Two years of Acute Biliary Admissions at a tertiary care centre over the Covid-19 pandemic: a closed loop audit with implementation of an acute referral system

Background AUGIS recommends patients diagnosed with acute cholecystitis and gallstone pancreatitis to receive a laparoscopy cholecystectomy on the index admission, ideally within 72 hours of presentation. Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with better patient outcomes and reduced readmission rates. During the Covid-19 pandemic emergency surgery, if possible was avoided. These patients are referred for an elective cholecystectomy, however waiting times can be lengthy with readmissions common prior to surgery.  Methods We performed a closed loop audit on acute biliary admissions to a central London tertiary care centre. We assessed waiting times to laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients fit for surgery as well as readmissions prior to surgery. The data was collated over a one-year period (01/03/2019 to 29/02/2020), analysed and presented to the senior biliary surgery team. A dedicated e-referral system for patients who did not receive a laparoscopic cholecystectomy on index admission was implemented. Post intervention admissions were re-audited over a second year (01/03/2020- 30/01/2021) and re-analysed to assess the effect of the intervention.   Results A total of 111 patients with acute cholecystitis, 52 with gallstone pancreatitis, 34 with biliary colic, 36 with choledocholithiasis and 10 with ascending cholangitis, were included. Prior to implementation of our referral system average waiting time to laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 98.2 weeks, reduced to 47.7 weeks post referral system implementation. Reduction in waiting times resulted in readmission rates reduced by: 23.3% in Choledocholithiasis;17.4% in Biliary Colic;  16.7% in Ascending Cholangitis;12.8% in Acute Cholecystitis and 8.3% in Gallstone pancreatitis.  Conclusions Admissions with acute biliary colic compose a substantial workload. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a preference for elective versus emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, delay in surgery results in a readmission burden on emergency surgery departments and worse patient outcomes hence laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be performed as soon as possible following initial admission. This audit demonstrates that a dedicated biliary referral system reduced waiting time which translates to a reduction in admission rates. The importance of this referral system is magnified in the recovery phase of the pandemic where we continue to recover waiting times.

Difficulties in managing acute gallstone disease at a Tertiary Referral Centre admist COVID-19

Background Acute biliary disease, a surgical emergency, is predominantly treated conservatively initially. Specialist units aim to follow guidelines set by the Royal College of Surgeons and NICE to provide a cholecystectomy within a set time. Clinical practice at St Thomas’ Hospital was reviewed along with the difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aims Reassess practice at a specialist unit failing to meet guidelines during the start of COVID-19. Prospective data collection, on patients booked for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after emergency attendances. Method Initial retrospective data analysis, reviewing pre-COVID (PC19) practice (03/19–02/20), initial COVID-19 (IC19) management (03/20–12/20). Prospective data (01/21–11/21) after implementing changes (AC19). Identifying demographics, pathology, length of stay during acute admission, average wait for surgery and readmission rate prior to surgery. Patients receiving surgery within 6 weeks, which has been set by our trust as an acceptable standard. Results Patients with acute presentation (acute cholecystitis, gallstone pancreatitis, cholangitis) 162 (PC19), 80 (IC19), 145 (AC19). Gender Ratio M:F 1:2 for all groups. Average wait to surgery 93 (PC19), 44 (IC19), 69 (AC19) days. Patients receiving surgery within 6 weeks 24.7% (PC19), 32.5% (IC19), 51.7% (AC19). Patients who were still awaiting surgery at the end of each time frame 49% (PC19), 51% (IC19), 48% (AC19). Mean length of surgical stay 1.75 (AC19) days. Conclusions Further changes are required, as guidelines are still not being met, with average wait times significantly above the recommended wait to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

A rare case of heterotopic pancreatitis and intestinal malrotation in a COVID-19 positive patient. COVID-19, causative or coincidence?

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Heterotopic pancreas (HP) is defined as the presence of pancreatic tissue without anatomical and vascular continuity with the main body of the pancreas. HP typically remains asymptomatic, however complications such as acute pancreatitis can arise. Gastrointestinal involvement with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not uncommon and there are reported cases of associated pancreatitis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31-year-old male presented to the Emergency department (ED) with a 3-day history of right iliac fossa pain. The patient was found to have COVID-19 and a planned laparoscopic appendectomy was later converted to a midline laparotomy when a mass close to the duodeno-jejunal (DJ) flexure was identified. Following a hand-sewn anastomosis the patient made a good post-operative recovery. Histology illustrated the presence of heterotopic pancreatic tissue within the small bowel with underlying fat necrosis typical of acute pancreatitis. Follow-up radiology supported the intraoperative finding of intestinal malrotation. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Rarely the combined presence of intestinal malrotation and HP in patients has been noted. Heterotopic pancreatitis can present in a multitude of ways and it is a difficult diagnosis to make pre-operatively. Emerging literature documents the potential presentation of COVID-19 with acute pancreatitis. The expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors on the pancreas is believed to play a role. CONCLUSION: This is the first documented case of heterotopic pancreatitis with intestinal malrotation in a COVID-19 positive patient. We hypothesise that the COVID-19 infection contributed to the heterotopic pancreatitis.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in acute pancreatitis increases disease severity and 30-day mortality: COVID PAN collaborative study.

OBJECTIVE: There is emerging evidence that the pancreas may be a target organ of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and coexistent SARS-CoV-2 infection. DESIGN: A prospective international multicentre cohort study including consecutive patients admitted with AP during the current pandemic was undertaken. Primary outcome measure was severity of AP. Secondary outcome measures were aetiology of AP, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of hospital stay, local complications, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), persistent organ failure and 30-day mortality. Multilevel logistic regression was used to compare the two groups. RESULTS: 1777 patients with AP were included during the study period from 1 March to 23 July 2020. 149 patients (8.3%) had concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infection. Overall, SARS-CoV-2-positive patients were older male patients and more likely to develop severe AP and ARDS (p<0.001). Unadjusted analysis showed that SARS-CoV-2-positive patients with AP were more likely to require ICU admission (OR 5.21, p<0.001), local complications (OR 2.91, p<0.001), persistent organ failure (OR 7.32, p<0.001), prolonged hospital stay (OR 1.89, p<0.001) and a higher 30-day mortality (OR 6.56, p<0.001). Adjusted analysis showed length of stay (OR 1.32, p<0.001), persistent organ failure (OR 2.77, p<0.003) and 30-day mortality (OR 2.41, p<0.04) were significantly higher in SARS-CoV-2 co-infection. CONCLUSION: Patients with AP and coexistent SARS-CoV-2 infection are at increased risk of severe AP, worse clinical outcomes, prolonged length of hospital stay and high 30-day mortality.