Boerhaave's Syndrome: Delayed Management Using Over-the-Scope Clip.

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of Boerhaave's syndrome is often missed or delayed. This subsequently leads to a high mortality rate, which could be greatly reduced if treatment is instituted early, within 24 hours of perforation. Treatment ranges from conservative management to operative intervention depending on the time of presentation and the patient's clinical condition. Endoscopic intervention in the form of over-the-scope clip (OTSC) application is gaining popularity with very promising results. CASE REPORT A 43-year-old male was diagnosed with Boerhaave's syndrome and treated initially by insertion of bilateral chest drainage, intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics, and total parenteral nutrition. He was transferred to our facility 9 days later. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a 1.5 cm deep longitudinal ulcer involving the distal esophagus and extending to the Z-line. Due to the perforation site, a size 12 OTSC clip was used. Application of a second clip was needed to achieve complete closure of the perforation site. Contrast swallow was done 4 days later showed no leak. The patient was started on oral intake and was discharged home in good general condition after a hospital stay of 16 days. CONCLUSIONS Delayed presentation of Boerhaave's syndrome can be treated safely by an over-the-scope clip. This endoscopic method hastens recovery and shortens the hospital stay.

A rare approach to entero-atmospheric fistula.

PATIENT: Female, 60 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Recurrent incisional hernia Symptoms: - MEDICATION: - Clinical Procedure: Limited ileo-cecal resection Specialty: Surgery. OBJECTIVE: Diagnostic/therapeutic accidents. BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic entero-atmospheric fistula is devastating and its management is extremely difficult because it is often associated with fluid and electrolyte disturbances, nutritional problems, and life-threatening sepsis. CASE REPORT: A 60-year-old woman underwent laparoscopic repair of a recurrent incisional hernia that was complicated by iatrogenic cecal injury necessitating a limited ileocecal resection and onlay prosthetic mesh repair of the hernia. Postoperatively, sloughing of the overlying skin led to mesh exposure. An attempted rotational flap coverage was complicated by small bowel injury, which was recognized and repaired. However, an entero-atmospheric fistula developed after the removal of contaminated mesh. The fistula was initially treated by vacuum-assisted closure dressing and later was converted to a 'stoma'. Six months later, the small bowel segment bearing the fistula was excised and bowel continuity was restored. CONCLUSIONS: In selected cases, the conversion of entero-atmospheric fistula to a 'stoma' allows the patient to be discharged home early and maintain good nutritional status while awaiting the definitive surgical intervention.

Colonic lymphoma presenting acutely with perforated colo-splenic fistula.

INTRODUCTION: Primary colonic lymphoma is rare. It comprises less than 1% of large bowel malignancies. Affected patients often present with non-specific vague symptoms with subsequent delays in diagnosis and management. PRESENTATION OF CASE: An immuno-competent 35-year-old male presented with left iliac fossa pain, fever and constipation. Clinical examination revealed left-sided abdominal peritonism. After the initial radiological and endoscopic investigations, a provisional diagnosis of a localized perforation of a splenic flexure diverticulum was made and ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage of the abscess was performed. The patient failed to settle on conservative treatment and therefore exploratory laparotomy was carried out. An inflammatory phlegmon consisting of a left paracolic gutter abscess, the spleen and the splenic flexure of the colon was resected en-bloc and a primary colo-colic anastomosis was performed. His operative recovery was complicated by wound infection which was treated conservatively. The histopathology revealed colo-splenic fistula secondary to a perforated colonic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The spleen contained multiple metastatic lymphomatous deposits. He was started on chemotherapy and remained well at 5-year follow up. DISCUSSION: Colon non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may present initially with an acute abdomen due to perforation. It mimics any acute surgical condition. Perforation and fistulaization into the spleen is very rare. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the delay and difficulty in diagnosing primary colonic lymphoma without resorting to surgical resection.