Short-term outcome of percutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) for the treatment of faecal incontinence.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to establish the efficacy of percutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) in treating flatal, urge and passive faecal incontinence (FI). METHODS: A prospective study with 55 patients with FI was carried out. Clinical anamnesis, physical examination, a reverse visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Wexner score and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons quality of life score were recorded at baseline and 6 months, along with an incontinence diary. Subjects underwent one weekly session for 12 consecutive weeks and then continued with six additional fortnightly sessions. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients (44 females; mean age 58.62 ± 10.74 years) with FI were treated with PTNS. The origins of the incontinence were obstetric (52.7 %) and perineal surgery (34.5 %). Eight patients did not continue with the second stage of treatment. The median Wexner baseline value was 9.98. After 6 months, it had decreased to 4.55 (p < 0.001). The visual analogue scale (VAS) increased from 4.94 to 6.80 (p < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in lifestyle, coping/behaviour, depression/self-perception and embarrassment scores. With respect to different types of FI, there was an improvement in the Wexner score both in patients with true passive FI and in those with urge or mixed FI. CONCLUSIONS: PTNS is an effective treatment for FI. Patients with passive or urge FI can benefit from this therapy, with improvement of the Wexner score and quality of life variables.

Perforación traqueal diferida tras cirugía tiroidea en un paciente con radioterapia cervical.

Tracheal perforation is a rare complication of thyroid surgery. A 36-year-old man with previous neck radiotherapy due to a nasopharyngeal cancer. After right hemithyoidectomy and isthmusectomy, the patient presented a tracheal perforation. The diagnosis was confirmed with computed tomography and bronchoscopy. A conservative management was performed with drainage and antibiotic therapy, and the evolution was satisfactory. If recognized at the time of the surgery, perforations should be closed primarily. Delayed perforations will be treated with an emergency surgery or conservatively depending on the clinical situation of the patient.

La perforación traqueal es una rara complicación de la cirugía tiroidea. Varón de 36 años con antecedente de radioterapia cervical por una neoplasia de cavum sometido a hemitiroidectomía derecha e istmectomía que durante el posoperatorio presentó una perforación traqueal confirmada por tomografía computarizada y broncoscopia. Se realizó manejo conservador con drenaje y antibioticoterapia, evolucionando de forma favorable. Las perforaciones identificadas durante la cirugía deben ser reparadas intraoperatoriamente, mientras que las diferidas se tratarán de forma quirúrgica urgente o de manera conservadora en función de la situación clínica del paciente.

[Tumores neuroendocrinos pancreáticos. Nuestra experiencia]. / Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Our experience.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are rare. It is a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with very different behavior and prognosis. They can appear sporadically or associated with genetic syndromes. They are divided into functioning and non-functioning. A descriptive retrospective study of patients diagnosed with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor was performed. The incidental diagnosis of these tumors is increasingly. The only curative treatment for these tumors is surgical excision, depending on the location and characteristics of the tumor and the patient. In selected cases a conservative attitude is recommended.

Los tumores neuroendocrinos pancreáticos son poco frecuentes. Es un grupo heterogéneo de neoplasias con comportamiento y pronóstico muy diferentes. Pueden aparecer de manera esporádica o asociados a síndromes genéticos. Se dividen en funcionantes y no funcionantes. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo descriptivo de los pacientes diagnosticados de tumor neuroendocrino pancreático. Como se refleja en nuestra serie, cada vez es más frecuente el diagnostico incidental de estos tumores. El único tratamiento curativo de estos tumores es la exéresis quirúrgica, según la localización y las características del tumor y del paciente. En casos seleccionados se puede optar por una actitud conservadora.

[Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: descriptive study of our experience with 36 cases]. / Neumomediastino espontáneo: estudio descriptivo de nuestra experiencia basada en 36 casos.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is defined as a primary process characterized by the presence of air or gas in the mediastinum. We report all the cases of spontaneous pneumomediastinum diagnosed in our hospital between January 1996 and December 2004. We developed a protocol for data collection that included the following: medical history, triggers, signs, radiology, treatment, hospital stay, and complications. During this period we diagnosed 36 cases--25 men (69.4%) and 11 women (27.5%)--with a mean age of 36.8 years (range, 11-90 years) and a mean hospital stay of 8.56 days (range, 1-53 days). The most common clinical presentation was chest pain, either isolated (27%) or with associated dyspnea (19.4%). A triggering factor was identified for 14 patients (38.8%). There was no associated morbidity or mortality. In view of our findings, we concluded that spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon entity with considerable clinical variability and that correct diagnosis requires a high level of suspicion. Radiography provides the best evidence for diagnosis.

[Mallory-Weiss syndrome as etiologic factor of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. A review of 142 cases]. / El síndrome de Mallory-Weiss como factor etiológico en la hemorragia digestiva alta. Revisión de 142 casos.

The diagnosis of Mallory-Weiss syndrome was made in 142 patients with upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage by early endoscopy. These patients represent 5.16% of all patients with haemorrhage treated in our unit over a period of ten years. Emergency surgery was needed in 13 due to persistent haemorrhage. In the remaining 129, conservative management sufficed to stop the bleeding. All patients receiving medical therapy survived while one of the surgically treated patients died of pulmonary thromboembolism in the early postoperative period.

[Omental torsion: imaging techniques can prevent unnecessary surgical interventions]. / Torsión de epiplón: las técnicas de imagen pueden evitar intervenciones innecesarias.

INTRODUCTION: Segmentary infarction of the greater omentum produces a clinical profile of acute abdomen. To date, the cause has been discovered during surgery. Greater use of ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) in the emergency department could lead to preoperative diagnosis. The aim of this study was to describe the advisability of avoiding surgery in selected patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A series of nine adult patients (six men and three women), aged between 18 and 50 years, with a final diagnosis of primary omental torsion were reviewed. The first three patients underwent surgery: two underwent laparotomy for suspected acute appendicitis and the third underwent laparoscopy with a diagnosis of non-specific acute abdomen. The six remaining patients, who received a diagnosis of primary omental torsion or infarction based on ultrasonography and CT, underwent conservative treatment. The patients who did not undergo surgery were subsequently evaluated with imaging techniques to confirm resolution. RESULTS: In the first three patients, symptoms were resolved by resection of the affected omental section. In the six remaining patients, a 3-6 cm mass of soft tissue in the paraumbilical region, between the rectal sheath and the transverse colon, was found. The lesions were hyperechoic or of mixed attenuation. These findings, together with the absence of other radiological and clinical signs, led to the preoperative diagnosis. Treatment was conservative and a fast recovery, observed both clinically and radiologically, was made. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery should be avoided in selected cases of acute abdomen diagnosed as primary omental torsion.

Habilidades no técnicas en cirugía: una asignatura pendiente / Non-technical skills in surgery: A pending subject

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Enfermedad de Mondor de la mama: una entidad clínica poco frecuente / Mondor disease of the breast: an uncommon clinical entity

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Neumomediastino espontáneo: estudio descriptivo de nuestra experiencia basada en 36 casos / Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: descriptive study of our experience with 36 cases

El neumomediastino espontáneo se define como la presencia de aire o gas en el mediastino de forma primaria. Presentamos todos los casos de neumomediastino espontáneo hallados en nuestro hospital entre enero de 1996 y diciembre de 2004. Para ello, elaboramos un protocolo de recogida de datos que incluyó: antecedentes personales, desencadenantes, semiología, radiología, tratamiento, estancia y complicaciones. En este período diagnosticamos 36 casos --25 varones (69,4%) y 11 mujeres (27,5%)--, con una edad media de 36,8 años (rango: 11-90) y estancia media de 8,56 días (rango: 1-53). El cuadro clínico más habitual fue el dolor torácico, aislado (27%) o asociado a disnea (19,4%). En 14 pacientes (38,8%) hubo factor desencadenante. No hubo morbimortalidad asociada al proceso. Por todo ello, se concluye que el neumomediastino espontáneo es una entidad infrecuente, con gran variabilidad clínica, cuyo diagnóstico correcto exige un alto índice de sospecha, y la radiografía de tórax es la prueba idónea para ello

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is defined as a primary process characterized by the presence of air or gas in the mediastinum. We report all the cases of spontaneous pneumomediastinum diagnosed in our hospital between January 1996 and December 2004. We developed a protocol for data collection that included the following: medical history, triggers, signs, radiology, treatment, hospital stay, and complications. During this period we diagnosed 36 cases--25 men (69.4%) and 11 women (27.5%)--with a mean age of 36.8 years (range, 11-90 years) and a mean hospital stay of 8.56 days (range, 1-53 days). The most common clinical presentation was chest pain, either isolated (27%) or with associated dyspnea (19.4%). A triggering factor was identified for 14 patients (38.8%). There was no associated morbidity or mortality. In view of our findings, we concluded that spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon entity with considerable clinical variability and that correct diagnosis requires a high level of suspicion. Radiography provides the best evidence for diagnosis