Severe acute pancreatitis in the early postoperative period due to afferent loop syndrome following gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Afferent loop syndrome (ALS) is an uncommon complication of gastrojejunostomy. It may be acute or chronic depending on whether symptoms manifest within 7 days of surgery. Rarely acute ALS may give rise to acute pancreatitis. It may present early in the postoperative course and, if diagnosed late, may result in organ failure within 48h. We report a middle-aged woman with carcinoma of the stomach managed by subtotal gastrectomy with Billroth II gastrojejunostomy and Braun jejunojejunostomy. The patient developed vomiting and abdominal pain in the first postoperative day with acute renal shutdown and about 500ml drain output of dirty fluid. On investigation, a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis due to afferent loop syndrome was made, and the patient was resuscitated in the intensive care unit. However, she showed early signs of organ failure and succumbed to her condition within 6 days of surgery. Since the complication is rare following gastrojejunostomy and often mimics ALS, an early diagnosis becomes difficult. If delay in management happens, premature organ failure may lead to high morbidity and mortality.

[Vitamin K deficiency caused by nutritional malabsorption accompanying afferent loop obstruction:a case report].

This case involves a 73-year-old man who visited a clinic because he was experiencing dyspnea on exertion and acid reflux. He was diagnosed with anemia and referred for a medical check-up and treatment by his primary care physician. Iron deficiency anemia and prolonged prothrombin time were confirmed with a blood test and an abdominal enhanced CT revealed marked expansion of the afferent loop after a gastrectomy. The medical check-up revealed abnormal blood coagulation due to afferent loop obstruction, which resulted in vitamin K deficiency. He was supplemented with vitamin K, and surgery was performed for the afferent loop obstruction. Postoperatively, his anemia, nutritional status, serum vitamin K levels, and prothrombin time improved steadily. In conclusion, nutrient malabsorption may occur in cases of afferent loop obstruction and abnormal blood coagulation due to vitamin K deficiency.

Colangitis por obstrucción de asa aferente tras duodenopancreatectomía cefálica / Cholangitis due to afferent loop obstruction after cephalic duodenopancreatectomy

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Recurrent cholangitis by biliary stasis due to non-obstructive afferent loop syndrome after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy: report of a case.

We report a 71-year-old man who had undergone pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) using PPPD-IV reconstruction for cholangiocarcinoma. For 6 years thereafter, he had suffered recurrent cholangitis, and also a right liver abscess (S5/8), which required percutaneous drainage at 9 years after PPPD. At 16 years after PPPD, he had been admitted to the other hospital because of acute purulent cholangitis. Although medical treatment resolved the cholangitis, the patient was referred to our hospital because of dilatation of the intrahepatic biliary duct (B2). Peroral double-balloon enteroscopy revealed that the diameter of the hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis was 12 mm, and cholangiography detected intrahepatic stones. Lithotripsy was performed using a basket catheter. At 1 year after lithotripsy procedure, the patient is doing well. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy at 60 minutes after intravenous injection demonstrated that deposit of the tracer still remained in the upper afferent loop jejunum. Therefore, we considered that the recurrent cholangitis, liver abscess, and intrahepatic lithiasis have been caused by biliary stasis due to nonobstructive afferent loop syndrome. Biliary retention due to nonobstructive afferent loop syndrome may cause recurrent cholangitis or liver abscess after hepaticojejunostomy, and double-balloon enteroscopy and hepatobiliary scintigraphy are useful for the diagnosis of nonobstructive afferent loop syndrome.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy following total gastrectomy: a case report and literature review.

We present a case of afferent loop syndrome (ALS) occurring after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in a patient who had previously undergone total gastrectomy (TG), and review the English-language literature concerning reconstruction procedures following PD in patients who had undergone TG. The patient was a 69-year-old man who had undergone TG reconstruction by a Roux-en-Y method at age 58 years. The patient underwent PD for pancreas head adenocarcinoma. A jejunal limb previously made at the prior TG was used for pancreaticojejunostomy and hepaticojejunostomy. Despite normal patency of the hepaticojejunostomy, he suffered from repeated postoperative cholangitis which was brought on by ALS due to shortness of the jejunal limb (15 cm in length). We therefore performed receliotomy in which the hepaticojejunostomy was disconnected and reconstructed using a new Y limb 40-cm in length constructed in a double Roux-en-Y fashion. The refractory cholangitis resolved immediately after the receliotomy and did not recur. Review of the literature revealed the lack of any current consensus for a standard procedure for reconstruction following PD in patients who had previously undergone TG. This issue warrants further attention, particularly given the expected future increase in the number of PDs in patients with a history of gastric cancer.

[Acute pancreatitis and afferent loop syndrome. Case report]. / Pancreatitis aguda y síndrome de asa aferente. Reporte de caso.

BACKGROUND: The afferent syndrome loop is a mechanic obstruction of the afferent limb before a Billroth II or Roux-Y reconstruction, secondary in most of case to distal or subtotal gastrectomy. Clinical case: Male 76 years old, with antecedent of cholecystectomy, gastric adenocarcinoma six years ago, with subtotal gastrectomy and Roux-Y reconstruction. Beginning a several abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, abdominal distension, without peritoneal irritation sings. Amylase 1246 U/L, lipase 3381 U/L. Computed Tomography with thickness wall and dilatation of afferent loop, pancreas with diffuse enlargement diagnostic of acute pancreatitis secondary an afferent loop syndrome. CONCLUSION: The afferent loop syndrome is presented in 0.3%-1% in all cases with Billroth II reconstruction, with a mortality of up to 57%, the obstruction lead accumulation of bile, pancreatic and intestinal secretions, increasing the pressure and resulting in afferent limb, bile conduct and Wirsung conduct dilatation, triggering an inflammatory response that culminates in pancreatic inflammation. The severity of the presentation is related to the degree and duration of the blockage.

Antecedentes: el síndrome de asa aferente se caracteriza por la obstrucción mecánica del asa aferente luego de la reconstrucción tipo Billroth II o en Y de Roux, en la mayoría de los casos secundaria a gastrectomía distal o subtotal. Caso clínico: paciente masculino de 76 años de edad, con antecedentes de: colecistectomía, adenocarcinoma gástrico seis años previos, gastrectomía subtotal y reconstrucción en Y de Roux. Inició con dolor abdominal, náusea y vómito; abdomen distendido, sin datos de irritación peritoneal. Amilasa 1246 U/L, lipasa 3381 U/L. La tomografía computada abdominal mostró dilatación y engrosamiento de la pared del asa aferente y el páncreas con incremento de tamaño. Se le diagnosticó pancreatitis aguda, originada por síndrome de asa aferente. Conclusiones: el síndrome de asa aferente aparece en 0.3 a 1% de los casos de pacientes con reconstrucción Billroth II, a consecuencia de la obstrucción mecánica del asa aferente, con mortalidad incluso de 57%. La obstrucción del intestino aferente por acumulación de secreción biliar, pancreática e intestinal incrementa la presión, que resulta en dilatación del asa aferente de la vía biliar y del conducto de Wirsung, lo que desencadena una respuesta inflamatoria que finaliza en un cuadro de pancreatitis. Su manifestación severa se relaciona con el grado y duración de la obstrucción.

Diagnosis and management of afferent limb syndrome in patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Distal small bowel obstruction following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) can occur secondary to acute angulation or prolapse of the afferent limb at the pouch inlet, namely, afferent limb syndrome (ALS). The aim of this study is to report our experience in diagnosis and management of ALS in patients with IPAA. METHODS: All patients with ALS after IPAA were identified from prospectively maintained databases. Demographic, clinical, endoscopic, and radiographic features together with its management and outcome were studied. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (12 female) were included. The mean age was 35.6 ± 14.3 years. Most patients presented with intermittent obstructive symptoms. Fifteen patients were diagnosed by pouch endoscopy with features of angulation of the pouch inlet and difficulty in intubating the afferent limb; 12 patients had kinking or narrowing of the pouch inlet identified with abdominal imaging. The median follow-up was 1.3 (range, 0.14-16.1) years. Nine patients underwent empiric balloon dilatation of the afferent limb/pouch inlet. Of nine, four needed repeat dilatations. One patient with repeat dilatation ultimately had pouch excision; another has been scheduled for surgery after failed repeat dilatations. Eight patients underwent surgery, resection of angulated bowel (n = 3), pouchopexy (n = 2), pouch mobilization with small bowel fixation (n = 1), and pouch excision (n = 2). One patient without symptoms did not receive any therapy despite the finding of ALS on pouchoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: ALS was characterized by clinical presentation of partial small bowel obstruction, which can be diagnosed by careful pouchoscopy and/or abdominal imaging. Endoscopic or surgical intervention is often needed and surgical therapy appears to be more definitive.

[A case of acute pancreatitis due to afferent loop syndrome with internal hernia].

Acute pancreatitis and afferent loop syndrome (ALS) have similar symptoms and physical findings. Accurate early diagnosis is essential, as the management of acute pancreatitis is predominantly conservative whereas ALS usually requires surgery. We experienced one case of pancreatitis due to ALS with internal hernia. Laboratory findings of patient showed elevated serum amylase, lipase and WBC count. One day after admission, diagnosis was modified as acute pancreatitis caused by ALS on computed tomography. Patient was managed with surgical treatment and operation finding revealed ALS due to internal hernia. He was recovered well after surgical treatment and discharged without significant sequelae.

"Syndrome in syndrome": Wernicke syndrome due to afferent loop syndrome. Case report and review of the literature.

Wernicke syndrome is a rare neurological pathology due to a deficit in vitamin B1. The syndrome is common among alcohol abusers, patients with malignant tumor or gastrointestinal diseases, those who undergo hemodialysis or long-term peritoneal dialysis, pregnant women with hyperemesis, women who breast-feed, patients with hyperthyroidism or anorexia nervosa or gastric or jejunal-ileal bypass surgery for obesity, patients submitted to gastric surgery or prolonged total parenteral nutrition or prolonged intravenous therapy. We report a case of Wernicke syndrome due to afferent loop syndrome characterized by incoercible vomiting.

Endoscopic removal of an enterolith causing afferent loop syndrome using electrohydraulic lithotripsy.

Electrohydraulic lithotripsy is a very useful method for fragmenting biliary stones and it can be used for endoscopic removal of difficult biliary stones. Acute afferent loop syndrome induced by enterolith is very rare, and surgical treatment is the usual choice for this condition. We describe a patient with acute afferent loop syndrome, which was induced by an enterolith after a Billroth II gastrectomy. We used electrohydraulic lithotripsy to endoscopically remove the enterolith.

Markedly elevated lipase as a clue to diagnosis of small bowel obstruction after gastric bypass.

We describe an afferent loop obstruction in a patient who had a subtotal gastrectomy with Roux-en Y gastrojejunostomy for postvagotomy syndrome. The clinical presentation and initial studies suggested acute pancreatitis. A computed tomography scan showed a small bowel obstruction distal to the jejunojejunal anastomosis. The patient was taken to the operating room for an exploratory laparotomy, lysis of adhesions, and closure of her jejunostomy. Surgery was successful at resolving her obstruction. In any Roux-en-Y gastric reconstruction or gastric bypass patient presenting to the emergency department with abdominal pain and elevated transamines or pancreatic enzymes, a small bowel obstruction must be considered. Additional imaging with a computed tomography scan is advocated, as well as surgical consultation.

Non-marginal donor C-loop ulcers as a cause of gastrointestinal bleeding after pancreas transplantation: three case reports.

Unfortunately, pancreas transplantation (PTx) has been associated with the highest surgical complication rate of all the routinely performed organ transplant procedures. Complications can arise not only from the pancreas itself but also from the simultaneously transplanted duodenum. One of these complications is gastrointestinal bleeding, which might be from anastamotic site ulcer, pseudoaneurysm, arterioenteric fistula, severe rejection, or cytomegalovirus infection. In this case series, we present three patients presented with severe anemia 3 to 6 months after PTx with enteric drainage by end-to-end anastomosis of ascending loop of a Roux-en-Y to donor duodenal C-loop. The source of bleeding in all three cases was non-marginal donor duodenal C-loop ulcers. High donor pancreas exocrine output associated with relatively low drainage of a small end-to-end anastomosis may be the cause of these ulcers. It is recommended to use a side-to side anastomosis to prevent this complication.

Acute afferent loop syndrome: a true emergency. A case report.

Afferent loop syndrome is a relatively rare complication after subtotal gastrectomy. We present a late onset of afferent loop obstruction, in a patient who underwent Billroth II gastrectomy with Roux-Y reconstruction for a gastric ulcer 27 years ago. A 60-year-old male was admitted to the hospital with an 8-hour history of acute epigastric pain, associated with vomiting, fever and signs of sepsis. Laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis, elevated liver function tests and high serum amylase. An obstructed afferent loop appeared on CT as a fluid filled tubular mass, crossing the middle line between the aorta and the mesenteric vessels. Advanced sepsis was also seen in the peripancreatic and retroperitoneal region. Although the patient was operated on immediately after diagnosis with reconstruction of Roux-Y anastomosis, he died 12 hours later. Afferent loop syndrome is quite uncommon, and must be suspected in patients who have undergone subtotal gastrectomy. Clinical manifestations of the syndrome are usually non-specific. CT is the examination of choice and surgery the first choice treatment.

Enterolith causing afferent loop obstruction: a case report and literature review.

Enterolith formation is a rare cause of afferent limb obstruction following Billroth II gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy surgery. A case of ascending cholangitis caused by an enterolith incarcerated in the afferent loop of a 15-year-old Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was emergently decompressed under direct ultrasound guidance prior to surgery. This is the thirteenth reported case of an enterolith causing afferent loop obstruction. A discussion of our management approach and a review of the relevant literature are presented.

[Diagnostic image (312). A man with abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant]. / Diagnose in beeld (312). Een man met pijn rechts boven in de buik. Aanvoerende-lissyndroom.

A 79-year-old man had a complication of gastric surgery after 45 years: afferent-loop syndrome after a Billroth II partial gastrectomy.

Acute obstruction of the afferent loop caused by an enterolith.

Afferent loop obstruction is a relatively rare but significant complication of Billroth II gastrojejunostomy. We report the imaging findings in a patient in whom obstruction presented acutely and was due to the presence of an enterolith. CT showed dilatation of both the main pancreatic duct and the biliary ducts, and a markedly dilated afferent loop within which a 5-cm mass was present. The lesion had a heterogeneous, laminated appearance and did not show any contrast enhancement. Edema of fatty tissues surrounding the pancreatic tail, which extended to the left pararenal spaces, a small amount of free peritoneal fluid surrounding the spleen, and an aneurysm of the splenic artery of about 3 cm were also present. The diagnosis of afferent loop obstruction has to be considered in patients with previous Billroth II gastrojejunostomy who present with acute abdominal pain and laboratory findings indicating pancreatitis. Although rarely, an enterolith can be the cause of obstruction. CT allows to establish the diagnosis.