Acute bleeding from pseudoaneurysms following liver and pancreatobiliary surgery.

PURPOSE: We report 12 patients with visceral PA following pancreato-biliary and hepatic surgery. RESULTS: Seven patients (7/11, 63 %) had developed postoperative complications from their original procedure; that information was missing in one patient. Bleeding occurred in eight (three with hemoperitoneum two with haemobilia, and three with GI bleeding through a biliary-enteric anastomosis), three were asymptomatic, and the other one presented with abdominal pain. Eleven patients had an interventional radiology procedure performed (Five underwent angioembolization, a stent was placed in four, and two patients underwent both procedures). Complications related to the procedure developed in 6 (54.5 %) patients, and surgery was required in four of them. CONCLUSION: Postoperative pseudoaneurysms (PA) of visceral arteries are rare and usually secondary to vascular injury after pancreato-biliary and liver surgery. They usually present with bleeding and nowadays most are amenable to initial control by interventional radiology.

The role of surgery in the management of "body packers".

INTRODUCTION: The concealment of packets of illegal substances within body cavities is a common technique for drug smuggling worldwide. The goal of our study was to analyze the results of conservative treatment of "body packers", indications for surgical intervention, and postoperative morbidity. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients admitted to our hospital and diagnosed as body packers. The diagnostic protocol included an abdominal X-ray and urinalysis for toxic substances. Only patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, signs of intoxication, or a positive urinalysis were admitted for observation. Conservative management included bowel rest and serial abdominal radiographs to confirm the passage per rectum of all foreign bodies. Asymptomatic patients were given laxatives in the emergency department (ED) to promote bowel movements and were not admitted to the hospital. RESULTS: A total of 763 body packers were admitted to the hospital, all of whom were initially treated conservatively. Of these patients, 47 (6 %) developed complications: 28 with bowel obstruction, three with bowel perforation, and 16 with substance intoxication. In patients developing complications, urinalysis for toxic substances was negative in 19 (40 %). Sixteen (34 %) patients who developed complications were successfully managed nonoperatively. Three (6 %) other patients died before surgery: two deaths resulted from acute toxicity (one of them with an acute onset and a negative urinalysis) and the third patient died of bowel perforation. Laparotomy was required in 28 (3.5 %) body packers admitted for observation. Enterotomy and/or gastrotomy to remove the packets were the most frequently performed procedures. Postoperative morbidity occurred in 57 % of patients, with wound infection being the most frequent complication. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative management was effective in 94 % of symptomatic patients. A laparotomy was required in only 3.5 % of cases. The mortality rate in this series was low, resulting from either severe cocaine poisoning from ruptured packets or bowel perforation.

[Lower gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor]. / Hemorragia digestiva baja secundaria a tumor del estroma gastrointestinal rectal.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are the most frequent mesenchymal digestive tract neoplasms, but represent only 1 to3% of all GI tract neoplasms. We report an uncommon case of stromal rectal tumor because of its atypical location.

[Severe hypophosphataemia after starting parenteral nutrition in a patient with an intestinal fistula]. / Hipofosfatemia grave tras el inicio de nutrición parenteral en una paciente con fístula intestinal.

Hypophosphataemia is a complication that may appear in undernourished patients who are given nutrition by either enteral or parenteral means. It is associated with several clinical manifestations, including cardiological, neurological and haematological conditions of note, and may potentially be even life-threatening. It is therefore mandatory to ensure prevention and follow-up in those patients at risk of suffering this condition, taking into account the considerable morbidity and mortality associated with it.

Survival after prehospital advanced life support in severe trauma.

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of prehospital advanced life support (PALS) on the survival of victims of severe trauma in our hospital. During a period of 24 months, 46 patients with severe trauma were admitted to our Emergency Department after receiving PALS; this included endotracheal intubation and ventilatory support (IVS) in 35 cases, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in 11. The severity of the trauma in this group of patients was confirmed by assessing the clinical condition on admission and the Glasgow Coma Scale score (mean = 4.0, median = 3), the Revised Trauma score (mean = 4.1, median = 4) and the Injury Severity Score (mean = 44.5 and median = 41 in blunt trauma; mean = 58.3 and median = 75 in penetrating trauma). The overall survival was 41%. The survival rate was 48% in patients with prehospital IVS rate and 18% in those receiving CPR. We conclude that PALS in severe trauma was able to save the lives of many patients at high risk of dying before reaching hospital.

[Idiopathic granulomatous appendicitis or Crohn's disease confined to the appendix?]. / Apendicitis granulomatosa idiopática o enfermedad de Crohn limitada al apéndice?

Crohn's disease limited to the appendix is uncommon. When Crohn's disease affects the appendix it typically has a longer clinical course than most cases of acute appendicitis. The diagnosis is histological. Appendiceal Crohn's disease has a benign course after surgery, and that's why some authors believe that it could be a different entity which should be better addressed to as "Idiopathic Granulomatosus Appendicitis". We present three new cases of Crohn's disease limited to the appendix.

[Incarcerated giant hiatal hernia]. / Hernias hiatales gigantes incarceradas.

A massive incarcerated hiatal hernia is a frequent finding in elderly people. The aim of this report has been to review from 1987 to 1992 the clinical aspects, therapeutic options and results of surgical treatment in a series of twenty-eight patients (23 females and 5 males) with a large incarcerated hiatal hernia. Age averaged 66 +/- 10 years; thirteen patients (46.5%) had a sliding type of hernia, 8 (28.5%) a mixed one, and 7 (25%) a paraesophageal hernia. In 9 patients (32%) there was a chronic volvulus of the incarcerated stomach. Twenty-seven patients underwent elective repair; one patient developed a perforated gastric ulcer into the pericardial sac with pneumopericardium and died before surgery. The surgical technique included reduction of the hernia, closure of the hiatus and an antireflux procedure (Nissen 25, Toupet 1 and Dor 1). There was no mortality and the morbidity (18%) was not directly related to the surgical procedure. In our series there were no cases of acute volvulus requiring emergency surgery. Our results suggest that surgical correction of massively incarcerated hiatal hernias is well tolerated in the elderly, it relieves symptoms, and avoids potential serious complications.