Prevalence and variables associated with an abnormal ankle-brachial index among patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Objectives The longer survival of patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and the introduction of the highly active antiretroviral therapy have increased the number of chronic conditions; among these, cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study is to determine patient, disease, and factors associated with peripheral arterial disease in a population of patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Methods A prospective nested case-control study of a cohort of patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome was conducted in a tertiary medical center in Mexico City. A sample size of 206 patients was calculated. Medical history, relevant laboratory data, peripheral arterial exam, and screening ankle-brachial index tests were obtained. Results The prevalence of abnormal ankle-brachial indexes was 20% (42 patients). Patient's mean age was 44 years ±13. The majority (98.5%) were actively receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy; active smoking was reported in 55 (27%), arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus were found in 24 (12%) and 22 (11%) patients. Median time from the human immunodeficiency virus diagnosis was eight years (Interquartile range ±11); the mean CD4 count was 481, with a mean viral load of 13,557 copies (SD ± 69025.27) and 1889.18 (SD ± 9052.77) for patients with normal and abnormal ankle-brachial index and a median of 40 (IQ ± 2). Viral load ( p = 0.04) and number of years with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ( p = 0.04) were significantly associated with abnormal ankle-brachial indexes. Conclusions Abnormal ankle-brachial index seems to be more frequent in Mexican patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome when compared with the general population at the same age. The most important factors associated with arterial disease were the viral load and the number of years with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02264509.

Comparison of retrocarotid and caudocranial dissection techniques for the surgical treatment of carotid body tumors.

OBJECTIVE: Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare neoplasms. Complete surgical resection is the curative therapy and is considered the therapeutic gold standard. This study compared the retrocarotid dissection (RCD) technique with the standard caudocranial dissection (SCCD) technique in operative time, blood loss, vascular or nerve injuries, and hospital stay. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of patients with CBTs who underwent surgical treatment with the RCD technique at the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition "Salvador Zubirán" in Mexico City from July 2007 to January 2013. This cohort was compared with an historical cohort treated with standard SCCD from 1995 to 2007 at the same institution. RESULTS: A total of 68 procedures (41 SCCD, 27 RCD) were performed in 68 patients (91% women) with a mean age of 54 years (standard deviation [SD], 15 years). According to the Shamblin classification, 6 CBTs were type I (9%), 35 were type II (51%), and 27 were type III (40%). Comparative analysis identified mean blood loss of 480 mL (SD, 380 mL) in the RCD group and 690 mL (SD, 680 mL) for the SCCD cohort (P < .31). The mean procedural time was 172 minutes (SD, 60 minutes) for the RCD group and 260 minutes (SD, 100 minutes) for the SCCD group (P < .001). Hospital stay was significantly shorter for the RCD group with an average of 5 days (SD, 2 days) compared with 9 days (SD, 6 days) for the SCCD cohort (P < .0001). Cranial nerve deficit occurred in 17 patients, consisting of six transient nerve palsies in the RCD cohort and 11 in the SCCD group. Postoperative cerebrovascular accidents occurred in three patients in the SCCD cohort, with none observed in the RCD group. This translates into a rate of 22% of postoperative neurologic complications for the RCD cohort and 34% in the SCCD group (P < .08). Significant differences in intraoperative vascular injuries were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: The RCD technique is a safe and viable option for the surgical resection of CBTs. In our experience, this approach was associated with a significant decrease in procedural time and hospital stay.

Predictors of adverse surgical outcome in the management of malignant bowel obstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) is a common problem in patients with advanced colorectal or ovarian cancer. The management of this group of patients is complex and controversial. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors associated with morbidity and mortality in patients who underwent surgery for MBO in a tertiary referral center in Mexico City. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hospital records of patients who underwent surgery for malignant bowel obstruction from January 1987 through December 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data, clinical and surgical variables were recorded. Morbidity and mortality within 30-day of surgical procedure were registered. Factors associated with outcome were analyzed with the chi-square test. Survival curves were constructed with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: One-hundred and thirty patients were included. Primary neoplasm was the cause of bowel obstruction in 51 (39.2%) patients. Resection and anastomosis was performed in 45 patients (34.6%); in 30 cases (23.1%) a palliative estoma was constructed. Hospital mortality rate was 10.8%, and major postoperative morbidity was 16.2%. Factors associated with a significant increase in surgical mortality were: advanced patient age 17.2% (p = 0.009), hipoalbuminemia 14.45% (p = 0.027) and surgery performed for neoplasms different from those of gastrointestinal origin 17.6% (p = 0.005). Surgical morbidity was significantly higher in patients with poor performance status 16.2% (p = 0.017), advanced age 18% (p = 0.04), and low albumin levels 13.5% (p = 0.03). Median survival for the entire cohort was nine months (95% CI 5-13). Actuarial one, three and five year survival were 38.4, 27.5 and 25.4%, respectively. The most significant predictor of survival was performance status. CONCLUSIONS: When surgical management of MBO is considered, a careful assessment of the factors shown here to predict an adverse surgical outcome and poor prognosis is required.

Morbidity-associated factors after gastrojejunostomy for malignant gastric outlet obstruction.

Palliative care of malignant gastric outlet obstruction symptoms is critical for improved quality of life. We reviewed 66 consecutive patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction who underwent palliative gastrointestinal bypass. The objective was to analyze morbidity and mortality-associated factors of this surgical procedure. Surgical morbidity and mortality were 39 per cent and 31 per cent, respectively. Reintervention was necessary in 16.6 per cent of cases. The only variable associated with surgical mortality was a Karnofsky score less than 80 (P = 0.02). Median survival of patients was 4 months (range, 2.11-5.9 months). Variables associated with shorter survival rates were an advanced stage of the disease and a Karnofsky score less than 80. Nine of 45 (20%) patients who survived after the gastrointestinal bypass surgery were unable to tolerate a normal diet. Palliative gastrojejunostomy in patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction is associated with high morbidity and mortality; it is necessary to improve nonsurgical options such as endoscopic stenting.

[Presentation of gastric cancer as a soft tissue tumor]. / Presentación de cáncer gástrico como tumor de tejidos blandos.

Soft tissue metastasis of gastric cancer is extremely rare. We report an 82 year old male, who was being evaluated for benign prostate hyperplasia and incidentally a soft tissue mass in the right buttock was discovered. Differential diagnosis included neurofibroma vs. soft tissue sarcoma. Patient underwent surgical resection and pathologic analysis reported adenocarcinoma with ring cell differentiation. Postoperative work-up included a CT scan of abdomen and pelvis and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. An ulcer in the gastric antrum was discovered and biopsied. Pathology reported the same tumor as the soft tissue mass. PET scan demonstrated extensive metastatic disease. We reviewed the literature looking for other cases of soft tissue metastasis of gastric cancer.