External Validation of Two Scoring Tools to Predict the Operative Duration and Open Conversion of Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in a Mexican Population.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) operative time (CholeS score) and conversion to an open procedure (CLOC score) outside their validation dataset in Mexican population. METHODS: Patients >18 years who underwent elective LC were analyzed in a single-center retrospective chart review study. Association between scores (CholeS and CLOC) with operative time and conversion to open procedures was assessed with Spearman correlation. The predictive accuracy of the CholeS score and CLOC score was evaluated by receiver operator characteristic. RESULTS: 200 patients were included in the study (33 excluded for emergency case or missing data). Spearman coefficient correlations between CholeS or CLOC score and operative time were 0.456 (p < 0.0001) and 0.356 (p < 0.0001), respectively. Area under the curve (AUC) for operative prediction time (>90 min) by CholeS score was 0.786 with a 3.5-point cutoff (80% sensitivity and 63.2% specificity). AUC for open conversion (CLOC score) was 0.78 with a 5-point cutoff (60% sensitivity and 91% specificity). The CLOC score had a 0.740 AUC (64% sensitivity and 72.8% specificity) for operative time >90 min. CONCLUSIONS: The CholeS and the CLOC scores predicted LC long operative time and risk for conversion to an open procedure, respectively, outside their original validation set.

[Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio as predictor of mortality in patients with necrotizing fasciitis]. / Índice neutrófilo-linfocito como predictor de mortalidad en pacientes con fascitis necrotizante.

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) can affect any soft tissue and skin of the body. Its progression is rapid and it is associated with a high mortality rate. Therefore, the search for easily accessible and low-cost biomarkers that could predict the prognosis of patients with NF is necessary. Objective: To evaluate the role of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a predictor of mortality in patients with NF. Material and methods: Observational, cross-sectional, retrospective and analytical study of patients admitted between April and October 2020 in a tertiary-care hospital. The statistical tests used for the comparison of variables between the study groups were chi-square, Fisher's exact, Student's t and Mann-Whitney U. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to determine the accuracy of NLR in predicting mortality in patients with NF. Results: A total of 25 patients were included and stratified into non-survivors and survivors. The non-survivor group had an elevated NLR value compared to survivors (15.57 [13.75] vs. 7.91 [4.13]; p = 0.065). The NLR had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.729 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.516-0.886; p = 0.044), sensitivity of 77.78% (40-97.2), and specificity of 75% (47.6-92.7). The optimal cut-off point obtained for NLR was > 9.21. Conclusions: An NLR value > 9.21 could be a predictor of mortality in patients with NF.

Introducción: la fascitis necrotizante (FN) puede afectar cualquier tejido blando y piel del cuerpo. Su progresión es rápida y está relacionada con un índice de mortalidad alto. Por lo tanto, la búsqueda de biomarcadores de fácil acceso y bajo costo que puedan predecir el pronóstico de los pacientes con FN es necesaria. Objetivo: evaluar el papel del índice neutrofilo-linfocito (INL) como un predictor de mortalidad en los pacientes con FN. Material y métodos: estudio observacional, transversal, retrospectivo y analítico de pacientes admitidos entre abril y octubre del 2020 en un hospital de tercer nivel. Las pruebas estadísticas utilizadas para la comparación de las variables entre los grupos de estudio fueron chi cuadrado, exacta de Fisher, t de Student y U de Mann-Whitney. Una curva característica operativa del receptor (ROC) fue realizada para determinar la precisión del INL en la predicción de mortalidad en pacientes con FN. Resultados: un total de 25 pacientes fueron incluidos y estratificados en no sobrevivientes y sobrevivientes. El grupo no sobreviviente tuvo un valor elevado del INL en comparación con los sobrevivientes (15.57 [13.75] frente a 7.91 [4.13]; p = 0.065). El INL tuvo un área bajo la curva (AUC) de 0.729 (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95%] 0.516-0.886; p = 0.044), sensibilidad de 77.78% (40-97.2) y especificidad de 75% (47.6-92.7). El punto de corte óptimo obtenido para el INL fue > 9.21. Conclusiones: un valor de INL > 9.21 podría ser un predictor de mortalidad en los pacientes con FN.

Prospective validation of a preoperative scoring system for difficult laparoscopy cholecystectomy.

Difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is defined by its surgical outcomes, including operative time, conversion to open surgery, bile duct and/or vascular injury. Difficult LC can be graded based on intraoperative findings. The main objective of this study is to apply and validate the reliability of their proposed risk score to predict the operative difficulty of an LC, based on their own validated intraoperative scale. Single-center prospective cohort study from 01/2020-12-2023. 367 patients > 18 years who underwent LC were included. The preoperative risk scale and intraoperative grading system were registered. Surgical outcomes were determined. Predictive accuracy was evaluated by the Receiver Operator Characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values, and Youden's Index (J). Patients' mean age was 44.1 ± 15.3 years. According to the risk score, 39.5% LC were "low" risk difficulty, 49.3% were "medium" risk, and 11.2% were "high" risk difficult LC. Based on the intraoperative grading system, 31.9% were difficult LC (Nassar grades 3-4) and 68.1% were easy LC (Nassar grades 1-2). There was a statistically significant correlation (0.428, p < 0.05) between the preoperative risk score and the intraoperative grading system. The AUC for the preoperative risk score scale and intraoperative difficult LC was 0.735 (95% CI 0.687-0.779) (J: 0.34). A preoperative risk score > 1.5 had an 83.7% sensitivity and a 50.8% specificity for intraoperative difficult LC. A predictive preoperative score for difficult LC and a routine collection of the intraoperative difficulty should be implemented to improve surgical outcomes and surgical planning.

Hepatopancreatobiliary surgery in a Mexican social security hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Data on hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery and COVID-19 are scarce. The objective of the study was to determine the outcomes HPB procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare results to the previous year. METHODS: IRB approved study of HPB procedures (April, 2020-November, 2020). Primary endpoints: Thirty-day surgical morbidity/mortality, including COVID-19 infection. Secondary endpoints: Comparison between 2019 and 2020 procedures. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were included. In 2020, HPB procedures decreased 31.6%. About 60% developed complications (Clavien-Dindo Grade III, 20%). Three patients developed post-operative COVID-19 infection (two deaths: 66% COVID-19 mortality). When compared to the previous year, there were more emergency cases, ventilator-assisted patients (p < 0.05) and pre-operative acute renal failure (p = 0.06). Clavien-Dindo complication grades were higher in 2020. Thirty-day mortality was also higher (16% vs. 5.6%). CONCLUSION: HPB surgical activity was negatively influenced by COVID-19 on 30-day morbidity/mortality. HPB patients who developed post-operative COVID-19 infection had a complicated course with significant mortality.

OBJETIVO: Los datos sobre cirugía hepatopancreatobiliar (HPB) y COVID-19 son escasos. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar los resultados de procedimientos de HPB durante la pandemia COVID-19 y comparar resultados con el año anterior. MATERIAL-MÉTODOS: Estudio de procedimientos HPB aprobado por el IRB (04/2020-11/2020). Criterios de valoración principales: morbilidad/mortalidad quirúrgica a los 30 días, incluida la infección por COVID-19. Criterios de valoración secundarios: comparación entre los procedimientos de 2019 y 2020. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 25 pacientes. En 2020, los procedimientos de HPB disminuyeron 31.6%. El 60% desarrolló complicaciones (grado III de Clavien-Dindo, 20%). 3 pacientes desarrollaron infección posoperatoria por COVID-19, (2 muertes: 66% de mortalidad por COVID-19). En comparación con el año anterior, hubo más casos de emergencia, pacientes asistidos por ventilador (p < 0.05) e insuficiencia renal aguda preoperatoria (p = 0.06). Los grados de complicación de Clavien-Dindo fueron más altos en 2020. La mortalidad a 30 días también fue más alta (16% frente a 5.6%). CONCLUSIÓN: La actividad quirúrgica de HPB fue influenciada negativamente por COVID-19 en la morbilidad/mortalidad a 30 días. Los pacientes con HPB que desarrollaron infección posoperatoria por COVID-19 tuvieron un curso complicado con una mortalidad significativa.

Surgical Outcomes During COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: In December 2019, an outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) occurred in China and became pandemic in March 2020. Patients undergoing surgery are a vulnerable risk of COVID-19 exposure/infection. The aim of the study was to determine the characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic in a third level reference hospital in Mexico. METHOD: IRB approved observational study (prospectively collected database) of general and surgical oncology procedures from 04/20-08/20. Patients preoperative data and surgical cases registered. COVID-19 detection was a combination of polymerase chain reaction swab and chest computed tomography. Primary endpoints were: 30 d surgical mortality and complications, including COVID-19 infection during hospitalization. RESULTS: 193 patients were included (mean age: 53.9 years, 63.7% female). 52.8% procedures were performed by surgical oncology. 42.4% developed a complication with 8.3% mortality. COVID-19 infection was 11.3% (n = 22). Postoperative morbidity (81.3 vs. 37.4%, p = 0.0001) and mortality (27.3 vs. 5.8%, p = 0.0001) was higher in COVID-19 (+) patients. Factors associated with COVID-19 infections were sex, functional status, preoperative sepsis and ventilation, renal failure and dialysis (univariate analysis) and sepsis and renal failure (multivariate analysis). COVID-19 infection was associated with respiratory complications (54.5 vs. 2.9%), surgical site infection (27.3 vs. 10.5%), postoperative transfusions (59.1 vs. 31.6%), renal failure (54.5 vs. 8.2%), sepsis (68.2 vs. 22.2%), reintervention (22.7 vs. 7.6%), readmission (18.2 vs. 4.1%), and death (27.3 vs. 5.8%) (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: Postoperative morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients is high. Surgical procedures should be thoughtfully reviewed with a plan to minimize scheduled operations.