Pancreatic Fistula and Biochemical Leak after Splenectomy: Incidence and Risk Factors-A Retrospective Single-Center Analysis.

PURPOSE: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a complication discussed in the context of pancreatic surgery, but may also result from splenectomy; a relationship that has not been investigated extensively yet. METHODS: This retrospective single-center study aimed to analyze incidence of and risk factors for POPF after splenectomy. Patient characteristics included demographic data, surgical procedure, and intra- and postoperative complications. POPF was defined according to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery as POPF of grade B and C or biochemical leak (BL). RESULTS: Over ten years, 247 patients were identified, of whom 163 underwent primary (spleen-associated pathologies) and 84 secondary (extrasplenic oncological or technical reasons) splenectomy. Thirty-six patients (14.6%) developed POPF of grade B/C or BL, of which 13 occurred after primary (7.9%) and 23 after secondary splenectomy (27.3%). Of these, 25 (69.4%) were BL, 7 (19.4%) POPF of grade B and 4 (11.1%) POPF of grade C. BL were treated conservatively while three patients with POPF of grade B required interventional procedures and 4 with POPF of grade C required surgery. POPF and BL was noted significantly more often after secondary splenectomy and longer procedures. Multivariate analysis confirmed secondary splenectomy and use of energy-based devices as independent risk factors for development of POPF/BL after splenectomy. CONCLUSION: With an incidence of 4.5%, POPF is a relevant complication after splenectomy. The main risk factor identified was secondary splenectomy. Although POPF and BL can usually be treated conservatively, it should be emphasized when obtaining patients' informed consent and treated at centers with experience in pancreatic surgery.

[Retroperitoneal emphysema after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography]. / Retroperitoneales Emphysem nach endoskopischer retrograder Cholangiopankreatikographie.

Retroperitoneal emphysema represents a pathological situation with an abnormal amount of air in the retroperitoneal tissue. The diagnosis is made radiologically.The cause is mostly an iatrogenic complication of different diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. The most common cause is a perforation after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). In cases of clinically suspected complications after a procedure prompt diagnosis with computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and an interdisciplinary decision on the suitable therapeutic measures is warranted, as immediate therapy reduces morbidity and mortality of patients. For selecting the ideal therapy it is essential to understand the underlying pathophysiological mechanism of retroperitoneal emphysema and to take the clinical situation of the patient into account. Thus periampullary or bile duct lesions facing the retroperitoneum can be treated conservatively in clinically stable patients, whereas in unstable patients with abscess formation, interventional radiological or endoscopic procedures are indicated. In cases of a duodenal lesion an endoscopic closure of the perforation can be performed in stable patients but if the patient shows signs of peritonism or if the clinical situation deteriorates, operative therapy is necessary.

[Stoma prolapse and stoma retraction]. / Stomaprolaps und Stomaretraktion.

Prolapse and retraction of an intestinal stoma are postoperative complications which severely decrease the quality of life of patients and in some cases lead to an operative revision. Both entities should be treated with sophisticated care by specialized stoma therapists in the early phase in order to prevent secondary problems such as dermal ulceration. However, in case of additional problems, such as ileus, bleeding, incarceration or impossibility of adequate stoma care, an operative revision is indicated. It remains an individual decision whether a local or a transabdominal revision of the stoma is necessary.At present the level of information and the number of well designed studies dealing with prolapse or retraction of a stoma are unsatisfactory and there are merely studies which report on prolapse and retraction as an incidental finding rather than primarily focusing on these problems. In addition there is a lack of clear cut definitions for both entities which would allow a comparison of data obtained in different studies.There is clearly a demand for a structured scientific clarification as the occurrence of stomal retraction or prolapse may present psychological and medical problems for the patients and therefore needs to be treated, conservatively and/or operatively, by both stoma specialists and surgeons.

Mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory actions of boswellic acid derivatives in experimental colitis.

Recent clinical trials of the gum resin of Boswellia serrata have shown promising results in patients with ulcerative colitis. The objective of this study was to determine whether a semisynthetic form of acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (sAKBA), the most potent anti-inflammatory component of the resin, also confers protection in experimental murine colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to compare its effects with those standard medications of ulcerative colitis like steroids and to examine whether leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion is a major target of action of sAKBA. Clinical measurements of disease activity and histology were used to assess disease progression, and intravital microscopy was employed to monitor the adhesion of leukocytes and platelets in postcapillary venules of the inflamed colon. sAKBA treatment significantly blunted disease activity as assessed both grossly and by histology. Similarly, the recruitment of adherent leukocytes and platelets into inflamed colonic venules was profoundly reduced in mice treated with sAKBA. Because previous studies in the DSS model have shown that P-selectin mediates these blood cell-endothelial cell interactions, the expression of P-selectin in the colonic microcirculation was monitored using the dual-radiolabeled antibody technique. The treatment of established colitis with sAKBA largely prevented the P-selectin upregulation normally associated with DSS colitis. All of the protective responses observed with sAKBA were comparable to that realized in mice treated with a corticosteroid. Our findings demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect of sAKBA and indicated that P-selectin-mediated recruitment of inflammatory cells is a major site of action for this novel anti-inflammatory agent.

[How are beginning students in surgery selected? Results of a survey of German consultant surgeons]. / Wie werden Berufsanfänger in der Chirurgie ausgewählt? Ergebnisse einer Umfrage unter deutschen Chefärzten.

AIM: After finishing medical school it is getting more and more difficult for medical students to get one of the rare positions in a surgical training program. Only a good career plan and an intelligent strategy for the first steps in surgical life seem to be an advantage for that competition. On the other hand the selection of basic surgical trainees only based on the curriculum vitae and brief interviews may not be satisfying. The aim of this investigation was to answer the following questions: 1. How do consultant surgeons select their basic trainees? 2. How important is the applicant's record and the interview? 3. Which educational and personal criteria are important for the selection? 4. How can medical students improve their chance of getting a position in a surgical training program. METHODS: Using an anonymous and standardized questionnaire 39 chiefs of university departments of surgery and 44 consultant surgeons each from general and local hospitals were interviewed concerning their selection process and criteria required for application in their training program. The candidates were chosen from an official address list (Deutsche Chirurgie 98, Berufsverband der Deutschen Chirurgen). The questionnaire was sent to the candidates by official postal service together with a prepaid return envelope. RESULTS: Twenty-eight chiefs of university departments of surgery (71.8%) and 29 (65.9%) and 20 (45.5%) of the interviewed consultant surgeons in general and local hospitals responded to the 89-item questionnaire. It turned out that the majority of applications were send to the clinics at the applicant's initiation. Personal relationships or networks are important. Position advertisements are not important. 85.1% of the responders are satisfied with their procedure of selection, nevertheless, 43.4% are interested in recruiting markets. In detail, chiefs of surgical departments in university clinics get a mean of 12.3 (5-50) applications for basic surgical training per month, consultant surgeons in general hospitals 6.5 (4-20), those in local hospitals 5.6 (2-10). The completion and the contents of the doctor's thesis, former research efforts, foreign languages, computer knowledge and other qualifications are the most important criteria in the selection process. Reliability, loyalty, physical and psychological stability, organising and planning ability, stamina, sociability and independence are the most valued personal skills. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the satisfaction with the established common selection process, the high rate of participation in our study shows how important this subject is ranked by leading surgeons. It turned out that besides professional qualification, personal skills are a major criterion in the selection of basic surgical trainees.

Videomicroscopic imaging of graft mucosa for monitoring immunosuppressive therapy after small intestinal transplantation in rats.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of rejection and effective immunosuppressive treatment are essential after small intestinal transplantation. To date little is known about microscopic alterations of the intestinal mucosa of the graft during rejection. We attempted to determine whether videomicroscopic imaging of the graft mucosa is a suitable method for monitoring immunosuppressive therapy. METHODS: Real-time videomicroscopic imaging of an ileostoma was performed daily after allogeneic heterotopic small bowel transplantation in the rat (BN to LEW) with and without FK506 immunosuppression. Subsequently, the videomicroscopic findings were compared with the histologically determined grade of rejection. RESULTS: A semiquantitative staging system was established for the intravital mucosal changes during graft rejection. The earliest changes related to rejection appeared on POD 6 in the untreated allogeneic group. The mucosa developed patchy paleness and the mucosal architecture was interrupted in places. The crypts were slightly widened and their color turned dark red (stage I). These alterations spread progressively over the mucosa on POD 7 (stage II). On POD 9 the mucosa appeared pale, the villi were shortened, and the crypts appeared wide and rounded (stage III). In the animals treated with FK506 similar changes were observed, but with a delayed onset. When FK506 was administered as antirejection therapy at the onset of rejection, a temporary improvement of mucosal alterations was observed (stage II --> stage I). The video-microscopic stages correlated with the histological grade of rejection. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of videomicroscopy has made computer-based high resolution imaging of mucosal microarchitecture possible. With videomi-croscopy beginning rejection can be detected, although it can still be reversed with antirejection therapy. This is a new noninvasive technique that might be of high clinical relevance.

Noninvasive videomicroscopic monitoring of rat small-bowel rejection.

Successful small-bowel transplantation requires an early diagnosis of graft rejection. To date, little is known about macroscopic mucosal alterations during rejection. In the present study, these changes were analyzed in detail. Videomicroscopic monitoring of an enterostoma was performed after allogeneic heterotopic small-bowel transplantation in the rat (BN to LEW). Up to postoperative day (POD) 3 a mucosal edema was noticed (stage I of videomicroscopical alterations). The earliest changes related to rejection appeared on POD 6. The mucosa of the grafted intestine developed patchy paleness and interruptions in mucosal architecture. Crypts were slightly widened and their color turned to dark red (stage IIa). Progressively, these alterations spread over the mucosa on POD 7 (stage IIb). On POD 9, the mucosa appeared pale, villi were shortened, and crypts appeared wide and rounded. The mucosal surface was coated with fibrinous membranes (stage III). The videomicroscopic findings were closely related to the histological grading of rejection. We regard this technique of mucosal monitoring a simple and noninvasive method of detecting allograft rejection.