Predictive factors of bowel necrosis in patients with incarcerated femoral hernia.

PURPOSE: Intestinal necrosis is a frequent complication in patients with incarcerated femoral hernias (IFH). Knowing the low incidence of IFH, few series with large samples studied predictive factors of intestinal necrosis. The main objectives of our study were to determine the predictive preoperative factors of intestinal necrosis in patients with IFH and to compare its morbidity with that related to incarcerate inguinal hernias (IIH). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study in which we included patients with incarcerated groin hernias (IGH). This is a single-center study between January 2004 and December 2021. Patients were divided into two groups: group A (admitted for IFH) and group B (admitted for IIH). Intestinal necrosis was confirmed intraoperatively. RESULTS: 383 patients with IGH were included in the study: 91 patients had IFH (23.76%) and 282 patients had IIH (76.24%). In patients with IFH, the median age was 67 years. We had 60 females (66%) and 31 males (34%). Bowel ischemia was present in 29 patients (32%). Bowel necrosis was present in 14 patients (16%). We identified three independent variables predicting bowel necrosis in patients with IFH: Duration from symptoms to surgery, NLR (Neutrophil to Lymphocyte ratio), and urea. Bowel ischemia and bowel necrosis were significantly higher in patients with IFH compared to those with IIH. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we found that duration from symptoms to surgery, NLR, and urea were significantly predictive of intestinal necrosis in patients with IFH.

Percutaneous osteosynthesis and cementoplasty for stabilization of malignant pathologic fractures of the proximal femur.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the outcome of patients who underwent radiological percutaneous osteosynthesis and cementoplasty (RPOC) for stabilization of malignant pathological fracture of the proximal femur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical files of 12 patients who underwent RPOC for stabilization of malignant pathological fracture of the proximal femur were reviewed. There were 9 men and 3 women with a mean age of 56 years±13 (SD) (range: 35-82 years). All patients had metastases of proximal femur and a high fracture risk (Mirels score≥8) and were not eligible for surgical stabilization. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of a fracture after RPOC. Secondary endpoints were the procedure time, early complications of RPOC, pain reduction as assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) and duration of hospital stay. RESULTS: No patients treated with RPOC had a fracture during a mean follow-up time of 382 days±274 (SD) (range: 11-815 days). RPOC was performed under general (n=10) or locoregional (n=2) anesthesia. The average duration of the procedure was 95min±17 (SD) (range: 73-121min). The technical success rate was 100%. All patients were able to walk on the day following RPOC. The average duration of hospital stay was 4days ±3 (SD) (range: 2-10 days). No major complication occurred. One patient complained of hypoesthesia in the lateral thigh. For symptomatic patients (n=7), VAS score decreased from 6.8±1.2 (SD) (range: 5-9) before treatment, to 2.3±1.1 (SD) (range: 1-4) one month later. CONCLUSION: Preventive RPOC for pathological fracture of the proximal femur is a reliable alternative for cancer patients who are not candidates for surgical stabilization. Studies involving more patients are needed to confirm our preliminary experience.

Arterial splanchnic aneurysms: Presentation, treatment and outcome in 112 patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify subgroups with different risks of progression and their appropriate management among the heterogeneous group of 112 patients diagnosed with splanchnic aneurysm. METHODS: Using radiology databases and medical records of our institution (Hospital Édouard-Hérriot, Lyon, France), we undertook a retrospective review of all patients diagnosed with splanchnic artery aneurysms from 1995 to 2011. Cases were analyzed by aneurysm location, etiology and a distinction was also made between true and false aneurysms. RESULTS: False aneurysms were more likely than true aneurysms to be diagnosed as symptomatic and/or ruptured (TA: 50/66 patients asymptomatic vs. FA: 16/46 asymptomatic, P<0.05) with a rupture rate of 59% (27/46) which was unrelated to the size of aneurysms. Percutaneous treatment was carried in the majority of patients with a final success rate of 91%. Peripancreatic true aneurysms were associated in 75% of cases with celiac occlusive disease and diagnosed mostly in symptomatic patients (7/9: 78%) with a rupture rate of 44% unrelated to their size. Radiologic treatment has faced problems due to failure of catheterization and incomplete embolization, although there have been cases in which delayed occlusion was achieved. Common true aneurysms were incidental findings in 87% (57/66) of patients with 3 ruptured aneurysms which were larger than 2 cm. Observation in that group was safe: significant growth was seen only in one patient and the embolization required was successful. Splanchnic false aneurysms and peripancreatic true aneurysms carried a high and an unpredictable risk of rupture that warranted prompt endovascular treatment as soon as possible. CONCLUSIONS: Stratification by localization and by the true or false appearance of the aneurysm was an effective (means of identifying) way to identify subgroups with different risks of progression. False aneurysms and peripancreatic true aneurysms carried a high and unpredictable risk of rupture. The splanchnic aneurysms should have been treated in the case of patients of childbearing age, size ≥ 20 mm, and in the case of liver transplantation. Other splanchnic aneurysms should either have been observed, if smaller than 2 cm. In the absence of rigorous published comparisons, surgical and endovascular methods should have been considered equally suitable in the elective treatment of these patients.

Thrombocytopenia due to hypersplenism in oncological disease: partial splenic embolization during palliative treatment.

Hypersplenism is excess activity of the spleen, resulting in peripheral pancytopenia that predominates in platelet cell lines. Pancytopenia can be limited by reducing the volume of the functional spleen. However, in patients in very poor general condition, a splenectomy may not be possible, due to the risks of surgery and postoperative infection. Another therapeutic alternative in these patients is to reduce the volume of the spleen by super selective percutaneous splenic embolization. We report three cases of peripheral thrombocytopenia due to hypersplenism with a platelet count between 60,000 and 80,000/mm(3), which made it impossible to continue or start a chemotherapy protocol in these patients. For these patients, super selective partial embolization of the splenic parenchyma, with uncharged microspheres (250 microns) quickly resulted in a platelet count above 150,000/mm(3) so that chemotherapy could be continued or initiated.