Cytochrome oxidase activity in splanchnic organs of portal hypertensive rats.

OBJECTIVE: Portal hypertension is characterized by hyperdynamic splanchnic circulation associated with the development of portosystemic portal collateral circulation. Since blood flow regulation mechanisms in the splanchnic organs can be metabolic, its metabolic capacity has been studied using the mitochondrial enzyme cytochrome C oxidase as histochemical marker. METHOD: Cytochrome oxidase was quantified with a histochemical technique in the liver, pancreas and small bowel of Wistar rats in the control group (n = 8) and in rats with portal hypertension by triple stenosing ligation of the portal vein (n = 9) at 28 days of evolution. RESULTS: All rats with portal hypertension develop portosystemic collateral circulation. In these animals, cytochrome oxidase activity increases (p < 0.01) in the liver (left lateral lobe, periportal zone: 91.81 +/- 5.18 vs. 86.03 +/- 2.82) exocrine pancreas (125.6 +/- 7.25 vs 117.57 +/- 6.43; p < 0.05) as well as in the mucosa (crypts) and duodenum serosa, jejunum and ileum while it decreases in the pericentral zone of the hepatic acinus and intestinal villi. CONCLUSION: Cytochrome oxidase is considered an endogenous marker of local tissular metabolic capacity, so that its increased activity in the small bowel mucosa, crypts, exocrine pancreas and visceral peritoneum may be a metabolic factor that induces splanchnic hyperdynamic circulation in short-term portal hypertensive rats.

[Biological factors involved in the genesis of incisional hernia]. / Factores biológicos implicados en la génesis.

In the context of a surgically treated abdominal wall pathology, eventration of the wall, or incisional hernia, is one of the most prevalent complications. Despite numerous improvements over the years in suture materials and closure techniques, the incidence of incisional hernia has not diminished. Several general factors can influence the wound healing process after a laparotomy, but there are also biological factors that depend on the individual patient that can to a great extent explain the un-changing incidence of this pathology. Thus, different types of collagen, certain enzymes such as metalloproteinases and factors such as smoking have been attributed a role in the appearance of incisional hernia. These features suggest the need for a biomaterial to strengthen laparotomy closures, especially midline closures, in high-risk patients and/or in those where wound healing is compromised.

[Role of surgery in metastases from breast cancer]. / Papel de la cirugía en las metástasis del cáncer de mama.

Patients with distant metastases from breast cancer have always been considered terminally ill and as such candidates for palliative treatment only. However, due to new therapeutic modalities in oncology, survival in these patients has improved. Furthermore, in 5% of patients, metastasis from breast cancer is limited to a single solid organ (oligometastatic state). Because of these two factors, surgery is now being performed as a component of multidisciplinary treatment for hepatic, lung and bone metastases from a primary breast tumor. In the present article, we review the different published series, focussing discussion on two issues: selecting candidates for liver, lung or bone resection, and identifying prognostic factors for recurrence and/or survival following surgical excision of metastases to these sites.