Visceral Medicine最新文献

Background: Despite long-term preventative efforts by local public health authorities, the prevalence of fluke infection remains high in specific areas in eastern and southeastern Asia. Recently increasing travel or migration activities have led to the transfer and spread of such infections from endemic areas to other regions.

Summary: The epidemiology, clinical signs, and symptoms for three common blood and liver flukes, namely Schistosoma japonicum, Clonorchis sinensis, and Opisthorchis viverrini, are described in this review, and their current diagnosis and management strategy are reviewed. These flukes are considered clinically important because of the increased risk of liver or biliary cancer.

Key messages: Early treatment and prevention of disease spread can reduce the incidence of related hepatobiliary cancer. Recognition of these fluke infection is essential for a correct diagnosis and early treatment to prevent the development of deadly cancers.

Introduction: The Hugo RAS robotic platform by Medtronic was recently certified for human use in Europe. Several centers have gained initial experience with this system in urology and gynecology. However, few data about its feasibility and safety in general surgery have been published.

Methods: The first-in-human surgical procedures with the Hugo RAS in Germany were performed at our hospital in February 2023. We report our early experience with robotic cholecystectomy using this new platform. The primary aim was to test the setup guides of the manufacturer and to evaluate the safety and feasibility of Hugo RAS for this procedure.

Results: A modified setup with two 11-mm ports and two 8-mm ports without an assistant port was used in 14 consecutive cases. A 30° or a 0° camera, a bipolar grasper or a Maryland on the left arm, a monopolar scissors on the right arm, and a double-fenestrated grasper on the additional arm were mounted. Clip application and gallbladder extraction were performed by the bedside assistant through the right arm 11-mm port. There were no complications, no adverse events, and no conversions. Arm collisions were reduced through slight corrections in trocar positions.

Conclusion: Robotic-assisted cholecystectomy with the Hugo RAS was safe and feasible. The modularity of robotic arms allows individual setup modifications which may be of advantage for patients and surgeons.

Introduction: Obesity and obesity-related disease such as diabetes mellitus type 2 are a permanently rising concern worldwide. Current effective therapeutic options mostly include medication and surgery, but there is a lack of effective treatment options between medication and surgery. Previously, devices such as EndoBarrier^® have been placed on the market. However, high complication rates, especially liver abscesses, were seen in patients after implantation of the device. Nevertheless, duodenal lining seems to be an effective therapy for type 2 diabetes in obese patients and can lead to weight loss.

Methods: A new removable transduodenal bypass was developed and tested on a porcine model. In this course, the device evolved in its mechanism and handling. The device is designed to avoid typical complications seen in previous duodenal liners.

Results: After further development of the device, implantation and use were feasible and safe in the porcine model. Autopsies showed that the device stayed in place and remained intact.

Discussion: The new removable transduodenal bypass aims to be a removable therapeutic option for diabetes mellitus type 2 and obesity, replacing previous duodenal lining devices. Use and handling of the device, however, are yet to be tested in the human model in the future.

Background: Fluorescent imaging using indocyanine green (FI-ICG) has become quite popular in the past century, giving the surgeon various pre- and intraoperative approaches in visceral surgery. Nevertheless, several aspects and pitfalls of using the technology need to be addressed.

Summary: This article focused on the applications of FI-ICG in esophageal and colorectal surgery as this is where the clinical relevance is most important. Important benchmark studies were summarized to explain the background. In addition, dosage, the timing of application, and future perspectives - especially quantification methods - were the article's content.

Key message: There are currently encouraging data on the use of FI-ICG, particularly concerning perfusion assessment to reduce anastomotic leakage, although its use is mainly subjective. The optimal dosage remains unclear; for perfusion evaluation, it should be around 0.1 mg/kg body weight. Moreover, the quantification of FI-ICG opens new possibilities, so that reference values may be available in the future. However, in addition to perfusion measurement, the detection of additional hepatic lesions such as liver metastases or lesions of peritoneal carcinomatosis is also possible. A standardization of FI-ICG and further studies are needed to fully utilize FI-ICG.

Background: Ulcerative colitis is one of the main entities of inflammatory bowel diseases. The clinical course of this immune-mediated disorder is marked by unpredictable exacerbations and asymptomatic remission, causing lifelong morbidity. Optimized anti-inflammatory treatment is a prerequisite to not only restore the quality of life of the affected patients but also halt progressive bowel damage and reduce the risk for colitis-associated neoplasia. Advances in understanding the underlying immunopathogenesis of ulcerative colitis have led to the advent of targeted therapies that selectively inhibit crucial molecular structures or signaling pathways that perpetuate the inflammatory reaction.

Summary: We will delineate the mode of action and summarize efficacy and safety data of current and emerging targeted therapies in ulcerative colitis, which encompasses representatives of the drug classes of antibodies, small molecules, and oligonucleotides. These substances have already been approved for induction and maintenance treatment or are being tested in late-stage clinical trials in moderately-to-severely active ulcerative colitis patients. These advanced therapies have enabled us to define and achieve novel therapeutic outcomes, such as clinical and endoscopic remission, histological remission, mucosal healing, and recently, also barrier healing as an emerging outcome measure.

Key messages: Established and emerging targeted therapies and monitoring modalities broaden our therapeutic armamentarium and have enabled us to define novel therapeutic outcomes that have the potential to modify the individual disease course of patients with ulcerative colitis.

We report the case of a 74-year-old female with abdominal pain, tarry stools, and tachycardia. Previous history included diabetes mellitus with micro- and macroangiopathy. Imaging revealed portal gas, left sided colitis, and emphysematous gastritis, besides severe atherosclerosis with subtotal celiac trunk occlusion and moderate stenosis of the inferior mesenteric artery. Upper endoscopy revealed findings consistent with focal necrotizing gastritis at the greater curvature and acute esophageal necrosis. Blood cultures immediately grew Clostridium perfringens. The patient was treated with broad spectrum antibiotics and was discharged after 21 days in the hospital. This case demonstrates the rare coincident occurrence of nontransmural ischemia of the left colon, the esophagus, and the stomach as a result of low-flow circulatory compromise, which then precipitated C. perfringens associated emphysematous gastritis and blood stream infection.

An acquired esophago-respiratory fistula represents an abnormal connection between the esophagus and the respiratory system. It is usually caused by malignancy and infection, or it occurs as a complication after surgery or radiation therapy. It can be divided according to its anatomical level into esophago-tracheal fistula, esophago-bronchial fistula, and in the rarest case, esophago-pulmonary fistula (EPF). We present a case of EPF aggravating an anastomotic leak (AL) after the Ivor-Lewis operation for esophageal cancer. The leak was treated with endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) using the Eso-Sponge® system (B. Braun Melsungen AG, Melsungen, Germany). In the further course of treatment, an EPF was suspected by a new onset of severe cough after oral fluid intake. The suspicion was confirmed by injecting methylene blue dye into the paraesophageal-extraluminal cavity during endoscopy and attesting to its presence in the respiratory tract by simultaneous bronchoscopy. Furthermore, an oral contrast computed tomography scan showed the presence of contrast in the right lower lobe of the lung. This complication was treated conservatively with EVT and antibiotics. Nutrition was administered through the existing jejunostomy. Both fistulas and the paraesophageal cavity were fully healed, oral intake was maintained, and the patient was discharged. This rare life-threatening complication can be treated conservatively. Its management is challenging, controversial, and lacks a general consensus.