Management of biliary acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis is a frequent pathology with 11,000 to 13,000 new cases per year in France. A biliary origin (30 to 70% of the cases) should be suspected when alanine amino-transferases are elevated during the first 48 hours, and it is confirmed by the presence of gallstones at trans abdominal ultrasound. Abdominal computed-tomography scan is performed around the fifth day, and is repeated according to clinical and biological evolution. Management of acute biliary pancreatitis varies according to its severity, which should be assessed according to systemic inflammatory response syndrome and organ failures. For mild acute pancreatitis, cholecystectomy should be performed during in-hospital stay, before oral feeding. For moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis, treatment is based on resuscitation, early enteral continuous feeding, and management of complications. Interval cholecystectomy is performed at a later stage. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with sphincterotomy should be performed in emergency when angiocholitis is associated, and in delayed emergency before oral feeding for persistent common bile duct stone. A common bile duct stone should be searched for during cholecystectomy and can be treated during the same surgical procedure if local conditions are adequate. Cholelithiasis is the most frequent cause of acute pancreatitis during pregnancy, and its diagnosis and the treatment have some particularities.

Angiographic Anatomy of External Iliac Arteries in the Sheep.

External iliac artery atherosclerotic disease and aneurism occur in man. For treatment, imaging is required to facilitate minimally invasive introduction and advancement of stents within the intended vessels. Sheep are commonly used to test and improve stents. However, little information is published regarding the angiographic anatomy of the iliac arteries in the ovine species. The objective of this study was to describe the angiographic anatomy of the iliac arteries in the sheep. Computed tomography (CT) angiography and gross anatomical dissection were performed in, respectively, 10 and 43 adult ewes. Diameters and lengths of the arteries were measured. In comparison with man, salient anatomical differences were identified in the sheep: (1) the absence of common iliac arteries, (2) the common trunk at the origin of internal iliac arteries and (3) the location of the bifurcation of the external iliac arteries into femoral arteries in the pelvis (not in the limb). External iliac arteries in this series of sheep were 86 mm long in average and had a mean diameter of 7.5 mm. Lengths of arteries are only slightly different between man and sheep, while diameters are rather similar. Therefore, the sheep model appears to be sufficiently similar to man to test stent properties. This study provides useful reference images and measures of lengths and diameters of relevant arteries that could be applied to research with ovine models.

Fistula Plug in Fistulising Ano-Perineal Crohn's Disease: a Randomised Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Anal fistula plug [AFP] is a bioabsorbable bioprosthesis used in ano-perineal fistula treatment. We aimed to assess efficacy and safety of AFP in fistulising ano-perineal Crohn's disease [FAP-CD]. METHODS: In a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial we compared seton removal alone [control group] with AFP insertion [AFP group] in 106 Crohn's disease patients with non- or mildly active disease having at least one ano-perineal fistula tract drained for more than 1 month. Patients with abscess [collection ≥ 3mm on magnetic resonance imaging or recto-vaginal fistulas were excluded. Randomisation was stratified in simple or complex fistulas according to AGA classification. Primary end point was fistula closure at Week 12. RESULTS: In all, 54 patients were randomised to AFP group [control group 52]. Median fistula duration was 23 [10-53] months. Median Crohn's Disease Activity Index at baseline was 81 [45-135]. Fistula closure at Week 12 was achieved in 31.5% patients in the AFP group and in 23.1 % in the control group (relative risk [RR] stratified on AGA classification: 1.31; 95% confidence interval: 0.59-4.02; p = 0.19). No interaction in treatment effect with complexity stratum was found; 33.3% of patients with complex fistula and 30.8% of patients with simple fistula closed the tracts after AFP, as compared with 15.4% and 25.6% in controls, respectively [RR of success = 2.17 in complex fistula vs RR = 1.20 in simple fistula; p = 0.45]. Concerning safety, at Week 12, 17 patients developed at least one adverse event in the AFP group vs 8 in the controls [p = 0.07]. CONCLUSION: AFP is not more effective than seton removal alone to achieve FAP-CD closure.

Easy clip to treat anal fistula tracts: a word of caution.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Closing the internal opening by a clip ovesco has been recently proposed for healing the fistula tract, but, to date, data on benefit are poorly analyzed. The aim was to report a preliminary multicenter experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study was undertaken in six different French centers: surgical procedure, immediate complications, and follow-up have been collected. RESULTS: Nineteen clips were inserted in 17 patients (M/F, 4/13; median age, 42 years [29-54]) who had an anal fistula: 12 (71%) high fistulas (including 4 rectovaginal fistulas), 5 (29%) lower fistulas (with 3 rectovaginal fistulas), and 6 (35%) Crohn's fistulas. Out of 17 patients, 15 had a seton drainage beforehand. The procedure was easy in 8 (47%) patients and the median operative time was 27.5 min (20-36.5). Postoperative period was painful for 11 (65%) patients. A clip migration was noted in 11 patients (65%) after a median follow-up of 10 days (5.5-49.8). Eleven patients (65%) who failed had reoperation including 10 new drainages within the first month (0.5-5). After a mean follow-up of 4 months (2-7),, closing the tract was observed in 2 patients (12%) following the first insertion of the clip and in another one after a second insertion. CONCLUSION: Treatment of anal fistula by placing a clip on the internal opening is disappointing and deleterious for some patients. A better assessment before dissemination is recommended.