Rudra Prasad Doley

Surgical management of gastric cicatrisation resulting from corrosive ingestion

BACKGROUND Caustic injury to the stomach can be complicated by gastric stenosis. We review our experience with surgical management of symptomatic gastric stenosis. METHODS This is a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent surgery for gastric stenosis within 6 weeks to 26 months following corrosive ingestion. The data analyzed included the extent of cicatrisation, surgical procedure performed and outcome. Preoperative evaluation in these patients included a barium contrast study and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. RESULTS Main presenting symptoms were nonbilious vomiting, early satiety, dysphagia and significant weight loss. Antropyloric strictures were present in 28 (64%) patients, total gastric involvement was seen in 16 (36%) patients, associated esophageal stenosis was present in 18 (40.91%) patients. Surgical procedures performed included distal gastrectomy with Billroth1 reconstruction in 31.82%, distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction in 20.45%, stricturoplasty in 11.36%, subtotal gastrectomy in 18.18% and total gastrectomy with pouch reconstruction in another 18.18% patients. Complications encountered were pneumonitis in 18.18%, wound infection in 11.36%, intra-abdominal infection, anastomotic breakdown, reactivation of pulmonary tuberculosis and dumping syndrome, each in 2.27% patients. One patient (2.27%) died. CONCLUSION Surgical procedure should be tailored according to the extent of gastric involvement. Surgical resection is feasible and safe. Our results suggest that satisfactory outcome could be expected with different therapeutic modalities based on degree of cicatrisation.

The Role of Non-Operative Strategies in the Management of Severe Acute Pancreatitis

CONTEXT Non-operative strategies are gaining preference in the management of patients with severe acute pancreatitis. OBJECTIVE The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of a non-operative approach, including percutaneous drainage, in the management of severe acute pancreatitis. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING Tertiary care centre in India. PATIENTS Fifty consecutive patients with severe acute pancreatitis were managed in an intensive care unit. INTERVENTIONS The patients were initially managed conservatively. Those with 5 cm, or more, of fluid collection having fever, leukocytosis or organ failure underwent percutaneous catheter drainage using a 10 Fr catheter. Those not responding underwent a necrosectomy. Depending on the outcome of their supportive care, the patients were divided into three groups: those responding to intensive care, those needing percutaneous catheter drainage and those requiring surgical intervention. Twelve patients were managed conservatively (Group 1) while 24 underwent percutaneous catheter drainage (Group 2), 9 of whom were not operated (Group 2a) and 15 of whom underwent necrosectomy (Group 2b). Fourteen patients were operated on directly (Group 3). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Hospital stay, intensive care unit stay, and mortality. RESULTS Among patients requiring surgery, the patients in Group 2b had a shorter intensive care unit stay (22.1±11.1 days) as compared to the patients in Group 3 (25.0±15.6 days) and a longer interval to surgery, 30.7±8.9 days versus 25.4±8.5 days. However, these differences did not reach statistical significance (P=0.705 and P=0.133, respectively). The two groups did not differ in terms of mortality (5/15 versus 3/14; P=0.682). CONCLUSION The use of percutaneous catheter drainage helped avoid or delay surgery in two-fifths of the patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Adult intussusception in Northern India.

BACKGROUND Adult intussusception is infrequently encountered in Asians. The diagnosis is often late because of the variable presentation. The optimal treatment is not universally agreed upon. PURPOSE To determine the causes and management of this uncommon entity in India. METHODS A retrospective review of patients with postoperative diagnosis of intussusception between March 2003 and March 2008 was conducted in a tertiary care centre in North India. Data relating to diagnosis, treatment and histopathology was analyzed. RESULTS Twenty-seven patients, aged 15-72 years with 28 intussusceptions were studied. Four patients (14.29%) had acute presentation, 16 (57.14%) subacute and 7 (25%) had chronic symptoms. The most common type of intussusception was enteroenteric. A diagnosis of intussusception on contrast enhanced computed tomogram was made in 84% and a lead point was identified in 89%. A causative factor could be identified in 89% (25 out of 28 intussusceptions) which was malignant in 37% and benign in 48%. The most common underlying malignant lesions were adenocarcinoma (50%), and lymphoma (25%). Among benign lesions, small bowel polyps were the most common (57%). All cases underwent surgical intervention. Bowel resection was performed in 89%. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION Our series highlights a high frequency of a demonstrable cause of intussusception in a tropical country. Overall our results are similar to those reported from other countries. Resection of the involved bowel is recommended because of high incidence of underlying pathology.

Complex Hepatic Injuries: an Audit from a Tertiary Center

Background:Nonoperative management is being increasingly employed in the management of blunt hepatic injuries.Patients and Methods:We analyzed patients with complex hepatic injuries over a period of 10 years (1996–2006).Results:Two hundred and ten patients with blunt hepatic injury were admitted and 103 patients had complex liver injuries. The predominant mode of injury was road traffic accidents in 91.2%. The grade distribution of liver injuries was grade III (72.8%), grade IV (23.3%) and grade V (4.9%). Twenty-four patients (23.3%) underwent surgery for persistent hemodynamic instability, persistent fall in hemoglobin level, bile leaks and intra-abdominal collection with sepsis. Associated intra-abdominal injuries were present in 19.4%, and 58.4% had associated extra-abdominal injuries. The operative procedures included hepatectomy (1), suture hepatorraphy (12), T-tube drainage for bile duct injuries (5), perihepatic sponge and gel foam packing (9), liver abscess drainage (3), and resection and debridement of liver tissue in six patients. The mortality and morbidity in this series was 10.7 and 56.4%, respectively. Multiorgan failure was present in 5, single organ failure in 37, sepsis in 24, biliary complications in 16 and intra-abdominal collection in 17 patients. Endoscopic management for bile leaks was performed in five patients, image-guided pig-tail drainage for abscesses in 11 patients, while angioembolization was done in two patients for right hepatic artery bleed. The mortality was not significantly different in surgical and nonoperative groups but operated patients had significantly higher morbidity.Conclusions:Complex liver injuries can be managed successfully with conservative treatment in majority, with low mortality and acceptable morbidity. Surgery is reserved for selected indications.