An approach to acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding

Adjunctive endoscopic clip marking enhances non-operative management of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUNDS

Massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGB) is common especially in elderly patients. Controversy in the approach to management stems from location of bleeding and morbidity of surgery. Colonic diverticula disease (CD) is the leading cause of painless haematochezia and haemodynamic instability.

METHODS

The use of a novel technique of endoscopic pre-marking (EPM) with radiopaque metal clips to localize is described. EPM guided superselective active transarterial embolization (A-TAE) when active vascular blush was seen. When no active contrast extravasation was seen, EPM also guided prophylactic superselective transarterial embolization (P-TAE).

RESULTS

From May 2004 to December 2021, there were 36 patients with massive LGB from diverticular disease encompassing 44 separate bleeding episodes. Spontaneous haemostasis was observed in 18.2% (8/44). The overall success rate in non-operative management was 83.3% (30/36) patients. Three patients proceeded for emergency surgery. Of the 36 patients, six patients had documented EPM followed by TAE due to recurrent bleed in the same episode. A-TAE was performed in two patients. P-TAE was performed in the four patients without active contrast extravasation. Initial haemostasis was successful in five out of six patients. One patient failed embolization and proceeded to emergency surgery. Three months later, one patient encountered late rebleeding and was scheduled for elective colectomy. None of the six developed intestinal infarction from embolization. The 30-day mortality was 0%.

CONCLUSION

A consistent approach to LGB and defined protocol of endoscopic haemostasis, with routine EPM and embolization, has the potential to mitigate the morbidity and mortality in this group of vulnerable patients.

Cavernous Hemangioma: A Rare Cause of Massive Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Due to their rarity, intestinal hemangiomas are not commonly considered as a cause of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. This report describes a patient who presented with massive, recurrent lower GI bleeding secondary to a cavernous hemangioma of the small intestine. The source of GI bleeding could not initially be identified despite using numerous diagnostic modalities. The lesion was eventually revealed on diagnostic laparoscopy and small bowel resection was performed.

[Optimization of surgical care for the hemorrhagic colorectal cancer]

AIM

To optimize surgical care for the hemorrhagic colorectal cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

77 patients diagnosed with hemorrhagic colorectal cancer were reviewed: 9 patients of them were efficaciously treated with conservative therapy (I group); 47 - underwent successful endoscopic coagulation (I); 4 - arterial embolization (I), 2 - ligation of internal iliac arteries (I), 15 - acute resection (II group). 20 of 62 patients I group underwent plan surgery and radiation or chemotherapy during 7-10 days after hemostasis and normalization hemoglobin. The 3-year cumulative survival after resections (acute versus plan) was plotted on a Kaplan-Meier chart in 31 patients.

RESULTS

Complications and postoperative mortality was significantly higher after acute resection (II group) compared with plan resection (I): 33,3% vs 20%; 15% vs 5%, respectively. The survival rate was higher after plan than acute resections: 0,8882 and 0,3571, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Acute surgery for hemorrhagic colorectal cancer should only be carried out by appropriately trained surgeons in multi-specialty hospital. Endoscopy and arterial embolization are the most effective means of successfully controlling hemorrhage while minimizing potential complications. A bridging strategy may be a valid alternative in some of patients with hemorrhagic colorectal cancer, because a significantly lower postoperative mortality rate.

Rodenticide Causing Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Resident Simulation

Introduction

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is becoming more common with an aging population. Lower GI bleeding is less common than its upper GI bleed counterpart. Incidence of bleeding is increasing because more patients are on anticoagulation medication. Abnormal coagulation can lead to this life-threatening condition requiring rapid diagnosis and treatment by a skilled medical provider. Simulation can be used to practice recognition of this disease process and work through treatment algorithms.

Methods

This simulation case used a high-fidelity simulator to teach emergency medicine providers how to manage lower GI bleeding in a patient with abnormal coagulation secondary to intentional ingestion of rodenticide. The case simulated a 58-year-old female with history of bipolar disorder presenting with brisk rectal bleeding. Residents were expected to identify the type of GI bleed, leading to recognition that the patient was in hemorrhagic shock; they then had to appropriately reverse the anticoagulation and resuscitate with blood products. Afterward, learners were given a short survey to evaluate the case and debriefing process.

Results

The case was performed at the University of Pennsylvania Simulation Center as part of the Emergency Medicine Resident Simulation Curriculum. Twenty-eight learners took part; of these, 20 (71%) found the simulation realistic, and 24 (86%) agreed or strongly agreed that the simulation was useful.

Discussion

Main learning points include management of lower GI bleeding and reversal of abnormal anticoagulation. This simulation case is straightforward to run, requires minimal resources, and has been well received by learners at our institution.