El recuperador celular y necesidad transfusional en pacientes intervenidos de cirugía cardíaca / The cell saver and the transfusional need in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Resumen Objetivo Los pacientes intervenidos de cirugía cardíaca presentan riesgo elevado de ser transfundidos con sangre durante el postoperatorio, debido al descenso de sus cifras de hemoglobina y hematocrito. Una de las alternativas a la transfusión sanguínea es el uso del recuperador celular intraquirúrgico. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar si el uso del recuperador celular intraquirúgico disminuye la tasa transfusional durante el postoperatorio inmediato. También se ven las complicaciones postquirúrgicas inmediatas en ambos grupos. Material y Métodos Estudio analítico, prospectivo con dos cohortes de pacientes distribuidos en grupo control (162) y grupo intervención (162). Se analizarón variables sociodemográficas, de sus diagnósticos y tratamientos quirúrgicos, tiempos de isquemia cardíaca, hemoglobina, hematocrito, transfusión sanguínea y hemorragias, así como variables propias del recuperador celular. Las complicaciones estudiadas fueron; hemoglobinuria, fiebre, náuseas y vómitos. Se obtuvo el consentimiento informado de todos los pacientes y se sometió los datos al paquete estadístico SPSS versión 22.0. Resultados Las cifras de hemoglobina y hematocrito de los pacientes después de ser intervenido quirúrgicamente, fueron diferentes entre los grupos respectivamente (GC, 8,3 g/dL, 22,8%. GI,10,4 g/dL, 31,1%). Coincidiendo que los mayores transfundidos fueron los del grupo control (18,2%) frente al grupo intervención (3,9%). El grupo que presentó mayor complicación fue el grupo intervención (13,6%) que eran los que utilizaron el recuperador celular. Siendo la hemoglobinuria (82%) la mayor complicación. Conclusiones Los pacientes que utilizaron el recuperador celular disminuyeron la necesidad transfusional, sin embargo, fueron los que mayor incidencia de hemoglobinuria padecieron.

Objetive Patients undergoing cardiac surgery are at high risk of being transfused with blood during the postoperative period, due to the decrease in haemoglobin and haematocrit levels. One of the alternatives to blood transfusion is the use of the intraoperative cell saver. The objective of this study was to identify whether the use of the intra-uremic cell saver decreases the transfusional rate during the immediate postoperative period. The immediate postoperative complications were also demonstrated in both groups. Material and Methods Analytical, prospective study with two cohorts of patients distributed in control group (162) and intervention group (162). Sociodemographic variables, their diagnoses and surgical treatments, time of cardiac ischemia, haemoglobin, haematocrit, blood transfusion and haemorrhages, as well as variables specific to the cell saver were analyzed. The complications studied were; haemoglobinuria, fever, nausea and vomiting. The informed consent of all the patients was obtained and the data was submitted to the statistical package SPSS version 22.0. Results The haemoglobin and haematocrit values of patients after surgery were different between groups (GC, 8.3 g/dl, 22.8%, GI, 10.4 g/dl, 31.1 g %). Coinciding that the major transfused were those of the control group (18.2%) versus the intervention group (3.9%). The group that presented the greatest complication was the intervention group (13.6%) who were those who used the cell saver. Hemoglobinuria (82%) being the major complication. Conclusions Patients who used the cell saver decreased the need for transfusion, but were the ones with the highest incidence of hemoglobinuria.

Efecto del sistema de recuperación de sangre autóloga y transfusiones homólogas en pacientes quirúrgicos de alta complejidad / Effect of homologous transfusions and the autologous blood recovery system in highly complex surgical patients

Introducción: la transfusión autóloga presenta tres modalidades: transfusión autóloga con predepósito, hemodilución preoperatoria (normovolémica o hipervolémica) y el sistema de recuperación de sangre autóloga (cell saver) intraoperatoria o posoperatoria. Objetivo: demostrar la efectividad del uso del sistema de recuperación de sangre autóloga en pacientes quirúrgicos de alta complejidad en el Hospital Alcívar. Método: estudio retrospectivo, no experimental, de observación indirecta, con análisis correlacional. La muestra fue de 112 pacientes intervenidos por afecciones cardiovasculares, ortopédicas y traumatológicas, incluidos según criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Se utilizó cell saver en 56 pacientes, y 56 pacientes utilizaron transfusiones de sangre homóloga. Resultados. el cell saver fue beneficioso en 93 por ciento de los pacientes; la morbilidad y la mortalidad disminuyeron, principalmente en los pacientes intervenidos de cualquier afección cardiovascular y aumentó el índice costo/beneficio, debido a que se priorizaron los recursos económicos. En traumatología y ortopedia no fue muy beneficioso, pues la cantidad de sangre recuperada fluctuó entre 300 y 500 mL en intervenciones convencionales, lo que motivó el uso de hemoderivados y aumentó el costo. En resecciones tumorales e instrumentaciones en diferentes segmentos de la columna vertebral se recuperó hasta 800 mL de sangre, lo que resultó significativo. La tasa de complicaciones fue menor en pacientes que utilizaron cell saver (7 por ciento) frente a los pacientes que utilizaron hemoderivados homólogos (32 por ciento). Se constató una menor estancia hospitalaria en el grupo cell saver (1-20 días) en comparación con los que usaron hemoderivados homólogos (> 10 días, en 5 casos fue mayor 21 días). Conclusiones: el uso de sistema de recuperación de sangre autóloga constituye un procedimiento efectivo para infundir hemoderivados con mayor seguridad(AU)

Introduction: Autologous transfusion has three modalities: autologous transfusion with predeposit, preoperative hemodilution (normovolemic or hypervolemic), and the system for autologous blood recovery (cell saver), whether intraoperative or postoperative. Objective: To show the effectiveness of the use of the autologous blood recovery system in highly complex surgical patients at Alcívar Hospital. Method: Nonexperimental, retrospective study, of indirect observation and with correlational analysis. The sample consisted of 112 patients who underwent surgery for cardiovascular, orthopedic and traumatological conditions, chosen based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The cell saver system was used in 56 patients and 56 patients used homologous blood transfusions. Results: The cell saver system was beneficial in 93 percent of patients; morbidity and mortality decreased, mainly in patients operated for any cardiovascular condition, while the cost-benefit ratio increased, due to the fact prioritization of economic resources. In traumatology and orthopedics, it was not so beneficial, since the amount of blood recovered fluctuated between 300 and 500 mL in conventional interventions, which motivated the use of blood products and increased the cost. In tumor resections and instrumentation of different spine segments, up to 800 mL of blood were recovered, which was significant. The complication rate was lower in patients who used the cell saver system (7 percent), compared to patients who used homologous blood products (32 percent). A shorter hospital stay was observed in the cell saver group (1-20 days), compared to those who used homologous blood products (over 10 days, while in 5 cases it was over 21 days). Conclusions: The use of the autologous blood recovery system is an effective procedure to infuse blood products with greater safety(AU)

Pilares del ahorro transfusional / Pillars in the blood conservation

Las transfusiones sanguíneas alogénicas han tenido un rol central en el desarrollo de la medicina, principalmente como terapia de soporte en pacientes críticos, cirugía mayor, trauma y trastornos hematopoyéticos. Sin embargo, su utilización no está exenta de importantes efectos adversos y de altos costos asociados. Además, los productos sanguíneos son un recurso limitado que no debe ser desperdiciado. Por otro lado, la cirugía en pacientes que rehúsan la utilización de hemoderivados ha mostrado igual o mejores resultados que los pacientes que aceptan transfusiones. Esto ha llevado a buscar un manejo apropiado de la sangre en todos nuestros pacientes, evitando los riesgos y costos innecesarios de las transfusiones, pero permitiéndolos cuando se cree que los beneficios serán mayores que los riesgos. En este trabajo se presentan 3 pilares esenciales. El primero es el diagnóstico y manejo apropiado de la anemia preoperatoria, disminuyendo los riesgos perioperatorios, ya que la anemia por sí sola es un factor de morbimortalidad. El segundo pilar está constituido por diversas técnicas, que están disponibles en la actualidad, para minimizar el sangrado perioperatorio. Finalmente, el tercer pilar es mejorar la tolerancia a la anemia. El uso en conjunto de diversas técnicas descritas en este trabajo ha mostrado ser efectivo en disminuir el sangrado perioperatorio, la necesidad de transfusiones alogénicas y las unidades de sangre utilizadas, lo cual podría permitir mejores resultados clínicos en nuestros pacientes.

Allogeneic blood transfusions have played a central role in the development of medicine, mainly as a support therapy in critically ill patients, major surgery, trauma and hematopoietic disorders. However, their use is not without significant adverse effects and associated high costs. Moreover, blood products are a limited resource that should not be wasted. Furthermore, surgery in patients who refuse the use of blood products has shown equal or better results than patients who accept transfusions. This has led to seek an appropriate blood management in all our patients, avoiding unnecessary costs and risks of transfusions, but allowing them when they believe the benefits outweigh the risks. In this paper three essential pillars are presented. The first is the appropriate diagnosis and management of pre-operative anaemia decreasing perioperative risk, since anaemia itself is a factor of morbidity and mortality. The second pillar is formed by various techniques that are available today to minimize bleeding perioperative. Finally, the third pillar is to improve tolerance to anaemia. The joint use of various techniques described in this paper has proven effective in decreasing perioperative bleeding, the need for allogeneic transfusions and blood units used, which may allow better clinical outcomes in our patients.

Two-year experience with cell salvage in total hip arthroplasty / Dois anos de experiência com recuperação intraoperatória de sangue em artroplastia total do quadril

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of the cell salvage system in total hip arthroplasty surgeries and whether the cell salvage system can reduce the allogeneic blood transfusion requirement in total hip arthroplasty patients. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of patients who underwent hip arthroplasty surgeries between 2010 and 2012 in a university hospital. A total of 181 arthroplasty patients were enrolled in our study. RESULTS: In the cell salvage group, the mean perioperative rate of allogeneic blood transfusion was significantly lower (92.53 ± 111.88 mL) than that in the control group (170.14 ± 116.79 mL; p < 0.001). When the mean postoperative transfusion rates were compared, the cell salvage group had lower values (125.37 ± 193.33 mL) than the control group (152.22 ± 208.37 mL), although the difference was not statistically significant. The number of patients receiving allogeneic blood transfusion in the CS group (n = 29; 43.2%) was also significantly lower than control group (n = 56; 73.6%; p < 0.05). In the logistic regression analysis, perioperative amount of transfusion, odds ratio (OR) -4.257 (95% CI -0.502 to 0.184) and operation time, OR: 2.720 (95% CI 0.001-0.004) were independent risk factors for the usage of cell salvage system. CONCLUSION: Cell salvage is an effective strategy for reducing the need for allogeneic blood transfusion in the perioperative setting; it provides support to patient blood management interventions. Thus, we recommend the cell salvage system for use in total hip arthroplasty surgeries to reduce the need for allogeneic blood transfusion, if possible.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVO: Determinar a eficácia do sistema de recuperação intraoperatória de sangue em artroplastia total de quadril e se o sistema de recuperação intraoperatória de sangue pode reduzir a necessidade de transfusão de sangue alogênico em pacientes submetidos à artroplastia total de quadril. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva dos prontuários de pacientes submetidos a cirurgias de artroplastia de quadril entre 2010 e 2012 em um hospital universitário. Foram inscritos no estudo 181 pacientes submetidos à artroplastia. RESULTADOS: A média da taxa de transfusão de sangue alogênico no período perioperatório foi significativamente inferior no grupo de recuperação intraoperatória de sangue (92,53 ± 111,88 mL) do que no grupo controle (170,14 ± 116,79 mL; p < 0,001). Quando as médias das taxas de transfusão no pós-operatório foram comparadas, o grupo de recuperação intraoperatória de sangue apresentou valores inferiores (125,37 ± 193,33 mL) aos do grupo controle (152,22 ± 208,37 mL), embora a diferença não tenha sido estatisticamente significativa. O número de pacientes que recebeu transfusão de sangue alogênico no grupo RC (n = 29; 43,2%) também foi significativamente inferior ao do grupo controle (n = 56; 73,6%; p < 0,05). Na análise de regressão logística, a quantidade de transfusão no período perioperatório, a razão de chance (OR) -4,257 (95% CI -0,502-0,184) e o tempo cirúrgico OR: 2,720 (IC 95% 0,001-0,004) foram fatores de risco independentes para o uso de sistema de recuperação intraoperatória de sangue. CONCLUSÃO: A recuperação intraoperatória de sangue é uma estratégia eficaz para reduzir a necessidade de transfusão de sangue alogênico no período perioperatório, que auxilia no manejo sanguíneo durante as intervenções. Portanto, recomendamos o sistema de recuperação intraoperatória de sangue para uso em artroplastia total de quadril para diminuir a necessidade de transfusão de sangue alogênico, quando possível.

Transoperative refusion: a simple and safe method in emergency surgery / Reinfusão transoperatória: um método simples e seguro na cirurgia de emergência

The objective is to reinforce the importance of blood reinfusion as a cheap, safe and simple method, which can be used in small hospitals, especially those in which there is no blood bank. Moreover, even with the use of devices that perform the collection and filtration of blood, more recent studies show that the cost-benefit ratio is much better when autologous transfusion is compared with blood transfusions, even when there is injury to hollow viscera and blood contamination. It is known that the allogeneic blood transfusion carries a number of risks to patients, among them are the coagulation disorders mediated by excess enzymes in the conserved blood, and deficiency in clotting factors, mainly the Factor V, the proacelerin. Another factor would be the risk of contamination with still unknown pathogens or that are not investigated during screening for selection of donors, such as the West Nile Fever and Creutzfeldt-Jacob, better known as "Mad Cow" disease. Comparing both methods, we conclude that blood autotransfusion has numerous advantages over heterologous transfusion, even in large hospitals. We are not against blood transfusions, just do not agree that the patient's own blood is discarded without making sure there will be enough blood in stock to get him out of the hemorrhagic shock.

O objetivo deste trabalho é reforçar a importância da reinfusão sanguínea como um método barato, seguro e simples, e que pode ser utilizado em hospitais de pequeno porte, destacando aqueles que não dispõem de banco de sangue. Além disso, mesmo com a utilização de aparelhos que realizam a coleta e filtração do sangue, trabalhos mais recentes mostram que a relação custo-benefício é bem melhor, comparando a transfusão autóloga com a transfusão de hemoderivados, mesmo quando há lesão de vísceras ocas e contaminação do sangue. Sabe-se que, atualmente, a transfusão de sangue alogênico acarreta uma série de riscos aos pacientes, dentre eles, estão os distúrbios de coagulação mediados pelo excesso de enzimas no sangue, conservada e deficiência nos fatores de coagulação; destacando o Fator V, a proacelerina. Outro fator seria o risco de contaminação com patógenos ainda desconhecidos ou que não são investigados durante a triagem para seleção de doadores, como por exemplo, a Febre do Nilo Ocidental e a Doença de Creutzfeldt-Jacob, mais conhecida como Doença da "Vaca Louca". Comparando ambos os métodos, concluímos que a autotransfusão sanguínea possui inúmeras vantagens em relação à transfusão heteróloga, mesmo em hospitais de grande porte. Não somos contra a transfusão de hemoderivados, só não concordamos que seja desprezado o sangue do próprio paciente, sem termos certeza de que vai chegar sangue em quantidade suficiente para tirá-lo do choque hemorrágico.

Application of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of chronic skin ulcer - Case report

The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has proved promising regarding its applicability in dermatology, especially in the healing of chronic ulcers. The autologous platelet-rich plasma is obtained by centrifuging the blood, so that the components are separated by density gradient. The final product is a gel rich in growth factors that act in tissue repair by activating fibroblasts and inducing extracellular matrix remodeling.

Safe Excision of a Large Overhanging Cystic Bleb Following Autologous Blood Injection and Compression Suture

Here, we report a large, overhanging cystic bleb that compromised vision and induced a foreign body sensation in a patient who underwent a trabeculectomy surgery with anti-metabolite therapy 4 years prior. Ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed multiple loculations with thin septa inside the bleb and a high risk of damage to the bleb was anticipated with a straight forward surgical excision. We injected autologous blood and placed a compression suture 6 weeks prior to surgical excision of the overhanging portion of the bleb. The operation was successful in preserving excellent bleb function, restoring visual acuity, and alleviating symptoms in our patient with up to 9 months of follow-up.

Safe Excision of a Large Overhanging Cystic Bleb Following Autologous Blood Injection and Compression Suture

Here, we report a large, overhanging cystic bleb that compromised vision and induced a foreign body sensation in a patient who underwent a trabeculectomy surgery with anti-metabolite therapy 4 years prior. Ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed multiple loculations with thin septa inside the bleb and a high risk of damage to the bleb was anticipated with a straight forward surgical excision. We injected autologous blood and placed a compression suture 6 weeks prior to surgical excision of the overhanging portion of the bleb. The operation was successful in preserving excellent bleb function, restoring visual acuity, and alleviating symptoms in our patient with up to 9 months of follow-up.

Retransplante cardíaco em criança sem o uso de hemoderivados / Heart retransplantation in children without the use of blood product

Este artigo relata um caso de retransplante cardíaco sem o uso de hemoderivados, em uma criança de 6 anos, com miocardiopatia dilatada grave, após rejeição crônica do enxerto e refratária ao tratamento clínico. Para evitar transfusão sanguínea nessa cirurgia, foi realizado planejamento multidisciplinar, que envolveu o uso de eritropoietina no pré-operatório, hemodiluição normovolêmica aguda e recuperação de sangue autólogo no intraoperatório (cell saver), bem como hemostasia meticulosa e redução de flebotomias no pós-operatório.

This article reports a case of a cardiac retransplantation without the use of blood products, in a 6 year old, with severe dilated cardiomyopathy after chronic graft rejection and refractory to clinical treatment. To avoid a blood transfusion in this surgery a multidisciplinary approach was planned, which involved the use of preoperative erythropoietin, acute normovolemic hemodilution and intraoperative cell savage with autologous blood recovery system, as well as a meticulous hemostasis and reduced postoperative phlebotomy.

Retrograde autologous priming in cardiopulmonary bypass in adult patients: effects on blood transfusion and hemodilution / Perfusato autólogo retrógrado no circuito de circulação extracorpórea em pacientes adultos: efeitos sobre a hemodiluição e transfusão de sangue

INTRODUCTION: Retrograde autologous priming (RAP) is a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) method, at low cost. Previous studies have shown that this method reduces hemodilution and blood transfusions needs through increased intra-operative hematocrit. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate RAP method, in relation to standard CPB (crystalloid priming), in adult patients. METHODS: Sixty-two patients were randomly allocated to two groups: 1) Group RAP (n = 27) of patients operated using the RAP and; 2) Control group of patients operated using CPB standard crystalloid method (n = 35). The RAP was performed by draining crystalloid prime from the arterial and venous lines, before CPB, into a collect recycling bag. The main parameters analyzed were: 1) CPB hemodynamic data; 2) Hematocrit and hemoglobin values; 3) The need for blood transfusions. RESULTS: It was observed statistically significant fewer transfusions during surgery and reduced CPB hemodilution using RAP. The CPB hemodynamic values were similar, observing a tendency to use lower CPB flows in the RAP group patients. CONCLUSION: This investigation was designed to be a small-scale pilot study to evaluate the effects of RAP, which were demonstrated concerning the CPB hemodilution and blood transfusions.

INTRODUÇÃO: Perfusato autólogo retrógrado (PAR) é uma técnica de circulação extracorpórea (CEC) com baixos custos. Estudos anteriores demonstraram que esta técnica reduz a hemodiluição e a necessidade de transfusões de sangue por meio do aumento do hematócrito intraoperatório. OBJETIVO: Avaliar técnica de PAR em relação à CEC técnica padrão (perfusato cristaloide) em pacientes adultos. MÉTODOS: Sessenta e dois pacientes foram aleatoriamente alocados em dois grupos: 1) Grupo PAR (n = 27), constituído por pacientes operados utilizando a técnica de PAR e; 2) Grupo Controle, constituído por pacientes operados utilizando técnica padrão de CEC com cristaloides (n = 35). A PAR foi realizada drenando-se o perfusato cristaloide das linhas arterial e venosa, antes da CEC, para uma bolsa coletora de recirculação. Os principais parâmetros analisados foram: 1) parâmetros hemodinâmicos da CEC; 2) valores de hematócrito e hemoglobina; e; 3) necessidade de transfusões de sangue. RESULTADOS: Observaram-se diferenças estatisticamente significativas de transfusão no intraoperatório e diminuição da hemodiluição em CEC utilizando PAR. Os valores hemodinâmicos durante a CEC foram semelhantes, observando-se tendência de utilização de fluxos menores na CEC dos pacientes do grupo PAR. CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo foi projetado em pequena escala para avaliar os efeitos do PAR, o que foi demonstrado em relação aos já conhecidos efeitos na diminuição da hemodiluição em CEC e transfusão sanguínea, porém não mostrou vantagens hemodinâmicas em relação à técnica padrão com perfusato cristaloide.

Implementación de un Programa de Donación Autóloga Preoperatoria (DAP) en el Hospital Regional de Río Gallegos, Provincia de Santa Cruz / Preoperative Autologous Blood Donation in the Regional Hospital, Rio Gallegos, Santa Cruz, Argentina

Desde que el Dr. BLUNDELL realizara en el siglo XIX la primera autotransfusión a una puérpera, la do­nación de sangre autóloga ha atravesado distintas eta­pas y superado diversas controversias. A pesar de que la donación autóloga preoperatoria (DAP) es la modalidad más usada en la actualidad, aun continua siendo subutilizada. Entre Junio de 2007 y Mayo de 2008 realizamos en nuestro hospital un estudio que mostró que dentro de las cirugías electivas, el 85% de los reemplazos tota­les de cadera, el 100% de los reemplazos totales de rodilla, el 100 por ciento de las artrodesis cervicales y el 87 por ciento de las artrodesis lumbares , podrían haberse incluido dentro de la DAP. Incluir en la consulta con el médico especialista en Medicina Trasfusional, a los pacientes candidatos a cirugías electivas y dentro de la rutina prequirúrgica ambulatoria, permitirá maximizar el uso de la DAP y otras estrategias, con el fin minimizar la exposición del paciente a la sangre homóloga.

Since Dr. Blundell made in 19th Century the first autologous transfusion to a puerperal patient, autologous blood donation has gone through different stages and overcome several controversies. Even though preoperative autologous blood donation (PAD) is the most used practice today, it is still underused. Between June 2007 and May 2008 we did a study in our Hospital. results of which showed that among elective surgeries, 85 % of total hip replacement, 100% of total knee replacement, 100% of cervical arthrodesis and 87% of lumbar arthrodesis qualified and could have been included for PAD. To include an appointment with the transfusion MD in the preoperative test routine to those pacients selected to an elective surgery, will allow to maximize PAD and other strategies in order to minimize patients expousure to homologous blood.

Auto-hemoterapia, intervenção do estado e bioética / Autohemoteraphy, state intervention and bioethics

A auto-hemoterapia é uma prática de uso clínico crescente, mas com potencial risco à saúde dos indivíduos, uma vez que se trata de procedimento terapêutico sem comprovação científica. Até o momento não existem estudos clínicos que comprovem a eficácia e a segurança deste procedimento; apenas pesquisas experimentais com resultados questionáveis, tanto em seres humanos quanto em animais. Nos últimos anos, a área de Vigilância Sanitária (VS) do Ministério da Saúde ampliou suas ações preventivas e de controle de riscos tanto no âmbito privado como coletivo. As ações da VS têm, muitas vezes, como base o poder legal de polícia administrativa que a legislação lhe confere. Esse poder é entendido como a faculdade que dispõe a Administração Pública para condicionar e restringir o uso e gozo de bens, atividades e direitos individuais, em benefício da coletividade ou do próprio Estado. Recentemente, o Estado, por meio do poder de polícia da VS, interveio na prática da auto-hemoterapia no Brasil. O presente estudo analisa e defende a ação interventiva da VS na prática clínica da auto-hemoterapia no país, tendo como base de sustentação argumentativa os "Quatro Pês" desenvolvidos pela chamada "Bioética de Intervenção" - prevenção, proteção, precaução e prudência.

The increasingly frequent practice of autohemotherapy entails a potential risk to the health of individuals since it is scientifically unproven. There are practically no clinical studies showing the efficacy and safety of this procedure; only experimental research with questionable results from studies on human beings and animals. Over the last years, the sanitary surveillance area has expanded its preventive and risk control actions based upon a precautionary philosophy in the private as well as the public sphere. By observing the theoretical and practical reference points of the "four Ps" (prevention, protection, precaution and prudence), in accordance with the epistemology developed within Intervention Bioethics, sanitary surveillance actions are based upon legal administrative policing powers. These powers are understood to be the Public Administration's competence to set conditions on and restrict the use and benefit of goods, activities and individual rights, on behalf of the common well being of people or the State itself. The Brazilian State, through its sanitary surveillance policing powers at the three levels of government, has intervened in the practice of autohemotherapy. Considering the responsible State intervention in situations of collective interest, vulnerability and susceptibility, the present study proposed to analyze the practice of autohemotherapy in the light of sanitary surveillance actions and their relationship with the "four Ps" of Intervention Bioethics.

Autologous serum therapy in chronic urticaria: old wine in a new bottle.

BACKGROUND: Chronic urticaria (CU) is one of the most challenging and frustrating therapeutic problems faced by a dermatologist. A recent demonstration of abnormal type 1 reactions to intradermal autologous serum injections in some CU patients has led to the characterization of a new subgroup of "autoimmune chronic urticaria". This has rekindled interest in the age-old practice of autologous blood injections as a theoretically sound treatment option in these patients. AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy of repeated autologous serum injections (ASIs) in patients with recalcitrant chronic urticaria. METHODS: A cohort of 62 (32 females) CU patients with a positive autologous serum skin test (ASST) (group 1) was prospectively analyzed for the efficacy of nine consecutive weekly autologous serum injections with a postintervention follow-up of 12 weeks. Another group of 13 (seven females) CU patients with negative ASST (group 2) was also treated similarly. In both groups, six separate parameters of disease severity and activity were recorded. RESULTS: Demographic and disease variables were comparable in both groups. The mean duration of disease was 1.9 +/- 0.3 years (range = 3 months to 32 years) in group 1 and 1.5 +/- 0.2 years (range = 3 months to 10 years) in group 2. In the ASST (+) group, 35.5% patients were completely asymptomatic at the end of the follow-up while an additional 24.2% were markedly improved. In the ASST (-) group, these figures were 23 and 23% respectively. The intergroup difference for complete subsidence was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In both groups, the most marked reduction was seen in pruritus and antihistamine use scores followed by the size and frequency of the wheals. CONCLUSION: Autologous serum therapy is effective in a significant proportion of ASST (+) patients with CU. A smaller but still substantial number of ASST (-) patients also benefited from this treatment.

Un enfoque holístico de las enfermedades de la superficie ocular / A holistic approach for ocular surface diseases

La transparencia comeal es producto de un complejo sistema de interacciones. El conocimiento de estas es muy importante para establecer una terapia adecuada para patologías tan diversas como son la disfunción lagrimal, el haze comeal post PRK, y el rechazo comeal. La conjuntiva y el epitelio comeal indemnes son imprescindibles para mantener la función del sistema ocular. A su vez la integridad de estas estructuras depende de la integridad de párpados y lágrimas. Actualmente sabemos que la interacción entre estos cuatro componentes permite mantener en equilibrio la homeostasis de la superficie ocular. Asegurando la indemnidad de las células progenitoras límbicas. La alteración en cualquiera de estos factores produce ojo rojo, infecciones, mayor predisposición a úlceras, y alteraciones de la epitelización. Desequilibrios en el funcionamiento de este sistema se engloban hoy como enfermedades de la superficie ocular, y están dando origen a una nueva subespecialidad. Ya que los avances en el conocimiento de la fisiopatología de la lagrima y de su interacción con la come a, han permitido el desarrollo de una mirada más racional de la patología de este segmento creemos interesante revisar este conjunto de desordenes y proponer una aproximación terapéutica.

Comeal transparency is own to a complex system of interactions. Settle the right therapeutic approach in quite different pathologies as comeal haze, comeal rejection and tears disfunction, is related with the knowledge ofthese relationships. Comeal and conjunctival epithelium integrity is essential in ocular system function, as lids and tears . Nowadays we know that reciprocal relations between this items are essential in ocular surface homeostasis. Any disruption means the rise of redness, infections, ulcers predisposition, and disruptions in epithelization. Today all this malfunctions are known as Ocular Surface Pathologies rising a new subspeciality. Since new advances in tears physiology allows a rational approach to diagnosis and treatment ,we find useful to list out this disorders and proposing a therapeutic schedule.

Reacción fisiológica de la hemodilución isovolémica aguda en pacientes en edad escolar / Physiological reaction to acute isovolemic hemodilution in school-age children

La hemodilución isovolémica aguda (HIA) es un procedimiento utilizado para el ahorro de sangre homóloga en cirugía electiva. Al disminuir el hematocrito, disminuyen las resistencias periféricas totales y se incrementa el gasto cardíaco (Qt). Objetivo: El objetivo principal fue conocer la reacción fisiológica de la HIA aplicada a cirugía electiva de niños en edad escolar. Material y método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, longitudinal y prospectivo en niños en edad escolar que cubrían los criterios de inclusión. Se analizó el Qt y la oxigenación sistémica en cuatro fases mediante ANOVA de medidas repetidas y T pareada con una p < 0.05. Se utilizó como solución de reemplazo polimerizado de gelatina al 3.5 por ciento en una proporción de 1.5 ml/1 ml de sangre. Resultados: Se evaluaron 15 pacientes (n = 15), todos considerados como ASA I, de edad x = 11 años ± 1.25. Se realizó una flebotomía de x = 1116.67 ml ± 95.74. Se comprobó un incremento del Qt, de la PVC y de la O2ER, y una caída de las RPT, RVS y del hematocrito, observándose diferencias estadísticamente significativas durante las fases 2 y 3. La FC y PAM se mantuvieron uniformes durante todo el procedimiento. Se obtuvo un ahorro de sangre homóloga del 100 por ciento. Conclusiones: Se obtuvo una adecuada respuesta fisiológica a la HIA en los pacientes en edad escolar estudiados, por lo que se puede proponer a la HIA como una técnica alternativa de ahorro de sangre homóloga.

Feasibility of pre-operative autologous blood donation in Indian patients with elective orthopaedic surgery.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Pre-operative autologous blood donation (PABD) in elective orthopaedic surgeries is a well known procedure in the West. We initiated this programme at a tertiary care hospital in north India to study its feasibility in Indian patients. METHODS: In a prospective case-control study, 144 patients undergoing primary total hip or knee replacement, inter-vertebral discectomy, mal-union and non-union reconstruction were educated and motivated to pre-donate. Patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria and making autologous donation formed the PABD group (n=22). Patients eligible for PABD, but unwilling to participate; age, sex, pre-operative haemoglobin and operative procedure matched acted as controls (n=27). Unit(s) collected was processed like an allogeneic unit. Unit(s) found reactive for infectious markers or not utilized was discarded. Mean blood losses, transfusion trigger, allogeneic exposure and wastage between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Of the 144 patients motivated, 40 per cent of the eligible subjects pre-deposited. The main motivational factor was fear of getting infection from someone's blood. Cardiac events and anaemia prevented 61.8 per cent patients to participate. Of the 50 units ordered, autologous units with a mean of 1.4 units/patient contributed 62 per cent. For total hip and total knee replacement (THR and TKR), autologous units met 76.2 and 80 per cent respectively of the total blood requirement. A significant decrease in the allogeneic exposure was observed between PABD and control group (18.2 vs 66.7%); 32.3 per cent of the autologous units were discarded. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Comprehensive PABD programme may be an effective method for reducing the need for allogeneic transfusion in patients undergoing joint replacement surgeries in our country, where transfusion transmitted infections due to high percentage of replacement donations and lack of sensitive assays for testing are still a cause for concern.