RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Benign oesophageal strictures carry a significant level of morbidity, causing burdensome symptoms impacting on quality of life. Post-oesophagectomy anastomotic stricture rates as high as 41% have been reported in the literature. These can require endoscopic dilatation, often multiple times to relieve dysphagia. The aim of the present study was to determine a single surgeons stricture rate in a series of 2-stage Ivor-Lewis procedures, and to identify any independent risk factors in their development. AIM: To determine a single surgeons stricture rate in a series of 2-stage Ivor-Lewis procedures, and to identify any independent risk factors in their development. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy performed from 2004-2018 to determine the stricture rate. The database comprised a single-surgeon series of open, two-stage oesophagectomies with a circular stapled intra-thoracic anastomosis. Tumour location, histology, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, stapler size, T-stage and R-status were analysed to see if they could predict stricture formation. Stricture was defined as dysphagia requiring endoscopic dilatation. Patients with anastomotic leaks were excluded on the basis they would develop an anastomotic stricture. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy patients were collected in the database. Nineteen were excluded on the basis of anastomotic leak, perioperative death and early recurrence. One hundred and fifty-four patients (119 males, 35 females) with a mean age of 64 ± 10 years were eligible for analysis. A total of 15 patients developed strictures a median of 99 d (interquartile range: 84-133) after surgery, giving a Kaplan-Meier estimated stricture rate of 10% at one year. None of the factors considered were found to be significantly associated with strictures. CONCLUSION: In this study the stricture rate was 10%, with the majority occurring in the first 100 d after surgery. No significant independent factors were found in the development of strictures.
RESUMEN
A gentleman presented with abdominal distension and pain. CT confirmed a 20 cm sigmoid diverticulum. A giant diverticulum, typified by diverticula greater than 4 cm, often requires colonic resection. Fewer than 200 cases have been reported, most measuring 7-15 cm. I present a rare complication of a common surgical condition with images.
RESUMEN
A 79-year-old woman presented with a 4 day history of central abdominal pain and vomiting. Clinical examination revealed a distended abdomen with predominantly right sided tenderness. Following an initial period of supportive treatment pending further imaging, evolving abdominal signs became evident. Based on the suspicion of a perforated hollow viscus, an emergency laparotomy was carried out. Operative findings were of a Meckel's diverticulum with evidence of pressure necrosis and perforation near its apex, which was distended due to a 6 cm faecolith. Resection and primary anastomosis was performed. Despite a lower respiratory tract infection, the patient was deemed clinically stable enough to be discharged on the 24th postoperative day.