The Importance of Abdominal Wall Closure After Definitive Surgery for Enterocutaneous Fistula.

INTRODUCTION: The coexistence of an enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) with large abdominal wall defects represent one of the most demanding situations seen by a surgeon. Simultaneous treatment of ECF closure with abdominal wall defect closure has been widely debated. Our objective was to determine if the type of abdominal wall closure was associated with fistula recurrence after definitive surgery for ECF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients submitted to fistula resection with primary anastomosis for ECF closure. Among several variables, total abdominal wall closure (primary independent variable) was assessed as a factor related to the recurrence of the ECF (dependent variable). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: One-hundred and fourteen patients were included. Fistula recurred in 39 patients (34%). Total abdominal wall closure was done in 37 patients (32%). ECF recurred in 16% (6 of 37 patients) when abdominal wall closure was performed, compared to 43% (33 of 77 patients) when this was not (p < 0.02). After multivariate analyses, abdominal wall closure was found as a protective factor against recurrence (p < 0.02). Patients with total abdominal wall closure had one-fourth of risk for recurrence compared to patients without it. Other factors associated to recurrence of ECF were multiple fistulas (p < 0.05), intraoperative blood loss >325 mL (p < 0.05) and preoperative C-reactive protein >0.5 mg/dL (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that total abdominal wall closure is a protective factor against fistula recurrence after definitive surgery for ECF.

Effect of Preoperative Administration of Oral Arginine and Glutamine in Patients with Enterocutaneous Fistula Submitted to Definitive Surgery: a Prospective Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: The use of glutamine and arginine has shown several advantages in postoperative outcomes in patients after gastrointestinal surgery. We determined the effects of its use in patients with enterocutaneous fistula after operative treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients with enterocutaneous fistula were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group received the standard medical care while the patients of the experimental group were supplemented with enteral administration of 4.5 g of arginine and 10 g of glutamine per day for 7 days prior to the surgery. The primary outcome variable was the recurrence of the fistula and the secondary outcomes were preoperative and postoperative serum concentrations of interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein and postoperative infectious complications. RESULTS: Twenty patients were assigned to each group. The fistula recurred in two patients (10%) of the experimental group and in nine patients (45%) of the control group (P < 0.001). We found a total of 13 infectious complications in six patients of the control group (all with fistula recurrence) and none in the experimental group. Mean preoperative serum concentrations of interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein were lower in patients from the experimental group. In addition, these levels were lower in patients who had recurrence if compared to patients that did not recur. CONCLUSION: Preoperative administration of oral arginine and glutamine could be valuable in the postoperative recovery of patients with enterocutaneous fistulas submitted to definitive surgery.

Esplenectomía laparoscópica como tratamiento para la púrpura trombocitopénica idiopática y la esplenomegalia masiva en un hospital de segundo nivel / Laparoscopic splenectomy as a treatment for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and massive splenomegaly in a second-level hospital

Resumen Introducción: Actualmente, la esplenectomía es una opción terapéutica para diversas patologías hematológicas, especialmente las refractarias a tratamiento médico. Debido a las ventajas del uso de la cirugía de mínima invasión, como son un menor dolor postoperatorio, recuperación rápida, menor sangrado y mejores resultados estéticos, la laparoscopía se ha convertido en el abordaje estándar en pacientes sometidos a esplenectomía. Caso clínico: Varón de 34 años con diagnóstico de púrpura trombocitopénica idiopática (PTI). Recibió tratamiento con esteroide y danazol pero persistió trombocitopenia. Enviado a consulta de cirugía general por falla en el tratamiento médico. Se realizó esplenectomía laparoscópica sin complicaciones, extrayendo pieza quirúrgica con medidas de 25 × 16 cm con un peso de 1,235 gramos. Tiempo quirúrgico de 115 minutos, sangrado transoperatorio de 800 cm3. Conclusión: El tratamiento de la PTI refractaria a tratamiento médico es la esplenectomía laparoscópica, la cual es una opción viable y segura con tasas bajas de complicaciones, no importando el tamaño del órgano.

Abstract Introduction: Nowadays, a splenectomy is a therapeutic option for hematologic diseases, especially those that do not respond to medical treatment. It is a minimally invasive surgery and has advantages such as less postoperative pain, rapid recovery, less blood loss and better cosmetic results. Laparoscopy has become the standard approach for patients undergoing a splenectomy. Case report: We present the case of a 34-year old male patient with idiopatic thrombocytopenic purpura. He was treated with steroid and danazol with a persistent thrombocytopenia. Due to the failure of the treatment, a laparoscopic splenectomy was performed without any complication. The extracted spleen measured 25 × 16 cm weighing 1.235 g. The surgical time was of 115 min and the transoperative loss of blood was of 800 cc. Conclusion: The laparoscopic splenectomy is a safe and viable therapeutic option. Various studies have shown low conversion rates, less morbidity and a shorter hospital stay. Laparoscopic splenectomy is an effective therapy regardless of the size of the spleen.

Results after Definitive Surgical Treatment in Patients with Enteroatmospheric Fistula.

As enteroatmospheric fistulas (EAF) lack healthy overlying tissue, spontaneous healing is very unlikely. Our aim was to identify risk factors for recurrence and mortality after definitive surgical treatment for EAF. Sixty-two consecutive patients with a diagnosis of EAF were submitted to definitive surgical repair (fistula resection and primary anastomosis) during a 6-year period. Several patient, disease, and operative variables were assessed as risk factors associated to our endpoints: recurrence and mortality. All patients were followed-up until hospital discharge or death. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed. There were 24 females and 38 males with a median age of 53 years (interquartile ranges 43-63). EAF recurred in 23 patients. Univariate analysis identified several risk factors for recurrence which included performing more than one anastomosis (20 vs 52%, P = 0.013), failure of achieving total abdominal closure (16 vs 47%, P = 0.025), intraoperative hemorrhage >400 cc (28 vs 65%, P = 0.007), presence of multiple fistulas (25 vs 61%, P = 0.008), and preoperative C-reactive protein >0.5 mg/dL (54 vs 82%, P = 0.029). The latter two remained significant after multivariate analysis. Final EAF closure was attained in 47 patients (76%) and 8 more (13%) had a low-output (<50 mL/day) enterocutaneous fistula. Timing of surgery was not related to fistula recurrence. Eight patients died (13%), and fistula recurrence was the only risk factor found related to mortality both through univariate (26 vs 5%, P = 0.043) and after multivariate analysis. EAF management represents a rather challenging problem. Timing for surgical treatment is controversial and is based mostly on patient status and surgeon's criteria. Recurrence is associated to EAF characteristics and an inflammatory state; it was also the only factor associated to mortality.

[Acute appendicitis. Surgical and non-surgical treatment]. / Apendicitis aguda. Manejo quirúrgico y no quirúrgico.

Appendicitis represents a common disease for the surgeon with a relative risk between 7-8%. It was thought that if more time passed between diagnosis and treatment, the risk for complications, such as perforation or abscess formation, was higher; nevertheless; the evolution is variable, making necessary the development of different strategies such as antibiotic use only, interval surgery or endoscopic treatment. The purpose of this study is to make a revision in the management of appendicitis comparing conservative and surgical treatment. It is known that traditional management of appendicitis is appendectomy with a complication rate of 2.5% to 48%. Nowadays, laparoscopy is the approach of choice by many surgeons and there have proposed new invasive techniques such as endoscopic treatment with the use of prosthesis and ambulatory surgery. Antibiotic use is essential in the management of appendicitis. Its use as the only strategy to treat this disease has the purpose of lowering costs and diminishing complications related to surgery or the resection of the organ. We conclude that the ideal management of appendicitis remains controversial and it will depend of the clinical characteristics of each patient and the resources available.

La apendicitis es una urgencia común para el cirujano. El riesgo estimado para presentarla es de 7-8%. Se pensaba que la apendicitis era un continuo donde, mientras más tiempo pasaba entre el inicio de síntomas y el tratamiento, el riesgo de complicaciones (necrosis, perforación y formación de abscesos) era mayor; sin embargo, la evolución es variable por lo que se han propuesto estrategias terapéuticas como el uso de antibióticos, cirugía de intervalo o tratamiento endoscópico. El objetivo de este estudio es hacer una revisión de la literatura acerca del manejo de apendicitis comparando manejo quirúrgico y conservador. Es sabido que el manejo tradicional para apendicitis es la apendicectomía, con tasa de complicación del 2.5 hasta el 48%. El abordaje ha cambiado de abierto a laparoscópico y han surgido nuevas técnicas invasivas como el manejo endoscópico con endoprótesis y la cirugía ambulatoria. El manejo antibiótico es esencial en apendicitis y su uso como terapia única en apendicitis tiene como objetivo disminuir la morbilidad asociada al evento quirúrgico, a la resección del órgano y a disminuir costos. Nuestra conclusión es que el manejo adecuado de la apendicitis es controversial y dependerá del estado clínico del paciente y de los recursos con que se dispongan.

[Persistent elevation of Ca 19-9 and an unexpected finding. A case report]. / Elevación persistente de Ca 19-9 y un hallazgo inesperado. Reporte de un caso.

BACKGROUND: Tumour markers are substances produced by the tumour itself, or by the host in response to a tumour. These markers could be measured either in the blood or in body secretions. One of the most common tumour markers used in gastrointestinal diseases is Ca 19-9. It is the marker most used for pancreatic cancer, but can be elevated in many benign processes. Thus, it is not a specific marker. CLINICAL CASE: The case is presented of a male patient with 4 years of moderate abdominal pain, weight loss, and persistent elevation of Ca 19-9. After an extensive work-up, renal and hepatic cysts were found, as well as steatosis and, apparently, a gallbladder polyp. With these findings and the persistent elevation of Ca 19-9, it was decided to operate the patient. An exploratory laparoscopy was performed showing multiple, yellowish nodular lesions all over the hepatic surface suggestive of metastases, as well as simple hepatic cysts. Pathology reported biliary hamartomas, steatosis, and chronic cholecystitis. After 2years of follow up, although there is no evidence of malignant neoplasia, there is still an elevation of Ca 19-9. CONCLUSION: The persistent elevation of Ca 19-9 is probably due to the presence of multiple benign diseases such as steatosis, urolithiasis, hepatic and renal cysts, and cholecystitis. An algorithm is needed for healthy patients with elevated levels of Ca 19-9 marker, in order to lower costs, avoid misdiagnoses, and improve management.

[Incidence of catheter-related infection incidence and risk factors in patients on total parenteral nutrition in a third level hospital]. / Incidencia de infección asociada a catéter venoso central y factores de riesgo relacionados en pacientes con nutrición parenteral total en un hospital de tercer nivel.

BACKGROUND: Central venous catheters are devices used for therapeutic, diagnostic, and monitoring purposes. Complications associated with central venous catheter use include those related to their insertion, rupture and displacement of the catheter, occlusion, thrombosis, and infection. Of these the latter is important due to the high morbidity and mortality it causes in the patients, and total parenteral nutrition increases the risk. The aim of this study is determine the incidence and risk factors associated with catheter-related infection in patients on parenteral nutrition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted, by analysing patients on total parenteral nutrition who developed a catheter-related infection in a 6-month period. Multiple variables were studied, looking for significance. A statistically significant relationship was considered with a p<0.05. RESULTS: The study consisted of 85 patients, of whom 52% were women and 48% men. The median age was 54 years. The most frequent diagnosis was enterocutaneous fistula. Catheter associated infection was present in 19% of patients. The most frequent microorganisms found were Staphyloccocus sp. (44%) and Candida sp. (25%). Median time between central venous catheter insertion and infection was 78±64 days. There was a significance between days with a central venous catheters and infection development (p=0.014). Infection developed in 81% of patients on whom surgery was performed (p<0.05) CONCLUSION: It was found that patients with a longer use of a central venous catheter (p=0.014) and those who were operated on in conjunction with total parenteral nutrition (p<0.05) were more prone to develop a catheter-associated infection.

[Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding due to gastrointestinal stromal tumors]. / Hemorragia gastrointestinal de origen oscuro por tumores de estroma gastrointestinal.

BACKGROUND: The gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are the most common soft tissue sarcomas of the digestive tract. They are usually found in the stomach (60-70%) and small intestine (25-30%) and, less commonly, in the oesophagus, mesentery, colon, or rectum. The symptoms present at diagnosis are, gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, abdominal mass, or intestinal obstruction. The type of symptomatology will depend on the location and size of the tumour. The definitive diagnosis is histopathological, with 95% of the tumours being positive for CD117. CLINICAL CASES: This is an observational and descriptive study of 5cases of small intestinal GIST that presented with gastrointestinal bleeding as the main symptom. The period from the initial symptom to the diagnosis varied from 1 to 84 months. The endoscopy was inconclusive in all of the patients, and the diagnosis was made using computed tomography and angiography. Treatment included resection in all patients. The histopathological results are also described. CONCLUSION: GIST can have multiple clinical pictures and unusual symptoms, such as obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. The use of computed tomography and angiography has shown to be an important tool in the diagnosis with patients with small intestine GISTs.

Eventración diafragmática en el adulto. Reporte de un caso / Diaphragmatic eventration in adults. Case report

Resumen Introducción: El diafragma es un órgano fibromuscular cuya función fisiológica es otorgar la fuerza mecánica para la ventilación. Otra de las funciones del diafragma es dividir la cavidad torácica de la cavidad abdominal2. El diafragma se ve afectado rara vez por enfermedades. Entre las patologías primarias se encuentra la eventración diafragmática. Reporte de caso: Paciente del sexo femenino de 21 años de edad sin antecedentes de importancia quien presenta caída de su propia altura y trauma contuso en tórax. Se realiza radiografía como parte del estudio y se observa elevación del hemidiafragma izquierdo. El estudio se complementa con tomografía axial computada y se diagnostica eventración diafragmática. Ante los hallazgos, se plantea el procedimiento quirúrgico como terapia definitiva; sin embargo, la paciente no lo acepta, por lo que se ha mantenido en seguimiento por la consulta externa. Discusión: La eventración diafragmática es causada por debilidad de la parte muscular diafragmática. Se cree que es causada por la ausencia congénita o funcional de la musculatura diafragmática. El cuadro clínico generalmente es asintomático; en caso de existir sintomatología, ésta se relaciona a problemas respiratorios. El diagnóstico se corrobora con estudios radiológicos, de los cuales los más utilizados son la radiografía de tórax y la tomografía axial computada. El tratamiento puede ser conservador o quirúrgico. El pronóstico dependerá del grado de hipoplasia pulmonar y la de coexistencia de alguna otra alteración. Conclusión: La eventración diafragmática es rara vez diagnosticada en pacientes adultos asintomáticos. El manejo dependerá de la decisión del cirujano y del paciente.

Abstract Background: The diaphragm is a fibromuscular organ whose primary function is related to ventilation. It also serves as a barrier between pleural and abdominal cavities. This organ is rarely affected by pathologic entities, but eventration is among the primary diseases of this structure. Case Report: We present the case of a 21 year old female with no relevant personal history. She arrived to the emergency room with thoracic blunt trauma. Chest radiography is indicated, showing elevation of the left hemidiaphragm. This study was complemented with a computed tomography making a presumptive diagnosis of diaphragmatic eventration. As part of the treatment, we proposed surgical therapy but the patient refused and now she is under surveillance in her clinic. Discussion: Diaphragmatic eventration is caused by the weakness of the muscular part of the organ. It is thought that is caused by functional or congenital absence of the diaphragmatic musculature. The clinical presentation is variable but, in most of the cases, the patients are asymptomatic. The diagnosis is made by radiologic studies such as chest plains and computed tomography. Treatment could be conservative or surgical. The prognosis will depend on the degree of pulmonary hypoplasia and the coexistence of other malformations. Conclusion: Diaphragmatic eventration is rarely diagnosed in adults and the treatment will depend on the surgeon´s and the patient´s joined decision.

[Surgical treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico del seudoquiste de páncreas.

BACKGROUND: A pancreatic pseudocyst is the collection of pancreatic secretions surrounded by fibrous tissue caused by pancreatic disease that affects the pancreatic duct. Clinical presentation is variable. Management includes percutaneous, endoscopic or surgical drainage and resection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of a cohort of patients with pancreatic pseudocyst in a third level hospital. An analysis was performed on the demographic data, aetiology, clinical presentation, radiological and laboratory findings, type of surgical procedure, complications, recurrence and mortality. The statistical analysis was performed using Chi squared and Student t tests, with a p<0.05. RESULTS: A total of 139 patients were included, of whom 58% were men and 42% were women, with median age of 44.5 years. Chronic pancreatitis was the most common aetiology, present in 74 patients (53%). The main complaint was abdominal pain in 73% of patients. Median size was 18cm (range 7-29) and the most frequent location was body and tail of the pancreas. Internal surgical drainage was selected in 111 (80%) patients, of whom 96 were cystojejunostomy, 20 (14%) had external surgical drainage, and 8 (6%) resection. Complications were, pancreatic fistula (12%), haemorrhage (4%), infection (4%), and other non-surgical complications (4%). Complication rate was higher if the cause was chronic pancreatitis or if the management was external surgical drainage. Recurrence rate was 6%, and a mortality rate of 1%. CONCLUSION: Surgical management is a viable option for the management of pancreatic pseudocyst with a low complication and recurrence rate.