Search

Abstract Introduction The variations in the morphological characteristics of the extra-hepatic biliary system are interesting. Case presentation During the dissection of cadavers to study the morphological characteristics of the extra-hepatic biliary system, a 46-year-old male cadaver was found to have drainage of the common hepatic duct drains directly into the gall bladder neck. The right and left hepatic ducts were not seen extra-hepatically. Further drainage of the bile away from the gallbladder and into the duodenum was provided by the cystic duct. Formation of the common bile duct by the union of the common hepatic duct and cystic duct was absent. Further more the right hepatic artery was found to be communicating with the left hepatic artery by a "bridging artery" after giving rise to the cystic artery. An accessory hepatic artery originated from the "bridging artery" forming a "cruciate" hepatic arterial anastomosis. Conclusion Combination of a Hepaticocystic duct and an aberrant variation in the extra-hepatic arterial system is extremely rare.

Objective: To assess appetite and gut hormone levels in patients following partial (PR) or total resection (TR) of the large bowel.Methods: A comparative cross sectional study was carried out with healthy controls (n = 99) and patients who had undergone PR (n = 64) or TR (n = 12) of the large bowel. Participants consumed a standard (720 kcal) breakfast meal at 0830 (t = 0) h followed by lactulose (15 g) and a buffet lunch (t = 210 min). Participants rated the subjective feelings of hunger at t = -30, 0, 30, 60, 120, and 180 min. Breath hydrogen (BH) concentrations were also evaluated. In a matched subset (11 controls, 11 PR and 9 TR patients) PYY and GLP-1 concentrations were measured following breakfast. The primary outcome measure was appetite, as measured using visual analogue scales and the buffet lunch. The secondary outcome was BH concentrations following a test meal.Results: PR and TR participants had lower hunger and energy intake at the buffet lunch meal compared to controls. PR subjects had higher BH concentrations compared to controls and TR subjects. BH levels correlated with circulating GLP-1 levels at specific time points.Conclusions: PR or TR of the large bowel reduced feelings of hunger and energy intake, and PR increased gastrointestinal fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Serum albumin is a marker of nutrition and inflammation. It has recently emerged as a predictor of outcome after surgery for rectal cancer. Our aim was to evaluate if pre-operative serum albumin would predict survival after resection for rectal cancer. Method: 226 Patients with rectal cancer of all stages undergoing resection with curative intent were studied. Kaplan-Meier curves analysed survival based on a pre-operative albumin level of <35 g/L vs. >35 g/L. We sought for significant associations of survival with age, sex, stage, tumour site, use of neoadjuvant chemoradiation, microscopic positive resection margins, differentiation, angio, peri-neural, and lymphovascular invasion using individual variable analysis. Multifactorial analysis was performed using type III analysis with Weibull hazard model and Cox-proportional hazard model. Significance was assigned to a P value <0.05. Results: Of 226 patients (median age- 59 years; range 19 - 88, Male - 54%), forty five (20%) had an albumin level < 35 g/L and was associated with a poor overall survival (P = 0.02). Mean survival in months for <35 g/L vs. >35 g/L was 64.7 (SE - 9.3) vs. 95.8 (SE - 7.0) and 5 year overall survival rates were 49% and 69%. Individual variable analysis revealed age, circumferential margin, stage, perineural, lympho-vascular and angio invasion to be also significant. With multifactorial analysis hypoalbuminaemia (HR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.35 - 0.95, P = 0.03), advanced stage (HR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.26 - 3.23, P < 0.01) and positive circumferential margin (HR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.26 - 3.89, P < 0.01) remained significant. Conclusion: Preoperative hypoalbuminaemia is an independent risk factor for poor overall survival in rectal cancer. Advanced tumour stage and circumferential margin positivity were the other associations with poor survival [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At a time where the incidence of colorectal cancer, a disease predominantly of developed nations, is showing a decline in those 50 years of age and older, data from the West is showing a rising incidence of this cancer in young individuals. Central to this has been the 75% increase in rectal cancer incidence in the last four decades. Furthermore, predictive data based on mathematical modelling indicates a 124 percent rise in the incidence of rectal cancer by the year 2030 - a statistic that calls for collective global thought and action. While predominance of colorectal cancer (CRC) is likely to be in that part of the large bowel distal to the splenic flexure, which makes flexible sigmoidoscopic examination an ideal screening tool, the cost and benefit of mass screening in young people remain unknown. In countries where the incidence of young CRC is as high as 35% to 50%, the available data do not seem to indicate that the disease in young people is one of high red meat consuming nations only. Improvement in our understanding of genetic pathways in the aetiology of CRC, chiefly of the MSI, CIN and CIMP pathway, supports the notion that up to 30% of CRC is genetic, and may reflect a familial trait or environmentally induced changes. However, a number of other germline and somatic mutations, some of which remain unidentified, may play a role in the genesis of this cancer and stand in the way of a clear understanding of CRC in the young. Clinically, a proportion of young persons with CRC die early after curative surgery, presumably from aggressive tumour biology, compared with the majority in whom survival after operation will remain unchanged for five years or greater. The challenge in the future will be to determine, by genetic fingerprinting or otherwise, those at risk of developing CRC and the determinants of survival in those who develop CRC. Ultimately, prevention and early detection, just like for those over 50 years with CRC, will determine the outcome of CRC in young persons. At present, aside from those with an established familial tendency, there is no consensus on screening young persons who may be at risk. However, increasing awareness of this cancer in the young and the established benefit of prevention in older persons, must be a message that should be communicated with medical students, primary health care personnel and first contact doctors. The latter constitutes a formidable challenge.

Aim: To evaluate patients with proximal rectal cancer (PRC) (> 6 cm up to 12 cm) and distal rectal cancer (DRC) (0 to 6 cm from the anal verge)., Methods: Two hundred and eighteen patients (120 male, 98 female, median age 58 years, range 19-88 years) comprised 100 with PRC and 118 with DRC. The proportion of T1, T2 vs T3, T4 stage cancers was similar in both groups (PRC: T1+T2 = 29%; T3+T4 = 71% and DRC: T1+T2 = -31%; T3+T4 = 69%). All patients had cancer confined to the rectum - those with synchronous distant metastasis were excluded. Surgical resection was with curative intent with or without pre-operative chemoradiation (c-RT). Follow-up was for a median of 35 mo (range: 12 to 126 mo). End points were: 30 d mortality, complications of operation, microscopic tumour- free margins, resection with a tumour-free circumferential margin (CRM) of 1 to 2 mm and > 2 mm, local recurrence, survival and the permanent stoma rate., Results: Overall 30-d mortality was 6% (12): PRC 7 % and DRC 4%. Postoperative complications occurred in 14% with PRC compared with 21.5% with DRC, urinary retention was the complication most frequently reported (PRC 2% vs DRC 9%, P = 0.04). Twelve percent with PRC compared with 37% with DRC were subjected to preoperative c-RT (P = 0.03). A tumour-free CRM of 1 to 2 mm and > 2 mm was reported in 93% and 82% with PRC and 88% and 75% with DRC respectively (PRC vs DRC, P > 0.05). However, local recurrence was 5% for PRC vs 11% for DRC (P < 0.001). Three and five years survival was 65.6% and 60.2% for PRC vs 67% and 64.3% for DRC respectively. No patient with PRC and 23 (20%) with DRC received an abdomino-perineal resection., Conclusion: PRC and DRC differ in the rate of abdomino-perineal resection, post-operative urinary retention and local recurrence. Survival in both groups was similar.

Background: The process of microcrystallization, its sequel and the assessment of nucleation time is ignored. This systematic review aimed to highlight the importance of biliary microlithiasis, sludge, and crystals, and their association with gallstones, unexplained biliary pain, idiopathic pancreatitis, and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction., Data Sources: Three reviewers performed a literature search of the PubMed database. Key words used were "biliary microlithiasis", "biliary sludge", "bile crystals", "cholesterol crystallisation", "bile microscopy", "microcrystal formation of bile", "cholesterol monohydrate crystals", "nucleation time of cholesterol", "gallstone formation", "sphincter of Oddi dysfunction" and "idiopathic pancreatitis". Additional articles were sourced from references within the studies from the PubMed search., Results: We found that biliary microcrystals account for almost all patients with gallstone disease, 7% to 79% with idiopathic pancreatitis, 83% with unexplained biliary pain, and 25% to 60% with altered biliary and pancreatic sphincter function. Overall, the detection of biliary microcrystals in gallstone disease has a sensitivity ranging from 55% to 87% and a specificity of 100%. In idiopathic pancreatitis, the presence of microcrystals ranges from 47% to 90%. A nucleation time less than 10 days in hepatic bile or ultra-filtered gallbladder bile has a specificity of 100% for cholesterol gallstone disease., Conclusions: Biliary crystals are associated with gallstone disease, idiopathic pancreatitis, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, unexplained biliary pain, and post-cholecystectomy biliary pain. Pathways of cholesterol super-saturation, crystallisation, and gallstone formation have been described with scientific support. Bile microscopy is a useful method to detect microcrystals and the assessment of nucleation time is a good method of predicting the risk of cholesterol crystallisation.

Background: Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare. Because of the complex anatomy of the duodenum, the methods of resection of these tumors are controversial and diverse., Methods: We report a case of a duodenal GIST in the anterolateral wall of the second part of the duodenum, which was successfully managed by local excision. The surgery was facilitated by preoperative mapping with Indian ink and navigation by endoscopy to assess the adequacy of resection and to avoid injury to the ampulla., Result: Reconstruction was successful with a duodenojejunostomy and protected by a nasoduodenal drain., Conclusion: The patient had no postoperative complications and the tumor was confirmed to be a GIST of the duodenum successful with an adequate resection margin.

Introduction: The prevalence and survival of colorectal cancer in Sri Lankans has not been previously reported. We did a retrospective and a prospective survey, in the region of North Colombo, Sri Lanka between 1992 and 2004. The aim was to study cancer burden, sites of colorectal cancer and survival after surgery., Patients and Methods: The records of 175 patients with colorectal cancer between 1992 and 1997 in the selected region of were analysed retrospectively. A prospective study was performed in 220 new patients with colorectal cancer between 1996 and 2004. Data evaluated were demographics, tumour stage and survival., Results: Between 1992 and 1997 the crude annual incidence of colorectal cancer was 1.9 per 100,000, which increased over the years. The current national crude annual incidence is 3.2 per 100,000 in women and 4.9 in men. Median age at presentation was 60 years with similar prevalence of cancer in men and women. In the entire group, 28% of cancers were in those less than 50 years old. Survival at 2 and 5 years was 69% and 52%. The majority of cancer related deaths were within the first 2 years after surgery., Conclusion: The burden of colorectal cancer in Sri Lanka is on the rise. Up to a third of cancers occur in those under 50 years, and the majority of cancers are in the rectum or rectosigmoid region. Flexible sigmoidoscopy offers a useful screening tool.

Introduction: Fecal incontinence (FI) impairs quality of life. We performed an audit of biofeedback (BFB) in management of patients with FI., Methods: Fifty patients (median [range] age 30 [4-77] years; 28 men) who received BFB for median (range) of 15 weeks (4-28), either postoperatively (n=39), or as the sole treatment (n=11) were evaluated. Cleveland continence score (0-good, 20-poor), anorectal manometry parameters, and patient satisfaction (assessed by Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale [FIQLS]) were evaluated at baseline and after the BFB therapy in all patients., Results: Continence scores improved after intervention. In the surgery + BFB group, mean (SD) continence scores baseline vs. postsurgery + BFB (post-treatment) were 18.2 (3.9) vs. 6 (5.9; p< 0.01). In the BFB alone group, scores were similar at baseline 11.7 (5.9) and 6.1 (5.2) post BFB (p=0.08). Maximum resting anal pressure (MRP) improved from preoperative 12.6 (9.8) mmHg to: vs. 21.1 (11.9) mmHg post-treatment (p< 0.01). In patients who received BFB alone, MRP did not change significantly (pre vs post BFB 22.9 (11.7) mmHg vs. 29.6 (12.1) mmHg [p=0.08]). Maximal squeeze pressure improved significantly (preoperative vs. post-treatment: 46.3 (41.2) mmHg vs. 78.3 (33.9) mmHg [p< 0.01]; pre vs. post BFB alone: 72.4 (34.8) mmHg vs. 114.5 (43.1) mmHg [p< 0.01]). In 29 patients (19 surgery + BFB; 10 BFB alone), maximal tolerable volume in saline continence improved from baseline 47.9 (27.4) mL to 152.6 (87) mL after surgery + BFB (p< 0.01); pre vs. post BFB: 98 mL (95.9) vs. 205 (134.3) p< 0.02]. There was significant improvement in all parameters of FIQLS in both groups: lifestyle (p< 0.02), coping/behavior (p< 0.02), depression/self perception (p< 0.02) and embarrassment (p< 0.02)., Conclusion: BFB therapy with or without surgical reconstruction of the damaged anal sphincter improves maximum squeeze pressure, saline retention capacity, quality of life and is a useful first line treatment for fecal incontinence.