Neutrophil- and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio as Biomarkers of Severity in Complicated Diverticular Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Diverticulitis is a prevalent gastrointestinal disease that may require surgical intervention. The aim of the study was to investigate the involvement of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as biomarkers of severity in complicated diverticular disease (CDD) in Mexican patients and their correlation with the need for surgical intervention, the length of hospital stay, and mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational, longitudinal, and retrospective study performed from 2017 to 2021 was considered in patients over 18 years of age, with a diagnosis of CDD by using computed tomography and with a hemogram taken in the first 24 hours upon admission to the emergency department to describe the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively) of NLR and PLR in the CDD.  Results: A total of 102 Mexican patients suffering from CDD, 54% women and 46% men with a mean of 59 years, were analyzed. According to Hinchey's classification, 79 (77.5%) patients showed type I, 12 (12.8%) type II, 5 (4.9%) type III, and 6 (5.9%) type IV. The mean hospital stay was 8.8 days, with a mortality rate of 3.9%. The cut-off value was established at 5.1 for NLR according to the results of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.633, a sensitivity of 90%, a specificity of 43%, PPV of 21.8%, and NPV of 96% for the prediction of CDD. A cut-off value for PLR at 72 was established according to the results of the ROC curve with an AUC of 0.482, a sensitivity of 78%, a specificity of 40%, PPV of 96%, and NPV of 9% for the prediction of CDD. CONCLUSION: The NLR and PLR are easily calculable and accessible biomarkers that can be part of the decision-making for the diagnosis and treatment of CDD in Mexican people as has been observed in other populations. However, more prospective, multicenter comparative studies are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of these biomarkers in relation to those already described.

Zaragoza technique of laparoscopic appendicectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Appendectomy is one of the most frequent emergency surgical procedures, currently with a preference for laparoscopic management worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To report a new laparoscopic appendectomy technique and its results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cohort study of patients with a diagnosis of appendicitis who are managed laparoscopically. In a total 1063 patients, 148 were operated on with the Zaragoza technique during the period from January 2002 to December 2018. The technique consists of making a window in the appendicular base between the meso and the appendicular wall, two prolene or silk sutures are placed, and the cecal appendix is cut between the two sutures, finally the mesoappendix is sectioned with a harmonic scalpel or bipolar clamp. RESULTS: From our results, we had 1.4% residual abscesses, 1.4% umbilical surgical wound infection and 0% mortality. DISCUSSION: Various laparoscopic management methods for appendectomy are reported in the literature, with a wide range in the results. We have obtained good results in patients subjected to our technique. CONCLUSIONS: The Zaragoza technique for laparoscopic appendectomy is an effective and safe option that prevents excessive manipulation of the inflamed appendix and is easily reproducible.

GIST associated with von recklinghausen disease: Report of two cases and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), or Von Recklinghausen's disease, is an autosomal dominant condition that affects the central nervous system. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) refers to non-epithelial tumors of the gastrointestinal tract lacking smooth muscle structural features and schwann cell immunohistochemical characteristics. The risk of patients with NF1 to develop a GIST is 7%. CASE PRESENTATION: GIST is a soft tissue sarcoma that probably arises from the interstitial Cajal cells of the intestine. GIST associated with NF1 syndrome appears to have a distinct phenotype, occurring in younger patients compared to sporadic GIST. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The clinical presentation can be highly variable, the association of gastrointestinal tumors associated with Von Recklinghausen's disease is up to 7%, postoperative treatment with imatinib is reserved for patients with a high risk of recurrence. CONCLUSION: The treatment of primary GIST is complete surgical resection with free microscopic margins and an intact pseudocapsule.

Dormia basket impacted during ERCP, resolved by laparoscopic bile duct approach: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the method of choice for treating and removing common bile duct (CBD) stones with high success rates. Among the adverse effects, impaction of the Dormia basket when removing the stones is an unusual complication. CASE PRESENTATION: Two cases of choledocholithiasis with endoscopic treatment by ERCP and Dormia basket impaction, resolved by a laparoscopic approach to the bile duct. DISCUSSION: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) has been developed as a technique to treat choledocholithiasis and simultaneously vesicular lithiasis by laparoscopy. LCBDE can be by means of a transcystic approach or by choledochotomy. The success of the treatment depends on surgical experience and the availability of adequate equipment, with high effectiveness to eliminate CBD stones and a success rate greater than 95%, it is equally effective for the resolution of adverse events during ERCP. CONCLUSION: LCBDE provides an alternative therapy where there is no other type of treatment for the resolution of complications of ERCP. It is a safe, effective and reliable technique with high success rates, which offers the benefits of a minimally invasive approach.

Total gastrectomy in a case of complicated gastric volvulus: Case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCCIóN: Gastric volvulus is characterized by a rotation, in its long or short axis, generating various degrees of obstruction, which can occur acutely or chronically. CASE: A 45-year-old female. Refers to the performance of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication 4 years ago. In December 2018, she presented a recurrence of the symptoms associated with reflux, for which a new laparoscopic fundoplication was performed (outside our medical unit) without eventualities or apparent complications. Six months later, he was admitted to our medical unit due to intolerance to the oral route. Thoraco-abdomino-pelvic tomography reports images suggestive of gastric volvulus and mixed hiatal hernia with protrusion of colon, stomach, duodenum, jejunum and mesenteric vessels, with data suggestive of complication or ischemia of these structures. An emergency operating room was requested to perform an exploratory laparotomy. Gastric volvulus, ischemia and gastric necrosis were observed in the cavity, for which a total gastrectomy and restitution of the intestinal transit were carried out by means of an esophagus-jejunum end-to-side Roux-en-Y anastomosis. DISCUSSION: There is no scientific evidence or algorithms described for the management of this condition, according to the management described in the literature, decision-making by our team surgical procedure matches current recommendations. CONCLUSION: In accordance with what is described in the literature, we consider it important to carry out a retrospective study that describes the bases for standardizing the management of this complication, and assessing models for conducting prospective multicenter studies that allow the creation of an algorithm and clinical guideline.

[Round ligament cyst simulating incarcerated inguinal hernia. Report of a case]. / Quiste de ligamento redondo que simula hernia inguinal encarcelada. Reporte de un caso.

BACKGROUND: Round ligament cysts are rare lesions, often diagnosed as irreducible inguinal hernias. Most patients are in the third to fourth decade of life, but they can occur in younger patients. They are usually clinically asymptomatic or tend to produce subtle symptoms such as pain, discomfort, or a feeling of heaviness, and swelling. Cysts should not be resized with the Valsalva manoeuvre. Ultrasound is the diagnostic method of choice. The definitive diagnosis is made during surgery, and confirmed by pathological examination. OBJECTIVE: To present a case of round ligament cyst, initially diagnosed as an incarcerated inguinal hernia, and a review of the literature. CLINICAL CASE: A 19 year-old female, who was admitted to the emergency department due to her current condition of 5 days of onset. She had an increased volume in right inguinal region that increased with physical exertion, throbbing pain, and nausea without vomiting. A right inguinal mass of approximately of 6cm in diameter was found, which was painful on mid-superficial palpation, reaching a pre-surgical diagnosis of incarcerated right inguinal hernia with an indication of surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Round ligament cysts are a rare pathology, often confused with incarcerated inguinal hernias. Although ultrasound is the study of choice, the final diagnosis is usually made during surgery and confirmed by histopathology.

[Experience in management of trauma-related acute abdomen at the "General Ignacio Zaragoza" Regional Hospital in Mexico City]. / Experiencia en el manejo del abdomen agudo de origen traumático en el Hospital Regional "General Ignacio Zaragoza"

OBJECTIVE: To know the current state of surgical management of patients with abdominal trauma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective, observational, transversal study involving patients with abdominal trauma with clinical files wtih trauma who required surgery during the period of April 1, 1998 through March 30, 2003. RESULTS: There were 72 cases including nine male and 33 female patients. Mechanism of lesion was divided into closed and penetrating trauma, the latter group of patients divided into individuals with blunt wounds or with gunshot wounds. Most frequent early postoperative complication was hemorrhage, while most frequent late postoperative complication was acute renal failure. Causes of death were hypovolemic shock in four patients followed by two cases each with the following pathologies: acute respiratory insufficiency syndrome; myocardial infarct, and septic shock. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal trauma is a frequent pathology in our environment, males the most affected patients, with penetrating trauma main lesion cause. Prolonged surgical time required hemotransfusions, and infectious processes together with processes related with tissular hypoxia are the most common cause of complications and death.