Treatment of undeveloped external intestinal fistulas

135 patients with undeveloped intestinal fistulas (116-85.9%-males, and 19-14.1%-females) were followed up by the authors. The patients underwent surgery for acute appendicitis-17 (12.6%), traumatic injuries of abdominal organs-78 (57.8%), acute intestinal obstruction-33 (24.4%), inflammatory processes of the uterus and adnexites-7 (5.2%). Small bowel fistulas were observed in 88 (65.2%) of patients, large bowel fistulas-in 47 (34.8%). The optimal mode of treatment for the fistula seems the obturation of fistula duct by means of catheter of Petzer of Foley. It is guite necessary to perform a simultaneous broad exploration of abscesses of anterior abdominal wall and their sanatation by the method of flowing-aspiration therapy by N.N. Kanshin. For elimination of endotoxicosis the ultraviolet irradiation of autologous blood was used as well as intravenous laser irradiation of blood, hemosorption, plasmapheresis, infusions of plasma and plasma substitutional solutions. The patients were given 2-3 antibiotics of a broad spectrum of action, one of which being obligatory introduced intravenously. From 135 patients 104 (77.0%) underwent surgery. The method of choice in small bowel fistulas the authors suggest intraabdominal resection of the bowel, and in large bowel fistulas-resection of 3/4 by the method of A.V. Melnikov. 17 patients (17.3%) died after the surgery.     

Treatment of undeveloped intestinal fistulas in purulent peritonitis

For treatment of two consecutively opened into abdominal cavity perforating fistulas of small bowel in conditions of purulent peritonitis the author successfully used funnel-shaped obturators by Kolchenogov. In the same patients in later adhesive intestinal obstruction, which could not be eliminated by common surgical mode, continuous introduction of semifluid food and intestinal chyme collected from enterostoma (located above the obstruction) were carried out through enterostoma located above the obstruction. After resorption of inflammatory infiltrate bowel continuity was restored. Based on favourable results of treatment for perforation fistulas opening into free abdominal cavity, the author more than once in conditions of purulent peritonitis successfully applied sutureless suspending enterostomies on the catheter of Petzer, which principally is an analogue of the obturator by Kolchenogov, using the same method as in perforation fistulas. Inflamed bowel wall thus is well accreted with abdominal wall, and after withdrawal of catheter by Petzer the developed tubular bowel fistula is rapidly healing spontaneously.     

Surgical reconstruction of the contracted eye socket and orbitozygomatic hypoplasia in a one-stage operation

To correct the contracted eye socket and orbitozygomatic hypoplasia simultaneously secondary to previous surgery and radiotherapy, we employed a one-stage surgical reconstruction that used a postauricular skin flap and temporal fascial flap, which were rotated for eye socket reconstruction and bone graft coverage. Hydroxyapatite was inserted as an onlay bone graft substitute to enlarge the orbitozygomatic region. In our 12-case experience the results were satisfying and encouraging with minor complications, which are presented.     

Treatment of perianal fistulas with ND:YAG laser--results in twenty cases

Excision of perianal fistulas using a 1.064 micron wavelength neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (ND:YAG) contact tipped laser with primary wound closure was used to treat 20 dogs with perianal fistulas. Overall, 19 of 20 (95%) dogs had resolution of fistulas after one or more ND:YAG treatments. The period of resolution ranged from 10 to 42 months with a mean of 22.9 months. Sixteen of 20 (80%) dogs had resolved fistulas after one laser excision. Three of the four recurrences underwent additional laser treatments with successful results. The total number of laser procedures ranged from one to three with a mean of 1.2 procedures. Postoperatively, anal tone as judged by digital rectal examination was reduced in about 60% of the cases, but clinical evidence of fecal incontinence only occurred in four of 20 cases. This was managed effectively with diet modification. The tendency toward loss of anal tone or fecal incontinence depended on the severity of preexisting anal stenosis. On a client survey, 19 of 20 owners believed that their animals experienced less pain during defecation after surgery and rated the results as excellent or good. The overall success rate using ND:YAG laser excision compared very favorably with previously reported studies of other methods of treatment for perianal fistulas in dogs.     

Vesicocolonic fistulas in diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a disease affecting patients in the fifth to sixth decades. The charts of 12 patients with cesicocolonic fistulas secondary to diverticulitis were reviewed. Their presentation was primarily urological with pneumaturia present in 10 of 12 patients and fecaluria present in 5 of 12. The process of fistulization occurs in stages. If the incipient stage can be identified early fistulization can be prevented and the morbidity and mortality rates will be reduced significantly. In older patients with bladder irritation (with or without positive urine cultures) a high degree of suspicion for diverticular disease will ensure an accurate diagnosis earlier. Patients with penumaturia or fecaluria present less of a diagnostic challenge. Cystoscopy is a reliable procedure and we recommend its use in discovering a vesicocolonic fistula. Surgical therapy should be individualized for each patient and good results were obtained with primary resection as well as staged repair.     

Traumatic thoracic fistulas

This article considers the wide range of fistulas that can result from blunt and penetrating trauma. The mechanisms, physical signs, diagnostic techniques, and nonoperative and operative management strategies for fistulas of the thorax are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the requirement for a high index of suspicion in specific types of injury in which thoracic fistulas can occur.     

Post-traumatic arteriovenous fistulas

Although meperidine appears to be the safest obstetric analgesic agent, it has been associated with infant respiratory depression in certain situations. It would appear that the incidence of fetal depression related to meperidine is dependent on the time of injection prior to delivery, the quantity of drug administered, and the rate of maternal metabolism of the analgesic. Previous work showed that meperidine is metabolized in the maternal system by one of three patterns. The present study demonstrates that the particular maternal serum pattern is characteristic for the individual, regardless of whether the patient is pregnant or not, and that the fetal depression, although usually mild, can be correlated with fetal pH data as well as Apgar scores. In addition, this study supports indirectly the contention that metabolites of meperidine rather than the parent compound cause fetal depression. It would appear, therefore, that in certain obstetric cases with a higher probability for infant depression, other analgesic agents might be considered, especially if the serum pattern indicates meperidine is being metabolized.     

Treatment of postoperative bile fistulas after laparoscopic cholecystectomy by ERCP, EPT and bile duct drainage

BACKGROUND: Bile leakage as a complication following cholecystectomy can be found more frequently after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) than after open cholecystectomy. The present study planned to find out the importance of ERCP, sphincterotomy and temporary drainage of the bile duct system in the treatment of bile leakage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From July 1992 to October 1996 15 consecutive patients presenting with bile leakage following LC underwent endoscopic therapy by CBD-drainage with sphincterotomy (n = 11), CBD-drainage without sphincterotomy (n = 1) and sphincterotomy alone (n = 3). RESULTS: Closure of the bile leakage could be achieved in all cases, biliary secretion stopped after 2.1 days (1-7 days). One dislocation of the drainage into the CBD was found and could be treated endoscopically. Endoscopy-related mortality was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic therapy offers a safe, effective and minimal invasive method in the treatment of bile leakage following LC.     

Vesico-sigmoidal fistulas of diverticular origin

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the course and outcome of expectantly managed twin pregnancies with single fetal death in the second half of gestation. DESIGN: Case-controlled study of 29 consecutive pregnancies from 1973 to 1993, with sonographic evidence of a twin at 20 weeks gestation with antenatal demise later in pregnancy, matched for maternal parity with 58 twin pregnancies without fetal death and delivered in the same year as the index case. Outcome measures included the incidence of complications of pregnancy, gestational age and mode of delivery, placentation, and perinatal outcome. SETTING: University Hospital Rotterdam. RESULTS: The frequency and severity of pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders was significantly higher in the study group than in controls. We found no differences between the study group and controls with regard to median gestational age at delivery (33 weeks versus 34 weeks) and median birthweight of liveborn infants (1880 g versus 2160 g). No consumptive coagulopathy was apparent in our 29 patients. The main cause of neonatal death was prematurity; multicystic encephalomalacia was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support expectant management in twin pregnancies complicated by single fetal death.     

Irradiation of spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistulas

Two patients with spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistulas were successfully treated with cobalt 60 irradiation to the sellar region. Angiographically, one patient showed combined-type shunts comprising a dural internal carotid-cavernous fistula and a direct internal carotid-cavernous fistula; the other patient had a mixed dural external and internal carotid-cavernous fistula. The respective total radiation dose was 3,200 rads and 3,024 rads. The patients responded satisfactorily to the treatment, with disappearance of the fistulas on angiograms and patency of the internal and external carotid arteries.     

Multiple dural arteriovenous fistulas

Four patients with multiple intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) at separate sites were treated by endovascular techniques (transarterial and/or transvenous embolization), surgery (excision or isolation), radiotherapy, or combinations, according to the pathophysiological condition. All lesions in two patients were obliterated completely without neurological deficit. There were residual fistulas after the treatment in two patients, but these were low-grade lesions without retrograde cortical venous drainage, and marked clinical improvement was obtained. Planning of treatment strategies for multiple DAVFs requires careful analysis of the venous drainage from the affected sinuses and cerebral hemodynamics.     

Congenital pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas

Pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas are a very infrequent illness. The majority of these cases are associated with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia, therefore their isolated presentation is exceptional. We present a patient that was diagnosed of two arteriovenous fistulas non associated with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia. His main symptom was progressive dyspnea on exertion, with cyanosis and clubbing. His evolution after surgery was satisfactory. Theirs clinical, diagnosis and therapeutic peculiarities ware discussed.