Flexible ureteroscopy without ureteral access sheath.

INTRODUCTION: Ureteral access sheath (UAS) is widely used in flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy (FURS) based on better stone-free rates, lower intrarenal pressure and fewer complications. However, it also rises surgical costs and may injure the ureteral wall. The main objective of our study is to compare safety and efficacy of FURS with and without UAS to evaluate whether its use is justified in all cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational analytic study based on a prospective database. A total of 241 consecutive patients who underwent FURS for upper ureter and renal stones between January 2018 and May 2020 were included for analysis and divided into two groups upon UAS use. We compared demographic data, stone characteristics, prestenting, operative time, need for ureteral stent, postoperative urinary tract infection, renal colic and need for ancillary procedures. RESULTS: A total of 198 patients (82.2%) were included in the group without UAS. Operative time was significantly shorter in the group of patients without UAS than those with UAS (64.6 minutes ± 29.5 vs. 89.9 minutes ± 2.8 respectively; p 0.010). Both groups had similar rates of colic pain and urinary tract infection. Ancillary procedures were more frequent in the UAS group (37.2 vs. 21.2%; p 0.026), but significance was lost in multivariate assessment. CONCLUSION: FURS without UAS seems to be as safe as FURS with UAS but requires less ancillary procedures. An additional advantage is shorter operative time.

Satisfaction of patients with Peyronie's disease after plaque surgery and bovine pericardium graft. / Satisfacción de los pacientes con enfermedad de La Peyronie tras cirugía de placa e injerto de pericardio bovino.

INTRODUCTION: Plaque and bovine pericardium graft surgery is a useful tool for treating Peyronie's disease. OBJECTIVE: To determine patient satisfaction following this operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational and descriptive study. We collected data from the medical records of patients who underwent surgery between 2004 and 2015 and were evaluated through a postoperative satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS: Twenty-eight operations were performed. Curve correction was achieved in 26 patients (95.3%). One patient (3.57%) required residual curve correction using Yachia's technique, and 1 patient (3.57%) had a severe complication consisting of prosthetic infection and urethrocutaneous fistulae. Twenty-one patients (75%) expressed satisfaction with the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show an acceptable level of satisfaction among our patients, with a low number of complications. However, further prospective, controlled and randomised studies are needed.

Aspirin inhibits expression of sFLT1 from human cytotrophoblasts induced by hypoxia, via cyclo-oxygenase 1.

INTRODUCTION: Elevated circulating soluble FLT1 (sFLT1) levels seen in preeclampsia may play a role in its development. Aspirin is recommended for prevention of preeclampsia. We hypothesized that aspirin may inhibit the production of sFlt1. METHODS: Placentas from women with and without preeclampsia were collected. Primary cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) were cultured from normal placentas and treated with aspirin, sc-560, a COX1 inhibitor or celecoxib, a COX2 inhibitor. The expression of sFLT1, FLT1, COX1 and COX2 was studied. The effect of aspirin on sFlt1 expression was also studied in HEK293 cells and in HTR-8/SVNeo cells. RESULTS: The expression of sFLT1 was increased in preeclamptic placentas compared to control placentas and the expression and release of sFLT1 increased in CTBs exposed to 2% O2 compared to controls. Aspirin at 3 and 12 mM concentration reduced the expression and release of sFLT1 in CTBs. Aspirin also inhibited sFlt1 expression from HTR-8/SVNeo and HEK293 cells. Sc-560, but not celecoxib, reduced sFLT1 expression and release from CTBs. Aspirin and sc-560 also reduced hypoxia-induced FLT1 mRNA expression and inhibited COX1 mRNA in CTBs. DISCUSSION: This study confirms that sFLT1 expression is increased in preeclamptic placentas and in CTBs exposed to hypoxia. Aspirin inhibits the production sFLT1 in CTBs and in HTR-8/SVNeo. Sc-560 recapitulated the effects of aspirin on sFLT1 expression and release in CTBs suggesting that the aspirin effect may be mediated via inhibition of COX1. The study increases our understanding of the mechanisms regulating sFlt1 expression and provides a plausible explanation for the effect of aspirin to prevent preeclampsia.

[A new technique of posterolateral thoracotomy with preservation of the latissimus dorsi muscle]. / Une nouvelle technique de thoracotomie postéro-latérale respectant le muscle grand dorsal.

The authors present a new posterolateral thoracotomy technique, preserving the integrity of the latissimus dorsi muscle, which in split in the direction of its fibres instead of being sectioned transversely. The exposure is sufficient for all forms of lung resection and pleural surgery and the incision is easily and rapidly repaired. After describing the technique, the authors review their first 70 patients operated via this incision, which was always sufficient to allow the planned operation. Healing was satisfactory and, in the long-term, the functional and painful sequelae appeared to be less than with the classical Crafoord posterolateral thoracotomy, which could be replaced by this new incision.

Ureteroscopia flexible sin vaina de acceso ureteral / Flexible ureteroscopy without ureteral access sheath

Introducción: La vaina de acceso ureteral (VAU) se utiliza ampliamente en la ureteroscopia flexible con litotricia con láser (URSF) por sus mejores tasas de estado libre de cálculos, menor presión intrarrenal y menos complicaciones. Sin embargo, también aumenta los costes quirúrgicos y puede lesionar la pared ureteral. El objetivo principal de nuestro estudio es comparar la seguridad y la eficacia de la URSF con y sin VAU para evaluar la justificación de su uso en todos los casos.Materiales y métodos: Hemos llevado a cabo un estudio analítico observacional retrospectivo con una base de datos prospectiva. Se incluyeron para el análisis un total de 241 pacientes consecutivos que se sometieron a URSF para el tratamiento de cálculos renales y de uréter superior entre enero de 2018 y mayo de 2020 y se dividieron en dos grupos según el uso dela VAU. Se compararon los datos demográficos, las características de los cálculos, la presentación, el tiempo operatorio, la necesidad de catéter ureteral, la infección urinaria posoperatoria, el cólico renal y la necesidad de procedimientos adicionales.Resultados: Un total de 198 pacientes (82,2%) conformaron el grupo sin VAU. El tiempo operatorio fue significativamente menor en el grupo de pacientes sin VAU que en los tratados con VAU (64,6 minutos ± 29,5 vs. 89,9 minutos ±2,8, respectivamente; p 0,010). Ambos grupos presentaron tasas similares de dolor renal e infección del tracto urinario. Los procedimientos auxiliares fueron más frecuentes en el grupo con VAU (37,2 vs. 21,2%; p 0,026), pero no hubo significación en el análisis multivariante.Conclusión: La URSF sin VAU parece ser tan segura como la URSF con VAU, pero requiere menos procedimientos adicionales. Otra de las ventajas es un menor tiempo operatorio (AU)

Introduction: Ureteral access sheath (UAS) is widely used in flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy (FURS) based on better stone-free rates, lower intrarenal pressure and fewer complications. However, it also rises surgical costs and may injure the ureteral wall. The main objective of our study is to compare safety and efficacy of FURS with and without UAS to evaluate whether its use is justified in all cases.Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective observational analytic study based on a prospective database. A total of 241 consecutive patients who underwent FURS for upper ureter and renal stones between January 2018 and May 2020 were included for analysis and divided into two groups upon UAS use. We compared demographic data, stone characteristics, prestenting, operative time, need for ureteral stent, postoperative urinary tract infection, renal colic and need for ancillary procedures.Results: A total of 198 patients (82.2%) were included in the group without UAS. Operative time was significantly shorter in the group of patients without UAS than those with UAS (64.6 minutes ± 29.5 vs. 89.9 minutes ± 2.8 respectively; p 0.010). Both groups had similar rates of colic pain and urinary tract infection. Ancillary procedures were more frequent in the UAS group (37.2 vs. 21.2%; p 0.026), but significance was lost in multivariate assessment.Conclusion: FURS without UAS seems to be as safe as FURS with UAS but requires less ancillary procedures. An additional advantage is shorter operative time (AU)

Satisfacción de los pacientes con enfermedad de La Peyronie tras cirugía de placa e injerto de pericardio bovino / Satisfaction of patients with Peyronie's disease after plaque surgery and bovine pericardium graft

Introducción: La cirugía de placa e injerto de pericardio bovino es una herramienta útil en el tratamiento de la enfermedad de La Peyronie. Objetivo: Determinar la satisfacción de los pacientes tras la realización de esta cirugía. Materiales y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, observacional y descriptivo. Se recabaron los datos de las historias clínicas de los pacientes operados entre 2004 y 2015, y fueron evaluados mediante un cuestionario de satisfacción postoperatoria. Resultados: Se realizaron 28 cirugías. La corrección de la curva se logró en 26 pacientes (95,3%). Un paciente (3,57%) requirió corrección de la curva residual mediante técnica de Yachia, y un paciente (3,57%) presentó una complicación grave consistente en infección protésica y fístula uretrocutánea. Veintiún pacientes (75%) se mostraron satisfechos con la cirugía. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados muestran un aceptable nivel de satisfacción de nuestros pacientes con un bajo número de complicaciones, aunque se necesitan más trabajos, prospectivos, controlados y aleatorizados

Introduction: Plaque and bovine pericardium graft surgery is a useful tool for treating Peyronie's disease. Objective: To determine patient satisfaction following this operation. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective, observational and descriptive study. We collected data from the medical records of patients who underwent surgery between 2004 and 2015 and were evaluated through a postoperative satisfaction questionnaire. Results: Twenty-eight operations were performed. Curve correction was achieved in 26 patients (95.3%). One patient (3.57%) required residual curve correction using Yachia's technique, and 1 patient (3.57%) had a severe complication consisting of prosthetic infection and urethrocutaneous fistulae. Twenty-one patients (75%) expressed satisfaction with the surgery. Conclusions: Our results show an acceptable level of satisfaction among our patients, with a low number of complications. However, further prospective, controlled and randomised studies are needed

Application of activity-based costing (ABC) for a Peruvian NGO healthcare provider.

This article describes the application of activity-based costing (ABC) to calculate the unit costs of the services for a health care provider in Peru. While traditional costing allocates overhead and indirect costs in proportion to production volume or to direct costs, ABC assigns costs through activities within an organization. ABC uses personnel interviews to determine principal activities and the distribution of individual's time among these activities. Indirect costs are linked to services through time allocation and other tracing methods, and the result is a more accurate estimate of unit costs. The study concludes that applying ABC in a developing country setting is feasible, yielding results that are directly applicable to pricing and management. ABC determines costs for individual clinics, departments and services according to the activities that originate these costs, showing where an organization spends its money. With this information, it is possible to identify services that are generating extra revenue and those operating at a loss, and to calculate cross subsidies across services. ABC also highlights areas in the health care process where efficiency improvements are possible. Conclusions about the ultimate impact of the methodology are not drawn here, since the study was not repeated and changes in utilization patterns and the addition of new clinics affected applicability of the results. A potential constraint to implementing ABC is the availability and organization of cost information. Applying ABC efficiently requires information to be readily available, by cost category and department, since the greatest benefits of ABC come from frequent, systematic application of the methodology in order to monitor efficiency and provide feedback for management. The article concludes with a discussion of the potential applications of ABC in the health sector in developing countries.

¿Qué es la circulación extracorpórea? Aspectos técnicos / What is a bypass? Technical aspects

El presente trabajo pretende describir algunos conceptos básicos del bypass cardiopulmonar cuando es utilizado en protocolos de investigación en modelos animales. Describimos los aspectos técnicos de interés que debe conocer el investigador y el personal que trabaja en centros hospitalarios donde se realizan estos procedimientos de perfusión. El perfusionista es el especialista calificado en manejar la bomba de circulación extracorpórea durante situaciones médicas donde es necesario el soporte temporal de la función circulatoria. Además, es el experto en el conocimiento de la variedad de equipo y es responsable de su buen funcionamiento. Está capacitado para poder administrar algunos medicamentos de acuerdo al protocolo de perfusión. Es así como describimos parte del equipo de circulación extracorpórea, y algunos aspectos fisiológicos durante el bypass cardiopulmonar. En esta monografía no intentamos discutir la multitud de variaciones posibles de cómo realizar el bypass cardiopulmonar, sino que muestra los principios básicos para poder entender los circuitos extracorpóreos