Malignant Bowel Obstruction: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) is a serious clinical entity that requires surgical intervention in almost 50% of cases. However, overall survival remains low even for operable cases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between patients' characteristics, perioperative details, histopathological results and postoperative outcomes of patients who were operated on due to MBO. METHODS: A retrospective search of patients who were operated on due to MBO in a university and a rural hospital was conducted. Patients' characteristics, perioperative details, histopathological results and postoperative outcomes were reported. Univariable and multivariable analysis was performed. RESULTS: Seventy patients were included with a mean age of 76.1 ± 10.6 years. The 30-day mortality rate was 18.6%, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission rate was 17.1% and the mean length of stay (LOS) was 12.4 ± 5.7 days. Postoperative 30-day mortality was associated with increased age, known malignant recurrence, microscopically visible metastatic foci and defunctioning stoma creation. Colorectal malignancy type, sigmoid obstruction and primary anastomosis were correlated with decreased 30-day mortality. In addition, operation at the university hospital led to increased LOS, while stoma creation led to decreased LOS. Finally, ICU admission rates were increased for operations at university hospitals, at least one comorbidity, known malignant recurrence and longer preoperative waiting interval, whereas they were decreased for colorectal primary malignancy type. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery due to MBO leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, prospective studies are needed to highlight inter-patient differences regarding the best individualized therapeutic strategy.

Preoperative vitamin D deficiency predicts postoperative hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Transient postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia occurs in up to 30% of patients. We evaluated the effect of vitamin D deficiency on postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively between January 2006 and March 2009. A total of 166 consecutive total thyroidectomies were analyzed regarding the relation between preoperative vitamin D3 levels and postoperative corrected calcium levels. Patients were divided into three groups dependent upon the preoperative vitamin D3 level: group 1, <25 nmol/l; group 2, 25-50 nmol/l; group 3, >50 nmol/l (conversion factor of 2.5× between nanomoles per liter and nanograms per milliliter). Hypocalcemia was defined as a postoperative calcium level<2.00 mmol/l (8 mg/dl). Hospital length of stay was recorded. RESULTS: There was a difference in postoperative hypocalcemia between the three vitamin D3 groups (group 1 (32%) vs. group 2 (24%) vs. group 3 (13%). Hypocalcemia in group 1 (vit D<25 nmol/l, <10 ng/ml) was significantly more likely than in group 3 (vit D>50 nmol/l, >20 ng/ml) (P=0.025, χ2 test. Vitamin D3 deficiency was also associated with a longer hospital stay (median stay 2 days vs. 1 day, P<0.001, Wilcoxon rank test). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant difference in postoperative hypocalcemia rates between those with vitamin D levels>50 nmol/l (>20 ng/ml) and those with a level of <25 nmol/l (<10 ng/ml). Vitamin D deficiency leads to a delay in discharge owing to a higher likelihood of hypocalcemia.

Lymph node harvesting in colorectal carcinoma specimens.

INTRODUCTION: Adequate lymph node evaluation is an important determinant of prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer. Current guidelines recommend evaluation of at least 12 lymph nodes; however, a significant number of patients fail to meet these criteria. AIM: To investigate the factors that influence adequate recovery and evaluation of lymph nodes in colorectal cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 454 consecutive cases of colorectal cancer surgically treated from September 2000 to September 2006. Univariate and multivariate linear and logistic regression analysis was used to study the effect of various factors in lymph node recovery. RESULTS: The number of lymph nodes retrieved ranged from 0 to 62 with a median of 13 nodes. Overall, 189 (41.6%) patients had fewer than 12 nodes removed. Patient age, tumor stage, location and size were associated with lymph node retrieval. Multivariable regression revealed that the aforementioned variables, including gender and hospital type, explained 17% of the observed variance of the lymph node number. CONCLUSION: Patient and tumor characteristics, although important, are only partly responsible for the variation of lymph node yield. Quality of surgical resection and/or the thoroughness of examination of the tissue by the pathologist might explain the wider proportion of this variance. Training in colorectal node evaluation could help to improve the quality of cancer care.

Primary cavernous hemangioma of the thyroid gland.

A 78-year-old euthyroid patient presented for evaluation of a symptomatic, slowly growing neck mass. Ultrasound scan revealed a multinodular goiter and a hypoechoic nodule of the right thyroid lobe. Total thyroidectomy was performed and the lesion was completely excised. Definite diagnosis was obtained after histological examination of the surgical specimen. Cavernous hemangiomas of the thyroid gland are infrequent lesions which may escape diagnosis preoperatively. An effort should be made not to rupture these lesions in order to ensure a bloodless procedure.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis in a patient with myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is a rare autosomal dominant inherited neuromuscular disease involving several systems. The anesthetic method of choice remains uncertain. The risk of perioperative complications, particularly pulmonary and cardiac complications, in these patients is of major concern. We report on a 16-year-old female patient with DM type 1 undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholelithiasis, who had a smooth, uncomplicated recovery. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is feasible and safe in patients with DM but requires individual multidisciplinary perioperative management.

A symptomatic cyst of the ligamentum teres of the liver: a case report.

Cysts of the liver ligaments are extremely rare and cysts of the ligamentum teres of the liver have been sporadically reported in the literature during the last century. The present report describes a case of a symptomatic patient with a cyst of the ligamentum teres of the liver. The patient presented with right upper quadrant pain and indigestion during the last 2 years. Ultrasound and computed tomography scans revealed a water-density mass attached to the anterior abdominal wall, but definite diagnosis could not be reached. The cyst was completely excised during laparotomy. Cysts of the ligamentum teres of the liver, although infrequent, may produce clinical symptoms and require excision. Ultrasound and computed tomography scan preoperatively cannot rule out malignancy, thus exploratory laparotomy and total resection of these lesions are necessary.

Subclinical peritonitis due to perforated sigmoid diverticulitis 14 years after heart-lung transplantation.

Acute complicated diverticulitis, particularly with colon perforation, is a rare but serious condition in transplant recipients with high morbidity and mortality. Neither acute diverticulitis nor colon perforation has been reported in young heart-lung grafted patients. A case of subclinical peritonitis due to perforated acute sigmoid diverticulitis 14 years after heart-lung transplantation is reported. A 26-year-old woman, who received heart-lung transplantation 14 years ago, presented with vague abdominal pain. Physical examination was normal. Blood tests revealed leukocytosis. Abdominal X-ray showed air-fluid levels while CT demonstrated peritonitis due to perforated sigmoid diverticulitis. Sigmoidectomy and end-colostomy (Hartmann's procedure) were performed. Histopathology confirmed perforated acute sigmoid diverticulitis. The patient was discharged on the 8th postoperative day after an uneventful postoperative course. This is the first report of acute diverticulitis resulting in colon perforation in a young heart-lung transplanted patient. Clinical presentation, even in peritonitis, may be atypical due to the masking effects of immunosuppression. A high index of suspicion, urgent aggressive diagnostic investigation of even vague abdominal symptoms, adjustment of immunosuppression, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and immediate surgical treatment are critical. Moreover, strategies to reduce the risk of this complication should be implemented. Pretransplantation colon screening, prophylactic pretransplantation sigmoid resection in patients with diverticulosis, and elective surgical intervention in patients with nonoperatively treated acute diverticulitis after transplantation deserve consideration and further studies.

Schwannoma of thigh mimicking pseudoaneurysm of the profunda femoral artery.

Femoral and popliteal artery aneurysms constitute the majority of peripheral arterial aneurysms. However, aneurysm of the profunda femoral artery is highly uncommon, being mainly of traumatic and mycotic origin. Diagnosis is usually straightforward with clinical and radiological examination, and such aneurysms are only rarely misdiagnosed as tumors. We herein report a case of preoperatively diagnosed pseudoaneurysm of the profunda femoral artery that was intraoperatively found to be a soft tissue tumor and finally revealed to be a schwannoma, by pathology. Our case's unusual presentation considerably confounded both diagnosis and management, thus providing a salutary clinical lesson.

Novel hemostatic devices in thyroid surgery: electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system and harmonic scalpel.

Accurate and efficient hemostasis is one of the first priorities of the thyroid surgeon to prevent or minimize complications, including injury to the laryngeal nerves or parathyroid glands, perioperative hemorrhage and the potentially life-threatening hematoma. Means to prevent and control intra- or postoperative bleeding therefore remain a topic of utmost importance. Although thyroidectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures, the safest, most efficient and cost-effective way to achieve hemostasis is debated by endocrine surgeons and otorhinolaryngologists. In our opinion, there is no substitute for meticulous surgical technique and hemostasis, while experience in such operations is essential for the best outcome with the fewest complications. Ties, suture-ligations, monopolar/bipolar diathermy, clips, and hemostatic agents/sealants or tissue adhesives have been used. Over the last 10 years, innovative hemostatic devices, such as the electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system and ultrasonically activated shears, have been developed and have been welcome adjuncts to the thyroid surgeon's armamentarium. In this review we aim to cover both novel and well-established traditional techniques of hemostasis in thyroid surgery, with specific focus on the bipolar vessel sealer and harmonic scalpel.

Predictors of in-hospital mortality of trauma patients injured in vehicle accidents.

OBJECTIVES: Identification and assessment of predictive factors of in-hospital mortality of trauma patients injured in vehicle accidents. METHODS: We reviewed the Trauma Registry data of Herakleion University Hospital, a level I trauma center in Crete, Greece. All 730 consecutive, adult motor-vehicle trauma patients admitted to our hospital from 1997 to 2000 were included in the study. Variables included in the analysis were: sex, age, mechanism of injury, injuries per anatomic region, initial vital signs, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), and the final outcome. In order to better describe continuous variables, two categories were created: age > or = 60 and <60; ISS > or = 18 and <18. RESULTS: Mortality rate was 4.8% (n=35). Multivariate survival analysis showed that age greater than or equal to 60 years (p=0.0002), ISS greater than or equal to 18 (p=0.003), being a pedestrian (p=0.007), craniocerebral injuries (p=0.01), thoracic (p=0.01), and abdominal injuries (p=0.01) are independent predictors of the in-hospital mortality of the patients. CONCLUSION: Trauma patients after vehicle accidents aged > or = 60, pedestrians, those with an ISS > or = 18 and craniocerebral, thoracic or abdominal injuries are at higher risk of an in-hospital fatal outcome.

Persistent omphalomesenteric duct causing small bowel obstruction in an adult.

An extremely rare case of persistent omphalomesenteric duct causing small bowel obstruction is presented. A 20-year-old female patient without medical history presented with colicky abdominal pain, vomiting, absence of passage of gas and feces, and abdominal distension of 24 h duration. Physical examination and blood tests were normal. Abdominal X-ray showed small bowel obstruction. Computed tomography of the abdomen demonstrated dilated small bowel and a band originating from the umbilicus and continuing between the small bowel loops; an omphalomesenteric duct remnant was suspected. In exploratory laparotomy, persistent omphalomesenteric duct causing small bowel obstruction was identified and resected. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged on the 5(th) postoperative day. Although persistent omphalomesenteric duct is an extremely infrequent cause of small bowel obstruction in adult patients, it should be taken into consideration in patients without any previous surgical history.

Acute mechanical bowel obstruction: clinical presentation, etiology, management and outcome.

AIM: To identify and analyze the clinical presentation, management and outcome of patients with acute mechanical bowel obstruction along with the etiology of obstruction and the incidence and causes of bowel ischemia, necrosis, and perforation. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study of all adult patients admitted with acute mechanical bowel obstruction between 2001 and 2002. RESULTS: Of the 150 consecutive patients included in the study, 114 (76%) presented with small bowel and 36 (24%) with large bowel obstruction. Absence of passage of flatus (90%) and/or feces (80.6%) and abdominal distension (65.3%) were the most common symptoms and physical finding, respectively. Adhesions (64.8%), incarcerated hernias (14.8%), and large bowel cancer (13.4%) were the most frequent causes of obstruction. Eighty-eight patients (58.7%) were treated conservatively and 62 (41.3%) were operated (29 on the first day). Bowel ischemia was found in 21 cases (14%), necrosis in 14 (9.3%), and perforation in 8 (5.3%). Hernias, large bowel cancer, and adhesions were the most frequent causes of bowel ischemia (57.2%, 19.1%, 14.3%), necrosis (42.8%, 21.4%, 21.4%), and perforation (50%, 25%, 25%). A significantly higher risk of strangulation was noticed in incarcerated hernias than all the other obstruction causes. CONCLUSION: Absence of passage of flatus and/or feces and abdominal distension are the most common symptoms and physical finding of patients with acute mechanical bowel obstruction, respectively. Adhesions, hernias, and large bowel cancer are the most common causes of obstruction, as well as of bowel ischemia, necrosis, and perforation. Although an important proportion of these patients can be nonoperatively treated, a substantial portion requires immediate operation. Great caution should be taken for the treatment of these patients since the incidence of bowel ischemia, necrosis, and perforation is significantly high.

Lipoma induced jejunojejunal intussusception.

Intussusception in adults is rare. The clinical picture of intussusception in adults is subtle and the diagnosis is, therefore, elusive. The presence of a structural abnormality in the great majority of the adult cases mandates high clinical suspicion. Gastrointestinal lipomas are rare benign tumors and intussusception due to a gastrointestinal lipoma constitutes an infrequent clinical entity. The present report describes a case of jejunojejunal intussusception in an adult with a history of severe episodes of hematochezia and colicky upper abdominal pain. The diagnosis was suspected preoperatively but computed tomography scan could not rule out malignancy. Exploratory laparotomy revealed jejunojejunal intussusception secondary to a lipoma which was successfully treated with segmental intestinal resection.

Paraganglioma of the greater omentum: Case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Extra-adrenal, intra-abdominal paraganglioma constitutes a rare neoplasm and, moreover, its location in the greater omentum is extremely infrequent. CASE PRESENTATION: A 46-year-old woman with an unremarkable medical history presented with an asymptomatic greater omentum mass that was discovered incidentally during ultrasonographic evaluation due to menstrual disturbances. Clinical examination revealed a mobile, non-tender, well-circumscribed mass in the right upper and lower abdominal quadrant. Blood tests were normal. Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed a huge (15 x 15 cm), well-demarcated, solid and cystic, heterogeneously enhanced mass between the right liver lobe and right kidney. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a large mass in the greater omentum. The tumor was completely excised along with the greater omentum. Histopathology offered the diagnosis of benign greater omentum paraganglioma. After an uneventful postoperative course, the patient was discharged on the 4th postoperative day. She remains free of disease for 2 years as appears on repeated CT scans as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and scintigraphy performed with radiotracer-labeled metaiodobenzyl-guanidine (MIBG) scans. CONCLUSION: This is the second reported case of greater omentum paraganglioma. Clinical and imaging data of patients with extra-adrenal, intra-abdominal paragangliomas are variable while many of them may be asymptomatic even when the lesion is quite large. Thorough histopathologic evaluation is imperative for diagnosis and radical excision is the treatment of choice. Since there are no definite microscopic criteria for the distinction between benign and malignant tumors, prolonged follow-up is necessary.

Biliary cystadenoma with mesenchymal stroma: report of a case and review of the literature.

Biliary cystadenomas are rare, cystic neoplasms of the biliary ductal system that usually occur in middle-aged women. They cannot be safely differentiated from cystadenocarcinomas before operation and should always be considered for resection. Cystadenomas have a strong tendency to recur, particularly following incomplete excision, and a potential of malignant transformation. Therefore, complete resection is the therapy of choice and thorough histopathologic evaluation is imperative. A case of benign biliary cystadenoma with mesenchymal stroma is presented along with a review of the relative literature addressing the clinical presentation, histology, histogenesis, differential diagnosis, imaging features, treatment and prognosis of this interesting and rare entity.

Adrenal malignant melanoma masquerading as a pheochromocytoma in a patient with a history of a multifocal papillary and medullary thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Adrenal masses usually represent benign and nonfunctional adrenal adenomas; however, primary or metastatic malignancy should also be considered. Discovery of an adrenal mass needs further evaluation in order to exclude malignancy and hormonal secretion. We present a rare case of a possibly primary adrenal malignant melanoma with imaging and biochemical features of a pheochromocytoma. CASE REPORT: A 61-year-old male farmer was referred for evaluation of a mass in the right supraclavicular region and a left adrenal lesion. The patient had a history of a multifocal papillary and medullary thyroid carcinoma. Laboratory tests revealed increased 24hour urinary dopamine and also increased serum calcitonin and neuron specific enolase. A pathology report of the resected right supraclavicular mass and left adrenal showed a malignant melanoma. CONCLUSION: This is a case of a possibly primary adrenal malignant melanoma with imaging and biochemical features of a pheochromocytoma. Although this case is very rare and there are rigid diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of primary adrenal melanoma, it underlines the fact that the differential diagnosis of a dopamine secreting adrenal mass should include primary or metastatic malignant melanoma in order to determine the best diagnostic approach for the patient and select the most appropriate surgical management.