Development of perianal ulcer as a result of acute fulminant amoebic colitis

We report a case of acute fulminant amoebic colitis that resulted in the development of a perianal ulcer in a 29-year-old Japanese homosexual man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The patient was admitted to our hospital with a persistent perianal abscess that was refractory to antibiotic therapy adminis-tered at another hospital. On admission, we observed a giant ulcer in the perianal region. At first, cytomega-lovirus colitis was suspected by blood investigations. Ganciclovir therapy was initiated; however, the patient developed necrosis of the skin around the anus during therapy. We only performed end-sigmoidostomy and necrotomy to avoid excessive surgical invasion. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen revealed the presence of trophozoite amoebae, indicating a final diagnosis of acute fulminant amoebic colitis. The patient's postoperative course was favorable, and proctectomy of the residual rectum was performed 11 mo later. Amoebic colitis is one of the most severe complications affecting patients with AIDS. Particularly, acute fulminant amoebic colitis may result in a poor prognosis; therefore, staged surgical therapy as a lessinvasive procedure should be considered as one of the treatment options for these patients.

Indwelling catheter and conservative measures in the treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome in fulminant acute pancreatitis

AIM： To study the effect of combined indwelling catheter, hemofiltration, respiration support and traditional Chinese medicine （e.g. Dahuang） in treating abdominal compartment syndrome of fulminant acute pancreatitis. METHODS： Patients with fulminant acute pancreatitis were divided randomly into 2 groups of combined indwelling catheter celiac drainage and intra-abdominal pressure monitoring and routine conservative measures group （group 1） and control group （group 2）. Routine non-operative conservative treatments including hemofiltration, respiration support, gastrointestinal TCM ablution were also applied in control group patients. Effectiveness of the two groups was observed, and APACHE Ⅱ scores were applied for analysis. RESULTS： On the second and fifth days after treatment, APACHE Ⅱ scores of group 1 and 2 patients were significantly different. Comparison of effectiveness （abdominalgia and burbulence relief time, hospitalization time） between groups 1 and 2 showed significant difference, as well as incidence rates of cysts formation. Mortality rates of groups 1 and 2 were 10.0% and 20.7%, respectively. For patients in group 1, celiac drainage quantity and intra-abdominal pressure, and hospitalization time were positively correlated （r = 0.552, 0.748, 0.923, P 〈 0.01） with APACHE Ⅱ scores. CONCLUSION： Combined indwelling catheter celiac drainage and intra-abdominal pressure monitoring, short veno-venous hemofiltration （SVVH）, gastrointestinal TCM ablution, respiration support have preventive and treatment effects on abdominal compartment syndrome of fulminant acute pancreatitis.

EARLY SURGERY TO PATIENTS SUFFERING FULMINANT ACUTE PANCREATITIS WITH ABDOMINAL COMPARTMENT SYNDROME

Objective To retrospectively analyze and compare conservative versus surgical treatment of patients with fulminant acute pancreatitis (FAP) plus abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). Methods From January 1998 to September 2005, 21 patients with FAP plus ACS were retrospectively analyzed. Ten patients were conservatively treated by means of intensive care medicine without surgery, and 11 patients received open surgical management and suction drainage. Results Seven of the 10 non-surgical patients died, comprising one with mild, four with moderate and two with severe ACS (70% mortality rate). Of the 11 patients receiving open surgical management in the early phase (within 3 days of disease initiation), three died, comprising one with moderate and two with severe ACS (27.3% mortality rate). The difference in mortality rates was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion Our data indicate patients suffering FAP with severe ACS should be treated with open management of the abdomen in the early phase (within 3 days), even in the absence of infection. This approach appears superior to that of conservative management. Surgical treatment resulted in abdominal decompression and subsequently significantly decreased the mortality rate and improved overall prognosis.

Early operation for fulminant acute pancreatitis： a possible way to decrease mortality

Background Although the indication controversial, our experience of surgical patients. and the timing for surgery in fulminant treatment for fulminant acute pancreatitis acute pancreatitis （FAP） are still may help improve the outcome for Methods The clinical data of twenty-six patients with FAP from January 1, 2001 to October 1, 2005 were analyzed. The diagnostic criteria fitted the 2007 Guidelines for the Management of Severe Acute Pancreatitis by the Chinese Medical Association. Results Twenty-six patients with FAP received surgical debridement, with a mortality rate of 42.3% （11/26）. The postoperative mortalities in the 〉72 hour operation group and the 〈72 hour operation group were highly significantly different （7/8 vs 22.2% （4/18）, respectively）. Conclusions Early surgery may reduce the intraabdominal pressure and prevent the deterioration of FAP. An operation within 72 hours from the onset of symptoms might decrease the mortality of the disease.

Clinical application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in children with refractory cardiopulmonary failure

Background:This study aimed to discribe the experience in supporting children with refractory cardiopulmonary failure with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO).Methods:We retrospectively reviewed 12 children with refractory cardiopulmonary failure supported with ECMO from February 2009 to August 2015 in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit(PICU),Children's Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine.Results:Seven of the 12 patients were weaned successfully from ECMO and dischaged from the hospital,with a survival rate of 58.3%(7/12).Among them,fi ve patients had acute fulminant myocarditis(AFM).Complications during ECMO included hemorrhage,hemolysis,thrombosis,acute kidney injury,and secondary hematogenous infection.During 1-24 month follow-up,the seven surviving patients recovered with normal cardiopulmonary function.Conclusion:ECMO is useful for supporting children with refractory cardiopulmonary failure,especially for treatment of AFM.