Endoscopic balloon dilatation is an effective management strategy for caustic-induced gastric outlet obstruction: a 15-year single center experience.

Background and study aims There is sparse data on the endoscopic management of caustic-induced gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). The present retrospective study aimed to define the response to endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) in such patients and their long-term outcome. Patients and methods The data from symptomatic patients of caustic-induced GOO who underwent EBD at our tertiary care center between January 1999 and June 2014 were retrieved. EBD was performed using wire-guided balloons in an incremental manner. Procedural success and clinical success of EBD were evaluated, including complications and long-term outcome. Results A total of 138 patients were evaluated of whom 111 underwent EBD (mean age: 30.79 ±â€Š11.95 years; 65 male patients; 78 patients with isolated gastric stricture; 33 patients with both esophagus plus gastric stricture). The initial balloon diameter at the start of dilatation, and the last balloon diameter were 9.6 ±â€Š2.06 mm (6 - 15 mm) and 14.5 ±â€Š1.6 mm (6 - 15 mm), respectively. Procedural and clinical success was achieved in 95 (85.6 %) and 108 (97.3 %) patients, respectively, requiring a mean (SD) of 5.3 (2.6) and 7.21 (3.86) sessions, respectively. Patients with isolated gastric obstruction had a better response than those with combined esophagus and gastric stricture. Minor complications such as self-limited pain or bleeding were seen in 18 (16.2 %) and 16 (14.4 %), respectively. Perforation occurred in two patients. Over a follow-up period of 98 months, there were no recurrences. Conclusion Caustic-induced GOO can be successfully managed using EBD with 97.3 % clinical success.

Comparative evaluation of nasoenteral feeding and jejunostomy feeding in acute corrosive injury: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional support in corrosive injury patients is traditionally achieved through total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or jejunostomy feeding (JF). There are no reports of nasoenteral tube feeding in patients with corrosive ingestion. OBJECTIVE: We report our experience with nasoenteral tube feeding (NETF) and compare the outcome of these patients with those undergoing JF. SETTING: Tertiary medical center in North India. DESIGN AND INTERVENTION: The records of 53 and 43 patients with severe acute corrosive injury who underwent NETF and JF, respectively, were reviewed. All had received a 50-kcal/kg, 2-g/kg protein homogenized liquid diet for 8 weeks. A contrast study was performed at 8 weeks, and body weight and serum albumin levels were recorded at hospitalization and at 8 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Change in weight and serum albumin at 8 weeks and stricture development rate. RESULTS: Strictures developed in 41 (80.39%) and 36 (83.72%) patients in the NETF and JF groups, respectively. Development of esophageal stricture (P = .71) and gastric stenosis (P = .89) was comparable in the 2 groups. No significant changes in serum albumin and weight were noted at 8 weeks in either group. The complication rate was lower in the NETF group compared with the JF group. Although all of the patients in the NETF group had a patent lumen, 5 in the JF group had total obstruction precluding endoscopic intervention. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective study design. CONCLUSION: NETF is as effective as JF in maintaining nutrition in patients with severe corrosive injury. The stricture development rate is similar, but nasoenteral tube placement provides a lumen for dilatation should a tight stricture develop.

Surgical management of gastric cicatrisation resulting from corrosive ingestion.

BACKGROUND: Caustic injury to the stomach can be complicated by gastric stenosis. We review our experience with surgical management of symptomatic gastric stenosis. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent surgery for gastric stenosis within 6 weeks to 26 months following corrosive ingestion. The data analyzed included the extent of cicatrisation, surgical procedure performed and outcome. Preoperative evaluation in these patients included a barium contrast study and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. RESULTS: Main presenting symptoms were nonbilious vomiting, early satiety, dysphagia and significant weight loss. Antropyloric strictures were present in 28 (64%) patients, total gastric involvement was seen in 16 (36%) patients, associated esophageal stenosis was present in 18 (40.91%) patients. Surgical procedures performed included distal gastrectomy with Billroth1 reconstruction in 31.82%, distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction in 20.45%, stricturoplasty in 11.36%, subtotal gastrectomy in 18.18% and total gastrectomy with pouch reconstruction in another 18.18% patients. Complications encountered were pneumonitis in 18.18%, wound infection in 11.36%, intra-abdominal infection, anastomotic breakdown, reactivation of pulmonary tuberculosis and dumping syndrome, each in 2.27% patients. One patient (2.27%) died. CONCLUSION: Surgical procedure should be tailored according to the extent of gastric involvement. Surgical resection is feasible and safe. Our results suggest that satisfactory outcome could be expected with different therapeutic modalities based on degree of cicatrisation.

Sequential endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation following limited sphincterotomy for common bile duct stones.

Endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation (EPBD) has been recently used in conjunction with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) for the removal of common bile duct (CBD) stones. The present study was aimed at assessing the safety and outcome of sequential EPBD following EST for CBD stones. A total of 74 patients (43 females, mean age 41 years) with > or = 10-mm stone(s) in the CBD were selected for the procedure, which included limited EST followed by EPBD with balloon dilators of 10-18 mm in size. Eleven patients had undergone EST and unsuccessful stone removal earlier. Forty-nine patients had symptoms of CBD stones, while 25 were detected on imaging. Eleven patients had previous CBD stent in situ and four had T-tube in situ. The stone size was 10-12 mm in 34, 13-14 mm in 26, and > or = 15 mm in 14 patients. Thirty-one patients had a single stone, while 43 had > or = 2 stones. The successful removal of stones was achieved in 68 (91.9%) patients; 62 in the first attempt, five in the second, and one in the third. Six patients were deemed to be "failures." In two of them, the stones could be removed after mechanical lithotripsy. Complications were seen in 16 patients, with self-limiting pain in 13, self-limiting ooze in five, melaena in one, and mild pancreatitis in two. One patient had impaction of the dormia basket. We conclude that EPBD following EST is safe and effective in removing stones > or = 10 mm in size in over 90% of patients.

Duodenoduodenal intussusception.

Duodenoduodenal intussusception is a rare event which is usually caused by the presence of a tumor. We present a case of duodenoduodenal intussusception secondary to a large tubulovillous adenoma causing gastric outlet and biliary obstruction in a 50-year-old female. The imaging features on ultrasonography, CT, and MRI are described.

Complex Hepatic Injuries: an Audit from a Tertiary Center.

BACKGROUND: Nonoperative management is being increasingly employed in the management of blunt hepatic injuries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed patients with complex hepatic injuries over a period of 10 years (1996-2006). RESULTS: Two hundred and ten patients with blunt hepatic injury were admitted and 103 patients had complex liver injuries. The predominant mode of injury was road traffic accidents in 91.2%. The grade distribution of liver injuries was grade III (72.8%), grade IV (23.3%) and grade V (4.9%). Twenty-four patients (23.3%) underwent surgery for persistent hemodynamic instability, persistent fall in hemoglobin level, bile leaks and intra-abdominal collection with sepsis. Associated intra-abdominal injuries were present in 19.4%, and 58.4% had associated extra-abdominal injuries. The operative procedures included hepatectomy (1), suture hepatorraphy (12), T-tube drainage for bile duct injuries (5), perihepatic sponge and gel foam packing (9), liver abscess drainage (3), and resection and debridement of liver tissue in six patients. The mortality and morbidity in this series was 10.7 and 56.4%, respectively. Multiorgan failure was present in 5, single organ failure in 37, sepsis in 24, biliary complications in 16 and intra-abdominal collection in 17 patients. Endoscopic management for bile leaks was performed in five patients, image-guided pig-tail drainage for abscesses in 11 patients, while angioembolization was done in two patients for right hepatic artery bleed. The mortality was not significantly different in surgical and nonoperative groups but operated patients had significantly higher morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Complex liver injuries can be managed successfully with conservative treatment in majority, with low mortality and acceptable morbidity. Surgery is reserved for selected indications.