SOLID PSEUDOPAPILLARY NEOPLASM OF THE PANCREAS.

BACKGROUND: The solid pseudopapillary neoplasm is a rare tumor of the pancreas. However, it´s etiology still maintain discussions. AIM: To analyze it´s clinical data, diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: A retrospective study of medical records of all patients treated from January 1997 until July 2015. RESULTS: Were identified 17 cases. Most patients were women (94.11%) and the average age was 32.88 years. The main complaint was abdominal mass (47.05%). The most frequent location was in the body/tail of the pancreas (72.22%) and the most frequently performed surgery was distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy (64.70%). No patient had metastases at diagnosis. Conservative surgery for pancreatic parenchyma was performed in only three cases. The rate of complications in the postoperative period was 35.29% and the main complication was pancreatic fistula (29.41%). No patient underwent adjuvant treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment is surgical and the most common clinical presentation is abdominal mass. Distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy was the most frequently performed surgery for its treatment.

RACIONAL: A neoplasia sólida pseudopapilar é tumor raro de pâncreas de tratamento cirúrgico. No entanto, sua causa ainda gera discussões. OBJETIVO: Analisar os dados clínicos, do diagnóstico e do tratamento da dessa neoplasia. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo com dados médicos de pacientes tratados entre janeiro de 1997 a julho de 2015. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados 17 casos. A maioria era de mulheres (94,11%) e a média de idade foi de 32,88 anos. A principal queixa era massa abdominal (47,05%). A localização mais frequente era no corpo/cauda do pâncreas (72,22%) e a operação mais realizada foi a pancreatectomia corpocaudal com esplenectomia (64,70%). Nenhum caso apresentou metástase no momento do diagnóstico. Operação conservadora de parênquima pancreático foi realizada em apenas três casos. A taxa de complicações no pós-operatório foi de 35,29% e a principal complicação foi fístula pancreática (29,41%). Nenhum paciente realizou adjuvância no seguimento. CONCLUSÕES: A mais comum apresentação clínica da neoplasia sólida pseudopapilar é de massa abdominal. Ela é de tratamento cirúrgico e pancreatectomia corpocaudal com esplenectomia é o procedimento mais realizado para seu tratamento.

Severe acute pancreatitis: results of treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of the Protocol for treatment of patients with severe acute pancreatitis. METHODS: We consecutively analyzed age, gender, etiology, length of hospital stay, type of treatment and mortality of 37 patients with severe acute pancreatitis from January 2002. RESULTS: The patients' ages ranged from 20 to 88 years (average 50 years), 27% were female and 73% male. Mean overall hospital stay was 47 days. Thirteen patients were treated surgically, the average operations per patient was two. There were six deaths among patients undergoing surgical treatment (46%) and two deaths in the group submitted to medical treatment alone (8.3%). The overall mortality was 21%. CONCLUSION: After modification in the form of management of patients with severe acute pancreatitis, there was a decrease in mortality and a trend for conservative management.

Resultados do tratamento da pancreatite aguda grave / Severe acute pancreatitis: results of treatment

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados do Protocolo de Atendimento de pacientes com diagnóstico de pancreatite aguda grave. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados, consecutivamente, a partir de janeiro de 2002, idade, sexo, etiologia, tempo de internação, tipo de tratamento e mortalidade de 37 pacientes portadores de pancreatite aguda grave. RESULTADOS: A idade dos pacientes variou de 20 a 88 anos (média de 50 anos); 27% foram do sexo feminino e 73% do masculino. O tempo médio global de internação foi 47 dias. Treze pacientes foram tratados cirurgicamente; a média de operações realizadas foi duas por paciente. Ocorreram seis óbitos dentre os pacientes submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico (46%) e dois óbitos no grupo submetido somente ao tratamento clínico (8,3%). A mortalidade global foi 21% CONCLUSÃO: Após a modificação na forma de abordagem dos pacientes com pancreatite aguda grave, houve diminuição da mortalidade e uma tendência para a conduta expectante.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of the Protocol for treatment of patients with severe acute pancreatitis. METHODS: We consecutively analyzed age, gender, etiology, length of hospital stay, type of treatment and mortality of 37 patients with severe acute pancreatitis from January 2002. RESULTS: The patients' ages ranged from 20 to 88 years (average 50 years), 27% were female and 73% male. Mean overall hospital stay was 47 days. Thirteen patients were treated surgically, the average operations per patient was two. There were six deaths among patients undergoing surgical treatment (46%) and two deaths in the group submitted to medical treatment alone (8.3%). The overall mortality was 21%. CONCLUSION: After modification in the form of management of patients with severe acute pancreatitis, there was a decrease in mortality and a trend for conservative management.

Pancreatectomía central: relato de casos y descripción de la técnica / Central pancreatectomy: cases report and technique description

The conventional techniques of pancreatic resections, most of the time imply in the withdrawal of ex-tensive segments of pancreatic parenchyma, having as possible complications at the long time, the appearance of endocrine or exocrine insufficience. The central pancreatectomy consists in an alternative of pancreatic resection to resect benign or low grade malignant tumours located in the pancreatic isthmus. We present the clinical characteristics, image, and the surgical technique used, for withdraw of pancreatic isthmus nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm and pancreatic serous cystic adenoma.

Las técnicas convencionales de resección pancreática para el tratamiento de enfermedades neoplásicas, en la mayoría de las veces implican la extirpación de segmentos extensos del parénquima pancreático, existiendo como eventuales complicaciones a largo plazo, el surgimiento de insuficiencia pancreática endocrina o exocrina. La pancreatectomía central se constituye en una alternativa de resección pancreática, que limita esta resección solamente al sector comprometido, especialmente en las neoplasias benignas o de bajo grado de malignidad. Presentamos las características clínicas, de imagen y la técnica empleada en dos pacientes, para el tratamiento quirúrgico de un tumor endocrino no funcionante y de un cistoadenoma seroso, localizados en el cuello del páncreas, mediante la pancreatectomía central.

Acidose metabólica por hiperglicemia transitória pós enucleação de insulinoma pancreático / Metabolic acidosis secondary to transient hyperglycemia after pancreatic insulinoma enucleation

INTRODUÇÃO: Insulinoma é a neoplasia endócrina mais frequente dos tumores funcionantes do pâncreas. Origina-se a partir das células beta das ilhotas de Langerhans e caracteriza-se pela produção excessiva de insulina, com consequente hipoglicemia. O tratamento de escolha é a remoção cirúrgica da neoplasia. O presente relato tem como objetivo apresentar uma complicação metabólica pouco observada.RELATO DO CASO: Homem de 41 anos de idade há dois anos com tonturas, visão turva e convulsões. Os sintomas estavam bem relacionados com períodos prolongados de jejum e melhoravam com as refeições, e durante um dos episódios foi constatada a presença de hipoglicemia, melhorando os sintomas imediatamente após administração de glicose endovenosa. A pesquisa glicêmica revelou intensa hipoglicemia. Ultrassonografia, tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética de abdome não revelaram nenhum tipo de alterações no pâncreas. Com a hipótese diagnóstica de hiperglicemia orgânica por provável insulinoma, o paciente foi submetido à enucleação da lesão. No 5º dia do pós-operatório surgiu fístula pancreática e acidose metabólica com resolução satisfatória. O laudo histopatológico mostrou tumor endócrino de pâncreas de 1,5 cm.CONCLUSÃO: Todo paciente submetido à ressecção de insulinoma pancreático deve realizar o pós-operatório imediato em unidades de terapia intensiva, monitorando de forma rigorosa os níveis de glicemia como prevenção de acidose metabólica.

INTRODUCTION: The insulinoma is the most frequent endocrine neoplasm among the functional pancreatic tumors. It originates in the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans and is characterized by the oversecretion of insulin, leading to hypoglycemia. The treatment of choice is the surgical excision of the tumor. The aim of the present report is to describe a rarely observed metabolic complication.CASE REPORT: The case is presented of a 41-year-old man with a 2-year history of dizziness, blurred vision and seizures. The symptoms were closely related to prolonged fasting and improved with eating; hypoglycemia was found during one of the episodes. Symptoms were relieved immediately after intravenous administration of glucose. Blood glucose workup showed severe hypoglycemia. Abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging did not show any alteration in the pancreas. With the diagnostic hypothesis of organic hypoglycemia from a likely insulinoma, the patient underwent the enucleation of the lesion. On the 5th postoperative day, a pancreatic fistula appeared, as well as metabolic acidosis which resolved satisfactorily. The histopathological report showed a 1.5-cm endocrine pancreatic tumor.CONCLUSION: Every patient submitted to pancreatic insulinoma resection should stay in an intensive care unit during the immediate postoperative period and their glycemic levels must be monitored closely to prevent metabolic acidosis.

Evaluation of the effects of noniodinized and iodinized ionic contrast media and gadoteric acid in acute necrotizing pancreatitis: experimental study in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of iodine contrast media and gadoteric acid in acute necrotizing pancreatitis. METHODS: Fifty rabbits were distributed in 5 groups: 10 rabbits were assigned in the control group (group 5) and 40 rabbits were assigned in the pancreatitis group, wherein acute necrotizing pancreatitis was induced through retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate (1 mL/kg weight) in the main pancreatic duct. After 3 hours, they were randomized to receive endovenous iodinized nonionic contrast medium (group 1), iodinized ionic contrast medium (group 2), gadoteric acid (group 3), and physiological serum at 0.9% (group 4). Six hours after induction of pancreatitis, these animals were reoperated. During surgery, pancreatic tissue flow through laser Doppler, hematometric values, biochemistry, and histopathology analysis by hematoxylin and eosin were done. Statistical analysis using Kruskal-Wallis, Fisher-Freeman-Halton, and parametric t tests was performed. RESULTS: There was statistical significance when comparing tissue flow before and after induction of pancreatitis (P < 0.0001). Ionic and nonionic contrast media and gadoteric acid did not increase the grade of pancreatic necrosis (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ionic and nonionic contrast media and gadoteric acid did not produce adverse effects in the present model of acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

Selective approach for venous drainage in right iliac vein and cava vein for combined pancreas-kidney transplantation.

In this paper, the authors evaluate if the use of a venous drainage system in the cava vein (instead of the external iliac vein) presents differences in pancreatic transplantation. Between December 2000 and 2004, 105 pancreas-kidney transplants were performed. Patients in group A (n=49) underwent complete liberation of the right iliac vein for venous drainage. In group B (n=56), the venous drainage system was placed in the cava vein or in the confluence. Analyzed clinical parameters included: insulin replacement, vascular thrombosis in the graft, intraabdominal collections, graft loss, reoperation, and deaths. When compared to the external iliac vein, venous drainage to the cava vein did not result in significant differences. Venous drainage to the cava vein is a valuable alternative when the right iliac fossa has been previously approached. It is a practical, rapid procedure and it is not necessary to expose the internal iliac vein.

Carcinoma of the papilla of Vater: are endoscopic appearance and endoscopic biopsy discordant?

Carcinoma of the papilla of Vater is classified as periampullary cancer representing 5% of all gastrointestinal tract malignancies. Early and accurate diagnosis is important for those patients with a tumor of the papilla, as the prognosis is more favorable than in other periampullary neoplasms. Endoscopically obtained biopsies from suspicious papillae can detect an early tumor, although even for skilled pathologists it is often difficult to differentiate carcinomas from noninvasive lesions on the basis of forceps biopsies. The purpose of this study was to assess the preoperative diagnostic accuracy of duodenoscopy appearance and biopsy in all cases with suspicion of tumor. Thirty patients with suspicion of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater and with final diagnosis established by pancreatoduodenectomy were included in this retrospective study. In each case, a comparison was made between endoscopic biopsy and duodenoscopic appearance. Duodenoscopic appearance sensitivity and accuracy for malignancy were 86% and 83%, respectively, whereas endoscopic biopsy sensitivity and accuracy were 65% and 67%, respectively. Although preoperative diagnosis of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater is useful for making therapeutic decisions, the diagnostic value of the endoscopic appearance was superior to endoscopic biopsy in this series.

[Pancreatic insulinomas]. / Insulinoma de páncreas.

Insulinoma is the most frequent neuroendocrine pancreatic tumor. In the present study, the clinical and immunohistochemical results of 20 patients who underwent surgery between January 1986 and December 2004 were evaluated. Clinical presentation, laboratory data, imaging studies, aspects of the surgical technique, complication rates and medium- and long-term follow-up were analyzed. Surgical treatment was recommended in all patients based on presenting symptoms and laboratory signs of hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. In 15 patients, the lesion was identified preoperatively. In the 5 remaining patients, intraoperative palpation and ultrasonography were used to locate the lesion. The most frequently performed surgical procedures were pancreatic resection in 10 patients and laparotomic enucleation in the remaining 10. Laparoscopy was used in two patients. Two patients developed diabetes mellitus. The most frequent surgical complication was pancreatic fistula. No mortality was observed in the present series. Symptom reversion, characterized by disappearance of Whipple's triad and normal or increased glycemia values compared with preoperative values, was observed in all patients.

Liver retransplantation: a model for determining long-term survival.

BACKGROUND: Because of the worse results from retransplantation in relation to the initial liver transplantation, there is a need to refine the indication for retransplantation, such that fair distribution of this benefit is obtained. METHODS: This was a study of 139 patients who underwent liver retransplantation. Thirty variables were studied: 18 relating to the recipient and 12 to the donor. All the independent variables were initially compared with the length of survival using univariate analyses. Variables presenting significance were compared with the dependent variable of length of survival, to determine which factors were related to longer survival among patients, when evaluated together. RESULTS: A multivariate model for determining long-term survival among patients with retransplants was built up using the following variables: recipient's age, creatinine, urgency of retransplantation and early failure of the first graft. Through this multivariate model it was possible to determine a score that was categorized according to tertile distributions (below the 33rd percentile, score <24; 33rd to 66th percentile, 24 < or = score < or = 32; above the 66th percentile, score > 32). One-year, 3-year, and 5-year patient survival rates following retransplantation were respectively 85%, 82%, and 77% for scores <24; 69%, 66%, and 61% for scores between 24 and 32; and 21%, 19%, and 16% for scores >32 (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The variables of recipient's age, creatinine, urgency of retransplantation, and early failure of the initial transplantation were factors that were independently related to the long-term survival of patients with liver retransplants.

Effects of Eurocollins solution as aortic flush for the procurement of human pancreas.

BACKGROUND: Belzer solution is considered to be the best preservation media used for pancreas transplantation; however, its high cost accounts for approximately 14.5% of all resources allocated by the Brazilian government toward each pancreatic transplant. The objective of the present study was to test a reduction of Belzer solution during pancreas harvest, thereby lowering procedural cost. METHODS: The patients received pancreas-kidney transplantations during the period from January 2003 to August 2004. Patients were divided into two groups. Patients assigned to Group A (n=30) received only Belzer solution (2 L through the aorta artery), whereas patients in Group B (n=16) were perfused first with 1 L of Eurocollins solution followed by 1 L of Belzer solution. The two groups were assessed for differences in the following clinical parameters: the need for insulin replacement or antifungal and anticytomegalovirus treatment, pancreatitis, acute cellular rejection, graft vascular thrombosis, fistulas, intra-abdominal collection, graft loss, deaths, pancreatic ischemia time, and average hospitalization time. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed in any of the parameters analyzed (P<0.05). The use of Eurocollins solution, followed by Belzer solution during pancreas harvesting, did not result in differences in graft survival or functionality, postsurgical complications, or patient survival and hospitalization time, when compared to the use of Belzer solution alone. CONCLUSIONS: Perfusion with 1 L of Eurocollins solution followed by 1 L of Belzer solution during pancreas harvesting seems to be a simple and efficient alternative for reducing the costs of the harvesting process.

Opções técnicas utilizadas no transplante pancreático em centros brasileiros / Technical options used in pancreatic transplants in brazilian centers

OBJETIVO: Analisar o perfil dos principais centros de transplantes do Brasil, quanto às opções técnicas no transplante de pâncreas. MÉTODO: Foi encaminhado um questionário por correio eletrônico (email) para um membro de cada equipe de 12 centros de transplante do Brasil, com casuística mínima de um transplante de pâncreas. O questionário continha 10 perguntas, abordando aspectos controversos e não padronizados. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos centros (90,9 por cento) utiliza incisão mediana. O órgão de escolha a ser implantado primeiro foi principalmente o rim, em 63 por cento dos centros. Em relação à drenagem venosa, 90,9 por cento utilizam a drenagem sistêmica. A ligadura da veia ilíaca interna é realizada em 54,5 por cento dos centros. A maioria dos centros (90,9 por cento) utiliza a drenagem entérica para transplante combinado pâncreas-rim. Para o transplante de pâncreas isolado, apenas cinco centros responderam, sendo que dois utilizam a drenagem entérica e três a vesical. A utilização de dreno na cavidade abdominal ocorre em 63 por cento dos centros. Em 72,7 por cento dos centros é realizada algum tipo de indução na imunossupressão para o transplante combinado pâncreas-rim, sendo a imunossupressão básica a associação de tacrolimus (FK506), micofenolato mofetil (MMF) e corticóide. A antibioticoprofilaxia é realizada por todos os centros e profilaxia para fungos é realizada por seis centros (54,5 por cento). Oito centros (72,7 por cento) utilizam algum tipo de profilaxia para trombose vascular, em esquemas diversos. CONCLUSÃO: Existem diversos caminhos técnicos na condução do transplante pancreático. A falta de padronização dificulta a análise e a comparação dos resultados. Apesar dessa heterogeneidade das equipes, observamos uma tendência para a realização de incisão mediana, drenagem venosa sistêmica e exócrina entérica, com a utilização de algum tipo de profilaxia para trombose vascular nos transplantes combinados pâncreas-rim.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the profile of the most important Brazilian Transplant Centers regarding technical options in the pancreas transplant. METHODS: A query was sent by electronic mail for the 12 Brazilian Transplant Centers with at least one pancreas transplant performed. The query included ten questions approaching controversial and non-standard technical aspects. RESULTS: Midline abdominal incision is used in 90.9 percent of the Centers. The first organ to be implanted is the kidney in 63 percent of the Centers. Regarding the venous drainage, 90.9 percent perform systemic drainage. In 54.5 percent of the Centers the internal iliac vein is ligated. For combined pancreas-kidney transplant 90.9 percent of the teams perform enteric drainage. Five Centers answered about isolated pancreas transplant, two of them use enteric drainage and the other three prefer to utilize the bladder. 63 percent of the surgical teams use abdominal drain. 72.7 percent of the Centers adopt immunosupression induction for the combined pancreas-kidney transplant. The basic immunosuppression was an association between tacrolimus (FK506), and mofetil microfenolato (MMF), and corticoids. While antibiotic prophylaxis is performed in all the 12 Centers, fungus prophylaxis is routinely made in six of them. Eight Centers (72.7 percent) adopt vascular thrombosis prophylaxis by several different protocols. CONCLUSION: There are various technical medical protocols on how to conduct a pancreas transplant patient. The lack of homogeneity in the protocols makes it more difficult to analyze and compare the results. Nevertheless we can conclude that in combined pancreas-kidney transplant there is a preference towards midline abdominal incision, and vein systemic and enteric drainage, and vascular thrombosis prophylaxis.

Anatomia cirúrgica do fígado / Surgical anatomy of the liver

OBJETIVO: Estudar a anatomia funcional do fígado, sua segmentaçäo, tendo como referência às estruturas vasculares, venosas, no interior do parênquima. MÉTODOS: Dissecçäo em fígados de cadáveres recentes, identificando, na intimidade dos órgäos, os pedículos portais e as veias hepáticas, definindo, assim, os segmentos hepáticos ou unidades funcionais do fígado. RESULTADOS: Caracterizaçäo anatômica dos segmentos hepáticos, em número de 8, suas estruturas vasculares aferentes e eferentes, orientando ressecções anatômicas, regradas, preservando a vitalidade e funçäo dos segmentos remanescentes. CONCLUSÄO: O conhecimento da anatomia funcional do fígado, baseada na sua segmentaçäo, constitui a base para a moderna cirurgia hepática

Insulinomas do pâncreas: diagnóstico e tratamento / Pancreatic insulinomas: diagnosis and treatment

RACIONAL: O insulinoma é uma neoplasia que pertence ao grupo de tumores neuroendócrinos do pâncreas; embora raro, é o mais freqüente entre eles. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados clínico e imunohistoquímico de doentes com insulinoma de pâncreas submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Foram detalhados o quadro clínico, exames laboratoriais e de imagem, dando ênfase aos aspectos cirúrgicos, complicações e acompanhamento, a médio e longo prazos, de 12 doentes portadores de insulinoma. A cirurgia foi indicada para todos, com base nas evidências clínicas e laboratoriais de hipoglicemia e hiperinsulinemia. RESULTADOS: Em sete doentes conseguiu-se a localizaçäo prévia da lesäo; em cinco, sua localizaçäo foi identificada durante a cirurgia mediante palpaçäo e através do ultra-som intra-operatório. O procedimento mais freqüentemente utilizado foi a ressecçäo pancreática em oito doentes. A complicaçäo cirúrgica mais freqüente foi a fístula pancreática, observada em sete doentes. Dois apresentaram tardiamente diabetes mellitus. Näo houve mortes na presente casuística. CONCLUSÄO: Na totalidade dos doentes obteve-se a reversäo clínica dos sintomas, caracterizada pelo desaparecimento da tríade de Whipple, além de normalizaçäo ou aumento dos níveis de glicemia, quando comparados aos valores do pré-operatório

[Pancreatic insulinomas: diagnosis and treatment]. / Insulinomas do pâncreas: diagnóstico e tratamento.

BACKGROUND: Despite its rarity, the insulinoma is the most common pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. OBJECTIVE: Analyze clinical and immunohistochemical data from surgical resection of the pancreas insulinoma. METHOD: Twelve cases are described, concerning surgical aspects, complications and medium-long term outcome of patients. They underwent surgical treatment due to clinical suspicion and biochemical diagnosis of hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinism. RESULTS: The insulinoma was identified preoperatively in seven patients, while intraoperative ultrasonography and palpation were necessary for diagnosis in the other cases. Eight patients underwent pancreatic resection and pancreatic leak was observed in seven cases. Two patients developed diabetes mellitus and no mortality occurred in the current series. CONCLUSION: All patients presented satisfactory outcome and remained asymptomatic with normal glicemia levels.