[Liver transplantation: development, learning curve and results after the first 300 cases]. / Trasplante hepático: evolución, curva de aprendizaje y resultados después de los primeros 300 casos.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation (LT) is an option for people with liver failure who cannot be cured with other therapies and for some people with liver cancer. AIM: To describe, and analyze the first 300 LT clinical results, and to establish our learning curve. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study with data obtained from a prospectively collected LT Program database. We included all LT performed at a single center from March 1994 to September 2017. The database gathered demographics, diagnosis, indications for LT, surgical aspects and postoperative courses. We constructed a cumulative summation test for learning curve (LC-CUSUM) using 30-day post-LT mortality. Mortality at 30 days, and actuarial 1-, and 5-year survival rate were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 281 patients aged 54 (0-71) years (129 women) underwent 300 LT. Ten percent of patients were younger than 18 years old. The first, second and third indications for LT were non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, chronic autoimmune hepatitis and alcoholic liver cirrhosis, respectively. Acute liver failure was the LT indication in 51 cases (17%). The overall complication rate was 71%. Infectious and biliary complications were the most common of them (47 and 31% respectively). The LC-CUSUM curve shows that the first 30 patients corresponded to the learning curve. The peri-operative mortality was 8%. Actuarial 1 and 5-year survival rates were 82 and 71.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Outcome improvement of a LT program depends on the accumulation of experience after the first 30 transplants and the peri-operative mortality directly impacted long-term survival.

Incidental versus non-incidental gallbladder cancer: index cholecystectomy before oncologic re-resection negatively impacts survival in T2b tumors.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting data exists whether non-oncologic index cholecystectomy (IC) leading to discovery of incidental gallbladder cancer (IGBC) negatively impacts survival. This study aimed to determine whether a subgroup of patients derives a disadvantage from IC. METHODS: Patients with IGBC and non-IGBC treated at an academic USA and Chilean center during 1999-2016 were compared. Patients with T1, T4 tumor or preoperative jaundice were excluded. T2 disease was classified into T2a (peritoneal-side tumor) and T2b (hepatic-side tumor). Disease-specific survival (DSS) and its predictors were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 196 patients included, 151 (77%) had IGBC. One hundred thirty-six (90%) patients of whom 118 (87%) had IGBC had T2 disease. Three-year DSS rates were similar between IGBC and non-IGBC for all patients. However, for T2b patients, 3-year survival rate was worse for IGBC (31% vs 85%; p = 0.019). In multivariate analysis of T2 patients, predictors of poor DSS were hepatic-side tumor hazard ratio [HR], 2.9; 95% CI, 1.6-5.4; p = 0.001) and N1 status (HR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.6-3.6; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with T2b gallbladder cancer specifically benefit from a single operation. These patients should be identified preoperatively and referred to hepatobiliary center.

[Liver transplantation in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Case report]. / Trasplante hepático exitoso en un paciente portador del Virus de la Inmunodeficiencia Humana (VIH).

Abstrac: Before the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were considered as having an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation (LT). Considering the increased life expectancy in HIV positive patients under HAART and the improvements in the management of graft recipients, these patients are now suitable for carrying out transplants in selected cases. We report a 26 years old HIV positive male who developed acute liver failure possibly caused by drug induced liver injury who underwent a successful liver transplantation.

Maize (Zea mays) consumption in the southern andes (30°-31° S. Lat): Stable isotope evidence (2000 BCE-1540 CE).

OBJECTIVES: The timing and dietary role of maize agriculture is central to archaeological discussions in the Andean region. In the semi-arid region of northern Chile (SARNC), archaeological models propose that maize was adopted during the Early Ceramic period in tandem with pottery and sedentism. Through stable isotope (SI) analyses, of bone collagen and apatite, this study assesses the timing of maize introduction, diachronic changes (2,000 BCE to 1,540 CE.), and synchronic dietary variability in the prehistoric SARNC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two prehistoric individuals from SARNC were analyzed for δ13 Cap , δ13 Ccol, and δ15 N. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the results by period and location (inland and coast). Between-periods (ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests), and synchronic comparisons (inland vs. coast; Student's t-tests), were conducted. A SIAR model was run to further evaluate dietary changes. Dietary interpretations are based on food web data. RESULTS: Coastal groups show significant changes in the diet during the Middle (900-1,000CE; enrichment in δ13 C), and Late Intermediate periods (100-1450CE; when the Δ13 Cap-col is above 5.2‰). In the inland, significant changes in SI occurred in the Late Intermediate period (δ13 C enrichment). In the Late period, the inland diet became enriched for δ15 N. Synchronic comparisons showed coastal individuals to have higher δ15 N. DISCUSSION: The popularization of maize in the SARNC was not associated with the appearance of pottery and/or sedentism, and its role as a dietary staple was a late phenomenon (c.a. 1,000CE). The results obtained in this study show that the adoption and consumption of maize varied dramatically in the Southern Andes.

PARTIAL DISTAL DUODENECTOMY IN PATIENT WITH ADENOCARCINOMA.

BACKGROUND: Duodenal adenocarcinoma is a small percentage of gastrointestinal neoplasms, around 0.5%, and its treatment is based on resection of the tumor, classically by pancreaticoduodenectomy. In recent years, however, segmental resections of duodenal lesions, that do not involve the second portion or the periampullary region, have gained relevance with good surgical and oncological outcomes as well as the benefit of avoiding surgeries that can result in high morbidity and mortality. AIMS: To report a case of an elderly female patient with malignant neoplastic lesion in the third and fourth duodenal portion, non-obstructive, submitted to surgical treatment. METHODS: The technical option was the resection of the distal duodenum and proximal jejunum with preservation of the pancreas and reconstruction with side-to-side duodenojejunal anastomosis. RESULTS: The evolution was satisfactory and the surgical margins were free of neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Segmental resections of the duodenum are feasible and safe, offering the benefit of preventing complications of pancreaticoduodenectomies.

[Profile of patients with infective endocarditis admitted to a Chilean regional hospital]. / Perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes con endocarditis infecciosa, período 2003-2010 en el hospital de Temuco, Chile.

BACKGROUND: Mortality due to infective endocarditis (IE) in Chile is close to 30%. AIM: To report the experience with patients admitted with the diagnosis of IE in a regional tertiary hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 107 patients aged 50 ± 16 years (75% males) discharged with a definitive diagnosis of IE according to modified DUKE criteria, between years 2003 and 2010. Demographic variables, severity scores, clinical characteristics, bacteriology and hospital evolution were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty nine percent of patients had concomitant cardiovascular problems. APACHE II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores on admission were 8.4 ± 4.7 and 2.7 ± 2.8 respectively. Native valves were affected in 91% of cases (aortic and mitral valves in 62% and 50% of cases respectively). Prosthetic valves were affected in 9.3% of cases. Rheumatic heart disease was the predominant primary lesion in 10% of patients. Antibiotics were used in 45.1% before blood cultures were performed. In 68% of patients blood cultures were positive. S. viridans (30.8%), S.aureus (18.6%) and coagulase negative Streptococci (5.6%) were the identified microorganisms. Intensive care unit admission was required in 48% of patients. Renal, heart and neurological deterioration was observed in 53, 34 and 14% of patients, respectively. Twenty percent of patients developed systemic embolism and 37% required heart surgery. Mean hospital stay was 28.3 ± 19.1 days and 27% of patients died. CONCLUSIONS: In this series of patients, IE has a high mortality. Most patients studied were admitted in bad conditions.

Rectal diclofenac for prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiography pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is an important complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC), occurring between 1-10% of patients. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated the effectiveness of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac and indomethacin as a post-ERC pancreatitis (PEP) prophylaxis. The aim is to determine if the rectal diclofenac use reduces the PEP rate. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Subjects were included who underwent ERC for different indications in a tertiary center between January 2015 and June 2016. Two groups were analyzed: group A (without diclofenac use) and group B (with use of diclofenac as PEP prophylaxis). Biodemographic, technical and mortality variables were measured. RESULTS: The total cohort was 116 patients, 67 in group A and 49 in group B. The average age was 61.9±17.8 and 58.3±15.8 years, respectively (P=0.2606). Gender distribution showed a women predominance in both groups (P=0.933). Of the technical variables measured, the precut showed a statistically significant relationship to PEP (P=0.013). Of the total cohort, 8.6% developed acute pancreatitis after an ERC: four in group A and six in group B (P=0.196). In those who developed PEP (n=10), six patients developed severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The average hospitalization for PEP was 32.2±34 days (P=0.881). No patients died, not were there any adverse reactions to the drug. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal diclofenac administered at the beginning of the ERC did not reduce the PEP rate in this patients cohort.

Prior Treatment with Statins is Associated with Improved Outcomes of Patients with COVID-19: Data from the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry.

BACKGROUND: The impact of statins on COVID-19 outcomes is important given the high prevalence of their use among individuals at risk for severe COVID-19. Our aim is to assess whether patients receiving chronic statin treatment who are hospitalized with COVID-19 have reduced in-hospital mortality if statin therapy is maintained during hospitalization. METHODS: This work is a cross-sectional, observational, retrospective multicenter study that analyzed 2921 patients who required hospital admission at 150 Spanish centers included in the nationwide SEMI-COVID-19 Network. We compared the clinical characteristics and COVID-19 disease outcomes between patients receiving chronic statin therapy who maintained this therapy during hospitalization versus those who did not. Propensity score matching was used to match each statin user whose therapy was maintained during hospitalization to a statin user whose therapy was withdrawn during hospitalization. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, continuation of statin therapy was associated with lower all-cause mortality (OR 0.67, 0.54-0.83, p < 0.001); lower incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) (OR 0.76,0.6-0.97, p = 0.025), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (OR 0.78, 0.69- 0.89, p < 0.001), and sepsis (4.82% vs 9.85%, p = 0.008); and less need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) (5.35% vs 8.57, p < 0.001) compared to patients whose statin therapy was withdrawn during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Patients previously treated with statins who are hospitalized for COVID-19 and maintain statin therapy during hospitalization have a lower mortality rate than those in whom therapy is withdrawn. In addition, statin therapy was associated with a decreased probability that patients with COVID-19 will develop AKI, ARDS, or sepsis and decreases the need for IMV.

Multi-isotopic and morphometric evidence for the migration of farmers leading up to the Inka conquest of the southern Andes.

We present isotopic and morphometric evidence suggesting the migration of farmers in the southern Andes in the period AD 1270-1420, leading up to the Inka conquest occurring ~ AD 1400. This is based on the interdisciplinary study of human remains from archaeological cemeteries in the Andean Uspallata Valley (Argentina), located in the southern frontier of the Inka Empire. The studied samples span AD 800-1500, encompassing the highly dynamic Late Intermediate Period and culminating with the imperial expansion. Our research combines a macro-regional study of human paleomobility and migration based on a new strontium isoscape across the Andes that allows identifying locals and migrants, a geometric morphometric analysis of cranio-facial morphology suggesting separate ancestral lineages, and a paleodietary reconstruction based on stable isotopes showing that the migrants had diets exceptionally high in C4 plants and largely based on maize agriculture. Significantly, this migration influx occurred during a period of regional demographic increase and would have been part of a widespread period of change in settlement patterns and population movements that preceded the Inka expansion. These processes increased local social diversity and may have been subsequently utilized by the Inka to channel interaction with the local societies.

Partial distal duodenectomy in patient with adenocarcinoma / Duodenectomia distal parcial em paciente com adenocarcinoma

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Duodenal adenocarcinoma is a small percentage of gastrointestinal neoplasms, around 0.5%, and its treatment is based on resection of the tumor, classically by pancreaticoduodenectomy. In recent years, however, segmental resections of duodenal lesions, that do not involve the second portion or the periampullary region, have gained relevance with good surgical and oncological outcomes as well as the benefit of avoiding surgeries that can result in high morbidity and mortality. AIMS: To report a case of an elderly female patient with malignant neoplastic lesion in the third and fourth duodenal portion, non-obstructive, submitted to surgical treatment. METHODS: The technical option was the resection of the distal duodenum and proximal jejunum with preservation of the pancreas and reconstruction with side-to-side duodenojejunal anastomosis. RESULTS: The evolution was satisfactory and the surgical margins were free of neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Segmental resections of the duodenum are feasible and safe, offering the benefit of preventing complications of pancreaticoduodenectomies.

RESUMO RACIONAL: O adenocarcinoma duodenal é uma pequena porcentagem das neoplasias gastrointestinais, em torno de 0,5%, e seu tratamento baseia-se na ressecção da massa tumoral, classicamente por pancreatoduodenectomia. Nos últimos anos, porém, as ressecções segmentares de lesões duodenais que não envolvem a segunda porção ou a região periampular têm ganhado relevância com bons resultados cirúrgicos e oncológicos e com o benefício de evitar uma cirurgia que pode apresentar alta morbimortalidade. OBJETIVOS: Reportar o caso de uma paciente feminina, idosa, com lesão neoplásica maligna na terceira e quarta porção duodenal, não obstrutiva, submetida a tratamento cirúrgico. MÉTODOS: A opção técnica foi a ressecção do duodeno distal e jejuno proximal com preservação do pâncreas e reconstrução com anastomose duodenojejunal látero-lateral. RESULTADOS: A evolução foi satisfatória e as margens cirúrgicas foram livres de neoplasia. CONCLUSÕES: As ressecções segmentares do duodeno são factíveis e seguras, com os benefícios de evitar as complicações das pancreatoduodenectomias.

Optimal surgical treatment in patients with T1b gallbladder cancer: An international multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on the optimal treatment of T1b gallbladder cancer (GBC) due to the lack of evidence and the difficulty of anatomy and pathological standardization. METHODS: A total of 272 patients with T1b GBC who underwent surgical resection at 14 centers with specialized hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgeons and pathologists in Korea, Japan, Chile, and the United States were studied. Clinical outcomes including disease-specific survival (DSS) rates according to the types of surgery were analyzed. RESULTS: After excluding patients, the 237 qualifying patients consisted of 90 men and 147 women. Simple cholecystectomy (SC) was performed in 116 patients (48.9%) and extended cholecystectomy (EC) in 121 patients (51.1%). The overall 5-year DSS was 94.6%, and it was similar between SC and EC patients (93.7% vs. 95.5%, P = 0.496). The 5-year DSS was similar between SC and EC patients in America (82.3% vs. 100.0%, P = 0.249) as well as in Asia (98.6% vs. 95.2%, P = 0.690). The 5-year DSS also did not differ according to lymph node metastasis (P = 0.688) or tumor location (P = 0.474). CONCLUSIONS: SC showed similar clinical outcomes (including recurrence) and survival outcomes as EC; therefore, EC is not needed for the treatment of T1b GBC.

Trasplante hepático: evolución, curva de aprendizaje y resultados después de los primeros 300 casos / Liver transplantation: development, learning curve and results after the first 300 cases

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) is an option for people with liver failure who cannot be cured with other therapies and for some people with liver cancer. Aim: To describe, and analyze the first 300 LT clinical results, and to establish our learning curve. Material and Methods: Retrospective cohort study with data obtained from a prospectively collected LT Program database. We included all LT performed at a single center from March 1994 to September 2017. The database gathered demographics, diagnosis, indications for LT, surgical aspects and postoperative courses. We constructed a cumulative summation test for learning curve (LC-CUSUM) using 30-day post-LT mortality. Mortality at 30 days, and actuarial 1-, and 5-year survival rate were analyzed. Results: A total of 281 patients aged 54 (0-71) years (129 women) underwent 300 LT. Ten percent of patients were younger than 18 years old. The first, second and third indications for LT were non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, chronic autoimmune hepatitis and alcoholic liver cirrhosis, respectively. Acute liver failure was the LT indication in 51 cases (17%). The overall complication rate was 71%. Infectious and biliary complications were the most common of them (47 and 31% respectively). The LC-CUSUM curve shows that the first 30 patients corresponded to the learning curve. The peri-operative mortality was 8%. Actuarial 1 and 5-year survival rates were 82 and 71.4%, respectively. Conclusions: Outcome improvement of a LT program depends on the accumulation of experience after the first 30 transplants and the peri-operative mortality directly impacted long-term survival.

Pancreatoyeyunoanastomosis con técnica de Blumgart modificada para reconstrucción post-pancreatoduodenectomía: estudio de serie de casos con seguimiento / Pancreatojejunostomy with modified Blumgart technique for post-pancreatoduodenectomy reconstruction

Resumen Introducción: La pancreatoduodenectomía es una cirugía compleja, con cifras de morbilidad cercanas a 30% y mortalidad entre 1 a 5%. El principal factor responsable de morbilidad y mortalidad es la fístula pancreática posoperatoria (FPPO). En la actualidad no existe una técnica universalmente estandarizada para la reconstrucción pancreática. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de FPPO clínicamente relevante en una serie de pacientes en los que se realizó reconstrucción pancreática con pancreatoyeyunoanasto- mosis con técnica de Blumgart modificada para reconstrucción post-pancreatoduodenectomía en Hospital Hernán Henríquez Aravena entre los años 2014-2017. Material y Método: Serie de casos con seguimiento de julio de 2014 a abril de 2017. Se incluyeron pacientes a quienes se realizó reconstrucción pancreática con técnica de Blumgart modificada. La modificación consistió en el uso de pledgets® (poli-tetrafluoro- etileno) en los puntos iniciales en el páncreas con la idea de disminuir la posibilidad de desgarro del tejido. Se excluyeron pacientes a quienes se realizó otra técnica de reconstrucción. Se consideró FPPO clínicamente relevante (grado B/C) para evaluar morbilidad. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva con medidas de tendencia central y dispersión. Resultados: Serie de casos de 12 pacientes, 9 (75%) de género femenino y 3 (25%) de género masculino. La edad promedio fue de 59 ± 8,5 años. La morbilidad fue de 25% y la tasa de fístula grado B/C fue 0%. Todas las fístulas pancreáticas fueron grado A (33,3%), sin relevancia clínica. Conclusión: La técnica de Blumgart modificada parece ser una técnica segura y reproducible para pancreato-yeyuyoanastomosis.

Introduction: Pancreatoduodenectomy is a complex surgery, with morbidity close to 30% and mortality between 1% and 5%. The main contributing factor to morbidity and mortality is postoperative pancrea- tic fistula (POPF). At present, there is no globally standardized technique for pancreatic reconstruction. Aim: To determine the prevalence of clinically relevant POPF in a sample of patients who underwent pancreaticojejunal anastomosis reconstruction with Blumgart's modified technique for post-pancreato- duodenectomy reconstruction at Hospital Hernán Henríquez Aravena between 2014 and 2017. Material and Method: Case series with follow-up from july 2014 to april 2017. Patients who underwent pancreatic reconstruction with Blumgart's modified technique were included. The modification consisted of the use of Pledgets® (poly-tetrafluoro-ethylene) at the inicial points in páncreas with the idea of reducing the possibility of tissue tearing. We excluded patients who underwent another reconstruction technique. Clinically relevant POPF (grade B/C) was considered to asses morbidity. Descriptive statistics were used with measures of central tendency and dispersion. Results: Case series of 12 patients, 9 (75%) were female and 3 (25%) were male. The mean age was 59 ± 8.5 years. The morbidity was 25% and the rate of grade B/C fistula was 0%. All pancreatic fistulas were grade A, not clinically relevant. Conclusion: The Blumgart's modified technique seems to be a safe and reproducible technique for pancreticojejunal anastomosis.

Trasplante hepático exitoso en un paciente portador del Virus de la Inmunodeficiencia Humana (VIH) / Liver transplantation in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): case report

Abstrac: Before the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were considered as having an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation (LT). Considering the increased life expectancy in HIV positive patients under HAART and the improvements in the management of graft recipients, these patients are now suitable for carrying out transplants in selected cases. We report a 26 years old HIV positive male who developed acute liver failure possibly caused by drug induced liver injury who underwent a successful liver transplantation.

Perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes con endocarditis infecciosa, período 2003-2010 en el hospital de Temuco, Chile / Profile of patients with infective endocarditis admitted to a Chilean regional hospital

Background: Mortality due to infective endocarditis (IE) in Chile is close to 30%. Aim: To report the experience with patients admitted with the diagnosis of IE in a regional tertiary hospital. Material and Methods: Retrospective study of 107 patients aged 50 ± 16years (75% males) discharged with a definitive diagnosis of IE according to modified DUKE criteria, between years 2003 and 2010. Demographic variables, severity scores, clinical characteristics, bacteriology and hospital evolution were recorded. Results: Fifty nine percent of patients had concomitant cardiovascular problems. APACHE II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores on admission were 8.4 ± 4.7 and 2.7 ± 2.8 respectively. Native valves were affected in 91% of cases (aortic and mitral valves in 62% and 50% of cases respectively). Prosthetic valves were affected in 9.3% of cases. Rheumatic heart disease was the predominant primary lesion in 10% of patients. Antibiotics were used in 45.1% before blood cultures were performed. In 68% of patients blood cultures were positive. S. viridans (30.8%), S.aureus (18.6%) and coagulase negative Streptocicci (5.6%) were the identified microorganisms. Intensive care unit admission was required in 48% of patients. Renal, heart and neurological deterioration was observed in 53, 34 and 14% of patients, respectively. Twenty percent of patients developed systemic embolism and 37% required heart surgery. Mean hospital stay was 28.3 ± 19.1 days and 27% of patients died. Conclusions: In this series of patients, IE has a high mortality. Most patients studied were admitted in bad conditions.