Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis Discovered During Exploratory Laparotomy.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a rare condition characterized by gas-filled cysts that develop in the mucosal and submucosal layers of the digestive tract. PCI is typically a benign disease but complications can occur that require surgical intervention. This patient presented to the emergency department with a two-day history of abdominal and back pain. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis led to suspicion of free intraperitoneal air potentially due to bowel perforation, and exploratory laparotomy was indicated. Bowel perforation was ruled out during the procedure, but outpouchings of air-filled cysts were found throughout the small bowel's external surface, leading to the diagnosis of PCI. Distinguishing free intraperitoneal air from PCI on imaging presents a challenge to clinicians. Contrast-enhanced abdominal CT is the preferred imaging modality, but PCI remains difficult to diagnose on imaging alone. Spreading awareness of the typical benign nature of PCI alongside the common presentation on imaging may lead to earlier detection, better treatment outcomes, and prevention of unnecessary surgical intervention.

Initial Experience With Biologic Polymer Scaffold (Poly-4-hydroxybuturate) in Complex Abdominal Wall Reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of the new absorbable polymer scaffold poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) in complex abdominal wall reconstruction. BACKGROUND: Complex abdominal wall reconstruction has witnessed tremendous success in the last decade after the introduction of cadaveric biologic scaffolds. However, the use of cadaveric biologic mesh has been expensive and plagued by complications such as seroma, infection, and recurrent hernia. Despite widespread application of cadaveric biologic mesh, little data exist on the superiority of these materials in the setting of high-risk wounds in patients. P4HB, an absorbable polymer scaffold, may present a new alternative to these cadaveric biologic grafts. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of our initial experience with the absorbable polymer scaffold P4HB compared with a consecutive contiguous group treated with porcine cadaveric mesh for complex abdominal wall reconstructions. Our analysis was performed using SAS 9.3 and Stata 12. RESULTS: The P4HB group (n = 31) experienced shorter drain time (10.0 vs 14.3 d; P < 0.002), fewer complications (22.6% vs 40.5%; P < 0.046), and reherniation (6.5% vs 23.8%; P < 0.049) than the porcine cadaveric mesh group (n = 42). Multivariate analysis for infection identified: porcine cadaveric mesh odds ratio 2.82, length of stay odds ratio 1.11; complications: drinker odds ratio 6.52, porcine cadaveric mesh odds ratio 4.03, African American odds ratio 3.08, length of stay odds ratio 1.11; and hernia recurrence: porcine cadaveric mesh odds ratio 5.18, drinker odds ratio 3.62, African American odds ratio 0.24. Cost analysis identified that P4HB had a $7328.91 financial advantage in initial hospitalization and $2241.17 in the 90-day postdischarge global period resulting in $9570.07 per case advantage over porcine cadaveric mesh. CONCLUSIONS: In our early clinical experience with the absorbable polymer matrix scaffold P4HB, it seemed to provide superior clinical performance and value-based benefit compared with porcine cadaveric biologic mesh.