Roberto Bini

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.

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.

Endoscopic treatment of postgastrectomy duodenal fistula with an over-the-scope clip.

Bleeding peptic ulcer is a life threatening condition with high mortality rate but often treatable by endoscopy. Surgical indications in case of gastroduodenal ulcers are confined to endoscopic and radiological failures in bleeding control. Duodenal fistula (DF) is a rare complication of gastric resection and even if a rare event it may be a life threatening condition. Surgical and medical options could not solve the DF. Herein we report a case of an old patient underwent emergency gastrectomy for ulcer’s bleeding who developed DF associated to sepsis, malnutrition and, hydro-electrolyte disorders not responding to surgical and medical attempts. We demonstrated, for the first time, the efficacy of over the scope clips (OTSC®) in the treatment of postoperative duodenal fistulas not responding to surgical and medical treatment in high risk patient.

Peritoneal lactate as a potential biomarker for predicting the need for reintervention after abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND Early diagnosis of complications after abdominal surgery is crucial to improve outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the use of the peritoneal–serum lactate ratio and of peritoneal lactate levels applied alone for predicting the need for reintervention after abdominal surgery. METHODS This prospective observational study included 88 patients who underwent abdominal surgery (48 emergency and 40 elective operations) and presented with fever, leukocytosis, late passage of flatus, and abdominal pain by the fourth postoperative day. The lactate levels were measured in the serum and peritoneal fluid. In total, 31 of 88 patients required reintervention. The receiver operator characteristic analysis was used to determine the best threshold value for the peritoneal-serum lactate ratio and for peritoneal lactate levels applied alone to identify patients who required reintervention. RESULTS A peritoneal-serum lactate ratio greater than 4.5 (area under the curve, 0.865; 95% confidence interval, 0.773–0.957; p < 0.001) and a peritoneal lactate value greater than 9.1 mmol/L (area under the curve, 0.834; 95% confidence interval, 0.735–0.934; p < 0.0001) discriminated between patients who required reintervention with a sensitivity of 91.3%, a specificity of 81%, and a negative predictive value of 94.4% and a sensitivity of 81.9%, a specificity of 82%, and a positive predictive value of 89%, respectively. CONCLUSION The results of our study support the hypothesis that the peritoneal-serum lactate ratio and the peritoneal lactate level applied alone could be safe, simple, inexpensive, noninvasive, and potentially valuable tools for the early identification of patients who require reintervention after elective or emergency abdominal surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Diagnostic study, level III. Prognostic study, level III.

Von Hippel–Lindau and myotonic dystrophy of Steinert along with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and renal clear cell carcinomal neoplasm: Case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION Myotonic dystrophy of Steinert, DM1, is the most common adult muscular dystrophy and generally is not associated to development on multiple site neoplasm. Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a dominantly inherited familial cancer syndrome that is associated to tumors such as hemangioblastoma of the retina or central nervous system, clear-cell renal carcinoma (RCC) and endocrine tumors, most commonly pheochromocytoma and non-secretory pancreatic islet cell cancers. No data exist in literature describing the coexistence of both DM1 and VHL. PRESENTATION OF CASE Herein we report a case of renal and pancreatic neoplasm in a young adult female affected by DM1 and VHL simultaneously. DISCUSSION DM1 is due to an unstable trinucleotide (CTG) expansion in the 30 antranslated region of the dystrophia myotonica-protein kinase (DMPK) gene, located on chromosome 19q13.3. Several molecular mechanisms thought to be determining the classical DM phenotype have been shown. VHL disease is characterized by marked phenotypic variability and the most common tumors are hemangioblastomas of the retina or central nervous system, clear-cell renal carcinoma (RCC) and endocrine tumors, most commonly pheochromocytoma and non-secretory pancreatic islet cell cancers. The pancreatic manifestations seen in patients with VHL disease are divided into 2 categories: pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) as solid tumors, and cystic lesions, including a simple cyst and serous cystadenoma. The surgical approach for these cistic lesions is to consider as golden standard. Blansfield has proposed 3 criteria to predict metastatic disease of PNET in patients with VHL disease: (1) tumor size greater than or equal to 3cm; (2) presence of a mutation in exon 3; and (3) tumor doubling time less than 500d. If the patient has none of these criteria the patient could be followed with physical examination and radiological surveillance on a 2/3 years base.(4) If the patient has 1 criterion, the patient should be followed more closely every 6 months to 1 year. If the patient has 2 or 3 criteria, the patient should be considered for surgery given the high risk of future malignancy. Our patient owned only one criterion but in presence of a second malignant tumor. Our hypothesis for this rare findings is that both DM and VHL might be derived from genetic aberration and these might be linked to a major cancer susceptibility. As far as we know this is the first confirmed case of RCC and neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer occurring concurrently with VHL and, at the same time, DM1. According to this case report and the literature data a VHL should be ruled out in the presence of RCC presenting along with pancreatic cysts/tumor. CONCLUSION As far as we know this is the first confirmed case of RCC and neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer occurring concurrently with VHL and, at the same time, DM1. Our hypothesis for the unusual findings is that both DM and VHL derived from genetic aberration and these are linked to a major cancer susceptibility.

Phytobezoar in Meckel's diverticulum: A rare cause of small bowel obstruction.

INTRODUCTION Meckels diverticulum (MD) is the prevailing anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, found in about 2% of the population; it rarely gives rise to symptoms and its discovery is usually accidental. Phytobezoar is a concretion of poorly digested fruit and vegetable fibres that is found in the alimentary tract and rarely can be the cause of small intestinal obstruction. Herein we report a rare case of intestinal obstruction due to phytobezoar formation into a MD. PRESENTATION OF CASE A 50 year-old patient, was admitted to authors institution with an history of abdominal pain, nausea and multiples episodes of vomiting. Plain X-ray showed dilated small-bowel loops. Computed tomography (CT) revealed jejunal loops with air-fluid levels. The patient underwent explorative laparotomy where we found a giant Meckels diverticulum, filled by a phytobezoar that caused small bowel compression. We performed a segmental ileal, resection, containing the MD. The histological exam confirmed Meckels diverticulum. DISCUSSION Bowel obstruction due to a phytobezoar in a Meckels diverticulum is rare: only 7 cases have been reported in literature. MD complications are rare and phytobezoar is one of them with only few cases described in literature. CONCLUSION The conventional x rays studies were inconclusive whereas abdominal contrast enhanced CT led to a definitive diagnosis. Explorative laparotomy or laparoscopy is mandatory in these cases.

Inferior mesenteric artery chemoembolization and chemotherapy for advanced rectal cancer: report of a clinical case.

Patients with advanced and incurable colorectal cancer have a very poor prognosis. Curative-intent resection was performed in 70%–90% of cases in reported series of colorectal cancer, sometimes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The remaining 10%-30% of patients are treated with palliative intent, where treatment is aimed at relieving disease-related symptoms and improving quality of life. The provision of palliative care for these patients is complicated and outcomes are often disappointing. Although there are many available options including a variety of surgical and nonsurgical interventions, the best management remains controversial. Transarterial chemoembolization with irinotecan-loaded drug-eluting beads (DEBIRI) is an effective, minimally invasive procedure performed by interventional radiologists that allows intra-arterial drug delivery to stop vascular feeding and exert local cytotoxic effects. We here report on a patient treated with DEBIRI followed by systemic chemotherapy with the FOLFOX regimen for locally advanced, inoperable colorectal cancer.

A novel approach to inoperable or recurrent rectal cancer by chemoembolization. A new arrow in our quiver

Purpose Assess the feasibility, safety and efficacy of TACE with irinotecan loaded micro particles (debiri) for the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer patients. Results We assessed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). The tool is designed to assess nine common symptoms in cancer patients: pain, tiredness, nausea, depression, anxiety, drowsiness, appetite, wellbeing and shortness of breath. The ESAS score was 7 in 10/12 (83%) patients before treatment and 6 in 2/12 (16.5%) patients. After treatment in 6/12 (50%) patients the score dropped to 3; 3/12 (33%) reported 4, 1/12 (8%) reported 2. All patients experienced local control disease with a degree of citoreduction; in 4 cases (33%) we observed outstanding responses with a dramatic reduction in the tumors size which led us to surgical radical resections. Materials and methods We run a prospective mono-institutional study where we recruited, 12 non- consecutive patients with histology confirmation of rectal cancer, inoperable and not treatable due to severe comorbidities, or pelvic recurrence/progression after curative treatment, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and/or surgery. Their performance status (PS) ECOG was 2-3. Twelve patients (10 male and 2 female) with a median age 71 (range 56-89) were recruited in the study. Conclusions The study has met the primary endpoint and showed encouraging activity. Debiri could be a possible option for locally advanced/inoperable or recurred rectal cancer patients. Further trials are warranted to validate this methodic in early stages.

Repair of diaphragmatic hernia following spinal surgery by laparoscopic mesh application: a case report and review of the literature.

We describe the laparoscopic management of diaphragmatic hernia (DH) caused by vertebral pedicle screw displacement.A 58-year-old woman underwent surgery for scoliosis and underwent posterior pedicle screw fixation. In the first postoperative (PO)day, she developed mild dyspnea. An anteroposterior chest radiograph revealed bilateral pleural effusion, which was more pronounced on the left side.A thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) scan, performed in the second PO day, revealed a solid mass in the pleural cavity that was associated with screw displacement, which had also entered into the peritoneal cavity without apparent other lesion of hollow and solid viscous. In the third PO day, after the screw was removed, explorative laparoscopy was carried out. We observed herniation of the omentum through a small diaphragmatic tear. Once the absence of visceral injury was confirmed, we reduced the omentum into the abdomen. Then, we repaired the hernia by applying a dual layer polypropylene mesh over the defect with a 3-cm overlap. The remainder of the postoperative period was uneventful.Iatrogenic DH due to a pedicle screw displacement has never been described before. In cases of pleural effusion following spinal surgery, rapid assessment and treatment are crucial. We conclude that a laparoscopic approach to iatrogenic DH could be feasible and effective in a hemodynamically stable patient with negative CT findings because it enables the completion of the diagnostic cascade and the repair of the tear, providing excellent visualization of the abdominal viscera and diaphragmatic tears.