Exploring the safety and efficacy of phytomedicine Petiveria alliacea extract (Esperanza) in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal tumors and acute leukemias: study protocol for a phase Ib/randomized double blind phase II trial (PA001).

BACKGROUND: The energy metabolism of drug-resistant tumor cells can provide a survival advantage during therapy, and treatment itself may influence metabolic reprogramming. Petiveria alliacea (Traditional name: Anamu) could inhibit glycolysis and OXPHOX modulating tumor metabolism, making it a potential treatment for tumors with altered metabolism. This clinical study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a standardized Anamu phytomedicine called Esperanza in treating gastric tumors and acute leukemias. METHODS: This is a prospective, open label, phase I/ randomized, double-blind single-center phase II study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Esperanza extract in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal tumors and acute leukemias. In stage 1, the study will determine the MTD and assess safety. In stage 2, safety at the MTD will be evaluated, and the efficacy of Esperanza extract will be explored in both metastatic gastric tumors and acute leukemias. Quality of life improvement will be the primary outcome in the gastric tumor group, while different efficacy outcomes will be assessed in the acute leukemia group. A placebo group will be used for comparison in the gastric tumor group, and a historical control group will be used in the acute leukemia arm. DISCUSSION: This clinical trial aims to evaluate the safety profile of the Esperanza extract in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal tumors and acute leukemias, while exploring its potential efficacy in conjunction with standard treatment for these pathologies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered in the US National Library of Medicine with identifier NCT05587088. Registered October 19th, 2022.

Aortoesophageal fistulae following TEVAR: Case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Aortoesophageal fistulae are an uncommon pathology, primarily due to the aortic pathology in more than 50 % of the cases, followed by foreign body ingestion, and advanced malignancies. Recently it is recognized after surgical management of thoracic aortic pathologies either open or endovascular, with increased rates of morbidity and mortality. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: We present a 62-year-old male patient with a previous history of thoracic endovascular aortic repair, who enters the emergency room with gastrointestinal bleeding and clinical signs of infection. Positive blood cultures, and tomographic signs include prosthetic gas, with endoscopic findings of aortoesophageal fistulae. Aggressive surgical management was performed including esophageal resection and gastrointestinal exclusion. Bleeding control was reached in the early postoperative period, nevertheless despite multidisciplinary management, the patient died 8 days after surgery. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Aortoesophageal fistulae, remains to be an uncommon complication either of thoracic aortic aneurysm or after endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysm; with high rates of morbidity and mortality, should be suspected in every case with upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the context of a patient with aortic disease. Non-surgical management should be avoided due to the high risk of complications and mortality, aggressive management needs to be considered in each case according to clinical condition of the patient. CONCLUSION: Aortoesophageal fistulae remain an uncommon complication after TEVAR, with increased mortality and morbidity rates after complete treatment. Conservative management should be avoided to achieve bleeding control and prevent the extension of the infection.

Exclusión pilórica con dispositivo Ovesco (over-the-scope) en caso de fístula yeyunal en obstrucción duodenal de etiología maligna / Pyloric Exclusion with Ovesco (Over-the-scope-clip) Device for Jejunal Fistula in Duodenal Obstruction of Malignant Etiology

Resumen Se reporta el caso de un hombre de 25 años con diagnóstico de tumor de células germinales no seminomatoso que ingresó a urgencias por cuadro clínico de dolor abdominal difuso asociado con distensión y múltiples episodios eméticos. Ante la sospecha clínica de obstrucción intestinal se realizó una tomografía abdominal contrastada que mostró una obstrucción en la tercera porción duodenal por compresión extrínseca ocasionada por múltiples conglomerados retroperitoneales. Se decidió el tiempo quirúrgico para una derivación gastrointestinal en la que se realizó una gastroyeyunoanastomosis por técnica convencional; hacia el quinto día posoperatorio presentó un deterioro clínico dado por episodios febriles, dolor abdominal y taquicardia. Se realizó una nueva tomografía abdominal que reportó una colección intraabdominal en el flanco izquierdo de 12 x 12 x 5 cm secundaria a proceso fistuloso yeyunal, se realizó un manejo de la colección con drenaje percutáneo por radiología intervencionista y alojamiento de catéteres de drenaje, y se realizó una esofagogastroduodenoscopia con el fin de ejecutar una técnica de exclusión pilórica con dispositivo Ovesco (over-the-scope) como manejo de la fístula yeyunal, con la que se obtuvo éxito técnico. Durante el posoperatorio se realizó como seguimiento una radiografía de vías digestivas que confirmó la no continuidad pilórica con adecuada permeabilidad de la gastroyeyunoanastomosis, y una tomografía abdominal contrastada que mostró una disminución de la colección intraabdominal sin extravasaciones del medio de contraste. El desenlace favorable de este caso sugiere la utilidad del dispositivo Ovesco en casos de fístulas del tracto gastrointestinal proximal, sobre todo en aquellos pacientes con múltiples comorbilidades o mal estado general que se favorecen de procedimientos mínimamente invasivos que disminuyan el riesgo de desenlace fatal.

Abstract A 25-year-old man diagnosed with a non-seminomatous germ cell tumor was admitted to the emergency department for diffuse abdominal pain associated with bloating and multiple emetic episodes. Due to the clinical suspicion of intestinal obstruction, a contrasted abdominal tomography was performed, showing an obstruction in the third duodenal portion resulting from extrinsic compression caused by multiple retroperitoneal conglomerates. Surgical time was scheduled for a gastric bypass surgery where gastrojejunostomy was performed using conventional technique. On the fifth postoperative day, he presented clinical deterioration due to febrile episodes, abdominal pain, and tachycardia. A new abdominal tomography was performed, reporting an intra-abdominal collection of pus on the left flank of 12 x 12 x 5 cm secondary to the jejunal fistula process. Hence, percutaneous drainage management of the collection was performed by interventional radiology and drainage catheter placement. In addition, an EGD was performed to conduct a pyloric exclusion technique with an Ovesco (over-the-scope-clip) device for managing the jejunal fistula, which was technically successful. A gastrointestinal tract X-ray was performed as a follow-up during the postoperative stage, showing no pyloric continuity with adequate patency of the gastrojejunostomy. In addition, a contrasted abdominal CT scan showed a decrease in the intra-abdominal collection without extravasation of the contrast medium. This case outcome suggests the Ovesco device may be helpful in proximal GI fistulas cases, especially in patients with multiple comorbidities or poor general conditions who may benefit from minimally invasive procedures decreasing the risk of fatal outcomes.

Solitary Fibrous Tumor in the Perianal Region: Report of Two Cases With an Atypical Location.

A solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a mesenchymal neoplasm of spindle cells, initially described in the pleura. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies the solitary fibrous tumor as a neoplasm with intermediate biological potential. Diagnostic images are essential for the diagnostic and therapeutic approach in this entity. The standard of treatment for this type of lesion is surgical resection with oncological margins larger than 1 cm. The solitary fibrous tumors located in the perianal, perineal, and pelvic regions are infrequent and represent a challenge in the clinical approach, mainly because the manifestations are nonspecific. Given the low incidence of this type of neoplasm, we present two cases of SFT in the perianal region managed in a high-complexity hospital.

Prehospital and First Hospital System Response to a Terrorist Attack in Bogotá, Colombia.

Background: Assembling an effective medical response for an overwhelming number of casualties has become a priority worldwide. Terrorist attacks have been part of the Colombian contemporaneous history. On February 7, 2003, a terrorist car bomb explosion occurred inside a private club in Bogotá, causing the largest number of casualties of all terrorist attacks for over 15 years. The present study analyses the hospital and prehospital responses to this mass casualty event by characterizing the patterns of injury, resource allocation, and outcome in a tertiary-level hospital where most of the casualties were treated. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective chart review of the patients brought to a single hospital (La Clínica del Country), which was the nearest to the terrorist attack. Demographics, severity of injury, patterns of injury, prehospital care, and outcomes were determined from the hospital medical records and government registries. Results: Of the 240 victims, 35 died at the explosion site (immediate mortality 17%). The 205 survivors were dispersed throughout the city, of whom 63 patients came to La Clínica del Country hospital. Most of these patients were evaluated only clinically and deemed not serious. The main mechanism of trauma was blunt (81.4%). The mean injury severity score (ISS) was 5.6 ± 8.3. Ten patients required emergent surgical intervention and 14 patients were admitted. The in-hospital mortality was 20%. Conclusion: This mass casualty event was a true test for the Colombian emergency medical system and disaster preparedness. The medical response and resource optimization resulted in an overall mortality rate similar to those observed in the recent European and North American bombings. Despite the limited resources, the continuous challenge of terrorist's attacks in Colombia made the country feel the need for training and preparing the healthcare professionals, allowing effective delivery of medical care.

Introducción: La organización de una respuesta médica efectiva a un número excesivo de víctimas de ataques terroristas se ha convertido en una prioridad en el mundo. Los ataques terroristas han sido parte de la historia colombiana contemporánea. El 7 de Febrero de 2003, un carro bomba explotó en el interior de un club privado en Bogotá, resultando en el ataque terrorista con mayor numero de víctimas durante los últimos 15 años. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la respuesta del sistema pre y hospitalario a un ataque terrorista masivo, caracterizar los patrones de lesión, utilización de recursos y desenlaces en un hospital de primer nivel, donde la mayoría de las víctimas fueron atendidas. Métodos: Este es un estudio retrospectivo de la revisión de 43 historias clínicas de 63 pacientes que fueron llevados al hospital privado más cercano después de un ataque terroristas. La información demográfica, la severidad, el patrón de las lesiones y los desenlaces fueron determinados a partir de las historias clínicas y los registros gubernamentales. Resultados: Treinta y cinco personas murieron en la escena y 205 personas fueron lesionadas (mortalidad inmediata de 17%). 63 pacientes fueron transferidos a nuestros hospitales. La mayoría de los pacientes fueron valorados clínicamente y no tenían lesiones serias. El principal mecanismos de trauma fue cerrado. El promedio de ISS fue 5.6 ± 8.3. Diez pacientes requirieron intervenciones quirúrgicas de urgencia y 14 fueron admitidos al hospital. La mortalidad crítica fue de 20%. Conclusione: Este incidente fue un verdadero examen a nuestro sistema médico de emergencias y plan de desastres hospitalario. Nuestro sistema médico optimizó los recursos resultando en una mortalidad crítica similar a la de las bombas ocurridas en Europa y Norte América. El desafío permanente de confrontar los ataques terroristas en Colombia ha proporcionado entrenamiento y preparación para asegurar un cuidado médico efectivo, aun con recursos limitados. Palabras clave: Ataque terrorista, Bomba, Evento con lesionados masivos, Respuesta medica.

La incursión del Congreso Nacional de Cirugía de Colombia en la red social Twitter™ / The Colombian National Congress of Surgery's Breakthrough intothe Social Network Twitter™

Introducción. Hemos ingresado en una nueva era en la forma de comunicación y en la difusión de los contenidos que se generan en las diferentes reuniones y congresos científicos de Medicina y Cirugía.Objetivo. Analizar los resultados de la difusión en Twitter™ del XLIV Congreso Nacional "Avances en Cirugía" realizado en Cartagena, Colombia, del 14 al 17 de agosto de 2018.Método. Se recopilaron los datos obtenidos por la pagina Symplur.com en el XLIV Congreso Nacional "Avances en Cirugía" con la etiqueta (hashtag) #CirugíaColombiana.Resultados. Se generaron 761 tuits (tweets) durante todo el tiempo que duró el congreso, con 178 participantes activos en Twitter™, los cuales representan el 10,8 % del total de asistentes al congreso, con una relación de nueve asistentes por cada participante en Twitter™. En cuanto a la media de tuits por usuario, fue de cuatro y la cantidad de impresiones fue de 1 ́250.000. A medida que el congreso fue avanzando, aumentó el número de tuits, hasta el más alto, un total de 230, el 16 de agosto.Discusión. El uso de twitter como herramienta de difusión por los cirujanos colombianos fue similar al publicado en otras series; sin embargo, son mediciones desde 2013, en las cuales la participación y actividad han aumentado progresivamente. La canalización de los contenidos por medio de una etiqueta común permite la interacción asincrónica de todos los participantes, rompiendo las barreras de comunicación entre los mismos

Introduction: We have entered a new era in the form of communication and the dissemination of the contents generated in the different meetings and scientific conferences of medicine and surgeryObjective: Analyze the results of the Twitter® broadcast of the 44th National Congress "Advances in Surgery" held in Cartagena - Colombia from August 14 to 17, 2018.Methods: The data obtained by Symplur.com page was compiled in the 44th National Congress "Advances in Surgery" held in Cartagena - Colombia from August 14 to 17, 2018, labeled with the Hashtag #Colombian Surgery.Results: 761 Tweets were generated during the whole time the conference lasted, with 178 active participants on Twitter which represent 10.8% of the total of attendees to the congress, with a ratio of 9 attendees for each parti-cipant on Twitter. As for the average of Tweets per user was 4 and the number of impressions was 1'250,000. As the conference progressed there was more activity in the number of Tweets being the highest point on August 16 with a total of 230 Tweets.Discussion: The use of Twitter as a dissemination tool by Colombian surgeons was similar to that published in other series, however, they are measurements since 2013, in which we have seen how participation and activity increases progressively. The channeling of the contents through a common Hashtag allows the asynchronous interaction of all the participants breaking communication barriers between them

Bilateral necrotizing fasciitis of the breast following quadrantectomy.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare and highly lethal soft-tissue infection that involves the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and fascia. Although it can affect any part of the body, the breast is seldom involved. We describe a case of bilateral NF of the breast following elective quadrantectomy, successfully treated with antibiotics, bilateral mastectomy, and a vacuum-assisted wound closure system.