Malrotation in the adult, a forgotten Etiology of Partial Gut Obstruction: A report of two cases

@#Ninety percent of cases of malrotation have shown signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction by the first year of life. It is thus an often-overlooked etiology in adult patients. Evidence-based recommendations are also limited because of the paucity of cases. This paper discusses the two cases of malrotation from diagnosis to surgical management at a tertiary academic hospital. Both are previously well adult male patients with virgin abdomen who presented with vomiting and signs of intestinal obstruction. During medical decompression, CT scan with triple contrast clinched the diagnosis of malrotation for which Ladd's procedure was done, with no operative complications. The authors' experience and previous literature support early decompression, imaging, and surgery for all cases of malrotation regardless of severity of symptoms.

Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Rate after Colorectal surgery at the Philippine General Hospital

OBJECTIVE@#Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common healthcare-associated infections. This study aimed to determine SSI rate and the associated factors among colorectal surgery patients.@*METHODS@#This included adult patients who underwent surgery under the Division of Colorectal Surgery from January to May 2018. Clinico-demographic, operative, and SSI outcome data were reviewed. Occurrence of SSI during admission until discharge, and up to 30 days after the surgery was analyzed. @*RESULTS@#A total of 172 surgeries were performed. Majority were elective procedures (68.0%), and performed via open approach (67.4%). Most were malignant cases (62.6%). Sixty-three colorectal resections were done (41 colon and 22 rectal). SSI rate prior to discharge was 6.4%, and 15.7% at 30 days. Among colorectal resections, 18 (28.6%) patients had SSI at 30 days. SSI rates were significantly higher among patients who were ASA 2 or 3; received chemotherapy 12 weeks prior to surgery; had malignant pathology; underwent emergency surgery; received perioperative transfusion; had stapled skin closure; had low anterior resection for rectal cancer; and had multivisceral resection. @*CONCLUSION@#The Division of Colorectal Surgery at the Philippine General Hospital had a higher SSI rate as compared to literature. Although this could be partly explained by the differences in patient and surgeon population, improving on SSI rates will be the unit's goal. Continued SSI surveillance with more patient accrual may provide better insight to the associated risk factors.

Bleeding duodenal diverticula managed With surgical resection: A case report

@#The duodenum is the most common extra-colonic site of diverticulum. If present, it rarely manifests with symptoms or complications. A case is discussed involving a 78-year-old female who presented with massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding from duodenal diverticula. Due to hemodynamic instability, she eventually underwent duodenal resection, with a side-to-side duodenojejunostomy as a means of restoring intestinal continuity. The postoperative course was unremarkable. The patient was able to feed enterally and had no recurrence of bleeding.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation from Intraperitoneal Oxaliplatin for Appendiceal Carcinoma: A case report

@#This is a case of a 65-year-old female diagnosed with appendiceal carcinoma, who underwent cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Profuse bleeding through the peritoneal drains, with hemodynamic instability, warranted a re-exploration on the fourth postoperative day. Intraoperatively, there was 500 mL of blood clots mostly on the right upper quadrant, diffuse muscle oozing along the previously-stripped right hemidiaphragm and right paracolic gutter, and a non-expanding hematoma on the right anterior abdominal wall. Bleeding parameters were checked postoperatively, and derangements pointing to a disseminated intravascular coagulation were noted. The patient was managed with multiple blood transfusions of packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, platelet concentrates, and cryoprecipitate. Dexamethasone and tranexamic acid were given intravenously. The patient was discharged well on postoperative day 14 after clinical resolution of the bleeding. Eight days after discharge, however, patient succumbed to myocardial infarction.

Leiomyoma of the bladder presenting with an ovarian new growth: A case report and review of literature

@#Benign mesenchymal tumors of the urinary bladder are extremely rare. This is a case of a 56- year old female presenting with an enlarging abdomen initially managed as a case of an ovarian new growth. Aside from the ruptured ovarian mass, a urinary bladder mass was also noted intraoperatively and a surgical dilemma was resolved by imaging review. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy, enterolysis, total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingooophorectomy, and partial cystectomy. Final histopathology identified the bladder tumor to be a leiomyoma. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course. Awareness of this clinical entity and presentation will aid in diagnosis and management.

McKittrick-Wheelock Syndrome: A Case Series

McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome is a rare and life-threatening disease characterized by the triad of (1) chronic mucous diarrhea, (2) renal function impairment with hydroelectrolyte imbalance, and (3) a giant colorectal tumor. Often, the tumor is a rectal adenoma. With the mortality being certain, if left untreated, it is important to raise awareness on the presentation, diagnosis, and management of this disease entity. Here, we presented 3 cases of McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome that were successfully managed with surgical resection at the Philippine General Hospital from August 2018 to May 2019. Resolution of their symptoms, reversal of their renal impairment, and correction of their electrolyte depletion were noted after removal of the tumor with a sphincter-saving operation.

Outcomes of surgical management of buschke-lowenstein tumor in a Philippine tertiary hospital

Buschke-Lowenstein tumor (BLT) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the human papillomavirus. This study investigated the profile, management, and outcomes of patients who underwent surgery for BLT from 2015 to 2019 at the Philippine General Hospital. Seven patients underwent surgery for BLT. All were male, with ages ranging from 21 to 41 years. Presenting symptoms were anal mass, foul-smelling discharge, pain, bleeding, and pruritus. All were positive for human immunodeficiency virus. All admitted to having engaged in both insertive and receptive anal intercourse, with multiple partners. All underwent excision with healing by secondary intention. Two had recurrence of warts. Four had an anal stricture. Of these, 3 underwent anal dilatation, while 1 had to undergo proximal bowel diversion. One had intraepithelial carcinoma without dermal invasion on histopathologic analysis. BLT is a rare STI characterized by local aggressiveness but with low malignant potential. Wide excision remains to be the mainstay of treatment.

Improved outcomes with implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery pathway for patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery in the Philippines

Purpose@#This study aims to evaluate surgical outcomes (i.e. length of stay [LOS], 30-day morbidity, mortality, reoperation, and readmission rates) with the use of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway, and determine its association with the rate of compliance to the different ERAS components. @*Methods@#This was a prospective cohort of patients, who underwent the following elective procedures: stoma reversal (SR), colon resection (CR), and rectal resection (RR). The primary endpoint was to determine the association of compliance to an ERAS pathway and surgical outcomes. These were then retrospectively compared to outcomes prior to the implementation of ERAS. @*Results@#A total of 267 patients were included in the study. The overall compliance to the ERAS component was 92.0% (SR, 91.8%; CR, 93.1%; RR, 90.7%). There was an associated decrease in morbidity rates across all types of surgery, as compliance to ERAS increased. The average total LOS decreased in all groups but was only found to have statistical significance in SR (12.1±6.7 days vs. 10.0±5.4 days, P=0.002) and RR (19.9±11.4 days vs. 16.9±10.5 days, P=0.04) groups. Decreased postoperative LOS was noted in all groups. Morbidity rates were significantly higher after ERAS implementation, but reoperation and mortality rates were found to be similar. @*Conclusion@#Increased compliance to ERAS protocol is associated with a decrease in morbidity across all surgery types. The implementation of an ERAS protocol significantly decreased mean hospital LOS, without any increase in major surgical complications. Having your own hospital ERAS pathway improves documentation and accuracy of reporting surgical complications.

Modifications to Treatment Plan of Rectal Cancer in Response to COVID-19 at the Philippine General Hospital

Purpose@#The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has strained healthcare resources worldwide. Despite the high number of cases, cancer management should remain one of the priorities of healthcare, as any delay would potentially cause disease progression. @*Methods@#This was an observational study that included nonmetastatic rectal cancer patients managed at the Philippine General Hospital from March 16 to May 31, 2020, coinciding with the lockdown. The treatment received and their outcomes were investigated. @*Results@#Of the 52 patients included, the majority were female (57.7%), belonging to the age group of 50 to 69 years (53.8%), and residing outside the capital (59.6%). On follow-up, 23.1% had no disease progression, 17.3% had local progression, 28.8% had metastatic progression, 19.2% have died, and 11.5% were lost to follow up. The initial plan for 47.6% patients was changed. Of the 21 patients with nonmetastatic disease, 2 underwent outright resection. The remaining 19 required neoadjuvant therapy. Eight have completed their neoadjuvant treatment, 8 are undergoing treatment, 2 had their treatment interrupted, and 1 has yet to begin treatment. Among the 9 patients who completed neoadjuvant therapy, only 1 was able to undergo resection on time. The rest were delayed, with a median time of 4 months. One has repeatedly failed to arrive for her surgery due to public transport limitations. There was 1 adjuvant chemotherapy-related mortality. @*Conclusion@#Delays in cancer management resulted in disease progression in several patients. Alternative neoadjuvant treatment options should be considered while taking into account oncologic outcomes, acceptable toxicity, and limitation of potential COVID-19 exposure.

Clinical profile and outcomes of patients undergoing a Turnbull-Cutait transanal pullthrough procedure with Delayed Coloanal Anastomosis (DCAA) at the Philippine General Hospital

RATIONALE/OBJECTIVES@#The Turnbull-Cutait transanal pullthrough procedure with delayed coloanal anastomosis has been widely used before the advent of intestinal stapling devices. It is a viable option for rectal reconstruction for benign and malignant conditions, and is able to maintain intestinal continuity without the use of a temporary diversion. It has also been used in salvage operations for pelvic sepsis, failed anastomosis, and tumor recurrence that will otherwise require a permanent ileostomy. This study will describe the technique, as well as the outcomes of patients who underwent the procedure.@*METHODS@#This is a retrospective descriptive study conducted to report the outcomes of patients who underwent the Turnbull-Cutait transanal pull-through with delayed coloanal anastomosis at the Philippine General Hospital from January 2008 to December 2013. Eleven patients were identified using an institutional retrospective database. Clinical data and outcomes were collected using a standard form.@*RESULTS@#Ten of the 11 patients had an unremarkable postoperative course. One patient had an anastomotic dehiscence. The mean operative time was 229.9 minutes for the 1st stage and 28.2 minutes for the second stage, with a mean blood loss of 463.6 cc for both stages. The mean interval between the two stages was 7.9 days, with an average postoperative length of stay of 8.27 days. The average follow-up was 4.5 years. Functional outcomes were acceptable (average Wexner score 5.63), except for one patient who had an anastomotic dehiscence. No perioperative mortality was noted.@*CONCLUSION@#Turnbull-Cutait trans-anal pullthrough procedure with delayed coloanal anastomosis appears to be a safe procedure. The study suggests that it is an alternative strategy in rectal cancer in providing a sphincter-saving surgery, with the establishment of gastrointestinal continuity, and without the need for a proximal diversion. Stoma-less surgery has a notable health economic impact especially in developing countries because it eliminates the costs associated with the use of stoma appliances.

Outcomes of hepatic metastasectomy for colorectal cancer metastases in the Philippine General Hospital

RATIONALE@#The liver is the most common site of metastasis from colorectal cancer. Curative intent liver metastasectomy has shown improvement in overall survival. This manuscript will present the long-term oncologic outcomes of hepatic metastasectomy for colorectal cancer with resectable liver metastasis.@*METHODS@#Data of patients with resectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer who underwent hepatic resection at the Philippine General Hospital over a 10-year period was reviewed. The primary outcome investigated was overall survival.@*RESULTS@#Thirty patients were included in the study. The median overall survival was 20 months, with a 2-year and 5-year overall survival rate of 40% and 6.67% respectively. Eleven (36.67%) patients had disease recurrence, with a median disease-free survival of 16 months. A significant difference in survival was seen between patients with synchronous and metachronous liver metastasis (20.38 and 36.78 months respectively, p=0.0393) and in patients given adjuvant chemotherapy at any time in relation to the occurrence of the liver metastases versus patients who did not receive any adjuvant treatment (34.08 and 18.59 months respectively, p=0.0349). Trends towards improved overall survival were seen in patients 50 years old or less (36.86 versus 21.78 months, p=0.0837) and in patients with a clinical risk score of 2 or less (29.65 versus 19.62 months, p=0.1823), which may show significance in a higher powered study@*CONCLUSION@#Improved overall survival was observed among patients with colorectal liver metastases undergoing hepatic metastasectomy compared to no liver resection.

Modifications to Treatment Plan of Rectal Cancer in Response to COVID-19 at the Philippine General Hospital

Purpose@#The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has strained healthcare resources worldwide. Despite the high number of cases, cancer management should remain one of the priorities of healthcare, as any delay would potentially cause disease progression. @*Methods@#This was an observational study that included nonmetastatic rectal cancer patients managed at the Philippine General Hospital from March 16 to May 31, 2020, coinciding with the lockdown. The treatment received and their outcomes were investigated. @*Results@#Of the 52 patients included, the majority were female (57.7%), belonging to the age group of 50 to 69 years (53.8%), and residing outside the capital (59.6%). On follow-up, 23.1% had no disease progression, 17.3% had local progression, 28.8% had metastatic progression, 19.2% have died, and 11.5% were lost to follow up. The initial plan for 47.6% patients was changed. Of the 21 patients with nonmetastatic disease, 2 underwent outright resection. The remaining 19 required neoadjuvant therapy. Eight have completed their neoadjuvant treatment, 8 are undergoing treatment, 2 had their treatment interrupted, and 1 has yet to begin treatment. Among the 9 patients who completed neoadjuvant therapy, only 1 was able to undergo resection on time. The rest were delayed, with a median time of 4 months. One has repeatedly failed to arrive for her surgery due to public transport limitations. There was 1 adjuvant chemotherapy-related mortality. @*Conclusion@#Delays in cancer management resulted in disease progression in several patients. Alternative neoadjuvant treatment options should be considered while taking into account oncologic outcomes, acceptable toxicity, and limitation of potential COVID-19 exposure.

Initial Experience With Video-Assisted Anal Fistula Treatment in the Philippines

Purpose@#We determined the outcomes of patients undergoing video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) for fistulain-ano at the Philippine General Hospital. @*Methods@#Twenty consecutive adult patients who underwent the VAAFT procedure from 2016–2018 were included in this investigation. Information detailing baseline demographic and clinical data, fistula type and classification, and previous surgeries were retrieved from in-hospital and operative records. Operative time, identification of the internal opening, method of internal opening closure, and occurrence of immediate postoperative complications were determined. The status of the fistula was assessed at one month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively based on outpatient follow-up records. The primary outcomes were healing rate and recurrence rate. Secondary outcomes were 30-day morbidity, postoperative complications, and incontinence using the Wexner score. @*Results@#Eighteen patients (90%) had a preoperative diagnosis of complex fistula, and 13 patients (65%) had undergone a previous fistula surgery. Primary healing rate was 55% at 1 month, 63.16% at 3 months, and 78.95% at 6 months postoperatively. Eighteen patients (94.74%) maintained continence (Wexner score = 0) at 6 months. @*Conclusion@#Our study results suggest that VAAFT is a safe, minimally invasive technique for treatment of anal fistula and can preserve anal sphincter function. The technique has an acceptable healing rate with minimal complications.

The surgical correction of Hirschsprung's Disease in adults using the Modified Duhamel procedure

BACKGROUND@# Hirschsprung’s disease (HD) is rare in adults, since a majority of cases are corrected in childhood.@*OBJECTIVES@#The authors describe the profile of patients with HD who reached adulthood without having undergone corrective surgery. Also, they describe the outcomes of a modified Duhamel procedure in these patients, in terms of morbidity and mortality.@*METHODS@#This retrospective study, included patients 18 years old and above, diagnosed with HD who reached adulthood without having undergone definitive repair and managed surgically by the Division of Colorectal Surgery, UP-PGH from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2014. A review from the Department Surgical Database was used and patients’ hospital records were used to fill out a Data Collection Form. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data.@*RESULTS@# The 13 patients included in the study were diagnosed at an average age of 16.6 (± 13.16) years. The mean age at the time of definitive surgery was 23.46 (± 6.96) years. The M:F ratio was 5.5:1. The most common presenting symptom was constipation (69.23%). All had a prior proximal bowel diversion, with a transverse loop colostomy (61.54%) being the most common. The transition zone was located in the sigmoid in a third of patients. The mean time from diagnosis to definitive surgery was 6.69 years. Eight (61.54%) have since undergone stoma reversal. There was only one (7.69%) morbidity, a superficial surgical site infection. No mortalities were reported.@*CONCLUSION@#The modified Duhamel procedure is a safe definitive surgical procedure for the adult patient with HD.