BACKGROUND Many authorities advocate for Whipple’s procedures to be performed in highvolume centers,but many patients in poor developing nations cannot access these centers.We sought to determine whether clinical out...BACKGROUND Many authorities advocate for Whipple’s procedures to be performed in highvolume centers,but many patients in poor developing nations cannot access these centers.We sought to determine whether clinical outcomes were acceptable when Whipple’s procedures were performed in a low-volume,resource-poor setting in the West Indies.AIM To study outcomes of Whipple’s procedures in a pancreatic unit in the West Indies over an eight-year period from June 1,2013 to June 30,2021.METHODS This was a retrospective study of all patients undergoing Whipple’s procedures in a pancreatic unit in the West Indies over an eight-year period from June 1,2013 to June 30,2021.RESULTS This center performed an average of 11.25 procedures per annum.There were 72 patients in the final study population at a mean age of 60.2 years,with 52.7%having American Society of Anesthesiologists scores≥III and 54.1%with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores≥2.Open Whipple’s procedures were performed in 70 patients and laparoscopic assisted procedures in 2.Portal vein resection/reconstruction was performed in 19(26.4%)patients.In patients undergoing open procedures there was 367±54.1 min mean operating time,1394±656.8 mL mean blood loss,5.24±7.22 d mean intensive care unit stay and 15.1±9.53 d hospitalization.Six(8.3%)patients experienced minor morbidity,10(14%)major morbidity and there were 4(5.5%)deaths.CONCLUSION This paper adds to the growing body of evidence that volume alone should not be used as a marker of quality for patients requiring Whipple’s procedures.Low volume centers in resource poor nations can achieve good short-term outcomes.This is largely due to the process of continuous,adaptive learning by the entire hospital.展开更多
BACKGROUND Whipple’s disease is a rare systemic infection caused by Tropheryma whipplei.Most patients present with nonspecific symptoms,and routine laboratory and imaging examination results also lack specificity.The...BACKGROUND Whipple’s disease is a rare systemic infection caused by Tropheryma whipplei.Most patients present with nonspecific symptoms,and routine laboratory and imaging examination results also lack specificity.The diagnosis often relies on invasive manipulation,pathological examination,and molecular techniques.These difficulties in diagnosing Whipple’s disease often result in misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatments.CASE SUMMARY This paper reports on the case of a 58-year-old male patient who complained of fatigue and decreased exercise capacity.The results of routine blood tests indicated hypochromic microcytic anemia.Results of gastroscopy and capsule endoscopy showed multiple polypoid bulges distributed in the duodenal and proximal jejunum.A diagnosis of small intestinal adenomatosis was initially considered;hence,the Whipple procedure,a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy,was performed.Pathological manifestations showed many periodic acid-Schiff-positive macrophages aggregated in the intestinal mucosa of the duodenum,upper jejunum,and surrounding lymph nodes.Based on comprehensive analysis of symptoms,laboratory findings,and pathological manifestations,the patient was finally diagnosed with Whipple’s disease.After receiving 1 mo of antibiotic treatment,the fatigue and anemia were significantly improved.CONCLUSION This case presented with atypical gastrointestinal manifestations and small intestinal polypoid bulges,which provided new insight on the diagnosis of Whipple’s disease.展开更多
Conventional data suggest that complex operations,such as a pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD),should be limited to high volume centers.However,this is not practical in small,resource-poor countries in the Caribbean.In these...Conventional data suggest that complex operations,such as a pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD),should be limited to high volume centers.However,this is not practical in small,resource-poor countries in the Caribbean.In these settings,patients have no option but to have their PDs performed locally at low volumes,occasionally by general surgeons.In this paper,we review the evolution of the concept of the high-volume center and discuss the feasibility of applying this concept to low and middle-income nations.Specifically,we discuss a modification of this concept that may be considered when incorporating PD into low-volume and resource-poor countries,such as those in the Caribbean.This paper has two parts.First,we performed a literature review evaluating studies published on outcomes after PD in high volume centers.The data in the Caribbean is then examined and we discuss the incorporation of this operation into resource-poor hospitals with modifications of the centralization concept.In the authors’opinions,most patients who require PD in the Caribbean do not have realistic opportunities to have surgery in high-volume centers in developed countries.In these settings,their only options are to have their operations in the resource-poor,low-volume settings in the Caribbean.However,post-operative outcomes may be improved,despite low-volumes,if a modified centralization concept is encouraged.展开更多
BACKGROUND Kidney transplantation is the standard treatment for end-stage renal disease.Particularly,rare and specific pathogenic infections which are asymptomatic are often difficult to diagnose,causing delayed and i...BACKGROUND Kidney transplantation is the standard treatment for end-stage renal disease.Particularly,rare and specific pathogenic infections which are asymptomatic are often difficult to diagnose,causing delayed and ineffective treatment and thus seriously affecting prognosis.Tropheryma whipplei(T.whipplei)is a Gram-positive actinomycete widely found in soil,sewage,and other external environments and is present in the population as an asymptomatic pathogen.There is relatively little documented research on T.whipplei in renal transplant patients,and there are no uniform criteria for treating this group of post-transplant patients.This article describes the treatment of a 42-year-old individual with post-transplant T.whipplei infection following kidney transplantation.CASE SUMMARY To analyze clinical features of Whipple’s disease and summarize its diagnosis and treatment effects after renal transplantation.Clinical data of a Whipple’s disease patient treated in the affiliated hospital of Guizhou Medical University were collected and assessed retrospectively.The treatment outcomes and clinical experience were then summarized via literature review.The patient was admitted to the hospital due to recurrent diarrhea for 1 mo,shortness of breath,and 1 wk of fever,after 3 years of renal transplantation.The symptoms of the digestive and respiratory systems were not significantly improved after adjusting immunosuppressive regimen and anti-diarrheal,empirical antibiotic treatments.Bronchoscopic alveolar fluid was collected for meta-genomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS).The deoxyribonucleic acid sequence of Tropheryma whipplei was detected,and Whipple’s disease was diagnosed.Meropenem,ceftriaxone,and other symptomatic treatments were given,and water-electrolyte balance was maintained.Symptoms resolved quickly,and the patient was discharged after 20 d of hospitalization.The compound sulfamethoxazole tablet was continued for 3 mo after discharge.No diarrhea,fever,and other symptoms occurred during the 6-month follow-up.CONCLUSION Whipple’s disease is rare,with no specific symptoms,which makes diagnosis difficult.Polymerase chain reaction or mNGS should be immediately performed when the disease is suspected to confirm the diagnosis.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the standard procedure for resecting tumors arising from the periampullary area and the pancreatic head. Nevertheless this procedure is inherently difficult and associated w...BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the standard procedure for resecting tumors arising from the periampullary area and the pancreatic head. Nevertheless this procedure is inherently difficult and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Besides, the technique applied for exposing the portal and superior mesenteric veins is time-consuming, difficult and associated with the risk of major venous injury. Recently we have introduced a modified approach for making this part of the procedure quick, safe and bloodless, which constitutes the subject of this study. METHODS: Patients who underwent pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) either by superior approach technique (group 1) or by classical Whipple's technique (group 2) were retrospectively identified. Age-sex composition, body mass index (BMI), total operative time, operative blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion requirement, morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Between January 1997 and December 2011, 72 patients underwent PPPD by the superior approach technique (group 1) and 38 underwent PPPD by the classical Whipple's technique (group 2) at our institution. Statistically significant differences were observed in operative time (208.1±46.3 minutes in group 1 vs 322.0±33.8 minutes in group 2), operative blood loss (601.0±250.3 mL in group 1 vs 1371.5±471.8 mL in group 2), and intraoperative blood transfusion requirement [10 (13.9%) patients in group 1 and 24 (63.2%) in group 2]. Among 18 (16.4%) obese patients, significant differences in operativetime, operative blood loss and intraoperative blood transfusion requirement were observed between groups 1 and 2. There was no significant inter-group difference in complication rate among obese patients, but comparing obese patients with normal weight patients revealed higher rates of complications like pancreatic fistula (27.8% vs 6.5%), delayed gastric emptying (16.7% vs 5.4%), and infective complications like wound infection and intra abdominal collection (44.4% vs 5.4%). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of analytical data, we conclude that the superior approach technique is effective for PD compared with the classical Whipple's technique. It allows fast, safe and virtually bloodless dissection for exposure of the superior mesenteric and portal veins during early steps of PD. PD is normally a difficult and tedious procedure carrying a remote risk of major venous injury leading to substantial blood loss.展开更多
The prognosis of pancreatic cancer remains poor,even after initial surgical therapy. Local recurrence after Whipple's pancreatico-duodenectomy may lead to intestinal obstruction at the level of the afferent limb o...The prognosis of pancreatic cancer remains poor,even after initial surgical therapy. Local recurrence after Whipple's pancreatico-duodenectomy may lead to intestinal obstruction at the level of the afferent limb or the alimentary limb. Endoscopic insertion of a selfexpandable metal stent(SEMS) into the intestinal malignant stricture is the preferred method of choice for palliation. We describe two new endoscopic techniques to treat a malignant intestinal obstruction with the insertion of a SEMS into the afferent limb and the alimentary limb. A case of malignant gastric outlet obstruction after a Whipple's resection was treated by the creation of an endoscopic gastrojejunostomy by the insertion of a lumen apposing Hot Axios stent in between the stomach and the alimentary limb under fluoroscopic and endoscopic ultrasound control. Biliary obstruction and jaundice caused by a malignant stricture of the afferent limb after a Roux-en-Y Whipple's resection was treated by the insertion of a SEMS by means of the single-balloon overtube-assisted technique under fluoroscopic control. Feasibility and advantages of both techniques are discussed.展开更多
Whipple's disease is a rare chronic systemic infection determined by the Gram-positive bacillus Tropheryma whipplei.The infection usually mainly involves the small bowel,but sometimes other organs are affected as ...Whipple's disease is a rare chronic systemic infection determined by the Gram-positive bacillus Tropheryma whipplei.The infection usually mainly involves the small bowel,but sometimes other organs are affected as well.Since the current standard clinical and biological tests are nonspecific,diagnosis is very difficult and relies on histopathology.Here we present the case of a 52-yearold man with chronic diarrhea and weight loss whose symptoms had been evolving for 2 years and whose diagnosis came unexpectedly after capsule examination.Diagnosis was confirmed by the histopathologic examination of endoscopic biopsy samples,and treatment with co-trimoxazole resulted in remission of symptoms.We present the first images of Whipple's disease obtained with the Pillcam Colon 2 video capsule system.展开更多
BACKGROUND:An intussusception is the invagination of one segment of the intestine into another.It is more common in children,but a rare clinical entity in adults, where the condition is almost always caused by tumors....BACKGROUND:An intussusception is the invagination of one segment of the intestine into another.It is more common in children,but a rare clinical entity in adults, where the condition is almost always caused by tumors. METHODS:A 51-year-old female presented with symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction associated with significant weight loss,but no jaundice.Routine hematological and biochemical investigation,including tumor markers,were normal.Abdominal ultrasound revealed duodenojejunal intussusception,and subsequent CT of the abdomen confirmed it. RESULTS:She underwent a laparotomy,which confirmed duodenojejunal intussusception.On reducing the intussusception and performing a duodenotomy,a periampullary mass was confirmed.Hence,she underwent a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy.Histology confirmed periampullary adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS:Adult intussusceptions are mostly caused by tumors.Contrast CT is the investigation of choice, although ultrasound can be used.One should have a low threshold for suspecting malignancy,obtain frozen section histology,and seek appropriate help at an early stage.展开更多
Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC) has the worst prognosis of all malignant tumors due to unavailable screening methods, late diagnosis with a low proportion of resectable tumors and resistance to syst...Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC) has the worst prognosis of all malignant tumors due to unavailable screening methods, late diagnosis with a low proportion of resectable tumors and resistance to systemic treatment. Complete tumor resection remains the cornerstone of modern multimodal strategies aiming at long-term survival. This study was performed to investigate the overall rate of long-term survival(LTS) and its contributing factors. Methods: This was a retrospective single-center analysis of consecutive patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD) for PDAC between 2007 and 2014 at the St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. Clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed and evaluated for prediction of LTS with Cox regression analysis. Results: The overall rate of LTS after PD for PDAC was 20.4%(34/167). Median survival was 24 months regardless of adjuvant treatment. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels, tumor grade, lymph vessel invasion, perineural invasion and reduced general condition were significantly associated with LTS in univariate analysis( P<0.05). Serum levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, tumor grade, abdominal pain, male, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and duration of postoperative hospital stay were independent predictors of cancer survival in multivariable analysis. Conclusions: Cancer related characteristics are associated with LTS in multimodally treated patients after curative PDAC surgery.展开更多
Pancreatic surgery has been one of the last areas for the application of minimally invasive surgery(MIS)because there are many factors that make laparoscopic pancreas resections difficult.The concept of service centra...Pancreatic surgery has been one of the last areas for the application of minimally invasive surgery(MIS)because there are many factors that make laparoscopic pancreas resections difficult.The concept of service centralization has also limited expertise to a small cadre of high-volume centres in resource rich countries.However,this is not the environment that many surgeons in developing countries work in.These patients often do not have the opportunity to travel to high volume centres for care.Therefore,we sought to review the existing data on MIS for the pancreas and to discuss.In this paper,we review the evolution of MIS on the pancreas and discuss the incorporation of this service into low-volume and resource-poor countries,such as those in the Caribbean.This paper has two parts.First,we performed a literature review evaluating all studies published on laparoscopic and robotic surgery of the pancreas.The data in the Caribbean is examined and we discuss tips for incorporating this operation into resource poor hospital practice.Low pancreatic case volume in the Caribbean,and financial barriers to MIS in general,laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy,enucleation and cystogastrostomy are feasible operations to integrate in to a resource-limited healthcare environment.This is because they can be performed with minimal to no consumables and require an intermediate MIS skillset to complement an open pancreatic surgeon’s peri-operative experience.展开更多
BACKGROUND: hronic liver disease has been considered a contraindication to radical surgery for intra-abdominal tumors because of the risk of decompensation. METHODS: In a retrospective analysis of all patients undergo...BACKGROUND: hronic liver disease has been considered a contraindication to radical surgery for intra-abdominal tumors because of the risk of decompensation. METHODS: In a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for cancer treated from January 2000 to December 2006 at our center, 4 patients were identified with operable pancreatic tumors and well-compensated chronic liver disease. The preoperative staging, decompression of the biliary tree, liver biopsy, Child-Turcot-Pugh and MELD scores were described.RESULTS: All patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy successfully with minimal blood loss, and no peri-operative blood transfusions or liver decompensation. There was no postoperative mortality. Two patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. One patient died with recurrent disease at 18 months, one is alive with disease recurrence, and two are alive and disease free.CONCLUSION: Patients with pancreatic cancer and well-compensated chronic liver disease should routinely be considered for radical surgery at specialist hepatobiliary centres with expertise available to manage complex liver disease.展开更多
BACKGROUND A post-bulbar duodenal ulcer(PBDU)is an ulcer in the duodenum that is distal to the duodenal bulb.PBDU may coexist with a synchronous posterior ulcer in rare occurrences,resulting in a kissing ulcer(KU).Duo...BACKGROUND A post-bulbar duodenal ulcer(PBDU)is an ulcer in the duodenum that is distal to the duodenal bulb.PBDU may coexist with a synchronous posterior ulcer in rare occurrences,resulting in a kissing ulcer(KU).Duodenocaval fistula(DCF)is another uncommon but potentially fatal complication related to PBDU.There is limited knowledge of the scenarios in which PBDU is complicated by KU and DCF simultaneously.CASE SUMMARY A 22-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department with abdominal pain,stiffness,and vomiting.The X-ray showed pneumoperitoneum,suggesting a perforated viscus.Laparotomy revealed a KU with anterior perforation and a DCF.After Kocherization,venorrahphy was used to control caval bleeding.Due to the critical condition of the patient,only primary duodenorrahphy with gastrojejunostomy was performed as a damage control strategy.However,later,the patient developed obstructive jaundice and leakage,and two additional jejunal perforations were detected.Due to the poor condition of the duodenum and the involvement of the ampulla in the posterior ulcer,neither primary repair nor pancreatic-free duodenectomy and ampull-oplasty/ampullary reimplantation were considered viable;therefore,an emergency pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed,along with resection and anastomosis of the two jejunal perforations.The patient had a smooth recovery after surgery and was discharged after 27 d.CONCLUSION The timely diagnosis of PBDU and radical surgery can aid in the smooth recovery of patients,even in the most complex cases.展开更多
Pancreatic surgery units undertake several complex operations,albeit with consi-derable morbidity and mortality,as is the case for the management of complicated acute pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis.The centralis...Pancreatic surgery units undertake several complex operations,albeit with consi-derable morbidity and mortality,as is the case for the management of complicated acute pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis.The centralisation of pancreatic surgery services,with the development of designated large-volume centres,has contribu-ted to significantly improved outcomes.In this editorial,we discuss the complex associations between diabetes mellitus(DM)and pancreatic/periampullary disease in the context of pancreatic surgery and overall management of complex pancreatitis,highlighting the consequential needs and the indispensable role of specialist diabetes teams in support of tertiary pancreatic services.Type 3c pan-creatogenic DM,refers to DM developing in the setting of exocrine pancreatic disease,and its identification and management can be challenging,while the glycaemic control of such patients may affect their course of treatment and outcome.Adequate preoperative diabetes assessment is warranted to aid identification of patients who are likely to need commencement or escalation of glucose lowering therapy in the postoperative period.The incidence of new onset diabetes after pancreatic resection is widely variable in the literature,and depends on the type and extent of pancreatic resection,as is the case with pancreatic parenchymal loss in the context of severe pancreatitis.Early involvement of a specialist diabetes team is essential to ensure a holistic management.In the current era,large volume pancreatic surgery services commonly abide by the principles of enhanced recovery after surgery,with inclusion of provisions for optimisation of the perioperative glycaemic control,to improve outcomes.While various guidelines are available to aid perioperative management of DM,auditing and quality improvement platforms have highlighted deficiencies in the perioperative management of diabetic patients and areas of required improvement.The need for perioperative support of diabetic patients by specialist diabetes teams is uniformly underlined,a fact that becomes clearly more prominent at all different stages in the setting of pancreatic surgery and the management of complex pancreatitis.Therefore,pancreatic surgery and tertiary pancreatitis services must be designed with a provision for support from specialist diabetes teams.With the ongoing accumulation of evidence,it would be reasonable to consider the design of specific guidelines for the glycaemic management of these patients.展开更多
BACKGROUND:Only 105 cases of neuroendocrine tumor(NET)of the ampulla of Vater have been described, mostly as single case reports.The incidence of NET is rising.The changes in incidence may result from changes in detec...BACKGROUND:Only 105 cases of neuroendocrine tumor(NET)of the ampulla of Vater have been described, mostly as single case reports.The incidence of NET is rising.The changes in incidence may result from changes in detection.This study was to determine the relative incidence and clinicopathological characteristics of high- grade neuroendocrine carcinoma(small cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma)of the ampulla of Vater at a single institution. METHODS:Sections from paraffin blocks of tumors of the ampulla of Vater taken from 45 patients who underwent Whipple's procedure and 6 patients who underwent palliative bypass between September 2003 and January 2007 were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis.The clinical and pathological data from 5 patients diagnosed with NET of the ampulla of Vater were analyzed. RESULTS:The patients were 3 men and 2 women,ranging in age from 39 to 47 years(mean 44 years).Operative procedures included Whipple's procedure in 4 patients and palliative bypass in 1 patient.Histopathological examination revealed large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in 2 patients,small cell carcinoma in 2,and carcinoid in 1.Three patients with high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma who had undergone Whipple's procedure died at postoperatively 7,11,and 13 months.The patient who had undergone palliative triple bypass died 3 months after surgery.CONCLUSIONS:The relative incidence of high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas of the ampulla of Vater is higher than that generally expected.The tumors behave aggressively and have a dismal prognosis despite aggressive treatment.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors of the ampulla of Vater are extremely rare, and few cases of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the ampulla have been reported. METHODS: A 48-year-old male with obstructiv...BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors of the ampulla of Vater are extremely rare, and few cases of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the ampulla have been reported. METHODS: A 48-year-old male with obstructive jaundice was admitted to our hospital. On examination the patient was found to have a periampullary growth and subsequently underwent the Whipple’s procedure. RESULTS: Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry revealed features of LCNEC of the ampulla of Vater. The patient developed multiple liver metastases 6 months after Whipple’s procedure. CONCLUSION: LCNEC of the ampulla of Vater is rare and highly aggressive, with a dismal prognosis.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Many authorities advocate for Whipple’s procedures to be performed in highvolume centers,but many patients in poor developing nations cannot access these centers.We sought to determine whether clinical outcomes were acceptable when Whipple’s procedures were performed in a low-volume,resource-poor setting in the West Indies.AIM To study outcomes of Whipple’s procedures in a pancreatic unit in the West Indies over an eight-year period from June 1,2013 to June 30,2021.METHODS This was a retrospective study of all patients undergoing Whipple’s procedures in a pancreatic unit in the West Indies over an eight-year period from June 1,2013 to June 30,2021.RESULTS This center performed an average of 11.25 procedures per annum.There were 72 patients in the final study population at a mean age of 60.2 years,with 52.7%having American Society of Anesthesiologists scores≥III and 54.1%with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores≥2.Open Whipple’s procedures were performed in 70 patients and laparoscopic assisted procedures in 2.Portal vein resection/reconstruction was performed in 19(26.4%)patients.In patients undergoing open procedures there was 367±54.1 min mean operating time,1394±656.8 mL mean blood loss,5.24±7.22 d mean intensive care unit stay and 15.1±9.53 d hospitalization.Six(8.3%)patients experienced minor morbidity,10(14%)major morbidity and there were 4(5.5%)deaths.CONCLUSION This paper adds to the growing body of evidence that volume alone should not be used as a marker of quality for patients requiring Whipple’s procedures.Low volume centers in resource poor nations can achieve good short-term outcomes.This is largely due to the process of continuous,adaptive learning by the entire hospital.
文摘BACKGROUND Whipple’s disease is a rare systemic infection caused by Tropheryma whipplei.Most patients present with nonspecific symptoms,and routine laboratory and imaging examination results also lack specificity.The diagnosis often relies on invasive manipulation,pathological examination,and molecular techniques.These difficulties in diagnosing Whipple’s disease often result in misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatments.CASE SUMMARY This paper reports on the case of a 58-year-old male patient who complained of fatigue and decreased exercise capacity.The results of routine blood tests indicated hypochromic microcytic anemia.Results of gastroscopy and capsule endoscopy showed multiple polypoid bulges distributed in the duodenal and proximal jejunum.A diagnosis of small intestinal adenomatosis was initially considered;hence,the Whipple procedure,a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy,was performed.Pathological manifestations showed many periodic acid-Schiff-positive macrophages aggregated in the intestinal mucosa of the duodenum,upper jejunum,and surrounding lymph nodes.Based on comprehensive analysis of symptoms,laboratory findings,and pathological manifestations,the patient was finally diagnosed with Whipple’s disease.After receiving 1 mo of antibiotic treatment,the fatigue and anemia were significantly improved.CONCLUSION This case presented with atypical gastrointestinal manifestations and small intestinal polypoid bulges,which provided new insight on the diagnosis of Whipple’s disease.
文摘Conventional data suggest that complex operations,such as a pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD),should be limited to high volume centers.However,this is not practical in small,resource-poor countries in the Caribbean.In these settings,patients have no option but to have their PDs performed locally at low volumes,occasionally by general surgeons.In this paper,we review the evolution of the concept of the high-volume center and discuss the feasibility of applying this concept to low and middle-income nations.Specifically,we discuss a modification of this concept that may be considered when incorporating PD into low-volume and resource-poor countries,such as those in the Caribbean.This paper has two parts.First,we performed a literature review evaluating studies published on outcomes after PD in high volume centers.The data in the Caribbean is then examined and we discuss the incorporation of this operation into resource-poor hospitals with modifications of the centralization concept.In the authors’opinions,most patients who require PD in the Caribbean do not have realistic opportunities to have surgery in high-volume centers in developed countries.In these settings,their only options are to have their operations in the resource-poor,low-volume settings in the Caribbean.However,post-operative outcomes may be improved,despite low-volumes,if a modified centralization concept is encouraged.
基金Supported by Guiyang Science and Technology Program,No.2019-9-1-39.
文摘BACKGROUND Kidney transplantation is the standard treatment for end-stage renal disease.Particularly,rare and specific pathogenic infections which are asymptomatic are often difficult to diagnose,causing delayed and ineffective treatment and thus seriously affecting prognosis.Tropheryma whipplei(T.whipplei)is a Gram-positive actinomycete widely found in soil,sewage,and other external environments and is present in the population as an asymptomatic pathogen.There is relatively little documented research on T.whipplei in renal transplant patients,and there are no uniform criteria for treating this group of post-transplant patients.This article describes the treatment of a 42-year-old individual with post-transplant T.whipplei infection following kidney transplantation.CASE SUMMARY To analyze clinical features of Whipple’s disease and summarize its diagnosis and treatment effects after renal transplantation.Clinical data of a Whipple’s disease patient treated in the affiliated hospital of Guizhou Medical University were collected and assessed retrospectively.The treatment outcomes and clinical experience were then summarized via literature review.The patient was admitted to the hospital due to recurrent diarrhea for 1 mo,shortness of breath,and 1 wk of fever,after 3 years of renal transplantation.The symptoms of the digestive and respiratory systems were not significantly improved after adjusting immunosuppressive regimen and anti-diarrheal,empirical antibiotic treatments.Bronchoscopic alveolar fluid was collected for meta-genomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS).The deoxyribonucleic acid sequence of Tropheryma whipplei was detected,and Whipple’s disease was diagnosed.Meropenem,ceftriaxone,and other symptomatic treatments were given,and water-electrolyte balance was maintained.Symptoms resolved quickly,and the patient was discharged after 20 d of hospitalization.The compound sulfamethoxazole tablet was continued for 3 mo after discharge.No diarrhea,fever,and other symptoms occurred during the 6-month follow-up.CONCLUSION Whipple’s disease is rare,with no specific symptoms,which makes diagnosis difficult.Polymerase chain reaction or mNGS should be immediately performed when the disease is suspected to confirm the diagnosis.
文摘BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the standard procedure for resecting tumors arising from the periampullary area and the pancreatic head. Nevertheless this procedure is inherently difficult and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Besides, the technique applied for exposing the portal and superior mesenteric veins is time-consuming, difficult and associated with the risk of major venous injury. Recently we have introduced a modified approach for making this part of the procedure quick, safe and bloodless, which constitutes the subject of this study. METHODS: Patients who underwent pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) either by superior approach technique (group 1) or by classical Whipple's technique (group 2) were retrospectively identified. Age-sex composition, body mass index (BMI), total operative time, operative blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion requirement, morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Between January 1997 and December 2011, 72 patients underwent PPPD by the superior approach technique (group 1) and 38 underwent PPPD by the classical Whipple's technique (group 2) at our institution. Statistically significant differences were observed in operative time (208.1±46.3 minutes in group 1 vs 322.0±33.8 minutes in group 2), operative blood loss (601.0±250.3 mL in group 1 vs 1371.5±471.8 mL in group 2), and intraoperative blood transfusion requirement [10 (13.9%) patients in group 1 and 24 (63.2%) in group 2]. Among 18 (16.4%) obese patients, significant differences in operativetime, operative blood loss and intraoperative blood transfusion requirement were observed between groups 1 and 2. There was no significant inter-group difference in complication rate among obese patients, but comparing obese patients with normal weight patients revealed higher rates of complications like pancreatic fistula (27.8% vs 6.5%), delayed gastric emptying (16.7% vs 5.4%), and infective complications like wound infection and intra abdominal collection (44.4% vs 5.4%). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of analytical data, we conclude that the superior approach technique is effective for PD compared with the classical Whipple's technique. It allows fast, safe and virtually bloodless dissection for exposure of the superior mesenteric and portal veins during early steps of PD. PD is normally a difficult and tedious procedure carrying a remote risk of major venous injury leading to substantial blood loss.
文摘The prognosis of pancreatic cancer remains poor,even after initial surgical therapy. Local recurrence after Whipple's pancreatico-duodenectomy may lead to intestinal obstruction at the level of the afferent limb or the alimentary limb. Endoscopic insertion of a selfexpandable metal stent(SEMS) into the intestinal malignant stricture is the preferred method of choice for palliation. We describe two new endoscopic techniques to treat a malignant intestinal obstruction with the insertion of a SEMS into the afferent limb and the alimentary limb. A case of malignant gastric outlet obstruction after a Whipple's resection was treated by the creation of an endoscopic gastrojejunostomy by the insertion of a lumen apposing Hot Axios stent in between the stomach and the alimentary limb under fluoroscopic and endoscopic ultrasound control. Biliary obstruction and jaundice caused by a malignant stricture of the afferent limb after a Roux-en-Y Whipple's resection was treated by the insertion of a SEMS by means of the single-balloon overtube-assisted technique under fluoroscopic control. Feasibility and advantages of both techniques are discussed.
文摘Whipple's disease is a rare chronic systemic infection determined by the Gram-positive bacillus Tropheryma whipplei.The infection usually mainly involves the small bowel,but sometimes other organs are affected as well.Since the current standard clinical and biological tests are nonspecific,diagnosis is very difficult and relies on histopathology.Here we present the case of a 52-yearold man with chronic diarrhea and weight loss whose symptoms had been evolving for 2 years and whose diagnosis came unexpectedly after capsule examination.Diagnosis was confirmed by the histopathologic examination of endoscopic biopsy samples,and treatment with co-trimoxazole resulted in remission of symptoms.We present the first images of Whipple's disease obtained with the Pillcam Colon 2 video capsule system.
文摘BACKGROUND:An intussusception is the invagination of one segment of the intestine into another.It is more common in children,but a rare clinical entity in adults, where the condition is almost always caused by tumors. METHODS:A 51-year-old female presented with symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction associated with significant weight loss,but no jaundice.Routine hematological and biochemical investigation,including tumor markers,were normal.Abdominal ultrasound revealed duodenojejunal intussusception,and subsequent CT of the abdomen confirmed it. RESULTS:She underwent a laparotomy,which confirmed duodenojejunal intussusception.On reducing the intussusception and performing a duodenotomy,a periampullary mass was confirmed.Hence,she underwent a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy.Histology confirmed periampullary adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS:Adult intussusceptions are mostly caused by tumors.Contrast CT is the investigation of choice, although ultrasound can be used.One should have a low threshold for suspecting malignancy,obtain frozen section histology,and seek appropriate help at an early stage.
文摘Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC) has the worst prognosis of all malignant tumors due to unavailable screening methods, late diagnosis with a low proportion of resectable tumors and resistance to systemic treatment. Complete tumor resection remains the cornerstone of modern multimodal strategies aiming at long-term survival. This study was performed to investigate the overall rate of long-term survival(LTS) and its contributing factors. Methods: This was a retrospective single-center analysis of consecutive patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD) for PDAC between 2007 and 2014 at the St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. Clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed and evaluated for prediction of LTS with Cox regression analysis. Results: The overall rate of LTS after PD for PDAC was 20.4%(34/167). Median survival was 24 months regardless of adjuvant treatment. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels, tumor grade, lymph vessel invasion, perineural invasion and reduced general condition were significantly associated with LTS in univariate analysis( P<0.05). Serum levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, tumor grade, abdominal pain, male, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and duration of postoperative hospital stay were independent predictors of cancer survival in multivariable analysis. Conclusions: Cancer related characteristics are associated with LTS in multimodally treated patients after curative PDAC surgery.
文摘Pancreatic surgery has been one of the last areas for the application of minimally invasive surgery(MIS)because there are many factors that make laparoscopic pancreas resections difficult.The concept of service centralization has also limited expertise to a small cadre of high-volume centres in resource rich countries.However,this is not the environment that many surgeons in developing countries work in.These patients often do not have the opportunity to travel to high volume centres for care.Therefore,we sought to review the existing data on MIS for the pancreas and to discuss.In this paper,we review the evolution of MIS on the pancreas and discuss the incorporation of this service into low-volume and resource-poor countries,such as those in the Caribbean.This paper has two parts.First,we performed a literature review evaluating all studies published on laparoscopic and robotic surgery of the pancreas.The data in the Caribbean is examined and we discuss tips for incorporating this operation into resource poor hospital practice.Low pancreatic case volume in the Caribbean,and financial barriers to MIS in general,laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy,enucleation and cystogastrostomy are feasible operations to integrate in to a resource-limited healthcare environment.This is because they can be performed with minimal to no consumables and require an intermediate MIS skillset to complement an open pancreatic surgeon’s peri-operative experience.
文摘BACKGROUND: hronic liver disease has been considered a contraindication to radical surgery for intra-abdominal tumors because of the risk of decompensation. METHODS: In a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for cancer treated from January 2000 to December 2006 at our center, 4 patients were identified with operable pancreatic tumors and well-compensated chronic liver disease. The preoperative staging, decompression of the biliary tree, liver biopsy, Child-Turcot-Pugh and MELD scores were described.RESULTS: All patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy successfully with minimal blood loss, and no peri-operative blood transfusions or liver decompensation. There was no postoperative mortality. Two patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. One patient died with recurrent disease at 18 months, one is alive with disease recurrence, and two are alive and disease free.CONCLUSION: Patients with pancreatic cancer and well-compensated chronic liver disease should routinely be considered for radical surgery at specialist hepatobiliary centres with expertise available to manage complex liver disease.
文摘BACKGROUND A post-bulbar duodenal ulcer(PBDU)is an ulcer in the duodenum that is distal to the duodenal bulb.PBDU may coexist with a synchronous posterior ulcer in rare occurrences,resulting in a kissing ulcer(KU).Duodenocaval fistula(DCF)is another uncommon but potentially fatal complication related to PBDU.There is limited knowledge of the scenarios in which PBDU is complicated by KU and DCF simultaneously.CASE SUMMARY A 22-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department with abdominal pain,stiffness,and vomiting.The X-ray showed pneumoperitoneum,suggesting a perforated viscus.Laparotomy revealed a KU with anterior perforation and a DCF.After Kocherization,venorrahphy was used to control caval bleeding.Due to the critical condition of the patient,only primary duodenorrahphy with gastrojejunostomy was performed as a damage control strategy.However,later,the patient developed obstructive jaundice and leakage,and two additional jejunal perforations were detected.Due to the poor condition of the duodenum and the involvement of the ampulla in the posterior ulcer,neither primary repair nor pancreatic-free duodenectomy and ampull-oplasty/ampullary reimplantation were considered viable;therefore,an emergency pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed,along with resection and anastomosis of the two jejunal perforations.The patient had a smooth recovery after surgery and was discharged after 27 d.CONCLUSION The timely diagnosis of PBDU and radical surgery can aid in the smooth recovery of patients,even in the most complex cases.
文摘Pancreatic surgery units undertake several complex operations,albeit with consi-derable morbidity and mortality,as is the case for the management of complicated acute pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis.The centralisation of pancreatic surgery services,with the development of designated large-volume centres,has contribu-ted to significantly improved outcomes.In this editorial,we discuss the complex associations between diabetes mellitus(DM)and pancreatic/periampullary disease in the context of pancreatic surgery and overall management of complex pancreatitis,highlighting the consequential needs and the indispensable role of specialist diabetes teams in support of tertiary pancreatic services.Type 3c pan-creatogenic DM,refers to DM developing in the setting of exocrine pancreatic disease,and its identification and management can be challenging,while the glycaemic control of such patients may affect their course of treatment and outcome.Adequate preoperative diabetes assessment is warranted to aid identification of patients who are likely to need commencement or escalation of glucose lowering therapy in the postoperative period.The incidence of new onset diabetes after pancreatic resection is widely variable in the literature,and depends on the type and extent of pancreatic resection,as is the case with pancreatic parenchymal loss in the context of severe pancreatitis.Early involvement of a specialist diabetes team is essential to ensure a holistic management.In the current era,large volume pancreatic surgery services commonly abide by the principles of enhanced recovery after surgery,with inclusion of provisions for optimisation of the perioperative glycaemic control,to improve outcomes.While various guidelines are available to aid perioperative management of DM,auditing and quality improvement platforms have highlighted deficiencies in the perioperative management of diabetic patients and areas of required improvement.The need for perioperative support of diabetic patients by specialist diabetes teams is uniformly underlined,a fact that becomes clearly more prominent at all different stages in the setting of pancreatic surgery and the management of complex pancreatitis.Therefore,pancreatic surgery and tertiary pancreatitis services must be designed with a provision for support from specialist diabetes teams.With the ongoing accumulation of evidence,it would be reasonable to consider the design of specific guidelines for the glycaemic management of these patients.
文摘BACKGROUND:Only 105 cases of neuroendocrine tumor(NET)of the ampulla of Vater have been described, mostly as single case reports.The incidence of NET is rising.The changes in incidence may result from changes in detection.This study was to determine the relative incidence and clinicopathological characteristics of high- grade neuroendocrine carcinoma(small cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma)of the ampulla of Vater at a single institution. METHODS:Sections from paraffin blocks of tumors of the ampulla of Vater taken from 45 patients who underwent Whipple's procedure and 6 patients who underwent palliative bypass between September 2003 and January 2007 were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis.The clinical and pathological data from 5 patients diagnosed with NET of the ampulla of Vater were analyzed. RESULTS:The patients were 3 men and 2 women,ranging in age from 39 to 47 years(mean 44 years).Operative procedures included Whipple's procedure in 4 patients and palliative bypass in 1 patient.Histopathological examination revealed large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in 2 patients,small cell carcinoma in 2,and carcinoid in 1.Three patients with high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma who had undergone Whipple's procedure died at postoperatively 7,11,and 13 months.The patient who had undergone palliative triple bypass died 3 months after surgery.CONCLUSIONS:The relative incidence of high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas of the ampulla of Vater is higher than that generally expected.The tumors behave aggressively and have a dismal prognosis despite aggressive treatment.
文摘BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors of the ampulla of Vater are extremely rare, and few cases of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the ampulla have been reported. METHODS: A 48-year-old male with obstructive jaundice was admitted to our hospital. On examination the patient was found to have a periampullary growth and subsequently underwent the Whipple’s procedure. RESULTS: Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry revealed features of LCNEC of the ampulla of Vater. The patient developed multiple liver metastases 6 months after Whipple’s procedure. CONCLUSION: LCNEC of the ampulla of Vater is rare and highly aggressive, with a dismal prognosis.
