Traction-induced aneurysm of an accessory left hepatic artery: a potentially fatal but synchronously treatable complication of a large hiatus hernia.

A 59-year-old man presented to our surgical clinic with a long-standing history of heart burn, and upper abdominal pain. Gastroscopy showed a large sliding hiatus hernia associated with severe reflux oesophagitis. Oesophageal pH manometry revealed a high DeMeester score of 36.03. A computed tomography (CT) scan was performed for preoperative hiatal hernia repair planning. This showed the incidental finding of an accessory left hepatic artery (ALHA) and an aneurysm of this accessory artery. The aneurysm occurred at the point where the ALHA traversed the diaphragmatic crus and was only present in association with the hiatus hernia. These observations suggest that the aetiology of the aneurysm was due to traction during development of the hiatus hernia. The patient went onto have a laparoscopic hiatus hernia repair and Toupet fundoplication with ligation of the accessory left hepatic artery and made an excellent recovery. ALHAs are not uncommon, occurring in around 15% of the general population, with aneurysms of the hepatic arteries accounting for about 20% of cases of visceral artery aneurysms. The case presented herein highlights the importance of performing an arterial phase CT when planning surgery for large hiatus hernias to detect more cases like this one. This would allow early detection and concurrent treatment of an associated aneurysm with repair of the hiatus hernia, to prevent aneurysmal complications later on.

[Non-functioning pituitary adenomas: epidemiology, clinical and postoperative outcome]. / Adenomas hipofisarios no funcionantes: epidemiología, clínica y evolución posquirúrgica.

INTRODUCTION: Non-functioning pituitary adenomas are the most frequent tumor group in the sellar region. They are usually benign neoplasms diagnosed after visual or hormonal symptoms, although it is not uncommon to detect them as a casual finding. AIM: To analyze the clinical aspects found in this disease and its response after surgical treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a series of 100 cases, epidemiological, clinical, endocrinological, visual and radiological data were analyzed before and after surgical treatment, as well as the complications related to surgery and long-term follow-up. RESULTS: The most frequent symptom at the time of diagnosis was visual field involvement (62%), and only the 7% of adenomas were a casual finding. The most common hormonal deficit was hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (48%). After surgery, complete recovery of the visual field defect was observed in 54.8% of the patients, only 1% worsening after surgery, and the incidence of diabetes insipidus was 4%. The resection was superior to 95% in 63% of cases, although the percentage of adenomas with invasion of the cavernous sinus in Knosp grades 3 and 4 it was high (45%). CONCLUSIONS: Although the most frequent symptom of non-functioning pituitary adenomas is campimetric involvement, it has an excellent response to surgery if it is performed within the appropriate time. The grade of invasion of the cavernous sinus is the most limiting factor for a complete surgical resection.

TITLE: Adenomas hipofisarios no funcionantes: epidemiología, clínica y evolución posquirúrgica.Introducción. Los adenomas hipofisarios no funcionantes son el grupo tumoral más frecuente en la región selar. Suelen ser neoplasias benignas diagnosticadas por síntomas visuales u hormonales, aunque no es infrecuente detectarlos como un hallazgo casual. Objetivo. Analizar los aspectos clínicos hallados en esta enfermedad y su respuesta tras el tratamiento quirúrgico. Pacientes y métodos. En una serie de 100 casos, se analizaron datos epidemiológicos, clínicos, endocrinológicos, visuales y radiológicos antes y después del tratamiento quirúrgico, y se recogen las complicaciones relacionadas con la cirugía y el seguimiento a largo plazo. Resultados. El síntoma más frecuente en el momento del diagnóstico fue la afectación del campo visual (62%), y sólo el 7% de los adenomas se trataba de un hallazgo casual. El déficit hormonal más frecuente era el hipogonadismo hipogonadótropo (48%). Tras la cirugía se observó recuperación completa del defecto campimétrico en el 54,8% de los pacientes, con sólo un 1% de empeoramiento tras la cirugía, y la incidencia de diabetes insípida fue del 4%. La resección fue superior al 95% en el 63% de los casos, a pesar de que el porcentaje de adenomas con invasión del seno cavernoso en grados altos fue elevado (45%). Conclusiones. Aunque el síntoma más frecuente de los adenomas hipofisarios no funcionantes es la afectación campimétrica, ésta tiene una excelente respuesta a la cirugía si se realiza dentro del tiempo adecuado. El grado de invasión del seno cavernoso parece el factor más limitante para una resección quirúrgica completa.

Population pharmacokinetics of daptomycin in critically ill patients.

Daptomycin has shown activity against a wide range of Gram-positive bacteria; however, the approved dosages usually seem insufficient for critically ill patients. The aim of this study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model for daptomycin in critically ill patients and to estimate the success of the therapy by applying pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) criteria. Sixteen intensive care unit patients were included, four of whom underwent continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT). Blood and, when necessary, effluent samples were drawn after daptomycin administration at previously defined time points. A population approach using NONMEM 7.3 was performed to analyse data. Monte Carlo simulations were executed to evaluate the suitability of different dosage regimens. The probabilities of achieving the PK/PD target value associated with treatment success (ratio of the area under the plasma concentration-time curve over 24 h divided by the minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC24/MIC ≥ 666)) and to reach daptomycin concentrations linked to toxicity (minimum concentration at steady-state (Cminss) ≥ 24.3 mg/L) were calculated. The pharmacokinetics of daptomycin was best described by a one-compartment model. Elimination was conditioned by the creatinine clearance (Clcr) and also by the extra-corporeal clearance when patients were subjected to continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). The PK/PD analysis confirmed that 280- and 420-mg/d dosages would not be enough to achieve high probabilities of target attainment for MIC values ≥ 1 mg/L in patients with Clcr ≥ 60 mL/min or in subjects with lower Clcrs but receiving CRRT. In these patients, higher dosages (560-840 mg/d) should be needed. When treating infections due to MIC values ≥ 4 mg/L, even the highest dose would be insufficient.

Infections by carbapenemase-producing enterobacteriaceae in a department of urology. A new challenge. / Infecciones por enterobacterias productoras de carbapenemasas en un servicio de urología. Un nuevo desafío.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse infections by carbapenemase-producing enterobacteriaceae (CPE) and describe the characteristics and potential risk factors associated with patients of a department of urology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational and retrospective study. The inclusion criterion was hospitalisation in our department of Urology between August 2013 and December 2016. We analysed those patients who were positive for CPE in at least 1 culture. We reviewed their baseline characteristics, risk factors and variables such as the presence of previous urinary tract infections, subsequent readmissions, the microorganism, type of CPE, treatment, origin (hospital or community) and mortality. RESULTS: Of the 5,657 patients who met the inclusion criterion, a CPE was isolated in 12 cases. CPE infections represented 3.6% of all healthcare-associated infections and 9.7% of those caused by enterobacteria. The analysed factors associated with CPE infection in our series were the presence of urinary catheters (100%), undergoing surgery (58.3%), previous ICU admission (8.3%) and immunosuppression (16.6%). In terms of mortality, 8.3% of the patients who presented CPE infection died during hospitalisation. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 10% of enterobacteria present a carbapenemase-resistance pattern in urological patients in our setting. Carrying a urinary catheter and/or undergoing surgery are risk factors associated with the development of these infections in urological patients in our setting. CPE infections increase morbidity and mortality.

Adjuvant intravesical treatment for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer: The importance of the strain and maintenance. / Tratamiento adyuvante intravesical en cáncer de vejiga no músculo invasivo: importancia de la cepa y el mantenimiento.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Intravesical Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is essential for preventing the recurrence and progression of superficial bladder tumours. The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of the Connaught and Tice strains, as well as the importance of the maintenance regimen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 110 patients with superficial bladder tumours who underwent adjuvant endovesical treatment. The patients were distributed into 3 groups, based on whether the treatment was with the Connaught strain, the Tice strain or both sequentially. We calculated the relapse-free survival rate in each group and compared the patients who completed the maintenance treatments against those who did not. To identify the predictors of relapse, we performed a multivariate analysis. We also assessed the toxicity by analysing the onset of BCGitis, urinary urgency, fever, urinary tract infection and treatment withdrawing due to adverse effects. RESULTS: We found no differences in the efficacy parameters. The patients in the Connaught group completed the maintenance to a lesser extent (38.4 vs. 72% for the Tice group and 76.3% for both groups; P=.010). The patients who completed the maintenance had better relapse-free survival at 60 months (88.5 vs. 74.2%; P=.036), regardless of the strain employed. The multivariate analysis identified a size larger than 3cm, more than 3 implants and not completing the maintenance as risk factors of relapse. The patients with the Connaught strain had higher rates of BCGitis, with no differences in the other events studied. CONCLUSION: Completing the maintenance phase is essential, regardless of the strain employed. The Connaught strain has a greater risk of BCGitis, and a sequential regimen could be useful in certain scenarios.

Surgical wound infection in urology. Analysis of risk factors and associated microorganisms. / Infección de herida quirúrgica en urología. Análisis de factores de riesgo y microorganismos asociados.

OBJECTIVES: Open surgery continues to have a fundamental role in urology, and one of its main complications is surgical wound infection. Our objective was to analyse surgical wound infection in patients who underwent surgery in our Department of Urology and to assess the risk factors, microorganisms and resistances by type of surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective observational study that included 940 patients: 370 abdominal/open lumbar surgeries and 570 genitoperineal surgeries. We analysed age, sex, comorbidities, stay and type of surgery, as well as the causal microorganisms and antibiotic resistances. RESULTS: For genitoperineal surgery, we found 15 cases (2.6%) of surgical wound infection associated with previous urinary catheterisation. Most of the isolated microorganisms corresponded to enterobacteriaceae, highlighting the resistance to beta-lactam. In abdominal/lumbar surgery, we found 41 cases (11.1%) of surgical wound infection. The incidence rate was 3.3% in prostate surgery; 9.8% in renal surgery; and 45.0% in cystectomy. Heart disease was associated with a higher incidence rate of surgical wound infection. The most common microorganisms were Enterococcus spp. (27.1%), E.coli (22.9%) and Staphylococcus aureus (14.6%). Enterococcus and beta-lactamase-producing E.coli are resistant to ampicillin in 37.5% and 41.7% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found a low incidence rate of surgical wound infection in genitoperineal surgery, compared with renal surgery and cystectomy. The presence of heart disease and carrying a previous urinary catheter are factors associated with surgical wound infection. Enterococcus and E.coli are the most common pathogens, with high rates of resistance.

The role of arterial stimulation and simultaneous venous sampling in addition to cross-sectional imaging for localisation of biochemically proven insulinoma.

Insulinomas, although rare, cause considerable morbidity but are frequently amenable to surgical cure. Laparoscopic surgery can now be considered if the tumour is localised pre-operatively, but the optimal imaging approach has not been determined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of different imaging investigations, including CT, MRI, endoscopic ultrasound, octreotide scintigraphy and arterial stimulation with simultaneous venous sampling (ASVS), to localise insulinomas. All patients with biochemically proven insulinoma at our institution underwent ASVS along with other imaging investigations as part of their routine investigation. The results of these investigations were compared with histological findings. Twenty-eight patients with biochemically proven insulinoma confirmed by histology were identified. Ultimately ASVS localised a lesion in all patients. Seventeen patients (61%) had laparoscopic surgery. Tumor-detection rates for other imaging investigations included 43.5% of cases using CT, 71% using MRI, 86% using endoscopic ultrasound and 33% using octreotide scintigraphy. In four patients, the ASVS was the only test to correctly localise the lesion. ASVS should be considered routinely before surgery to ensure accurate localisation of insulinomas.

[Identification of genetic alterations by multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis in oligodendrogliomas]. / Identificación de alteraciones genéticas en oligodendrogliomas mediante amplificación dependiente de ligasa de múltiples sondas (MLPA) (multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification).

Concurrent deletion at 1p/19q is a common signature of oligodendrogliomas, and it may be identified in low-grade tumours (grade II) suggesting it represents an early event in the development of these brain neoplasms. Additional non-random changes primarily involve CDKN2A, PTEN and EGFR. Identification of all of these genetic changes has become an additional parameter in the evaluation of the clinical patients' prognosis, including good response to conventional chemotherapy. Multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis is a new methodology that allows an easy identification of the oligodendrogliomas' abnormalities in a single step. No need of the respective constitutional DNA from each patient is another advantage of this method. We used MLPA kits P088 and P105 to determine the molecular characteristics of a series of 40 oligodendrogliomas. Deletions at l p and 19q were identified in 45% and 65% of cases, respectively. Alterations of EGFR, CDKN2A, ERBB2, PTEN and TP53 were also identified in variable frequencies among 7% to 35% of tumours. These findings demonstrate that MLPA is a reliable technique to the detection of molecular genetic changes in oligodendrogliomas.

Laparoscopic management of insulinomas.

BACKGROUND: Conventional surgical management of insulinomas involves an open technique. The laparoscopic approach has advantages in terms of improved postoperative pain and recovery time. This retrospective study evaluated the laparoscopic management of pancreatic insulinomas. METHODS: Between December 2000 and March 2007, 23 patients were referred for consideration of laparoscopic insulinoma resection. Two patients were not deemed appropriate for the laparoscopic approach and were managed with open surgery. All surgery was performed by one experienced pancreatic surgeon. Laparoscopic intraoperative ultrasonography was not available for the first six procedures, but was used thereafter. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (five men and 16 women, median age 46 (range 22-70) years) had a successful resection. All had single tumours, five in the head, nine in the body and seven in the tail of the pancreas. One conversion to open operation was performed in a patient with an insulinoma in the head of the pancreas who had dense adhesions resulting from pancreatitis. Three patients developed a postoperative pancreatic fistula. There has been no recurrence of symptoms in any patient. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic management of insulinomas is feasible and safe. Laparoscopic intraoperative ultrasonography is a promising adjunct to the procedure, even after accurate preoperative localization.

Bronchoesophageal fistula in a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Bronchoesophageal fistula secondary to lymphoma is a very rare condition, usually associated with chemo-radiotherapy. We report a case of a patient with a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) who, after chemotherapy, developed an oesophago-tracheal fistula. Initially it was treated conservatively but due to the lack of response, a stent was inserted. After nearly one year without success, surgery was considered. Right thoracotomy oesophagectomy and closure of the tracheal defect with an intercostal muscle flap and pericardial patch was performed. This was followed by laparoscopic creation of a gastric tube, which was successfully anastomosed to the cervical oesophagus through a cervicotomy. Unlike oesophageal cancer, NHL can have a good prognosis, so curative treatment of the fistula can be considered. Conservative treatment must always be the first option, leaving stenting or surgery for when the problem persists.

[Protective effects of the growth hormone (GH) on the irradiated spinal cord in rats]. / Radioprotección de la médula espinal mediante la hormona de crecimiento (GH). Estudio experimental en ratas.

Radiotherapy or irradiation of SNC AVM's or tumors also presents a high risk for provoking lesions in adjacent surrounding tissue. The objective of our study is to demonstrate radiotherapy induced alterations in a rat spinal cord model and evaluate the protective effect of Growth Hormone (GH) on rats exposed to high radiotherapy doses. The experimental study employed two groups of Wistar rats: Group A (control group):10 rats, which received 30 Gy at the spinal cord . Group B: 10 rats, these animals received 30 Gy and dose of 2mg/kg/day GH. Growth hormone administration was begun three days before radiotherapy and continued until two days after radiotherapy for a total of six days. At 14 days postradiotherapy, all the rats were sacrificed and the spinal cord extracted immediately. Hematoxyline-eosine histologic studies showed that control animals only exposed to radiotherapy had severe alterations with hemorrhage and vacuolisation of the entire irradiated segment while these alterations were much less severe in the GH-treated group. In conclusion, 30 Gy irradiation produced morphological changes including vascular endothelial oedema, necrosis, hemorrhage, and inflammatory exudates. A 2 mg/kg/day dose of GH protected the rat spinal cord against the noxious effects of the radiotherapy, decreasing the clinical, macro and microscopic damage in the treated animals.

Pancreas-sparing distal duodenectomy for infrapapillary neoplasms.

INTRODUCTION: For neoplasms that arise in the third and fourth parts of the duodenum (D(3), D(4)), a duodenectomy that preserves the pancreas can provide adequate tumour clearance while avoiding the additional dissection and risk of the common alternative, pancreatoduodenectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pancreas-sparing distal duodenectomy (PSDD) was performed in 14 patients with infrapapillary duodenal neoplasms between 1991-2002, and the clinical outcome is reviewed. The operation entails careful separation of the lower pancreatic head from D(3), complete mobilisation of the ligament of Treitz and end-to-end duodenojejunal anastomosis 1-3 cm below the major duodenal papilla. RESULTS: There were 9 men and 5 women of median age 56 years, who presented with iron-deficiency anaemia (n = 8), gastric outlet obstruction (n = 4), anaemia and gastric outlet obstruction (n = 1), epigastric pain or mass (1 each). There were 11 malignant neoplasms (adenocarcinoma 5, stromal tumour 4, recurrent seminoma 1, plasmacytoma 1), 2 benign neoplasms (villous adenoma, lipoma) and 1 patient with steroid-induced ulceration. In addition to D(3) and D(4), resection included the distal part of D(2) in 5 patients, while 4 required concomitant partial colectomy. Median operation time was 240 min and median blood loss 1197 ml, being greater for malignant than benign lesions (1500 ml versus 700 ml). There was one death from gangrenous cholecystitis, one early re-operation for anastomotic bleeding and one late re-operation for delayed gastric emptying secondary to anastomotic stricture, but no pancreatic complications. At a median follow-up of 47 months, three patients had died of recurrent disease while the other 10 were alive and well with no upper gastrointestinal symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Provided there is a minimum 1-cm clearance at the papilla, PSDD is a useful alternative to formal pancreatoduodenectomy in patients with unusual neoplasms arising from the third and fourth parts of the duodenum. Although a major undertaking in its own right, it avoids the extra time of a pancreatic resection and the extra risk of a pancreatic anastomosis.

DAPK1 promoter hypermethylaiton in brain metastases and peripheral blood.

The DAPK1 gene works as a regulator of apoptosis and is frequently inactivated in cancer by aberrant promoter hypermethylation. Loss of DAPK1 expression is associated with a selective advantage for tumor cells to resist apoptotic stimuli, allowing them to separate from the original tumor; from this point of view, DAPK1 could be considered a tumor metastases inhibitor gene. To verify the participation of DAPK1 silencing in cerebral invasion, we analyzed its promoter methylation status in a series of 28 samples from cerebral metastases using MSP and sequencing of the MSP-product. We have found hypermethylation in 53.6% (15/28) metastatic tumor samples as well as in 27.8% (5/18) of its peripheral blood samples. Our data suggest an important role of DAPK1 for silencing through promoter CpG island hypermethylation in the development of brain metastases from solid tumors. The detection of aberrant hypermethylation on DAPK1 promoter from peripheral blood samples has potential clinical implications as a tumor prognosis marker.

[Causes of reoperations in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis treated with instrumentations]. / Causas de reintervención quirúrgica en pacientes con fijación lumbar intervenidospor estenosis de canal.

OBJECTIVE: In present study we analyze the causes leading to reoperation patients treated for lumbar spinal stenosis with laminectomy and lumbar instrumentation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 74 patients operated between January of 1996 and December of 2000 with a minimum 4 year follow-up were seleted for the study. RESULTS: 16 patients (21.1%) underwent a new surgical intervention. The main cause for reoperation was stenosis of the adjacent level superiorly to the instrumentation (in 50%). Other causes were radicular fibrosis, persistence of stenosis after the surgery, neuropatic pain, failure of the instrumentation system, transpedicular screws misplacement and break of screws. CONCLUSIONS: Complications related with the initial surgical procedure are low, as half of the reoperations were due to stenosis of the segment superior to the fixation.

Laparoscopy for abdominal emergencies: evidence-based guidelines of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Emergency laparoscopic exploration can be used to identify the causative pathology of acute abdominal pain. Laparoscopic surgery also allows treatment of many intraabdominal disorders. This report was prepared to describe the effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery compared to laparotomy or nonoperative treatment. METHODS: A panel of European experts in abdominal and gynecological surgery was assembled and participated in a consensus conference using Delphi methods. The aim was to develop evidence-based recommendations for the most common diseases that may cause acute abdominal pain. RECOMMENDATIONS: Laparoscopic surgery was found to be clearly superior for patients with a presumable diagnosis of perforated peptic ulcer, acute cholecystitis, appendicitis, or pelvic inflammatory disease. In the emergency setting, laparoscopy is of unclear or limited value if adhesive bowel obstruction, acute diverticulitis, nonbiliary pancreatitis, hernia incarceration, or mesenteric ischemia are suspected. In stable patients with acute abdominal pain, noninvasive diagnostics should be fully exhausted before considering explorative surgery. However, diagnostic laparoscopy may be useful if no diagnosis can be found by conventional diagnostics. More clinical data are needed on the use of laparoscopy after blunt or penetrating trauma of the abdomen. CONCLUSIONS: Due to diagnostic and therapeutic advantages, laparoscopic surgery is useful for the majority of conditions underlying acute abdominal pain, but noninvasive diagnostic aids should be exhausted first. Depending on symptom severity, laparoscopy should be advocated if routine diagnostic procedures have failed to yield results.

[Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis as the first manifestation of a renal carcinoma]. / Mestástasis intramedular como primera manifestación de un carcinoma renal

We present the case of a 69 year-old male without known antecedente who presented a clinical loss of distal force in his lower limbs during the last two months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an intramedullary spinal cord mass at the level of the medullaris cone. The patient was operated on; the histological diagnosis was clear cells carcinoma suggestive of metastasis from an unsuspected renal tumor that was later confirmed with an abdominal CT. When the patient's state is good, surgery can correct the neurological deficit produced by an intramedullary spinal cord lesion. The neurological state of our patient improved after the intervention, and 14 months after surgery, he has no neurological deficit in the lower limbs.