Many people see robots as having benefits and applications in healthcare but some have concerns. Individual attitudes and emotions regarding robots in general are likely to influence future acceptance of their introduction into healthcare processes.
Bouveret syndrome is a rare complication of cholecystitis, in which impaction of a gallstone creates a cholecystoduodenal fistula leading to gastric outlet obstruction. We report a case of a 90-year-old female who presented with nausea and vomiting on a background of previous necrotic cholecystitis managed conservatively. Computed tomography of the abdomen demonstrated a large gallstone impacted in the third part of the duodenum leading to gastric outlet obstruction. Given her frailty, the patient underwent endoscopy to relieve the obstruction; however, complete retrieval of the gallstone fragments after lithotripsy was not possible. She subsequently developed distal gallstone ileus due to migration of the gallstone fragments and underwent laparotomy, enterotomy and retrieval of the fragments. This case highlights the dilemma of managing elderly patients with Bouveret syndrome with open or endoscopic surgery and the importance of retrieving all gallstone fragments after lithotripsy to avoid iatrogenic complications, such as gallstone ileus.
A 23-year-old female presented to the emergency department with lower abdominal pain 1 day following a motor vehicle accident. She was a restrained front seat passenger travelling at 50 km/h and reported generalized abdominal pain since the accident with no evidence of a seatbelt sign. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis was performed, which demonstrated a 60 × 37 × 44 mm collection in the left upper quadrant suspected to represent a large jejunal intramural haematoma with involvement of the adjacent mesentery (Fig. 1). It was inseparable from the loop of proximal jejunum and, distally, there was concentric mural thickening of the jejunum. The patient was managed conservatively with nasogastric tube (NGT) decompression and gradual upgrade of diet. She was well and tolerating a light diet on discharge 5 days later.She subsequently represented 3 days later with worsening abdominal pain, nausea and persistent vomiting with normal bowel motions. On examination, her abdomen was soft, with tenderness in the epigastrium and left upper quadrant. A repeat computed tomography showed an increase in the size of the known collection (now 68 × 42 × 50 mm). There was new marked dilation of the duodenum and stomach proximal to the collection, with an abrupt
395 Background: The 5 year (yr) overall survival (OS) of pancreas cancer (PC) is < 5%. Surgical resection is the only curative treatment (tx), most relapse within 2yrs. Neoadjuvant (NA) tx can benefit by eradicating micro-metastases, avoids futile surgery if metastases develop, improves dose intensity and may down stage disease. Currently, there are no data that clearly demonstrate improved OS with NA tx. Randomised trials are in progress. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients (pts) who received NA therapy across campuses,in Sydney, was performed. Pt records were identified and all were discussed in a MDT by a panel of PC specialists. Results: 588 PC pts were treated between August 2011-July 2016. After consideration of anatomy, pt characteristics and preference 82 pts (14%) received NA tx, 30% were resected upfront. 26 pts were ‘borderline’ and received sequential chemo-radiotherapy (ctxRT). Median age at diagnosis (dx) was 73 yrs, 50% were men. Median follow up time was 31.2 months (m). 84% pts were resected. There was 1 death at 90 days. An R0 was achieved in 74%. A detailed tx overview will be provided. Most received gemcitabine/abraxane. For those who had PET, low SUV pre-operative correlated with high pathological regression score, 3 pts 0%. Median OS for all pts was 25.9 m (95% CI 21.2, 30.2). Survival by stage: 1- 21.2 mo (11.8, 29.5); 2- 25.2 m; stage 3-4 (not reached). Pts who received ctx alone OS 25.3mo (17.2,29.5); ctxRT 29.0 m (17.3, NA) (p = 0.03). R0 survival was 29.0 m (21.2, NA) and R1, 23 m. 30% were alive at 3 yrs. Time to recurrence was 22.3 m (14.3, NA). Weight > 74kg was predictive of survival; OS 23.0 m v 29.5m (p = 0.002). There was a trend to survival benefit in females (p = 0.099) and baseline LDH < 280 (IU/L) (p = 0.07). Age at dx, ECOG (0 v 1), baseline albumin, bilirubin, Ca 19.9, NLR ( < 3.1) and CRP and stage at dx were not predictive of survival. Conclusions: This pt cohort demonstrates superior survival with NA therapy in selected pts across stages in a high volume multi-disciplinary PC centre. Outside a clinical trial, NA therapy is evolving to be our standard of care in fit pts with any degree of vessel involvement.
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