Nicola Antonacci

Prognosis and treatment of pancreaticoduodenal traumatic injuries: which factors are predictors of outcome?

Background/purposeAbdominal trauma rarely causes injuries involving the duodenum and pancreas. Associated injuries occur in 46% of all pancreatic injuries. The morbidity and mortality of pancreaticoduodenal injuries remain high.MethodsThe present study is a retrospective review of our experience from 1989 to 2008 in the surgical treatment of traumatic pancreaticoduodenal injuries. Mortality, morbidity, prognostic factors, and the value of surgical techniques were analyzed.ResultsIn our level I Trauma Center, between 1989 and 2008, 55 patients had a pancreaticoduodenal injury. In 68.5% of cases pancreatic injuries were found, 20.4% had duodenal injury, and 11.1% suffered combined pancreaticoduodenal injuries; 85.3% of the patients had blunt abdominal trauma, while 14.9% had penetrating injuries. We treated 78.1% of the patients with external drainage and/or simple suture; distal pancreatectomy was performed in 9% of cases and duodenal resection with anastomosis (3.7%) and diversion procedures (3.7%) were performed in an equal number of patients. Age, American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade, organ involved, hemodynamic status, intraoperative cardiac arrest, and operative time remained strongly predictive of mortality on multivariate analysis. The AAST grade represented, on multivariate analysis, the only independent prognostic factor predictive of overall morbidity. In the past decade we have used feeding jejunostomy more frequently, with a reduction of mortality and operating time, due also to a better approach from a dedicated trauma team.ConclusionsOptimal management and better outcome of pancreaticoduodenal injuries seem to be associated with shorter operative time, and with simple and fast damage control surgery (DCS), in contrast to definitive surgical procedures.

Refinement in the technique of perihepatic packing: a safe and effective surgical hemostasis and multidisciplinary approach can improve the outcome in severe liver trauma

BACKGROUND since 2005, we refined the technique of perihepatic packing including complete mobilization of the right lobe and packing around the posterior paracaval surface, lateral right side, and anterior and posteroinferior surfaces. METHODS two groups of patients with grade IV/V liver trauma underwent perihepatic packing before and after 2005. The study group included 12 patients treated with the new technique. The control group included 23 patients treated with the old technique. RESULTS all 13 patients except one who died within 24 hours were treated with the old technique. The overall survival rate was 75% in the patients treated with the new technique (vs 30.4%, P < .02); the liver-related mortality was 8.3% versus 34.8% (P = not significant). The mean survival time in the intensive care unit was longer in the latest group (39.4 vs 22.3 days, P = not significant). The incidence of rebleeding requiring repacking was 16.7% in the patients who underwent new packing versus 45.5% in the patient who were treated with the old technique (P = not significant). The overall (81.8% vs 100%, P = not significant) and liver-related morbidity rate (18.2% vs 41.7%, P = not significant) and the incidence of abdominal sepsis (9.1% vs 41.7%, P = not significant) decreased. CONCLUSIONS our refined technique of perihepatic packing seems to be safe and effective.

A bizarre foreign body in the appendix: A case report

Foreign bodies are rare causes of appendicitis and, in most cases, ingested foreign bodies pass through the alimentary tract asymptomatically. However, ingested foreign bodies may sometimes remain silent within the appendix for many years without an inflammatory response. Despite the fact that cases of foreign-body-induced appendicitis have been documented, sharp and pointed objects are more likely to cause perforations and abscesses, and present more rapidly after ingestion. Various materials, such as needles and drill bits, as well as organic matter, such as seeds, have been implicated as causes of acute appendicitis. Clinical presentation can vary from hours to years. Blunt foreign bodies are more likely to remain dormant for longer periods and cause appendicitis through obstruction of the appendiceal lumen. We herein describe a patient presenting with a foreign body in his appendix which had been swallowed 15 years previously. The contrast between the large size of the foreign body, the long clinical history without symptoms and the total absence of any histological inflammation was notable. We suggest that an elective laparoscopic appendectomy should be offered to such patients as a possible management option.

Dyspnea and large bowel obstruction: a misleading Chilaiditi syndrome

Chilaiditi sign is named after the Greek radiologist Demetrius Chilaiditi who first described it when he was working in Vienna In (1910), and it is an incidental radiographic finding. This sign can be more frequently mistaken for pneumoperitoneum which is usually an indication of bowel perforation and can lead to needless surgical intervention. There are several case report reported in literature that describe the association between colonic volvulus and Chilaiditi syndrome that underline the frequent association between these anatomical condition instead no previous report described the association between Chilaiditi syndrome and large bowel obstruction secondary to a malignant sigmoid stenosis in a man presenting with symptoms and signs of upper respiratory distress combined with subacute bowel obstruction.

Asymptomatic Cholecystocolonic Fistula: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Dilemma

Cholecystocolonic fistulas (CCF) are rare complications of gallstones with a variable clinical presentation. Despite modern diagnostic tools, cholecystocolonic fistulas are often asymptomatic and it is difficult to diagnose them preoperatively. Biliary-enteric fistulae have been found in 0.9% of patients undergoing biliary tract surgery. The most common site of communication of the fistula is the cholecystoduodenal (70%), followed by the cholecystocolic (10–20%), and the least common is the cholecystogastric fistula. Herein, we report a case of female patient with multiple episodes of acute recurrent cholangitis due to common bile duct and gallbladder stones in which preoperative imaging studies were negative for cholecystocolonic fistula that was incidentally discovered and treated during surgery and was appropriately treated. A review of the literature is reported too.

The NOTA study: non-operative treatment for acute appendicitis: prospective study on the efficacy and safety of antibiotic treatment (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid) in patients with right sided lower abdominal pain.

Background Case control studies that randomly assign patients with diagnosis of acute appendicitis to either surgical or non-surgical treatment yield a relapse rate of approximately 14% at one year. It would be useful to know the relapse rate of patients who have, instead, been selected for a given treatment based on a thorough clinical evaluation, including physical examination and laboratory results (Alvarado Score) as well as radiological exams if needed or deemed helpful. If this clinical evaluation is useful, the investigators would expect patient selection to be better than chance, and relapse rate to be lower than 14%. Once the investigators have established the utility of this evaluation, the investigators can begin to identify those components that have predictive value (such as blood analysis, or US/CT findings). This is the first step toward developing an accurate diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm which will avoid risks and costs of needless surgery. Methods/design This will be a single-cohort prospective observational study. It will not interfere with the usual pathway, consisting of clinical examination in the Emergency Department (ED) and execution of the following exams at the physicians discretion: full blood count with differential, C reactive protein, abdominal ultrasound, abdominal CT. Patients admitted to an ED with lower abdominal pain and suspicion of acute appendicitis and not needing immediate surgery, are requested by informed consent to undergo observation and non operative treatment with antibiotic therapy (Amoxicillin and Clavulanic Acid). The patients by protocol should not have received any previous antibiotic treatment during the same clinical episode. Patients not undergoing surgery will be physically examined 5 days later. Further follow-up will be conducted at 7, 15 days, 6 months and 12 months. The study will conform to clinical practice guidelines and will follow the recommendations of the Declaration of Helsinki. The protocol was approved on November 2009 by Maggiore Hospital Ethical Review Board (ID CE09079). Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01096927.

Laparoscopic appendectomy: Which factors are predictors of conversion? A high-volume prospective cohort study

UNLABELLED Appendicitis represents one of the most frequent condition requiring surgery. In Italy almost 0.2% of the population will be affected by acute appendicitis every year. Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) has gained acceptance over the past years and despite several meta-analyses, randomized studies and retrospective studies have been conducted, the indications and results are still conflicting especially in cases of complicated appendicitis. The aim of our study is to evaluate which factors are related to conversion to open appendectomy (OA) during laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). MATHERIALS AND METHODS From September 2011 to May 2013, appendectomy for acute appendicitis was performed on 434 patients in our Surgical Unit at S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy. Of these, 369 patients (85%) underwent LA. The clinical, demographic, surgical and pathological data of these patients were included in a prospective database. To note, only laparoscopic appendectomies were considered to be included in the analysis. The following factors were analyzed in order to identify which were associated with the conversion: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), previous abdominal surgery, comorbidities, clinical and laboratory parameters including Alvarado score, PCR, intraoperative findings such as anatomy and degree of inflammation. During our study period, laparoscopic appendectomies were performed by different surgeons both residents and attending surgeons. The decision to convert the intervention in an open procedure was taken by the individual surgeon. Regarding the postoperative period, were considered the time of hospitalization and related costs, time of oral intake of liquid and solid, time of passage of stool, readmissions and reoperations. RESULTS At univariate analysis, the factors significantly related to the conversion were the presence of comorbidities (p < 0.001) and, among these, the presence of arterial hypertension (p = 0.006) or other cardiovascular diseases (p = 0.031) and the history of previous abdominal surgery (p = 0.023). Patients with higher mean age (33.9 ± 15.4 vs. 46.0 ± 19.3, p = 0.001) and higher body mass index (BMI) (23.5 ± 4.3 vs 25.8 ± 4.9 kg/m(2), p = 0.006) had a higher risk of conversion. Multivariate analysis finally showed that factors significantly related to the conversion were the presence of comorbidities (p = 0.029), the presence of an appendiceal perforation (p = 0.003), a retrocecal appendix (p = 0.004), the presence of appendicular abscess (p = 0.023) and the presence of diffuse peritonitis (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION The majority of patients with acute appendicitis can be successfully managed with laparoscopy. We found that the only preoperative independent factor related to conversion during laparoscopic appendectomy is the presence of comorbidities. Nevertheless surgeons should take into account that presence of peri-appendicular abscess and diffuse peritonitis are both independently related not only to higher rate of conversion but also to higher risk of postoperative complication.

Indications and Technique of Central Pancreatectomy

Central pancreatectomy, also referred to as medial pancreatectomy, is a segmental, conservative resection of the pancreas of about 5 cm length with sparing of the surrounding structures (spleen, duodenum, biliary tree, and gallbladder). Some authors [1, 2, 3] have defined the extent of this surgical resection: the central segment is limited on the right by the gastroduodenal artery, and on the left by the need to leave at least 5 cm of pancreatic tissue in order to perform the reconstruction on the distal pancreatic stump.

Pandora's box: a threatening foreign body

A 38-year-old man, a prisoner at a district jail, was brought to the accident and emergency department complaining of gastric pain accompanied by nausea but without vomiting. He had no fever and his vital parameters were normal. Blood testing, including full blood count, C reactive protein, liver function tests and cardiac enzymes were unremarkable. Examination revealed a firm mass, palpable at the level of the mesogastrium in an otherwise soft and non-tender abdomen. The patient related passing no flatus or stools …

Safety of Pancreatic Resections in Octogenarians

Context The safety of pancreatic resections in very elderly patients is still controversial. Objective To evaluate postoperative mortality, morbidity, type of discharge and length of hospital stay (LOS) in octogenarians who underwent pancreatic resections for malignancy. Methods From 2004 to 2013, 213 patients underwent pancreatic resections and were recorded in a prospective data base. They were divided in three groups: <70 years, 70-80 years and ≥80 years and were analyzed regarding postoperative course. Multivariate analysis was carried out to verify the impact of age on postoperative results. Results Mortality rate was higher (P=0.029) in patients ≥80 years (16.7%) only when compared with patients <70 years (3.4%). Morbidity rate was similar in the three groups. The discharge home was more frequent in patients <70 years (94.6%) and in those 70-80 years (92.3%) respect on patients ≥80 years (55%; P<0.001). LOS was similar in patients <70 years and in those 70-80 years, while it results higher in those aged ≥80 years (P=0.021). At multivariate analysis, patients aged 70-80 and ≥80 years had an increased risk of postoperative mortality (OR=7.1, P=0.022 and OR=6.3, P=0.050, respectively) as well as malnourishment (OR=4.5, P=0.029). Age did not influence morbidity while ASA score 4 increased risk of complications (OR=7.0, P=0.018). Distal pancreatectomy (DP) or an atypical resection reduced the risk (OR=0.4, P=0.008 and OR=0.1, P=0.049, respectively) respect on major procedures. Discharge to health care facility was more frequent in patients ≥80 years (OR=74.5, P<0.001), with ASA score 4 (OR=48.9, P=0.023), comorbidities (OR=25.4, P=0.011) or jaundice (OR=119.2, P=0.004) and in those performing DP (OR=26.7, P=0.039). Biliary stenting reduced the odds to health care facility (OR=0.1, P=0.041). LOS was increased by comorbidities, chronic renal failure and jaundice by 25% (P=0.039), 64% (P=0.003) and 36% (P=0.010), respectively. Total pancreatectomy reduced LOS by 14% (P=0.036). Conclusions Age ≥80 years increased the risk of postoperative mortality and discharge to health care facility after pancreatic resections.