Next-generation microbiological testing in intraabdominal infections with PCR technology.

PURPOSE: Intraabdominal infections (IAI) are increasing worldwide and are a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Among IAI, the number of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) is increasing globally. We tested the Unyvero A50® for intraabdominal infections, compared the detected microorganisms and antibiotic resistance, and compared the results with those of routine microbiology. METHODS: We prospectively compared samples obtained from surgical patients using PCR-based Unyvero IAI cartridges against routine microbiology for the detection of microorganisms. Additionally, we identified clinical parameters that correlated with the microbiological findings. Data were analyzed using the t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Sixty-two samples were analyzed. The PCR system identified more microorganisms, mostly Bacteroides species, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus spp. For bacterial resistance, the PCR system results were fully concordant with those of routine microbiology, resulting in a sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value (PPV, NPV) of 100%. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for the detection of microorganisms were 74%, 58%, 60%, and 72%, respectively. CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with detectable microorganisms. We identified more microorganisms and bacterial resistance in hospital-acquired intra-abdominal infections by using the PCR system. DISCUSSION: IAI warrants early identification of the microorganisms involved and their resistance to allow for adequate antibiotic therapy. PCR systems enable physicians to rapidly adjust their antibiotic treatment. Conventional microbiological culture and testing remain essential for determining the minimal growth inhibition concentrations for antibiotic therapy.

Unusual paraneoplastic syndromes in pancreatic cancer: a case report of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) associated with intraductal papillary mucinous cancer of the pancreas.

Background: Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is an autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction. It can occur as a paraneoplastic disorder associated with various types of carcinomas, usually small cell lung cancer or as an autoimmune disease. LEMS can be misdiagnosed as myasthenia gravis or as an oncological sequela, causing delays in diagnosis. We present a rare case of a male adult with confirmed LEMS occurring with pancreatic carcinoma. Case Description: A 66-year-old man presented with a newly diagnosed pancreatic tumor. He had been experiencing weakness and fatigue in his lower extremities since the summer of 2020. Over time, the weakness progressed to include his proximal upper extremity muscles. Dysphonia, dysarthria, decreased appetite and significant weight loss were also observed. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a 3 cm locally resectable cystic tumor in the pancreatic head. Blood tests showed elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. A Whipple procedure was performed, which revealed a poorly differentiated pancreatic adenocarcinoma inside an intraductal pancreatic mucinous neoplasm. Postoperatively, the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) because he had no spontaneous breathing and manifested areflexia signs. A train of four (TOF) monitoring of peripheral nerve stimulation was performed and pyridostigmine therapy was initiated, leading to an improvement in symptoms allowing the extubation and transfer to the peripheral ward. Further diagnostic tests revealed a LEMS and an intravenous therapy with cumulative 100 g immunoglobulin (Ig) G was initiated. Upon discharge, 10 days after starting LEMS treatment, the patient showed subjective and objective improvement in strength. Conclusions: Paraneoplastic syndromes are more common than expected, but rare in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. They can appear before abdominal symptoms, facilitating early diagnosis. Successful treatment of cancer may eliminate paraneoplastic symptoms. LEMS may reveal pancreatic cancer. Early recognition of paraneoplastic syndromes is important for pancreatic cancer management. Further investigation is needed to evaluate the diagnostic approach for LEMS in all patients with pancreatic cancer.

Outcome of combined pancreatic and biliary fistulas after pancreatoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) as well as postoperative biliary fistula (POBF) are considered the main source of postoperative morbidity and mortality after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). However, little is known about the incidence and complications of combined POPF/POBF compared to isolated POPF or POBF. METHODS: This single-center study investigated retrospectively the incidence and postoperative outcome of combined POPF/POBF compared to isolated fistulas following PD in a tertiary German pancreatic center between 2009 and 2018. RESULTS: A total of 678 patients underwent PD for benign and malignant periampullary lesions. Combined fistulas occurred in 6%, isolated POPF in 16%, and isolated POBF in 2%. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and chronic pancreatitis had a protective effect on the occurrence of combined fistulas, whereas serous cystadenoma and pancreatic metastasis were risk factors. Morbidity (Grade C fistula, post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage, revisional surgery) and mortality was significantly higher in patients with combined fistulas than in those with isolated fistula. Moreover, the duration of ICU stay was longer. CONCLUSIONS: A combined POPF/POBF is associated with a significant increase of morbidity and mortality compared to isolated fistulas after PD. Early surgical revision in these patients may improve the postoperative survival rate.

Outcome Quality After Colorectal Cancer Resection in Certified Colorectal Cancer Centers­Patient-Reported and Short-Term Clinical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: In this observational study, patient-reported outcomes and short-term clinical outcome parameters in patients with colorectal cancer were studied 12 months after the start of treatment. Outcomes were also compared across German Certified Colorectal Cancer Centres. METHODS: Data were collected from 4239 patients with colorectal cancer who had undergone elective tumor resection in one of 102 colorectal cancer centers and had responded to a quality-of-life questionnaire before treatment (EORTC QLQ-C30 and -CR29). 3142 (74.1%) of these patients completed a post-treatment questionnaire 12 months later. Correlation analyses were calculated and case-mix adjusted comparisons across centers were made for selected patient-reported outcomes, anastomotic insufficiency, and 30-day-mortality. RESULTS: At 12 months, mild improvements were seen in mean quality-of-life scores (66 vs. 62 points), constipation (16 vs. 19), and abdominal pain (15 vs. 17). Worsening was seen in physical function (75 vs. 82) and pain (22 vs. 19). Better patient-reported outcomes at 12 months were associated with better scores before treatment. Better results in at least three of the five scores were associated with male sex, higher educational level, higher age, and private health insurance. Major worsening of fecal incontinence was seen among patients with rectal cancer without a stoma. The largest differences across centers were found with respect to physical function. Anastomotic insufficiency was found in 4.3% of colon cancer patients and 8.2% of rectal cancer patients. 1.9% of patients died within 30 days after their resection. CONCLUSION: Clinicians can use these findings to identify patients at higher risk for poorer patient-reported outcomes. The differences among cancer centers that were found imply that measures for quality improvement would be desirable.

Preservation of aberrant right hepatic arteries does not affect safety and oncological radicality of pancreaticoduodenectomy-own results and a systematic review of the literature.

Background: Aberrant right hepatic arteries (aRHA) are frequently encountered during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Their effects on surgical morbidity and resection margin are still debated. This study aimed to compare the short term and long term outcomes in patients with and without aRHA. Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis of 353 consecutive PD during a 5-year period was done. The type of arterial supply was determined preoperatively by CT and confirmed at surgery. Hiatt types III-VI included some type of aRHA and comprised the study group. Hiatt types I and II were considered irrelevant for PD and used as controls. Primary endpoints were the rates of major postoperative complications and the rate of R0-resection in cases of malignant disease. Secondary endpoints included duration of surgery, postoperative stay, number of harvested lymph nodes and survival in patients with pancreatic cancer. Own results were compared to existent data using a systematic review of the literature. Results: No aRHA had to be sacrificed or reconstructed. Surgical morbidity and specific complications such as post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH), pancreatic fistula and bile leak were the same in patients with and without aRHA. There was no significant difference in operative time, blood loss, length of ICU- and hospital stay. Patients with malignancy had similar high rates of R0-resection and identical number of harvested lymph nodes. Survival of patients with pancreatic cancer was not affected by aRHA. Conclusions: aRHA may be preserved in virtually all cases of PD for resectable pancreatic head lesions without increasing surgical morbidity and without compromising oncological radicality in patients with cancer, provided the variant anatomy is being recognised on preoperative CT and a meticulous surgical technique is used.

WSES/GAIS/WSIS/SIS-E/AAST global clinical pathways for patients with skin and soft tissue infections.

Skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) encompass a variety of pathological conditions that involve the skin and underlying subcutaneous tissue, fascia, or muscle, ranging from simple superficial infections to severe necrotizing infections.Together, the World Society of Emergency Surgery, the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery, the Surgical Infection Society-Europe, The World Surgical Infection Society, and the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma have jointly completed an international multi-society document to promote global standards of care in SSTIs guiding clinicians by describing reasonable approaches to the management of SSTIs.An extensive non-systematic review was conducted using the PubMed and MEDLINE databases, limited to the English language. The resulting evidence was shared by an international task force with different clinical backgrounds.

Pancreatic Apoplexy: Fulminant Necrotizing Pancreatitis Leading to Completion Pancreatectomy Within 3 Days After Partial Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Patient characteristics with postoperative acute necrotizing pancreatitis and completion pancreatectomy (CP) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remain unclear. METHODS: Data from all patients who underwent a PD with need for CP (January 2011-December 2019) at a German University Hospital were analyzed regarding the indications and timing of CP, laboratory and histopathological findings, and overall outcome. RESULTS: Six hundred twelve patients underwent PD, 33 (5.4%) of them needed a CP. Indications were grade C pancreatic fistula with or without biliary leak (46% and 12%), biliary leak (6%), and hemorrhage due to pancreatic fistula (36%). Eight patients (24%) underwent CP within 3 days after PD. These fulminant courses ("pancreatic apoplexy") were accompanied by significantly higher levels of lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, serum amylase, serum lipase, drain amylase, and drain lipase compared with patients with CP after the third day. Pancreatic apoplexy was histologically associated with higher rates of pancreatic necrosis (P = 0.044) and hemorrhage (P = 0.001). A trend toward higher mortality was observed (75% vs 36%, P = 0.058). CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic apoplexy, defined as fulminant necrotizing pancreatitis after PD leading to CP within 3 days, is associated with characteristic laboratory and histopathological findings and a trend to higher mortality.

WSES/GAIS/SIS-E/WSIS/AAST global clinical pathways for patients with intra-abdominal infections.

Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are common surgical emergencies and have been reported as major contributors to non-trauma deaths in hospitals worldwide. The cornerstones of effective treatment of IAIs include early recognition, adequate source control, appropriate antimicrobial therapy, and prompt physiologic stabilization using a critical care environment, combined with an optimal surgical approach. Together, the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES), the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery (GAIS), the Surgical Infection Society-Europe (SIS-E), the World Surgical Infection Society (WSIS), and the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) have jointly completed an international multi-society document in order to facilitate clinical management of patients with IAIs worldwide building evidence-based clinical pathways for the most common IAIs. An extensive non-systematic review was conducted using the PubMed and MEDLINE databases, limited to the English language. The resulting information was shared by an international task force from 46 countries with different clinical backgrounds. The aim of the document is to promote global standards of care in IAIs providing guidance to clinicians by describing reasonable approaches to the management of IAIs.

Is primary total pancreatectomy in patients with high-risk pancreatic remnant justified and preferable to pancreaticoduodenectomy? -a matched-pairs analysis of 200 patients.

BACKGROUND: Total pancreatectomy (TP) eliminates the risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) and its associated secondary complications. Hence, it may theoretically offer advantages over pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) regarding early postoperative outcome of patients with high-risk pancreatic remnant. METHODS: Ninety-day mortality and morbidity of 100 TP vs. 100 PD for pancreatic head lesions were retrospectively compared. Groups were matched for pancreatic texture, pancreatic duct size, final histology, age, gender and surgeon. Only patients at high risk for POPF due to soft pancreatic texture and small pancreatic duct <3 mm were included. RESULTS: Preoperatively, the TP-group was characterized by poorer general condition, more comorbidities and more pronounced obesity than the PD-group. Postoperatively, overall morbidity was lower after TP (63% vs. 88%, P<0.001) due to less mild complications. Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage rate was lower after TP than after PD (2% vs. 12%, P=0.014). Duration of surgery, hospital stay, major morbidity (30%) and mortality (7% vs. 5%) were the same. POPF was the most common complication after PD with 32%. Emergency completion pancreatectomy was necessary in 10% of PD with a significantly higher mortality compared to elective TP (50% vs. 7%, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TP may reduce severe POPF-associated complications and prevent mortality related to emergency completion pancreatectomy in some elderly, obese and polymorbid patients with high-risk pancreatic remnant. Careful individual selection by an experienced pancreatic surgeon is mandatory.

Does autologous fibrin sealant (vivostat©) reduce the incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy? - a matched pairs analysis.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is the most common complication following distal pancreatectomy. This retrospective study investigated the effects of autologous fibrin sealant (Vivostat©) in reducing the incidence of POPF after distal pancreatectomy. METHODS: A matched pairs analysis was performed to compare the incidence of clinically relevant POPF of 41 patients who underwent a distal pancreatectomy with application of autologous fibrin sealant (Vivostat©) with a historical control group. RESULTS: Clinically relevant POPF were present in 11 patients in the study group (27%) and in 13 patients in the control group (32%, p = .639). No patient of the study group required emergency angiographic treatment for postoperative hemorrhage due to POPF, whereas three patients were identified in the control group (7%, p = .079). CONCLUSIONS: POPF cannot be prevented under treatment with autologous fibrin sealant (Vivostat©). We observed the tendency of a lower rate of postoperative pancreatic hemorrhage due to POPF. However, prospective randomized controlled studies are required.

Long term follow-up of a simplified and less burdened pancreatic duct ligation model of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in Goettingen Minipigs.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic duct ligation in a minipig model leads to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). This allows the study of digestive processes and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies. However, detailed descriptions of the surgical procedure, perioperative management, a determination of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency are scarce in the literature. Data of the long-term health status of minipigs upon EPI induction are still not available. Therefore, the present study describes in detail an experimental approach to the induction of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency via pancreatic duct ligation in minipigs and the long term follow up of the animal's health state. METHODS: 14 Goettingen minipigs underwent pancreatic duct ligation via midline laparotomy for the induction of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Fecal fat content, fat absorption, chymotrypsin levels, body weight and blood vitamin and glucose levels were determined. RESULTS: Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was successfully induced in 12 Goettingen minipigs. Two minipigs failed to develop exocrine insufficiency most likely due to undetected accessory pancreatic ducts. All animals tolerated the procedure very well and gained weight within 8 weeks after surgery without requiring pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. The follow up for approx. 180 weeks showed a stable body weight and health state of the animals with normal blood glucose levels (Table 1). From approx. 130 weeks post pancreatic duct ligation, all animals were supplemented with pancreatic enzymes and vitamins resulting in blood concentrations almost within the reference range. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic duct ligation in minipigs is an excellent method of inducing exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. It is important to identify and ligate accessory pancreatic ducts since persistence of accessory ducts will lead to maintenance of exocrine pancreatic function. The EPI model caused no persistent side effects in the animals and has the potential to be used in long-term EPI studies with up to 100 weeks post-OP without supplementation with enzymes and vitamins.

High microsatellite instability (MSI-H) is associated with distinct clinical and molecular characteristics and an improved survival in early Colon cancer (CC); real world data from the AIO molecular registry Colopredict Plus.

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading malignancies and still accounts for almost 25 000 deaths in Germany each year. Although there is accumulating data on the molecular basis, treatment and clinical outcome of patients within clinical trials evidence from the real-world setting is mostly lacking. We started the molecular registry trial Colopredict Plus in 2013 to collect clinical and molecular data from a real-world cohort of patients with early colon cancer stage II and III in 70 German colon cancer centers focusing on the prognostic impact of high microsatellite instability. In this interim report, we characterize a clinical cohort of 2615 patients, of whom 1787 tissue probes were analyzed. Microsatellite status was assessed using immunhistochemistry and fragment length analysis, with a concordance of 91.4 %. These established histopathological methods are sensitive and cost-effective. The median age was 72 years, significantly higher compared to clinical trial populations, with a median Charlson Comorbidity Index of 3. The stage-dependent incidence of microsatellite instability was 23.7 % and was associated with female gender, BRAF-mutation, UICC stage II and localization in the right colon. Survival calculated in disease free, relapse free and overall survival significantly differed between MSI-H and MSS, in favor of MSI-H patients. Multivariate age-adjusted analyses of relapse-free survival, disease-free survival, and overall survival highlighted microsatellite instability as a robust and positive prognostic marker for early colon cancer independent of age.

Comparison of 3 Methods to Assess Occupational Sevoflurane Exposure in Abdominal Surgeons: A Single-Center Observational Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Studies demonstrated that operating room personnel are exposed to anesthetic gases such as sevoflurane (SEVO). Measuring the gas burden is essential to assess the exposure objectively. Air pollution measurements and the biological monitoring of urinary SEVO and its metabolite hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) are possible approaches. Calculating the mass of inhaled SEVO is an alternative, but its predictive power has not been evaluated. We investigated the SEVO burdens of abdominal surgeons and hypothesized that inhaled mass calculations would be better suited than pollution measurements in their breathing zones (25 cm around nose and mouth) to estimate urinary SEVO and HFIP concentrations. The effects of potentially influencing factors were considered. METHODS: SEVO pollution was continuously measured by photoacoustic gas monitoring. Urinary SEVO and HFIP samples, which were collected before and after surgery, were analyzed by a blinded environmental toxicologist using the headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. The mass of inhaled SEVO was calculated according to the formula mVA = cVA·(Equation is included in full-text article.)·t·ρ VA aer. (mVA: inhaled mass; cVA: volume concentration; (Equation is included in full-text article.): respiratory minute volume; t: exposure time; and ρ VA aer.: gaseous density of SEVO). A linear multilevel mixed model was used for data analysis and comparisons of the different approaches. RESULTS: Eight surgeons performed 22 pancreatic resections. Mean (standard deviation [SD]) SEVO pollution was 0.32 ppm (0.09 ppm). Urinary SEVO concentrations were below the detection limit in all samples, whereas HFIP was detectable in 82% of the preoperative samples in a mean (SD) concentration of 8.53 µg·L (15.53 µg·L; median: 2.11 µg·L, interquartile range [IQR]: 4.58 µg·L) and in all postoperative samples (25.42 µg·L [21.39 µg·L]). The mean (SD) inhaled SEVO mass was 5.67 mg (2.55 mg). The postoperative HFIP concentrations correlated linearly to the SEVO concentrations in the surgeons' breathing zones (ß = 216.89; P < .001) and to the calculated masses of inhaled SEVO (ß = 4.17; P = .018). The surgeon's body mass index (BMI), age, and the frequency of surgeries within the last 24 hours before study entry did not influence the relation between HFIP concentration and air pollution or inhaled mass, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The biological SEVO burden, expressed as urinary HFIP concentration, can be estimated by monitoring SEVO pollution in the personnel's individual breathing zone. Urinary SEVO was not an appropriate biomarker in this setting.

2019 update of the WSES guidelines for management of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection in surgical patients.

In the last three decades, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has increased in incidence and severity in many countries worldwide. The increase in CDI incidence has been particularly apparent among surgical patients. Therefore, prevention of CDI and optimization of management in the surgical patient are paramount. An international multidisciplinary panel of experts from the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) updated its guidelines for management of CDI in surgical patients according to the most recent available literature. The update includes recent changes introduced in the management of this infection.

Efficiencies and noise levels of portable surgical smoke evacuation systems.

Surgical smoke resulting from electrocauterization is a health risk for operating room personnel. The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends the use of local exhaust ventilation such as a portable smoke evacuation system to reduce surgical smoke, but its efficiency has never been assessed under experimental conditions. In this study, particle filtration efficiencies of five commercially available smoke evacuation systems were investigated in a model operating room. Two cutting angles, the devices' suction capacities, three unidirectional displacement flow rates, and the noise exposures were considered. Results demonstrated that portable smoke evacuation systems reduce surgical smoke up to 99% under optimal conditions. A cutting angle of 45°, the device's maximum suction capacity, and a unidirectional displacement flow rate of 10,500 m³/hr were advantageous. Sound levels ranged between 51-69 dBA and exceeded recommended threshold limits, if used with medium or maximum suction capacity. Hence, portable smoke evacuation systems are beneficial and are recommended. However, a combination with general unidirectional room ventilation and a strict limitation of the use of electrocauterization is strongly advised.

FOLFIRINOX treatment leading to pathologic complete response of a locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a lethal disease with a poor prognosis. It is typically asymptomatic and therefore most often diagnosed at an advanced stage. A primary unresectable PC can become resectable in case of tumor regression turning palliative into neoadjuvant therapy. We present a 67-year old female patient who was diagnosed with a locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. After receiving palliative intended chemotherapy with the FOLFIRINOX regimen, staging computed tomography revealed local resectability of the pancreatic head tumor. The patient underwent an uneventful total pancreatectomy. Pathohistological investigation revealed a pathologic complete response (pCR). pCR after FOLFIRINOX treatment in primary unresectable PC is extremely rare. It might enable surgical resection and can increase the survival rate.

A modified single-loop reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy reduces severity of postoperative pancreatic fistula in high-risk patients.

BACKGROUND: Double-loop (DL) reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), diverting pancreatic from biliary secretions, has been reported to reduce rates and severity of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) compared to single loop (SL) reconstruction at the price of prolonged operative duration. This study investigated the feasibility of a new reconstruction method combining the advantages of DL with the simplicity of SL in patients with high-risk pancreas. METHODS: A modified single-loop (mSL) reconstruction was used in patients undergoing PD with a soft pancreatic remnant and a pancreatic duct smaller than 3 mm (n = 50). The loop between the pancreatic and the biliary anastomoses was left longer and a side-to-side jejunojejunal anastomosis was performed between them at the lowest point to promote isolated flow of pancreatic and biliary secretions. Rate and severity of POPF, mortality, duration of surgery, and POPF-associated morbidity were compared to those of 50 matched patients with SL and 25 patients with DL reconstruction. RESULTS: Duration of surgery was 57 min longer for DL, but equal for mSL and SL. The POPF rate did not differ between the three groups. The severity of POPF was more pronounced in the SL group (62% grade C: p = 0.011). Mortality and major morbidity were lower and hospital stay shorter in the mSL and DL groups compared to the SL group. CONCLUSIONS: The new mSL reconstruction was safer than conventional SL and faster to perform than DL reconstruction in patients with a high-risk pancreas. It did not influence the rate of POPF, but reduced its severity, leading to less major morbidity and mortality.

The management of intra-abdominal infections from a global perspective: 2017 WSES guidelines for management of intra-abdominal infections.

Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are common surgical emergencies and have been reported as major contributors to non-trauma deaths in the emergency departments worldwide. The cornerstones of effective treatment of IAIs are early recognition, adequate source control, and appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Prompt resuscitation of patients with ongoing sepsis is of utmost important. In hospitals worldwide, non-acceptance of, or lack of access to, accessible evidence-based practices and guidelines result in overall poorer outcome of patients suffering IAIs. The aim of this paper is to promote global standards of care in IAIs and update the 2013 WSES guidelines for management of intra-abdominal infections.

Sealing with Cyanoacrylate and a Falciform Patch Cannot Prevent Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a new combined method of covering the pancreatic anastomosis or stump with a cyanoacrylate and a falciform patch (CAFP) on the occurrence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). METHODS: Patients undergoing a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) or a distal pancreatectomy (DP) were recruited over a period of 12 months. The pancreaticojejunostomy in PD and the stump in DP were sealed with cyanoacrylate glue and wrapped in a falciform patch. Incidence and severity of POPF and associated postoperative complications were retrospectively compared with historical controls of 750 PD and 336 DP at the same institution and with current data from the literature. RESULTS: The new method was applied in 27 PD and 25 DP. The rate of clinically relevant POPF after PD with CAFP was 22.2% compared to 14.4% in historical patients, p = 0.26. The rate of clinically relevant POPF after DP with CAFP was 36% compared to 30% in historical patients, p = 0.65. CONCLUSION: Sealing the pancreatic anastomosis or stump with a combination of a cyanoacrylate glue and a falciform patch didn't reduce the rate of POPF after major pancreatic resections.

Novel ciliate lipases for enzyme replacement during exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency caused by inflammation or pancreatic tumors results in nutrient malfunction by a lack of digestive enzymes and neutralization compounds. Despite satisfactory clinical results with current enzyme therapies, a normalization of fat absorption in patients is rare. An individualized therapy is required that includes high dosage of enzymatic units, usage of enteric coating, and addition of gastric proton pump inhibitors. The key goal to improve this therapy is to identify digestive enzymes with high activity and stability in the gastrointestinal tract. METHODS: We cloned and analyzed three novel ciliate lipases derived from Tetrahymena thermophila. Using highly precise pH-STAT-titration and colorimetric methods, we determined stability and lipolytic activity under physiological conditions in comparison with commercially available porcine and fungal digestive enzyme preparations. We measured from pH 2.0 to 9.0, with different bile salts concentrations, and substrates such as olive oil and fat derived from pig diet. RESULTS: Ciliate lipases CL-120, CL-130, and CL-230 showed activities up to 220-fold higher than Creon, pancreatin standard, and rizolipase Nortase within a pH range from pH 2.0 to 9.0. They are highly active in the presence of bile salts and complex pig diet substrate, and more stable after incubation in human gastric juice compared with porcine pancreatic lipase and rizolipase. CONCLUSIONS: The newly cloned and characterized lipases fulfilled all requirements for high activity under physiological conditions. These novel enzymes are therefore promising candidates for an improved enzyme replacement therapy for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.