Inguinal hernia in southern Brazil - challenges in follow-up and recurrence rates / Hérnia inguinal no Sul do Brasil - desafios no seguimento e taxas de recorrência

ABSTRACT Introduction: recurrence rates for primary hernia repair range from 0.5 to 15 percent depending upon the hernia site, type of repair, and clinical circumstances. Many risk factors are known and they must be considered before the procedure. In developing countries, follow up and maintenance of databases are critical to understand the real numbers. Methods: a retrospective cohort study analyzed adult patients who have undergone inguinal hernia repair at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, a tertiary care government public hospital, between 2013 and 2015. Medical records, telephone, and letter contact have been reviewed in order to complete the minimum period of 5 years of follow-up. The analyzed data focused on the surgeon's experience and the recurrence rate in 5 years of follow-up. Results: a total of 1094 medical records were selected and a complete five years follow-up were possible in 454 patients - 538 inguinal hernia repairs due to bilateral approach in 84 patients. These 454 patients answered, in a validated questionnaire about symptoms of recurrence. The total recurrence rate was 9.29%. For the patients who had Nyhus IV, recurrence rate was 24.1% against 9.9% after primary hernia repair, with a 2.4 higher risk. There was no difference in recurrence between surgeons and training surgeons. Conclusion: our data reveal an acceptable recurrence rate in a tertiary care hospital with residents, and to our knowledge is the first Brazilian report with long term follow up. An increased re-recurrent hernia was found when compared with primary hernia repair.

RESUMO Introdução: a recorrência da hérnia inguinal após hernioplastia varia de 0,5 a 15 por cento, dependendo do local da hérnia, tipo de reparo e circunstâncias clínicas. Muitos fatores de risco são conhecidos e devem ser considerados antes do procedimento. Acompanhamento e adequado bancos de dados são fundamentais para entender a incidência de recidiva. Métodos: estudo de coorte retrospectivo analisou hernioplastias inguinais realizados no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre entre 2013 e 2015. Para concluir 5 anos de seguimento, analisamos o prontuário e fizemos contato telefônico e por correio. Resultados: o total de 1094 registros médicos foram selecionados e um seguimento de pelo menos 5 anos foi possível em 454 pacientes - 538 reparos de hérnia inguinal devido à abordagem bilateral em 84 pacientes. Os pacientes responderam um questionário validado sobre sintomas de recorrência. A taxa total de recorrência foi de 9,29%. No grupo masculino, a recorrência foi de 10% contra 4% no grupo feminino. Para os pacientes com hérnia Nyhus IV, a recidiva foi de 24% contra 8% após o reparo da hérnia primária, com um risco de 2,8 maior. Não houve diferença na recorrência entre cirurgiões experientes e em treinamento. Conclusão: nossos dados revelam uma taxa de recorrência aceitável em um hospital de ensino, e para o nosso conhecimento é o primeiro artigo com acompanhamento de longo prazo no sul do Brasil. A re-recidiva da hérnia foi maior quando comparada com o reparo da hérnia primária.

Retroperitoneal fetus in fetu in a 65-year-old man

Fetus in fetu (FIF) is a rare congenital anomaly in which a malformed fetus is incorporated within the body of its twin. It was first described in the late 18th century and has an incidence of 1:500,000 live births. In most cases, the diagnosis is made in infants or young adults. To date, the oldest patient reported in the literature was 47 years old. We describe the case of a 65-year-old patient with FIF, now the oldest reported in the literature. Our patient meets all the diagnostic criteria for FIF, including the presence of a limb in advanced formation inside the lesion. The treatment was surgical excision. FIF should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal masses, typically recognized in infancy. Symptoms arise from mass effects. Surgical resection should be performed due to the potential for malignant transformation.

Wandering spleen as a cause of sinistral portal hypertension

Wandering spleen (WS) is a rare entity characterized by laxity of peritoneal ligaments that hold the spleen stationary. It is most commonly diagnosed in children and young women. Clinical presentation ranges from asymptomatic to acute abdomen. A 19-year-old woman came to the emergency department with history of progressive abdominal pain. She also had previous episodes of hematemesis. A computed tomography scan showed an ectopic spleen with a "whirlpool sign." Laparotomy and splenectomy were performed. WS is characterized by a long vascular pedicle and laxity of peritoneal attachments of the spleen. The etiology is usually congenital. Splenopexy is the main treatment; however, splenectomy is indicated when splenic infarction is present. Despite being rare, this condition may be considered in some cases of abdominal pain. An earlier diagnosis would have allowed us to perform a splenopexy, thus reducing morbidity. (AU)