Postoperative Gastrointestinal Bleeding Research Articles

Risk factors of gastrointestinal bleeding after cardiopulmonary bypass in children: a retrospective study.

During cardiac surgery that involved cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) procedure, gastrointestinal (GI) system was known to be vulnerable to complications such as GI bleeding. Our study aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors associated with GI bleeding in children who received CPB as part of cardiac surgery. This retrospective study enrolled patients aged <18 years who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB from 2013 to 2019 at Shanghai Children's Medical Center. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative GI bleeding in children, and the associated risk factors with postoperative GI bleeding episodes were evaluated. A total of 21,893 children who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB from 2013 to 2019 were included in this study. For age distribution, 636 (2.9%) were neonates, 10,984 (50.2%) were infants, and 10,273 (46.9%) were children. Among the 410 (1.9%) patients with GI bleeding, 345 (84.2%) survived to hospital discharge. Incidence of GI bleeding in neonates, infants and children were 22.6% (144/636), 2.0% (217/10,984) and 0.5% (49/10,273), respectively. The neonates (22.6%) group was associated with highest risk of GI bleeding. Patients with GI bleeding showed longer length of hospital stays (25.8 ± 15.9 vs. 12.5 ± 8.9, P < 0.001) and higher mortality (15.9% vs. 1.8%, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, weight, complicated surgery, operation time, use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), hepatic injury, artery lactate level, and postoperative platelet counts were significantly associated with increased risk of GI bleeding in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) pediatric patients that underwent CPB procedure during cardiac surgery. The study results suggest that young age, low weight, long operation time, complicated surgery, use of ECMO, LCOS, hepatic injury, high arterial lactate level, and low postoperative platelet counts are independently associated with GI bleeding after CPB in children.

Application of machine learning to predict postoperative gastrointestinal bleed in bariatric surgery.

Postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a rare but serious complication of bariatric surgery. The recent rise in extended venous thromboembolism regimens as well as outpatient bariatric surgery may increase the risk of postoperative GIB or lead to delay in diagnosis. This study seeks to use machine learning (ML) to create a model that predicts postoperative GIB to aid surgeon decision-making and improve patient counseling for postoperative bleeds. The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) database was used to train and validate three types of ML methods: random forest (RF), gradient boosting (XGB), and deep neural networks (NN), and compare them with logistic regression (LR) regarding postoperative GIB. The dataset was split using fivefold cross-validation into training and validation sets, in an 80/20 ratio. The performance of the models was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and compared with the DeLong test. Variables with the strongest effect were identified using Shapley additive explanations (SHAP). The study included 159,959 patients. Postoperative GIB was identified in 632 (0.4%) patients. The three ML methods, RF (AUROC 0.764), XGB (AUROC 0.746), and NN (AUROC 0.741) all outperformed LR (AUROC 0.709). The best ML method, RF, was able to predict postoperative GIB with a specificity and sensitivity of 70.0% and 75.4%, respectively. Using DeLong testing, the difference between RF and LR was determined to be significant with p < 0.01. Type of bariatric surgery, pre-op hematocrit, age, duration of procedure, and pre-op creatinine were the 5 most important features identified by ML retrospectively. We have developed a ML model that outperformed LR in predicting postoperative GIB. Using ML models for risk prediction can be a helpful tool for both surgeons and patients undergoing bariatric procedures but more interpretable models are needed.

Impact of postoperative NSAIDs administration on anastomotic leak after esophago-gastric surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Anastomotic leak (AL) is a feared complication of esophago-gastric surgery. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used to treat postoperative pain. Previous analyses conveyed heterogeneous data for colorectal surgery with a tendency toward high risk for AL after NSAIDs administration. In the setting of upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgery data are even more puzzled. The purpose of the present study was to assess whether an association exists between postoperative NSAIDs administration and AL after esophago-gastric surgery. PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched up to November 2022. The included studies evaluated outcomes for NSAIDs vs. no NSAIDs administration after esophago-gastric surgery. The primary outcome was anastomotic leak (AL). Risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to assess pooled effect size and relative inference. Six studies (43,784 patients) were included. The patient age ranged from 31 to 84years, 82.4% were males and preoperative BMI ranged from 15 to 31kg/m2. Esophagectomy was performed in 95% of patients. NSAIDs were administered in 18,075 (41.3%) patients. The cumulative incidence of AL was similar for NSAIDs vs. no NSAIDs (13.6% vs. 13.4%). The risk for postoperative AL was similar for NSAIDs vs. no NSAIDs administration (RR 1.49; 95% CI 0.81-2.75; p = 0.19). The cumulative incidence of postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding (0.36% vs. 0.39%), acute kidney injury (0.62% vs. 0.71%), and in-hospital mortality (2.39% vs. 2.66%) were comparable. NSAIDs administration for postoperative analgesia seems not associated with an increased risk for AL after esophago-gastric surgery.

Laparoscopic Transduodenal Ampullectomy: How We Have Standardized the Technique (with Video).

The procedure of choice for the resection of ampullary tumors comprises transduodenal ampullectomy (TDA), endoscopic papillectomy (EP), and pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).1 For neoplasms with low-grade dysplasia, TDA and EP have equivalent efficacies and lower morbidities than PD1. Compared with EP, also as an organ-preserving procedure, TDA could be applicable for tumors involving the pancreatic ducts or common bile ducts.2 Because TDA has a lower incidence of postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding and a higher R0 resection rate, its use could avoid the need to use multiple endoscopic procedures for larger lesions.3 Furthermore, during TDA, surgeons could convert to PD as necessary. However, TDA has rarely been performed using a minimally invasive approach that addresses the shortcomings of both the endoscopic and open surgical techniques without adding significant morbidity or compromising outcomes.2,4 Conventional laparoscopic TDA (LTDA) remains limited due to the complexity of the surgical anatomy of the ampulla and the reconstruction required compared with robot-assisted procedures.2-5 However, robot-assisted surgery is less popular and much more expensive than laparoscopic surgery. This report with a video describes the LTDA approach to standardize and simplify the surgical processes. A 48-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with epigastric pain. He had a history of cholecystolithiasis with chronic cholecystitis. A tumor approximately 2.2 cm in diameter located in the duodenal papilla was diagnosed by an enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan. The endoscopic biopsy result indicated a villous adenoma with moderate dysplasia. Laparoscopic TDA and cholecystectomy were planned. However, if the frozen sample analysis showed adenocarcinoma, laparoscopic PD (LPD) would be applied. The patient was placed in the supine position with both legs apart. Trocars were distributed in the same manner as in the authors' previous study to facilitate conversion to LPD.6 The procedure began with kocherization and dissection of the gastrocolic ligament to explore the second and third portions of the duodenum. A figure-eight suture was made using 4-0 prolene in the seromuscular layer, and then the duodenum was retracted to the left side of the patient. A longitudinal duodenotomy was made, and the ampulla of Vater was identified. A transfixing suture was placed through the tumor. Submucosal injection of norepinephrine (1:500) was performed to divide the mucosa from the muscular planes. Ampullectomy was performed by first dissecting in the submucosal plane with a harmonic scalpel at the 6 o'clock position until the pancreatic duct was reached. A 6-Fr plastic catheter was inserted into the pancreatic duct for subsequent reconstruction. Continued dissection around the tumor identified the bile duct. Another 6-Fr plastic catheter was inserted into the bile duct. The dissection was completed in the submucosal plane, and the specimen was retrieved for frozen sectioning. After confirmation of villous adenoma with moderate dysplasia and the proximal margin without residual tumor on frozen biopsy, reconstruction was performed. The septum between the ducts was plastered, and the bile and pancreatic ducts were reconstructed on the duodenal wall with 5-0 PDS-II interrupted sutures to ensure that these ducts remained patent and connected. After reconstruction, the plastic catheter was kept in the pancreatic duct but removed from the bile duct. Then, cholecystectomy was applied. Finally, the duodenum was closed obliquely in two layers, and two drains were routinely placed. The operation time was 139 min, and the estimated blood loss was 50 ml. Final pathology confirmed villous adenoma with mild to moderate dysplasia. The postoperative course was uneventful, with a hospital stay of 9 days. There was no evidence of recurrence or patency of the reimplanted ducts 5 months after surgery. From February 2022 to May 2022, four cases of LTDA with the same surgical processes were managed by the authors, and all the patients recovered quickly without any postoperative complications. After standardization of the surgical processes, laparoscopic TDA was safe for highly selected patients. However, long-term follow-up is required to observe the quality of life and survival of patients.

The role of polyglycolic acid sheets in the management of post-endoscopic submucosal dissection gastrointestinal bleeding and esophageal stricture: A PRISMA compliant systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background:As a relatively minimally invasive technique, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is widely used for the treatment of gastrointestinal lesions. However, it is associated with complications, such as postoperative bleeding, stricture, and perforation. A covering method using polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheets for ESD-induced ulcers has been reported to be effective in reducing the risk of post-ESD bleeding and esophageal stricture. Herein, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the role of PGA sheets in the prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding and esophageal stricture after ESD.Methods:We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases on October 15, 2019. All eligible articles were selected based on the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The main outcomes were the rates of post-ESD gastrointestinal bleeding and esophageal stricture. Cochrane’s Q statistic and I2 test were used to identify heterogeneity between the studies. When there was no obvious heterogeneity (I2 < 50%, P > .1), a fixed-effect model was used. When there was obvious heterogeneity (I2 > 50%, P < .1), a random effect model was used. Funnel plots and the Egger regression test were used to assess publication bias.Results:Fifteen articles were included in the meta-analysis, of which 7 were exclusively about the use of PGA sheets to prevent postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding, and the remaining reported the use of PGA sheets to prevent postoperative esophageal stenosis. Our analysis showed that preventive therapy with PGA sheets decreased the rates of post-ESD gastrointestinal bleeding (risk ratio [RR] = 0.35, 95% confidential interval [CI]: 0.19–0.64, P < .001) and esophageal stricture (RR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.27–0.79, P = .005), and the gastrointestinal bleeding and esophageal stricture rates after preventive treatment with PGA sheets were 5.7% (95% CI: 3.6%–8.8%) and 20.6% (95% CI: 14.5%–28.4%), respectively.Conclusion:The utilization of PGA sheets after ESD has an excellent outcome in reducing the risk of postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding and esophageal stricture.

Incidence and Predictors of Gastrointestinal Bleeding Following Mesenteric Revascularization

Postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) following mesenteric revascularization when performed either open (OR) or endovascularly (ER) have been clinically observed but not reported. The aim of the study is to assess the incidence and predictors of GIB in patients undergoing mesenteric revascularization.

Risk factors for ischemic gastrointestinal complications in patients undergoing open cardiac surgical procedures: A single-center retrospective experience.

Ischemic gastrointestinal complications (IGIC) following cardiac surgery are associated with high morbidity and mortality and remain difficult to predict. We evaluated perioperative risk factors for IGIC in patients undergoing open cardiac surgery. All patients that underwent an open cardiac surgical procedure at a tertiary academic center between 2011 and 2017 were included. The primary outcome was IGIC, defined as acute mesenteric ischemia necessitating a surgical intervention or postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding that was proven to be of ischemic etiology and necessitated blood product transfusion. A backward stepwise regression model was constructed to identify perioperative predictors of IGIC. Of 6862 patients who underwent cardiac surgery during the study period, 52(0.8%) developed IGIC. The highest incidence of IGIC (1.9%) was noted in patients undergoing concomitant coronary artery, valvular, and aortic procedures. The multivariable regression identified hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 5.74), preoperative renal failure requiring dialysis (OR = 3.62), immunocompromised status (OR = 2.64), chronic lung disease (OR = 2.61), and history of heart failure (OR = 2.03) as independent predictors for postoperative IGIC. Pre- or intraoperative utilization of intra-aortic balloon pump or catheter-based assist devices (OR = 4.54), intraoperative transfusion requirement of >4 RBC units(OR = 2.47), and cardiopulmonary bypass > 180 min (OR = 2.28) were also identified as independent predictors for the development of IGIC. We identified preoperative and intraoperative risk factors that independently increase the risk of developing postoperative IGIC after cardiac surgery. A high index of suspicion must be maintained and any deviation from the expected recovery course in patients with the above-identified risk factors should trigger an immediate evaluation with the involvement of the acute care surgical team.

Risk of Postoperative Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Its Associated Factors: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Korea.

Postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding (PGIB) is a serious complication with expensive medical costs and a high mortality rate. This study aims to analyze the incidence of PGIB and its associated factors, including its relationship with postoperative analgesic use. Patients aged ≥20 years who received various kinds of surgery from 2013 to 2017 were included (n = 1,319,807). PGIB was defined by admission with ICD-10 codes of gastrointestinal bleeding plus transfusion within 2 months after surgery. A total of 3505 (0.27%) subjects had PGIB, and the incidence was much higher for those who underwent major gastrointestinal and major cardiovascular surgery (1.9% for both), followed by major head and neck (0.7%), major genitourinary (0.5%), and orthopedic surgery (0.45%). On multivariate analysis, older age, male sex, lower income, comorbidities, peptic ulcer disease, and congestive heart failure were associated with a higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Among analgesics, steroid use was associated with increased postoperative bleeding risk (adjusted OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.25–1.48). Acetaminophen/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and opioids were not associated with increased risk. PGIB is considerable for major surgeries, and its risk should be considered, especially for patients with older age and comorbidities and use of steroids.

Disorders of the Blood Coagulation System in Patients with Infectious Endocarditis

Infectious endocarditis is a disease which is still hard to diagnose and treat. The success of the proposed ther-apy depends not only on the surgical correction of the heart disease, but also on effective perioperative management of this group of patients. In most cases, patients have a long history of drug treatment and compromised status of all organs and systems. Coagulation disorders in patients with infectious endocarditis are one of the main links which lead to the patient’s death, despite advances in therapeutic and surgical treatment. Since the development of infectious endocarditis is based on thrombo-inflammatory lesions of the endocardium as a result of the interaction of microorganisms and modifiers of the blood coagulation system, the appointment of effective anticoagulant therapy in the postoperative period becomes one of the important tasks in resuscitation. The need to maintain balance between the coagulation and anticoagulation systems of hemostasis requires constant monitoring of the coagulation system and careful administration of anticoagulants.&#x0D; The aim. To demonstrate an example of an alternative scheme of anticoagulant therapy in a patient with postopera-tive gastrointestinal bleeding after cardiac surgery for infectious endocarditis.&#x0D; Materials and methods. We present a clinical case of treatment of acute gastrointestinal bleeding in the early post-operative period in a patient after cardiac surgery for infectious aortic valve endocarditis. The 56-year-old patient K. was taken to the National Amosov Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery of the NAMS of Ukraine by ambulance with a diagnosis: Infectious endocarditis of the aortic and mitral valves. Combined aortic defect with a predominance of insufficiency, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid insufficiency. Pulmonary arterial hypertension. Degree II respiratory failure. Ischemic heart disease: non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (as of October 29, 2020), RCA stenting (November 2, 2020), post-infarction atheroscle-rotic cardiosclerosis. Degree III hypertension, stage 2, risk 4. Heart failure 2B, functional class III. A salvage cardiac surgery was performed: aortic valve replacement. Mitral and tricuspid valve plastics. On day 2 of the postoperative period, against the background of anticoagulant therapy prescribed according to international recommendations, gastrointestinal bleeding developed. Anticoagulant therapy regimen was adjusted. The proposed scheme of hemostasis control allowed to normalize the blood parameters and to avoid blood loss. On day 10 of the postoperative period, standard scheme of anticoagulant ther-apy could be renewed, and the patient was transferred to the therapeutic department under the supervision of cardiologist.&#x0D; Conclusions. The proposed variant of anticoagulant therapy in the postoperative period in a patient operated on for infectious endocarditis created the conditions for normalization of hemostasis. Complete withdrawal of anticoagulants and transfer of patients to a continuous infusion of heparin under the control of APTT with a target value allows not only to control the risk of bleeding, but also to prevent thrombosis.

Applying Metal Clips at the Tip of Gastrojejunostomy Stapling Site to Reduce Intraluminal Early Postoperative Bleeding

Nowadays, surgical option is the most powerful and durable treatment modality for morbid obese patients in the world. Postoperative Gastrointestinal bleeding is one of complications which has been encountered in the early and late postoperative period after bariatric surgery. One of probable locations of gastrointestinal bleeding after gastric bypass is gastrojejunostomy anastomosis site. Use of metal clips in the tip of inner aspect of gastrojejunostomy anastomosis may reduce intraluminal bleeding in early postoperative period.

Colonoscopic Diagnosis of Postoperative Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients With Hirschsprung's Disease.

Aim: Postoperative lower gastrointestinal bleeding in children with Hirschsprung's Disease (HSCR) is a non-specific symptom, which may be caused by various etiologies. Our current study aims to utilize colonoscopy to diagnose the causes of postoperative hematochezia and to analyze its feasibility, accuracy, and safety.Methods: Twenty-four patients with HSCR with postoperative lower gastrointestinal bleeding or occult blood in the stool were enrolled in this study. The postoperative onset duration, age at examination, accompanied anomalies were recorded. After bowel preparation, all patients underwent colonoscopy. According to visual findings, mucosal biopsy was performed, followed by pathological diagnosis. Further treatment was determined according to the visual findings and pathological diagnosis. All patients were followed up for 6 months including therapeutic outcomes and recurrence of symptoms.Results: The mean onset duration was (221.3 ± 216.8) days postoperatively (ranging from 25 to 768 days). The mean age at examination was (41.0 ± 29.4) months. There was no significant difference in the onset days among each group (all, p > 0.05). Based on visual and pathological findings, there were 11 cases of HSCR associated enterocolitis (HAEC), 4 cases of anastomotic leakage, 7 cases of anastomotic inflammation, 1 case of juvenile polyp, and 1 case of inflammatory pseudopolyp. Intraluminal saline irrigation, thrombin treatment or colorectal polyp electrocision was performed according to intraoperative diagnosis. Patients with HEAC and anastomotic inflammation underwent antibiotics therapy and colorectal irrigation. Patients with leakage underwent reoperation. The highest incidence of accompanied symptoms of diarrhea existed in HEAC group (p = 0.02) and fever in leakage group (p = 0.02), respectively. No perforation or aggravated bleeding occurs in any patients. All patients gained uneventful recovery during follow-up period.Conclusions: Colonoscopy is a safe, accurate and timely examination for HSCR patients with postoperative lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The visual findings and biopsy may provide accurate diagnosis and guide treatment for this subset of patients.

The Association Between Clopidogrel and Gastrointestinal Bleeding After Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty

BackgroundAnticoagulation after total joint arthroplasty has been demonstrated to reduce venous thromboembolism. However, anticoagulation can lead to adverse bleeding events. The purpose of this study was to assess if an association exists between specific anticoagulation modalities, such as clopidogrel, and postoperative gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. MethodsA prospective cohort of Medicare patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty from 2017 to 2019 (3535 patients) was retrospectively reviewed. The baseline characteristics and anticoagulation methods were compared between the “GI bleed” cohort and the “non-GI bleed cohort.” Independent t-tests were conducted for continuous variables, while chi-squared analysis was conducted for dichotomous variables. ResultsThirteen patients (0.42%) sustained a postoperative complication of a GI bleed. The mean age for patients sustaining a GI bleed was 69.23 years compared with 72.30 years for the non-GI bleed cohort (P = .11). Six patients who sustained a GI bleed (46%) were on an anticoagulation therapy other than aspirin, and this trended toward significance (P = .09). Five patients who sustained a GI bleed (38%) were on clopidogrel (P < .01). Seven percent of patients on clopidogrel sustained a postoperative GI bleed (P < .01). None of the patients who sustained a postoperative GI bleed had a history of peptic ulcer disease. ConclusionPatients on clopidogrel in the acute perioperative period demonstrated a strong association with the complication of postoperative GI bleeding. Arthroplasty surgeons should be aware of this association to educate and monitor patients on clopidogrel therapy and to work as part of interdisciplinary teams to assess the risks vs benefits of perioperative clopidogrel.

Aspirin Is Safe for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis for Patients With a History of Gastrointestinal Issues

BackgroundThe safety of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, aspirin) in patients with prior history of gastroesophageal reflux or peptic ulcer disease remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the safety of ASA for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis after total joint arthroplasty in patients with prior history of gastrointestinal (GI) issues. MethodsThis was an institutional, retrospective cohort study of 19,044 patients who underwent primary total hip and total knee arthroplasty from 2013 to 2019. We divided the patients into two cohorts based on the presence or absence of pre-existing GI issues. Patient demographics, VTE prophylaxis, and postoperative complications were collected. The primary outcome measure was GI bleed. ResultsIn our series, 3090 patients had a preoperative GI issue and 15,954 did not have a GI issue. ASA was the most common mode of VTE prophylaxis (89%), followed by Coumadin (4.7%), direct oralanticoagulants (4.2%), low-molecular-weight heparin (1.7%), and others (0.4%). In the cohort of patients given ASA, there was no significant difference in postoperative GI bleeding between those with (2/1781, 0.11%) and without preoperative GI issues (8/7,628, 0.10%, P = 1.0). In the overall cohort, history of preoperative GI issues was associated with an increased risk of postoperative GI bleeding (0.32% vs 0.11%, P = .031). In logistic regression analysis, ASA was associated with a protective effect against GI bleed (OR = 0.09, 95% CI 0.01-0.40, P = .003). ConclusionASA is safe for VTE prophylaxis after total joint arthroplasty in patients with history of GI issues and is not associated with an increased risk of postoperative GI bleeds.

Incidence of peptic ulcers accompanied by gastrointestinal bleeding after surgery for critical lower limb ischemia

To study the incidence of peptic ulcers accompanied by gastrointestinal bleeding after surgery for critical lower limb ischemia and their relationship with the factors predisposing to mucous membrane damage. The study involved 94 patients with critical lower limb ischemia who were eligible for open bypass surgery. All patients underwent preoperative gastro- and duodenoscopy. The patients were followed up for 1 year, while the relationship between the nature of the lesion of the proximal gastrointestinal tract mucosa and the duration of pain syndrome against the background of ischemia, painkiller consumption and redo surgery. All study participants had lesions of the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum: inflammatory changes were identified in 92.6% of patients, ulcerative defects in 7.4%. When conducting a correlation analysis, we obtained a weak and moderate strength of the relationship between the duration of rest pain and severity of mucous membrane lesion and strong correlation between painkiller consumption and endoscopic data. Postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding was more common after redo reconstructive surgery or amputation compared to one intervention (7.7% and 1.8%, respectively). Various lesions of gastrointestinal mucous membrane are diagnosed in all patients with critical lower limb ischemia. It is associated with the underlying disease and painkiller consumption. Risk of bleeding is higher after redo surgery and amputations. Prevention of lesions requires comprehensive examination of patients and individual approach.

The Pedicled Teres Hepatis Ligament Flap Wrap Around the Gastroduodenal Artery Stump to Prevent Postoperative Hemorrhage after Laparoscopic Pancreatoduodenectomy (with Video)

To explore the feasibility and safety of teres hepatis ligament flap plasty around the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) stump to prevent postoperative hemorrhage after laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy (LPD). A total of 108 patients with GDA stump wrapped by pedicled teres hepatis ligament after LPD in our center were included for analysis from March 2018 to March 2019. After completion of LPD, teres hepatis ligament was dissected from the ventral abdominal cephalad along the ventral attachment, and the teres hepatis ligament was separated from the falciform ligament by ultrasonic scalpel or Ligasure. At the junction to the liver, the teres hepatis ligament is freed from the ventral hepatic surface. The junction between liver and teres hepatis ligament should not be cut off to ensure blood supply. Division of the GDA was performed using a Prolene 4-0 suture stitch or two clamps as a standard (see the Video 1 in Supplemental Contents, http://ykxb.scu.edu.cn/article/doi/10.12182/20200760602). The pedicled teres hepatis ligament then was used to completely cover the skeletonized GDA stump, and part of the common hepatic artery and the proper hepatic artery. The mobilized ligament can be transposed without tension. A total of 108 patients completed the procedure of GDA stump wrapped with pedicled teres hepatis ligament during LPD. There were no complications caused by GDA stump after operation. The main steps to wrap the GDA stump took an average of 10 min. Clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) occurred in 8 cases (7.4%) (including 6 cases of grade B pancreatic fistula and 2 cases of grade C pancreatic fistula), and intra-abdominal infection in 8 cases (7.4%), including 3 cases (2.8%) of intra-abdominal abscess, postoperative gastrointestinal ulcer bleeding occurred in 2 cases (1.9%), and no intra-abdominal hemorrhage occurred. It is a safe and feasible procedure of wrapping GDA stump with pedicled teres hepatis ligament to prevent postoperative hemorrhage after LPD. The procedure is easy to perform without relevant additional surgical trauma or prolongation of the operation time.

Acromegaly and a Giant Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma Producing IGF-1

Liposarcoma is the most common histotype of retroperitoneal sarcomas, representing up to 45% of all cases. We report a rare combination of acromegaly and liposarcoma in the same individual. Laboratory and imaging studies including an oral glucose tolerance test, measurements of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and a computed tomography scan were performed. The patient was a 60-year-old male with a history of acromegaly diagnosed on the basis of elevated IGF-1 at 1,373 ng/mL (age-appropriate reference range is 87 to 225 ng/mL) and macroadenoma treated with transsphenoidal surgery. He presented 8 years later with a history of abdominal distension and weight loss. Physical examination was notable for a right-sided abdominal mass that was tense and non-fluctuant. Two years earlier, he had a post oral glucose tolerance test GH level <0.25 ng/mL and IGF-1 level of 256 ng/mL (age-appropriate reference range is 55 to 206 ng/mL). Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging reported a 3.7 × 2.0-mm left-sided parasagittal lesion. Computed tomography scan showed a 25.0 × 22.0 × 32.3-cm heterogeneous giant mass in the right abdomen corresponding to a liposarcoma causing displacement of kidney, liver, and bowel loops. The patient was treated with a complete en bloc resection of the liposarcoma with the right kidney (45 × 33 × 17 cm) and tumor (9,400 g). Immunohistochemical examination revealed positive IGF-1 and GH staining. The patient suffered postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding that resulted in hemorrhagic shock and died on the 29th postoperative day after a cardiorespiratory arrest. Acromegalic patients are at increased risk of developing various types of neoplasms. This is the first documented coexistence of liposarcoma and history of acromegaly.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding After HeartMate II or HVAD Implantation: Incidence, Location, Etiology, and Effect on Survival.

The number of patients on destination therapy is increasing as long-term survival on continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) therapy has improved. Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a common complication after CF-LVAD implantation, and its risk correlates with longer support time, emphasizing the importance of GIB management. The lower pulsatility of CF-LVADs may promote arteriovenous malformations, which amplify the bleeding risk. Here, we retrospectively analyzed the location, incidence, and survival effect of GIB events in HeartMate II (HM-II) and HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD) recipients to provide specific details regarding these complications. From November 2003 to March 2016, 526 patients with chronic heart failure underwent primary implantation of an HM-II (n = 403) or HVAD (n = 123) CF-LVAD at our center. Of the 526 patients, 140 (26.6%) had a GIB event (HM-II: n = 100; HVAD: n = 40), 92 (17.5%) had a single GIB event, and 48 (9.1%) had multiple GIB events (range: 2-9 events). HVAD recipients had a higher incidence of both upper and lower GIB events (p < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively) than HM-II recipients. Arteriovenous malformation was the most common etiology for GIB (50 patients/72 events); for this group, the average time-to-event was 300.4 days, the recurrence rate was 34%, and the 90-day and 1-year survival rates were 88.3% and 66.7%, respectively. Age at implantation was the only predictor of GIB. In conclusion, our study provides detailed information about GIB events associated with current CF-LVADs. Additional studies are required to evaluate strategies to reduce the incidence of GIB morbidity.

Role of Collateral Venous Circulation in Prevention of Sinistral Portal Hypertension After Superior Mesenteric-Portal Vein Confluence Resection during Pancreaticoduodenectomy: a Single-Center Experience

BackgroundThe ligation of the splenic vein (SV) during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) may result in sinistral portal hypertension (SPH). This study aimed to identify the collateral pathways that formed postoperatively and evaluate the impact of omentum and arc of Barkow preservation in PD. MethodsPatients who underwent PD between January 2013 and May 2018 at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University were enrolled in this retrospective study. PD was performed with preservation of the greater omentum and arc of Barkow. Venous collaterals, spleen size, and platelet count were evaluated before and after surgery. ResultsIn total, 330 patients underwent PD, of whom, 43 patients who underwent superior mesenteric vein (SMV)/portal vein (PV) reconstruction and splenic vein (SV) ligation were selected. No patient developed severe gastrointestinal bleeding. Three collateral routes were identified: the left gastric route, the colic marginal route, and the first jejunal route. Seventeen patients developed splenomegaly. Twenty-three patients developed thrombocytopenia. However, none of them developed gastrointestinal bleeding or other clinical complaints. ConclusionAlthough subclinical SPH developed after SV ligation, postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding was uncommon.

Impact of 30 Day Readmission After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Early readmission (within 30 days) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation might be a marker for increased mortality. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 277 adults who underwent continuous-flow LVAD implantation from 2005 through 2015 at our institution. The baseline characteristics of patients who were (versus were not) readmitted within 30 days after LVAD implantation were compared. To assess the impact of 30 day readmission on long-term survival, we used multivariate Cox regression. We also compared the cardiac transplant rate between the two groups. Of the 277 patients, 217 (78.3%) underwent LVAD implantation as a bridge-to-transplant; 76 (27.4%) of the 277 were readmitted within 30 days. The most common reason for readmission was volume overload (23.6%), followed by gastrointestinal bleeding (15.8%). Male gender, previous smoking, a higher baseline creatinine level, higher Model for End Stage Liver Disease Excluding INR (MELD-XI) score, and postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding or stroke were each associated with 30 day readmission. In our final multivariate model, increased mortality was also associated with 30 day readmission (hazard ratio, 1.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.5). Among the 217 bridge-to-transplant patients, the cardiac transplant rate was similar between the two groups: 18.7 transplants per patient-year among those who were readmitted within 30 days versus 19.7 transplants per patient-year among those who were not (p = 0.26). Among our study patients, 30 day readmission after LVAD implantation was frequent and was associated with increased mortality. It is currently unclear whether the general health of those patients was a factor and whether efforts to reduce 30 day readmission would favorably affect longer-term patient outcomes.

Numerical investigation of the influence of a bearing/shaft structure in an axial blood pump on the potential for device thrombosis.

Adverse events caused by flow-induced thrombus formation around the bearing/shaft of an axial blood pump remain a serious problem for axial blood pumps. Moreover, excessive anticoagulation with thrombosis around the bearing potentially increases the risk of postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding. The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of the bearing structure on the thrombosis potential of an axial blood pump. The bearing/shaft structure was embedded into an axial blood pump numerical model. The numerical simulation and analysis are focused on the low wall shear stresses, recirculation, and residence time close to the bearing region to evaluate the potential for thrombosis around the bearing. Then, the flow field near the blood pump bearing was tested via in vitro particle image velocimetry experiments to verify the numerical results. The simulation results showed that after embedding the bearing/shaft structure a recirculation zone appeared in the outlet guide vane bearing/shaft region, the residence time increased 11-fold in comparison to the pump without the bearing/shaft structure, the scalar shear stress in the shaft surface was less than 7.8 Pa, and the stress accumulation was less than 0.10 Pa s. The numerical results showed that platelets that flow through the bearing region are exposed to significantly lower wall shear stress and a longer residence time, leading to activated platelet adhesion. The reduced stress accumulation and increased time in the bearing region lead to increased platelet activation.