Clinical prediction rules in acute appendicitis: which combination of variables is more effective at predicting?

BACKGROUND: Clinical prediction rules have been designed to reduce variability and improve the diagnostic process. However, there are no unanimous criteria regarding which of them is the most efficient for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. AIM: The primary aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic efficacy of the most commonly used clinical prediction rules. The second aim was to identify the combination of the smallest number of clinical and analytical variables that would allow a cost-effective diagnostic approach. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted of 458 patients who were evaluated for right iliac fossa pain between January 2010 and December 2016. The scores tested were Alvarado, AIR, RIPASA, and AAS. Univariate and multiple regressions were used for validation. RESULTS: Alvarado one was the most efficient to establish a positive diagnosis of acute appendicitis. However, the most simplified and predictive combination variables included anorexia, white blood cell count > 8275 leukocytes/mL, neutrophilia (> 75%), abdominal pain < 48 h, migrating pain, and temperature out the range of 37-39ºC. CONCLUSIONS: A new and effective CPR (HMC score) for predicting appendicitis in patients presenting with the right iliac fossa pain has been established.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las escalas de predicción diagnóstica (EPD) se han diseñado con el objetivo de reducir la variabilidad y mejorar el proceso de diagnóstico. Sin embargo, no existen criterios unánimes sobre cuál de ellas es la más el más eficiente para el diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda. OBJETIVO: El objetivo principal de este estudio fue evaluar la eficacia diagnóstica de las escalas de predicción diagnóstica más utilizadas. El segundo objetivo fue identificar la combinación del menor número de variables clínicas y analíticas que permitieran un enfoque diagnóstico más eficiente. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo de 458 pacientes que fueron evaluados por dolor en la fosa ilíaca derecha entre enero de 2010 y diciembre de 2016. Las escalas evaluadas fueron las de Alvarado, AIR, RIPASA y AAS. Se utilizaron la regresion univariada y la múltiple para la validación de los resultados. RESULTADOS: la escala de Alvarado fue la más eficiente para establecer un diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda. No obstante, la combinación de las siguientes variables: anorexia, recuento de leucocitos > 8275 leucocitos/mL, neutrofilia (> 75%), dolor abdominal < 48 horas, dolor migratorio y temperatura fuera del rango de 37-39ºC, demostró ser la más eficiente para establecer un diagnóstico positivo de apendicitis aguda. CONCLUSIONES: Se ha desarrollada una nueva EPD (escala HMDC) para determinar la presencia de apendicitis en pacientes evaluados por dolor en la fosa ilíaca derecha.

Manejo laparoscópico de las hernias ventrales mediante abordaje totalmente extraperitoneal (eTEP): experiencia inicial y resultados a corto plazo / Laparoscopic Management of Ventral Hernias by Totally Extraperitoneal (eTEP) Approach: Initial Experience and Short-Term Results / Manejo laparoscópico de hérnias ventrais usando uma abordagem totalmente extraperitoneal (eTEP): experiência inicial e resultados em curto prazo

Introducción. El manejo de la hernia ventral sigue siendo un desafío para los cirujanos. Su reparación mediante técnicas mínimamente invasivas, como la totalmente extraperitoneal (eTEP) laparoscópica, permite una amplia disección del espacio a reparar, una recuperación postoperatoria más rápida, menor dolor postoperatorio y estancia hospitalaria. El abordaje eTEP es un enfoque novedoso que utiliza el espacio retromuscular para colocar material protésico y fortalecer la pared abdominal. El objetivo es describir los resultados a corto plazo de nuestra experiencia inicial con la técnica eTEP en el manejo de las hernias ventrales. Metodología. Estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo, donde se incluyen pacientes con el diagnóstico de hernia ventral, sometidos a cirugía laparoscópicaeTEP, entre julio-2021 y junio-2022. Resultados. De un total de 21 pacientes, el 61.9% fueron hombres. El 47.6% tenían sobrepeso y el 52.4% obesidad. Estancia hospitalaria media: 1.6 días. El 66.7% fueron hernias incisionales. Las técnicas quirúrgicas realizadas fueron: Rives-Stoppa (71.4%) asociándose liberación del músculo transverso en el 28.6%. El 19% de los pacientes presentaron complicaciones globales y solo uno fue grave, requiriendo reintervención quirúrgica. Se observó la presencia de seroma clínico en el 9.5% y ecográfico en 57.1%. No se evidenciaron hematomas, infección de herida quirúrgica ni casos de recidiva herniaria. Discusión y conclusiones. El abordaje laparoscópico eTEP Rives-Stoppa, asociado o no a separación posterior de componentes, en el manejo de las hernias ventrales ofrece buenos resultados asociando una baja incidencia de complicaciones postoperatorias, corta estancia hospitalaria, baja incidencia de recidivas herniarias, por lo que podría considerarse una técnica segura y efectiva en el tratamiento de las hernias ventrales.

Introduction. Managing ventral hernia remains a challenge for surgeons. Repairing it using minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (eTEP), which allows for a wide dissection of the space to be repaired, faster postoperative recovery, less postoperative pain and shorter hospital stay. The eTEP approach is a novel technique that focus on the uses of the retromuscular space to place prosthetic material and strengthen the abdominal wall. The objective is to describe the short-term results of our initial experience with the eTEP technique in the management of ventral hernias. Methodology. Observational, descriptive, retrospective, study, which included patients with a diagnosis of ventral hernia, undergoing laparoscopic eTEP surgery, between July-2021 and June-2022. Results. Of a total of 21 patients, 61.9% were men. 47.6% were overweight and 52.4% were obese. Average hospital stay: 1.6 days. 66.7% were incisional hernias. The surgical techniques performed were: Rives-Stoppa (71.4%) with associated transversus abdominis muscle release in 28.6%. 19% of the patients presented global complications and only one was severe, requiring surgical reintervention. The presence of clinical seroma was observed in 9.5% and ultrasound in 57.1%. There was no evidence of hematomas, surgical wound infection or cases of hernia recurrence. Discussion and conclusions. The laparoscopic-eTEP Rives-Stoppa approach, associated or not with posterior separation of components, in the management of ventral hernias offers good results with a low incidence of postoperative complications, short hospital stay, low incidence of hernia recurrences, so it could be considered a safe and effective technique in the treatment of ventral hernias.

Introdução. O manejo da hérnia ventral continua sendo um desafio para os cirurgiões. Seu reparo por meio de técnicas minimamente invasivas, como a totalmente extraperitoneal (eTEP) laparoscópica, permite ampla dissecção do espaço a ser reparado, recuperação pós-operatória mais rápida, menor dor pós-operatória e menor tempo de internação. A abordagem eTEP é uma nova abordagem que usa o espaço retromuscular para colocar material protético e fortalecer a parede abdominal. O objetivo é descrever os resultados de curto prazo de nossa experiência inicial com a técnica eTEP no manejo de hérnias ventrais. Metodologia. Estudo observacional, descritivo, retrospectivo, longitudinal, que inclui pacientes com diagnóstico de hérnia ventral, submetidos a cirurgia laparoscópica-eTEP, entre julho-2021 e junho-2022. Resultados. De um total de 21 pacientes, 61.9% eram homens; 47.6% estavam com sobrepeso e 52.4% obesos. Tempo médio de internação: 1.6 dias; 66.7% eran hérnias incisionais. As técnicas cirúrgicas realizadas foram: Rives-Stoppa (71.4%) associada à liberação do músculo transverso em 28.6%. 19% dos pacientes apresentaram complicações globais e apenas um foi grave, necesitando de reintervenção cirúrgica. A presença de seroma clínico foi observada em 9.5% e ultrassonográfica em 57.1%. Não houve evidência de hematoma, infecção de ferida cirúrgica ou casos de recidiva de hérnia. Discussão e conclusões. A abordagem laparoscópica eTEP Rives-Stoppa, associada ou não à separação posterior dos componentes, no manejo das hérnias ventrais oferece bons resultados associando baixa incidência de complicações pós-operatórias, curto tempo de internação, baixa incidência de recidivas de hérnias, pelo que pode ser considerada uma técnica segura e eficaz no tratamento das hérnias ventrais.

Laparoscopic Appendectomy in the Setting of Clinical Prediction Rules.

PURPOSE: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most frequent surgical entity in the emergency department, but its correct diagnosis remains challenging. To improve diagnosis, clinical prediction rules (CPRs) have been created to establish objective scores for the probability of suffering AA. In this study, we establish scores indicating whether laparoscopy would be superior to clinical observation or repeat diagnostic test. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted with 433 patients submitted to surgery for suspected AA using a laparoscopic approach. The Alvarado, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Appendicitis, appendicitis inflammatory response, and adult appendicitis score scales were applied in each case to establish a high, medium, or low probability of suffering AA. RESULTS: Of the 433 patients analyzed, 381 (88.0%) had AA. Twelve (2.8%) were converted to open surgery, and complications were observed in 54 (12.5%) cases. The CPRs studied showed statistically significant differences between AA and negative appendectomies. However, in patients with intermediate probability scores, the diagnostic accuracy of the CPRs evaluated was not adequate. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery can serve as a diagnostic tool for patients with intermediate AA probability scores because of its low associated morbidity and mortality and because it affords a direct diagnosis of the problem, allowing determination of the appropriate treatment.

Hartmann's procedure for obstructive carcinoma of the left colon and rectum: a comparative study with one-stage surgery.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Despite the criticisms from prestigious expert committees, a high percentage of surgeons continue to use, as the technique-of-choice, Hartmann's procedure for acute malignant intestinal obstruction of the distal colon and rectum, without faecal peritonitis. We have reviewed our results with this technique and compared them with other series of patients in the literature undergoing one-stage surgery (resection with primary anastomosis or sub-total colectomy). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective and descriptive study using clinical histories and, from which, the variables studied were: median hospitalisation stay, morbido-mortality and reconstruction index. RESULTS: Included in the analysis were 44 patients (24 male; 20 female) with an age range between 37 and 87 years (median age: 67.04 years). The median hospitalisation stay was 15.59 days (range: 8-39). In the 10 patients undergoing reconstruction this was 12.8 days (range: 10-17). The overall stay, therefore, was 28.39 days. The median stay in the series of patients having one-stage surgery was 13.9 days. The morbidity using Hartmann's procedure was 43.18% (19/44) and, in the patients with reconstruction, 40% (4/10). The morbidity in the literature series with one-stage surgery was 22.53%. Mortality in our study was 0%. The mortality in the 16 cases from the literature was close to 5%, although in 3 of the studies this was also 0%. The percentage undergoing reconstruction was 22.72% (10 cases). The median age in the non-reconstructed patients was 71.42 years (range: 46-87) compared to a median age of 52.6 (range 37-67) in the group with reconstruction (p < 0.001). The percentages undergoing reconstruction, according to tumour stage, were Dukes B: 36.84%; Dukes C: 23.07%; Dukes D: 0% (p < 0.001). The median waiting-time for a reconstruction was 15.73 months (range: 8-33). CONCLUSIONS: Comparisons of our results with the outcomes in the series of patients in the literature with one-stage surgery indicate that "one-stage surgery" is the more suitable but, however, with two conditions: a sufficient command of the technique so as to minimise complications and a strict patient selection, with the Hartmann's procedure being retained for patients with high anaesthesia risk.