Treatment of complex iatrogenic common hepatic duct injury following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

We report the case of a woman in her 40s, with no significant medical history, submitted to a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in our institution for symptomatic gallbladder lithiasis. On postoperative day 4, she presented to our emergency room with severe abdominal pain and elevated inflammatory markers. Abdominal CT scan revealed a mass filled with liquid and air in the gallbladder fossa. Surgical exploration was performed revealing a major common hepatic duct iatrogenic injury, which was managed using suture over a T-tube. Three months after surgery, cholangiography showed a biliary stenosis, and a biodegradable stent was inserted through percutaneous transhepatic access. The difficulties in the management of this condition and its outcomes are discussed in this report.

Cervical inflammatory mass: a very late complication following neonatal oesophagocoloplasty for oesophageal atresia.

We report the case of a man in his 40s who presented to our emergency department with a history of fever and a red, swollen and painful neck mass. Shortly following his birth, a congenital oesophageal atresia had been managed surgically with colonic interposition graft. Contrast CT of the neck revealed filling and distention of a colic stump with content of stasis and infection. The patient received intravenous piperacillin/tazobactam and parenteral nutrition. One week later, an upper digestive endoscopy was performed revealing an inflammatory-looking pseudopolypoid area immediately below the anastomosis, at the level of the proximal portion of the colon, which seemed to correspond to a complicated diverticulum with inflammation. The difficulties in reaching a definitive diagnosis and management of this condition are discussed.

Surgical treatment of giant gist with acute gastrointestinal bleeding: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors represent about 1% of the tumors of digestive tract. Their presentation consists often of indolent symptoms. However, they can present as surgical emergencies in rare cases. This work presents a case of a giant jejunal GIST that required emergent surgical treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old male presented with abdominal pain and acute low gastrointestinal bleeding. During observation a palpable mass was detected in the periumbilical region, left hypochondrium and left flank. A non-total colonoscopy was inconclusive. An Angio-CT showed a large exophytic tumor arising from the 4th duodenal segment and first jejunal segment with approximately 20 × 14 x 13 cm, with apparent intratumoral bleeding. Due to haemodynamic instability, the patient was submitted to emergency laparotomy, in which a large tumor was found arising from the first jejunal segment. A segmental enterectomy was performed and the post-operative period ran without complications. The histopathologic exam showed a gastro-intestinal stromal tumor of epithelioid cell nature, with low mitotic count (<5 per 50HPF), categorized as T4N0 stage IIIA. The imunohistochemical analysis revealed positivity for CD117 (c-kit) and DOG-1. The patient started Imatinib therapy, and is free of disease recurrence for 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: This case pretends to review an unusual presentation of a giant jejunal intestinal GISTs as well as its management in an emergent context.

Surgical treatment of postoperative laparostomy and pyloroduodenostomy-Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative duodenal-cutaneous fistula represents a rare and very complex problem. In most cases operative management becomes necessary, but only after local and systemic stabilization and sepsis control. CASE PRESENTATION: A 39-year-old man was admitted for surgical management of laparostomy and pyloro-duodenostomy of the first (DI) and second (DII) duodenal segments with one year of evolution, as a complication of several surgical interventions. The patient had been previously submitted to surgical interventions in another institution for: 1- lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage: treated with total colectomy; 2- upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage: performed a pyloroduodenotomy and pyloroplasty; 3- evisceration: abdominal wall closure; 4- biliary peritonitis due to pyloroplasty dehiscence: submitted to laparotomy with placement of a gastrostomy tube and pyloroduodenostomy tube; 5- intestinal haemorrhage through the pyloroduodenostomy tube: inconclusive exploratory laparotomy plus laparostomy; 6- gastrointestinal haemorrhage and shock: submitted to jejunal segmental resection (haemorrhagic mucous nodule); 7- several complications related to drainage, fistulae and celiostomy. DISCUSSION: After initial medical treatment for local and systemic stabilization during four months, the following surgical procedures were performed: antrectomy; duodenectomy of DI and the suprapapillary part of DII; T-L gastrojejunostomy; duodenojejunostomy (DII and DIII) L-L at 40 cm of the gastrojejunal anastomosis; T-L jejunojejunostomy; abdominoplasty with a mesh and fibrin glue application; primary cutaneous closure. A multitubular drain was positioned near the duodeno-jejunal anastomosis and a suction drain was positioned in the subcutaneous space. CONCLUSION: The patient was discharged at the 60th postoperative day, asymptomatic and with a weight gain of 10 kg.

Parathyroid Hormone as a Predictor of Post-Thyroidectomy Hipocalcemia: A Prospective Evaluation of 100 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Hypocalcemia is a frequent complication after total thyroidectomy and the main reason for prolonged hospitalization of these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied prospectively 112 patients who underwent total or completation thyroidectomy between June 2012 and November 2013. Twelve patients with preoperative changes in parathyroid function were excluded. Parathyroid hormone and calcium levels were determined pre-operatively, immediately after surgery, on 1st day and on 14th day after surgery. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients enrolled, 60 have developed hypocalcaemia (60%) but only 14 patients had symptomatic hypocalcaemia. It mostly occurs 24 hours after surgery (76.7%). It was permanent in 3 patients and temporary in the others. In the 60 patients with hypocalcaemia, it has been found hypoparathyroidism in 19 patients immediately after surgery, in 14 patients on 1st day but only 3 had hypoparathyroidism (patients with permanent hypocalcaemia). Comparing the group of patients with and without hypocalcaemia we found a decrease of parathyroid hormone in both (immediately after surgery and on 1st day) but was more important in the hypocalcaemia group (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001). The decrease of PTH levels was more pronounced in the hypocalcaemia group, with significance on the first day (22.29% vs 50.29%, p < 0.001). The best predictor of hypocalcaemia identified was the decrease of parathyroid hormone levels > 19.4% determined on the 1st day (sensitivity = 82%; specificity = 63%). DISCUSSION: In our study there was a high incidence of hypocalcemia (60%), expressed predominantly 24 hours after surgery and conditioned, in these patients, a longer hospital stay. However, only 3 patients (3%) had permanent hypocalcemia. We still found a match in the oscillation of serum calcium levels and parathyroid hormone which identified the decrease in parathyroid hormone on the first day after surgery as a reliable predictor of hypocalcemia. CONCLUSION: Decrease of parathyroid hormone levels > 19.4% determined on 1st day is a good predictor of hypocalcemia after total / completation thyroidectomy, allowing to identify patients at higher risk of hypocalcemia, medicate them prophylactically and get early and safe discharges.

Identification of parathyroid glands: anatomical study and surgical implications.

While performing thyroid surgery, the unintentional lesion of parathyroid glands and laryngeal nerves results in a profound alteration in patient's quality of life. To minimize thyroid surgery morbidity, the surgeon must have an in-depth knowledge of the thyroid gland morphology and its anatomical relations in the anterior compartment of the neck. This work intended to simulate total thyroidectomies using cadaver parts and isolate fragments that may correspond to parathyroid glands. The thyroid glands and "eventual" parathyroid glands were then submitted to histological study. Ninety-two cadaver parts were used for macroscopic dissection. A total of 242 fragments were isolated, 154 of which were confirmed through histological study to be parathyroid glands. In 36 cases, all "eventual" parathyroid glands isolated during dissection were confirmed through histological verification. In 40 cases, some glands were confirmed. In 16 cases, none of the "eventual" parathyroid glands was confirmed. The 92 thyroid glands isolated during dissection were also submitted to histological study. In 21 thyroid glands, 16 parathyroid glands were identified in the histological cuts: 8 sub-capsular, 8 extra-capsular, 6 intra-thyroidal. There was no statistical difference between the dimensions of the parathyroid glands. Parathyroid gland identification and preservation are sometimes a challenge during thyroid surgery, difficulty that has been demonstrated during dissection of cadaver parts.

[Identification and preservation of parathyroid glands in cadaver parts]. / Identificação e preservação de glândulas paratiróides em peças de cadáver.

INTRODUCTION: It is essential to know the thyroid gland morphology and its anatomical relations in the anterior compartment of the neck in order to minimize the rate of thyroid surgery morbidity, especially the lesion of parathyroid glands and laryngeal nerves. The aim of this study was the identification of parathyroid glands in cadaver parts and their histological confirmation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty cadaver parts were used to simulate thyroidectomies. During dissection, the thyroid glands and eventual parathyroid glands were isolated and then submitted to histological study. DISCUSSION: Twenty cadaver parts (anterior cervical organs) were used for macroscopic dissection during which 48 fragments that corresponded to eventual parathyroid glands were isolated, 35 of which were effectively confirmed through histological observation to be parathyroid glands. The 20 cadaver parts were then divided into three groups according to the number of histologically confirmed parathyroid glands. In the first group, composed of 11 cases, all eventual parathyroid glands were confirmed. In the second group, composed of six cases, only some glands were confirmed. In the third group, composed of three cases, none of the possible glands were confirmed. In seven of the 20 isolated thyroid glands, eight parathyroid glands were identified during histological study: four subcapsular, three extra-capsular, one intra-thyroidal. There was no statistical relation in the dimensions of the parathyroid glands. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of the anatomy of the central visceral compartment of the neck and its most frequent variations reduces but doesn't eliminate thyroid surgery morbidity, especially parathyroid iatrogenic excision, difficulty which has been demonstrated during the dissection of cadaver parts.

Introdução: É indispensável ter um conhecimento profundo da morfologia da glândula tiróide e das estruturas com ela relacionadas no compartimento anterior do pescoço, para minimizar a morbilidade decorrente da cirurgia da tiróide, nomeadamente a lesão das glândulas paratiróides e dos nervos laríngeos. Este estudo pretendeu identificar glândulas paratiróides em peças de cadáver, confirmando-as histologicamente.Material e Métodos: Foram usadas 20 peças de cadáver para simular tiroidectomias. Durante a dissecção, foram isoladas as glândulas tiróides e eventuais glândulas paratiróides, que foram submetidas a estudo histológico.Discussão: Foram dissecadas 20 peças de cadáver (regiões cervicais anteriores), sendo isolados 48 fragmentos que correspondiam a eventuais glândulas paratiróides, dos quais 35 foram confirmados histologicamente como sendo efectivamente paratiróides. Os 20 casos foram, então, divididos em três grupos, de acordo com o número de paratiróides confirmadas histologicamente. No primeiro grupo, constituído por 11 casos, todas as eventuais paratiróides foram confirmadas. No segundo grupo, constituído por seis casos, apenas algumas paratiróides foram confirmadas. No terceiro grupo, constituído por três casos, nenhuma das eventuais paratiróides isoladas era efectivamente paratiróide. Em sete das 20 glândulas tiróides isoladas, foram identificadas oito paratiróides no estudo histológico: quatro sub-capsulares; três extra-capsulares e uma intra-tiróideia. As dimensões das paratiróides não tinham relação estatisticamente significativa.Conclusão: O conhecimento da anatomia das estruturas do compartimento central do pescoço e das suas variações mais frequentes diminui, mas não elimina a morbilidade da cirurgia da tiróide, nomeadamente a excisão iatrogénica das paratiróides, cuja dificuldade de identificação foi evidenciada nas peças dissecadas.

[The anatomical variations of the extensor muscles of the hand fingers]. / Variantes anatómicas dos músculos extensores dos dedos da mão.

INTRODUCTION: The extensor tendons of fingers are subject of many variations, some of them quite frequent. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The dissection of the posterior region of forearm and hand was carried out, and the anatomical variations were documented. RESULTS: In Case 1 the extensor digitorum divided into 5 tendons: one for the index finger, one for the middle finger, two for the ring finger and one for the little finger; the extensor indicis proprius divided into two tendons: one for the index and one for the middle finger. In Case 2 the extensor digitorum divided into 4 tendons: one tendon joined the extensor pollicis longus, one tendon for the index, one for the middle finger and one for the ring finger with one slip to the little finger; the extensor indicis proprius divided into two tendons, one for the index and one for the middle finger; the extensor digiti minimi divided into two slips for the little finger. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: The existence of a double tendon from extensor digitorum for the ring finger is described in several studies. The tendinous slip from extensor digitorum to extensor pollicis longus is not a frequent finding. The double tendon from extensor digiti minimi may occur in 60 to 90% of cases. The knowledge of the most common variations of the tendons of extensor muscles is very important in surgical practice.

Introdução: Os músculos extensores dos dedos da mão estão sujeitos a múltiplas variações, algumas bastante frequentes.Material e Métodos: Foi efectuada a dissecção da região posterior do antebraço e mão de dois cadáveres, documentando-se as variações anatómicas encontradas.Resultados: No Caso 1 o extensor comum dos dedos emitia cinco tendões: um para o 2º dedo, um para o 3º dedo, dois para o 4º dedo e um para o 5º dedo; o extensor próprio do indicador emitia dois tendões: um para o dedo indicador e um para o 3º dedo. No Caso 2 o extensor comum dos dedos emitia quatro tendões: um tendão que se unia ao tendão do longo extensor do polegar, um para o 2º dedo, um para o 3º dedo e um para o 4º dedo que, por sua vez, emitia um tendão que se unia ao tendão do extensor do dedo mínimo; o extensor próprio do indicador emitia dois tendões: um para o dedo indicador e outro para o 3º dedo; o extensor do dedo mínimo emitia dois tendões para o 5º dedo.Discussão/Conclusões: A existência de um tendão duplo do extensor comum dos dedos para o 4º dedo tem sido verificada frequentemente em alguns estudos. É raro existir um tendão do extensor comum dos dedos para o longo extensor do polegar. Um tendão duplo do extensor do dedo mínimo pode ocorrer em 60 a 90% dos casos em alguns estudos. O conhecimento das variações mais frequentes dos tendões dos extensores dos dedos é importante para a prática cirúrgica.

[Rare anatomical variation of absence of the sciatic nerve: completely substituted by the tibial and common fibular nerve]. / Variação anatómica rara de ausência do nervo ciático: completamente substituído pelos nervos tibial e fibular comum.

INTRODUCTION: There are several reports of sciatic nerve anatomical variations. Some are associated with clinical entities, such as piriformis syndrome. We aim to report a rare anatomical variation of this nerve. CASES REPORT: Two leucodermic, 74 and 78-year-old male subjects, deceased of natural causes, without lower limb relevant medical history. In both subjects, the right sciatic nerve was absent, with an independent origin and course of the tibial and common fibular nerves. The contralateral sciatic nerve had the common anatomical presentation. DISCUSSION: After the analysis of the available data indexed in Medline, we conclude that we are reporting two cases of a rare anatomical variation (the absence of sciatic nerve, with an independent origin and course of the tibial and common fibular nerve). This anatomical variation may have clinical importance, as it may be, for example, a risk factor to unsuccessful sciatic nerve popliteal blocks and to the pyriformis syndrome.

Introdução: Existem várias publicações referindo variantes anatómicas do nervo ciático, algumas associadas a síndromes clínicos (como sendo a síndrome do músculo piriforme). Neste contexto, pretendemos apresentar uma variante anatómica rara do nervo ciático.Casos clínicos: Dois cadáveres leucodérmicos, masculinos, com 74 e 78 anos, falecidos de morte natural, sem patologia do membro inferior. Em ambos os casos, observou-se ausência do nervo ciático direito, tendo os nervos tibial e fibular comum origem e trajecto independentes, desde a sua origem nas raízes lombo-sagradas até à região poplítea. O nervo ciático contralateral apresentava a anatomia habitual.Discussão: Analisando a literatura, na Medline, realçamos que apresentamos dois casos raros de ausência do nervo ciático, com origem e trajecto independentes dos nervos tibial e fibular comum. Esta variante poderá ter implicações clínicas, nomeadamente ser um factor de risco para o insucesso de bloqueios anestésicos poplíteos e para a síndrome do músculo piriforme.

An unusual endoscopic image of a submucosal angiodysplasia.

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding is responsible for 2-10% of the cases of digestive bleeding. Angiodysplasia is the most common cause. The authors report a case of a 70-year-old female patient admitted to our Gastrointestinal Intensive Care Unit with a significant digestive bleeding. Standard upper and lower endoscopy showed no abnormalities, and we decided to perform a capsule enteroscopy that revealed a submucosal nodule with active bleeding in the jejunum. An intraoperative enteroscopy confirmed the presence of a small submucosal lesion with a central ulceration, and subsequently a segmental enterectomy was performed. Surprisingly, the histopathological diagnosis was angiodysplasia. The patient remains well after a two-year period of follow-up. We present this case of obscure/overt gastrointestinal bleeding to emphasize the role of capsule and intraoperative enteroscopy in the evaluation of these situations, and because of the unusual endoscopic appearance of the angiodysplasia responsible for the hemorrhage.