Early-Isolated V Lesion in Kidney Allograft: Acute Rejection or Ischemic Injury? A Case Report of Primary Nonfunction and Graft Loss.

Intimal arteritis (v-lesion) is a negative prognostic factor for kidney allograft survival. Early isolated v-lesions do not always represent a pathologic marker of acute T cell- or antibody-mediated rejection. In particular, in the case of transplant negative for C4d and donor-specific antibodies, such a finding can suggest an ischemic-reperfusion injury. There is an intense debate in the literature concerning the origin of this histologic feature. In the present study, we analyze how this argument can have a clinical relevance. Here we report a case of a 61-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease due to autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. The patient underwent kidney transplant from expanded criteria donor. Organs from expanded criteria donors are more prone to ischemic-reperfusion injury. Postoperative course was characterized by primary nonfunction of the graft. A first biopsy showed early isolated v-lesion in otherwise normal renal parenchymal. Simultaneously, a computed tomography scan revealed stenosis of the main renal artery. An endovascular stent was placed. Despite improved vascularization of the graft, no clinical response was observed and the patient remained anuric. A second biopsy was performed, showing T-cell mediated rejection (Banff Classification 1A). Despite pulse steroid, the patient lost the graft.

Transplant Renal Artery Stenosis: A Case Report of Functional Recovery Six Months After Angioplasty.

Transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) is a common vascular complication after kidney transplantation, leading to worsening or refractory hypertension, deterioration in renal function, and possible cause of graft loss. Early diagnosis and an appropriate treatment are crucial for organ preservation. Endovascular treatment, including percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent implantation, is considered the first-line therapy for TRAS. Here we report the case of a 69-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease for chronic kidney disease not biopsy proven, who underwent a kidney transplant from expanded criteria donors on December 2018. Postoperative course was characterized by delayed graft function. Doppler ultrasonography (US) showed an increase of peak systolic velocity at the origin of the renal artery, and parvus-tardus waveform in periferic graft arteries and an abdominal computed tomography scan confirmed a stenosis at the origin of the main renal artery (TRAS). The patient underwent a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. It was not possible to place a stent at the particular location of the stenosis at the anastomosis. Despite the improvement of the graft's perfusion, monitored with Doppler US, the patient showed a very poor improvement in renal function and remained on hemodialysis for months. A percutaneous needle biopsy reported a normal renal parenchyma and excluded acute rejection. During this period, the patient received immunosuppressive therapy. About 6 months after the transplant, the patient had an unexpected and slow renal function recovery until she was weaned completely from hemodialysis.

Follow-up and Management of Kidney Transplant Recipients During the COVID-19 Lockdown: The Experience of an Italian Transplant Center, Including Two Cases of COVID-19 Pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new infectious disease that emerged in China in late 2019 and is now spreading around the world. Social distancing measures were needed to reduce transmission, and lockdown included restricted access to health care facilities. The impact of COVID-19 on transplant recipients is unknown, but considering their immunosuppression status and associated comorbidities, they should be considered a high-risk population. METHODS: A kidney transplant center in Central Italy implemented a strategy to maintain follow-up of kidney transplant recipients by phone and e-mail during lockdown. Telephone interviews were used to administer a clinical questionnaire to patients, and e-mail was used to receive the results of diagnostic tests conducted in outpatient settings. RESULTS: From March 17 to April 23, 2020, a total of 143 kidney transplant recipients were contacted. Twenty-eight patients needed in-hospital consultation for problems unrelated to COVID-19, 3 of whom needed hospitalization. Eleven patients were managed at home for mild urinary or respiratory diseases, and 1 was referred to the hematologist. We identified 2 suspected cases of COVID-19 infection, and the patients were referred to hospital care. Immunosuppressive therapy was modulated, and intravenous corticosteroids and potentially effective antiviral therapy were administered with a favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of a lockdown, such as that occurring in response to COVID-19, we suggest implementing remote surveillance programs in kidney transplant recipients with the help of any available technology and offering medical consulting and logistic support as needed.

Transplant Patients' Isolation and Social Distancing Because of COVID-19: Analysis of the Resilient Capacities of the Transplant in the Management of the Coronavirus Emergency.

BACKGROUND: One of the peculiar aspects of the transplant patient's life is that, in the post-surgery phase, the patient lives in an "isolation" condition, having to pay particular attention to the living environment and preferring a limited social life given that the immunosuppressive treatment entails immunodepression in the patient. With coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID)-19, as in a post-surgery situation, social isolation is being implemented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study started on March 17, 2020, and ended on April 24, 2020. Consulting/phone interviews were made. The phone questionnaire, submitted to 71 patients, consisted of a set of 15 questions that investigated structure and psychological resistance. Eight patients have been monitored exclusively for the psychological aspect through a more articulate supporting path. RESULTS: In essence, from the overall analysis of the data derived from the study of the positioning of patients based on the stage of renal function, the bands related to the development of psychopathological aspects, and the use of positive personal resources, it emerges that patients in stage V kidney failure are in the first bracket as regards the development of psychopathological aspects (absence of these experiences) and in the third bracket as regards the good use of positive resources to deal with isolation. Therefore, it can be deduced that, although with data that can be expanded, a serious or medium-serious situation from an organic point of view in this socio-health emergency situation is well addressed by the transplanted patient. CONCLUSION: Transplant patients have faced the measure of social distancing adequately and in adherence to the treatment thanks to the phone assistance of all the medical-surgical and psychological team.

Effects of low and standard intra-abdominal pressure on systemic inflammation and immune response in laparoscopic adrenalectomy: A prospective randomised study.

BACKGROUND: The advantages of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) over open adrenalectomy are undeniable. Nevertheless, carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum may have an unfavourable effect on the local immune response. The aim of this study was to compare changes in the systemic inflammation and immune response in the early post-operative (p.o.) period after LA performed with standard and low-pressure CO2 pneumoperitoneum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied, in a prospective randomised study, 51 patients consecutively with documented adrenal lesion who had undergone a LA: 26 using standard-pressure (12-14 mmHg) and 25 using low-pressure (6-8 mmHg) pneumoperitoneum. White blood cells (WBC), peripheral lymphocyte subpopulation, human leucocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR), neutrophil elastase, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were investigated. RESULTS: Significantly higher concentrations of neutrophil elastase, IL-6 and IL-1 and CRP were detected p.o. in the standard-pressure group of patients in comparison with the low-pressure group (P < 0.05). A statistically significant change in HLA-DR expression was recorded p.o. at 24 h, as a reduction of this antigen expressed on the monocyte surface in patients from the standard group; no changes were noted in low-pressure group patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that reducing the pressure of the pneumoperitoneum to 6-8 mmHg during LA reduced p.o. inflammatory response and averted p.o. immunosuppression.

Quality of life after treatment of rectal intussusception or rectocele by means of STARR.

AIM: Stapled Transanal Rectal Resection (STARR) has been proposed for surgical treatment of rectal intussusception and rectocele. This study aims at evaluating the effect of the STARR on symptoms of obstructed defecation and associated faecal incontinence regarding the impact on the quality of life of patients with rectal intussusception and rectocele. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with rectal intussusception and 22 with rectocele, who underwent to STARR in the General Surgery of the University of L'Aquila-Italy, are the subjects of the study. Symptoms of obstructive defecation were reported in all cases; with associated faecal incontinence in 31%. Questionnaires as ODS-Score, PAC-QoL, FISI and FIQL were proposed to all 51 patients before surgical treatment and at 3 years from operation. RESULTS: ODS-Score decreased from 28 ± 3.66 preoperatively to 6.7 ± 5.77 postoperatively ( p< 0.001), while PACQoL score was 14 ± 1.4 preoperatively vs 5.3 ± 1.7 postoperatively ( p<0.0020). The lower score indicates a lower severity index and an excellent quality of life. FISI score arose from 16.13 ± 5.39 before surgery to 19.33 ± 2.31 after surgery while, in the group of patients with preoperative symptoms of faecal incontinence, it arose from 7.86 ± 2.89 to 16.4 ± 4.5 after surgery (p< 0.0039). FIQL score sum was 105 ± 75 preoperatively vs 225 ± 90 postoperatively. The lower score indicates a higher severity index and a lower quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with rectal intussusception or rectocele may improve their symptoms and quality of life undergoing to the STARR.

The neutrophils response after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy.

AIM: This study want to examine (a) whether neutrophils, the neutrophil-elastase, C-reactive protein and the Interleukin- 6 are modified and how, in patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy open cholecystectomy; (b) whether these findings are indicative of an increased risk to develop infectious complications. MATERIALS OF STUDY: Circulating Interleukin-6 level, C-reactive protein and neutrophil-elastase were measured in 71 patients (35 underwent open cholecystectomy and 36 laparoscopic cholecystectomy). The diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound examination. During hospitalization the patients were not given antispastic drugs, steroids, or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID). RESULTS: The increase in the serum Interleukin-6 and neurtophil-elastase, during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, was found to be significantly smaller than that during open cholecystectomy and resulted in a smaller extent of postoperative elevations for C-reactive protein. We recorded three cases (8.5%) of postoperative infections in the "open'" group and neutrophil- elastase values normalized later in patient with complications. CONCLUSION: There were significant associations between the response areas of Interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and neutrophil- elastase levels. Neutrophils-elastase level is a more sensible inflammatory marker in comparison to the IL-6 and C-reactive protein. Excessive and prolonged post injury elevations of these mediators are associated with increased morbidity.

Dexamethasone for the prevention of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and other complications after thyroid surgery: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

IMPORTANCE: Recurrent laryngeal nerve dysfunction and hypoparathyroidism are well-recognized, important complications of thyroid surgery. The duration of convalescence after noncomplicated thyroid operation may depend on several factors, of which pain and fatigue are the most important. Nausea and vomiting occur mainly on the day of operation. Glucocorticoids are well known for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating and antiemetic effects. However, there is little information in the literature on the use of steroids in thyroid surgery, and the information that is available is conflicting. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether preoperative dexamethasone could improve surgical outcome in patients undergoing thyroid surgery. DESIGN: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. A 30-day follow-up for morbidity was performed in all cases. SETTING: All patients were hospitalized in a public hospital. PARTICIPANTS: From June 2008 through August 2011, 328 patients were randomized to receive either intravenous dexamethasone, 8 mg, administered 90 minutes before skin incision, or saline solution (placebo). INTERVENTIONS: Intravenous dexamethasone, 8 mg. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end points were temporary or permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Transient and definitive hypoparathyroidism, pain and fatigue scores, nausea, and the number of vomiting episodes were also registered. Preoperatively and at several times during the first 24 postoperative hours, we measured C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, and interleukin 1ß levels. RESULTS: In the dexamethasone group, the rate of temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (4.9%) was significantly lower compared with the placebo group (8.4%) (P = .04). Also, postoperative transient biochemical hypoparathyroidism occurred more frequently in the placebo group (37.0%) than in the dexamethasone group (12.8%). Dexamethasone use significantly reduced postoperative levels of C-reactive protein (P = .01) and interleukin 6 and interleukin 1ß (P = .02), fatigue (P = .01), and overall pain during the first 24 postoperative hours (P = .04), as well as the total analgesic (ketorolac tromethamine) requirement (P = .04). Dexamethasone use also reduced nausea and vomiting on the day of operation (P = .045). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Preoperative administration of dexamethasone, 8 mg, reduced postoperative temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and hypoparathyroidism rates and reduced pain, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting after thyroid surgery. However, these data require further analysis in randomized prospective studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT01690806.

Adenocarcinoma of the third duodenal portion: Case report and review of literature.

We focus on the diagnostic and therapeutic problems of duodenal adenocarcinoma, reporting a case and reviewing the literature. A 65-year old man with adenocarcinoma in the third duodenal portion was successfully treated with a segmental resection of the third part of the duodenum, avoiding a duodeno-cephalo-pancreatectomy. This tumor is very rare and frequently affects the III and IV duodenal portion. A precocious diagnosis and the exact localization of this neoplasia are crucial factors in order to decide the surgical strategy. Given a non-specificity of symptoms, endoscopy with biopsy is the diagnostic gold standard. Duodeno-cephalo-pancreatectomy (DCP) and segmental resection of the duodenum (SRD) are the two surgical options, with overlapping morbidity (27% vs 18%) and post operative mortality (3% vs 1%). The average incidence of postoperative long-term survival is 100%, 73.3% and 31.6% of cases after 1, 3 and 5 years from surgery, respectively. Long-term survival is made worse by two factors: the presence of metastatic lymph nodes and tumor localization in the proximal duodenum. The two surgical options are radical: DCP should be used only for proximal localizations while SRD should be chosen for distal localizations.