Design of a New Risk Score in Critical Limb Ischaemia: The ERICVA Model.

OBJECTIVES: It is difficult to establish which patients suffering from critical lower limb ischaemia will benefit from revascularization. Risk scores can provide objectivity in decision making. The aim was to design a new risk score (ERICVA) and compare its predictive power with the PREVENT III and Finnvasc scores. METHODS: An observational retrospective study of patients who underwent revascularization (open or endovascular) in Valladolid's University Hospital between 2005 and 2010 was designed. The sample was divided into two subgroups (development and validation subsamples). After univariate analysis followed by a multivariate Cox regression, a number of variables associated with death and/or major amputation were selected, creating a weighed score called ERICVA, and a simplified version of it. The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed and the AUC of these two scores were additionally compared with the AUC of the PREVENT III and Finnvasc scales. RESULTS: Six hundred and seventy two cases with an average surveillance of 778 days were included in the study. Amputation free survival (AFS) was 84.8% at 30 days and 63.1% at 1 year. Variables associated with death and/or major amputation in the Cox regression were cerebrovascular disease, prior contralateral major amputation, diabetes mellitus, dialysis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, haematocrit less than 30%, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio exceeding 5, absence of arterial Doppler signal at the ankle, emergency admission, and Rutherford stage 6; these variables were used for the ERICVA and simplified ERICVA score designs. Scores were applied to both subsamples; in the development sample the AUC of ERICVA and simplified ERICVA was significantly higher than the PREVENT III (p = .008 and p = .045) and Finnvasc (p < .0001 and p = .0013) scores; in the validation sample the AUC of ERICVA and simplified ERICVA were significantly higher than Finnvasc score (p = .0323 and p = .0017). CONCLUSIONS: The ERICVA model has a good predictive capacity for death and/or major amputation in the clinical setting, and is better than the PREVENT III and Finnvasc scores.

Carotid glomus in childhood: presentation of a clinical case. / Glomus carotídeo en la infancia. Presentación de un caso clínico.

INTRODUCTION: Carotid glomus is an exceptional extra-adrenal paraganglioma in childhood originating at the carotid body. Only 3% of paragangliomas occur in the head and the neck. Familial forms, associated with Succinate Dehydrogenase (SDH) gene mutations, account for 10% of cases, the proportion being higher in childhood. They are benign in 95% of patients, but they can extend to both carotids. Treatment is surgical with or without previous embolization. Metastasis is rare and associated with malignant cases, which are limited. CLINICAL CASE: 8-year-old patient with a cervical mass originating 4 months ago and normal serum levels. Regarding family history, she had an aunt who underwent cervical surgery. Ultrasound examination demonstrated a greatly vascularized hypoechoic mass most likely related to carotid glomus. Full surgical resection without embolization was decided upon, which proved uneventful. The genetic study was positive for SDH gene mutation. CONCLUSION: Carotid glomus in childhood should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cervical masses. Surgical treatment without previous embolization represents a safe therapeutic option in selected cases.

INTRODUCCION: El glomus carotídeo es un paraganglioma extraadrenal, excepcional en la infancia, cuyo origen es el cuerpo carotídeo. Solo el 3% de los paragangliomas se presentan en cabeza y cuello. Existe un 10% de formas familiares asociadas a mutaciones en el gen de la succinato deshidrogenasa (SDH), porcentaje que es mayor en la infancia. Son tumores benignos en un 95% de los pacientes, pero pueden afectar por extensión a ambas carótidas. Su tratamiento es quirúrgico con o sin embolización previa. Las metástasis son raras y están asociadas a los escasos casos de malignidad. CASO CLINICO: Paciente de 8 años de edad con masa cervical de 4 meses de evolución, serologías normales. Como antecedente destaca una tía sometida a cirugía cervical. Ecográficamente se objetiva masa hipoecoica muy vascularizada en probable relación con glomus carotídeo. Se decide resección quirúrgica sin embolización que resulta completa y sin incidencias. Estudio genético positivo para la mutación en el gen de la SDH. CONCLUSION: El glomus carotídeo en la infancia ha de ser tenido en cuenta como diagnóstico diferencial en masas cervicales. El tratamiento quirúrgico sin embolización previa es una opción terapéutica segura en casos seleccionados.

[Informed consents readability in vascular surgery and its progress over time]. / Legibilidad de los consentimientos informados en cirugía vascular y análisis de su evolución en el tiempo.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Doctors provide patients the information in written form by informed consents (IC), being the readability essential in the quality of care. The primary endpoint was to analyze the readability of IC published by the Chapter of Endovascular Surgery (CCEV) of the Spanish Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery (SEACV) in 2019, and its evolution to those published by the SEACV in 2007. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ICs were organized by sectors and we obtained the following parameters: syllables, words, phrases, average words/phrases and syllables/words, Flesch, Flesch-Szigriszt, Fernández-Huerta and Gunning-Fog indexes, as well as the grade on the Inflesz scale. RESULTS: The Flesch index classified the CCEV consents as very difficult, and the Gunning-Fog index reflected a readability equivalent to university texts. The Flesch-Szigriszt, Fernández-Huerta indexes and Inflesz scale classified them as normal. The ICs with less readability were those referring to supra-aortic trunks (SAT) and miscellaneous in the Fernández-Huerta (P<.020 and P<.05, respectively) and Flesch-Szigriszt (P<.05) indexes. However, ICs regarding venous pathology showed a better readability in this indexes (P<.006). CCEV consents were significantly longer than SEACV consents (P=.021). In addition, there was a decrease over time in the mean value of the Fernandez-Huerta and Flesch-Szigriszt indexes (P=.002). CONCLUSIONS: Although CCEV consents had a normal readability, it has been observed a decrease in the readability indexes compared to those published in 2007 by the SEACV. In addition the length and content of the ICs should be reviewed, especially those relating to SAT and miscellaneous.

Effect of postoperative restrictive fluid therapy in the recovery of patients with abdominal vascular surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of the postoperative administration of a restricted or standard intravenous fluid regimen in patients who underwent elective abdominal vascular surgery. The primary end point was postoperative hospital stay. DESIGN: Prospective observer-blinded, randomised controlled trial. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients were considered eligible if they underwent transperitoneal aorto-iliac approach with infrarenal graft repair. During the operation and intensive care unit stay, fluids were prescribed by the anaesthetists who were unaware of the details of the study. In the vascular surgical ward, patients in the standard group (SG) received 2500ml of fluids per day, whereas patients in the restricted group (RG) received 1500ml of fluids per day. All the patients were evaluated on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: Forty patients were randomised to the RG (n=20) or SG (n=20). No significant differences were observed in the recovery of gastrointestinal function. However, the postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the RG (8 days) than in the SG (12 days) (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a restrictive postoperative fluid protocol significantly reduces the duration of hospital stay in patients who have undergone major elective abdominal vascular surgery.

Estudio descriptivo de las características de los tumores invasivos en la vena cava inferior / Descriptive study of the characteristics of invasive tumors in the inferior vena cava

Se realiza por los autores, un trabajo descriptivo y retrospectivo con el fin de analizar los pacientes tratados a nivel de la vena cavainferior, por cirugía oncológica indicada en el tratamiento de tumores de vísceras abdominales y de perfil hematológico. Se analizandiferentes aspectos de los enfermos estudiados, desde los datos demográficos de edad, sexo y también el tipo de tumor causa de lainvasión de la vena cava. Se valoran distintos parámetros relacionados con las características de la situación invasiva venosa deltumor, incluidos datos sobre la operabilidad, técnicas vasculares realizadas en el tratamiento de los pacientes y también los resultados obtenidos a corto y medio plazo. (AU)

The authors carry out a descriptive and retrospective study in order to analyze the patients treated at the level of the inferiorvena cava, for oncological surgery indicated in the treatment of tumors of the abdominal viscera and with a hematological profile.Different aspects of the patients studied are analyzed, from the demographic data of age, sex and also the type of tumor causingthe invasion of the vena cava. Different parameters related to the characteristics of the venous invasive situation of the tumor areassessed, including data on operability, vascular techniques performed in the treatment of patients and also the results obtained in the short and medium term. (AU)

Cirugía de la patología de la arteria vertebral. Revisión / Surgery of the pathology of the vertebral artery. Revision

Se realiza una revisión sobre la patología de la arteria vertebral, valorando las repercusiones que su oclusión parcial o total desarrolla. Se analiza la clínica que ocasiona este tipo de patología a la vez que se valoran los medios diagnósticos para la detección dela lesión oclusiva. Se discuten las diferentes estrategias y procedimientos terapéuticos en los pacientes portadores de esta patología y se valoran los diferentes datos aportados en la bibliografía y que corresponden a los estudios más importantes que se han realizado. Este tipo de afección se muestra como una patología con dificultades para su detección y con unas indicaciones terapéuticas quirúrgicas muy discutibles cuando se aplican con una no muy clara evidencia científica de la pertinencia de su realización. (AU)

A review is carried out on the pathology of the vertebral artery, assessing the repercussions that its partial or total occlusion develops. The symptoms that cause this type of pathology are analyzed at the same time as the diagnostic means for detecting theocclusive lesion are evaluated. The different strategies and therapeutic procedures in patients with this pathology are discussed andthe different data provided in the bibliography and corresponding to the most important studies that have been carried out are valued. This type of condition is shown as a pathology with difficulties in its detection and with highly debatable surgical therapeuticindications when applied with not very clear scientific evidence of the relevance of its performance. (AU)

Glomus carotídeo en la infancia. Presentación de un caso clínico / Carotid glomus in childhood: presentation of a clinical case

Introducción: El glomus carotídeo es un paraganglioma extraadre-nal, excepcional en la infancia, cuyo origen es el cuerpo carotídeo. Soloel 3% de los paragangliomas se presentan en cabeza y cuello. Existeun 10% de formas familiares asociadas a mutaciones en el gen de lasuccinato deshidrogenasa (SDH), porcentaje que es mayor en la infancia.Son tumores benignos en un 95% de los pacientes, pero pueden afectarpor extensión a ambas carótidas. Su tratamiento es quirúrgico con o sinembolización previa. Las metástasis son raras y están asociadas a losescasos casos de malignidad. Caso clínico: Paciente de 8 años de edad con masa cervical de 4meses de evolución, serologías normales. Como antecedente destacauna tía sometida a cirugía cervical. Ecográficamente se objetiva masahipoecoica muy vascularizada en probable relación con glomus ca-rotídeo. Se decide resección quirúrgica sin embolización que resultacompleta y sin incidencias. Estudio genético positivo para la mutaciónen el gen de la SDH. Conclusión: El glomus carotídeo en la infancia ha de ser tenido encuenta como diagnóstico diferencial en masas cervicales. El tratamientoquirúrgico sin embolización previa es una opción terapéutica segura encasos seleccionados.(AU)

Introduction: Carotid glomus is an exceptional extra-adrenal para-ganglioma in childhood originating at the carotid body. Only 3% ofparagangliomas occur in the head and the neck. Familial forms, associ-ated with Succinate Dehydrogenase (SDH) gene mutations, account for10% of cases, the proportion being higher in childhood. They are benignin 95% of patients, but they can extend to both carotids. Treatment issurgical with or without previous embolization. Metastasis is rare andassociated with malignant cases, which are limited. Clinical case. 8-year-old patient with a cervical mass originating4 months ago and normal serum levels. Regarding family history, shehad an aunt who underwent cervical surgery. Ultrasound examinationdemonstrated a greatly vascularized hypoechoic mass most likely relatedto carotid glomus. Full surgical resection without embolization wasdecided upon, which proved uneventful. The genetic study was positivefor SDH gene mutation.Conclusion: Carotid glomus in childhood should be considered as adifferential diagnosis in cervical masses. Surgical treatment without pre-vious embolization represents a safe therapeutic option in selected cases.(AU)

La universidad y la cirugía vascular en España / The university and vascular surgery in Spain

La vinculación de la angiología y la cirugía vascular en España, inicialmente estuvo ligada a la Universidad y en su seno se realizó su primer desarrollo, situación que era compartida por otras especialidades. El España se puede considerar que la consolidación de las especialidades se realizó, salvo con alguna excepción, al margen del mundo universitario y fue en el sistema sanitario público de salud soportado por la denominada Seguridad Social, en donde los profesionales con cierto sentimiento de desprecio hacia el mundo universitario, consolidaron el desarrollo de las especialidades incluida la angiología y cirugía vascular. Posteriormente con el reconocimiento universitario de la casi totalidad de hospitales públicos y muchos de los privados como universitarios, la situación cambió en cuanto a la apreciación del mundo universitario. No obstante, el número de profesionales universitarios especializados en la angiología y cirugía vascular ha sido y es muy reducido en lo que respecta al personal numerario, siendo bastante más numeroso, el contratado temporal de Profesor Asociado en Ciencias de la Salud. Se analiza en el trabajo, la evolución de la vinculación entre especialidad y el mundo de la Universidad junto con los profesores universitarios que la han protagonizado, unidos a algunos acontecimientos y hechos puntuales relevantes relacionados con esta relación

The link between angiology and vascular surgery in Spain was initially linked to the University and its first development was carried out within it, a situation that was shared by other specialties. In Spain, it can be considered that the consolidation of specialties was carried out, with some exceptions, outside the university world and it was in the public health system supported by the so-called Social Security, where professionals with a certain feeling of contempt towards the university world, consolidated the development of specialties including angiology and vascular surgery. Later, with the university recognition of almost all public hospitals and many of the private ones as university, the situation changed in terms of the appreciation of the university world. However, the number of university professionals specialized in angiology and vascular surgery has been and is very small with regard to permanent staff, with the temporary contract of Associate Professor in Health Sciences being much more numerous. At work, the evolution of the link between the specialty and the world of the University is analyzed together with the university professors who have starred in it, together with some relevant events and specific events related to this relationship

Estudio citogenético de tinción de bandas gtg en angiólogos y cirujanos vasculares expuestos de manera crónica a bajas dosis de radiación ionizante durante procedimientos endovasculares. Iradient study / Cytogenetic gtg-banding analysis in vascular surgeons chronically exposed to low-dose ionizing radiation during endovascular procedures. iradient study

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVO: En las últimas dos décadas, las técnicas endovasculares han supuesto un avance sin precedentes en el tratamiento quirúrgico de las enfermedades vasculares. Sin embargo, dichas técnicas suponen una exposición a radiación ionizante tanto para los pacientes como para el equipo quirúrgico. Algunos estudios sugieren la realización de análisis citogenéticos de manera complementaria a la dosimetría habitual. No obstante, hasta la fecha los datos sobre las alteraciones genéticas producidas por la exposición crónica a dosis bajas de radiación son escasos. El presente estudio es parte del Iradient Study (Ionizing RADiation in ENdovascular Treatments) de inestabilidad genómica en angioIólogos y cirujanos vasculares (PI-18-967). El objetivo principal fue validar el análisis genómico mediante tinción de bandas GTG (G-banding by Trypsin with Giemsa) como marcador de alteraciones genómicas en angiólogos y cirujanos vasculares expuestos de manera crónica a dosis bajas de radiación ionizante. Material y Métodos. Estudio nacional, observacional y transversal de casos y controles de aneuploidias en angiólogos y cirujanos vasculares expuestos de manera crónica a bajas dosis de radiación ionizante versus controles no expuestos a radiación ionizante. Las variables categóricas se analizaron mediante el Test exacto de Fisher siendo que las variables cuantitativas se analizaron prueba de Kruskall-Wallis o U de Mann-Whitney. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 24 sujetos como casos, provenientes de 13 centros distintos, y 4 sujetos sanos como controles. El tiempo de exposición medio a radiación ionizante del grupo de casos fue 18.9 ± 3.2 años. No se objetivó correlación entre la edad y el tiempo de exposición a radiación ionizante y la presencia de aneuploidias. En el estudio de tinción de bandas GTG no se observaron diferencias significativas en cuanto al porcentaje de metafases hipodiploides (controles 27.06 ± 16.00% versus casos 18.80 ± 8.59%, p = 0.144), porcentaje de metafases hiperdiploides (controles 3.58 ± 3.55% versus casos 1.48 ± 2.53%, p = 0.082) ni en cuanto al porcentaje de alteraciones estructurales (controles 3.97 ± 3.43% versus casos 10.63 ± 8.89%, p = 0.126). CONCLUSIONES: La edad y el tiempo de exposición a radiación ionizante no se relacionan con un aumento significativo de aneuploidias mediante técnica de tinción de bandas GTG. Ni tipo de actividad endovascular realizada, ni el tipo de quirófano utilizado suponen un aumento de inestabilidad genómica según el análisis de tinción de bandas GTG. Según los resultados del presente estudio no se valida el análisis de tinción de bandas GTG como marcador de inestabilidad genómica en angiólogos y cirujanos vasculares expuestos de manera crónica a radiación ionizante

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The past two decades have witnessed the development and growth of the endovascular techniques, however, this new technology is not exempt from risks, since its use requires an ionizing radiation exposure to both patients and surgeons. In this context, the long-term repercussion of this type of chronic exposure to low dose ionizing radiation of the vascular sur-geons is still unknown. Some studies suggest the use of routine cytogenetic analysis to complement the conventional dosimetry, yet he real genomic effects of chronic low dose ionizing radiation exposure is still unclear and an ideal biodosimetry marker hasn't been described. The present study is part of the Iradient Study (Ionizing RADiation in ENdovascular Treatments) of genomic instability in vascular surgeons (PI-18-967). In this setting, the main goal of the present study was to validate the cytogenetic GTG-banding (G-banding by Trypsin with Giemsa) technique as a biomarker of genomic instability associated to the chronic low dose exposure to ionizing radiation of vascular surgeons. MATERIAL AND METHODS: National, observational and transversal case control study of ge-nomic instability among vascular surgeons chronically exposed to low dose ionizing radiation compared to healthy control patients with no previous history of radiation exposure. The statistical analysis of the categorical variables was performed using the Fisher exact test and the quantitative variables were studies using the Kruskall-Wallis or U de Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: 24 subjects from 13 different hospitals were included as cases, and 4 healthy non-exposed subjects were included as controls. There were no meaningful differences in terms age and demographical variables between groups. In the case group the mean exposure duration was 18.93±3.2 years. There was no significant correlation between age and duration of exposure and the presence of aneuploidies in the GTG-banding analysis. In the GTG-banding chromosome study there were no significant differences between groups in terms of the rate of hipodiploid metaphases (controls 27.06 ± 16.00% versus cases 18.80 ± 8.59%, p = 0.144), rate of hiperdiploid metapha-ses (controls 3.58 ± 3.55% versus cass 1.48 ± 2.53%, p = 0.082) or rate of structural chromosome aberrations (controls 3.97 ± 3.43% versus cases 10.63 ± 8.89%, p = 0.126). CONCLUSIONS: Nor the age or the duration of exposure to ionizing radiation were associated with a higher rate of chromosomal aberrations with the GTG-banding study. Also, the type of endovascular activity and the type of surgical room weren't associated with an increase in the genomic instability in the GTG-banding study. The present results do not allow the validation of the GTG-banding analysis as a biomarker of long term exposure to low dose radiation during endovascular procedures

Isquemia arterial aguda bilateral de extremidades inferiores y estado protrombótico en infección por SARS-COV-2. A propósito de un caso / Bilateral acute lower limbs ischaemia and prothrombotic status in SARS-COV-2 infection. A case report

La infección por SARS-COV-2 se ha convertido en una emergencia sanitaria internacional. Junto con la infección respiratoria, se pueden presentar complicaciones derivadas de un estado de hipercoagulabilidad, ensombreciendo el pronóstico. Se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente con neumonía vírica por SARS-COV-2, en el que se produce una isquemia arterial bilateral de extremidades inferiores

SARS-COV-2 infection has become an international health emergency. Apart from the respiratory disease, complications arising from an hypercoagulable state may occur, overshadowing the prognostic. The clinical case of a patient with SARS-COV-2 viral pneumonia is presented, in which bilateral arterial ischemia of the lower extremities occurs

Effect of particulate porous hydroxyapatite on osteoinduction of demineralized bone autografts in experimental reconstruction of the rat mandible.

In an experimental model in the rat, a nonhealing bone defect was created in the left ascending mandibular ramus to test the effect of particulate porous hydroxyapatite (HA) on osteoinduction of demineralized bone autografts. The bone fragment removed was demineralized in HCl and used as an autograft for mandibular reconstruction. Granules of HA were added to the lingual and vestibular surfaces of the graft. The effect of this material was evaluated by determining the number of mesenchymal cells induced in the biomaterial and the central and peripheral zones of the bone graft, at 2-and 6-week intervals. The results show that the sites containing HA showed inhibition of osteoinduction by the bone matrix. In all groups, a proliferative gradient from the peripheral zone toward the center of the bone was observed. Similarly, the HA experienced a greater cellular increase in the regions in contact with the demineralized bone matrix.

Laparoscopic appendectomy by ultrasonically activated scalpel in acute appendicitis: preliminary report.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is increasingly being used in treating acute appendicitis. New instruments such as the ultrasonically activated scalpel (UAS) have been introduced for most laparoscopic procedures. We evaluated the use of UAS in the performance of LA, as the potential of this instrument in this type of surgery remains to be defined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three patients with acute right lower abdominal pain were managed by the laparoscopic approach. Once the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was established, laparoscopic appendectomy was performed with the UAS. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 42.3 minutes (range 32-49 minutes). There were no complications related to the treatment with UAS of either the vascular pedicle or the appendicecal stump. No electrosurgical coagulation, clips, loops, or endostapler was used in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Total LA performed with UAS is feasible. Use of the UAS may make dissection and resection of the appendix easier, helping to reduce the mean operative time.

Decrease in plasma levels of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in short bowel syndrome: experimental study.

To investigate the behaviour of the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in short bowel syndrome (SBS), an experimental model of massive intestinal resection (MIR) was developed. For this purpose, 20 'minipigs' were divided into two experimental groups: A (control) and B (MIR). The parameters determined were the mean plasma levels of VIP and the degree of steatorrhea at four different times: T1 (basal), T2 (one week after surgery), T3 (two weeks after surgery), and T4 (24 weeks after surgery). The results indicated that, after MIR, a progressive decrease in the mean plasma levels of VIP takes place, with statistical significance in T3 (p < 0.05) and T4 (p < 0.01). This situation seems to be a direct result of the massive loss of intestinal tissue, and could lead to the use of this peptide to mark the evolution of the intestinal adaptation process.

Repair of experimental mandibular defects in rats with autogenous, demineralised, frozen and fresh bone.

This prospective experimental study aimed to assess the regenerative capability of demineralised bone autografts resected and replaced orthotopically, compared with traditional fresh and deep frozen mandibular autografts in rats. In 60 adult Wistar rats, a bone defect 4 x 4 mm was created at the left ascending mandibular ramus and the removed bone was used as a fresh (n = 20), deep frozen (n = 20), or demineralised (n = 20) graft which was implanted orthotopically 2 weeks later. Ten rats in each group were killed at 2 and 6 weeks later. Outcome was measured by cellular proliferation on histological examination. The number of mesenchymal cells was significantly greater (P < 0.05) at both 2 and 6 weeks in the demineralised grafts than in the other two groups. There were no differences between the 2- and 6-week examinations of deep frozen bone, nor between the medullary and peripheral aspects. It was concluded that demineralised bony autografts cause greater osteoinduction both in the short (2 weeks) and the medium (6 weeks) term.

Effects of partial hepatectomy on the distal ileum in rats.

INTRODUCTION: hepatectomy, both partial resection and transplant, has greatly developed and advanced during the last years as a result of a better understanding of surgical anatomy and the progress of technological means; it has also allowed a widening of surgical indications, including living-donor liver transplantation. The aims of our study was to assess the morphological impact of partial hepatectomy on the distal ileum, since the liver and intestine behave as a unit from an anatomical, functional, and metabolic point of view. MATERIAL AND METHODS: twenty-four Wistar rats were used; they were divided into two groups, a control and an experimental group (30, 90, and 180 days). We studied changes occurred in the distal ileum after a 70% liver resection, taking 4 parameters into account. RESULTS: an important drop in total thickness occurred at the ileum wall in the experimental group (p < 0.001). There were no important differences in villus height with regard to the control group. Thickness at the villi fell significantly (p < 0.01), as did the depth of the crypts, which diminished significantly in relation to the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: a 70% hepatectomy induces trophic changes on the distal ileum that remain in both the short and longer term, and causes atrophy of the ileum wall and a drop in villus thickness.

[Perianal ulcers of tubercular origin. A report of 3 new cases]. / Ulceras perianales de origen tuberculoso. Aportación de tres nuevos casos.

The rate of patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis has increased in the last years (about 5% of all cases), and displaying a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Among them, the anal localization is a rare occurrence (0.7%) according to available published data. During the last two years, we have diagnosed and treated three patients with perianal tuberculous lesions manifested by ulcers. All three were males, associated with active pulmonary tuberculosis, and one with intestinal involvement which required surgical treatment. Based on this experience, we have reviewed the different etiopathogenic, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic manifestations of this picture, emphasizing the importance of suspicion, and its diagnostic easiness if the different infectious and inflammatory diseases at this level are taken into account.

Acute diverticulitis and diverticular disease of the colon: a safe indication for laparoscopic surgery.

AIM: We analyzed our experience with a laparoscopic method for the treatment of acute diverticular disease. METHODS: Between January 1994 and October 1999 a group of 52 patients who fulfilled the criteria for symptomatic diverticular disease in the descending and sigmoid colon underwent laparoscopy with resection of an average of 40 cm of the bowel. Intraabdominal mechanical anastomosis completed the procedure. RESULTS: The use of ultrasonic scissors made the laparoscopic technique easier and shortened operative time. Operative morbidity was 15%. Two patients with acute diverticulitis and associated sepsis were reconverted to open surgery, and 4 patients presented postoperative rectal bleeding which ceased spontaneously. No long-term complications were found except in 1 patient who developed an incisional hernia through an entry port. Oral intake began between the second and third day. Postoperative hospitalization was 3-8 days (mean: 5.5 days) and mean operative time was 130 min (range: 70-240 min). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the steep learning curve for this type of surgery, the good morbidity and mortality rates with the laparoscopic method, especially with high-risk groups of patients (age > 65 years, high blood pressure, etc.) suggest that this surgical option can be used efficiently and safely, and that it achieves better results than with open surgery. However, we feel that the treatment of patients with acute complications of diverticular colon disease requires extensive experience with laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Octreotide: effects in experimental severe acute pancreatitis. Analysis of survival, biochemical findings and histomorphometry.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of octreotide in acute experimental pancreatitis was examined. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Acute pancreatitis was induced in 70 male Wistar rats by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic duct. Octreotide (50 micrograms = 0.5 ml) or isotonic saline was administered subcutaneously every six hours for 24 hours, beginning at the time of induction of pancreatitis (groups 1 and 2) or 12 hours later (groups 3 and 4). Six hours after the last dose of octreotide or saline, the rats were sacrificed. Ten additional rats were used for basal biochemical determination. For the analysis of survival, another 10 rats were included. The survival rate, serum concentrations of amylase, lipase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and morphometric studies (total area of the pancreas and percentage necrosis) were examined. Statistical analysis involved Student's t test, ANOVA and the Mantel-Haenszel test. RESULTS: No significant differences existed among the groups with respect to survival, morphometric analysis or biochemical determinations, except for a minor increase in LDH levels in the group treated with octreotide at the time of induction. CONCLUSIONS: Octreotide administration has almost no impact on mortality in experimental severe acute pancreatitis. Biochemical and morphometric changes are minimal. Therefore, according to the present study, the efficacy of octreotide administration is very low.

Surgical treatment of the acute cholecystitis in the laparoscopic age. A comparative study: laparoscopy against laparatomy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the complications and results of the laparoscopic opposite to open treatment of the acute cholecystitis. METHODS: A retrospective randomized study with two groups of 30 patients each one. The parameters tested were age, sex, risk factors, surgical time, hospital stay, cholecystitis type, and early or late complications. RESULTS: In the two groups there were no significant differences in age, sex, risk factors, type of cholecystitis and surgical time. The average of hospital stay was significantly longer for open cholecystectomy (9.5) than for laparoscopic technique (2.30) (p < 0.001). The complication rate was higher (7.30%) in open cholecystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be the standard procedure for the treatment of the acute cholecystitis.

[Effects of chronic alcohol drinking on rat's prostate. Experimental study]. / Efectos de la ingesta crónica de alcohol sobre la próstata de la rata. Estudio experimental.

OBJECTIVE: We have studies both the morphologic and morphometric modifications that the alcohol induces in subjected rats to chronic intake of alcohol and to evaluate the reversibility of this alterations after suppressing the ingesta of alcohol. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The animals underwent diverse outlines of chronic intake of alcohol and diverse morphometric parameters of the prostate were valued at the level of optic microscopy. RESULTS: Two morphologic prostatic patterns was observed according to the studied group of animals (experimental or control). It seems to be that the dose of alcohol was the factor that more it influenced in the morphometric variations of the cells.