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Changes in the management of patients with severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND Severe acute pancreatitis is present in up to 25% of patients with acute pancreatitis, with considerable mortality. Changes in the management of acute pancreatitis in the last 2 decades contributed to reduce the mortality. AIM To show the evolution in the management of severe acute pancreatitis, comparing two different approaches. METHODS All patients with severe acute pancreatitis from 1999 to 2005 were included. We compared the results of a retrospective review from 1999 to 2002 (group A) with a prospective protocol, from 2003 to 2005 (group B). In group A severe pancreatitis was defined by the presence of systemic or local complications. In group B the Atlanta criteria were used to define severity. The variables analyzed were: age, gender, etiology, APACHE II, leukocytes, bicarbonate, fluid collections and necrosis on computed tomography, surgical treatment and mortality. RESULTS Seventy-one patients were classified as severe, 24 in group A and 47 in group B. The mean APACHE II in groups A and B were 10.7 +/- 3.5 and 9.3 +/- 4.5, respectively. Necrosis was seen in 12 patients (50%) in group A and in 21 patients (44.7%) in group B. Half of the patients in group A and two (4.3%) in group B underwent to pancreatic interventions. Mortality reached 45.8% in group A and 8.5% in group B. CONCLUSION A specific approach and a prospective protocol can change the results in the treatment of patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Fratura de pelve: um marcador de gravidade em trauma

OBJECTIVE To assess whether the presence of a pelvic fracture is associated with greater severity and worse prognosis in victims of blunt trauma. METHODS A retrospective analysis of protocols and records of victims of blunt trauma admitted from June 2008 to March 2009 was separated into two groups: those with pelvic fracture (Group I) and those without it (Group II). Data were collected from pre-hospital admission rates of trauma, laboratory tests, diagnosed lesions, treatment and outcome. We used the Student t test, Fishers exact test and chi-square test for statistical analysis, considering p <0.05 as significant. RESULTS During the study period, 2019 individuals had multiple trauma protocols completed, of which 43 (2.1%) had pelvic fractures. Patients in Group I had significantly lower average blood pressure, higher mean heart rate, lower mean Glasgow Coma Scale, the highest average AIS in the segments head, chest, abdomen and extremities, as well as higher mean ISS and lower mean TRISS and RTS on admission. Group I more frequently presented with traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (7% vs. 1.6%), spinal cord injury (9% vs. 1%), thoracic and abdominal injuries, as well as need for laparotomy (21% vs. 1 %), chest drainage (32% vs. 2%) and damage control (9% vs. 0%). Complications were more frequent in group I: ARDS (9% vs. 0%), persistent shock (30% vs. 1%), coagulopathy (23% vs. 1%), acute renal failure (21% vs. 0%) and death (28% vs. 2%). CONCLUSION The presence of a pelvic fracture is a marker of greater severity and worse prognosis in victims of blunt trauma.

Colecistite aguda não-complicada: colecistectomia laparoscópica precoce ou tardia?

Recent meta-analyses suggested that early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (within 1 week of symptom onset) for uncomplicated acute gallbladder disease is safe and feasible. However, surveys on surgical practices indicated that early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed by only a minority of surgeons. Furthermore, the exact time-point for performing this procedure as well as its cost-effectiveness remain a matter of debate. The TBE - CiTE Journal Club performed a critical appraisal of the most relevant evidence recently published on timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and its cost-effectiveness for the management of uncomplicated acute cholecystitis and provides evidence-based recommendations on the topic. The literature encompasses small trials with high risk of biases. It suggests that early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and shortens hospital stay. There is scarcity of well-designed and large cost-utility analyses. The following main recommendations were generated: (1) Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be attempted as the first-line treatment within one week of symptoms onset; and (2) The cost-effectiveness of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be evaluated at the individual hospital level, taking into consideration local resources such as the availability of trained personal, operating room and laparoscopic equipment.

Pesquisa nacional sobre condutas na pancreatite aguda

BACKGROUND: to evaluate as AP is managed by the Brazilian surgeon. METHODS: A questionnaire has been sent to 2,000 members of the Brazilian College of Surgeons, with 618 (30.9%) answers obtained. The questionnaire consisted of questions related to the experience of the surgeon and in particular to the treatment of AP. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-two interviewed (33.6%) answered to treat up to five cases per year and 147 (27.2%) treat six to ten cases per year. The most cited criteria used for the definition of severe AP was clinical evaluation for 306 (57.4%) interviewed, followed by the Ranson criteria for 294 (55.2%) and CT scan for 262 (49.2%). Regarding the use of CT, 275 (51.5%) interviewed answered that make use of CT scan for all patients with AP. The parenteral nutritional support was the method of choice indicated for 248 (46.6%) interviewed. The infection of fluid collection and/or pancreatic necrosis was the main reason for surgical treatment with 447 (83.6%) answers. The optimum period to operate a patient with severe AP was considered up to seven days for 278 (54.2%) interviewed. With relation to antibiotics, 371 (68.6%) said that they use antibiotics in the treatment of severe AP. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate a wide variation in the treatment of AP in Brazil. Little experience of the surgeons and controversial issues are the main factors responsible for this lack of standardization. A national Consensus based on new concepts and worldwide experience is crucial to adjust these thoughts.

Questions about the use of antibiotics in acute pancreatitis

Background and objectiveThe use of antibiotics in acute pancreatitis despite recent clinical trials remains controversial. The aim of this study is to review the latest clinical trials and guidelines about antibiotics in acute pancreatitis and determine its proper use.MethodsThrough a Medline search, we selected and analyzed pertinent randomized clinical trials and guidelines that evaluated the use of antibiotics in acute pancreatitis. We answered the most frequent questions about this topic.Results and conclusionBased on these clinical trials and guidelines, we conclude that the best treatment currently is the use of antibiotics in patients with severe acute pancreatitis with more than 30% of pancreatic necrosis. The best option for the treatment is Imipenem 3 × 500 mg/day i.v. for 14 days. Alternatively, Ciprofloxacin 2 × 400 mg/day i.v. associated with Metronidazole 3 × 500 mg for 14 days can also be considered as an option.

Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis of Organ Failure in Acute Pancreatitis: Protocol of the PANCREA II Study

CONTEXT Organ failure is a major determinant of mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis. These patients usually require admission to high dependency or intensive care units and consume considerable health care resources. Given a low incidence rate of organ failure and a lack of large non-interventional studies in the field of acute pancreatitis, the characteristics of organ failure that influence outcomes of patients with acute pancreatitis remain largely unknown. Therefore, the Pancreatitis Across Nations Clinical Research and Education Alliance (PANCREA) aims to conduct a meta-analysis of individual patient data from prospective non-interventional studies to determine the influence of timing, duration, sequence, and combination of different organ failures on mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis. METHODS Pancreatologists currently active with acute pancreatitis clinical research will be invited to contribute. To be eligible for inclusion patients will have to meet the criteria of acute pancreatitis, develop at least one organ failure during the first week of hospitalization, and not be enrolled into an intervention study. Raw data will then be collated and checked. Individual patient data analysis based on a logistic regression model with adjustment for confounding variables will be done. For all analyses, corresponding 95% confidence intervals and P values will be reported. CONCLUSION This collaborative individual patient data meta-analysis will answer important clinical questions regarding patients with acute pancreatitis that develop organ failure. Information derived from this study will be used to optimize routine clinical management and improve care strategies. It can also help validate outcome definitions, allow comparability of results and form a more accurate basis for patient allocation in further clinical studies.

Fatores preditivos de coledocolitíase em doentes com litíase vesicular

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic predictors of choledocholithiasis in patients sustaining gallstones assessed by cholangiography. METHODS: In a prospective study, 148 patients were analyzed regarding clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic data. All patients underwent cholangiography, either preoperative endoscopic or during cholecystectomy. Each variable was compared between the ones who sustained lithiasis in the biliary tree and the others, in order to find out the predictors of choledocholithiasis. Sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy were calculated. Spearman correlation, Odds ratio and logistic regression were employed for the statistical analysis, considering p<0.05 as significant. RESULTS: The variables that showed statistical significance were: presence of jaundice, elevated blood serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, g glutamyltransferase (gGT), aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirrubin, and biliary tract dilatation or choledocholithiasis in the ultrasound. The logistic regression presented an equation capable of predicting the probability of choledocholithiasis based in the variables: jaundice, presence of choledocholithiasis in the ultrasound, and blood levels of gGT. The best option to exclude the presence of choledocholithiasis was gGT , as it held the higher NPV. Every patient with choledocholithiasis in this sample sustained at least one of the preoperative criteria analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Jaundice and choledocholithiasis at the ultrasound were the best predictors of choledocholithiasis; as well as gGT was the most reliable factor to exclude this diagnosis.

Acute pancreatitis complicated with splenic rupture: A case report.

Atraumatic splenic rupture is an uncommon complication of acute pancreatitis. This report describes the case of a 30-year-old man with acute pancreatitis and splenic vein thrombosis complicated by splenic rupture. The patient was admitted to the emergency department with pain in the upper abdomen that had been present for six hours and was associated with vomiting and sweating. He was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis of alcoholic etiology. Upon computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen, the pancreatitis was scored as Balthazar C grade, and a suspicious area of necrosis affecting 30% of the pancreas with splenic vein thrombosis was revealed. Seventy-two hours after admission, the patient had significant improvement in symptoms. However, he showed clinical worsening on the sixth day of hospitalization, with increasing abdominal distension and reduced hemoglobin levels. A CT angiography showed a large amount of free fluid in the abdominal cavity, along with a large splenic hematoma and contrast extravasation along the spleen artery. The patient subsequently underwent laparotomy, which showed hemoperitoneum due to rupture of the splenic parenchyma. A splenectomy was then performed, followed by ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage.

Fístula pancreática após duodenopancreatectomia: correlação dos aspectos intra-operatórios e histologicos do pâncreas

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between the occurrence of pancreatic fistula after pancreatojejunal anastomosis in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary malignancy and the histological fibrosis and inflammation found in pancreatic tissue and the caliber of the main pancreatic duct. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study with patients that were treated with surgical resection. The rate of pancreatic fistulae was recorded. Histology classification was performed according to fibrosis and pancreatic inflammation. RESULTS We identified 77 patients, mean age was 57.6 years; 62.4% were male. As for the type of operation performed, 66.3% were gastroduodenopancreatectomies and 33.7% pancreatoduodenectomies with pylorus preservation. Regarding the number of fistulas diagnosed, it was found that 23.4% patients displayed this postoperative complication and in 66.7% the cause was cancer of the papilla. As for intraoperative macroscopic findings, we identified the classification of pancreatic texture, seen as normal in 85.8%, and the caliber of the main pancreatic duct, finding an average of 4.9 mm. There was a significant relationship between the hardened pancreatic stump and the absence of fistula. In patients with normal or soft tissue, the rate of fistula was 25.4%. Regarding ductal diameter, we identified a higher number of pancreatic anastomotic dehiscences in the absence of ductal dilation (p <0.05). We noticed that patients with an average ductal diameter of 5.4 mm (76.7%) did not show this complication. CONCLUSION The presence of fibrosis and ductal dilation usually coexist and is related to a lower percentage of pancreatic fistulae.

Long-Term Outcomes after Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis: What Happens to the Pancreas and to the Patient?

CONTEXT Late consequences of acute pancreatitis have received little attention. It is controversial whether the pancreas fully recovers after an episode of acute pancreatitis, especially in the presence of necrosis. Therefore, the presence of late pancreatic dysfunction following acute necrotizing pancreatitis is uncertain and there are controversies about how it may affect long-term quality of life. OBJECTIVES To evaluate pancreatic function and morphology, besides quality of life, in patients with prior acute necrotizing pancreatitis. PATIENTS Patients who were admitted to our hospital with acute necrotizing pancreatitis in a ten-year interval were identified and thirty-eight survivors were contacted to enroll in the study out of which sixteen patients were included. METHODS Exocrine function was studied by qualitative fecal fat excretion. Endocrine function was evaluated by oral glucose tolerance test, HOMA-beta and C-peptide. Pancreatic morphology was examined by computed tomography. Quality of life was measured by 36-item short-form health survey. Tests were performed at least twelve months after the index episode of acute necrotizing pancreatitis. RESULTS The prevalence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency was 6.2%. Endocrine dysfunction was observed in half the cases, and no association with the extension of necrosis was found. Morphological changes were frequent (62.5%) and more prevalent in those who faced extensive necrosis. Quality of life was considered good, and its impairment was found exclusively in mental health domain, markedly in patients who had alcoholic pancreatitis. There was no correlation between quality of life and prognostic indicators. CONCLUSIONS Exocrine function and quality of life were preserved in this group of patients. However, endocrine dysfunction and morphological abnormalities were frequent after acute necrotizing pancreatitis. These findings justify a long-term follow-up in order to initiate specific treatment promptly.