Comprehensive clinicopathologic characteristics of intraabdominal neurogenic tumors:Single institution experience

BACKGROUND Neurogenic tumors are rare but represent an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of abdominal mesenchymal tumors.Reports on their incidence,pathological features and clinical characteristics are scarce.AIM To advance the overall knowledge on the histologic,immunohistochemical,clinical and radiologic characteristics of neurogenic tumors through this case series.METHODS An established database of a nationwide tertiary referral center,covering a 15-year period(2005 and 2020),was retrospectively re-evaluated.Diagnoses of neurogenic tumor cases were confirmed by two experts following review of the macroscopic,histological and immunohistochemical records along with findings from analysis of archived tissue sections for each included patient.Tissue microarrays were constructed for cases lacking necessary immunohistochemical studies.Clinical data and follow-up information were collected from the hospital records and the patients themselves,when available.RESULTS The study included 19 cases of intraabdominal neurogenic tumors,representing 12 women and 7 men, between 18 and 86 years of age (median: 51 years). Finalconfirmed diagnoses were 12 schwannomas, 2 diffuse submucosal neurofibromatoses,2 ganglioneuromas, 2 malignant peripheral sheath nerve tumors,and 1 mucosal Schwann cell hamartoma. Sizes of the tumors were variable, with amedian diameter of 4 cm;the two largest (> 10 cm) were schwannomas. Themajority of cases were asymptomatic at presentation, but the most frequentsymptom was abdominal pain. Gastrointestinal tract lesions were detected withendoscopy and extra-luminal lesions were detected with cross-sectional imaging.All cases were S100-positive and CD117-negative;most cases were negative fordesmin, epithelial membrane antigen, smooth muscle actin and CD34. In all but 5cases, the Ki67 proliferation index was ≤ 1%.CONCLUSION Re-evaluation of 19 cases of abdominal neurogenic tumors demonstrated considerablevariability in clinicopathologic characteristics depending on location,dimension and histological features.

Epidemiological study of community- and hospital-acquired intraabdominal infections

Purpose： To investigate and analyze the clinical and etiological characteristics of community-acquired intraabdominal infections （CIAIs） and hospital-acquired or nosocomial intraabdominal infections （NIAIs） in a comprehensive hospital, to understand the characteristics, pathogen composition, and drug resistance of CIAls as well as NIAIs, and to provide a reference for clinical treatment. Methods： We collected the clinical data of patients with intraabdominal infections admitted to our hospital from June 2013 to June 2014. In vitro drug sensitivity tests were conducted to separate pathogens, and the data were analyzed using the WHONET 5.4 software and SPSS 13.0 software. Results： A total of 221 patients were enrolled in the study, including 144 with CIAls （55 mild-moderate and 89 severe） and 77 with NIAIs. We isolated 322 pathogenic strains, including 234 strains of gramnegative bacteria, 82 strains of gram-positive bacteria, and 6 strains of fungi. Based on clinical features, NIAIs and severe ClAls presented significantly higher values in age, length of hospital stay, mortality, and the incidence of severe intra-abdominal infection than mild-moderate CIAIs （p 〈 0.05）. There was no significant difference in the prognosis between NIAIs and severe CIAIs. Primary diseases leading to CIAIs and NIAIs mostly were hepatobiliary diseases and gastrointestinal diseases respectively. Bacteria isolated from various types of IAls mainly were Enterobacteriaceae; mild-moderate CIAIs mostly were mono-infection of gram-negative bacteria; NIAIs mostly were mixed infections of gram-negative and grampositive bacteria; and severe CIAls were from either type of infection. The rate of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase-producing Escherichia coil and Klebsiella pneurnoniae was much higher in NIAIs than in CIAIs （p 〈 0.05）. The antimicrobial drug sensitivity of gram-negative bacteria isolated from NIAIs was significantly lower than that of CIAIs. Conclusion： CIAIs and NIAIs have their own unique clinical features and epidemiological features of pathogens which should be considered during the initial empiric therapy for the rational use of anti- microbial drugs. Regional IAls pathogenic bacteria have their own features in drug resistance, slightly different from some recommendations of 2010 Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines.

Bacterial infection after liver transplantation

Infectious complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation,despite recent advances in the transplant field.Bacteria,fungi,viruses and parasites can cause infection before and after transplantation.Among them,bacterial infections are predominant during the first two months posttransplantation and affect patient and graft survival.They might cause surgical site infections,including deep intra-abdominal infections,bacteremia,pneumonia,catheter-related infections and urinary tract infections.The risk factors for bacterial infections differ between the periods after transplant,and between centers.Recently,the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria is great concern in liver transplant(LT)patients.The instructive data about effects of infections with extended-spectrum beta lactamase producing bacteria,carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria,and glycopeptide-resistant gram-positive bacteria were reported on a center-by-center basis.To prevent posttransplant bacterial infections,proper strategies need to be established based upon center-specific data and evidence from well-controlled studies.This article reviewed the recent epidemiological data,risk factors for each type of infections and important clinical issues in bacterial infection after LT.

Indocyanine green kinetics to assess liver function: Ready for a clinical dynamic assessment in major liver surgery?

Indocyanine green(ICG) kinetics(PDR/R15) used to quantitatively assess hepatic function in the perioperative period of major resective surgery and liver transplantation have been the object of an extensive, updated and critical review. New, non invasive bedside monitors(pulse dye densitometry technology) make this opportunity widely available in clinical practice. After having reviewed basic concepts of hepatic clearance, we analysed the most common indications ICG kinetic parameters have nowadays in clinical practice, focusing in particular on the diagnostic and prognostic role of PDR and R15 in the perioperative period of major liver surgery and liver transplantation. As recently pointed out, even if of extreme interest, ICG clearance parameters have still some limitations, to be considered when using these tests.

Enhanced recovery after surgery in emergency colorectal surgery:Review of literature and current practices

Enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS), a multidisciplinary program designed to minimize stress response to surgery and promote the recovery of organ function, has become a standard of perioperative care for elective colorectal surgery. In an elective setting, ERAS program has consistently been shown to decrease postoperative complication, reduce length of hospital stay, shorten convalescence, and lower healthcare cost. Recently, there is emerging evidence that ERAS program can be safely and effectively applied to patients with emergency colorectal conditions such as acute colonic obstruction and intraabdominal infection. This review comprehensively covers the concept and application of ERAS program for emergency colorectal surgery. The outcomes of ERAS program for this emergency surgery are summarized as follows:(1) The ERAS program was associated with a lower rate of overall complication and shorter length of hospital stay – without increased risks of readmission,reoperation and death after emergency colorectal surgery; and(2) Compliance with an ERAS program in emergency setting appeared to be lower than that in an elective basis. Moreover, scientific evidence of each ERAS item used in emergency colorectal operation is shown. Perspectives of ERAS pathway in emergency colorectal surgery are addressed. Finally, evidence-based ERAS protocol for emergency colorectal surgery is presented.

Abdominal compartment syndrome among surgical patients

Abdominal compartment syndrome(ACS)develops when organ failure arises secondary to an increase in intraabdominal pressure.The abdominal pressure is determined by multiple factors such as blood pressure,abdominal compliance,and other factors that exert a constant pressure within the abdominal cavity.Several conditions in the critically ill may increase abdominal pressure compromising organ perfusion that may lead to renal and respiratory dysfunction.Among surgical and trauma patients,aggressive fluid resuscitation is the most commonly reported risk factor to develop ACS.Other conditions that have also been identified as risk factors are ascites,hemoperitoneum,bowel distention,and large tumors.All patients with abdominal trauma possess a higher risk of developing intra-abdominal hypertension(IAH).Certain surgical interventions are reported to have a higher risk to develop IAH such as damage control surgery,abdominal aortic aneurysm repair,and liver transplantation among others.Close monitoring of organ function and intra-abdominal pressure(IAP)allows clinicians to diagnose ACS rapidly and intervene with target-specific management to reduce IAP.Surgical decompression followed by temporary abdominal closure should be considered in all patients with signs of organ dysfunction.There is still a great need for more studies to determine the adequate timing for interventions to improve patient outcomes.

Polymyxin B hemoperfusion as a feasible therapy after source control in abdominal septic shock

BACKGROUND Polymyxin B hemoperfusion(PMX-HP)has been used as a treatment for intraabdominal septic shock by absorbing and removing endotoxins of gram-negative bacilli.AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy of PMX-HP in patients with gram-negative septic shock who underwent abdominal surgery.METHODS From January 2012 to December 2018,patients who had septic shock secondary to peritonitis were enrolled.They were classified into PMX-HP treated and control groups based on postopreative intervention using PMX-HP.The clinical outcomes were compared using 1:1 propensity score matching methods to balance the overall distribution between the two groups.RESULTS After propensity score matching,40 patients were analyzed(20 patients in the PMX group and 20 patients in the control group).The scores of total Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA)score,renal SOFA and coagulation SOFA were significantly improved in the PMX group but not in the control group.(from 11.2±5.8 to 4.7±3.5 in PMX group vs 10.0±4.0 to 8.7±7.3 in control group,P=0.047 from 2.6±1.0 to 0.7±1.0 in PMX group vs 2.6±1.5 to 2.8±1.6 in control group,P=0.000,from 1.6±1.5 to 1.3±1.3 in PMX group vs 1.2±1.2 to 2.8±1.8 in control group,P=0.014,respectively).Further,the length of intensive care unit(ICU)stay was significantly shorter in PMX group.However,no statistically significant difference was found in ICU mortality(50%in PMX group vs 50%in control group).CONCLUSION PMX-HP is a feasible adjunct treatment for peritonitis in ICU patients with peritonitis for improved organ impairment and to stabilize hemodynamics.It would be helpful to enhance clinical outcomes especially in patients with complete elimination of the source of gram-negative bacilli infection by surgical procedure accompanied with conventional treatment of sepsis.

Role of endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration/biopsy in the evaluation of intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy due to tuberculosis

BACKGROUND Intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy due to tuberculosis(TB)poses a diagnostic challenge due to difficulty in tissue acquisition.Although endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration/biopsy(EUS-FNA/B)has shown promise in the evaluation of mediastinal lymph nodes,its role in the evaluation of intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy is not clear.AIM To assess the role of EUS-FNA/B in the evaluation of intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy due to TB.METHODS This was a retrospective study where patients with intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy who underwent evaluation with EUS-FNA/B were included.TB was diagnosed if the patient had any one of the following:(1)Positive acid fast bacilli(AFB)stain/TB GeneXpert/TB-polymerase chain reaction/AFB culture of tissue sample;and(2)Positive Mantoux test and response to anti-tubercular therapy.EUS-FNA reports,clinical reports and imaging characteristics of patients were recorded for a detailed analysis of patients with TB.RESULTS A total of 149 patients underwent an EUS-FNA/B from lymph nodes(mean age 51±17 years,M:F=1.2).Benign inflammatory reactive changes were seen in 45 patients(30.2%),while 54 patients(36.2%)showed granulomatous inflammation with/without caseation.Among these,51 patients(94.4%)were confirmed to have TB as per pre-defined criteria.Patients with TB were more likely to have hypoechoic and matted nodes[40 patients(67.7%)].EUS-FNA/B was found to have a sensitivity and specificity of 86%and 93%respectively,with a diagnostic accuracy of 88%in the evaluation of intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy due to TB.CONCLUSION EUS-FNA/B has a high diagnostic yield with a good sensitivity and specificity in the evaluation of intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy due to TB.However,the validity of these findings in populations with low prevalence of TB needs further evaluation.

Use of chorioamniotic membrane instead of bogota bag in open abdomen: How I Do It?

It is one of the most important problems for general surgeons to decide which operation should be undertaken on patients with intra-abdominal infection, especially those with concomitant abdominal hypertension. Recentlly, closure techniques using prosthetic meshes in order to retain abdominal tension and to control sepsis have become very popular for patients with abdominal sepsis and hypertension. We used chorioamniotic membrane instead of plastic material to cover the open abdomen. We conclude that human chorioamniotic membrane prepared under sterile conditions may be an alternative to conventional plastic bags in daily practice, for preventing serosal erosion and fistulas in patients undergoing open abdominal surgery.

Successful management of adhesion related small bowel ischemia without intestinal resection: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Intraabdominal adhesions develop spontaneously or after an inflammatory process or surgical procedure in the abdomen.They are the most common cause of small bowel obstruction(SBO).SBO occasionally leads to intestinal ischemia(In Is)which can be a life-threatening condition that requires management as soon as possible.We herein report a case of SBO with In Is presented in our institution and treated without intestinal resection.CASE SUMMARY A 34-year-old man presented at the emergency department after a 12-h-onset diffuse abdominal pain,bloating and nausea.He had a history of traumatic right hepatectomy 11 years ago as well as adhesiolysis and resection of a long part of small bowel 2 years ago.An abdominal computed tomography(CT)showed dilated loops that led to the diagnosis of SBO.Due to deteriorating lactic acidosis,the patient was operated.Torsion of the small bowel around an adhesion led to2.30 m of ischemic ileum.After the application of N/S 40°C for 20 min,the intestine showed signs of improvement and it was decided to avoid resection and instead temporary close the abdomen with vacuum-pack technique.At the second-look laparotomy 48 h later,the intestine appeared normal.The patient was discharged on the 8 th post-op day in excellent condition.CONCLUSION In case of SBO caused by adhesions,extreme caution is needed if In Is is present,as the clinical signs are mild and you should rely for diagnosis in CT findings and lactate levels.Conservative surgical approach could reverse the effects of In Is,if performed quickly,so that intestinal resection is avoided and should be used even when minimum signs of viability are present.

Safety in Surgery:Evaluation of Safety and Efficiency in Use of Aminoglycosides in Acute Appendicitis

Background: Aminoglycosides are used as empirical antibiotic treatment of intraabdominal infections which are caused by Gram negative bacteria and for which the treatment of choice is surgery. Aminoglycosides maintain good efficacy against these bacteria and reduce the need for prescribing fluoroquinolone, cephalosporin and carbapenem antibiotics which contribute to the development of resistant bacterial strains. In recent years, several clinical trials and international guidelines have advised against the use of aminoglycosides owing largely to doubts about their effectiveness and to the concern for their known nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Aim: In our study, we aimed to prove whether aminoglycosides are appropriate agents in the treatment of acute appendicitis. Methods: Retrospectively, patients with acute appendicitis we included in the trial. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, clinical signs and symptoms, the type of antibiotic and surgical treatment were analyzed. The effect of independent variables on the occurrence of complications was calculated using Student’s T-test and Fisher’s precise test. The effect of aminoglycosides on the loss of kidney function was determined by means of a linear regression method. Results: 300 patients proved acute appendicitis were included in the study. Univariate statistical analysis showed that the risk factors for postoperative complications in treating acute appendicitis were: age over 76 years (p Conclusion: Aminoglycoside antibiotics are a safe and effective treatment of acute appendicitis;our not published data are positive of AGs use in acute cholecystitis and left colon diverticulitis which requires surgery. If used for a limited time period, they do not increase the risk for kidney injury and remain a stable low level of all over complications.