[Influence of the lockdown due to COVID-19 on weight-loss results during the first year after sleeve gastrectomy]. / Influencia del confinamiento por COVID-19 en los resultados ponderales durante el primer año tras la gastrectomía vertical.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 pandemic has lead to lockdown of population in many countries. In Spain, the state of alarm was established from March 15 to June 20, 2020. Usually this fact decreased people's mobility and physical activity, in addition to producing or exacerbating psychological disorders. Our aim was to determine the influence that this condition had over the short-term ponderal results of patients undergoing laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy from May 2019 to May 2020. METHODS: Case-control study for comparing the percentage of excess weight lost (%EWL) and the percentage of total weight lost (%TWL) of patients that underwent a VG during the last year, so they were affected by lockdown in April and part of March 2020 (group 1), to the %EWL and %TWL of a control group (group 2), obtained from our previous series. RESULTS: The mean %EWL in group 1 is 47,37 ± 18,59 and in group 2 is 51,13 ± 17,59, being p = 0,438. Meanwhile, the mean %TWL in group 1 is 21,14 ± 8,17 and in group 2 is 24,67 ± 8,01, with p = 0,115. CONCLUSIONS: Population lockdown by COVID-19 did not get worse short-term results of vertical gastrectomy. More studies with a larger number of patients are necessary to draw firm conclusions.

Influence of the lockdown due to COVID-19 on weight-loss results during the first year after sleeve gastrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 pandemic has lead to lockdown of population in many countries. In Spain, the state of alarm was established from March 15 to June 20, 2020. Usually this fact decreased people's mobility and physical activity, in addition to producing or exacerbating psychological disorders. Our aim was to determine the influence that this condition had over the short-term ponderal results of patients undergoing laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy from May 2019 to May 2020. METHODS: Case-control study for comparing the percentage of excess weight lost (%EWL) and the percentage of total weight lost (%TWL) of patients that underwent a VG during the last year, so they were affected by lockdown in April and part of March 2020 (group 1), to the %EWL and %TWL of a control group (group 2), obtained from our previous series. RESULTS: The mean %EWL in group 1 is 47.37±18.59 and in group 2 is 51.13±17.59, being P=.438. Meanwhile, the mean %TWL in group 1 is 21.14±8.17 and in group 2 is 24.67±8.01, with P=.115. CONCLUSIONS: Population lockdown by COVID-19 did not get worse short-term results of vertical gastrectomy. More studies with a larger number of patients are necessary to draw firm conclusions.

Preoperative transarterial chemoembolization for laparoscopic liver resection in Child A cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) offers better short-term results than open surgery with similar long-term results although it is technically difficult due to the risk of bleeding. METHODS: This study included patients with HCC in Child A cirrhosis who underwent TACE before LLR between 2009 and 2019. The primary endpoint was to analyze the intraoperative and early results of this technique. We also analyzed the long-term outcomes. Patients with and without clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) were compared. RESULTS: A total of 44 cirrhotic patients with HCC were included (24 CSPH and 20 non-CSPH). The Pringle maneuver was used in two cases (4.5%), mean blood losses was 100 ml (range 50-200), and three patients (6.8%) required a blood transfusion. The degree of necrosis achieved was greater than 90% in 27 patients (61.4%). At 1, 3, and 5 years, overall survival was 97.7%, 81.5%, and 63.4%, respectively, and disease-free survival was 85.2%, 52.5%, and 34.5%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between non-CSPH and CSPH groups regarding intraoperative, early, and long-term outcomes. CONCLUSION: In our experience, TACE could be beneficial to perform LLR in HCC Child-Pugh A patients with and without CSPH without serious complications and similar oncological outcomes.

A New Surgical Technique Variant of Partial ALPPS (Tourniquet Partial-ALPPS).

OBJECTIVE: We present a new variant of partial-ALPPS (p-ALPPS) "Tourniquet partial-ALPPS (Tp-ALPPS)", with the aim of reducing aggressiveness during stage 1. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) results in liver regeneration in only 9 days. Due to its high initial morbidity and mortality, less aggressive variants were designed. METHODS: A new surgical variant of ALPPS was designed consisting in introducing a Kelly forceps from the base of the liver, crossing the liver parenchyma through an avascular area. A 3-mm Vicryl (V152; Ethicon, Somerville, New Jersey, USA) tape is passed, and the tourniquet is then knotted. Six patients operated on by this new Tp-ALPPS surgical technique were compared to 6 patients operated on by Tourniquet ALPPS (T-ALPPS). RESULTS: There were no differences in volume increase at 10 days. During stage 1, blood losses and transfusion rates tended to be lower in the Tp-ALPPS group, without statistical differences. Surgical time was shorter in the Tp-ALPPS group than in T-ALPPS (90 min versus 135 min) (p < 0.023). In stage 2, blood losses and transfusion were similar in both groups, but surgical time tended to be higher in the Tp-ALPPS group, which could be related to the surgical technique performed. There were no differences in morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Tp-ALPPS achieved a similar increase in volume as T-ALPPS but with a shorter stage 1 surgical and similar morbidity and mortality.

Applicability of 3D-printed models in hepatobiliary surgey: results from "LIV3DPRINT" multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatobiliary resections are challenging due to the complex liver anatomy. Three-dimensional printing (3DP) has gained popularity due to its ability to produce anatomical models based on the characteristics of each patient. METHODS: A multicenter study was conducted on complex hepatobiliary tumours. The endpoint was to validate 3DP model accuracy from original image sources for application in the teaching, patient-communication, and planning of hepatobiliary surgery. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients from eight centers were included. Process testing between 3DP and CT/MRI presented a considerable degree of similarity in vascular calibers (0.22 ± 1.8 mm), and distances between the tumour and vessel (0.31 ± 0.24 mm). The Dice Similarity Coefficient was 0.92, with a variation of 2%. Bland-Altman plots also demonstrated an agreement between 3DP and the surgical specimen with the distance of the resection margin (1.15 ± 1.52 mm). Professionals considered 3DP at a positive rate of 0.89 (95%CI; 0.73-0.95). According to student's distribution a higher success rate was reached with 3DP (median:0.9, IQR: 0.8-1) compared with CT/MRI or 3D digital imaging (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: 3DP hepatic models present a good correlation compared with CT/MRI and surgical pathology and they are useful for education, understanding, and surgical planning, but does not necessarily affect the surgical outcome.

Results of treatment of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma adapted to risk of recurrence.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is increasing. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the long-term prognosis of PTMC. METHOD: Study population: patients with a histopathological diagnosis of PTMC (size ≤ 1 cm) treated according to the risk of recurrence of the Latin American Thyroid Society. Inclusion criteria: minimum follow-up of 2 years, availability of histopathological samples, and treatment compliance. Exclusion criteria: previous thyroid surgery, other synchronous malignancies or ectopic location of the PTMC. Study variables: persistences, recurrences and mortality. RESULTS: Based on the risk of recurrence, PTMC has very low risk in 65.2% (n = 105), low risk in 17.4% (n = 28) and high risk in 17.4% (n = 28). In high risk patients, total thyroidectomy was performed in all cases, cervical lymphadenectomy in 57,1% (n = 16) and metabolic therapy with I131 in all cases. During a mean follow-up of 119,8 ± 65 months, 0.6% (n = 1) of recurrences took place. Risk factors associated to recurrence were not identified. No patient died due to MCPT. CONCLUSIONS: PTMC treated based on its risk of recurrence has a good long-term prognosis, without persistences, with a low number of recurrences and absence of disease-associated mortality.

ANTECEDENTES: La incidencia del microcarcinoma papilar de tiroides (MCPT) está aumentado. OBJETIVO: Analizar el pronóstico a largo plazo del MCPT. MÉTODO: Población a estudio: pacientes con diagnóstico histopatológico de MCPT (tamaño ≤ 1 cm) tratados según el riesgo de recurrencia de la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Tiroides. Criterios de inclusión: seguimiento mínimo de 2 años, disponibilidad de las muestras histopatológicas y cumplimiento del tratamiento. Criterios de exclusión: cirugía tiroidea previa, otras patologías malignas sincrónicas o localización ectópica del MCPT. Variables a estudio: persistencias, recidivas y mortalidad. RESULTADOS: Según el riesgo de recurrencia, el 65.2% (n = 105) tuvo muy bajo riesgo, el 17.4% (n = 28) bajo riesgo y el 17,4% (n = 28) alto riesgo. En los pacientes de alto riesgo se realizó tiroidectomía total en todos los casos, linfadenectomía cervical en el 57,1% (n = 16) y terapia metabólica con I131 en todos los casos. Durante un seguimiento medio de 119,8 ± 65 meses hubo un 0,6% (n = 1) de recurrencias. No se evidenciaron factores de riesgo asociados a recidiva de la enfermedad. Ningún paciente falleció debido al MCPT. CONCLUSIONES: El MCPT tratado en función del riesgo de recurrencia tiene un buen pronóstico a largo plazo, sin persistencias, con una baja cifra de recurrencias y ausencia de mortalidad debida a la enfermedad.

Case report of Tourniquet ALPPS and simultaneous sleeve gastrectomy: A valuable association to achieve an adequate future liver remnant in obese patients.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity represents a risk factor in case of major hepatectomy, because the future liver remnant (FLR) must be proportional with body weight. To avoid post-hepatectomy liver failure, and further increase the ratio between FLR and body weight, we performed a bariatric procedure in the first stage of the ALPPS technique. PATIENT CONCERNS: Fifty-four-year-old woman, with morbid obesity (BMI 58.5) and type II diabetes mellitus, was scheduled for a major hepatectomy due to multiple colorectal liver metastases DIAGNOSIS:: Six months before, the patient was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases. She was initially treated with sigmoidectomy and chemotherapy. After partial response of the liver metastases, we considered a liver resection but the FLR was very low, especially in relation to her BMI. INTERVENTION: We planned a novel approach and, for the first time, we performed a sleeve gastrectomy during the first stage of Tourniquet ALPPS (T-ALPPS). After achieving an adequate FLR, we successfully completed the major hepatectomy during the second stage of T-ALPPS. OUTCOME: The association between sleeve gastrectomy and T-ALPPS produced an increase of FLR/body weight ratio up to 0.8 that allowed completing a right trisectionectomy in the second stage of ALPPS. The major hepatectomy was performed without severe complications, and several months after surgery the patient is still alive without any recurrence Conclusion: Despite obesity represents a risk factor involved in the carcinogenesis, the role of the bariatric surgery in the oncological setting is not well established. In this clinical case, we benefited from the weight loss produced by bariatric surgery combined with an effective hypertrophy technique and chemotherapy. These findings suggest that bariatric surgery could be useful for obese patients with liver malignancy and need for extended hepatectomy.

Evolution of gastroesophageal reflux after laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy. A radiographic, manometric and pH-metric study.

INTRODUCTION: the relationship between laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy (LVG) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is still controversial. Therefore, its study is of great interest in order to obtain definitive conclusions. The goal of the study was to establish whether LVG modifies pH-metric GER in obese patients and to analyze the associated factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: the first 26 patients who underwent LVG in our institution were enrolled in the study. A barium swallow, 24-hour ambulatory pH-metry and four-channel intraluminal esophageal manometry (IEM) were all performed before and one year after surgery. RESULTS: among the pH-metric data, there was a significant increase in the DeMeester index after the procedure (p = 0.028), while other parameters remained unchanged. Furthermore, 50% of patients with preoperative pH-metric GER had normal values at one year after surgery. IEM showed a decrease in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure and in the mean wave amplitude at the distal third of the esophagus (p = 0.007 and p = 0.025, respectively). The rate of newly-developed hiatal hernias in the radiographic study was 36.4%. CONCLUSION: LVG mildly increases GER, which is likely related to the development of hiatal hernias and a decrease in LES pressure and esophageal sweep. However, LVG should not be contraindicated for patients with preoperative pH-metric GER, as this may clear after the procedure.

ALPPS for hepatocarcinoma under cirrhosis: a feasible alternative to portal vein embolization.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and malignant tumors. Preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) is currently the most accepted treatment before major hepatic resection for HCC in patients with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis and associated insufficient future liver remnant (FLR). In the last decade, associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) technique has been described to obtain an increase of volume regarding PVE and a decrease of drop out. The initial excessive morbidity and mortality of this technique have decreased drastically due to a better selection of patients, the learning curve and the use of less aggressive variations of the original technique in the first stage. For both techniques a complete preoperative assessment of the FLR is the most important issue and only patients with and adequate FLR should be resected. ALPPS could be a feasible technique in very selected patients with HCC and cirrhosis. As long as it is performed in an experienced center could be used as a first choice technique versus PVE or could be used as a rescue technique in case of PVE failure.

Fulminant liver failure secondary to submassive hepatic necrosis in a patient treated with Orlistat. A case report.

Orlistat is an intestinal lipase inhibitor drug that is recommended in obese patients along with a hypocaloric diet. Although the most frequent secondary effect is steatorrhea, fulminant liver failure has also been associated with this drug, which has required liver transplantation in 3 patients. We present the case of a 42-year-old obese male.

Cooperation in surgery of the 21st century. / Cooperación en cirugía en el siglo XXI.

The need for healthcare cooperation in low- and middle-income countries is known and is implemented day by day. However, the surgical sanitary assistance in these countries in the 21st century is very controversial, as it is still below desirable levels and entails complex solutions. On the other hand, the number of surgeons seeking to get involved is increasing progressively. We analyze the causes of the low levels of medical assistance, such as the lack of qualified personnel, the brain drain of surgeons, healthcare costs or the lack of quantified needs. Opportunities for improvement, such as institutional twinning, short-term surgical missions or activities aimed at education, evaluation, evidence and training, are some of the possibilities proposed.

Primary hyperparathyroidism associated with MEN 1: Experience in 71 cases. / Hiperparatiroidismo primario asociado a neoplasia endocrina múltiple tipo 1 (MEN 1). Experiencia en 71 casos.

INTRODUCTION: Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) in MEN 1 is characterized by multiglandular disease and early involvement of parathyroid glands at different times. Persistence and recurrence range from 25%-35%. The purpose was: a) to describe the experience and the treatment of patients with pHPT in MEN 1; b) to analyze the variables related with clinical presentation and recurrence. METHOD: A total of 97 patients with MEN 1 were diagnosed in a tertiary hospital. A retrospective analysis was made in patients with pHPT (n=71). STUDY VARIABLES: age at diagnosis, mutation, clinical presentation, laboratory tests, surgical technique, and recurrence of HPT. RESULTS: Mean age was 38 years, and 50 patients were asymptomatic. The surgical technique was: subtotal parathyroidectomy (n=55), resection of three glands (n=7), and resection of less glands (n=9). Transcervical thymectomy was performed in 53 patients. Mean follow-up was 102.9 months. There were 21 recurrences, There were correlations between age at diagnosis and serum calcium levels with the presence of symptoms (P<.0001). There were also correlations between recurrence and surgical technique (P<.03), non-association with thymectomy (P<.0001), and follow-up time (P<.03). CONCLUSION: Performing genetic and clinical screening allows us to make a diagnosis in the asymptomatic period and to provide early treatment for HPT in MEN 1. The recurrence rate is high, and follow-up time and the surgical technique used are risk factors for recurrence.

[Splenic late infarction after laparoscopic gastrectomy: a case report]. / Infarto esplénico tardío tras gastrectomía vertical laparoscópica: a propósito de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic gastrectomy has emerged in recent years as an effective technique for the treatment of morbid obesity due to low mortality morbidity rates. Its complications include dehiscence suture line, and others such as splenic infarction. We discuss a case of splenic infarction after laparoscopic gastrectomy. CLINICAL CASE: 45 year old male with a BMI of 37.8 kg/m2, diabetes-II for 15 years, the last five in treatment with insulin, a fasting blood glucose around 140mg/dl, HbA1c of 7.3mg/dl and microangiopathy diabetic nephropathy. The patient underwent a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and he was discharged from hospital 48hours later. 1 month later he presented at the hospital for epigastric pain and fever up to 40° C. An intra abdominal abscess was detected and there was no leakage. The spleen was normal. He was treated with radiological drainage. 9 months later the patient consulted again due to epigastric pain in upper left quadrant, associated with low-grade fever. Thoraco-abdominal CT images compatible with splenic infarction. Currently patient remains asymptomatic one year after surgery. DISCUSSION: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is one of the most popular procedures of bariatric surgery. Less common complications include abscess and the splenic infarction. Usually patients are asymptomatic, but sometimes cause fever and pain. Initial treatment should be conservative. Only in selected cases, would splenectomy be indicated. CONCLUSIONS: Splenic infarction is usually an early complication, but we should keep it in mind as a long term complication for patients with persistent fever and abdominal pain after laparoscopic gastrectomy.

Utility of 18 fludeoxyglucose in preoperative positon-emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in the early diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic cancer: A study of 139 resected cases. / Utilidad de la 18-fluorodeoxiglucosa en la tomografía por emisión de positrones-tomografía computarizada (PET-TC) preoperatoria en el diagnóstico precoz del cáncer de páncreas exocrino: estudio en 139 casos resecados.

INTRODUCTION: In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), surgical resection is the only curative treatment, but due to its late clinical presentation only 15-25% patients are candidates for curative resection. The aim of this prospective, single-center study is to determine the diagnostic utility of preoperative PET-CT for early detection of PDA and early panIN lesions. METHODS: We studied the histopathological features of PDA and different panIN lesions in 139 surgical samples from patients undergoing pancreatic resection (from 2010-2014), comparing these results with preoperative PET-CT and MDCT study. For tumor diagnosis in PET-CT maximum standard SUV 2.5 was used. Pancreatic baseline SUVmax is the maximum uptake of the radiotracer 18-2FDG on the ROI curve determined for the area of the normal pancreas after pathological reassessment with areas not affected by tumours or preneoplastic lesions. Tumour Uptake Index is the ratio between the tumour SUVmax and pancreatic baseline SUVmax. RESULTS: Using an standard maximum SUV value of 2.5, PET-CT sensitivity was 77.7% (108 of the 139 cases) against 75.5% (105 of the 139 cases) of MDCT. But when we combined this value with maximum SUV of normal pancreatic tissue from each patient, PET-CT sensitivity improved its value to 94.9%. CONCLUSION: A combination of studies of PET-CT in tumor and non-tumor tissue of each patient might be a very useful diagnostic tool not only for preoperative diagnosis of PDA, but also for early panIN lesions.

[Additional primary malignancies in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Proposal for a new classification]. / Asociación de tumores del estroma gastrointestinal con otros tumores primarios. Propuesta de una nueva clasificación.

Additional primary malignancies in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is not only common but of growing interest in the scientific literature. This association is of great importance in terms of clinical challenge, diagnosis and therapy as well as for the prognosis impact it implies. In the published series there is a tendency to group these patients to determine the specific and distinguishable characteristics of GIST associated with other malignancies. On the other hand, there is no general consensus or unified classification. This classification would be of great interest, as it would unify criteria, agree groups to compare different series and demonstrate whether the aetiology underlying both tumours and the GIST's own characteristics really vary according to the type in question. We undertook a medical literature review and proposed a new classification for patients with GIST associated with other tumours.

Prognostic factors in resected pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours: Experience in 95 patients. / Factores pronósticos de los tumores neuroendocrinos de páncreas resecados. Experiencia en 95 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze prognostic factors for survival and recurrence in patients with resected pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNT). METHODS: Medical records of 95 patients with resected PNT were retrospectively reviewed. The variables studied were: age, sex, form of presentation (sporadic/familial tumors), functionality, type of tumor, localization, type of surgery, tumor size, multifocal tumors and recurrent rate. The new WHO classification (2010) was used. RESULTS: There were 45 men and 50 women. Mean age was 46.8 years. Regarding the mode of presentation, it was sporadic in 66 patients (69.8%) and 29 cases were familial neuroendocrine tumors (30.2%) in association with MEN 1 syndrome. The 59% of patients suffered from non-functional tumors and 41% were functional: 20 insulinoma, 16 gastrinoma, and 3 glucagonoma. Distal pancreatectomy was the most common surgical procedure, followed by tumor enucleation in 19 patients. According to the WHO classification, 59 patients had a PNT G1, 24 PNT G2 and 12 with a poorly-differentiated carcinoma, respectively. The 5-year survival in well-differentiated tumors was 100%, regardless of the functionality. Sporadic PNT are more commonly unifocal (P<0.001), associating liver metastasis. Survival and recurrence rates after a mean follow-up of 85.3 months were 65.8 and 24%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, WHO classification was an independent prognostic factor in PNT survival.

Lanthanum carbonate has a radiopaque appearance on the plain abdominal radiography.

An 84-year-old woman presented to her local emergency department for abdominal pain. Her medical history included hemodialysis in the treatment of chronic renal failure, Parkinson's disease, chronic atrial fibrillation, chronic constipation, appendicectomy and cholecystectomy. The patient complained of diffuse abdominal pain for 4 days, associated with nausea and vomiting in the last 24 hours. Physical examination revealed a soft and depressible abdomen, diffusely painful, without signs of peritoneal irritation. A digital rectal exam revealed large amount of stool in the rectal vault without palpable masses. Blood tests showed a creatinine level of 2.7 mg/dl due to chronic renal failure and the plain abdominal radiography revealed a dolichocolon completely contrasted. The patient denied the realization of any medical imaging-proofs with oral or rectal contrast. Reviewing home treatment, the patient was taking lanthanum carbonate (2 tablets of 750 mg per day) since 1 month ago, a drug that contrasts the digestive tract. Appreciating contrast in the colon, intestinal subocclusion was excluded and the clinical picture was attributed to her chronic constipation. In conclusion, it should be noted that lanthanum carbonate contrasts the digestive tract, with radiopaque appearance on the plain abdominal radiography and without any pathological significance.