Increased mortality and altered local immune response in secondary peritonitis after previous visceral operations in mice

Postoperative peritonitis is characterized by a more severe clinical course than other forms of secondary peritonitis. The pathophysiological mechanisms behind this phenomenon are incompletely understood. This study used an innovative model to investigate these mechanisms, combining the models of murine Colon Ascendens Stent Peritonitis (CASP) and Surgically induced Immune Dysfunction (SID). Moreover, the influence of the previously described anti-inflammatory reflex transmitted by the vagal nerve was characterized. SID alone, or 3 days before CASP were performed in female C57BL/6 N mice. Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy was performed six days before SID with following CASP. The immune status was assessed by FACS analysis and measurement of cytokines. Local intestinal inflammatory changes were characterized by immunohistochemistry. Mortality was increased in CASP animals previously subjected to SID. Subclinical bacteremia occurred after SID, and an immunosuppressive milieu occurred secondary to SID just before the induction of CASP. Previous SID modified the pattern of intestinal inflammation induced by CASP. Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy had no influence on sepsis mortality in our model of postoperative peritonitis. Our results indicate a surgery-induced inflammation of the small intestine and the peritoneal cavity with bacterial translocation, which led to immune dysfunction and consequently to a more severe peritonitis.

Influence of disposable relaparotomy and programmed sanation on the expression and dynamics of clusters determinations on immunocompetent cells of patients with abdominal sepsis caused by severe peritonitis

Relaparotomy in the treatment of postoperative complications of abdominal surgery remains a difficult problem of modern surgery.To evaluate the prognostic value of expression clusters of determination on immunocompetent cells of patients, the dynamics of HLA-DR + molecules and cytokines in the blood of patients with abdominal sepsis caused by severe peritonitis, as well as abscesses and phlegmons for postoperative period.Materials and methods.The study was conducted in 40 patients diagnosed with abdominal sepsis in the period from 2017-2020, which was treated in medical institutions of Chernivtsi and Ternopil in Ukraine, and which were divided into control and research groups. The control group consisted of 17 patients without signs of abdominal sepsis and acute surgical pathology. Determination of the expression of determination clusters such as CD11a, CD162, CD95, CD16 on immunocompetent cells, and the study of the dynamics of expression of HLA-DR + molecules and the content of cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 in the blood of patients was performed in the postoperative period. Both groups were representative by age, sex, comorbidities, risk factors. Determination of experimental parameters in the blood of patients was performed in the postoperative period (the results were evaluated before surgery, on the first, third, seventh, and on the fourteenth day of the postoperative period).Research results and their discussionIn patients with abdominal sepsis caused by severe peritonitis, the expression of HLA-DR + molecules on immunocompetent cells increases, which to some extent indicates an intensification of γ-interferon synthesis. At the same time, there is a sharp decrease in the content of IL-2 in the blood - the main regulator of a specific immune response.

Meconium peritonitis in a preterm infant: a surgical emergency

Meconium peritonitis is sterile chemical peritonitis that occurs after intestinal perforation resulting in meconium leakage and subsequent inflammatory cascade within the peritoneal cavity. The clinical presentations after birth can range from completely sealed-off peritonitis without any symptoms, to severe peritonitis requiring emergency surgical intervention. We describe a case of meconium peritonitis in a premature infant following intestinal perforation. In the immediate postnatal period, the patient was intubated and a peritoneal drain was placed. Laparotomy with bowel resection was performed the following day. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged home in good clinical condition.

Intraoperative Fascia Tension as an Alternative to Component Separation. A Prospective Observational Study

Incisional hernias are common late complications of abdominal surgery, with a 1-year post-laparotomy incidence of about 20%. A giant hernia is often preceded by severe peritonitis of various causes. The Fasciotens® Abdomen device is used to stretch the fascia in a measurably controlled manner during surgery to achieve primary tension-free abdominal closure. This prospective observational study aims to clarify the extent to which this traction method can function as an alternative to component separation (CS) methods.Methods: We included data of 21 patients treated with intraoperative fascia stretching in seven specialized hernia centers between November 2019 and August 2020.Results: Intraoperatively-measured fascial distance averaged 17.3 cm (range 8.5–44 cm). After application of diagonal-anterior traction >10 kg for an average duration of 32.3 min (range 30–40 min), the fascial distance decreased by 9.8 cm (1–26 cm) to an average 7.5 cm (range 2–19 cm), which is a large effect (r = 0.62). The fascial length increase (average 9.8 cm) after applied traction was highly significant. All hernias were closed under moderate tension after the traction phase. In 19 patients, this closure was reinforced with mesh using a sublay technique.Conclusion: This method allows primary closure of complex (LOD) hernias and is potentially less prone to complications than component separation (CS) methods.

Combined stomach and duodenal perforating injury following blunt abdominal trauma: a case report and literature review

Background Gastrointestinal injury following blunt abdominal trauma is uncommon; a combined stomach and duodenal perforating injury is even more rare. Because these two organs are located in different spaces in the abdomen, such injuries are difficult to identify. Case presentation A young woman involved in a motor vehicle crash presented to our emergency department with concerns of severe peritonitis. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen revealed pneumoperitoneum and retroperitoneal hematoma in zone 1. An emergency laparotomy was performed, revealing a stomach-perforating injury, which was resolved with primary repair. No obvious injury was observed on retroperitoneal exploration. However, peritonitis presented again on the second postoperative day, and a second laparotomy was performed, revealing a duodenum-perforating injury in its third portion. We performed primary repair with multi-tube-ostomy. The patient recovered well without permanent tube placement or internal bypass. Conclusions Assessing associated injuries in blunt abdominal trauma is crucial because they may be fatal if timely intervention is not undertaken. These types of complicated injuries require a feasible surgical strategy formulated by experienced surgeons, which gives the patient a better chance of survival.

Open Abdomen and Fluid Instillation in the Septic Abdomen: Results from the IROA Study

Background Open abdomen (OA) is a surgical option that can be used in patients with severe peritonitis. Few evidences exist to recommend the use of intraperitoneal fluid instillation associated with OA in managing septic abdomen. Materials and methods A prospective analysis of adult patients enrolled in the International Register of Open Abdomen (trial registration: NCT02382770) was performed. Results A total of 387 patients were enrolled in two groups: 84 with peritoneal fluid instillation (FI) and 303 without (NFI). The groups were homogeneous for baseline characteristics. Overall complications were 92.9% in FI and 86.3% in NFI (p = 0.106). Complications during OA were 72.6% in FI and 59.9% in NFI (p = 0.034). Complications after definitive closure were 70.8% in FI and 61.1% in NFI (p = 0.133). Entero-atmospheric fistula was 13.1% in FI and 12% in NFI (p = 0.828). Fascial closure was 78.6% in FI and 63.7% in NFI (p = 0.02). Analysis of FI in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) showed: Overall morbidity in NPWT was 94% and in non-NPWT 91.2% (p = 0.622) and morbidity during OA was 68% and 79.4% (p = 0.25), respectively. Definitive fascial closure in NPWT was 87.8% and 96.8% in non-NPWT (p = 0.173). Overall mortality was 40% in NPWT and 29.4% in non-NPWT (p = 0.32) and morality during OA period was 18% and 8.8% (p = 0.238), respectively. Conclusion We found intraperitoneal fluid instillation during open abdomen in peritonitic patients to increase the complication rate during the open abdomen period, with no impact on mortality, entero-atmospheric fistula rate and opening time. Fascial closure rate is increased by instillation. Fluid instillation is feasible even when associated with nonnegative pressure temporary abdominal closure techniques.