Colonic ischemia and perforation associated with enteral feeding through an ileal tube.

Reported complications of enteral feeding through a jejunostomy include diarrhea, intraperitoneal leaks, bowel obstruction, fistula formation, wound infection, tube occlusion, and other mechanical malfunctions. However, the incidence of these complications is very low, and many physicians prefer to feed their patients by means of a jejunal tube instead of parenteral nutrition. A potentially lethal complication is ischemia of the bowel distal to the site of insertion of the feeding catheter.

Outpatient gastroplasty for morbid obesity: our first hundred cases.

Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a safe and effective treatment for morbid obesity. The aim of the present study was to identify factors actually contributing to the feasibility or to the failure of performing this procedure in an outpatient setting.

Methods: In this prospective study, 100 ambulatory LAGB procedures were compared with 100 procedures performed in patients with an overnight stay.

Enterobius vermicularis infection with tuboovarian abscess and peritonitis occurring during pregnancy.

Background: Extraintestinal Enterobius vermicularis infections are rare but may occasionally affect the female genital tract. Although mostly asymptomatic or causing minor clinical problems, they may lead to severe infectious complications.

Methods: Case report and review of the pertinent English language literature.

Clinical relevance of laparoscopically diagnosed hiatal hernia.

Background: To determine the clinical relevance of a laparoscopically diagnosed hiatal hernia.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing an elective laparoscopy were prospectively recruited. We assessed preoperative gastroesophageal reflux symptoms using a validated score, and documented the presence or absence of a hiatal hernia during laparoscopy.

Impact of body overweight and class I, II and III obesity on the outcome of acute biliary pancreatitis.

Objectives: Body overweight and obesity have been associated with an increased morbidity in acute pancreatitis, but conflicting results were reported in the literature with regard to the type and frequency of complications. We investigated the occurrence of complications in different classes of overweight in a homogeneous group of patients with gallstone pancreatitis.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively from 250 patients with biliary pancreatitis to allow calculation of the Blamey (Glasgow) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) scores.

Outpatient laparoscopic gastric banding: initial experience.

Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) has usually been performed as an inpatient procedure with an average hospital stay of 2-4 days. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of LAGB as an ambulatory procedure in selected patients.

Methods: Potential candidates for ambulatory LAGB were recruited from patients consulting for obesity surgery.

Biliary tract infection in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis.

Background: The presence of infective microorganisms in the bilio-pancreatic tract is believed to be important in both the onset and outcome of acute biliary pancreatitis. In this study, the characteristics of bile colonization or infection in human pancreatitis were investigated in order to optimize prophylactic antibiotic therapy.

Methods: In 174 patients, 22 clinical and biological factors were recorded prospectively on admission and compared with the bacteriological findings at the time of surgery.