Randomized Trial of Near-infrared Incisionless Fluorescent Cholangiography.

BACKGROUND: Incisionless near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography (NIFC) is emerging as a promising tool to enhance the visualization of extrahepatic biliary structures during laparoscopic cholecystectomies. METHODS: We conducted a single-blind, randomized, 2-arm trial comparing the efficacy of NIFC (n = 321) versus white light (WL) alone (n = 318) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Using the KARL STORZ Image1 S imaging system with OPAL1 technology for NIR/ICG imaging, we evaluated the detection rate for 7 biliary structures-cystic duct (CD), right hepatic duct (RHD), common hepatic duct, common bile duct, cystic common bile duct junction, cystic gallbladder junction (CGJ), and accessory ducts -before and after surgical dissection. Secondary calculations included multivariable analysis for predictors of structure visualization and comparing intergroup biliary duct injury rates. RESULTS: Predissection detection rates were significantly superior in the NIFC group for all 7 biliary structures, ranging from 9.1% versus 2.9% to 66.6% versus 36.6% for the RHD and CD, respectively, with odds ratios ranging from 2.3 (95% CI 1.6-3.2) for the CGJ to 3.6 (1.6-9.3) for the RHD. After dissection, similar intergroup differences were observed for all structures except CD and CGJ, for which no differences were observed. Significant odds ratios ranged from 2.4 (1.7-3.5) for the common hepatic duct to 3.3 (1.3-10.4) for accessory ducts. Increased body mass index was associated with reduced detection of most structures in both groups, especially before dissection. Only 2 patients, both in the WL group, sustained a biliary duct injury. CONCLUSIONS: In a randomized controlled trial, NIFC was statistically superior to WL alone visualizing extrahepatic biliary structures during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02702843.

Novel technique for identification of ureters using sodium fluorescein.

BACKGROUND: The unique property of sodium fluorescein has made it ideal for use in medical applications such as diagnostic ophthalmology and intravenous angiography. It is mainly excreted via the renal system and although extensively used in these diagnostic applications, it has not been widely used to aid in the visualization of the ureters. It is possible to visualize the urinary tract by shining a source of light and studying the fluorescence using a special filter. The goal of our study was to assess the real-time visualization of ureters using intravenous sodium fluorescein under the stimulus of a 530 nm wavelength light. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine 250 gm Wister rats were given an intravenous dose of 0.01 ml of sodium fluorescein. A laparotomy was immediately performed following the administration of dye. Anesthesia was performed with an intraperitoneal dose of ketamine-xylazine. The retroperitoneum was exposed and observed under an alternating white xenon and a 530 nm excitation light with an objective to visualize the organs captured within the fluorescence of the compound (sodium fluorescein). RESULTS: Under xenon light, the location of the kidneys and urinary bladder were visualized, but not the ureters. The light was then changed to a 530 nm wavelength mode when the location and orientation of the ureters was visualized along with the peristaltic movements. Fluorescence visualization of the ureters was noted 5-10 min following kidney visualization. In addition, the vascular structures in close proximity to the ureters were also visualized. None of the rats underwent any retroperitoneal dissection, and in one case, partial mobilization of a kidney was undertaken. All rats were euthanized at the completion of the procedure. CONCLUSION: Intravenous administration of sodium fluorescein enables fluorescence visualization of the ureters in a rat model, after activation with a 530 nm light transmitter.

Choosing surgery as a specialty: opinions of medical students about surgery and surgeons.

INTRODUCTION: Since the number of applicants to residencies in general surgery in Argentina seems to be decreasing, we designed this work with the objective of studying the factors considered undesirable by students when choosing surgery as a specialty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between March and April 2012, one-hundred students were surveyed with a structured questionnaire with true/false binary answers in an observational case-control design. The survey contained 26 statements that made reference to characteristics of surgery as a specialty, or about the personality and lifestyle of surgeons, as they could be perceived by students. As a control group the same survey was applied to 20 surgeons who were in contact with the students and that could represent a role model for them during their rotation in surgery. RESULTS: Comparison between students and surgeons showed no difference in most answers, except in «surgery has poor reimbursement¼ (OR: 8,9; P=.0001), «there is not enough job demand¼ (OR: 8,1; P=.015), «surgery restrains intellectual development¼ (OR: 17,5; P=.014), «surgeons have too many non-scheduled activities¼ (OR: 9,36; P=.024), «they have a limited patient-physician relationship¼ (OR: 3,61; P=.009), «they have little time for family¼ (OR: 4,27; P=.036) and «they are exposed to infectious diseases¼ (OR: 5,90; P=.007). CONCLUSIONS: Women would be as interested as men in working as surgeons; a remarkable fact when considering that the surgical specialties have been predominantly filled by men. The fact that surgeons mostly coincide with the views of students means that role models should be reviewed to promote vocations.

Short esophagus: selection of patients for surgery and long-term results.

BACKGROUND: After improvements in antireflux surgery (ARS), a percentage of reherniations still has cause of failure attributed to a reopening of the hiatal closure or to an untreated short esophagus. However, the existence of short esophagus and its treatment results still are matters of debate. METHODS: The consecutive medical records containing prospective collective data for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) during the period 2001-2009 were analyzed retrospectively. Every patient considered to be a candidate for ARS was studied with a dynamic contrast radiologic study (DCRxS) in which the esophageal length was evaluated. The choice of surgical technique takes into account the motility status of the esophagus and its estimated length. In the postoperative period, every patient had a DCRxS and an endoscopy 1 year after surgery and then after 3 years. Satisfaction with the procedure was surveyed. RESULTS: The consecutive medical records of 437 GERD patients showed that 171 underwent ARS. During the preoperative DCRxS, a short esophagus was suspected in 26 patients. A short esophagus was confirmed for 11 patients (6.4% of the surgically treated patients), and a Collis procedure plus a funduplication was performed. At the preoperative endoscopy, two patients had a normal mucosa, four patients had esophagitis, and five patients had Barrett's esophagus (BE). In the postoperative period, seven patients presented with a healthy mucosa, one BE had disappeared, and the remaining four BEs remained unchanged. During an average follow-up period of 43 months, no reherniations occurred. The 11 patients achieved good symptoms control and would choose surgery again. CONCLUSIONS: Short esophagus can be suspected during preoperative studies, and in this series, it was confirmed in 6.4% of the patients who had surgery. A Collis fundoplication procedure seems to be an adequate operation to control reflux symptoms and to avoid reherniation over the long-term follow-up period.

Retraction and triangulation with neodymium magnetic forceps for single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: There have been attempts to minimize the invasiveness of laparoscopic cholecystectomy by reducing the size and/or the number of the operating ports and instruments. These attempts create technical challenges related principally to retraction and triangulation necessary to expose the surgical field for a safe surgery. A new technique based on retraction and triangulation with magnetic instruments for single port laparoscopic surgery is presented. METHODS: Between March 2007 and December 2008, 40 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed with single-port laparoscopic surgery with the assistance of magnetic forceps (IMANLAP project). The surgical technique is described, and the intraoperative and postoperative course of the patients is assessed. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative complications, no need to convert to open surgery, and no need to add a second port. Depending on the patient's anatomy, a 1-mm needle was added in some cases. There were no interactions observed between the magnetic devices and the anesthetic monitoring and the rest of the devices of the operation room. CONCLUSIONS: This new procedure is feasible and safe. The main goal is control of the magnetic field, allowing enough controlled strength for retraction and sufficient triangulation for adequate exposure of the surgical field. This allows for the use of a single port through which an optic device with a working channel can perform the operation with safety. Finally, the procedure can be performed in a manner similar to the traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and it also appears to be simple to learn.

Natural orifice surgery: initial clinical experience.

BACKGROUND: Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has moved quickly from preclinical investigation to clinical implementation. However, several major technical problems limit clinical NOTES including safe access, retraction and dissection of the gallbladder, and clipping of key structures. This study aimed to identify challenges and develop solutions for NOTES during the initial clinical experience. METHODS: Under an Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved protocol, patients consented to a natural orifice operation for removal of either the gallbladder or the appendix via either the vagina or the stomach using a single umbilical trocar for safety and assistance. RESULTS: Nine transvaginal cholecystectomies, one transgastric appendectomy, and one transvaginal appendectomy have been completed to date. All but one patient were discharged on postoperative day 1 as per protocol. No complications occurred. CONCLUSION: The limited initial evidence from this study demonstrates that NOTES is feasible and safe. The addition of an umbilical trocar is a bridge allowing safe performance of NOTES procedures until better instruments become available. The addition of a flexible long grasper through the vagina and a flexible operating platform through the stomach has enabled the performance of NOTES in a safe and easily reproducible manner. The use of a uterine manipulator has facilitated visualization of the cul de sac in women with a uterus to allow for safe transvaginal access.

[Clinical experience in 37 cases of insulinoma]. / Experiencia clinica sobre 37 casos de insulinoma.

Insulinoma is the most frequent pancreatic islet cell tumor. Clinical manifestations include adrenergic and neuroglycopenic symptoms. Diagnosis is established through demonstration of inappropriately elevated insulin serum concentrations in the presence of hypoglycemia. The aim of this study is to show our experience in the management of insulinoma. Since 1988, 23 women (48 +/- 18 years) and 14 men (45 +/- 19 years) were studied. Seventy three percent of them suffered mainly from neuroglucopenic symptoms while 27% referred adrenergic signs. Mean duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 2.7 +/- 2 years. Mean fasting serum glucose was 32.4 +/- 8.7 mg/dl, insulin 38.2 +/- 39.7 microU/ml (RIA, n=11) or 23.8 +/- 18.1 microU/ml (chemoluminescence, n=26) and C-peptide 1.15 +/- 1.60 nmol/l (n=14). Twenty one patients developed clinical and/or biochemical hypoglycaemia within 9.0 +/- 5.2 hours of supervised fast. Preoperative localization was performed in 73% by imaging techniques, arterial calcium stimulation and/or intraoperative ultrasonography and palpation by the surgeon. Thirty six patients were operated on by conventional surgery in 25, or laparoscopic approach in 11 cases. In 22 patients, a solitary tumor was excised (61.1%). Six cases presented multiple insulinomas. Five patients had malignant insulinomas. In one case, a pattern of nesidioblastosis was found and 2 patients presented unspecific findings. In 3 patients another tumour (glucagonoma) was found (1 of them with MEN 1). One patient was treated with verapamil with good clinical response. Mean postoperative follow up was 60.4 +/- 59.9 months.

Robotic-assisted Heller myotomy versus laparoscopic Heller myotomy for the treatment of esophageal achalasia: multicenter study.

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) has become the standard treatment option for achalasia. The incidence of esophageal perforation reported is about 5%-10%. Robotically assisted Heller myotomy (RAHM) is emerging as a safe alternative to LHM. Data comparing the two approaches are scant. The aim of this study was to compare RAHM with LHM in terms of efficacy and safety for treatment of achalasia. A total of 121 patients underwent surgical treatment of achalasia at three institutions. A retrospective review of prospectively collected perioperative data was performed. Patients were divided into two groups: group A (RAHM), 59 patients, and group B (LHM), 62 patients. All the operations were completed using minimally invasive techniques. There were 63 women and 58 men, with a mean age of 45 +/- 19 years (14-82 years). Fifty-one percent of patients in group A and 95% of patients in group B reported weight loss. Duration of symptoms was equal for both groups. Dysphagia was the main complaint in both groups (P = NS). There was no difference in preoperative endoscopic treatment in both groups (44% versus 27%, P = NS). Operative time was significantly shorter for LHM in the first half of the experience (141 +/- 49 versus 122 +/- 44 minutes, P < .05). However, in the last 30 cases there was no difference in operative time between the groups (P = NS). Intraoperative complications (esophageal perforation) were more frequent in group B (16% versus 0%). The incidence of postoperative heartburn did not differ by group. There were no deaths. At 18 and 22 months, 92% and 90% of patients had relief of their dysphagia. This study suggests that RAHM is safer than LHM, because it decreases the incidence of esophageal perforation to 0%, even in patients who had previous treatment. At short-term follow-up, relief of dysphagia was equally achieved in both groups

Video-assisted laparoscopic enterolithotomy: new technique in the surgical management of gallstone ileus.

Our goal was to analyze the results obtained with the surgical treatment of gallstone ileus using a new video-assisted laparoscopic technique. Six patients with gallstone ileus were admitted to the Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín of Buenos Aires between March 1996 and April 1998. The patients' charts were retrospectively studied. Five of the six patients were women, with an average age of 71.2 years. Enterolithotomy was performed in four patients, laparoscopic enterolithotomy in one, and diagnostic laparoscopy with no need of further surgical treatment (because the calculus migrated to the colon) in the remaining patient. The postoperative complication rate was 33%. In one patient, acute pulmonary edema and sepsis developed, and death occurred in the immediate postoperative period (mortality rate, 16.6%). The average hospital stay was 6.6 days. The average follow-up was 16 months. No patient required treatment of the enterovesical fistula; all of them remained asymptomatic. One patient died as the result of evolution of vesicular adenocarcinoma. This approach represents a safe and feasible technique that may reduce the morbidity associated with the surgical treatment of gallstone ileus by guiding the surgical incision, preventing unnecessary laparotomies, and improving abdominal exploration.

[Splenic artery embolization for the treatment of hypersplenism in hemophilic, HIV-1 and HCV seropositive patients]. / Embolización de la arteria esplénica como tratamiento del hiperesplenismo en pacientes hemofílicos, HIV-1 y HCV seropositivos.

Thrombocytopenia is an important and common hematological abnormality in patients with HIV-1/HCV coinfection. Splenomegaly is a frequent finding in these patients and usually causes hypersplenism and thrombocytopenia. We analyzed the clinical results of a minimal invasive treatment (splenic artery embolization) for thrombocytopenia secondary to hypersplenism and refractory to other therapies in two hemophiliac patients, HIV seropositive and with cirrhosis due to chronic HCV infection. The results suggest that splenic artery embolization is a safe, relatively atraumatic and effective method for the treatment of splenomegaly and hypersplenism in selected patients with HIV-1/HCV coinfection.

Insulinoma associated with pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To report three cases of insulinoma associated with pregnancy. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Divisions of Endocrinology and Gastroenterologic Surgery, Hospital de Clínicas, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. PATIENT(S): Three patients with hypoglycemic signs due to insulinoma appearing during pregnancy or shortly after delivery. INTERVENTION(S): Laparoscopic excision of insulinoma in two and laparotomy in one of the patients were performed after the end of their pregnancies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Disappearance of hypoglycemic crises and histologic proof of insulinomas. RESULT(S): In two of the three patients, hypoglycemia occurred within 2-12 weeks after delivery, suggesting that signs could have been masked because of metabolic changes during gestation; in the third patient, hypoglycemia appeared in the first trimester but was misinterpreted. CONCLUSION(S): Insulinoma is often not suspected during the first trimester of pregnancy because signs resemble episodes of hypotension or emesis. Later, with the increase in insulin resistance, symptoms subside.

Implementacion del listado de verificacion de cirugia segura / Implementation checklist for safe surgery

Antecedentes: El listado de verificación de los procedimientos es una herramienta útil dentro de las estrategias para seguridad de las intervenciones quirúrgicas. Objetivo: Utilidad de la lista de verificación para detección de fallas humanas o técnico-mecánicas. Lugar: División Quirófanos de Hospital Universitario Estatal. Diseño: Observacional exploratorio prospectivo con análisis retrospectivo. Población: Operaciones programadas consecutivas realizadas durante 12 meses. Método: Indicación a viva voz en distintos momentos operatorios de un listado de control de normas a cumplir por el cirujano responsable, el anestesiólogo y la enfermera (o instrumentadora)circulante. Resultados: Hubo 3680 operaciones programadas con implementación del listado de verificación en el 100%de los casos. Hubo 2116 fallas (57,5%): de ellas, atribuibles al factor humano el 98,12% y técnico mecánicas sólo el 0,18%. En el preoperatorio, la falla más frecuente fue la falta de consentimiento informado; en el intraoperatorio, la falta de previsión de eventos críticos y en el período postoperatorio inmediato, falta de protocolos operatorios y discrepancia en el recuento de gasas. Conclusión: La incidencia del error en cirugía necesita reducirse mediante un sistema normaltizado de conductas facilitado por el listado de verificación, procedimiento rápido y sencillo que exige el compromiso del equipo quirúrgico actuante.

Experiencia clinica sobre 37 casos de insulinoma / Clinical experience in 37 cases of insulinoma

El insulinoma es el tumor neuroendocrino pancreático más frecuente. Se manifiesta por signos adrenérgicos y de neuroglucopenia. Su diagnóstico se confirma documentando la existencia de hipoglucemia junto a una inapropiada secreción de insulina. Desde 1988 fueron estudiados 23 mujeres (48 ± 18 años) y 14 varones (45 ± 19 años) con diagnóstico de insulinoma. La evolución de la enfermedad hasta el diagnósticofue de 2.8 ± 2.1 años. Veintisiete pacientes (73%) presentaron principalmente síntomas de neuroglucopenia, y el 27% refirió síntomas adrenérgicos. El laboratorio mostró glucemia en ayunas 32.4 ± 8.7 mg/dl, insulina (RIA) 38.2 ± 39.7 μU/ml (n=11), insulina (quimioluminiscencia) 23.8 ± 18.1 μU/ml (n=26), péptido C1.15 ± 1.6 nmol/l (n=14). El test de ayuno prolongado fue diagnóstico a las 9.0 ± 5.2 horas (n=21). La localizaciónpreoperatoria fue posible en el 73% por imágenes, arteriografía con estimulación de calcio y/o ecografía intraoperatoria. Once casos fueron operados por laparoscopia, y el resto por vía convencional. El diagnósticofue confirmado por histología e inmunohistoquímica. Veintidos pacientes (61.1%) presentaron insulinomas únicos(16 en cuerpo y cola, 6 en la cabeza y proceso uncinado), 6 eran portadores de insulinomas múltiples, 5 deinsulinomas malignos, 1 de nesidioblastosis del adulto y en 2 casos los hallazgos fueron incaracterísticos. En 3 pacientes se halló un glucagonoma asociado (1 de ellos con NEM1). Una paciente no fue operada recibiendotratamiento con verapamilo, con buena respuesta clínica. El seguimiento postquirúrgico fue de 60.4 ± 59.9 meses

Insulinoma is the most frequent pancreatic islet cell tumor. Clinical manifestations include adrenergic and neuroglycopenic symptoms. Diagnosis isestablished through demonstration of inappropriately elevated insulin serum concentrations in the presence ofhypoglycemia. The aim of this study is to show our experience in the management of insulinoma. Since 1988,23 women (48 ± 18 years) and 14 men (45 ± 19 years) were studied. Seventy three percent of them sufferedmainly from neuroglucopenic symptoms while 27% referred adrenergic signs. Mean duration of symptoms beforediagnosis was 2.7 ± 2 years. Mean fasting serum glucose was 32.4 ± 8.7 mg/dl, insulin 38.2 ± 39.7 μU/ml(RIA, n= 11) or 23.8 ± 18.1 μU/ml (chemoluminescence, n=26) and C-peptide 1.15 ± 1.60 nmol/l (n=14). Twenty one patients developed clinical and/or biochemical hypoglycaemia within 9.0 ± 5.2 hours of supervised fast. Preoperative localization was performed in 73% by imaging techniques, arterial calcium stimulation and/or intraoperative ultrasonography and palpation by the surgeon. Thirty six patients were operated on by conventional surgery in 25, or laparoscopic approach in 11 cases. In 22 patients, a solitary tumor was excised (61.1%). Six cases presented multiple insulinomas. Five patients had malignant insulinomas. In one case, a pattern of nesidioblastosis was found and 2 patients presented unspecific findings. In 3 patients another tumour(glucagonoma) was found (1 of them with MEN 1). One patient was treated with verapamil with good clinicalresponse. Mean postoperative follow up was 60.4 ± 59.9 months

Embolizacion de la arteria esplenica como tratamiento del hiperesplenismo en pacientes hemofilicos, HIV-1 y HCV seropositivos / Splenic artery embolization for the treatment of hypersplenism in hemophylic, HIV-1 and HCV seropositive patients

La trombocitopenia es una anomalía usual e importante en pacientes con coinfección por HIV-1/HCV. La esplenomegalia es un hallazgo frecuente en estos pacientes y, usualmente, causa hiperesplenismo y trombocitopenia. Analizamos los resultados clínicos de un método invasivo mínimo (embolización de la arteria esplénica) para el tratamiento de la trombocitopenia secundaria al hiperesplenismo y refractaria a otras terapias en dos pacientes hemofílicos, infectados por el HIV-1 y con cirrosis causada por la infección crónica por HCV. Estos resultados sugieren que la embolización de la arteria esplénica es un método seguro, poco traumático y efectivo para el tratamiento de la esplenomegalia y el hiperesplenismo en pacientes con coinfección por HIV-1/HCV.

Colecistectomía laparoscópica ambulatoria: experiencia sobre mil casos / Outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy: our experience

Antecedentes: La colecistectomía laparoscópica (CL) es considerada el tratamiento de elección de la litiasis vesicular sintomática. Diferentes series quirúrgicas han demostrado la seguridad y factibilidad de la colecistectomía laparoscópica ambulatoria (CLA) en pacientes seleccionados. Objetivo: Evaluar la factibilidad, seguridad y beneficios de la CLA. Lugar de aplicación: Centro Autónomo de cirugía ambulatoria y de corta estadía. Diseño: Estudio retrospectivo. Población: Pacientes seleccionados entre noviembre de 1998 y mayo de 2004. Método: Registro consecutivo de casos seleccionados. Resultados: Fueron seleccionados 1000 pacientes (de un total de 1130) para CLA con una edad promedio de 48,5 años, 78 por ciento eran ASA I, 22 por ciento ASA II, 6,1 por ciento diabéticos y 13 por ciento presentaban antecedentes de cirugía abdominal previa. La CLA fue exitosa en 956 pacientes con un tiempo operatorio promedio de 58´. Se realizó CIO en el 89,5 por ciento y se dejó drenaje en 19 pacientes. En 44 pacientes no fue posible la modalidad ambulatoria: 8 por litiasis coledociana asintomática, 11 conversiones, 9 por vómitos, 11 casos por dolor, 4 por preferencia del paciente y uno por hemoperitoneo. La tasa de complicaciones fue del 7,6 por ciento. Conclusiones: La CLA es factible y segura en pacientes seleccionados, en manos de un equipo quirúrgico entrenado y bajo un estricto control del dolor y emesis en el postoperatorio

Acción de la prostaglandina sobre la barrera mucosa del estómago de la rata / Effect of prostaglandin over the gastric mucosa barrier of the rat

Se estudió el efecto de la 16.16 dimetil PGE2 sobre la diferencia de potencial de la mucosa gástrica de la rata previamente tratada con aspirina, hipovolemia o ambas. Previamente se determinó la dosis máxima de PGE2 sin efecto sobre la secrección gástrica en ratas Shay de 4 horas, siendo de 50 ug/kg. La administración de la PGE2 a dosis no antisecretorias demostró su acción protectora sobre el efecto de la aspirina, no así en la rata hipoolémica en donde no se consigue elevar significativamente la caída de la diferencia de potencial transmucosa. Se discuten los diversos mecanismos citoprotectores involucrados que pudieran explicar los resultados obtenidos

Drenaje percutáneo de abscesos intraabdominales / Percutaneous drainage of abdominal abscesses

Entre marzo de 1988 y abril de 1996, se trataron en forma percutánea 194 pacientes con colecciones abdominales. Setenta y tres abscesos hepáticos, 5 esplénicos, 52 subfrénicos, 25 parietocólicos, 9 interasas, 12 pelvianos, 3 plastrones apendiculares abscesados, 4 abscesos diverticulares, 3 del Psoas y 8 retroperitoneales. El éxito global del drenaje percutáneo fue del 86 por ciento, con necesidad de redrenaje percutáneo en el 12 por ciento y se debió recurrir a la cirugía por fracaso del método en 26 casos (13 por ciento). La mortalidad global fue del 1 por ciento; un paciente con absceso hepático y otro con colecciones interasas. Según las localizaciones, el éxito se mantuvo entre el 80 y el 100 por ciento, salvo en los abscesos interasas donde los resultados positivos del drenaje sólo llegaron al 33 por ciento y la necesidad de tratamiento quirúrgico por fracaso ascendió al 55,5 por ciento. Consideramos al tratamiento percutáneo como de primera elección en el manejo de las colecciones intraabdominales, salvo en los abscesos interasas donde se debe recurrir a una laparotomía amplia de comienzo

Pancreatectomía distal con conservación de bazo: aspectos técnicos y análisis de nuestra casuística / Distal pancreatectomy with spleen preservation: technique and the outcomes of our experience

Antecedentes: Clásicamente la esplenectomía ha formado parte de la pancreatectomía distal. El reconocimiento de la importancia de las funciones del bazo ha motivado el interés en la conservación del mismo. La pancreatectomía distal con conservación de bazo fue descripta por primera vez en 1943. Con la excepción de algunos casos reportados en la literatura internacional, no se ha implementado rutinariamente en cirugía electiva. En los últimos años, se observó un interés en su utilización para el tratamiento de lesiones benignas y de bajo grado de malignidad y se desarrolló la resección por vía laparoscópica. Objetivo: Revisión de la evolución técnica y de nuestra casuística. Población: Intentamos conservar el bazo en 25 pacientes con lesiones benignas entre 1993 y 2001. Método: Se realizó pancreatectomía distal con conservación de bazo y vasos esplénicos. El último caso se realizó por vía laparoscópica. Resultados: La preservación del bazo fue posible en 24 de los 25 pacientes y en 23 pudieron preservarse los vasos esplénicos. El tiempo operatorio promedio fue 195 minutos. Cinco pacientes presentaron complicaciones postoperatorias (21,7 por ciento). No hemos observado isquemia ni absceso de bazo en ésta serie. La estadía hospitalaria promedio fue de 8,3 días. El seguimiento postoperatorio varió entre 5 y 80 meses (promedio 40 meses), sin detectarse alteraciones hematológicas por asplenia. Un paciente desarrolló diabetes insulino-dependiente 6 años luego de la operación (4 por ciento) y no se observó ningún caso de alteración de la función exocrina del páncreas. Conclusiones: La pancreatectomía distal con conservación de bazo es una operación segura y eficaz. La preservación de los vasos esplénicos evita el desarrollo de abscesos del bazo. La sección pancreática previa a la disección retrógrada, descripta en éste traabajo, facilita la preservación de los vasos esplénicos. Esta técnica es reproducible mediante el abordaje laparoscópico

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la hidatidosis hepática: experiencia en el Hospital de Clínicas en los últimos 15 años / Surgical treatment of hepatic hidatid disease at the Clinicas Hospital in the last 15 years

Objetivo: Analizar la evolución del tratamiento quirúrgico de la hidatidosis hepática en el Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, considerando complicaciones postoperatorias, tasa de recurrencia y estadía hospitalaria de las diferentes técnicas quirúrgicas. Diseño: Estudio observacional, lineal, retrospectivo y comparativo. Población: 50 pacientes (35 mujeres y 15 hombres) con una edad promedio de 40,6 años, portadores de hidatidosis hepática tratados quirúrgicamente en los últimos 15 años en nuestra institución. Método: Se dividieron los pacientes en 3 grupos. Grupos A (n = 24), B (n = 21) y C (n = 5) sometidos a tratamiento resectivo, conservador y combinado respectivamente. Los grupos fueron homogéneos en cuanto a edad, número de quistes, tamaño, complicaciones y localizaciones extrahepáticas. Resultados: La tasa de complicaciones postoperatoria fue: 16,6, 42,8 y 20 por ciento para los grupos A, B y C respectivamente. No hubo mortalidad operatoria. La estadía hospitalaria promedio fue de 16,7 días para el grupo A, 30 días para el B y 24,3 días para el C. La tasa de recurrencia fue 13,6 por ciento para el grupo B, mientras que los grupos A y C no presentaron recurrencias. La diferencia en los resultados entre los grupos A y B fueron estadísticamente significativas. Conclusiones: Los autores recomiendan el tratamiento resectivo siempre que sea factible