Comparing Impacts of Different Bowel Cleansing Agents and Oral Probiotics After Cleansing On Symptom and Microbiota: a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background: Sodium sulfate-based purge has shown better quality of bowel preparation than polyethylene glycol (PEG) in a large retrospective study. However, its side effects and impact to gut microbiota have not been assessed. Besides, evidence from intestinal microecology that probiotics were beneficial to individuals who received bowel preparation is still lacking. The aims are to evaluate the side effects and microecological impact of two bowel cleansing agents (PEG and mirabilite), as well as the regulating effect of probiotics on microecosystem perturbed by bowel preparation.Results: Mirabilite preparation appeared superior to PEG preparation in terms of side effects, consumed time and volume of solutions. Quantitative PCR results showed that the recovery rate of total microbial load in mirabilite group was faster than that in PEG group. 16S rRNA sequencing showed that there were no significant differences in effects of two bowel cleansing agents on multiple microbiota diversity metrics. And both laxatives may affect the relative abundance of core microbiota until 28 days after bowel preparation. Probiotics supplementation was beneficial to recovery of perturbed microecosystem and the maintenance of homeostasis in the gut according to our results. Moreover, probiotics supplementation relieved abdominal symptoms and few individual events induced by bowel preparation during long-term follow-up.Conclusions: Mirabilite could be an optimal bowel cleansing agent for healthy people and can be applied broadly. Besides, probiotics are suggested to administrate after bowel cleansing as it brings multiple benefits in our study.

McKeown esophagectomy with concomitant median arcuate ligament release in a case of esophageal cancer with celiac artery stenosis

Background The celiac artery stenosis due to compression by median arcuate ligament (MAL) has been reported in many cases of pancreaticoduodenectomy, but not in cases of esophagectomy. Recently, the celiac artery stenosis due to MAL or arteriosclerosis has been reported to be associated with the gastric tube necrosis or anastomotic leakage following Ivor–Lewis esophagectomy. Herein, we present the first reported case of esophageal cancer with celiac artery stenosis due to compression by the MAL successfully treated by McKeown esophagectomy and gastric tube reconstruction following prophylactic MAL release. Case presentation A 72-year-old female patient was referred to our department for esophagectomy. The patient had received two courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with 5-FU and cisplatin for T2N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the middle esophagus. Preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) showed celiac artery stenosis due to compression by the MAL. The development of collateral arteries around the pancreatic head was observed without evidence of aneurysm formation. The patient reported no abdominal symptoms. After robot-assisted esophagectomy with mediastinal lymphadenectomy, gastric mobilization, supra-pancreatic lymphadenectomy, and preparation of the gastric tube were performed under laparotomy. Subsequently, the MAL was cut, and released to expose the celiac artery. Improved celiac artery blood flow was confirmed by decreased pulsatility index on intraoperative Doppler sonography. The operation was completed with the cervical esophagogastric anastomosis following cervical lymphadenectomy. Postoperative CECT on postoperative day 7 demonstrated increased celiac artery patency. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course thereafter. Conclusions Prophylactic MAL release may be considered in patients with celiac artery stenosis due to compression by the MAL on preoperative CECT for esophagectomy.

A Curious “Appendicitis”, Magnetic Foreign Bodies Ingestion In a Five Year Old Girl With Ileal Perforation. Case Report and Review of Literature.

BackgroundForeign body ingestion is common in children. Ingestion of multiple magnetic foreign bodies poses a significant risk of complications as they are unlikely to pass spontaneously. Case presentationWe present our interesting case of a 5 Year old girl, complaining of right iliac fossa pain not relieved with paracetamol, associated with 2 episodes of vomiting and one episode of loose bowel motion. Abdominal examination revealed tender right iliac fossa with weak rebound and mild guarding with no rigidity. WBC was 16.9, with 12.68 neutrophils, with normal urea, creatinine, amylase, CRP and liver function tests. Patient was admitted for suspected appendicitis versus gastroenteritis. Abdominal ultrasound showed free fluid in the pelvis, appendix was not seen and there was a mass in the right iliac fossa. The patient was started on intravenous co-amoxiclav and diagnostic laparoscopy revealed a normal appendix with free fluid in pelvis. The omentum was stuck to terminal ileum with two necrotic patches and a perforation in the terminal ileum with magnetic foreign bodies protruding from the perforation site.There was no peritoneal contamination. Laparotomy was performed via right lower transverse incision with resection & anastomosis of necrotic perforated bowel segment and removal of three magnetic foreign bodies from the terminal ileum. Patient had smooth postoperative recovery. ConclusionThe Ingestion of multiple magnets, or a magnet with a metallic object should be considered an impending surgical emergency as it is unlikely to pass spontaneously and complications are more likely. There are no reports where more than one magnet was passed spontaneously. The possibility of foreign body ingestion should always be considered in a young child presenting with abdominal symptoms. Early intervention is indicated if the history, clinical findings and imaging are suggestive of multiple magnetic ingestion to prevent serious life threatening complications.

Antibiotic-associated colitis in patients with COVID-19 – from imaging to diagnosis

The purpose of the study. To identify the main CT signs of colon inflammatory in patients with COVID-19, to correlate the detected signs with clinical manifestations and therapy, as well as to assess the validity of prescribing antibacterial therapy in accordance with Temporary guidelines for the treatment of coronavirus infection.Materials and methods. The data of CT scans of the chest and medical records were analyzed in 30 patients with confirmed coronavirus infection, in whom changes in the colon wall appeared in dynamics at the scanning level during CT. Laboratory data indicators, prescribed therapy, the presence of combined diseases were evaluated.Results. According to CT data, in dynamics in all patients – circular thickening of the colon wall with loss of gaustration, thickening of the submucosal layer in 63,3%, in 93,3% – edema of paracolic fiber. Shifts in the laboratory parameters were noted at admission: leukocytosis in 16.6%, an increase in procalcitonin in 13,3%; leukocyturia, bacteriuria – in 20%. None of the patients had indications of abdominal symptoms at admission, in dynamics at least one abdominal/dyspeptic symptom appeared in 76,6%. Fecal analysis for C.difficile toxins was taken in 50% patients, in 60% the result is positive. All patients were prescribed antibiotics and other therapy in the first 1–3 days of hospitalization. In 53,3%, levofloxacin (per os) was prescribed in combination with protected generation III cephalosporin (intravenously).Conclusions. Shifts in colon with C.difficile colitis in patients with COVID-19 according to CT data are highly likely to reflect the appearance of a pathological process and necessarily require a conclusion. There was a fact of irrational prescription of antibacterial therapy. Clear criteria for prescribing antibiotics against the background of immunosuppressive therapy are needed.

Nutrition in Patients with Lactose Malabsorption, Celiac Disease, and Related Disorders

Lactose malabsorption (LM), celiac disease (CD), non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are conditions associated with food triggers, improvement after withdrawal, treatment with dietary restriction, and subsequent nutritional detriments. LM occurs when there is incomplete hydrolysis of lactose due to lactase deficiency and frequently produces abdominal symptoms; therefore, it can cause lactose intolerance (LI). A lactose-restricted diet is frequently recommended, although it can potentially lead to nutrient deficiencies. Furthermore, lactose is an essential component of fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) and is subsequently associated with intolerance to these compounds, especially in IBS. LM commonly presents in CD. Nutritional deficits are common in CD and can continue even on a gluten-free diet (GFD). Conditions triggered by gluten are known as gluten-related disorders (GRDs), including CD, wheat allergy, and NCGS. IBS can also be associated with a gluten sensitivity. A GFD is the treatment for CD, GRDs, and gluten sensitive IBS, although compliance with this restricted diet can be difficult. Strict dietary therapies can have a negative effect on quality of life. This review aims to provide an overview of the difficult nutritional elements of these disorders, which are critical for medical providers to recognize when managing these patients.

A Case of Extensive Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis in a COVID-19 Patient and a Review of the Literature

: Splanchnic vein thrombosis is one of the rare complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A 43-year-old woman presented with splanchnic vein thrombosis as a rare extrapulmonary complication of COVID-19. She was previously healthy without a medical history of coagulopathy before hospital admission. She complained of epigastric pain, along with nausea and vomiting. Enhanced abdominopelvic CT scan demonstrated extensive acute thrombosis in the portal, superior mesenteric, and splenic veins with total occlusion. Intestinal ischemia or infarction was not clinically observed. All thrombophilia screening tests yielded negative results. Under anticoagulation therapy, she recovered dramatically and was discharged from the hospital. Imaging findings can be used to confirm splanchnic vein thrombosis when a COVID-19 patient has abdominal symptoms.

The low-FODMAP diet as an effective tool for managing irritable bowel syndrome – an assessment of adult patients’ knowledge of dietary guidelines

Background. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common gastrointestinal disorder that is driven by the gutbrain axis and affects 1-20% of the population. Most patients note that various foods elicit abdominal symptoms, and they eliminate these products from their diets. A diet that is low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) is currently one of the mainstays in IBS treatment. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of IBS patients about the disease, treatment and the principles of the low-FODMAP diet that can alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms. Material and methods. The participants were adults diagnosed with IBS, the inclusion criteria were: absence of comorbidities requiring an elimination diet, age over 18 years, and consent to participate in the study. The respondents filled out an anonymous questionnaire containing questions about the IBS diagnosis, disease history and treatment, as well as 45 questions assessing the participants’ knowledge about the low-FODMAP diet. Results. In 28% of the cases, IBS was diagnosed by a general practitioner; in nearly 40% of the cases – by a gastroenterology specialist; in 10% of the cases – by a dietitian, whereas the remaining respondents had arrived at the diagnosis independently or with the help of support groups for IBS patients. After diagnosis, only every fourth respondent sought treatment in a gastroenterology clinic. In the studied population, 237 of the respondents had followed to the low-FODMAP diet, and the differentiating factors were sex (p=0.002), place of residence (city with a population higher than 100,000 vs. rural area; p=0.0001) and education (university vs. vocational school p=0.0043). Respondents who had been recently diagnosed with IBS (less than 12 months vs. more than 12 months before the study) were more likely to follow the FODMAP diet. Conclusions. The surveyed population was characterized by high levels of knowledge about the low-FODMAP diet, but many respondents did not strictly comply with dietary guidelines, in particular the duration of each dietary phase. Age was significantly correlated with the respondents’ knowledge, and the participants’ familiarity with low-FODMAP guidelines decreased with age. Nutritional consultations did not significantly improve the respondents’ knowledge about the low-FODMAP diet.

Brain Structural Changes in Regions Within the Salience Network in Patients with Functional Constipation

Functional constipation (FCon) is one of the common functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). Previous studies reported alterations in cortical morphometry as well as changes in white matter (WM) fiber tracts and thalamo-limbic/parietal structural connectivity (SC). However, whether patients with FCon are implicated in changes in gray matter (GM) volume and associated SC remains unclear. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was first employed to examine differences in GM volume between 48 patients with FCon and 52 healthy controls (HC). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with probabilistic tractography analysis was then employed to explore alterations in SC of these regions. Compared with the HC, patients with FCon showed decreased GM volumes in the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG_R), left insula (INS_L), and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC, PFWE < 0.05) which had a negative correlation with abdominal symptoms and difficulty of defecation respectively. Seed-based SC showed patients with FCon had decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) of bilateral INS-ACC, bilateral ACC-MFG, bilateral INS-MFG, increased axial diffusivity (AD) of bilateral ACC-MFG, and decreased radial diffusivity (RD) of bilateral INS-ACC, bilateral ACC-MFG tracts. FA of the right INS-ACC tract had a negative correlation with difficulty of defecation and AD of the ACC-left MFG tract had a negative correlation with stool symptoms. These findings reflect patients with FCon are implicated in changes in GM volumes and corresponding SC in brain regions within the salience network.

P-OGC03 Pancreatic enzyme supplementation improves quality of life in patients following surgery for upper GI cancer

Background Unpleasant abdominal symptoms are common following surgery for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer and may occur secondary to pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (EPI). This study investigated symptoms of EPI in patients following surgery and assessed the effect of pancreatic enzyme supplementation (PERT) on these symptoms and the effect of supplementation on quality of life. Methods Patients were assessed for symptoms of EPI using a novel questionnaire. Patients who reported two or more symptoms suggestive of EPI were prescribed PERT. Abdominal symptoms were reassessed following treatment. Quality of life (QoL) was studied using the SF-36 questionnaire before and after treatment. Faecal elastase was also measured in a patient subgroup. Results Fifty-six out of 57 patients (98%) reported at least two symptoms of EPI. Following PERT every patient reported fewer abdominal symptoms; median 5 symptoms before treatment reduced to two symptoms following treatment (p &lt; 0.0001; Wilcoxon rank). Reduced faecal elastase concentration was associated with more frequent abdominal symptoms; median 5 symptoms versus 3 symptoms (p = 0.043; Mann Whitney U test). PERT increased quality of life scores for every patient in each of the 5 principle health domains. Conclusions Symptoms of EPI are common among patients following UGI cancer surgery. PERT reduces unpleasant abdominal symptoms and this leads to significant improvements in quality of life across global health domains. PERT should be offered to all post-operative UGI cancer patients with symptoms suggestive of EPI.

P-BN05 Solitary jejunal diverticulum: a rare unexpected cause of chronic pneumoperitoneum

Background Jejunal diverticula are rare acquired herniation of the mucosa and submucosa through the muscularis propria. They are asymptomatic in the majority of cases, however, they can present with non-specific abdominal symptoms and rarely complicate leading to acute abdomen. Perforation usually results in symptoms and signs of acute peritonitis and it is not an identifiable aetiology of chronic pneumoperitoneum. Computed tomography scan may identify intestinal wall oedema, air bubbles travelling through the mesentery, free intra-abdominal air and/or fluid . Radiological diagnosis requires high index of suspicion of such pathology. We report a case of an isolated jejunal diverticulum as a cause for aseptic chronic pneumoperitoneum . Methods A 77-year-old female was referred to the ambulatory emergency surgical unit (AESU) with a 4-month history of nonspecific abdominal pain, considerable weight loss, diarrhea, nausea and a few episodes of vomiting.Physical examination revealed no constitutional signs of sepsis and her abdomen was mildly distended but soft and nontender to palpation. Laboratory investigations were unremarkable. CT scan of her abdomen and pelvis on her first visit showed pneumoperitoneum with associated low volume ascites, which raised the possibility of sealed gastrointestinal perforation. In the absence of any clear signs of sepsis, a strategy of ambulatory, conservative management and follow up was chosen. Four months after her initial presentation our patient presented with ongoing vague abdominal symptoms with weight loss and failure to thrive. A CT colonogram described pneumoperitoneum and larger volume of ascites is in comparison to the previous CT scan. There was an unusual pattern of mural gas in some loops of small bowel in the left side of the abdomen that suggested pneumatosis. MDT decided to proceed with diagnostic laparoscopy. Results Laparoscopy exploration revealed odorless pneumoperitoneum, moderate amount of non-turbid bile stained serous ascites and thin fibrinous covering. We identified a jejunal diverticulum associated with mesenteric air bubbles and moderately enlarged reactive feeling lymph nodes in the diverticular segment . A small bowel resection with a primary side-to-side anastomosis, washout of the abdomen and cholecystectomy were done through a Kocher’s subcostal incision. She made an uneventful post-operative recovery and was discharged home well on day 4. Histopathological examination of the resected specimens confirmed the presence of a ruptured isolated jejunal diverticulum with a breach in muscularis propria and chronic cholecystitis in the gallbladder. Conclusions In summary, our case report highlights the importance of being aware of the possibility of perforated jejunal diverticula as a possible source of chronic pneumoperitoneum causing chronic nonspecific abdominal pain, diarrhea and unexplained weight loss. The surgical option of segmental resection and primary anastomosis was beneficial in this patient. However, calculating the risk benefit ratio remains the mainstay of the management plan, which, as ever, should be tailored to each patient’s general condition and fitness with appropriate counselling and consent.