Risk factors for emergency surgery for diverticulitis: A retrospective multicentric French study at 41 hospitals.

BACKGROUND: The observed increase in the incidence of complicated diverticulitis may lead to the performance of more emergency surgeries. This study aimed to assess the rate and risk factors of emergency surgery for sigmoid diverticulitis. METHOD: The primary outcomes were the rate of emergency surgery for sigmoid diverticulitis and its associated risk factors. The urgent or elective nature of the surgical intervention was provided by the surgeon and in accordance with the indication for surgical treatment. A mixed logistic regression with a random intercept after multiple imputations by the chained equation was performed to consider the influence of missing data on the results. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2021, 6,867 patients underwent surgery for sigmoid diverticulitis in the participating centers, of which one-third (n = 2317) were emergency cases. In multivariate regression analysis with multiple imputation by chained equation, increasing age, body mass index <18.5 kg/m2, neurologic and pulmonary comorbidities, use of anticoagulant drugs, immunocompromised status, and first attack of sigmoid diverticulitis were independent risk factors for emergency surgery. The likelihood of emergency surgery was significantly more frequent after national guidelines, which were implemented in 2017, only in patients with a history of sigmoid diverticulitis attacks. CONCLUSION: The present study highlights a high rate (33%) of emergency surgery for sigmoid diverticulitis in France, which was significantly associated with patient features and the first attack of diverticulitis.

Impact of the first wave of COVID-19 epidemy on the surgical management of sigmoid diverticular disease in France: National French retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the surgical management of sigmoid diverticular disease (SDD) before, during, and after the first containment rules (CR) for the first wave of COVID-19. METHODS: From the French Surgical Association multicenter series, this study included all patients operated on between January 2018 and September 2021. Three groups were compared: A (before CR period: 01/01/18-03/16/20), B (CR period: 03/17/20-05/03/20), and C (post CR period: 05/04/20-09/30/21). RESULTS: A total of 1965 patients (A n = 1517, B n = 52, C n = 396) were included. The A group had significantly more previous SDD compared to the two other groups (p = 0.007), especially complicated (p = 0.0004). The rate of peritonitis was significantly higher in the B (46.1%) and C (38.4%) groups compared to the A group (31.7%) (p = 0.034 and p = 0.014). As regards surgical treatment, Hartmann's procedure was more often performed in the B group (44.2%, vs A 25.5% and C 26.8%, p = 0.01). Mortality at 90 days was significantly higher in the B group (9.6%, vs A 4% and C 6.3%, p = 0.034). This difference was also significant between the A and B groups (p = 0.048), as well as between the A and C groups (p = 0.05). There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of postoperative morbidity. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the management of SDD was impacted by COVID-19 at CR, but also after and until September 2021, both on the initial clinical presentation and on postoperative mortality.

Low-Impact Laparoscopy vs Conventional Laparoscopy for Appendectomy: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Low-impact laparoscopy (LIL), combining low-pressure insufflation and microlaparoscopy, is a surgical technique that is still not widely used and that has never been evaluated for the management of acute appendicitis. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of an LIL protocol, to compare postoperative pain, average length of stay, and in-hospital use of analgesics by patients who underwent appendectomy according to a conventional laparoscopy or an LIL protocol. STUDY DESIGN: Patients presenting with acute uncomplicated appendicitis who were operated on between January 1, 2021, and July 10, 2022, were included in this double-blind, single-center, prospective study. They were preoperatively randomly assigned to a group undergoing conventional laparoscopy, ie with an insufflation pressure of 12 mmHg and conventional instrumentation, and an LIL group, with an insufflation pressure of 7 mmHg and microlaparoscopic instrumentation. RESULTS: Fifty patients were included in this study, 24 in the LIL group and 26 in the conventional group. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 patient groups, including weight and surgical history. The postoperative complication rate was comparable between the 2 groups (p = 0.81). Pain was reported as significantly lower according to the visual analog scale 2 hours after surgery among the LIL group (p = 0.019). For patients who underwent surgery according to the LIL protocol, the study confirms a statistically significant difference for theoretical and actual length of stay, ie -0.77 days and -0.59 days, respectively (p < 0.001 and p = 0.03). In-hospital use of analgesics was comparable between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In uncomplicated acute appendicitis, the LIL protocol could reduce postoperative pain and average length of stay compared to conventional laparoscopic appendectomy.

The Angers CT Score is a Risk Factor for the Failure of the Conservative Management of Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction: A Prospective Observational Multicentric Study.

BACKGROUND: Identifying the 30% of adhesive small bowel obstructions (aSBO) for which conservative management will require surgery is essential. The association between the previously described radiological score and failure of the conservative management of aSBO remains to be confirmed in a large prospective multicentric cohort. Our aim was to assess the risk factors of failure of the conservative management of aSBO considering the radiological score. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective observational study took place in 15 French centers over 3 months. Consecutive patients experiencing aSBO with no early surgery were included. The six radiological features from the Angers radiological computed tomography (CT) score were noted (beak sign, closed loop, focal or diffuse intraperitoneal liquid, focal or diffuse mesenteric haziness, focal or diffuse mesenteric liquid, and diameter of the most dilated small bowel loop > 40 mm). RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy nine patients with aSBO were screened. Sixty patients (21.5%) underwent early surgery, and 219 (78.5%) had primary conservative management. In the end, 218 patients were included in the analysis of the risk factors for conservative treatment failure. Among them, 162 (74.3%) had had successful management while for 56 (25.7%) management had failed. In multivariate analysis, a history of surgery was not a significant risk factor for the failure of conservative treatment (OR = 0.11; 95%CI = 0-1.23). A previous episode of aSBO was protective against the failure of conservative treatment (OR = 0.36; 95%CI = 0.15-0.85) and an Angers CT score ≥ 5 as the only individual risk factor (OR = 2.39; 95%CI = 1.01-5.69). CONCLUSION: The radiological score of aSBO is a promising tool in improving the management of aSBO patients. A first episode of aSBO and/or a radiological score ≥5 should lead physicians to consider early surgical management.

Predictive factors of non-operative management failure in 494 blunt liver injuries: a multicenter retrospective study.

Non-operative management (NOM) has become the major treatment of blunt liver trauma (BLT) with a NOM failure rate of 3-15% due to liver-related complications. The aim of the study was to determine the predictive factors and a risk-stratified score of NOM failure. From 2013 to 2021, all patients with BLT in three trauma centers were included; clinical, biological, radiological and outcome data were retrospectively analyzed. Predictive factors and a risk-stratified score associated with NOM failure were identified. Four hundred and ninety-four patients with BLT were included. Among them, 80 (16.2%) had isolated BLT. Fifty-nine patients (11.9%) underwent emergent operative management (OM) on the day of admission and 435 (88.1%) had a NOM. NOM failure rate was 11.5%. Patients with a NOM failure more frequently had a hemoperitoneum (p < 0.001), liver bleeding (p < 0.001), blood transfusion (p < 0.001) and angioembolization (p < 0.001) compared to patient with a successful NOM. In multivariate analysis, the presence of hemoperitoneum (OR = 5.71; 95 CI [1.29-25.45]), angioembolization (OR = 8.73; 95 CI [2.04-38.44] and severe liver injury (AAST IV or V) (OR = 8.97; 95 CI [3.36-23.99]) were independent predictive factors of NOM failure. When these three factors were associated, NOM failure rate was 83.3%. The AAST grade, the presence of hemoperitoneum and the realization of liver angioembolization on the day of admission are three independent predictive factors of NOM failure. Our risk-score based on these three factors stratify the risk of NOM failure in BLT and could be used for a more appropriate level of medical survey adapted to each patient. Level of evidence: prospective observational cohort study, Level III.

Preoperative prognostic factors for obstructive colorectal cancer.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the preoperative predictive factors of overall survival, relapse-free survival, and peritoneal carcinomatosis in obstructive colorectal cancer. METHODS: Data from patients undergoing emergency surgery for obstructive colorectal cancer at our center between 2004 and 2016 were extracted retrospectively from our health records. Several preoperative parameters were used to predict survival and peritoneal carcinomatosis using univariate and multivariate analysis, and ROC curves. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients with obstructive colorectal cancer were included. Five-year relapse-free and overall survival rates were 14% and 28%, respectively, with 15% peritoneal carcinomatosis. Univariate analysis showed that age ≥ 83 years old, preoperative ASA score ≥ 3, initial hemodynamic instability, and CRP > 18.3 mg/L was significantly associated with worse relapse-free and overall survival. In a multivariate analysis, only age > 83 years (HR = 1.75; HR = 2.16, for relapse-free and overall survival status, respectively) and hemodynamic instability (HR = 7.29; HR = 6.55) were confirmed in the multivariate model. Global peritoneal carcinomatosis was significantly associated with synchronous liver metastases in the multivariate model (OR = 4.56), and synchronous peritoneal carcinomatosis only was significantly associated with platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) > 269 and synchronous liver metastases in the multivariate model (OR = 0.003; OR = 7.26). CONCLUSION: Synchronous liver metastases are prognostic risk factor for global and synchronous peritoneal carcinomatosis whereas PLR > 269 was a significant protective factor for synchronous peritoneal carcinomatosis only for obstructive colorectal cancer. Age > 83 years and initial hemodynamic instability were key preoperative prognostic risk factors for worse relapse-free and overall survival. Prognostic usefulness of blood cell ratios for mortality and peritoneal carcinomatosis warrants further investigation.

Modern and synchronized clinical anatomy teaching based on the BDIE method (board-digital dissection-imaging-evaluation).

PURPOSE: Anatomy has historically been taught via traditional medical school lectures and dissection. In many countries, practical or legal issues limit access to cadaveric dissection. New technologies are favored by students and could improve learning, complementing traditional teaching. METHODS: All students in second-year medicine at a single medical school were submitted to a novel anatomical course with digital tool exposure. We explored a new combined teaching method: a physical blackboard lesson synchronized with digital dissection, imaging and direct evaluation (BDIE). Synchronized dissection is broadcast live in the classroom and in partner medical schools. Following the course, students completed a short survey about their perception of this new anatomic clinical course. RESULTS: The survey included 183 students whom 178 completed the questionnaire, i.e., a 97% response rate. Ninety-nine percent of students thought this synchronized method useful to improve their understanding of anatomy and 90% stated it helped them retain this learning. CONCLUSION: This BDIE method, in conjunction with teaching guidelines and dissection, is highly appreciated by students who consider it helps them to acquire lasting knowledge.

A pandemic recap: lessons we have learned.

On January 2020, the WHO Director General declared that the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The world has faced a worldwide spread crisis and is still dealing with it. The present paper represents a white paper concerning the tough lessons we have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, an international and heterogenous multidisciplinary panel of very differentiated people would like to share global experiences and lessons with all interested and especially those responsible for future healthcare decision making. With the present paper, international and heterogenous multidisciplinary panel of very differentiated people would like to share global experiences and lessons with all interested and especially those responsible for future healthcare decision making.

French survey on a cohort of emergency general surgery modifications induced by lockdown of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

PURPOSE: The brutal COVID-19 pandemic has majorly impacted populations and health systems, and surgeons have observed dramatic changes in their daily clinical activities. A survey of French digestive surgeons was conducted to assess these changes. METHODS: An electronic survey was sent to French digestive and general surgeons in the Societe Francaise de Chirurgie Digestive (SFCD) to assess the surgeons' daily activity during the pandemic and investigate changes in patients' management. The care deviations were classified as delay of management, modification of strategy, or modification of organization, and the impact of these changes on patients was evaluated by the surgeon's estimation of loss of chance. RESULTS: A major reduction in surgical elective activity was observed in 50 (75%) of the 67 hospitals that responded. Of these, 48 hospitals (71.6%) reported receiving SARS-CoV-2 patients. A deviation from usual care was observed in 10% of patients admitted for emergency general surgery. Among 140 patients presenting a deviation from usual care, 74 (52.9%) had delayed management, 53 (37.9%) had a modification of strategy, and 64 (45.7%) had a modification of organization. Medical treatment instead of surgical treatment was decided for 37 (26.4%) patients, resulting in a high loss of chance for 6 patients. Delays (p < 0.001) and a switch from surgical to medical treatment (p = 0.002) were independently correlated with overall loss of chance based on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the deviations in general emergency surgery patients and provided implications for the solutions that should be implemented during a new health crisis.

Vascular Calcifications are Associated with Increased Mortality in Patients with Acute Mesenteric Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Vascular calcifications have been identified as predictors of mortality in several cardiovascular diseases but have not been investigated in context of acute mesenteric ischemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of vascular calcifications in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia. METHODS: Patients admitted for an acute mesenteric ischemia were retrospectively included. The presence of calcifications in the visceral aorta, the celiac trunk, the superior mesenteric artery, and the renal arteries was assessed on computed tomography scan images at the arterial phase. The calcification volumes were measured using the software Aquarius iNtuition Edition®. RESULTS: The all-cause mortality was 55 out of 86 patients (63.9%) for a median follow-up of 3.5 days (1-243). The survival rate of patients with calcification in the superior mesenteric artery was significantly lower than that of those without calcification (22% vs. 55.6%, P = 0.019). Patients who died had significantly a higher frequency of calcifications in the superior mesenteric artery, the visceral aorta, the celiac trunk, and the renal arteries. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of vascular calcifications in the superior mesenteric artery is associated with increased mortality in patients diagnosed with acute mesenteric ischemia. Further studies are required to identify the mechanisms underlying this association.

Is it possible to give a single definition of the rectosigmoid junction?

AIM: The rectosigmoid junction is the limit separating the sigmoid colon and rectum. This transition zone has different definitions. We want to highlight different landmarks of the rectosigmoid junction (RSJ), to help the clinicians to adopt a consensual definition. METHOD: We reviewed anatomical, endoscopic, physiological and surgical points of view concerning the rectosigmoid junction (RSJ). RESULTS: The rectosigmoid junction has a different definition depending on who is studying it. Nevertheless, it is a high pressure location, a place connecting different muscles organizations, neurological systems or vascular anastomosis. The clear pathophysiology of the RSJ is not yet determined with certainty, but its resection is essential for the therapeutic care of patients and also for the improvement of surgical skills. From a surgical point of view, anatomical landmarks has to be chosen: easily reproducible and identifiable. The disappearance of taenia coli (belonging to the colon) and the peritoneal reflection (recto-genital pouch), located below the upper rectum, seem the most reliable. The level of rectal section must, in any case, be below the promontory. CONCLUSION: There is not a single definition, but rather several definitions of the RSJ. Each one of them reflects one appearance of this region: embryological and anatomical evolution or clinical entity. From a surgical point of view, the criterion which seems to be the most reliable is the disappearance of taenia coli and the peritoneal reflection (recto-genital pouch).

Insights on glicentin, a promising peptide of the proglucagon family.

Glicentin is a proglucagon-derived peptide mainly produced in the L-intestinal cells. While the roles of other members of the proglucagon family including glucagon-like peptide 1, glucagon-like peptide 2 and oxyntomodulin has been well studied, the functions and variation of glicentin in human are not fully understood. Experimental and clinical studies have highlighted its role in both intestinal physiology and glucose metabolism, pointing to its potential interest in a wide range of pathological states including gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders. Due to its structure presenting many similarities with the other proglucagon-derived peptides, its measurement is technically challenging. The recent commercialization of specific detection methods has offered new opportunities to go further in the understanding of glicentin physiology. Here we summarize the current knowledge on glicentin biogenesis and physiological roles. In the limelight of clinical studies investigating glicentin variation in human, we discuss future directions for potential applications in clinical practice.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal cancer: novel clinical and molecular outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to identify the prognostic impact of parameters in peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer. METHODS: We collected data from patients treated by cytoreductive surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis secondary to colorectal cancer. RESULTS: Ninety-one procedures were performed. In univariate analysis, an increased peritoneal cancer index was associated with decreased survival (P < .001). The presence of signet ring cells was associated to a decrease in survival from 45.8 to 12.1 months (P < .001). Microsatellite sequences instability status was the only molecular prognostic factor correlated with an increase in median disease-free survival: 12.4 vs 24.9 months (P = .01). The presence of a mucinous component was associated with a decreased of survival from 51.9 to 35.1 months (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical factors were affecting the survival of patients. The absence of signet ring cells and mucinous component and the presence of microsatellite sequences instability may be favorable prognostic factors.

Erratum to: caustic ingestion management: world society of emergency surgery preliminary survey of expert opinion.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13017-015-0043-4.].

Caustic ingestion management: world society of emergency surgery preliminary survey of expert opinion.

Caustic material ingestion injuries (CMI) are uncommon. Only 5,000 cases are reported in the United States each year and most acute care healthcare facilities admit only a few cases annually. Accordingly, no single institution can claim extensive experience, and management protocols are most probably based on either expert opinion or literature reports. In this study, we will attempt to review opinions and practices of representatives of the board members of the World Society of Emergency Surgery and compare them to the current literature.

A proposal for a CT driven classification of left colon acute diverticulitis.

Computed tomography (CT) imaging is the most appropriate diagnostic tool to confirm suspected left colonic diverticulitis. However, the utility of CT imaging goes beyond accurate diagnosis of diverticulitis; the grade of severity on CT imaging may drive treatment planning of patients presenting with acute diverticulitis. The appropriate management of left colon acute diverticulitis remains still debated because of the vast spectrum of clinical presentations and different approaches to treatment proposed. The authors present a new simple classification system based on both CT scan results driving decisions making management of acute diverticulitis that may be universally accepted for day to day practice.

Complicated intra-abdominal infections worldwide: the definitive data of the CIAOW Study.

The CIAOW study (Complicated intra-abdominal infections worldwide observational study) is a multicenter observational study underwent in 68 medical institutions worldwide during a six-month study period (October 2012-March 2013). The study included patients older than 18 years undergoing surgery or interventional drainage to address complicated intra-abdominal infections (IAIs). 1898 patients with a mean age of 51.6 years (range 18-99) were enrolled in the study. 777 patients (41%) were women and 1,121 (59%) were men. Among these patients, 1,645 (86.7%) were affected by community-acquired IAIs while the remaining 253 (13.3%) suffered from healthcare-associated infections. Intraperitoneal specimens were collected from 1,190 (62.7%) of the enrolled patients. 827 patients (43.6%) were affected by generalized peritonitis while 1071 (56.4%) suffered from localized peritonitis or abscesses. The overall mortality rate was 10.5% (199/1898). According to stepwise multivariate analysis (PR = 0.005 and PE = 0.001), several criteria were found to be independent variables predictive of mortality, including patient age (OR = 1.1; 95%CI = 1.0-1.1; p < 0.0001), the presence of small bowel perforation (OR = 2.8; 95%CI = 1.5-5.3; p < 0.0001), a delayed initial intervention (a delay exceeding 24 hours) (OR = 1.8; 95%CI = 1.5-3.7; p < 0.0001), ICU admission (OR = 5.9; 95%CI = 3.6-9.5; p < 0.0001) and patient immunosuppression (OR = 3.8; 95%CI = 2.1-6.7; p < 0.0001).

Three-dimensional variability of the mesentery and the superior mesenteric artery: application to virtual trauma modeling.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma is a major cause of death worldwide, mainly affecting a young male population. Blunt trauma of the abdomen can cause a trauma of the mesentery in 5 % of cases. Rapid decelerations and injuries by seat belts are the most common pathophysiological mechanisms. Three-dimensional anatomical scanning of the mesentery and gastrointestinal tract is the first essential step in modeling abdominal trauma in an attempt to understand the pathophysiology of mesenteric lesions and to improve the safety features of vehicles. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: To analyze the individual variability of the mesentery and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) from medical imaging and to develop a three-dimensional customizable finite element model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, one hundred abdominopelvic injected CT scans were analyzed from healthy patients. The evaluation criteria of the mesentery were its volume (total and the distribution of adipose tissue/non adipose tissue), the length of the SMA and the distance between duodenojejunal angle (DJA) and the ileocecal junction (ICJ). The variability of these measures has been studied by demographic (age and gender) and morphologic (height evaluated by the T11-L4 distance, the waist circumference and the thickness of the subcutaneous adipose tissue). RESULTS: Mean mesenteric volume was 644 cm(3) (ranges from 89 to 1,869 cm(3)), and the mean length of the SMA was 224.9 mm (ranges from 138.4 to 312.3). There was a statistically significant association between waist circumference and the total volume of the mesentery, its fat component and non fat component (p < 0.001). Waist circumference was the only morphological parameter associated with the length of the superior mesenteric artery and the length of the DJA to ICJ (p < 0.001). Subcutaneous adipose tissue and female sex were statistically associated with total mesentery volume (respectively, p = 0.005 and p = 0.001). Age was an independent predictor of the increased volume of the mesentery and the length of the SMA. The height of the subject changes the length of the SMA (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The assessment of the mesenteric variability highlighted three factors associated with its size and length: age, sex, and waist circumference. These parameters have to be taken into account to personalize numerical model in the area of virtual trauma.