Mikael Ljungdahl

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization versus Surgery in the Treatment of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding after Therapeutic Endoscopy Failure

PURPOSE To retrospectively compare the outcome of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) and surgery as salvage therapy of upper gastrointestinal bleeding after failed endoscopic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS From January 1998 to December 2005, 658 patients were referred to diagnostic/therapeutic emergency endoscopy and diagnosed with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Ninety-one of these 658 patients (14%) had repeat bleeding or continued to bleed. Forty of those 91 patients were treated with TAE and 51 were treated with surgery. From the medical records, the following variables were recorded: demographic data, endoscopic diagnoses, comorbidities, lowest hemoglobin levels, total transfusion requirements, lengths of hospitalization stays, postprocedure complications, and mortality rates. The relative survival rate was calculated, and survival probability was calculated with the Kaplan-Meier technique. RESULTS Patients treated with TAE were older (mean age, 76 years; age range, 40-94 years) and had slightly more comorbidities compared to patients who underwent surgery (mean age, 71 years; age range, 45-89 years). The 30-day mortality rate in patients treated with TAE was one of 40 (3%) compared to seven of 51 (14%) in patients treated with surgery (P < .07). Most repeat bleeding could be effectively treated with TAE, both in the surgical and TAE groups. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that, after failure of therapeutic endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal bleeding, TAE should be the treatment of choice before surgery and that TAE can also be used to effectively control bleeding after failed surgery or TAE. There was a clear trend to lower 30-day mortality with use of TAE instead of surgery.

Complication rate lower after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy than after surgical gastrostomy: a prospective, randomized trial

BackgroundPercutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has increasingly replaced surgical gastrostomy (SG) as the primary procedure for the long-term nutrition of patients with swallowing disorders. This prospective randomized study compares PEG with SG in terms of effectiveness and safety.MethodsThis study enrolled 70 patients with swallowing disorders, mainly attributable to neurologic impairment. All the patients, eligible for both techniques, were randomized to PEG (pull method) or SG. The groups were comparable in terms of age, body mass index, and underlying diseases. Complications were reported 7 and 30 days after the operative procedure.ResultsThe procedures were successfully completed for all the patients. The median operative time was 15 min for PEG and 35 min for SG (p < 0.001). The rate of complications was lower for PEG (42.9%) than for SG (74.3%; p < 0.01). The 30-day mortality rates were 5.7% for PEG and 14.3% for SG (nonsignificant difference).ConclusionThe findings show PEG to be an efficient method for gastrostomy tube placement with a lower complication rate than SG. In addition, PEG is faster to perform and requires fewer medical resources. The authors consider PEG to be the primary procedure for gastrostomy tube placement.

Arterial embolisation in management of massive bleeding from gastric and duodenal ulcers.

OBJECTIVE We have tried angiography and selective arterial embolisation as a complement or another option in patients with massive bleeding from peptic ulcers who were considered poor candidates for surgery. DESIGN Prospective, descriptive study. SETTING University hospital, Sweden. PATIENTS Since 1998, 18 patients (11 women) with a median age of 78 years (range 53-94) had selective arterial embolisation for uncontrollable bleeding from peptic ulcers. INTERVENTION Superselective angiographic catheterisation and embolisation of the arterial branch that was supplying the ulcer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The success rate of haemostasis and the overall outcome. RESULTS 13 patients were treated after failed endoscopic treatment to stop bleeding or to control recurrent bleeding after initial arrest, while 5 patients were treated for recurrent bleeding after emergency operations for bleeding ulcers. Most of the ulcers were in the duodenum. The patients were haemodynamically unstable and had a median haemoglobin concentration of 72 g/L (50-98). Embolisation of the arterial branch that was supplying the ulcer was feasible in all patients. Permanent haemostasis was achieved in all but one patient, although two patients needed a second embolisation for recurrent bleeding. One patient had the bleeding controlled at an emergency operation, but eventually died of respiratory complications. There were no serious complications of embolisation. CONCLUSION Angiographic embolisation may be an effective way to stop massive bleeding from gastroduodenal ulcers. Emergency operations in poor surgical candidates can therefore be avoided.

Bacterial Translocation in Experimental Shock Is Dependent on the Strains in the Intestinal Flora

Background: Enteric microorganisms are responsible for a significant proportion of post-surgical infections. Intestinal mucosal injury may permit translocation of bacteria and endotoxin. This study investigates translocation in peritonitis and ischemia/reperfusion by inoculating different bacterial species into the small intestine. Methods: Twenty-five pigs were monitored hemodynamically and divided into three groups: controls (C), ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), and peritonitis (P). Intramucosal pH (pHi) was calculated tonometrically. A perfusion tube was positioned in the ileum for inoculation of the bacterial strains. In a first study period a non-pathogenic bacterium was used, whereas Escherichia coli strains with known ability to translocate were used in a second. Blood and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) were obtained for bacterial culture and endotoxin analyses. Results: Mesenteric arterial blood flow and pHi decreased in groups I/R and P. Endotoxin levels increased in these groups in period 1, whereas in period 2 an increase over time was only observed in group P. No bacterial translocation to blood or MLNs occurred in period 1. In period 2 bacteria translocated to MLNs in all animals, including controls. Translocation to central and/or mesenteric venous blood was found in all groups, but mainly in I/R and P. The incidence of mucosal injury was similar in the two periods. Conclusions: Since positive blood and MLN samples were only found in period 2, we conclude that translocation of bacteria seems to be more dependent on the presence of translocating strains in the intestinal bacterial flora than on the mucosal insult.

Small intestinal mucosal pH and lactate production during experimental ischemia-reperfusion and fecal peritonitis in pigs.

The aim of this study was to investigate mucosal pH and iactate production in a porcine model of ischemia/reperfusion and sepsis using both tonometry and a technique for segmental intestinal perfusion. Eighteen pigs (17–23 kg) were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated. They were divided into three groups and followed for 4 h. Group C (n = 6) served as controls. In the ischemia/reperfusion group (I/R; n = 6), the superior mesenteric artery was totally occluded for 60 min. In group P (n = 6), sepsis was induced by fecal peritonitis. Cardiac index (CI) was determined by thermodilution and blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery (QSMA), using a Transonic flow probe. Intramucosal pH (pH;) was calculated using tonometry. A special balloon tube for segmental perfusion was introduced in the midileum for Iactate measurement. Lactate and oxygen saturation were measured in arterial blood and in the superior mesenteric vein. Cl, QSMA, pHi, and lactate in blood and perfusate remained unchanged in controls. Occlusion of intestinal blood flow induced a fall in pHi from 7.28 ± .02 to 6.76 ± .04, a marked rise in lactate in the perfusate, and an increased arteriovenous lactate difference. During reperfusion, pHi tended to return to baseline values. Lactate in the perfusate and the arteriovenous lactate difference decreased. In sepsis there was a continuous reduction in CI and QSMA to 45 ± 13% and 40 ± 20% of baseline, respectively. pHi decreased moderately from 7.22 ± .09 to 6.98 ± .25. Lactate remained unchanged in blood and perfusate. Microscopic mucosal injury was observed in all animals subjected to ischemia/reperfusion and in three of six pigs in group P. A good association between pHi and lactate production was seen in ischemia/ reperfusion. However, in sepsis, lactate in superior mesenteric venous blood or in intestinal perfusate did not increase, despite the fall in pHi. The mechanism causing ischemic mucosal injury has different characteristics in sepsis and in ischemia caused by arterial occlusion.

Validation of Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index in Swedish for Assessing the Impact of Gallstones on Health‐Related Quality of Life

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to validate a Swedish translation of the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) questionnaire in patients with gallstone disease. METHODS Sensitivity to change, internal consistency, and test-retest stability were tested in 187 consecutive patients who underwent planned cholecystectomy. Construct validity was assessed by comparing the GIQLI score with the bodily pain scale of SF-36 and four single-item questions in a separate group of 104 patients. RESULTS A significant increase in all five domains as well as in the overall GIQLI score 6 months after surgery (all P < 0.05) was seen. All five domains correlated significantly with other measures of gallstone-related symptoms except one single-item question. Intraclass correlations ranged from 0.62 to 0.87. Cronbachs alpha ranged from 0.77 to 0.89. CONCLUSION The Swedish translation of GIQLI has a high validity and reliability for assessing the impact of gallstones on quality of life.

Inflammatory response in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice

Objective. Surgery in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice is associated with increased risks for postoperative septic complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the inflammatory and the local cellular immune response in patients accepted for surgery because of tumours in the hepatic-pancreatic-biliary (HPB) tract. Material and methods. Patients with obstructive jaundice (group HPB+) were compared with those without (HPB−). Patients undergoing surgery for benign abdominal disorders served as controls. Obstructive jaundice was present in 18 out of 33 HPB patients. Preoperatively, blood was analysed for bacteria, endotoxins and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10). At operation, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) were excised for bacterial cultures using standard microbiological techniques, and immunohistochemistry, using antibodies CD4 and CD8 (mainly staining T lymphocytes), CD68 (macrophages), and anti-caspase-3 (to determine the rate of apoptosis). Results. Bacterial translocation was not demonstrated in any of the patients. Increased preoperative concentrations of endotoxins were found in group HPB+. The number of macrophages and the rate of apoptosis in MLNs were increased in jaundiced patients, while the number of T lymphocytes was decreased. Conclusions. Malignant obstructive jaundice causes increased blood concentrations of endotoxins and cytokines, an increased number of macrophages in MLNs, a higher rate of apoptosis in MLNs, but a decreased number of T lymphocytes in MLNs. The lymphocyte depletion is probably due to the increased rate of apoptosis, and might reduce the ability of jaundiced patients to eradicate infection.

Influence Of Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors On Gut Immune Cell Distribution And Apoptosis Rate In Experimental Sepsis

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine if cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors influence immune cell distribution in the small intestinal mucosa and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), the grade of mucosal damage, and the rate of apoptosis in septic rats. The effects induced by a selective COX-2 inhibitor (SC-236) were compared with those of a nonselective COX-1 and -2 inhibitor (indomethacin). Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), CLP + SC-236 p.o, and CLP + indomethacin p.o, were evaluated. Animals were harvested 6 and 24 h after CLP, respectively. The concentration of proinflammatory cytokines was higher in ascitic fluid than in blood. CLP + SC-236 attenuated IL-6 in plasma and in ascitic fluid and CLP + indomethacin augmented TNF-&agr; in ascitic fluid compared with CLP at 6 h. CLP + SC-236 gave a lesser degree of mucosal damage compared with CLP alone or with indomethacin at 6 and 24 h (P < 0.05). Untreated CLP had significant reductions in the number of T lymphocytes in the villi and increases of macrophages in the mucosa and MLNs compared with controls (P < 0.05). CLP + indomethacin decreased T lymphocytes in the villi and MLNs. CLP caused an enhanced apoptosis in the mucosa compared with controls (P < 0.05), pretreatment with COX inhibitors did not significantly change this. Both COX inhibitors enhanced apoptosis in MLNs and attenuated the increase of macrophages in mucosa and MLNs (P < 0.05). It is proposed that the increased apoptosis and the decrease in T cells in the mucosa may be causally related. Apoptosis of lymphocytes may impair the immunologic defense in sepsis. Furthermore, loss of intestinal epithelial cells may compromise bowel wall integrity and facilitate translocation.

Less Pain 1 Year After Total Extra-peritoneal Repair Compared With Lichtenstein Using Local Anesthesia: Data From a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Objective:The aim was to compare long-term postoperative pain after inguinal hernia surgery using 2 techniques that have shown favorable long-term outcome in previous randomized studies: Lichtenstein using local anesthesia (LLA) and endoscopic total extra-peritoneal repair (TEP) under general anesthesia. Background:Patients often experience pain after inguinal hernia surgery. These 2 methods in their optimal state have not yet been sufficiently compared. Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted to detect any difference in long-term postoperative inguinal pain. Altogether 384 patients were randomized and operated using either TEP under general anesthesia (n = 193) or LLA (n = 191). One year postoperatively, patients were examined by an independent surgeon and requested to complete the Inguinal Pain Questionnaire (IPQ), a validated questionnaire for the assessment of postoperative inguinal pain. Results:Three hundred seventy-five (97.7%) patients completed follow-up at 1 year. In the TEP group, 39 (20.7%) patients experienced pain, compared with 62 (33.2%) patients in the LLA group (P = 0.007). Severe pain was reported by 4 patients in the TEP group and 6 patients in the LLA group (2.1% and 3.2%, respectively, P = 0.543). Pain in the operated groin limited the ability to exercise for 5 TEP patients and 14 LLA patients (2.7% and 7.5%, respectively, P = 0.034). Conclusions:Patients operated with TEP experienced less long-term postoperative pain and less limitation in their ability to exercise than those operated with LLA. The present data justify recommending TEP as the procedure of choice in the surgical treatment of primary inguinal hernia.

Intestinal blood flow and intramucosal pH in experimental peritonitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Experimental peritonitis causes gut intramucosal acidosis indicating intramucosal ischemia. However, tissue acidosis may reflect other conditions than ischemia. An increased mucosal-arterial Pco2 difference ( Pco2-gap) is suggested to be a more adequate measure of tissue ischemia than intramucosal pH (pHi). This study was performed to elucidate whether keeping cardiac index (CI) and splanchnic blood flow normal or supranormal by administration of colloids and an inotropic drug could prevent the acidosis as well as reduce the Pco2-gap. A secondary aim was to study to what degree the low pHi in peritonitis really reflects ischemia. SUBJECTS 24 anesthetized pigs (18-27 kg) divided into four groups. MODELS A Swan-Ganz catheter, transonic flow meters and catheters for blood sampling were applied. pHi was calculated using tonometry. Standardized fecal peritonitis was induced, except in controls. One peritonitis group was given dextran (Group P(DEX)) and another in addition dobutamine (Group PDOB) to keep CI normal or supranormal, respectively. RESULTS After 4 h, a significant drop in pHi was found in all peritonitis groups, most pronounced in untreated peritonitis (to 7.09+/-.02). Corresponding values in Group P(DEX) and Group P(DOB) were 7.22+/-.03 and 7.22+/-.01, respectively, and in controls 7.30+/-.02. The Pco2-gap and the mucosal-arterial [H+] difference ([H+]-gap) increased significantly in untreated peritonitis but did not increase in groups given dextran and dextran + dobutamine. CONCLUSION Maintaining CI in peritonitis attenuated the reduction in pHi and prevented the increased Pco2- and [H+]-gap. It seems justified from these data to conclude that the somewhat reduced pHi in treated peritonitis groups did not reflect tissue ischemia.