Observational Study
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2015.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 28, 2015; 21(8): 2467-2474
Published online Feb 28, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i8.2467
Table 1 Patient and tumor characteristics n (%)
CharacteristicValue
Age (yr), median (range)62 (27-86)
Gender (male/female)18 (34.6)/34 (65.4)
Weight loss > 5 kg in 90 d37 (71.2)
ECOG status, median ± SD2.84 ± 0.91
Albumin (g/L), median ± SD30.24 ± 4.96
Hemoglobin (g/L), median ± SD90.01 ± 22.99
Bloody ascites11 (21.1)
Alimentary system malignancy (n = 27)
Gastric13
Colorectal9
Pancreas2
Small bowel carcinoma1
Hepatic2
Gynecologic malignancy (n = 21)
Ovarian14
Uterine and cervical7
Lymphoma1
Peritoneal metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary origin3
Prior therapy
Chemotherapy39 (75.0)
Radiotherapy20 (38.5)
Surgery37 (71.2)
Table 2 Computed tomography imaging n (%)
Findingsn (%)
Dilation of the small intestine52 (100.0)
Small intestinal fluid level52 (100.0)
Wall thickening15 (28.8)
Mesenteric edema and congestion36 (69.2)
Ascites19 (36.5)
Closed loop28 (53.8)
Extensive adhesions14 (26.9)
Large masses6 (11.5)
Peritoneal metastasis28 (53.8)
Intestinal fecal signs7 (13.5)
Multiple small bowel obstructions39 (75.0)
Table 3 Relief of symptoms after needle decompression n (%)
SymptomBefore treatment(n = 49)After treatment(n = 49)
Vomiting40 (81.6)13 (26.5)a
Abdominal distention49 (100)4 (8.2)a
Abdominal pain42 (85.7)23 (46.9)a
Inability to eat49 (100)45 (91.8)a
Table 4 Complications after percutaneous intestinal puncture in seven patients
Patient No.Primary malignancyComplicationPostoperative time to complication (d)Outcome
1PancreasDeath5Died of tumor progression, no autopsy was performed
2GastricPeritonitis3Intravenous systemic antibiotics therapy, ascites culture found growing Klebsiella pneumoniae; discharged 3 wk after surgery, palliative care was continued
3OvarianAbdominal pain, intestinal contents leakIntraoperativeAnti-analgesic treatment, complete extraction of the intestinal contents, abdominal flush with metronidazole; after 14 d, patient was voluntarily discharged
4GastricPuncture site metastases17No obvious symptoms at metastatic sites, postoperative local arterial infusion of chemotherapy was delivered; discharged after 4 wk for palliative care
5OvarianIntestinal contents leak, sepsis< 1Persistent abdominal flush with metronidazole and abdominal percutaneous catheter drainage, systemic antibiotics, nasal intestinal drainage tube was placed postoperatively; discharged after 1 wk for rehabilitation
6OvarianAscites extravasation< 1Closed drainage with abdominal decompression, ascites smears showed tumor cells; discharged after 28 d following peritoneal local chemotherapy
7CervicalExudates at puncture sites< 1Exudates disappeared following local pressure dressing, intravenous albumin and intensified nutrition therapy for 2 d; discharged 10 d after surgery