Complex Abdominal Surgery Research Articles

Diffuse Peritoneal Metastases From Primary Colon Cancer Demonstrated by Tc-99m-Labeled Red Blood Cell Scintigraphy

An 80-year-old man, who underwent complex abdominal surgery for left colon cancer 2 years earlier, was hospitalized because of severe anemia and recurrent episodes of melena. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy did not reveal abnormal findings. Abdominal ultrasonographic examination and computed tomographic scan failed to detect tumor recurrence or metastatic lesions but moderate ascites was found. Tumoral marker serum levels were abnormal. Tc-99m red blood cell scintigraphy was performed and disclosed a potential site of intestinal hemorrhage: both dynamic and static images showed a slight but diffuse and persistent uptake of Tc-99m erythrocytes in the entire abdomen with no clear evidence of a site of active bleeding. These findings suggested diffuse peritoneal micrometastases, which were confirmed at autopsy.

Major hepatectomy for peripheral papillary cholangiocarcinoma with hilar extension in a patient with situs ambiguous

Situs ambiguous is a rare anomaly, which includes various abnormalities of position and development of trunk organs and results in diagnostic and therapeutic problems during major abdominal intervention. We report the case of a woman with peripheral papillary cholangiocarcinoma and hilar extension, developed on situs ambiguous associated with the following abnormalities: agenesis of the retrohepatic vena cava, preduodenal portal vein, a variant of the hepatic arteries, truncated pancreas, polysplenia, and mesenteric malrotation. After complete anatomical assessment, resection of segments 4 to 8 extended to the common bile duct with lymphadenectomy and reconstruction by hepaticojejunostomy was performed with no surgical complications. The patient was alive with no signs of recurrence at 18 month follow-up. The specificities of situs ambiguous must be identified by anatomical assessment but do not prevent complex abdominal surgery.

'Fast track' postoperative management protocol for patients with high co-morbidity undergoing complex abdominal and pelvic colorectal surgery.

A combination of factors has emphasized the need to reduce postoperative stay after surgery. Multimodal care plans may shorten hospital stay, but have been associated with high readmission rates and are generally reserved for straightforward, non-complicated colonic (not rectal) resections. This study evaluated a 'fast track' protocol in patients undergoing major colonic and rectal surgery. Sixty consecutive patients (median age 44.5 (range 13-70) years) underwent major procedures over a 6-week period on one colorectal service. Nasogastric tubes and epidural anaesthesia were not used. Patients participated in a protocol of early diet and early ambulation, and were discharged after meeting defined criteria. Fifty-eight patients (97 per cent) were deemed suitable for the 'fast track' approach at the time of surgery and stayed for a mean(s.d.) of 4.3(1.6) days after operation. Patients in diagnosis-related group (DRG) 148 (colorectal resection with co-morbidity; n = 40) stayed for 4.6(1.7) days, which was longer than those in DRG 149 (without co-morbidity; n = 18) who stayed 3.5(0.8) days (P = 0.01). Three patients (5 per cent) required a nasogastric tube for vomiting. There were no readmissions directly attributable to 'fast track' failure, although four patients (7 per cent) were readmitted within 30 days of operation for other reasons. Eight poorly compliant patients stayed for 5.1(1.1) days (P = 0.02 versus compliant patients). 'Fast track' patients had a shorter length of stay than patients receiving traditional care on other colorectal services during the same time period (compared by DRG 148, DRG 149 and for all patients) (P < 0.0001). The 'fast track' protocol allows patients with high levels of co-morbidity undergoing complex colorectal and reoperative pelvic surgery to benefit from a rapid recovery and early discharge from hospital. The approach is safe and has low readmission rates.