Screening for thrombophilia does not identify patients at risk of portal or splenic vein thrombosis following laparoscopic splenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Portal and/or splenic vein thrombosis (PSVT) is a potentially lethal complication of splenectomy for hematologic disease. Known risk factors for PSVT include malignancy and splenomegaly. While these patients are believed to be hypercoagulable, the specific mechanism is unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether specific acquired prothrombotic risk factors contribute to the development of PSVT following laparoscopic splenectomy (LS). METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing LS were prospectively studied between 2005 and 2013. Preoperatively, patients were screened for prothrombotic states and surveillance duplex ultrasonography was performed between 1 week and 1 month postoperatively to assess for PSVT. The association between baseline prothrombotic disorders and PSVT was explored using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients were included in the analysis, and 17 (25 %) of these developed PSVT. There were no differences in patients with and without PSVT with respect to age, body mass index, gender or surgical time. Preoperative spleen size, as determined by diagnostic imaging, and intraoperative blood transfusion were associated with PSVT. Seven of 9 patients (78 %) with massive splenomegaly (>20 cm) developed PSVT compared with 4 of 13 patients (31 %) with moderate splenomegaly (15-20 cm) and 6 of 45 patients (13 %) without (p < 0.001). Abnormalities in baseline prothrombotic screening tests were common, with 52 patients (75 %) demonstrating at least one; however, none were associated with the development of PSVT. CONCLUSION: In patients scheduled for LS, screening for prothrombotic states is not useful to identify patients at risk of development of PSVT. Preoperative spleen size and blood transfusion were predictive of PSVT formation.

Recommended timing for surveillance ultrasonography to diagnose portal splenic vein thrombosis after laparoscopic splenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic portal or splenic vein thrombosis (PSVT) is a rare but potentially lethal complication of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS). While routine postoperative duplex ultrasound surveillance can be used for early detection, the optimal timing is unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence and progression of asymptomatic PSVT 1 week and 1 month after LS. METHODS: Consecutive patients scheduled for LS for hematologic disease participated in this study. Patients underwent surveillance for PSVT using duplex ultrasonography 1 week and 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: 43 of 48 patients planning to undergo LS in the study period were enrolled, with 3 subsequently excluded, leaving 40 for further analysis. The indications for LS were benign disease in 31 [19 had immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP)] and malignant disease in 9. A hand-assisted technique was used in 12 cases. PSVT was diagnosed in 9/40 patients (22.5%). Seven (77.8%) were diagnosed by 1 week with ultrasound, of whom one had mild symptoms (fever and diarrhea). After anticoagulation, subsequent ultrasounds showed resolution or improvement in all seven patients. Thirty-three patients had a normal ultrasound result at 1 week. One of these patients also had a computed tomography (CT) scan that found a PSVT not seen on ultrasound. Twenty-seven patients returned for follow-up after normal 1-week imaging: 26 patients had an ultrasound at 1 month, with no new PSVT found. One additional patient did not return for subsequent ultrasound until 2 months later, when a new distal SVT was found; ultrasound at 6 months showed complete resolution without treatment. CONCLUSION: The 1-week incidence of PSVT after LS was 8/40 (20%). The high incidence justifies ultrasonographic screening on postoperative day 7. If asymptomatic PSVT has not developed at this time, it is unlikely to develop by 1 month, and subsequent screening ultrasound at 1 month is not required.

Imaging of Small Bowel Obstruction following Gastric Bypass Surgery for Morbid Obesity: A retrospective review.

OBJECTIVES: This study is a single institution retrospective evaluation of imaging findings of small bowel obstruction (SBO) after retrocolic antegastric Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity. METHODS: The radiological database of 490 patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity from January 2001-2005 at the Royal Victoria Hospital McGill University Health Center was searched for SBO complications related to the procedure. There were 22 cases of small bowel obstruction related to the procedure. Ten patients had abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans, 12 patients had upper gastrointestinal (UGI) and small bowel follow through (SBFT). RESULTS: Among 22 cases of SBO, 14 cases were due to anastomotic stenosis or adhesion, 7 due to internal hernia and one to jejuno-jejunal intussusception. Among the 14 patients with SBO related to adhesion and anastomotic narrowing, 11 patients were managed medically and 3 cases managed surgically. CT scans correctly diagnosed 4 out of 5 cases including the 3 patients managed surgically and UGI and SBFT examinations diagnosed the remaining 9 cases that were managed medically. Among the 7 patients with internal hernias, CT scans correctly diagnosed 2 out of 4 cases, while UGI and SBFT examinations correctly diagnosed 1 out of 3. The jejuno-jejunal intussusception was correctly diagnosed by CT scan. CONCLUSION: The most frequent cause of SBO is anastomotic narrowing or adhesion. CT scan remains the most appropriate imaging modality in diagnosing acute presentation of SBO caused by internal hernia or adhesion/anastomotic narrowing. UGI and SBFT appear more appropriate for diagnosing the subacute insidious presentation of adhesive partial SBO.