Outcomes of posterior sheath supplementation with Vicryl mesh in TAR-a single-center study.

INTRODUCTION: In the Transversus Abdominis Release (TAR) procedure, ideally, the posterior sheath is completely reapproximated to establish an interface isolating the polypropylene mesh from visceral contents. When primary closure of the posterior sheath is unachievable, Vicryl mesh is commonly used to supplement the posterior sheath closure and an uncoated polypropylene mesh is placed superficial to the Vicryl mesh. The long-term implications of utilizing Vicryl mesh as an antiadhesive barrier are poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to assess our outcomes when utilizing Vicryl mesh to supplement the posterior sheath defects when placed underneath polypropylene mesh in patients undergoing posterior component separation. METHODS: Adult patients who underwent VHR with concurrent TAR procedure with a permanent synthetic mesh and posterior sheath supplementation with Vicryl mesh in the Cleveland Clinic Center for Abdominal Core Health between January 2014 and December 2022 were queried retrospectively from a prospectively collected database in the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative. We evaluated 30-day wound morbidity, perioperative complications, long-term mesh-related complications, and pragmatic hernia recurrence. RESULTS: 53 patients who underwent TAR procedure with posterior sheath supplementation using Vicryl mesh and had a minimum 12-month follow-up were identified. Of the 53 patients, 94.3% presented with recurrent hernias, 73.6% had a midline hernia, 7.5% had a flank hernia, and 18.9% had concurrent parastomal hernia. The mean hernia width was 24.9 cm (± 8.8 cm). No Vicryl mesh-related operative complications were identified in our study, with no instances of mesh erosion, fistulas, or interventions for small bowel obstruction. Skin necrosis requiring reoperations was observed in three patients (5.7%), leading to permanent mesh excision in two cases (3.8%) without intraabdominal visceral involvement. Throughout the 12-month follow-up, 23 incidences (43.4%) of surgical site occurrences (SSOs) and surgical site occurrences requiring procedural intervention (SSOPI) were documented. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that posterior sheath supplementation with Vicryl mesh is a feasible approach to achieve posterior sheath closure in challenging abdominal wall reconstruction cases. Given the absence of notable mesh-related complications and a similar hernia recurrence rate to cases without posterior sheath supplementation, Vicryl mesh can be used to safely achieve posterior sheath closure in complex reconstructions with insufficient native tissue.

The impact of smoking on inguinal hernia repair outcomes: a meta-analysis of multivariable-adjusted studies.

PURPOSE: While the detrimental effects of smoking on postoperative outcomes are recognized, the extent of its risk for inguinal hernia repair remains unclear. Our study aims to assess the influence of smoking on patients who undergo inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: We systematically reviewed PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Our goal was to identify studies that compared postoperative outcomes in smoking and non-smoking patients after inguinal hernia repair, and which employed a multivariate analysis to reduce possible confounding factors. Outcomes were recurrence, postoperative complications, and surgical site infection. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed with the use of a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was examined with I2 statistics. This review was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023445513). RESULTS: Our analysis encompassed 11 studies, involving a total of 577,901 patients. Of these, 77,226 (or 13.4%) identified as smokers, with males constituting 90% of the cohort. In terms of surgical approaches, 58% underwent laparoscopic procedures were most common at 58%, followed by open surgeries at 41%, and 1% used robotic techniques. All included studies had a low risk of bias. Smoking was associated with a higher incidence of hernia recurrence (OR 2.95; 95% CI 2.08 to 4.18; p < 0.001; I2 = 0%). No differences were found in postoperative complication (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.32; p = 0.05; I2 = 56%) or surgical site infection (OR 2.94; 95% CI 0.80 to 10.88; p = 0.11; I2 = 79%). CONCLUSION: Smoking was associated with a three-fold increase in recurrence. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of preoperative smoking cessation on reducing recurrence.

Preoperative optimization in hernia surgery: are we really helping or are we just stalling?

BACKGROUND: Managing patients with abdominal wall hernias and multiple comorbidities can be challenging because these patients are at increased risk for postoperative complications. Preoperative optimization has been used to identify and intervene upon modifiable risk factors to improve hernia repair outcomes, however, waiting to achieve optimization may cause unnecessary delays. METHODS: We describe our approach to preoperative optimization in hernia and we review the current evidence for preoperative optimization. CONCLUSION: Modifying risk factors before undergoing elective hernia repair can improve the overall health of patients with multiple comorbidities. However, when considering the hernia-specific data, prolonging waiting times for patients to achieve full optimization is not justified. Surgeons should take a nuanced approach to balance achieving patient optimization without unnecessarily delaying surgical care.

Outcomes of complex abdominal wall reconstruction in patients with connective tissue disorders: a single center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Individuals diagnosed with connective tissue disorders (CTD) are known to be predisposed to incisional hernia formation. However, there is a scarcity of data on outcomes for these patients undergoing hernia repair. We sought to describe our outcomes in performing abdominal wall reconstructions in these complex patients. METHODS: Adult patients with CTD undergoing open, elective, posterior component separation with permanent synthetic mesh at our institution from January 2018 to October 2022 were queried from a prospectively collected database in the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative. We evaluated 30-day wound morbidity, perioperative complications, long-term hernia recurrence, and patient-reported quality of life. RESULTS: Twelve patients were identified. Connective tissue disorders included Marfan's n = 7 (58.3%), Loeys-Dietz syndrome n = 2 (16.7%), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus n = 2 (16.7%), and Scleroderma n = 1 (8.3%). Prior incisions included three midline laparotomies and nine thoracoabdominal, mean hernia width measured 14 cm, and 9 were recurrent hernias. Surgical site occurrences (SSOs) were observed in 25% of cases, and 16.7% necessitated procedural intervention. All twelve patients were available for long-term follow-up, with a mean of 34 (12-62) months. There were no instances of reoperation or mesh excision related to the TAR procedure. One patient developed a recurrence after having his mesh violated for repair of a new visceral aneurysm. Mean HerQLes scores at 1 year were 70 and 89 at ≥ 2 years; Mean scaled PROMIS scores were 30.7 at 1 year and 36.3 at ≥ 2 years. CONCLUSION: Ventral hernia repair with TAR is feasible in patients with connective tissue disorder and can be a suitable alternative in patients with large complex hernias.

Round ligament management during minimally invasive groin hernia repair in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Female sex has been associated with worse outcomes after groin hernia repair (GHR), including a higher rate of chronic pain and recurrence. Most of the studies in GHR are performed in males, and the recommendations for females extrapolate from these studies, even though females have anatomy intricacies. The round ligament of the uterus (RLU) is associated with pelvic stabilization and plays a role in sensory function. Transection of the RLU during GHR is controversial as it can allow easier mesh placement but can favor genitourinary complications and chronic pain. As no previous meta-analysis compared preserving versus transecting the RLU during minimally invasive (MIS) GHR, we aim to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating surgical outcomes comparing the approaches. METHODS: Cochrane Central, Embase, and PubMed databases were systematically searched for studies comparing transection versus preservation of the RLU in MIS groin hernia surgeries. Outcomes assessed were operative time, bleeding, surgical site events, hospital stay, chronic pain, paresthesia, recurrence rates, and genital prolapse rates. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.1. Heterogeneity was assessed with I2 statistics. A review protocol for this meta-analysis was registered at PROSPERO (CRD 42023467146). RESULTS: 1738 studies were screened. A total of six studies, comprising 1131 women, were included, of whom 652 (57.6%) had preservation of the RLU during MIS groin hernia repair. We found no statistical difference regarding chronic pain, paresthesia, recurrence rates, and postoperative complications. We found a longer operative time for the preservation group (MD 6.84 min; 95% CI 3.0-10.68; P = 0.0005; I2 = 74%). CONCLUSION: Transecting the RLU reduces the operative time during MIS GHR with no difference regarding postoperative complication rates. Although transection appears safe, further prospective randomized studies with long-term follow-up and patient-reported outcomes are necessary to define the optimal management of RLU during MIS GHR.

Prophylactic mesh augmentation in emergency laparotomy closure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with trial sequential analysis.

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic mesh augmentation in emergency laparotomy closure is controversial. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating the placement of prophylactic mesh during emergency laparotomy. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of Cochrane, Scopus, and PubMed databases to identify RCT comparing prophylactic mesh augmentation and no mesh augmentation in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy. We excluded observational studies, conference abstracts, elective surgeries, overlapping populations, and trial protocols. Postoperative outcomes were assessed by pooled analysis and meta-analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4. Heterogeneity was assessed with I2 statistics. Risk of bias was assessed using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB 2). The review protocol was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42023412934). RESULTS: We screened 1312 studies and 33 were thoroughly reviewed. Four studies comprising 464 patients were included in the analysis. Mesh reinforcement was significantly associated with a decrease in incisional hernia incidence (OR 0.18; 95% CI 0.07-0.44; p < 0.001; I2 = 0%), and synthetic mesh placement reduced fascial dehiscence (OR 0.07; 95% CI 0.01-0.53; p = 0.01; I2 = 0%). Mesh augmentation was associated with an increase in operative time (MD 32.09 min; 95% CI 6.39-57.78; p = 0.01; I2 = 49%) and seroma (OR 3.89; 95% CI 1.54-9.84; p = 0.004; I2 = 0%), but there was no difference in surgical-site infection or surgical-site occurrences requiring procedural intervention or reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Mesh augmentation in emergency laparotomy decreases incisional hernia and fascial dehiscence incidence. Despite the risk of seroma, prophylactic mesh augmentation appears to be safe and might be considered for emergency laparotomy closure. Further studies evaluating long-term outcomes are still needed.

Transinguinal preperitoneal (TIPP) versus Lichtenstein for inguinal hernia repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing postoperative outcomes in inguinal hernia repair with TIPP versus Lichtenstein technique. METHODS: Cochrane Central, Scopus, and PubMed were systematically searched for studies comparing TIPP and Lichtenstein´s technique for inguinal hernia repair. Outcomes assessed were operative time, bleeding, surgical site events, hospital stay, the Visual Analogue Pain Score, chronic pain, paresthesia rates, and recurrence. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.1. Heterogeneity was assessed with I2 statistics and random-risk effect was used if I2 > 25%. RESULTS: 790 studies were screened and 44 were thoroughly reviewed. A total of nine studies, comprising 8428 patients were included, of whom 4185 (49.7%) received TIPP and 4243 (50.3%) received Lichtenstein. We found that TIPP presented less chronic pain (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.20-0.93 P = 0.03; I2 = 84%) and paresthesia rates (OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.07-0.99; P = 0.05; I2 = 63%) than Lichtenstein group. In addition, TIPP was associated with a lower VAS pain score at 14 postoperative day (MD - 0.93; 95% CI - 1.48 to - 0.39; P = 0.0007; I2 = 99%). The data showed a lower operative time with the TIPP technique (MD - 7.18; 95% CI - 12.50, - 1.87; P = 0.008; I2 = 94%). We found no statistical difference between groups regarding the other outcomes analyzed. CONCLUSION: TIPP may be a valuable technique for inguinal hernias. It was associated with lower chronic pain, and paresthesia when compared to Lichtenstein technique. Further long-term randomized studies are necessary to confirm our findings. Study registration A review protocol for this meta-analysis was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42023434909).

Management and outcomes of obturator hernias: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Obturator Hernia (OH) is a rare type of abdominal wall hernia. It usually occurs in elderly women with late symptomatic presentation, increasing mortality rates. Surgery is the standard of care for OH, and laparotomy with simple suture closure of the defect is commonly used. Given the rarity of this disease, large studies are lacking, and data to drive management are still limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to describe current surgical options for OHs, with a focus on comparing the effectiveness and safety of mesh use with primary repair. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane were searched for studies comparing mesh and non-mesh repair for OH. Postoperative outcomes were assessed by pooled analysis and meta-analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4. RESULTS: One thousand seven hundred and sixty studies were screened and sixty-seven were thoroughly reviewed. We included 13 observational studies with 351 patients surgically treated for OH with mesh or non-mesh repair. One hundred and twenty (34.2%) patients underwent mesh repair and two hundred and thirty-one (65.81%) underwent non-mesh repair. A total of 145 (41.3%) underwent bowel resection, with the majority having a non-mesh repair performed. Hernia recurrence was significantly higher in patients who underwent hernia repair without mesh (RR 0.31; 95% CI 0.11-0.94; p = 0.04). There were no differences in mortality (RR 0.64; 95% CI 0.25-1.62; p = 0.34; I2 = 0%) or complication rates (RR 0.59; 95% CI 0.28-1.25; p = 0.17; I2 = 50%) between both groups. CONCLUSION: Mesh repair in OH was associated with lower recurrence rates without an increase in postoperative complications. While mesh in clean cases is more likely to offer benefits, an overall recommendation regarding its use in OH repair cannot be made due to potential bias across studies. Given that many OH patients are frail and present emergently, the decision to use mesh is complex and should consider the patient's clinical status, comorbidities, and degree of intraoperative contamination.

Drain placement in retromuscular ventral hernia repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Drain placement in retromuscular ventral hernia repair is controversial. Although it may reduce seroma formation, there is a concern regarding an increase in infectious complications. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis on retromuscular drain placement in retromuscular ventral hernia repair. METHODS: We performed a literature search of Cochrane, Scopus and PubMed databases to identify studies comparing drain placement and the absence of drain in patients undergoing retromuscular ventral hernia repair. Postoperative outcomes were assessed by pooled analysis and meta-analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4. Heterogeneity was assessed with I2 statistics. RESULTS: 3808 studies were screened and 48 were thoroughly reviewed. Four studies comprising 1724 patients were included in the analysis. We found that drain placement was significantly associated with a decrease in seroma (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.12-0.96; P = 0.04; I2 = 78%). Moreover, no differences were noted in surgical site infection, hematoma, surgical site occurrences or surgical site occurrences requiring procedural intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the analysis of short-term outcomes, retromuscular drain placement after retromuscular ventral hernia repair significantly reduces seroma and does not increase infectious complications. Further prospective randomized studies are necessary to confirm our findings, evaluate the optimal duration of drain placement, and report longer-term outcomes.

Management of diastasis recti during ventral hernia repair: an analysis of the abdominal core health quality collaborative.

PURPOSE: Advancements of minimally invasive techniques leveraged routine repair of concomitant diastasis recti (DR), as those approaches facilitate fascial plication and wide mesh overlap while obviating skin incision and/or undermining. Nevertheless, evidence on the value of such intervention is lacking. We aimed to investigate the management and outcomes of concomitant DR during ventral hernia repair (VHR + DR) from surgeons participating in the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative (ACHQC). METHODS: Patients who have undergone VHR + DR with a minimum 30-day follow-up complete were identified. Outcomes of interest included operative details, surgical site occurrences (SSO), medical complications, and readmissions. RESULTS: 169 patients (51% female, median age 46, median body mass index 31 kg/m2) were identified. Most hernias were primary (64% umbilical, 28% epigastric). Median hernia width was 3 cm (IQR 2-4) and median diastasis width and length were 4 cm (IQR 3-6) and 15 cm (IQR 10-20), respectively. Most operations were robotic (79%), with a synthetic mesh (92%) placed as a sublay (72%; 59% retromuscular, 13% preperitoneal). DR was repaired with absorbable (92%) and running suture (93%). Considering our cohort's relatively small diastasis and hernia size, a high rate of transversus abdominis release was noted (14.7%). 76% were discharged the same day and the 30-day readmission rate was 2% (2 ileus, 1 pneumonia). SSO rate was 4% (6 seromas, 1 skin necrosis) and only one patient required a procedural intervention. CONCLUSIONS: ACHQC participating surgeons usually perform VHR + DR robotically with a retromuscular synthetic mesh and close the DR with running absorbable sutures. Short-term complications occurred in approximately 6% of patients and were mainly managed without interventions. Larger studies with longer-term follow-up are needed to determine the value of VHR + DR.

Achievement of Two Cohorts of Immigrants: Cognitive Mapping Changes and the Country of Origin as Moderator.

This study compares the achievement of two cohorts of immigrants with ages between 7 and 30 years old. Two sets of participants were assessed in two points in time and in different regions of Portugal. 169 students with similar immigration conditions for this analysis (nationality, length of residence, previous education in the country of origin) were examined in two trials of language and cognitive tasks, through two periods (period 1: 2002-2007; period 2: 2013-2017). These two periods and cohorts were result from two randomized studies, approved in different regions and submitted to ethical board in different times. Regarding age: participants presented a mean age of 14 years (M = 13.8; SD = 4.7); and concerning the nationality. The two cohorts are from the Centre and the South of the country being 61 participants in the first cohort (arrived in the period of 2002-2007) and 108 were the second cohort.The main objective is to ascertain if age and/or nationality characteristics became moderators of significant changes in Second Language achievement considering the two periods of study. The variety of nationalities in the two periods and cohorts are direct implications from the changing of immigrant routes. Then, affecting also the cognitive and linguistic changes over time.Results revealed that the two groups diverge significantly in verbal reasoning and other discrimination tasks explained by the nationality and not by age. These findings shed light on the impact of new routes of immigration for the linguistic and school development of children.

Recommendations of the AFU Infectious Diseases Committee on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infections of endo-ureteral equipment.

INTRODUCTION: No recent national guidelines exist regarding the management of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the presence of ureteral stent. This situation could lead to discrepancies in clinical management and less opportunity for a favorable patient's outcome. METHODS: All available data published on Medline® between 1998 and 2018 were systematically searched and reviewed. All papers assessing adult patients carrying ureteral stent were included for analysis. After studies critical analysis, national guidelines for clinical management were elaborated in order to answer clinical questions. RESULTS: A total of 451 articles were identified, of which 58 have been included. The prevalence of urinary tract infections in the presence of ureteral stent remains unknown. After 3 months, all endo-ureteral devices were colonized on microbiological study. These patients also presented a positive urine culture in 25 to 70% of the cases, often polymicrobial. Staphylococci, E. coli, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus and Candida were the commonest micro-organisms responsible for urinary colonization or infection. The risk of UTI on endo-ureteral devices seemed higher the longer it stayed implanted. There is no justification in the literature to recommend a systematic change of endo-ureteral devices following a urinary tract infection. DISCUSSION: The existing literature is rich but of poor methodological quality, and therefore does not allow to draw robust conclusions. The greatest difficulty faced in this work was to accurately differentiate urinary colonizations from true infections, including clinical symptoms and not only microbiological results. CONCLUSION: These guidelines propose a standardized management of such common clinical situations. Well-designed studies are needed to upgrade the level of evidence of these guidelines.

Posterior urethral valves: comparison of clinical outcomes between postnatal and antenatal cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Posterior urethral valves (PUVs) constitute the most common infravesical urinary obstruction in boys and are often accompanied by severe consequences to the lower and upper urinary tract. Currently, about two-thirds of diagnosis of PUVs has been suspected by prenatal ultrasonography findings. The aim of this study was to compare long-term clinical outcomes in two groups of patients with PUVs, with antenatal vs. postnatal diagnosis. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of 173 patients with PUVs systematically followed up in a tertiary center. Median follow-up time was 66.5 months (interquartile range [IQ], 11.4-147.9 months) for those patients who survived neonatal period. Seventy-nine (45.6%) patients were followed up for more than 5 years and 55 (32%) for more than 10 years. For analysis, the cohort was stratified into two groups according to the clinical presentation (prenatal vs. postnatal). The events of interest were urinary tract infection (UTI), surgical interventions, proteinuria, hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and death. Survival analyses were performed to evaluate time until occurrence of the events. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients (35.8%) were diagnosed by fetal sonography. Patients of postnatal group presented a higher incidence rate of UTI episodes (6.5, 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.9-8.3) than antenatal group (1.2, 95% CI, 0.4-2.7) (P < 0.001). Thirty-six patients (21%) presented hypertension, and 77 (44.5%) had persistent mild proteinuria. There was no significant difference in the estimated incidence of hypertension (P = 0.28) and proteinuria (P = 0.78) between antenatal and postnatal groups. The cumulative incidence of CKD stage ≥3 was estimated to be about 37% at 10 years of age, and 56% at 18 years of age. By survival analysis, there was no significant difference in the estimated incidence of CKD stage ≥3 (log-rank = 0.32, P = 0.57) and CKD stage 5 (log-rank = 1.08, P = 0.28, Figure) between antenatal and postnatal groups. Of 173 patients included in the analysis, 13 (7.5%) died during follow-up with a median age of 2.6 months (IQ, 15 days-62 months). Survival analyses have not shown any significant difference in the estimated incidence of death between antenatal and postnatal groups (log-rank = 1.38, P = 0.24). CONCLUSION: The study findings did not corroborate the initial hypothesis that the rates of renal function declining in patients with PUVs would be attenuated by an early diagnosis and intervention after antenatal diagnosis.

How useful are hemoglobin concentration and its variations to predict significant hemorrhage in the early phase of trauma? A multicentric cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic value of hemoglobin (Hb) for detecting a significant hemorrhage (SH) in the early phase of trauma remains controversial. The present study aimed to assess the abilities of Hb measurements taken at different times throughout trauma management to identify patients with SH. METHODS: All consecutive adult trauma patients directly admitted to six French level-1 trauma centers with at least one prehospital Hb measurement were analyzed. The abilities of the following variables to identify SH (≥ 4 units of red blood cells in the first 6 h and/or death related to uncontrolled bleeding within 24 h) were determined and compared to that of shock index (SI): Hb as measured with a point-of-care (POC) device by the prehospital team on scene (POC-Hbprehosp) and upon patient's admission to the hospital (POC-Hbhosp), the difference between POC-Hbhosp and POC-Hbprehosp (DeltaPOC-Hb) and Hb as measured by the hospital laboratory on admission (Hb-Labhosp). RESULTS: A total of 6402 patients were included, 755 with SH and 5647 controls (CL). POC-Hbprehosp significantly predicted SH with an area under ROC curve (AUC) of 0.72 and best cutoff values of 12 g/dl for women and 13 g/dl for men. POC-Hbprehosp < 12 g/dl had 90% specificity to predict of SH. POC-Hbhosp and Hb-Labhosp (AUCs of 0.92 and 0.89, respectively) predicted SH better than SI (AUC = 0.77, p < 0.001); best cutoff values of POC-Hbhosp were 10 g/dl for women and 12 g/dl for men. DeltaPOC-Hb also predicted SH with an AUC of 0.77, a best cutoff value of - 2 g/dl irrespective of the gender. For a same prehospital fluid volume infused, DeltaPOC-Hb was significantly larger in patients with significant hemorrhage than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Challenging the classical idea that early Hb measurement is not meaningful in predicting SH, POC-Hbprehosp was able, albeit modestly, to predict significant hemorrhage. POC-Hbhosp had a greater ability to predict SH when compared to shock index. For a given prehospital fluid volume infused, the magnitude of the Hb drop was significantly higher in patients with significant hemorrhage than in controls.

Cardiac protein expression patterns are associated with distinct inborn exercise capacity in non-selectively bred rats.

In the present study, we successfully demonstrated for the first time the existence of cardiac proteomic differences between non-selectively bred rats with distinct intrinsic exercise capacities. A proteomic approach based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry was used to study the left ventricle (LV) tissue proteome of rats with distinct intrinsic exercise capacity. Low running performance (LRP) and high running performance (HRP) rats were categorized by a treadmill exercise test, according to distance run to exhaustion. The running capacity of HRPs was 3.5-fold greater than LRPs. Protein profiling revealed 29 differences between HRP and LRP rats (15 proteins were identified). We detected alterations in components involved in metabolism, antioxidant and stress response, microfibrillar and cytoskeletal proteins. Contractile proteins were upregulated in the LVs of HRP rats (α-myosin heavy chain-6, myosin light chain-1 and creatine kinase), whereas the LVs of LRP rats exhibited upregulation in proteins associated with stress response (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2, α-crystallin B chain and HSPß-2). In addition, the cytoskeletal proteins desmin and α-actin were upregulated in LRPs. Taken together, our results suggest that the increased contractile protein levels in HRP rats partly accounted for their improved exercise capacity, and that proteins considered risk factors to the development of cardiovascular disease were expressed in higher amounts in LRP animals.

Accuracy of preoperative staging for a priori resectable esophageal cancer.

This study assessed the accuracy of preoperative staging in patients undergoing oncological esophagectomy for adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. All patients undergoing surgery for resectable esophageal cancer in a university hospital from 2005 to 2016 were identified from our institutional database. Patients with neoadjuvant treatment were excluded to avoid bias from down-staging effects. Routinely, all patients had an upper endoscopy with biopsy, a thoracoabdominal CT scan, an 18-FEG PET-CT, and endoscopic ultrasound. Preoperative staging was compared to histopathological staging of surgical specimen that was considered as gold standard. There were 51 patients with a median age of 65 years (IQR: 59.3-73 years) having 21 squamous cell carcinoma and 30 adenocarcinoma, respectively. T- and N-stages were correctly predicted in 26 (51%) and 37 patients (72%), respectively. Overall, 18 patients (35%) were preoperatively diagnosed with a correct T- and N-stage. There was no difference between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Accuracy of the T-stage was not influenced by the smoking status. The N-stage was not correct in 7/22 smoking patients (32%) and 6/29 nonsmoking patients (21%).The N-stage was underestimated in smoking patients as 6/22 patients (27%) had a histologically confirmed N+ who were preoperatively classified as N0. In conclusion, only 35% of patients had a correct assessment. Separate T- and N-stage prediction was improved with 51% and 72%, respectively. Major efforts are needed for improvement.

High level of venous thromboembolism in critically ill trauma patients despite early and well-driven thromboprophylaxis protocol.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the most common preventable causes of in-hospital death in trauma patients surviving their injuries. We assessed the prevalence, incidence and risk factors for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in critically ill trauma patients, in the setting of a mature and early mechanical and pharmacological thromboprophylaxis protocol. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study on a cohort of patients from a surgical intensive care unit of a university level 1 trauma centre. We enrolled consecutive primary trauma patients expected to be in intensive care for ≥48 h. Thromboprophylaxis was protocol driven. DVT screening was performed by duplex ultrasound of upper and lower extremities within the first 48 h, between 5 and 7 days and then weekly until discharge. We recorded VTE risk factors at baseline and on each examination day. Independent risk factors were analysed using a multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: In 153 patients with a mean Injury Severity Score of 23 ± 12, the prevalence of VTE was 30.7%, 95 CI [23.7-38.8] (29.4% DVT and 4.6% PE). The incidence was 18%, 95 CI [14-24] patients-week. The median time of apparition of DVT was 6 days [1; 4]. The global protocol compliance was 77.8% with a median time of introduction of the pharmacological prophylaxis of 1 day [1; 2]. We identified four independent risk factors for VTE: central venous catheter (OR 4.39, 95 CI [1.1-29]), medullar injury (OR 5.59, 95 CI [1.7-12.9]), initial systolic arterial pressure <80 mmHg (OR 3.64, 95 CI [1.3-10.8]), and pelvic fracture (OR 3.04, 95 CI [1.2-7.9]). CONCLUSION: Despite a rigorous, protocol-driven thromboprophylaxis, critically ill trauma patients showed a high incidence of VTE. Further research is needed to tailor pharmacological prophylaxis and balance the risks and benefits.

Physicians versus surgeons. A pilot study on hand dexterity within a controlled population.

INTRODUCTION: Hand dexterity is defined as the innate or acquired capacity of performing any given procedure with one's hands. This study seeks the role of regular hand training on hand dexterity over time. Materials and Methods : Pilot study composed by two independent groups with 28 subjects each (surgeons and physicians), stratified according to gender and age. Measurement of hand dexterity using Lafayette's Purdue Pegboard through the sum of the first three exercises as well as the assembly exercise. No difference was found between groups in regards of gender, age, time of practice and hand size (p = 0.415 ; p = 0.225 ; p = 0.267 ; p = 0.937). Statistical significance was assumed when p < 0.050. RESULTS: Surgeons performed better but a statistically significant difference was not observed both on the -assembly score (p = 0.560) and three tests sum score (p = 0.244). The decay of dexterity over time happened in a homogeneous fashion in the surgeons' arm (p < 0.001 and p = 0.043) but not in the physicians' arm (p = 0.157 and p = 0.098). DISCUSSION: Surgeons seem to perform better than physicians in regards of hand dexterity, although no definitive conclusion was possible given our small sample. It is well known that aging worsens hand -dexterity, but our study suggests it happens much more homogeneously within surgeons.

Bases ósseas e musculares dos cortes comerciais da cauda de jacaré-do-Pantanal (Caiman yacare Daudin 1802) / Bone and muscular bases of commercial cuts from the Yacare Caiman (Caiman yacare, Daudin 1802) tail

A exploração comercial de jacaré-do-Pantanal (Caiman yacare) constitui importante cadeia produtiva no Estado de Mato Grosso. As características nutricionais e representatividade na massa corporal de crocodilianos tornaram a região da cauda objeto de estudos morfofisiológicos, evolutivos e tecnológicos. Como inexiste a caracterização anatômica dos músculos e ossos que constituem os cortes comerciais dessa região, objetivou-se descrever os músculos e correspondentes bases ósseas da cauda. Na descrição óssea, foram utilizados um exemplar adulto e seis juvenis. Para caracterização muscular, 24 espécimes juvenis foram conservados em freezer e dissecados a fresco, em ambos os antímeros, para verificação de simetria de ocorrência, fixações musculares, relacões de sintopia, forma e arquitetura muscular. As vértebras caudais são procélicas, exceto a primeira da série, e possuem na superfície ventral do corpo áreas para articulação com os processos hemais, exceto a primeira e as quatro ou cinco últimas. Os cortes comerciais da região são o filé de cauda, composto pelos músculos semiespinhal caudal, longuíssimo caudal, ilioisquiocaudal, caudofemoral longo, transverso e profundo da cauda, enquanto o corte ponta de cauda é constituído pelos músculos longuíssimo caudal e ilioisquiocaudal, com as cinco ou seis últimas vértebras caudais.

The commercial exploitation of the Yacare Caiman (Caiman yacare) has become a relevant commodity in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Crocodilian's tail muscles nutritional characteristics and representativeness in body mass became the object of morphophysiological technological and evolutionary studies. The aim of this research was to report, for the first time, the anatomical characterization of muscle and bone bases of Pantanal Caiman meat cuts obtained from the tail. To describe the bones, we used one adult and six juvenile specimens of Pantanal Caiman. In order to study the muscle, 24 juvenile individuals were slaughtered and skinned, preserved in a -20oC freezer and thawed at the time of use, without any fixation. After evisceration, the specimens were dissected on both sides to verify structural symmetry, muscle attachments, sintopy relations, shape and muscular architecture. Caudal vertebrae are procoelous, except for the first of the series, and have sites on the ventral surface of their body where the hemal processes articulate, with the exception of the first and the last four or five vertebrae. The commercial meat cuts of the tail are the tail sirloin, composed of semispinal caudal, longissimus caudal, ilioischiocaudal, long caudofemoral, transverse and deep of the tail muscles, and also the tail tip, consisting of the longissimus caudal and ilioischiocaudal muscles, based on the last five or six caudal vertebrae.