Textbook outcome in patients with biliary duct injury during cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic bile duct injury (BDI) during cholecystectomy is associated with a complex and heterogeneous management owing to the burden of morbidity until their definitive treatment. This study aimed to define the textbook outcomes (TOs) after BDI with the purpose to indicate the ideal treatment and to improve it management. METHODS: We collected data from patients with an BDI between 1990 and 2022 from 27 hospitals. TO was defined as a successful conservative treatment of the iatrogenic BDI or only minor complications after BDI or patients in whom the first repair resolves the iatrogenic BDI without complications or with minor complications. RESULTS: We included 808 patients and a total of 394 patients (46.9%) achieved TO. Overall complications in TO and non-TO groups were 11.9% and 86%, respectively (P < .001). Major complications and mortality in the non-TO group were 57.4% and 9.2%, respectively. The use of end-to-end bile duct anastomosis repair was higher in the non-TO group (23.1 vs 7.8, P < .001). Factors associated with achieving a TO were injury in a specialized center (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.01; 95% CI, 2.68-5.99; P < .001), transfer for a first repair (aOR, 5.72; 95% CI, 3.51-9.34; P < .001), conservative management (aOR, 5.00; 95% CI, 1.63-15.36; P = .005), or surgical management (aOR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.50-4.00; P < .001). CONCLUSION: TO largely depends on where the BDI is managed and the type of injury. It allows hepatobiliary centers to identify domains of improvement of perioperative management of patients with BDI.

Vascular injury during cholecystectomy: A multicenter critical analysis behind the drama.

BACKGROUND: The management of a vascular injury during cholecystectomy is still very complicated, especially in centers not specialized in complex hepatobiliary surgery. METHODS: This was a multi-institutional retrospective study in patients with vascular injuries during cholecystectomy from 18 centers in 4 countries. The aim of the study was to analyze the management of vascular injuries focusing on referral, time to perform the repair, and different treatments options outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients were included. Twenty-nine patients underwent vascular repair (27.9%), 13 (12.5%) liver resection, and 1 liver transplant as a first treatment. Eighty-four (80.4%) vascular and biliary injuries occurred in nonspecialized centers and 45 (53.6%) were immediately transferred. Intraoperative diagnosed injuries were rare in referred patients (18% vs 84%, P = .001). The patients managed at the hospital where the injury occurred had a higher number of reoperations (64% vs 20%, P ˂ .001). The need for vascular reconstruction was associated with higher mortality (P = .04). Two of the 4 patients transplanted died. CONCLUSION: Vascular lesions during cholecystectomy are a potentially life-threatening complication. Management of referral to specialized centers to perform multiple complex multidisciplinary procedures should be mandatory. Late vascular repair has not shown to be associated with worse results.

Machine Learning-Based Analysis in the Management of Iatrogenic Bile Duct Injury During Cholecystectomy: a Nationwide Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic bile duct injury (IBDI) is a challenging surgical complication. IBDI management can be guided by artificial intelligence models. Our study identified the factors associated with successful initial repair of IBDI and predicted the success of definitive repair based on patient risk levels. METHODS: This is a retrospective multi-institution cohort of patients with IBDI after cholecystectomy conducted between 1990 and 2020. We implemented a decision tree analysis to determine the factors that contribute to successful initial repair and developed a risk-scoring model based on the Comprehensive Complication Index. RESULTS: We analyzed 748 patients across 22 hospitals. Our decision tree model was 82.8% accurate in predicting the success of the initial repair. Non-type E (p < 0.01), treatment in specialized centers (p < 0.01), and surgical repair (p < 0.001) were associated with better prognosis. The risk-scoring model was 82.3% (79.0-85.3%, 95% confidence interval [CI]) and 71.7% (63.8-78.7%, 95% CI) accurate in predicting success in the development and validation cohorts, respectively. Surgical repair, successful initial repair, and repair between 2 and 6 weeks were associated with better outcomes. DISCUSSION: Machine learning algorithms for IBDI are a novel tool may help to improve the decision-making process and guide management of these patients.

Malignant prediction in paragangliomas: analysis for clinical risk factors.

INTRODUCTION: Paragangliomas are infrequent neuroendocrine tumours whose only criterion for malignancy is presence of metastases; thus, all paragangliomas show malignant potential. Actually, different risk factors have been analyzed to predict metastases but they remain unclear. PURPOSE: To analyze clinical, histological, and genetic factors to predict the occurrence of metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A multicentre retrospective observational analysis was performed between January 1990 and July 2019. Patients diagnosed with paraganglioma were selected. Clinical, histological, and genetic features were analyzed for the prediction of malignancy. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients diagnosed with paraganglioma were included, of which nine (10.8%) had malignant paraganglioma. Tumour size was greater in malignant tumours than in benign (6 cm vs. 4 cm, respectively; p = 0.027). The most frequent location of malignancy was the thorax-abdomen-pelvis area observed in six cases (p = 0.024). No differences were observed in histological differentiation, age, symptoms, and catecholaminergic production. The most frequent genetic mutation was SDHD followed by SDHB but no differences were observed between benign and malignant tumours. In the univariate analysis for predictive factors for malignancy, location, tumour size, and histological differentiation showed statistical significance (p = 0.025, p = 0.014, and p = 0.046, respectively); however, they were not confirmed as predictive factors for malignancy in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: In this study, no risk factors for malignancy have been established; therefore, we recommend follow-up of all patients diagnosed with paraganglioma.

Neuroblastoma retroperitoneal en el adulto. Una entidad infrecuente / Retroperitoneal neuroblastoma in the adult. An uncommon entity

No disponible

Gastric perforation during removal of an intragastric balloon.

The intragastric balloon system is licensed for temporary use in moderately obese patients who have significant health risks related to their obesity and have failed to achieve and maintain significant weight loss with a supervised weight control program alone. Although intragastric balloons are advocated as safe devices, major complications have been described. We report a case of a gastric perforation during the removal of an intragastric balloon. This is the first case reported in the literature.

[Adrenal incidentalomas. A disease on the increase]. / Incidentalomas suprarrenales. Una enfermedad en auge.

INTRODUCTION: Adrenal incidentalomas are unsuspected, clinically silent adrenal lesions discovered incidentally by imaging tests performed a priori for problems unrelated to the adrenal glands. The aim of this study was to present a series of incidentalomas and review the diagnostic process and treatment techniques. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Of a series of 63 patients studied and/or treated for adrenal disease, there were 34 patients with adrenal incidentalomas. The mean age of the patients with incidentaloma was 50.6 years. There were 23 women (67.6%) and 11 men (32.3%). All patients underwent hormonal investigations to rule out hyperfunction. Imaging techniques consisted of ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the size and characteristics of the lesion. In patients with an indication for surgery, the lateral transabdominal approach was used in laparoscopic surgery and the anterior approach was used in open surgery. RESULTS: Of the 34 patients, 23 patients (67.6%) (18 women and 5 men) with a mean age of 50.9 years underwent surgery. The mean tumoral diameter was 10.18 cm. Incidentalomas were located in the right adrenal gland in 16 patients and in the left adrenal gland in 7 patients. Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 9 patients (39.1%) and open surgery was performed in the remaining 14 (60.8%). The mean length of hospital stay was 8.6 days in open surgery and 4 days in laparoscopic surgery. Complications consisted of pneumonia in 2 patients (8.6%). There was no intraoperative mortality in the series. Surgery was not performed in 11 patients (32.3%) (5 women and 6 men) with a mean age of 56.3 years. The mean size of the tumor in these patients, identified by CT, was 2.5 cm. These patients underwent subsequent monitoring with a mean follow-up of 32 months. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the high resolution of ultrasonography, CT and MRI, as well as the greater number of radiological investigations performed, identification of adrenal incidentalomas has increased. In our series these tumors represented 53.9% of adrenal disease.

Incidentalomas suprarrenales. Una enfermedad en auge / Adrenal incidentalomas. A disease on the increase

Introducción. Se considera incidentaloma suprarrenal la lesión adrenal no sospechada, clínicamente silente, descubierta casualmente por estudios de imagen realizados a priori, por problemas no relacionados con las glándulas suprarrenales. Nuestro objetivo es presentar nuestra serie de incidentalomas, revisando el proceso diagnóstico y las técnicas de tratamiento. Pacientes y método. Presentamos 34 casos catalogados como incidentalomas de una serie de 63 pacientes estudiados y/o tratados por enfermedad suprarrenal. La edad media de los pacientes con incidentaloma fue de 50,6 años, 23 de los cuales fueron mujeres (67,6%) y 11, varones (32,3%). A todos se les realizó un estudio hormonal para descartar hiperfunción. Como técnica de imagen se les realizó ecografía, tomografía computarizada (TC) y/o resonancia magnética (RM) para precisar el tamaño y las características de la lesión. En los casos en que se indicó cirugía, la técnica utilizada, en caso de cirugía laparoscópica, fue la vía transabdominal lateral y, en caso de cirugía abierta, la vía anterior. Resultados. De los 34 casos, hemos intervenido a 23 pacientes (67,6%) (18 mujeres y 5 varones) con una edad media de 50,9 años. El tamaño medio de los tumores es de 10,18 cm de diámetro. En la suprarrenal derecha se localizaron 16 casos y en la izquierda, 7. Se realizó cirugía laparoscópica en 9 casos (39,1%) y en los 14 casos restantes (60,8%) se practicó cirugía abierta. La estancia media en caso de cirugía abierta fue de 8,6 días y en cirugía laparoscópica, de 4 días. Como complicaciones ha habido 2 casos de neumonía (8,6%). No hay mortalidad intraoperatoria en la serie. No se han intervenido 11 casos (32,3%) (5 mujeres y 6 varones), con una edad media de 56,3 años. El tamaño medio del tumor en estos pacientes, según la TC, es de 2,5 cm. Estos pacientes se han sometido a controles posteriores con un seguimiento medio de 32 meses. Conclusiones. La alta resolución de la ecografía, la TC y la RM, así como el mayor número de exploraciones radiológicas realizadas, ha incrementado el número de incidentalomas suprarrenales, como ocurre en nuestra serie, donde suponen el 53,9% de la patología suprarrenal (AU)

Introduction. Adrenal incidentalomas are unsuspected, clinically silent adrenal lesions discovered incidentally by imaging tests performed a priori for problems unrelated to the adrenal glands. The aim of this study was to present a series of incidentalomas and review the diagnostic process and treatment techniques. Patients and method. Of a series of 63 patients studied and/or treated for adrenal disease, there were 34 patients with adrenal incidentalomas. The mean age of the patients with incidentaloma was 50.6 years. There were 23 women (67.6%) and 11 men (32.3%). All patients underwent hormonal investigations to rule out hyperfunction. Imaging techniques consisted of ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the size and characteristics of the lesion. In patients with an indication for surgery, the lateral transabdominal approach was used in laparoscopic surgery and the anterior approach was used in open surgery. Results. Of the 34 patients, 23 patients (67.6%) (18 women and 5 men) with a mean age of 50.9 years underwent surgery. The mean tumoral diameter was 10.18 cm. Incidentalomas were located in the right adrenal gland in 16 patients and in the left adrenal gland in 7 patients. Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 9 patients (39.1%) and open surgery was performed in the remaining 14 (60.8%). The mean length of hospital stay was 8.6 days in open surgery and 4 days in laparoscopic surgery. Complications consisted of pneumonia in 2 patients (8.6%). There was no intraoperative mortality in the series. Surgery was not performed in 11 patients (32.3%) (5 women and 6 men) with a mean age of 56.3 years. The mean size of the tumor in these patients, identified by CT, was 2.5 cm. These patients underwent subsequent monitoring with a mean follow-up of 32 months. Conclusions. Due to the high resolution of ultrasonography, CT and MRI, as well as the greater number of radiological investigations performed, identification of adrenal incidentalomas has increased. In our series these tumors represented 53.9% of adrenal disease

Evaluación y mejora del protocolo de cuidados de vías venosas centrales en una unidad de cuidados intensivos / Evaluation and improvement of the management of central venous catheters in an intensive care unit

Objetivo: Mejorar el cumplimiento del protocolo existente en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) para el cuidado de las vías venosas centrales, así como el registro de las actividades relacionadas que se llevan a cabo. Material y método: Se establecieron 6 criterios de calidad, todos ellos relativos al registro de las actividades de enfermería en relación con los cuidados de las vías centrales en pacientes ingresados en la UCI. Se realizó una evaluación del cumplimiento de estos criterios antes y después de su inclusión en un registro informatizado. Resultados: En una primera evaluación, el número total de incumplimientos fue de 164 (44,5%). Tras implantar la intervención diseñada, dicho número fue de 81 (24,5%). El mayor porcentaje de incumplimientos correspondió a 2 criterios: el relativo al registro de la manipulación de las vías y el relativo al registro de posibles alergias. En todos los criterios evaluados se observó una mejoría estadísticamente significativa, excepto para el criterio relativo al registro del número de días de instauración de la vía (C3), que ya presentaba un cumplimiento del 100% antes de la intervención. Conclusiones: La actualización del protocolo en el manejo de vías venosas centrales y su informatización ha supuesto una mejora en el registro de las actividades relacionadas con este proceso. Todo ello implica una disminución de la variabilidad

Objective: To improve compliance with the protocol for the management of central venous catheters in our intensive care unit (ICU) as well as record-keeping of related activities. Material and method: Six quality criteria were established. These criteria concerned record-keeping by nurses of activities related to the management of central venous catheters in patients admitted to the ICU. Compliance with these criteria before and after the introduction of a computerized registry was evaluated. Results: In the first evaluation, 164 (44.5%) errors were found. In the second evaluation, this number was 81 (24.5%). The greatest percentage of errors corresponded to 2 criteria: the criterion relating to catheter manipulation and that relating to recording of possible allergies. A statistically significant improvement was achieved for all criteria except for that relating to catheter dwelling time (C3) with 100% compliance in the first evaluation. Conclusions: Updating and computerization of the protocol for the management of central catheters improved record-keeping of related activities, which implies that variability decreased

Clinical pathway for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax in a general surgery department.

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is a common abnormality for which there is a variety of treatments. This study presents the results of a year's evaluation of a clinical pathway (CP). A series of 34 patients treated during 1 year before CP development was analyzed to identify the weak points. To address these weak points, the CP includes associated protocols. In the CP, 31 patients were evaluated during 1 year; the results were compared with those of the pre-CP series. The mean length of stay of the pre-CP patients and the CP patients was 7.3 days and 5.0 days, respectively. The number of radiographs fell from 4.3 to 3.2. The rate of complications and readmissions is similar in both groups. The mean cost per process dropped from 1863 [UNKNOWN] to 1168 [UNKNOWN]. The CP for pneumothorax successfully manages to reduce both the variability in care patterns and hospital costs, justifying the work involved in its development and implementation.

Vía clínica para el tratamiento del neumotórax espontáneo primario en un servicio de cirugía general / Clinical pathway for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax in a general surgery department

Introducción. El neumotórax espontáneo primario (NEP) es una enfermedad frecuente que se trata de forma variable en los diferentes sistemas sanitarios e incluso entre los médicos dentro de un mismo servicio. En nuestro servicio de cirugía general se atiende a entre 30 y 40 pacientes al año con NEP y hay una significativa variabilidad en su asistencia, lo que motivó la iniciativa de elaborar una vía clínica (VC) basada en el análisis del proceso, la búsqueda de estudios con la mayor evidencia científica y el consenso de los profesionales. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar los resultados tras 1 año de evaluación de la VC. Pacientes y método. Se analizó una serie previa de 34 enfermos tratados durante el año previo a la elaboración de la vía para identificar los puntos débiles y las áreas de mejora. Para dar respuesta y solución a los puntos débiles identificados, la VC incluye protocolos asociados y documentos principales de la VC. Durante un año se ha atendido a 31 pacientes incluidos en la VC, cuyos resultados se han comparado con los de la serie previa. Resultados. La estancia media de los pacientes antes de la implantación de la vía ha sido de 7,3 días y los pacientes incluidos en la vía tuvieron una estancia de 5,0 días. El número de radiografías ha disminuido también de 4,3 a 3,2. La tasa de complicaciones y reingresos es similar en ambos grupos. El coste medio por proceso ha disminuido de 1.863 a 1.168 €. Conclusión. La VC del neumotórax puede disminuir la variabilidad de las actuaciones profesionales y los costes hospitalarios, lo que justifica el esfuerzo de su elaboración e implantación (AU)

Introduction. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a common entity. Treatment varies widely across different health systems and even among doctors in the same department. In our general surgery department 30 to 40 patients with PSP are treated each year and there is significant variability in care delivery. This prompted the development of a clinical pathway (CP) based on analysis of the process, a search for studies with the greatest scientific evidence and professional consensus. The aim of this study was to present the results after 1 year's evaluation of the CP. Patients and method. A series of 34 patients treated in the year prior to the design of the pathway was analyzed to identify weak points and areas for improvement. To address these weak points the CP included associated protocols and principal documents. Thirty-one patients included in the CP were treated over 1 year and the results were compared with those of the pre-pathway series. Results. The mean length of stay in the pre-pathway patients was 7.3 days compared with 5.0 days in the pathway patients. The number of radiographs also fell from 4.3 to 3.2. The rate of complications and re-admissions was similar in both groups. The mean cost per process decreased from 1863 € to 1168 €. Conclusion. The CP for pneumothorax reduced both variability in professional care patterns and hospital costs, justifying the work involved in its development and implementation (AU)

Evaluation of the clinical pathway for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Clinical pathways are comprehensive systematized patient care plans for specific procedures. The clinical pathway for laparoscopic cholecystectomy was implemented in our department in March 2002. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical pathway for this procedure 1 year after implementation. A study was conducted on all the patients included in the clinical pathway since its implementation. The assessment criteria include degree of compliance, indicators of clinical care effectiveness, financial impact, and survey-based indicators of satisfaction. The results are compared to a series of patients undergoing surgery the year prior to implementation of the clinical pathway. As our hospital has a system of cost management, we analyzed the mean cost per procedure before and after clinical pathway implementation. Evaluation was made of a series of 160 consecutive patients who underwent surgery during the period 1 year prior to development of the clinical pathway and met the accepted inclusion criteria. The mean length of hospital stay was 3.27 days, and the mean cost per procedure before pathway implementation was 2149 (+/-768) euros. One year after implementation of the pathway, 140 patients were included (i.e., an inclusion rate of 100%). The mean length of hospital stay of the patients included in the clinical pathway was 2.2 days. The degree of compliance with stays was 66.7 per cent. The most frequent reasons for noncompliance were staff-dependent, followed by patient-dependent causes (oral intolerance, pain, etc.). The mean cost in the series of patients included in the clinical pathway was 1845 (+/-618) euros. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an ideal procedure for commencing the systemization of clinical pathways. Results show that it has significantly reduced the length of hospital stay and mean cost per procedure with no increased morbidity and with a high degree of patient satisfaction.

[Clinical pathway for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax in a general surgery department]. / Vía clínica para el tratamiento del neumotórax espontáneo primario en un servicio de cirugía general.

INTRODUCTION: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a common entity. Treatment varies widely across different health systems and even among doctors in the same department. In our general surgery department 30 to 40 patients with PSP are treated each year and there is significant variability in care delivery. This prompted the development of a clinical pathway (CP) based on analysis of the process, a search for studies with the greatest scientific evidence and professional consensus. The aim of this study was to present the results after 1 year's evaluation of the CP. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A series of 34 patients treated in the year prior to the design of the pathway was analyzed to identify weak points and areas for improvement. To address these weak points the CP included associated protocols and principal documents. Thirty-one patients included in the CP were treated over 1 year and the results were compared with those of the pre-pathway series. RESULTS: The mean length of stay in the pre-pathway patients was 7.3 days compared with 5.0 days in the pathway patients. The number of radiographs also fell from 4.3 to 3.2. The rate of complications and re-admissions was similar in both groups. The mean cost per process decreased from 1863 Euro to 1168 Euro. CONCLUSION: The CP for pneumothorax reduced both variability in professional care patterns and hospital costs, justifying the work involved in its development and implementation.

Análisis de la fiabilidad de los informes de alta en un servicio de cirugía general / Analysis of the reliability of discharge reports in a general surgery department

Objetivo: El objetivo de nuestro estudio es evaluar la fiabilidad de los informes de alta hospitalaria en relación con el registro de la comorbilidad y las complicaciones en nuestro servicio de cirugía general. Pacientes y método: Estudio retrospectivo de 50 historias clínicas, seleccionadas según el método de muestreo aleatorio sistemático entre todas las altas generadas en nuestro servicio de cirugía general y digestiva, durante el período de octubre de 2002 a octubre de 2003. Se analizó la fiabilidad del informe de alta respecto al registro de la comorbilidad, incluidas las variables hipertensión, diabetes, cardiopatía, hiperlipemia, enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, obesidad y alergias. La fiabilidad respecto al registro de complicaciones se evaluó mediante la selección de un grupo de patología (procedimientos quirúrgicos practicados sobre el colon y el recto) y valorando la correlación entre la historia clínica y el informe de alta. Los datos se presentan en porcentajes con un intervalo de confianza del 95 por ciento. Resultados: Respecto a la correlación para el registro de la comorbilidad, presentamos cifras superiores al 93 por ciento en todas las variables consideradas. Respecto al registro de las complicaciones, obtenemos una correlación entre la historia clínica y el informe de alta superior al 85 por ciento. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados pueden considerarse adecuados, aunque en cuanto a las complicaciones hay una buena oportunidad de mejora (AU)

Relación entre estancia media y comorbilidad en un servicio de cirugía general / Relationship between mean length of hospital stay and comorbidity in a general surgery department

Objetivo: Analizar la relación entre estancia media y comorbilidad en un servicio de cirugía general y digestiva. Material y método: Estudio retrospectivo de altas hospitalarias de pacientes ingresados en nuestro servicio de cirugía general entre el 1 de octubre de 2002 y el 1 de octubre de 2003. Los grupos de patología fueron: apendicitis y dolor abdominal agudo, pared abdominal, patología biliar litiásica, pie diabético, hemorragia gastrointestinal, obstrucción intestinal no herniaria y patología colorrectal. Se estudiaron las variables edad, sexo, distribución de los pacientes según el número de patologías asociadas y relación estancia mediacomorbilidad. Como test de significación estadística para la comparación de estancias medias se utilizó el de la t de Student. Resultados: Se han incluido 1.100 altas, que corresponden al 54 por ciento del total generado en el período estudiado. Respecto a la distribución según el número de comorbilidades, observamos que, en los grupos apendicitis y dolor abdominal agudo, patología biliar litiásica, obstrucción intestinal no herniaria y patología colorrectal, los pacientes con 2 o más patologías asociadas son menos numerosos. En el grupo pie diabético, la tendencia es a la inversa, sumando más pacientes conforme aumenta la comorbilidad. Hemos encontrado diferencias con significación estadística en la comparación de estancias entre pacientes con y sin comorbilidad asociada para los grupos apendicitis, pared abdominal y patología biliar (p < 0,001).Para el resto de grupos, no hemos observado diferencias significativas. Conclusiones: En los grupos apendicitis y dolor abdominal agudo, patología litiásica y pared abdominal, hay correlación entre comorbilidad y estancia alargada (AU)

Crossing the Red Sea: phylogeography of the hamadryas baboon, Papio hamadryas hamadryas.

The hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas hamadryas) is found both in East Africa and western Arabia and is the only free-ranging nonhuman primate in Arabia. It has been hypothesized that hamadryas baboons colonized Arabia in the recent past and were possibly even transported there by humans. We investigated the phylogeography of hamadryas baboons by sequencing a portion of the control region of mtDNA in 107 baboons from four Saudi Arabian populations and combing these data with published data from Eritrean (African) P. h. hamadryas. Analysis grouped sequences into three distinct clades, with clade 1 found only in Arabia, clade 3 found only in Africa, but clade 2 found in both Arabian and African P. h. hamadryas and also in the olive baboon, P. h. anubis. Patterns of variation within Arabia are neither compatible with the recent colonization of Arabia, implying that baboons were not transported there by humans, nor with a northerly route of colonization of Arabia. We propose that hamadryas baboons reached Arabia via land bridges that have formed periodically during glacial maxima at the straits of Bab el Mandab in the southern Red Sea. We suggest that the genetic differentiation of Arabian from African populations suggests that Arabian populations have a higher conservation status than recognized previously.

Biopsia guiada por arpón de lesiones de mama no palpables y no ecovisibles: una modificación técnica / Hookwire-guided biopsy of ultrasound-invisible nonpalpable breast lesions: a technical modification

Introducción. La extirpación quirúrgica guiada de lesiones no palpables de mama presenta dificultades técnicas que son mayores cuando las lesiones que deben ser extirpadas no son ecovisibles. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar una modificación de la técnica de biopsia consistente en añadir a la habitual colocación del "arpón" con guía mamográfica, el marcaje por parte del radiólogo del lugar más adecuado de la incisión mediante la localización ecográfica del extremo de éste.Pacientes y método. Se evaluó a 50 pacientes consecutivas sometidas a biopsia por lesiones de mama no palpables y no ecovisibles, divididas en 2 grupos: grupo A (modificación técnica, n = 25) con identificación ecográfica del arpón insertado, y grupo B (histórico, n = 25) con la técnica de biopsia tradicional. Se compararon los diámetros de las lesiones y de las piezas quirúrgicas, los porcentajes de fragmentación de las muestras y los de infiltración de márgenes cuando el resultado fue de carcinoma.Resultados. En el grupo A se obtuvieron piezas de menor diámetro (4,85 ñ 0,9 frente a 6 ñ 2,03 cm; p < 0,01) y una menor proporción de infiltración de márgenes en las lesiones diagnosticadas como carcinomas (2/12 frente a 10/15; p < 0,05).Conclusiones. La modificación técnica propuesta permite realizar una exéresis más adecuada y sencilla de lesiones de mama no palpables y no ecovisibles, sin ninguna dotación tecnológica adicional (AU)

Evaluación de un protocolo de reposición de calcio en la hipocalcemia postoperatoria tras tiroidectomía total / Evaluation of protocol for calcium supplementation in postoperative hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy

Objetivo. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un protocolo de reposición de calcio en pacientes sometidos a tiroidectomía total que desarrollan hipocalcemia. Pacientes y método. Se trata de un estudio retrospectivo en una serie comparativa de 2 grupos de pacientes sometidos a tiroidectomía total, un grupo previo a la elaboración del protocolo formado por 65 enfermos (grupo I), y un segundo grupo (grupo II) formado por 69 pacientes a los que se aplicó el protocolo de reposición de calcio que presentamos. Ambos grupos son homogéneos en cuanto a edad, distribución por sexos y diagnóstico que motivó la intervención. Para el estudio de ambos grupos se comparó las medias de las determinaciones de calcio iónico a las 24 y 48 h tras la intervención. También se comparó las medias de las determinaciones de calcio iónico cuando eran inferiores a 4 mg/dl a las 24 y 48 h de la intervención quirúrgica. Se ha estudiado la incidencia de síntomas de tetania y la estancia media postoperatoria en ambos grupos. Resultados. Las cifras medias de la determinación de calcio iónico a las 24 h de la intervención quirúrgica en el grupo I fueron de 4,2 ñ 0,3 mg/dl y en el grupo II de 4,2 ñ 0,4 mg/dl. Las cifras medias a las 48 h intervención quirúrgica en el grupo I fueron de 4,2 ñ 0,3 mg/dl y en el grupo II de 4,2 ñ 0,3 mg/dl, sin que hubiera diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos en ninguna de las 2 determinaciones. En el grupo I, a las 24 h tras la intervención quirúrgica, se encontraron cifras menores de 4 mg/dl en 16 pacientes, con una media de 3,7 ñ 0,2 mg/dl. A las 48 h, la media de calcio iónico en estos pacientes fue de 3,9 ñ 0,2 mg/dl y la calcemia sólo se corrigió en 4 pacientes (25 por ciento). En el grupo II, a las 24 h, se encontraron cifras de calcio iónico por debajo de 4 mg/dl en 21 pacientes, con una media de 3,7 ñ 0,4 mg/dl. A las 48 h, la media de calcio iónico en estos pacientes fue de 4,0 ñ 0,4 mg/dl y la calcemia se corrigió en 9 de ellos (42,85 por ciento). Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos grupos. En el grupo I presentaron síntomas de tetania 3 pacientes (4,6 por ciento), mientras que en grupo II sólo aparecieron en un paciente (1,5 por ciento).La estancia media postoperatoria en el grupo I fue de 4,3 ñ 1,9 días, mientras que en el grupo II fue de 3,4 ñ 0,7 días, con diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos grupos. Conclusiones. La implantación de un protocolo de reposición de calcio para el tratamiento de la hipocalcemia tras una tiroidectomía total consigue disminuir la estancia hospitalaria, reduce las posibilidades de crisis de tetania y consigue que todos los pacientes sean tratados con la misma pauta (AU)

Utilidad de la urocinasa para el tratamiento de abscesos intraabdominales / Utility of urokinase in the treatment of intra-abdominal abscesses

El drenaje percutáneo de los abscesos intraabdominales se ha convertido en el procedimiento más adecuado para su tratamiento, pero en ocasiones y, sobre todo, cuando el absceso es multiloculado, su resolución es complicada. Hace años que se viene utilizando con éxito la urocinasa intracavitaria para tratar los empiemas pleurales tabicados. Presentamos 2 casos de pacientes con abscesos intraabdominales tratados con drenaje percutáneo e instilación de urocinasa (AU)