Effective and alternative treatment of anastomotic leak after gastrojejunal bypass: endoluminal vacuum therapy

Anastomotic leak (AL) after with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has a morbidity rate to 53% and it can be potentially lethal (mortality rate from 0.5 to 10%). In these cases, surgery is usually a challenge, so in recent years minimally invasive endoscopic treatment is gaining ground. Endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVAC) is a promising treatment that is being used in esophagogastric and rectal surgery for the management of AL. We present the case of a patient on his 5th postoperative day of bariatric surgery (RYGB) with an acute abdomen. He was diagnosed of dehiscence of gastrojejunal anastomosis and he needed urgent surgery twice. Subsequently, in control CT, a new anastomotic leak is evidenced. However, given the clinical stability of the patient, it was decided to start EVAC type ESO-Sponge® placed by endoscopy. A total of 4 changes are made every 3-4 days with a total duration of treatment of 15 days. EVAC was removed when the defect presented a 1 mm sized.

An uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction: Vanek's tumor

Vanek's Tumor, also known as Inflammatory Fibroid Polyp (IFP), is a rare submucosal mesenchymal lesion with spindle cells and eosinophilic infiltration. Its etiology is unknown but linked to chronic cellular damage. IFP can develop in various gastrointestinal segments, most commonly in the gastric antrum (70%), small intestine (18-20%), colon, and rectum (4-7%). IFP are usually symptomless and are often found incidentally during colonoscopies or gastroscopies. Most cases can be treated with simple endoscopic resection. In rare cases where larger lesions over 1 cm are identified through endoscopic ultrasound without deeper layer involvement, submucosal endoscopic dissection can be done with good outcomes and minimal risk. Some polyps may cause dyspeptic, hemorrhagic, or obstructive symptoms based on size and location. We report a case of a 56-year-old patient with a 24-hour history of obstructive symptoms, including bowel cessation and vomiting. The patient also had abdominal pain and gradual weight loss over the past two months. Notably, the patient had a prior diagnosis of Crohn's disease 12 years ago, without treatment or continuous medical monitoring.

Morbidity- and mortality-related prognostic factors of nontraumatic splenectomies

BACKGROUND

Splenectomy is a common surgical procedure, but few reports focus on nontraumatic splenectomies. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of morbidity and mortality of patients submitted to elective nontraumatic splenectomy.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study of 152 consecutive, nonselected, nontraumatic patients operated on by splenectomy between 1996 and 2010 was carried out. Clinical, laboratory, and surgical data, histological findings, perioperative mortality, and postoperative complications according to Clavien-Dindo classification, were recorded. Factors related to morbidity and mortality were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 152 patients (89 male and 63 female; mean age 49.8 ± 17.8 years), 74 (48.7%) were operated on for malignant hematologic disorders, 44 for benign hematologic process, and 34 for other nonhematologic disorders. The spleen was enlarged in 95 patients (62.5%) and 78 patients (51.3%) had hypersplenism. The overall complications rate was 40.1%: Grades I and II in 27 cases (17.7%), and Grades III and IV in 23 patients (15.1%). Perioperative mortality was 7.2% (11 patients). In univariate analysis, significant negative predictors for morbidity were age (p = 0.004), anemia (p = 0.03), leukocytosis (p = 0.016), and blood transfusions (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, only the need for blood transfusion remained as an independent prognostic factor (p = 0.001). Related to mortality, negative prognostic factors were age (p = 0.003), leukocytosis (p = 0.048), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (p < 0.001), blood transfusion (p < 0.001), pleural effusion (p = 0.031), and pneumonia (p = 0.001). Pneumonia remained an independent prognostic factor of mortality (p = 0.024).

CONCLUSION

Blood loss is the most important prognostic factor for postoperative complications after nontraumatic splenectomies. Pneumonia is the main prognosis factor for perioperative mortality.