Endoscopic management of postoperative bleeding

Postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding is a rare but serious complication that can lead to prolonged hospitalization and significant morbidity and mortality. It can be managed by reoperation, endoscopy, or radiological intervention. Although reoperation carries risks, particularly in critically ill postoperative patients, minimally invasive interventions, such as endoscopy or radiological intervention, confer advantages. Endoscopy allows localization of the bleeding focus and hemostatic management at the same time. Although there have been concerns regarding the potential risk of creating an anastomotic disruption or perforation during early postoperative endoscopy, endoscopic management has become more popular over time. However, there is currently no consensus on the best endoscopic management for postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding because most practices are based on retrospective case series. Furthermore, there is a wide range of individual complexities in anatomical and clinical settings after surgery. This review focused on the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic management in various surgical settings.

Successful removal of remnant cystic duct stump stone using single-operator cholangioscopy-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy: two case reports

Cholecystectomy is the best method for treating gallstone diseases. However, 10%–30% of patients who undergo a cholecystectomy continue to complain of upper abdominal pain, dyspepsia, or jaundice—this is referred to as postcholecystectomy syndrome. Cystic duct stump stones are a troublesome cause of postcholecystectomy syndrome. Conventionally, surgery is mainly performed to remove cystic duct stump stones. However, repeated surgery can cause complications, such as postoperative bleeding, biliary injury, and wound infection. As an alternative method of surgery, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is sometimes used to remove cystic duct stump stones, although the success rate is not high due to technical difficulties. Recently, peroral cholangioscopy, which can directly observe the bile duct, has been suggested as an alternative method. We report two cases in which a cystic duct stump stone was successfully removed via a single-operator cholangioscopy, after failure with an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Clinical Characteristics of Defectors from North Korea Visiting a Single Tertiary Hospital in South Korea / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There are increasing numbers of North Korean defectors, and their health status differs from that of the South Korean population. This study was performed to investigate the clinical characteristics of North Korean defectors visiting a single tertiary hospital in South Korea. METHODS: The medical records of North Korean defectors who visited Dankook University Hospital, Cheonan, South Korea from 1 February 2006 to 30 April 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Their comorbidities, main reasons for the visit, and most common diseases were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 169 North Korean defectors (163 females, 6 males) visited our hospital. Sixty-eight patients (40.24%) had comorbidities, the most common of which was tuberculosis (13.60%), followed by chronic hepatitis B (10.06%) and chronic hepatitis C (9.47%). North Korean refugees visited the department of ophthalmology (15.71%) most frequently, followed by gastroenterology (15.18%). Cataracts, chronic hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis B, and pulmonary tuberculosis were the most common reasons for the hospital visit. Chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C were diagnosed in 19.32% and 17.58% of the patients, respectively. Sixteen patients (9.47%) were diagnosed with tuberculosis, and eight of these patients showed multidrug resistance. Of all 169 patients, 17 underwent colonofibroscopy or stool examination, and parasites (Trichuris trichiura, n = 6; Clonorchis sinensis, n = 1) were found in 7 patients (41.18%). CONCLUSIONS: Most North Korean defectors who visited this tertiary hospital in South Korea were female, and they mainly visited the departments of ophthalmology, gastroenterology, and pulmonology. Compared with South Koreans, they showed high rates of chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, pulmonary tuberculosis with multidrug resistance, and parasite infection.

Experience with Elizabethkingia meningoseptica Infection in Adult Patients at a Tertiary Hospital / 대한중환자의학회지

BACKGROUND: Few reports have documented the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of adult patients with Elizabethkingia meningoseptica infection. METHODS: Medical records of patients over 18 years of age and suspected of having an E. meningoseptica infection from March 1, 2006 to February 28, 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Their clinical characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibility results, and treatment outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: E. meningoseptica was isolated from 30 patients. Median age was 68.5 years, and infections were more frequent in males (17, 56.7%). The most common isolation source was sputum (23, 76.7%), and pneumonia was the most common condition (21, 70%) after excluding two cases of colonization. This bacterium was most susceptible to minocycline (27, 90%) and fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin (20, 66.7%) and ciprofloxacin (18, 60%). The mortality rate due directly to E. meningoseptica infection was 20% (6/30), and uncontrolled pneumonia was the only cause of death. After isolating E. meningoseptica, the numbers of patients with pneumonia (9/9, 100% vs. 12/21, 57.1%), history of hemodialysis (5/9, 55.6% vs. 3/21, 14.3%), tracheostomy (8/9, 88.9 vs. 10/21, 47.6%), and median Charlson comorbidity index score (6 [range, 3-9] vs. 4 [range, 0-9]) were significantly higher in non-survivors than those in survivors (p < 0.05, for each). However, only 12 (40%) patients received appropriate antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: E. meningoseptica infection most commonly presented as pneumonia in adults with severe underlying diseases. Despite the high mortality rate, the rate of appropriate antibiotic use was notably low.

Pulmonary Pneumatocele in a Pneumonia Patient Infected with Extended-Spectrum beta-Lactamase Producing Proteus mirabilis / 결핵및호흡기질환

Pulmonary pneumatoceles are air-filled thin-walled spaces within the lung and are rare in adult cases of pneumonia. We report the case of a 74-year-old male who was admitted with a cough and sputum production. He had been treated with oral dexamethasone since a brain tumorectomy 6 months prior. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed a large pneumatocele in the right middle lobe and peripheral pneumonic consolidation. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed; cultures identified extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Proteus mirabilis. A 4-week course of intravenous ertapenem was administered, and the pneumatocele with pneumonia resolved on follow-up chest CT. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pulmonary pneumatocele caused by ESBL-producing P. mirabilis associated with pneumonia.

Experience with Elizabethkingia meningoseptica Infection in Adult Patients at a Tertiary Hospital / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: Few reports have documented the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of adult patients with Elizabethkingia meningoseptica infection. METHODS: Medical records of patients over 18 years of age and suspected of having an E. meningoseptica infection from March 1, 2006 to February 28, 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Their clinical characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibility results, and treatment outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: E. meningoseptica was isolated from 30 patients. Median age was 68.5 years, and infections were more frequent in males (17, 56.7%). The most common isolation source was sputum (23, 76.7%), and pneumonia was the most common condition (21, 70%) after excluding two cases of colonization. This bacterium was most susceptible to minocycline (27, 90%) and fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin (20, 66.7%) and ciprofloxacin (18, 60%). The mortality rate due directly to E. meningoseptica infection was 20% (6/30), and uncontrolled pneumonia was the only cause of death. After isolating E. meningoseptica, the numbers of patients with pneumonia (9/9, 100% vs. 12/21, 57.1%), history of hemodialysis (5/9, 55.6% vs. 3/21, 14.3%), tracheostomy (8/9, 88.9 vs. 10/21, 47.6%), and median Charlson comorbidity index score (6 [range, 3-9] vs. 4 [range, 0-9]) were significantly higher in non-survivors than those in survivors (p < 0.05, for each). However, only 12 (40%) patients received appropriate antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: E. meningoseptica infection most commonly presented as pneumonia in adults with severe underlying diseases. Despite the high mortality rate, the rate of appropriate antibiotic use was notably low.