[Effect of new technologies on diagnosis and therapy of acute appendicitis]. / Der Einfluss neuer Technologien auf Diagnostik und Therapie der Appendicitis acuta.

Acute appendicitis remains a diagnosis based primarily on the history and the physical examination performed by an experienced surgeon. Ultrasonography and CT can be an useful adjunct, but they should not be used without context to the clinical picture. In therapy, open appendicectomy remains the golden standard. Laparoscopic appendectomy is reserved for special situations. Preoperative ultrasound is useful to decide upon the operative procedure. When the clinical picture and ultrasonography reveals acute appendicitis one can expect a minimal negative appendectomy- and laparotomy rate of 2.7% and 2.1%. In these situations open appendectomy is indicated. In the case where ultrasonography reveals no appendicitis, negative appendectomy rate is 31%. In this situation further abdominal exploration and thus diagnostic laparoscopy and laparoscopic appendectomy is indicated.

[Postoperative heparin-induced thrombopenia with thromboembolism (HITT)--a rare complication of heparin therapy?]. / Postoperative Heparin-induzierte Thrombopenie mit Thromboembolie (HITT)--Eine seltene Komplikation der Heparintherapie?

Many surgical patients receive either unfractionated or low-molecular weight heparin in a prophylactic or therapeutic intention. Feared upon the administration of heparin is the heparin-induced thrombopenia (HIT). In HIT type 1, the heparin directly interacts with the platelets. The platelet count rarely falls below 100,000/microliter and normalizes again despite continuous administration of heparin. In HIT type 2 or HIT with thrombosis (HITT) the platelet count usually falls more than 50% and due to an antibody-dependent platelet activation, thromboembolic episodes may occur. Compared to non-surgical patients, the incidence of HITT in the postoperative phase is markedly increased. In suspicion of a HITT, heparins should immediately be stopped and replaced by an alternative coagulant because of a high risk of further thromboembolic complications. Direct thrombin-inhibitors such as the recombinant hirudins are considered to be safe and effective. They have no heparin-like immunological properties and therefore, they seem to become the therapeutic and prophylactic "gold-standard" in patients with HITT.

Repetitive intraoperative use of recombinant hirudin (Lepirudin) in peripheral vascular surgery with HITT.

Heparin induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITT) is a rare but dangerous complication related to the application of unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin. Due to an antibody dependent in vivo platelet activation, severe thromboembolic episodes may occur. We present the case of a patient with HITT following implantation of an aortobifemoral graft secondary to bilateral common iliac artery stenoses. An arterial clot developed and led to a partial occlusion of the graft to the right external iliac artery. Heparin was replaced by Lepirudin, a recombinant hirudin. A bolus of 0.4 mg/kg body weight was given, thereafter 0.15 mg/kg body weight per hour was administered continuously i.v. to maintain the aPTT 2- to 2.5-fold above the baseline value. The platelet count (minimum 47 G/l) normalised within two days. During thrombectomy of the right common femoral artery we used Lepirudin intraoperatively (bolus injection of 0.2 mg/kg body weight) to prevent any further platelet and coagulation activation during the clamping phase. Six months later the patient underwent two further bypass operations due to severe stenoses of both superficial femoral arteries. Due to the high risk of thromboembolism if HITT recurred, a bolus of 0.2 mg/kg body weight of Lepirudin was given during each intervention. No bleeding complications occurred. In addition Lepirudin appeared to decrease platelet consumption in the absence of active thrombosis. Direct thrombin inhibitors such as Lepirudin possess no heparin-like immunological properties and seem to have become the therapeutic "gold-standard" in patients with HITT. Our experience suggests that the repetitive intraoperative use of Lepirudin is safe and effective.

Idiopathic segmental infarction of the greater omentum successfully treated by laparoscopy: report of case.

Idiopathic or spontaneous segmental infarction of the greater omentum (ISIGO) is a rare cause of acute right-sided abdominal pain. The symptoms simulate acute appendicitis in 66% of cases and cholecystitis in 22%. Progressive peritonitis usually dictates laparotomy, and an accurate diagnosis is rarely made before surgery. The etiology of the hemorrhagic necrosis is unknown, but predisposing factors such as anatomic variations in the blood supply to the right free omental end, obesity, trauma, overeating, coughing, and a sudden change in position may play a role in the pathogenesis. We present herein the case of a 37-year-old man in whom ISIGO, precipitated by obesity and overeating, was successfully diagnosed and treated by laparoscopy. Resection of the necrotic part of the greater omentum is the therapy of choice, and ensures fast recovery and pain control. Serohemorrhagic ascites is a common finding in ISIGO, and careful exploration of the whole abdominal cavity should be performed. The laparoscopic approach allows both exploration and surgical intervention.

[Idiopathic segmental fatty tissue necrosis of the ligamentum teres hepatis. Variation on a theme...]. / Idiopathische segmentale Fettgewebsnekrose des Lig. teres hepatis. Variation eines Themass....

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic segmental infarction of the peritonealized intra-abdominal fatty tissue is a rare cause of acute abdominal distress. Patients are operated for by suspected acute appendicitis or cholecystitis, and the true diagnosis is made intraoperatively. METHODS: A 32-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a 2-day history of pain in the right upper abdomen. Clinical presentation suggested acute cholecystitis, but laboratory evaluation and sonography revealed no pathological findings. Because of a distinctly palpable and very painful epigastric tumor 2 x 3 x 3 cm, a CT scan was performed, that showed a clearly circumscribed mass in the ligamentum teres hepatis with hyperattenuating, infiltrating streaks. Laparoscopy was performed, and a tumor was found, that was adherent to the stomach's antrum and could easily be resected. Twenty-four hours after surgery the patient only felt slight discomfort and could be dismissed on the second day. Pathology report revealed a hemorrhagic infarction of the fatty tissue, which can be histologically found in idiopathic segmental necrosis of the greater omenum or the appendices epiploicae. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is an excellent diagnostic tool and also has therapeutic possibilities. Resection of the necrotic tissue ensures faster recovery and pain control and should be performed to prevent complications such as bacterial superinfection with formation of an abscess or spontaneous bleeding.

[Hereditary angioedema. A rare cause of acute abdominal pain with ascites]. / Hereditäres Angioödem. Eine seltene Ursache für akute Abdominalschmerzen mit Aszites.

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: Since the age of 16 years a now 25-year-old woman had been known to have C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) deficiency. She presented herself at the emergency department because of acute severe lower abdominal cramps. A urinary infection had been treated with antibiotics for the previous 4 days. There was marked pain on pressure over the lower abdomen, but there were no signs of peritonitis and bowel sound were normal. There had been no nausea or vomiting and the stools had been normal. INVESTIGATIONS: There was a leukocytosis of 10,200/microliter, moderately elevated C-reactive protein (44.8 mg/l), haemoglobin concentration of 17 g/dl and haematocrit of 51%. Radiology revealed oedema of the duodenum and sonography showed free fluid in the abdomen. TREATMENT AND COURSE: After excluding an acute abdomen and in view of the C1-INH deficiency treatment was symptomatic. All symptoms completely disappeared after 2 days. CONCLUSIONS: Exclusively gastrointestinal symptoms and ascites are rare in patients with hereditary angioedema. But knowledge of this manifestation of the disease is important because patients are sometimes operated under the false diagnosis of acute abdomen. In severe cases symptomatic treatment may have to be supplemented by C1-INH administration. Prevention with attenuated androgens should be started or modified, respectively.

[Postoperative ileus--early, late or no surgery at all?]. / Postoperativer Ileus--Früh, spät oder gar nicht operieren?

One third of all relaparotomies are due to early postoperative bowel obstructions. Operations on the small bowel and colon are predominant among the primary procedures. The main causes of obstructions are adhesions. The symptoms of intestinal obstruction in the early postoperative period can be masked by a prolonged postoperative ileus. Reoperation of bowel obstruction is easier and safer in the first ten postoperative days compared to delayed reintervention after unsuccessful conservative treatment. When obstruction occurs after the first postoperative week, an initial conservative therapy for 7 to 10 days can be successful in over 50%.