Ivo G. Schoots

Systematic review of survival after acute mesenteric ischaemia according to disease aetiology

Differentiation of acute mesenteric ischaemia on the basis of aetiology is of great importance because of variation in disease progression, response to treatment and outcome. The aim of this study was to analyse the published data on survival following acute mesenteric ischaemia over the past four decades in relation to disease aetiology and mode of treatment.

Thrombolytic therapy for acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion

The aim of this review is to evaluate thrombolytic therapy for acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion as an alternative or adjunctive treatment modality to surgical therapy and to provide current knowledge for timely and informed decisions regarding treatment of acute mesenteric ischemia. A systematic analysis of the available literature from 1966 to 2003 regarding thrombolytic therapy for superior mesenteric artery thromboembolism was performed. A total of 20 case reports and seven small series covered 48 patients with acute superior mesenteric artery thromboembolism. In the herein reviewed series, thrombolytic therapy of acute superior mesenteric artery thromboembolism resulted in angiographic resolution of the thromboembolism in 43 patients, in clinical success without requiring additional surgical intervention in 30 patients, and in survival in 43 patients, with similar complication rates as in thrombolytic treatment of peripheral vascular occlusions. Remission of abdominal pain during the first few hours of treatment formed the most important indicator of therapeutic success. Insufficient evidence from reviewed literature is available to determine the relative effectiveness and safety of thrombolytic treatment for acute superior mesenteric artery thromboembolism; however, initial results appear to be promising. Thrombolytic therapy can be effective relatively quickly, may obviate surgery, and has the potential to resolve the clot completely. In some cases it can be used as an alternative or neo-adjunctive treatment modality to surgery. A treatment guideline for thrombolysis of acute superior mesenteric artery thromboembolism should be developed.

Cryoablation induces greater inflammatory and coagulative responses than radiofrequency ablation or laser induced thermotherapy in a rat liver model

BACKGROUND Cryoablation (CA), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and laser induced thermotherapy (LITT) are alternative therapies for patients with unresectable liver tumors. We investigated whether there are different inflammatory and coagulative responses between these techniques. METHODS Livers of 48 rats were subjected to either CA, RFA, LITT, or sham operation (n = 12 in each group). Blood was withdrawn before, and 1, 3, 6, and 24 h after ablation. Liver enzymes as well as inflammatory and coagulation parameters were determined. Whole liver sections from the coagulated liver lobe were stained for quantification of necrosis and morphologic examination. RESULTS Histologic examination showed similar volume of complete destruction of liver parenchyma after CA, RFA, or LITT. Transaminase levels as well as the inflammatory response upon CA, as reflected by white blood cell count and cytokine levels, were significantly higher than following RFA or LITT. The systemic intravascular procoagulative state in rats that underwent CA, as reflected by platelets, and levels of sensitive markers for activation of coagulation and fibrinolyis, was also significantly higher. CONCLUSION CA of liver in rats induces greater inflammatory and coagulative responses than RFA or LITT. The combined activation of inflammation and coagulation may importantly contribute to the higher morbidity after CA.

Intestinal lengthening and reversed segment in a piglet short bowel syndrome model

BACKGROUND Treatment of short bowel syndrome (SBS) remains difficult, entailing severe morbidity and mortality. Accepted surgical treatment modalities for SBS are the Bianchi intestinal lengthening procedure and reversed-segment procedure. We seek to investigate the short-term effects regarding growth, nutrition, and microscopic and functional adaptation after the intestinal lengthening and RS procedures in a piglet SBS-model. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-four piglets (Sus scrofa, ±30 kg) were divided into four groups (n = 6 each) as follows: sham, SBS, Bianchi lengthening procedure (BIA), and reversed-segment (RS). At day one either sham laparotomy (sham) or 75% small bowel resection (SBS, BIA, and RS) was performed. After 2 wk sham laparotomy (sham and SBS), BIA, or RS procedure was performed. After 8 wk all animals were terminated. During the experimental time course, the following parameters were assessed: body weight, intestinal length, diameter, and weight, fat absorption, and biochemical parameters from serum and urine. Citrulline was used as a marker of absorptive enteral mass to demonstrate massive functional bowel loss. Intestinal biopsies were obtained for histologic analysis and electrophysiological measurements to analyze glucose absorptive capacity. RESULTS Eight weeks after bowel resection, piglet growth was reduced in SBS, BIA, and RS piglets as demonstrated by reduced weight (51 ± 4 kg, 47 ± 2 kg, and 53 ± 1 kg, respectively) compared with sham (69 ± 3 kg; P < 0.01), with no demonstrable difference between SBS and treatment groups. Malabsorption and malnutrition occurred in SBS, BIA, and RS piglets reflected by increased fecal fat loss per 24 h (35 ± 4%, 30 ± 2%, and 32 ± 4%, respectively versus 18 ± 1% in sham; P < 0.01) and reduced serum albumin levels (24 ± 1 g/L, 22 ± 1 g/L, and 24 ± 1 g/L, respectively versus sham 33 ± 1 g/L; P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between SBS and treatment groups. Serum citrulline levels reflected massive functional bowel loss (SBS 36 ± 7 μmol/L, BIA 23 ± 1 μmol/L, and RS 24 ± 2 μmol/L) compared with sham (64 ± 5 μmol/L; P < 0.01). Electrophysiological measurements demonstrated reduced glucose absorption after intestinal resection, which did not return to base levels within the experimental time course. However, the intestine of BIA and RS piglets adapted more profoundly than SBS piglets, as reflected by a greater crypt depth (490 ± 25 μm and 492 ± 21 μm versus 388 ± 20 μm; P < 0.01); and BIA piglets showed greater villus length (884 ± 58 μm) than RS or SBS piglets (715 ± 30 μm and 737 ± 64 μm, respectively; P < 0.01) after 8 wk. CONCLUSIONS Despite increased histologic intestinal adaptation, neither intestinal lengthening nor RS procedure demonstrated significantly improved absorption, nutrition, or weight gain for the treatment of SBS during the study period. Reduced glucose uptake on electrophysiology measurements and persistent low levels of citrulline may indicate reduced small bowel enterocyte functioning during the initial phase of intestinal adaptation.