Incidence and risk factors of delayed development for stoma site incisional hernia after ileostomy closure in patients undergoing colorectal surgery with temporary ileostomy.

BACKGROUND: Stoma site incisional hernias after ileostomy closure are complex hernias that can be associated with abdominal pain, discomfort, and a diminished quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of incisional hernia (IH) following temporary ileostomy reversal in patients undergoing colorectal surgery, and the risk factors associated with its development. METHODS: This was a prospective, single-centre, cohort study of patients undergoing ileostomy reversal between January 2010 and December 2016. Comorbidities, operative characteristics, comparison between early and late ileostomy closure and postoperative complications were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 202 consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated (median follow-up 46 months; range: 12-109). Stoma site incisional hernia occurred in 23% of patients (n = 47), diagnosed by physical examination or imaging tests. The reasons for the primary surgery were colorectal cancer (n = 141, 69.8%), inflammatory bowel disease (n = 14, 6.9%), emergency surgery (n = 35, 17.3%), and other conditions (n = 12, 5.9%). Secondary outcomes: a statistically significant risk factors for developing an IH was obesity (higher BMI) (OR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.05-1.26) p = .003). CONCLUSIONS: 23% of patients developed surgical site IH, a higher BMI being the only risk factor found to be statistically significant in the development of an incisional hernia.

Applicability of 3D-printed models in hepatobiliary surgey: results from "LIV3DPRINT" multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatobiliary resections are challenging due to the complex liver anatomy. Three-dimensional printing (3DP) has gained popularity due to its ability to produce anatomical models based on the characteristics of each patient. METHODS: A multicenter study was conducted on complex hepatobiliary tumours. The endpoint was to validate 3DP model accuracy from original image sources for application in the teaching, patient-communication, and planning of hepatobiliary surgery. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients from eight centers were included. Process testing between 3DP and CT/MRI presented a considerable degree of similarity in vascular calibers (0.22 ± 1.8 mm), and distances between the tumour and vessel (0.31 ± 0.24 mm). The Dice Similarity Coefficient was 0.92, with a variation of 2%. Bland-Altman plots also demonstrated an agreement between 3DP and the surgical specimen with the distance of the resection margin (1.15 ± 1.52 mm). Professionals considered 3DP at a positive rate of 0.89 (95%CI; 0.73-0.95). According to student's distribution a higher success rate was reached with 3DP (median:0.9, IQR: 0.8-1) compared with CT/MRI or 3D digital imaging (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: 3DP hepatic models present a good correlation compared with CT/MRI and surgical pathology and they are useful for education, understanding, and surgical planning, but does not necessarily affect the surgical outcome.

Outcomes of abdominal wall reconstruction in patients with the combination of complex midline and lateral incisional hernias.

BACKGROUND: The best treatment for the combined defects of midline and lateral incisional hernia is not known. The aim of our multicenter study was to evaluate the operative and patient-reported outcomes using a modified posterior component separation in patients who present with the combination of midline and lateral incisional hernia. METHODS: We identified patients from a prospective, multicenter database who underwent operative repairs of a midline and lateral incisional hernia at 4 centers with minimum 2-year follow-up. Hernias were divided into a main hernia based on the larger size and associated abdominal wall hernias. Outcomes reported were short- and long-term complications, including recurrence, pain, and bulging. Quality of life was assessed with the European Registry for Abdominal Wall Hernias Quality of Life score. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were identified. Almost 70% of patients presented with a midline defect as the main incisional hernia. The operative technique was a transversus abdominis release in 26 patients (45%), a modification of transversus abdominis release 27 (47%), a reverse transversus abdominis release in 3 (5%), and a primary, lateral retromuscular preperitoneal approach in 2 (3%). Surgical site occurrences occurred in 22 patients (38%), with only 8 patients (14%) requiring procedural intervention. During a mean follow-up of 30.1 ± 14.4 months, 2 (3%) cases of recurrence were diagnosed and required reoperation. There were also 4 (7%) patients with asymptomatic but visible bulging. The European Registry for Abdominal Wall Hernias Quality of Life score showed a statistically significant decrease in the 3 domains (pain, restriction, and cosmetic) in the postoperative score compared with the preoperative score. CONCLUSION: The different techniques of posterior component separation in the treatment of combined midline and lateral incisional hernia show acceptable results, despite the associated high complexity. Patient-reported outcomes after measurement of the European Registry for Abdominal Wall Hernias Quality of Life score demonstrated a clinically important improvement in quality of life and pain.

Hepatic Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma as a Rare Indication for Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) is a rare neoplasm of vascular origin, with nonspecific presentation and unpredictable clinical course. Several therapeutic options are available according to the literature, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, liver resection (LR), and liver transplantation (LT). METHODS: We present 2 cases of patients with HEHE treated with liver transplantation in our center, a 30-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman, diagnosed with several lesions involving both liver lobes. RESULTS: Levels of tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA], cancer antigen 19.9 [Ca19.9], and alpha-fetoprotein [AFP]) were negative. Percutaneous biopsy revealed HEHE in both cases. Due to the bilobar location, liver transplantation was performed. Postoperative course was unremarkable, and no significant complications developed. At this time, 10 and 5 years' follow-up has concluded, respectively. Both patients remain alive, asymptomatic, with normal liver function and no sign of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: HEHE is an uncommon malignant hepatic disease. Most cases present with bilobar involvement, and LT is probably the most useful treatment with favorable outcomes according to the literature and our experience. Further studies are needed to establish the optimal management of this rare entity.

Diverticulitis in immunodeficient patients: our experience in the management of high-risk patients.

INTRODUCTION: acute diverticulitis is a very prevalent disease. The need for a more aggressive management in immunodeficient patients has not been established. We present the results of our unit with immunodeficient patients diagnosed with acute diverticulitis and their follow-up. OBJECTIVES: to assess the possibility that a conservative management in this group is as valid as in the immunocompetent population. METHODS: a retrospective analysis study was performed in our hospital. Forty immunodeficient patients (transplant, corticoid treatment, dialysis, oncologic, HIV patients) diagnosed with acute diverticulitis were analyzed. The patients were managed with a surgical or non-surgical treatment according to their status on admission. The main analyzed items were the severity of the acute episode and the need for surgical treatment compared to the cause of immunodeficiency. Other studied variables included follow-up results and recurrences. RESULTS: thirty-two of the 40 patients studied received a non-surgical treatment during the acute episode, eight required emergency surgery (seven had a Hartmann procedure and one underwent a colon resection and anastomosis). Transplant patients and those between 40 and 50 years old proved to be higher risk groups. Three patients subsequently required elective surgery due to complications. Twenty-four patients had uneventful recoveries. CONCLUSIONS: the frequency of complicated acute diverticulitis is higher in immunodeficient patients than that of the general population. Non-surgical treatment seems to be as safe as in immunocompetent patients. Younger and transplanted patients were higher risk groups for severe acute diverticulitis that required a more aggressive management initially.

Serum levels of intact parathyroid hormone on the first day after total thyroidectomy as predictor of permanent hypoparathyroidism. / Uso del valor de la hormona paratiroidea intacta en el primer día postoperatorio tras tiroidectomía total como predictor de hipoparatiroidismo permanente.

BACKGROUND: Permanent hypoparathyroidism is the most common long-term complication after total thyroidectomy, causing significant morbidity and requiring long-term replacement therapy. Our study objective was to assess whether intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels on the first day after total thyroidectomy are a good predictor of permanent hypoparathyroidism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study of all patients undergoing total thyroidectomy between January 2009 and December 2014. iPTH and calcium levels were measured the first day after surgery. Patients were followed up for at least one year after surgery. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 481 patients with a mean age of 53±14 years, 82% of them females. The most common reason for thyroidectomy was multinodular goiter (75%), followed by papillary thyroid cancer (15%). Transient hypocalcemia was the most common early complication after total thyroidectomy (49%), and permanent hypoparathyroidism was the most common long-term complication (6%). ROC curve analysis showed that iPTH level on the first postoperative day was a good predictor of permanent hypoparathyroidism (area under the curve 0.87; 95% CI: 0.84-0.91). Cut-off iPTH levels of 5pg/mL had 95% sensitivity, 77% specificity, 21.6% positive predictive value, and 99.6% negative predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: iPTH level on the first day after total thyroidectomy is a useful predictor of permanent hypoparathyroidism because of its high negative predictive value. Serum iPTH levels >5pg/mL virtually exclude presence of permanent hypoparathyroidism.

Review of duodenal perforations after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in Hospital Puerta de Hierro from 1999 to 2014.

INTRODUCTION: endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) remains the gold standard in biliary and pancreatic pathology. Although the procedure has a significant morbidity and mortality rate. Algorithms are needed for the management and treatment of the associated complications. OBJECTIVE: to review the post-ERCP perforations treated in the Department of General Surgery of the Hospital Puerta de Hierro from 1999 to 2014. The results were evaluated according to the types of perforation and treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: this is a descriptive and observational study of all post-ERCP perforations reported and treated by the Department of General Surgery of the Hospital Puerta de Hierro from 1999 to 2014. The following data were collected: indication for the test and findings, type of perforation, time and method of diagnosis, time to surgery and the technique used; the subsequent complications as well as the evolution and time of admission were registered. Results were evaluated according to the type of perforation (Stapfer classification) and the treatment performed. Thirty-six perforations were reported (21 type I, eight type II, two type III and five type IV), with an associated incidence of less than 1%. The diagnosis was immediate (in the first 24 hours) in 67% of cases; type I was the most frequent: 28 of 36 patients (77.7%) required surgery. The majority underwent a cholecystectomy followed by suture, intraoperative cholangiography, bile duct exploration and drainage whenever possible. Four patients died with type I perforations; two were intervened and two were managed conservatively. The most frequent complication was a collection/fistula which occurred in 21.42% of patients who underwent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: periduodenal perforations secondary to ERCP treatment should be oriented according to the clinical and radiological findings. In our experience, type I perforations require immediate surgical intervention, whereas type II and III perforations can be managed conservatively in some cases when there are no complications such as associated abdominal collections, peritoneal irritation and/or sepsis. Type IV perforations respond to conservative management.

Prevalence and outcome of portal thrombosis in a cohort of cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients that have undergone liver transplantation (LT) is 9.7% (SD 4.5). The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence, assess the factors that are associated with PVT and clarify their association with prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and LT. AIMS AND METHODS: From 2005 to 2014, laboratory, radiological and surgical data were collected from patients with LC in our center who had undergone LT for the first time. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-one patients were included. The mean age was 55 (SD 9), 75.4% of patients were male and 48.7% had HCV. The Child-Pugh scores were A/B/C 41.9%/35.9%/25.5% and the MELD score was 15 (SD 6). Previous decompensations were: ascites (61.4%), hepatic encephalopathy (34.4%), variceal bleeding (25.4%), hepatocellular carcinoma (48.9%) and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SPB) (14.3%). The mean post-transplant follow-up was 42 months (0-113). PVT was diagnosed at LT in 18 patients (9.4%). Six patients were previously diagnosed using imaging tests (33.3%): 2 patients (11.1%) by DU and 4 patients (22.2%) by CT scan. All patients with PVT had DU in a mean time of 6 months before LT (0-44) and 90 patients (47.1%) had a CT scan in a median time of 6 months before LT (0-45). PVT was significantly related to the presence of SBP (33.3% vs 12.6%; p = 0.02) and lower levels of albumin (3.1g/dl vs 3.4g/dl; p = 0.05). MELD was higher in patients with PVT (16.6 vs 14.9; p = 0.3). There were no significant differences with regard to the need for transfusion of blood components. Moreover, the surgery time was similar in both groups. PVT correlated with a higher mortality in the first 30 days (8.8% vs 16.7%; p = 0.2). CONCLUSION: Prior history of SBP and lower levels of albumin were identified as factors associated with PVT. The pre-transplant diagnosis rate is very low and the presence of PVT may have implications for short-term mortality.

Cardiac amyloidosis: the importance of a multidisciplinary approach.

Cardiac amyloidosis is associated with the interstitial deposition of abnormal protein in the myocardium, which can lead to a form of restrictive cardiomyopathy with a poor prognosis. This protein can have a number of different origins, which give rise to various subtypes of amyloidosis that have different prognoses and that require different therapeutic approaches. Drugs commonly used in heart failure have little effect in amyloidosis and the use of heart transplantation is controversial because amyloidosis is a multi-organ disease and because there is a possibility of disease recurrence in the graft. The use of new techniques to identify the specific amyloidosis subtype, the emergence of novel ways of preventing or decreasing amyloid production, the ability to monitor responses to therapy and, above all, the introduction of multidisciplinary teams that can implement a combination of therapies, including multiple organ transplantation, have contributed to a substantial improvement in the prognosis of this disease.