Hypoglycemia, Malnutrition and Body Composition.

Hypoglycemia is one of the most significant factors to affect prognosis, and is detrimental to patients regardless of diabetes mellitus (DM) status. The classical paradigms dictate that hypoglycemia is a result of overtreatment with glucose lowering agents (iatrogenic hypoglycemia), or, as among patients without DM, this condition is attributed to disease severity. New information shows that hypoglycemia occurs among patients that have a tendency for it. Incident hypoglycemia is very prevalent in the hospital setting, occurring in 1:6 patients with DM and in 1:17 patients without DM (Leibovitz E, Khanimov I, Wainstein J, Boaz M; Diabetes Metab Syndr Clin Res Rev. 13:222-226, 2019).One of the major factors associated with incidence of hypoglycemia is the nutritional status on hospital admission and during the hospitalization. Assessment of nutritional status using questionnaires and biomarkers might be helpful in determining risk of hypoglycemia. Moreover, administration of oral nutritional supplements was shown to decrease this risk.It is also well known that a high burden of comorbidities is associated with an increased risk of hypoglycemia. For example, kidney disease, whether acute or chronic, was shown to increase the risk for hypoglycemia, as well as some endocrine disorders.In this review we elaborate on specific findings that are characteristic of patients at risk for developing hypoglycemia, as well as treatment aimed at preventing its occurrence.

Correction to: Hypoglycemia, Malnutrition and Body Composition.

The original version of this chapter was inadvertently published with a subtitle which was a duplication of the chapter title.

Maternal and neonatal outcome of women before vs. after bariatric surgery: A single tertiary center experience.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with short term perinatal risks, causing increased risks in pre- and post-term birth, small and large for gestational (SGA/LGA), congenital anomalies, and perinatal mortality. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes of women with morbid obesity who delivered before BS as compared to their counterparts who delivered after BS. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis in a single institute. SETTINGS: We use the data according to the ICD-9 code and were extracted from hospital archive. PATIENTS: Patients were divided int0 two groups consisted of those of who conceived after BS and those who conceived before BS. INTERVENTIONS: All women who underwent any BS and retrieved their obstetric files before or after the surgery. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The pregnancy, delivery data and obstetric factors were collected, clinical variables, background data and surgical bariatric procedures, operating time, length of hospital stay. RESULTS: 149 morbidly obese women, of which 45 delivered after BS (group I) and 104 delivered prior to BS (group II). The most frequent comorbidity was diabetes mellitus, found in 67% of the women who delivered before BS. Time to delivery was longer in the women before BS, (P = 0.015) for the after BS group. Women who delivered before BS compared to women who delivered after BS had higher rates of anemia (p = 0.038), gestational diabetes (p = 0.064), and preeclampsia (p = 0.043). Women with deliveries before BS were characterized by higher birth weight in the neonates, (p < 0.001), more cases of premature membrane rupture, (14%, p < 0.018) and relatively high number of SGAs. A multivariate analysis of the data imply correlation to age and not causation. LIMITATIONS: This study was a small retrospective study and selection bias can occur which may reduce the accuracy of the results. CONCLUSIONS: There are clear health benefits of weight loss for morbidly obese women of reproductive age, and BS has an important role to play in this population.

Reduction of serum albumin in non-critically ill patients during hospitalization is associated with incident hypoglycaemia.

AIM: Our study looked at the association between changes in serum albumin (SA) levels during hospitalization and incidence of hypoglycaemia among non-critically ill patients. METHODS: Included were patients discharged from internal medicine units with hospital stays ≤ 14 days. Patients were allocated to three groups: (1) admission SA > 3.5 g/dL with no decrease during hospitalization; (2) admission SA < 3.5 g/dL with no decrease during hospitalization; and (3) decrease in SA regardless of admission SA level. Incident hypoglycaemia (glucose ≤ 70 mg/dL) was predicted by applying regression analysis, using hypoglycaemia as a dependent variable. Mortality studies were performed using Cox regression. RESULTS: Included were 7718 patients (mean age 71.8 ± 17.4 years, 49.9% males, 27.1% with diabetes). Of these patients, 12.7% had at least one documented hypoglycaemia episode during hospitalization. Patients with decreases in SA levels during hospitalization (group 3) had higher rates of incident hypoglycaemia compared with patients in groups 1 and 2 (21.0% vs. 6.0% and 16.3%, respectively; P < 0.001 for both). Results remained significant after controlling for admission SA. Strong negative correlations were observed between SA and serum osmolarity (r = -0.204, P < 0.0001) and, separately, between changes in SA with changes in serum osmolarity (r = -0.157, P < 0.001), indicating that SA changes were not due to haemodilution. Overall 1-year mortality was 16.7%, and Cox regression analysis showed an increased 1-year mortality in patients in group 3 (27.9%) compared with those in groups 1 and 2 (15.2% and 13.8%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Changes in SA during hospitalization are associated with an increased risk of hypoglycaemia during hospitalization of non-critically ill patients.

Portal vein thrombosis associated with coronary artery bypass surgery.

Portal vein thrombosis is a rare but well-known complication after abdominal surgery. To our knowledge, there have been no reports about this complication after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. This can probably be explained by the variety of clinical pictures and difficulties in the establishment of a diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis. Among the possible trigger factors, bacteremia, that is usually caused by Bacteroides fragilis or by Escherichia coli, has been assessed. In this case, several blood culture specimens and fluid from abdominal paracentesis consistently grew coagulase-negative staphylococci which have been proved to be one of the most common pathogens in postoperative infection after cardiac surgery. The patient received clopidogrel before and after coronary artery bypass grafting. We speculate that in this clinical situation associated with coagulase-negative staphylococcal bacteremia, clopidogrel resistance may play an important role. The natural history of portal vein thrombosis in this case is complicated by massive fatal gastrointestinal bleeding from rupture of the esophageal varices. Emergency endoscopic therapy with esophageal variceal ligation, injection of a sclerosing solution and using of vasoconstrictive agents helped only in the first episode of bleeding. Portal vein thrombosis after coronary artery bypass grafting is a serious complication. The clinical picture of portal vein thrombosis may vary greatly and the presence of this condition should be suspected when faced with abdominal pain with gastrointestinal bleeding of unknown origin and sepsis.

Technetium-99m-HIDA scintigraphy versus endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in demonstrating bile leaks after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

In two patients who had laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the postoperative course was complicated by continuous bilious drainage from the surgical drain in one and by jaundice in the other. In both patients, the findings of 99mTc-N-substituted-2,6-dimethylphenyl carbamoylethyl iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scanning were interpreted as clearly demonstrating a significant bile leak in one and the complete absence of bile passage from the liver to the intestines in the other. These findings could result from either spontaneous closure of the bile leak or false-positive HIDA scans. Subsequent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed the common bile duct and the cystic duct to be normal, without any evidence of bile leakage or any problem with drainage to the intestines. In all patients who have a positive 99mTc-HIDA scan, ERCP should be performed before deciding on further surgical intervention.

The impact of laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasonography on the management of pancreatic cancer.

HYPOTHESIS: Laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasonographic (LAPUS) examinations combined with a biopsy of the pancreatic lesion contribute significantly in the determination of resectability of pancreatic cancer. DESIGN: A prospective evaluation of the impact of laparoscopy and LAPUS on surgical decision making in patients with pancreatic cancer. SETTING: A general community hospital; the department of surgery serves as referral for pancreatic surgery. PATIENTS: During a 36-month period, 94 patients with pancreatic lesions were prospectively examined. Twenty-seven patients were found to have advanced disease. The remaining 67 patients were examined by laparoscopy and LAPUS to determine the resectability of the pancreatic tumor. RESULTS: Laparoscopy and LAPUS contributed new, additional data in 40 patients (60%). Advanced disease was found in 30 patients, precluding curative resection. The study indicated potentially resectable tumors in 37 patients (55%), including 3 defined by conventional imaging studies as probably unresectable, and these patients were operated on with the intention of curative resection. Thirty-three patients underwent resection, and 4 (6%) were found to have nonresectable disease and form the false-positive group of the study. A summary of the results shows that the study resulted in a change of the decision regarding surgical intervention in 24 patients (36%) and avoided unnecessary laparotomies in 21 (31%). The study had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 88%, and a false-positive rate of 6%. The positive predictive value of the study is 89%, and the negative predictive value is 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Although rather invasive procedures that require general anesthesia and hospitalization, laparoscopy and LAPUS significantly contribute to the staging of patients with potentially resectable pancreatic cancer, avoiding unnecessary explorative laparotomies. These procedures should be performed in all patients with potentially resectable pancreatic cancer before explorative laparotomy.

The role of laparoscopic ultrasound in the minimally invasive management of symptomatic hepatic cysts.

BACKGROUND: Now that the laparoscopic treatment of symptomatic liver cystic disease has proven feasible and safe, it is gaining wide acceptance. However, due to diagnostic pitfalls and a relatively high recurrence rate, further improvements and refinement of the procedure are still needed. We have evaluated the contribution of laparoscopic ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of patients with symptomatic liver cysts. METHODS: Twelve patients with single or multiple cysts of the liver and two patients with polycystic liver disease were managed laparoscopically. Laparoscopic ultrasound served as an integral part of the procedure in all patients. RESULTS: Patients underwent either complete cyst excision (two cases) or resection of the extrahepatic cystic component (eight cases). Additionally, in two patients, deep cysts not demonstrated by preoperative imaging studies were detected and treated with a combination of laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound. In one patient with a cystobiliary fistula, conversion to an open cystjejunostomy was necessary. Patients with polycystic liver disease underwent a combination of excision and unroofing of both superficial and deeper cysts using laparoscopic contact ultrasound throughout the procedure. Laparoscopic ultrasonography was found to have a significant impact on the operative strategy in five patients (36%) with multiple cysts or polycystic disease. The postoperative course was uneventful in all cases. Thirteen patients remained asymptomatic throughout the follow-up period of 30 months; one patient with polycystic liver disease developed recurrent symptoms after 5 months and was treated with left hepatectomy. CONCLUSION: Additional use of laparoscopic ultrasound enables the detection, differentiation, and treatment of deep, nonvisualized cystic lesions (two patients, 16.6%) and validation of the adequacy of the laparoscopic procedure.

Involvement of internal genitalia in female patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: a clinicopathologic study of 37 cases.

Radical cystectomy for invasive bladder cancer in female patients implies anterior pelvic exenteration. The necessity for routine removal of all internal female genitalia has not, as yet, been investigated. The present study was conducted to investigate the involvement of internal genitalia in these patients. Cystectomy specimens from 37 consecutive female patients with bladder cancer were examined for internal genitalia and urethral involvement. Clinical data were retrospectively collected from hospital charts. Thirty-four patients were available for postoperative follow-up. Of the 37 cases, 30 were transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), 4 squamous cell carcinoma, 1 adenocarcinoma, and 2 undifferentiated carcinoma. Uterine involvement was observed in only 1 case: TCC, stage D1, grade IV. All patients had normal ovaries and a normal vagina regardless of tumor site or stage; however, late ovarian and vaginal recurrences developed in one patient, in whom one ovary had been preserved. Sixteen percent of the patients had urethral involvement. We conclude that synchronous or metachronous involvement of female internal genitalia in bladder cancer is uncommon. Preservation of ovaries and vagina in young patients undergoing radical cystectomy may be considered under strict criteria.

Susceptibility of serum lipids to copper-induced peroxidation correlates with the level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol.

As a first step in evaluating the significance of our recently developed method of monitoring the kinetics of copper-induced oxidation in unfractionated serum, we recorded the kinetics of lipid oxidation in the sera of 62 hyperlipidemic patients and analyzed the correlation between oxidation and lipid composition of the sera [high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides]. We used six factors to characterize the kinetics of oxidation, namely, the maximal absorbance of oxidation products (ODmax), the maximal rate of their production (Vmax), and the time at which the rate was maximal (t(max)) at two wavelengths (245 nm, where 7-ketocholesterol and conjugated dienic hydroperoxides absorb intensely, and 268 nm, where the absorbance is mostly due to dienals). The major conclusions of our analyses are that: (i) Both ODmax and Vmax correlate positively with the sum of concentrations of the major oxidizable lipids, cholesterol, and cholesteryl esters. (ii). The value of t(max), which is a measure of the lag preceding oxidation and therefore reflects the resistance of the serum lipids to copper-induced oxidation, exhibits a negative correlation with HDL cholesterol. Although this finding accords with the observation of shorter lags for HDL than for LDL, it is apparently inconsistent with the role of HDL as an antirisk factor in coronary heart diseases.

[Carcinoma of the cecum presenting as intussusception].

In intussusception a proximal bowel segment (intussusceptum) invaginates into the lumen of a distal bowel segment (intussuscipiens). In adults intussusception represents a rare cause of intestinal obstruction and is usually secondary to an identifiable lesion that requires surgical treatment other than that of the intussusception itself. We present a 57-year-old woman with metastatic colonic carcinoma of the ileocecal valve and intussusception of the ileum into the cecum. Right hemicolectomy was performed.

[Splenic artery aneurysm].

Splenic artery aneurysm is an uncommon form of vascular disease of unknown etiology. Its clinical importance is due to its high mortality, especially in pregnancy, when maternal mortality is 70% and fetal mortality 95%. Most cases of splenic artery aneurysm are asymptomatic and are diagnosed incidentally. We present a woman with incidentally diagnosed splenic artery aneurysm in whom the splenic artery and its aneurysm were resected.

[Implanted subcutaneous venous catheter for prolonged intravenous treatment].

Subcutaneous venous catheter devices were implanted in 104 patients between January 1989 and June 1991. In 90% the implantation was performed under local anesthesia as an ambulatory procedure. In 85% the catheter was implanted for long-term chemotherapy and in 15% for intravenous feeding, antibiotic treatment or dialysis. There were postoperative complications in about 10%, the most frequent being infection of the surgical wound or of the catheter canal. Venous thrombosis, cutaneous necrosis and catheter occlusion were observed in only 5%. The main advantages of the method are its convenience for the patient, ease of installation and low rate of complications. From our experience we conclude that the implanted subcutaneous venous catheter is a simple and effective procedure for prolonged intravenous treatment.

[Laparoscopic surgery in treating hepatic cysts].

Solitary and multiple hepatic cysts are now more commonly found because of advances in imaging techniques. Most hepatic cysts are asymptomatic, but when they do cause symptoms they require surgical intervention. The advent of laparoscopy and of laparoscopic ultrasonography allow comprehensive evaluation and treatment of the cysts. 12 patients with hepatic cysts were treated laparoscopically. 8 with single cysts underwent successful subtotal cyst resection without signs of recurrence (up to 20 years of follow-up). 4 with polycystic liver disease underwent sub-total resection of superficial cysts. Deep cysts were unroofed and drained under laparoscopic ultrasound guidance. In this group, 1 experienced recurrence of symptoms and required partial hepatectomy of the involved segment. In another, a connection between a deep cyst and bile ducts was demonstrated and cystojejunostomy was performed. The laparoscopic approach in the management of patients with liver cysts is effective and safe, and we recommend it as the procedure of choice for single hepatic cysts. In polycystic liver disease the procedure is much less successful.

[Laparoscopic ultrasound in predicting resectability of cholangiocarcinoma].

Cholangiocarcinoma accounts for about 1% of all malignant tumors. They are difficult to diagnose because of their small size and their location. Although surgical resection is the best therapeutic approach, most patients undergo unnecessary exploratory laparotomy due to incorrect preoperative diagnosis. We present our experience with laparoscopic ultrasound (LU) in the evaluation of cholangiocarcinoma and determination of tumor spread and vascular involvement. Of 25 patients referred for surgery, 6 were excluded following LU and were referred instead for palliative treatment. Diagnosis of the tumor was successful in 92%, and vascular involvement was diagnosed in 46%. LU should be an integral diagnostic test in the evaluation of choriocarcinoma.

[Aggressive surgical approach in pancreatic cancer--is it justified?].

Resection presents the only possible cure for pancreatic cancer. An aggressive surgical approach may extend the limits of resection and offer cure for more patients. 37 women and 28 men, mean age 67 years (range 33-84) with focal lesions underwent pancreatic resection (1993-1999). Cancer of the pancreatic head was found in 45, in the ampulla in 4 and in the body or tail in 16. There was a tumor larger than 5 cm in 9, vascular involvement in 8, and a combination of both in 6. All were evaluated prior to exploration by standard imaging techniques and 44 by laparoscopic ultrasound. 42 underwent pancreatico-duodenectomy, 16 distal subtotal pancreatectomy and 3 local excision of an ampullary tumor. Benign lesions were found in 8 (focal pancreatitis in 4 and a serous cystic lesion in 4). Curative resection (microscopically negative margins, negative lymph nodes) was achieved in 44. 2 died 1-2 months after operation of septic complications (2% operative mortality). The most frequent complication (in 8) was pancreatic fistula. Additional complications included anastomotic-line bleeding (3), intra-abdominal abscess (2), and 1 developed portal vein thrombosis (treated surgically). 1- and 2-year survival in those after curative pancreatic resection was 81% and 55% respectively. 2-year survival in those after palliative resection (positive resection margins or positive lymph nodes) was 50% and 11%, respectively. After proper selection of those in whom it is possible to perform curative resection, regardless of size or vascular involvement, an aggressive surgical approach is justified.

[Aggressive surgical treatment for cholangiocarcinoma].

Surgery remains the only curative approach to cholangiocarcinoma. Despite operative difficulties concerning tumor location, vascular involvement or hepatic invasion curative resection (i.e. achievement of tumor free margins) carries good survival rates and is associated with low morbidity and mortality. Our experience with 31 patients with cholangiocarcinoma operated during the years 1993-1999 is presented. Twenty-five patients were found to have hilar cholangiocarcinoma, 3 carcinoma of mid-choledochus and 3 distal cholangiocarcinoma. All patients were evaluated by a diagnostic protocol including laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound. Surgery consisted of local resection of the tumor with Roux en Y hepaticojejunostomy reconstruction. Three patients had concomitant hepatic resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma while 3 patients had pancreaticoduodenectomy for distal cholangiocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in all patients. Curative resection was achieved in 19 patients and palliative resection (microscopically involved resected margins) in 12. One patient died at 60 days postop (3.5% mortality). Postoperative complications included cholangitis occurring in 10 patients who were referred with biliary drains, intraabdominal abscess (2 patients) and biliary leakage (1 patient) all treated conservatively. Overall survival rate was 82% at one year, 73% at two years and 45% at 5 years. When comparing curative resection with palliative resection, survival rates were 92% versus 71% for 1 year, 72% versus 50% for 2 year and 57% versus 14% for 5 years. Selection of patients using Laparoscopic Ultrasound combined with aggressive surgical approach enable curative or palliative resection 15 the only treatment modality which is significantly improved survival.

Primary lymphoma of the breast: unusual presentation of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate 4 cases of primary lymphoma of the breast and review previous studies in a search for any preoperative characteristics that could assist the diagnosis of lymphoma of the breast. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital, Israel. SUBJECTS: 4 women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Accurate diagnosis before operation. RESULTS: No special characteristics for early diagnosis of primary malignant lymphoma of the breast were found. The predominant involvement of right breast in primary lymphoma of the breast should be noted. CONCLUSIONS: Even though primary lymphoma of the breast is rare, there are no laboratory or imaging signs of early diagnosis. Excisional biopsy or Tru-cut biopsy are the only correct methods of diagnosis.