Predicting mortality and morbidity in emergency general surgery patients in a Jordanian Tertiary Medical Center: a retrospective validation study of the Emergency Surgery Score (ESS).

OBJECTIVE: The Emergency Surgery Score (ESS) is a predictive tool used to assess morbidity and mortality rates in patients undergoing emergent surgery. This study explores the ESS's predictive ability and reliability in the Jordanian surgical population. DESIGN: A retrospective validation study. SETTING: A tertiary hospital in Jordan. PARTICIPANTS: A database was created including patients who underwent emergent surgery in King Abdullah University Hospital from January 2017 to June 2021. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Relevant preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative variables were retrospectively and systematically gathered, and the ESS was calculated for each patient accordingly. In addition, a multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the correlations between the ESS and postoperative mortality and morbidity along with intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. RESULTS: Out of total of 1452 patients evaluated, 1322 patients were enrolled based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean age of the population was 47.9 years old. 91.9% of the patients were admitted to the surgical ward through the emergency department, while the rest were referred from inpatient and outpatient facilities. The mortality and postoperative complication rates were 3.9% and 13.5%, respectively. Mortality rates increased as the ESS score gradually increased, and the ESS was evaluated as a strong predictor with a c-statistic value of 0.842 (95% CI 0.743 to 0.896). The postoperative complication and ICU admission rate also increased with reciprocal rises in the ESS. They were also evaluated as accurate predictors with a c-statistic value of 0.724 (95% CI 0.682 to 0.765) and a c-statistic value of 0.825 (95% CI 0.784 to 0.866), respectively. CONCLUSION: The ESS is a robust, accurate predictor of postoperative mortality and morbidity of emergency general surgery patients. Furthermore, it is an all-important tool to enhance emergency general surgery practices, in terms of mitigating risk, quality of care measures and patient counselling.

Long-Term Results at 10 Years of Pouch Resizing for Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Failure.

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is currently one of the most performed bariatric procedures and it is associated with rapid weight loss. However, weight loss failure and weight regain after RYGB occurs in approximately 30% and 3−5% of patients, respectively, and represent a serious issue. RYGB pouch resizing is a surgical option that may be offered to selected patients with RYGB failure. The aim of this study is to assess long-term results of pouch resizing for RYGB failure. Materials and Methods: From February 2009 to November 2011, 20 consecutive patients underwent gastric pouch resizing for RYGB failure in our tertiary bariatric center. The primary outcome was the rate of failure (%EWL < 50% with at least one metabolic comorbidity) after at least 10 years from pouch resizing. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) was also assessed. Results: Twenty patients (18 women (90%)) were included and seventeen (85%) joined the study. The failure rate of pouch resizing was 47%. Mean %EWL and mean BMI were 47%, and 35.1 kg/m2, respectively. Some of the persistent co-morbidities further improved or resolved after pouch resizing. Seven patients (41%) presented GERD requiring daily PPI with a significantly lower GERD-HQRL questionnaire score after pouch resizing (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Pouch resizing after RYGB results in a failure rate of 47% at the 10-year follow-up while the resolution of comorbidities is maintained over time despite a significant weight regain.

Challenges in Bariatric Surgery: Outcomes in Patients Having Three or More Bariatric Procedures.

INTRODUCTION: Over the last two decades, a progressive increase in failure rate of bariatric surgery (BS) has occurred in conjunction with an exponential increase in BS worldwide. Bariatric surgeons are confronted with challenging situations in patients with a complex bariatric history. In this study, we aim to evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of revisional BS in patients with at least two or more previous bariatric procedures. METHODS: Data were retrospectively retrieved from a prospectively held database of bariatric procedures performed at our tertiary referral bariatric center and included procedures done from February 2013 up to April 2019 by a single center. RESULTS: Thirty patients underwent a third bariatric procedure. The median age was 40 (18-57) and 54 (27-69) years at the time of the first and the last procedures, respectively. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding was the first procedure in 26 patients. The complication rate was 33%; no patient required additional surgery because of postoperative complications. A total weight loss of 29.6% and an excess loss of 53.4% were obtained at a mean follow-up of 61 months after the last redo bariatric procedure. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that redo BS either conversional or revisional is feasible and effective in patients with a complex bariatric history including two or more previous procedures. Careful patients' selection is mandatory and extensive information should be given on the increased risk of postoperative complications.

Prevalence of positive COVID-19 among asymptomatic health care workers who care patients infected with the novel coronavirus: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Limited information is available about COVID-19 infections among health care workers. Sensitive detection of COVID-19 cases in health care workers is crucial for hospital infection prevention policy, particularly for those who work with vulnerable patients. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of positive COVID-19 among asymptomatic health care workers who took care of patients with COVID-19 during the pandemic. METHODS: This retrospective study included all health care workers at King Abdullah University Hospital who take care of patients infected with COVID-19 patients from March 18, 2020 to April 29, 2020. They were tested for COVID-19 infection by use of real-time reverse-transcriptase rRT-PCR on samples from nasopharyngeal swabs. RESULTS: A total number of 370 health care workers were screened. The majority were nurses followed by physicians and other personnel. This study showed that all asymptomatic health care workers were tested negative for COVID-19Q. CONCLUSION: Unexpectedly, the prevalence of positive COVID-19 among asymptomatic health care workers who take care of patients infected with the novel coronavirus was 0%. This result must be cautiously interpreted. Further studies are needed in order to find effective strategy of screening health care workers to insure a safe working environment.

Comparison of postoperative liver function between different dissection techniques during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

AIM: In this study, we investigated and compared the effect of different types of dissector (Maryland vs Hook) on changes in liver function tests (LFTs) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. PATIENTS & METHODS: The enrolled patients were divided into two groups. Group A patients underwent dissection by Maryland dissecting forceps, group B by Hook dissecting instrument. LFTs were measured preoperatively and at 1 day and 1 week, postoperatively. RESULTS: For both Maryland and Hook dissection, the 1-day postoperative values for total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly higher than the preoperative values. Also, there were no statistical differences between Hook and Maryland. CONCLUSION: The elevation of LFTs seems to be attributed to other factors.

The Effects of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy on the Parameters of Leptin Resistance in Obesity.

Obesity is a growing public health problem worldwide. Bariatric surgical procedures achieve the most sustainable and efficacious outcomes in the treatment of morbid obesity. However, little is known about the underlying molecular pathways modulated by these surgical interventions. Since leptin resistance is implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity, we herein report the effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on the serum levels of leptin and leptin receptor, in addition to its overall effect on leptin resistance. This was an interventional and follow-up clinical study. In the first part, patients attending the general surgery outpatient clinics at our university hospital were first stratified according to their Body-Mass Index (BMI) into cases (n = 38) with BMI ≥ 35 who were scheduled to undergo LSG, and controls (n = 75) with a normal BMI. Serum leptin and leptin receptor levels were measured by sandwich ELISA technique. A leptin resistance index was estimated by adjusting leptin to BMI ratio to leptin receptor concentration. In the second part of the study, cases who underwent LSG were followed up one year postoperatively to assess their BMI and serum leptin and leptin receptor levels. Leptin to BMI ratio was significantly higher, while serum leptin receptor was significantly lower, in obese patients compared to controls. This translated into a significantly higher leptin resistance index in obese patients. LSG resulted in a significant reduction of BMI, leptin to BMI ratio, and leptin resistance index, as it significantly increased leptin receptor levels. In conclusion, LSG showed significant decrease in leptin resistance in obese patients after one year. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical impact of this finding on LSG outcomes.

Preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy in patients without reflux symptoms undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: utility or futility?

AIM: To evaluate the value of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) as a preoperative investigation in individuals without symptoms of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) who will undergo laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: After Institutional Review Board approval was obtained, patients scheduled for LSG were prospectively enrolled in the study between January 2016 and March 2018. Patients with symptoms of GERD were excluded from the study. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups: individuals who underwent EGD before the surgery as a usual routine investigation (Group A), and individuals who were scheduled without preoperative EGD (Group B). Patient demographics, endoscopic findings, endoscopic biopsy results, and histopathological findings of the resected parts of the stomach after LSG were analyzed and recorded. Additionally, operative characteristics and outcomes, and follow up findings were recorded and analyzed with appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: A total of 219 individuals without symptoms of GERD underwent LSG were enrolled. Group A included 111 individuals (25 males and 86 females). Group B comprised 108 individuals (20 males and 88 females). The mean age and mean Body Mass Index (BMI) were similar in both groups. From Group A, 86 out of 111 individuals (77.5%) had no pathology identified on EGD, while 21 individuals (18.9%) were found to have areas of gastric erythema and biopsies showed active gastritis. All LSG operations were performed without any major complication. After one year, all individuals were assessed for the presence of symptomatic GERD and no significant difference was found between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Preoperative EGD may not be mandatory for asymptomatic GERD individuals undergoing LSG as post-operative complications and early follow up for GERD symptoms are not significantly different. Further prospective studies with longer follow up are needed to evaluate the role of EGD in individuals undergoing LSG.

Arteriovenous malformations within jejunal diverticulosis: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Jejunal diverticula are the rarest of all small bowel diverticula. Most patients with jejunal diverticula are asymptomatic. Major complications include diverticulitis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction and perforation. The hemorrhage has been attributed to diverticulitis with ulceration, diverticulosis associated with trauma and irritation disorder. However, only six cases reported the arteriovenous malformations within jejunal diverticulosis to be the cause of hemorrhage. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of arteriovenous malformations within jejunal diverticulosis in a 68-year-old male presented with lower gastrointestinal bleeding. After admission and stabilization, upper and lower endoscopies were performed without demonstrating the bleeding site. They only revealed clotted and red blood throughout the colon. Technetium-labeled red blood cell bleeding scan, endoscopic capsule, and selective angiography were performed to localize the site of bleeding without significant findings. As the clinical status of the patient deteriorated, exploratory laparotomy was performed urgently. Extensive jejunal saccular pouches were found 10 cm distal to duodenojejunal junction extending 1.6 m distally. Segmental resection was performed with side to side primary anastomosis. Microscopic examination of the specimen revealed many diverticula. He was followed up 2 years after that without complications. CONCLUSION: We report yet the seventh case jejunal diverticulosis with the presence of angiodysplasia, in hope of expanding the knowledge of a rare occurrence and increasing the demand for further research about the etiology, clinical impact and treatment of such anomalies coexistence. This case also highlights the importance of considering the diagnosis of AVMs within jejunal diverticulosis in the presence of uncontrollable blood loss in the pre- or intra- operatively diagnosed jejunal diverticulosis and the urgent need for surgical intervention. In addition, the diagnostic tests should be performed close to the bleeding episode.

Evaluation of Plasma Growth Factors (VEGF, PDGF, EGF, ANG1, and ANG2) in Patients with Varicose Veins Before and After Treatment with Endovenous Laser Ablation.

OBJECTIVE: To measure pre- and postoperative plasma concentrations of growth factors (VEGF, PDGF, EGF, ANG1, and ANG2) in patients with primary lower limb varicose veins (VVs) treated with endovenous laser ablation (EVLA). BACKGROUND: Many studies have explored the potential relationship between primary VVs and growth factors. No previous studies were done for patients treated with EVLA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 30 patients with primary VVs undergoing treatment with EVLA before and 1 week after treatment. Similar samples were obtained from 20 healthy matched adults as a control. Plasma concentrations of growth factor derivatives (VEGF, PDGF, EGF, ANG1, and ANG2) were measured through commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: There was statistically significant reduction in median plasma growth factor (VEGF, PDGF, EGF, and ANG1) levels in the preoperative group (p = 0.001) when compared with the control group except for ANG2, which showed increased plasma level (p = 0.001). However, values of plasma concentration of those growth factors after treatment with EVLA were nearly equal to the control group, especially in EGF and VEGF (p = 0.564, 0.515, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The altered plasma concentrations of growth factors VEGF, PDGF, EGF, ANG1, and ANG2 among patients with VVs normalized 1 week after treatment with EVLA compared with the control group. This may support the role of these factors in the pathogenesis of the disease. Future studies may evaluate if these changes can play a prognostic and/or predictive value regarding the adequacy of treatment and the possibility of recurrence.

Sigmoid volvulus in the Middle East.

Little is known about sigmoid volvulus in the Middle East despite textbooks referring to the region as part of the "volvulus belt." Our objectives were to assess the prevalence, clinical presentations, radiological findings, operative treatments, and postoperative outcomes of patients managed for sigmoid volvulus in Jordan as a model for the region. The medical records of patients with large bowel obstruction who were managed at King Abdullah University Hospital and its affiliated institutes, northern Jordan, over a 6-year period between January 2001 and January 2007 were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients with a confirmed diagnosis of sigmoid volvulus. Sigmoid volvulus was responsible for 9.2% of all cases of large bowel obstruction seen during the study period. There were 32 patients with sigmoid volvulus, 24 (75%) of whom were men. The median age of the patients was 59 years (range 21-83 years). Abdominal pain and distention were the main presentations. Colonoscopic detorsion was applied in 25 patients, which was achieved in 17 (68%) of them after the first attempt. Six patients had a gangrenous sigmoid colon, four of which required resection and a Hartmann procedure. Sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis was performed in 28 patients, including 2 with a gangrenous colon. Postoperative complications were observed in five patients, including one patient with viable colon who develop an anastomotic leak. Two patients died, making the mortality rate 6%. Sigmoid volvulus is uncommon in Jordan. Resection of the sigmoid colon with primary anastomosis appears to be the preferred procedure.