Thomas Jungbluth

New Insights into the Epidemiology and Etiology of Fournier’s Gangrene: A Review of 33 Patients

AbstractBackground:Fournier’s gangrene is a necrotizing fasciitis involving the perineal and genital regions. Even today, this often polymicrobial infection still carries a high mortality rate and continues to be a major challenge to the medical community. The purpose of this study was to report our experience with this condition and to compare it with those reported in published studies. We also introduce our approach to treatment.Methods:We analyzed data from 33 patients with Fournier’s gangrene who were managed in our hospital from 1996 to 2007, focusing on patient gender, age, etiology, predisposing conditions, comorbidities, bacteriology, sepsis, blood results, mortality, and spread of gangrene.Results:18 (54.5%) of the 33 patients had been referred to our department by smaller district hospitals. The patient cohort consisted of 23 men and ten women with a median age of 59 years (range 40–79 years). The median time between the onset of symptoms and progression to gangrene was 6 days (range 2–28 days). An underlying cause was identified in 27 patients (81.8%). The commonest etiological events were perianal and perirectal abscesses (n = 13; 39.4%). Predisposing factors included diabetes mellitus in 12 cases (36.4%), chronic alcoholism in ten cases (30.3%), immunosuppression in six cases (18.2%), and prolonged immobilization in five cases (15.2%). 17 patients (51.5%) had a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher, and 13 patients (39.4%) had a BMI of 30 or higher. Positive cultures were obtained in 30 cases (90.9%). In 26 cases (78.8%), multiple microorganisms were recovered, including nine cases (27.3%) with both aerobes and anaerobes. Sepsis was present in 26 patients (78.8%). The mortality rate was 18.2%.Conclusion:Fournier’s gangrene remains a major challenge with a high mortality. Our results suggest that women are more commonly affected than has generally been assumed. Contrary to published reports, we found that anorectal sources appear to account for more cases of Fournier’s gangrene than urological sources.

Laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer

ZusammenfassungGRUNDLAGEN: Die laparoskopische kolorektale Chirurgie in der Therapie benigner Erkrankungen ist zunehmend akzeptiert und etwa in der Behandlung der chronisch rezidivierenden Divertikulitis bereits Standard. METHODIK: Die Daten der letzten Jahre zeigen deutlich, dass das laparoskopische Vorgehen beim linksseitigen Kolonkarzinom der offenen Technik unter onkologischen Gesichtspunkten gleichwertig ist. Darüber hinaus sind mit dem laparoskopischen Vorgehen verschiedene Vorteile wie reduziertes Zugangstrauma, geringere pulmonale Komplikationen und geringere Immunosuppression verbunden, die konsekutiv in schnellerer Rekonvaleszenz und verkürztem Krankenhausaufenthalt münden. ERGEBNISSE: Dennoch wird das laparoskopische Vorgehen zur Therapie des Rektumkarzinoms kontrovers diskutiert. Es bestehen immer noch Zweifel an der onkologischen Radikalität bzw. Gleichwertigkeit gegenüber dem offenen Vorgehen. Die Beantwortung der Frage nach sicherer Schonung des autonomen Nervenplexus bzw. der Integrität des dissezierten Mesorektums scheint unbeantwortet – und dies insbesondere unter der Vorstellung der engen anatomischen Gegebenheiten des männlichen Beckens eines übergewichtigen Patienten. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNGEN: Die klinische Realität und nicht zuletzt die Daten mehrerer Studien zeigen jedoch, dass laparoskopische Rektumchirurgie onkologisch adäquat machbar ist, und auch die Lymphknotendissektion bzw. die TME gleichwertig dem offenen Vorgehen durchführbar scheint.SummaryBACKGROUND: Laparoscopic colorectal procedures for the treatment of benign disorders are increasingly appreciated and have become the standard procedure for e.g. surgical treatment for recurrent diverticulitis. METHODS: Data show that even laparoscopic surgery for left sided colon cancer is seen as oncologically equal to the classic open resection. Laparoscopic resections offer several benefits e.g. minimal impairment of gastrointestinal and pulmonary functions, lower immunosuppression, shorter hospital stay, and faster reconvalescence. RESULTS: However, laparoscopic resections for rectal cancer are still discussed controversially as concerns are raised in terms of oncologic radicality, port-site metastases, autonomic nerve preservation, and completeness of total mesorectal excision especially in obese male patients with a tight pelvis. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical reality and several studies demonstrate that laparoscopic rectal surgery for cancer is oncologically feasible, lymph node dissection is equivalent to open surgery, and the incidence of port-site recurrence is not increased compared to wound recurrence in conventional laparotomy.

Metachronous metastasis- and survival-analysis show prognostic importance of lymphadenectomy for colon carcinomas

BackgroundLymphadenectomy is performed to assess patient prognosis and to prevent metastasizing. Recently, it was questioned whether lymph node metastases were capable of metastasizing and therefore, if lymphadenectomy was still adequate. We evaluated whether the nodal status impacts on the occurrence of distant metastases by analyzing a highly selected cohort of colon cancer patients.Methods1,395 patients underwent surgery exclusively for colon cancer at the University of Lübeck between 01/1993 and 12/2008. The following exclusion criteria were applied: synchronous metastasis, R1-resection, prior/synchronous second carcinoma, age < 50 years, positive family history, inflammatory bowel disease, FAP, HNPCC, and follow-up < 5 years. The remaining 421 patients were divided into groups with (TM+, n = 75) or without (TM-, n = 346) the occurrence of metastasis throughout a 5-year follow-up.ResultsFive-year survival rates for TM + and TM- were 21% and 73%, respectively (p < 0.0001). Survival rates differed significantly for N0 vs. N2, grading 2 vs. 3, UICC-I vs. -II and UICC-I vs. -III (p < 0.05). Regression analysis revealed higher age upon diagnosis, increasing N- and increasing T-category to significantly impact on recurrence free survival while increasing N-and T-category were significant parameters for the risk to develop metastases within 5-years after surgery (HR 1.97 and 1.78; p < 0.0001).ConclusionsBesides a higher T-category, a positive N-stage independently implies a higher probability to develop distant metastases and correlates with poor survival. Our data thus show a prognostic relevance of lymphadenectomy which should therefore be retained until conclusive studies suggest the unimportance of lmyphadenectomy.

Complicated course of oesophageal perforations because of fungal infections

Die Ösophagusperforation hat eine hohe Letalitätsrate, welche zwischen 7 und 49% schwankt. Im untersuchten Kollektiv aus den Jahren 1986 bis 2003 war die hohe Letalitätsrate von 28% vorwiegend durch septische Komplikationen wie Mediastinitiden und Pneumonien verursacht. In den mikrobiologischen Untersuchungen unterschiedlicher Lokalisationen und Sekrete wurden bei 28% der Patienten (n = 16) Pilze nachgewiesen. Im Vergleich zum Gesamtkollektiv führte der Pilzbefall zu einer erhöhten Letalität um 50%. Die invasive ösophageale Candidose kann ihrerseits Ursache einer Ösophagusperforation sein. Begleitende Pilzinfektionen entstehen bei Ösophagusperforationen durch das Einbrechen der Perforation in sterile Kompartimente oder durch hämatogene und lymphogene Ausbreitung bis hin zur Sepsis. Bei unkompliziertem Krankheitsverlauf ist eine antimykotische Therapie nicht erforderlich. Vom Anfang der Behandlung an sollte ein mikrobiologisches Monitoring erfolgen, insbesondere des intraoperativen Befundes. Je nach Risikofaktoren und klinischem Verlauf der Patienten muss mit einer antimykotischen Therapie reagiert werden. Besondere Bedeutung kommt einer chirurgischen Sanierung und einer suffizienten Drainage der beteiligten Kompartimente wie Pleura und Mediastinum zu.

How to do it—laparoscopic resection rectopexy

IntroductionA variety of surgical strategies have been suggested and many surgical techniques, both abdominal and perineal, have been introduced for treatment of rectal prolapse. All these techniques and approaches are based on the attempt to restore the normal anatomy and physiologic function.MethodsIn 1992, Berman et al. published the first laparoscopically performed rectopexy. Meanwhile, many different minimally invasive procedures have been described. Throughout the past century, more than 100 different surgical techniques have been introduced to treat patients with rectal prolapse. Unfortunately, there is still lack of one generally accepted standard technique for the surgical treatment of rectal prolapse.Results and discussionOur current data strongly supports laparoscopic resection rectopexy to be a safe, fast, and very effective procedure to improve function in patients with rectal prolapse. More evaluations of long-term outcome are needed that focus on each particular laparoscopic procedure to adequately compare different techniques. The indication to perform a laparoscopic resection rectopexy in patients with a previous perineal procedure and a recurrent prolapse should be stated critically because these patients seem to have a high risk to develop yet another recurrence.

Evaluation of the quality of life after surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE Pain is the main symptom of chronic pancreatitis. However, in addition to an improvement in pain symptoms, an increase in the quality of life also influences therapeutic success. The present paper evaluates the influence of surgery on chronic pancreatitis, and the early and late postoperative quality of life. PATIENTS From March 2000 until April 2005, 51 patients underwent surgical treatment for chronic pancreatitis at our institution. INTERVENTION Thirty-nine (76.5%) patients were operated on according to the Frey procedure and, in 12 (23.5%) patients, a Whipple procedure was performed. STUDY DESIGN Patient data were documented throughout the duration of the hospital stay. Postoperative follow-up data were recorded retrospectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Postoperative follow-up with postoperative pain scores and quality of life were carried out using a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS During a median follow-up period of 50 months, an improvement in pain scores was observed in 92.3% of the patients in the Frey group and in 66.7% in the Whipple group. The indices for global quality of life and for physical and emotional status increased in both surgical groups. CONCLUSION For patients with chronic pancreatitis, the decisive factor is the quality of life, particularly concerning pain and metabolic changes. The Frey procedure seems to offer advantages with respect to long-term freedom of pain and low risk of surgery-induced pancreatic insufficiency.

Erschwerter Verlauf von Ösophagusperforationen durch Pilzinfektion

Die Ösophagusperforation hat eine hohe Letalitätsrate, welche zwischen 7 und 49% schwankt. Im untersuchten Kollektiv aus den Jahren 1986 bis 2003 war die hohe Letalitätsrate von 28% vorwiegend durch septische Komplikationen wie Mediastinitiden und Pneumonien verursacht. In den mikrobiologischen Untersuchungen unterschiedlicher Lokalisationen und Sekrete wurden bei 28% der Patienten (n = 16) Pilze nachgewiesen. Im Vergleich zum Gesamtkollektiv führte der Pilzbefall zu einer erhöhten Letalität um 50%. Die invasive ösophageale Candidose kann ihrerseits Ursache einer Ösophagusperforation sein. Begleitende Pilzinfektionen entstehen bei Ösophagusperforationen durch das Einbrechen der Perforation in sterile Kompartimente oder durch hämatogene und lymphogene Ausbreitung bis hin zur Sepsis. Bei unkompliziertem Krankheitsverlauf ist eine antimykotische Therapie nicht erforderlich. Vom Anfang der Behandlung an sollte ein mikrobiologisches Monitoring erfolgen, insbesondere des intraoperativen Befundes. Je nach Risikofaktoren und klinischem Verlauf der Patienten muss mit einer antimykotischen Therapie reagiert werden. Besondere Bedeutung kommt einer chirurgischen Sanierung und einer suffizienten Drainage der beteiligten Kompartimente wie Pleura und Mediastinum zu.

Outcome and management of invasive candidiasis following oesophageal perforation.

The regular colonisation of the oesophagus with a Candida species can, after oesophageal perforation, result in a contamination of the mediastinum and the pleura with a Candida species. A patient cohort of 80 patients with oesophageal perforation between 1986 and 2010 was analysed retrospectively. The most common sources with positive results for Candida were mediastinal biopsies and broncho‐alveolar secretions. Candida species were detected in 30% of the patients. The mortality rate was 41% in patients with positive microbiology results for Candida, whereas it was 23% in the remaining patient cohort. This difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.124). Mortality associated with oesophageal perforation was attributed mainly to septic complications, such as mediastinitis and severe pneumonia. During the study period we observed a shift towards non‐albicans species that were less susceptible or resistant to fluconazole. In selected patients with risk factors as immunosuppression, granulocytopenia and long‐term intensive‐care treatment together with the finding of Candida, an antimycotic therapy should be started. A surgical approach offers the possibility to obtain deep tissue biopsies. The antimycotic therapy should start with an echinocandin, as the resistance to fluconazole is growing and to cover non‐albicans Candida species, too.

Intrahepatic Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Electrochemical Treatment Ex Vivo

BACKGROUND Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and electrochemical treatment (ECT) are two methods of local liver tumor ablation. A reproducible perfusion model allowed us to compare these methods when applied in proximity to vascular structures. MATERIAL AND METHODS In a porcine liver perfusion model, we used RFA (group A) and ECT (group B) to perform ablations under ultrasound guidance within 10 mm of a vessel and examined the induced necrosis macroscopically and histologically. RESULTS We created 83 lesions (RFA: 59, ECT: 24) in 27 livers. In group A (mean liver weight: 2046 g), perfusion was macroscopically found to limit necrosis in 52.5% of the procedures. Histology demonstrated the destruction of only 30.4% of the vessel walls within the ablation areas. In group B (mean liver weight: 1885 g), we detected reproducible and sharply demarcated ablation areas both macroscopically and histologically. Necrosis was unaffected by nearby vessels. No viable cells were found perivascularly. Histology showed destruction of the vascular endothelium without any discontinuities. We measured pH values of 0.9 (range: 0.6-1.8) at the anode and 12.2 (range: 11.4-12.6) at the cathode. Treatment time was 100 min when a charge of 300 coulombs was delivered. CONCLUSIONS Electrochemical treatment is a method of ablation that creates reproducible and predictable volumes of necrosis. It produces sharply demarcated areas of complete necrosis also in perivascular sites. ECT, however, requires much longer treatment times than RFA. In our model, the effects of RFA were considerably limited by perfusion, which caused incomplete areas of necrosis in proximity to vessels.

Laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy: A consecutive series at an experienced centre

The increasing experience within the area of laparoscopic procedures has paved the way for technically‐complex procedures, such as distal pancreatectomy. In order to avoid complications associated with concomitant splenectomy, these procedures are increasingly performed with spleen preservation. A drawback is the low number of cases, which does not allow for an evidence‐based comparison between laparoscopic and open procedures, and spleen‐preserving and concomitant splenectomy procedures.