Comparison of Clinical Outcomes of Gripping Surface Technology Staple Reloads versus Standard Staple Reloads Used with Manual Linear Surgical Staplers.

Purpose: Linear surgical staplers reduce rates of surgical adverse events (bleeding, leaks, infections) compared to manual sutures thereby reducing patient risks, surgeon workflow disruption, and healthcare costs. However, further improvements are needed. Ethicon Gripping Surface Technology (GST) reloads, tested and approved by regulatory authorities in combination with powered staplers, may reduce surgical risks through improved tissue grip. While manual staplers are used in some regions due to affordability, clinical data on GST reloads used with manual staplers are unavailable. This study compared surgical adverse event rates of manual staplers with GST vs standard reloads. These data may be used for label changes in China and Latin America. Patients and Methods: Patients undergoing general or thoracic surgery between October 1, 2015 and August 31, 2021 using ECHELON FLEX™ manual staplers with GST or standard reloads were identified from the Premier Healthcare Database. GST reloads were compared to standard reloads for non-inferiority in bleeding and anastomotic leak for general surgery. Secondary outcomes included sepsis for general surgery, and bleeding and prolonged air leak for thoracic surgery. Covariate balancing was performed using stable balancing weights. Results: The general and thoracic surgery cohorts contained 4571 (GST: 2780; standard: 1791) and 814 (GST: 514; standard: 300) patients, respectively. GST reloads were non-inferior to standard reloads for bleeding and anastomotic leak (adjusted cumulative incidence ratio: 1.02 [90% CI: 0.71, 1.45] and 1.03 [90% CI: 0.72, 1.46], respectively) for general surgery. Compared with standard reloads, GST reloads had a similar incidence of sepsis (2.2% vs 2.1%) for general surgery and lower incidences of bleeding (9.5% vs 16.0%) and prolonged air leak (12.6% vs 14.0%,) for thoracic surgery. Conclusion: GST reloads, compared to standard reloads, used with ECHELON FLEX™ manual staplers had comparable perioperative bleeding and anastomotic leak for general surgery, and lower incidences of safety events for thoracic surgery.

Effectiveness and Safety of Ustekinumab for Moderate to Severely Active Crohn's Disease: Results from an Early Access Program in Brazil.

This prospective, observational, open-label study aimed to provide access to ustekinumab prior to market authorization and assess its safety and effectiveness in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) refractory to anti-tumor necrosis factor-α and conventional drugs in Brazil. Patients with a diagnosis of moderate-to-severe active CD for ≥3 months before screening received ustekinumab in a single intravenous induction dose (~6 mg/kg) at week 0, and a 90 mg maintenance dose, subcutaneously, every 8 or 12 weeks, from week 8 through to 80. Serious adverse events (SAE), adverse drug reactions (ADR), clinical response (per CD Activity Index and Harvey Bradshaw Index (HBI) scores), remission (per HBI scores), biomarkers (C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin (FC)) and endoscopic improvement rate over 80 weeks were assessed. Patients with a mean age of 39.9 years were assessed. Discontinuation rate was low (23%) and most adverse events were mild (68.7%). The SAE rate was 21% (mostly infections/infestations or gastrointestinal disorder), and ADR rate was 44%. The CD Activity Index and HBI scores decreased (by 74% and 81%, respectively) with 50% of patients showing normalized CRP and FC, and 63% achieved endoscopic improvement. Ustekinumab was fairly safe, well tolerated and effective in a Brazilian cohort of CD patients.

Hypertonic saline and pentoxifylline enhance survival, reducing apoptosis and oxidative stress in a rat model of strangulated closed loop small bowel obstruction.

OBJECTIVES: Intestinal obstruction has a high mortality rate when therapeutic treatment is delayed. Resuscitation in intestinal obstruction requires a large volume of fluid, and fluid combinations have been studied. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of hypertonic saline solution (HS) with pentoxifylline (PTX) on apoptosis, oxidative stress and survival rate. METHODS: Wistar rats were subjected to intestinal obstruction and ischemia through a closed loop ligation of the terminal ileum and its vessels. After 24 hours, the necrotic bowel segment was resected, and the animals were randomized into four groups according to the following resuscitation strategies: Ringer's lactate solution (RL) (RL-32 ml/kg); RL+PTX (25 mg/kg); HS+PTX (HS, 7.5%, 4 ml/kg), and no resuscitation (IO-intestinal obstruction and ischemia). Euthanasia was performed 3 hours after resuscitation to obtain kidney and intestine samples. A malondialdehyde (MDA) assay was performed to evaluate oxidative stress, and histochemical analyses (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling [TUNEL], Bcl-2 and Bax) were conducted to evaluate kidney apoptosis. Survival was analyzed with another series of animals that were observed for 15 days. RESULTS: PTX in combination with RL or HS reduced the MDA levels (nmol/mg of protein), as follows: kidney IO=0.42; RL=0.49; RL+PTX=0.31; HS+PTX=0.34 (p<0.05); intestine: IO=0.42; RL=0.48; RL+PTX=0.29; HS+PTX=0.26 (p<0.05). The number of labeled cells for TUNEL and Bax was lower in the HS+PTX group than in the other groups (p<0.05). The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was lower in the HS+PTX group than in the other groups (p<0.05). The survival rate on the 15th day was higher in the HS+PTX group (77%) than in the RL+PTX group (11%). CONCLUSION: PTX in combination with HS enhanced survival and attenuated oxidative stress and apoptosis. However, when combined with RL, PTX did not reduce apoptosis or mortality.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with type 1 Neurofibromatosis: Report of two cases and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Type 1 Neurofibromatosis (NF1) is one of the most common autosomal dominantly inherited multisystem disorders. It is associated with an increased risk of developing neurologic and gastrointestinal (GI) malignant neoplasms. The incidence of GI involvement is reported in 10-25% of patients. Less than 5% of NF1 patients with GI neoplasms manifest symptoms. The presence of synchronic gastrointestinal stromal and neuroendocrine tumors is rare in these patients. PRESENTATION OF CASES: The first case is a 37 year-old male patient with a history of abdominal pain for a few months. Imaging study showed a periampullary mass and a solid lesion at the third duodenal portion. He was submitted to a pancreatoduodenectomy and histological anaylisis showed two low-grade neuroendocrine tumors and a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The second case is a 47 year-old female patient with a routine computed tomography scan showing a duodenal and a jejunal lesion. Duodenopancreatectomy was performed and histological analysis showed a neuroendocrine adenocarcinoma of the duodenum and two jejunal lesions compatible with GI tumors. DISCUSSION: GI symptoms such as jaundice, pain and bleeding in NF1 patients should prompt urgent admission Occasionally, associated gastrointestinal tumors may be incidentally found in asymptomatic NF1 patients. The presence of a periampullary or duodenal neoplasia such as neuroendocrine tumors should be evaluated. CONCLUSION: Although rare, the synchronic presentation of gastrointestinal tumors in patients with NF1 should be ruled out since it can lead to higher morbidity and mortality rates. Single-stage surgical management is feasable and yields satisfactory results.

Hypertonic saline and pentoxifylline enhance survival, reducing apoptosis and oxidative stress in a rat model of strangulated closed loop small bowel obstruction

OBJECTIVES: Intestinal obstruction has a high mortality rate when therapeutic treatment is delayed. Resuscitation in intestinal obstruction requires a large volume of fluid, and fluid combinations have been studied. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of hypertonic saline solution (HS) with pentoxifylline (PTX) on apoptosis, oxidative stress and survival rate. METHODS: Wistar rats were subjected to intestinal obstruction and ischemia through a closed loop ligation of the terminal ileum and its vessels. After 24 hours, the necrotic bowel segment was resected, and the animals were randomized into four groups according to the following resuscitation strategies: Ringer's lactate solution (RL) (RL-32 ml/kg); RL+PTX (25 mg/kg); HS+PTX (HS, 7.5%, 4 ml/kg), and no resuscitation (IO-intestinal obstruction and ischemia). Euthanasia was performed 3 hours after resuscitation to obtain kidney and intestine samples. A malondialdehyde (MDA) assay was performed to evaluate oxidative stress, and histochemical analyses (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling [TUNEL], Bcl-2 and Bax) were conducted to evaluate kidney apoptosis. Survival was analyzed with another series of animals that were observed for 15 days. RESULTS: PTX in combination with RL or HS reduced the MDA levels (nmol/mg of protein), as follows: kidney IO=0.42; RL=0.49; RL+PTX=0.31; HS+PTX=0.34 (p<0.05); intestine: IO=0.42; RL=0.48; RL+PTX=0.29; HS+PTX=0.26 (p<0.05). The number of labeled cells for TUNEL and Bax was lower in the HS+PTX group than in the other groups (p<0.05). The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was lower in the HS+PTX group than in the other groups (p<0.05). The survival rate on the 15th day was higher in the HS+PTX group (77%) than in the RL+PTX group (11%). CONCLUSION: PTX in combination with HS enhanced survival and attenuated oxidative stress and apoptosis. However, when combined with RL, PTX did not reduce apoptosis or mortality.

Efeito da solução salina hipertônica associada à pentoxifilina sobre a lesão renal aguda após obstrução e isquemia intestinal em ratos / Effect of hypertonic saline solution associated to pentoxifylline on acute renal failure after obstruction and intestinal ischemia in rats

O tratamento da lesão renal aguda decorrente do processo inflamatório sistêmico e sepse é um desafio à prática clínica. A reanimação volêmica promove o aumento da sobrevida e menos complicações sistêmicas. Entretanto, persiste a controvérsia sobre qual o melhor fluido para a reposição e outras medicações que possam auxiliar nessa terapêutica. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar os efeitos do Ringer lactato, da solução salina hipertônica e da pentoxifilina sobre a lesão renal aguda decorrente da obstrução e isquemia intestinal, em um modelo experimental. Métodos: Foram utilizados ratos Wistar machos, com peso entre 250 e g. Os animais foram submetidos a laparotomia mediana para obstrução em alça fechada do íleo terminal associada a oclusão do pedículo vascular deste segmento. Após 24 horas, os animais foram reoperados e distribuídos em grupos (n = 8), conforme o tratamento: sem reanimação volêmica (Controle); Ringer lactato - 32 mL / kg (RL); solução salina hipertônica 7,5% - 4 mL / kg (SH); pentoxifilina 25 mg / kg (PTX); Ringer lactato e pentoxifilina (RLPTX); solução salina hipertônica e pentoxifilina (SHPTX). Ao término do tratamento, o segmento intestinal obstruído e isquêmico foi ressecado e o trânsito intestinal foi reconstruído por anastomose primária. Após três horas, os animais foram sacrificados. Amostras de tecido renal foram coletadas para análise histológica com hematoxilina-eosina, imuno-histoquímica com Bcl-2, Bax e TUNEL e dosagem de malondialdeído e nitrito. Resultados: Em relação aos achados histológicos, não houve diferença significante entre os grupos. A avaliação imuno-histoquímica demonstrou que o grupo SHPTX apresentou menos eventos de apoptose e produção de óxido nítrico do que os demais grupos (p < 0,01). Já os grupos com reposição volêmica (RL e SH) também apresentaram menos eventos de apoptose (p < 0,05) do que os grupos Controle e PTX. Conclusão: A pentoxifilina associada à solução salina hipertônica 7,5%, em modelo de...

Treatment of acute kidney injury due to systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis is a challenge in clinical practice. Fluid resuscitation promotes increased survival and lower systemic complications, though some discussions related to best fluid and medications that should be used persist. This study aims to evaluate the effects of Ringer lactate, hypertonic saline solution and pentoxifylline on acute kidney injury due to intestinal obstruction and ischemia in an experimental model. Methods: 48 male Wistar rats weighing between 250 and 300 g were used. The animals underwent laparotomy for closed loop obstruction of the terminal ileum associated with occlusion of the vascular pedicle of this segment. After 24 hours, the animals were re-operated and divided in six groups (n = 8), according to treatment: no fluid resuscitation (Control); Ringer lactate - 32 mL / kg (RL); hypertonic saline solution ,5% - 4 mL / kg (SH); pentoxifylline 25 mg / kg (PTX); Ringer lactate and pentoxifylline (RLPTX); hypertonic saline solution and pentoxifylline (SHPTX). After treatment, the obstructed and ischemic intestinal segment was resected and intestinal transit was restablished by primary anastomosis. After three hours, the animals were euthanized. Kidney tissue samples were collected for histological analysis with hematoxylin-eosin, immunohistochemistry with Bcl-2, Bax and TUNEL and malondialdehyde and nitrite dosage. Results: Regarding histological findings, there was no significant difference between groups. In Immunohistochemical evaluation, the group SHPTX had less apoptosis events and nitric oxide production than the other groups (p < , The groups that received fluid resuscitation (RL and SH) also had fewer apoptotic events (p < than the group Control and the group PTX. Conclusion: Pentoxifylline associated with hypertonic saline 7, , in an experimental rat model of obstruction and intestinal ischemia, attenuates renal injury, especially as...