experienced and excellence groups, improving clinical outcomes after surgery. Therefore, our study shows the perspective and outcomes of an abdominal wall reconstruction group (AWRG) in Colombia, focused on the transverse abdominis release (TAR) procedure. A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was conducted. All the patients older than 18 years old that underwent TAR procedures between January 2014-December 2020 were included. Analysis and description of postoperative outcomes (recurrence, surgical site infection (SSI), seroma, hematoma, and re-intervention) were performed. 47 patients underwent TAR procedure. 62% of patients were male. Mean age was 55 ± 13.4 years. Mean BMI was 27.8 ± 4.5 kg/m2. Abdominal wall defects were classified with EHS ventral Hernia classification having a W3 hernia in 72% of all defects (Mean gap size of 11.49 cm ± 4.03 cm). Mean CeDAR preoperative risk score was 20.5% ± 14.5%. Preoperative use of BOTOX Therapy (OR 1.0 P 0.00 95% CI 0.3-1.1) or pneumoperitoneum (OR 0.7 P 0.04 95% CI 0.3-0.89) are slightly associated with postoperative hematoma. In terms of hernia relapse, we have 12% of cases; all of them over a year after the surgery. TAR procedure for complex abdominal wall defects under specific clinical conditions including emergency scenarios is viable. Specialized and experienced groups show better postoperative outcomes; further studies are needed to confirm our results.

Aorto-iliac paraganglioma: Case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma are uncommon conditions that affect around 1.5-9 patients per million. The most frequent symptoms are headache, hypertension and diaphoresis; however, palpitations or tachycardia could be present. Malignancy is not frequent, and when is suspected, positron emission tomography (PET) should be performed. Surgery it's the gold standard treatment, with acceptable rates of morbidity and mortality. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: A 33-year-old woman presented to private practice with long-standing symptoms consisting of asthenia, adynamia, and sensation of palpable masses in the neck. Due to her medical history and imaging findings, urine metanephrines were obtained, showing high values of adrenaline 6.69 (µg/24 h), noradrenaline 130.09 (µg/24 h), dopamine 262.59 (µg/24 h). PET was performed to identify hyperfunctioning masses in other locations, finding bilateral carotid hypermetabolic masses and a nodular lesion anterior to the aortoiliac bifurcation, probably malignant. Laparoscopic retroperitoneal tumor resection was performed by a laparoscopic and metabolic surgeon, with intraoperative findings of a vascularized mass (30 × 25 mm) closely related to the left aortoiliac bifurcation and peritoneal fluid. DISCUSSION: Paragangliomas are rare tumors that frequently produce catecholamines with varied symptoms. Diagnosis requires patient history, laboratory studies including 24-hour urine-metanephrines and plasma metanephrine levels. Imaging such as CT, MRI and PET scan are necessary. Perioperative management needs to be performed and surgery is the basis of the treatment in patients with localized disease. Metastatic disease has a 50% mortality at 5 years and requires a different approach. CONCLUSION: Paraganglioma is a rare and complex entity that requires a multidisciplinary approach.