Adenoma Detection before and after the age of 50: a retrospective analysis of Lebanese outpatients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has an increased impact on the Lebanese population's morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the situation of adenoma detection in an outpatient clinic in Lebanon. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 918 patients underwent colonoscopy over a period of 24 months by a qualified physician. Biopsy results were divided into normal versus abnormal colonic tissue, which was further subdivided into number of polyps and cancer. RESULTS: Out of 918 individuals included, 82 cases of Crohn's colitis (8.93%) and 22 cases of ulcerative colitis (2.39%) were identified. A total of 42 cases of CRC (4.58%) and 188 cases of adenomatous polyps (20.48%) were identified. The data show that age >50 years and male gender significantly correlate with increased incidence of precancerous and cancerous polyps. Further exploring the results by age groups and gender, detection of adenomatous polyps in women aged 40-49 (8.33%) was significantly different from their female counterparts aged ≥50 years old (25.26%) (p<0.01). However, no statistical difference between detection of adenomas was found between men aged 40-49 (33.33%) and their male counterparts aged ≥50 years old (37.5%) (p=0.6). CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the incidence of CRC and adenomatous polyps falls in the high range compared with international studies. Furthermore, symptomatic male patients aged 40-49 appear to exhibit detection rates of adenomas similar to their counterparts aged ≥50 years old. Subjects younger than 50 years underwent diagnostic rather than screening colonoscopy, which introduces some selection bias. Nevertheless, these findings can serve as a basis for further studies.

Emergency Department Administration of Oxycodone by Nurses Treating Musculoskeletal Pain: An Observational Prospective.

BACKGROUND: Acute musculoskeletal pain is one of the most commonly reported symptoms among patients visiting the emergency department (ED). Treatment with over-the-counter pain medications, given by nurses, results in improved pain management and reduces the waiting time to drug administration without significant side effects. Opioid analgesics are extensively used for acute pain in the ED. Compared to morphine, oxycodone has a much more specific pharmacological activity, higher analgesic potential, and more tolerable side effects. OBJECTIVES: To assess the degree of pain reduction using different protocols, including dypirone and oxycodone given by nurses, in treating acute musculoskeletal pain in the emergency department (primary outcome) and to evaluate the need for rescue medications (secondary outcome). METHODS: This observational prospective clinical trial compared two groups of 50 patients, each one visiting the ED due to musculoskeletal pain. One group was treated with dipyrone syrup and the other was treated with oxycodone syrup. The primary outcome was pain reduction measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). The secondary outcome was the difference in need for rescue medications. RESULTS: The reduction in the NRS was greater in the patients treated with oxycodone. This finding was statistically and clinically significant (P < 0.001). The need for rescue medications was also significantly reduced in this group of patients (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the administration of over-the-counter oxycodone syrup by nurses decreases the post-treatment pain reported by patients, reduces the need for rescue medications, and increases the satisfaction of the medical staff.

Toothpick ingestion and migration into the liver through the colonic hepatic flexure: case presentation, management, and literature review.

The approach to toothpick ingestion and its complications should not be underestimated. The surgeon should be prepared for life-threatening situations such as major vascular involvement, as well as highly specialized and technically challenging procedures, when the hepatic hilum is involved for instance. Referral to tertiary centers is sometimes mandatory.

The outcome of transanal endoscopic microsurgery in obese patients.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity is as high as one-third of the adult population in the ultrasound. Obese patients operated for rectal cancer are less likely to undergo sphincter-preserving surgery, and have an increased morbidity and mortality. We aim to report the outcomes of transanal-endoscopic-microsurgery (TEM) in obese patients with benign and malignant neoplasms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An analysis was carried out of all patients undergoing TEM at a single institution between 2004 and 2015. Clinical, demographic, and pathologic data were analyzed in respect to BMI; a dichotomous variable was created categorizing the patients in this retrospective case series as either obese (BMI≥30) or nonobese (BMI<30). RESULTS: Of the 158 patients who underwent TEM during the study period, 51 (32%) were obese and 107 (68%) were nonobese. No significant differences were found in terms of patients' demographics and tumor characteristics. There were no significant differences in operative time [105 min (range: 75-170) and 98 (range: 56-170), respectively, P=0.2], hospital length of stay [3 days (range: 2-6) and 4 (range: 2-12), respectively, P=0.48], or complication rates (20 and 23%, respectively, P=0.68). CONCLUSION: TEM is a safe procedure for rectal neoplasms in the obese population. We found no difference in surgical time and completeness of specimen resection, and no increase in complications or length of stay in the hospital in obese versus nonobese patients. As for selected high risk patients, the TEM may be of benefit in obese patients with T1/T2N0M0 rectal cancer.

Results from a retrospective analysis of colonoscopies for Inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer in a Lebanese tertiary care centre.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and colorectal cancer have an increased impact on the Lebanese population's morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the situation of IBD and colorectal cancer at a tertiary hospital centre in Lebanon. METHODS: 1007 patients underwent colonoscopy over a period of 12 months by qualified physicians. 91 patients were excluded from the study. Biopsy results were divided into normal versus abnormal colonic tissue. The abnormal section was further subdivided into number of polyps, IBD, dysplasia and cancer. RESULTS: Out of 916 individuals included, 61 cases of Crohn's colitis (CC) (6.7%) and 24 cases of ulcerative colitis (UC) (2.7%) were identified. A total of 92 cases of colorectal cancer (10.04%) were also identified. There was a slight male predominance in both groups of IBD without any statistical significance. One statistical significance was reported in favour to age<50 years in both IBD groups with a mean age of 37.9±9.7 years and 34.4±6.4 years for CC and UC, respectively. The incidence of granuloma in the CC group was 8.9% without any correlation compared with age or gender. No correlation was made between colorectal cancer and the existence of any IBD type. The data showed that age >50 years and male gender significantly correlate with an increased incidence of precancerous and cancerous polyps in the colon. They significantly correlate with adenocarcinoma. The estimated incidence of colorectal cancer, CC and UC was 54.1, 35.8 and 14.1 per 100 000, respectively, with a denominator of 169 959 patients per year. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the incidence of colorectal cancer and IBD falls in the high range compared with similar European and American studies. Our data are biased because of the tertiary centre setting but they can be considered as base for further investigations.

Liver hydatid cyst with cutaneous fistulization to the right breast: a case report, management, and literature review.

Echinococcus granulosus is the most common tapeworm causing hydatid disease in humans. Its least-encountered complication is cutaneous fistulization. Omentoplasty, cyst, and fistulous tract drainage revealed successful in the management of this complication. Such intervention can be an alternative when conservative management fails, and a minimally aggressive procedure is required.

A case of reversible hyperoxaluria nephropathy early after roux-en-y-gastric bypass induced by vitamin C intake.

Roux-en-y-gastric bypass (RYGB) is the most commonly performed bariatric procedure worldwide which is taking the lead in resolving of comorbid conditions. Short- and long-term complications of RYGB procedure have been recognized, including osteopenia, osteomalacia and more rarely neurological disorders. Oxalate nephropathy is a complication of RYGB that has been described earlier in the literature and may end with renal failure and dialysis if not recognized and treated early. The etiology of this phenomenon is still unclear, but the length of common limb remains the theory that mostly contributed to its development. We believe that this limb should be more than 100 cm to prevent severe malabsorption. Here, we report a reversible case of oxalate nephropathy 3 months after RYGB in a 51-year-old patient.

Chronic spontaneous idiopathic spleen hematoma presenting as a large cystic tumor: a case report with review of the literature.

Spontaneous idiopathic splenic hematomas occur very rare. Hematomas of the spleen are usually associated with trauma, or infectious, neoplastic, or hematologic diseases. They present a diagnostic challenge as they can be easily confused with other more common entities. We report a case of atraumatic idiopathic splenic hematoma in a patient with no underlying systemic or local disease and discuss the approach to diagnosis and treatment.

Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis presenting as recurrent scrotal edema: Report of a case and review of the literature.

Primary or idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis, first described by Ormond in 1948, is a rare and elusive diagnosis, requiring a high level of suspicion. Patients usually present with entrapment of retroperitoneal organs, the most common being the ureters, causing hydronephrosis and acute kidney injury. Here, we present the case of a 56-year-old male presenting for recurrent and intermittent scrotal edema. Upon routine laboratory workup, he was found to have an elevated creatinine level. Imaging showed encasement of bilateral ureters. Bilateral ureteral stents were placed with relief of his obstructive uropathy, followed by normalization of creatinine. The patient later underwent laparoscopic release of retroperitoneal adhesions. Biopsies taken from the operative site showed fibroblast proliferation and elements of acute and chronic inflammation. With further workup of etiologies being negative, he was diagnosed with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis.

Wernicke's encephalopathy three weeks after sleeve gastrectomy.

Following bariatric surgeries for management of morbid obesity, less nutrients are absorbed, giving rise to complications due to vitamin deficiencies with frequently dramatic consequences. Neurologic complications resulting from folate, vitamin B12, and thiamine deficiencies have been estimated to occur in up to 16% of cases and present within weeks to months following bariatric surgery. Among bariatric surgeries, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has been the most associated with such deficiencies due to both restrictive and malabsorptive components. Complications are less seen with restrictive surgeries. We report a case of rapid Wernicke's encephalopathy due to a thiamine deficiency in a young female patient following Sleeve gastrectomy (SG).

Combined vaginal and abdominal approach to sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity in women: a preliminary experience.

BACKGROUND: Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery is an emerging surgical phenomenon. Although the development of "pure" natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgical techniques in humans has been slowed by major technical hurdles, "hybrid" or combined variants have been increasingly reported. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a commonly performed treatment of morbid obesity. We have developed a combined variant of SG for patients with morbid obesity. Our aim was to assess the feasibility and safety of such an approach, which could eventually reduce the postoperative pain, preserve the abdominal wall, and enhance cosmesis. METHODS: Combined, transvaginal and abdominal SG was attempted in 20 patients. The inclusion criteria were morbid obesity (body mass index <50 kg/m(2)), female gender, an absence of gynecologic disorders, and the absence of major previous abdominal surgery. The local ethical committee approved the present study. The technique was performed using a vaginal incision with 1 or 2 abdominal ports. RESULTS: The procedure was a success in 14 patients (70%). In 6 patients, conversion to a more conventional laparoscopic SG was required, with ≥ 1 abdominal ports added. The mean operative time was 116 minutes (range 54-231). The postoperative complication rate was 5% (1 patient developed pneumonia). No hemorrhage, surgical site infection, or fistula was encountered. The mean length of hospital stay was 72 hours (range 24-144). CONCLUSION: Our combined, transvaginal and abdominal variant of laparoscopic SG was sure and feasible in a small series of selected patients with morbid obesity.

Effect of recipient age on the outcome of kidney transplantation.

We investigated the effect of recipient age (RA) on kidney transplantation outcome in 107 transplant patients, with a follow-up of 1 year. Patients were divided in 3 groups: Group A (RA<50 years; 72 patients), Group B (RA 50-60 years, 19 patients), and Group C (RA>60 years; 16 patients). The rate and severity of acute rejection, infection rate and type, delayed graft function, hospital stay, creatinine levels (3, 6, 12 months), incidence at 1 year of post-transplant hypertension, cholesterol and triglycerides blood levels, and the rate of post-transplant surgical complications, and 1-year graft and patient survival were comparable between the 3 groups. However, creatinine blood level at 1 month and the 1-year fasting blood sugar were significantly higher in Group B. The RA does not seem to be of a significant predictive value, good selection and pre-transplant patient workout are important factors for a better outcome.