Experience of small tissue bites with conventional tissue bites in emergency setting for midline abdominal wound closure

Background: Midline incision provides excellent access to the abdominal cavity. However, wound infection following a laparotomy can increase morbidity as well as burden on health care system. Wound prognosis can be influenced by the type of incisions, suture material and the method of closure. This study aimed to assess the outcome of midline abdominal wound closure using two different techniques of wound closure.Methods: This was a prospective observational study and consisted of 300 consecutive patients ≥18 years of age undergoing abdominal surgery through a midline incision in emergency setting. Patients who were included in the study were then randomised into two groups. In group I, midline laparotomy was closed with large tissue bites and in group II small tissue bites were used.Results: Out of 300 patients included in this study, 150 patients were subjected to large tissue bites and another 150 patients to small tissue bites. 29 patients out of 150 patients (19%) in large tissue bites group and 16 patients (11%) in small tissue bites developed surgical site infection (SSI). 23 patients out of 50 patients (15%) in large tissue bites group and 11 patients (7%) in small tissue bites developed wound dehiscence.Conclusions: In this study, we found that the patients in group II whose midline laprotomy was closed with small tissue bites had better wound outcome postoperatively in terms of wound site infection and wound dehiscence.

Acute Diffuse Peritonitis Due to Spontaneous Rupture of an Infected Endometrioma: A Case Report

Background. Endometriosis is defined as a chronic, inflammatory, estrogen-dependent gynaecologic disease. It affects approximately 5–10% of reproductive-age women worldwide. Ovarian endometriosis is the most frequent form of this condition. Endometriotic cysts are found in about 17–44% of women diagnosed with endometriosis. It is well known, that ovarian endometriomas can cause infertility and chronic pelvic pain. Enlarging cysts can also cause ovarian torsion. In addition, ovarian endometriosis slightly increases the risk for ovarian cancer. The rupture of endometriotic ovarian cysts is an exceptional complication. According to the literature, the prevalence is less than 3% among women with endometriosis. The rupture of an ovarian endometrioma can cause acute peritonitis, which can lead to sepsis, septic shock and can be lethal. The occurrence of abscesses within an ovarian endometrioma is an extremely rare complication. Generally, the origin of infected endometriotic ovarian cysts is related to the previous invasive procedures involving pelvic organs or the use of intrauterine devices. Also, ovarian abscesses can be caused by the hematogenous or lymphatic spread of bacteria. Although, the literature points out that infection of endometriotic ovarian cysts can develop spontaneously. In these rare cases, reservoir and route of infection remains an enigma.Case report. A 49-year-old female was brought to the emergency room with severe generalized lower abdominal pain (6/10) and three days lasting fever. Abdominal examination revealed diffuse abdominal pain with anterior abdominal wall muscle tension. Painful solid masses were felt on both sides of the uterus during the pelvic examination. Cystic masses were detected in both ovaries during transvaginal sonography. Computer tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis revealed abnormal changes in both ovaries. A small amount of free fluid was found in the pelvic cavity along with thickened pelvic peritoneum. Suspecting acute peritonitis and bilateral tubo-ovarian abscesses, surgical treatment was performed. Lower midline laparotomy with bilateral adnexectomy and abdominal lavage with 4000 ml normal saline were done. The outcome of peritonitis was evaluated using the Mannheim peritonitis index (MPI=17 – low risk of morbidity and mortality). The histopathological examination revealed the diagnosis of bilateral endometriotic cysts complicated with acute inflammation, with associated acute inflammation of both fallopian tubes. Microbiological cultures from the purulent fluid were negative.Conclusions. Although the occurrence of abscesses within an ovarian endometrioma is an extremely rare finding in clinical practice, it has to be considered by gynaecologists because it might result in a surgical emergency that can be life-threatening. Being aware of the risk factors of abscesses within an endometrioma can lead to an early diagnosis of this rare condition and help to avoid serious complications.

Non-ICU-Based Staged Management of Laparotomy-Related Abdominal Compartment Syndrome in a 23-Year-Old Male

Introduction: Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is a sustained intraabdominal pressure (IAP) of 20 mmHg or higher with new organ dysfunction. Decompression is required when IAP exceeds 25 mmHg even without evidence of organ dysfunction. Common abdominal surgical diseases and operations can be complicated by ACS, and clinicians should have the requisite capacity to detect and intervene early enough. Intensive care unit (ICU) care has traditionally been the mainstay of ACS management. Case Presentation: A 23-year-old male was referred with a combined mesh and Bogota bag anterior abdominal construct after a midline laparotomy 24 hours earlier, following which the abdominal wall could not be closed primarily without tension. This was the result of significant edema of the bowel and retroperitoneum. This patient, after adequate resuscitation, underwent a two-staged procedure, 6 days apart, to achieve skin closure. After an unremarkable skin healing, a mesh repair for the consequent incisional hernia was carried out 15 months later. Conclusions: This patient’s ACS was successfully managed in a non-ICU setting and could demonstrate the possibility of successfully managing selected cases of laparotomy-related ACS in low-resource settings without ICU facilities.

Portomesenteric venous thrombosis in a prophylactically anticoagulated obese patient after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a case report

Background Obesity is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, so weight reduction is important. Bariatric surgery is a well-tolerated approach for reducing body weight, with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy commonly performed. An uncommon and potentially fatal sequela of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is portomesenteric vein thrombosis, which may result in severe bowel ischemia. Case report A 32-year-old Middle Eastern obese man (body mass index 33) presented to the emergency department with severe, generalized abdominal pain 2 weeks after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed extensive acute on chronic portosplenic and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis with associated small bowel ischemia. Laparoscopic exploration was converted to midline laparotomy and an extensive ischemic small bowel resection. Conclusion Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy carries a risk of both morbidity and mortality. Venous thromboembolism is a well-known risk of bariatric surgery, but portomesenteric vein thrombosis is also a rare but sometimes serious complication. A high index of suspicion for portomesenteric vein thrombosis to prompt early detection is essential in patients who have undergone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy to minimize complications and optimize outcomes. Uncertainty still remains around the optimal dose and duration of anticoagulation after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Usefulness of a needleless suture technique for midline laparotomy wound dehiscence: a case report

Surgical wound dehiscence after a laparotomy is a serious complication, and it presents the mechanical wound healing failure of surgical incisions. Since the development of needleless suture techniques, there have been attempts to use a needleless suture for wounds from several surgery types. Recently, many studies have shown that a needleless suture technique leads to good wound healing results. It is rapid, cost effective, can minimize ventilator dependency, and is well tolerated by patients. Here, we report a case of a patient who received a needleless suture technique for midline laparotomy wound dehiscence.

Effects of Oral Zafirlukast, Sildenafil, or Pirfenidone on the Formation of Postsurgical Intra-abdominal Adhesions in an Experimental Rat Model.

Introduction: Intra-abdominal adhesions' main etiology is surgical procedures that commonly require reintervention. Oral treatments with Sildenafil, Zafirlukast, and Pirfenidone have yielded decreased severity of fibrotic phenomena secondary to the introduction of foreign material. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oral Zafirlukast, Sildenafil or Pirfenidone treatment on reducing or preventing intra-abdominal adhesions in an experimental rat model. Methods: Four groups, each of 10 male Wistar rats weighing 250–300 g, were used. A midline laparotomy was used to excise an area of 1.5´1.5cm and reconstructed with polypropylene mesh fixed to the abdominal wall. After 12 h, oral doses of Zafirlukast (1.25 mg/kg, group B), Sildenafil (15 mg/kg, group C), or Pirfenidone (500 mg/kg, group D) were given every day for eight days. The control group, A, received no treatment. At day nine, animals were reoperated. The implant was resected after ethically approved euthanasia and specimens were fixed in 10% formaldehyde for histopathology. Results: Control group A yielded adhesions with greater fibrovascular density and neighboring organ involvement than the other groups (P = 0.001), as well as intense inflammatory infiltrates and numerous granulomas (P = 0.04). Adhesions in group C had less fibrovascular density (P = 0.03) with decreased serosal injuries (P = 0.001) and less organ involvement. Group D had reduced adhesions without organ involvement (P < 0.01), and less inflammatory infiltrates, collagen fibers, and foreign body granulomas than groups B or C (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Oral administration of these agents did not prevent adhesions but ameliorated them. Oral Pirfenidone offered the best performance and could be recommended for human use.

The First Case of Simultaneous Surgical Procedure for Mitral Valve Disease and Esophageal Cancer

Cardiological patients with malignant tumors belong to a complex category of patients. We present the world’s first case of simultaneous surgical treatment of severe mitral valve disease and esophageal cancer. The patient underwent simultaneous replacement of the mitral valve and the Ivor-Lewis procedure using right thoracotomy and upper midline laparotomy. The patient underwent 3 courses of chemotherapy (paclitaxel and 5-fluoroucil). Follow-up for 8 months showed no signs of tumor recurrence or cardiac problems. A dextral thoracotomy with the lung deprivation, supplemented by an upper median laparotomy, achieved us convenient access to the mitral valve and to all parts of the esophagus, including groups of compromised lymph nodes. This case demonstrates the modern possibilities of simultaneous cardio and oncosurgery that allows eliminating competitive fatal diseases in 1 surgical and anesthetic intervention.