Complications after pancreatic resection: diagnosis, prevention and management

BACKGROUND

Although mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) or distal pancreatectomy (DP) has decreased, morbidity still remains high. The aim of this review article is to present, define, predict, prevent, and manage the main complications after pancreatic resection (PR).

METHODS

A non-systematic literature search on morbidity and mortality after PR was undertaken using the PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase databases.

RESULTS

The main complications after PR are delayed gastric emptying (DGE), pancreatic fistula (PF), and bleeding, as defined by the International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery. PF occurs in 10% to 15% of patients after PD and in 10% to 30% of patients after DP. The different techniques of pancreatic anastomosis and pancreatic remnant closure do not show significant advantages in the prevention of PF, nor does the perioperative use of somatostatin and its analogues. The trend is for conservative or interventional radiology therapy for PF (with enteral nutrition), which achieves a success rate of approximately 80%. DGE after PD occurs in 20% to 50% of patients. Prophylactic erythromycin may reduce the incidence of DGE. Gastric aspiration with erythromycin is usually effective in one to three weeks. Bleeding (gastrointestinal and intraabdominal) occurs in 4% to 16% of patients after PD and in 2% to 3% of patients after DP. Endovascular treatment can only be used for a haemodynamically stable patient. In cases of haemodynamic instability or associated septic complications, surgical treatment is necessary. In expert centres, the mortality rates can be less than 1% after DP and less than 3% after PD.

CONCLUSION

There is a need for improved strategies to prevent and treat complications after PR.

Heterotopic pancreas autotransplantation with spleen for uncontrollable hemorrhagic pseudocyst and disabling pain in chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

In this study, we report on a heterotopic segmental pancreatic autotransplantation (HPAT) with spleen for alcoholic chronic pancreatitis with uncontrollable hemorrhagic pseudocyst and complete portal venous obstruction. The patient was a 72-year-old man who had an alcoholic chronic pancreatitis with severe abdominal pain and hemorrhagic pseudocyst. The first bleeding from a pseudoaneurism of the gastro-duodenal artery (GDA) to the cyst of pancreas head was stopped by interventional radiology (IVR) at our hospital on May 2010. The second bleeding happened with severe abdominal pain on February 15th, 2011; he was admitted on February 17. The IVR was not successful.

METHODOLOGY

There were two problems for the operation. The first was the severe inflammation and the second was the control of hemorrhage from GDA. We were afraid of the postoperative hemorrhage due to the leakage of pancreatic juice in the pancreato-duodenectomy (PD). Therefore, we chose the HPAT as a solution for postoperative hemorrhage and severe abdominal pain. After complete duodeno-pancreatectomy with spleen, we performed HPAT with spleen on March 8, 2011. The pancreatic duct reconstruction was performed by Roux-en-Y anastomosis to the jejunum.

RESULTS

The postoperative course was uneventful. The abdominal pain had resolved completely and the patient remained normoglycemic after HPAT.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that HPAT is a useful option for hemorrhagic pseudocyst of the pancreas head with severe abdominal pain of chronic pancreatitis.

[Use of health resources and costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of each episode of deep vein thrombosis and bleeding in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery for hip or knee]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the use of healthcare resources and costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of thrombosis and bleeding patients who have undergone elective hip or knee replacement surgery, in routine clinical practice conditions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This multicentre observational and retrospective study extracted data from the medical records of three Spanish public hospitals (2010). Patients ≥ 40 years who had received prophylaxis-anticoagulation were included. They were randomised into three groups: a) control (no hospital complications), b) bleeding, and c) thrombosis. General variables, use of resources and costs were analysed.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

logistic regression and ANCOVA for model correction, (P<.05) was included.

RESULTS

A total of 141 patients (control: 60; bleeding: 60; and thrombosis: 21), with a mean age 68.7 (SD: 10.4) years, and 68.1% females were identified. Hip arthroplasty was more frequent (71.6%). The bleeding risk was associated with age (OR=1.1) and thrombosis with COPD (OR=1.8); P<.05). The average length of stay for the thrombosis, bleeding and control groups was 13.9, 11.5 and 7.4 days, respectively; P<.001). The total costs for each group were €10,484.3; €8,766.4 and €6,496.1 respectively; P<.05. All grouped results were comparable between them according to the hospital analysed and the type of replacement.

CONCLUSIONS

Costs were higher for thrombosis and bleeding patients, respectively. Costs were associated with length of stay and hospital-acquired infections.

Adverse impact of bleeding and transfusion on the outcome post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation: insights from the Pooled-RotterdAm-Milano-Toulouse In Collaboration Plus (PRAGMATIC Plus) initiative

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the impact of bleeding and red blood cells transfusion (RBC) on the outcome post transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

METHODS

Between November 2005 and August 2011, 943 consecutive patients underwent TAVI. Bleeding was assessed according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium definitions. Patients receiving RBC were compared to those not requiring transfusion.

RESULTS

Life-threatening and major bleedings occurred respectively in 13.9% and 20.9% of the patients, significantly more frequently in the RBC cohort. Vascular complications occurred in 23.2% of the patients. Major and minor vascular complications were more frequent in the RBC group: 19.3 vs 5.2%, P < .001; 15.3 vs 9%, P = .003, respectively. Thirty-day all-cause mortality was 7.2%. Of the overall cohort, 38.9% required RBC transfusion; those receiving at least 4 U of RBC had higher 30-day all-cause mortality than those receiving 1 to 4 U of RBC and those not requiring transfusion: 14.4%, vs 6.3% vs 6.3%, respectively, P = .008. By multivariate analysis, transfusion of RBC was associated with an increased 30-day and 1-year mortality. Major stroke and all stages of acute kidney injury were significantly more frequent in the RBC cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Bleeding is frequent after TAVI, mainly driven by vascular complications. RBC transfusion was associated with increased mortality at 1 year and increased risk of major stroke and acute kidney injury. Specific scores are needed to identify the patients at higher risk for TAVI-related bleeding and RBC transfusion.

Contemporary experience with postpancreatectomy hemorrhage: results of 1,122 patients resected between 2006 and 2011

BACKGROUND

Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) is a life-threatening complication of pancreatic resection. Most published series span decades and do not reflect contemporary practice. This study analyzes the rate, management, and outcomes of PPH during a recent 5-year period.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients in whom PPH developed between 2006 and 2011 were identified from a prospective database. Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage was defined as evidence of bleeding associated with a drop in hemoglobin (≥ 3 g/dL) and/or clinical signs of hemodynamic compromise, and categorized as early or late (<24 hours or >24 hours from operation). Demographics and operative and perioperative outcomes were analyzed using standard descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Overall incidence of PPH was 3% (33 of 1,122 pancreatectomies) and was similar for pancreaticoduodenectomy (25 of 739 [3%]), distal (6 of 350 [2%]), and central pancreatectomy (2 of 31 [6%]) (p = 0.26). Early hemorrhage was seen in 21% (7 of 33) and was always extraluminal; these patients underwent reoperation and recovered fully. Late hemorrhage (26 of 33 [79%]) was predominantly intraluminal (18 of 26 [69%]), occurring at a median of 12 days postoperatively (4 to 23 days), and was treated endoscopically (13 of 26 [50%]), angiographically (10 of 26 [38%]), or surgically (3 of 26 [10%]). Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage was associated with longer hospitalization (10 [range 8 to 17] days vs 7 [range 6 to 9] days; p < 0.01); mortality, however, was not increased (1 of 33 [3%] vs 17 of 1,089 [2%]; p = 0.95). Hemorrhage began after discharge in 39% of patients (13 of 33), with the only death occurring in a patient from this group.

CONCLUSIONS

Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage can be managed successfully with low mortality (3%). Early hemorrhage requires urgent reoperation, and management of delayed hemorrhage should be guided by location (intra- vs extraluminal). Greater pressure to reduce length of hospital stay appears to have increased the likelihood of PPH occurring after discharge; patients and physicians should be aware of this possibility.

[Perioperative fibrinogen concentrations in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass]

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) need many blood products due to deficiency of coagulation factors. Blood transfusion therapy in patients with excessive bleeding after CPB is generally empiric. We checked and studied the fibrinogen concentration and transfusion, as well as bleeding amount in the perioperative period.

METHODS

The study was approved by our institutional ethics committee. Thirty patients were studied. Blood samples were obtained at the induction of anesthesia (before CPB), at the end of CPB, at the end of operation, and on the next morning, or before the patient was given fresh frozen plasma in the intensive care unit.

RESULTS

For all cases, fibrinogen concentration and platelet concentration were lowest at the end of CPB. Fibrinogen concentration rose up to before CPB level on the next morning. The group in which fibrinogen concentration was less than 150 mg x dl(-1) at the end of CPB consumed more blood products than the group with fibrinogen concentration of over 150 mg x dl(-1).

CONCLUSIONS

Blood transfusion therapy based on fibrinogen concentration is needed to maintain adequacy of the perioperative blood transfusion and blood conservation in cardiac surgery.

Randomised comparative study of adenotonsillectomy by conventional and coblation method for children with obstructive sleep apnoea

INTRODUCTION

Adenotonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures throughout the world for children in otolaryngology. One of the current indications for adenotonsillectomy is adenotonsillar hypertrophy causing Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). The choice of surgical tools and technique affects the outcome and morbidity due to adenotonsillectomy.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To assess the efficacy and safety of coblation adenotonsillectomy as compared to dissection method. To evaluate the morbidity and to study complications associated with each procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective and comparative study of dissection and coblation method of adenotonsillectomy was conducted in our institute, Madras ENT Research Foundation, Chennai over a period of 6 months. 50 cases of children with OSA age group between 5 and 12 years were randomly selected for each group and studied. Duration of surgical procedure, blood loss, post operative pain, post operative reactionary and secondary bleeding was noted and compared.

OBSERVATION AND RESULTS

Operative time was more in dissection method compared to coblation technique. Blunt dissection tonsillectomy was associated with greater blood loss than coblation tonsillectomy. Post operative pain was more in dissection method and it was less in coblation technique. Post operative bleeding in both the techniques were found to be minimal.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the use of coblation for adenotonsillectomy may have several advantages over standard methods for the treatment of children with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. It is highly efficacious, practical and safe with less morbidity and less complications.

[Delayed massive hemorrhage after pancreaticoduodenectomy]

OBJECTIVE

To summarize our clinical experiences of delayed massive hemorrhage (DMH), a rare but fatal complication, after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

METHODS

The clinical data of 14 DMH patients at our medical center were collected and analyzed to evaluate the risk factors and to compare the efficacies of different therapies.

RESULTS

A total of 1008 PD patients were treated since April 1993. Fourteen DMHs occurred post-operatively (1.4%). In these cases, 10/14 (71.4%) were complicated with pancreatic fistula. Sentinel bleeding was observed in 10 (71.4%) cases. The clinical manifestations of DMH included simple abdominal hemorrhage (n = 6, 42.9%), alimentary tract hemorrhage (n = 6, 42.9%) and both (n = 3, 21.4%). Shock (n = 2, 14.3%) might also be the initial symptom. Thirteen cases achieved post-therapeutic hemostasis while 1 patient died before re-admission. The therapeutic modalities included interventional therapy (n = 8) and surgery (n = 5). According to the therapeutic modalities, the re-bleeding rate, morbidity and final mortality of two groups were 50.0% vs 40.0% (P = 0.83), 75.0% vs 60.0% (P = 0.96) and 50.0% vs 80.0% (P = 0.62) respectively. Five patients survived at the end of treatment. The mortality rate was 71.4%.

CONCLUSION

As a rare but fatal complication after PD, DMH is difficult to diagnose and treat. Postoperative pancreatic fistula remains a possible but undetermined risk factor. Sentinel bleeding is of great predicative value for DMH. Regular interventional arteriography is an effective method of improving diagnosis and treatment. Both interventional therapy and surgery may be used to treat DMH.

[Videothoracoscopic treatment of postoperative bleedings and its' complications by thoracic traumas]

35 patients, operated on the thoracic trauma (ISS - 9±3), had videothoracoscopy on the reason of the continued bleeding (n=6), clotted hemothorax (n=27) or pleura empyem (n=2). The best results were obtained in case of the clotted hemothorax thoracoscopic evacuation within 3 days after bleeding. Even the late use of videothoracoscopic procedures for the treatment of postoperative complications shortens the hospital stay in comparison with the traditional methods. The video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is an accurate and safe method for the postoperative bleeding complications in hemodynamically stable patients.

Post-operative blood loss monitoring device: a new tool for nursing activities

In most medical specialties, after surgery, it is usual to place a drain at the operative site level, in order to assist the blood flow-out if necessary. This drainage allows avoiding the formation of hematomas and contributes to tissues recovery. However, postoperative blood loss can lead to serious consequences. Also, it is necessary to continuously check the blood output volume in order to be able to intervene quickly in case of too significant losses. In daily clinical practice, this task is due to the nursing staff that periodically records the blood level inside the supple bag connected to the drain. However, this method is not accurate about the volume of lost blood and does not reflect the flow of losses which is an important parameter regarding the evolution of the patient setting. We have designed and developed a prototype of a blood loss monitoring device based on the continuous weight measurement of the blood bag connected to the drain. This device is fixed on the bed and is able to instantaneously alert the medical staff in case of abnormal blood flow-out.

Diagnosis and management of common postextraction complications

Extraction of impacted teeth is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Every surgical procedure results in some degree of postoperative bleeding and inflammation, typically manifesting as pain and edema. Although the complex physiology of the human body is beyond the scope of this article, the educated clinician should have an understanding of the time line associated with these processes so as to determine whether a patient's complaint of postoperative bleeding, pain, or swelling represents a normal response to surgical trauma or an aberrant reaction.

[Delayed bleeding after partial nephrectomy. Management with selective embolization]

INTRODUCTION

Bleeding after partial nephrectomy can be immediate or delayed and may have severe consequences. The incidence of this complication is low. The most frequent cause of delayed bleeding is arterial pseudoaneurysm. Superselective embolization is a feasible therapeutic option that has shown good results.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate treatment and outcomes of delayed bleeding in our series of patients with partial nephrectomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of our database of partial nephrectomies. Patients who developed delayed bleeding (after discharge) were identified. Clinical histories were reviewed and data on presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among our series of patients undergoing partial nephrectomy, three developed delayed bleeding (1.3%). Symptom onset occurred 17 to 25 days after surgery and consisted of hematuria or lumbar pain. Diagnosis was provided through ultrasound, abdominal computed tomography and renal angiography. In all three patients, a complicated pseudoaneurysm was diagnosed and all patients underwent renal artery catheterization with selective renal artery embolization. In all patients, immediate control of bleeding was achieved. Outcome after a follow-up of 61 to 92 months was favorable.

CONCLUSIONS

Selective vascular embolization is the treatment of choice of renal pseudoaneurysm after partial nephrectomy in hemodynamically stable patients.

[Thromboelastography]

Coagulopathies of various origins have been mentioned among the leading causes of morbidity in hospitals all over the world. Time-consuming coagulation assays delay the diagnosis and response to a dynamic pathology. The need to analyse whole blood for the accurate identification of coagulopathies has led to a revival of interest in thromboelastography (TEG). This simple test can be performed at the bedside using non-anticoagulated blood, and enables complex assessment of extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of coagulation and fibrinolysis. TEG can be also used to predict postoperative bleeding and/or organ dysfunction. TEG has been widely used in research, but poor understanding of the technique has limited its clinical use. Controversies regarding the relationship between traditional tests and TEG have made the bedside use of TEG less popular than it should be. In the review, the authors discuss details of the process and practical aspects of its use in clinical settings.

Moving towards the New International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) definitions in pancreaticoduodenectomy: a comparison between the old and new

BACKGROUND

The International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) has proposed several definitions for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), delayed gastric emptying (DGE) and post-pancreatectomy haemorrhage (PPH). We assessed the effects of implementing these definitions on predicting outcomes.

METHODS

A database of 77 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between January 2005 and December 2009 was analysed. Morbidities were defined and classified using the ISGPS definitions and recalculated based on the definitions adopted by our institution ('Old' definitions) prior to the implementation of ISGPS definitions. Data for the two groups were then compared.

RESULTS

The morbidity rate rose to 70.1% from 27.2% when ISGPS rather than Old definitions were used to define morbidities (P < 0.001). Incidences of DGE, POPF and PPH were 20.7%, 39.0% and 10.4%, respectively. Rates of DGE and POPF were significantly higher according to ISGPS definitions than to Old definitions (20.7% vs. 5.2% [P= 0.001] and 39.0% vs. 15.6% [P= 0.004], respectively). According to the ISGPS definitions, all of the 12 additional patients with DGE and 12 of the 18 additional patients with POPF had grade A morbidities. Patients with ISGPS-defined morbidity had a longer intensive care unit (ICU) stay, longer postoperative stay and longer total stay (P= 0.030, P= 0.007 and P= 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The morbidity rate more than doubled when ISGPS definitions were applied (an additional 42.9% of patients demonstrated morbidities). The majority of patients with DGE and POPF had grade A morbidities. The ISGPS definitions correlate well with ICU stay, postoperative stay and total length of stay.

Critical appraisal of the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) consensus definition of postoperative hemorrhage after pancreatoduodenectomy

PURPOSE

Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the most serious complications after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). This study analyzed and validated the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) definition of PPH and aimed to identify risk factors for early (<24 h) and late PPH.

METHODS

Patients who underwent PD for pancreatic head tumors between 2001 and 2008 were included and complications were prospectively recorded. Factors associated with PPH were assessed by uni- and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Complete datasets were available for 796 patients. Classic and pylorus-preserving PD was performed in 13.8% and 86.2% of the patients, respectively. According to the ISGPS definition, PPH occurred in 29.1% of the cases (232 of 796 patients): 4.8% grade A, 15.2% grade B, and 9.2% grade C. The definition is based largely on surrogate markers (e.g., transfusion requirement) that are affected by other critical illnesses and more than 97% of patients with mild PPH had no clinical signs of bleeding. The need for postoperative intensive care as well as the incidence of pancreatic fistula, relaparotomy, and mortality rates significantly increased from grades A to C. Thirty-seven patients (4.6%) required interventional (endoscopy or angiography) and/or relaparotomy for PPH. Relaparotomy for PPH was performed in 3.1% of all patients. Independent risk factors for early PPH were preoperative anemia (hemoglobin, <11 mg/dl) and multivisceral resection while advanced age, chronic renal insufficiency, increased blood loss, and long operation time were associated with late PPH.

CONCLUSIONS

The ISGPS definition of PPH is feasible and applicable but produces a high rate of false positive mild PPH cases. The different grades still significantly correlate with relevant outcome variables, thus the definition discriminates postoperative courses, but a minor modification of the definition of mild PPH is suggested. The new results further demonstrate the need to optimize preoperative anemia and chronic renal insufficiency.

[Causes and results of repeated videothoracoscopy]

For 7 years videothoracoscopies for diseases and traumas of the chest were fulfilled in 2075 patients, abscessoscopy in 27 patients. Repeated videothoracoscopies were fulfilled in 41 (2%) patients operated for spontaneous pneumothorax, pleural empyema, exudative pleurisy and injuries to the chest due to recurrent hydropneumothorasx, prolonged abundant release by drainage, bleedings by drainage or formation of clotted hemothorax, not effectiveness of sanation, of the empyema cavity, reabscessoscopy - in 2 patients. Revideothoracoscopies were divided into groups with the presence of drainages or removed drainages according to the terms - into emergent (on the first day, immediately after the development of complications), urgent (from 2 to5 days), postponed (from 6 to 15 days), and late (more than 15 days). In 4 cases the conversion to minithoracotomy had to be done due to continuing bleeding, the absence of lung hermetism. All patients with spontaneous pneumothorax, pleuritis and chest trauma recovered. Lethal outcome was in 1 (2.4%) case from lung artery thromboembolism. It was concluded that revideothoracoscopy was an alternative thoracotomy of full value in reinterventions.

[Diagnosis and correction of thrombohemorrhagic complications in cardiosurgical patients in the early postoperative period]

The methods of the prevention, diagnosis, and correction of hemostatic disorders are discussed in cardiosurgical patients. Prevention of hemorrhages requires hemostatic history data collection that allows identification of patients with concomitant hemophilia and those, taking antithrombotic drugs. The benefits of an extended study of blood coagulation disorders are shown in neonates and babies of the first year of life due to the physiological features of the hemostatic system and the pattern of heart disease. Algorithms are proposed for the diagnosis and treatment of hemorrhagic diathesis in the early postoperative period; a complex of minor signs of surgical hemorrhage is formulated, which makes it possible to timely perform rethoracotomy and to reduce blood transfusion. Efficiency evaluation and exclusion criteria for the use of recombinant factor VIIa are given. The efficiency of using the Russian drug tranexam versus epsilon-aminocapronic acid and aprotinin in the perioperative period was evaluated. The blood coagulative system was monitored in the treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation in multiple organ dysfunction and sepsis, which promoted the timely use of recombinant human activated protein C and human antithrombin III. A diagnostic and treatment algorithm for replacement therapy of congenital heart disease concurrent with hemophilia A is given.