Volume 8, Issue 1

Objectives Postoperative entero-enteric intussusception is a rare complication in adult patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). The knowledge of this distinct complication and its timely diagnosis and therapy are of utmost importance to prevent fatal intestinal necrosis. There is no consensus about the optimal management of postoperative entero–enteric intussusception, although surgical exploration is widely advised. Case presentation In this report we describe an unusual case of postoperative jejuno–jejunal intussusception following small bowel resection in a patient with stricturing CD. Furthermore, this report offers an overview of the available literature and summarizes the best approach and management strategies for adult intussusception associated with CD. Conclusions Delay in diagnosis and therapy can lead to life-threatening complications. Early diagnosis and emergent surgical treatment prevent intestinal necrosis and reduce the risk of short bowel syndrome.

Objectives In patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) the pathologic lymph node status N2 is a heterogeneous entity, with different degrees of lymph node involvement representing different prognoses. It is speculated whether extra capsular nodal extension may help to define a subgroup with implications on long-term survival. Methods We retrospectively identified 118 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (65 men, 53 women), who were treated between 2013 and 2018 and found to have pathologic N2 lymph node involvement. In all patients lung resection with systematic mediastinal and hilar lymph node dissection was performed with curative intent. In N2 lymph node metastases capsules of affected lymph nodes were examined microscopically as to whether extracapsular extension was present. Results 51 patients (43 %) had extracapsular extension (ENE). Most of these patients (n=35) only had ENE in a single lymph node (69 %). The overall 5-year survival rate was 24.6 % and progression-free survival rate 17.8 %. In the multivariate analysis OS was worse for patients with multiple affected pN2 stations, concurrent N1 metastases, increasing age, and larger tumor size. For the percentage of lymph nodes affected with ENE (of total examined) only a non-significant trend towards worse OS could be observed (p=0.06). Conclusions Although we could not demonstrate significant prognostic differences between N2 extra capsular nodal involvement within our patient population, other analyses may yield different results. However, clinicians should continue performing thorough lymph nodes dissections in order to achieve local complete resection even in patients with extra capsular tumor spread

Objectives Iliopsoas abscess (IPA) is an uncommon clinical disease and is often missed to diagnose due to vague clinical presentation. Early treatment with drainage and appropriate antibiotic therapy is necessary before sepsis sets in and become lethal. We conducted this study to evaluate clinical features, etiology, management strategies, and outcomes in patients with IPA from a University Teaching Hospital in Nepal. Methods A retrospective analysis of 32 consecutive IPA cases managed at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Nepal for the period of January 2019 to February 2022 was carried out. Results The mean age was 42.5 ± 19.1 years (range, 19–75 years) and the male: female ratio was 2.2:1. Two-thirds or more patients presented with fever, limp, fixed flexion deformity and/or low back pain. Ultrasonography (US) was diagnostic in 27 (84.4%) patients. Eighteen (56.3%) patients had primary IPAs, and 14 (43.7%) had secondary IPAs. Thirty (93.7%) patients were managed with US guided percutaneous drainage (PCD) and 2 (6.2%) patients underwent open surgical drainage. Drainage procedures were combined with antibiotics in all patients. Pus culture showed Staphylococcus aureus growing in the majority of cases (10 of 23, 43.5%). The hospital stay was longer in patients treated via surgical drainage compared to those who received PCD: 13 days (range 12–14 days) vs. 6.6 days (range 4–13 days), respectively. Recurrence of abscess was seen in 4 (12.5%) cases and all were successfully managed via a second PCD. There was no mortality. Conclusions Varying clinical presentation of iliopsoas abscess demand a high index of suspicion for early diagnosis. Initial imaging modality in suspected case of IPA is US. US-guided PCD along with the appropriate antibiotics is a successful frontline treatment of IPAs with shorter hospital stay.

Objectives In Germany, the 2018 amended Maternity Protection Act frequently leads to fundamental restrictions for female physicians, especially surgeons, and now even also for students impeding the progress of their careers. Our goal was to assess the current situation for pregnant female physicians and students, respectively, and their perspective on this amendment regarding their career path. Methods A nationwide survey was conducted in Germany from December 2020 to February 2021. The questionnaire included 790 female physicians and students who were pregnant after the inception of the amended Act. Those women pregnant after the beginning of the corona pandemic were excluded. Results The survey revealed that two thirds of female physicians worked a maximum of 50% in their previous professional activity as soon as they reported pregnancy. Amongst medical students this amounted up to 72%. 18% of the female physicians and 17% of the female medical students respectively could not follow the sense of these restrictions. 44% of female medical physicians and 33% of female students felt their career impeded. This led up to 43% amongst female medical doctors and 53% amongst female medical students, respectively, who were concerned to announce their pregnancy. As a consequence, pregnancies were reported at 12 weeks in female physicians compared to 19 weeks in medical students. Conclusions Analyses of the current survey revealed that a relevant number of female physicians and medical students felt impeded in their career path through the application of the amended Maternity Act.

Objectives Pelvic floor disorders are frequently caused by an organ prolapse involving multiple pelvic floor compartments. In such cases, a multidisciplinary strategy for diagnostic work-up and therapy is required. Methods All patients who underwent transabdominal rectopexy/resection rectopexy alone or in combination with simultaneous gynecological pelvic floor reconstruction at our institution between 01/2006 and 12/2021 were included in this retrospective study. The study aimed to evaluate the functional outcome and postoperative complications. Results Two hundred and eighty seven patients were assigned to one of the following groups: PG1 – patient group one: after resection rectopexy (n=141); PG2 – after ventral rectopexy (n=8); PG3 – after combined resection rectopexy and sacro (cervico)colpopexy (n=62); PG4 – after combined resection rectopexy and trans -vaginal pelvic floor repair (n=76). The duration of follow-up was 14 months for PG1 (median, IQR 37 months), 11 months for PG2 (mean, SD 9 months), 7 months for PG 3 (median, IQR 33 months), and 12 months for PG 4 (median, IQR 51 Months). The surgical procedure resulted in improvement of symptoms related to obstructed defecation in 56.4 % (22/39) of the patients in PG1, 25 % in PG2 (1/4), 62.5 % (20/32) in PG3, and 71.8 % (28/39) in PG4. “ De novo ” constipation was reported by 2.4 % (2/141) of patients from PG1. Improvement in fecal incontinence symptoms was reported by 69 % (40/58) of patients in PG1, 100 % in PG2 (2/2), 93.1 % (27/29) in PG3, and 87.2 % (34/39) in PG4. The recurrence rate for external rectal prolapse was 7.1 % in PG1, 50 % in PG2 (1/2), 2.7 % in PG3, and 6.3 % in PG4. A significant difference in terms of severe morbidity (grade ≥ IIIb) and mortality could not be determined between the non-interdisciplinary (PG1 with PG2) and interdisciplinary surgery (PG3 with PG4) (p=0.88, p=0.499). Conclusions Based on our results, we can assume that combined surgery is as feasible as rectal surgery alone. In our study, combined interventions were effective and not associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications.