CT-Guided Transhepatic Catheter Drainage of Deep Postoperative Collections: Initial Experience

Introduction This article assesses the safety and utility of transhepatic drainage of deep seated postoperative intra-abdominal collections under computed tomography (CT) guidance in a short series. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included five patients (mean age: 45.8 years; 3 males, 2 females) who underwent CT-guided transhepatic drainage of postoperative abdominal abscess in our department between April 2019 and December 2020. The clinical and surgical details and the details of the transhepatic drainage procedure were evaluated along with success rates and complications. Results The surgical procedures were Whipple's pancreaticoduodenectomy in four patients and gastrectomy in one patient. Four out of five abscesses were drained through the right lobe of liver, while one was through the left lobe with a technical success rate of 100%. The mean total time for catheter drainage procedure including patient positioning and preparation was 29.2 minutes. None of the patients had procedure-related complications. Mean duration of catheter drainage was 12 days. All patients had complete resolution of symptoms after drainage and the clinical success rate was 100%. Conclusion Transhepatic approach is safe and effective for the drainage of inaccessible postoperative abdominal collections or abscesses where a standard percutaneous approach is not possible.

Case Report: Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis Due to Chaetomium strumarium in a Child with Visceral Heterotaxy Syndrome

Chaetomium sp. is a mold, member of the phylum Ascomycota. Clinical disease in humans is rare, particularly in children, for which only five cases have been reported. We report a 7-months-old female patient with a diagnosis of visceral heterotaxy syndrome who was admitted to a private center in Mexico. After two episodes of focal myoclonic seizure, a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a right porencephalic cyst and a right frontal abscess with ventriculitis. Seventy-two hours after temporal abscesses drainage procedure, the culture showed a rapidly growing pale white fungal colony. Sequencing of ITS and D1/D2 led to the identification of Chaetomium strumarium. Although Chaetomium sp. is a rare fungal infection in humans, clinicians should consider it as a plausible etiologic agent that can form brain abscess.

A Unique and Rare Presentation of Obstructed Choledochal Cyst in an Adult: A Case Report

Choledochal cysts in adults are rare congenital abnormalities. Approximately 80% are found in childhood. Thus, their presentation in adults is always associated with complications, such as stone formation, inflammation and malignancies. The pathophysiology of this disease is yet uncertain. There are different types of choledochal cysts. Diagnosis can be challenging clinically; however, imaging techniques, such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and computed tomography (CT), can be helpful. We found several procedures performed in the extant literature, such as choledochoduodenostomy and choledochojejunostomy submucosal excision of the cyst; however, the best surgical option is excision with hepaticojejunostomy. We discuss the unusual presentation of a 33-year-old female patient with an obstructed choledochal cyst, despite having undergone a drainage procedure in childhood.

712 Gastric Emptying Procedure in Oesophagectomy: Meta-Analysis of Surgical Pyloroplasty vs Nil Intervention

Introduction Surgical pyloroplasty is often performed to reduce the rate of delayed gastric emptying. However, the clinical significance of this is not clear. The aim of this meta-analysis is to compare the rates of delayed gastric emptying, anastomotic leak, pulmonary complications, need for further pyloric intervention, and mortality in those patients undergoing pyloroplasty following oesophagectomy and those who do not. Method Relevant Randomised Control Trials and Cohort Studies were identified. The first group had no drainage procedure following oesophagectomy, whereas the second group underwent a drainage procedure (pyloroplasty). A random effects meta-analysis model was used to compare the outcomes. Results 12 papers were utilised in the analysis, comprising a total 2567 patients. No significant differences were found between the two groups with regards to delayed gastric emptying (RR 0.87 [95% CI: 0.47 – 1.62], p = 0.66), anastomotic leak (RR 1.20 [95% CI: 0.82 – 1.74], p = 0.34), pulmonary complications (RR 1.04 [95% CI: 0.79 – 1.37], p = 0.79), need for further pyloric intervention (RR 1.44 [95% CI: 0.87 – 2.37], p = 0.16), and mortality (RR 1.18 [95% CI: 0.43 – 3.23], p = 0.75). Conclusions Surgical pyloric drainage procedures do not improve outcomes for patients undergoing oesophagectomy, nor does omitting the procedure worsens the outcomes.

A clinical study on lateral pancreaticojejunostomy in a case of chronic pancreatitis

Lateral pancreaticojejunostomy is a seldom performed procedure in a peripheral tertiary health care centre. Very few numbers of cases are reported that undergoes surgical procedures for chronic pancreatitis. We report a such rare case in our institute that undergone pancreatic drainage procedure. A 70 year old poor patient was admitted in our institute with a complaint of chronic abdominal pain, subsequently diagnosed to be having chronic pancreatitis with complications with pancreatic duct calculus. Pancreatic drainage procedure, lateral pancreaticojejunostomy was performed and we analysed for the outcome of the procedure with regards to pain relief, anastomotic leak, quality of life and return to work. Patient recovered well post-operatively, reported pain relief, suffered no anastomotic leak and experienced improved quality of life. Lateral pancreaticojejunostomy provides excellent surgical choice for patients of chronic pancreatitis with pancreatic duct calculus with acceptable rates of pain relief, morbidity and mortality, without worsening pancreatic insufficiency.

Complications in Pediatric Acute Mastoiditis: HCUP KID Analysis

Objective A small proportion of children with otitis media develop acute mastoiditis, which has the potential to spread intracranially and result in significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and management of complications related to pediatric acute mastoiditis using a national database. Study Design Retrospective review of 2016 Kids’ Inpatient Database, part of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Setting Academic, community, general, and pediatric specialty hospitals in the United States. Methods International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification code H70.XXX was used to retrieve records for children admitted with a diagnosis of mastoiditis. Data included patient demographics, intracranial infections, procedures (middle ear drainage, mastoidectomy, and intracranial drainage), length of stay (LOS), and total charges. Results In total, 2061 children aged ≤21 years were identified with a diagnosis of acute mastoiditis. Complications included subperiosteal abscess (6.90%), intracranial thrombophlebitis/thrombosis (5.30%), intracranial abscess (3.90%), otitic hydrocephalus (1.20%), encephalitis (0.90%), subperiosteal abscess with intracranial complication (0.60%), petrositis (0.60%), and meningitis (0.30%). Children with intracranial abscesses were more likely ( P < .001) to undergo myringotomy ± ventilation tube insertion (63.7%), mastoidectomy (53.8%), mastoidectomy with ventilation tube or myringotomy (42.5%), intracranial drainage procedure (36.3%), or all 3 key procedures (15.0%). Children with any type of intracranial complication had a significantly longer LOS ( P < .001) and higher total charges ( P < .001). Both a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis and undergoing an intracranial drainage procedure ( P < .001) contributed significantly to LOS and total charges. Conclusion Patients with intracranial complications are more likely to undergo surgical procedures; however, there is still wide variability in practice patterns, illustrating that controversies in the management of otitis media complications persist.

A Type 2 Diabetes Patient who Suffered with Fournier’s Gangrene

Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of infection, including Fournier’s gangrene. Fournier’s gangrene (FG) is a rare case, with an average incidence of 1.6 cases per 100,000 population per year. We report a case of a 60 year old male, presented with the history of wounds of the buttocks, penis and scrotum. The patient had a history of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus for 3 years. There were perianal abscesses and necrotic tissue on the penis and scrotum. Radiological evaluation in the patient showed the present of gas forming in scrotal area. Therefore, incision and drainage procedure with necrotomy and debridement were performed, together with antibiotics and blood glucose regulation, then followed by closure of the defect with skin graft and use of flap. The patient was discharge with an improved clinical condition.

Inducing Ovulation with hCG Improves Fertility Outcomes of Co-Dominant Follicle Drainage to Avoid Twin Pregnancy in Dairy Cows

Twin pregnancies are undesirable in dairy cattle as they dramatically compromise cow lifespan and, consequently, herd economy. Clinical problems in cows arise from the time of pregnancy diagnosis to pregnancy loss, abortion, or parturition. The drainage of co-dominant follicles in cows with two or more follicles at insemination prevents twin pregnancy. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of draining the smaller of two follicles through a simplified maneuver not requiring ultrasonography in cows in their third or more lactation, and then inducing ovulation immediately before artificial insemination (AI) with GnRH or human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). Animals were monitored by ultrasound at AI and randomly assigned to the groups: follicular drainage and treatment with GnRH (Deph; n = 60), follicular drainage and treatment with hCG (hCG; n = 60), and non-drainage (ND; n = 60) as control cows. On the basis of odds ratios, cows treated with hCG were 2.1 times more likely to become pregnant than control animals. Our results reveal the efficacy of hCG treatment at AI in cows with two follicles of pre-ovulatory size subjected to a simple follicular drainage procedure.