Low skeletal mass predicts poor prognosis of elderly patients after emergency laparotomy: A single Asian institution experience

Introduction: Sarcopenia, defined as low skeletal muscle mass and poor muscle function, has been associated with worse postoperative recovery. This study aims to evaluate the significance of low muscle mass in the elderly who require emergency surgeries and the postoperative outcomes. Method: Data from the emergency laparotomy database were retrieved from Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, between 2016 and 2019. A retrospective analysis was performed on patients aged 65 years and above. Data collected included skeletal muscle index (SMI) on computed tomography scan, length of stay, complications and mortality. Low muscle mass was determined based on 25th percentile values and correlation with previous population studies. Results: A total of 289 patients were included for analysis. Low muscle mass was defined as L3 SMI of <22.09cm2/m2 for females and <33.4cm2/m2 for males, respectively. Seventeen percent of our patients were considered to have significantly low muscle mass. In this group, the length of stay (20.8 versus 16.2 P=0.041), rate of Clavien-Dindo IV complications (18.4% vs 7.5% P=0.035) and 1-year mortality (28.6% vs 14.6%, P=0.03) were higher. Further multivariate analysis showed that patients with low muscle mass had increased mortality within a year (odds ratio 2.16, 95% confidence interval 1.02–4.55, P=0.04). Kaplan-Meier analysis also shows that the 1-year overall survival was significantly lower in patients with low muscle mass. Conclusion: Patients with low muscle mass have significantly higher post-surgical complication rates and increased mortality. Keywords: Emergency laparotomy, geriatrics, mortality, postoperative outcome, sarcopenia

Low skeletal muscle mass predicts poor prognosis of elderly patients after emergency laparotomy: A single Asian institution experience

INTRODUCTION

Sarcopenia, defined as low skeletal muscle mass and poor muscle function, has been associated with worse postoperative recovery. This study aims to evaluate the significance of low muscle mass in the elderly who require emergency surgeries and the postoperative outcomes.

METHOD

Data from the emergency laparotomy database were retrieved from Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, between 2016 and 2019. A retrospective analysis was performed on patients aged 65 years and above. Data collected included skeletal muscle index (SMI) on computed tomography scan, length of stay, complications and mortality. Low muscle mass was determined based on 25th percentile values and correlation with previous population studies.

RESULTS

A total of 289 patients were included for analysis. Low muscle mass was defined as L3 SMI of <22.09cm2/m2 for females and <33.4cm2/m2 for males, respectively. Seventeen percent of our patients were considered to have significantly low muscle mass. In this group, the length of stay (20.8 versus 16.2 P=0.041), rate of Clavien-Dindo IV complications (18.4% vs 7.5% P=0.035) and 1-year mortality (28.6% vs 14.6%, P=0.03) were higher. Further multivariate analysis showed that patients with low muscle mass had increased mortality within a year (odds ratio 2.16, 95% confidence interval 1.02-4.55, P=0.04). Kaplan-Meier analysis also shows that the 1-year overall survival was significantly lower in patients with low muscle mass.

CONCLUSION

Patients with low muscle mass have significantly higher post-surgical complication rates and increased mortality.

Spontaneous retroperitoneal haemorrhage from pancreatoduodenal artery (PDA) rupture and associated complications

Spontaneous retroperitoneal haemorrhage (SRH) is rare. It may present with abdominal or back pain with or without haemodynamic instability. Aggressive resuscitation while investigating the cause of bleeding and providing haemostasis are the standard of care. Subsequent close monitoring is necessary to identify early complications.This study reports three patients who presented to our institution within the last 5 years with SRH from a ruptured pancreaticoduodenal artery (PDA) aneurysm. Each patient had a unique presentation, complications and treatment demonstrating the variability and complexity of SRH. One patient presented with sudden abdominal pain and hypovolaemic shock, underwent angioembolisation and had an eventful recovery. Another patient presented similarly and was treated via angioembolisation but experienced gastric outlet obstruction and obstructive jaundice requiring surgical haematoma evacuation. Another patient had an incidental finding of haemoperitoneum during laparoscopic cholecystectomy that was subsequently diagnosed as SRH resulting from a PDA aneurysm rupture secondary to medial arcuate ligament syndrome.

Retromastoid osteoma-a rare case report

Osteomas are slow growing bone tumours and are often asymptomatic. Rarely, they can be present in the temporal bone-only few cases had been reported, with an incidence of 0.1-1%. We describe a case of an osteoma of the temporal bone (retromastoid) found in a 40 year old female, who presented with a slow growing swelling behind the right ear for 9 years. Diagnosis was made on non-contrast computed topography (CT) of the skull. Treatment is indicated in symptomatic cases or cosmetic reasons. Screening colonoscopy and genetic testing for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Gardner's syndrome are advised.