Donation After Cardiac Death in Liver Transplantation: An Additional Source of Organs With Similar Results to Donation After Brain Death.

BACKGROUND: As new sources of organs are needed, liver transplantation using donors after cardiac death (DCD) is progressively increasing, but outcomes with this method are still questioned. This study was accomplished to verify that DCD outcomes are comparable to those seen in donation after brain death (DBD). METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study including 100 liver transplantation performed between 2014 and 2017, divided according to donor type in 75 DBD and 25 DCD. RESULTS: DCD donors were younger (mean age: DCD 56 years, DBD 59 years; P = .009). Mean Modified End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was lower for DCD (DCD 16, DBD 19; P < .001). No differences were found regarding ischemia times and development of postreperfusion syndrome or coagulopathy. Primary graft dysfunction was more frequent in DCD (60%, DCD 29.3%; P = .006). Rates of primary graft nonfunction (DCD 0%, DBD 1.3%; P = .562) and acute rejection (DCD 20%, DBD 16.4%; P = .685) were similar. Acute kidney injury occurred more often in DBD (DCD 32%, DBD 12%; P = .051). Length of stay was comparable. Rates of biliary complications (DCD 20%, DBD 26.7%; P = .505) were similar, unlike ischemic cholangiopathy (DCD 12%, DBD 1.3%; P = .018). Retransplantation rates were also similar (DCD 8%, DBD 4%; P = .427) as was survival rate after 3 years (DCD 84%, DBD 86.7%; P = .739). CONCLUSION: DCD represents an additional graft source with results that are encouraging and may be comparable to DBD with a careful donor and recipient selection.

Comparison of 3 Explant-Based Prognostic Models as Predictors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence After Liver Transplantation: Analysis of Our Experience.

Tumor load is often underdiagnosed on radiological examination previous to liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocarcinoma (CHC). Thus, post-liver transplant explant analysis is required following transplantation to assess the risk of the recurrence of CHC. The objectives were to compare the characteristics of CHC on pre-LT radiological examination and explant histology and validate three models for the prediction of recurrence based on data from a cohort of patients treated in our hospital. METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken of 105 LTs for CHC performed in our unit between January 2006 and January 2015. The minimum follow-up was five years. The preoperative radiological tumor stage was compared to the explant-based histologic stage. Three prognostic models were validated using our cohort of patients. RESULTS: Following Milan's criteria, the tumor load was underdiagnosed on pre-LT radiological examination in 20 patients, which accounted for 19% of the total sample. The 5-year overall recurrence was 6.6% for scores <4 and 33.3% for scores ≥4 according to Decaens' model; 7% for scores ≤7 and 25% for scores >7 in the Up-to-Seven model; and 3.6% for PCRS ≤0, 27.8% for PCRS1-2, and 100% for PCRS≥3 according to Chan's model. The predictive model for 5-year recurrence after LT with the greatest area under the curve was Chan's model (0.813 [95% CI: 0.650-0.977]) versus Decaens' model (0.674 [95% CI: 0.483-0.866]) and the Up-to-Seven model (0.481 [95% CI: 0.296-0.667]). CONCLUSIONS: A pre-LT radiological examination leads to the underdiagnosis of tumor load, and the risk for recurrence must be recalculated following LT. In light of the results obtained, Chan's model is more accurate in predicting 5-year recurrence of CHC post-LT based on 3 levels of risk. New prognostic models are needed to optimize the prediction of recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocarcinoma.

Combined Flush With Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate and University of Wisconsin Solutions in Liver Transplantation: Preliminary Results.

INTRODUCTION: Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is the main cause of early allograft dysfunction (EAD) and subsequent primary allograft failure (PAF). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to compare IRI, EAD, and PAF in liver transplantation in a cohort of patients perfused with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution and University of Wisconsin (UW) solution versus HTK alone. METHODS: A randomized trial was performed to compare outcomes in liver recipients who underwent transplantation surgery in the University Regional Hospital of Malaga, Spain. Forty patients were randomized to two groups. Primary endpoints included IRI, EAD, PAF, re-intervention, acute cellular rejection, retransplantation, arterial complications, and biliary complications at postoperative day 90. RESULTS: Postoperative glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (1869.15 ± 1559.75 UI/L vs. 953.15 ± 777.27 UI/L; P = .004) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (1333.60 ± 1115.49 U/L vs. 721.70 ± 725.02 U/L; P = .023) were significantly higher in patients perfused with HTK alone. A clear tendency was observed in recipients perfused with HTK alone to present moderate to severe IRI (7 patients in the HTK + UW solution group vs. 15 patients in the HTK-alone solution group; P = .06), EAD (0 patients in the HTK + UW solution group vs. 0 patients in the HTK-alone solution group; P = .76), and PAF (3 patients in the HTK + UW solution group vs. 8 patients in the HTK-alone solution group; P = .15). CONCLUSIONS: Initial perfusion with HTK solution followed by UW solution in liver transplantation improves early liver function as compared to perfusion with HTK alone.

Management of postoperative pain in Spain: a nationwide survey of practice.

BACKGROUND: Although the need for structured assessment and management of acute postoperative pain has been recognized, practices and responsibilities vary between and within hospitals and countries. We sought to determine current pain management practices in Spanish hospitals with and without acute pain services (APSs) or acute pain management programmes (APMPs) and compare them to practices reported for 1997-1998. METHODS: Members of the Spanish Pain Society and APS/APMP heads were asked to respond to a survey. Responses were stratified by hospital size (< 200 or ≥ 200 beds) and APS/APMP presence or not. Categorical variables were described by percentages and the 95% confidence interval and continuous ones by the median and interquartile range. RESULTS: Responses were received from 42.4% of hospitals with ≥ 200 beds (vs. 9.6% of the smaller ones). We fully analysed only data for the larger hospitals, 57.7% of which had an APS or APMP. Full-time pain physicians were on staff in 28.6% of large hospitals; 25% had full-time nurses. Patients received written information about postoperative pain in 34.8% of APS/APMP hospitals, and 72% of them recorded pain assessments routinely. Protocols reflected interdepartmental consensus in 80.8%; training in postoperative pain was organised in 54%. Respondents thought pain was well or very well managed in 46.4%. In APS/APMP hospitals the following results had improved: provision of written information for patients (58.5% vs. 0%), the recording of pain assessments (93% vs. 43.8%), consensus on a pain scale (92.5% vs. 41.9%), use of protocols (99.7% vs. 55.2%), analysis of quality indicators (52.8% vs. 15.4%), training (73% vs. 26.9%), and respondents' satisfaction with pain management in their hospital (68.6% vs. 9.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of an APS or APMP is associated with better results on indicators of quality of acute postoperative pain management.

Up-to-7 Criteria for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Liver Transplantation: A Retrospective Analysis of Experiences.

INTRODUCTION: The expansion of criteria for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) liver transplantation should produce satisfactory outcomes in terms of survival and recurrence. OBJECTIVES: To investigate if the up-to-7 criteria are applicable to liver transplantation for HCC. METHODS: A review of all liver transplantations performed at our unit between January 2002 and December 2010 was conducted (645 patients). The 91 patients of the sample who had HCC were divided into 3 groups: in Milan criteria (MC; n = 74), in up-to-7 criteria (UTSC; n = 12), and outside of up-to-7 criteria (OUTSC; n = 5). A descriptive retrospective study was carried out to analyze the characteristics of liver tumors and recipients and to estimate recurrence and survival rates for this population of patients. RESULTS: The characteristics of transplant recipients of the 3 groups were comparable. Statistically significant differences were observed in the number of tumors (1 ± 0.65 for MC, 3 ± 1.05 for UTSC, 6 ± 4.10 for OUTSC; P < .001), largest tumor size (2.47 ± 1.12 cm for MC, 3.78 ± 0.04 cm for UTSC, 4.04 ± 1.73 cm for OUTSC; P < .001), and recurrence (5.4% for MC; 33.3% for UTSC; 20% for OUTSC; P = .008). Survival rates (MC, UTSC, and OUTSC) at 3 and 5 years were 71.6%, 66.7%, and 60%, and 58.1%, 58.3%, and 40%, respectively, whereas tumor-free survival rates were 70.3%, 58.3%, and 60%, and 58.1%, 50%, and 40%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Survival in patients with HCC transplanted under up-to-7 criteria is acceptable. However, the expansion of criteria involves an increase in the number of patients included in the waiting list and a higher probability of relapse.

Acute Liver Failure Caused by Primary Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the Liver.

INTRODUCTION: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare syndrome involving maximum liver dysfunction. This disease is characterized by a less than 26-week history of coagulopathy (INR ≥1.5) and hepatic encephalopathy and generally occurs in patients without any previously known disease. METHODS: We report the case of a healthy 25-year-old subject who presented with fulminant liver failure caused by a primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the liver that required emergency liver transplantation. Diagnosis was based on pathologic confirmation of T-cell/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphoma and submassive hepatocyte necrosis. One year after surgery, the patient remains in complete remission. CONCLUSIONS: Fulminant liver failure is a sudden-onset severe disease that can be caused by a primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the liver, which accounts for <1% of extranodal lymphomas. The diagnosis of this rare disease demands high diagnostic suspicion, and progression can be prevented through liver transplantation.

Impact of Liver Graft Transport on Postoperative Results and Short-Term Liver Survival.

BACKGROUND: The Andalusian community has a specific management model of liver transplantation with a common waiting list, forcing transportation of 45% of hepatic grafts. These trips within the community have been made exclusively via expressway since 2012, sometimes surpassing 400 km in distance. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of graft transportation on our community regarding postoperative results, primary dysfunction, and short-term graft survival. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational cohort study that included 110 patients recipients of liver transplants from 2009 to 2012. Group A (n = 53) were patients transplanted with grafts removed in Malaga, and group B (n = 57) were patients with transported grafts. RESULTS: In group B, significant increments in total and cold ischemia time (TIT and CIT) were found. We found a significant higher increase, mostly in 2012, in TIT and CIT in the greater transportation distance subgroup (>150 km). In postoperative variables analysis, differences were found in the bilirubin levels the 1st postoperative day, alkaline phosphatase levels the 1st and 3rd days, and factor V in the 1st day in favor of the nontransported grafts. In the multivariable analysis transport and distance travelled in km presented a relationship with the 1st day bilirubin levels and the primary dysfunction of the graft. CONCLUSIONS: Our results point to graft transportation having an influence on primary dysfunction and graft survival. This relationship can be multifaceted and influenced by currently unknown factors. This is a factor to consider regarding liver transplant management strategy decisions.

Results of Liver Transplantation With Donors Older than 75 Years: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: The inclusion of elderly donors can increase the pool of organs available for transplantation. The objective of this study was to compare clinical outcomes and survival rates of patients who received livers from donors aged ≥75 years versus younger donors. METHODS: We considered all liver transplantations performed in our unit from January 2006 to January 2015. Thirty-two patients received a liver from a cadaveric donor aged ≥75 years (study group), and their outcomes were compared with those of patients who received a liver from a younger donor (control group) immediately before and after each transplantation in the study group. This is a descriptive, retrospective, case-control study carried out to analyze the characteristics of donors and recipients as well as the clinical course and survival of recipients of older and younger donors. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed according to donors' age (53.3 ± 13.6 vs 79 ± 3.4 years; P < .001). In total, 6.2% of the recipients of a liver from a donor aged <75 years required retransplantation versus 15.6% of recipients of donors ≥75 years. Patient survivals at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively, were 89%, 78.6%, and 74.5% for recipients of donors <75 years versus 83.4%, 79.4%, and 59.6% for the study group. CONCLUSIONS: Livers from older donors can be safely used for transplantation with acceptable survival rates. However, survival rates are lower for recipients of livers from older donors compared with younger donors, and survival only increased with retransplantation.

Everolimus plus mycophenolate mofetil as initial immunosuppression in liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a de novo immunosuppressive regimen with everolimus (EVL) plus mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) without calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) for liver transplantation. The secondary purpose was to compare the renal function with a control group of patients treated with tacrolimus plus MMF. METHODS: Sixteen male and 4 female liver transplant patients received immunosuppression with EVL plus MMF without CNI, with induction with steroids and 16 with basiliximab also. In 10 cases it was indicated as induction immunosuppression without CNI as prevention against nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity or recurrence of hepatocarcinoma in predisposed patients and in another 10 after withdrawing CNI during the immediate post-transplant period, before hospital discharge, as the result of toxicity, mainly nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity or the presence of hepatocarcinoma with a high risk of recurrence. A control group comprising 31 patients taking tacrolimus plus MMF was included to compare the renal function. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 24 months. One patient had a recurrence of hepatocarcinoma at 8 months after transplant. The cases of nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity resolved favorably. There were 7 rejections (35%); 2 evolved to chronic rejection with both needing retransplantation, 2 resolved with dose adjustment, and 3 required conversion to CNI. The side effects were hyperlipidemia (25%), wound dehiscence (10%), lymphedema (10%), cytomegalovirus infection (25%), myelotoxicity (25%) and proteinuria >1 g in 1 case (5%). No differences were found in renal function between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This regimen was proven to be efficient to prevent and treat nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity with an acceptable tolerability profile. However, the high associated rejection rate indicates that great caution is required in its use during the immediate post-transplant period. It is advisable to associate the regimen with low doses of CNI and to have agile methods available to monitor EVL to enable rapid dose adjustment.

[Beta-blockers in septic shock: a review]. / Bloqueadores beta en shock séptico: una revisión.

In septic shock, high adrenergic stress is associated with cardiovascular and systemic adverse effects, which can negatively affect the results. Beta-adrenergic receptor block has been shown to be effective in controlling the disproportionate increase in heart rate, maintaining a favorable hemodynamic profile and apparently improving the efficiency of the cardiovascular system in order to maintain tissue perfusion. They have also been shown to modulate favorably catecholamine-induced immunosuppression and to decrease insulin resistance, protein catabolism, and proinflammatory cytokine expression associated with cardiovascular dysfunction. Selective beta-1 blockers appear to provide better results than non-selective blockers, even suggesting a positive impact on mortality. Future clinical trials are still needed to confirm these findings and define the scope of their benefits.

Sueño y depresión en una muestra de pacientes con dolor crónico / Sleep and depressive disorder in patients with chronic pain

Introducción: los trastornos del sueño y los trastornos afectivos (trastorno depresivo mayor y trastorno de ansiedad generalizada) son dos de las condiciones comórbidas más frecuentes en los pacientes con dolor crónico. Objetivo: el objetivo principal de este estudio es evaluar la calidad del sueño y la prevalencia del trastorno depresivo mayor y trastorno de ansiedad generalizada en pacientes con dolor crónico osteomuscular. Como objetivos secundarios se señalan: comparar la calidad del sueño y la evaluación del dolor en distintas variables y conocer los predictores de la calidad del sueño. Material y métodos: se diseñó un estudio descriptivo transversal realizado en la Unidad del Dolor del Servicio de Anestesiología y Reanimación del Hospital Son Llàtzer (Palma de Mallorca). Un total de 39 pacientes participaron en el estudio, todos ellos mayores de edad y con diagnóstico de dolor crónico tipo osteomuscular. La inclusión se realizó durante los meses de marzo, abril y mayo de 2013. Se excluyeron aquellos pacientes menores de 18 años, rechazaban participar en el estudio y/o presentaban un trastorno psiquiátrico grave (demencia psicosis, abuso de alcohol/drogas). Se utilizó un cuestionario de elaboración propia para recoger variables sociodemográficas, de estilo de vida y clínicas, una escala visual analógica para evaluar la intensidad del dolor, la entrevista Neuropsiquiátrica Internacional para determinar diagnóstico de trastorno depresivo mayor y trastorno de ansiedad generalizada, el Cuestionario de Pittsburgh para evaluar la calidad del sueño y la Escala de Depresión Montgomery-Asberg para evaluar la gravedad de la sintomatología depresiva. Resultados: la muestra refirió una mala calidad del sueño. El 69,2 % de la muestra presentaba un trastorno depresivo mayor y/o un 65,5 % un trastorno de ansiedad generalizada. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la calidad del sueño entre los grupos tratados con opioides potentes y tratados con opioides menores/antiinflamatorios. Existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas en determinados ítems del Cuestionario de Pittsburgh: calidad subjetiva del sueño, eficiencia habitual, perturbaciones del sueño, disfunción durante el día y en la puntuación total del cuestionario, así como en la evaluación del dolor en el que los pacientes con depresión presentaban puntuaciones más elevadas respecto a los que no tenían depresión. Los predictores significantes de la calidad del sueño fueron la edad y la gravedad de la depresión. Conclusiones: estos resultados van en la línea de aquellas investigaciones que muestran que los pacientes con dolor crónico presentan pobre calidad de sueño, depresión y ansiedad. Se necesitan futuras investigaciones para evaluar estas variables, conocer la importancia de los factores implicados en esta condición médica y mejorar el manejo clínico y la calidad de vida de estos pacientes (AU)

Introduction: Sleep disturbances and affective disorders major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder) are two comorbidities very frequents in patients with chronic pain. Objective: The main objective is to evaluate sleep quality and the prevalence of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in patients with musculoskeletal chronic pain. As secondary objectives: To compare sleep quality and pain severity with different variables and to know the sleep quality predictors. Material and methods: Transversal descriptive study was made in the Pain Unit from Son Llàtzer Hospital (Palma de Mallorca, Spain). A total of 39 patients were included, all of them older than 18 years old and with musculoskeletal chronic pain. Inclusion was during March, April and May 2013. Excluded were patients younger than 18 years old, those who refuse to participate in the study or/and those who diagnosed with severe psychiatric disorder (dementia, psychosis, alcohol/drug abuse). Pain severity was assessed by a visual analogue scale, major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder was assessed by the International Neuropsychiatric Interview, sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh Questionnaire and depressive symptomatology was assessed by the Montgomery-Asberg Questionnaire. Results: Chronic pain patients related poor sleep quality. 69.2 % of patients had major depressive disorder and/or 65.5% had a generalized anxiety disorder. There are not statistical differences in quality of sleep between pharmacological groups (potens opioids vs. minor/antiinflamatories). There are statistical differences in some Pittsburgh Questionnaire items: subjective sleep quality, regular efficiency, dreams perturbances, daily dysfunction and total score, as well as, in pain severity: patients with depression had higher scores than patients without depression. The significant predictors of sleep quality were age and depression severity. Conclusions: These results are in accordance with other studies that show that chronic pain patients suffer poor sleep quality, depression and anxiety. Future researchers are necessary to evaluate these variables, to know the importance of these factors that play a role in this medical condition and to improve clinical management and quality of life of these patients (AU)

Anestesia regional intravenosa con anestésicos locales de larga duración. Actualización / Intravenous regional anesthesia with long-acting local anesthetics. An update

La anestesia regional intravenosa es una técnica ampliamente utilizada en intervenciones quirúrgicas de poca duración, especialmente en las extremidades superiores, y menos frecuentemente en las inferiores. Su primera aparición data de principios del siglo xx, cuando Bier inyectó procaína como anestésico local. La ejecución de esta técnica como anestesia quirúrgica no ha cambiado mucho desde entonces, si bien diversos fármacos, particularmente anestésicos locales de larga duración como ropivacaína y levobupivacaína en bajas concentraciones, han sido introducidos en la práctica clínica. Además, fármacos como opioides, bloqueantes neuromusculares, paracetamol, neostigmina, magnesio, ketamina, keterolaco y clonidina han sido investigados como complementarios a los anestésicos locales, y parecen aportar beneficios en cuanto al inicio de la anestesia y una más larga duración de la analgesia perioperatoria. Este artículo de revisión intenta dar una visión global de los conocimientos actuales en anestésicos locales de larga duración para anestesia regional intravenosa (AU)

Intravenous regional anesthesia is a widely used technique for brief surgical interventions, primarily on the upper limbs and less frequently, on the lower limbs. It began being used at the beginning of the 20th century, when Bier injected procaine as a local anesthetic. The technique to accomplish anesthesia has not changed much since then, although different drugs, particularly long-acting local anesthetics, such as ropivacaine and levobupivacaine in low concentrations, were introduced. Additionally, drugs like opioids, muscle relaxants, paracetamol, neostigmine, magnesium, ketamine, clonidine, and ketorolac, have all been investigated as adjuncts to intravenous regional anesthesia, and were found to be fairly useful in terms of an increased onset of operative anesthesia and longer lasting perioperative analgesia. The present article provides an overview of current knowledge with emphasis on long-acting local anesthetic drugs (AU)

[Intravenous regional anesthesia with long-acting local anesthetics. An update]. / Anestesia regional intravenosa con anestésicos locales de larga duración. Actualización.

Intravenous regional anesthesia is a widely used technique for brief surgical interventions, primarily on the upper limbs and less frequently, on the lower limbs. It began being used at the beginning of the 20th century, when Bier injected procaine as a local anesthetic. The technique to accomplish anesthesia has not changed much since then, although different drugs, particularly long-acting local anesthetics, such as ropivacaine and levobupivacaine in low concentrations, were introduced. Additionally, drugs like opioids, muscle relaxants, paracetamol, neostigmine, magnesium, ketamine, clonidine, and ketorolac, have all been investigated as adjuncts to intravenous regional anesthesia, and were found to be fairly useful in terms of an increased onset of operative anesthesia and longer lasting perioperative analgesia. The present article provides an overview of current knowledge with emphasis on long-acting local anesthetic drugs.

[The boyfriend catcher. A useful, easy and safe technique to harvest the semitendinous and gracilis autograft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction]. / El atrapanovias. Una técnica útil, fácil y segura en la toma de autoinjerto de recto interno y semitendinoso en reconstrucción de ligamento cruzado anterior.

Harvesting the semitendinous-gracilis autograft has always been a challenge. Numerous techniques have been described, most of them using a needle. The boyfriend catcher technique or hitch is a quick, useful, safe and needle-free technique that does not harm the tendon and avoids punctures.

Liver transplantation without abdominal drainage.

This observational cohort compared 70 consecutive liver transplantations (OLT) with no intra-abdominal drain and 70 control subjects C with an intra-abdominal drain who were operated immediately prior to them. We sought to assess the impact of abdominal drainage on the diagnosis and prevention of early postoperative complications of hemoperitoneum, reinterventions, biliary leaks or percutaneous drainage. We assessed variables related to the recipient (age, indication, pretransplant ascites, body mass index, Model for End-stage Liver Disease score, and rejection episodes, to the donor (age, steatosis and, ischemia time) as well as intra- and postoperative factors (surgery time, blood product use, and coagulopathy). The endpoint was defined as the need for a reintervention, postoperative paracentesis, appearance/drainage of collections, as well as lengths of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stays. Postoperative ICU and in-hospital stay were similar between the groups (3.6 versus 3.7 days and 12 versus 14 days respectively). Six patients in the drainage group were reoperated due to hemoperitoneum, whereas it was one in the cohort without drainage. Three patients presented a biliary fistula, two in the group without drainage, and one in the drainage group. One patient in the drainage group required percutaneous drainage of an intra-abdominal collection. The need for postoperative paracentesis was greater among the group without drainage (30% versus 6%; P < .008) and among those with a preoperative ascites > 1000 mL (38%). Patients with drainage displayed a greater incidence of perihepatic hematomas upon ultrasound (50% versus 22%, P < .008) and required more postoperative blood products, especially plasma (P < .01). In conclusion, OLT without intra- abdominal drainage is safe and does not increase morbidity. It seems likely that drainage may be responsible for intra-abdominal hematomas and greater consumption of blood products.

A national survey on current practice of preanaesthetic assessment in elective surgery patients in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the preanaesthetic assessment prior to elective surgery in hospitals of the Spanish National Health Care System. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional descriptive observational survey was performed. Primary variables were patient characteristics, type of preanaesthetic evaluation and the evaluator, as well as type of support the evaluator received during patient assessment. Secondary variables included the number of operating rooms available for elective surgery, as well as preanaesthesia clinic facilities. Data were analysed by univariate and bivariate descriptive analysis. RESULTS: A total of 214 hospitals of the Spanish Health Care System were invited to participate, and 203 centres responded, with all of them having a preanaesthesia assessment clinic. In 183 of them (90%), elective surgerypatients were interviewed prior to their surgical intervention, and in 202 hospitals (99.5%) a anaesthesiologist physician performed the interview. In 128 hospitals (63%), anaesthesiologists were helped during preoperative assessment by nurses alone (49%) or together with auxillary nurses (14%). In 68 of hospitals (33%) they were supported only by auxillary nurses and in 7 hospitals (3%) they obtained no help at all. In 14 centres (7%) anaesthesia nurses assessed patients directly (under supervision of an anaesthesiologist physician). Hospitals with a higher volume of patients performed more preanaesthesia interviews. Hospitals with more running operating rooms received more nurse support in the preanaesthesia assessment clinic. CONCLUSIONS: Some kind of preanaesthesia assessment clinic exists in all Anaesthesia Departments of public Spanish hospitals, although there are differences in design and organisation.

Tratamiento farmacológico del dolor abdominal visceral crónico. Evaluación crítica de la evidencia disponible / No disponible

El dolor visceral crónico es una de las causas más comunes de morbilidad en la población general. La visión convencional de que el dolor visceral es una variante del dolor somático está basada en la visión simplista de que un solo mecanismo neurobiológico es el responsable de todos los tipos de dolor. Los mecanismos neurológicos del dolor visceral difieren de aquellos que implican al dolor somático, y por lo tanto los hallazgos en los estudios sobre dolor somático no se pueden extrapolar necesariamente al dolor visceral. A esto se añade el papel que juegan las estructuras no neurológicas en la transducción del dolor visceral, como puede ser el urotelio. Este tipo de dolor es abordado en la clínica por múltiples especialistas con diversos enfoques terapéuticos y en no pocas ocasiones se sigue tratando como sólo un síntoma y no como una entidad nosológica distinta. A pesar de la frecuencia de esta entidad en la práctica clínica, no hay demasiados estudios centrados en el aspecto farmacológico del manejo del dolor visceral. En esta revisión se han analizado aquellos estudios que evalúan fármacos con un potencial efecto sobre la sensibilidad visceral, aquellos con propiedades analgésicas viscerales basados en estudios experimentales básicos, aquellos que ofrezcan datos acerca de la sensibilidad visceral en voluntarios sanos o aquellos que concluyan datos sobre la eficacia clínica (AU)

Chronic visceral pain is one of the most common causes of morbidity in the general population. Conventional vision that visceral pain is a variant of somatic pain is based on the simplistic view that a single neurobiological mechanism is the responsible for all types of pain. Neurological mechanisms of pain visceral differ from those involving somatic pain, and therefore findings in studies on somatic pain cannot be extrapolated necessarily to visceral pain. Added to this is the role of structures no neurological in the transduction of visceral, such the urogenital system. This type of pain is addressed in the clinic by multiple specialists with various therapeutic approaches. Sometimes continues trying as a symptom and not a distinct disease entity. Although the frequency of this entity in clinical practice, there is no too many studies focusing on the pharmacological aspects of pain management visceral. In this review has been analyzed those Studies evaluating drugs with a potential effect on visceral sensation; those with based on basic experimental Studies, visceral pain relieving properties those providing data about visceral sensation in healthy volunteers or those concluded clinical efficacy data (AU)

Kinematic fundamentals of a biomechatronic laparoscopy system.

BACKGROUND: Optical assistance in laparoscopic surgery is essential for an optimal procedure. Unlike conventional surgery, it requires new systems to reduce spatial location time, navigation and cleanliness without compromising surgical quality. This article shows the kinematic analysis of a new bio-mechatronic design to assist laparoscopic visual perspective in real time, either during training or in surgery. METHODS: The bio-mechatronic system is analyzed in order to get the kinematic model of the system. RESULTS: The set of kinematic equations for the bio-mechatronic system are presented here. The system has been tested functionally in several surgical procedures successfully. CONCLUSION: The analysis shows the workspace under postural conditions of navigation in real time, where it is possible to get visually self assistance during training or specific surgeries. The new bio-mechatronic system has been tested in training with inanimate and biological models, in veterinary surgery and pediatrics, with the appropriate consent and respecting the Treaty of Helsinki.

Tratamiento farmacológico en el dolor pélvico urogenital crónico: revisión de la evidencia disponible / No disponible

La falta de consenso en las definiciones y de conocimiento de la fisiopatología del dolor crónico del aparato genitourinario son algunos de los factores que explican la multitud de fármacos ensayados para su tratamiento y la carencia de terapias definitivas. Existen muchas patologías orgánicas y funcionales de la vejiga urinaria, el tracto reproductor y la musculatura del suelo pélvico capaces de generar dolor. En esta revisión nos centraremos en los desórdenes funcionales en los que el dolor no puede ser explicado por una patología estructural demostrable. Las estrategias terapéuticas actuales van desde la acupuntura y la terapia física pasando por la terapia psicológica, los fármacos sistémicos y locales, los bloqueos nerviosos y la neuromodulación de raíces sacras. Centrándonos en la terapia farmacológica es llamativa la multitud de fármacos ensayados en el tratamiento de estas entidades. Muchos estudios clínicos fracasan en su intento de demostrar la eficacia de los tratamientos actualmente en uso quizás porque muchas terapias son efectivas en subgrupos de pacientes. El esfuerzo debería centrarse pues en identificar a esos subgrupos de pacientes respondedores a determinadas terapias y orientar el tratamiento en este sentido. Por otro lado, teniendo en cuenta que en el dolor pélvico y urogenital crónico pueden coexistir diferentes mecanismos patogénicos del dolor, va a ser necesaria la combinación de agentes farmacológicos con diferentes dianas terapéuticas y la asociación de diferentes modalidades terapéuticas para obtener un resultado óptimo (AU)

Lack of consensus in definitions and scarce knowledge about urogenital system chronic pain physiopathology are some factors that explain the use of dozens of drugs, tested for its treatment and the lack of definitive therapy. There are many urinary bladder, reproductive tract and pelvic floor organic and functional pathologies that may be origin of pain. In this review we will focus on functional disorders where pain cannot be explained by a structural pathology or any other well-known factor. Current therapeutic options cover a wide range from acupuncture and physical therapy, psychological therapy, systemically or locally administered drugs, nervous blockades and sacral roots neuromodulation. Going on pharmacological therapy it is worth highlighting the multitude of drugs that had been tested for the treatment of these entities. Many clinical studies fail in its attempt of demonstrating benefit of different treatments currently used, maybe because many therapies are effective only in patients' subgroups. Effort should be focused on identifying these subgroups to help guiding its treatments. On the other hand, bearing in mind that in the urogenital and pelvic chronic pain different pathogenic mechanisms can exist together, a multidisciplinary approach is mandatory in order to implement a diversity of therapeutic modalities to obtain an optimal outcome (AU)