Band 8, Heft 2

Objectives The unexpected global overload of the health system during COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in management of acute appendicitis worldwide. Whereas conservative treatment was widely recommended, the appendicectomy remained standard therapy in Germany. We aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on treatment routine for acute appendicitis at University Hospital of Magdeburg. Methods Adult patients with clinical and/or radiological diagnosis of acute appendicitis were included in the single center retrospective study. Data was collected to patient demographics, treatment modality and outcomes including morbidity and length of stay. The patient data related to COVID-19 period from March 22, 2020 to December 31, 2021 (649 days) were compared to the Non-COVID-19 period from June 12, 2018 to March 21, 2020 (649 days). Subgroup analysis related to conservative or surgical treatment has been performed. Results A total of 385 patients was included in the study, 203 (52.73 %) during Non-COVID-19 period and 182 (47.27 %) during COVID-19 period. Mean age of entire collective was 43.28 years, containing 43.9 % female patients (p=0.095). Conservative treatment was accomplished in 49 patients (12.7 % of entire collective), increasing from 9.9 % to 15.9 % during COVID-19 period (p=0.074). Laparoscopic appendicectomy was performed in 99.3 % (n=152) of operated patients during COVID-19 period (p=0.013), followed by less postoperative complications compared to reference period (23.5 % vs. 13.1 %, p=0.015). The initiation of antibiotic therapy after the diagnosis increased from 37.9 % to 53.3 % (p=0.002) during COVID-19 period regardless the following treatment modality. Antibiotic treatment showed shorter duration during pandemic period (5.57 days vs. 3.16 days, p<0.001) and it was given longer in the conservative treatment group (5.63 days vs. 4.26 days, p=0.02). The overall length of stay was shorter during COVID-19 period (4.67 days vs. 4.12 days, p=0.052) and in the conservative treatment group (3.08 days vs. 4.47 days, p<0.001). However, the overall morbidity was lower during the COVID-19 period than before (17.2 % vs. 7.7 %, p=0.005) and for conservative therapy compared to appendicectomy (2 % vs. 14.3 %, p=0.016). There was no mortality documented. Conclusions According to our findings the COVID-19 pandemic had a relevant impact on treatment of acute appendicitis, but it was possible to maintain the traditional diagnostic and treatment pathway. Although laparoscopic appendicectomy remains a recommended procedure, the conservative treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis with excellent short-term outcome can be a safe alternative to surgery during potential new wave of COVID-19 pandemic and in the daily routine.

Objectives To investigate the influence of anastomosis on the early postoperative and long-term oncological outcomes of patients with primary colon carcinoma (CA). Methods All consecutive patients with the histologically diagnosed primary colon CA (design, prospective multicenter observational study) were registered with regard to patient-, diagnostic-, tumor (Tu) finding-, and treatment-related aspects using a computer-based registry with 60 items to characterize early postoperative and long-term oncological outcome. Results Basic data : From 2010 to 2016, data from a total of 14,466 patients were documented (mean age, 72.8 [range, 22–96] years; sex ratio, m:f=7,696:6,770). – 717/14,466 patients (4.96 %) were included in a matched-pair analysis. The majority of these patients underwent elective surgery ( n =12,620 patients; 87.2 %) regardless of whether a bowel anastomosis or an ostomy was created. In emergency surgery, a bowel anastomosis was possible in a large proportion ( n =1,332 patients [72.1 %]). In contrast, in 514 patients (27.9 %) who underwent emergency surgery, an ostomy was created. Interestingly, ostomy had to be created even less frequently in patients who had undergone planned surgery ( n =366 [2.5 %]). – Early postoperative outcome : Cases of postoperative mortality were mainly due to general complications. Especially among the patients treated in an emergency situation without intestinal anastomosis, a high proportion died of their pre-existing condition (17.0 %). Patients who underwent ostomy creation or emergency surgery had a worse risk profile (incl. arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and secondary cardiac or renal diseases) which led to the decision to operate without anastomosis. Furthermore, data show no matter which technique had been used, patients that had undergone surgical intervention without anastomosis were more likely to develop complications. – Long-term oncosurgical outcome : The most important factors influencing long-term survival were age, resection status, and tumor stage (according to TNM and UICC). The more advanced the tumor growth, the lower the long-term survival. Patients categorized with the same tumor stage, age, and risk factors had a better chance of survival, if they underwent elective surgical intervention and with intestinal anastomosis. Interestingly, the multivariable analysis showed that older patients and such with distant metastasis benefit from a discontinuity resection. Conclusions The association of intraoperative and postoperative complications with increased postoperative mortality, as well as preexisting risk factors and perioperative complications is in line with findings of current studies. Furthermore, current studies also agree that older patients and such with reduced general condition benefit from discontinuity resection.

Objectives In the surgical treatment of colorectal carcinoma (CRC), 1 in 10 patients has a peritumorous adhesion or tumor infiltration in the adjacent tissue or organs. Accordingly, multivisceral resection (MVR) must be performed in these patients. This prospective multicenter observational study aimed to analyze the possible differences between non-multivisceral resection (nMVR) and MVR in terms of early postoperative and long-term oncological treatment outcomes. We also aimed to determine the factors influencing overall survival. Methods The data of 25,321 patients from 364 hospitals who had undergone surgery for CRC (the Union for International Cancer Control stages I–III) during a defined period were evaluated. MVR was defined as (partial) resection of the tumor-bearing organ along with resection of the adherent and adjacent organs or tissues. In addition to the patients’ personal, diagnosis (tumor findings), and therapy data, demographic data were also recorded and the early postoperative outcome was determined. Furthermore, the long-term survival of each patient was investigated, and a “matched-pair” analysis was performed. Results From 2008 to 2015, the MVR rates were 9.9 % (n=1,551) for colon cancer (colon CA) and 10.6 % (n=1,027) for rectal cancer (rectal CA). CRC was more common in men (colon CA: 53.4 %; rectal CA: 62.0 %) than in women; all MVR groups had high proportions of women (53.6 % vs. 55.2 %; pairs of values in previously mentioned order). Resection of another organ frequently occurred (75.6 % vs. 63.7 %). The MVR group had a high prevalence of intraoperative (5.8 %; 12.1 %) and postoperative surgical complications (30.8 % vs. 36.4 %; each p<0.001). Wound infections (colon CA: 7.1 %) and anastomotic insufficiencies (rectal CA: 8.3 %) frequently occurred after MVR. The morbidity rates of the MVR groups were also determined (43.7 % vs. 47.2 %). The hospital mortality rates were 4.9 % in the colon CA-related MVR group and 3.8 % in the rectal CA-related MVR group and were significantly increased compared with those of the nMVR group (both p<0.001). Results of the matched-pair analysis showed that the morbidity rates in both MVR groups (colon CA: 42.9 % vs. 34.3 %; rectal CA: 46.3 % vs. 37.2 %; each p<0.001) were significantly increased. The hospital lethality rate tended to increase in the colon CA-related MVR group (4.8 % vs. 3.7 %; p=0.084), while it significantly increased in the rectal CA-related MVR group (3.4 % vs. 3.0 %; p=0.005). Moreover, the 5-year (yr) overall survival rates were 53.9 % (nMVR: 69.5 %; p<0.001) in the colon CA group and 56.8 % (nMVR: 69.4 %; p<0.001) in the rectal CA group. Comparison of individual T stages (MVR vs. nMVR) showed no significant differences in the survival outcomes (p<0.05); however, according to the matched-pair analysis, a significant difference was observed in the survival outcomes of those with pT4 colon CA (40.6 % vs. 50.2 %; p=0.017). By contrast, the local recurrence rates after MVR were not significantly different (7.0 % vs. 5.8 %; both p>0.05). The risk factors common to both tumor types were advanced age (>79 yr), pT stage, sex, and morbidity (each hazard ratio: >1; p<0.05). Conclusions MVR allows curation by R0 resection with adequate long-term survival. For colon or rectal CA, MVR tended to be associated with reduced 5-year overall survival rates (significant only for pT4 colon CA based on the MPA results), as well as, with a significant increase in morbidity rates in both tumor entities. In the overall data, MVR was associated with significant increases in hospital lethality rates, as indicated by the matched-pair analysis (significant only for rectal CA).

Objectives The mean pain intensity for inpatient consultations, for example in cancer patients, is known. However, the proportion of necessary consultations in the total volume of patients of a ward or a hospital, the general pain intensity in a surgical ward and the relationship between pain medication, length of stay and therapeutic success are unknown. The aim of the study was to examine surgical patients in a single normal ward subclassified into various groups (−/+ surgery, ICU stay, cancer, consultation for pain therapy etc.) during half a year with regard to their pain. For this purpose, the pain score (NAS) was recorded daily for each patient during the entire hospital stay and the change was assessed over the clinical course. Methods In 2017, all consecutive new admissions to a normal ward of general surgery at a university hospital (“tertiary center”) were monitored over half a year according to a standardized procedure. Pain severity (measured by the “Numeric rating scale” [NRS] respectively “Visual analogue scale” [VAS]) from admission to discharge was recorded, as well as the length of stay and the administered medication. Patient groups were sub-classified as surgery, intensive care unit, cancer and pain consultation. An algorithm in two parts (part 1, antipyretics and piritramide; part 2, WHO-scheme and psychotropic drugs), which was defined years before between surgeons and pain therapists, was pursued and consequently used as a basis for the evaluation of the therapeutic success. Results 269 patients were included in the study. The mean pain intensity of all patients at admission was VAS 2.2. Most of the groups (non-cancer, intensive care unit [ICU], non-ICU, surgical intervention (=Operation [OP]), non-OP, pain intensity greater than VAS 3) were significantly reduced in pain at discharge. An exception in this context was patients with cancer-associated pain and, thus, initiated pain consultation. Conclusions Since three quarters of the consultation patients also reported cancer pain, it might be possible that the lack of treatment success in both the consultation and cancer groups is associated with cancer in these patients. However, it can be shown that the successfully treated groups (without ICU-based course) had a mean length of stay from 4.2 ± 3.9 up to 8.4 ± 8.1 days (d), while the two unsuccessfully treated groups experienced a longer stay (mean “cancer” , 11.1 ± 9.4 d; mean “consulation” , 14.2 ± 10.3 d). Twenty-one consultation patients, in whom it had been intended to improve pain intensity, could not be successfully treated despite adapted therapy – this can be considered a consequence of the low number of patients. Since the consultation patients were the only patient group treated with part 2 of the algorithm, it can be concluded that part 1 of the algorithm is sufficient for a mean length of stay up to 9 days. For all patients above this time point, a pain consultation with adaption of medical treatment should be considered.

Objectives Patients with different diseases may show signs of malnutrition both before and during the hospital stay. The presence of malnutrition may impact the recovery and length of stay and consequently the costs. Early identification of malnutrition is thus a critical factor. The objective of this multicenter study is to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in colorectal cancer centers. Another objective is to investigate possible consequences, such as complications or length of stay. In addition, the study aims to demonstrate the relevance of nutrition management in colorectal cancer centers. At the same time, relevant requirements clearly demanded by the Certification Commission for Certified Colorectal Cancer Centers are met through implementation of the study. Methods Between 2019 and 2021, patients in colorectal cancer centers were examined in the preoperative phase. In addition to questions about patients’ state of health and nutrition, the validated screening forms—Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and Nutritional Risk Screening Tool 2002 (NRS 2002)—were used to assess malnutrition. The data were processed by univariate analysis. Results In total, data records of 3,102 patients were evaluated. The mean age of the participants was 68.5 ± 11.9 years, and their average body mass index (BMI) was 26.8 ± 5.3 kg/m 2 . The SGA questionnaire indicated that 23 % of the participants suffered from malnutrition and 38 % were at risk of malnutrition (NRS≥3). Malnutrition was found more frequently in patients with colorectal carcinomas than in patients with rectal carcinomas (53.1 vs. 32.1 %). The length of stay in hospital and the rate of complications were significantly higher when malnutrition was identified. Conclusions Approximately one in three to four patients with a colorectal carcinoma has an increased risk of malnutrition. The two screening methods calculated a different prevalence (23 and 38 %). Any malnutrition that is present demonstrably has a significant impact both on the rate of complications and the length of stay and may therefore have a decisive influence on the costs. The results of this multicenter study underscore the need for systematic screening for malnutrition and at the same time should increase clinics awareness of the importance of establishing a nutrition management policy.

Objectives For years, many efforts have been invested to prepare patients, in particular, those with reduced physical and psychic status, much better to provide and finally achieve better outocme if there is time available to provide several beneficial measures. Methods Therefore, the objective was to illustrate the concept and various single elements of a complex prehabilitation concept based on (i) selective references from the medical literature and (ii) own clinical experiences from clinical practice in general and abdominal surgery. Results Prehabiliation can be considered the solution of the efforts to improve preoperative status for patients in a disadvantageous status for almost all types of surgery and all other operative and/or interventional procedures. It is the targeted process to improve individual functionality and organ function before a planned (elective) surgical intervention; P. comprises basically nutritional, physical and psychological measures; P. focusses especially onto the elderly, frail and malnourished patients before a planned surgical intervention; the overall aim is to significantly improve final outcome characterized by shorter length of stay, lower complication rate and mortality as well as cost efficiency; P. is especially important in cancer surgery, in which the beneficial effects can be particularly implemented; P. programs and/or “Standard Operating Protocols“ (SOP) may help to establish and materialize its single aspects and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). There is still further potential to reliably establish and to utilize the options of prehabilitation measures as listed above. Conclusions Prehabiliation is an indispensable aspect in today’s preparation for elective surgery, which needs to become obligatory part of the preparation measures to planned surgical interventions, which can further contribute to a better final outcome and ERAS as well as, in addtion, needs to be further developed and accomplished.

Introduction The aim was to reflect the established interdisciplinary aspects of general/abdominal and plastic surgery by means of a narrative review. Methods: (i) With specific references out of the medical literature and (ii) own clinical and perioperative as well as operating technical and tactical management experiences obtained in surgical daily practice, we present a choice of options for interdisciplinary cooperation that could be food of thought for other surgeons. Content – Decubital ulcers require pressure relieve, debridement and plastic surgery coverage, e.g., by a rotation flap plasty, V-Y flap or “tensor-fascia-lata” (TFL) flap depending on localization (sacral/gluteal defects, ischiadic tuber). – Coverage of soft tissue defects, e.g., after lymph node dissection, tumor lesions or disturbance of wound healing can be managed with fasciocutaneous or muscle flaps. – Bariatric surgery: Surgical interventions such as butt lift, tummy tuck should be explained and demonstrated in advance and performed commonly after reduction of the body weight. – Abdominoperineal rectum extirpation (APE): Holm’s procedure with greater circumferential extent of resection at the mesorectum and the insertion site of the levator muscle at the anal sphicter muscle resulting in a substantial defect is covered by myocutaneous flap plasty. – Hernia surgery: Complicated/recurrent hernias or abdominal wall defect can be covered by flap plasty to achieve functional reconstruction, e.g., using innervated muscle. Thus, abdominal wall can respond better onto changes of pressure and tension. – Necrotising fasciitis: Even in case of suspicious fasciitis, an immediate radical debridement must be performed, followed by intensive care with calculated antibiotic treatment; after appropriate stabilization tissue defects can be covered by mesh graft of flap plasty. – Soft tissue tumor lesions cannot be resected with primary closure to achieve appropriate as intended R0 resection status by means of local radical resection all the time – plastic surgery expertise has to be included into interdisciplinary tumor concepts. – Liposuction/-filling: Liposuction can be used with aesthetic intention after bariatric surgery or for lipedema. Lipofilling is possible for reconstruction and for aesthetic purpose. – Reconstruction of lymphatic vessels: Lymphedema after tumor operations interrupting or blocking lymphatic drainage can be treated with microsurgical reconstructions (such as lympho-venous anastomoses, lympho-lymphatic anastomoses or free microvascular lymph node transfer). – Microsurgery: It is substantial part of modern reconstructive plastic surgery, i.e., surgery of peripheral nerves belongs to this field. For visceral surgery, it can become important for reconstruction of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. – Sternum osteomyelitis: Radical debridement (eventually, complete sternal resection) with conditioning of the wound by vacuum-assisted closure followed by plastic surgery coverage can prevent chronification, threatening mediastinitis, persisting infectious risk, long-term suffering or limited quality of life. Summary The presented selection of single topics can only be an excerpt of all the options for surgical cooperation in daily clinical and surgical practice. Outlook An interdisciplinary approach of abdominal and plastic surgery is characterized by a highly developed cooperation in common surgical interventions including various techniques and tactics highlighting the specifics of the two fields.

Objectives The Kasabach–Merritt syndrome (KMS) is characterized by the occurrence of hemangioendothelioma (giant hemangioma with thrombosis leading to thrombocytopenia), which can be associated with disseminated intravasal coagulation. Specific aim: Based on (i) selective references from the current scientific literature and derived recommendations as well as (ii) own experiences obtained in the diagnostic and perioperative management of a representative case from daily practice in abdominal surgery, the specific case undergoing elective cholecystectomy (CCE) in KMS is to be described by means of scientific case report. Case presentation (Patient-, finding- and treatment-specific characteristics): – Medical history: 72-years old female patient with a known KMS of the left arm and upper thorax, recurrent thrombophlebitis of the left arm and thoracic veins, previous upper GI bleeding (Mallory-Weiss syndrome in 2006, chronic anemia in lack of vitamin B12, type-A gastritis, former bleeding complications after teeth extraction/open appendectomy 1962/Caesarean section 1968 with need of transfusion [60 red blood cell packages]), intraabdominal adhesions, hypothyreosis, initial liver cirrhosis. – Symptomatology: Characteristic for cholecystolithiasis (CCL). – Diagnostic: Abdominal ultrasound shows CCL, fibroscan does not confirm suspicious cirrhosis. Laboratory parameters showed: Activation of intravasal coagulation with elevated prothrombin fragments, D-dimers and reduced antiplasmin concentration. Accelerated fibrinolysis capacity; currently, no secondary thrombocytopenia or factor-13 decrease. In addition, fibrinogen concentration within normal range, no hint onto the manifestation of an aquired von-Willebrand’s syndrome. – Diagnosis: Chronic fibrosing cholecystitis in CCL after former acute cholecystitis (3 months ago) with indication for surgical intervention. – Therapy: Laparoscopic CCE including careful exploration of upper abdominal cavity for KMS manifestation (with no revision of bile duct) and peritoneal adhesiolysis (histological finding, chronic fibrosing cholecystitis with thickening of the wall of the gall bladder but no hint of malignancy) under perioperative prophylaxis with antibiotics and temporary cessation of platelet medication for 7 d preoperatively, “bridging” with low molecular weight heparin (Clexane, 1 × 40 mg s.c.; Sanofi-Aventis, Frankfurt/Main, Germany); 1 h preoperatively, 15–20 mg/kg body weight Cyclocapron i.v. (once again 6–8 h postoperatively; thereafter, 500 mg of Cyclocapron 4×/d until the 3rd postoperative day). – Intraoperatively: Congestion of veins but not at the immediate surgical field (gall bladder, hepatic bed of the gall bladder, Calot’s triangle). – Outcome: Uneventful, in particular, no (bleeding) complications. Conclusions If surgical approach is indicated, the intervention should be thoroughly planned (in particular, under elective circumstances) with regard to hemangioma site and extension as well as distance to the surgical field and possible surgical alternative options (surgical access site, open/laparoscopic approach etc.) to prevent – at the best possible rate – bleeding complications intra-/postoperatively and, thus, to provide adequate patient safety.

Objectives Rectal prolapse is defined as prolapse of all layers of rectal wallout of the anal sphincter. The aim was to (i) describe the extremely rare combination of a rectal prolapse with colon cancer in an older female patient, (ii) comment on management-specific aspects and (iii) derive some generalizing recommendations by means of a scientific case report and based on the case-specific experiences related to the clinical management and current references from the medical literature. Case presentation A 69-year old female patient with cancer of the sigmoid colon at a manifest rectal prolapse was diagnosed. Literature search (using the data bank of “PubMed”) resulted in only six patients (the majority of them were females) with the coincidence of rectal prolapse and rectal or colon cancer have been reported so far. Conclusions A patient with a manifest rectal prolapse needs always to undergo colonoscopy and – in case of an ulcer – histological investigation of representative biopsies.

Objective Inflammatory reactions caused by immunosuppression appear a particular interesting disease due to its very specific and partly unclear etiopathogenesis. Based on clinical case-specific management experiences and selective references from the literature, the rare case of an acute intraabdominal inflammation as unusual complication or side effect (at the gastrointestinal [GI] tract) of the ongoing immunosuppressive medication using Mycophenolate mofetil and Tacrolimus after previous liver transplantation is to be illustrated. Case presentation Medical history ( hx ): 1) Current : A 68-years old male patient underwent abdominal CT scan because of pain in the left lower abdomen with the suspicious diagnosis of diverticulitis leading to initiation of antibiotic therapy 24 h prior to the transferral to the own hospital for adequate liver transplantation (LTx) follow-up investigation. 2) Medication contained Sitagliptin 1 × 100 mg, Omeprazol 1 × 40 mg, Mesalazin 500 mg 3 × 2, Movicol 1 (on demand), Mycophenolate mofetil 2 × 500 mg, Tacrolimus 2 × 1 mg and Hydrochlorothiazid 1 × 2.5 mg. 3) Additional diagnoses included arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and urinary bladder diverticle. 4) Previous surgical intervention profile comprises resection of liver segments IV/V due to HCC (2011), orthotopic liver transplantation because of HCC caused by alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis (2013) and an intervertebral disc operation (2018). Physical examination of the abdomen revealed marked tenderness in the lower left quadrant. The abdominal wall was soft and there were no defensive tension and no peritonism. The patient was in good general condition and nutritional status. He was cardiopulmonarily stable and oriented to all qualities. Diagnostic measures showed a CRP of 38.0 (normal range, < 5) mg/L and a white blood cell count within normal range. Leading diagnoses were found using abdominal CT scan, which demonstrated an extended diverticulosis and an appendicitis epiploica within the immediate subperitoneal region of the left lower abdomen with an oval fat isodense structure in the region of the sigmoid colon with surrounding inflammatory imbibition and pronounced intestinal wall. Suspicious diagnosis was the 1st episode of an uncomplicated diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon associated with an appendicitis epiploica. Therapeutic approach was given by conservative therapy with infusion therapy, analgesia as well as inital “n. p. o.” and following initiation of oral nutrition. In addition, calculated antibiotic therapy with Cefuroxime and Clont was initiated. Clinical course was uneventful, with discharge on the eighth day of hospital stay with no pathological findings and substantial improvement in clinical and laboratory findings. Further advice consisted of clinical and laboratory follow-up control investigations by the family practitioner and nutritional counselling. In addition, a colonoscopy should be performed within four months. Conclusions The described case i) is either one of the many side effects of the immunosuppressive medication Mycophenolate mofetil and Tacrolimus listed as “colonic inflammation” and “gastrointestinal inflammation”, respectively, or ii) can be considered an inflammatory response of a susceptible (gastro-)intestinal mucosa or the whole intestinal wall to microbes or microbial particles or agents caused by transplantation-associated immunosuppressive medication.

Objectives Heat stroke is a serious condition that might lead from moderate organ impairment to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Appropriate diagnosis-finding, fast initiation of cooling and intensive care are key measures of the initial treatment. Scientific case report based on i) clinical experiences obtained in the clinical management of a particularly rare case and ii) selected references from the medical scientific literature. Case presentation We present a case of a young and healthy construction worker who suffered from an exertional heat stroke with a body core temperature exceeding 42 °C by previous several hour work at 35 °C ambient temperature. Heat stroke was associated with foudroyant, not reversible multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, in particular, early disturbed coagulation, microcirculatory, liver and respiratory failure, and subsequent fatal outcome despite immediate diagnosis-finding, rapid external cooling and expanded intensive care management. Conclusions Basic knowledge on an adequate diagnosis(-finding in time) and treatment of heat stroke is important for (almost each) physician in the summertime as well as is essential for the initiation of an appropriate management. Associated high morbidity and mortality rates indicate the need for implementation of standard operation protocols.