Background: The frequency of, and risks for, postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after laparotomy are incompletely understood. The wide-ranging incidence of PPCs in the literature reflects methodological issues including variable definitions of PPCs and varied patient populations. Objectives: We sought to elucidate the incidence of PPCs after laparotomy and clarify risks for their development. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all laparotomies in adult patients on the general surgery service at our university-affiliated hospital in 2004. The definition of PPCs was rigorous and relevant in terms of key outcomes (morbidity, mortality, length of stay). We used a template for the review of medical records to identify PPCs and their consequences. Results: Twenty-five PPCs (7.0%) occurred in 359 laparotomies. Logistic regression modeling identified the following independent predictors of risk: upper abdominal incisions (OR 15.3; p = 0.025), reoperation (OR 7.1; p = 0.013), emergency surgery (OR 6.3; p = 0.001) and nasogastric tubes (OR 5.4; p = 0.008). PPCs were associated with increased mortality (OR 6.17; p = 0.01), intensive care unit care (OR 13.0; p = 0.001), increased mean hospital length of stay (17.7 days longer; p = 0.001) and longer mean postoperative length of stay (15.2 days longer; p = 0.001). Conclusions: The incidence of PPCs after laparotomy in this study is lower than in many prior reports and reflects the relevant definition of PPCs used. Upper abdominal surgery carried the greatest risk. Reoperation was a risk not identified previously. Emergency procedures and the use of nasogastric tubes were confirmed as key risks. Morbidity, mortality and lengths of stay were significantly increased after PPCs.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) is the most common and serious complication of ERCPs. Our aim was to estimate the nationwide incidence, temporal trends and mortality of PEP and establish its risk-factors in the United States. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study analyzing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data from 2011 to 2017 using ICD codes. The primary outcomes were to assess the trends of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) and the predictors of occurrence of PEP. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, length of stay and ICU admission. RESULTS: Of the 1,222,467 adult patients who underwent inpatient ERCP during the study period, 55,225 (4.5%) developed post-ERCP pancreatitis. The hospital admission rate of PEP increased by 13.3% from 7,735 in 2011 to 8,920 in 2017 (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.04-1.46; p = 0.016). The overall rate of mortality increased from 2.75% of PEP cases in 2011 to 4.38% in 2017 (OR: 1.62, 95% CI 1.10-2.38, p = 0.014). Multiple patient-related (alcohol use, cocaine use, obesity, chronic kidney disease, heart failure), procedure-related (therapeutic ERCP, sphincterotomy, pancreatic duct stent placement, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction) and hospital-related factors (teaching hospitals, hospitals located in West and Mid-west) that impact the occurrence of PEP were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a rising hospital admission rate and mortality associated with PEP in the United States. This calls for a greater recognition of this life-threatening complication and amelioration of its risk-factors, whenever possible.

Context:Rivaroxaban is a direct factor Xa inhibitor approved for the prevention of thromboembolism. Drug induced liver injury has been increasingly reported with rivaroxaban recently, but actual liver failure has not been reported.Case Report:We present a case report on the probable occurrence of acute liver failure with rivaroxaban therapy. An 89 year old woman with history of atrial fibrillation was hospitalized for biventricular congestive heart failure with passive congestion of liver, which responded to furosemide. She was discharged home on rivaroxaban for prevention of thrombo-embolism. Liver function tests upon discharge returned to almost normal range. One week later, she presented with abdominal pain and was found to have highly elevated liver enzymes, elevated bilirubin, and an abnormal coagulation profile. A day later, she developed hepatic encephalopathy, suggesting liver failure.Conclusion:Liver enzymes declined rapidly with the discontinuation of all of her medications, however patient died because of multi-organ failure. The causality assessment in this patient was “probable” with rivaroxaban.

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