Critical considerations for the management of acute abdomen in transplant patients

The number of solid organ transplantations performed annually is increasing and are increasing in the following order:Kidney,liver,heart,lung,pancreas,small bowel,and uterine transplants.However,the outcomes of transplants are impro-ving(organ survival>90%after the 1st year).Therefore,there is a high probability that a general surgeon will be faced with the management of a transplant patient with acute abdomen.Surgical problems in immunocompromised patients may not only include graft-related problems but also nongraft-related problems.The perioperative regulation of immunosuppression,the treatment of accompanying problems of immunosuppression,the administration of cortisol and,above all,the realization of a rapidly deteriorating situation and the accurate evaluation and interpretation of clinical manifestations are particularly important in these patients.The perioperative assessment and preparation includes evaluation of the patient’s cardiovascular system and determining if the patient has hypertension or suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis,or if the patient has had any coagulation mechanism abnormalities or thromboembolic episodes.Immunosuppression in transplant patients is associated with the use of calci-neurin inhibitors,corticosteroids,and antiproliferation agents.Many times,the clinical picture is atypical,resulting in delays in diagnosis and treatment and leading to increased morbidity and mortality.Multidetector computed tomo-graphy is of utmost importance for early diagnosis and management.Transplant recipients are prone to infections,especially specific infections caused by cytomegalovirus and Clostridium difficile,and they are predisposed to intraop-erative or postoperative complications that require great care and vigilance.It is necessary to follow evidence-based therapeutic protocols.Thus,it is required that the clinician choose the correct therapeutic plan for the patient(conservative,emergency open surgery or minimally invasive surgery,including laparoscopic or even robotic surgery).

Evaluation of The Effectiveness of Abdominal and Vaginal B-Ultrasound in The Diagnosis of Acute Abdomen in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of the combined application of abdominal and vaginal B-ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute abdomen in obstetrics and gynecology. Methods: Eighty patients admitted to our hospital from March 2023 to March 2024 were selected, all of whom were acute abdomen patients admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In this study, the patients were divided into two groups. One group of 40 patients was given a simple abdominal B-ultrasound diagnosis (control group). The other group of 40 patients was given both abdominal and vaginal B-ultrasound examinations (experimental group). The diagnostic accuracy between the two groups was compared. Results: Patients in the experimental group had higher consistency rates with pathological diagnosis results in ectopic pregnancy rupture, embryonic arrest, acute pelvic inflammation, corpus luteum rupture, and intrauterine adhesions as compared to the control group. At the same time, the inspection accuracy rate of the experimental group (92.50%) was higher than that of the control group (70.00%) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The combined application of abdominal and vaginal B-ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute abdomen was of great significance in improving the accuracy of clinical diagnosis and guiding doctors to provide effective treatment.

Prevalence, Aetiology, and Clinical Profile of Acute Abdomen in Pregnancy in Southwest Cameroon: A 5-Year Retrospective Study

Background: Acute abdomen is one of the commonest reasons for presentation at the emergency department. The physiologic changes of pregnancy increase the chances of developing acute abdomen. The global incidence of acute abdomen in pregnancy range from 1 in 500 to 1 in 635 pregnant women. In 2018, a study in Azerbaijan reported a prevalence of 25%. However, to the best of our knowledge, very few studies have been carried out on this subject in Cameroon. Objectives: To determine the prevalence, assess the aetiologies, and review clinical profile of acute abdomen in pregnancy in the Southwest Cameroon. Methods: We conducted a 5-year retrospective study at the Obst/Gyn and Surgical units of Kumba, Buea, and Limbe Regional Hospitals. We included all files of pregnant women that were admitted for acute abdomen within the study period (1st Jan 2017 to 31st Dec 2021). Data was collected using a structured checklist adapted from previous studies. Descriptive statistics and statistical testing was done using SPSS version 25.0. Chi-square was used to compare categorical variables. p Results: Over 14,106 pregnant women were admitted to the aforementioned hospitals within the study period. 335 (2.4%) met our inclusion criteria. The patients’ age ranged from 17 to 43 years. The mean age was 27 years. Acute abdomen was more frequent (65%) in the first trimester. Ectopic pregnancy was the commonest obstetric aetiology while appendicitis was the commonest non obstetric surgical aetiology. Abdominal pain and tenderness were the most common presentation. Conclusion: The prevalence of acute abdomen in pregnancy in the Southwest Cameroon is 10 times higher than the global prevalence. Our study also confirmed the numerous aetiologies and varied clinical presentations of acute abdomen in pregnancy. Hence a wake-up call for primary care physicians.

Etiologies, Clinical Presentation and Outcome of Adult Patients Presenting with Bowel Obstruction on a Virgin Abdomen

Context: Generally in Africa, BO remains the leading cause of acute abdomen. We therefore sought to study the current etiological factors of intestinal obstruction on a virgin abdomen or unhealed abdomen at the central hospital of Yaoundé in order to better understand the main causes and to better anticipate and improve the diagnosis, management and the evolution of intestinal obstruction on a virgin abdomen. Method: The patients were prospectively included from June 2021 to May 2022, these patients were recruited from the digestive and emergency surgery units of the Yaoundé Central Hospital during the study period and who met the inclusion criteria, with suspicion of partial or total intestinal obstruction or those with an intraoperative confirmed diagnosis were enrolled. Results: We recruited 73 patients including 43 (60.3%) men and 29 (39.7%) women whose mean age was 42.5 years with extremes ranging from 16 to 70 years. Most of them consulted after 72 hours, i.e. 65.2% of cases due to self-medication or even prior consultations in the lower level center at the Central Hospital of Yaoundé. The patients retained for this work presented in majority the symptoms according to the abdominal pains, the stop of the materials and gases;meteorism and vomiting. Abdominal wall hernias with incarcerated intestinal loops were the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in an unscarred abdomen in adults at 38.4% of cases, followed by digestive tumors 23.3% and adhesions 17.8%. Exceptionally, a cluster of roundworms was found as the cause of intestinal obstruction in two of our patients. Complications occurred in 25 patients or 31.5% of cases and were dominated respectively by nausea and hematoma (36%), local infections (24%) and malaria (24%). Death occurred in 5 of our patients, or 6.8% of cases, and was mostly caused by hypovolemic shock (40%) and pulmonary embolism (40%). Conclusion: Intestinal obstructions on the abdomen without scarring remain the prerogative of young adults and are caused by strangulated hernias with incarcerated intestinal loops, tumors and adhesions. The rate of complications remains high and they are dominated by infectious pathology. Their mortality is clearly improving.

Spontaneous gastric hematoma as a rare cause of acute abdomen:A case report

BACKGROUND Spontaneous gastric hematoma is an exceedingly rare condition characterized by the accumulation of blood within the gastric wall without any apparent iatrogenic or traumatic cause.Coagulopathies are the most frequent cause of gastric he-matomas.However,other causes include amyloidosis,pancreatitis,visceral vas-cular aneurysms,endoscopy complications and others.The pathophysiology of spontaneous gastric hematoma is not completely understood.However,it is postulated that it is caused by disruption of submucosal vessels that leads to dissection of the muscularis layer and formation of false lumen.The rarity of this condition increases the challenge of diagnosis,and there is no standard treatment protocol.CASE SUMMARY We present the case of a spontaneous gastric hematoma in a 22-year-old male.He presented to our emergency department complaining of pain in the left flank area lasting for 2 wk.There was no history of trauma,antico-agulant medications or endoscopy procedures.His hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were slightly lower than normal.Multi-slice computed tomography,ultrasound and endoscopy confirmed a gastric intramural hematoma.We recommended conservative treatment because there was no hemodynamic instability nor significant bleeding.The patient responded well,and there were no unexpected events.At the 3-mo follow-up,the ultrasound exa-mination revealed complete regression of the hematoma.CONCLUSION After reviewing the literature and our experience,we recommend that more of these cases should be treated conservatively.The tendency to treat these cases with potentially burdensome procedures such as total or subtotal gastrectomy should be significantly reduced.

Acute abdomen caused by spontaneous rupture of degenerative hysteromyoma during pregnancy:A case report

BACKGROUND Hysteromyoma is not a rare tumor among pregnant women.During pregnancy,the symptoms caused by hysteromyoma can be improved through conservative treatment in most cases.However,in order to ensure the safety of mothers and children,surgeries are necessary in some special cases.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of pregnancy complicated with hysteromyoma red degeneration.The patient had peritonitis after sudden abdominal pain during the 20th week of pregnancy.Laparoscopic exploration suggested rupture and bleeding of hysteromyoma,which were improved after drainage and an anti-inflammatory treatment.A cesarean section was performed after full term.This case shows the complications of rupture after red degeneration of hysteromyoma during pregnancy.CONCLUSION We should be alert to rupture of hysteromyoma during pregnancy,and active laparoscopic exploration is essential to improve the prognosis of such patients.

Small intestine angioleiomyoma as a rare cause of perforation:A case report

BACKGROUND Angioleiomyoma is a rare and benign stromal tumor typically found in subcutaneous tissue.It rarely occurs in the gastrointestinal tract.Among the reported cases,the most common complication was gastrointestinal bleeding.Perforation has only been reported as a complication in the last few decades.CASE SUMMARY This case report detailed the discovery of intestinal angioleiomyoma in a 47-yearold male presenting with abdominal pain that had persisted for 3 d.After suspecting hollow organ perforation,surgical intervention involving intestinal resection and anastomosis was performed.CONCLUSION The report underscores the significance of early surgical intervention in effectively treating angioleiomyoma while emphasizing the pivotal role of timely and appropriate measures for favorable outcomes.

Stercoral perforation of the cecum:A case report

BACKGROUND With less than 90 reported cases to date,stercoral perforation of the colon is a rare occurrence.Stercoral ulceration is thought to occur due to ischemic pressure necrosis of the bowel wall,which is caused by the presence of a stercoraceous mass.To underscore this urgent surgical situation concerning clinical presentation,surgical treatment,and results,we present the case of a 66-year-old man with a stercoral perforation.CASE SUMMARY A 66-year-old man with a history of hypertension,hyperlipidemia,and gout presented at the emergency department with lower abdominal pain and a low-grade fever lasting for a few hours.Abdominal computed tomography indicated a suspected bezoar(approximately 7.6 cm)in the dilated cecum,accompanied by pericolic fat stranding,mild proximal dilatation of the ileum,pneumoperitoneum,and minimal ascites.Intraoperatively,feculent peritonitis with isolated cecal perforation were observed.Consequently,a right hemicolectomy with peritoneal lavage was performed.A histopathological examination supported the intraoperative findings.CONCLUSION In stercoral perforations,a diagnosis should be diligently pursued,especially in older adults,and prompt surgical intervention should be implemented.

A Qualitative Study of the Triage of Patients with Non-Traumatic Acute Abdomen

Objective: To explore the work experience of medical staff in the emergency department of a general hospital in the triage of patients with non-traumatic acute abdomen to formulate corresponding intervention measures and branch evaluation tools. Methods: With descriptive phenomenology as the research method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the medical staff in a tertiary hospital in Nanjing from February 1st to 10th, 2023, and Colaizzi seven-step analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 17 emergency medical staff were interviewed in this study. Four themes were derived from the analysis of the data: the etiology of acute abdomen is complex, so it is difficult to categorize them: acute abdomen requires immediate treatment, but the treat will be delayed if the categorization is inaccurate;the high pressure of nurses and the accuracy in categorizing the patients are problems that should be addressed. Conclusion: The categorization of patients with non-traumatic acute abdomen is challenging. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out corresponding intervention and formulate appropriate departmental evaluation tools to improve the accuracy of categorization of patients with acute abdomen.

Application of a 3D-printed ”fistula stent” in plugging enteroatmospheric fistula with open abdomen: A case report

BACKGROUND Open abdomen(OA) has been generally accepted for its magnificent superiority and effectiveness in patients with severe trauma, severe intra-abdominal infection, and abdominal compartment syndrome. In the meantime, OA calls for a mass of nursing and the subsequent enteroatomospheric fistula(EAF), which is one of the most common complications of OA therapy, remains a thorny challenge.CASE SUMMARY Our team applied thermoplastic polyurethane as a befitting material for producing a 3 D-printed "fistula stent" in the management of an EAF patient,who was initially admitted to local hospital because of abdominal pain and distension and diagnosed with bowel obstruction. After a series of operations and OA therapy, the patient developed an EAF.CONCLUSION Application of this novel "fistula stent" resulted in a drastic reduction in the amount of lost enteric effluent and greatly accelerated rehabilitation processes.

Acute abdomen in pregnancy due to isolated Fallopian tube torsion: The laparoscopic treatment of a rare case

In the last years, operative laparoscopy became a standard approach in gynaecology and general surgery. Even in pregnancy its use is becoming more widely accepted. In fact, it offers advantages similar to those in no pregnant women, associated with good maternal and fetal outcomes. Around 0.2% of pregnant women require abdominal surgery. The most common indications of laparoscopy in pregnancy are cholelithiasis complications, appendicitis, persistent ovarian cyst and adnexal torsion. Authors describe a very rare case of acute abdomen due to isolated Fallopian tube torsion in a 24 th weeks pregnant woman, managed by laparoscopic salpingectomy.

Dengue fever may mislead the surgeons when it presents as an acute abdomen

Objective: To review the management experience of a consecutive series of patients presenting as acute surgical abdomen whom were ultimately diagnosed to have DF(Dengue fever)/ DHF(Dengue heamorrhagic fever),Methods: Clinical data of all cases of apparent acute abdomen(AA) which were later confirmed as having DF/DHF reviewed by two surgical units from December 2012 to December 2013 were analyzed,Initially confirmed patients with DF/DHF who developed abdominal symptoms were not considered,Results: Out of the seventeen cases(7 males,age range 10-71 years) presented with fever and AA; appendicitis,cholecystitis,pancreatitis and non-specific peritonitis were suspected initially in 8,5,1 and 3 cases,respectively,Neutropenia or thrombocytopenia signifying DF/DHF occurred only in 11 patients at first evaluation thus six remained as surgical candidates beyond 24 h,One patient underwent appendicectomy with a prolonged hospital stay,DF was confirmed by serology in all patients,latest by fourth day of admission,One required blood product transfusion,4 needed critical care treatment and there was 1 death,Conclusions: DF/DHF misleads the clinicians when it presents as AA,Initial heamatological and ultrasonographic findings may be equivocal creating a diagnostic and management dilemma,Vigilant clinical suspicion and early dengue serological assessment is advisable in equivocal cases of AAs with fever in dengue endemic areas,to confirm/exclude the infection in order to avoid unnecessary surgical morbidity in the presence of DF.

Expression and Significance of Toll-like Receptor 2,4 of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Acute Abdomen Patients Associated with Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

The changes of Toll-like receptor （TLR） 2, 4 of peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs） in the acute abdomen patients associated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome （SIRS） and their potential significance were explored. A clinical study was performed on 103 acute abdomen patients in whom 65 were associated with SIRS. Forty healthy individuals served as normal controls. The mRNA expression of TLR2, 4 was detected by RT-PCR, and the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 by ELISA. The level of plasma endotoxin, hospital stay and mortality were measured. It was found that the endotoxin level was increased to varying degrees in all the acute abdomen patients, and the endotoxin level was and hospital stay longer in SIRS group than in non-SIRS group （P〈0.01）. TLR2 mRNA, TLR4 mRNA, IL-6 and TNF-ct could be detected with low value in normal controls, but they were up-regulated markedly on the 1 st day after admission. Then TLR4 mRNA, IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased gradually, but TLR2 mRNA maintained at a high level till the 5th day. These indexes above in SIRS group were higher than those in non-SIRS group （P〈0.01）. The results of correlation analysis revealed the expression of TLR2, 4 mRNA was positively correlated with the levels of TNF-α and IL-6, and the hospital stay, The results of Logistic regression demonstrated that overexpression of TLR2, 4 mRNA might result in higher risk of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome （MODS）. It was concluded that in the acute abdomen patients associated with SIRS, the expression of TLR2, 4 in PBMCs was increased markedly, suggesting that TLR might play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute abdomen associated with SIRS.

Evaluation of cancer treatment in the abdomen: Trends and advances

Response evaluation in Oncology has relied primarily on change in tumor size. Inconsistent results in the prediction of clinical outcome when size based criteria are used and the increasing role of targeted and locoregional therapies have led to the development of new methods of response evaluation that are unrelated to change in tumor size. The goals of this review are to expose briefly the size based criteria and to present the non-size based approaches that are currently applicable in the clinical setting. Other paths that are still being explored are not discussed in details.

Patterns of peritoneal spread of tumor in the abdomen and pelvis

The spread of tumor in the peritoneum can be understood, although it is a complex organ. A study of its embryology, anatomy and function is of clear benefit. It is formed from a network of folds, reflections, and potential spaces produced by the visceral and parietal peritoneum. These folds and reflections begin as a dorsal and ventral mesentery, supporting the primitive gut in early embryologic development. The dorsal mesentery connects the stomach and other organs to the posterior abdominal wall, while the ventral mesentery connects the stomach to the ventral abdominal wall. As the embryo develops, there is further organ growth, elongation, cavitation and rotation. The dorsal and ventral mesentery also develops along with the viscera, forming ligaments, mesenteries, omenta and potential spaces from the resulting reflections and folds. These ligaments, mesenteries, and omenta, support and nurture the organs of the peritoneum, providing a highway for arteries, veins, nerves and lymphatics. The potential spaces created from these folds and reflections of the visceral and parietal peritoneum are also important to realize. For example, the transverse mesocolon divides the peritoneal cavity into a supramesocolic and inframesocolic space in the abdomen and paravesicular spaces within the pelvis. The falciform ligament is well known in the supramesocolic space, dividing it further into a left and right compartment. Knowledge of the peritoneal vascular anatomy is beneficial in locating the spaces and ligaments about the peritoneum. For example, identifying the left gastric artery or vein will lead to the gastrohepatic ligament, which is part of the supramesocolic space. Besides serving a life sustaining role, the multiple compartments, ligaments, mesenteries and omenta within the peritoneum can also facilitate the spread of disease. Tumors can spread directly from one organ to another, seed metastatic deposits in the peritoneal cavity, and travel through the lymphatic or hematogenous route to invade other organs in the peritoneum.

Spectrum of mucin-producing neoplastic conditions of the abdomen and pelvis:Cross-sectional imaging evaluation

Various mucin-producing neoplasms originate in different abdominal and pelvic organs.Mucinous neoplasms differ from non-mucinous neoplasms because of the differences in clinical outcome and imaging appearance.Mucinous carcinoma,in which at least 50%of the tumor is composed of large pools of extracellular mucin and columns of malignant cells,is associated with a worse prognosis.Signet ring cell carcinoma is characterized by large intracytoplasmic mucin vacuoles that expand in the malignant cells with the nucleus displaced to the periphery.Its prognosis is also generally poor.In contrast,intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the bile duct and pancreas,which is characterized by proliferation of ductal epithelium and variable mucin production,has a better prognosis than other malignancies in the pancreaticobiliary tree.Imaging modalities play a critical role in differentiating mucinous from non-mucinous neoplasms.Due to high water content,mucin has a similar appearance to water on ultrasound(US) ,computed tomography(CT) ,and magnetic resonance imaging,except when thick and proteinaceous,and then it tends to be hypoechoic with fine internal echoes or have complex echogenicity on US,hyperdense on CT,and hyperintense on T1and hypointense on T2-weighted images,compared to water.Therefore,knowledge of characteristic mucin imaging features is helpful to diagnose various mucinproducing neoplastic conditions and to facilitate appropriate treatment.

A rare cause of acute abdomen–Spontaneous rectus sheath hematoma

Spontaneous rectus sheath hematoma(SRSH) is a rare entity that mimics acute abdomen.Rectus sheath hematoma is the accumulation of blood in rectus sheath due to muscle or epigastric vessel injury. However, SRSH without a trauma or anticoagulation is rare. It frequently mimics acute abdomen and it may lead to misdiagnosis and unnecessary laparotomy. In this article, we described two cases of SRSH with their diagnostic and therapeutic strategy. Both of our patients in report were neither consumed antiplatelet nor coagulopathy. They both had abdominal muscle straining before their symptoms presentation. We hypothesized that the SRSH may be induced by rectus muscle injury secondary to inappropriate straining or posture. To diagnose SRSH, clinical findings are important but radiologic imaging such as computed tomography, can be diagnostic. In expanding SRSH, percutaneous arterial embolization of epigastric artery is useful to secure the bleeding. If embolization is not feasible, surgical exploration hemostasis is curative. In non-expanding SRSH, it can be managed nonoperatively. SRSH is an important initial differential for acute abdomen. Radiologic imaging helps in diagnosis.Stable SRSH can be managed conservatively with good outcome.

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor of the abdomen: A case report and literature review of therapeutic options

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare and highly aggressive variety of sarcoma arising typically from abdominal or pelvic peritoneum. Diagnosis and treatment approaches of this entity are complex and require a skilled, experienced, multidisciplinary team. Authors report their experience with a case of an intraabdominal DSRCT arising in a 37-year-old young man in order to discuss the clinico-pathological and radiological behavior of this tumor and underline diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties.

Migrating Lump in Abdomen—Ileo-Colo-Colic Intussusception Up to the Rectum with Hypermobile Caecum and Ascending Colon

In pediatric age group, Intussusception is the most common cause of acute intestinal obstruction. They present with the classic clinical triad of colicky abdominal pain, vomiting and bloody stools. But clinically very few patients (20%) present with this classical symptoms. This article highlights an importance of suspecting intussusception by physician and rare presentations of intussusception lump in abdomen in a child with abdominal pain, gastrointestinal symptoms. Here a case reported of 16-year-old male child who presented with migrating lump in abdomen on and off with varied clinical presentation every time in single admission. Patient underwent laparotomy and manual reduction of intussusception was done. It is advisable to have high suspicion of intussusception while dealing with such cases.

Investigation of Open Abdomen Visceral Skin Graft Revascularization and Separation from Peritoneal Contents

Background: Despite increasing survival following damage control laparotomy and open abdomen technique, little is known about the biology of visceral skin graft revascularization and separation from peritoneal contents. Methods: Following laparotomy for trauma, patients with visceral edema preventing fascial closure underwent Vicryl mesh closure followed by visceral split-thickness skin grafting and readmission graft excision and abdominal wall reconstruction. Utilizing laser speckle contrast imaging, immunochemical staining of histologic sections, and RT-PCR array technology, we examined the revascularization, microvascular anatomy, morphology, and change in gene expression of visceral skin grafts. Results: Ten patients ranging in age from 25 to 46 years underwent visceral grafting for cutaneous coverage of an open abdomen. Skin graft perfusion peaked at a mean of 350 PU by post-operative day 14 synchronous with closure of meshed interstices, and remained constant until excision. Time to graft excision ranged from 6 to 18 months. CD-31 immunostaining documented a significant (p = 0.04) increase in vascular surface area in excised grafts compared to control skin. Trichrome staining revealed an 8-fold increase in excised graft thickness. Mesothelial cells were identified within the dermal matrix of excised grafts. RT-PCR demonstrated significant up-regulation of genes involved in matrix structure and remodeling, cytoskeleton regulation, and WNT signaling;and down-regulation of genes involved in inflammation and matrix proteolysis in excised grafts compared to control skin. Conclusion: Our data document early visceral skin graft perfusion and a plateau in revascularization. Histology reveals a robust dermal matrix populated by fibroblasts and mesothelial cells within a complex supporting vascular network. Genetic analysis of excised grafts reveals growth factor, collagen, and matrix remodeling gene expression.