Postoperative Anticoagulation in Vascular Reconstructions Associated with Malignancies.

BACKGROUND: The invasion of truncal arteries and veins by malignant neoplasms is rare and the surgical treatment remains a challenge. Several techniques can be used to re-establish blood flow in a resected vessel and choice of the ideal vascular substitute frequently arises a debate. Comparative studies between prosthetic and autologous grafts disclose conflicting patency results. The aim of this study is to compare patency outcomes of vascular reconstructions performed using autologous or prosthetic replacement grafts in surgical oncology, in light of a standardized antithrombotic protocol used in our institution since 1997. METHODS: This retrospective study compared patency of prosthetic versus autologous interposition grafts following the resection of malignancies in 117 patients between September 1997 and February 2020. The 181 reconstruction procedures performed were analyzed according to the body segment involved, and divided into: head and neck, thorax, abdomen, and extremities. RESULTS: Overall survival estimates after 24 and 60 months were 53.2% (standard error 4.8%) and 38.1% (standard error 4.9%), respectively. No significant difference was observed between overall arterial patency, using autologous or synthetic grafts (P = 0.41). Overall venous patency showed a tendency to be lower in synthetic grafts, although no significant difference was observed (P = 0.062). For both arterial and venous reconstructions in the extremities (upper and lower limbs), significantly higher patency was observed using autologous grafts. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous long-term graft patency may be superior to prosthetic in vascular reconstructions associated with malignancies of the extremities. This outcome was obtained using a standardized post-operative anticoagulation protocol.

Residência de Medicina de Família e Comunidade: percepções de egressos sobre sua formação e processo de trabalho / Residencia de medicina de familia y comunidad: percepciones de egresados sobre su formación y proceso de trabajo / Family and Community Medicine Residency: graduates' insights about their education and work process

Analisou-se como as residências de Medicina de Família e Comunidade (RMFC) de uma capital da região norte do Brasil contribuíram para a formação e o desenvolvimento do atual processo de trabalho de seus egressos. Estudo exploratório, descritivo e transversal, com abordagem qualitativa focada em 31 egressos por meio de aplicação de questionário eletrônico com perguntas abertas. As respostas foram interpretadas por Análise de Conteúdo Temática, constituídas por quatro categorias empíricas: a formação em Medicina de Família e Comunidade (MFC) no processo de trabalho do egresso; reconhecimento e aplicação dos atributos da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS); potências da formação em RMFC; e os desafios da especialidade. Os programas de RMFC estudados contribuem para a formação da prática profissional e do perfil dos seus egressos por meio do fortalecimento e da efetivação dos atributos da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), inclusive estendendo-se para além da especialidade.(AU)

Se analizó cómo las residencias de Medicina de Familia y Comunidad (RMFC) de una capital de la región Norte de Brasil contribuyeron en la formación y el desarrollo del actual proceso de trabajo de sus egresados. Estudio exploratorio, descriptivo y transversal, con abordaje cualitativo enfocado en 31 egresados por medio de la aplicación de cuestionario electrónico con preguntas abiertas. Las respuestas se interpretaron por Análisis de Contenido Temático, constituyéndose cuatro categorías empíricas: la formación en Medicina de Familia y Comunidad (MFC) en el proceso de trabajo del egresado; reconocimiento y aplicación de los tributos de la Atención Primaria de la Salud (APS); potencias de la formación en RMFC y los desafíos de la especialidad. Los programas de RMFC estudiados contribuyen con la formación de la práctica profesional y con el perfil de sus egresados por medio del fortalecimiento y puesta en práctica de los atributos de la APS, incluso ampliándose más allá de la especialidad.(AU)

The article analyzed how the Residency in Family and Community Medicine (RFCM) in a capital of the Northern region of Brazil contributed to the formation and development of the current work process of its graduates. This is an exploratory, descriptive and cross-sectional study, with a qualitative approach focused on 31 graduates, through electronic questionnaires with open questions. The answers were interpreted based on the Content Analysis Thematic technique, constituting four empirical categories: training in Family and Community Medicine (FCM) in the graduate's work process; recognition and application of the attributes of Primary Health Care (PHC); potentials of the FCM training and the challenges of the specialty. The analyzed data show that the studied Programs contribute to the education for professional practice and the profile of its graduates through the strengthening and implementation of the Primary Health Care (PHC) attributes, also extending beyond the specialty.(AU)

Isolated iliac artery aneurysm in association with congenital pelvic kidney treated with iliac branch device: case report.

BACKGROUND: Association of abdominal aortic aneurysm with congenital pelvic kidney is rare and association with isolated iliac artery aneurysm is not yet described in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of successful repair of an isolated common iliac artery aneurysm associated with a congenital pelvic kidney treated by an endovascular technique. A 75-year-old man was referred for the treatment of an asymptomatic left common iliac artery aneurysm. A computed tomography angiography revealed an isolated left common iliac artery aneurysm and a left pelvic kidney. The maximum diameter of the aneurysm was 32 mm. The congenital pelvic kidney was supplied by three small superior polar arteries that emerged from the proximal non-aneurysmal portion of the common iliac artery and the main artery that arose from the left internal iliac artery. The aneurysm exclusion was accomplished by using an iliac branch device (Gore Excluder Iliac Branch, Flagstaff, AZ). The 1 and 6 months computed tomography angiography after the procedure demonstrated complete exclusion of the aneurysm and preservation of all renal arteries. CONCLUSION: Treating patients with an association of iliac artery aneurysms and pelvic kidneys can be a challenge due the variable arterial anatomy. The use of iliac branch device is a safe and effective alternative in selected cases.

Incidence of deep vein thrombosis in floating knee / Incidência de trombose venosa profunda em joelho flutuante

ABSTRACT Objective: To report the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in ipsilateral femur and tibial fractures (floating knee). Methods: This is a retrospective, analytical, observational study conducted with the medical records of thirty patients admitted to a trauma hospital between October 2016 and July 2017 with floating knee. Results: Patients aged between 21-30 years were the most affected by the condition (36%). Seventeen patients affected the dominant limb (57%); 19 (63%) patients were classified as Fraser type I, 18 (60%) had open (compound) fractures, 16 (53%) tibial fractures, and 8 (26%) femoral fractures. External fixation of the femur and tibia (25 patients = 83%) was the most common emergency treatment. In total, 17% of patients presented deep venous thrombosis (p = 0.409). Conclusion: Despite antithrombotic prophylaxis, the incidence of DVT in the affected limb of patients with floating knee was high. We found patients with Fraser I fractures, male, and with fractures in the non-dominant limb to present a higher chance of developing DVT. Level of Evidence III, Comparative retrospective study .

RESUMO Objetivo: Relatar a incidência de trombose venosa profunda (TVP) em fratura ipsilateral de fêmur e tíbia (joelho flutuante). Materiais e métodos: Realizado um estudo retrospectivo, observacional e analítico por meio da avaliação de prontuários de trinta pacientes admitidos com joelho flutuante em um hospital de trauma durante o período de outubro de 2016 a julho de 2017. Resultados: A faixa etária mais acometida foi entre 21 e 30 anos (36%). O acometimento do membro dominante ocorreu em 17 (57%) dos pacientes avaliados. Dezenove (63%) pacientes acometidos foram classificados como Fraser Tipo I. Dezoito (60%) pacientes tiveram fratura exposta, sendo 16 (53%) em tíbia e 8 (26%) em fêmur. O tratamento mais utilizado como urgência foi o de controle de danos com fixador externo em fêmur e tíbia (83%). Observamos trombose venosa profunda em 17% dos pacientes (p = 0,409). Conclusão: Apesar do uso da profilaxia antitrombótica medicamentosa, houve uma grande incidência de TVP no membro acometido em pacientes com joelho flutuante na população estudada. As fraturas classificadas como Fraser I, pacientes do sexo masculino e o membro não dominante levaram ao aumento da probabilidade do surgimento de TVP. Nível de Evidência III, Estudo retrospectivo comparativo.

Orthognathic surgery in class II patients: a longitudinal study on quality of life, TMD, and psychological aspects.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate, longitudinally, the impacts of orthognathic surgery in patients with skeletal class II malocclusion on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and psychological symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients with skeletal class II malocclusion who were submitted to orthognathic surgery were evaluated during their preoperative and postoperative periods. They answered the short version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and were also diagnosed according to Axes I and II of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). The evolution of OHRQoL and TMD before and after surgery was verified, and the relationships among these variables were found through statistical analysis using Wilcoxon, McNemar, chi-square, and Mann-Whitney tests, with a 5% significance level. RESULTS: The median of the overall OHIP-14 score and five domains decreased after orthognathic surgery (p < 0.05), the functional limitation domain increased (p = 0.014), and the physical disability domain did not show an association (p = 0.133). There were improvements in articular pain (p = 0.016), chronic pain (p = 0.019), and nonspecific physical symptoms excluding pain (p = 0.013). In addition, an association was found between poorer OHRQoL (overall scale and domains) and the Axis II variables of the RDC/TMD (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Orthognathic surgery improved perceived OHRQoL, articular pain, and chronic pain. The conditions of Axis II of the RDC/TMD interfered with OHRQoL postoperatively. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although orthognathic surgery improves QoL and some TMD conditions in skeletal class II patients, poorer postoperative outcomes are observed when psychological conditions are present.

Inferior Vena Cava Filter in Cancer Patients: On Whom Should We Be Placing Them?

BACKGROUND: Standard treatment for venous thromboembolism is anticoagulation; vena cava filter placement is an alternative in special situations. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes in patients with cancer undergoing filter placement in a cancer center during a 10-year period and assess which preoperatory variables were associated with poorer survival. METHODS: Retrospective unicenter analysis during a 10-year period was carried out in patients with cancer who had undergone placement of vena cava filter. Early deaths were those that occurred less than 30 days after the filter placement or that occurred during the same hospital stay of the placement. RESULTS: About 250 patients were analyzed. About 51.6% were females; 77.2% had proximal lower limb deep vein thrombosis; 34.8% had contraindications to anticoagulation; 32.8% presented bleeding after the onset of anticoagulation; and 18.4% had the filter implanted because they were going to undergo surgery and could not be anticoagulated immediately after. About 51.2% of the filters were removable. However, only 2 had the filter removed. About 59.2% had metastatic disease at the time of filter placement. About 31.2% fulfilled criteria for early death. Of those, 34 patients were put in palliative care after filter insertion (median, 13.5 days). Body mass index >18 kg/m2, the absence of metastatic disease, and filter placement during the same anesthesia of another surgery (especially if elective and curative) were associated with a higher chance of survival. CONCLUSIONS: Multidisciplinary evaluation (and possibly consideration for palliation) should take place before the decision to insert a vena cava filter in severe oncologic cases depending on overall status. Patients with a greater chance of survival at a 3 or 5 years interval seem to be those whose filters were placed in the perioperative context of other surgeries (specially elective and curative), who were not undernourished, and whose disease was not metastatic at that time. For patients who survived, an active investigation protocol for filter removal should be implemented.

The Role of the Heart Team in Patients with Diffuse Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

BACKGROUND: In patients eligible for coronary artery bypass grafting, no data assess the importance of the Heart Team in programming the best surgical strategy for patients with diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aims to determine the contribution of the Heart Team in predicting the feasibility of coronary artery bypass graft and angiographic surgical success in these patients based on visual angiographic analysis. METHODS: Patients with diffuse and severe CAD undergoing incomplete coronary artery bypass graft surgery were prospectively included. One-year postoperative coronary angiograms were obtained to evaluate graft occlusion. Two clinical cardiologists, two cardiovascular surgeons, and one interventional cardiologist retrospectively analyzed preoperative angiograms. A subjective scale was applied at a single moment to quantify the chance of successful coronary artery bypass grafting for each coronary territory with anatomical indication for revascularization. Based on individual scores, the Heart Team's and the specialists' scores were calculated and compared. RESULTS: The examiners evaluated 154 coronary territories, of which 85 (55.2%) were protected. The Heart Team's accuracy for predicting the angiographic success of the surgery was 74.9%, almost equal to that of the surgeons alone (73.2%). Only the interventional cardiologist predicted left anterior descending territory grafting success. The Heart Team had good specificity and reasonable sensitivity, and the surgeons had high sensitivity and low specificity in predicting angiographic success. CONCLUSION: The multispecialty Heart Team achieved good accuracy in predicting the angiographic coronary artery bypass graft success in patients with diffuse CAD, with a high specificity and reasonable sensitivity.

Pentoxifylline and tocopherol protocol to treat medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: A systematic literature review.

PURPOSE: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a previously described debilitating condition in which patients experience progressive bone destruction in the maxilla and/or mandible after exposure to certain drugs. Clinical management of MRONJ remains controversial, with no established guidelines. The aim of our study was to conduct a literature review on the effectiveness of pentoxifylline (PTX) and tocopherol (PENTO protocol) on MRONJ. STUDY DESIGN: A literature review was conducted, using two different scientific databases, to evaluate the effects of PTX and tocopherol on MRONJ. DISCUSSION: PENTO protocol prescription to treat MRONJ was reported to be well tolerated, with minimal side-effects, and non-expensive when compared with other non-surgical treatment modalities. It was shown to relieve painful symptoms in all patients, and significant new bone formation was observed at final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Observational and case-series studies have demonstrated that pentoxifylline and tocopherol are potentially useful in the non-surgical management of MRONJ.

Aspirin-Free Prasugrel Monotherapy Following Coronary Artery Stenting in Patients With Stable CAD: The ASET Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that prasugrel monotherapy following successful everolimus-eluting stent implantation is feasible and safe in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that short dual-antiplatelet therapy strategies may provide an adequate balance between ischemic and bleeding risks. However, the complete omission of aspirin immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been tested so far. METHODS: The study was a multicenter, single-arm, open-label trial with a stopping rule based on the occurrence of definite stent thrombosis (if >3, trial enrollment would be terminated). Patients undergoing successful everolimus-eluting stent implantation for stable CAD with SYNTAX (Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) scores <23 were included. All participants were on standard dual-antiplatelet therapy at the time of index PCI. Aspirin was discontinued on the day of the index procedure but given prior to the procedure; prasugrel was administered in the catheterization laboratory immediately after the successful procedure, and aspirin-free prasugrel became the therapy regimen from that moment. Patients were treated solely with prasugrel for 3 months. The primary ischemic endpoint was the composite of cardiac death, spontaneous target vessel myocardial infarction, or definite stent thrombosis, and the primary bleeding endpoint was Bleeding Academic Research Consortium types 3 and 5 bleeding up to 3 months. RESULTS: From February 22, 2018, to May 7, 2019, 201 patients were enrolled. All patients underwent PCI for stable CAD. Overall, 98.5% of patients were adherent to prasugrel at 3-month follow-up. The primary ischemic and bleeding endpoints occurred in 1 patient (0.5%). No stent thrombosis events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Aspirin-free prasugrel monotherapy following successful everolimus-eluting stent implantation demonstrated feasibility and safety without any stent thrombosis in selected low-risk patients with stable CAD. These findings may help underpin larger randomized controlled studies to evaluate the aspirin-free strategy compared with traditional dual-antiplatelet therapy following PCI. (Acetyl Salicylic Elimination Trial: The ASET Pilot Study [ASET]; NCT03469856).

Depression, temporomandibular disorders, and genetic polymorphisms in IL6 impact on oral health-related quality of life in patients requiring orthognathic surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients requiring orthognathic surgery, and evaluate if depression, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and genetic polymorphisms in interleukin-6 (IL6) influence their OHRQoL. METHODS: A total of 132 individuals included in three different groups. Two groups were composed by patients with dentofacial deformity (DFD) Class II (n = 44) or Class III (n = 44) malocclusions, requiring orthognathic surgery. The control group (n = 44) included individuals without DFD. Patients from all groups were evaluated in preoperative appointments to assessOHRQoL, TMD, and genetic polymorphisms in IL6. OHRQoL was assessed using the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). TMD and depression were assessed using Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders protocol. The genetic polymorphisms rs1800795 and rs1800796 in IL6 were assessed through genomic DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: OHIP-14 scores were increased in patients with depression, myofascial pain, and inflammatory temporomandibular joint alterations in the right side, regardless of sex and DFD group. Individual homozygous CC in rs1800795 had increased values in domains "social disability" and "handicap" of the OHIP-14 compared with those who were homozygous GG. Individual heterozygous CG in the rs1800796 demonstrated increased values in domain "psychological discomfort" compared with those homozygous for CC and GG. CONCLUSION: In individuals requiring orthognathic surgery, depression, TMD, and genetic polymorphisms in IL6 contribute to negative impact on OHRQoL. These physical and emotional conditions, together with biological pathways, should receive more attention in treatment plans, in order to improve the patients' quality of life.

An alternative approach to treatment of inferior vena cava filter perforation.

We report a case of inferior vena cava filter perforation immediately after filter implantation, recognized intraoperatively in a patient undergoing laparotomy for resection of locally advanced ovarian cancer. We describe an alternative approach with strut resection, less invasive than filter removal, enabling the device to be maintained and bleeding to be controlled.

Relatamos um caso de perfuração de veia cava inferior imediatamente após o implante de um filtro. A complicação foi reconhecida no intraoperatório de uma laparotomia para ressecção de um câncer de ovário localmente avançado. Descrevemos uma abordagem alternativa, menos invasiva do que a remoção do filtro, consistindo na ressecção das hastes do dispositivo. Essa abordagem permitiu a manutenção do filtro e o controle efetivo do sangramento.

Major infections after bypass surgery and stenting for multivessel coronary disease in the randomised SYNTAX trial.

AIMS: Incidence, associated risk factors and impact on mortality of infections after bypass surgery (CABG) and stenting (PCI) for multivessel coronary disease (MVD) have never been reported in a large randomised trial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, in patients with MVD, the prevalence of major infections after PCI and CABG and to assess their impact on mortality. METHODS AND RESULTS: The SYNTAX trial randomised 1,800 MVD patients to either CABG or PCI. Patients were followed up to five years. The primary endpoint of this post hoc analysis was the occurrence of major infection. At five years of follow-up, the primary endpoint had occurred in 142 (15.8%) patients in the CABG arm and 44 (4.9%) patients in the PCI arm (≤60 days HR - 7.9, 95% CI: 4.7 to 13.1; p<0.001) (>60 days - HR 0.79, 95% CI: 0.44 to 1.44; p=0.45). Major infections were independently associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality at five years (adjusted HR 2.6, 95% CI: 1.8 to 3.8, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CABG is associated with a higher incidence of post-procedure major infections compared to PCI. Major infections are independently associated with all-cause mortality.

Association between oestrogen receptors and female temporomandibular disorders.

Objective: To evaluate if temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are associated with genetic polymorphisms in ESR1 and ESR2, which are genes encoding oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and beta (ERß). Also, we included an animal model to check if ERα and ERß are expressed in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) during adolescence.Materials and methods: A total of 139 teenagers and 93 adults were diagnosed according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMDs). The DNA was collected and the markers ESR1 and ERS2 were genotyped. Additionally, immunohistochemistry was performed in TMJ tissues from female Wistar rats during puberty. All data were submitted to statistical analysis with confidence interval of 95%.Results: Teenagers presented more disc displacement and arthralgia than adults (p < .05). The genetic polymorphism rs1256049 in ESR2 was associated with disc displacement (p = .040; OR = 10.50/95%CI 1.17-98.74) and arthralgia (p = .036; OR = 7.20/95%CI 1.10-46.88) in adults. The ERα and ERß are expressed in rat TMJ tissues.Conclusions: We provide evidence that ESR2 is associated with TMD and could be a genetic marker for this condition in adult women. Furthermore, oestrogens receptors are presented in TMJ of adolescent female rats.

An alternative approach to treatment of inferior vena cava filter perforation / Tratamento alternativo para perfuração de veia cava inferior por filtro

Abstract We report a case of inferior vena cava filter perforation immediately after filter implantation, recognized intraoperatively in a patient undergoing laparotomy for resection of locally advanced ovarian cancer. We describe an alternative approach with strut resection, less invasive than filter removal, enabling the device to be maintained and bleeding to be controlled.

Resumo Relatamos um caso de perfuração de veia cava inferior imediatamente após o implante de um filtro. A complicação foi reconhecida no intraoperatório de uma laparotomia para ressecção de um câncer de ovário localmente avançado. Descrevemos uma abordagem alternativa, menos invasiva do que a remoção do filtro, consistindo na ressecção das hastes do dispositivo. Essa abordagem permitiu a manutenção do filtro e o controle efetivo do sangramento.

Complications associated with orthognathic surgery: A retrospective study of 485 cases.

PURPOSE: To identify the most prevalent types of complications associated with orthognathic surgery and its possible risk factors. METHODS: This study was a retrospective investigation of records of 485 patients who underwent orthognathic surgery between 2008 and 2014 at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service at the Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil. Types of complications were recorded. Independent variables such as sex, age, duration of surgery and hospitalization, number of surgeries, surgical site, and types of osteotomy performed were evaluated. Complications were also evaluated based on the treatment according to the Clavien-Dindo Classification. Data were submitted to statistical analysis with a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 93 complications were reported (19.2%), including postoperative malocclusion, hemorrhage, inferior alveolar nerve injury, bad split, and infection. Complications were more common in men (p = 0.029). The number of complications was higher in surgeries that took more time to perform (p < 0.05) when the entire sample was taken into consideration. The prevalence of complications was related to a higher number of procedures per surgery (p = 0.019). Complications were more frequent in mandibular procedures (p = 0.010), particularly in bilateral sagittal split osteotomies (p < 0.001). Related to treatment, Clavien-Dindo grade I complications were the most frequent (72.04%). There was no association between sex, age, surgery duration, length of hospitalization, or surgical site with complication grades according to the Clavien-Dindo classification (p ≥ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Postoperative malocclusion, hemorrhage, inferior alveolar nerve injury, bad split and infection are the most prevalent complication in orthognathic surgery. They seem to be related to sex, duration of surgery, number of surgeries, surgical site, and the type of osteotomy performed. With these in mind, it is possible to explain to the patient the different levels of severity of complications related to the surgery.

Traumatic myositis chondro-ossificans of masseter muscle associated with TGF-ß1, Indian Hegdehog, BMP2, osteopontin and osteocalcin upregulation: Case report.

Masseter traumatic myositis chondro-ossificans (TMCO) is a rare pathological condition that causes severe mandibular function restriction. The aim of the present study is to report a TMCO case after direct masseter muscle injury and correlate it to bone and cartilage biomarkers up-regulation. Caucasian male patient, 38 years old, seeks treatment nine days after trauma with severe mouth opening limitation. Physical examination revealed a circumscribed hardened area connected to masseter muscle on the left side. Cone beam tomography and ultrasonography of masseter region were requested. There was incomplete fracture between the posterior board of inferior jaw and coronoid process as well as calcification within masseter muscle. The proposed treatment was excisional biopsy of calcification, coronoid process removal to enhance mouth opening as well as incomplete condyle fracture monitoring. Material removed was sent for histological analysis in order to confirm diagnosis. Immuhistochemistry was conducted and it was found that chondro-ossification biomarkers such as TGF-b1, Indian Hegdehog (IHH), BMP2, osteopontin (OP) and osteocalcin (OC) were up-regulated. One-year follow-up showed that the patient is stable with increased mouth opening and satisfactory jaw movements. Pathologists and maxillofacial surgeons must be aware of differential diagnosis of TMCO. Understanding cellular mechanisms of muscle tissue after trauma is also important once cellular pathway modifications leads to clinical features that differ from previously described in literature.

Long-term outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma that underwent chemoembolization for bridging or downstaging.

BACKGROUND: Prospective study of 200 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that underwent liver transplant (LT) after drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) for downstaging versus bridging. Overall survival and tumor recurrence rates were calculated, eligibility for LT, time on the waiting list and radiological response were compared. After TACE, only patients within Milan Criteria (MC) were transplanted. More patients underwent LT in bridging group. Five-year post-transplant overall survival, recurrence-free survival has no difference between the groups. Complete response was observed more frequently in bridging group. Patients in DS group can achieve post-transplant survival and HCC recurrence-free probability, at five years, just like patients within MC in patients undergoing DEB-TACE. AIM: To determine long-term outcomes of patients with HCC that underwent LT after DEB-TACE for downstaging vs bridging. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of 200 patients included from April 2011 through June 2014. Bridging group included patients within MC. Downstaging group (out of MC) was divided in 5 subgroups (G1 to G5). Total tumor diameter was ≤ 8 cm for G1, 2, 3, 4 (n = 42) and was > 8 cm for G5 (n = 22). Downstaging (n = 64) and bridging (n = 136) populations were not significantly different. Overall survival and tumor recurrence rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Additionally, eligibility for LT, time on the waiting list until LT and radiological response were compared. RESULTS: After TACE, only patients within MC were transplanted. More patients underwent LT in bridging group 65.9% (P = 0.001). Downstaging population presented: higher number of nodules 2.81 (P = 0.001); larger total tumor diameter 8.09 (P = 0.001); multifocal HCC 78% (P = 0.001); more post-transplantation recurrence 25% (P = 0.02). Patients with maximal tumor diameter up to 7.05 cm were more likely to receive LT (P = 0.005). Median time on the waiting list was significantly longer in downstaging group 10.6 mo (P = 0.028). Five-year post-transplant overall survival was 73.5% in downstaging and 72.3% bridging groups (P = 0.31), and recurrence-free survival was 62.1% in downstaging and 74.8% bridging groups (P = 0.93). Radiological response: complete response was observed more frequently in bridging group (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Tumors initially exceeding the MC down-staged after DEB-TACE, can achieve post-transplant survival and HCC recurrence-free probability, at five years, just like patients within MC in patients undergoing DEB-TACE.

Association between gender, estrogen receptors genes and anxiety levels in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery.

Orthognathic surgery is a procedure that is performed for the correction of dentofacial deformities and can lead to a change in an individual's anxiety levels. Anxiety is a multifactorial condition in which hormones and genes play an important role. This study aimed to evaluate if gender and genetic polymorphisms in estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) and beta (ESR2) are associated with anxiety levels in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. In this longitudinal observational study, 44 patients were included. Anxiety level assessments were performed at three time periods: 2 days before the surgical procedure and 1 and 6 months postoperatively, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Scale. Gender, age, and facial profile were also evaluated. Additionally, a saliva sample from each individual was collected for the genotypic evaluation of ESR1 (rs2234693 and rs9340799) and ESR2 (rs1256049 and rs4986938) using real time polymerase chain reaction. Data were analyzed with a significance level of 0.05. There was a decrease in trait-anxiety and state-anxiety when comparing the preoperative measurements with those obtained 1 and 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.05). Females were more anxious than males at each time point during the study (p < 0.05). The genetic polymorphism rs9340799 in ESR1 was associated with state-anxiety during the preoperative period (p = 0.046). In conclusion, an individual's gender and genetic polymorphism in ESR1 are associated with anxiety in orthognathic surgery patients.

Safety and Effectiveness of Suture-mediated Arterial Closure Device in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Who Underwent Drug-Eluting Beads Transarterial Chemoembolization.

BACKGROUND: The number of transarterial percutaneous procedures has risen over the years, consequently reducing puncture site related complications has become a necessity. To this end, the use of arterial closure devices has been growing progressively and their benefits have become a focus of research. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of a suture-mediated closure device, Perclose ProGlide® (Abbott Vascular, Redwood City, CA), in patients with liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent transarterial liver chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of 253 hepatocellular carcinoma patients who underwent 449 procedures of transarterial liver chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads using the Perclose Proglide device was prospectively studied. The main endpoints evaluated were the technical success of the device, defined as complete hemostasis achieved within 3 min after the closure, and the incidence of puncture-site complications. The secondary endpoints evaluated were the correlation between epidemiological factors, coagulation profile and degree of liver disease, and the occurrence of complications. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 96% of the cases. Among patients who underwent repeated procedures using the same vascular access, this rate was 95.3%. Puncture-site complications were observed in 7 procedures (1.56%); 4 (0.89%) were due to hemorrhage, 2 (0.44%) hematomas and 2 (0.44%) pseudoaneurysms; 2 (0.44%) due to limb ischemia; and 1 (0.22%) due to arterial dissection. Among them, 3 cases required intervention. The statistical analysis of demographic characteristics, Child-Pugh classification, and coagulation status did not show a significant correlation with the occurrence of complications. Of the 449 procedures, only 4 (0.89%) needed hospitalization due to puncture-site complications. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Perclose Proglide is safe and effective in patients with liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent transarterial liver chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads.

Twenty years of experience in vascular reconstructions associated with resection of malignant neoplasms in a single cancer center.

OBJECTIVE: Vascular invasion is no longer considered to be an absolute contraindication to tumor removal, and complex reconstructions are part of the daily activity of vascular surgeons in specialized cancer centers. Our aim was to report a single-center experience of complex vascular reconstructions involving en bloc resection of tumors and patients' long-term survival and graft patency outcomes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest report of vascular reconstructions published to date, with the longest follow-up. METHODS: Between September 1997 and January 2016, there were 91 patients who underwent 92 arterial and 47 venous reconstruction procedures in this retrospective cohort study. Long-term survival and patency outcomes were analyzed for all study patients and individually assessed in different body segments (head and neck, thorax, upper limbs, abdomen, and lower limbs). RESULTS: The estimated mean and median follow-up times were 112.66 and 100 months, respectively. The 24- and 60-month survival estimates for the patients overall were 55.3% and 31.1%, respectively. Survival estimates were significantly lower in the head and neck cases compared with the other body segments. The primary arterial patency rates at 24 and 60 months were 96.7% and 84.9%, respectively, and they were similar in all body segments. The venous patency rates were 71.4% and 64.2% at 24 and 60 months, respectively. Seven cases (7.6%) of arterial vascular complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular reconstruction performed in conjunction with oncologic resection is a feasible treatment option for tumors with vessel involvement. When surgery is performed in specialized centers, low perioperative morbidity and long-term patency rates are expected irrespective of the vascular territory undergoing intervention.