Multiple Surgical Treatments for Recurrent Retroperitoneal Hemorrhage in a COVID-19 Patient with Respiratory Failure on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be required in patients with corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) and respiratory failure. Anticoagulation is the standard treatment to prevent complications of ECMO and COVID-19 coagulopathy, however, there is a risk of bleeding. Some patients with retroperitoneal hemorrhage (RPH) have been treated with angiography-embolization. We report on a patient with COVID-19 on ECMO who underwent multiple operations (×5) for recurrent RPH. A 46-year-old man was admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia. ECMO with anticoagulation therapy was initiated. The patient developed RPH, caused by external compression of the inferior vena cava interrupting the ECMO inflow, and surgical hematoma evacuation was performed, with no obvious bleeding focus during the multiple surgeries. Following the patient’s recovery, a follow-up computed tomography scan showed the hematoma had been resolved, but there was a dilemma regarding anticoagulation. Lowering the threshold for surgical treatment, enabled treatment of a patient with serious RPH.

Single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with Mirizzi syndrome

Since multiport laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become a standard treatment for gallbladder (GB) disease, a single incision laparoscopic surgical technique has been tried to decrease the surgical site pain and achieve a better cosmetic out come in selected patients. The development of devices dedicated for single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) is expanding the indication of this single incision laparoscopic technique to more complicated GB diseases. Mirizzi syndrome (MS) is one of the complex uncommon gallstone diseases in patients undergoing cholecystectomy. Because the laparoscopic procedure has become a routine treatment for cholecystectomy, several studies have reported their experience with the laparoscopic technique for the treatment of MS with a comparable outcome in Csendes type I or II. Because the indication for SILC cholecystectomy is expanded to more complicated GB conditions, and the desire of patients for a less painful, better cosmetic surgical outcome has increased, our medical center used this single incision laparoscopic surgical technique for MS Csendes types I and II patients. Here, we report 2 successful cases of SILC for patients with MS types I and II without significant morbidity.

Pilot Study for Safety and Efficacy of Newly Developed Oral Carbohydrate-Rich Solution Administration in Adult Surgery Patients

PURPOSE: In surgical procedures under general anesthesia, 6 to 8 hours of a nulla per os (NPO; nothing by mouth) has been regarded as essential for prevention of respiratory complication such as aspiration. However, recent studies have reported that oral intake of water and other clear fluids up to 2 hours before induction of anesthesia does not increase respiratory problems. The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of a newly developed carbohydrate-rich solution in elective hernia repair surgery patients. METHODS: A group of 30 adult patients scheduled for elective surgeries under general anesthesia were enrolled. The enrolled study group of patients was permitted to drink a carbohydrate-rich solution until two hours before the operation without volume limitation. Respiratory complication was investigated in the patients using the carbohydrate-rich solution until two hours before induction of general anesthesia. The feelings of thirst, hunger sense were measured pre- and post-operatively. In addition, hoarseness of voice, nausea and vomiting were investigated post-operatively. Satisfaction regarding the short time of fasting was measured. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for measurement of these six variables. RESULTS: No patients showed serious respiratory complication such as dyspnea, desaturation. Eight of 30 study group patients complained of mild hoarseness. Most symptoms of hoarseness were mild, with VAS score less than 3 out of 10. Two patients complained 5 out of 10. Six patients felt nausea and 1 patient had vomiting. Pre/post-operative hunger sense and thirst feeling were 1.63/1.60 and 1.90/5.76, respectively. The satisfaction score was 3.00 out of 4. CONCLUSION: Allowing the administration of an oral carbohydrate-rich solution in elective surgery patients requiring general anesthesia is safe without serious respiratory complications and effective in providing satisfaction.