Abdominal Actinomycosis Mimicking Colon Cancer.

Introduction: Abdominal actinomycosis is a rare granulomatous inflammatory disease caused by a Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium Actinomyces israelii, manifesting as inflammatory mass, or abscess formation. Evolution is slow and steady in inflammatory contiguous extension without limit organ that lends itself to confusion with abdominal malignancies. Methods: We performed a retrospective study on the patients with abdominal actinomycosis operated in the First Surgical Clinic, "St. Spiridon" University Hospital Iasi; between 1980 - 2018 there have been 13 cases (4 men and 9 women) with a mean age 44.07 years admitted for abdominal tumors (7 cases) or pelvic inflammatory disease (6 cases). Results: We identified as predisposing factors: IUD maintained over 10 years (6 cases), foreign bodies 2 cases (a toothpick probably perforated colon, gallstones lost in peritoneum), diabetes (3 cases), immunodepression. All cases were operated by laparotomy (9 cases) or laparoscopic approach (4 cases). We describe five of these cases of actinomycosis that had been mimicking a colon cancer: ileo - cecal - 3 cases, transverse colon - one case and on the greater omentum - one case, followed by specific treatment with penicillin, with good evolution. Conclusions: Abdominal actinomycosis should always be included in the differential diagnosis of abdominal tumors. Preoperative diagnosis, difficult but possible, can avoid surgery. Treatment with antibiotics is necessary for the healing of the disease. Postoperative control is mandatory, with relapses possible.

The Pancreatic Endocrine Tumors - Experience of First Surgical Clinic Iasi.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are rare and characterized by widely variable clinical presentation and often challenging surgical management. Methods: Retrospective study conducted during the last 15 years at the First Surgical Clinic of the Iasi St Spiridon University Hospital, and which included all the patients diagnosed with pancreatic endocrine tumors by immunohistochemistry. Results: There were 26 cases diagnosed with PNET. The male/female ratios was 7/19 and mean age 41.93 +- 2.48 years (range 20-79 years). Of the PNET cases 13 were insulinomas, 5 gastrinomas, 2 gastrinomas associated with other endocrine neoplasms (Wermer syndrome), 5 non-functional endocrine pancreatic tumors and 1 ACTHoma. Clinical manifestations depended on tumor type: hypoglycemia and Whipple triad for insulinoma, Zollinger Ellison syndrome and complicated peptic ulcer (hemorrhage, perforation) for gastrinoma, Cushing syndrome for ACTHoma. Biological diagnosis included biological markers (e.g. insulin, gastrin and cortisol). Tumor site and size at diagnosis were determined by ultrasound, CT-scan, angiography, PETscan, octreoscan and intraoperative ultrasound. Surgical procedures for PNET insulinomas were: tumor resection - 6 cases; left splenopancreatectomy - 3 cases; left spleen-preserving pancreatectomy - 2 cases; pancreaticoduodenectomy - 2 cases. We also present 4 cases of gastrinoma with multiple ulcers and multiple surgical interventions for hemorrhage and perforation with peritonitis. The two patients with Wermer syndrome also had ulcers complicated with hemorrhage and peritonitis and parathyroid adenoma. Nonfunctional pancreatic endocrine tumors were diagnosed in 5 women of which in 3 the tumors were located in the pancreatic tail (in which splenopancreatectomy and left pancreatectomy with spleen preservation were performed) and in 2 in the pancreatic head (in which pancreaticoduodenectomy and Beger type operation were performed). Conclusions: Knowledge of clinical signs of secreting tumors and exploring the patients are of crucial importance for management of PNETs. Immunohistochemistry is mandatory for confirming the diagnosis and assessing the proliferation and biological behavior of the tumor, thus facilitating the administration of specific therapy. Aggressive surgical treatment is indicated, even in advanced stages.

Laparoscopic Management in Morgagni Hernia - Short Series and Review of Literature.

Morgagni hernia occurs after a congenital retrosternal diaphragmatic defect; it is a rare form of diaphragmatic hernia (1-3% of cases). In general, this pathology is diagnosed in children; in adults it is frequently discovered in emergency or incidentally. Methods: We prospectively evaluated a series of 8 patients admitted to First Surgical Clinic, St. Spiridon Hospital, Iasi during the period 2011-2017. Results: Out of 8 patients, 6 were operated on, one patient refusing surgery (followed periodically); the patient who was 91 years old had serious associated diseases that made surgery contraindicated. Symptomatology was nonspecific: in 5 cases Morgagni hernia was discovered during the exploration of an associated pathology, either with cardiopulmonary symptoms of dyspnea or palpitations. In 2 cases, the clinical aspect suggested an occlusive syndrome (the herniated organ is usually the transverse colon). The laparoscopic approach was used in all cases: two conversions were recorded due to the tight adherences of the herniated viscera (gastric, colon, epiplon). In 4 cases, the surgical cure of hernia was performed by suture and in 2 cases with prosthesis: dual mesh in one case and polypropylene mesh in another case. We did not register morbidity and the mean postoperative stay was 4 days (range 2-6 days). Conclusions: Hernia Morgagni betrays a rare pathology. The most common is asymptomatic but in complicated cases it is a cause of acute surgical abdomen. Surgical treatment is indicated even for asymptomatic cases due to serious complications Morgagni hernia may develop. The laparoscopic approach is ideal, as reduction of viscera in the abdomen is easy and the defect will be repaired by suturing or using a prosthesis, depending on its size.

Mesopancreas first dissection during pancreaticoduodenal resection: selective approach or paradigm?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pancreaticoduodenal resection is the procedure of choice for tumors of the pancreatic head and periampullary region. During pancreaticoduodenectomy resection, early neck division may be impossible or inadequate in case of hepatic artery anatomic variants, suspected involvement of the superior mesenteric vessels or intraductal papillary mucinous tumors. This paper aims to reveal the effectiveness of a modified posterior approach pancreaticoduodenectomy in selected indications and to assess the preliminary results. METHODOLOGY: We describe our early approach to the retropancreatic vasculature during pancreaticoduodenal resection by mesopancreas first dissection before any pancreatic or digestive transection. RESULTS: We used this approach in 45 patients. Thirty had hepatic artery anatomic variant. Hepatic artery reconstruction was required in 2 cases. In nine patients with intraductal papillary mucinous tumors the pancreaticoduodenal resection was extended to the body in 6 and totalized in 3 patients. In six patients with adenocarcinoma involving the portomesenteric axis, venous resection and reconstruction was necessary. CONCLUSIONS: Mesopancreas first dissection is useful tool in selected cases of pancreaticoduodenal resection to improve safety and radicality of the procedure.

Surgical Emergencies in Patients with Hemophilia A-What to Expect.

Surgical emergencies in patients with hemophilia A represent a major risk of mortality without proper multidisciplinary management and require prompt and effective treatment to prevent complications and improve patient outcomes. We present a short number of cases that were hospitalized in the I-II Surgery Clinic of the Emergency County Hospital "St. Spiridon" from Iasi, Romania, with hemophilia A requiring surgical emergencies. The timing of surgical intervention is very important, so the indication for surgical intervention must be made judiciously and without delay. Consequently, it is vital to ensure access to hemostatic support so surgery can be performed on these patients, ultimately saving their lives.

Posterior approach pancreaticoduodenectomy: best option for hepatic artery anatomical variants.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the best treatment for the patients with malignant tumors of the pancreatic head. However, the procedure is also recommended in some benign pancreatic tumors. The posterior approach allows early dissection of the superior mesenteric artery, portal vein and retroportal pancreatic lamina, before any pancreatic or digestive transection. We present a 42 year old woman diagnosed with a pancreatic tumor. The clinical and biological data suggested the diagnosis of insulinoma. The computed tomography showed a nodule located in the pancreatic head with a typical vascular pattern for endocrine tumor. The exam also revealed a rare vascular variant, a common hepatic artery which arises from the superior mesenteric artery. A pancreaticoduodenectomy has been performed. We used the posterior approach which allowed the correct dissection and exposure of the abnormal common hepatic artery. The postoperative course was uneventful. Posterior approach during the pancreaticoduodenectomies avoids arterial injuries that might compromise the liver arterial supply. It is especially indicated when preoperative imaging studies diagnose anatomic variants of the hepatic arteries.

Technical tailoring of pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with hepatic artery anatomic variants.

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the treatment of choice for periampullary and pancreatic head tumors. In case of hepatic artery abnormalities, early pancreatic transection during pancreaticoduodenectomy may prove inappropriate. Early retroportal lamina dissection improves exposure of the superior mesenteric vessels and anatomic variants of the hepatic artery, where safeguarding is mandatory. METHOD: We describe our early retroportal lamina approach in patients with anatomic variants of the hepatic artery before pancreatic transection. RESULTS: This approach was used during 42 pancreaticoduodenectomies with a hepatic artery anatomic variant which was spared in 40 patients. Arterial reconstruction was performed in 2 patients. Five patients with a hepatic artery variant and adenocarcinoma involving the portomesenteric junction required venous resection and reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Early retroportal lamina dissection during pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with hepatic artery anatomic variants enables easier exposure, avoiding injuries that might compromise the liver arterial supply. When the portomesenteric vein is involved, this approach facilitates en bloc "no touch" venous resection and reconstruction.

Removal of an intraperitoneal foreign body using a single port laparoscopic procedure.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To remove a foreign body from the peritoneal cavity in laparoscopic surgery, 2 or 3 ports are usually used. We have recently performed such a removal using a single 10-mm transumbilical port, a 0-degree laparoscope, a Farabeuf retractor, and a laparoscopic grasping forceps. METHODS: Two patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter (V-P shunt) were admitted to our unit during the last year. They previously had a shunt catheter implanted for hydrocephalus of unknown cause. The complete migration of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter into the peritoneal cavity was observed in these patients 12 and 7 years after the implantation. The laparoscopic removal of the migrated catheter was decided on. Its presence and location were confirmed by the use of a 0-degree laparoscope, through a 10-mm trocar port. The catheter was held and pulled out using a grasping forceps that was pushed in just beside the trocar port. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic approach enables safe removal of a foreign body in the peritoneal cavity. The procedure can be performed using a single port.

A rare complication of uterine leiomyomata: Severe haemoperitoneum caused by the rupture of an overlying subserosa variceal vein: A case report.

The rupture of a subserosa variceal vein overlying a uterine myoma is a rare complication and a less common cause of gynecologic haemoperitoneum. The literature data are scarce regarding this condition and less than 100 cases have been reported (including those occurring during pregnancy). The present case is of a 48-year-old woman, with a history of asymptomatic uterine myoma, who was hospitalised for severe abdominal pain with sudden onset and signs of hypovolemic shock. The emergency conventional imaging exams confirmed the diagnosis of uterine myoma and haemoperitoneum, but did not reveal the source of bleeding. The cause of haemoperitoneum was detected by means of emergency laparotomy. In order to obtain quick hemostasis, in the settings of a rapid deteriorating hypovolemic shock, a supracervical hysterectomy was performed. The aim of the article is to raise awareness to gynecologists regarding this extremely rare life-threatening complication of the most common benign tumor of the uterus.

Mucinous digestive tumors. Case reports and review of the literature.

We present three rare entities of mucinous tumors: appendiceal mucinous adenomas, enteroid mucinous cyst and pseudomyxoma peritonei, the latter as a developmental course or separate idiopathic etiology of mucinous tumors. We attempted to clarify the term of pseudomyxoma peritonei, a poorly understood condition, characterized by a diffuse intraperitoneal collection of gelatinous fluid with mucinous tumoral implants on the peritoneal surfaces. With this rare condition it is often difficult to establish the histological and developmental malignant or benign characteristics. We analyzed 4 patients admitted during the period of February 2000 - February 2002 in the First Surgical Clinic of St. Spiridon Hospital and in addition we referred to the current approach in the recent literature. In three of the four patients the diagnosis was possible preoperatively by imaging techniques and consequently they were operated by laparoscopic procedure for the complete removal of tumor cells at macroscopic level. We preferred to administrate chemotherapy accordingly to the malignant/ benign aspect, choosing the long term follow up of the patients to ward off the eventual relapse. We considered the future state of these cases to be uneventful, with a real chance of long term survival. In conclusion, the symptoms are not always specific, allowing errors in diagnosis. Imaging techniques offer real elements of diagnosis. Laparoscopic techniques could offer an oncologic approach with no less benefit compared to open surgery. This methodology also allows different surgery for a different pathology at the same time. The origin of these tumors is more frequently digestive and less ovarian.