Gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders related to COVID-19. Lessons learned from gastroenterologists

COVID-19 is mainly a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 but can also lead to GI symptoms. The primary host receptor which mediates the mechanism as SARS-CoV-2 enters the cell is the ACE2 receptor. Therefore, GI symptoms can be common in COVID-19, and in some cases, they are the first manifestation even before fever and respiratory symptoms. In addition, the liver function tests alteration often is related to a worse prognosis. The exact incidence of GI symptoms is a matter of debate. Moreover, wide variation concerning GI symptoms frequency exists, but the predominant ones seem to be diarrhea, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain or discomfort.This review summarizes the most relevant findings of COVID-19 on the digestive system, including the liver, biliary tract, pancreas, the most common GI symptoms, and the atypical clinical GI manifestations.Copyright © 2022 Sociedad Medica del Hospital General de Mexico. Published by Permanyer.

Lactulose Works in the Large Bowel: But How Does It Improve Hepatic Encephalopathy in a Patient Without a Large Bowel?

Introduction: Lactulose is a non-absorbable disaccharide which acts in the large bowel, and is commonly used in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. We present an interesting case of altered mental status due to hepatic encephalopathy successfully managed with lactulose in a patient with history of total colectomy. Case Description/Methods: A 67-year-old male with non-alcoholic cirrhosis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) post total proctocolectomy with a continent ileostomy known as a Kock-pouch (K-pouch) presented to the hospital with flu like symptoms and altered mental status. He was subsequently found to be positive for COVID-19. At the time of initial evaluation, the patient was obtunded with an elevated ammonia level of 91 umol/L. Colorectal surgery was consulted as the patient was not able to empty his K-pouch. Recently, he complained of inability to catheterize and with bleeding from the stoma. Initial catheterization with a Water's tube yielded 400 cc of effluent. Nasogastric tube was placed through which he was receiving lactulose 30 mg q8 hours. The patient's mental status improved within 24 hours. The patient ultimately underwent flexible pouchoscopy with endoscopic dilation and placement of a 22 French mushroom catheter for decompression of the K-pouch. Discussion(s): Lactulose is a non-absorbable disaccharide composed of galactose and fructose. The small intestine does not have the enzymes required to breakdown lactulose so it reaches the large bowel in its original form. In the large bowel, it is metabolized by colonic bacteria into monosaccharides and then to volatile fatty acids, hydrogen and methane. Lactulose decreases both the production and absorption of ammonia mainly through the presence of gut bacteria. The question arises as to how lactulose decreased ammonia levels in this patient without a large bowel. One proposed mechanism is the translocation of bacteria normally found in the large bowel to the small intestine. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), is a condition causing an increased number of bacteria in the small intestine. Patients with IBD and structural abnormalities are at increased risk of developing SIBO. Lactulose is commonly used in the diagnosis through the administration of lactulose and subsequent measurements of hydrogen and methane gas in expired air. This condition, in our patient with history of ulcerative colitis and colectomy, is a proposed mechanism of the efficacy of lactulose in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.

Pseudomembranous colitis in patients with COVID-19 (review)

AIM: to estimate the features of pseudomembranous colitis in patients with COVID-19, diagnostics, conservative treatment and surgery for complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: a retrospective analysis of 396 patients with pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) in patients with new coronavirus infection was carried out for the period from March 2020 to November 2021. Among them there were 156 (39.3%) males, females - 240 (60.6%), moderate and severe forms of COVID-19 occurred in 97.48%. The diagnosis of PMC was established due to clinical picture, laboratory, instrumental methods (feces on Cl. difficile, colonoscopy, CT, US, laparoscopy). RESULT(S): the PMC rate in COVID-19 was 1.17%. All patients received antibiotics, 2 or 3 antibiotics - 44.6%, glu-cocorticoids were received by all patients. At 82.8%, PMC developed during the peak of COVID-19. To clarify the PMC, CT was performed in 33.8% of patients, colonoscopy - 33.08%, laparoscopy - in 37.1% (to exclude bowel perforation, peritonitis). Conservative treatment was effective in 88.8%, 76 (19.1%) patients had indications for surgery (perforation, peritonitis, toxic megacolon). Most often, with peritonitis without clear intraoperative confir-mation of perforation, laparoscopic lavage of the abdominal cavity was performed (60 patients - 78.9%, mortality - 15.0%), colon resection (n = 6 (7.9%), mortality - 66.6%), ileo-or colostomy (n = 8 (10.5%), mortality - 37.5%), colectomy (n = 2 (2.6%), mortality - 50.0%). The overall postoperative mortality rate was 22.4%, the incidence of surgical complications was 43.4%. In addition, in the postoperative period, pneumonia was in 76.3%, thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in 22.3% of patients. In general, the overall mortality in our patients with PMC was 11.4%, with conservative treatment - 8.8%. CONCLUSION(S): pseudomembranous colitis is a severe, life-threatening complication of COVID-19. In the overwhelm-ing majority of patients, conservative therapy was effective, but almost 1/5 of patients developed indications for surgery, the latter being accompanied by high mortality and a high morbidity rate. Progress in the treatment of PMC, apparently, is associated with early diagnosis, intensive conservative therapy, and in the case of indications for surgery, their implementation before decompensation of the patient's condition and the development of severe intra-abdominal complications and sepsis.Copyright © 2022, Association of Coloproctologists of Russia. All rights reserved.

Mesenteric Ischemia: A Case of Extrapulmonary Presentation in COVID-19

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a predominantly respiratory infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It creates a hypercoagulable milieu, manifesting at varied extrapulmonary sites as pulmonary embolism, deep venous thrombosis, stroke, myocardial infarction, and mesenteric ischemia. The pathophysiology behind this hypercoagulability is still not entirely understood, although a heightened systemic inflammatory response to the virus is deemed responsible. We herein report a case of a 36-year-old healthy male who presented with an acute abdomen and was found to have extensive mesenteric and portal venous thrombosis with bowel gangrene. The patient underwent emergency exploration with ileal resection and end-ileostomy. The hypercoagulability panel was negative, but a postoperative chest radiograph revealed suspicious ground-glass opacities. Given the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, we considered testing for SARSCoV-2. A positive test for SARS-CoV-2 led us to attribute the thrombotic event to COVID-19. With anticoagulation and supportive therapy, the patient went on to make a steady recovery. A non-specific clinical manifestation of COVID-19 necessitates considering mesenteric venous thrombosis as a differential diagnosis in patients with acute abdomen.Copyright © 2023 Author.

Recurrent intussusception with ileal perforation as a complication of Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome in a pediatric patient

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare congenital condition, characterized by multiple venous malformations that may involve any organ system, most commonly the skin or the gastrointestinal tract. These lesions are often responsible for chronic blood loss and secondary anemia, and in rare situations may cause severe complications such as intussusception, volvulus, and intestinal infarction. Intussusception as a complication of BRBNS, although a known complication of the disease, has rarely been reported, especially in the Philippines. In the Philippine Society for Orphan Disorders, only 2 cases of BRBNS are currently included in the organization, including the patient presented in the case report. The treatment of BRBNS that involves the gastrointestinal tract depends on the extent of intestinal involvement and severity of the disease. The treatment aims to preserve the GI tract as much as possible due to the high recurrence in the disease. In this case report, we present a 13 year-old male with BRBNS with previous history of intussusception, successfully managed conservatively;however, upon recurrence, underwent exploratory laparotomy wherein a subcentimeter perforation in the antimesenteric border of the proximal ileum was noted, together with a gangrenous intussuscipiens, and multiple mulberry-like formations on the antimesenteric border of the small bowels. Histopathological findings of the resected bowels showed multiple cavernous hemangiomas consistent with BRBNS. The postoperative course of the patient was unremarkable.Copyright © 2023 The Authors

A Rare Presentation of Pseudomembranous Colitis in a COVID-19 patient

Introduction/Objective Recent reports suggest that though COVID-19 is predominantly a respiratory pathogen, one of its presenting features can be gastrointestinal symptoms. We hereby present a case of a female with COVID-19 infection whose hospital course was complicated by colonic pseudo-obstruction caused by pseudomembranous colitis resulting in an emergent hemicolectomy. Methods A 59-Year-old female with history of hypertension, diabetes, and breast cancer post mastectomy presented with pneumonia and was confirmed to be COVID-19 positive. She was admitted to the hospital and was treated with Azithromycin for 6 days. Patient developed constipation on day six of hospitalization and started having abdominal pain on day eight with elevated WBC count. Imaging showed distension of cecum and proximal colon. She underwent exploratory laparotomy which revealed a necrotic appearing cecum that was massively dilated and had a serosal tear. These findings prompted emergent hemicolectomy with loop ileostomy. Grossly cecum was black/green, dilated, thin walled with a 5 x 5 cm yellow green raised plaques. Microscopy of the plaques revealed focal erosion of colonic mucosa with overlying acute inflammatory cells, fibrin deposits, mucus, and necrotic epithelial cells consistent with pseudomembranous colitis. Conclusion Review of literature shows no reported cases of intestinal pseudo-obstruction due to pseudomembranous colitis in a COVID-19 patient. Not only this, but there are also only a limited number of case studies of pseudomembranous colitis presenting as intestinal pseudo-obstruction without diarrhea. Though this patient's presentation could be from Clostridium difficile infection secondary to Azithromycin, it is not a common antibiotic to cause this. Also, one of the known causes of pseudomembranous colitis is ischemia. Given that COVID-19 infection is a pro-thrombotic condition, possible ischemia secondary to COVID-19 infection related coagulopathy should also be a consideration.

Outcomes after Using Vedolizumab in Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Tertiary Centre, over a 3 Year Period

Background Vedolizumab has proven efficiency in adults but data in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (pIBD) is limited. We present the outcome of treatment with vedolizumab in refractory pIBD cohort. Study Design Retrospective and ongoing prospective review of all patients commenced on Vedolizumab following loss of response to anti-tumour necrosis factor [TNF] between Nov 2017 and Nov 2020. Aims and Objectives The primary outcome was remission at Week 14 and last follow up (wPCDAI/PUCAI<10) from commencing vedolizumab. The secondary outcomes were to review trend of biochemical makers, surgical interventions, and adverse effects. Results 11 children received vedolizumab (6[54%] males), mean age at time of diagnosis 12.45(8.34-15.48) with a median(IQR) time from diagnosis of 2.68(1.79-5.28)years;6 [54%] Crohn's disease [CD] and 5[46%] Ulcerative colitis/IBD Unclassified [UC/IBDU] (table 1). For CD;5/6 was treated previously with anti-TNF [40% primary failure, 60% secondary failure], all had colonic disease, 3/6 upper GI involvement and 3/6 perianal disease. One child with Bruton's agammaglobulinemia was anti-TNF naive when commenced on vedolizumab. All UC children were treated with anti-TNF [40% primary failure, 60% secondary failure], 80% had pan-colitis. Median age at time of commencing vedolizumab (V0) was 14.99(13.0-17.6). Baseline characteristics at V0;faecal calprotectin( FC) 2851(92-6000), Hb 114(96-146), ESR 22(4-90), albumin 39(27-46) and CRP 16.7(4-39.5). 4/11(36%) required surgery, three of whom had colectomy. 8/11 remained on immunomodulators with vedolizumab. Transient raised transaminases and eczema was reported once and low mood with suboptimal response noted once. 6/11(54%) were in remission 14 weeks from commencing vedolizumab (V14) and 4/11(36%) were excluded. At last follow up from commencing vedolizumab (VF), median years 2.21(0.78-3.43), 3 remained in remission. In CD cohort, one child had a defunctioning ileostomy and remained in steroid free remission (SFR) at V14 and VF (3.43 years) on vedolizumab monotherapy. One had colectomy (FC-3296 wPCDAI-60), steroid dependency compounded by methotrexate induced interstitial nephritis and vedolizumab was discontinued at VF (2.19 years). Two continue to have active disease at V14 after commencing vedolizumab. One had SFR at V14 and was transitioned at 2 years (FC-2585, wPCDAI-25) on vedolizumab. One with anti-TNF resistant disease, achieved clinical remission 9 months after starting vedolizumab (wPCDAI 2.5, FC 598) before being transitioned. In UC cohort, two had vedolizumab primary non-response needing subtotal colectomy. One patient with PUCAI 5 at V14 needed regime intensification for low vedolizumab levels but had active disease (PUCAI-25, FC-366) when transitioned at VF (2.06 years). One patient, who achieved remission whilst on steroid at V14, remains in SFR at VF (0.58 years) on concomitant immunomodulation and optimal vedolizumab level at end of induction (>19). One who was lost to follow-up during COVID, was transitioned on 4 weekly vedolizumab regime. Conclusion At V14, 54% of patients achieved clinical remission and we see significant improvement with PUCAI/PCDAI scores and faecal calprotectin in both UC and CD cohort. We are continuing this study over a longer period to achieve a larger cohort.

Intra-abdominal actinomycosis-an indolent masquerader of malignancy

Introduction: A 54 years old lady who presented with constitutional symptoms of lethargy, weight loss and asthenia. She had been extensively evaluated for a possible gynaecological malignancy but with no definitive outcome. The symptoms were persistent and a decision had to be made towards Surgery in The present climate of The COVID19 pandemic. Method(s): Following oncology multi disciplinary meeting outcome she was taken up for a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophrectomy. She was noted to have an incidental finding of an extensive tumour infiltrating The liver, colon, anterior abdominal wall and The urinary bladder. A surgical resection with ileostomy was performed on suspicion of an underlying malignancy. Result(s): The histopathological diagnosis revealed a picture of actinomycosis which had evaded us previously. Following this she was treated with prolonged course of antibiotics and has recovered well, thus altering our entire management plan. Conclusion(s): Actinomycosis albeit rare is an interesting mimic of tumours. This case also delves into The on-table decision making when in doubt about cancer.

Portal Vein and Mesenteric Artery Thrombosis Following the Administration of an Ad26.COV2-S Vaccine-First Case from Romania: A Case Report.

COVID-19 has significantly affected public health, social life, and economies worldwide. The only effective way to combat the pandemic is through vaccines. Although the vaccines have been in use for some time, safety concerns have still been raised. The most typical adverse effects of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine are localized reactions near the injection site, followed by general physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, muscle pain, and fever. Additionally, some people may experience VITT (vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia), a rare side effect after vaccination. We present the case of a 60-year-old female patient that developed VITT-like symptoms with spleno-portal thrombosis and intestinal ischemia two weeks after the administration of the Ad26.COV2-S vaccine. Surgical treatment consisted of extensive bowel resection with end jejunostomy and feeding ileostomy. Two weeks after the first operation, a duodenal-ileal anastomosis was performed. The patient was discharged five weeks after the onset of the symptoms. Although some rare adverse effects are associated with the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, the risk of hospitalization from these harmful effects is lower than the risk of hospitalization from COVID-19. Therefore, recognizing VITT is significant for ensuring the early treatment of clots and proper follow-up.

ITS NOT AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THE COVID VACCINE: HERPES ZOSTER FOLLOWING COVID MRNA VACCINE

CASE: A 72 year old male presented to the outpatient clinic with a “vaccine reaction” after he developed a left arm rash following his Moderna COVID-19 booster. He had received the Moderna vaccines in March & April with the only side effect being arm soreness. On 10/30/2021, he received his booster in his lateral left upper arm. Three days later, he reported arm soreness that progressed in intensity by day 6 and developed a rash. Patient had no prior history of shingles and had received the SHINGRIX vaccine. Medical history was remarkable for subtotal colectomy with ileostomy 2/2 to Crohn's disease, stage III CKD, hypertension, HLD, amputations of the right big toe and left metatarsal 2/2 to osteomyelitis. Home medications included daily allopurinol 100mg, amlodipine 5mg, mesalamine 1,000 mg and octreotide 200 mcg/mL injection 0.5mL SQ BID. Presenting vital signs were normal. A physical exam revealed vesicles on an erythematous base in a C5 dermatome distribution. Incidentally, there was a concentration of vesicles located at the Moderna Booster vaccine site. Rash collected in groups of vesicles on the anterior forearm. Due to delay in presentation and stage III CKD, antivirals were not prescribed. Patient was prescribed Gabapentin 300mg nightly for pain and instructed to continue OTC Tylenol. After several weeks the rash resolved and pain subsided. IMPACT/DISCUSSION: Approximately 4% of patients with a history of Varicella develop a recurrent episode later in life with people who are immunosuppressed most affected. Possible triggers of zoster (HZ) include external reexposure to the virus, acute or chronic diseases such as malignancies or infections (i.e COVID-19), medications and stress. As of 12/5/21, the Vaccine Adverse Event Report System (VAERS) reported shingles in 1200 patients after receiving Pfizer vaccine, 1201 Moderna, and 1203 in Janssen vaccine recipients. While these reports are unable to be validated, it is important for clinicians to recognize the suggested relationship. Hypotheses of why our patient developed shingles include: 1) the immune activation from the vaccine activated dormant varicella, 2) the patient being older & immunocompromised puts him at a higher risk of developing HZ in general, and 3) the vaccine triggers a transient lymphopenia similar to being infected with COVID-19 and lymphopenia causes reactivation. As we continue to reach higher percentages of individuals receiving vaccines, we likely will continue to encounter cases such as described. CONCLUSION: It is important for clinicians to be aware of HZ reaction post COVID vaccination and to have this in their differential when a patient complains of a “reaction” to the vaccine. We regret that the patient being mis-triaged as an “allergic reaction” led to the patient being evaluated outside of the possible window of acute treatment of HZ. By describing this case we hope clinicians will be more aware of this relationship and prevent delay to treatment or misdiagnosis.

VEDOLIZUMAB THERAPY FOR VERY EARLY ONSET INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Background: Vedolizumab (VDZ) is effective in inducing and maintaining remission in patients with Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but limited data exists in the youngest patients diagnosed <6, known as very early onset (VEO)-IBD. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of VDZ in this cohort. Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients with VEO-IBD followed at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, treated with VDZ for >6 months. Data collected included demographics, disease characteristics, medications, hospitalizations, growth, surgeries, and labs. Disease activity was measured using the Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) and Pediatric Crohn Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) at baseline and 6 months. Primary outcome was clinical response defined as a decrease in PUCAI>20 or PCDAI>15 at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included improvement in growth, labs, steroid use and hospitalizations. Continuous variables were analyzed using the Friedman test followed by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Nominal data was analyzed using McNemar's test. Results: Thirty-three children with VEO-IBD, 66% male, treated with VDZ were included. Median age of diagnosis was 3.7 years (range 1.2-6 years), with a median baseline disease duration of 3 years (range 0.1-18.5 years). IBDU was classified in 61%, and CD in 39%. Disease location was 70% colonic, 27% ileocolonic and 3% small bowel. Seven patients had prior surgeries, including diverting ileostomies (n=6) and subtotal colectomy (n=1). Nineteen (58%) patients were biologic naïve. VDZ was used as combination therapy in 6 (18%) patients (methotrexate n=4, rapamycin n=1, tacrolimus n=1). Bridge therapy was initiated in 78% of patients, with steroids (n=8) and antibiotics (n=18). Clinical response at 6 months was achieved in 19 patients (58%) with improvement in median PUCAI from 25 to 5 (p<0.01) and median PCDAI from 18.75 to 5 (p<0.05). BMI for age Z-score improved from -0.325 to 0.65 (p<0.001). Steroids and antibiotics were tapered off in 6/8 (75%) and 14/18 (78%, p<0.001) respectively. Hospital length of stay decreased significantly during the 12 months after initiating VDZ compared to 3 months prior to initiation (p<0.05). 2 patients underwent surgery including a subtotal colectomy for colonic stricture and diverting ileostomy within 2 months of starting VDZ. Adverse effects included COVID-19 infection (n=2), influenza (n=2), upper respiratory infection (n=2), pneumonia (n=1), tracheitis (n= 1), cellulitis (n=1), molluscum (n=1), and pityriasis rosea (n=1). Conclusion: VDZ is effective at inducing clinical remission in a subset of children with VEO-IBD primarily with colonic disease. It has a favorable safety profile with minimal reported adverse events observed in this study. This study is limited by small sample size and retrospective design. Larger prospective studies are warranted.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BOWEL DYSFUNCTION AND BOWELRELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IMPAIRMENT OVER TIME

Purpose/Background: Bowel dysfunction following rectal cancer surgery changes with time and patients adapt to symptoms. The impact of bowel dysfunction on quality of life (QOL) over time is uncertain. Hypothesis/Aim: To evaluate the change in QOL due to bowel dysfunction over time. Methods/Interventions: A prospective database starting in July 2017 of adult patients who had undergone sphincter preserving rectal cancer surgery at a single university-affiliated colorectal cancer referral centre was queried. Patients were excluded if they had local recurrence, metastasis, or persistent stoma beyond 1-year follow-up. Follow-ups were arranged according to current guidelines. Main outcomes were QOL measured by the Short Form-36 survey (8 scales and 2 summary scores), bowel dysfunction was classified using the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) score (no LARS, minor LARS and Major LARS), and bowel-related quality of life was evaluated using the single-item Bowel-Related Quality of Life (BQOL) survey. The SF-36 and LARS scores were collected as part of the ongoing registry. Eligible patients were then called at 3 months after their last in-person follow-up and administered the SF-36, LARS score and BQOL. Patients were also asked how they would have answered the BQOL 3-months prior. Changes in LARS and BQOL scores were noted and compared to SF-36 scores. Results/Outcome(s): Overall, 136 patients were included (75% response rate). Mean age 61.8 (+/-10.6 years), 71% male, mean distance from the anal verge was 8.7 cm (+/-4), 54% underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy, 51% had a diverting loop ileostomy, 87% were laparoscopic, and median follow-up was 35.4 months [23.5-64.3]. There was no significant change in 3-month BQOL (96% of patients had no change, 3% improved, and 1% deteriorated. In patients who reported no change in BQOL, 54% (72/131) had no change in their LARS score, 31% (41/131) scored worse, and 27% (31/131) improved. Patients that showed improvement in their LARS score had an associated increase in their physical component summary, role emotional, role physical, physical functioning and bodily pain. Whereas patients with a deterioration of their LARS score had an associated decrease in their general health, vitality, and mental health. Interestingly, patients with no change in their LARS score reported increases in physical functioning and role emotional, but decreases in their scores for vitality and mental health (Table). Limitations: Recall bias, Covid-19, and volunteer bias. Conclusions/Discussion: Assessment of patients' bowel related QOL is complex. Improvements in bowel dysfunction appears to be associated with improved QOL. Whereas patients with worsening bowel dysfunction had an associated deterioration in QOL. Of note, BQOL scores did not change significantly over the study period. There is currently a paucity of instruments with sensitivity to detect changes specific to bowel dysfunction- related QOL.

BACK TO THE FUTURE-IS DIVERSION WITHOUT RESECTION A SAFE OPTION FOR COMPLICATED DIVERTICULITIS?

Purpose/Background: Historically, diversion was performed prior to resection of complex diverticular disease. This fell out of favor, but with the advent of laparoscopy, we investigated whether fecal diversion as a first step is a safe alternative in select patients who would otherwise undergo a Hartmann's procedure. Hypothesis/Aim: For select patients with acute medically-refractory diverticulitis, diversion without resection controls sepsis and is a safe option. Methods/Interventions: Single institution retrospective chart review of all patients presenting with acute complicated diverticulitis from July 2016- June 2021 was performed. The subset of patients who underwent diverting loop ileostomy or colostomy without initial resection were analyzed for demographics, reason for diversion alone and clinical course. Results/Outcome(s): Nineteen patients who underwent loop diverting ostomy (17 ileostomies, 2 colostomies) were identified. Seventeen of 19 were performed laparoscopically. The average patient age was 52.8 years old (SD 18.1) and 47% were men. Six patients had preoperative abscesses, one of which was amenable to percutaneous drainage. Several patients were initially admitted for another diagnosis and subsequently developed diverticulitis. Comorbidities included cases of severe COVID, recent bone marrow transplantation, and current chemotherapy for lymphoma. The average time from admission to operation was 3.3 days (SD 2.9), and the average postoperative length of stay was 10.1 days (SD 10.7). None of the 19 patients required resection for failure to improve during that hospitalization. Two patients (10.5%) required placement of a percutaneous drain post-operatively. Seventeen patients were discharged home (89.5%) and 2 were discharged to a rehabilitation facility. Six patients required emergency department visits or readmission, most often for dehydration. Since their diversion, 16 patients have subsequently undergone sigmoid resection (84.2%), 15 with primary anastomosis and subsequent diverting ostomy takedown, and one with conversion from loop colostomy to descending colostomy and Hartmann's pouch. Five of the 16 sigmoid resections were performed laparoscopically (31.3%). Limitations: This study is a single institution retrospective review with a small sample size. Conclusions/Discussion: Fecal diversion appears to be a safe initial surgical strategy, providing adequate control of local sepsis in patients who are felt to be poor candidates for sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis and diversion, and allows patients to avoid an initial Hartmann's procedure. All 19 patients were discharged without requiring additional surgery. For patients with severe acute confounding medical comorbidities, initial diversion may allow the patient to recover from their acute process, permit optimization of their health status, and allow an elective sigmoid resection at a more opportune time. (Table Presented).

OBSTRUCTIVE LARGE CELL NEUROENDOCRINE COLON CANCER: CASE REPORT OF A RARE DISEASE

Purpose/Background: Colonic large cell type neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare type of neuroendocrine tumor with only 13 reported cases in the literature. Due to their rarity, there is currently no standardized management. Hypothesis/Aim: We present a case of colonic LCNEC presenting with obstruction requiring urgent surgical intervention. Methods/Interventions: A 43-year-old male presented to the emergency department with several days of abdominal pain and constipation for 48 hours. Physical exam revealed diffuse abdominal pain. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis was concerning for a distal transverse colon mass causing obstruction and multiple hepatic lesions. (Figure 1, A-C). The patient was taken to the operating room for urgent exploration and was found to have a transverse colonic mass was identified just proximal to the splenic flexure. Resection was performed and a side-to-side anastomosis of the right and descending colon was created with a protective loop ileostomy. Liver lesions were biopsied. Pathologic analysis revealed invasion into the peri-colorectal tissue consistent with a T3 lesion. Lymphovascular (LV) and perineural invasion were also present. Seven out 27 total lymph nodes (LN) were positive for cancer and the hepatic nodule was positive for cancer. Histological analysis revealed large cells with prominent nucleoli, abundant cytoplasm, marked pleomorphism, frequent mitosis, and apoptotic bodies consistent with LCNEC (Figure 1, D). Immunohistochemistry showed that the tumor was positive for AE1/1, CK 20, synaptophysin, and chromogranin A. The Ki-67 index was over 95%. Results/Outcome(s): Postoperatively the patient was started on a regimen of cisplatin and etoposide. He was readmitted during his second cycle of chemotherapy with high ileostomy output, E. coli bacteremia and COVID-19. Repeat imaging showed progression of his disease (Figure 1, E). The patient had a precipitous decline in helath and decided to pursue comfort measures. He had a survival time of 3 months after diagnosis. Limitations: The limitation of this study is that it is a single case. Conclusions/Discussion: NECs account for 0.6% of all colorectal cancers with LCNECs responsible for ~0.2% of NECs. At the time of diagnosis, LV invasion, LN spread, and distant metastases are usually present, which coincides with a median survival of 4-16 months. First line treatment for localized colorectal NECs is primary resection. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend combined cisplatin and etoposide may be appropriate for locally advanced tumors;however, multiple studies have shown to show no improvement in median survival. Our patient presented with obstruction requiring surgical intervention, which extended the patients life by 3 additional months. Further research to define the best course of treatment for advanced colonic LCNECs will be difficult due to the infrequency of the disease. (Figure Presented).

Experiences in Reproductive Health Services in COVID-19 Era: A Nightmare

With consistent efforts for the last four decades in the area of family planning, it had been a rare instance to receive emergencies with uterine perforation, gut injury, septicaemia, and multiorgan failure with unsafe surgical intervention. But Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused major disruption to the family planning information and services globally. These gaps have been due to breakdown in contraceptive supply chains, closure of primary healthcare and abortion clinics, diversion of staff from family planning services to COVID-19 response team and the poor response was also due to fear of infection in hospital. As a result, many unsafe abortions in the form of near-miss mortality nightmares were revisited. The present series is of five cases, done at a tertiary care teaching hospital wherein there was mismanagement of the abortion due to lack of expert services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Uterine perforation with sepsis was observed in all the patients with bowel injury in three and broad ligament haematoma in one patient. A comprehensive, women's sexual health system response to address family planning services provision during pandemics is the need of the hour for India to avoid unwanted pregnancies and prevent additional mortality and morbidity in women.

Ostomy closure rate during COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian multicentre observational study.

During the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, most of the surgical procedures were performed for emergencies or oncologic reasons to the detriment of the remaining elective procedures for benign conditions. Ileostomy or colostomy creation are sequelae of oncologic or emergency colorectal surgery, but their closure does not fall within the definition of oncologic or emergency surgery. The aim of this retrospective multicentre observational study is to report the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the ostomy closure rate in Italy. Data regarding ileostomy and colostomy creation and closure from 24 Italian centres, during the study period (March 2020-February 2021) and during the control period (March 2019-February 2020) were collected. Three hospitals (12.5%) were COVID free. The number of colostomies and ileostomies created and closed in the same period was lower ( -18.8% and -30%, respectively) in the study period in comparison to the control period (p = 0.1915 and p = 0.0001, respectively), such as the ostomies closed in the analysed periods but created before (colostomy -36.2% and ileostomy -7.4%, p = 0.2211 and p = 0.1319, respectively). Overall, a 19.5% reduction in ostomies closed occurred in the study period. Based on the present study, a reduction in ostomy closure rate occurred in Italy between March 2020 and February 2021. During the pandemic, the need to change the clinical practice probably prolonged deterioration of quality of life in patients with ostomies, increasing number of stomas that will never be closed, and related management costs, even if these issues have not been investigated in this study.

The provision of, and outcomes for, inflammatory bowel disease services during the COVID-19 pandemic: A nationwide study

Background: To investigate the outcome (30-day in-hospital mortality, length of stay and readmission within 28 days) of emergency inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care in the Covid-19 pandemic. To quantify the reduction in provision of IBD investigations and procedures during the pandemic. Methods: Nationwide observational study using administrative data (Hospital Episode Statistics) for England (2015-2020). Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) forecast models were run to estimate the counterfactual IBD admissions and procedures for February 2020 onwards had the pandemic not occured. Results: Large decreases in attendances to hospital for emergency treatment were noted for both acute ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) (17.4% and 10.3%). The prevalence of concomitant Sars-CoV- 2 infection during the same episode was low for UC and CD [1.7% (247/14,708) and 1.3% (179/14,126), respectively]. All IBD procedures and investigations showed marked decreases in volume to December 2020 compared to the counterfactual estimates. The largest absolute deficits were in lower gastrointestinal endoscopy (16,223, 35.7% reduction), reversal of ileostomy (2,489, 39.7% reduction) and right sided/ileal resection or strictureplasty for Crohn's disease (879, 12.5% reduction). There were no significant clinical differences in case mix or outcome of emergency admission for IBD in the pandemic compared to a historical cohort. Conclusion: There is likely a significant burden of untreated IBD in the community exacerbated by the pandemic based on reductions in emergency IBD care and IBD procedures undertaken in 2020. Patients with IBD may experience significant clinical harm or a protracted decrease in quality of life if care is not prioritised.

Abdominal wall blocks for emergency ileostomy operation in a patient with COVID-19 pneumonia: a case report.

The anesthesia method to be administered during emergency surgical procedures for COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pneumonia patients carries great importance for both patient and surgical team. Regional blocks are generally used to ensure postoperative analgesia after abdominal surgery with general anesthesia. In this case, involving a patient receiving anticoagulant treatment due to COVID-19 pneumonia with planned emergency operation, the aim was to present the anesthesia management with rectus sheath and transversus abdominis plane block combination for the ileostomy operation. Due to the administered blocks, the patient was not given general anesthesia. Hence, transmission was reduced by minimizing aerosol formation in terms of protecting health personnel and worsening of the patient's pneumonia was prevented. The case is discussed in terms of regional anesthesia techniques offering a good alternative in appropriate cases for both employee and patient safety in the present day, when the whole world is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.