Search

Abstract: Gastroduodenal perforation commonly due to spontaneous perforation of a pre-existing peptic ulcer is a surgical emergency. On laparotomy, approximately 60%-70% perforations are duodenal and 15%-20% gastric. The most prevalent etiology are Helicobacter pylori infection in 65%-70% and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) abuse in 30%-50% cases depending on the prevalence of H. pylori infection. We report here the autopsy findings in a 29-year-old male who collapsed suddenly in the emergency room of our hospital after a bout of massive hematemesis., (Copyright © 2024 Copyright: © 2024 Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology.)

Background: Perforated peptic ulcer remains one of the most common surgical emergencies in India with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to identify the perioperative risk factors influencing the post-operative morbidity and mortality in patients with perforated peptic ulcer disease., Methods: Five-hundred patients who underwent surgery for perforated peptic ulcer in our institution in the preceding 8 years were included in this observational retrospective study. Their clinical presentations, peri-operative managements were studied and analysed., Results: Five hundred cases were analysed of which 96% were males. Mean age was 46.5 years. A total of 160 patients had duodenal perforation and 328 had gastric perforation with a mean size of 8.6 mm. Most patients (96.2%) underwent omental patch closure of the perforation with mean length of hospitalization being 14 days. The most common major and minor postoperative complications were prolonged intubation and pulmonary complaints respectively. Re-exploration was needed in 6.2% of cases with a post-operative leak rate of 5.8%. Age >60 years, presence of comorbid illnesses, shock at presentation and perforation size >1 cm were identified as independent predictors of postoperative morbidity. Overall mortality was 11.6% while specific mortality among males and females were 11.8% and 5% respectively. Age >60 years, shock at presentation, presence of abdominal rigidity and size of perforation >1 cm were independent predictors of mortality., Conclusion: Old age, comorbidities, shock at presentation, perforation size >1 cm, higher ASA grade, prolonged surgery and biliopurulent contamination >500 mL were independent predictors of both increased post-operative morbidity and mortality., (© 2023 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.)

Peptic ulcer disease causing perforation is extremely rare in children and primarily affects teenagers. We present a case of a perforated peptic ulcer in a 6-year-old with abdominal pain and emesis with CT findings of moderate pneumoperitoneum and pelvic free fluid without a distinct cause. He was emergently transferred, found to be peritonitic, and taken to the operating room for diagnostic laparoscopy revealing an anterior duodenal ulcer, and underwent laparoscopic Graham patch repair. Postoperatively, the child had positive fecal antigen for H. pylori. He was treated with triple therapy and underwent subsequent testing to confirm eradication. Perforated peptic ulcer is an uncommon pediatric surgical problem, and imaging may not be diagnostic as in the case presented here. Thus, clinicians need to maintain a high index of suspicion when evaluating children with free air and a surgical abdomen in the setting of long-standing abdominal pain.

Duodenal ulcer perforation, a frequent surgical emergency, needs simple closure with indirect Graham's Omentopexy which is effective with excellent results in majority of cases despite patients' late presentation. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of postoperative complications of perforated duodenal ulcer, conducted in the Surgery Department, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from March 20, 2018 to September 20, 2018. The study was a descriptive case series of 108 patients of both genders with perforated duodenal ulcer > 1 week old with ASA score I & II. Patients with trauma and comorbidities were excluded. The patients underwent laparotomy and peritoneal toilet, and after noting the site of perforation indirect Graham's Omentopexy was performed. Complications like duodenal fistula, peritonitis, and paralytic ileus, and patient's death within 10 days of surgery were noted. Age ranged from 18 to 50 years with mean age of 35.027±5.13 years, mean weight 71.120±12.77 kg, mean height 1.541 ±0.09 metres, mean BMI 29.975±4.99 kg/m2, and the mean duration of complaint was 4.194±1.30 weeks. Male predominance in 75 (69.4%) patients. Duodenal fistula was seen in 10 (9.3%) patients, peritonitis 12 (11.1%), paralytic ileus 14 (13%) and mortality was in 11 (10.2%) patients.

Aims: To evaluate comparative outcomes of laparoscopic repair of perforated peptic ulcer with omental patch versus without omental patch., Methods: A systematic search of multiple electronic data sources was conducted, and all studies comparing laparoscopic repair of perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) with and without omental patch were included. Operative time, postoperative complications, re-operation and mortality were the evaluated outcome parameters for the meta-analysis. Revman 5.3 was used for data analysis., Results: Four observational studies reporting a total number of 438 patients who underwent laparoscopic repair of PPU with (n = 268) or without (n = 170) omental patch were included. Operative time was significantly shorter in no-omental patch group (NOP) when compared to omental patch group ( P = .02). There was no significant difference in the risk of postoperative ileus (Odd ratio (OR) .76, P = .61), leakage (OR 1.17, P = .80), wound infection (OR 1.89, P = .34), intra-abdominal abscess (OR 1.17, P = .87), re-operation (OR .00, P = .94) and mortality (OR .55, P = .48). Moreover, length of hospital stay was comparable between the two groups ( P = .81)., Conclusion: Laparoscopic repair of PPU with or without omental patch have comparable postoperative complications and mortality rate. However, considering the shorter operative time, no-omental patch approach is an attractive and more favourable choice. Well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to investigate this comparison.

Background: This study aims to summarize our experience in diagnosis and treatment of pediatric duodenal ulcer perforation in a National Center for Children's Health., Methods: Fifty-two children with duodenal perforation hospitalized in Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2007 to December 2021 were retrospectively collected. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, patients with duodenal ulcer perforation were included in the group. They were divided into the surgery group and the conservative group according to whether they received surgery., Results: A total of 45 cases (35 males and 10 females) were included, with a median age of 13.0 (0.3-15.4) years. Forty cases (40/45, 88.9%) were over 6 years old, and 31 (31/45, 68.9%) were over 12 years old. Among the 45 cases, 32 cases (32/45, 71.1%) were examined for Helicobacter pylori (HP), and 25 (25/32, 78.1%) were positive. There were 13 cases in the surgery group and 32 cases in the conservative group, without a significant difference in age between the two groups (P = 0.625). All cases in the surgery group and the conservative group started with abdominal pain. The proportion of history time within 24 h in the two groups was 6/13 and 12/32 (P = 0.739), and the proportion of fever was 11/13 and 21/32 (P = 0.362). The proportion of pneumoperitoneum in the surgery group was higher than that in the conservative group (12/13 vs. 15/32, P = 0.013). The fasting days in the surgery group were shorter than those in the conservative group (7.7 ± 2.92 vs. 10.3 ± 2.78 days, P = 0.014). There was no significant difference in the total hospital stay (13.6 ± 5.60 vs14.8 ± 4.60 days, P = 0.531). The operation methods used in the surgery group were all simple sutures through laparotomy (9 cases) or laparoscopy (4 cases). All patients recovered smoothly after surgery., Conclusion: Duodenal ulcer perforation in children is more common in adolescents, and HP infection is the main cause. Conservative treatment is safe and feasible, but the fasting time is longer than the surgery group. A simple suture is the main management for the surgery group., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Gastroduodenal perforation stands out as one of the complications in cancer patients. Despite its high mortality, its characteristics are still poorly described. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of cancer patients who had gastroduodenal perforation, and the influence of chemotherapy (CMT) in these cases., Method: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent emergency surgery with an intraoperative finding of gastroduodenal perforation. Patients who performed CMT within 60 days before perforation were considered as the CMT group., Results: Among 45 patients included, 16 (35.5%) were classified as the CMT group and the remaining 29 (64.5%) patients as the non-CMT group. There was no difference between the groups regarding sex, age, BMI, comorbidity, and laboratory exams. ECOG 2-3 was significantly more frequent in the CMT group (68.8% vs. 34.5% p = 0.027). Major postoperative complications were similar between both groups (75% vs. 58.6%, p = 0.272). The sepsis of abdominal focus was the main postoperative complication. The 30-day mortality was 55.6%, with no difference between non-CMT and CMT groups (62.5% vs. 51.7%, respectively; p = 0.486). A multivariate analysis of risk factors showed that only an age of ≥65 years was related to 30-day mortality., Conclusions: Patients with gastroduodenal perforation and oncologic treatment present high mortality, regardless of receiving recent CMT.

The aim of current single-center study was to compare the short-term outcome of suction and gauze wiping alone versus the irrigation and suction technique for peritoneal decontamination among patients who underwent laparoscopic repair of PPU. Using data from our institution's prospectively maintained database, 105 patients who underwent laparoscopic repair were enrolled in this study. The participants were further divided into the group who received peritoneal irrigation (irrigation group, n = 67) and group who received gauze wiping and suction only (suction only group, n = 38). The irrigation group had a longer operative time (140 vs. 113 min, p = 0.0001), higher number of drainage tubes (38.8% vs. 0%, p < 0.0001) and a higher incidence of intra-abdominal abscess (10.4% vs. 0%, p = 0.0469) than the suction only group. Peritoneal irrigation may be associated with a prolonged operative time and a higher number of abdominal drains. Meanwhile, gauze wiping and suction may be sufficient for peritoneal decontamination during the laparoscopic repair of PPU as further infectious complications are not observed., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Thyroid storm is a rare, fatal complication of thyrotoxicosis that necessitates aggressive medical treatment. We present a case of a patient who developed duodenal ulcer perforation as a result of a thyroid storm caused by Graves' thyrotoxicosis. In addition to life-threatening intra-abdominal sepsis complicated by high anion-gap metabolic acidosis, he was found to have severely deranged thyroid hormone levels and clinical features compatible with thyroid storm based on the Burch-Wartofsky Score. Diagnosis and management of such patients with compromised gastrointestinal (GI) tract present a remarkable clinical challenge to the anaesthetist and the intensivists. Multidisciplinary care with rapid preoperative optimisation, careful intraoperative anaesthetic techniques and postoperative care resulted in excellent outcomes. This case report sheds light on how to tailor general anaesthesia to minimise physiological derangement associated with thyroid storm and re-establish homeostasis in patients presenting for emergent surgery, particularly those with GI dysfunction., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2022. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Aim: A perforated peptic ulcer is the most common cause of peritonitis through the perforation of the digestive tube, which occurs in a percentage between 2% and 14% of patients diagnosed with peptic ulcer and being associated with a 10% to 30% mortality rate., Materials and Methods: Considering the above, we imagined a study, using laboratory animals, in which we produced gastric perforations, then followed their evolution without antibiotic treatment and under antibiotic therapy with Cefuroxime 25 mg∕kg∕24 hours intravenously or Meropenem 40 mg∕kg∕24 hours intravenously, following the tissue changes both macroscopically and microscopically., Results: The study revealed a mortality of 36.6%, most deaths (81.82%) occurred in the first 24 hours after the perforation, all subjects belonging to the group that did not receive antibiotic treatment and the group treated with Cefuroxime. From a clinical point of view (evaluation of the general condition), macroscopically and microscopically, a better evolution of the subjects who received antibiotic therapy can be observed, compared to those who did not receive antibiotic therapy, thus in the case of subjects who received antibiotic therapy, the absence or the presence of a small amount of intraperitoneal fluid, which has a serocitrine appearance, as well as the absence of macroscopic changes at the level of unaffected intraperitoneal organs, can be observed. Microscopically, it can be seen that in the subjects treated with Meropenem, changes in the parietal peritoneum were minimal., Conclusions: Antibiotic therapy with Meropenem in acute peritonitis has a survival rate comparable to peritoneal lavage and source control.

Surgical therapy of duodenal perforation into the retroperitoneum entails high morbidity. Conservative treatment and endoscopic negative pressure therapy have been suggested as promising therapeutic alternatives. We aimed to retrospectively assess outcomes of patients treated for duodenal perforation to the retroperitoneum at our department. A retrospective analysis of all patients that were treated for duodenal perforation to the retroperitoneum at our institution between 2010 and 2021 was conducted. Different therapeutic approaches with associated complications within 30 days, length of in-hospital stay, number of readmissions and necessity of parenteral nutrition were assessed. We included thirteen patients in our final analysis. Six patients underwent surgery, five patients were treated conservatively and two patients received interventional treatment by endoscopic negative pressure therapy. Length of stay was shorter in patients treated conservatively. One patient following conservative and surgical treatment each was readmitted to hospital within 30 days after initial therapy whereas no readmissions after interventional treatment occurred. There was no failure of therapy in patients treated without surgery whereas four (66.7%) of six patients required revision surgery following primary surgical therapy. Conservative and interventional treatment were associated with fewer complications than surgical therapy which involves high morbidity. Conservative and interventional treatment using endoscopic negative pressure therapy in selected patients might constitute appropriate therapeutic alternatives for duodenal perforations to the retroperitoneum., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Peritonitis due to perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) is a surgical emergency associated with high mortality. Preoperative management includes immediate initiation of broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy. The objective of this study was to assess the spectrum of microbial pathogens in peritoneal fluid., Methods: Retrospective observational study of patients who underwent surgery for PPU at the 1st Department of Surgery - Thoracic, Abdominal and Injury Surgery, General University Hospital in the period 2015-2020. Analysis of the microbiological analytical results of peritoneal fluid., Results: The microbiological profile of PPU-associated peritonitis is somewhat different from microbial pathogens involved in secondary peritonitis due to bowel perforation. A high rate of negative culture findings, high incidence of Candida spp. and low incidence of anaerobic bacteria are characteristic for PPU-associated peritonitis. Negative culture from the peritoneal fluid collected during surgery was identified in 42% of the patients. A total of 66 isolates of microbial pathogens were identified, including Candida spp. (42.5%), aerobic gram-positive bacteria (30.3%), aerobic gram-negative bacteria (22.7%) and anaerobic bacteria (4.5%). Candida albicans and Candida glabrata represented the most common species. Decreased susceptibility to fluconazole and resistance to itraconazole was associated with all Candida glabrata isolates., Conclusion: Although PPU-associated peritonitis is mostly of community origin, we confirmed a significant incidence of Candida spp. with decreased azole susceptibility. The choice of antifungal therapy should always be based on local epidemiology.

Purpose: Perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) is a life-threatening complication of peptic ulcer disease. This condition is characterized by a dirty abdomen that predisposes to postoperative wound infection. Delayed primary skin closure is occasionally preferred over primary closure to reduce the risk of surgical site infection in dirty abdominal wounds. In primary skin closure, the skin is sutured immediately after surgery. Meanwhile, in delayed primary skin closure, the incision is left open, and sutured after 2-5 days. The current research aimed to compare the risk for surgical site infection, length of hospitalization, and mortality rate between primary versus delayed primary skin closure among patients who underwent surgery for PPU., Methods: This single-blind randomized clinical trial included 120 patients who were randomly allocated into the primary and delayed primary closure groups. A research assistant who was blinded to the study examined the wounds for surgical site infection based on the 1992 Center for Disease Control criteria. The outcomes were mortality rate and duration of hospitalization., Results: The delayed primary and primary closure groups did not significantly differ in terms of postsurgical wound infection occurring on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 30th days after surgery, mortality rate, and duration of hospitalization., Conclusion: In patients who underwent surgery for PPU, delayed primary closure is not recommended over primary closure due to the risk of postoperative surgical site infection., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: It is unclear if the addition of antifungal therapy for perforated peptic ulcers (PPU) leads to improved outcomes. We hypothesized that empiric antifungal therapy is associated with better clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with PPU. Patients and Methods: The 2001-2012 Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-III) database was searched for patients with PPU and the included subjects were divided into two groups depending on receipt of antifungal therapy. Propensity score matching by surgical intervention, mechanical ventilation (MV), and vasopressor administration was then performed and clinically important outcomes were compared. Multiple logistic regression was performed to calculate the odds of a composite end point (defined as "alive, hospital-free, and infection-free at 30 days"). Results: A total of 89 patients with PPU were included, of whom 52 (58%) received empiric antifungal therapy. Propensity score matching resulted in 37 pairs. On logistic regression controlling for surgery, vasopressors, and MV, receipt of antifungal therapy was not associated with higher odds (odds ratio [OR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5-4.7; p = 0.4798) of the composite end point. Conclusions: In critically ill patients with perforated peptic ulcer, receipt of antifungal therapy, regardless of surgical intervention, was not associated with improved clinical outcomes. Selection bias is possible and therefore randomized controlled trials are required to confirm/refute causality.

Objective: To analyze treatment outcomes and approaches to predicting the postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with perforated ulcers and cancer., Material and Methods: A non-randomized trial included 194 patients. The first group enrolled 45 (23%) patients with perforated ulcers and concomitant cancer who underwent at the oncology center; the second group included 149 (77%) patients with perforated ulcers and no cancer who underwent surgery in general surgical hospitals. Organ-sparing procedures prevailed (40 (88.9%) and 138 (92.6%) cases, respectively). Resections were performed in 5 (11.1%) and 11 (7.4%) patients respectively. Analyzing the factors affecting treatment outcomes, we studied crude (COR) and adjusted (AOR) odds ratios. ROC-analysis was used to assess diagnostic significance of the models for prognosis of morbidity and mortality., Results: Length of hospital-stay was 10 (range 9-14) and 8 (range 7-9) days respectively. Postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grading system) occurred in 18 (40%) in 37 (24.8%) patients, respectively. According to multivariate analysis, predictors of complications in patients of the first group were treatment with NSAIDs/glucocorticoids and Charlson-Deyo index >3. Sensitivity of this model was 82.4%, specificity - 75.0%. Postoperative mortality was 15.6% ( n =7) and 7.4% ( n =11) respectively. According to multivariate analysis, predictors of mortality were age over 65 years and more than 5 chemotherapeutic courses. Sensitivity of the model was 85.7%, specificity - 97.4%., Conclusion: The stratified approach makes it possible to improve prediction of postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with perforated ulcers.

Background: There are limited studies regarding the impact of post-operative leak on perforated peptic ulcer disease (PPUD) and conflicting results regarding routine drain placement in operative repair of PPUD. This study aims to identify risk factors for gastrointestinal leak after operative repair of PPUD to better guide intra-operative decisions about drain placement., Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care center from 2008 to 2019, identifying 175 patients who underwent operative repair of PPUD., Results: Patients who developed a leak (17%) were compared to patients who did not. Both hypoalbuminemia (albumin < 3.5 g/dL) ( P = .03) and duodenal ulcers ( P < .01) were identified as significant risk factors for leak. No significant difference was found between leak and no leak groups for AAST disease severity grade, repair technique, or pre-operative use of tobacco, alcohol, or steroids. Post-operative leaks were associated with prolonged hospital stay (29 days compared to 10, P < .01), increased complication rates (77% compared to 48%, P < .01), and increased re-operation rates (73% compared to 26%, <0.01). No difference was identified in patient characteristics or operative leak rates between patients who had drains placed at the index operation and those that did not., Discussion: Leak after operative PPUD repair is associated with significant post-operative morbidity. Hypoalbuminemia and duodenal perforations are significant risk factors for post-operative leaks.

The vagal nervous system is central to the physiological responses and systemic diseases of the liver. We evaluated the subsequent risk of liver and intrahepatic cancer (HCC/ICC) in non-H. pylori (HP)-infected perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) patients with and without vagotomy. Hospitalized PPU patients who underwent simple closure or truncal vagotomy/pyloroplasty (TVP) in the National Health Insurance Research Database from 2000 to 2008 were enrolled. The exclusion criteria included: (1) Multiple surgeries for PPU were received at the same admission; (2) Any cancer history; (3) Previous peptic ulcer-associated surgery; (4) HP infection history; (5) Viral hepatitis infection history; (6) Follow-up duration < 1 year; and (7) Age < 18 years. The risks of developing HCC/ICC in PPU patients with and without vagotomy were assessed at the end of 2013. To balance the baseline condition between groups, we used the propensity score matched method to select study subjects. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate the hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) of HCC/ICC. Before propensity score matching, 675 simple suture patients and 54 TVP patients had HCC/ICC, which corresponded to incidences of 2.11 and 0.88 per 1000 person-years, respectively. After propensity score matching, 145 simple suture patients and 54 TVP patients experienced HCC/ICC, which corresponded to incidences of 1.45 and 0.88 per 1000 person-years, respectively. The TVP patients had a 0.71 (95% CI 0.54-0.95)- and 0.69 (95% CI 0.49-0.97)-fold risk of developing HCC/ICC compared to simple suture patients before and after propensity score matching. Our findings reported that, in the Asian population, TVP decreases the risk of HCC/ICC in non-HP-infected PPU patients compared to simple closure patients. However, further studies are warranted., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.

Background: This study aims to assess the psychological effect of comprehensive nursing intervention (CNI) in elderly patients with perforated peptic ulcer (PPU)., Methods: This protocol will search all potential studies from inception to the present in electronic database sources (Cochrane Library, PUBMED, EMBASE, PsycINFO, WANGFANG, CBM, and CNKI), and other sources (such as clinical trial registry, and conference proceedings). We will not apply limitations to language and publication status. Two independent authors will scan literature, extract data, and appraise study quality. A third author will be invited to solve any disagreements between 2 authors. We will utilize RevMan 5.3 software for statistical analysis. If necessary, we will also carry out subgroup group, sensitivity analysis, and reporting bias., Results: This protocol will summarize high quality evidence to evaluate the psychological effect of CNI in elderly patients with PPU., Conclusion: The results of this study may provide evidence to determine whether CNI is effective or not on psychological effect in elderly patients with PPU., Study Registration: INPLASY202080069.

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become the most common surgical procedure performed in bariatric surgery. Large hiatal hernias and Barrett's esophagus are the only contraindications recognized among experts. However, some studies have suggested that LSG may exacerbated gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms or induce postoperative GERD de novo. GERD and erosive esophagitis increase the risk of Barrett's esophagus. For this reason, in obese patients suffering from GERD, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is considered the gold standard, or in the case of hiatal hernia, a laparoscopic hiatoplasty should be performed. In order to find some alternative techniques and extend the indication of LSG to obese patient with GERD symptoms, some authors have proposed a single step LSG and Nissen's fundoplication. CASE REPORT We report our experience with a male patient who after few months after a single step LSG and Nissen's fundoplication for morbid obesity and GERD, underwent emergency remnant gastrectomy and esophagojejunostomy because of gastric ischemic perforation. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that, despite being a well-tolerated and feasible surgical procedure, a single step LSG and gastric fundoplication could increase the risk of severe postoperative complications related to LSG, and we believe that, according to guidelines, gastric bypass or LSG with subsequent hiatoplasty should be preferred in obese patients with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms or hiatal hernia.

Introduction: Encapsulating peritonitis is a rare but severe chronic fibrotic condition related to the development of a white fibrous membrane surrounding the digestive tract. Idiopathic forms have been described, however the disease is most often secondary to peritoneal dialysis or more rarely to surgery. Treatment is difficult and not codified., Case Report: We report here the observation of a 36-year-old patient whose diagnosis of encapsulating peritonitis was made after a long sub-occlusive history, eight years after a gastric ulcer perforation., Discussion: We discuss the possible etiologies and we present a focus on this rare and little-known entity., (Copyright © 2019 Société Nationale Française de Médecine Interne (SNFMI). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Pneumatosis intestinalis is the presence of gas in the bowel wall and is divided into two categories: life-threatening pneumatosis intestinalis and benign pneumatosis intestinalis. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is a rare condition characterized by gas-filled cysts in submucosa and subserosa. The pathogenesis is unclear, although some causes have been theorized. The presenting clinical findings may be very heterogeneous. Intestinal pneumatosis may lead to various complications. Distinguishing between pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and life-threatening pneumatosis intestinalis may be challenging, although computed tomography scan allows the detection of additional findings that may suggest an underlying, potentially worrisome cause of pneumatosis intestinalis. To correctly manage the patients affected with this disease is important to differentiate the two types of pneumatosis. The patients with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis are usually treated conservatively; the surgical treatment is reserved for complications. We described a case of a patient with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and gastric perforation. The medical history of the patient revealed a breast cancer treated with mastectomy and chemotherapy; the patient did not report a history of gastrointestinal disease. The abdomen CT showed abscess formation at the level of the antro-pylorus, linear pneumatosis in the gastric wall, and free abdominal air. Multiple small air bubbles was observed in intestinal wall. The intestinal wall was not thickened with normal contrast mucosal enhancement. CT examination showed neither mesenteric stranding nor portal venous gas embolism. The findings of the surgery were gastric perforated peptic ulcer and benign pneumatosis intestinalis.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to analyze the outcome of elderly patients with perforated peptic ulcer comparing laparoscopic treatment versus open approach., Methods: In our General and Emergency Surgery Unit in the last 3 years, 20 elderly patients with perforated peptic ulcer were performed. We considered elderly all patients over the age of 65 years (10 females and 10 males; the mean age was 75 years). 16 patients (80%) were submitted to laparoscopic repair with omentoplasty and 4 (20%) to open repair. The patients were classified using the Boye's score which influenced the choice of surgical treatment and the outcoEmergency Romame. The two groups were compared in terms of operative surgery times, complication rate, mortality and postoperative outcomes., Discussion: Perforated peptic ulcer is a common abdominal disease that is treated by surgery. The potential advantages of laparoscopy, both in terms of diagnosis and therapy, are clear and the major advantages may be observed in cases with peritonitis secondary as a perforated peptic ulcer where laparoscopy allows the confirmation of the diagnosis, the identification of the position of the ulcer and the repair. With the age the risks of comorbidities increases multidisease syndrome. Elderly patients suffer from frailty syndrome. All these factors make the elderly patient a major challenge for a laparoscopy treatment., Conclusion: The laparoscopic approach is an effective method for treatment of perforated peptic ulcer in the elderly with a great diagnostic and therapeutic role. Nowadays more prospective randomized studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of laparoscopic versus open repair.

Aim: To compare the results of open and laparoscopic interventions for PGDU complicated by advanced peritonitis., Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis enrolled 172 patients with PGDU who underwent surgery for the period 2014-2016. The research was performed at the bases of the Department of Faculty-Based Surgery No. 1 of the Medical Faculty of the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University. Further analysis enrolled 138 patients in accordance with inclusion and exclusion criteria (laparoscopic intervention - 116 patients, open surgery - 22). Propensity score matching (pseudorandomization) was applied after comparative analysis of patients' characteristics and treatment outcomes in order to ensure maximum comparability of both groups., Results: Length of hospital-stay (7.1 vs. 9.8 days), incidence of extra-abdominal complications (6.3%. vs. 41.2%) and adverse events Clavien-Dindo grade II (6.3% vs. 35.3%) were significantly lower after minimally invasive surgery (p<0.05)., Conclusion: Analysis of comparable groups of patients with PGDU complicated by peritonitis revealed that laparoscopic surgery is accompanied by significantly lower incidence of extra-abdominal postoperative complications and shorter hospital-stay compared with open surgery. Mortality and incidence of intra-abdominal postoperative complications were similar in both groups.

Background: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) affects four million people worldwide. Perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) occurs in less than 15% of cases but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Administration of antibiotics is standard treatment for gastrointestinal perforations, including PPU. Although fungal growth is common in peritoneal fluid cultures from patients with PPU, current data suggest empiric anti-fungal therapy fails to improve outcomes. To examine the role of anti-fungal agents in the treatment of PPU, the Surgical Infection Society hosted an Update Symposium at its 37 th Annual Meeting. Here, we provide a synopsis of the symposium's findings and a brief review of prospective and retrospective reports on the subject. Methods: A search of Pubmed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library was performed between January 1, 2000, and November 1, 2018, comparing outcomes of PPU following empiric anti-fungal treatment versus no anti-fungal therapy. We used the search terms "perforated peptic ulcer," "gastroduodenal ulcer," "anti-fungal," and "perforated" or "perforation." Results: There are no randomized clinical trials comparing outcomes specifically for patients with PPU treated with or without empiric anti-fungal therapy. We identified one randomized multi-center trial evaluating outcomes for patients with intra-abdominal perforations, including PPU, that were treated with or without empiric anti-fungal therapy. We identified one single-center prospective series and three additional retrospective studies comparing outcomes for patients with PPU treated with or without empiric anti-fungal therapy. Conclusion: The current evidence reviewed here does not demonstrate efficacy of anti-fungal agents in improving outcomes in patients with PPU. As such, we caution against the routine use of empiric anti-fungal agents in these patients. Further studies should help identify specific subpopulations of patients who might derive benefit from anti-fungal therapy and help define appropriate treatment regimens and durations that minimize the risk of resistance, adverse events, and cost.

Background: Fungal isolates from peritoneal fluid sampling in patients with perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) is not uncommon and its management unclear. This study aims to evaluate whether the presence of fungus in peritoneal fluid cultures is a predictor of morbidity and mortality after laparotomy for PPU. Method: This is a single-center retrospective study including adult patients with perforated gastric and duodenal ulcers over a 10-year period (January 2004 to January 2014). Evaluation of predictors contributing to fungal growth was conducted using multiple logistic regression analysis. Operative factors and 30-day mortality and morbidity outcomes were compared against fungal growth using a multivariable generalized linear mixed model analysis. Results: The median age was 58 (interquartile range [IQR] 44-70) years with 110 (20.3%) females. In addition to hypertension and hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus (13.5%), ischemic heart disease (2.6%), and heart failure (2.4%) were common. Fungus was cultured from peritoneal fluid in 209 (38.6%) patients. Median American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score was 2 (IQR 2-3) and median Mannheim peritonitis index (MPI) score was 15 (IQR 10-20). Free air was detected in 323 (59.6%) patients and 52 (9.6%) patients had gastrectomy. Median length of stay was 7 (IQR 6-11) days. All-cause complications were seen in 53 (9.8%) patients, of whom 37 patients (6.8%) developed intra-abdominal collection, 20 patients (3.7%) had anastomotic leakage, and 12 patients (2.2%) required repeat operation. Thirty-day mortality was seen in 47 (8.7%) patients. Multivariable analysis showed age (median age, 64; IQR 53-74) as a predictor of fungal growth (p < 0.001) but fungal growth not a predictor of adverse peri-operative outcomes. Conclusion: Fungal isolates in peritoneal fluid cultures are more likely to occur in older patients who have PPU. Presence of fungal isolates does not impact peri-operative outcomes.

Gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis (GIB), an unusual fungal infection caused by the fungus Basidiobolus ranarum, is rarely reported in the medical literature. GIB is difficult to diagnose because its clinical presentation is non-specific and has no identifiable risk factors. We report here the first case of GIB diagnosed in Italy in a patient suffering from a duodenal ulcer with perforation. The patient was successfully treated with itraconazole. The absence of non-specific signs and symptoms of GIB may delay a definitive diagnosis and treatment. A microbiological investigation should always be requested in order to reach a rapid and definitive diagnosis and to rule out other intestinal diseases.

Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Background: An association between lack of insurance and inferior outcomes has been well described for a number of surgical emergencies, yet little is known about the relationship of payor status and outcomes of patients undergoing emergent surgical repair for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) perforations. We evaluated the association of payor status and in-hospital mortality for patients undergoing emergency surgery for UGI perforations in the United States., Methods: Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried to identify patients between 18 and 64 years of age who underwent emergent (open or laparoscopic) repair for UGI perforations secondary to peptic ulcer disease (2010-2014). Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were major and minor postoperative complications. The main predictor outcome was insurance status (Private, Medicaid, Uninsured). Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed. Data were weighted to provide national estimates., Results: 21,005 patients underwent surgical repair for UGI perforations. Patients with private insurance represented the largest payor group (47%). After adjustment of other factors, payor status was not a statistically significant predictor of in-hospital mortality (Medicaid vs. Private: [OR] 1.1; 95% [CI] 0.67-1.81; Uninsured vs. Private: OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.52-1.61). However, payor status remained a statistically significant predictor of major postoperative complications (Medicaid vs. Private [OR] 1.4; 95% CI 1.1, 1.8; Uninsured vs. Private [OR]1.2, 95% CI 0.9, 1.5) and minor postoperative complications (Medicaid vs. Private [OR] 1.4; 95% CI 1.1, 1.9; Uninsured vs. Private [OR]1.2, 95% CI 0.9, 1.6)., Conclusions: Emergency surgery for UGI perforations is associated with high mortality and morbidity across all payor classes; however, Medicaid is a predictor for both major and minor postoperative complications. Preventing perforation through preventative measures will be key to reducing the burden of peptic ulcer disease across all populations., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The purpose of the study is to determine the correlation of changes in the humoral and tissue components of the hemostasis system with lipid metabolism in case of various urgent surgical diseases, on the basis of which the systemic coagulopathic distress syndrome can be used as the scientific basis for the definition of a new syndrome., Material and Methods: The work includes the results of experimental and clinical laboratory tests. Experiments on dogs: in the first group (n=18) destructive pancreatitis; in the second (n=18) - fecal peritonitis; in the third (n=15), acute obstructive intestinal obstruction; in the fourth (n=16) fecal peritonitis, in the postoperative period, Remaxol (15 ml/kg) was included in the therapy. The analysis of 55 patients with acute peritonitis, operated on for acute appendicitis, perforated gastric or duodenal ulcer, acute intestinal obstruction, acute destructive cholecystitis. In the study group (n=28), Remaxol is included in the postoperative therapy. The state of the humoral and tissue (in the experiment, the tissues of the liver, intestines, kidneys, heart, lungs, pancreas, in the clinic - tissues of the resected organs) components of the hemostasis system was evaluated, a number of lipid metabolism indicators were determined, etc., Results: In the early periods of all investigated urgent diseases of the abdomen, pronounced changes in the system of both humoral and tissue components of the hemostasis system were revealed. The modification of the coagulation system is registered not only in the tissues of the lesion organs, but also in the target organs (system tissue hemocoagulation modifications). The research established one of the most important processes - the trigger of the hemostatic cascade reaction - is membrane-destabilizing (the source of tissue thromboplastin), which is determined by changes in the phospholipid composition of various organs tissues (involved in the pathological process or not in it). Changes in lipid metabolism are due to the activation of phospholipases and membrane lipid peroxidation in tissues. The factual material was the scientific basis for the establishment of a new syndrome. Systemic coagulopathic distress syndrome is a set of pathological processes of the body, the most important component of which is a violation of the phospholipid bilayer of blood cell membranes and organ cells due to oxidative and phospholipase induced phenomena, leading to a coagulopathic condition. It changes understanding of the prevention of thrombohemorrhagic complications, proving the effectiveness of complex therapy, including not only anticoagulants, but also drugs with membrane-stabilizing activity, in particular, Remaxol.

Background Peritonitis due to hollow viscus perforation is one of common surgical emergency. Its accurate diagnosis and management is a challenge to every surgeon. This led to the development of disease severity grading systems that would aid in management and appropriately predict possible outcome. Objective Evaluation of Mannheim Peritonitis Index (MPI) score for predicting the morbidity and mortality in patients with peritonitis due to hollow viscus perforation. Method Prospective study of 126 patients operated for perforation peritonitis in Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal from May 2015 to April 2018. Mannheim Peritonitis Index score was calculated for each patient. Data was analysed for predicting mortality and morbidity using SPSS 20. Pearson's Chisquare was used as a statistical test and considered as significant difference if p ≤ 0.05. Result Perforated appendix (35.7%), peptic ulcer perforation (31%) and truma (19%) were common causes of perforation peritonitis. Mean score was 18.55. The overall mortality and morbidity was 9% and 43% respectively with Mannheim Peritonitis Index scores of ≤ 20, 21-29, and ≥ 30 had a mortality of 0%, 14%, and 46% respectively. Presence of generalized peritonitis, organ failure at time of admission, type of intra peritoneal exudate carried more significance in predicting the mortality and morbidity in the post op period than other variables. Conclusion Mannheim Peritonitis Index is a simple and specific scoring system for predicting the mortality in patients with secondary peritonitis. Increasing scores are associated with poorer prognosis, needs intensive management.

Introduction: Perforated peptic ulcer disease (PPUD) including both duodenl and gastric ulcers is a severe disease and outcomes are influenced by comorbidities and physiology. We validated the AAST EGS grading system at two diverse centers (Mayo Clinic, USA and Pietermaritzburg, South Africa)., Methods: Dual-center review of historic data (2010-2016) of adults with PPUD was performed. Preoperative, procedural, and postoperative data were abstracted. ASA, Boey, PULP and AAST EGS grades were generated. Comparative, multivariable, and pairwise analyses were performed., Results: There were 306 patients, 42% female with a mean (±SD) age of 56 ±20 years. Overall, the patints were categorized into the following AAST EGS grades: I (30, 10%), II (38, 12%), III (104, 34%), IV (76, 2e%), V (58, 18.9%). Initial management included: midline laparotomy (51%, n=157), laparoscopy (18%, n=58), laparoscopy converted to laparotomy (1%, n=3), and endoscopy (30%, n=88). Duration of stay increased with AAST EGS grade. In United States cohort, factors predictive for 30-day mortality included AAST EGS grade and patient comorbidity status. The AAST EGS grade was comparable to other scoring systems (Boey, PULP, and ASA)., Conclusions: Differences exist between centers for management of PPUD and their outcomes; however, the AAST EGS grade can be utilized to stratify thedisease severity of the patient and this demonstrates initial construct validity in a United States but not in a South African population., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) represent a growing subset of surgical candidates and ESRD status has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in other operations. Using a national database, we examined outcomes and risk factors for patients presenting with perforated gastroduodenal ulcers undergoing omentopexy. We identified adult and emergent patients with perforated duodenal and gastroduodenal ulcers that underwent omentopexy using the 2005 to 2012 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. We identified patients with ESRD status and assessed comorbidity status using the Elixhauser-van Walraven score. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Inpatient mortality was the primary outcome. Six thousand five hundred and twenty-one patients were identified. Median age was 59.0 years, majority were male (55.56%), 79 (1.21%) patients had ESRD, 367 (5.63%) patients died during admission. Multivariable logistic regression showed age (OR 2.71, P < 0.0001), Elixhauser-van Walraven score (OR 2.69, P < 0.0001), and ESRD status (OR 3.88, P < 0.0001) as independent risk factors for mortality. ESRD was associated with increased mortality in patients undergoing omentopexy for perforated gastroduodenal ulcers. Future studies are necessary to identify methods to increase perioperative survival.

Rationale: Very few cases of secondary peritonitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae have been described in the literature, and they have been found to occur mostly in patients with predisposing factors. Here, we report the case of an elderly patient who developed pneumococcal peritonitis secondary to perforation of gastroduodenal ulcer., Patient Concerns: An 82-year-old man was admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) for septic shock with cardiac impairment 1 day after arriving in the Emergency Department., Diagnoses: The patient presented with pneumococcal bacteremia and pneumococcal antigenuria. No abdominal defense was found on examination. A computed tomography scan revealed pneumoperitoneum and peritoneal effusions., Interventions: The patient was treated with effective empiric antibiotic therapy, and delayed surgery., Outcomes: The patient gradually improved and was discharged from ICU on day 14. The ultimate outcome was unfavorable, with death occurring on day 28., Lessons: This rare infection can occur in elderly patients even in the absence of other predisposing factors. Secondary peritonitis may be suspected in patients with positive pneumococcal antigenuria or unexplained pneumococcal bacteremia, especially if an asthenic form is possible.

Peritonitis is one of the main complications of abdominal emergencies. Laparoscopy serves both for the diagnostic and therapeutic management of the acute abdomen; in expert hands the morbimortality of this method is minimal., Objective: The objective is to verify the efficacy of laparoscopy in patients with secondary peritonitis performing a single surgery without the need for reinterventions, ensuring the least damage of the abdominal wall, avoiding laparotomy., Material and Methods: Retrospective study included patients with final diagnosis of peritonitis and managed with laparoscopic technique, covering a period from May 2011 to July 2016, admitted to Clínica Nuestra Señora de Fátima, Pasto, Colombia., Results: The sample was 67 patients. The results indicate an average age of 45 years, maximum age 94 and minimum 17 years, ± 20.6; female sex predominates in 55.2% (n = 37); being 73.1% (n = 49) of the urban area. The mean evolution time of the disease was 4 days. There were no cases of mortality in the study population., Conclusion: The laparoscopic technique, thorough cleaning of the abdominal cavity, insertion of the mixed drainage and adequate antibiotic treatment, constitutes a safe technique in the patient since it prevents surgical reinterventions, risk of infections, absence of paralytic ileus and bleeding, thus avoiding laparostomy and the giant defect of the abdominal wall.

Introduction Studies show that rates of blood transfusion associated with general surgical laparoscopy are low. Currently, there are no national guidelines in the UK regarding blood group and antibody screening (G&S) for patients undergoing emergency laparoscopy. The aim of this study was to assess whether using G&S before emergency laparoscopic general surgery routinely is worthwhile by identifying rates of perioperative transfusion. Methods Data were collected retrospectively on all emergency laparoscopic procedures at a single district general hospital between January 2014 and 31 December 2016. Emergency laparoscopic general surgical cases were included and gynaecological cases excluded. Records were reviewed to ascertain whether G&S was performed, whether antibodies were detected and whether patients were transfused. Results A total of 562 emergency laparoscopic cases were performed. The median age was 28 years (range: 6-95 years). Laparoscopic appendicectomy (n=446), diagnostic laparoscopy (n=47) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (n=25) were the most common procedures. Of the total patient cohort, 514 (91.5%) and 349 (70.1%) had a first and second G&S respectively while 30 (5.3%) had no G&S. Four patients (0.71%) had antibodies detected. One patient (0.18%) received a transfusion. This patient had undergone laparoscopic repair of a perforated duodenal ulcer and there was no major intraoperative haemorrhage but he was transfused perioperatively for chronic anaemia. Conclusions These results demonstrate a low rate of blood transfusion in emergency laparoscopic general surgery. The majority of these patients had a low risk of major intraoperative haemorrhage and we therefore argue that G&S was not warranted. We propose a more targeted approach to the requirement for preoperative G&S and the use of O negative blood in the event of acute haemorrhage from major vessel injury.

Introduction: Perforations of the peptic ulcers (PPUs) are the most common cause of emergency surgery among the complications of the gastroduodenal ulcers and the leading cause for morbidity and mortality due to secondary peritonitis and sepsis. PPU is a condition in which laparoscopic perforation repair (LPR) is an optimal solution. It makes possible the identification of the perforation's site and allows closure of the perforation and the subsequent peritoneal lavage, as in an open repair (OR) but without the large upper mid-abdominal incision. The main objective of this review was to evaluate the latest reported results in the laparoscopic treatment of the PPU., Evidence Acquisition: Using PubMed and EMBASE databases between 1989 and June 2017 we did an extensive electronic literature search. The search terms used were "laparoscopic perforated peptic ulcer." Inclusion criteria were all the published studies that reported the outcomes of LPR and LPR compared with OR for PPU were included in the analysis. The exclusion criteria included animal or laboratory studies, pediatric surgery trials, papers reporting less than 30 cases of LPR, clinical trials without major outcomes, and other language then English., Evidence Synthesis: There were 32 studies included, counting 3488 patients with LPR and 5208 with OR. OR patients had more frequent shock at admission and had a higher ASA risk class. LPR patients had shorter hospital stays with two days, morbidity (11.12% vs. 14.71% OR) and mortality (1.95% vs. 8.35% OR) were lower. Leakage was three times higher in LPR arm (2.18% vs. 0.79% OR). Conversion occurred in 4.18% overall. The three primary reasons for conversions were the size of the perforation, the inability to locate the perforation and technical difficulties., Conclusions: LPR showed similar or better results than OR in terms of morbidity, mortality, operation time and hospital stay, caution is needed as the OR patients tend to be more shocked or with higher ASA at presentation. The higher leakage rate after LPR should be addressed in the training of the laparoscopic surgeons or other safety measures should be developed and employed.