Colonoscopic laxative instillation for the fecal-loaded colon: a case series

Context: Postoperative, critically ill, and elderly patients often have fecal loading or impaction. In a few such patients, disimpaction of fecalomas and colon cleansing are difficult. Bowel obstruction, megacolon, lower gastrointestinal bleeding, and gut perforation are complications that may ensue. Oral laxatives or enemas may only be partially effective. Surgical intervention may be needed for salvage or to treat complications. Series and Design: Fourteen hospitalized cases with defecation disorder due to fecal loading of the colon were enrolled for retrospective analysis. Colonoscopic instillation of mannitol and/or lactulose was undertaken as an intervention when the use of oral laxatives was either ineffective or unfeasible, and enema had yielded poor results. Results: Ten patients had satisfactory outcomes for fecal clearance, whereas four patients with poor or incomplete responses underwent repeat interventions or surgery. No significant complications were encountered due to this therapy. Conclusion: Colonoscopic instillation of mannitol or lactulose in fecal-loaded critically ill patients results in a safe and satisfactory fecal clearance. (AU)

Dermatite associada à incontinência: estudo de coorte em pacientes críticos / Dermatitis asociada con incontinencia: estudio de cohorte en pacientes críticos / Incontinence-associated dermatitis: a cohort study in critically ill patients

RESUMO Objetivos Estimar incidência, determinar fatores de risco e propor modelo de predição de risco para desenvolvimento de dermatite associada a incontinência em pacientes adultos críticos. Método Trata-se de um estudo de coorte concorrente realizado com 157 pacientes críticos. A coleta de dados foi conduzida diariamente entre fevereiro e julho de 2015 em hospital público e de ensino de Belo Horizonte, MG. Os dados foram lançados em banco de dados, submetidos a análise descritiva de sobrevida e multivariada. Resultados Obteve-se uma incidência global de 20,4%. Foram encontrados 19 fatores de risco que apresentaram associação significativa com o problema. As variáveis encontradas no modelo de predição de risco foram: sexo masculino, trauma, uso de hipnótico/sedativos, lactulona, suporte nutricional, fezes pastosas e queixa de ardência (local). Conclusão Os resultados mostraram que a dermatite é um achado clínico comum em pacientes adultos críticos e merece atenção especial para maior qualidade da assistência de enfermagem.

RESUMEN Objetivos Estimar incidencia, determinar factores de riesgo y proponer modelo de predicción de riesgo para el desarrollo de la dermatitis asociada a la incontinencia en pacientes adultos críticos. Método Se trata de un estudio de cohorte concurrente de 157 pacientes críticamente enfermos. La recolección de datos se realizó diariamente entre febrero y julio de 2015, en un hospital público y de enseñanza de Belo Horizonte-MG. Los datos se introdujeron en la base de datos, sometidos a análisis descriptivo, de supervivencia y multivariada. Resultados Se obtuvo una incidencia global del 20,4%. Se encontraron 19 factores de riesgo asociados significativamente con el problema. Las variables identificadas en el modelo de predicción de riesgo fueron: sexo masculino, trauma, uso de hipnóticos/sedantes, lactulona, soporte nutricional, heces sueltas y queja de ardor (local). Conclusión Los resultados mostraron que la dermatitis es un hallazgo clínico frecuente en pacientes adultos críticos y merece una atención especial para una mayor calidad de los cuidados de enfermería.

ABSTRACT Objectives Estimate incidence, determine risk factors and propose a prediction model for the development of incontinence- associated dermatitis critically ill adult patients. Method Concurrent cohort study with 157 critically ill patients. Data collection was daily performed between February and July 2015, at a public teaching hospital of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Data was entered in a database and subjected to descriptive, survival and multivariate analysis. Results An overall incidence of 20.4% was obtained. Nineteen (19) risk factors significantly associated with the disorder were found. The variables identified in the risk prediction model were male, trauma, use of hypnotics/sedatives, lactulose, nutritional support, loose stools and complaints of burning. Conclusion The results showed that dermatitis is a common clinical finding in critically ill adult patients and requires special attention from the nursing staff.

Sobrecrecimiento bacteriano intestinal y pseudoobstrucción intestinal crónica: una relación poco conocida / Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIP) is the most severe intestinal motility disorder. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is frequently associated to dysmotility. In spite of this association, there is scare data on the relation between CIP and SIBO. To establish occurrence of CIP in SIBO patients in inter-crisis periods. To compare clinical and manometric characteristics of SIBO and non-SIBO patients. Retrospective analysis of 40 CIP patients (average age: 41 years; range: 18-76 years; 75 percent women). The following elements were registered: symptoms (such as pain, distention, vomit, constipation, diarrhea and weight loss); findings of the intestinal manometry (neuropathic, miopatic and mix pattern; intestinal motility index); and SIBO using lactulose H2 breath test, defined as an increase > 20 ppm in 2 or more figures in the first 60 minutes. Statistical analysis: t-test y and comparison of two ratios. SIBO was observed in 60 percent of the patients with CIP. Three or more symptoms were observed in 70.8 percent of the patients with SIBO 50 percentwithout SIBO (p = NS). In patients with SIBO, the most frequent symptom was abdominal pain (70.8 percent p= 0.032). There were no differences between SIBO patients and the different motility patterns, however, the intestinal motility index was lower for the SIBO group (9.7 +/- 44 12.3 +/-7; p < 0.001). : There is a high prevalence of SIBO in CIP patients. This is associated to a major compromise of intestinal motility assessed by the intestinal motility index...

Introducción: La pseudoobstrucción intestinal crónica (POIC) es el trastorno más grave de la motilidad intestinal. El sobrecrecimiento bacteriano intestinal (SBI) se asocia frecuentemente a estados de dismotilidad. A pesar de esta asociación existen escasos datos sobre la relación entre POIC y SBI. Objetivo: Determinar SBI en pacientes con POIC en período inter-crisis. Comparar características clínicas y manométricas de pacientes con y sin SBI. Material y Método: Análisis retrospectivo de 40 pacientes con POIC (edad promedio: 41 años, rango: 18-76 años; 75 por ciento mujeres). Se registraron síntomas (dolor, distensión, vómitos, constipación, diarrea, baja de peso), hallazgos en manometría intestinal (patrón neuropático, miopático o mixto, índice de motilidad intestinal (IMI)) y SBI con test de H2 con lactulosa, definido como la elevación > 20 ppm en 2 o más cifras en los primeros 60 min. Análisis estadístico: t-test y comparación de 2 proporciones. Resultados: Se observó SBI en 60 por ciento de los pacientes con POIC. Tres o más síntomas se presentaron en 70,8 por ciento de los pacientes con SBI vs 50 por ciento en POIC sin SBI (p = NS). El síntoma dolor abdominal fue más frecuente en pacientes con SBI (70,8 por ciento vs 31,2 por ciento, p = 0,032). No hubo diferencias entre pacientes con SBI y los distintos patrones de motilidad, sin embargo, el IMI fue menor para el grupo con SBI (9,7 +/- 1,44 vs 12,3 +/- 1,7, p < 0,001). Conclusiones: Existe una alta prevalencia de SBI en pacientes con POIC. Esto se relaciona con mayor compromiso de la motilidad intestinal evaluado por el IMI.

Encefalopatía hepática en el 2011 / Hepatic encephalopaty in 2011

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric and motor disorder, resulting from hepatic failure. It is one of the main manifestations of chronic liver disease and the cardinal presentation of acute liver failure. Its presence and severity are the main prognostic determinants among these patients. It is frequent in advanced chronic liver disease (30-45 percent) and in patients with TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) (10-50 percent). Its pathogenesis is complex and it has multiple components, including ammonia, inflammatory cytokines, benzodiazepine- and manganese-like components, which alter the function of the neuronal cell. Its management requires identification and treatment of the precipitating factors, and ruling out other causes of mental status alteration. The majority of the therapies are aimed at reducing ammonia load in the intestine, such as non absorbable disaccharides (lactulose), antibiotics (neomycin, metronidazole and currently, rifaximin) and other, whose role has yet to be established. Severe encephalopathy is considered an indicator for liver transplantation. This article will analyze mainly hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients, its classification, etiopathogeny and current management.

La encefalopatía hepática (EH) es un síndrome neuropsiquiátrico y motor, que resulta de una disfunción hepática. Es una de las manifestaciones principales de la enfermedad hepática crónica y la presentación cardinal en la falla hepática aguda. Su presencia y gravedad son uno de los mayores determinantes pronósticos en estos pacientes. Es frecuente en enfermedad hepática crónica avanzada (30-45 por ciento)y en portadores de shunt postosistémico transyugular intrahepático (TIPS) (10-50 por ciento). Su patogénesis es compleja y tiene múltiples componentes, incluyendo el amonio, citoquinas inflamatorias, compuestos que semejan a benzodiacepinas y manganeso, que causan alteración funcional de la célula neuronal. El manejo requiere identificar y tratar los factores precipitantes, además de excluir otras causas de alteración del estado mental. La mayoría de las terapias están dirigidas a reducir la carga de amonio en el intestino, tales como los disacáridos no absorbibles (lactulosa), antibióticos (neomicina, metronidazol y actualmente rifaximina) y otros cuyo rol está por establecerse. La encefalopatía grave es considerada un indicador para trasplante hepático. En este artículo analizaremos principalmente la encefalopatía hepática en pacientes con cirrosis, su clasificación, etiopatogenia y manejo actual.

Efeito do tratamento convencional da constipação crônica funcional no tempo de trânsito orocecal e colônico total e segmentar / Effects of conventional treatment of chronic functional constipation on total and segmental colonic and orocecal transit times

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do tratamento convencional da constipação crônica funcional no tempo de trânsito colônico total e segmentar e no tempo de trânsito orocecal. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos 34 pacientes com constipação funcional atendidos consecutivamente em ambulatório especializado. O tempo de trânsito colônico total e segmentar foi avaliado com marcadores radiopacos. O tempo de trânsito orocecal da lactulose e do feijão foi avaliado com teste do hidrogênio no ar expirado. O tratamento constou de desimpactação, orientações gerais e de consumo de dieta rica em fibra alimentar e administração de óleo mineral. RESULTADOS: Na admissão, dismotilidade colônica foi encontrada em 71,9 por cento (23/32) dos pacientes. Todos os pacientes que realizaram corretamente o tratamento apresentaram melhora clínica na sexta semana do tratamento quando 82,6 por cento (19/23) daqueles com dismotilidade na admissão apresentaram normalização ou diminuição da gravidade no padrão de trânsito colônico. Observou-se redução do tempo de trânsito (medianas) entre a admissão e a oitava semana de tratamento: trânsito orocecal da lactulose (de 70 para 50 minutos, p = 0,002), orocecal do feijão (de 240 para 220 minutos, p = 0,002) e colônico total (de 69,5 para 37,0 horas, p = 0,001). A necessidade de uso de óleo mineral para controle da constipação aos 12 meses de tratamento associou-se com persistência de trânsito colônico total superior a 62 horas na oitava semana de tratamento (p = 0,014). CONCLUSÃO: O programa terapêutico convencional proporcionou bons resultados independentemente da presença ou não de dismotilidade colônica na admissão ao estudo. As anormalidades da motilidade digestiva na constipação funcional da criança podem apresentar reversibilidade e ser de natureza secundária.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of conventional treatment of chronic functional constipation on total and segmental colonic transit times and on orocecal transit time. METHODS: A total of 34 consecutive patients with functional constipation attending a specialized outpatient clinic were included in the study. Total and segmental colonic transit times were assessed using radiopaque markers. Hydrogen breath test was used to evaluate lactulose and bean orocecal transit times. Treatment consisted of disimpaction, general and dietary fiber intake instruction, and mineral oil administration. RESULTS: At admission, colonic dysmotility was found in 71.9 percent (23/32) of patients. All patients who complied with the treatment showed improvement of clinical symptoms after 6 weeks of treatment, when 82.6 percent (19/23) of those with dysmotility at admission returned to normal or reduced the severity of colonic transit patterns. Transit time decreased (medians) between admission and eighth week of treatment: lactulose orocecal transit (from 70 to 50 minutes, p = 0.002), bean orocecal transit (from 240 to 220 minutes, p = 0.002), and total colonic transit (from 69.5 to 37.0 hours, p = 0.001). The need for mineral oil therapy for constipation after a 12-month treatment was associated with persistence of total colonic transit higher than 62 hours at the eighth week of treatment (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: The conventional therapeutic approach yielded good results regardless of the presence or not of colonic dysmotility at inclusion in the study. Digestive tract motility abnormalities in functionally constipated children may be reversed, and may be secondary to constipation.

Sobrecrecimiento bacteriano intestinal en pacientes con pancreatitis crónica / Small intestine bacterial overgrowth in patients with chronic pancreatitis

Background: Previous reports describe 30-40 percent of small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), SIBO is a cause of persistent symptoms in this group of patients even when they are treated with pancreatic enzymes. Aim: To asses the frequency of SIBO in patients with CP. Patients and methods: We studied 14 patients with CP using an hydrogen breath test with lactulose to detect SIBO, a nonabsorbable carbohydrate, whose results are not influenced by the presence of exocrine insufficiency. Main symptoms and signs were bloating in 9 (64 percent), recurrent abdominal pain in 8 (57 percent), intermittent diarrhea in 5 (36 percent) and steatorrhea in 5 (36 percent). At the same time we studied a healthy control group paired by age and sex. Results: SIBO was present in 13 of 14 patients with CP (92 percent) and in 1 of 14 controls (p<0.001). The only patient with CP and without SIBO was recently diagnosed and had minimal morphologic alterations in computed tomography and endoscopic pancreatography Conclusions: SIBO is common in CP and may be responsible for persistent symptoms. Proper diagnosis and treatment could alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.