Obstruction of the Biliary and Urinary System

Biliary and urinary obstructions can be managed endoscopically or cystoscopically, surgically or by percutansous intervention or drainage. If the obtructed system is infected, emergent decompression is needed. Early recognition and treatment is paramount in both conditions. Acute cholangitis can present many different ways, from mild symptoms to fulminant sepsis. It is usually a result of ascending bacterial colonization and biliary obstruction resulting in bacterial overgrowth. Therefore, those patients with recent biliary instrumentation or previous biliary modification are at higher risk. Charcot's triad of fever, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, and jaundice is only seen in 50%-70% of patients. Fever is seen in over 90% of cases, pain is seen in 70% of cases, and jaundice is seen in 60% of cases. Altered mental status and hypotension are associated with severe cases. All 5 symptoms of fever, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, jaundice, altered mental status, and hypotension are referred to as Reynold's Pentad. Acute pyonephrosis can also present many different ways, from minimal symptoms to fulminant sepsis. Fever, chills, and flank pain are the classic symptoms, although some patients may be relatively asymptomatic. Pyonephrosis may present with a classic triad of fever, flank pain, and hydronephrosis, or simply hydronephrosis and sepsis. Pyonephrosis usually occurs as a result of urinary obstruction with either an ascending infection of the urinary tract or hematogenous spread of a bacterial pathogen as the culprit. Up to 75% of cases are related to urinary stone disease. Patients are at increased risk for pyonephrosis when they haven anatomic urinary tract obstruction, certain chronic diseases (diabetes meliitus and AIDS), or are immunosuppressed due to immunodeficiency or medications, (chronic steroid therapy).

Totally extra-peritoneal repair for acute incarcerated femoral hernia with intestinal obstruction

INTRODUCTION

Femoral hernias frequently present with incarceration, resulting in obstruction and strangulation. Laparoscopic groin hernia repairs have been shown in the elective setting to be an effective alternative to open repair. Acute incarceration of groin hernia with obstruction, though previously seen as a relative contraindication, has been increasingly repaired with minimally invasive techniques, with the potential benefit of avoiding the morbidity associated with a laparotomy.

PRESENTATION OF CASE AND DISCUSSION

We describe a case of an acutely incarcerated femoral hernia with intestinal obstruction that was repaired using the totally extra-peritoneal approach. A releasing incision was performed to facilitate reduction of hernia prior to mesh repair. Diagnostic laparoscopy through a separate incision was then performed.

CONCLUSION

This modification of the TEP repair technique for the acutely incarcerated and obstructed femoral hernia serves to minimise potential contamination by keeping the pre-peritoneal plane strictly separate from the intra-peritoneal space.

Estimation of urinary flow velocity in models of obstructed and unobstructed urethras by decorrelation of ultrasound radiofrequency signals

The feasibility of estimating urinary flow velocity from the decorrelation of radiofrequency (RF) signals was investigated in soft tissue-mimicking models of obstructed and unobstructed urethras. The decorrelation was studied in the near field, focal zone and far field of the ultrasound beam. Furthermore, the effect of beam width was investigated. The results of this study suggest that it is feasible to estimate flow velocity in models of the urethra by quantifying the decorrelation of RF ultrasound signals. The decorrelation slope increased more rapidly and more linearly with increasing velocity in the focal zone than in the near and far field. A preliminary example of an in vivo measurement in a healthy volunteer illustrated that this method has potential for clinical use in the future.

Completely obstructed colorectal anastomosis: A new non-electrosurgical endoscopic approach before balloon dilatation

Benign stricture is a relatively common complication of colorectal anastomosis after low anterior resection. On occasion, the anastomosis may close completely. A variety of endoscopic techniques have been described, but there is a lack of data from controlled prospective trials as to the optimal approach. Through-the-scope balloon dilatation is well known and easy to perform. Some case reports describe different endoscopic approaches, including endoscopic electrocision with a papillotomy knife or hook knife. We report a case of a colorectal anastomosis web occlusion, treated without electrocision. Gastrografin enema and sigmoidoscopy showed complete obstruction at the anastomotic site due to the presence of an anastomotic occlusive web. In order to avoid thermal injuries, we decided to use a suprapapillary biliary puncture catheter. The Artifon catheter was inserted into the center of the circular staple line at the level of the anastomosis, and fluoroscopic identification of the proximal bowel was obtained with dye injection. A 0.025-inch guidewire was then passed through the catheter into the colon and progressive pneumatic dilatation was performed. The successful destruction of the occlusive web facilitated passage of the colonoscope, allowing evaluation of the entire colon and stoma closure after three months of follow-up. The patient tolerated the procedure well, with no complications. This report highlights an alternative non-electrosurgical approach that uses a new device that proved to be safe and useful.