What's new in surgery: gastrointestinal conditions.
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BACKGROUND: Laryngotracheoesophageal cleft (LTEC) is a rare congenital anomaly that occurs when the trachea and esophagus fail to separate during fetal development. The 2 most severe forms of LTEC are type III, with extension of the cleft from the larynx to the carina, and type IV, with extension of the cleft into one or both mainstem bronchi. METHODS: Over the past 25 years, we have accumulated an experience caring for 9 patients with severe LTEC, including 4 with type III and 5 with type IV. RESULTS: Morbidity and mortality from severe LTEC often result from aspiration and chronic lung disease. Patients with types III (1/4) and IV (5/5) LTEC have an extremely high incidence of microgastria with a shortened esophagus for which fundoplication is ineffective. Because gastric feeding often does not initially increase stomach volume and may cause severe aspiration, we suggest early gastric division with later reconstruction of intestinal continuity in patients with microgastria. Postoperative tracheoesophageal fistulas have occurred in 6 of 9 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Generous interposition of vascularized tissue with a multiple-layer closure has helped to prevent further recurrences. Postoperative tracheomalacia may be managed with continuous positive airway pressure and may require customized endotracheal tubes. Evaluation of respiratory and digestive function, school performance, and quality of life for the surviving patients is described.
Two cases of recurrent and persistent respiratory symptoms after primary repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula are described. The diagnostic workup included barium swallow examination, radionuclide study for gastroesophageal reflux, and bronchoscopy. The tracheal diverticulum was detected on bronchoscopy. Treatment consisted of endoscopic cauterization of the mucosa of the diverticulum and its orifice using electrocoagulation in case 1 and the Nd:YAG laser in case 2. Electrocoagulation produced tracheal edema, which caused severe respiratory distress necessitating temporary tracheostomy. Cauterization with the Nd:YAG laser was safe, effective, and uncomplicated.
A wide range of abnormalities of the fetal gastrointestinal tract is currently detectable by antenatal sonography, but the sonographic appearance of normal fetal bowel is variable, with considerable overlap between normal and abnormal patterns. In examining the major gastrointestinal disorders that may be recognized by in utero sonography, this article emphasizes potential pitfalls due to confusion with normal anatomic variants and pathologic processes arising elsewhere in the fetus.
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BACKGROUND: In this study, we determined the long-term outcome of perianal fistulas treated with mucosal advancement flap (MF) or fistulotomy (FT). METHODS: One hundred three patients with perianal fistulas were treated by MF for high fistulas or FT for low fistulas and were retrospectively assessed by case-note review and examined at the out-patient clinic. The localization and time of recurrence of the fistula were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-one patients [median follow-up of 72 months (range 48-99)] were treated by an MF, and 62 patients [median follow up of 75 months (range 48-99)] were treated by FT. After 12, 48, and 72 months, the fistula had recurred in 9 (22%), 26 (63%), and 26 (63%) patients of the MF group and in 4 (7%), 16 (26%), and 24 (39%) patients of the FT group, respectively. Eighteen (69%) of the recurrences in the MF group and ten (33%) of the FT group occurred within 24 months after surgery (p=0.01). Four (15%) of the recurrences in the MF group and 13 (54%) of the recurrences in the FT group were present in a different localization (p=0.007). CONCLUSION: The success rate of both FT and MF techniques decreases with time. Recurrence appears to be caused by failure of treatment and by recurrent patient disease.
In patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), radiologic examinations are important for diagnosis and treatment. With conventional X-ray examinations, mucosal abnormalities, ulcers and fistulas can be visualised, but no information on the extramural extension of the disease can be obtained. Newer radiologic modalities (ultrasound, CT and MRI) offer new diagnostic possibilities. With ultrasound IBD can be diagnosed with good confidence and it can differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. CT and MRI are indicated not so much to diagnose the disease but rather to determine the severity and spread of disease activity (transmural and extramural inflammation) and to detect complications such as fistulas and abscesses.
In most cases the ano-cutaneous clinical symptoms correlated to diseases of the gastro-intestinal tract are not specific (erythema, itching, wounds or scarring). However in the following diseases occasional dermatological lesions may directly contribute to their diagnosis: in Crohn's disease, tuberculosis of bowel, chronic entamoebiasis and bilharziosis, the skin lesions of the anal area have the same histological structure as the gut lesions. Perianal fistulas and ulcers are frequent in Crohn's disease especially if there is a colonic and rectal spreading; they respond badly to steroid therapy and are often correlated with a worse prognosis. Perianal specific lesions occur often in oxyuriasis in children, in candidiasis of the digestive tract, in systemic aphthosis and in some malignancies. In other gastro-intestinal disturbances, the dermatological and features are less specific and can only be suggestive: iatrogenic and microbial diarrheas, side-effects of laxatives, proctological diseases. It has to be emphasized that pruritus ani is only induced by deeper lesions when they spread to the perianal skin. In proctological practice, contact dermatitis by sensitivity to anaesthetics or suppository balsams (Peruvian balsam), itching or burning atrophy by topical steroid abuse, non-diagnosed fungal (candidiasis), bacterial (erythrasma) or psoriatic intertrigos (flexural psoriasis) may sometimes explain the failure of therapy.
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BACKGROUND: Fecal accumulation, constipation, soiling, and incontinence are common sequelae after repair of anorectal malformations (ARMs) in children. It is believed that besides the abnormalities of sacral roots, certain inherent abnormalities of the myenteric plexuses may play an important role in the final outcome after definitive repair. METHODS: This study was conducted to investigate the distribution of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and substance P (SP)-100 neurotransmitters in the rectosigmoid and fistulous tract of the ethylenethiourea-treated rat with ARMs. RESULTS: ARMs were induced by administering 1% ethylenethiourea (125 mg/kg) on gestational day 10, and the litter was harvested on gestational day 21 by cesarean section. Forty-eight controls and 63 with ARMs (46 high-type and 17 low-type) were recovered. Whole-mount preparations of each rectosigmoid and fistulous communication between the rectum and genitourinary tract were stained with fluorescent antibodies against NSE, VIP, and SP-100. The tissues were counterstained with Eriochrome black-T and methyl green dyes to improve the visualization of the myenteric plexuses. CONCLUSIONS: The immunoreactivity of NSE, VIP, and SP-100 was markedly reduced in the rectum and fistulous tract of high-type ARMs and slightly reduced in low-type ARMs compared with controls. Intramural nerves stained by VIP and SP-100 antisera were decreased in both types of ARM, indicating that both inhibitory and excitatory motor neural elements were affected, and this may explain the distal colonic dysmotility seen postoperatively in both high and low ARMs.
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OBJECTIVE: Intersphincteric abscesses are relatively rare, and in some cases of upward extensions in the supralevator plane, can be difficult to manage. The aim of this study was to analyse the type of treatment used in these abscesses. METHODS: Twenty-one intersphincteric abscesses treated by endoanal drainage in our colorectal unit between 1992 and 2004 were reviewed from our database; location and extension of the abscess, type of treatment and recurrence rates and the use of endoanal ultrasound were studied. RESULTS: Ninety per cent of patients were male; 10 had a previous history of surgery for perianal abscess and suppuration (48%); 16 (76%) had a posterior location and five were anterolateral. Twelve patients had low intersphincteric abscesses and were treated by laying open the abscess and dividing the internal sphincter. Nine were found to have high extensions into the intermuscular planes and were treated by staged procedures: a temporary transanal mushroom catheter was used in seven patients. Endoanal ultrasound was used initially in seven patients (33.3%) and for the evaluation of definitive treatment in 11 (52%). CONCLUSIONS: Low intersphincteric abscesses should be treated by de-roofing of the abscess and division of the internal sphincter up to a level of the dentate line. High intersphincteric abscesses are relatively frequent and mostly require staged surgery with a temporary mushroom (de Pezzer) catheter. Accurate anatomical ultrasound localization and proper drainage become important to avoid recurrences or extrasphincteric fistulas.
CONTEXT: Caustic substances cause tissue destruction through liquefaction or coagulation reactions and the intensity of destruction depends on the type, concentration, time of contact and amount of the substance ingested. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the complications in patients who ingested caustic substances and correlate them with the amount of caustic soda ingested. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital, a referral center. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 239 patients who ingested caustic soda. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The amount of granulated caustic substance ingested was measured as tablespoonfuls and the following complications were analyzed: esophagitis, esophageal stenosis and progression to cancer, fistulas, perforations, stomach lesions, brain abscesses, and death. Stenosis was classified as mild, moderate or severe according to the radiological findings. RESULTS: We observed an 89.3 % incidence of esophagitis; 72.6 % of the cases involved progression to stenosis and 1 per cent died during the acute phase. Stenosis was mild in 17.6 % of cases, moderate in 59.3 % and severe in 23 %. The incidence of stenosis was 80.8 per cent in women and 62.5 % in men. The incidence of stenosis was 46.9 % in the group that ingested "fragments" and 93.6 % in the group that ingested one or more tablespoonfuls of caustic substances. Among subjects who ingested one or more tablespoonfuls, 32.2 % developed lesions of the stomach-duodenum, whereas the ingestion of "fragments" was not sufficient to induce these lesions. There was no correlation between the intensity of lesions of the esophagus and of the stomach. Progression to cancer of the esophagus occurred in 1.8 % of cases, death during the chronic phase in 1.4 %, perforations in 4.6 %, fistulas in 0.9 %, and brain abscesses in 1.4 %. CONCLUSIONS: The complications were related to the amount of caustic soda ingested. Small amounts caused esophagitis or stenosis and large amounts increased the risk of fistulas, perforations and death.
Somatostatin has various significant effects on the gastrointestinal tract: it inhibits the release of several gastrointestinal hormones, blocks the exocrine function of the stomach and the pancreas, and decreases the motility of both the stomach and the gut. Its physiological effects make it potentially useful in the therapy of various gastrointestinal diseases and disorders. Somatostatin is effective in the management of active variceal bleeding and increases the effectiveness of sclerotherapy. Previous studies show controversial data about the efficacy of somatostatin in preventing complications following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The use of this compound may be indicated only in high-risk patients in whom endoscopic sphincterotomy may also become necessary. The perioperative use of somatostatin decreases the risk of pancreatic surgery and its application is effective in promoting the closure of pancreatic fistulae. The somatostatin analogue octreotide has a definitive role in the medical management of hormone-secreting neuroendocrine tumours of the gut.
Wound healing is far more rapid in the gastrointestinal tract than in the skin. Once dehiscence of a surgical anastomosis in the gastrointestinal tract occurs, the high collagenase activity in the gastrointestinal tract may delay wound healing and promote the formation of a nonhealing fistula. Because factor XIII promotes cross-linking of fibrin during the early phase of wound healing, we investigated the effect of factor XIII concentrate on 16 anastomotic leaks and a nonhealing fistula. A 240-U dose of factor XIII concentrate (Fibrogammin P) was administrated intravenously for 5 days. Factor XIII activity and plasma levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, and interleukin-6 were measured before treatment and 1 day and 7 days after the end of treatment. Clinical outcomes were evaluated on the basis of the findings of contrast radiography, computed tomography, and drainage volume. Improvement relevant to the therapy was observed in 15 cases (88.2%). Factor XIII activity increased to more than 70% of the normal value in 11 cases (64.7%) but remained at 40% to 70% of the normal value in 6 cases (35.3%). Plasma EGF and TGF-betalevels increased in patients with improvement but were unchanged in patients without improvement. Our findings suggest that factor XIII significantly accelerates wound healing of anastomotic leaks and nonhealing fistulas by increasing circulating growth factors after systemic administration.
OBJECTIVE: to explore some new techniques of postoperative cholelith endoscopy via the fistula. METHODS: Netting, washing, clamping, pushing, and electrohydraulic techniques were used in 260 cases of postoperative cholelith endoscopy via the fistula and the clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The stones in 257 cases (98.8%) were removed completely in an average of 2.7 times. Three patients were operated on again because of biliary stricture and huge stones. CONCLUSION: The application of some new techniques in postoperative cholelith endoscopy via the fistula favors the complete removal of stones.
Octreotide is routinely used in the treatment of acromegaly and gastroenteropancreatic tumours such as carcinoids and VIPomas. The most promising indications for octreotide appear, at present, to be as an adjunct therapy in the management of acute oesophageal variceal bleeding, AIDS-related refractory, diarrhoea, digestive fistulae and the prevention of postoperative pancreatic complications (e.g. pancreatitis, fistulae...). Its potential role in the treatment of carcinoma is being currently explored in prospective controlled trials.
During a 25-year period (1972-1996), 585 patients with esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula were treated at the Department of Pediatric Surgery, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, India. Increasing awareness of the anomaly has led to early detection and referral with fewer pulmonary complications. For purposes of analysis the period has been divided into five phases, with a steady decline in overall mortality observed from 95.4% in phase 1 to 41% in phase V. Although postoperative complications have also shown a declining trend, delay in diagnosis, prematurity, low birth weight, delayed arrival at the surgical centers, sepsis, pulmonary complications including pneumonitis, and inadequate nursing care all continue to contribute substantially to lower the survival in developing countries such as ours.