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Abstract: In planned digestive surgery, reach therapeutic goal is often associated to poor nutritional result which affects variously over long-term patient''s quality of life. Nevertheless, a coordinated and early management could prevent nutritional consequences, too often neglected. Aim of this work was double: 1) remind main reasons and mechanisms of undernutrition induced by digestive surgery; 2) focus on nutritional impact due to each digestive surgery and suggest nutritional strategy to prevent it. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Since 20years, data from high quality studies have demonstrated that perioperative immunonutrition is able, even in well-nourished patients, to reduce septic complications, length of stay and costs, in elective digestive cancer surgery. Then update of recommendations for clinical practice has been proposed. As this treatment is effective, French system reimburses the cost of treatment since 2006. Educational programme is now necessary to diffuse state of art. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical significance of children presenting with malrotation to develop treatment recommendations. Methods: Records of children undergoing a Ladd procedure were identified in the pediatric patient database from 1 June 1996 to 31 March 2007. Patients with intestinal obstruction caused by isolated intestinal malrotation were included. The exclusion criteria were the association of predisposing factors (omphalocele, gastroschisis, diaphragmatic hernia). Patient characteristics, imaging investigations, operations performed, and morbidity were evaluated. Results: Eleven children (7 boys and 4 girls) underwent a Ladd procedure at the median age of 14 days. Seven patients presented bilious vomiting, alimentary vomiting associated with weight loss (2 cases), and melena (1 patient) at admission. The upper gastrointestinal radiological investigations established the diagnosis of intestinal malrotation in 6 cases confirmed by ultrasonography in 3 cases. Isolated Doppler ultrasound investigation was sufficient in 4 cases before abdominal surgery. In 1 case, preoperative diagnosis of intestinal malrotation was not made. Intraoperative anomalies were midgut volvulus in 7 cases, Ladd bands in 3 patients, and malrotation with intestinal ischemia in 2 cases with spontaneous resolution of midgut volvulus. Incomplete intestinal malrotation (180°) was found in 10 cases and a mobile cecum in 1. Conclusion: These findings provide support for performing early diagnosis of intestinal malrotation to prevent the rare but potentially devastating complications of this anomaly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Abdominal prophylactic drainage in digestive surgery was considered until recently as a dogma. But randomised controlled trials have questioned the routine use of abdominal drain in elective surgery. The aim of this review was to assess the usefulness of abdominal prophylactic drainage according to the concept of evidence-based medicine by analysing published randomised trials and meta-analyses. Levels of evidence vary greatly according to the type of surgery. One can conclude: with a good level of evidence that abdominal drainage has no place following elective cholecystectomy, appendicectomy and colectomy with intraperitoneal anastomosis; that it is perhaps unwarranted (lower level of evidence) following gastroduodenal surgery, pancreatectomy, splenectomy, and rectal surgery; and finally that could be indicated following oesophagectomy and common bile duct surgery (very low level of evidence). Nevertheless, when interpreting these data and evidence-based guidelines we should be consider the limitations of published studies (series coming from very expert teams, selected patients, short series, and elective surgery). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]