Complications among Patients Undergoing Pancreaticoduodenectomy in Tertiary Care Centers of Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction:

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure), even after significant evolution, continues to be associated with a high morbidity. The study aimed to find out the prevalence of complications following pancreaticoduodenectomies performed by a single surgeon over a span of 20 years in tertiary care hospitals of Nepal.

Methods:

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from hospital records of patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 1999 and 2019 at different institutions in Chitwan, where the principal author was involved. Ethical clearance was taken from the Institutional Review Committee. Convenience sampling was done. Patients' clinical characteristics and diagnoses were noted. Data entry was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated, with frequency and percentage.

Results:

Out of 327 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, complications were found in 125 (38.2%) (32.9-43.7 at 95% Confidence Interval). Respiratory complications were the commonest 32 (9.8%), followed by septicemia 25 (7.6%) and cardiac complications 24 (7.3%). Delayed gastric emptying and postoperative pancreatic fistula were seen in 11 (6.8%) and 4 (2.5%) in the first decade respectively. In the second decade, delayed gastric emptying was noted in 2 (1.2%) and postoperative pancreatic fistula in 1 (0.6%) patient.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of complications in our study was comparable to other national and international studies. Surgery-specific complications such as delayed gastric emptying and postoperative pancreatic fistula showed a decline over the decade.

Management of Traumatic Liver Injury in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Nepal

BACKGROUND

The liver is most frequently injured solid organ in abdominal trauma. The non-operative management is the standard treatment for hemodynamically stable patients. This study analyse the epidemiological aspects, injury patterns, treatment modalities and outcome in patients with liver injuries only and associated injuries outside the liver.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study in patients with liver injuries admitted from 1st March 2014 to 31st January 2019 at Chitwan Medical College and Hospital, Nepal. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of isolated liver injury and Group B liver injury with associated injury of other organs. Data were analysed by using descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

A total of 61 patients were admitted with liver injury. There were 18 (29.5 %) patients with liver injury alone (group A) and 43 (70.5 %)liver injury associated with other organs (group B). Low grade liver injuries were 48 (78.7 %) and high grade 13 (21.3 %). The operative management was done for one liver injury with biliary peritonitis in group A. In group B, 16 patients required laparotomy and operative management for associated abdomen injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-operative treatment modality in hemodynamically stable patients with isolated liver injuries was safe and effective.

Effectiveness of 0.2% Glyceryl Trinitrate and 0.5% Nifedipine in the Treatment of Chronic Anal Fissure

INTRODUCTION

Anal fissure is an ischemic ulcer caused by combination of spasm of internal anal sphincter and poor blood supply to the posterior midline of anal canal. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Glyceryl Trinitrate and Nifedipine in the treatment of chronic anal fissure.

METHODS

Ninety patients with symptomatic anal fissure in Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital are allocated for study in two groups of 45 each from March 2013 to April 2014. The patients are assigned alternatively to GTN group and Nifedipine group. All patients were assessed every week till 8 weeks in regards to headache, compliance, healing and recurrence. The patients who had complete healing in 8 weeks were further followed up for 6 weeks to detect recurrence.

RESULTS

Patients in the two groups were comparable in regard to demographic data (age and sex) as well as clinical factors. Headache was main complaint of patients using GTN in high percentage (16.6%) than complained by patients using topical Nifedipine (6.9%). This factor led to poor compliance with GTN compared with Nifedipine. Nifedipine showed better healing rate 82.5% compared with GTN 60%. Recurrence was comparable among the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Nifedipine ointment showed better results than GTN ointment in chronic anal fissure regarding headache, compliance, healing and recurrence in 6 weeks of follow up period after complete healing of fissure in 8 weeks.

Laparoscopic Approach for Management of Hydatid Cyst of Liver

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopy surgery trials are small and unconvincing at present and are limited to higher centers. The objective of the study is to determine the clinical features, prevalence of site of hydatid cyst and complications of this modality of this treatment.

METHODS

A cross sectional study was carried out in all patients with one or two hepatic hydatid cyst who underwent laparoscopic management in KMCTH from January 2013 to March 2015 were included in the study. Aspiration, deroofing and evacuation of the hydatid cyst were done.

RESULTS

Twenty six patients underwent laparoscopic management for liver hydatid cysts. Males were seven (65.38%) and females were 9(34.61%).The mean age was 35.5±13.1 years (range 21-55years.) The commonest complaint was pain and discomfort in 13(50%) patients and lump in 6(13.06%) patients. Twenty four (92.3%) patients were successfully treated with laparoscopic approach. Two (7.69%) patients had to be converted to laparotomy because of dense adhesions and bleeding. Mean operation time was 43.6±10.6 minutes. Two (7.69%) patients had port site infection. One (3.84%) patient had bile leak and no recurrence and mortality in our series.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic management of liver hydatid cyst was safe and effective in selective group of patients in equipped hospital.

Cystic lesions of pancreas: challenges in diagnosis and management

Introduction: Pancreatic cysts are common (2.5%). Cystic neoplasms represent 10% of cystic lesions and 1% of pancreatic tumors. However, it is difficult to differentiate benign cyst from malignant cystic lesions preoperatively.Objective: To study the cases of pancreatic cystic lesion who underwent various forms of pancreatic resection.Materials and Methods: Nine cases of pancreatic cystic lesion who presented to Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital, Surgical Unit 3 within December 2014- November 2015 were evaluated. Four pancreatic cysts who underwent resection are discussed whereas not managed with resection are excluded.Results: There were 4 cases of pancreatic cyst who underwent pancreatic resection. First case underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic mucinous cystadenoma. However histopathological examination revealed a serous cystadenoma. In second case, pancreatic neck lesion suspected to be mucinous cystadenoma or pseudocyst in MRCP, with negative malignant cells in EUS guided FNAC underwent Central pancreatectomy and was found to be serous cystadenoma. The third case with suspected pseudocyst underwent Pancreaticoduodenectomy after a 3X2 cm2 cystic mass was felt at the posteroinferior side of pancreatic head and malignancy was suspected intraoperatively . HPE report was mucinous cystadenoma. The fourth case with pancreatic pseudocyst at tail with duct calculi and chronic pancreatitis underwent distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy with Frey’s procedure.Conclusion: Management of pancreatic cystic lesion is challenging. Though radiological imaging has limited role in accurate diagnosis, endoscopic ultrasound may be of some benefit.

Future Liver remnant: A challenge in liver resection surgery

Introduction and Objective: The frontiers of liver resection are expanding. Future Liver Remnant; its volume, function and complication have a predictive value in post resection outcome including post resection liver failure. This study is directed to discuss the issues related to future liver remnant.Objective: To discuss issues related to Future Liver Remnant in patients planned for major liver resectionMaterials and Methods: Data of patients admitted for liver resection at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital, Surgical Unit III with varied diagnosis, were collected prospectively over a period of 1 year. In our non transplant center, Future Liver Remnant was managed with varying methods. Of the 12 liver resections, 3 prototype cases with different FLR issues are discussed in this study.Results: The first case had issue related to the volume of the liver remnant for which she underwent a portal vein ligation followed by resection (after adequate volume increase) in the second surgery. The second case was a Hepatocellular Carcinoma with CTP 8 cirrhosis. Despite adequate liver volume, decision for liver resection was delayed due to possible postoperative decompensation. The third patient was a Hilar cholangiocarcinoma with obstructive jaundice. Biliary decompression (PTBD) was performed. However, inadequate fall in bilirubin caused dilemma for liver resection. Despite the dilemma, all 3 cases underwent liver resection with no postoperative liver failure.Conclusion: Issues related to the volume and function of future liver remnant in patient undergoing liver resection should be adequately addressed by various pre operative, intra operative, and post operative measures.

Visualisation of Rouviere's Sulcus during Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

INTRODUCTION

Safe dissection of Calot's Triangle is important during the performance of laparascopic cholucystectomy. The purpose of the study is to determine the frequency of demonstrable Rouviere's sulcus in patients with symptomatic gall stones and its role in safe dissection in Calot's triangle.

METHODS

This is a prospective descriptive study design done in Department of surgery, Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital from Jan 2013 to Jan 2015. Patients who were posted for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included. During laparoscopy, Rouviere's sulcus was noted in the operative note and classified according to following: Type I: Open type was defined as a cleft in which the right hepatic pedicle was visualized and the sulcus was opened throughout its length. Type II: if the sulcus was open only at its lateral end. Type III If the sulcus was open only at its medial end. Type IV: Fused type was defined as one in which the pedicle was not visualized.

RESULTS

 A total of 200 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy during period of 2 years. Out of which Rouviere's sulcus was visualized in 150 patients (75 %).Type I (open type) was commoner in 54%, type II in 12%, Type III in 9% and type IV (fused type) in 25%.

CONCLUSION

Rouviere's Sulcus is an important extra biliary land mark for safe dissection of Calot's triangle during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. 

KEYWORDS

Rouviere's Sulcus, Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Bile duct injury.