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Spontaneous pneumoperitoneum associated with colonic pseudo-obstruction

Prasannan S, Kumar S, Gul YA

Acta Chir. Belg., 2005 1 25;104(6):739-41.
PMID: 15663288

Pneumoperitoneum is almost always pathognomonic of a perforated abdominal viscus requiring urgent surgical intervention. Spontaneous or non-surgical pneumoperitoneum is a rare clinical condition arising secondary to abdominal, thoracic, gynaecologic or idiopathic causes. In addition to good clinical judgement, an important component in the management process is to rule out other causes of pneumoperitoneum by performing appropriate investigations. We describe a 60-year-old man who presented with clinical features of pseudo-obstruction, following an injury to his back which was compounded by hypokalaemia. Roentgenography revealed massive pneumoperitoneum and colonic distension. As there were no overt clinical features of peritonitis, the patient was managed conservatively with parenteral nutrition and close observation. A water-soluble contrast enema and computed tomography of the abdomen were of no help in identifying the cause of his pneumoperitoneum but were helpful in eliminating the presence of hollow viscus perforation or an obvious inflammatory focus. The aetiology of pneumoperitoneum in our patient was most likely due to dissection of air through the distended colonic wall, secondary to large bowel pseudo-obstruction. The diagnosis of spontaneous or non-surgical pneumoperitoneum is one of exclusion and we stress the importance of relying on clinical parameters when managing such patients conservatively.
Primary malignant melanoma of the oesophagus

Gul YA, Prasannan S, Hairuszah I

Acta Chir. Belg., 2003 Aug;103(4):420-2.
PMID: 14524166

Primary malignant melanoma arising in the oesophagus is a rare condition with a dismal prognosis. The diagnosis is often made following surgical resection even though the endoscopic features may be pathognomonic. The classical treatment is oesophagectomy even though the advanced disease stage at the time of presentation and aggressive biological behaviour of the tumour usually results in a fatal outcome. We report the case of a male patient initially diagnosed with squamous oesophageal carcinoma and treated with conventional neo-adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy. Poor clinical and radiological response resulted in a review of the original histology confirming a diagnosis of primary malignant melanoma of the oesophagus. The subsequent alteration in management conferred the patient an improved quality of life. A short review of the literature on primary malignant melanoma of the oesophagus supplements this case report.
Adult intussusception secondary to inflammatory polyps

Jabar MF, Prasannan S, Gul YA

Asian J Surg, 2005 Jan;28(1):58-61.
PMID: 15691802

Adult intussusception is a rare entity that may present in the acute and subacute setting principally related to the degree of bowel obstruction. Preoperative diagnosis of this condition may be difficult. The intussusception is usually due to a definable intraluminal lesion, most probably neoplasia, unlike intussusception in children. We present the cases of two adult male patients with intussusception. The first presented with acute small-bowel obstruction secondary to a retrograde ileojejunal intussusception with a pseudopolyp as the lead point. This was possibly due to a retrograde ball-valve effect. The intussuscepting segment was resected. The second patient presented with unexplained chronic diarrhoea and an intussusception occurring within the caecum, as demonstrated at colonoscopy, with a terminal ileal pedunculated fibroid polyp as the lead point. A limited right hemicolectomy was performed. Both patients recovered uneventfully and have remained well. A brief literature review of adult intussusception complements the case reports, with an emphasis on the pathogenesis of inflammatory polyps and recommended surgical management.
Ruptured ectopic pregnancy presenting as an irreducible inguinal hernia

Prasannan S, Jabar MF, Gul YA

Acta Chir. Belg., 2004 Oct;104(5):591-2.
PMID: 15571031

An inguinal hernia that suddenly becomes irreducible may be secondary to a variety of other underlying conditions which can occasionally mislead the attending surgeon. Benign, inflammatory or neoplastic processes, as well as surgical emergencies such as intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal haemorrhage, have all been previously reported to mimic an inguinal hernia that suddenly becomes irreducible with or without clinical features of strangulation. We add an additional interesting presentation to this list in the form of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, which is the first such case reported in the literature. A swelling in the groin may be much more complicated than it seems on superficial consideration and good clinical acumen is constantly required in managing such cases if a satisfactory outcome without any morbidity is to be expected.
Diagnostic value of plain abdominal radiographs in patients with acute abdominal pain

Prasannan S, Zhueng TJ, Gul YA

Asian J Surg, 2005 Oct;28(4):246-51.
PMID: 16234073

A prospective study was performed over a 3-month period in a tertiary referral centre to evaluate the appropriateness and contribution of plain abdominal radiographs (PAR) in the diagnosis and management of adult patients presenting with acute abdominal pain.
Appropriate antibiotic administration in elective surgical procedures: still missing the message

Gul YA, Hong LC, Prasannan S

Asian J Surg, 2005 Apr;28(2):104-8.
PMID: 15851363

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the appropriateness of antibiotic prophylaxis in selected elective surgical procedures in a tertiary referral centre.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study using retrospective data from January 2000 to May 2002 was performed pertaining to elective colorectal surgery, cholecystectomy and inguinal hernia repairs. Appropriateness of antibiotic administration was determined based on compliance with national and internationally accepted guidelines on prophylactic antibiotic prescribing policy. A single dose or omission of antibiotic administration was judged appropriate for cholecystectomy and inguinal hernia repair, while up to 24 hours' dosing was considered appropriate practice for colorectal surgery.
RESULTS: Of 419 cases, there were 55 (13.1%) colorectal procedures, 97 (23.2%) cholecystectomies and 267 (63.7%) inguinal hernia repairs. Antibiotics were administered in a total of 306 (73%) cases, with single-dose prophylaxis in only 125 (41%) of these. Prophylaxis was inappropriately prolonged in 80%, 52% and 31% of colorectal, cholecystectomy and inguinal hernia cases, respectively. The corresponding mean duration of anti-biotic administration was 2.4+/-2.2, 1.6+/-1.8 and 1.1+/-1.3 days, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Antibiotic prophylaxis in elective surgery continues to be administered haphazardly. This study supports close surveillance of antibiotic utilization by a dedicated team, perhaps consisting of microbiologists or pharmacists, to minimize inappropriate administration.
Venous thromboembolic disease prophylaxis among general surgeons in Malaysia

Prasannan S, Chin LN, Gul YA

Asian J Surg, 2005 Apr;28(2):125-30.
PMID: 15851367

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the current practice of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis among general surgeons in Malaysia.
METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted among general surgeons attending the annual Malaysian College of Surgeons meeting in 2002. A total of 110 questionnaires were distributed to specialist-grade general surgeons with varying subspecialty interests.
RESULTS: Seventy-seven (70%) surgeons returned the questionnaire. Of these, 43% were of the opinion that VTE was as common in Asian patients as in the West. Selective VTE prophylaxis was used by 99% in their practice. The indications for use, in order of frequency, were: previous VTE disease, risk grading, prolonged surgery, obesity, malignancy and age. Low molecular weight heparin was the most common type of prophylaxis used. VTE-related morbidity was reported by 44 surgeons (57%) over the past year, and 39% of these cases were fatal.
CONCLUSION: The high incidence of VTE-related complications indicates that the use of thromboprophylaxis is either insufficient or not matched to the level of risk. Updated guidelines on VTE prophylaxis should be used so that a standardized approach can ensure that patients receive adequate prophylaxis where indicated.
Pharmacotherapy for chronic hemorrhagic radiation proctitis

Gul YA, Prasannan S, Jabar FM, Shaker AR, Moissinac K

World J Surg, 2002 Dec;26(12):1499-502.
PMID: 12297939 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-002-6529-8

Endoscopic thermal therapy and formalin are being increasingly recommended for the treatment of chronic hemorrhagic radiation proctitis. It may be too early, however, to discard pharmacologic agents from the management process, especially in medical institutions where specialized equipment is unavailable. We prospectively assessed the effectiveness of medical therapy in 14 consecutive patients with chronic hemorrhagic radiation proctitis from July 1999 to June 2001. All 14 subjects were women (mean age 56 years), 13 of whom had had radiotherapy for cancer of the cervix. The median time to onset of symptoms following irradiation was 16 months. Six patients had a hemoglobin level of < 8 g/dl, and blood transfusion was required in 11 patients. In five patients (36%) initially treated with hydrocortisone enemas prior to referral, this treatment continued; and the remaining nine patients were commenced on sucralfate enemas. Two patients given rectal hydrocortisone continued to bleed and were treated with sucralfate enemas and topical formalin, respectively. Rectal sucralfate suspension effectively procured symptomatic alleviation in all 11 patients. Rectal bleeding recurred in two patients who had been managed exclusively with hydrocortisone and sucralfate enemas, respectively, over a mean follow-up of 6 months. Both patients were managed with topical formalin, which controlled their symptoms. Even though the number of subjects in this study is small, sucralfate enema can be recommended as an effective first-line agent for managing patients with chronic hemorrhagic radiation proctitis. The use of more specialized therapy can therefore be reserved for cases where primary treatment failure occurs with sucralfate therapy.