Reducing ileus after colorectal surgery: A network meta-analysis of therapeutic interventions.

BACKGROUND: Several treatment strategies for avoiding post-operative ileus have been evaluated in randomised controlled trials. This network meta-analysis aimed to explore the relative effectiveness of these different therapeutic interventions on ileus outcome measures. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing treatments for post-operative ileus following colorectal surgery. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed using the Markov chain Monte Carlo method. Direct and indirect comparisons of all regimens were simultaneously compared using random-effects network meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 48 randomised controlled trials were included in this network meta-analysis reporting on 3614 participants. Early feeding was found to be the best treatment for time to solid diet tolerance and length of hospital stay with a probability of P = 0.96 and P = 0.47, respectively. Early feeding resulted in significantly shorter time to solid diet tolerance (Mean Difference (MD) 58.85 h; 95% Credible Interval (CrI) -73.41, -43.15) and shorter length of hospital stay (MD 2.33 days; CrI -3.51, -1.18) compared to no treatment. Epidural analgesia was ranked best treatment for time to flatus (P = 0.29) and time to stool (P = 0.268). Epidural analgesia resulted in significantly shorter time to flatus (MD -18.88 h; CrI -33.67, -3.44) and shorter time to stool (MD -26.05 h; 95% CrI -66.42, 15.65) compared to no intervention. Gastrograffin was ranked best treatment to avoid the requirement for post-operative nasogastric tube insertion (P = 0.61) however demonstrated limited efficacy (OR 0.50; CrI 0.143, 1.621) compared to no intervention. Nasogastric and nasointestinal tube insertion, probiotics, and acupuncture were found to be least efficacious as interventions to reduce ileus. CONCLUSION: This network meta-analysis identified early feeding as the most efficacious therapeutic intervention to reduce post-operative ileus in patients undergoing colorectal surgery, in addition to highlighting other therapies that require further investigation by high quality study. In patients undergoing colorectal surgery, emphasis should be placed on early feeding as soon as can be appropriately initiated to support the return of gastrointestinal motility.

Bilateral Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysms in a Patient with Marfan Syndrome: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Aneurysms of the extracranial carotid artery are rare. They are often asymptomatic but can lead to disabling stroke. This report describes a case of bilateral internal carotid artery aneurysms in a patient with Marfan syndrome. REPORT: A 65 year old woman with Marfan syndrome presented with an asymptomatic swelling in the right anterior triangle of the neck. Imaging revealed bilateral extracranial fusiform internal carotid artery aneurysms. Staged open repair was performed. The right side was repaired by aneurysm excision and primary end to end anastomosis. The left side was repaired with a great saphenous vein interposition graft. The patient is free from aneurysm related complications at six years, although recurrent dilatation is present on surveillance. DISCUSSION: Internal carotid aneurysms can be managed successfully by open repair. In patients with connective tissue disorders surveillance is required to monitor for post-operative aneurysmal dilatation.