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Vinay K Kapoor

Publications and source records attributed to Vinay K Kapoor.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Omental flaps in pancreaticoduodenectomy.

CONTEXT: Pancreaticoduodenectomy continues to have a high morbidity (40-50%). Major complications of pancreaticoduodenectomy include leaks from the pancreaticojejunostomy and an intra-abdominal bleed from the gastroduodenal artery stump. The omentum has been used for the prevention of anastomotic leaks. OBJECTIVES: The use of omental flaps to prevent a pancreaticojejunostomy leak and bleeding complications from a pancreaticojejunostomy leak after pancreaticoduodenectomy. PATIENTS: Seventy-seven patients who underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy. INTERVENTIONS: Pedicled flaps were made from the greater omentum. One omental flap was wrapped over the pancreaticojejunostomy (separating it from gastroduodenal artery stump) and the second omental flap was wrapped over the duodenojejunostomy. RESULTS: Omental flaps were used in 25 patients (Group 1) and a pancreaticoduodenectomy was done without an omental flap in 52 patients (Group 2). None of the 25 patients had any complications related to the omental flap. A pancreaticojejunostomy leak occurred in 4/25 (16%) patients in Group 1 and in 11/52 (21%) patients in Group 2 (P=0.762). None of the pancreaticojejunostomy leaks in Group 1 was clinically significant. The pancreaticojejunostomy leaks in Group 2 were responsible for intra-abdominal bleeding in 2 patients (1 died) and for intra-abdominal abscess in 5 patients (1 died). Neither of the 2 (8%) deaths in Group 1 was related to a complication from pancreaticojejunostomy. There were 5 (10%) deaths in Group 2 (three following an intra-abdominal bleed, one due to bleeding from the gastrojejunostomy, and one due to sepsis following a pancreaticojejunostomy leak). Thus, there were four patients in Group 2 who died from a pancreaticojejunostomy leak and/or a major vascular bleed vs. none in Group 1 (P=0.298). CONCLUSION: The use of omental flaps is a simple technique for decreasing the risk of major vascular complications related to pancreaticojejunostomy leak following pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic staging in gallbladder cancer.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopy is beneficial in the staging of pancreatic and upper gastrointestinal malignancies but its role in gallbladder cancer has not been investigated. We evaluated the role of laparoscopy in the staging of gallbladder cancer. METHODS: From 1989 through 2001, 91 patients with gallbladder cancer, without any evidence of metastatic disease on imaging (ultrasound and/or computed tomographic scan), underwent staging laparoscopy. Peritoneal and surface liver metastases were looked for and assessment of local spread was done if possible. Assessment was based on visual impression and biopsies were not obtained routinely. RESULTS: At laparoscopy, 34 (37%) patients had disseminated disease in the form of liver and/or peritoneal deposits; no further surgery was performed in 29 of these patients while 5 patients underwent surgical bypass procedures. Liver metastases were missed at laparoscopy in 2 patients and were subsequently found at laparotomy. Assessment of the gallbladder mass was possible in 33 (36%) patients, 6 of these were found to have extensive local disease and did not undergo any further surgery. Laparoscopic staging, thus avoided further surgery in 35 (38%) patients. Of the 51 patients without metastatic disease, who underwent laparotomy, 11 were found to have nonresectable locally advanced disease while 1 had liver metastases, which were missed at laparoscopy; 7 underwent bypass procedures only; 21 underwent simple cholecystectomy and extended cholecystectomy was done in 11 patients. The resectability rate (number of resections/operations) in patients undergoing laparoscopic staging was 57% (32/56) as compared with 43% (142/328) in those who did not undergo laparoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Staging laparoscopy in patients with gallbladder cancer detected liver and peritoneal metastases that were missed on imaging. It reduced the number of unnecessary surgical explorations and improved the resectability rate.

Cholecystectomy↗

External pancreatic fistula as a sequel to management of acute severe necrotizing pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: External pancreatic fistula (EPF) is a common sequel to surgical or percutaneous intervention for infective complications of acute severe pancreatitis. The present study was aimed at studying the clinical profile, course and outcome of patients with EPF following surgical or percutaneous management of these infective complications. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of clinical data of patients with EPF following intervention (surgical or percutaneous) for acute severe pancreatitis managed between January 1989 and April 2002 recorded on a prospective database was done. Univariate analysis of various factors (etiology, imaging findings prior to intervention, fistula characteristics and management) that could predict early closure of fistula was performed. RESULTS: Of 210 patients with acute severe pancreatitis, 43 (20%) patients developed EPF (mean age 38 (range 16-78) years, M:F ratio 5:1) following intervention for infected pancreatic necrosis (n=23) and pancreatic abscess (n=20) and constituted the study group. The fistula output was categorized as low (<200 ml), moderate (200-500 ml) and high (>500 ml) in 29 (67%), 11 (26%) and 3 (7%) patients, respectively. Fifteen patients (35%) had morbidity in the form of abscess (n=5), bleeding (n=1), pseudoaneurysm (n=2) and fever with no other focus of infection (n=7). Spontaneous closure of the fistula occurred in 38 (88%) patients. The average time to closure of fistula was 109+/- 26 (median 70) days. Fistula closed after intervention in 5 patients (2 after endoscopic papillotomy, 1 after fistulojejunostomy and 2 after downsizing the drains). Of the 38 patients with spontaneous closure, 9 (24%) patients developed a pseudocyst after a mean interval of 123 days of which 7 underwent surgical drainage of the cyst. Univariate analysis of various factors (etiology, imaging findings prior to intervention, fistula characteristics and management) failed to identify any factors that could predict early closure of fistula. CONCLUSIONS: EPF is a common sequel following intervention in acute severe pancreatitis. The majority of these are low output fistulae and close spontaneously with conservative management. One-fourth of patients with spontaneous closure develop a pseudocyst as a sequel, requiring surgical management.

Adolescent↗

Mirizzi syndrome and gallbladder cancer.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Mirizzi syndrome is a rare complication of gallstone disease (GSD). The association of Mirizzi syndrome and gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is not well understood. We report our experience of gallbladder carcinoma in patients with Mirizzi syndrome. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the records of patients with Mirizzi syndrome who underwent cholecystectomy at a tertiary care hospital with special emphasis on patients who were found to harbor GBC. Patients with Mirizzi syndrome with associated GBC were compared with those who had Mirizzi syndrome alone and those with uncomplicated GSD. RESULTS: Out of 4,800 cholecystectomies, Mirizzi syndrome was found in 133 (2.8%). Seven (5.3%) patients with Mirizzi syndrome had associated GBC, as compared to only 1% in patients with GSD. GBC was detected on final histology after cholecystectomy in 5 patients, and was detected preoperatively and intraoperatively in 1 patient each. Patients with Mirizzi syndrome with associated GBC were older (60 vs 50 years; P <or= 0.0001) and had a longer duration of symptoms (59 vs 24 months; P = 0.002) as compared to those with Mirizzi syndrome alone. However, presenting clinical features were not different in these two groups. CONCLUSIONS: There was a higher incidence of GBC in patients with Mirizzi syndrome than in patients with uncomplicated GSD. There were no clinical features to differentiate these patients with GBC from those with Mirizzi syndrome alone, except that they were a decade older and had longer duration of symptoms. In the majority, the diagnosis of GBC was made on final histology, after cholecystectomy; hence, this group of patients with GBC are to be treated like any other patients with incidental GBC.

Aged↗

Predictors of long-term survival in patients with gallbladder cancer.

The aim of this study was to examine the predictors of long-term survival (> 24 months) in patients with gall bladder cancer. A retrospective review of 117 cases of gall bladder cancer resected between 1989 and 2000. The resections included 80 simple cholecystectomies and 37 extended procedures. Patients with survival > 24 months (n = 44) were compared with those having survival < 24 months (n = 73) for 17 prognostic factors. Overall median survival was 16 months with a 5-year survival of 27%. T status (P = .000) and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (P = .001) were independent predictors of long-term survival. Survival advantage was seen in T3N+ve disease (P = .007) with extended procedures. Complete (R0) resection was attained in 30 patients with a 5-year survival advantage of 30% as compared with incomplete (R1) resection (P = .0002). Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy improved survival in simple cholecystectomy group (P = .0008) but no advantage was seen after extended procedures. Stage III (P = .001) and node-positive disease (P = .0005) had significant benefit with adjuvant therapy. Poor differentiation and vascular invasion were associated with poor long-term survival. R0 resection was associated with prolonged survival. Extended procedures improved survival in patients with T3N+ve disease. Addition of chemoradiotherapy made significant improvement in long-term survival in stage III and node-positive lesions and in patients undergoing simple cholecystectomy. R0 resection predicted long-term survival in gall bladder cancer. T3 N+ve disease had better survival after extended procedures. Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy improved survival in stage III and node-positive disease. Poor differentiation and vascular invasion were adverse predictors of survival.

Adult↗

Long-term survival and recurrence patterns in ampullary cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Ampullary cancers are associated with high resectability rates and good long-term survival. However, the small number of patients in various series has hampered survival analysis. METHODS: One hundred thirteen patients with ampullary cancer underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 1989 and 2000, with 48% morbidity and 8% mortality. One hundred four patients who survived the operation were analyzed to identify predictors of long-term survival. RESULTS: The overall median survival was 30.1 (1.6-140.0) months with actuarial 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of 79%, 43%, and 33%, respectively. Lymph node metastasis (P = 0.002) and vascular invasion (P = 0.008) were 2 independent factors adversely influencing survival. Perioperative blood transfusion (P = 0.001) and vascular invasion (P = 0.026) were important factors predicting recurrent disease. CONCLUSIONS: Lymph node metastasis and vascular invasion were 2 important factors, which adversely influenced survival in patients with ampullary cancer. Perioperative blood transfusion and vascular invasion were associated with recurrent disease.

Adult↗

Redefining the role of splenectomy in patients with idiopathic splenomegaly.

BACKGROUND: Despite extensive work-up to establish the cause of splenomegaly, splenectomy may be required for diagnosis in certain situations. The aim of this study was to find out the role of diagnostic splenectomy in the current era. METHODS: Between January 1989 and June 2004, 211 patients underwent splenectomy for indications other than trauma. In 41 (19%) patients, splenectomy was carried out for diagnostic purposes. Retrospective analysis of these patients was done for the purpose of the study. RESULTS: All patients who underwent diagnostic splenectomy had a complete haemogram, biochemical tests for liver and renal function, bone marrow biopsy and abdominal ultrasonography before splenectomy. There were 28 (68%) men and 13 (32%) women with median age of 37 years (range, 6-62 years). The median duration of symptoms was 12 months (range, 1-180 months). Common presentations were fever (n = 27; 66%), malaise (n = 26; 63%), pallor (n = 33; 80%) and gross splenomegaly (n = 27; 66%). Thirty-two (78%) patients had hypersplenism. Splenic lesions were shown in 14 (34%) patients on ultrasonogram and in 16 (39%) patients on contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the abdomen. Open splenectomy was carried out in all patients. Seventeen (41%) patients had postoperative complications. Among these, three (7%) patients had postoperative bleeding. One patient died because of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Final histopathology of the spleen showed lymphoma in 15 (37%), tuberculosis in five (12%) and other lesions in five (12%) patients. Sixteen (39%) patients had only congestive splenomegaly. CONCLUSION: A high proportion of patients presenting with idiopathic splenomegaly will have underlying haematological malignancies even in tropical countries. The clinical presentation, laboratory profile and imaging findings were not helpful in differentiating between patients with haematological malignancies and non-malignant conditions. Splenectomy still has an important role in establishing the pathology in patients presenting with idiopathic splenomegaly.

Adolescent↗

Type IV-A choledochal cysts: a challenge.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Type IV-A choledochal cysts are characterized by congenital cystic dilatation of the biliary tree extending to involve the intrahepatic biliary channels also. A single-center experience of the management of type IV-A choledochal cysts is presented. METHODS: Thirty-five out of 105 (33%) patients with choledochal cysts, who underwent surgery at a tertiary care center in northern India from January 1989 to December 2002, were found to have a type IV-A (Todani's classification) cyst. The mean age of the patients was 24 years (range, 3 months to 60 years); 17 patients in the group were adults and 22 were females. Presenting features were abdominal pain, jaundice, cholangitis, and abdominal lump, in various combinations. RESULTS: Excision of the extrahepatic part of the cyst and a wide bilio-enteric anastomosis was achieved in 32 (91%) patients, while internal drainage of the cyst was necessitated in 3 patients, for technical reasons: collaterals due to portal hypertension (1 patient) and dense adhesions (2 patients). Six (17%) patients developed postoperative complications: 3 had bilio-enteric anastomosis leaks, with 2 requiring a percutaneous proximal biliary diversion; 2 had intraabdominal bleeds requiring re-exploration, and 1 had external pancreatic fistula that closed spontaneously. Follow-up information was available for 28 (80%) patients. Mean duration of follow up was 25 months (median, 12 months; range, 6 months to 9 years). Three patients required re-operation, for anastomotic stricture (n = 2) and hepatolithiasis and recurrent cholangitis (n = 1) during follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Excision of the extrahepatic part of the cyst and drainage of the intrahepatic part by a wide hilar or subhilar anastomosis gave satisfactory results in the majority of patients with type IV-A choledochal cysts. Close long-term follow up of these patients is essential, because they are likely to present with complications related to the residual intrahepatic part of the disease.

Adolescent↗

Extrahepatic portal venous obstruction and obstructive jaundice: approach to management.

BACKGROUND: Patients with long-standing extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) develop extensive collaterals in the hepatoduodenal ligament as a result of enlargement of the periportal veins. These patients are also prone to develop obstructive jaundice as a result of strictures and/or choledocholithiasis. Surgical management of obstructive jaundice in such patients becomes difficult in the presence of these collaterals. AIM: To review the approach to management of patients with EHPVO and obstructive jaundice. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with EHPVO and obstructive jaundice requiring surgical and/or endoscopic management between 1992 and 2002. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (nine males, aged 12-50 years) with EHPVO and obstructive jaundice were evaluated. No patient had underlying cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Five patients (group A) had biliary stricture; three (group B) had choledocholithiasis; and five (group C) had biliary stricture with choledocholithiasis. Primary surgical management was performed in group A (portosystemic shunt in four-strictures resolved in three; hepaticojejunostomy in one). In group B (n = 3) endoscopic stone extraction was successful in two patients. One patient underwent staged procedure (portosystemic shunt followed by biliary surgery). In group C, initial endoscopic management failed in four patients in whom it was attempted. All five patients thereafter underwent surgery (staged procedure, one; choledochoduodenostomy, one; devascularization, one; abandoned, two). Repeat postoperative endoscopic management was successful in two of the group C patients. Overall (group B and C), massive intraoperative hemorrhage occurred in three patients (one died). Postoperative hemorrhage occurred in one patient. CONCLUSION: In patients with EHPVO and obstructive jaundice, primary biliary tract surgery has significant morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic management should be the preferred modality. In patients with endoscopic failure, a staged procedure (portosystemic shunt followed by biliary surgery) should be preferred. Strictures alone may resolve after a portosystemic shunt. Endoscopic stenting may be required as an adjunct.

Adolescent↗

Haemorrhagic complications of pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Haemorrhagic complication occurs in 5-16% of patients following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). We report an analysis of patients with post-PD bleed, to identify predictors of bleed, predictors of survival following bleed and the management of post-PD bleed. METHODS: Two hundred and eighteen patients with periampullary cancers underwent PD from 1989 to 2002. Forty-four (20.2%) patients had a bleeding complication. Of these, 25 patients had an intra-abdominal (IA) bleed and 21 had gastrointestinal (GI) bleed (two had both IA and GI bleed). Clinical, biochemical and tumour characteristics were analysed to identify factors influencing bleeding complications. RESULTS: The median time to presentation was 4.5 days (0-21 days). Serum bilirubin (P = 0.000, OR: 1.090) and pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) leak (P = 0.009, OR: 3.174) were significant independent factors predicting bleeding complications. Forty-three per cent of patients each had early bleed (<48 h after PD) or delayed bleed (7 days after PD). Comparison of early and late bleeds showed that IA bleed (P = 0.02) presented as early bleeds. Male sex (P = 0.00) longer duration of jaundice (P = 0.02), PJ leak (P = 0.001), HJ leak (P = 0.001), duct to mucosa type of PJ anastomosis (P = 0.03) and IA abscess (P = 0.00) were associated with a significantly higher incidence of late bleeds. Overall mortality after PD was 9.6% with 34% and 3% in bleeders and non-bleeders, respectively. Septicaemia (P = 0.01, OR: 5.49), and acute renal failure (P = 0.01) were associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Bleeding complications following PD were seen in one-fifth of patients and were associated with high mortality. Serum bilirubin levels and PJ leak were significant factors associated with bleeding complications. Septicaemia and acute renal failure were significant factors associated with mortality in the bleeders.

Bilirubin↗

Longterm survival after extended resections in patients with gallbladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the treatment of choice for gallbladder cancer, but the extent of resection and its benefits remain unclear. STUDY DESIGN: Survival analysis of 42 patients who underwent extended resections for gallbladder cancer was performed. Resections were labeled R0 (curative) or R1 (noncurative) based on histopathologic evaluation. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and survival data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses to identify factors associated with longterm (>2 years) survival. RESULTS: R0 status was achieved in 18 patients (43%): 100%, 100%, 45%, and 0% in stages I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Patients with R0 resections had a significantly better survival than those with R1 resections (median 25.8 months versus 17.0 months; p = 0.03). R0 status was achieved in only 3 of 20 patients (15%) with node positive (N1) disease compared with 14 of 17 patients (82%) with node negative (N0) disease. Patients with N0 disease had a significantly better survival than those with N1 disease (median not reached versus 17 months; p = 0.01). None of the patients with N1 disease survived 5 years; 5-year survival for N0 patients was 58%. Adjuvant therapy did not have a significant effect on survival. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with gallbladder cancer, R0 status could be achieved in only 43% of patients undergoing extended resections. R0 status and N0 disease were associated with better longterm survival.

Adult↗

Hilar benign biliary strictures: need for subclassification.

BACKGROUND: A uniformly accepted classification allows an accurate comparison of results and formulation of a standardized treatment plan. Suggested herein is a subclassification of Bismuth type III post-cholecystectomy benign biliary strictures (BBS). METHODS: Fifty-seven patients (41%) with Bismuth type III and eight patients (6%) with type IV BBS out of a total of 139 patients with BBS were analysed retrospectively. Strictures were subclassified as type IIIA where the confluence was healthy and type III B where the roof of the confluence was healthy and right and left ductal continuity was maintained, although the floor of the confluence was scarred. RESULTS: Of 57 patients with type III BBS, 44 were subclassified as type IIIA and 13 as type IIIB. Statistically significant differences were observed in the mean operative blood loss (317 vs 635 mL, P = 0.004; 317 vs 606 mL, P = 0.006), blood transfused (0.8 vs 2.2 units, P = 0.0007; 0.8 vs 2.0 units, P = 0.0008), and duration of surgery (3.8 vs 5.1 h, P = 0.002; 3.8 vs 5.6 h; P = 0.0004) between type IIIA and IIIB, and between type IIIA and IV strictures, respectively. There were no differences in the operative parameters between type IIIB and IV strictures. There was no difference in the overall morbidity (18% vs 15% vs 25%) and septic complications among the three groups. At a mean follow up of 36.4 months, 87%, 91% and 100% of patients had excellent/good outcome in type IIIA, IIIB and IV, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Type III biliary strictures need to be subclassified, based on whether the floor of the confluence is healthy or scarred because it influences the degree of operative difficulty and morbidity. Type IIIB BBS behave like and should be classified with type IV strictures for uniformity of result evaluation.

Adult↗

Early gallbladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: The majority of patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC) have advanced disease at the time of diagnosis and are unresectable. Longterm survival is usually seen in a subset of patients with early GBC (EGBC)-cancer confined to the mucosa (pT1a) and muscularis (pT1b). Management guidelines of EGBC are not yet defined and are controversial. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the diagnostic aspects and effects of resectional procedures on survival outcome in patients with EGBC. STUDY DESIGN: EGBC was defined as cancer confined to the mucosa (pT1a) or muscularis (pT1b) according to the TNM classification. Clinicopathological details and survival data of 14 patients who had EGBC were analyzed. There were 9 women and 5 men, with a mean age of 60 years. RESULTS: A definite preoperative diagnosis was possible in only three patients and three patients were diagnosed at operation; the majority of patients were diagnosed incidentally after cholecystectomy for associated gallstones. Two patients underwent extended cholecystectomy and 12 patients underwent simple cholecystectomy. Two patients had pT1a and 12 had pT1b lesions. Mean (SD) survival was 71.5 (12.2) months and median survival was 42 months. There were five treatment failures with locoregional recurrence and death; all with pT1b tumors were treated by simple cholecystectomy. Cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival was 92%, 68%, and 68% respectively [corrected]. CONCLUSIONS: Simple cholecystectomy is an adequate treatment only for mucosal GBC. Patients with pT1b tumors require extended cholecystectomy. Incidental GBC extending up to the muscularis merits early reoperation for completion of extended cholecystectomy, which offers the only chance of cure.

Adult↗

Pancreatic abscess: 10 years experience.

BACKGROUND: Secondary infections of pancreatic and peripancreatic necrosis account for most of the deaths following acute pancreatitis. These infections occur in the form of 'infected pancreatic necrosis' and 'pancreatic abscess'. The latter is a rare complication of acute pancreatitis in comparison with the former. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with pancreatic abscess were managed over a 10-year period at a tertiary care centre in Northern India. The present report details the clinical profile, investigations performed and management strategy (surgery and intervention radiology) of these patients. The role of surgery and percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) in the management of pancreatic abscess is discussed, with emphasis on the successful outcome seen in a properly selected group of patients managed by PCD. RESULTS: Of the 21 patients, 12 were managed by percutaneous intervention, nine were managed surgically (of these, two had a prior PCD) and two patients were managed conservatively. The overall mortality was 9.5% (2/21). Thus, percutaneous management was suitable for 57% patients, was successful in 83.3%, with a mortality of 8.3%. Surgical therapy alone was offered to 33% of patients, was successful in 85.7%, with a mortality of 14.2%. Complications were seen in four of the nine patients managed by percutaneous drainage alone and eight of the nine patients managed surgically. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic abscess is a potentially lethal complication in patients recovering from acute pancreatitis. Early diagnosis and prompt intervention with careful selection of patients based on computed tomography imaging for surgical or percutaneous radio-logical management, is met with a successful outcome in a majority of patients. The roles of surgery and PCD are complementary.

Abscess↗

Large Brunneroma presenting with bleeding.

Brunner's gland adenoma (Brunneroma) is a rare entity. We report a patient who presented with severe anemia due to bleed from a large Brunneroma arising from the duodenal bulb, and was managed successfully by surgical excision of the tumor.

Adenoma↗

Morphological changes in bile ducts following preoperative biliary stenting.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the morphological changes in bile ducts following endobiliary stent insertion, and consequent technical problems encountered at surgery. METHODS: Data on bile duct morphology--gross (luminal diameter and wall thickness) and microscopic (histological changes in bile duct wall graded semiquantitatively)--and operative parameters related to bile duct dissection (grade of difficulty in dissection) were collected prospectively in 31 consecutive patients undergoing pancreatico-duodenectomy. These data were compared between patients who had undergone preoperative endoscopic biliary stent placement (n=17) and those who had not (n=14). RESULTS: Mean duration of stenting before surgery was 34 (range 10-120) days. Stented ducts were significantly narrower (luminal diameter 9 [7-12] mm vs. 17.5 [8-23] mm; p=0.0001) and had thicker walls (2.3 [1.3-3.5] mm vs. 1.85 [0.8-2.2] mm; p=0.004) compared to non-stented ones. On microscopy, stented ducts had advanced grades of submucosal gland hypertrophy, fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltrate. Difficulty in bile duct dissection was encountered more often in patients who had been stented than in those without stents, though the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Endobiliary stent placement results in significant morphological and fibroproliferative inflammatory changes in bile ducts, making dissection difficult.

Adult↗

Surgical management of corrosive strictures of stomach.

BACKGROUND: Corrosive injuries of the upper aero-digestive tract are a frequent cause of morbidity in India. We report here our institution's experience in managing patients with corrosive strictures of the stomach. METHODS: Records of 28 patients who underwent definitive surgery for corrosive strictures of the stomach in our institution over a 15-year period were reviewed. RESULTS: The main presenting complaints were vomiting (75%), dysphagia (46%) and significant weight loss (100%). Pre-operative evaluation included barium and endoscopic studies. Most patients had antro-pyloric strictures (n=22); in 6 patients, however, near-total or total gastric involvement was observed. Thirteen (46%) patients had associated strictures of the esophagus; of these, 7 responded to esophageal dilation. Strictures of the stomach were managed with resectional procedures like distal gastrectomy (n=16), subtotal gastrectomy (1) or total gastrectomy (3) and esophagogastrectomy (1) in 21 (75%) patients. The remaining 7 patients underwent bypass procedures like gastrojejunostomy (5), stricturoplasty (1), and colonic bypass of esophagus and stomach (1). Three patients had entero-cutaneous fistulae in the postoperative period. One patient died in hospital of septicemia and malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with corrosive strictures of the stomach, surgery, tailored according to the extent of gastric involvement and presence of associated esophageal strictures, gives excellent results.

Adolescent↗