András Vereczkei

Complicated intra-abdominal infections in Europe: a comprehensive review of the CIAO study

The CIAO Study (“C omplicated Intra-A bdominal infection O bservational” Study) is a multicenter investigation performed in 68 medical institutions throughout Europe over the course of a 6-month observational period (January-June 2012).Patients with either community-acquired or healthcare-associated complicated intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) were included in the study.2,152 patients with a mean age of 53.8 years (range: 4–98 years) were enrolled in the study. 46.3% of the patients were women and 53.7% were men. Intraperitoneal specimens were collected from 62.2% of the enrolled patients, and from these samples, a variety of microorganisms were collectively identified.The overall mortality rate was 7.5% (163/2.152).According to multivariate analysis of the compiled data, several criteria were found to be independent variables predictive of patient mortality, including patient age, the presence of an intestinal non-appendicular source of infection (colonic non-diverticular perforation, complicated diverticulitis, small bowel perforation), a delayed initial intervention (a delay exceeding 24 hours), sepsis and septic shock in the immediate post-operative period, and ICU admission.Given the sweeping geographical distribution of the participating medical centers, the CIAO Study gives an accurate description of the epidemiological, clinical, microbiological, and treatment profiles of complicated intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) throughout Europe.

Ergonomic assessment of the static stress confronted by surgeons during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BackgroundOnly a few reports on static strain in the spine, neck, and head of the surgeon are available, describing it as “distinctly harmful.” The aim of this study was to objectively prove the static burden during laparoscopic operations. For this, new industrial software called PCMAN was used, capable of measuring and comparing the postures of the surgeon at different monitor placements.MethodsTwo simultaneous and synchronized video recordings of laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) were done using miniDV digital camcorders with the cameras standing at a 90° angle to each other. Twenty operations were performed using two different placements of the monitor. In 10 cases, the monitor was placed at the patient’s head in the center, and in 10 cases at the left side of the patient. Using the time codes of the recordings, different steps of the operation were identified, and the duration of these measured in seconds. Very characteristic, longer lasting postures were imported to and analyzed with the software. Results of the different setups were compared to each other, and to an “ideal” comfort posture.ResultsDuring the intermediate steps of the operations the rate of static phases is significantly higher. Measuring the typical postures of these phases the trunk and head are significantly more rotated and bent than in comfort positions. When the monitor was at the side of the patient facing the surgeon, results were closer to the comfort posture.ConclusionsIt was proven that surgeons are confronted by significant static burden during LC. The software used was able to evaluate objectively the static posture of the surgeon during series of LC. Results also confirmed that the position of monitors significantly influences the surgeon’s posture. Best setups for the whole team can be achieved by adjustable multiple monitor systems.

Gustatory perception alterations in obesity: An fMRI study

The background of feeding associated and metabolic diseases is not sufficiently understood yet. Since gustatory alterations may be of particular significance in the above illnesses, in the present experiments, cerebral activation was detected by fMRI in twelve obese patients and twelve, age and gender matched healthy subjects. The gustatory stimulus solutions were delivered via intraorally positioned polyvinyl tubes. Each session consisted of three runs. Sucrose was used as a pleasant; quinine HCl as an aversive; and a high-calorie, vanilla flavored nourishment solution as a complex taste of high palatability. In each run, only one taste was used as a stimulus. During all runs, distilled water served as a neutral stimulus. Group analysis was made by using the FSL software package. The taste stimuli elicited characteristic and distinct activity changes of the two groups. In contrast to the controls, in the obese patients, stronger activation was detected in various cortical (anterior cingulate cortex, insular and opercular cortices, orbitofrontal cortex) and subcortical (amygdala, nucleus accumbens, putamen and pallidum) structures in case of all three stimuli. The present examinations elucidated differential activation of various brain structures to pleasant and unpleasant gustatory stimuli in obese patients compared to control subjects. These taste alterations are supposed to be of particular significance in obesity, and our findings may contribute to develop better strategies for prevention and effective therapies in the future.

WSES Guidelines for the management of acute left sided colonic diverticulitis in the emergency setting

Acute left sided colonic diverticulitis is one of the most common clinical conditions encountered by surgeons in acute setting. A World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) Consensus Conference on acute diverticulitis was held during the 3rd World Congress of the WSES in Jerusalem, Israel, on July 7th, 2015. During this consensus conference the guidelines for the management of acute left sided colonic diverticulitis in the emergency setting were presented and discussed. This document represents the executive summary of the final guidelines approved by the consensus conference.

A proposal for a CT driven classification of left colon acute diverticulitis

Computed tomography (CT) imaging is the most appropriate diagnostic tool to confirm suspected left colonic diverticulitis. However, the utility of CT imaging goes beyond accurate diagnosis of diverticulitis; the grade of severity on CT imaging may drive treatment planning of patients presenting with acute diverticulitis.The appropriate management of left colon acute diverticulitis remains still debated because of the vast spectrum of clinical presentations and different approaches to treatment proposed. The authors present a new simple classification system based on both CT scan results driving decisions making management of acute diverticulitis that may be universally accepted for day to day practice.

Complicated intra-abdominal infections in Europe: preliminary data from the first three months of the CIAO Study

The CIAO Study is a multicenter observational study currently underway in 66 European medical institutions over the course of a six-month study period (January-June 2012).This preliminary report overviews the findings of the first half of the study, which includes all data from the first three months of the six-month study period.Patients with either community-acquired or healthcare-associated complicated intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) were included in the study.912 patients with a mean age of 54.4 years (range 4–98) were enrolled in the study during the first three-month period. 47.7% of the patients were women and 52.3% were men. Among these patients, 83.3% were affected by community-acquired IAIs while the remaining 16.7% presented with healthcare-associated infections. Intraperitoneal specimens were collected from 64.2% of the enrolled patients, and from these samples, 825 microorganisms were collectively identified.The overall mortality rate was 6.4% (58/912). According to univariate statistical analysis of the data, critical clinical condition of the patient upon hospital admission (defined by severe sepsis and septic shock) as well as healthcare-associated infections, non-appendicular origin, generalized peritonitis, and serious comorbidities such as malignancy and severe cardiovascular disease were all significant risk factors for patient mortality.White Blood Cell counts (WBCs) greater than 12,000 or less than 4,000 and core body temperatures exceeding 38°C or less than 36°C by the third post-operative day were statistically significant indicators of patient mortality.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease and non‐small cell lung cancer. Results of a pilot study

The sharp rise in the frequency of adenocarcinoma and relative decrease of squamous cell carcinoma of the respiratory and digestive systems, raises suspicion of a common element in their carcinogenetic cascade, which could result in similar trends in cell-type distribution changes of esophageal and lung cancers. The possible role of chemical irritation caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients was investigated. There was no significant difference between the adenocarcinoma and the squamous cell carcinoma groups, neither in the composite DeMeester scores nor in any of the separate parameters of the complex score investigated. However, the ratio of detected gastroesophageal reflux cases was considerably higher than in the average population. This factor may be one element of a multifactorial cancer promotion.

The NANC relaxation of the human ileal longitudinal and circular muscles is inhibited by MRS 2179, a P2 purinoceptor antagonist

AIMS Functional innervation of the human small intestine may be different from that of experimental animals. These experiments set out to assess the mediating roles of P(2) purinoceptors in the non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxation of the human ileum longitudinal and circular muscles. MAIN METHODS In organ bath experiments NANC relaxations were evoked by electrical field stimulation (EFS). The relaxant effects of ATP and sodium nitroprusside were also examined. KEY FINDINGS In the longitudinal muscle, relaxation in response to EFS (2 or 10 Hz for 30 s) or the relaxant effect of exogenous ATP were strongly inhibited or abolished, respectively, by the P(2) purinoceptor antagonist MRS 2179 (10 microM). MRS 2179 had a smaller effect at 3 microM. The NANC relaxation was also inhibited by apamin (3 microM), but not by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (100 microM), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis. Both apamin (3 microM) and MRS 2179 (3 microM, a concentration below the effective range if administered alone) strongly inhibited the NANC response in preparations pretreated with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. NANC relaxations of the circular muscle were also inhibited by MRS 2179 (3-10 microM). SIGNIFICANCE MRS 2179-sensitive P(2) purinoceptors play a mediating role the NANC relaxation in the ileal longitudinal and circular muscle. There seems to be a supra-additive relationship between the purinergic and nitrergic mechanisms in the longitudinal muscle.

IROA: International Register of Open Abdomen, preliminary results

BackgroundNo definitive data about open abdomen (OA) epidemiology and outcomes exist. The World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) and the Panamerican Trauma Society (PTS) promoted the International Register of Open Abdomen (IROA).MethodsA prospective observational cohort study including patients with an OA treatment. Data were recorded on a web platform (Clinical Registers®) through a dedicated website: www.clinicalregisters.org.ResultsFour hundred two patients enrolled. Adult patients: 369 patients; Mean age: 57.39±18.37; 56% male. OA indication: Peritonitis (48.7%), Trauma (20.5%), Vascular Emergencies/Hemorrhage (9.4%), Ischemia (9.1%), Pancreatitis (4.2%),Post-operative abdominal-compartment-syndrome (3.9%), Others (4.2%). The most adopted Temporary-abdominal-closure systems were the commercial negative pressure ones (44.2%). During OA 38% of patients had complications; among them 10.5% had fistula. Definitive closure: 82.8%; Mortality during treatment: 17.2%. Mean duration of OA: 5.39(±4.83) days; Mean number of dressing changes: 0.88(±0.88). After-closure complications: (49.5%) and Mortality: (9%). No significant associations among TACT, indications, mortality, complications and fistula. A linear correlationexists between days of OA and complications (Pearson linear correlation = 0.326 p<0.0001) and with the fistula development (Pearson = 0.146 p= 0.016).Pediatric patients: 33 patients. Mean age: 5.91±(3.68) years; 60% male. Mortality: 3.4%; Complications: 44.8%; Fistula: 3.4%. Mean duration of OA: 3.22(±3.09) days.ConclusionTemporary abdominal closure is reliable and safe. The different techniques account for different results according to the different indications. In peritonitis commercial negative pressure temporary closure seems to improve results. In trauma skin-closure and Bogotà-bag seem to improve results.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02382770

Chemo-radiotherapy in locally advanced squamous cell oesophageal cancer--are upper third tumours more responsive?

Before neoadjuvant therapy was widely applied, the prognosis of oesophageal cancer had been considered dependent on the location of the tumor, i.e. upper third cancers had had the worst prognosis. The aim of this retrolective study was to prove the efficiency of the neoadjuvant treatment, and to compare the response of esophageal cancer in different locations. Between January 1998 and September 2005, 102 patients with locally advanced squamous cell oesophageal cancer received preoperative chemo-radiotherapy. In 40 cases the tumor was located in the upper third and in 62 cases in the middle third of the oesophagus. After a four-week-long treatment free period restaging was carried out and patients considered resectable were submitted to surgery. From 40 patients with upper third oesophageal cancer 28 underwent oesophageal resection or pharyngo-laryngectomy. Thiry-five percent a complete histopathological remission was observed. From 62 patients with middle third oesophageal cancer 43 underwent oesophageal resection. Histological examination of the resected specimens documented complete response only in three patients. The median survival and the R0 resection rate were similar in the two groups. Although the resection rate, perioperative morbidity, mortality and the median survival were similar in the two groups, a significantly higher rate of complete response (p < 0,05) was observed in patients with upper third oesophageal cancer compared to patients with middle third oesophageal cancer. It seems that upper third oesophageal cancer has superior sensitivity to multimodal treatment therefore our results may support that upper third location is not an unfavorable prognostic factor any more.