Total percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair (pEVAR): the initial experience in Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

INTRODUCTION: There has been a paradigm shift in the treatment of AAA with the advent of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Rapid progress and evolution of endovascular technology has brought forth smaller profile devices and closure devices. Total percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair (pEVAR) involves the usage of suture-mediated closure devices (SMCDs) at vascular access sites to avoid a traditional surgical cutdown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our experience of pEVAR between April 2013 and July 2014. Primary success of the procedure was defined as closure of a common femoral artery (CFA) arteriotomy without the need for any secondary surgical or endovascular procedure within 30 days. RESULTS: In total there were 10 pEVAR cases performed in the study period, one case in Queen Elizabeth Hospital during visiting vascular service. Patients have a mean age of 73.4 year old (66-77 year old) The mean abdominal aortic size was 7.2 cm (5.6-10.0cm). Mean femoral artery diameter was 9.0 mm on the right and 8.9 mm on the left. Mean duration of surgery was 119 minutes (98- 153 minutes). 50% of patients were discharged at post-operative day one, 30%- day two and 20%- day three. Primary success was achieved in 9 patients (90%) or in 19 CFA closures (95%). No major complication was reported. DISCUSSION: We believe that with proper selection of patients undergoing EVAR, pEVAR offers a better option of vascular access with shorter operative time, less post- operative pain, shorter hospital stay and minimises the potential complications of a conventional femoral cutdown.

Extra-anatomical veno-venous surgical bypass for central vein occlusion in patients with ipsilateral arterio-venous fistula (AVF) for haemodialysis - A single centre experience.

OBJECTIVE: Central vein occlusion is a common complication related to central vein catheter insertion for haemodialysis which can be unmasked by an ipsilateral fistula creation, leading to a dysfunctional arteriovenous fistula (AVF). We describe an extra-anatomical venous bypass surgical procedure performed to maintain vascular access and reduce the symptoms of swelling of the ipsilateral upper limb, neck and face. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report 20 consecutive patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) who had central vein occlusion and were not amenable to endovascular intervention. They underwent extra-anatomical vein to vein surgical bypass. The axillary and iliac or femoral veins were approached via infraclavicular and extraperitoneal groin incisions respectively. In all the patients, an externally supported 6 or 8 mm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft was used as a conduit and was tunnelled extra-anatomical. All patients had double antiplatelet (Aspirin and Clopidogrel) therapy post-operatively. RESULTS: Substantial improvement in the facial, neck and upper limb swelling was noticed following this diversion surgery. The vein to vein bypass was patent at 12 months in 10 out of 20 patients. Graft infection occurred in two (10%) cases. Re-thrombectomy or assisted patency procedure (stent/plasty) was done in four (20%) cases. The patients with preoperative fistula flow rate of more than 1500 ml/min and post-operative graft flow rate of more than a 1000 ml/min were patent at 12 months (P=0.025 and p=0.034 respectively). CONCLUSION: Axillary to iliac/femoral vein bypass can salvage functioning ipsilateral fistula threatened by occluded upper central vein.

Rare complication of appendix: small bowel gangrene caused by the appendicular knot.

Intestinal knot formation was first described by Riverius in 16th century and later by Rokitansky in 1836. We report a very rare cause of small bowel gangrene caused by appendiceal knotting on to the ileum in a previously healthy mid aged lady. Patient underwent laparatomy and right hemicolectomy and primary anastomosis. The intra operative findings were the appendix was twisting (knotting) the small bowel about 40cm from the terminal ileum and causing gangrene to the segment of small bowel. Appendicitis is a common condition and management is usually straightforward. However we must be aware of rare complications which may arise that require a change from the standard treatment of acute appendicitis.

A curious case of Meckel's diverticulum.

Meckel's diverticulitis or Meckel's associated pathology frequently presents in childhood with gastrointestinal bleeding. It is rarely seen in adults. It is a congenital abnormality that commonly goes undetected. We present a case of a perforated Meckel's diverticulum due to fishbone ingestion in an elderly gentleman. The aim of this case report is to highlight the rare presentation of a perforation in a Meckel's diverticulum due to an extrinsic pathology and to outline diagnostic and management options in cases of Meckel's diverticulum.

Traumatic right proximal subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm treated with a hybrid procedure: A case report.

Blunt trauma to the right proximal subclavian artery is uncommon and tends to be associated with pseudoaneurysm formation. We report a patient with right proximal subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm after blunt chest trauma following a motor vehicle accident. The condition was successfully treated with a combined insertion of a covered stent and carotid-carotid bypass as a hybrid procedure. Duplex scans at 6 month and 1 year follow-up documented good stent-graft positioning and no pseudoaneurysm recurrence.

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm as A Cause of Ortner's Syndrome - A Case Series.

Hoarseness due to left recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis was first described in 1897 by Norbert Ortner. Various cardiopulmonary and thoracic arch aorta pathologies associated with left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy have been described over the last 100 years and is also known as cardio-vocal syndrome. We report our experience with seven cases of Ortners syndrome due to thoracic aortic aneurysm with compression of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve and resultant hoarseness.

Endovascular stent graft repair of aorto-iliac pseudoaneurysms - Hospital Kuala Lumpur experience.

BACKGROUND: This is a single institutional review of aortoiliac pseudoaneurysm of various aetiologies managed with endovascular stent graft repair. METHODS: From 2009 to 2014, 16 patients had endovascular stent graft inserted for pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta and iliac arteries in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Co-morbidity, causative agents, in-hospital mortality, complications and outcomes were examined. RESULTS: The average age was 59.1 years (range 36-77). Comorbidities include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, prior infection and previous open aneurysmal repair. All patients had raised WBC (>10.0x10(9) /L), ESR or Creactive protein on admission while 50% of patients had fever. Blood cultures were positive in 4 patients. All patients were given antibiotics. Only one in-hospital mortality was noted at day-47 post-procedure. Two patients died of aortoenteric fistula at district hospital eight and 16 months later. One patient died of chronic graft infection two years later. One died of unrelated cause. One patient developed type IB endoleak from internal iliac artery two years later and surgical ligation was performed. The average follow up was 15.8 months. CONCLUSION: Endovascular stent graft repair for pseudoaneurysm is a viable option compared to open surgery. It is less invasive, has lower operative morbidity and fair outcomes. However, some cases may be due to inflammatory aortitis instead of infective pseudoaneurysm, given the frequent culture-negative results. In order to obtain high yield of bacteria culture for infected pseudoaneurysm, open repair with tissue culture is still the main mode of treatment especially for patients with low comorbidity.

A rare cause of pain in the perineum.

Isolated internal iliac aneurysms are rare. We report a case of an uncommon presentation of perineal pain and tenesmus in a man caused by the pressure effects of the aneurysm. He had a successful endovascular exclusion and thrombosis of his aneurysm. On follow up of more than 3 years he remains free of all symptoms and no recurrence of the aneurysm.

Bleeding Jejunal GIST: An uncommon cause of Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are rare gastrointestinal tumours and are one of the causes of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. We report a case of massive gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to bleeding jejunal GIST in a 43 years old gentleman. Endoscopic intervention failed to identify the source of bleeding and CT Angiography (CTA) showed a jejunal mass and patient underwent laparotomy and resection of the bleeding jejunal GIST. This article highlights the rare cause of the massive GI bleeding and also emphasise the role of CTA in obscure GI bleeding.

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) in traumatic high-velocity blunt injury to thoracic aorta

No abstract available.

Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) for Infra-renal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) under Local Anaesthesia - Initial Experience in Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

This is our initial report on the first 4 cases of infra-renal abdominal aortic aneurysm undergoing Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) with local anaesthesia, controlled sedation and monitoring by an anaesthetist. All four patients were males with a mean age of 66.7 years. Only one required ICU stay of two days for cardiac monitoring due to bradycardia and transient hypotension post procedure. No mortality or major post operative morbidity was recorded and the mean hospital stay post procedure was 3.5 days (range 2-5 days).

Coeliac artery thrombosis: an uncommon cause of an acute abdomen.

Coeliac artery thrombosis with ischaemia is a rare condition, which usually presents with severe peptic ulcer disease symptoms. It is usually associated with risk factors for thrombosis or embolism. The manifestation is rare because of large number of collaterals between the coeliac and superior mesentery artery. Early detection and intervention is required to prevent the progression of its complications that includes gastric ischaemic necrosis.

Hybrid procedure in pseudoaneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta in Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

Conventional open repair for Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAA) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Spinal cord ischemia (SCI), renal failure, bowel ischemia and mortality are established complications following this procedure. With the advent of endovascular stent technology, various novel approaches have been described to reduce these complications, namely fenestrated stent graft and hybrid procedure. We present a case of hybrid procedure in a pseudoaneurysm of descending thoracic aorta done in Kuala Lumpur Hospital.

Successful endovascular treatment of post-traumatic inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm.

True and pseudoaneurysms of the visceral arteries are uncommon. They represent 0.1-0.2 percent of all vascular aneurysms. Visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs) should be treated due to their propensity to rupture and associated high mortality. We describe a 58-year-old man with pseudoaneurysm of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery and who presented with post-motor vehicle accident abdominal pain and a pulsatile epigastic mass. Computed tomography (CT) showed a pseudoaneurysm of the visceral artery, and selective mesenteric angiography showed the aneurysm to be arising from the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery. The aneurysm was successfully treated with endovascular coil embolisation. CT angiogram at one month post-procedure revealed persistent occlusion of the aneurysm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported pseudoaneurysm of inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery secondary to blunt abdominal trauma from a motor vehicle accident and also the first reported VAA from Malaysia.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm in a renal transplant patient.

Repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm in a renal transplant recipient poses many different problems due to warm ischaemia to the grafted kidney. This is a case of 50-year-old gentleman who had a pervious renal transplant with abdominal aortic aneurysm. To reduce the effects of warm ischaemia on the transplanted kidney, an axillo unifemoral bypass was done prior to aneurysm repair. This ensured continued perfusion to the transplanted kidney. The post operative period was complicated by Methicillin Resistant Staphyloccus Aureus infection of the graft.

Serum lipoprotein(a) levels in patients with atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease in Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of patients with atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease (PVD) who had elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels, as well as to determine the latter's significance as a risk factor for PVD in the local population. METHODS: This case-controlled study was conducted between June and October 2004 in the Department of Surgery, Kuala Lumpur Hospital. A total of 100 patients were recruited and divided into control and PVD groups. Patients were defined as having PVD if they were symptomatic, with ankle-brachial systolic index < 0.90, or by radiological evidence. Lp(a) concentrations were determined using immunoturbidometry. Absorbance of reaction precipitate was measured by spectrophotometry to give Lp(a) concentration in grams per litre (g/L). The reference value for normal Lp(a) levels was < or = 0.36 g/L. RESULTS: Mean Lp(a) levels for control and PVD groups were 0.29 g/L and 0.56 g/L, and median values were 0.17 g/L and 0.48 g/L, respectively. Elevated Lp(a) levels in the control group was 26% compared to 58% in the PVD group. Analysis with Pearson's chi-squared test achieved a significant p value of 0.001. Multivariate analysis showed that elevated Lp(a) levels contributed significantly to the probability of having PVD with an odds ratio of 7.69. CONCLUSION: Elevated serum Lp(a) has a significant role as a risk factor for atherosclerotic PVD in the local population.

Study on changing the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of dental porcelain.

Raising the thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) of dental porcelains is important to match the CTE of the ceramic material with the higher CTE of the metal inlay in dental restorations. The higher thermal expansion of the leucite phase increases the overall thermal expansion coefficient of the dental porcelain. Potassium nitrate (KNO3) additions in controlled percentages to the base dental porcelain formulation help in the formation of a leucite phase. The percentage added was 5,10 and 20 weight percent of leucite, respectively, to the total base frit composition. The change in CTE values was then investigated using a Linseis Dilatometer. A 20wt% KNO3 addition resulted in a CTE of 9.0 microm/m-K compared to the 7.7 microm/m-K CTE of the base composition. The microstructures observed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM) show a multiphase material with the leucite phases dispersed within a glassy matrix. The results suggest that higher CTEs in the dental porcelain are possible by increasing the KNO3- additions within the limits tested.

Behcet's disease with vascular complications.

A young gentleman presented with a history of multiple pseudoaneurysms of the right carotid artery, left radial artery, right femoral artery as well as deep vein thrombosis involving the right femoral vein. A diagnosis of Behcet's disease was made on the basis of his history of recurrent oral and genital ulceration with characteristic eye lesion.

An uncommon cause of duodenal obstruction.

This is a case report of an elderly male, who presented with duodenal obstruction caused by abdominal aortic aneurysm. An axillo-bifemoral shunting with an infra renal straight inlay graft together with a feeding jejunostomy was performed. This is rare presentation with only a few cases reported.