Subtotal laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus conversion to open as a bailout procedure: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate morbidity and mortality in patients taken to conversion to open procedure (CO) and subtotal laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SLC) as bailout procedures when performing difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHOD: This observational cohort study retrospectively analyzed patients taken to SLC or CO as bailout surgery during difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy between 2014 and 2022. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors for morbimortality. RESULTS: A total of 675 patients were included. Of the 675 patients (mean [SD] age 63.85 ± 16.00 years; 390 [57.7%] male) included in the analysis, 452 (67%) underwent CO and 223 (33%) underwent SLC. Overall, neither procedure had an increased risk of major complications (89 [19.69%] vs 35 [15.69%] P.207). However, CO had an increased risk of bile duct injury (18 [3.98] vs 1 [0.44] P.009), bleeding (mean [SD] 165.43 ± 368.57 vs 43.25 ± 123.42 P < .001), intestinal injury (20 [4.42%] vs 0 [0.00] P.001), and wound infection (18 [3.98%] vs 2 [0.89%] P.026), while SLC had a higher risk of bile leak (15 [3.31] vs 16 [7.17] P.024). On the multivariable analysis, Charlson comorbidity index (odds ratio [OR], 1.20; CI95%, 1.01-1.42), use of anticoagulant agents (OR, 2.56; CI95%, 1.21-5.44), classification of severity of cholecystitis grade III (OR, 2.96; CI95%, 1.48-5.94), and emergency admission (OR, 6.07; CI95%, 1.33-27.74) were associated with presenting major complications. CONCLUSIONS: SLC was less associated with complications; however, there is scant evidence on its long-term outcomes. Further research is needed on SLC to establish if it is the safest in the long-term as a bailout procedure.

Evaluation of postoperative pancreatic fistula prediction scales following pancreatoduodenectomies based on magnetic resonance imaging: A diagnostic test study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is one of the most feared and common complications following pancreatoduodenectomies. This study aims to evaluate the performance of different scales in predicting POPF using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including estimation of the pancreatic duct diameter, pancreatic texture, main duct index, relation to the portal vein, and intra-abdominal fat thickness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective diagnostic test study was designed. Between January 2017 and December 2021, 133 pancreatoduodenectomies were performed at our institution. The performance for predicting overall POPF and clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF) was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: A total of 96 patients were included in the study, of whom 26 patients experienced overall POPF, and 8 patients had CR-POPF. When analyzing the predictive value of each of the different scores applied, the Birmingham score showed the highest performance for predicting overall POPF and CR-POPF with an AUC (area under the curve) of 0.815 (95 % CI 0.725-0.906) and 0.813 (0.679-0.947), respectively. CONCLUSION: The Birmingham scale demonstrated the highest predictive performance for POPF. It is a simple scale with only two variables that can be obtained preoperatively using MRI. Based on these results, we recommend its use in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy.

Postoperative pain in transabdominal preperitoneal laparoscopic hernia repair with staple fixation versus self-fixation mesh.

Background: The mesh fixation method is one of the multiple factors associated with chronic postoperative pain in inguinal hernia surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate postoperative pain associated with the two available fixation strategies (staple fixation versus self-fixating mesh) used in our field. Methods: We designed an observational study with retrospective cohorts to analyze postoperative pain in patients who underwent a laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair with a self-fixating mesh or staple fixation, which are the two available techniques in our field. A total of 296 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included between January 2014 and October 2021. Results: The evaluated patients' median age was 66.0 (interquartile range (IQR): 20.75) years and were predominantly male (70.13 %). The proportion of participants with chronic pain was 3.20 % in the staple fixation group and 0 % in the self-fixating mesh group, with no statistically significant differences. On the other hand, recurrency in the staple fixation group was 2.28 % versus 3.90 % in the self-fixating mesh group, without statistically significant differences. Conclusions: Self-fixating meshes have a trend towards smaller proportion of chronic pain and similar proportions of recurrence; therefore, they seem to be the best fixation method between the two mechanisms that are available in our field to prevent postoperative chronic pain.

Timing of CHolecystectomy In Severe PAncreatitis (CHISPA): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Acute pancreatitis is the recurrent reason for gastrointestinal admission in a clinical urgent setting, it happens secondary to a wide array of pathologies out of which biliary disease stands as one of the most frequent causes for its presentation. Approximately 20% of pancreatitis are of moderate or severe severity. Currently, there is not a clear recommendation on timing for cholecystectomy, either early or delayed. CHISPA is a randomized controlled, parallel-group, superior clinical trial. An intention-to-treat analysis will be performed. It seeks to evaluate differences between patients taken to early cholecystectomy during hospital admission (72 hours after randomization) versus delayed cholecystectomy (30±5 days after randomization). The primary endpoint is major complications associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy defined as a Clavien-Dindo score of over III/V during the first 90 days after the procedure. Secondary endpoints include recurrence of biliary disease, minor complications (Clavien-Dindo score below III/V), days of postoperative hospital stay, and length of stay in an intensive therapy unit postoperatively (if it applies). The CHISPA trial has been designed to demonstrate that delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy reduces the rate of complications associated to an episode of severe biliary pancreatitis compared to early laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Trial registration number: NCT06113419.

Outcomes after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients older than 80 years: two-years follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for patients with benign biliary disease. It is necessary to evaluate survival after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients over 80 years old to determine whether the long-term mortality rate is higher than the reported recurrence rate. If so, this age group could benefit from a more conservative approach, such as antibiotic treatment or cholecystostomy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the factors associated with 2 years survival after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients over 80 years old. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study. We included all patients over 80 years old who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan‒Meier method. Cox regression analysis was implemented to determine potential factors associated with mortality at 24 months. RESULTS: A total of 144 patients were included in the study, of whom 37 (25.69%) died at the two-year follow-up. Survival curves were compared for different ASA groups, showing a higher proportion of survivors at two years among patients classified as ASA 1-2 at 87.50% compared to ASA 3-4 at 63.75% (p = 0.001). An ASA score of 3-4 was identified as a statistically significant factor associated with mortality, indicating a higher risk (HR: 2.71, CI95%:1.20-6.14). CONCLUSIONS: ASA 3-4 patients may benefit from conservative management due to their higher risk of mortality at 2 years and a lower probability of disease recurrence.

Eosinophilic enterocolitis in duodenum, ileum, and colon: A case report.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is a rare disease which mainly consists of an abnormal eosinophile infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract. It's classified according to its location: eosinophilic esophagitis, eosinophilic gastritis, eosinophilic enteritis (including duodenum, jejunum and/or ileum) and eosinophilic colitis and degree of infiltration (mucosal, muscular, serosal). Depending on eosinophile concentration, type of EGE and the patient's condition it may manifest with different clinical presentations such as functional dyspepsia, abdominal pain, irritability, hypoproteinemia, diarrhea, anemia, among others. Few research has been done on such an uncommon pathology to the extent that treatment evidence is mostly limited to small case series. This case study reports an infrequent presentation of EGE in the small and large intestine as an undifferentiated gastrointestinal disease and successful corticoid management given to the patient in order to further broaden knowledge on this subject and facilitate an established clinical conduct for the treating physician.

Risk factors associated to incisional hernia in stoma site after stoma closure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to identify which risk factors are associated with the appearance of an incisional hernia in a stoma site after its closure. This in the sake of identifying which patients would benefit from a preventative intervention and thus start implementing a cost-effective protocol for prophylactic mesh placement in high-risk patients. METHODS: A systematic review of PubMed, Cochrane library, and ScienceDirect was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting incidence, risk factors, and follow-up time for appearance of incisional hernia after stoma site closure were included. A fixed-effects and random effects models were used to calculate odds ratios' estimates and standardized mean values with their respective grouped 95% confidence interval. This to evaluate the association between possible risk factors and the appearance of incisional hernia after stoma site closure. RESULTS: Seventeen studies totaling 2899 patients were included. Incidence proportion between included studies was of 16.76% (CI95% 12.82; 21.62). Out of the evaluated factors higher BMI (p = 0.0001), presence of parastomal hernia (p = 0.0023), colostomy (p = 0,001), and end stoma (p = 0.0405) were associated with the appearance of incisional hernia in stoma site after stoma closure, while malignant disease (p = 0.0084) and rectum anterior resection (p = 0.0011) were found to be protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic mesh placement should be considered as an effective preventative intervention in high-risk patients (obese patients, patients with parastomal hernia, colostomy, and end stoma patients) with the goal of reducing incisional hernia rates in stoma site after closure while remaining cost-effective.

Open versus percutaneous tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19: retrospective cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a great number of patients required Mechanical Ventilation (MV). Tracheostomy is the preferred procedure when difficult weaning is presented. Surgical techniques available for performing tracheostomy are open and percutaneous, with contradictory reports on the right choice. This paper aims to describe the clinical results after performing a tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19, regarding both surgical techniques. METHODS: An observational, analytical study of a retrospective cohort was designed. All patients admitted to the Hospital Universitario Mayor Méderi, between March 2020 and April 2021 who presented COVID-19 requiring MV and who underwent tracheostomy were reviewed. Open versus percutaneous tracheostomy groups were compared and the primary outcome evaluated was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients were included in the final analysis. The median age was 66.0 (IQR: 57.2 - 72.0) years old and 77 (68.14%) were male. Open tracheostomy was performed in 64.6% (n = 73) of the patients and percutaneous tracheostomy in 35.4% (n = 40) with an in-hospital mortality of 65.7% (n = 48) and 25% (n = 10), respectively (p < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, open tracheostomy technique [OR 9.45 (95% CI 3.20-27.92)], older age [OR 1.05 (95% CI 1.01-1.09)] and APACHE II score [OR 1.10 (95% CI 1.02-1.19)] were identified as independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality. Late tracheostomy (after 14 days) [OR 0.31 (95% CI 0.09-1.02)] and tracheostomy day PaO2/FiO2 [OR 1.10 (95% CI 1.02-1.19)] were not associated to in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous tracheostomy was independently associated with lower in-hospital mortality and should be considered the first option to perform this type of surgery in patients with COVID-19 in extended MV or difficulty weaning.

Primary mesenteric neuroendocrine tumor: Case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Neuroendocrine tumors most frequently originate from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Their presentation in tissues other than the GIT and pancreas is usually due to metastatic involvement from lesions at these sites. There have been a few cases of neuroendocrine tumors identified in tissues such as the mesentery and peritoneum, without identification of a primary lesion supporting their origin as metastasis. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a patient with abdominal pain, in whom a primary mesenteric neuroendocrine tumor was identified. The patient completed one year of follow-up without identification of an additional lesion. Case Reported in line with the SCARE criteria. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: This is a rare condition with few reports in the literature, without significant changes in its classification or management. CONCLUSION: The search for a primary lesion and follow-up are essential to characterize the presence of primary mesenteric neuroendocrine tumors.

Gallbladder empyema: An atypical manifestation of acute cholecystitis.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Acute cholecystitis is responsible for 44 % of emergency admissions to the emergency services with multiple complications such as empyema a necesitatis (EN). EN has a close relation with cholecystitis when the perforation of the gallbladder (GB) can lead to the formation of a biliary fistula. Patients can be asymptomatic, with late consultations, thus being a diagnostic challenge. Different techniques are described for cholecystitis and secondary abscess, therefore, the choice of the appropriate procedure should be the best one to reduce the high associated morbidity. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of an 89-year-old patient, admitted for a sensation of a mass in the right hypochondrium with abdominal pain. He was taken to the operating room, finding a vesicular plastron with piocholecyst and perforation into the abdominal wall with abscess and fasciitis. Subtotal cholecystectomy was performed laparoscopically and an open approach in the abdominal wall, drainage of the abscess and debridement, leaving a negative pressure system. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: EN affects elder patients with high rates of morbidity, also GB empyema, which is related with its perforation and posterior fistulization, its external spontaneous perforation is much less frequent. Fistulas originated from the biliary tract are well described in the literature, with low incidence. They are related with improved diagnostic investigations and earlier implemented treatment by antibiotics and surgery. CONCLUSION: Biliary EN represents a very unusual complication of acute cholecystitis, its atypical presentation represents a diagnostic challenge, with very few cases documented and high mortality rates. Its management represents a challenge for the general surgeon, finding different approaches and surgical behaviors to take.

What is the best score for predicting difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy? A diagnostic trial study.

BACKGROUND: Multiple scores have been created in order to predict difficult cholecystectomy, nonetheless there is not a consensuated standard on which to use. The importance of a predictive score to be able to establish a difficult cholecystectomy would be a relevant instrument in order to better inform the patient, properly call for help when needed, choose the correct staff, and schedule and plan the surgical procedure accordingly. METHODS: A diagnostic trial study was performed. All different predictive scores for difficult cholecystectomy were calculated for each patient. The correlation between the preoperative score and cholecystectomies considered as "difficult" were measured estimating the preoperative score's predictive value using a receiver operating characteristics curve in order to predict findings for difficult cholecystectomy. RESULTS: A total of 635 patients between 2014 and 2021 were selected. Selected patients had a mean age of 55.0 (interquartile range: 28.00) and were mostly female (64.25%). Surgical outcomes of patients with difficult cholecystectomy had statistically significant higher rates of subtotal cholecystectomies, drain usage, complications and reinterventions, prolonged surgical times, and longer hospital stay. When analyzing the predictive value on each of the different scores applied, score 4 had the highest performance for predicting difficult cholecystectomy with an area under the curve=0.783 (CI 95% 0.745-0.822). CONCLUSIONS: Difficult cholecystectomies are associated with worse surgical outcomes. The standardization and use of predictive scores for difficult cholecystectomy must be implemented in order to improve surgical outcomes as a result of more meticulous planning when scheduling the procedure.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus percutaneous catheter drainage for acute calculous cholecystitis in patients over 90 years of age.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the standard of care for acute calculous cholecystitis; however, in patients at high risk for surgery, particularly in the elderly, insertion of a percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) at gallbladder is recommended. Current evidence suggests that PCD may have less favorable outcomes than LC, but also that LC-associated complications increase in direct relation to patient age. There is no recommendation supported by robust evidence to decide between one or the other procedure in super elderly patients. METHODS: A retrospective observational cohort study was designed to analyze the surgical outcomes of super elderly patients with cholecystitis who underwent LC versus PCD for treatment. The surgical outcomes of a subgroup of high-risk patients were also analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 96 patients who met the inclusion criteria between 2014 and 2021 were included. The median age of patients were 92 years (IQR: 4.00) with a female predominance (58.33%). The overall morbidity rate in the series was 36.45% and mortality rate was 7.29%. There was no statistically significant difference when compared to the associated morbidity and mortality among patients who underwent LC versus those who underwent PCD, neither in the analysis of the complete series or in the subgroup of high-risk patients. CONCLUSIONS: The morbidity and mortality associated with the two most frequently recommended therapeutic options for operating super elderly patients with acute cholecystitis are high. We found no evidence of superiority in outcomes for either of the two procedures in this age group.

State of the art in subtotal cholecystectomy: An overview.

Introduction: Subtotal cholecystectomy is a type of surgical bail-out procedure indicated when facing difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to not reaching the critical view of safety, inadequate identification of the anatomical structures involved and/or risk of injury. Materials and methods: A comprehensive search on PubMed were performed using the following Mesh terms: Subtotal cholecystectomy and Partial cholecystectomy. The PubMed databases were used to search for English-language reports related to Subtotal cholecystectomy between January 1, 1987, the date of the first published laparoscopic cholecystectomy, through January 2023. 41 studies were included. Results: Subtotal cholecystectomy's incidence oscillates between 4.00% and 9.38%. Strasberg et al., divided subtotal cholecystectomies in "fenestrating" and "reconstituting" types based on if the remaining portion of the gallbladder was left open or closed. Subtotal cholecystectomy can sometimes be a challenging procedure and is associated to a high rate of complications such as biliary fistula, retained gallstones, subhepatic or subphrenic collections, among others. Conslusion: Subtotal cholecystectomy is a safe alternative when facing difficult cholecystectomy in which the critical view of safety is not reached in order to avoid complications. A classification system should be implemented in surgical descriptions to compare the different surgical techniques employed. In order to avoid bile leakage and cholecystitis of the remnant gallbladder, the surgical technique must be performed skillfully. There is still a current lack of information on alternative techniques such as omental plugging or falciform patch in order to judge their utility. There needs to be further research on long-term complications such as malignancy of the remnant gallbladder.

Importancia del conocimiento anatómico del espacio extraperitoneal y su utilidad en los abordajes quirúrgicos / Importance of anatomical knowledge of the extraperitoneal space and its usefulness in surgical approaches

Introducción. El espacio extraperitoneal, se define como el segmento topográfico ubicado entre el peritoneo parietal internamente y la fascia transversalis externamente. Como resultado del desarrollo y consolidación de la cirugía laparoscópica, en particular de la herniorrafia inguinal por esta vía, se ha presentado un renovado y creciente interés en esta área anatómica, debido a la importancia de su conocimiento detallado en la cirugía de mínima invasión. Métodos. Se hizo una revisión narrativa de la literatura para presentar una información actualizada y detallada sobre la anatomía del espacio extraperitoneal y su importancia en diferentes procedimientos quirúrgicos realizados actualmente. Resultados. Por fuera del espacio peritoneal, se encuentran las áreas anatómicas externas al peritoneo parietal, que incluyen la preperitoneal y la retroperitoneal. Mediante la laparoscopia, se pueden localizar en estos espacios cinco triángulos anatómicos, además de la corona mortis y el triángulo supra vesical. Conclusión. El conocimiento del espacio extraperitoneal es de gran importancia para el cirujano general, teniendo en cuenta los múltiples procedimientos que requieren el abordaje de esta área topográfica

Introduction. The extraperitoneal space is defined as the topographic segment located between the parietal peritoneum internally and the fascia transversalis externally. As a result of the development and consolidation of laparoscopic surgery, particularly inguinal herniorrhaphy by this route, there has been a renewed and growing interest in this anatomical area, due to the importance of its detailed knowledge in minimally invasive surgery. Methods. A narrative review of the literature was made to present updated and detailed information on the anatomy of the extraperitoneal space and its importance in different surgical procedures currently performed. Results. Outside the peritoneal space are the anatomical areas external to the parietal peritoneum, including the preperitoneal and extraperitoneal. Using laparoscopy, five anatomical triangles, in addition to the corona mortis and the supravesical triangle, can be located in these spaces. Conclusion. Knowledge of the extraperitoneal space is of great importance for the general surgeon, taking into account the multiple procedures that require the approach of this topographic area

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in super elderly (> 90 years of age): safety and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Nonagenarian patients are an age group in progressive growth. In this age group, indications for surgical procedures, including cholecystectomy, will be increasingly frequent, as biliary pathology and its complications are frequent in this population group. The main objective of this study was to analyze the safety and outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients older than 90 years. METHODS: A retrospective observational cohort study was designed. This study involved 600 patients that were classified in 4 age groups for analysis (under 50 years, 50-69 years, 70-89 years, and over 90 years). Demographic, clinical, paraclinics, surgical, and outcome variables were compared according to age group. A multivariate analysis, which included variables considered clinically relevant, was performed to identify factors associated with mortality and complications classified with the Clavien-Dindo scale. RESULTS: The patients evaluated had a median age of 65.0 (IQR 34.0) years and there was a female predominance (61.8%). A higher complication rate, conversion rate, subtotal cholecystectomy rate, and prolonged hospital stay were found in nonagenarians. The overall mortality rate was 1.6%. Mortality in the age group over 90 years was 6.8%. Regression models showed that age over 90 years (RR 4.6 CI95% 1.07-20.13), presence of cholecystitis (RR 8.2 CI95% 1.29-51.81), and time from admission to cholecystectomy (RR 1.2 CI95% 1.10-1.40) were the variables that presented statistically significant differences as risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSION: Cholecystectomy in nonagenarian patients has a higher rate of complications, conversion rate, subtotal cholecystectomy rate, and mortality. Therefore, an adequate perioperative assessment is necessary to optimize comorbidities and improve outcomes. Also, it is important to know the greatest risk for informed consent and choose the surgical equipment and schedule of the procedure.

Management of pneumothorax with 8.3-French Pigtail Catheter: description of the ultrasound-guided technique and case series.

Spontaneous and traumatic pneumothorax are most often treated with chest tube (CT) thoracostomy. However, it appears that small-bore drainage systems have similar success rates with lower complications, pain, and discomfort for the patient. We present the description of the ultrasound-guided technique for pneumothorax drainage with an 8.3-French pigtail catheter (PC) in a case series of 10 patients.

Surgical mortality in patients in extremis: futility in emergency abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: The number of older patients with multiple comorbidities in the emergency service is increasingly frequent, which implies the risk of incurring in futile surgical interventions. Some interventions generate false expectations of survival or quality of life in patients and families and represent a negligible therapeutic benefit in patients whose chances of survival are minimal. In order to address this dilemma, we describe mortality in a cohort of patients undergoing emergency laparotomy with a risk ≥ 75% per the ACS NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was designed to analyze postoperative mortality and factors associated with postoperative mortality in a cohort of patients undergoing emergency laparotomy between January 2018 and December 2021 in a high-complexity hospital who had a mortality risk ≥ 75% per the ACS NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator. RESULTS: A total of 890 emergency laparotomies were performed during the study period, and 50 patients were included for the analysis. Patient median age was 82.5 (IQR: 18.25) years old and 33 (66.00%) were male. The most frequent diagnoses were mesenteric ischemia 21 (42%) and secondary peritonitis 18 (36%). Mortality in the series was 92%. Twenty-four (54.34%) died within the first 24 h of the postoperative period; 11 (23.91%) within 72 h and 10 (21.73%) within 30 days. APACHE II and SOFA scores were statistically significantly higher in patients who died. CONCLUSIONS: All available tools should be used to make decisions, with the most reliable and objective information possible, and be particularly vigilant in patients at extreme risk (mortality risk greater than 75% according to ACS NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator) to avoid futility and its consequences. The available information should be shared with the patient, the family, or their guardians through an assertive and empathetic communication strategy. It is necessary to insist on a culture of surgical ethics based on reflection and continuous improvement in patient care and to know how to accompany them in order to have a proper death.

Gastric adenocarcinoma: A one-of-a-kind etiology of autoimmune paraneoplastic encephalitis.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes are a group of neurologic disorders that can affect any part of the nervous system and are mediated by immune pathogens produced by cancer. These disorders occur distant to a malignant tumor and are not caused by metastasis, nutritional disorders or side effects of therapy related to the tumor. CLINICAL FINDINGS: We present the case of a 47-year-old male patient who was admitted to the emergency department due to 1 month of neurological impairment including generalized tonic-clonic movements. He was admitted to the institution and was taken to multiple neurologic tests, all of which were normal, including a negative panel for onconeural antibodies. He persisted with seizures and was taken to a 24-hour video electroencephalogram which showed features consistent with moderate encephalopathy and focal epileptiform activity, which evolved into status epilepticus. Suspecting immune - mediated encephalitis, a therapeutic trial was started with methylprednisolone and plasma exchange, and a positron emission tomography was indicated. The positron emission tomography showed in the brain regions of marked hypometabolism and hypermetabolic thickening of gastric infiltrative aspect fundocorporal topography. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed in the subcardial region a mass-like lesion with an ulcer-infiltrative appearance, pathology showed an adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Autoimmune encephalitis as a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome of a gastric adenocarcinoma have been documented in few patients in the literature. It is important to describe and recognize clinical findings in this cases to be able to suspect malignancy and thus have early diagnosis, start treatment promptly and avoid irreversible neurological sequelae.

Prediction of severe pancreatitis in a population with low atmospheric oxygen pressure.

To establish the severity of pancreatitis, there are many scoring systems, the most used are the Marshall and APACHE II systems, each one has advantages and disadvantages; but with good relation regarding mortality and prediction of complications. In populations with low barometric pressures produced by a decrease in atmospheric pressure, there is a decrease in partial pressure of oxygen, in these cases scores which take arterial oxygen partial pressure as one of their variables, may be overestimated. A diagnostic trial study was designed to evaluate the performance of APACHE II, Marshall and BISAP in a city 2640 m above sea level. A ROC analysis was performed to estimate the AUC of each of the scores, to evaluate the performance in predicting unfavorable outcomes (defined as the need for percutaneous drainage, surgery, or mortality) and a non-parametric comparison was made between the AUC of each of the scores with the DeLong test. From January 2018 to December 2019, data from 424 patients living in Bogota, with a diagnosis of gallstone pancreatitis was collected consecutively in a hospital in Bogota, Colombia. The ROC analysis showed AUC for predicting adverse outcomes for APACHE II in 0.738 (95% CI 0.647-0.829), Marshall in 0.650 (95% CI 0.554-0.746), and BISAP in 0.744 (95% CI 0.654-0.835). The non-parametric comparison to assess whether there were differences between the different AUC of the different scores showed that there is a statistically significant difference between Marshall and BISAP AUC to predict unfavorable outcomes (p=0.032). The mortality in the group of patients studied was 5.8%. We suggest the use of BISAP to predict clinical outcomes in patients with a diagnosis of biliary pancreatitis in populations with decreased atmospheric pressure because it is an easy-to-use tool and does not require arterial oxygen partial pressure for its calculation.