Assessment of Peritoneal Irrigation and Drainage by Perioperative Leukocyte Count following Gastric Cancer Surgery

PURPOSE: There has been debate on the use of peritoneal irrigation and drainage following gastric cancer surgery. This study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of routine peritoneal irrigation and drainage following gastric cancer surgery, especially with regard to the perioperative leukocyte count. METHODS: Of 298 patients, 153 were enrolled in the test group (without peritoneal irrigation & drainage), between October 2001 and August 2002, and 145 in the control group (with peritoneal irrigation and drainage), between January 2001 and September 2001. The demographics, range of dissection, pathological staging, operation times, anesthesia times, fever, perioperative leukocyte counts and operative complications were retrospectively analyzed in these consecutive patients. RESULTS: It was found that there was no difference in the demographics, range of dissection, pathological staging and operative complications between the two groups. However, the operation times, anesthesia times, and mean length of hospitalization in the test group were significantly shorter than those in the control group. No significance differences were found between the two groups with regard to the perioperative leukocyte counts. CONCLUSION: The routine usage of peritoneal irrigation and drainage was found to be neither safe nor effective in gastric cancer surgery patients.

Ileal Perforation due to Cytomegalovirus Infection in a Patient with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is prevalent worldwide, although the symptomatic illness is usually confined to immunocompromised individuals. It can produce stomatitis, esophagitis, gastritis, duodenitis, and ulceration of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, ileum, and colon within the gastrointestinal tract. Bleeding and perforation can also occur at these sites. The most common site of intestinal perforation is the colon, followed in frequency by the distal ileum and appendix. Herein, a recently experienced case of ileal perforation due to a CMV infection, in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is reported, with a review of the literature.