Assessment of postoperative morbidity in Spanish hospitals: Results from a national survey.

BACKGROUND: The methodology used for recording, evaluating and reporting postoperative complications (PC) is unknown. The aim of the present study was to determine how PC are recorded, evaluated, and reported in General and Digestive Surgery Services (GDSS) in Spain, and to assess their stance on morbidity audits. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study design, an anonymous survey of 50 questions was sent to all the heads of GDSS at hospitals in Spain. RESULTS: The survey was answered by 67 out of 222 services (30.2%). These services have a reference population (RP) of 15 715 174 inhabitants, representing 33% of the Spanish population. Only 15 services reported being requested to supply data on morbidity by their hospital administrators. Eighteen GDSS, with a RP of 3 241 000 (20.6%) did not record PC. Among these, 7 were accredited for some area of training. Thirty-six GDSS (RP 8 753 174 (55.7%) did not provide details on all PC in patients' discharge reports. Twenty-four (37%) of the 65 GDSS that had started using a new surgical procedure/technique had not recorded PC in any way. Sixty-five GDSS were not concerned by the prospect of their results being audited, and 65 thought that a more comprehensive knowledge of PC would help them improve their results. Out of the 37 GDSS that reported publishing their results, 27 had consulted only one source of information: medical progress records in 11 cases, and discharge reports in 9. CONCLUSIONS: This study reflects serious deficiencies in the recording, evaluation and reporting of PC by GDSS in Spain.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for the management of choledocholithiasis in older patients.

BACKGROUND: Older adults are increasing in number and frequently seeking hospital care for acute illness. We aimed to measure the utilization and safety of ERCP in patients aged 85 and older in our hospital. METHODS: This is a single-site, retrospective, observational and descriptive study. We obtained data about admissions and ERCP utilization from our hospital database. We reviewed medical and procedural records of patients aged 85 or older who underwent ERCP for choledocholithiasis between 2013 and 2019. We evaluated technical and medical adverse events after ERCP. RESULTS: 494 ERCP for choledocholithiasis were performed during this period and 154 (31%) were aged 85 or older. We identified 567 (4.8%) admissions for biliary tract diseases in the older population, and 27% of cases had required ERCP. In older patients, the rate of technical adverse events was around 10%. There was no statistical difference between the older and younger groups regarding technical complications (8.8 vs 9.7%; p=0.7). Besides, in 36% of cases, a medical event, decompensated comorbidity or geriatric syndromes appeared after ERCP. The overall mortality for any cause at six months was nearly 20%, and the survival rate was significantly lower in patients who develop adverse events (technical or medical). CONCLUSIONS: Our hospital experiences frequent utilization of ERCP by patients aged 85 and older. Although technical adverse event rates are similar to those of younger adults, medical events appear frequently. We plan to strengthen our care plans for older adults and hope to reduce the medical complications experienced post ERCP.

Validation of "the patient evaluation of emotional care during hospitalisation" questionnaire in intensive care unit patients.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the "Patient Evaluation of Emotional Care During Hospitalization" (PEECH) questionnaire, which assesses hospitalised patients' emotional experiences, in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). INTERVENTIONS: Prospective study. The PEECH consists of three sections and four sub-scales: "level of security", "level of knowing", "level of personal value", and "level of connection". The questionnaire was completed by 253 hospitalised patients. Expert judgement was used to analyse the content validity and factor analysis was performed to confirm construct validity. Cronbach's alpha was used to measure the internal consistency of the four sub-scales. RESULTS: In the confirmatory factor analysis of the four sub-scales, the weights of all questions were found to be significant (>1). The internal consistency of the PEECH questionnaire was 0.86 (Cronbach's alpha) and the homogeneity index was high (>0.50). CONCLUSION: The PEECH questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool to evaluate the perception of emotional care in ICU patients. The information gathered can help provide more comprehensive care for patients in the ICU and in other hospitalised patients.

Infiltration of Bupivacaine and Triamcinolone in Surgical Wounds of Milligan-Morgan Hemorrhoidectomy for Postoperative Pain Control: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Pain management after hemorrhoidectomy continues to be challenging. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of infiltration of bupivacaine hydrochloride and triamcinolone acetonide in surgical wounds of Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy for postoperative pain relief. DESIGN: A double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted between May 2015 and June 2019. SETTINGS: This study was carried out in a secondary referral hospital center in Spain. PATIENTS: Patients who underwent an elective Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy for grade III-IV hemorrhoids were included. INTERVENTIONS: Patients allocated in the intervention group received a single infiltration of bupivacaine and triamcinolone and patients allocated in the control group did not receive any intervention. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The primary end point was the median of maximum pain by visual analog scale during the 48 hours of hospital stay. Secondary end points were pain at follow-up, pain during defecation, analgesic requirements, wound healing rate, and complications. RESULTS: A total of 128 patients were randomly assigned (64 in each group). The median of maximum pain score at 48 hours was 3 points in the intervention group and 6 points in the control group, which was significantly different ( p < 0.05). No differences were observed regarding pain during defecation. Morphine requirements were significant lower in the intervention group (6.3% vs 21.9% patients; p = 0.01; 5 vs 23 cumulative doses; p = 0.01). Wound healing and complication rates were similar in both groups. LIMITATIONS: Use of placebo was not considered in the control group ("intervention group" vs "control group" clinical trial). Data regarding pain or other complications at 48 hours postoperatively were pooled and expressed as median of values. CONCLUSIONS: Infiltration of surgical wounds with bupivacaine and triamcinolone decreases postoperative pain and reduces morphine requirements in Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomies. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B867 .Clinical trial registration: European Registry of Clinical Trials. EUDRACT 2014- 003043-35. INFILTRACIN DE BUPIVACANA Y TRIAMCINOLONA EN HERIDAS QUIRRGICAS DE HEMORROIDECTOMA DE MILLIGANMORGAN PARA EL CONTROL DEL DOLOR POSOPERATORIO ENSAYO CLNICO DOBLE CIEGO, ALEATORIZADO Y CONTROLADO: ANTECEDENTES:El manejo del dolor posterior a una hemorroidectomía sigue siendo un desafío.OBJETIVO:El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la efectividad de la infiltración de bupivacaína y triamcinolona en heridas quirúrgicas de hemorroidectomía de Milligan-Morgan para el alivio del dolor posoperatorio.DISEÑO:Se realizó un ensayo clínico controlado, aleatorizado, doble ciego entre mayo del 2015 y junio del 2019.ENTORNO CLINICO:Este estudio se llevó a cabo en un centro hospitalario de referencia secundaria en España.PACIENTES:Se incluyeron pacientes que se sometieron a una hemorroidectomía de Milligan-Morgan electiva por hemorroides de grado III-IV.INTERVENCIONES:Los pacientes asignados al grupo de intervención recibieron una única infiltración de bupivacaína y triamcinolona y los pacientes asignados al grupo de control no recibieron ninguna intervención.PRINCIPALES RESULTADOS RESULTADOS:El factor de valoración principal fue la mediana del dolor máximo según la escala análoga visual durante las 48 horas de estancia hospitalaria. Las variables secundarias fueron dolor durante el seguimiento, dolor durante la defecación, requerimientos de analgésicos, tasa de cicatrización de heridas y complicaciones.RESULTADOS:Se asignó aleatoriamente a un total de 128 pacientes (64 en cada grupo). La mediana de puntuación máxima de dolor a las 48 horas fue de 3 puntos en el grupo de intervención y de 6 puntos en el grupo de control con diferencias significativas (p < 0,05). No se observaron diferencias en cuanto al dolor durante la defecación. Las necesidades de morfina fueron significativamente menores en el grupo de intervención (6,3% versus 21,9% de los pacientes; p = 0,01; 5 versus 23 dosis acumuladas; p = 0,01). Las tasas de curación de heridas y complicaciones fueron similares en ambos grupos.LIMITACIONES:No se consideró el uso de placebo en el grupo de control (ensayo clínico: "grupo de intervención" versus "grupo control"). Los datos con respecto al dolor u otras complicaciones después de 48 horas postoperatorias se agruparon y expresaron como mediana de los valores.CONCLUSIONES:La infiltración de heridas quirúrgicas con bupivacaína y triamcinolona disminuye el dolor posoperatorio y reduce los requerimientos de morfina en la hemorroidectomía de Milligan-Morgan. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B867 . (Traducción- Dr. Francisco M. Abarca-Rendon).Registro de ensayos clínicos: Registro europeo de ensayos clínicos. EUDRACT 2014- 003043-35.

Intussuscepted Metachronous small bowel tumor after treatment for colorectal adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Small Bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a rare malignant neoplasm without specific signs or symptoms. It's been associated with late stage disease presentations. Midterm outcomes have suggested that after successful removal of colorectal carcinoma, there is higher risk for developing a further primary (metachronous) colorectal tumor. However when it comes to small bowel, metachronous carcinomas are unusual. CASE PRESENTATION: A 46-year-old female who underwent an emergency Hartmann's procedure two years previously and treatment of adjuvant chemotherapy for adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon at stage IIB with loco-regional recurrence. The patient presented with bowel obstruction secondary to a small bowel intussusception, confirmed by computed tomography. An emergent exploratory laparotomy was performed and confirmed of an ileal tumor as the cause of small bowel intussusception and clinical bowel obstruction. Histopathology confirmed a primary small bowel mucinous adenocarcinoma with node metastasis (T3N1M0, stage IIIB). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Patients who develop a small or large bowel adenocarcinoma have high risk of presenting a second tumor at both sites. Since data available to guide therapeutic decisions for patients presenting with small bowel metachronic tumors are scarce, the role of adjuvant therapy in patients who undergo curative resection remains unclear. The aim of this manuscript is present a case report of a patient admitted for a rare obstructive small bowel intussusception therefore underwent surgery for metachronic small bowel carcinoma from colorectal primary witch previously treated by surgery and adjuvant chemiotherapy. Studies about strategies for detection at an earlier stage, optimal treatment and prognosis are mandatory for this disease.

Metástasis mamaria de linfoma de células del manto / Mammary metastasis of mantle cell lymphoma

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: Los linfomas mamarios primarios constituyen menos de 1% de todos los linfomas no-Hodgkin, 1.7-2.2% de todos los linfomas no-Hodgkin nodales adicionales y 0.04-0.5% de todas las neoplasias malignas de la mama. El linfoma de células del manto representa 4% de los linfomas en Estados Unidos, y entre 7-9% en Europa y se diagnostica en pacientes con una mediana de edad de 60 años. Aparece en mujeres posmenopáusicas en forma de masa mamaria indolora, unilateral. El linfoma de mama secundario es sistémico, con afectación simultánea o posterior en otro sitio. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente con una tumoración mamaria, inicialmente postraumática, que en el contexto de plaquetopenia se catalogó clínica y radiológicamente como hematoma y que, más tarde, el diagnóstico fue: linfoma de células del manto secundario a linfoma previo nodal inguinal en segunda línea de tratamiento con quimioterapia. CONCLUSIONES: La persistencia o el rápido crecimiento de un hematoma mamario o de una lesión con apariencia radiológica benigna, sobre todo con antecedente de linfoma previo, puede resultar maligna. La biopsia mediante aguja gruesa es decisiva en el diagnóstico porque permite el estudio histológico e inmunohistoquímico para la confirmación molecular. El tratamiento se basa, sobre todo, en quimio y radioterapia, opciones que mejoran la supervivencia y disminuyen la recurrencia.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Primary mammary lymphomas represent less than 1% of all Non Hodgking Lymphomas (NHL). Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) represents 4% of lymphomas in the United States, and 7-9% in Europe and is diagnosed in patients with a median age of 60 years. Unilateral painless mammary mass in postmenopausal women use to be the clinical presentation. Secondary breast lymphoma is defined as the presence of systemic lymphoma with breast involvement, as the patient below. CLINICAL CASE: 57-year-old female patient with post-traumatic mammary tumor, with history of thrombocytopenia, first-time diagnosed of hematoma, with breast enlargement and later diagnosed as lymphoma of mantle cells with pathology test and classified as secondary to previous inguinal nodal lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to keep in mind this diagnosis in view of the persistence or rapid growth of a mammary hematoma or other lesion with benign radiological appearance. The biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis, since it allows the histological and immunohistochemical study, for molecular confirmation. The treatment is mainly based on chemo / radiotherapy, which improves survival and decreases recurrence.

Mesenteric intranodal schwannoma: uncommon case of neurogenic benign tumor.

Intranodal schawnomas are extremely rare. Just a few cases have been described before. Clinical presentation comprises not only symptomatic mass in several anatomical body parts, but also, they can be found during analysis of surgical specimens resected for other reasons. The report is based on the case of an 80-year-old patient who underwent to right hemicolectomy for an adenocarcinoma. The histopathologic analysis revealed one mesenteric intranodal schwannoma in the surgical specimen. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry with positive result for vimentin and S100 protein. Less than 12 cases have been reported in the literature before. The findings pointed out our patient as, one of these few reported with such diagnosis.

Results of implementation of a fast track pathway for diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: fast track pathways for diagnosis of cancer intend to decrease delays in diagnosis and treatment of cancer. It is recommended to initiate treatment in a period no longer than 30 days since admission in these circuits. AIMS: to know the characteristics and fluency of our Fast Track Diagnostic Pathway (FTDP) for Colorectal Cancer (CRC), with special attention to those patients selected for surgical treatment as a first choice. MATERIAL AND METHOD: all patients who entered the FTDP for CRC during a period of 2 years (2008-2009) were analyzed as well as the rest of patients also diagnosed with CRC but never seen in the FTDP. RESULTS: of the 316 patients referred to the FTDP only 78 (24.7%) were diagnosed as having some kind of cancer derived from the digestive system. At the end 61 patients (19.3%) were diagnosed with CCR. The time interval from entry into the FTDP to the first hospital visit was 3 days (range 1-8), and the interval until colonoscopy was performed was 11.5 days (range 1-41). Fourteen (41.1%) of those patients chosen for surgery were operated on in a period lesser than 30 days while 28 patients (82.3%) underwent surgery before day 45 since admission into the circuit. CONCLUSIONS: though the functioning of the FTDP is acceptable, any increase in number of patients can generate delays. For this reason it is advisable to have a team to assure a good functioning of the FTDP. A proper follow-up of the whole process will possibly avoid unnecessary delays and it will improve coordination of the different phases of the fast track pathway and treatment. As the diagnostic outcome is poor it is mandatory to implement alternatives programs like screening of asymptomatic population, allowing an early detection of this condition.