Jon S. Thompson

Effect of Epidural Anesthesia and Analgesia on Perioperative Outcome: A Randomized, Controlled Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study

ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that epidural anesthesia and postoperative epidural analgesia decrease the incidence of death and major complications during and after four types of intraabdominal surgical procedures. Summary Background DataEven though many beneficial aspects of epidural anesthesia have been reported, clinical trials of epidural anesthesia for outcome of surgical patients have shown conflicting results. MethodsThe authors studied 1,021 patients who required anesthesia for one of the intraabdominal aortic, gastric, biliary, or colon operations. They were assigned randomly to receive either general anesthesia and postoperative analgesia with parenteral opioids (group 1) or epidural plus light general anesthesia and postoperative epidural morphine (group 2). The patients were monitored for death and major complications during and for 30 days after surgery, as well as for postoperative pain, time of ambulation, and length of hospital stay. ResultsOverall, there was no significant difference in the incidence of death and major complications between the two groups. For abdominal aortic surgical patients, unlike the other three types of surgical patients, the overall incidence of death and major complications was significantly lower in group 2 patients (22%) than in group 1 patients (37%), stemming from differences in the incidence of new myocardial infarction, stroke, and respiratory failure between the two groups. Overall, group 2 patients received significantly less analgesic medication but had better pain relief than group 1 patients. In group 2 aortic patients, endotracheal intubation time was 13 hours shorter and surgical intensive care stay was 3.5 hours shorter. ConclusionsThe effect of anesthetic and postoperative analgesic techniques on perioperative outcome varies with the type of operation performed. Overall, epidural analgesia provides better postoperative pain relief. Epidural anesthesia and epidural analgesia improve the overall outcome and shorten the intubation time and intensive care stay in patients undergoing abdominal aortic operations.

Comparison of intestinal lengthening procedures for patients with short bowel syndrome.

Objective:Review the clinical results of 24 years of intestinal lengthening procedures at one institution. Methods:Retrospective review of a single center experience comparing the outcome of 2 intestinal lengthening procedures (Bianchi and serial transverse enteroplasty [STEP]) in terms of survival, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) weaning, and complications. Results:Sixty-four patients, including 14 adults, underwent 43 Bianchi and 34 STEP procedures between 1982 and 2007. Three patients had prior isolated liver transplants. The median (range) remnant bowel length before first lengthening was 45 (11-150) cm overall; (Bianchi = 44 cm, STEP = 45 cm) and 68 (20-250) cm after lengthening; (Bianchi = 68 cm, STEP = 65 cm). Actual survival is 91% overall (Bianchi 88%, STEP 95%) with median follow-up of 3.8 years (Bianchi = 5.9 years, STEP = 1.7 years). Average enteral caloric intake in pediatric patients was 15 kcal/kg before lengthening and 85 kcal/kg at 1 year after lengthening. Sixty-nine percent of patients are off TPN at most recent follow-up, including 8 who were weaned from TPN after intestinal transplantation. Liver disease (when present) was reversed in 80%. Surgical complications occurred in 10%, more commonly requiring reoperation after Bianchi than STEP. Intestinal transplantation salvage was required in 14% at a median of 2.9 years (range = 8 months to 20.7 years) after lengthening. Conclusions:Surgical lengthening with both Bianchi and STEP procedures results in improvement in enteral nutrition, reverses complications of TPN and avoids intestinal transplantation in the majority with few surgical complications. Intestinal transplantation can salvage most patients who later develop life-threatening complications or fail to wean TPN.

A multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of intestinal failure

Intestinal failure is most commonly treated by the administration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN). In some patients, however, surgical therapy may increase the ability to use the intestine for nutrition and thereby decrease the complications of TPN therapy. A multidisciplinary comprehensive intestinal failure program was initiated at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in October 2000. Here we describe the surgical approaches to patients with short bowel syndrome and the subsequent impact on the need for TPN and on survival. Fifty patients (children = 30, adults = 20) underwent surgical procedures to restore intestinal continuity (n = 5), repair enterocutaneous fistulas (n = 5), resect dysmotile or strictured/obstructed bowel segments or mesenteric desmoid tumors (n = 7), stricturoplasty (n = 2), Bianchi tapering and lengthening (n = 20), serial transverse enteroplasty (n = 8), and other operations (n = 8). Of these 50 patients, three patients did not require TPN after surgical intervention and seven had remnant small bowel anatomy that precluded TPN weaning (e.g., end duodenostomy) and were listed for transplantation or continued on full TPN support. Of the 40 remaining patients, most received the majority of calories fromTPNat the time of referral, i.e., mean calories fromTPN _ 90%. Subsequent to the surgical and medical therapy, 26 (65%) have been completely weaned off TPN. In addition, 10 had substantial decreases in their TPN requirements (i.e., from 85% of calories from TPN at onset decreased to a median 35% of required calories at most recent follow-up). Four patients remained on the same amount of TPN support. Four of the seven patients listed for transplantation underwent successful transplantation. Despite the complications of short bowel syndrome, 86% (n = 43) of the patients are alive and well at a mean follow-up of 2 years. Patient deaths occurred primarily in those listed or eligible for transplantation and were related to advanced liver disease (n = 3), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (n = 1), or line sepsis (n = 1). Two other patients died, one from influenza A infection and one from unknown cause at home, months after complete discontinuation of TPN. In this series of patients with short bowel syndrome, surgical intervention led to weaning or discontinuation of TPN support in 85% of patients. An organized multidisciplinary approach to the patient with short bowel syndrome is recommended.

Mandatory laparotomy for gunshot wounds penetrating the abdomen

A 4 year experience with 245 patients with isolated lower thoracic or anterior abdominal gunshot wounds was reviewed. Twenty-three (16 percent) of the 144 abdominal injuries were clinically superficial and all were managed successfully nonoperatively. Of the remaining 121 patients, 115 were confirmed to have peritoneal violation at laparotomy and 111 (96 percent) of these had significant visceral injuries. Of the 101 patients with lower chest wounds, 47 had peritoneal violation and 45 (96 percent) had intraabdominal injuries. Twenty-six (17 percent) of the 156 patients with intraperitoneal trauma had unimpressive physical signs on admission. these findings support a policy of routine exploration for gunshot wounds violating the peritoneum. When depth of penetration is uncertain, diagnostic peritoneal lavage should be used. Only those patients with unequivocally superficial injuries warrant observation.

Serum enzyme levels during intestinal ischemia

Because the intestinal mucosa is most sensitive to ischemia, serum levels of mucosal enzymes, such as diamine oxidase, may be most likely to indicate intestinal ischemia. Our aim was to compare serum levels of mucosal (diamine oxidase, alkaline phosphatase) and seromuscular (creatinine phosphokinase, lactic dehydrogenase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transminase) enzymes during intestinal ischemia of varying extent and duration in dogs. Group 1 (n = 6) underwent sham laparotomy. Group 2 (n = 8) had 50% of the small intestine devascularized. Group 3 (n = 8) had the superior mesenteric artery occluded for 2 hours and released. Group 4 (n = 8) had the superior mesenteric artery ligated. Serum samples were obtained before and 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours after operation, and histologic specimens were examined at 4 hours. Creatinine phosphokinase levels became elevated within 4 hours of ischemic injury in group 2 (223 +/- 197 vs. 68 +/- 26, p less than 0.05) and group 4 (212 +/- 136 vs. 76 +/- 29, p less than 0.05). Significant elevation of serum enzymes levels, except diamine oxidase, occurred in groups 2, 3, and 4 at 24 hours, including those with normal histology after temporary superior mesenteric artery occlusion. Thus seromuscular enzymes, particularly creatinine phosphokinase, were more likely to be elevated during intestinal ischemia. Enzyme levels were not influenced by the extent and reversibility of the ischemic injury.

Gallbladder pathology in morbid obesity

Background: Obese patients are at increased risk for biliary disease. The prevalence and type of gallbladder pathology in morbidly obese patients was evaluated, and compared with a non-obese control group. Methods: A consecutive series of obese patients (n=478) who had undergone bariatric surgery with concurrent routine cholecystectomy and a consecutive group of organ donors (n=481) were compared. Gallbladder pathology was defined as: cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, cholesterolosis, or normal pathology. Results: Mean age of obese patients and of donors was 42 ± 9 and 43 ± 17 years respectively and mean BMI was 52 ± 10 and 27 ± 7 kg/m2 respectively, P<0.05. There were more females in the obesity group (88% vs 47%, P<0.0001). 31% of obese patients and 7% of controls had a previous cholecystectomy (P<0.0001). 21% of the obese and 72% of the controls had normal gallbladder pathology (P<0.0001). Overall, obese patients had a higher incidence of cholelithiasis (25% vs 5%, P<0.0001), cholecystitis (50% vs 17%, P<0.0001), and cholesterolosis (38% vs 6%, P<0.0001) compared with controls. Obese patients with BMI <50 were more likely than those with BMI ≥50 to have normal gallbladder pathology (27% vs 14%, P<0.001). Female patients were more likely to have undergone previous cholecystectomy than males in both the obese group (34% vs 11%, P<0.001) and the control group (12% vs 2%, P<0.0001). Normal pathology was more common in male patients (80% vs 63%, P<0.0001) and patients <50 years (76% vs 66%, P<0.05) in the control group. Conclusions: Obese patients have an increased incidence of benign gallbladder disease than a group of controls, and the relative risk appears to be positively correlated with the level of increase in the BMI. Obesity appears to change the effect of age and gender on gallbladder pathology.

The evolution of abdominal stab wound management.

The results of the selective management of 300 abdominal stab wound victims have been reviewed for a 5-year period. Initially the need for laparotomy was evaluated by sinography, later physical examination, and most recently by local wound exploration combined with peritoneal lavage. The use of sinography resulted in an unnecessary laparotomy rate of 38%. Exploration based upon physical findings eventuated in 36% unnecessary laparotomies, of which 79% were negative, 17% morbidity, and no mortality. Local wound exploration followed by peritoneal lavage when peritoneal violation was suspected resulted in 8% unnecessary laparotomies of which half were negative, 9% morbidity, and no mortality. Based on this experience we have adopted the following approach to abdominal stab wounds. Patients with unexplained blood loss or overt signs of visceral injury undergo prompt exploration. In all other cass with intact peritoneum are discharged from the Emergency Department. If peritoneal violation is evident peri toneal lavage is performed. If the lavage is positive laparotomy is undertaken, and if negative the patient is hospitalized for an additional 24 hours of observation.

Altered Olfactory Acuity in the Morbidly Obese

Background: Obese individuals have been reported to have a heightened desire for and ability to identify sweets when compared with leaner persons. Smell, like taste, may also be altered in obese persons compared with leaner subjects. This study was designed to determine if the sense of smell is different between morbidly obese and moderately obese individuals. Methods: 101 adult volunteers undergoing preoperative evaluation completed the 12-item Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test (CC-SIT) before surgical intervention. Age, BMI, and smoking history were also obtained. Results: 101 subjects completed the preoperative CC-SIT (87 female, 14 male). Mean age of the subjects was 40 ± 12 years. Mean BMI was 42.5 ± 12.5 kg/m2. 46 subjects (46%) had a BMI >45. 21 were smokers (21%). 9 subjects (9%), all female non-smokers, had a CC-SIT score representing olfactory dysfunction. Subjects with BMI >45 were more likely to have olfactory dysfunction than subjects with BMI <45 (16% vs 4%, P <0.05). Conclusion: Morbidly obese individuals are more likely than moderately obese individuals to demonstrate CC-SIT scores consistent with olfactory dysfunction. The reason for this is unclear but is probably related to metabolic changes occurring in morbidly obese individuals.

Abdominal injuries associated with penetrating trauma in the lower chest

A 5 year experience of 248 patients with isolated penetrating lower chest injury was reviewed. Twenty-two (15 percent) of the stab wounds and 46 (46 percent) of the gunshot wounds caused associated intraabdominal injury. Among those taken to the operating room for laparotomy, physical examination proved misleading in 40 percent of the patients with stab wounds and 30 percent of those with gunshot wounds. The diagnostic accuracy of peritoneal lavage, used selectively, was 93 per cent for the patients with stab wounds and 90 percent for those with gunshot wounds. The morbidity was high in patients with combined injuries, with major complications occurring in 27 percent of those with stab wounds and 43 percent of those with gunshot wounds. Two thirds or more of these complications were thoracic. There was one death (4 percent) among the patients with thoracoabdominal stab wounds and six (13 percent) among those with gunshot wounds.

Is there a prognostic difference between functional and nonfunctional islet cell tumors

BACKGROUND Pancreatic islet cell tumors are categorized as either functioning or nonfunctioning. Functioning islet cell tumors (FIT) elaborate a variety of hormones, producing dramatic symptoms, while the initial presentation of non-functioning islet cell tumors (NIT) is commonly an abdominal mass or symptom complex related to invasion of adjacent structures. As a result, NIT are purported to present at a later stage, with lower resectability rates, and an overall poorer prognosis, when compared to FIT. In addition, a number of reports have indicated that the incidence of NIT has increased significantly in recent years. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-eight patients were studied retrospectively. All had islet cell tumors of the pancreas and were seen at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and affiliated Nebraska Methodist Hospital during a 19-year period. RESULTS There were 9 patients (32%) in the NIT group and 19 (68%) in the FIT group. The mean ages at presentation were 61 years for the NIT and 52 years for the FIT group. In the NIT group, all presented with either abdominal pain (n = 7) or jaundice (n = 2). In contrast, over 90% of the patients with FIT had symptoms referable to the specific hormone elaborated by the tumor. Primary tumor size for NIT was 4.1 +/- 0.7 cm versus 5.0 +/- 0.6 cm for the FIT group. No significant difference was found for NIT versus FIT with respect to the incidence of metastatic disease at presentation (44% versus 53%), resectability rate with curative intent (44% versus 53%), or disease-free survival at 2 years (67% versus 40%). CONCLUSIONS This series, in contrast to earlier reports, suggests that nonfunctioning islet cell tumors do not present at a more advanced stage, have lower resectability rates, or an overall poorer long-term prognosis when compared to functioning tumors.