Systematic review and meta-analysis of the use of high-energy devices for thyroid surgery.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the role of High Energy Devices (HEDs) versus conventional clamp and tie technique in thyroidectomy. This work is endorsed by the Italian Society of Surgical Endoscopy (Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery and new technologies-SICE) in the broader project on the evaluation of the role of HEDs in different surgical settings with the full health technology assessment report. MEHODS: Inclusion criteria were adult patients (≥ 18 years old) undergoing Thyroidectomy/Parathyroidectomy conducted with High Energy Devices (as ultrasonic (US), radiofrequency (RF), and hybrid energy (H-US/RF)) in the setting of thyroid surgery (both partial and total) for benign and malign diseases. However, some variability was found in included studies and described in the text. This systematic review and meta-analysis were performed according to the Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews, and the recommendations of the 2020 updated Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were pursuit. Selection of abstracts was performed in Ryyan system by 2 independent reviewers, and doubts were solved by another independent reviewer. At the end of literature research, Randomized controlled trials and observational studies were included. Risk of Bias was assessed with ROB2 for RCTs, and New Castle Ottawa Scale for Observational studies. RESULTS: The literature search yielded 47 studies, including 29 RCTs and 18 observational studies. Meta-analysis was performed for 29 randomized clinical trials. Outcomes included in the comparison between High Energy Devise and conventional technique groups were operative time, operative blood loss, overall post-operative drainage volume, length of stay, complications, and costs. HED significantly reduced operative time (28 studies, 3097patients; MD -128.8; 95% CI -34.4 to -23.20; I2 = 96%, p < 0.00001, Random-effect), intra-operative blood loss (13 studies, 642 vs 519 patients; SMD -0.82; 95% CI -1.33 to -0.32; I2 = 93%, p < 0.00001, Random-effect), LOS (22 studies, 2808 vs 2789 patients; MD -0.38, 95% CI -0.59 to -0.17; I2 = 98%, p < 0.00001 Random-effect), and healthcare costs (8 studies, 1138 vs 1129 patients, SMD 1.05; 95% CI -0.06 to 2.16; I2 = 99%, p < 0.00001 Random-effect). The rate of overall intraoperative complications was significantly different between both groups (25 studies, 2804 vs 2775 patients; RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.97; I2 = 38%, p = 0.03 Random-effect), but the sensitivity analysis did not find a statistically significant difference (6 studies, 605 vs 594 patients, RR; 95% CI to; I2 = 0%, p = 0.50, Random-effect). There was no difference in the subgroup analysis for the occurrence of transient and permanent RLN palsy, nor hematoma formation and hypocalcaemia. DISCUSSION: Though findings of our systematic review and metanalysis are limited by heterogeneous data, surgeons, hospital managers, and policymakers should note that the use of High Energy Devices compared to conventional clamp and tie technique have reduced operative times, intra-operative blood loss, length of stay, and hospital costs in patients underwent to tyroid surgery. Future work must explore issues of equity to mitigate barriers to patient access to safe thyroid surgical care and define better this initial results.

Management of intra-abdominal infections: recommendations by the Italian council for the optimization of antimicrobial use.

Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are common surgical emergencies and are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hospital settings, particularly if poorly managed. The cornerstones of effective IAIs management include early diagnosis, adequate source control, appropriate antimicrobial therapy, and early physiologic stabilization using intravenous fluids and vasopressor agents in critically ill patients. Adequate empiric antimicrobial therapy in patients with IAIs is of paramount importance because inappropriate antimicrobial therapy is associated with poor outcomes. Optimizing antimicrobial prescriptions improves treatment effectiveness, increases patients' safety, and minimizes the risk of opportunistic infections (such as Clostridioides difficile) and antimicrobial resistance selection. The growing emergence of multi-drug resistant organisms has caused an impending crisis with alarming implications, especially regarding Gram-negative bacteria. The Multidisciplinary and Intersociety Italian Council for the Optimization of Antimicrobial Use promoted a consensus conference on the antimicrobial management of IAIs, including emergency medicine specialists, radiologists, surgeons, intensivists, infectious disease specialists, clinical pharmacologists, hospital pharmacists, microbiologists and public health specialists. Relevant clinical questions were constructed by the Organizational Committee in order to investigate the topic. The expert panel produced recommendation statements based on the best scientific evidence from PubMed and EMBASE Library and experts' opinions. The statements were planned and graded according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) hierarchy of evidence. On November 10, 2023, the experts met in Mestre (Italy) to debate the statements. After the approval of the statements, the expert panel met via email and virtual meetings to prepare and revise the definitive document. This document represents the executive summary of the consensus conference and comprises three sections. The first section focuses on the general principles of diagnosis and treatment of IAIs. The second section provides twenty-three evidence-based recommendations for the antimicrobial therapy of IAIs. The third section presents eight clinical diagnostic-therapeutic pathways for the most common IAIs. The document has been endorsed by the Italian Society of Surgery.

Colonic Resection, Stoma, or Self-expanding Metal Stents for Obstructive Left Colon Cancer: the CROSCO-1 study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. There are several causes of a mechanical left bowel obstructive but CRC accounts for approximately 50% of cases and in 10-30% of whom it is the presenting syndrome. In most cases, the left colon is involved. At present, the range of therapeutic alternatives in the management of obstructive left CRC in emergency conditions (primary resection vs. staged resection with applied self-expanding metallic stents) is broad, whereas internationally validated clinical recommendations in each condition are still lacking. This enormous variability affects the scientific evidence on both the immediate and long-term surgical and oncological outcomes. METHODS: CROSCO-1 (Colonic Resection, Stoma or Self-expanding Metal Stents for Obstructive Left Colon Cancer) study is a national, multi-center, prospective observational study intending to compare the clinical results of all these therapeutic regimens in a cohort of patients treated for obstructive left-sided CRC. RESULTS: The primary aim of the CROSCO-1 study is the 1-year stoma rate of patients undergoing primary emergency surgical resection (Hartmann procedure or primary resection and anastomosis) compared with patients undergoing staged resection. Secondary outcomes are 30-day and 90-day major morbidity and mortality, 1-year quality of life and the timing of chemotherapy initiation in the two groups. Future CROSCO studies will follow in which, instead, we will evaluate the long-term oncological outcomes of the two treatment strategies. CONCLUSIONS: The results of a large prospective cohort study which will analyze what really happens in the common clinical practice of managing patients with obstructive left CRC will have the aim of understanding which is the best strategy in terms of surgical and oncological outcomes. Indeed, the CROSCO-1 study will analyze the early surgical outcomes for patients with obstructed left CRC. Future CROSCO studies will follow in which, instead, we will evaluate the long-term oncological outcomes of the two treatment strategies.

Diverticulitis, surgery, evidence-based medicine, and the Steve Jobs' dots: a narrative review.

PURPOSE: Emergency treatment of acute diverticulitis remains a hazy field. Despite a number of clinical studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), guidelines and surgical societies recommendations, the most critical hot topics have yet to be addressed. METHODS: Literature research from 1963 until today was performed. Data regarding the principal RCTs and observational studies were summarized in descriptive tables. In particular we aimed to focus on the following topics: the role of laparoscopy, the acute care setting, the RCTs, guidelines, observational studies and classifications proposed by literature, the problem in case of a pandemic, and the importance of adapting treatment /place/surgeon conditions. RESULTS: In the evaluation of these points we did not try to find any prospective evolution of the concepts achievements. On the contrary we simply report the individuals strands of research from a retrospective point of view, similarly to what Steve Jobes said: "you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future". We have finally obtained what can be defined "a narrative review of the literature on diverticulitis". CONCLUSIONS: Not only evidence-based medicine but also the contextualization, as also the role of 'competent' surgeons, should guide to novel approach in acute diverticulitis management.

Minimally invasive versus open adrenalectomy for adrenocortical carcinoma: the keys surgical factors influencing the outcomes-a collective overview.

PURPOSE: Adrenocortical carcinoma (A.C.C.) is a rare tumour, often discovered at an advanced stage and associated with a poor prognosis. Surgery is the treatment of choice. We aimed to review the different surgical approaches trying to compare their outcome. METHODS: This comprehensive review has been carried out according to the PRISMA statement. The literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library and Google Scholar. RESULTS: Among all studies identified, 18 were selected for the review. A total of 14,600 patients were included in the studies, of whom 4421 were treated by mini-invasive surgery (M.I.S.). Ten studies reported 531 conversions from M.I.S. to an open approach (OA) (12%). Differences were reported for operative times as well as for postoperative complications more often in favour of OA, whereas differences for hospitalization time in favour of M.I.S. Some studies showed an R0 resection rate from 77 to 89% for A.C.C. treated by OA and 67 to 85% for tumours treated by M.I.S. The overall recurrence rate ranged from 24 to 29% for A.C.C. treated by OA and from 26 to 36% for tumours treated by M.I.S. CONCLUSIONS: OA should still be considered the standard surgical management of A.C.C. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has shown shorter hospital stays and faster recovery compared to open surgery. However, the laparoscopic approach resulted in the worst recurrence rate, time to recurrence and cancer-specific mortality in stages I-III ACC. The robotic approach had similar complications rate and hospital stays, but there are still scarce results about oncologic follow-up.

Duodenocaval fistula after bevacizumab therapy: case presentation and complete overview of the literature.

Duodenocaval fistula (DCF) is a very rare condition and is associated with a 41.1% of mortality rate. Although ingested foreign bodies, peptic ulcer disease and radiotherapy are often the etiologies described, only three patients have been described who developed DCF after bevacizumab therapy. We report a case of a 58-year-old woman with a history of ovarian neoplasia and subsequent surgical treatments, adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy with bevacizumab with the appearance of a spontaneous DCF after 6 months at the end of this therapy. The multidisciplinary approach between oncologist and vascular surgeon together with the support of the anesthesiology team allowed the DFC to be treated surgically through the suture of the inferior vena cava and the duodenal breach. The patient was discharged on the 14th postoperative day and we found no postoperative morbidities both immediately and after 30 and 60 days.

ACR TI-RADS Score combined with cytopathology classification improves the risk stratification of indeterminate thyroid nodules.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was the elaboration of a new diagnostic model that integrate cytological reports (2017 Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology) with ultrasonographic features (based on ACR TI-RADS score) to achieve a more accurate definition of indeterminate thyroid nodule malignancy risk. METHODS: Ninety patients submitted to thyroidectomy were divided in three classes: low malignancy risk (AUS/FLUS with TI-RADS 2/TI-RADS 3 and FN/SFN with TI-RADS 2), intermediate malignancy risk (AUS/FLUS with TI-RADS 4/TI-RADS 5 and FN/SFN with TI-RADS 3/TI-RADS 4), and high malignancy risk (FN/SFN with TI-RADS 5). RESULTS: The surgical approach should be recommended in high-risk patients (81.82% of malignancies), carefully evaluated in intermediate risk (25.42%), whereas a conservative approach can be adopted in low-risk patients (0.00%). CONCLUSIONS: The integration of these two multiparametric systems in a Cyto-US score has proven to be a feasible and reliable aid to achieve a more accurate definition of malignancy risk.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large adrenal tumor guided by a 3D anatomic model. New frontiers in abdominal surgery.

If until few years ago the surgeon could study a complex surgery only on the basis of two-dimensional images, today can use 3D physical models on a scale of 1 to 1 of an organ. We report the case of a 53 years old woman with Cushing's syndrome and a giant right adrenal tumor. To better define the relationship between the neoplasm and inferior vena cava, the vascularization of the adrenal gland, any anatomical anomalies and the specific location of the middle adrenal vein, a 3D printed model was created in 1: 1 size based on the preoperative CT. A laparoscopic right adrenalectomy was performed. No intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed with resolution of the adrenal disorder. This case highlights the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of 3D anatomical models for correct preoperative planning, the surgeon's intraoperative guidance to reduce possible errors and therefore improve the patient's postoperative outcome.

Double-loop reconstruction after laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) constitutes a major health problem. In addition to the popularity of laparoscopic gastrectomy, many reconstructive procedures have been reported in the literature. Surgical resection and lymphatic dissection determine long-term survival; however, the election of a reconstruction procedure determines the postoperative quality of life for patients with GC. At present, no consensus exists regarding the optimal reconstructive procedure. A new reconstructive approach was recently adopted at our center. Laparoscopic distal or total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and a so called 'double-loop' reconstruction method with intracorporeal mechanical anastomosis was performed in our patients and we describe the technical note and outcome. The intuition in its use comes from the packaging of gastric bypasses in bariatric surgery. The double-loop method is a valid simplification of the traditional technique of construction of the Roux-limb that could increase the feasibility and safety in performing a full laparoscopic intracorporeal reconstruction with greater ergonomics for the surgeon.

The utility of intraoperative PTH dosage in primary hyperparathyroidism based on preoperative diagnosis and surgical choice.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the intraoperative PTH (ioPTH) monitoring in the success of parathyroidectomy based on the concordant or indeterminate preoperative imaging studies of localization and the performed surgical choices. METHODS: Fourthy-seven patients who received parathyroidectomy operations were divided in four groups: concordance of the imaging and ioPTH, concordance of the imaging and no ioPTH, indeterminate imaging and ioPTH and indeterminate imaging and no ioPTH. RESULTS: Overall, patients in whom ioPTH monitoring was not performed were healed in 89.47% of cases, while the percentage of recovery in patients receiving ioPTH was 85.71%. There were no differences in the changes in strategy or in the cure rates with the use of ioPTH. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were found, independently from the preoperative imaging agreement, in either the cure rate or in the change of intraoperative strategy using the ioPTH dosage.

The ChoCO-W prospective observational global study: Does COVID-19 increase gangrenous cholecystitis?

BACKGROUND: The incidence of the highly morbid and potentially lethal gangrenous cholecystitis was reportedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the ChoCO-W study was to compare the clinical findings and outcomes of acute cholecystitis in patients who had COVID-19 disease with those who did not. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected over 6 months (October 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021) with 1-month follow-up. In October 2020, Delta variant of SARS CoV-2 was isolated for the first time. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed and reported according to the STROBE guidelines. Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients who had COVID-19 were compared with those who did not. RESULTS: A total of 2893 patients, from 42 countries, 218 centers, involved, with a median age of 61.3 (SD: 17.39) years were prospectively enrolled in this study; 1481 (51%) patients were males. One hundred and eighty (6.9%) patients were COVID-19 positive, while 2412 (93.1%) were negative. Concomitant preexisting diseases including cardiovascular diseases (p < 0.0001), diabetes (p < 0.0001), and severe chronic obstructive airway disease (p = 0.005) were significantly more frequent in the COVID-19 group. Markers of sepsis severity including ARDS (p < 0.0001), PIPAS score (p < 0.0001), WSES sepsis score (p < 0.0001), qSOFA (p < 0.0001), and Tokyo classification of severity of acute cholecystitis (p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group. The COVID-19 group had significantly higher postoperative complications (32.2% compared with 11.7%, p < 0.0001), longer mean hospital stay (13.21 compared with 6.51 days, p < 0.0001), and mortality rate (13.4% compared with 1.7%, p < 0.0001). The incidence of gangrenous cholecystitis was doubled in the COVID-19 group (40.7% compared with 22.3%). The mean wall thickness of the gallbladder was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group [6.32 (SD: 2.44) mm compared with 5.4 (SD: 3.45) mm; p < 0.0001]. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of gangrenous cholecystitis is higher in COVID patients compared with non-COVID patients admitted to the emergency department with acute cholecystitis. Gangrenous cholecystitis in COVID patients is associated with high-grade Clavien-Dindo postoperative complications, longer hospital stay and higher mortality rate. The open cholecystectomy rate is higher in COVID compared with non -COVID patients. It is recommended to delay the surgical treatment in COVID patients, when it is possible, to decrease morbidity and mortality rates. COVID-19 infection and gangrenous cholecystistis are not absolute contraindications to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy, in a case by case evaluation, in expert hands.

Does the continuation of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid during the perioperative period of thyroidectomy increase the risk of cervical haematoma? A 1-year experience of two Italian centers.

Background: A growing number of patients taking antiplatelet drugs, mainly low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (75-150 mg/day), for primary or secondary prevention of thrombotic events, are encountered in every field of surgery. While the bleeding risk due to the continuation of these medications during the perioperative period has been adequately investigated in several surgical specialties, in thyroid surgery it still needs to be clarified. The main aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of cervical haematoma in patients receiving low-dose acetylsalicylic acid, specifically ASA 100 mg/day, during the perioperative period of thyroidectomy. Methods: Patients undergoing thyroidectomy in two high-volume thyroid surgery centers in Italy, between January 2021 and December 2021, were retrospectively analysed. Enrolled patients were divided into two groups: those not taking ASA were included in Group A, while those receiving this drug in Group B. Univariate analysis was performed to compare these two groups. Moreover, multivariate analysis was employed to evaluate the use of low-dose ASA as independent risk factor for cervical haematoma. Results: A total of 412 patients underwent thyroidectomy during the study period. Among them, 29 (7.04%) were taking ASA. Based on the inclusion criteria, 351 patients were enrolled: 322 were included in Group A and 29 in Group B. In Group A, there were 4 (1.24%) cervical haematomas not requiring surgical revision of haemostasis and 4 (1.24%) cervical haematomas requiring surgical revision of haemostasis. In Group B, there was 1 (3.45%) cervical haematoma requiring surgical revision of haemostasis. At univariate analysis, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of occurrence of cervical haematoma, nor of the other early complications of thyroidectomy. At multivariate analysis, the use of low-dose ASA did not prove to be an independent risk factor for cervical haematoma. Conclusions: Based on our findings, we believe that in patients receiving this drug, either for primary or secondary prevention of thrombotic events, its discontinuation during the perioperative period of thyroidectomy is not necessary.

coMpliAnce with evideNce-based cliniCal guidelines in the managemenT of acute biliaRy pancreAtitis): The MANCTRA-1 international audit.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Reports about the implementation of recommendations from acute pancreatitis guidelines are scant. This study aimed to evaluate, on a patient-data basis, the contemporary practice patterns of management of biliary acute pancreatitis and to compare these practices with the recommendations by the most updated guidelines. METHODS: All consecutive patients admitted to any of the 150 participating general surgery (GS), hepatopancreatobiliary surgery (HPB), internal medicine (IM) and gastroenterology (GA) departments with a diagnosis of biliary acute pancreatitis between 01/01/2019 and 31/12/2020 were included in the study. Categorical data were reported as percentages representing the proportion of all study patients or different and well-defined cohorts for each variable. Continuous data were expressed as mean and standard deviation. Differences between the compliance obtained in the four different subgroups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U, Student's t, ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests for continuous data, and the Chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test for categorical data. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 5275 patients. The most commonly discordant gaps between daily clinical practice and recommendations included the optimal timing for the index CT scan (6.1%, χ2 6.71, P = 0.081), use of prophylactic antibiotics (44.2%, χ2 221.05, P < 0.00001), early enteral feeding (33.2%, χ2 11.51, P = 0.009), and the implementation of early cholecystectomy strategies (29%, χ2 354.64, P < 0.00001), with wide variability based on the admitting speciality. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed an overall poor compliance with evidence-based guidelines in the management of ABP, with wide variability based on the admitting speciality. Study protocol registered in ClinicalTrials.Gov (ID Number NCT04747990).

Risk of Complications in Patients Undergoing Completion Thyroidectomy after Hemithyroidectomy for Thyroid Nodule with Indeterminate Cytology: An Italian Multicentre Retrospective Study.

There is still controversy as to whether patients undergoing a completion thyroidectomy after a hemithyroidectomy for a thyroid nodule with an indeterminate cytology have a comparable, increased or decreased risk of complications compared to those submitted to primary thyroid surgery. The main aim of this study was to investigate this topic. Patients undergoing a thyroidectomy for thyroid nodular disease with an indeterminate cytology in four high-volume thyroid surgery centres in Italy, between January 2017 and December 2020, were retrospectively analysed. Based on the surgical procedure performed, four groups were identified: the TT Group (total thyroidectomy), HT Group (hemithyroidectomy), CT Group (completion thyroidectomy) and HT + CT Group (hemithyroidectomy with subsequent completion thyroidectomy). A total of 751 patients were included. As for the initial surgery, 506 (67.38%) patients underwent a total thyroidectomy and 245 (32.62%) a hemithyroidectomy. Among all patients submitted to a hemithyroidectomy, 66 (26.94%) were subsequently submitted to a completion thyroidectomy. No statistically significant difference was found in terms of complications comparing both the TT Group with the HT + CT Group and the HT Group with the CT Group. The risk of complications in patients undergoing a completion thyroidectomy after a hemithyroidectomy for a thyroid nodule with an indeterminate cytology was comparable to that of patients submitted to primary thyroid surgery (both a total thyroidectomy and hemithyroidectomy).

Minilaparoscopic over conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy and appendectomy: is it worth it? A case series and review of literature.

Minilaparoscopic cholecystectomy was proposed with the aim to improve the cosmesis and reduce the impact on the abdominal wall. Our aim was to analyze the knowledge currently available on this topic with a review of literature and with our experience to suggest patient-centered approach over the use of minilaparoscopic cholecystectomies and appendectomies. From January 2021 to October 2021, we performed 21 minilaparoscopic cholecystectomies and 12 minilaparoscopic appendectomies. Within the established 1-month and 3-month follow-up intervals, clinical examination and scar evaluation were assessed and a satisfaction questionnaire was completed by all the patients. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were recorded. Patients' pain decreases significantly during hospital stay and 30 patients (90,1%) were discharged with VAS 0. The same happened with aesthetic score, that was 2,23 the postoperative-day-1, decrease to 1,87 1 week later and was 1,12 at 1- and 3-month follow-up.

Outpatient treatment of abdominal wall hernia. A strategy to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIM: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of the treatment of abdominal wall hernias in ambulatory setting in selected patients to break down long waiting lists due to the COVID 19 pandemic. METHODS: From February to June 2021, we performed 120 hernia repair operations with local anesthesia in ambulatory settings without anesthetists. (105 inguinal hernia, 6 femoral hernia and 9 umbilical hernia). All patients were selected from our waiting lists first through a telephone interview through an adequate collection of the anamnesis and then clinically (LEE index and ASA score) and based on the characteristics of the hernia. RESULTS: For all patients, the operation was performed under local anesthesia with lidocaine and naropine. Lichtenstein tension-free mesh repair were performed for all patients with inguinal hernia; polypropylene mesh-plug was the technique used to repair the crural hernias while a direct plastic was performed for the treatment of umbilical hernias.. The mean age was 58 years. We did not observe any intraoperative complications and patients were discharged after 4 hours of operation. There was no case of readmission. Only 3 (2.5%) patients developed scrotal bruising. We did not observe any other complications or recurrence at 30 days and 6 months. Most patients (97.5%) expressed satisfaction for local anesthesia and for the path created. CONCLUSION: Hernia pathologies could be treated in ambulatory setting with good results in selected patients and could represent an alternative to face the limitations imposed by the COVID pandemic on daily surgical activities. KEY WORDS: Ambulatory surgery Cocid-19 Epidemic,Wall hernia.

The role of bed-side laparoscopy in the management of acute mesenteric ischemia of recent onset in post-cardiac surgery patients admitted to ICU.

PURPOSE: Acute mesenteric ischemia with non-occlusive mechanism (NOMI) is a possible complication after cardiac surgery in patients admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Since the diagnosis is often difficult with CT-scan, some authors have evaluated the role of bed-side diagnostic laparoscopy (DL). We aimed to contribute to this topic with a personal series. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated patients admitted to ICU after cardiac surgery since 2009 up to 2019, successively operated on for a suspected NOMI of recent onset with non-conclusive CT. They were divided into laparoscopic (Ls) and laparotomic (Lt) group, depending on whether or not they had a DL. They were compared for the CT false-positive (FP) and true-positive (TP) rate and the surgical outcome. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were enrolled. Lt included 30 patients (41%), Ls 43 (59%). The overall FP were 38 (52%), with a higher incidence in Ls. There was no difference in the mortality rate. The morbidity rate was higher in Lt, and especially in Lt-FP. The TP were 35 (47.9%). The mean operating time (OT) in the Lt-TP group was similar to the sum of the mean OT of the laparotomies plus that of the laparoscopies in the Ls-TP group. Conversely, when considering only laparotomic procedures, the Lt-TP had higher mean OT, such as an increased blood loss CONCLUSIONS: Post-cardiosurgical patients admitted to ICU have a relatively high rate of NOMI, in which CT-scan is often initially non-conclusive. Our data and those from the literature seem to show that in such cases bed-side DL may be an advantageous and safe procedure to avoid needless laparotomy and enables a more tailored open surgery.

Emergency duodenal resection for giant GIST with acute gastrointestinal bleeding A case report.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, which cover about 1-2% of gastrointestinal neoplasms. They are more common in the stomach (40-60%) while a minor part in jejunum/ileus (25- 30%), duodenum (<5%), colorectal (5-15%) and esophagus (<1%). The clinical presentation depends on the primary localization of the neoplasma and tumor size, however in 18% it is asymptomatic. Gastrointestinal bleeding is the most dangerous complication, often necessitating emergency surgery and represents a common symptom of duodenal GIST. We present a case of a 82-year-old male presented with abdominal pain, asthenia and melena with haemodynamically stable. The patient underwent a recent coronary angioplasty and currently on double antiplatelet therapy. During observation a palpable mass was detected in the periumbilical region and right hypochondrium. A superior digestive endoscopy was performed which revealed an ab estrinseco compression of second duodenal segment and bleeding of third duodenal mucosa segment. No local haemostasis could be accomplished. An Angio-CT showed a large exophytic tumor arising from the 3th duodenal segment with approximately 13x9 cm, with apparent intratumoral bleeding. No indication for possible angioembolization. Due to gradual modification of the haemodynamic , the patient was submitted to emergency laparotomy. A segmental enterectomy was performed and the post-operative period ran without complications. The histopathologic exam showed a gastro-intestinal stromal tumor of epithelioid cell nature with low mitotic count (2 per 50HPF). The immunohistochemical analysis revealed positivity for CD117 (c-Kit) and DOG1 with Ki67<1%. KEY WORDS: Bleeding, Duodenal GIST, Gastrointestinal, Gastrointestinal stromal tumor.