Svend Schulze

Complications of ERCP: a prospective study

BACKGROUND Studies of ERCP-related morbidity seldom include a sufficient patient follow-up. The aim of this study was to characterize and to evaluate the frequency of complications, cardiopulmonary untoward events in particular. METHODS All patients undergoing ERCP during a 2-year period were included in this prospective study. Complications were assessed at the time of ERCP and by postal/telephone contact at 30-days after the procedure. RESULTS A total of 1177 ERCPs were included in the analysis, of which 56.2% were therapeutic. The 30-day complication rate was 15.9%; the procedure-related mortality rate was 1.0%. Post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred in 3.8% of patients (3 deaths). Hemorrhage or perforation occurred with 0.9% and 1.1%, respectively, of the procedures (3 deaths). One perforation that resulted in the death of the patient occurred after placement of an endoprosthesis. Cholangitis occurred in relation to 5% of the ERCP procedures (3 deaths). Cardiorespiratory complications occurred in 2.3% (2 deaths). Dilated bile duct ( p = 0.0001), placement of stent ( p = 0.001), and use of more than 40 mg of hyoscine-N-butyl bromide ( p < 0.05) were risk factors for complications by multivariate analysis. Risk of pancreatitis was increased with age under 40 years ( p = 0.0078), placement of stent ( p = 0.031), and a dilated bile duct ( p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS This prospective study confirms that the complication rate of ERCP including therapeutic procedures is high. Cardiopulmonary complications were not as common as expected, despite being the special focus of the study.

Multi-regional local anesthetic infiltration during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients receiving prophylactic multi-modal analgesia: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.

UNLABELLED Pain is the dominant complaint after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. No study has examined the combined effects of a somato-visceral blockade during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Therefore, we investigated the effects of a somato-visceral local anesthetic blockade on pain and nausea in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In addition, all patients received multi-modal prophylactic analgesic treatment. Fifty-eight patients were randomized to receive a total of 286 mg (66 mL) ropivacaine or 66 mL saline via periportal and intraperitoneal infiltration. During the first 3 postoperative h, the use of morphine and antiemetics was registered, and pain and nausea were rated hourly. Daily pain intensity, pain localization, and supplemental analgesic consumption were registered the first postoperative week. Ropivacaine reduced overall pain the first two hours and incisional pain for the first three postoperative hours (P < 0.01) but had no apparent effects on intraabdominal or shoulder pain. During the first 3 postoperative h, morphine requirements were lower (P < 0.05), and nausea was reduced in the ropivacaine group (P < 0.05). Throughout the first postoperative week, incisional pain dominated over other pain localizations in both groups (P < 0.01). We conclude that the somato-visceral local anesthetic blockade reduced overall pain during the first 2 postoperative h, and nausea, morphine requirements, and incisional pain were reduced during the first 3 postoperative h in patients receiving prophylactic multi-modal analgesic treatment. IMPLICATIONS A combination of incisional and intraabdominal local anesthetic treatment reduced incisional pain but had no effect on deep intraabdominal pain or shoulder pain in patients receiving multimodal prophylactic analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Incisional pain dominated during the first postoperative week. Incisional infiltration of local anesthetics is recommended in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

The impact of objective assessment and constructive feedback on improvement of laparoscopic performance in the operating room

ObjectivesThe study was carried out to demonstrate the impact of assessment and constructive feedback on improvement of laparoscopic performance in the operating room (OR).DesignSixteen surgical trainees performed a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the OR. The participants were then divided into two groups. The procedure performed by group 1 was assessed by an experienced surgeon, and detailed and constructive feedback was provided to each trainee. Group 2 received no feedback. Subsequently, all subjects performed a new laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the OR. Both operative procedures were recorded on videotapes and assessed by two independent and blinded observers using a validated scoring system.Main outcome measuresError and economy of movements score assessed during the laparoscopic procedures in the OR.ResultsNo differences in baseline assessments were found between the two groups (t-test, p > 0.5). Surgeons, who received feedback (group 1) made significantly greater improvement in their time to complete the following procedure (independent sample t-test, p = 0.022), error (t-test, p = 0.003) and economy of movement scores (t-test, p < 0.001).ConclusionsSurgeons who received constructive feedback made significantly greater improvement in their performance in the OR compared with those in the control group. The study provides objective evidence that assessment is beneficial for surgical training and should be implemented in the educational programmes in the future.

Hypoxaemia and Myocardial Ischaemia during Colonoscopy

BACKGROUND Myocardial ischaemia (defined as ST-segment deviation on electrocardiogram (ECG)) may occur during colonoscopy, but the pathogenic mechanisms are unknown. We have evaluated the occurrence of arterial hypoxaemia, tachycardia, and myocardial ischaemia during routine colonoscopy. METHODS Eighteen patients underwent colonoscopy under conscious sedation and without supplementary oxygen. Arterial oxygen saturation was measured by continuous pulse oximetry, and ECG was monitored continuously with a Holter tape recorder during the procedure. RESULTS Arterial oxygen desaturation and tachycardia were common during colonoscopy and occurred in 45% and 35% of patients, respectively. Two patients developed signs of myocardial ischaemia during the colonoscopy: one case of ST depression (1.7 mV) and one case of ST elevation (4.3 mV). In both patients the ST deviation disappeared when the colonoscope was retracted. Myocardial ischaemia occurred in both patients simultaneously with tachycardia, and in one of these arterial hypoxaemia was also present. CONCLUSIONS Myocardial ischaemia occurs during routine colonoscopy, but with a lower incidence than previously reported during upper endoscopy. Myocardial ischaemia during colonoscopy may be associated with tachycardia and/or hypoxaemia. Further studies should clarify the relative role of tachycardia, hypoxaemia, and viscerocardiac reflexes in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischaemia during colonoscopy.

Double blind randomised controlled trial of effect of metoprolol on myocardial ischaemia during endoscopic cholangiopancreatography

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effect of metoprolol, a ß adrenergic blocking drug, on the occurrence of myocardial ischaemia during endoscopic cholangiopancreatography. Design: Double blind, randomised, controlled trial. Setting: University Hospital. Subjects: 38 (two groups of 19) patients scheduled for endoscopic cholangiopancreatography. Interventions: Metoprolol 100 mg or placebo as premedication two hours before endoscopy. Main outcome measures: Heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation by continuous pulse oximetry, ST segment changes during endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (an ST segment deviation >1 mV was defined as myocardial ischaemia), electrocardiogram monitored continuously with a Holter tape recorder. Results: All patients had increased heart rate during endoscopy compared with rate before endoscopy, but heart rate during endoscopy was significantly lower in the metoprolol group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.0002). Twenty one patients (16 placebo, 5 metoprolol; P = 0.0008) developed tachycardia (heart rate > 100/min) during the procedure, and 11 patients (10 placebo, 1 metoprolol; P = 0.003) developed myocardial ischaemia. One patient in the placebo group had an acute inferolateral myocardial infarction. In the 10 other patients with signs of myocardial ischaemia during endoscopy the ST deviation disappeared when the endoscope was retracted. In all patients myocardial ischaemia was related to increases in heart rate, and 10 of the 11 patients had tachycardia coherent with myocardial ischaemia. Conclusions: Metoprolol prevented myocardial ischaemia during endoscopic cholangiopancreatography, probably through lowering the heart rate. Thus, tachycardia seems to be a key pathogenic factor in the development of myocardial ischaemia during endoscopy. Key messages Metoprolol prevented myocardial ischaemia during endoscopy Myocardial ischaemia was related to tachycardia more than to concomitant hypoxaemia Tachycardia seems to be a key pathogenic factor in the development of myocardial ischaemia during endoscopy

Pancreatic Pseudocysts during First Attack of Acute Pancreatitis

One hundred and forty-eight patients admitted with their first episode of acute pancreatitis were examined by ultrasonography. During the acute attack 1 or more pseudocysts were found in 19 patients (13%), pancreatic abscess in 2, whereas 127 had a normal or swollen pancreas. Two small cysts resolved spontaneously, eight were cured after ultrasonically guided needle aspiration or catheter drainage, and cystogastrostomy was necessary in four cases. One patient refused treatment. Abscesses requiring surgical drainage developed in four of the patients with pseudocysts. The study showed that pseudocysts may appear as early as within 1 week of the first episode of acute pancreatitis. Some pseudocysts may resolve spontaneously, and ultrasonically guided aspiration or drainage may cure approximately half of the pseudocysts.

Increased collagen deposition in an uncomplicated surgical wound compared to a minimal subcutaneous test wound.

Little information is currently available concerning the relationship between results obtained in humans from surgical test wounds and results from wound models. Therefore, to evaluate human wound healing parameters, tubings of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene were implanted in a subcutaneous test wound in the arm of 47 volunteers and 20 patients undergoing hernia repair. The surgical patients also had implants left in the surgical wound cavity. After 10 days the deposition of collagen in the tubings as expressed by hydroxyproline content was 30% higher in the surgical wound than in the test wound, p < 0.05. The amount of collagen deposited in the tubing within the surgical wound did not correlate with measurements in the test wound, whereas a significant correlation of proline levels was found between the two sites, p < 0.05. Deposition of proline and total protein in the model was equivalent. In both wound types age negatively correlated with levels of protein, but not collagen. The variability of the results was 40% lower in the subcutaneous test wound than in the surgical wound. There was no significant difference in hydroxyproline deposition between the volunteers and the patients undergoing hernia repair. In patients undergoing minor surgery without signs of compromised healing the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene test wound in the arm reflects the deposition of non‐collagenous protein, but not collagen, within the surgical wound.

Effect of oxygen on tachycardia and arterial oxygen saturation during colonoscopy

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of supplementary oxygen on heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation during colonoscopy. DESIGN Controlled study. SETTING Two university hospitals, Denmark. SUBJECTS 40 patients having colonoscopy. INTERVENTIONS 20 patients were given supplementary oxygen through nasal prongs (2 L/min), and 20 patients breathed room air during colonoscopy. All patients were given conscious sedation and were monitored with a pulse oximeter during colonoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Tachycardia (pulse rate>100 min(-1)) and arterial oxygen desaturation (SpO2<90%) during colonoscopy. RESULTS There were no differences in the incidence of tachycardia or mean heart rate during endoscopy between the two groups, and no patient developed symptomatic cardiac arrhythmias or hypotensive episodes. 10 patients in the room air compared with none in the oxygen treatment group (p = 0.0004) had one or more episodes during which arterial oxygen saturation fell below 90% during colonoscopy, and mean oxygen saturation was higher in the oxygen treatment group than in the room air group (p < 0.001). No clinical complications occurred in either group. CONCLUSION Hypoxaemia and tachycardia are common during routine colonoscopy. The use of supplemental oxygen prevented hypoxaemia, but had no significant effect on heart rate.

ECG changes during endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography and coronary artery disease

Objective Myocardial ischaemia has been described during endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP), but the pathogenesis remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether coronary artery disease was present in patients with ST-segment changes during ERCP. Material and methods Forty patients were monitored with a Holter tape recorder during ERCP. Patients with ST-segment deviation during ERCP subsequently underwent a standard exercise ECG test. Results Twelve patients developed signs of myocardial ischaemia during ERCP (30%) and 9 had concomitant tachycardia. None had a cardiac history or cardiorespiratory symptoms. Ten of the 12 patients did an exercise test and one patient developed silent ischaemia. Subsequent coronary angiography showed no evidence of coronary artery disease. Conclusions No signs of existing coronary artery disease were found in patients developing ST deviation during ERCP when evaluated with a 12-lead exercise ECG test. Further studies should evaluate other mechanisms responsible for myocardial ischaemia during ERCP.

Inverted papilloma of upper urinary tract

Two new cases of inverted urothelial papilloma in the upper urinary tract are described and added to the 22 cases previously reported in the literature. In both cases inverted papilloma was localized beneath macroscopic normal surface, and in one of the cases the changes were found scattered widely in the upper urinary tract. The possible etiology and the symptomatology are discussed, and the need for follow-up of these patients is emphasized.