Appendicovesical fistula presenting as hypokalaemic hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis: a case report.

A 52-year-old man was admitted with diarrhoea and faecaluria and referred recurrent urinary tract infections for over 20 years. He also reported a two-week hospital admission more than 20 years ago for right iliac fossa pain, which was managed conservatively. Computed tomography showed a fistulous tract extending from the bladder with an unclear connection to the bowel. Cystoscopy confirmed the presence of a vesical fistula and biopsy of the tract confirmed colonic mucosa. Flexible sigmoidoscopy was negative. A cystogram was requested as an outpatient procedure and the patient was discharged after antibiotic treatment. A few days after discharge the patient was readmitted as an emergency to critical care for severe hyperchloraemic hypokalaemic acidosis and a Glasgow Coma Score of 6/15. He was intubated and ventilated and his metabolic derangement was treated. As soon as his conditions improved, he underwent emergency laparotomy, which revealed the presence of a fistula between the caecal fundus and the bladder. The fistula was repaired and the patient recovered swiftly and completely and was discharged on postoperative day 5. At 12-month follow up the patient was completely symptoms-free, his bowel habits were normal and he has not had any urinary infection. Appendicovesical fistula is a rare and potentially lethal condition due to its metabolic consequences. Past history of right iliac fossa pain treated conservatively, diarrhoea and recurrent urinary tract infection must raise suspicion.

Laparohernioscopic right colectomy for bowel ischaemia within a strangulated inguinal hernia.

Visual inspection of the content of the hernia sac is a crucial step of the emergency repair of strangulated inguinal hernias, to rule out the presence of bowel ischaemia which would need resection. Occasionally the content of the hernia sac reduces spontaneously into the abdomen after the induction of general anaesthesia and cannot be assessed. We present a case where hernioscopy t(i.e. laparoscopy through the hernia sac) has been used to confirm the ischaemia of the strangulated bowel and perform a hybrid laparohernioscopic right colectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis without the need for a formal laparotomy. Hernioscopy is an easy and reliable method to assess the viability of the content of the hernia sac in strangulated hernias that have spontaneously reduced before it could be visually inspected. It can also be associated with a laparoscopic access in a hybrid laparohernioscopic technique to perform complex procedures.

Hernioscopy: a reliable method to explore the abdominal cavity in incarcerated or strangulated inguinal hernias spontaneously reduced after general anaesthesia.

PURPOSE: The diagnosis of bowel or omental ischaemia in strangulated inguinal hernias needs visual exploration of the content of the hernia sac. In some cases, the content of the sac retracts spontaneously into the abdomen at the induction of anaesthesia, so making sure of its viability can be quite difficult. Hernioscopy can allow direct inspection of the whole abdominal cavity and the performance of surgical procedures such as small bowel, large bowel or omental resection, without the need of a formal laparotomy. METHODS: Hernioscopy entails inserting a 10-12-mm trocars in the hernia sac, after its complete mobilization. A 30° camera is then passed into the abdomen through the sac and a thorough examination of the abdominal cavity is performed. If necessary, accessory trocars can be inserted into the hernia sac or through the abdominal wall to perform additional procedures such as bowel resection. After the exploration and the eventual resection, the operation is concluded with a tension-free mesh repair of the hernia. RESULTS: We performed hernioscopy on eight patients. In four of them, no ischaemia was found and the operation was concluded with mesh repair of the hernia. In four patients, a further operative procedure was necessary. No significant postoperative surgical complications were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Hernioscopy is an easy and reliable method to explore the abdominal cavity and make sure of the viability of the bowel in patients with strangulated inguinal hernia and to proceed to minimally invasive resection if needed.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Are we acting in the best interest of our patients?

Oesophageal adenocarcinoma is strictly related to gastroesophageal reflux and cylindrical metaplasia of the epithelium of the distal esophagus (Barrett's esophagus) due to chronic inflammation. Worldwide incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma is rising despite the availability of precise international guidelines for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease and the increasing use of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). While PPIs can control GERD symptoms in a significant amount of cases, still a large number of patients progress to Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma. Recent investigations have demonstrated that in one-third of the patients their reflux symptoms are due to non-acid reflux, obviously not affected by PPIs. Robust evidences are available to demonstrate the role of non-acid reflux in the development of Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma. Therefore, PPIs are not effective in preventing the worst complications of GERD. It is mandatory to develop new and more effective guidelines on the treatment of GERD; that would take into account the fact that GERD should be considered a "surgical" disease, as it is due, at least in its late stages, to an anatomical defect of the lower oesophageal sphincter. Medical treatment should be considered in early stage GERD, when reflux is due to transient relaxations of the lower oesophageal sphincter, whereas surgery should be considered in late stages, in the presence of a demonstrated mechanical failure of the sphincter.

Laparoscopic treatment of a gastric diverticulum.

Gastric diverticula are rare disorders which present usually with vague upper abdominal symptoms. The diagnosis is based on endoscopic and radiologic findings, but it may remain uncertain until the operation. Herein we report the case of a 46-year-old woman with a diverticulum of the posterior aspect of the upper part of the gastric fundus, referred to our attention for epigastric pain. The preoperative work out evidenced a pouch of the gastric fundus which was misinterpreted as a paraesophageal or a diaphragmatic hernia. The operation was performed by laparoscopy with a 4-port technique and the diverticulum was resected by an endoscopic stapler. The patient is well and symptom-free more than two months after the operation.

Specimen removal after laparoscopic appendectomy: a cheap trick.

Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) has gained worldwide acceptance as an effective surgical treatment of acute appendicitis. One of its main advantages is the almost total absence of cosmetic sequelae. Obviously, this relates with the use of little sized trocars. Whereas the whole dissection can be performed by means of two 5-mm operative ports, other than the 10-mm laparoscope one, usually the dissected appendix cannot be removed through a 5-mm trocar. As in most cases a 5-mm camera is not available, the surgeon must use a second 10-mm trocar, thus losing the cosmetic advantages. In this technical note a cheap trick to retrieve the specimen after LA is described.

The human gallbladder increases cholesterol solubility in bile by differential lipid absorption: a study using a new in vitro model of isolated intra-arterially perfused gallbladder.

In this study, we first developed and validated a new in vitro isolated, intra-arterially perfused, gallbladder model and then applied the method to investigate the absorption of biliary lipids by the gallbladder wall and the effect of this process on the composition of human bile. Oxygenated and glucose-added buffer was perfused through the cystic artery to maintain organ viability. A standard pooled natural bile, radiolabeled with H3-cholesterol and C14-palmitoyl-linoleoyl-phosphatidylcholine, was instilled in the lumen via a cystic duct catheter. Changes in bile volume and lipid concentrations were monitored at time intervals to evaluate the disappearance of lipids from bile caused by gallbladder absorptive function. Organ viability was demonstrated by stable lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) organ release and oxygen consumption throughout the experiments. In the pig, disappearance rates of lipids from bile were similar in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating the validity of the isolated in vitro model for functional studies. By applying our in vitro isolated preparation to the human gallbladder, we found that 23% of cholesterol and 32% of phosphatidylcholine, but only 9% of bile salts, disappeared from bile in 5 hours. As a consequence, at the end of the experiments, cholesterol (P < .05) and phospholipid (P < .05) molar percentages were significantly reduced, while the bile salt (P < .05) molar percentage was significantly increased with respect to values at the beginning of the studies. Our findings are of pathophysiological relevance and support the concept that the human gallbladder modifies the relative composition of biliary lipids in such a way as to increase cholesterol solubility in bile.

Resection of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Long term results of hepatic resection for metastases from colorectal cancer depend upon several factors which are related to both features of primary cancer and of metastases. The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic factors that best correlate with long-term results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight hepatic resections were performed for colorectal cancer metastases. Long-term results were evaluated in relation to age of patients, features of primary tumor, features of metastases, section margin, number of intra-operative blood transfusions and execution of adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: Overall 5-year survival rate was 17%. 5-year survival rate in patients with stage B primary tumor was 63%, in patients with late metachronous metastases it was 28%, in patients with section margin > 1 cm it was 33% and in patients who did not receive intra-operative transfusions it was 45%. Patients with a solitary metastasis or with metastases sized less than 4 cm and those who received adjuvant chemotherapy also showed a better survival than the others. CONCLUSIONS: Better results were observed in patients without nodal involvement of the primary tumor. Patients with a small solitary metachronous metastasis that appeared more than one year after the colorectal resection and resected with a section margin of more than 1 cm, also showed good results.

Routine use of open technique in laparoscopic operations.

BACKGROUND: The "blind" insertion of the Veress needle for insufflation of the peritoneal cavity with subsequent closed placement of the first trocar during laparoscopic abdominal procedures can result in severe major vascular and visceral injuries. An open technique was proposed as an alternative method for insufflation in patients with abdominal scars to reduce the possibility of such complications. The aim of this article is to report the results of our experience with the routine use of open technique in laparoscopic surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Open technique was routinely used and prospectively evaluated in 330 patients who underwent laparoscopic procedures. RESULTS: Laparoscopic conversion was necessary in 25 out of 330 cases (7.6 percent): in 20 cases for unclear biliary anatomy during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and in 5 cases for minor hemorrhage that could not be managed by laparoscopy. In the 305 procedures completed by laparoscopy, 11 patients (3.6 percent) had 13 postoperative complications. These complications were all of minor importance and were always unrelated to trocar insertion; in particular, no major vascular or visceral injuries were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Routine use of open technique for pneumoperitoneum represents the best prevention of most of the severe trocar-related complications that are potentially avoidable.

Hepatic resections in normothermic ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Reduction of operative blood transfusions is a primary goal in resective surgery of the liver. Temporary vascular inflow occlusion is an effective method to decrease hemorrhage during hepatic resection. This study was performed to assess the impact of normothermic ischemia on intraoperative bleeding and outcome after hepatic resection. METHODS: Sixty-one hepatic resections were performed by using pedicle clamping alone or associated with total vascular exclusion of the liver. The mean duration of normothermic ischemia was 40 +/- 18 minutes (range, 7 to 98 minutes). Major resections were performed in 32 cases (52.5%). RESULTS: Operative mortality was nil. Major complications occurred in 11.5% of cases. Twenty-five patients (41%) received intraoperative blood transfusions; mean +/- SD of transfused blood units was 2.4 +/- 1.3. Twelve major resections (37.5%) did not require any transfusion. Postoperative changes in liver function test results were moderate and transient. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm the benefit of vascular occlusion techniques in reducing intraoperative bleeding and postoperative complications. The routine use of these techniques during hepatic resections, if applied properly and with the necessary precautions, is not associated with severe adverse effects on liver function.

The use of cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive in high-risk intestinal anastomoses.

The success of every intestinal surgical procedure primarily depends on correct technical execution of the intestinal sutures. Despite the continuing improvements in intestinal synthesis techniques and the introduction of mechanical staplers, the risk of anastomotic dehiscence remains a major concern. For high-risk anastomoses, defined as those performed under critical conditions, n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive allows for quick sealing of the two stumps and supports the physiological wound-healing process. Furthermore, no experimental or clinical studies have shown that this glue has any carcinogenic or mutagenic properties. Thus, we believe that n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate will be extremely useful for intestinal anastomoses with a high risk of dehiscence.

[The surgical risk of liver resections for neoplasms in the elderly patient]. / Il rischio operatorio delle resezioni epatiche per neoplasia nel paziente anziano.

For patients who are candidates for surgical resection of the liver, advanced age has, for many years, been considered to be a limiting factor or has precluded intervention. More recently, improvements in diagnostic, surgical and anaesthetic techniques and the increase in the average age of the population have gradually broadened the indications for hepatic resection in elderly patients. The factors for reappraisal of the surgical risk of liver resection in elderly patients are discussed here. Comparative data are also presented on the mortality, morbidity and post-operative changes in blood chemistry parameters in 90 patients who underwent hepatic resection: 33 patients over 65 years of age (group A) and 57 under 65 years (group B). In group A, compared to group B, mortality (3% versus 5%) and the percentage of patients with post-operative complications (27% versus 37%) were not significantly different. The incidence of post-operative complications correlated more closely with specific risk factors (elevated pre-operative "ASA score" from associated disease) than with age itself. Analysis of the regressions did not reveal important relationships between age and changes in the blood chemistry parameters. These results help to support the idea that advanced age alone is not now an absolute contra-indication to major liver resection.

Polymeric glues in intestinal surgery.

Authors reports the results of an experimental study on the usefulness of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate in abdominal surgery. The research, performed on Wistar rats and Landrace pigs, is constituted by an early phase, to verify the tissue reaction to the n-butyl-2-cyano-acrylate and its adhesive properties, and a main phase, in which it was evaluated the efficacy of n-butyl-2-cyano-acrylate as the only support or as an adjunct to the usual methods in intestinal synthesis. histological and angiographic examination of the surgical specimens demonstrated the tissue autotoxicity and the good adhesive effect of the tissue glue. Because of these characteristic, authors propose its employment to reinforce intestinal sutures performed with the usual methods in high risk condition.