Perforated Stress Ulcer of the Duodenum: a Case of an Unexpected Diagnosis in a COVID-19 Patient Following Dilatation and Curettage Procedure.

Background: Stress ulcers in the upper gastrointestinal tract can arise from pathologies related to erosive or inflammatory insults in critically ill patients. The relationship between stressful bodily events and the ischemia and perforation of stress ulcers is poorly understood. Objective: We present a case of perforated stress ulcer following an abortion that was treated by dilatation and curettage (D&C) and complicated by a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Case presentation: A 40-year-old lady presented to the emergency room complaining of diffuse abdominal pain, she was recently diagnosed with an incomplete abortion and managed via a D&C procedure in an external hospital. A computed tomography (CT) scan was done at our center for the abdomen and pelvis, showing extensive pneumoperitoneum, which brought the radiologist's attention to suspect a small bowel perforation presumably accompanying a uterine perforation secondary to the D&C. There were no obvious signs of pelvic small bowel perforation in the initial CT images. The perforated duodenal stress ulcer was diagnosed the next day by a new CT scan following oral contrast ingestion and managed surgically by repair and omental patch, and no other bowel perforations were found upon surgical exploration. After the surgery, the patient was diagnosed with COVID-19, and her clinical status deteriorated gradually during the following week, and she passed away from a cardiac arrest. Conclusion: It is unclear whether septic abortion or COVID-19 has resulted in stress ulcer perforation in our patient. This case report highlights the importance of raising early suspicion in the diagnosis of stress ulcer perforation in critically ill patients to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality.

Emergency surgical treatment of colonic acute diverticulitis: a multicenter observational study on behalf of the Italian society of colorectal surgery (SICCR) Lombardy committee.

Colonic diverticulitis can be treated conservatively, but some cases require surgery. Patients can undergo Hartmann's procedure (H) or resection with primary anastomosis (RA), with or without diverting stoma. This multicenter observational retrospective study aims to evaluate the adherence to current guidelines by assessing the rate of RA and H in Lombardy, Italy, and to analyze differences in patients' features. This study included data collected from nine surgical units performing emergency surgery in Lombardy, in 2019 and 2021. Data for each year were retrospectively collected through a survey among Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery (SICCR) Lombardy members. Additional data were about: Hinchey's classification, laparoscopic (VLS) or converted procedures, procedures with more than two operators, procedures in which the first operator was older than 40 years, night or weekend procedures, older-than-80 patients, COVID-19 positivity (just 2021). The total number of operations performed was 254, 115 RA and 130 H (45.3% and 51.2%, diff. 12%, p = 0.73), and 9 (3.5%) other procedures. RAs were more frequent for Hinchey 1 and 2 patients, whereas Hs were more frequent for Hinchey 3 and 4. RAs without ileostomy were significantly less than Hs (66 vs. 130, p = 0.04). Laparoscopy was more used for RA compared to H (57 vs. 21, p = 0.03), whereas no difference was found between RA and H with respect to conversion rate, the presence of more than two operators in the team, the presence of a first operator older than 40 years, night or weekend operations, and for older-than-80 patients. This study confirms the adherence to current guidelines for the treatment of acute colonic diverticulitis in Lombardy, Italy. It can be considered as a preliminary survey with interesting results that may open the way to a further prospective observational study to clarify some aspects in the management of this disease.

Emergency Surgery for Colon Diseases in Elderly Patients-Analysis of Complications, and Postoperative Course.

Background and Objectives: Colon diseases can turn in a clinical emergency with the onset of some important complications. Some critical conditions are more common in aged patients because they are frailer. The aim of this study is to examine patients over 80 years of age who are undergoing emergency colorectal surgery, and evaluating the aspects associated with post-operative complications and other problems in the short term. Methods: From November 2020 to February 2022, we included 32 consecutive patients older than 80 undergoing emergency surgery due to colon diseases. We collected and analysed all demographic and operative data, and then applied CR-POSSUM score and correlated this with postoperative hospital stay and the onset of postoperative complications according to the Clavien Dindo classification. Results: Postoperative factors were selectively evaluated based on the clinical scenario and different colic pathologies. There were no statistically significant differences, in terms of postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications, reoperation rate and 30-day mortality. The number of cases of blood transfusions was significant and was more numerous in cases of intestinal perforation and bleeding cases. The value of the Operative Severity Score in bowel perforations was significantly higher. Conclusions: The use of a score to stratify the risk is a useful tool, especially in elderly patients undergoing emergency surgery. The CR-POSSUM score was important for predicting morbidity in our study. Emergency manifestations of colon diseases in the elderly show higher morbidity and mortality rates. The effect of age on outcome is a concept that needs to be emphasized, so further investigation is needed.

Sigmoid colon perforation in a SARS-CoV-2 positive neonate: a uniqueness report and a brief review.

BACKGROUND: Despite the relative prevalence of small bowel and proximal colon perforation in the neonatal period, recto-sigmoid perforation is extremely rare. Full-term neonates experience intestinal perforation less frequently than premature infants. Here we report a neonate with sigmoid perforation and simultaneous Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 2550 g female neonate born at 38-weeks' gestation from a coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infected mother by cesarean section. Despite a good Apgar score in the first and fifth minutes, she was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with grunting and mild respiratory distress. She underwent antibiotics and oxygen by head box resulting in an Oxygen Saturation rate of 94%. The patients' respiratory distress decreased during the second day, resulting once breastfeeding without tolerance. While she passed meconium in the first 2 days, she developed abdominal distention on day 3. The nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed with positive results. Surgical consultation was requested and a thoraco-abdominal X-Ray was performed at this stage, which suspected to be a gastrointestinal perforation. Due to clinical deterioration and persistent abdominal distention, a contrast study was performed with water-soluble contrast, which confirmed intestinal perforation. However, the surgical exploration revealed perforation of the sigmoid colon at the posterior segment. The patient underwent antibiotic therapy, abdominal lavage, and colostomy, immediately. She was discharged in good condition approximately 14-days later. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of sigmoid colon perforation in a term neonate following COVID-19.

A Case of Intestinal Perforation Associated with Mesenteric Thrombosis Due to Post-COVID-19 Syndrome.

PURPOSE: We aimed to present a case who developed intestinal ischemia and associated perforation and abscess due to Superior Mesenteric Vein (SMV) thrombosis caused by post-COVID-19 syndrome and discuss the preoperative Computed Tomography (CT) imaging findings used in diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old patient presented to our clinic with a complaint of acute abdominal pain. His CT examination revealed thrombosis in SMV, congestion in the mesenteric venous structures, contamination in the mesentery, and thickening and dilatation of the jejunal loops due to ischemia. The patient had a history of acute COVID-19 infection. He had typical COVID-19 pneumonia findings (peripheral ground-glass opacities in both lung parenchyma predominantly in the lower lobe) on the thorax CT at that time. He was followed up with anticoagulant therapy. During his follow-up, a thoracic and abdominal CT was performed due to recurrent acute abdominal findings. On thorax CT, there was a web-like filling defect consistent with pulmonary embolism, traction bronchiectasis consistent with late findings of COVID-19 pneumonia, and poorly circumscribed subpleural ground glass opacities. On abdominal CT, in addition to mesenteric ischemia findings, loss of wall integrity was observed in the jejunal loops due to perforation and collection areas containing air consistent with an abscess. He was treated with small bowel resection and abscess drainage. CONCLUSION: Patients with acute COVID-19 infection should be followed up for the early diagnosis of serious symptoms that may develop due to post-COVID-19 syndrome, and contrast-enhanced CT should be the imaging method of choice to detect possible mesenteric vascular thrombosis in patients with acute abdominal symptoms.

Colonic perforation in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia - case reports.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal complications in critically ill patients during the COVID-19 pandemic pose a diagnostic and treatment dilemma. CASE REPORT: We present two cases of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients treated in our department for colon perforation. One patient was operated for a diastasic right colon perforation due to acute over distension of the bowel. The perforation in the second case was associated with chronic diverticulitis. CONCLUSION: These cases highlight the fact that besides typical respiratory symptoms and signs of COVID-19, digestive symptoms also occur. These can caused by intestinal perforation, be it directly or due to changing homeostasis of the internal environment.

Ischaemic bowel perforation secondary to a gravid uterus in a patient with treated inflammatory bowel disease and an ileoanal pouch: a case report.

The diagnosis of visceral perforation during pregnancy is often delayed and the management complex. A 32-year-old primigravid woman in her second trimester presented with abdominal pain and a pre-existing ileoanal pouch. Initial imaging was negative but later imaging was suggestive of serious pathology. At laparotomy, a caesarean section was performed. Peritonitis was encountered secondary to two discrete perforations in the small bowel separate from her pouch. Histology found an ischaemic perforation secondary to a pressure effect from the gravid uterus. In pregnancy, ileoanal pouches may make the interconnected bowel vulnerable to the pressure effect of the gravid uterus and perforation. Pregnant women with such a surgical history who develop symptoms suggestive of bowel perforation should have rapid imaging and their clinical team should consider early definitive surgical intervention.

Surgical emergencies during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic lockdown: what happened?

OBJECTIVE: The pandemic from SARS-CoV-2 is having a profound impact on daily life of a large part of world population. Italy was the first Western country to impose a general lockdown to its citizens. Implications of these measures on several aspects of public health remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the lockdown on surgical emergencies volumes and care in a large, tertiary referral center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic medical records of all patients visited in our Emergency Department (ED) and admitted in a surgical ward from February 21st 2020 to May 3rd 2020 were collected, analyzed and compared with the same periods of 2019 and 2018 and a cross-sectional study was performed. RESULTS: Number of surgical admissions dropped significantly in 2020 with respect to the same periods of 2019 and 2018, by almost 50%. The percentage distribution of admissions in different surgical wards did not change over the three years. Time from triage to operating room significantly reduced in 2020 respect to 2019 and 2018 (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The lockdown in Italy due to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic arguably represents the largest social experiment in modern times. Data provided by our study provide useful information to health authorities and policymakers about the effects of activity restriction on surgical accesses and changing epidemiology due to an exceptional external event.

Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Cause a Delay in the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis?

BACKGROUND: Appendectomy for acute appendicitis remains one of the most common surgical procedures. This study aims to assess the clinical presentation and delays in diagnosing acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We evaluated data of all adult patients who underwent an appendectomy at our hospital between June 1, 2019 and June 1, 2020. Demographic data, admission type to the emergency room, radiological findings, pathological findings, and hospitalization time were noted. Patients were divided into four groups of 3-month periods, pre (Groups 5, 4, 3, 2) and during the pandemic (Group 1). Hospitalization time and perforation status of each group were compared. The hospital admission type and their effect on perforation were also evaluated. RESULTS: Two hundred and fourteen patients were included; 135 patients were male, and 57 were female. The median age was 39 years. In Group 1 (pandemic period), 28.8% of patients were referred to us from pandemic hospitals. The median hospitalization time was 7.3 h before pandemics (Group 2-5), 5 h in the pandemic period (Group 1). Perforation rates were 27.8% in Group 1, 23.3% in Group 2, 16.3% in Group 3, 14.0% in Group 4, and 18.6% in Group 5 (0 = 0.58). There was no difference in the patients in Group 1 in the rate of perforated appendicitis in patients who were referred from other pandemic hospitals (29.4) and those admitted via our own emergency room (16.6%) (p = 0.27) during the pandemic period. CONCLUSION: We did not observe any clear increase in the diagnosis of perforated appendicitis during the pandemic period, even in patients who were transferred from other hospitals.

Experience of Hospital Admission and Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Survey of IBD Patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the experience of surgery in IBD patients during the COVID pandemic. METHODS: A survey was distributed among patients undergoing IBD-related surgeries from January 2020 to March 2020 via an online platform. The response was submitted anonymously. RESULTS: A total of 78 patients responded to the survey. COVID-19 testing was conducted in 60 (76.9%) patients, and they were all tested negative. Emergent surgery was performed in 12 (15.4%) patients and postponed surgery in 18 (23.1%) patients. The surgical indications were mainly bowel obstruction (N = 21, 26.9%) and perianal abscess (N = 18, 23.1%). Postoperative complications were noted in 5.1% of cases, but no re-operation was required. Due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, 58 (74.4%) patients reported various levels of concern and anxiety for surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Common surgical indications were for bowel obstruction and perianal abscess. Surgery can be postponed, but disease progression should be monitored closely and surgically intervened as needed. Most patients expressed anxiety resulting from the pandemic. The overall experience was satisfactory.

Risks of COVID-19 transmission in blood and serum during surgery A prospective cross-sectional study from a single dedicated COVID-19 center.

The present pandemic caused by the SARS COV-2 coronavirus is still ongoing, although it is registered a slowdown in the spread for new cases. The main environmental route of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is through droplets and fomites or surfaces, but there is a potential risk of virus spread also in smaller aerosols during various medical procedures causing airborne transmission. To date, no information is available on the risk of contagion from the peritoneal fluid with which surgeons can come into contact during the abdominal surgery on COVID-19 patients. We have investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the peritoneal cavity of patients affected by COVID-19, intraoperatively and postoperatively. KEY WORDS: Covid-19, Laparotomy, Surgery.

Colorectal surgery obesity-related morbidity during COVID-19.

Tocilizumab, a monoclonal antiinterluekin-6 receptor antibody, has been empirically used in the treatment of cytokine release syndrome associated with severe coronavirus disease 2019 infections. The efficacy and safety of these medications for these patients is unknown. The purpose of this report was to present a case of acute large bowel perforation in a morbidly obese patient with coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia who received empiric Tocilizumab. This case report analyzes the risks of acute large bowel perforation after using this medication empirically and discusses the appropriate management of this adverse event.

Bowel perforation in a Covid-19 patient: case report.

INTRODUCTION: Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), it became evident that a proportion of patients may present with gastrointestinal symptoms. CASE: We report the case of a Covid-19-infected patient who, during recovery from the pulmonary pneumonia, had gastrointestinal symptoms followed by a diastasic right colon perforation due to acute over distension of the bowel. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the importance of paying attention to initial gastrointestinal symptoms in order to prevent possible complications.