Predictive factors for gangrene complication in acute calculous cholecystitis.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Gallbladder gangrene is a grave complication of acute calculous cholecystitis that is difficult to detect preoperatively. Ultrasound could show a gallbladder wall that is more thickened. In addition, other clinical measures were reported to be possible predictive factors. Therefore, we aim in this study to evaluate the gallbladder wall thickness measured by ultrasound and other clinical measures as predictive factors for gangrene complication in acute calculous cholecystitis. METHODS: A prospective cohort database analysis of the results of 674 patients diagnosed and treated for acute calculous cholecystitis between January 2010 and December 2014 was done. Patient's inclusion criteria were acute calculous cholecystitis in adults who were operated within three days of onset of symptoms. RESULTS: 117 (17.4%) patients had gangrene. Gallbladder sonographic wall thickness 5.1-6 mm, more than 6 mm, male gender, diabetes mellitus, leukocytosis >15,000 cells/ml, and age ≥40 years were found to be factors predisposing to gangrene complicated acute calculous cholecystitis that represented a statistically significant difference (p≤0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that gallbladder sonographic wall thickness 5.1-6 mm, more than 6 mm, male gender, diabetes mellitus, leukocytosis >15,000 cells/ml, and age ≥40 years were found to be factors predisposing to gangrene complicated acute calculous cholecystitis that represented a statistically significant difference. By implementing these risk factors, patients urgency for surgery can be decided in the emergency department. Other risk factors such as high alanine aminotransferase, elevated aspartate aminotransferase, and high alkaline phosphatase could be of help in the decision for early operation.

The Impact of the Outcome of Treating a High Anal Fistula by Using a Cutting Seton and Staged Fistulotomy on Saudi Arabian Patients.

PURPOSE: A cutting seton is used after a partial distal fistulotomy to treat patients with a high exrasphincteric fistula in ano to avoid fecal incontinence and recurrence. In Saudi Arabia, religious practices necessitate complete cleanness, which makes conditions affecting anal continence a major concern to patients affected by an anal fistula. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the cutting seton in treating a high anal fistula among Saudi Arabians. METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2014, a prospective study was done for 372 Saudi Arabian patients diagnosed as having a high anal fistula and treated with a cutting seton at Al-Ansar General Hospital, Medina, Saudi Arabia. 0-silk sutures were used. All patients underwent the same preoperative assessment, operative technique, and postoperative follow-up. Weekly, the seton was tightened in outpatient clinics. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-eight patients (80.1%) were males and 74 (19.9%) females. The duration of symptoms varied from 3-21 months. The fistula healed completely in 363 patients (97.6%); 58 patients (15.6%) reported some degree of incontinence to flatus, but none to feces. In 9 patients (2.4%) the fistula recurred. CONCLUSION: The utilization of the cutting seton method in the treatment of patients with a high anal fistula is highly efficient as it simultaneously drains the abscess, cuts the fistulous tract, and causes fibrosis along the tract. Treatment of a high anal fistula by using a staged fistulotomy with a cutting seton was very rewarding to Saudi Arabian patients who feared anal incontinence for religious reasons and was associated with low postoperative complication and recurrence rates.

The value of intraoperative percutaneous aspiration of the mucocele of the gallbladder for safe laparoscopic management.

Mucocele of the gallbladder is an overdistended gallbladder filled with mucoid content. It is under-reported in humans, and literature review showed insufficient data about the incidence and the factors affecting the laparoscopic management. We aim to evaluate the intraoperative aspiration of the mucoid contents of the gallbladder as a factor influencing the outcome of the treatment. A prospective cohort database analysis of the results of patients who were diagnosed as mucocele of the gallbladder and treated laparoscopically between January 2003 and December 2012 was done. Diagnostic results, ultrasound findings, operative diagnosis, duration of symptoms, length of hospitalization, and complications were analyzed. 57 patients were diagnosed with mucocele of the gallbladder. The incidence rate was 5.85%. Male to female ratio was 1:1.48 and the mean age of patients was 37.41 ± 7.12 years. Ultrasound suspected mucocele in 24 (42%) patients. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in all 57 (100%) patients, and aspiration of mucoid fluid was done to all. Aspiration of the mucocele contents intraoperatively as a factor for safe laparoscopic management of mucocele of the gallbladder was found to represent a significant difference statistically (P  =  0.02). Morbidity and mortality rates were recorded as zero (0%). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy could efficiently manage mucocele of the gallbladder with morbidity and mortality rates as low as 0%. The most important factor influencing the success of the procedure is the intraoperative aspiration of the mucoid contents of the gallbladder. Collapsing of the gallbladder wall was a keystone in the non-complicated laparoscopic procedure.

Clinical patterns of postcholecystectomy syndrome.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Postcholecystectomy syndrome represents a heterogeneous group of symptoms and findings in patients who have previously undergone cholecystectomy. It is rare and under-reported in Saudi Arabia. It can be attributed to many complications such as bile duct injury, biliary leak, retained common bile duct stones, recurrent bile duct stones, and bile duct strictures. In this study, we aimed to analyze the causes and evaluate the approach to postcholecystectomy syndrome in our local Saudi Arabian community because of the vast number of cases encountered in our hospital for gallbladder clinical conditions and its related complications. METHODS: A prospective cohort database analysis of 272 patients who were diagnosed and treated for postcholecystectomy syndrome between January 2000 and December 2013 were reviewed. RESULTS: The incidence rate of postcholecystectomy syndrome was 19.8%. The male to female ratio was 1:1.45. The mean age was 37.41±7.12 years. The most common causes were as follows: No obvious cause in 50 (18.4%) patients, Helicobacter pylori infection in 43 (15.8%), pancreatitis in 42 (15.4%), peptic ulcer disease in 41 (15.1%), recurrent common bile duct (CBD) stone in 26 (9.6%), retained CBD stone in 22 (8.1%), bile leakage in 19 (7%), stenosis of the sphincter of Oddi in 12 (4.4%), cystic duct stump syndrome in 11 (4%), and CBD Stricture in 5 (1.8%). The mortality rate was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Any clinical presentation of postcholecystectomy should not be underestimated and be thoroughly investigated. Multidisciplinary collaboration is crucial for the best outcome and a safe approach for all the patients.

Retrosternal Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Cancer Causing Superior Vena Cava Syndrome: A Very Rare Presentation.

Thyroid cancer causing superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is a very rare clinical entity with only 26 cases reported worldwide. Metastatic thyroid cancer causing SVC syndrome several years following resection of the primary tumor is extremely rare with only 2 cases reported; one of them was of the papillary variety. We report the second case worldwide of metastatic papillary thyroid cancer causing SVC syndrome 2 years after total thyroidectomy of the original tumor in a 62-year-old Indian female pilgrim. Unfortunately, the patient died on the third day of intensive care unit admission. The severity of the clinical condition in addition to the late presentation resulted in a catastrophic outcome, which made all the possible resuscitative efforts very difficult.

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy: Sitz bath vs. ano-rectal cream: A comparative prospective study of two conservative treatment protocols.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhoids are a very common ano-rectal condition affecting pregnant females worldwide and representing a major medical and socioeconomic problem. In this paper, we aim to compare the effectiveness of the Sitz bath method with an ano-rectal cream as part of a conservative management protocol to treat hemorrhoids among pregnant Saudi Arabian females. METHODS: A prospective comparative study of the results of two conservative treatment protocols of 495 pregnant females diagnosed to have hemorrhoids during pregnancy between January 2010 and December 2014 was done. The first conservative protocol consisted of three times per day salty warm Sitz bath (using 20g of commercial salt) for 284 patients. The second protocol consisted of topical cream twice daily for 211 patients. Both protocols included the supportive treatments of 2g glycerin suppositories per rectum 20min before defecation as lubricant and Metamucil bulk-forming fiber (a mix of one dose (sachet) within 240ml (8 oz) of cold liquid) once daily after breakfast for constipation. RESULTS: Complete healing was achieved in all patients 284 (100%) in the Sitz bath group, compared to 179 (84.8%) in the cream group. Sitz bath was found to represent a statistically significant difference in achieving complete healing for hemorrhoids in pregnant Saudi Arabian females compared to an ano-rectal cream (p-value<0.05). CONCLUSION: A conservative treatment protocol for hemorrhoids during pregnancy, in which Sitz bath is an essential modality, showed very promising outcomes compared to an ano-rectal cream.

Mirizzi syndrome: necessity for safe approach in dealing with diagnostic and treatment challenges.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: The challenging dilemma of Mirizzi syndrome for operating surgeons arises from the difficulty to diagnose it preoperatively, and approximately 50% of cases are diagnosed intraoperatively. In this study, we analysed the effectiveness of diagnostic modalities and treatment options in our series of Mirizzi syndrome. METHODS: Patients had a preoperative or intraoperative diagnosis of Mirizzi syndrome, and were classified into three groups: Group 1: Incidental finding of Mirizzi syndrome intraoperatively (n=34). Group 2: Patients presented with jaundice, diagnosed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (n=17). Group 3: Patients diagnosed initially by ultrasound (n=13). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was conducted in all 49 patients with Cendes type I disease. Partial cholecystectomy, common bile duct exploration, repair of fistula and t-tube placement was conducted on eight patients with Cendes type II and five patients with Cendes type III. Partial cholecystectomy with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was conducted in two patients with Cendes type IV disease. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients were diagnosed with Mirizzi syndrome. Morbidity rate was 3.1%. Mortality rate was 0%. Group 3 (patients diagnosed initially by ultrasound) had the best treatment outcome, the least morbidity, and the shortest hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Suspected cases of Mirizzi syndrome should not be underestimated. Difficulty in establishing preoperative diagnosis is the major dilemma. As it is mostly encountered intraoperatively, the approach should be careful and logical to identify the correct type of Mirizzi by a thorough diagnostic laparoscopy and thus, provide optimum treatment for the subtype to achieve the best outcome.

The Clinical Pattern of Axillary Hidradenitis Suppurativa among Saudi Arabians: Mode of Presentation and Treatment Challenges.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic follicular occlusive disease affecting the folliculopilosebaceous unit. The clinical course is variable, ranging from mild to severe cases. Definitive evidence-based guidelines for the management are lacking. In addition, the multifaceted clinical features and the unpredictable course of the disease make a uniform approach to treatment impractical. As a result, there are multiple therapeutic approaches. Therefore, in this study, we aim to analyze the results of management of axillary hidradenitis suppurativa among the local community in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort database analysis of 1369 patients diagnosed and treated for axillary hidradenitis suppurativa between January 2004 and December 2013 was done. Seven hundred and forty-one (54.12%) were females and 628 (45.87%) were males. All patients with Stage I disease favored the conservative method while all patients with Stage II chose the surgical approach. RESULTS: The mean age was 25.5 years. Nine hundred and seventy-four (71.15%) patients were treated conservatively; the mean healing time was 5.5 weeks. Three hundred and ninety-five (28.85%) patients were treated surgically. One hundred and fourteen (28.9%) had incision and drainage, 281 (71.1%) had complete excision; all wounds eventually healed without significant scarring. The recurrence rate was 12.5% (122 patients) in the conservative method group and zero (0%) in the surgical method group. CONCLUSIONS: Hidradenitis suppurativa remains a challenging clinical condition for patients and physicians. Further studies need to focus not only on the etiology of this disease but also on the optimal treatment regimen. Public awareness programs are necessary to avoid late presentation and complications.

Effective modified conservative tissue preserving protocol to treat stage I axillary hidradenitis suppurativa: a prospective cohort study of 627 patients with five years follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory cutaneous disorder that involves the infundibular terminal follicles in areas rich in apocrine glands and associated with the formation of abscesses and fistulating sinus. The clinical course is variable, and definitive evidence-based guidelines for the management are not well-established. Conservative treatment is controversial, and surgical excision is the recommended method. Herein, we aim to analyze the results of a modified conservative tissue preserving management protocol for stage I axillary hidradenitis suppurativa. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of the results of 627 patients who were diagnosed and treated for stage I axillary hidradenitis suppurativa between January 2001 and December 2010 was done. Three hundred and forty nine (55.7%) were females, and 278 (44.3%) were males. The modified conservative treatment protocol consisted of three times per day washing the affected area with antibacterial soap, application of warm compresses for 10 min, followed by application of topical sodium fusidate 2% ointment (fusidic acid), with abstinence of armpits shaving during the treatment period. RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty one (73.5%) patients had complete healing within two weeks, 127 (20.3%) within three weeks, 39 (6.2%) within four weeks. The recurrence rate was 5.9% (37 patients) in which all patients were retreated conservatively and had complete healing, none required surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that hidradenitis suppurativa continues to be a challenging disease for patients and physicians. Tissue preserving conservative method using the fusidic acid ointment for treating stage I axillary hidradenitis suppurativa showed a promising result. Further research should be conducted on the optimal treatment regimen.

The role of preoperative graded compression ultrasound in detecting acute appendicitis and influencing the negative appendectomy rate.

PURPOSE: The diagnosis of acute appendicitis is mainly clinical and is correct in about 80% of patients, but 20-33% present with atypical findings, which resulted in a negative appendectomy rate of 20-30%. The graded compression ultrasound method in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was reported with a sensitivity of 89%, and specificity of 95%. In this study, we aim to evaluate the graded compression ultrasonography in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, its influence on the clinical judgment to operate, and its role in lowering the negative appendectomy rate. METHODS: 1073 patients treated surgically for acute appendicitis between January 2005 and December 2014 were reviewed. Ultrasound findings, histopathological diagnosis, and positive or negative appendectomy rates were analyzed. RESULTS: 647 (60.3%) patients were males and 426 (39.7%) females. The mean age was 26.5 years. Positive ultrasound findings were recorded in 892 (83.13%), while negative findings were recorded in 181 (16.87%). Positive appendectomy was recorded in 983 (91.6%), while negative appendectomy was recorded in 90 (8.4%). The sensitivity was 83%, specificity was 100%, and the rate of negative appendectomy was 8.39%. CONCLUSION: Graded compression technique of ultrasound is a useful modality, in addition to the clinical judgment of the surgeon and clinical findings, in detecting true positive cases of acute appendicitis, and thus reducing the negative appendectomy rate. Values of 100% specificity, and 8.4% negative appendectomy rate, or better, could be achieved, when an experienced surgeon and a professional radiologist collaborate in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.