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Hyperinsulinism is the most common cause of hypoglycemia in infants. In many cases conservative treatment is not effective and surgical intervention is required. Differentiation between diffuse and focal forms and localization of focal lesions are the most important issues in preoperative management. We present a case of persistent infancy hyperinsulinism. Clinical presentation, conservative treatment modalities, diagnostic possibilities of focal and diffuse forms, and surgical treatment, which led to total recovery, are discussed.

Background Emergent pancreaticoduodenectomy (EPD) is an uncommon surgical procedure performed to treat patients with acute pancreaticoduodenal trauma, bleeding, or perforation. This study presents the experience of two university hospitals with EPD. Methods Clinical data on EPD in trauma and nontrauma patients from 2002–2012 were extracted from the hepatopancreatobiliary surgery databases at Thomas Jefferson University and Kaunas Medical University Hospitals. Data on indications, perioperative variables, morbidity, and mortality rates were evaluated. Results Ten single-stage EPD patients were identified. Five underwent a classic Whipple resection, whereas five had pylorus preservation. Seven patients had traumatic indications for pancreaticoduodenectomy: three from gunshot wounds to the abdomen and four from blunt high-energy injuries (two sustained injuries by falling from height and two by direct assaults on the abdomen). Three cases of nontrauma patients had EPD surgery for massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The median age of the EPD cohort was 46 y (range, 19–67 y). All 10 patients were recovered and were discharged from the hospital with a median postoperative length of stay of 24 d (range, 8–69 d). There were no perioperative mortalities. Conclusions Despite a high morbidity rate and prolonged recovery, this dual institutional review suggests that EPD can serve as a lifesaving procedure in both the trauma and the urgent nontrauma settings.

ObjectivesThe use of prophylactic antibiotics in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of antibiotics administered as prophylaxis and as treatment on demand, respectively, in two prospective, non-randomized cohorts of patients.MethodsThe study population consisted of 210 patients treated for SAP. In Group 1 (n= 103), patients received prophylactic antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, metronidazole). In Group 2 (n= 107), patients were treated on demand. Ultrasound-guided drainage and/or surgical debridement of infected necrosis were performed when the presence of infected pancreatic necrosis was demonstrated. The primary endpoints were infectious complication rate, need for and timing of surgical interventions, incidence of nosocomial infections and mortality rate.ResultsUltrasound-guided fine needle aspiration [in 18 (16.8%) vs. 13 (12.6%) patients; P= 0.714], ultrasound-guided drainage [in 15 (14.0%) vs. six (5.8%) patients; P= 0.065] and open surgical necrosectomy [in 10 (9.3%) vs. five (4.9%) patients; P= 0.206] were performed more frequently and earlier [at 16.6 ± 7.8days vs. 17.2 ± 6.7days (P= 0.723); at 19.5 ± 9.4days vs. 24.5 ± 14.2days (P= 0.498), and at 22.6 ± 13.5days vs. 26.7 ± 18.1days (P= 0.826), respectively] in Group 2 compared with Group 1. There were no significant differences between groups in mortality and duration of stay in the surgical ward or intensive care unit.ConclusionsThe results of this study support the suggestion that the use of prophylactic antibiotics does not affect mortality rate, but may decrease the need for interventional and surgical management, and lower the number of reoperations.