Challenges in the management of a splenic pseudocyst by laparoscopic splenectomy in an adult patient: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Splenic cysts are classified as true cysts, or pseudocysts, and larger cysts tend to be symptomatic, requiring management which has evolved to include spleen-sparing procedures to minimize the risk of overwhelming post-splenectomy sepsis (OPSS) Pitiakoudis et al. (2011), Hansen and Moller (2004), Knook et al. (2019) [1-3]. Total splenectomy remains the gold standard management, and the importance of this case is the uncommon spontaneous occurrence of a pseudocyst, and the importance to pre-operatively consent and prepare the patient for total splenectomy would intra-operative conditions not allow for spleen-preserving techniques. CASE PRESENTATION: CS, a 21-year-old lady, had two presentations to the emergency department with left upper quadrant abdominal pain. The only abnormality on assessment was a large splenic cyst on CT scan, which increased in size on re-presentation. She was consented for a splenic cyst fenestration, and for total splenectomy and optimized with vaccines would intra-operative conditions not allow for spleen-sparing. During the operation, the planes between the cyst and spleen parenchyma were ill-defined, and decision was made to proceed with total splenectomy to avoid bleeding complications. She recovered well, and was discharged 5 days post-operatively, and histology confirmed a pseudocyst (Figs. 1 and 2). CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The management of splenic cysts remains difficult and with no clear guidelines to uniform treatment. There are multiple spleen-preserving techniques developed to avoid OPSS (Agha RA, Franchi T, Sohrabi C, Mathew G, for the SCARE Group, 2020 [4]), however management remains individualized and case-specific. CONCLUSION: Pseudocysts can occur without splenic trauma or infarct. Management is case-based, and patients with large symptomatic cysts should be consented and prepared for total splenectomy would conditions not be safe for spleen-preserving interventions.

Incidence and management of gallbladder cancer in cholecystectomy specimens: a 5-year tertiary centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is an uncommon, but highly aggressive cancer. Half of these cases are diagnosed pre-operatively, and the remaining cases are discovered incidentally on post-cholecystectomy specimens. There is a significant geographical variability in GBC incidence, with increasing age, female sex, and prolonged duration of cholelithiasis being risk factors for GBC. The primary aim was to define the overall local incidence of GBC incidental GBC and management of these cases. The secondary aim was to determine any pertinent risk factors in our case population. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed on all the cholecystectomy specimens at the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service from 1 January 2016 to 2 December 2021. Data was collected via the electronic medical record. The incidence and management of gallbladder cancers was calculated, and association with body mass index (BMI), smoking status, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was identified. RESULTS: 3904 cholecystectomy specimens were reviewed. GBC was identified in 0.46% of cholecystectomies. 50% of these cases were found incidentally. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting complaint (94.4%). GBC was associated with increased age and BMI and female sex. There was no association between smoking status, diabetes or IBD with an increased incidence of cancer. Tumour staging guided surgical and/or adjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: GBC is rare. Patients with symptoms are associated with a poor prognosis. Incidental cancers are common, and negative margin resection based on the T stage of the cancer is the most reliable curative option.

An Unusual Case of Thigh Swelling.

Lymphangiomas are benign tumours, almost exclusively found in children. Primary work-up includes imaging. We report a case of lymphangioma in the leg in an adult patient, initially masked as a myxoma. Our patient underwent ultrasound, computerised tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, which were suggestive of myxoma. Treatment for lymphangioma varies from sclerotherapy to definitive surgical management. In our case, surgical management was selected under consideration of myxoma; however, histopathology confirmed lymphangioma. Lymphangiomas in adult patients can be masked by other conditions and should be considered as a differential in lower leg swellings.

Journey of a stone-thirty years on.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard surgical treatment of gallstone disease and a commonly performed procedure in general surgery. Retained gallstones from intraoperative spillage remain largely asymptomatic and complications are rare. Peak incidence of presentation occurs within a year; however, it is important to recognize retained gallstones as a differential for acute presentations even many years postoperatively. We present the case of a 74-year-old female who presented with a retained-gallstone-associated abdominal wall abscess 30 years after spillage during the original surgery, which was successfully treated with a stepwise extraperitoneal approach with local drainage.

Incidence and management of choledocholithiasis on routine intraoperative cholangiogram: a 5-year tertiary centre experience.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of choledocholithiasis on routine intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) during cholecystectomy is approximately 12%. Cholecystectomy without IOC may lead to undiagnosed choledocholithiasis placing patients at risk of complications such as pancreatitis or cholangitis. This study aims to determine the incidence of choledocholithiasis intraoperatively as well as the associated risk factors and the methods of management. METHODS: A retrospective observational analysis of all laparoscopic cholecystectomies with IOC at the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service from 1 January 2016 to 2 December 2021 was carried out. Patient demographics, operative data and cholangiogram findings were collected from electronic medical systems. RESULTS: A total of 3904 cholecystectomies were carried out over the study period. 3520 (90.1%) had an IOC, and 474 (13.4%) had positive IOC findings. 158 (33.3%) of the cases were managed intraoperatively with hyoscine butylbromide with or without intravenous glucagon followed by biliary tree flushing alone, 183 (38.6%) received transcystic bile duct exploration (TCBDE) with a success rate of 83% and 167 (35.2%) received endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Choledocholithiasis was incidental in 44 (9.28%) patients. CONCLUSION: Incidental choledocholithiasis during routine IOC is not uncommon. Management predominantly includes intraoperative TCBDE or postoperatively via an ERCP. This study has not found reliable preoperative factors to predict choledocholithiasis based on preoperative clinical, radiological and biochemical factors. A small proportion of patients received preoperative endoscopic intervention, and the decision-making process requires further investigation.

Spontaneous Cystogastrostomy: A Natural Response.

Pancreatic pseudocysts are a common complication of pancreatitis. Conservative management and repeat imaging are appropriate to monitor spontaneous regression. However, in some cases, rupture and haemorrhage of pseudocysts can lead to life-threatening events requiring urgent intervention. We present a male patient in his 30s who was presented to the emergency department with severe pancreatitis in the context of alcohol excess. Past medical history included pancreatitis with a small pseudocyst and splenic vein thrombosis for which he was anticoagulated six weeks previously. Computer tomography of the abdomen and pelvis showed an interval increase in his pseudocyst with haemorrhage secondary to a suspected splenic artery pseudoaneurysm. He was admitted for attempted embolisation and observation. Serial imaging demonstrated progression of the pancreatic pseudocyst and then spontaneous interval decompression via a transgastric fistula, leading to a natural cystogastrostomy confirmed on subsequent endoscopy. We discuss the uncommon sequelae of a complication of pancreatitis, and consider the hypotheses related to this rare occurrence, with suggestions for management and follow-up of these patients.

Cystic Artery Pseudoaneurysm: Current Review of Aetiology, Presentation, and Management.

BACKGROUND: Cystic artery pseudoaneurysms are rare. Most commonly, they occur secondary to acute cholecystitis or after a cholecystectomy. Complications include haemobilia, biliary obstruction, and haemorrhage. Given the rarity and associated morbidity, a high index of suspicion is required. This article reviews the current literature on cystic artery pseudoaneurysms to investigate its aetiology, clinical presentation, and management options. METHODS: A broad search of the Medline and PubMed databases was carried through. All peer reviewed literatures published in the English language between 1991 and 2020 with keywords "cystic" and "artery" and "pseudoaneurysm" in the title were selected for review. No further exclusion criteria; all studies yielded from the search were included in the results of this review. Additionally, we present a case of cystic artery pseudoaneurysm treated at our centre and included this in our analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-seven case reports were found between 1991 and 2020. Aetiologies: Aetiology of cystic artery pseudoaneurysm was found to be cholecystitis in 41 instances (61.2%), cholecystectomy in 18 instances (26.8%), idiopathic in 6 instances (8.9%) cholelithiasis in 1 instance (1.5%), and pancreatitis in 1 instance (1.5%). Complications: Fifty-two cases were complicated by haemobilia (77.6%), 36 by anaemia (53.7%), 25 by biliary obstruction (37.3%), 13 by haemodynamic shock (19.4%), 9 by haemoperitoneum (13.4%), and 6 by contained rupture (8.9%). Most commonly, patients had two or more of these complications. Management: Forty-four patients were managed with endovascular embolisation (65.7%), 21 with endoscopic intervention (31.3%), 18 with open cholecystectomy (26.9%), 13 with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (19.4%), and 6 with pseudoaneurysm ligation (9%). Delayed presentation postcholecystectomy ranged from 8 days to 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Cystic artery pseudoaneurysms are rare complications of a common operation. The most common clinical presentation is haemobilia, which can be difficult to diagnose clinically. A high index of suspicion and prompt investigation with targeted imaging and intervention is required. This is especially pertinent in gastrointestinal bleeding postlaparoscopic cholecystectomy as a missed diagnosis could cause significant morbidity.

The Robotic Spleen Preserving Distal Pancreatectomy Under Temporary Splenic Artery Occlusion: the Royal North Shore Technique.

There are numerous advantages of splenic vessel preservation in performing the minimally invasive spleen preserving distal pancreatectomy. Dissection along the splenic artery, and a medial to lateral dissection of the splenic vein, is associated with high risk of injury and bleeding. Proximal control of the splenic artery with vessel loops, which require tightening or adjustment with the advent of distal bleeding, is inefficient. Instead, a modified technique (the Royal North Shore Technique), whereby a vascular clamp is placed on the splenic artery, reduces splenic artery inflow and indirectly, splenic vein returns. This allows for more accurate and injury-free dissection of the now non-distended splenic vein and the associated tributaries, and maintains a relatively bloodless field in the event of arterial injury.

Safety and Efficacy of Pancreaticoduodenectomy in Octogenarians.

Backgrounds: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remains the only hope of a cure in selected patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC). With an aging population, there will be an increasing number of very elderly patients being diagnosed with PAC of whom a selected proportion would be suitable for PD. However, the literature on outcomes of elderly patients after PD remains ambiguous. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the safety and efficacy of PD in octogenarians with PAC. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 304 patients with PAC undergoing PD. Patients were divided into two age groups using age of 80 years old as the cut-off. Results: Overall mortality and major morbidity rates were 0.5 and 18.5%, respectively. The octogenarian group had a higher rate of mortality (6.3%, n = 1, p < 0.001), a higher rate of major morbidity (37.5%, n = 6, p = 0.042) and a longer hospital stay (p = 0.035). However, median survival of octogenarians was 15.6 months. Multivariate analysis showed age was not identified as a prognostic factor for major morbidity and overall survival. Conclusion: Age alone should not be an exclusion criterion for consideration of PD. With careful selection, PD can be safely performed in octogenarians. Elderly patients should be referred to a specialized unit for an objective assessment to determine the suitability for this aggressive but potential curative approach.

Traumatic dissection of the coeliac artery and splenic injury following blunt trauma.

An 18-year-old male patient presented to our regional referral hospital postcollapse at home. This was about 48 hours following a 2 m fall from a mountain bike. CT scan at presentation showed a grade 3/4 laceration at the splenic lower pole with some haemoperitoneum. He was managed conservatively. However, on day 4 he developed increasing abdominal pain which prompted repeat CT abdominal angiography. This scan did not show any further active bleeding from the spleen, however, a coeliac artery dissection was discovered, which was not evident on the first scan. After liaison with the vascular surgery team at a tertiary hospital, this was treated conservatively. Coeliac artery dissection following blunt trauma is an extremely rare occurrence, with fewer than 10 cases described in the literature. To our knowledge, this is the first case of concurrent splenic injury and coeliac artery dissection following blunt trauma to be reported.

Early postoperative bioprosthetic valve calcification.

Bioprosthetic valves are implanted in elderly patients with good follow up results. The degeneration of these valves is slow and there are multiple aetiologies for that. It is unclear whether renal failure accelerates the degeneration of bioprosthetic valves in patients with normal calcium levels. We present a case with tissue valve degeneration 16 months postoperatively in a patient with renal failure.

Descending mediastinitis managed by sternotomy, taurolidine and delayed closure.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis is a rare complication of upper respiratory infections. A quick diagnosis and prompt and complete surgical drainage is important for a successful outcome. A 74-year-old man with descending necrotizing mediastinitis needed a sternotomy, multiple washouts, and delayed sternal closure.

Cerebritis: an unusual complication of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Cerebritis is part of a continuum of brain infection and is difficult to diagnose. Cerebritis caused by Klebsiella in immunocompetent adults without predisposing factors such as neurosurgery or penetrating brain injury has not been reported before. We report a case of Klebsiella cerebritis in an adult patient with a proven extracranial focus of infection. We suggest considering cerebritis as a differential diagnosis for altered level of consciousness in patients of severe sepsis, even if an extracranial source of infection is proven.