Percutaneous cholecystostomy as an alternative to cholecystectomy in high risk patients with biliary sepsis: a district general hospital experience.

Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2012 Mar;94(2):99-101

Authors: Al-Jundi W, Cannon T, Antakia R, Anoop U, Balamurugan R, Everitt N, Ravi K

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Cholecystectomy is the standard treatment for patients with acute cholecystitis. However, percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is an alternative for patients at high risk for surgery. We present our five-year clinical experience with the aim of evaluating the efficacy of PC in high risk patients.
METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 30 consecutive patients who underwent PC at our institution. The indications for cholecystostomy, route of insertion, technical success, clinical improvement, length of hospitalisation, in-hospital or 30-day mortality, complications, subsequent admissions and performance of interval cholecystectomy were recorded. The median follow-up period was 25 months (range: 1-52 months).
RESULTS: Thirty-two PCs were performed in thirty patients (mean age: 76.1 years; range: 52-90 years). The indications for PC were acute calculous cholecystitis (29/32), acalculous cholecystitis (1/32) and emphysematous cholecystitis (2/32). The route of insertion was transperitoneal for 22/32 PCs (68.8%) and transhepatic for 10/32 (31.2%). The procedure was technically successful in all patients although 2/22 transperitoneal drains (9.1%) were dislodged subsequently. Twenty-seven PCs (84.4%) resulted in clinical improvement within five days. The in-hospital or 30-day mortality rate was 16.7% (5/30). Eleven patients (36.7%) had a subsequent cholecystectomy: 6 were laparoscopic and 5 converted to open procedures at a median interval of 58 days (range: 1-124 days).
CONCLUSIONS: PCs are straightforward with few complications. Most patients improve clinically and the procedure can therefore be used as a definitive treatment in unfit patients or as a bridge to surgery in those who might subsequently prove fit for a definitive operation.

PMID: 22391374 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Serotonin syndrome: take a closer look at the unwell surgical patient.

Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2011 Nov;93(8):569-72

Authors: Shaikh ZS, Krueper S, Malins TJ

Abstract
This article describes the sequence of acute clinical deterioration seen in a head and neck oncology patient who developed serotonin syndrome peri-operatively. It highlights the clinical dilemma that can be encountered when a septic picture masks the onset of serotonin syndrome and reinforces the importance of awareness of the potential interactions and side effects associated with drugs that surgeons prescribe. We discuss the pathophysiology, causal factors, clinical presentation and diagnosis of serotonin syndrome as well as highlighting some of the dilemmas that this condition presents in the surgical setting.

PMID: 22041229 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

D-Dimer in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis following total hip and knee replacement: a prospective study.

Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2008 Mar;90(2):123-6

Authors: Rafee A, Herlikar D, Gilbert R, Stockwell RC, McLauchlan GJ

INTRODUCTION: The merit of using D-dimer estimations in patients following total hip and knee replacement has been previously questioned. A survey of radiology protocols in 70 hospitals ascertained that the test continues to be mandatory in 51 prior to formal radiological investigation of suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in this patient population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, D-dimer levels were measured pre-operatively and during the first 7 days following primary total hip and knee replacement to estimate the range of normal values in these patients. RESULTS: All 78 patients were ultrasonographically shown to be clear of DVT. D-Dimer levels were significantly raised in all patients at all measurements during the first week. Levels after total knee replacement were higher than after total hip replacement. Comparison was made with an age-matched group who had a proven DVT. There was no difference in D-dimer levels between patients with or without a DVT. CONCLUSIONS: The use of this test in this patient group is a waste of resource and merely delays appropriate radiological investigation and treatment.

PMID: 18325211 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]