Clinical characteristics of patients with pneumatosis intestinalis.

BACKGROUND: Several theories explaining the development of pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) have been reported, but a substantial portion of cases have been idiopathic. Additionally, predictors of bowel ischaemia in PI have not been fully investigated, while PI with bowel ischaemia has deteriorated overall outcomes of PI. METHODS: Sixty-four patients diagnosed with PI (2009-2019) were allocated to two groups: with (group 1; n = 15 (23%)) and without (group 2; n = 49 (77%)) bowel ischaemia. Fourteen patients underwent emergency surgery, and bowel ischaemia was identified in nine (64%). Six patients in group 1 were diagnosed with bowel ischaemia, and were treated palliatively. On medical charts, we determined underlying conditions of PI, compared the characteristics and outcomes between the groups, and identified the predictors of bowel ischaemia. RESULTS: Group 1 patients more commonly showed abdominal pain, lower base excess, higher C-reactive protein concentrations, higher white blood cell counts and higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios, and more frequent comorbid ascites, free air and hepatic portal vein gas. Of nine bowel ischaemia surgery patients, three (33%) died; all because of anastomotic leak. All except three patients in group 2, who presented with aspiration pneumonia, responded to treatment. Only one patient had an unknown cause (1/64, 1.6%), and various underlying conditions in secondary PI were confirmed. CONCLUSION: Idiopathic PI may be identified rarely using current imaging and knowledge, but outcomes in PI patients with bowel ischaemia remain unsatisfactory. Earlier identification of bowel ischaemia by various specialists in accordance with predictors of bowel ischaemia could improve overall outcomes in PI patients.

Surgical outcomes of hybrid hand-assisted laparoscopic pelvic exenteration for locally advanced rectal cancer: Initial experience.

INTRODUCTION: Hybrid hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) combines better visualization of laparoscopic surgery with the advantages of open surgery. The aim of this study was to describe important technical considerations of HALS and to assess the feasibility of hybrid HALS pelvic exenteration (PE) for primary advanced rectal cancer. METHODS: From May 2012 to August 2018, we retrospectively analyzed 11 patients who underwent PE for primary advanced rectal cancer (< 10 cm from the anal verge). Patients were divided into the open PE group (n = 5) and the hybrid HALS PE group (n = 6). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in patient characteristics between the two groups, and all included patients were male. Tumor invasion to adjacent organs was mostly anterior invasion. In addition, four patients (66%) in the hybrid HALS PE group and two (40%) in the open PE group received neoadjuvant therapy (P = .3). CONCLUSION: Compared to open surgery, hybrid HALS has the advantages of less bleeding and less invasion, and can achieve the same results in the short-term. It was a reasonable procedure which was easy and safe dissection of internal iliac vessels and dorsal vein complex. Thus, hybrid HALS may become a useful approach for PE.

Clinical features of patients with hepatic portal venous gas.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is a rare clinical condition that is caused by a variety of underlying diseases. However, the factors that would permit accurate identification of bowel ischemia, requiring surgery, in patients with HPVG have not been fully investigated. METHODS: Thirty patients that had been diagnosed with HPVG using computed tomography between 2010 and 2019 were allocated to two groups on the basis of clinical and intraoperative findings: those with (Group 1; n = 12 [40%]) and without (Group 2; n = 18 [60%]) bowel ischemia. Eleven patients underwent emergency surgery, and bowel ischemia was identified in eight of these (73%). Four patients in Group 1 were diagnosed with bowel ischemia, but treated palliatively because of their general condition. We compared the characteristics and outcomes of Groups 1 and 2 and identified possible prognostic factors for bowel ischemia. RESULTS: At admission, patients in Group 1 more commonly showed the peritoneal irritation sign, had lower base excess, higher lactate, and higher C-reactive protein, and more frequently had comorbid intestinal pneumatosis. Of the eight bowel ischemia surgery patients, four (50%) died, mainly because of anastomotic leak following bowel resection and primary anastomosis (3/4, 75%). All except one patient in Group 2, who presented with aspiration pneumonia, responded better to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Earlier identification and grading of bowel ischemia according to the findings at admission should benefit patients with HPVG by reducing the incidence of unnecessary surgery and increasing the use of safer procedures, such as prophylactic stoma placement.

Splenic artery aneurysm rupture during pregnancy: A case report of maternal and fetal survival.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy has been demonstrated as a significant risk factor of splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) formation and rupture. However, prompt diagnosis of SAA rupture in a pregnant patient showing acute abdomen has been practically challenging in light of its rarity and vague initial presentation. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 40-year-old woman (gravida 1, para 0) at 35 weeks' gestation presented to the emergency department with upper abdominal pain and nausea. Because of fetal dysfunction, emergency caesarian section was performed by a Pfannenstiel incision. Following delivery, 400 g of hemorrhage was removed from the upper abdominal cavity. Computed tomography showed a 37-mm SAA associated with copious adjacent fluid. Although selective angiography did not demonstrate active extravasation, interventional isolation of the SAA was not performed because of multiple surrounding arteries. Relaparotomy with an upper midline incision was then performed. Sudden cardiac arrest occurred upon opening the lesser sac to irrigate clots, and cardiac massage and proximal and distal clamping of the SAA were required. Eventually, splenectomy with excision of the SAA and pancreatic tail was successfully performed, but gauze packing of the open surgical wound was required because of severe coagulopathy. Following removal of the packs and closure of the abdomen 2 days after splenectomy, the patient and infant satisfactorily recovered without sequelae. DISCUSSION: Given continual awareness of abdominal vascular collapse during pregnancy, undelayed diagnosis and safer intervention might be achieved. CONCLUSION: Awareness at initial presentation and multidisciplinary efforts might be essential to achieve maternal and fetal survival in SAA rupture during pregnancy.

Perioperative management of laparoscopic surgery in a patient with protein S deficiency complications: A case report.

Patients with protein S deficiency are prone to developing thrombosis. During laparoscopic surgery in patients with protein S deficiency, there is a risk of deep venous thromboembolism. In the present case, the patient was a 66-year-old man. He was diagnosed with colon cancer, and surgery was planned. Because of the presence of protein S deficiency, he required careful perioperative management for laparoscopic surgery. Surgery was successfully performed. On postoperative assessment, no thrombi were observed. Our approach of perioperative management might help in the treatment of patients with protein S deficiency.