Use of caudal pancreatectomy as a novel adjunct procedure to proximal splenorenal shunt in patients with noncirrhotic portal hypertension: A retrospective cohort study.

Backgrounds/Aims: Proximal splenorenal shunt (PSRS) is considered a one-time treatment for noncirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) to prevent recurrent upper gastrointestinal (UGI) hemorrhage and long-term complications. Long-term shunt patency is necessary to achieve these. The lie of the shunt is a contributing factor to early shunt thrombosis. We investigated the role of resection of the distal tail of pancreas (caudal pancreatectomy [CP]) in improving the lie of shunt and decreasing shunt thrombosis. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with NCPH who underwent PSRS between 2014-2020 in JIPMER, Puducherry, India. CP was performed in patients with a long tail of pancreas, with the tip of pancreatic tail extending up to splenic hilum on preoperative CT. Perioperative parameters and shunt patency rate of patients who underwent PSRS with CP (Group A) were compared with patients undergoing conventional PSRS (Group B). Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test. Results: Eighty four patients with NCPH underwent PSRS (extrahepatic portal vein obstruction = 39; noncirrhotic portal fibrosis = 45). Blood loss was lower (p = 0.002) and post-shunt fall in portal pressure higher (p = 0.002) in Group A. Shunt thrombosis rate was lower (p = 0.04) while rate of complete variceal regression (p = 0.03) and biochemical pancreatic leak (p = 0.01) were higher in Group A.There was no clinically relevant pancreatic fistula in either group. Conclusions: CP is a safe and useful technique for reducing shunt thrombosis after PSRS in patients with NCPH by improving the lie of shunt.

Pathological abnormalities in splenic vasculature in non-cirrhotic portal hypertension: Its relevance in the management of portal hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Portal hypertension (PH) is associated with changes in vascular structure and function of the portosplenomesenteric system (PSMS). This is referred to as portal hypertensive vasculopathy. Pathological abnormalities of PSMS has been described in the literature for cirrhotic patients. Raised portal pressure and hyperdynamic circulation are thought to be the underlying cause of this vasculopathy. In view of this, it is expected that pathological changes in splenic and portal vein similar to those reported in cirrhotic patients with PH may also be present in patients with non-cirrhotic PH (NCPH). AIM: To investigate pathological abnormalities of splenic vein in patients with NCPH, and suggest its possible implications in the management of PH. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed on 116 patients with NCPH [Extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO): 53 and non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF): 63] who underwent proximal splenorenal shunt (PSRS), interposition shunt or splenectomy with devascularization in JIPMER, Pondicherry, India, a tertiary level referral center, between 2011-2016. All patients were evaluated by Doppler study of PSMS, computed tomography porto-venogram and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. An acoustic resonance forced impulse (ARFI) scan and abdomen ultrasound were done for all cases to exclude cirrhosis. Intraoperative and histopathological assessment of the harvested splenic vein was performed in all. The study group was divided into delayed and early presentation based on the median duration of symptoms (i.e. 108 mo). RESULTS: The study group comprising of 116 patients [77 (66%) females and 39 (34%) males] with NCPH had a median age of 22 years. Median duration of symptoms was 108 mo. The most common presentation in both EHPVO and NCPF patients was upper gastrointestinal bleeding (hematemesis and melena). The ARFI scan revealed a median score of 1.2 (1.0-1.8) m/s for EHPVO and 1.5 (0.9-2.8) m/s for NCPF. PSRS was performed in 84 patients (two of whom underwent interposition PSRS using a 10 mm Dacron graft); splenoadrenal shunt in 9; interposition mesocaval shunt in 5; interposition 1st jejunal to caval shunt in 1 patient and devascularization with splenectomy in 17 patients. Median pre-splenectomy portal pressure was 25 (range: 15-51) mm Hg. In 77% cases, the splenic vein was abnormal upon intraoperative assessment. Under macroscopic examination, wall thickening was observed in 108 (93%), venous thrombosis in 32 (28%) and vein wall calcification in 27 (23%) cases. Upon examination under a surgical magnification loupe, 21 (18%) patients had intimal defects in the splenic vein. Histopathological examination of veins was abnormal in all cases. Medial hypertrophy was noted in nearly all patients (107/116), while intimal fibrosis was seen in 30%. Ninety one percent of patients with intimal fibrosis also had venous thrombosis. Vein wall calcification was found in 22%, all of whom had intimal fibrosis and venous thrombosis. The proportion of patients with pathological abnormalities in the splenic vein were significantly greater in the delayed presentation group as compared to the early presentation group. CONCLUSION: Pathological changes in the splenic vein similar to those in cirrhotic patients with PH are noted in NCPH. We recommend that PH in NCPH be treated as systemic and pulmonary hypertension equivalent in the gastrointestinal tract, and that early aggressive therapy be initiated to reduce portal pressure and hemodynamic stress to avoid potential lethal effects.

Proximal Splenorenal Shunt in a Rare Renal Vein Anomaly: A Case Report.

Left renal vein (LRV) has been considered as the most suitable vein for proximal splenorenal shunt (PSRS), a commonly performed shunt for non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. Anatomical anomalies in LRV that can pose technical difficulty during shunt procedure are reported in 10% cases. We report a rare anomaly of LRV which precluded performance of standard end-to-side proximal splenorenal shunt and describe its management by performing an interposition end-to-end proximal splenorenal shunt. A 50-year-old female presented with recurrent episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleed for five years. She was pale and had a massive splenomegaly. There were no signs of encephalopathy. Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy revealed three columns of grade 3 esophageal varices, large fundal varices and mild portal hypertensive gastropathy. Duplex ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of the abdomen was suggestive of non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis. She underwent an interposition end-to-end proximal splenorenal shunt with inferior branch of left renal vein. She developed partial shunt thrombosis at follow-up of 18 months and underwent balloon angioplasty and metallic stenting of shunt. She is doing well at 24 months follow-up with no recurrence of symptoms and a patent shunt. In conclusion, the presence of renal vein abnormalities does not preclude performance of PSRS with suitable modifications. A high index of suspicion is required to detect them preoperatively to avoid technical difficulties and to plan modifications of PSRS. Interposition end-to-end graft proximal splenorenal shunt is a valid option with good primary-assisted patency rate and clinical outcome.

Pseudoaneurysm: A complication of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has gained importance during last few decades, because of its several advantages. However, it has its own set of complications, which can be avoided by following the basic anatomical principles of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. PRESENTATION OF CASE: An 85-year-old male patient, developed a painless intraabdominal lump following laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Clinical and radiological evaluation was suggestive of pseudo aneurysm. Intra operative findings revealed a pseudo aneurysm arising from the right deep circumflex iliac artery. Excision of the pseudo aneurysm with incorporated mesh along with orchidectomy followed by fascial repair was performed. DISCUSSION: Pseudo aneurysm refers to a defect in an arterial wall, which allows communication of arterial blood with the adjacent extra-luminal space. Blood extravasates out of the artery, which is contained by surrounding soft tissue and compressed thrombus that forms a cavity or sac. With the increasing utilization of percutaneous arterial interventions worldwide, iatrogenic arterial injury has become the predominant cause of pseudo aneurysm formation. Here we report a case on pseudo aneurysm arising from deep circumflex iliac artery following laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. This complication can be avoided by following the basic principles of surgical anatomy of the pelvis and groin as viewed through the laparoscope. CONCLUSION: Pseudo aneurysm complicating laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is a rare occurrence. Injury to seemingly small artery can lead to evolution of pseudoaneurysm. Adherence to surgical principle will avoid such a complication.

Laparoscopic Splenectomy for Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) Patients with Very Severe Thrombocytopenia.

Laparoscopic approach is considered as gold standard for splenectomy in patients with Immune Thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The evidence for safety and feasibility of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) in patients with very severe thrombocytopenia (< 10,000 µL) is limited. A retrospective study of 32 ITP patients who underwent LS between July 2012 and November 2016. The ITP patients who had platelet counts < 10,000 µL (Group A, n = 15) and > 10,000 µL (Group B, n = 17) were compared with respect to operative time, blood loss, conversion rate, perioperative blood transfusion, the length of hospital stay and postoperative complications. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to operative time (p = 0.07), intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.75), postoperative complications (p = 0.23) and hospital stay (p = 0.15). None of the patients in the two groups required conversion to open procedure. No intra operative blood transfusion was required. In Group A, 3 patients (with platelet count less than 2000 µL) received platelet transfusion at induction of anesthesia while 10 others received after ligation of the splenic artery. There was no difference in the operative time, blood loss, postoperative complications and hospital stay between them. LS is a safe and feasible procedure for ITP patients with very severe thrombocytopenia. In these patients, the timing of intraoperative platelet transfusion does not influence perioperative and anesthetic complications.

Plexiform angiomyxoid myofibroblastic tumour of the duodenum: a rare entity.

Plexiform angiomyxoid myofibroblastic tumour (PAMT) has recently emerged as a new entity among gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumours. All of the 27 cases reported until now originated from the stomach. We report the first case of a duodenal PAMT arising from the first part of the duodenum in a 19-year-old woman presenting with upper abdominal pain and an abdominal lump.

Perforated isolated jejunal diverticulum: a rare aetiology of acute abdomen.

In the absence of trauma, perforated jejunal diverticulum (JD) is a rare entity. Perforated isolated JD is rarer. We report a case of perforated isolated JD in a 55-year-old woman who presented with features of peritonitis and had no history of trauma. Resection and anastomosis of the involved jejunal segment was performed.

Spontaneous retroperitoneal haemorrhage in a young adult.

We report a rare case of a primary adrenal cortical malignancy presenting with spontaneous retroperitoneal haemorrhage in a young adult. To the best of our knowledge, this is the thirteenth such case to be reported in the English literature.

Comparative Study of Recurrence and Complications Using Various Sclerosants by Single Dart Technique in Treatment of Ganglion Cysts.

Ganglion cysts are tense,smooth,fluctuant,cystic and transilluminant swellings. They are commonly found on the dorsum of the wrist, at the scapholunate articulation and may involve volar wrist, tendon sheaths and even inter phalangeal joints. This study aims to compare the efficacy and the recurrence rates with triamcinolone, hyaluronidase and sodium tetradecyl sulphate,using the single dart technique. This prospective observational study was conducted on patients who presented to the general surgery outpatient department of our institute with ganglion cysts of wrist between January 2010 and August 2011 (20 months). A total of 180 patients were included in this study. The difference in the recurrence rates after sclerotherapy for ganglion cysts is statistically not significant between triamcinolone and hyaluronidase regimens as Z (P1-P2) = 1.70, p > 0.05 but the difference in the recurrence rates after sclerotherapy for ganglion cysts is statistically significant between triamcinolone and sodium tetradecyl sulphate regimens as Z (P1-P2) = 3.34, p < 0.05 . Chi-square value -10.33 (2 ° of freedom), p = 0.00571987 (significant at 5 % level). Intralesional injection of triamcinolone by single dart technique, therefore, may be considered as a simple, safe, cost effective, convenient, less invasive alternative to surgical excision of wrist ganglion cysts.

Concurrent parathyroid carcinoma and adenoma: A rare presentation of a rarer disease entity.

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare disease. But multiglandular parathyroid neoplasm is even rarer. A high level of suspicion, on the basis of clinical, hematological tests and intraoperative findings is necessary to treat this disease entity, particularly in the absence of palpable neck masses. Preoperative localization is important. Bilateral neck exploration should be done routinely and all 4 glands seen to avoid missing out other pathological glands.

Abdominal cocoon: a case series.

We describe a series of 18 cases of abdominal cocoon in patients presenting with features of small intestinal obstruction or perforative peritonitis, nine of whom had tubercular aetiology while the rest were idiopathic. Manifestations of abdominal tuberculosis such as mesenteric abscesses, enlarged and caseating mesenteric lymph nodes, and tubercles over the bowel serosa were found in only 55% patients who were ultimately diagnosed to have Tubercular aetiology. We conclude that a high index of suspicion for this rare cause of a common surgical emergency is desirable.

Sporadic intra-abdominal desmoid: a rare presentation as a hepatic mass.

We report an unusual presentation of a sporadic intra-abdominal desmoid tumour, possibly arising from the diaphragm, masquerading as a hepatic mass in a young female without any history of surgery or trauma. Histopathology ruled out a hepatic origin of the tumour as was inferred from pre- and intraoperative evaluation. Immunohistochemistry showed positivity of lesional fibroblastic cells for ß-catenin and negativity for CD34, CD117, EMA, SMA, desmin, vimentin, cytokeratin, and ALK1 thereby confirming the diagnosis of a desmoid tumour. There exist only a few reports in the literature on desmoids related to the diaphragm, but only one on a diaphragmatic desmoid that is possibly primary.

Acute intestinal obstruction: a rare aetiology.

Internal herniation of small intestine is a very rare entity, and it poses a real diagnostic challenge clinically. Recurrent entrapment of the bowel may lead to partial to complete intestinal obstruction and eventually strangulation of the small bowel. Of this rare clinical entity, left paraduodenal hernia is more common. High index of suspicion with prompt management may prevent bowel strangulation and gangrene. We present a case of acute intestinal obstruction due to left paraduodenal hernia with malrotation of midgut in a 55-year-old male patient.

Ascaris lumbricoides: an unusual aetiology of gastric perforation.

Gastrointestinal (GI) infestation with Ascaris lumbricoides is common in the tropical countries, particularly in children. A wide range of clinical presentations are reported for GI ascariasis in both adults and children. We report a case of gastric perforation due to Ascaris, a rare presentation.

Spontaneous rupture of a giant hepatic hemangioma-report of a case.

Hemangioma is the commonest benign hepatic neoplasm. Most cases are asymptomatic. Spontaneous rupture is rare (1-4%). Only 34 cases have been reported in adults. None had history of trauma. We report a case, the first from India of spontaneous rupture of a giant hepatic hemangioma, in a 25 year old male presenting with acute abdomen. He underwent right hepatectomy. Histopathology suggested cavernous hemangioma.

Laparoscopic versus open splenectomy in the treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: an Indian experience.

UNLABELLED: Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is emerging as the treatment of choice over open splenectomy (OS) in cases of idiopathic (immune) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) that is either steroid resistant or steroid unresponsive.The aim of the present study is to compare therapeutic response and outcome of patients with ITP undergoing LS with a similar group undergoing OS.The study was performed on 63 patients with ITP attending Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, a tertiary level referral centre in Eastern India during 2005-2009.Twenty-seven patients with ITP underwent LS and the rest underwent OS. Twenty-eight patients were steroid resistant whereas the rest were diagnosed to be refractory to steroids. Parameters assessed were demographic characteristics of patients, peri-operative data, complications and haematological outcome.The patients were followed up for a mean period of 40 months. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics of the patients in LS and OS group were comparable. Patients undergoing LS were found to require a longer operative time but had lower intra-operative blood loss, less postoperative pain, decreased incidence of complications, reduced hospital stay and comparable haematological response as compared to that for patients undergoing OS. LS for ITP is a safe technique associated with lower morbidity and faster convalescence and similar haematological response when compared to OS.

Peritoneal hydatidosis: a review of seven cases.

Seven cases of peritoneal hydatidosis were reviewed. Of these, one had disseminated primary peritoneal echinococcosis, a rare presentation, whereas the rest were secondary to hepatic or splenic lesions. They were treated with a preoperative course of antihelminthics followed by surgery, which consisted of removal of the peritoneal cysts along with de-roofing and omentoplasty for the hepatic lesions and splenectomy for the splenic hydatid. During follow up, all patients were given a three-month course of albendazole and are doing well.