A surgical approach in the management of mucormycosis in a trauma patient.

Mucormycosis as a consequence of trauma is a devastating complication; these infections are challenging to control, with a fatality rate approaching 96% in immunocompromised patients. We present a case where a proactive approach was successfully employed to treat mucormycosis following complex polytrauma. Aggressive repeated surgical debridement, in combination with appropriate antifungal therapy, proved successful in this instance. In our opinion, mucormycosis in trauma mandates an aggressive surgical approach. This prevents ascending dissemination of mucormycosis and certainly reduces the risk of patient mortality as a direct result. Anti-fungal therapy should be used secondarily as an adjunct together with surgical debridement, or as an alternative when surgical intervention is not feasible.

Hepatectomy for pyogenic liver abscess.

BACKGROUND: Commensurate with the advances in diagnostic and therapeutic radiology in the past two decades, percutaneous needle aspiration and catheter drainage have replaced open operation as the first choice of treatment for both single and multiple pyogenic liver abscesses. There has been little written on the place of surgical resection in the treatment of pyogenic liver abscess due to underlying hepatobiliary pathology or after failure of non-operative management. METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent resection for pyogenic liver abscess over a 15-year period were retrospectively reviewed. The demographics, time from onset of symptoms to medical treatment and operation, site of abscess, organisms cultured, aetiology, reason for operation, type of resection and outcome were analysed. There were 49 patients in whom the abscesses were either single (19), single but multiloculated (11) or multiple (19). The median time from onset of symptoms to medical treatment was 21 days and from treatment to operation was 12 days. The indications for operation were underlying hepatobiliary pathology in 20% and failed non-operative treatment in 76%. Two patients presented with peritonitis from a ruptured abscess. RESULTS: The resections performed were anatomic (44) and non-anatomic (5). No patient suffered a recurrent abscess or required surgical or radiological intervention for any abdominal collection. Antibiotics were ceased within 5 days of operation in all but one patient. The median postoperative stay was 10 days. There were two deaths (4%), both following rupture of the abscess. DISCUSSION: Except for an initial presentation with intraperitoneal rupture and, possibly, cases of hepatobiliary pathology causing multiple abscesses above an obstructed duct system that cannot be negotiated non-operatively, primary surgical treatment of pyogenic liver abscess is not indicated. Non-operative management with antibiotics and percutaneous aspiration/drainage will be successful in most patients. If non-operative treatment fails, different physical characteristics of the abscesses are likely to be present and partial hepatectomy of the involved portion of liver is good treatment when performed by an experienced surgeon.

Iatrogenic bile duct injury: the scourge of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the first-line surgical treatment of calculous gall-bladder disease and the benefits over open cholecystectomy are well known. In the early years of LC, the higher rate of bile duct injuries compared with open cholecystectomy was believed to be due to the 'learning curve' and would dissipate with increased experience. The purpose of the present paper was to review a tertiary referral unit's experience of bile duct injuries induced by LC. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients referred for management of an iatrogenic bile duct injury from 1981 to 2000. For injuries sustained at LC, details of time between LC and recognition of the injury, time from injury to definitive repair, type of injury, use of intraoperative cholangiography (IOC), definitive repair and postoperative outcome were recorded. The type of injury sustained at open cholecystectomy was similarly classified to allow the severity of injury to be compared. RESULTS: There were 131 patients referred for management of an iatrogenic bile duct injury that occurred at open cholecystectomy (n = 62), liver resection (n = 5) and at LC (n = 64). Only 39% of bile duct injuries were recognized at the time of LC. Following conversion to open operation, half the subsequent procedures were considered inappropriate. When the injury was not recognized during LC, 70% of patients developed bile leak/peritonitis, almost half of whom were referred, whereas the rest underwent a variety of operative procedures by the referring surgeon. The remainder developed jaundice or abnormal liver function tests and cholangitis. An IOC was performed in 43% of cases, but failed to identify an injury in two-thirds of patients. The bile duct injuries that occurred at LC were of greater severity than with open cholecystectomy. Following definitive repair, there was one death (1.6%). Ninety-two per cent of patients had an uncomplicated recovery and there was one late stricture requiring surgical revision. CONCLUSIONS: The early prediction that the rate of injury during LC would decline substantially with increased experience has not been fulfilled. Bile duct injury that occurs at LC is of greater severity than with open cholecystectomy. Bile duct injury is recognized during LC in less than half the cases. Evidence is accruing that the use of cholangiography reduces the risk and severity of injury and, when correctly interpreted, increases the chance of recognition of bile duct injury during the procedure. Prevention is the key but, should an injury occur, referral to a specialist in biliary reconstructive surgery is indicated.

Child-Pugh class, nutritional indicators and early liver transplant outcomes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with chronic liver disease undergoing liver transplantation have reduced body fat and muscle mass. The extent to which nutritional indicators and Child-Pugh class are predictive of postoperative outcome in adults is unclear. The aims of this study were to determine in adult patients undergoing transplant 1) the influence of preoperative Child-Pugh class and nutritional indicators on early transplant outcomes and one-year survival, 2) the relationship between nutritional indicators and Child-Pugh class and disease type. This study included 80 patients (1990-1994). METHODOLOGY: The nutritional indicators utilized were grip strength, triceps skinfold thickness and uncorrected mid-arm muscle area. Measured outcomes were ventilator time, intensive care stay, postoperative hospital stay and one-year survival. RESULTS: Early morbidity was determined in survivors. Child-Pugh class C patients required longer ventilation and spent more time in the intensive care unit than Child-Pugh classes A and B. No significant relationships were found for length of hospital stay. Relationships between the nutritional indicators (when controlled for Child-Pugh class) and early morbidity could not be determined due to insufficient data. No relationship was established between one-year survival and Child-Pugh class or the nutritional indicators. Grip strength and mid-arm muscle area were lower in the patients in Child-Pugh classes B and C. Parenchymal liver disease was associated with lower grip strength and mid-arm muscle area when compared to cholestatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Child-Pugh class C is associated with greater early postoperative morbidity. Advanced Child-Pugh class is also associated with diminished muscle status and parenchymal disease.

The safety and efficacy of laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this systematic review was to compare the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy with the "gold" standard of open live donor nephrectomy. SEARCH STRATEGY: Three search strategies were devised to enable literature retrieval from the Medline, Current Contents, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up until, and including, February 2000. STUDY SELECTION: Inclusion of a report was determined on the basis of a predetermined protocol, independent assessment by two reviewers, and a final consensus decision. English language reports were selected and acceptable study designs included randomized-controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, case series, or case reports. Each report was required to provide information on at least one of several safety and efficacy outcomes as detailed in the protocol. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Twenty-five reports met the inclusion criteria. They were tabulated and critically appraised in terms of the methodology and design, sample size, outcomes, and the possible influence of bias, confounding, and chance. RESULTS: High level evidence comparing the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy with open donor nephrectomy was not available at the time of this review. Limited low level evidence suggested that the laparoscopic approach might be advantageous regarding the donor's hospital stay, convalescence, pain, and resumption of employment. CONCLUSIONS: The ASERNIP-S Review Group concluded that the evidence-base for laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy was inadequate to make a safety and efficacy recommendation. Clinical and research recommendations were developed regarding the introduction and current practice of this procedure in Australia.

Anatomic resection for severe liver trauma.

BACKGROUND: Most publications during the past decade have condemned the use of anatomic resection for liver trauma and advocated a conservative surgical approach when operative intervention was required. This policy has been supported by the high mortality rate reported by most authorities. The purpose of this study was to assess the results of anatomic hepatic resection for liver trauma in an institution in which the hepatobiliary surgeons are responsible for the management of severe liver injuries. METHODS: During the period 1983 to 1996, 287 patients with liver injuries were admitted to the hospital and 37 patients with severe liver trauma underwent anatomic resection. Demographic, clinical, operative, and postoperative data were collected and analyzed. The resections performed included right hemihepatectomy (n = 27), left hemihepatectomy (n = 1), left lateral segment resection (n = 5), and segmental resection (n = 4). RESULTS: There were three postoperative deaths after right hemihepatectomy (11.1%) and an overall mortality rate of 8.1%. There were no intraoperative deaths. Postoperative complications occurred in 22 patients (60%) and were most frequent in patients with concomitant injuries to other systems. Liver-related morbidity occurred in seven patients (19%). The median postoperative stay was 20 days. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomic hepatic resection for trauma is associated with low mortality and liver-related morbidity rates when performed by experienced hepatobiliary surgeons, and its role in the management of severe hepatic trauma should be reevaluated.

Additional techniques adopted for major vascular anastomoses during orthotopic liver transplantation.

Of 372 patients who underwent liver transplants between January 1985 and March 1995, 7 required variations in vascular anastomoses due to discrepancies in the size-match of the donor and recipient vessels, the presence of a thrombosed hepatic artery or portal vein, or complete absence of the portal vein. The techniques described herein enabled us to perform successful transplantation in all patients. Although rethrombosis of the portal vein developed in one patient after a third transplant, this patient remains clinically well. The use of an operating microscope and the harvesting of an extended length of donor superior mesenteric vein or vascular grafts of the donor iliac or saphenous vessels, for potentially difficult transplants, are invaluable techniques.

Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy: prospective randomized trial.

A prospective randomized trial comparing laparoscopic appendectomy with open appendectomy in patients with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis was conducted between October 1992 and April 1994. Of the 158 patients randomized, 7 patients were excluded because of protocol violations (conversion to laparotomy in 4, appendix not removed in 3). The 151 patients randomized to either a laparoscopic (n = 79) or an open appendectomy (n = 72) showed no difference in sex, age, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) rating, or previous abdominal surgery. The histologic classification of normal, catarrhal, inflamed, suppurative, and gangrenous appendicitis was not different between the two groups. Conversion from laparoscopic to open appendectomy was necessary in seven patients (9%) who had advanced forms of appendiceal inflammation. When compared to open appendectomy the laparoscopic group had a longer median operating time (63 minutes versus 40 minutes), fewer wound infections (2% versus 11%), less requirement for narcotic analgesia, and an earlier return to normal activity (median 7 days versus 14 days). There was no difference in morbidity, and both groups had a median time to discharge of 3 days. Laparoscopic appendectomy is as safe as open appendectomy; and despite the longer operating time, the advantages such as fewer wound infections and earlier return to normal activity make it a worthwhile alternative for patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

Recovery of gastrointestinal function after renal transplantation in a patient with sclerosing peritonitis secondary to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

We describe the rapid and dramatic improvement in gastrointestinal function that occurred after successful renal transplantation in a women with severe sclerosing peritonitis secondary to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We postulate that the antiinflammatory effect of the immunosuppressive agents was the most important factor leading to the patient's recovery.

Donor-related secondary haemorrhage complicating renal transplantation.

We report two cases of secondary haemorrhage in renal transplant recipients that would appear to relate to their common donor. Our experience confirms the inadequacy of arterial repair in this setting. One patient, a middle aged diabetic male, required excision of his external iliac artery, but recovered without reconstructive surgery. In the second case nephrectomy was performed on day 8 because of accelerated rejection. This was followed by recurrent sepsis due to E. coli, which was implicated in the previous case. Haemorrhage from the donor aortic wall patch occurred 3 weeks later. We now recommend that if secondary haemorrhage occurs, recipients of other organs from the donor should be carefully monitored for evidence of infection. If this is found and a similar organism cultured, consideration to transplant nephrectomy should be made with removal of all donor tissue to avoid the risk of subsequent secondary haemorrhage.

The safety of elective liver resection in a special unit.

The benefit of hepatic surgery for benign or malignant conditions is a balance between peri-operative morbidity/mortality and long-term potential for cure or palliation. The aim of this retrospective study was to illustrate that the safety of liver resection is a function of the frequently of performance of the procedure. Between 1973 and 1992, 327 elective liver resections were performed. The indication for surgery was malignant tumour in 275 cases of which 170 (62%) and 105 (38%) were for metastatic and primary disease, respectively, and non-malignant conditions in 52 cases. The series included the complete spectrum of hepatectomies. There were nine deaths (2.7%). Mortality was 8% (3/38) before 1985, 3.4% (3/89) between 1985-88 and 1.5% (3/200) between 1989-92. In non-jaundiced/non-cirrhotic patients, mortality was 1.4% (4/270). Morbidity, defined as the incidence of at least one major complication, occurred in 87 patients (26.6%) with a re-operation rate of 6.4%. During the same time periods, the morbidity rate was 42, 35 and 20%, respectively, and the median blood transfusion requirement and postoperative stay progressively decreased to 2 units and 9 days, respectively. In conclusion, as experience was gained, the need for blood transfusion diminished, morbidity and mortality improved and the hospital stay shortened.

Routine use of indwelling ureteral stents in renal transplantation.

An extravesical ureteral implantation with the routine use of an internal stent was performed in 358 transplants (351 cadaveric and 7 living related). The 1-year patient and graft survival was 93% and 87%, respectively, with a minimum followup of 2 years. Ureteral complications developed in 9 patients (2.6%), with 3 fistulas, 2 of which resolved spontaneously, and 6 stenoses following stent removal. Nephrostomy drainage and antegrade stenting were initially attempted in all cases of stenosis, and were successful in 4. Revision of the ureteral anastomosis was required in 1 case of fistula and 2 cases of stenosis (0.9%). Extrinsic compression resulted in ureteral obstruction in 3 cases (2 lymphoceles and 1 hematoma), which resolved following drainage. Stent related complications occurred in 8 patients (2.2%), including obstruction due to the stent in 2 cases, breakage during removal in 3 leaving fragments in the upper urinary tract, proximal migration of 2 stents that were retrieved via percutaneous nephrostomy and calculus formation on 1 stent in a patient with hyperparathyroidism, necessitating extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for stent removal. In the cases with ureteral or stent related complications 1-year patient and graft survival was 100%. These results suggest that ureteral stents used routinely in renal transplantation are associated with a low incidence of urinary leaks, early postoperative obstruction and subsequent surgery for urological complications. However, a small number of unique problems related to stent use or malfunction may occur. Minimally invasive strategies using percutaneous nephrostomy and antegrade stenting are effective in managing the majority of complications that occur following ureteral stenting in renal transplant recipients.

Abdominal hernias complicating continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Twenty-five percent of all CAPD patients reviewed in this study developed abdominal hernias. Eleven hernias (32.4%) occurred at the catheter insertion site, 17.6% were inguinal, 26.5% were epigastric and umbilical and 23.5% occurred at the site of previous abdominal incisions. The risk of developing a hernia was significantly greater in patients over 40 years of age, women of parity greater than 3, patients who had had undergone more than 3 laparotomies and those with a previous hernia repair. Three hernias became incarcerated, one with intestinal strangulation. Early surgical repair is advisable to avoid these complications.

Actinomycosis of the gall bladder.

This report describes the sixth case of actinomycosis of the gall bladder and discusses the salient features of the diagnosis and management of this rare disease.

In vitro studies of gallstone dissolution using bile salt solutions and heparinized saline.

A controlled in vitro study of gallstone dissolution has been carried out using a model designed to simulate the in vivo situation in the bile ducts. Sodium taurocholate, sodium cholate, heparinized saline and physiological saline were infused for 10 days over 81 stones from 32 patients and changes in weight and structure were recorded. The bile salt solutions caused weight loss in 81-5 and 85-7 per cent respectively of the stones treated, but the two saline solutions caused weight gains in 74-5 and 88 per cent respectively. Fragmentation occurred in 18-5% of stones treated with sodium taurocholate, in 25% of those treated with sodium cholate and in 11-8 per cent of those treated with heparinized saline. Small stones lost a lower absolute amount of weight than large stones but this represented a greater proportion of their initial weight. These investigations confirm the advantages of a dynamic in vitro model to study gallstone dissolution. Bile salt solutions infused into the bile ducts may clear retained stones by causing reduction in stone weight or fragmentation or both, but heparinized saline appears to be unsuitable for gallstone dissolution. Larger stones may require longer periods of infusion.

Cell-mediated immunity and serum blocking factors in cancer patients during chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

The leukocyte adherence inhibition test was used to monitor tumor-specific cell-mediated immunity in 15 patients who had a variety of malignant tumors and were undergoing chemotherapy alone or in combination with immunotherapy by Corynebacterium parvum. A rapid and prolonged loss of cell-mediated immunity in blood leukocytes was observed after treatment in all but one of the patients studied. Abolition of reactivity was due to the lack of production of the soluble lymphokine-like factor affecting leukocyte adherence to glass. A new phenomenon of adherence stimulation by antigen, also mediated by a soluble factor, was observed after treatment in some patients. A drop in titer or total abrogation of serum blocking factors occurred in six of six patients tested following chemotherapy or immunotherapy. The lowered levels of blocking activity persisted during treatment and, with the possible exception of one patient, were not correlated with clinical benefit.