Background: The aim of this case series is to describe technical considerations and preliminary outcomes of preventive aneurysm sac embolization during fenestrated or branched EVAR (embo F/BEVAR technique). Methods: Five male patients suffering from juxtarenal or pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysms, preoperatively identified as being at “high risk” of type 2 endoleak (EL2) development, were treated with embo F/BEVAR. The patients presented at least two of these risk factors: patent inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) > 3 mm; more than three pairs of patent lumbar arteries (LAAs); more than two pairs of LAAs, associated with an accessory efferent artery or at least a pair of intercostal arteries; aneurysm thrombus volume < 40%; aneurysm sac diameter > 65 mm. Embo F/BEVAR was performed with 15 × 20 mm MReye Inconel coils (Cook Medical, Limerick, Ireland), using different aortic endografts. Results: Technical success was 100%, with no complications related to perioperative or postoperative coils implantation. An average number of 11 ± 4.4 coils/patient was deployed. No reinterventions were observed during the follow-up (12.4 ± 3.6 months). One case of EL2 (20%) was detected during the follow-up, without aneurysm sac enlargement. Conclusions: According to this preliminary experience, embo F/BEVAR technique with Inconel coils seems a feasible adjunctive procedure to manage the risk of EL2 after FEVAR or BEVAR, allowing a simple follow-up with low levels of scatter artifacts, and ensuring limited additional procedural costs. Moreover, embo F/BEVAR can be used with different endografts, requiring minimal increases in operating times. Further studies with larger cohorts of patients and longer follow-up periods are mandatory to better define the potential of this technique and its limitations.

Purpose To demonstrate the feasibility and outcomes of using the microvascular plug (MVP) for intentional occlusion of directional branches (DB) during complex endovascular aortic procedures. Case Report Two patients were treated with the off-the-shelf four-branched Zenith t-Branch thoracoabdominal stent-graft (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind). In both cases, the renal arteries (on one side in patient #1 and on both sides in patient #2, respectively) were occluded at time of index intervention. Preoperative planning included the intentional occlusion of each DB with one 7Q-MVP. Technical success was achieved in all cases and maintained at mid-term follow-up (12 months and 36 months, respectively). Conclusions Use of the MVP appears to be feasible and effective for intentional occlusion of DB during complex endovascular aortic repair. This novel and simple technique may present some unique technical advantages, allowing precise placement of the device while avoiding extension using a bridging stent and DB cannulation with larger sheaths.

Simultaneous carotid artery stenosis (CS) and coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common condition among patients with several cardiovascular risk factors; however, its optimal management still remains under investigation, such as the assumption that carotid disease is causally related to perioperative stroke and that preventive carotid revascularization decrease the risk of this complication. Synchronous surgical approach to both conditions, performing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) before coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) during the same procedure, should still be considered in selective patients, in order to reduce the risk of perioperative stroke during coronary cardiac surgery. For the same purpose, staged approaches, such as CEA followed by CABG or CABG followed by CEA during the same hospitalization or a few weeks later have been described. Hybrid approach with carotid artery stenting (CAS) and CABG can also be an option in selected cases, offering a minimally invasive procedure to treat CS among patients whom CABG cannot be postponed. When carotid intervention is indicated in patients with concomitant CAD requiring CABG, a personalized and tailored approach is mandatory, especially in asymptomatic patients, in order to define the ideal surgical strategy. The aim of this paper is to summarize the current “state of the art” of the different approaches to carotid artery diseases in patients undergoing CABG.

OBJECTIVE:Standard carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is usually performed with patch closure or eversion. However, sometimes a 'modified' carotid artery revascularization (MCAR) technique is required if the lesion is complex, extended and anatomically or technically challenging. MCAR is defined as carotid artery bypass; otherwise, it is the combination of common carotid artery (CCA) primary suture or patch angioplasty, associated with internal carotid artery (ICA) patch closure or eversion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of MCAR during complex carotid procedures, comparing them with standard CEA.METHODS:A retrospective analysis of asymptomatic patients who underwent CEA during a 16-year period (June 2005 to June 2021) was performed. Patients were divided into three different groups: ECEA (eversion CEA), PCEA (CEA with patch angioplasty) and MCAR. Primary endpoints were relevant neurological complication rate (RNCR), death within 30 days, freedom from ipsilateral stroke, reintervention rates and freedom from carotid artery restenosis.RESULTS:A total of 1,752 patients were included (ECEA: 699; PCEA: 948; MCAR: 105) in the study. Patients treated with MCAR were significantly older and had a higher SVS score for arterial hypertension compared with ECEA and PCEA groups. A long plaque in the CCA was the most common indication for MCAR (40.1%); inadequate distal plaque-end or distal dissection (25.7%) was the second most prevalent indication. Overall perioperative RNCR, defined as minor and major stroke, was 0.7% (ECEA: 0.4%; PCEA: 0.7%; MCAR: 1.9%; p = 0.22), without any significant difference among the three groups. However, patients treated with MCAR had a significantly higher rate of global central neurological complications (defined as transient ischaemic attack, minor stroke and major stroke) than the other cohorts (ECEA: 0.7%; PCEA: 1.2%; MCAR: 3.8%; p = 0.02). One patient (0.05%) died perioperatively of a major cerebral infarction. Long-term follow-up (66.7 ± 43.9) showed a significantly lower rate of freedom from ipsilateral stroke for the MCAR group (96.8%) compared with ECEA and PCEA groups (99.8% and 98.9%, respectively, p = 0.03). Similar reintervention rates (ECEA: 2.7%; PCEA: 3.3%; MCAR: 3.8%; p = 0.74) and freedom from carotid restenosis rates (ECEA: 1.3%; PCEA: 2.6%; MCAR: 1.9%; p = 0.16) were observed.CONCLUSIONS:Patients who underwent ICA revascularization with MCAR showed risks of perioperative death, major or minor stroke (<2%), reintervention rates and carotid restenosis rates that are comparable with PCEA or ECEA groups. Nevertheless, the MCAR group showed a significantly higher rate of global central neurological complications (considering together TIA, minor stroke and major stroke) than patients treated with standard CEA. MCAR techniques appear to be effective alternatives to standard CEAs, with an acceptable surgical risk. However, these should be performed mainly in selected cases, for example, in complex anatomy (detected in a non-negligible percentage of patients by preoperative imaging), or in the case of unexpected intraoperative technical issues.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE:Target vessels related complications are one of the most important 'Achille's heel' of complex thoracoabdominal endovascular procedures. The aim of this report is to describe a case of spontaneous bridging stent-graft (BSG) delayed expansion in a patient treated for type III mega-aortic syndrome, associated with aberrant right subclavian artery and independent origin of the two common carotid arteries. METHODS:The patient underwent different surgical procedures (ascending aorta replacement with carotid arteries debranching, bilateral carotid-subclavian bypass with subclavian origins embolization and TEVAR in zone 0, associated with a multibranched thoracoabdominal endograft deployment). Visceral vessels stenting was performed using balloon-expandable BSGs for celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery and right renal artery, while for the left renal artery a 6 × 60 mm self-expandable BSG was deployed.The first follow-up (FU) by computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed a severe compression of the left renal artery BSG. Considering the challenging access to the directional branches (SAT's debranching and a tightly curve of the steerable sheath inside the branched main body), a conservative treatment was considered, performing a control CTA after 6-months. RESULTS:Six months later, the CTA demonstrated a spontaneous expansion of the BSG, with a two-fold increase in the minimum stent diameter, excluding the need for new reinterventions such as angioplasty or BSG relining. CONCLUSIONS:Directional branch compression is a frequent complication during BEVAR; however, in this case, it spontaneously resolved after 6 months, without the need for secondary adjunctive procedures. Further studies on predictor factors for BSG related adverse events and regarding spontaneous delayed BSGs' expansion mechanisms are needed.

The advent and refinement of complex endovascular techniques in the last two decades has revolutionized the field of vascular surgery. This has allowed an effective minimally invasive treatment of extensive disease involving the pararenal and the thoracoabdominal aorta. Fenestrated-branched EVAR (F/BEVAR) now represents a feasible technical solution to address these complex diseases, moving the proximal sealing zone above the renal-visceral vessels take-off and preserving their patency. The aim of this paper was to provide a narrative review on the peri-operative management of patients undergoing F/BEVAR procedures for juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (JAAA), pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (PRAA) or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurism (TAAA). It will focus on how to prevent, diagnose, and manage the complications ensuing from these complex interventions, in order to improve clinical outcomes. Indeed, F/BEVAR remains a technically, physiologically, and mentally demanding procedure. Intraoperative adverse events often require prolonged or additional procedures and complications may significantly impact a patient's quality of life, health status, and overall cost of care. The presence of standardized preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative pathways of care, together with surgeons and teams with significant experience in aortic surgery, should be considered as crucial points to improve clinical outcomes. Aggressive prevention, prompt diagnosis and timely rescue of any major adverse events following the procedure remain paramount clinical needs.

Objective: The aim was to describe the outcomes of the Anaconda (TM) Fenestrated endograft Italian Registry for complex aortic aneurysms (AAAs), unsuitable for standard endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Methods: Between 2012 and 2018 patients with a proximal neck unsuitable for standard EVAR, treated with the fenestrated Anaconda (TM) endograft, were prospectively enrolled in a dedicated database. Endpoints were perioperative technical success (TS) and evaluation of type la/b or 3 endoleaks (T1/3 EL), target visceral vessel (TVV) occlusion, re-interventions, and AAA related mortality at 30 days, six months, and later follow up. Results: One hundred twenty seven patients (74 +/- 7 years, American Society Anesthesiology (ASA) II/III/IV: 12/85/30) were included in the study in 49 Italian Vascular Surgery Units (83 juxta/para-renal AAA, 13 type IV thoraco-abdominal AAA, 16 T1aEL post EVAR, and 15 short neck AAA). Configurations with one, two, three, and four fenestrations were used in 5, 56, 39, and 27 cases, respectively, for a total of 342 visceral vessels. One hundred and eight (85%) bifurcated and 19 (15%) tube endografts were implanted. In 35% (44/127) of cases the endograft was repositioned during the procedure, and 37% (128/342) of TVV were cannulated from brachial access. TS was 87% (111/127): five T1EL, six T3EL (between fenestration and vessel stent), and six loss of visceral vessels (one patient with a Type la EL had also a TVV loss) occurred. Thirty day mortality was 4% (5/127). Two of the five T1EL resolved spontaneously at 30 days. The overall median follow up was 21 +/- 16 months; one T1EL (5%) occurred at six months and one T3EL (4%) at the three year follow up. Another two (3%) TVV occlusions occurred at six months and five (3%) at three years. The re-intervention rate at the 30 days, six months, and three year follow up was 5%, 7%, and 18 +/- 5%, respectively. Conclusion: The fenestrated Anaconda (TM) endograft is effective in the treatment of complex AAA. Some structure properties, such as the re-positionability and the possibility of cannulation from above, are specific characteristics helpful for the treatment of some complex anatomies.

We report a case of epithelioid angiosarcoma of the abdominal aortic wall after endovascular treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm (EVAR). A 60-year-old male, treated 7 years before with EVAR, presented with abdominal back pain, general fatigue, and fever. It was assumed to be a graft infection with periaortic tissue compatible with an inflammatory reaction. The endograft was therefore completely removed and a Dacron silver aorto-bisiliac graft was implanted. After a few days the patient worsened, the angio-computed tomography scan showed a progressive increase of the periaortic mass and numerous small nodules in the abdomen were also detected. The patient was again brought to surgery, an axillo-bifemoral bypass was performed, and the aorto-bisiliac graft was removed but the patient died after surgery. The histological examination showed an aortic epithelioid angiosarcoma with peritoneal metastasis.

BACKGROUND:To evaluate the outcome of surgical treatment of acute lower limb ischemia in elderly patients. The primary endpoints were early and midterm rates of survival and limb salvage. METHODS:A retrospective analysis involving 76 consecutive patients observed for acute lower limb ischemia between March 2005 and December 2008 who underwent revascularization was conducted. A total of 44 patients (group A) of age >80 years (average age: 86.9 ± 4.5 years; 13 men and 31 women) had a site of obstruction at the level of abdominal aorta in one case (2.3%), common-external iliac artery/common femoral artery in 15 (34.1%), superficial femoral artery/popliteal artery in 26 (59.1%), and infrapopliteal arteries in two (4.5%), and embolectomy, thrombectomy, bypass, and angioplasty was performed in 24 (54.5%), 11 (25.0%), eight (18.2%), and one (2.3%) case(s), respectively. A total of 32 patients (group B) of age <80 years (average age: 67.2 ± 12.2 years; 19 men and 13 women) with an analogous site of obstruction at the level of abdominal aorta in one case (3.1%), common/external iliac artery/common femoral artery in 12 (37.5%), superficial femoral artery/popliteal artery in three (9.4%), and infrapopliteal arteries in 16 (50.0%) underwent the same aforementioned procedures in 10 (31.3%), 12 (37.5%), nine (28.1%), and one (3.1%) case(s), respectively. RESULTS:At 30 days after surgery, survival and limb salvage were both 93.2% in group A versus 96.9% and 87.5%, respectively, in group B, whereas they were 93.2% and 65.8%, respectively, in group A versus 85.7% and 96.9%, respectively, in group B (p = 0.22 and p = 0.19, respectively) at the midterm control. The univariate and multivariate analyses showed that category 2b of acute ischemia (immediately-threatening) has a negative statistically significant influence on the survival rate (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS:Limb salvage rates after surgical intervention for acute lower limb ischemia in the elderly population are comparable with those of the younger population, whereas survival rates are lower, but without statistical significance. The only factor that negatively influences the survival rate is the 2b clinical category of acute ischemia, regardless of the age of the patient.

UNLABELLED:BACKGROUND\AIMS:Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) is a key pathogenetic factor in gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric carcinoma and lymphoma but its relationship with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is controversial. The aim of the study is to estimate the possible association between the presence of H. pylori and GERD.METHODOLOGY:In this retrospective study we examined the endoscopy and pathology reports of all the 638 consecutive patients who had upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and adequate mucosal sampling in 2005 in our department at the University of Padova. Yates corrected chi2 test was used to compare the H. Pylori frequency in the different histological groups. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify possible predictors of H. Pylori infection.RESULTS:In this selected population 133 patients were affected by H. Pylori infection (20.8%) and 107 were affected by GERD according to Montreal definition. No significant relation between H. Pylori infection and GERD or NERD (non erosive reflux disease) was evidenced. As expected histological gastritis at the examination confirmed to be the strongest predictor of infection with a odds ratio of 39.4 (95% CI 5.4-287.4, p < 0.01). Upper abdominal pain showed to be the only clinical independent predictors for the presence of H. Pylori infection with a odds ratio of 1.5 (95% CI 1.0-2.3, p = 0.04).CONCLUSIONS:Our study showed that in north eastern Italy there is no association between H. Pylori infection and GERD. On the contrary presence of histological gastritis and upper abdominal pain were confirmed to be significant predictors of H. Pylori infection. No endoscopic characteristic is significantly related to the presence of H. Pylori.

Evaluer les résultats du traitement chirurgical de l'ischémie aiguë de membre inférieur chez les patients âgés. Les critères d'évaluation primaires étaient des taux de survie précoces et à moyen terme et de sauvetage de membre. Une analyse rétrospective de 76 patients consécutifs traités pour ischémie aiguë de membre inférieur entre mars 2005 et décembre 2008 qui avaient subi une revascularisation, a été menée. Un total de 44 patients (groupe A) d'âge >80 ans (âge moyen : 86,9 ± 4,5 ans ; 13 hommes et 31 femmes) avaient une thrombose au niveau de l'aorte abdominale dans un cas (2,3%), de l'artère iliaque commune-externe/artère fémorale commune dans 15 cas (34,1%), de l'artère fémorale superficielle/artère poplitée dans 26 cas (59,1%), et des artères sous-poplitées dans deux cas (4,5%), et une embolectomie, une thrombectomie, un pontage, et une angioplastie ont été réalisés chez 24 (54,5%), 11 (25,0%), 8 (18,2%), et 1 (2,3%) cas, respectivement. Un total de 32 patients (groupe B) d'âge <80 ans (âge moyen : 67,2 ± 12,2 ans ; 19 hommes et 13 femmes) avec une thrombose de l'aorte abdominale dans un cas (3,1%), de l'artère iliaque commune /externe/artère fémorale commune dans 12 cas (37,5%), de l'artère fémorale superficielle/ artère poplitée dans trois cas (9,4%), et des artères sous-poplitées dans 16 cas (50,0%) ont subi les mêmes procédures dans 10 (31,3%), 12 (37,5%), 9 (28,1%), et 1 (3,1%) cas, respectivement. À 30 jours après la chirurgie, les taux de survie et de sauvetage de membre étaient tous les deux de 93,2% dans le groupe A contre 96,9% et 87,5% dans le groupe B, respectivement, tandis qu'ils étaient de 93,2% et 65,8%, respectivement, dans le groupe A contre 85,7% et 96,9%, respectivement, dans le groupe B (p = 0,22 et p = 0,19, respectivement) au contrôle à moyen terme. Les analyses univariées et multivariées ont prouvé que le type 2b de l'ischémie aiguë (menace-immédiate) influençait négativement de façon statistiquement significative le taux de survie (p = 0,01). Le taux de sauvetage de membre après que intervention chirurgicale pour ischémie aiguë de membre inférieur chez une population âgée serait comparable à ceux d'une population plus jeune, alors que les taux de survie sont inférieurs, mais sans significativité statistique. Le seul facteur qui influence négativement le taux de survie est le type 2b clinique de l'ischémie aiguë, indépendamment de l'âge du patient.

OBJECTIVES:To verify in our experience if fibrin glue injection into the aneurysm sac, made at the end of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), can reduce type II endoleak rates.METHODS:Between January 2005 and February 2008, 38 patients underwent EVAR for an unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. The first 20 consecutive patients (Group A) had standard EVAR while the last 18 patients (Group B) had EVAR with fibrin glue injection into the sac, regardless of type II endoleak's presence.RESULTS:There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups concerning the surgical time and the time of X-ray exposure (P=0.30 and 0.54, respectively). Type II endoleak rate was significantly higher in Group A compared to Group B (6 cases, 30% vs. 1 case, 5.5%, respectively, P=0.05). Primary short-term clinical success was 95% and 100%, respectively. At 12 months, selective lumbar embolization was performed in two patients in Group A and in one patient in Group B. Patients in Group A had less computed tomography (CT) studies than patients in Group B (2.0 vs. 1.2, respectively, P=0.024).CONCLUSIONS:Fibrin glue injection is a safe procedure and seems to reduce type II endoleak rates. Patients who received this procedure had fewer CT examinations, with reduced health-care costs.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the immediate and mid-term results of hypogastric artery bypass (HAB) in open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Methods: The clinical data of 24 patients with an average age of 70.4 years [standard deviation (S.D.)+/- 8.1 years] with AAA treated between January 2005 and December 2008 with HAB during open repair of aortoiliac aneurysm were reviewed. Eighteen patients received unilateral and six bilateral hypogastric bypasses, using a segment of Dacron graft prosthesis. Concomitant hypogastric eversion endarterectomy was associated in six cases (25%). Follow-up was complete in all the 24 patients and averaged 16.2 months (range 1-35). Postoperative imaging protocol involved a conventional Echocolordoppler and CT-scan. With respect to the operating time, the blood loss, the intensive care unit (ICU) and the length of ward admission (LWA) stay, we compared the 24 patients who underwent hypogastric bypass (group A) with the 50 patients who had bifurcated graft without hypogastric bypass (group B). Results: Between the two groups, statistically different results were demonstrated only with respect to the duration of operation (h) (group A 5.19 +/- 1.38 vs. group B 4.39 +/- 1.32, P=0.0195). No statistical differences were noted for ICU stay (h) (group A median 21.50 vs. group B median 21.3, range 1 degrees-3 degrees quartile 19.75-23.50) and LWA stay (days) (group A median 8.50, range 1 degrees-3 degrees quartile 7.00-11.50 vs. group B median 8.0, range 1 degrees-3 degrees quartile 7.00-9.00). There were no operative deaths, bowel or intestinal ischemia in the early postoperative period between the two groups. In group A, one patient had transient renal failure and one patient had an acute coronary syndrome. In group B, one patient had a peripheral ischemia who required tibioperoneal embolectomy. The patency of the hypogastric grafts was demonstrated in all cases. Conclusions: In our experience, direct revascularization of the hypogastric artery to ensure pelvic vascularization in aortoiliac surgery appears a safe procedure. (C) 2010 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.

Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal surgery are risk factors for deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of standardized prophylactic low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) therapy in patients who underwent surgery for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).Patients and methods Since 1999 all patients operated on for colorectal diseases in our institute have received 4,000 IU/day LMWH from the day of operation to discharge. The complete series of patients who had major colorectal surgery from 1999 until 2006 were reviewed for overt DVT episodes. Furthermore, 60 consecutive patients who were admitted for surgery for IBD were prospectively enrolled in the 2004-2006 period. Each patient underwent venous color Doppler ultrasound scan at admission and at discharge. Demographic data, disease activity, and clotting parameters were collected. Data were analyzed with Spearman's correlation test, multiple regression, and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves analysis.Results The rate of DVT in UC patients was significantly higher than in colorectal cancer patients (p = 0.009), and the odds ratio (OR) for postoperative DVT in UC patients was 7.4 (95% CI 1.4-44.4; p = 0.017). Female gender, UC diagnosis, active rectal bleeding, aPTT value, aCL IgM, a beta 2 IgM, and pANCA levels significantly correlated with postoperative DVT. At multivariate analysis only aCL IgM levels were found to be independently associated with postoperative DVT (p = 0.05).Conclusions In conclusion, our study showed that prophylactic therapy with 4,000 IU/day LMWH was not completely effective for the prevention of postoperative DVT in patients with CD, and even less so in those with UC. In these patients, a more tailored prophylactic therapy should be considered, and further randomized controlled trials testing the effectiveness of different prophylactic protocols would be advisable. Furthermore, aCL IgM serum levels might be helpful in identifying IBD patients who are at higher risk of postoperative DVT.

BACKGROUND:Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) can cause metabolic and inflammatory alterations.AIM:To evaluate the relationships between inflammatory parameters, plasma lipids and phospholipid fatty acid (FA) composition in patients with active UC and CD.METHODS:Diet, the Harvey-Bradshaw Activity Index (HBAI), inflammatory parameters, lipoproteins and FA composition were assessed in 60 CD and 34 UC.RESULTS:No differences in clinical parameters were observed in the two groups. Total cholesterol correlated inversely with the number of bowel movements in both groups and directly with BMI in UC. Arachidonic acid correlated inversely with HBAI in UC and total and HDL cholesterol were inversely related to C-reactive protein (CRP) in CD while HDL correlated with CRP in UC. Docosapentaenoic acid was the only polyunsaturated n-3 FA that was correlated to CRP in both groups. Total cholesterol was independently associated in the multiple regression analysis with the number of bowel movements and systemic inflammation.CONCLUSIONS:Total and LDL cholesterol were lower in the active UC and CD than in the healthy subjects and were correlated with the systemic inflammatory status. Phospholipid FA composition was correlated to the systemic inflammatory status, but was unrelated to dietary intake and intestinal disease activity.

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the changes of the metabolism of circulating and storage lipids in patients with ulcerative colitis after restorative proctocolectomy. Fifteen consecutive patients and 15 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Disease activity, diet, inflammatory parameters, plasma lipoprotein concentrations, and fatty acids (FA) of serum phospholipids and of the subcutaneous adipose tissue were assessed at colectomy and at ileostomy closure. In ulcerative colitis patients, total cholesterol and docosahexaenoic acid were lower than in healthy subjects (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). The median interval between colectomy and ileostomy closure was 6 (range 2–9) months. During that interval, the inflammatory parameters improved, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol increased (p < 0.01), and low-density (LDL) cholesterol decreased (p = 0.01). At ileostomy closure, serum arachidonic acid levels were increased (p = 0.04), whereas serum oleic acid level was decreased (p = 0.02). In this interval, no significant alteration, either in serum n-3 FA precursors or in the FA of subcutaneous adipose tissue, was observed. The increase of serum arachidonic acid after colectomy might suggest a lower utilization for inflammatory process. The reduction of LDL cholesterol is an index of malabsorption probably due to the accelerated transit and to the exclusion of the terminal ileum caused by the covering ileostomy.

Background and aim Chronic inflammation, impaired intestinal adsorption, and bowel resection may have an impact on lipid metabolism before and after intestinal surgery for Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this prospective study was to define the impact of intestinal surgery for CD on plasma phospholipid fatty acid (FA) composition and of serum plasma lipoprotein concentrations and to investigate the role of CD recurrence on lipid parameters.Materials and methods Twenty-four consecutive patients who had intestinal surgery for CD since December 2004 to March 2006 were enrolled in this prospective study. The total amount of calorie intake and the quality of the aliments, systemic inflammatory activity, and plasma lipoproteins and phospholipid fatty acid composition were determined at operation and at follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed with pair-matched tests.Results The median follow-up was 6 (4-20) months. During the follow-up, no significant modification of body mass index was observed. An increase of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (p=0.02) without other modifications in the plasma phospholipid FA composition were evidenced after surgery. The comparison between colectomy and ileo-colonic or ileal resection groups did not show any significant difference in the lipoprotein concentration and phospholipid FA profile. The length of resected bowel did not show any significant correlation with any relevant difference in lipid, phospholipid profile, or in inflammatory parameters. Patients who experienced a recurrence of CD reported significantly higher levels of total (p<0.01), HDL (p=0.01), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p=0.01) were observed in patients in remission than in those with recurrent active disease.Conclusions Patients who are submitted to intestinal resection for CD improve their inflammatory status as well as their lipid metabolism, and CD recurrence, but not the extent of bowel resection, is the main predictor of alteration of serum lipid concentration.