Sarcopenia and Patient's Body Composition: New Morphometric Tools to Predict Clinical Outcome After Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy: a Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: The impact of preoperative body composition as independent predictor of prognosis for esophageal cancer patients after esophagectomy is still unclear. The aim of the study was to explore such a relationship. METHODS: This is a multicenter retrospective study from a prospectively maintained database. We enrolled consecutive patients who underwent Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy in four Italian high-volume centers from May 2014. Body composition parameters including total abdominal muscle area (TAMA), visceral fat area (VFA), and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) were determined based on CT images. Perioperative variables were systematically collected. RESULTS: After exclusions, 223 patients were enrolled and 24.2% had anastomotic leak (AL). Sixty-eight percent of patients were sarcopenic and were found to be more vulnerable in terms of postoperative 90-day mortality (p = 0.028). VFA/TAMA and VFA/SFA ratios demonstrated a linear correlation with the Clavien-Dindo classification (R = 0.311 and 0.239, respectively); patients with anastomotic leak (AL) had significantly higher VFA/TAMA (3.56 ± 1.86 vs. 2.75 ± 1.83, p = 0.003) and VFA/SFA (1.18 ± 0.68 vs. 0.87 ± 0.54, p = 0.002) ratios. No significant correlation was found between preoperative BMI and subsequent AL development (p = 0.159). Charlson comorbidity index correlated significantly with AL (p = 0.008): these patients had a significantly higher index (≥ 5). CONCLUSION: Analytical morphometric assessment represents a useful non-invasive tool for preoperative risk stratification. The concurrent association of sarcopenia and visceral obesity seems to be the best predictor of AL, far better than simple BMI evaluation, and potentially modifiable if targeted with prehabilitation programs.

Applicative Limitations of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Assistance to Laparoscopic Lymph Node Dissection in Total Gastrectomy for Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence has been recently introduced as a novel imaging technique improving the accuracy of lymph node (LN) dissection in gastric cancer (GC) surgery, although procedure standardization and achievements have not been clearly defined. This study analyzed the feasibility and effectiveness of ICG-guidance for laparoscopic D2-lymphadenectomy during total gastrectomy for cancer. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed a single-center series of patients who underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy for cancer between April 2015 and August 2021. All patients underwent surgery with standard D2 LN dissection. Intraoperative ICG-fluorescence was institutionally implemented in April 2018 and was performed routinely afterward. Primary outcomes were LN harvest and ratio. Secondary endpoints included operative time and subgroup analysis to assess variables potentially affecting LN retrieval. RESULTS: The study population included 102 patients, and ICG-fluorescence was applied in 38 (37.3%). ICG and no-ICG groups presented similar median age, gender proportions, ASA score and comorbidities (age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index), body mass index, and advanced pathological stage. The median of LNs retrieved was significantly higher after the intraoperative ICG-guidance (44 vs. 32; p = 0.004), although this association was not significant after neoadjuvant therapy or among patients with positive LNs. Lymph node ratio and operative time were not significantly impacted by ICG fluorescence. Multivariate analysis identified the ICG-assistance as the only independent determinant for LN harvest (p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: ICG-guidance contributes to a significantly wider LN retrieval after laparoscopic D2-lymphadenectomy during total gastrectomy for cancer. However, neoadjuvant therapy and positive LN stage appeared to limit the procedural effectiveness to ICG-assisted LN identification.

How a modified Nissen procedure works: a mechanistic study using intraoperative esophageal high-resolution manometry.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed at demonstrating how a modified Nissen procedure works by analyzing intraoperatively the variations of the low esophageal sphincter pressure values using high resolution manometry. METHODS: This study included 15 patients with documented gastroesophageal reflux disease who underwent a laparoscopic modified Nissen procedure. Data regarding the changes in the pressure values were recorded at each step of the procedures using high resolution manometry and after the progressive insufflation of air in the stomach. Categorical data were compared between the preoperative and postoperative periods using Fisher's test, and continuous data were compared using Mann-Whitney U non-parametric test. Preoperative versus postoperative variations in continuous data were assessed using Wilcoxon's non-parametric test for paired data. RESULTS: Intraoperative manometric data showed a rise of basal LES pressure until the creation of the wrap. An evident increase of pressure values was recorded after gastric air insufflation, as consequence of the increase of intragastric pressure. No intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed. All patients experienced a significant reduction in terms of intensity and frequency of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and no patients complained of dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative high resolution manometry was feasible in all patients and demonstrated that the modified Nissen procedure works by increasing the LES pressure in response to gastric distension, without impeding the progression of the bolus into the stomach.

COVID-19 y coberturas de vacunación del calendario regular del Paraguay, efecto de la pandemia

RESUMEN Introducción: La pandemia de COVID-19 produjo una crisis sanitaria afectando las coberturas de vacunación de los países. Objetivo : Describir la cobertura de vacunación de los biológicos trazadores durante el periodo prepandémico (2015- 2019) y pandémico (2020-2021) en Paraguay. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo observacional de corte transverso, que comprendió a niños de 0 a 5 años de edad, de las 18 Regiones Sanitarias del País. Se analizaron las coberturas de vacunación del Programa Ampliado de Inmunización, periodo prepandémico (2015-2019) y pandémico (2020-201). Se incluyeron los biológicos trazadores: BCG, DPT1, DPT3, IPV1 y bOPV3, SPR1, SPR2 y vacuna antiamarílica (AA), el cálculo de cobertura de vacunación a nivel país se realizó por medio del análisis del reporte electrónico semanal de dosis de vacunas administradas por Región Sanitaria. Se estableció la comparación de las coberturas de vacunación por biológico trazador, por periodos y rango de edad. Resultados: Durante la pandemia se constató un descenso de cobertura de vacunación de los biológicos trazadores, para BCG: 4 % (2020), 15% (2021);DPT1: 5 % (2020), 13 % (2021); DPT3: 9 % (2020), 22 %(2021); IPV1: 5 % (2020),16 % (2021); bOPV3: 7% (2020),19 % (2021); SPR1: 9 %, SPR2: 13 % (2020),SPR1:17%, SPR2:16 % (2021) y AA: 7% (2020), 15% (2021). Conclusión: Durante la pandemia de Covid-19 disminuyeron las coberturas de vacunación de todos los biológicos trazadores, similar descenso se constató en otros países de América, existe el riesgo de aparición de brotes de enfermedades prevenibles por vacunación por el acúmulo de susceptibles.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic produced a health crisis affecting countries' vaccination coverage statistics. Objective: To describe the coverage of recommended vaccines during the pre-pandemic (2015-2019) and pandemic (2020-2021) periods in Paraguay. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive, observational cross-sectional study, comprising children from 0 to 5 years of age, from the Country's 18 Health Regions. The vaccination coverage of the National Expanded Immunization Program, pre-pandemic (2015-2019) and pandemic (2020-201) periods were analyzed. The recommended vaccinations included were: BCG, DTP1, DTP3, IPV1 and bOPV3, MMR1, MMR2 and yellow fever vaccine (AA), the calculation of vaccination coverage at the country level was carried out through the analysis of the weekly electronic report of doses of vaccines administered by Health Region. The comparison of vaccination coverage by recommended vaccine was established, by periods and age range. Results: During the pandemic, a decrease in vaccination coverage of the recommended vaccines was observed, for BCG: 4% (2020), 15% (2021); DTP1: 5% (2020), 13% (2021); DTP3: 9% (2020), 22% (2021); IPV1: 5% (2020), 16% (2021); bOPV3: 7% (2020), 19% (2021); MMR1: 9%, MMR2: 13% (2020), MMR1: 17%, MMR2: 16% (2021) and AA: 7% (2020), 15% (2021). Conclusion: During the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccination coverage of all recommended vaccines decreased, a similar decrease was found in other countries in the Americas, there is a risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases due to the accumulation of susceptible populations.

Lupus eritematoso incompleto con inicio como púrpura trombocitopénica autoinmune, en una lactante de 5 meses de edad / Incomplete lupus erythematosus initially manifesting as autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura in a five-month old infant

La Púrpura Trombocitopénica Idiopática representa la forma más frecuente de trombocitopenia en la infancia, en ausencia de un trastorno sistémico asociado identificable en la mayoría de los casos. El lupus eritematoso sistémico es una enfermedad de base genética, autoinmune, crónica, multisistémica. El Lupus Eritematoso Incompleto es aquel que se presenta en pacientes que no reúnen criterios de clasificación para lupus eritematoso sistémico de acuerdo al ACR (American College of Rheumatology), junto con Anticuerpos Antinucleares positivos. Se presenta el caso de una lactante menor de 5 meses de edad con diagnóstico de Lupus Eritematoso Incompleto (la menor reportada hasta el momento) que inició su enfermedad con Púrpura Trombocitopénica Autoinmune, además de anticuerpos antinucleares y anticardiolipinas positivos sin afectación en otros sistemas. Por lo que consideramos que la prueba de anticuerpos antinucleares debe solicitarse en casos de púrpura trombocitopénica autoinmune, con el seguimiento adecuado, ya que esta prueba positiva es considerada de riesgo para el desarrollo posterior de lupus eritematoso sistémico, a fin de prevenir daños importantes y mejorar el pronóstico de la enfermedad.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is the most common form of thrombocytopenia during childhood, and usually appears without an associated systemic condition being identified. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a chronic and multisystemic genetically-based autoimmune disease. Incomplete lupus erythematosus is considered to be present when the patient does not mean the criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus devised by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) together with positive anti-nuclear antibody titer levels. We present the case of a five-month old female infant diagnosed with incomplete lupus erythematosus (as of current data) whose condition first manifested as autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura and whose antinuclear and anticardiolipin antibodies titers were positive, but without detected effects on other systems. Since this test is considered to determine the existence of risk of later development of systemic lupus erythematosus, we suggest that antinuclear antibody testing should be requested in cases of autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura and that adequate follow up be carried out to help avoid negative outcomes and improve patient prognosis.