The use of serum alkaline phosphatase as a choledocholithiasis marker to mitigate the cost of magnetic resonance cholangiography

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the predictive value of preoperative serum laboratory test results for identifying choledocholithiasis and reduce the use of cholangioresonance and its inherent costs. Methods Patients aged 21-69 years who underwent preoperative cholangioresonance examination at our institute were included. Patients with a history of fluctuating jaundice or biliary pancreatitis, bile duct dilatation on ultrasonography, and elevated levels of canalicular enzymes (alkaline phosphatase >100U/L and gamma-glutamyl transferase >50U/L) underwent cholangioresonance-guided surgery. Cases of choledocholithiasis confirmed by cholangioresonance were compared with those without choledocholithiasis. Serum laboratory data were evaluated and the diagnostic capabilities of these examinations were analyzed. Results A total of 104 patients were included. For detecting choledocholithiasis using alkaline phosphatase, the cut-off point was 78U/L, sensitivity was 97.6% (95%CI: 87.4-99.9), and specificity was 72.6% (95%CI: 59.8-83.1). In the binary logistic regression analysis, age (OR= 0.92; 95%CI: 0.86-0.98) and alkaline phosphatase level (OR= 1.02; 95%CI: 1.01-1.05) were selected for the final model. Conclusion Serum alkaline phosphatase levels may aid preoperative diagnosis of asymptomatic choledocholithiasis. After a global clinical assessment of the patient, serum laboratory findings may contribute to a reduction in cholangioresonance-related heathcare costs.

What is the role of heat shock protein in abdominal organ transplantation?

ABSTRACT Ischemia-reperfusion injury is a pathophysiological event occuring after abdominal organ transplantation, and has a significant influence on prognosis and survival of the graft. It is involved in delaying the primary function or non-functioning of the graft. The objective of this study was to provide information on heat shock protein mechanisms in ischemia-reperfusion injuries in abdominal organ transplantations, and to indicate the possible factors involved that may influence the graft outcome. Several classes of heat shock proteins are part of the ischemia and reperfusion process, both as inflammatory agonists and in protecting the process. Studies involving heat shock proteins enhance knowledge on ischemia-reperfusion injury mitigation processes and the mechanisms involved in the survival of abdominal grafts, and open space to support therapeutic future clinical studies, minimizing ischemia and reperfusion injuries in abdominal organ transplantations. Expression of heat shock proteins is associated with inflammatory manifestations and ischemia-reperfusion injuries in abdominal organ transplantations and may influence graft outcomes.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by general surgery residents. Is it safe? How much does it cost? / Colecistectomia laparoscópica realizada por residentes de cirurgia geral. É seguro? Quanto custa?

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed by residents of the first and second-year of a general surgery residency program. We studied the primary total cost of treatment and complication rates as primary outcomes, comparing the groups operated by senior and resident surgeons. Methods: this was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed in a training hospital of large surgical volume in Brazil, in the period between June 1, 2018 and May 31, 2019. The study population comprised patients who underwent elective cholecystectomy due to uncomplicated chronic calculous cholecystitis or to the presence of gallbladder polyps with surgical indication. We divided the cases into three groups, based on the graduation of the main surgeon at the time of the procedure: first-year residents (R1), second-year residents (R2), and trained general surgeons (GS). Results: during the study period, 1,052 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed, of which 1,035 procedures met the inclusion criteria, with 78 (7.5%) patients operated on with the participation of first-year residents (R1), 500 (48.3%) patients with the participation of second-year residents (R2), and 457 (44.2%) with the participation of senior surgeons only. There was no difference in conversion rates, complications, and reporting of adverse events between groups. We observed a significant difference regarding hospitalization costs (p = 0.003), with a higher mean for the patients operated with the participation of R1, of US$ 2,671.13, versus US$ 2,414.60 and US$ 2,396.24 for the procedures performed by senior surgeons and R2, respectively. Conclusions: laparoscopic cholecystectomy with the participation of residents is safe, even in their first years of training. There is an additional cost of about 10% in the treatment of patient operated with the participation of first-year residents. There was no significant difference in the cost of the group operated by second-year residents.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a efetividade e segurança da realização de colecistectomias laparoscópicas por residentes do primeiro e segundo ano do programa de cirurgia geral. Foram estudados como desfechos primários o custo médio total de tratamento e os índices de complicações, comparando os grupos operados por cirurgiões seniores e residentes. Métodos: trata-se de estudo de coorte retrospectivo de pacientes submetidos a colecistectomias laparoscópicas realizadas em hospital escola de grande volume cirúrgico, no Brasil, no período entre 01 de junho de 2018 e 31 de maio de 2019. A população do estudo compreendeu pacientes que realizaram colecistectomias eletivas por colecistite calculosa crônica não complicada ou por presença de pólipos de vesícula biliar com indicação cirúrgica. Os casos foram divididos em 3 grupos, baseados na graduação do cirurgião principal no momento do procedimento: residentes do primeiro ano (R1), residentes do segundo ano (R2) e cirurgiões formados (CG). Resultados: no período do estudo, foram realizadas 1.052 colecistectomias videolaparoscópicas, sendo que, após aplicados os critérios de exclusão, foram incluídos no estudo 1.035 procedimentos, com 78 (7,5%) pacientes operados com a participação de residentes do primeiro ano (R1), 500 (48,3%) pacientes com a participação de residentes do segundo ano (R2) e 457 (44,2%) apenas com a participação somente de cirurgiões seniores. Não houve diferença nas taxas de conversão, de complicações e de notificações de eventos adversos entre os grupos. Foi evidenciada diferença com relação aos custos de internação (p= 0,003), sendo observado maior custo médio de internação para os pacientes operados com participação dos R1, com custo médio de US$ 2.671,13, versus US$ 2.414,60 e US$ 2.396,24 das operações realizadas pelos cirurgiões seniores e R2, respectivamente. Conclusões: é segura a realização de colecistectomia videolaparoscópica com a participação de residentes, mesmo em seus primeiros anos de formação. Existe custo adicional de cerca de 10% no tratamento de pacientes operados com a participação de residentes do primeiro ano. Não foi observada diferença significativa no custo do grupo operado por residentes do segundo ano.