ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Retrospective studies suggest that coronavirus disease (COVID-19) commonly involves gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and complications. Our aim was to prospectively evaluate GI manifestations in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. METHODS: This international multicentre prospective cohort study recruited COVID-19 patients hospitalized at 31 centres in Spain, Mexico, Chile, and Poland, between May and September 2020. Patients were followed-up until 15 days post-discharge and completed comprehensive questionnaires assessing GI symptoms and complications. A descriptive analysis as well as a bivariate and multivariate analysis were performer using binary logistic regression. p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Eight hundred twenty-nine patients were enrolled; 129 (15.6%) had severe COVID-19, 113 (13.7%) required ICU admission, and 43 (5.2%) died. Upon admission, the most prevalent GI symptoms were anorexia (n=413; 49.8%), diarrhoea (n=327; 39.4%), nausea/vomiting (n=227; 27.4%), and abdominal pain (n=172; 20.7%), which were mild/moderate throughout the disease and resolved during follow-up. One-third of patients exhibited liver injury. Non-severe COVID-19 was associated with ≥2 GI symptoms upon admission (OR 0.679; 95% CI 0.464-0.995; p=0.046) or diarrhoea during hospitalization (OR 0.531; 95% CI 0.328-0.860; p=0.009). Multivariate analysis revealed that worse hospital outcomes were not independently associated with liver injury or GI symptoms. CONCLUSION: GI symptoms were more common than previously documented, and were mild, rapidly resolved, and not independently associated with COVID-19 severity. Liver injury was a frequent complication in hospitalized patients not independently associated with COVID-19 severity.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Gastrointestinal Diseases , Humans , COVID-19/complications , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2 , Prospective Studies , Aftercare , Patient Discharge , Gastrointestinal Diseases/etiology , Gastrointestinal Diseases/complications , Diarrhea/epidemiology , Diarrhea/etiologySubject(s)
Betacoronavirus , Coronavirus Infections , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral , COVID-19 , Humans , Liver , Mexico , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Pseudomyxoma extraperitonei is rare lesion resulting from the rupture of an appendiceal mucocele into the extraperitoneal tissues. We report a case of an 80-year-old woman with a medical history for a left hemicolectomy and a laparoscopic cholecystectomy 11 and 6 years, respectively, referred to our hospital for abdominal pain of increasing severity localised to the right hemiabdomen. The abdominal examination revealed a mobile mass a multidetector CT was performed; the patient was taken to surgery which was performed with no complications. Histopathological analysis of the tumour reported a pseudomyxoma associated to a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. The patient remains asymptomatic at a 1-year follow-up.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/complications , Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous/complications , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/complications , Abdominal Wall , Aged, 80 and over , Female , HumansABSTRACT
Glomus tumours are a rare type of subepithelial mesenchymal tumours that present in deep visceral organs such as the stomach, which are difficult to diagnose. We report a case of a 44-year-old woman with diabetes who presented with anaemia, abdominal pain and melena diagnosed preoperatively with a gastric glomus tumour initially misdiagnosed as a gastric ulcer located at the lesser curvature. Upon referral to our centre a repeat endoscopy and biopsy were performed. A partial gastrectomy was performed with no complications. Histopathological analysis of the tumour reported clear margins and immunostaining was positive for smooth muscle actin and collagen IV. The patient remains asymptomatic at 3-month follow-up.
Subject(s)
Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology , Glomus Tumor/complications , Stomach Neoplasms/complications , Adult , Female , HumansABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION/AIM: Dengue fever is a common disease in tropical and subtropical regions and is characterized by fever, headache, and joint and muscle pain. Occasionally, patients develop abdominal and gastrointestinal symptoms but information about the real frequency of these manifestations is lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of abdominal and gastrointestinal symptoms in a cohort of patients with Dengue fever. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 8559 patients with a diagnosis of Dengue fever during the 2006 epidemic to determine the frequency of abdominal and gastrointestinal symptoms. RESULTS: Abdominal and gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 67% of patients. The most frequent symptom was nausea (n=4453, 52%), followed by abdominal pain (n=3058, 36%), vomiting (n=2477, 29%), diarrhea (n=1471, 17%), hepatomegaly, (n=144, 2%), gastrointestinal bleeding (n=34, 0.3%) and ascites (n=8, 0.1%). Hospitalization was required in 1640 patients (19%), of which 1210 (74%, p=0.0001) had some abdominal and gastrointestinal symptoms. In this group, the most frequent symptoms were nausea (n=972, 59%), abdominal pain (n=692, 42%), vomiting (n=668, 41%) and diarrhea (n=393, 24%). Among patients admitted to our hospital for Dengue, 70% showed alterations in liver function tests. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that close to 67% of patients with Dengue fever have abdominal and gastrointestinal symptoms or abnormalities in liver function tests. Abdominal and gastrointestinal symptoms were significantly more frequent in patients who were hospitalized. The differential diagnosis of an acute febrile syndrome with abdominal pain or gastrointestinal symptoms in patients living in endemic areas or who have recently travelled to certain regions should include Dengue fever.
Subject(s)
Dengue/complications , Disease Outbreaks , Gastrointestinal Diseases/etiology , Abdominal Pain/etiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Ascites/etiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Cohort Studies , Dengue/diagnosis , Dengue/epidemiology , Endemic Diseases , Female , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology , Humans , Hypertrophy/etiology , Infant , Male , Mexico/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Nausea/etiology , Pancreatitis/etiology , Retrospective Studies , Travel , Young AdultABSTRACT
Introducción/objetivo: El dengue es una enfermedad común en áreas tropicales y subtropicalesque se caracteriza por fiebre, cefalea, artralgia y mialgia. Ocasionalmente, los pacientesdesarrollan síntomas abdominales y gastrointestinales (SAGI), sin embargo, existe poca informaciónrespecto a la frecuencia real de estas manifestaciones. El objetivo de este estudio fuedeterminar la frecuencia de SAGI en una cohorte de pacientes con dengue.Pacientes y métodos: Se realizó una revisión retrospectiva de 8.559 pacientes con diagnósticode dengue durante la epidemia del ano 2006 para determinar la frecuencia de los SAGI.Resultados: El 67% de los pacientes presentaron SAGI. La náusea fue el síntoma más frecuente(n = 4.453, 52%) seguida del dolor abdominal (n = 3.058, 36%), vómito (n = 2.477, 29%), diarrea(n = 1.471, 17%), hepatomegalia (n = 144, 2%), esplenomegalia (n = 43, 0,5%), sangrado digestivo(n = 34, 0,3%) y ascitis (n = 8, 0,1%). Se hospitalizaron a 1.640 pacientes (19%) de los cuales1.210 (74%, p = 0,0001) presentaban algún SAGI. En este grupo los síntomas más frecuentesfueron náusea (n = 972, 59%), dolor abdominal (n = 692, 42%), vómito (n = 668, 41%) y diarrea(n = 393, 24%). En el grupo de los pacientes hospitalizados con dengue en el HRAEV el 70%presentó alteraciones en las pruebas de función hepática.Conclusión: Nuestros hallazgos indican que cerca del 67% de los pacientes con dengue presentanSAGI o alteraciones de pruebas de función hepática. La frecuencia de SAGI fue significativamentemayor en pacientes hospitalizados. El diagnóstico diferencial de un síndrome febrilagudo con síntomas gastrointestinales en pacientes en áreas endémicas o con historia de viajea ciertas regiones con antecedentes epidémicos debe incluir al dengue (AU)
Introduction/aim: Dengue fever is a common disease in tropical and subtropical regions andis characterized by fever, headache, and joint and muscle pain. Occasionally, patients developabdominal and gastrointestinal symptoms but information about the real frequency of thesemanifestations is lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of abdominaland gastrointestinal symptoms in a cohort of patients with Dengue fever.Patients and methods: We performed a retrospective review of 8559 patients with a diagnosisof Dengue fever during the 2006 epidemic to determine the frequency of abdominal andgastrointestinal symptoms.Results: Abdominal and gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 67% of patients. The mostfrequent symptom was nausea (n = 4453, 52%), followed by abdominal pain (n = 3058, 36%),vomiting (n = 2477, 29%), diarrhea (n = 1471, 17%), hepatomegaly, (n = 144, 2%), gastrointestinalbleeding (n = 34, 0.3%) and ascites (n = 8, 0.1%). Hospitalization was required in 1640 patients(19%), of which 1210 (74%, p = 0.0001) had some abdominal and gastrointestinal symptoms. Inthis group, the most frequent symptoms were nausea (n = 972, 59%), abdominal pain (n = 692,42%), vomiting (n = 668, 41%) and diarrhea (n = 393, 24%). Among patients admitted to ourhospital for Dengue, 70% showed alterations in liver function tests.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that close to 67% of patients with Dengue fever have abdominaland gastrointestinal symptoms or abnormalities in liver function tests. Abdominal andgastrointestinal symptoms were significantly more frequent in patients who were hospitalized.The differential diagnosis of an acute febrile syndrome with abdominal pain or gastrointestinalsymptoms in patients living in endemic areas or who have recently travelled to certain regionsshould include Dengue fever (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Dengue/complications , Gastrointestinal Diseases/etiology , Retrospective Studies , Abdominal Pain/etiology , Vomiting/etiology , Liver Function Tests , Nausea/etiology , Diagnosis, DifferentialABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Some biliary strictures may be manageable by percutaneous interventional radiologic techniques (PIRT), but long-term efficacy of this approach is scarce. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively all patients with biliary strictures secondary to traumatic bile duct injury or strictured bilioenteric anastomoses. Patients in whom the initial management was by PIRT from 1998 through 2003 were selected. Subjects with sclerosing cholangitis, hepatic transplantation, or malignant strictures were excluded. Data were obtained from medical records and/or direct patient contact. Comparisons were made by Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with biliary strictures were treated by PIRT. Mean age was 54 years (range 11-86). Most frequent etiology was laparoscopic cholecystectomy injury in 11 patients (41%). Eight patients (29%) had undergone biliary resection for malignancy, seven (26%) a pancreatoduodenectomy, and one for presumed ischemic cholangiopathy; no strictures were secondary to neoplastic recurrence. PIRT was successful in 10 of 11 patients (91%) with short, isolated bile duct strictures secondary to laparoscopic cholecystectomy and in seven of 15 patients (41%) with strictured bilioenteric anastomosis, but not in the patient with ischemic cholangiopathy. Twenty patients (74%) were stent-free at follow-up. Anastomotic biliary strictures were more likely to fail PIRT than isolated strictures secondary to laparoscopic cholecystectomy injury (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous balloon dilatation and stenting can be an effective strategy for patients with bile duct strictures, especially short bile duct strictures after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Anastomotic strictures are associated with less good results when managed by PIRT but are successful in up to 40% of patients.
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BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and gallstone disease (GD) share common risk factors. There are no firm recommendations regarding screening of NAFLD in patients at risk. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of and factors associated with NAFLD in a cohort of patients operated for symptomatic GD and evaluate the usefulness of routine liver biopsy. METHODS: Ninety-five consecutive patients underwent a liver biopsy at the end of a standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic GD. Clinical, biochemical, demographic, and anthropometric variables were obtained prospectively. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (55%) had biopsies compatible with NAFLD. These patients were classified according to the system proposed by Brunt et al. as follows: grade I, n = 27 (52%); grade II, n = 15 (29%); grade III, n = 10 (19%). Two grade III patients had zone III focal perisinusoidal fibrosis and three had overt cirrhosis. Only 13% of subjects had a suspected diagnosis of NAFLD preoperatively. In multivariate logistic regression, only obesity was significantly associated with NAFLD. There were no complications or mortality. DISCUSSION: Fifty-five percent of patients with GD have associated NAFLD. Awareness of this association may result in an earlier diagnosis. The high prevalence of NAFLD in patients with GD may justify routine liver biopsy during cholecystectomy to establish the diagnosis, stage, and possible direct therapy.
Subject(s)
Biopsy/methods , Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic , Cholecystolithiasis/complications , Cholecystolithiasis/surgery , Fatty Liver/complications , Fatty Liver/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Chi-Square Distribution , Fatty Liver/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Prospective Studies , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
The use of antiseptics in wound care is often controversial and there is definitely a need for a non toxic, highly disinfective agent. This study assessed the efficacy of a neutral pH superoxidised aqueous solution (NpHSS) for infection control, odour reduction and surrounding skin and tissue damage on infected diabetic foot ulcerations. From November 2003 to March 2004, 45 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomised into a single-blind clinical trial comparing NpHSS (intervention group; n = 21) versus conventional disinfectant (control group; n = 16). All patients received comprehensive care including surgical debridement as appropriate, moist wound care, intensive glucose control and broad spectrum antibiotics. Treatment groups were matched in terms of sex, age (61.9 +/- 11.9 versus 67.8 +/- 11.6), years of diabetes duration (16.4 +/- 8.1 versus 17 +/- 10.2), obesity, HgAlc (7.1 +/- 2 versus 6.7 +/- 1.8), initial fasting glycaemia (163 +/- 59 versus 152 +/- 65.8 mg/dl), ulcer duration/week (13.7 +/- 24 versus 15.1 +/- 16.3), B/A Index (0.9 +/- 0.5 versus 1.14 +/- 0.7), depth and extent of infection/periwound cellulitis (groups B and C of the Tampico Hospital Classification) as well as aetiology (P = 0.647). Odour reduction was achieved in all NpHSS patients (100% versus 25%; P < 0.01) and surrounding cellulitis diminished (P < 0.001) in 17 patients (80.9% versus 43.7%). Nineteen patients in the NpHSS group showed advancement to granulating tissue stage (90.4% versus 62.5%; P = 0.05) with significantly less tissue toxicity (94% versus 31.2%; P < 0.01). A non toxic, NpHSS, as part of a comprehensive care regimen, may be more efficacious in infection control, odour and erythema reduction than conventional disinfectants in treatment of diabetic foot infections.
Subject(s)
Bacterial Infections/drug therapy , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications , Diabetic Foot/drug therapy , Diabetic Foot/microbiology , Superoxides/therapeutic use , Administration, Topical , Aged , Analysis of Variance , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Anti-Infective Agents, Local/therapeutic use , Bacterial Infections/diagnosis , Chi-Square Distribution , Debridement/methods , Diabetic Foot/etiology , Female , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Male , Middle Aged , Probability , Risk Assessment , Severity of Illness Index , Single-Blind Method , Treatment Outcome , Wound Healing/drug effectsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The study of long-term complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for malignant disease has been problematic given the paucity of patients with long-term survival after diagnosis and surgical resection. We therefore studied patients who were surgically treated with a PD for a benign diagnosis to evaluate long-term anastomotic durability. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 122 patients who had PD performed in the interval 1993-2003 inclusive for benign pancreatic diseases was undertaken. Long-term morbidity and mortality (specifically biliary, pancreaticojejunostomy [PJ], and gastrojejunostomy [GJ] strictures) were evaluated. RESULTS: Gender was equally represented with 53% female and 47% male. The median age at surgery was 55 years (range 15-81 years). The three most frequent diagnoses were chronic pancreatitis (40%), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (16%), and cystic neoplasms (9%). Median follow-up in the 95 patients alive at last follow-up was 4.1 years (10 days-12.6 years). The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 83% (76, 91%) and 62% (49%, 78%), respectively. The observed survival was significantly lower than the expected survival in an age- and gender-matched U.S. white population, p<0.001 (one-sample log-rank test). The 5- and 10-year cumulative probability of biliary stricture was 8% (2%, 14%) and 13% (4%, 22%), respectively. For pancreatic strictures the 5- and 10-year rates were 5% (0%, 9%) and 5% (0%, 9%), respectively. No GJ strictures were noted. The management of biliary strictures was primarily with dilatation and stent (78%) and less commonly operative intervention (22%). Pancreatic strictures required surgery alone (25%), surgery followed by endoscopic intervention (25%), or endoscopic therapy alone (50%). CONCLUSION: Intervention for anastomotic strictures after pancreaticoduodenectomy is uncommon. Biliary strictures can usually be treated nonoperatively with dilation and stent. Our study likely underestimates the incidence of stricture formation. Prospective imaging studies may be warranted for a more accurate assessment of the rate of long-term anastomotic complications.
Subject(s)
Pancreatic Diseases/surgery , Pancreaticoduodenectomy/adverse effects , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anastomosis, Surgical , Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic/pathology , Constriction, Pathologic , Cystadenoma, Mucinous/surgery , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pancreatic Diseases/diagnosis , Pancreatic Neoplasms/surgery , Pancreaticoduodenectomy/methods , Pancreatitis, Chronic/diagnosis , Pancreatitis, Chronic/mortality , Pancreatitis, Chronic/surgery , Proportional Hazards Models , Survival AnalysisSubject(s)
Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Retropharyngeal Abscess/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms/surgery , Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms/urine , Carcinoma, Small Cell/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Fatal Outcome , Hormones/urine , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/diagnosis , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer has a tendency to present at early age in the Mexican population, and it is frequently associated with a family history. A polymorphism at position -160 at the CDH1 promoter region has been reported to lead to transcriptional downregulation of the gene in vitro, with possible increase in the risk of gastric cancer. We evaluated the role of the -160A allele in the risk of gastric cancer in a young Mexican population. METHODS: Peripheral blood sample of Mexican patients younger than 45 years old with diagnosis of diffuse gastric cancer were obtained. We performed DNA extraction and analyzed the frequencies of -160 promoter polymorphism of E-cadherin gene by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism. These frequencies were compared with those of healthy controls. The chi2 test for association was used to test differences of the genotype frequencies between normal controls and patients with gastric cancer. Findings were considered significant at P < .05. RESULTS: The frequency of the -160 A allele was significantly higher (P = .002) in 39 patients with diffuse gastric cancer compared with 78 matched controls. The odds ratio associated with the A-allele was 1.98 for C/A heterozygotes (95% CI 1.01-3.98) and 6.5 for A/A homozygotes (95% CI 2.1-19.6). We found an increased risk of diffuse gastric cancer according to family history, independent of the expression of the polymorphism. CONCLUSIONS: The -160 C/A polymorphism of the E-cadherin has a direct effect on the risk of diffuse gastric cancer at young age in Mexican population.
Subject(s)
Cadherins/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Stomach Neoplasms/genetics , Adult , Alleles , Case-Control Studies , Female , Gene Frequency , Heterozygote , Homozygote , Humans , Male , Mexico/epidemiology , Odds Ratio , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Risk Factors , Stomach Neoplasms/diagnosis , Stomach Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
Gallbladder cancer is one of the most lethal carcinomas and continues to pose many challenges for surgeons. Identifiable risk factors for carcinoma of the gallbladder include cholelithiasis, an anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction, and focal mucosal microcalcifications. Adenocarcinoma is the primary histologic type in most patients and the tumor is frequently associated with Kras and p53 mutations. Radiologic and endoscopic advances in endoscopic ultrasonography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram, plus helical computed tomography, have enhanced preoperative staging. Surgical options include cholecystectomy for disease limited to the mucosa (Tis/T1) or a radical cholecystectomy (subsegmental resection of segments IVB and V plus a hepatoduodenal ligament lymphadenectomy) for advanced disease without signs of distant metastasis (T2-4/N0-N2). Some surgeons have advocated more radical hepatic resection including extended right hepatectomy or central bisegmentectomy plus caudate lobectomy. Japanese surgeons have reported studies that included patients having a pancreaticoduodenectomy to improve distal ductal margins and lymphadenectomy for T3 and T4 cancers. These patients have a lower rate of local recurrence but no survival advantage. Options for adjuvant therapy remain limited. Radiation therapy with fluorouracil radiosensitization is the most commonly used postoperative treatments. Current trials are investigating the role of capecitabine, oxaliplatin, and bevacizumab in the management of gallbladder carcinoma.
Subject(s)
Gallbladder Neoplasms/diagnosis , Adenocarcinoma/diagnosis , Adenocarcinoma/surgery , Carcinoma/diagnosis , Carcinoma/surgery , Cholecystectomy , Diagnostic Imaging , Gallbladder Neoplasms/surgery , Hepatectomy , Humans , Lymph Node Excision , Neoadjuvant Therapy , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology , Neoplasm Staging , Pancreaticoduodenectomy , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There are very few studies that analyze surgical morbidity and mortality in the general population and the factors associated with those events. OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated to mortality in surgical procedures performed in a tertiary referral center in Mexico City. METHODS: We retrospectively analyze surgical mortality in 4,157 consecutive surgical procedures performed in a one-year period from 1/1/2000 through 12/31/2000. Categorical variables were analyzed with the chi-square test and continuous variables with the t-Student test. Significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: During the study period there were 76 postoperative deaths, representing a mortality rate of 1.82%. Mean patient's age in the entire cohort was 48.7 +/- 17.6 years and for the patients who died in the postoperative period 57.8 +/- 17.8 years (p < 0.05). Sixty-six percent of deaths were attributed to the primary or surgical disease. In 33.8% of postoperative deaths an adverse event was identified as responsible for the outcome. In 23% of cases there was a potentially preventable event, representing 0.3% of surgical procedures. Most patients (96.9%) had at least one comorbid condition and 61.5% had two or more. Almost 80% of surgical deaths occurred in patients with ASA score III of IV and albumin levels below 3.5 g/dL. Most common cause of death was sepsis, reported in 35% of patients who died in the postoperative period. CONCLUSION: Surgical mortality in our series is low. In 0.3% of procedures it was detected a potentially preventable event. Postoperative deaths occurred in older patients with low albumin levels.
Subject(s)
Academies and Institutes/statistics & numerical data , Hospital Mortality , Surgical Procedures, Operative/mortality , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Cause of Death , Cohort Studies , Comorbidity , Female , Humans , Hypoalbuminemia/epidemiology , Intraoperative Complications/mortality , Liver Failure/mortality , Male , Medical Errors/mortality , Mexico/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Postoperative Complications/mortality , Referral and Consultation , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Sepsis/mortality , Severity of Illness Index , Shock, Cardiogenic/mortalityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The Achilles' heel of operative pancreatectomies is the pancreaticoenterostomy for proximal resections and the pancreatic parenchymal closure for distal resections. Inhibition of pancreatic exocrine secretions by somatostatin analogues has been suggested to decrease pancreas-specific complications, but this topic remains controversial. METHODS: We performed a randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial of the use of perioperative vapreotide, a potent somatostatin analogue, in pancreatic resections for presumed neoplasms in 381 patients without chronic pancreatitis. We also reviewed the literature on the use of somatostatin and its analogues after pancreatectomy. RESULTS: When compared to the placebo, perioperative vapreotide had no effect on overall pancreas-specific complications (30.4% vs 26.4%), mortality (0% vs 1.4%), overall complications (40% vs 42%), and duration of hospitalization; there were no differences in complications per type of resection with use of vapreotide--proximal versus distal resection. Seven other prospective, randomized trials provide differing results. CONCLUSIONS: Our study with vapreotide failed to show any benefit when administered perioperatively (and for 7 days postoperatively) on pancreas-specific complications after major pancreatectomy in patients without chronic pancreatitis. The use of perioperative analogues that suppress pancreatic exocrine secretion seems not to be warranted as routine treatment.
Subject(s)
Gastrointestinal Agents/therapeutic use , Pancreatectomy , Pancreatic Fistula/prevention & control , Postoperative Complications/prevention & control , Somatostatin/analogs & derivatives , Adult , Gastrointestinal Agents/administration & dosage , Humans , Pancreas, Exocrine/drug effects , Pancreas, Exocrine/metabolism , Prospective Studies , Somatostatin/administration & dosage , Somatostatin/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Background. There are very few studies that analyze surgical morbidity and mortality in the general population and the factors associated with those events. Objective. To determine factors associated to mortality in surgical procedures performed in a tertiary referral center in Mexico City. Methods. We retrospectively analyze surgical mortality in 4,157 consecutive surgical procedures performed in a one-year period from 1/1/2000 through 12/31/2000. Categorical variables were analyzed with the chi-square test and continuous variables with the t-Student test. Significance was defined as p < O.OB. Results. During the study period there were 76 postoperative deaths, representing a mortality rate of 1.82%. Mean patient's age in the entire cohort was 48.7 ± 17.6 years and for the patients who died in the postoperative period 57.8 ± 17.8 years (p < 0.05). Sixty-six percent of deaths were attributed to the primary or surgical disease. In 33.8% of postoperative deaths an adverse event was identified as responsible for the outcome. In 23% of cases there was a potentially preventable event, representing 0.3% of surgical procedures. Most patients (96.9%) had at least one co-morbid condition and 61.5% had two or more. Almost 80% of surgical deaths occurred in patients with ASA score III of TV and albumin levels below 3.5 g/dL. Most common cause of death was sepsis, reported in 35% of patients who died in the postoperative period. Conclusion. Surgical mortality in our series is low. In 0.3% of procedures it was detected a potentially preventable event. Postoperative deaths occurred in older patients with low albumin levels.
Introducción. Existen pocos estudios que analicen la mortalidad quirúrgica general y los factores asociados a la misma. Objetivo. Estudiar las causas y factores asociados a mortalidad quirúrgica en las intervenciones quirúrgicas realizadas en el INCMNSZ. Métodos. Se analizó en forma retrospectiva la mortalidad quirúrgica asociada a 4,157 procedimientos consecutivos realizados del 1/1/2000 al 31/12/2000. Los factores asociados a mortalidad fueron analizados mediante la prueba de chi-cuadrada para variables categóricas y t de Student para variables continuas. Se estableció como significativa a p < 0.05. Resultados. Durante ese periodo ocurrieron 76 muertes postoperatorias, lo que representa una mortalidad global de 1.82% para todos los procedimientos. El promedio de edad para los 4,157 procedimientos fue de 48.7 ± 17.6 años y para las muertes postoperatorias fue de 57.8 ± 17.8 años (p < 0.05). El 66.2% de las muertes se atribuyeron a la enfermedad de base o a la patología que motivó la cirugía. En 33.8% de las muertes se identificó algún evento diferente a la enfermedad primaria como responsable de la muerte. En 23% se identificó algún evento potencialmente prevenible, lo que representa 0.3% del total de eventos quirúrgicos. El 96.9% de los pacientes tenía al menos una comorbilidad y 61.5% cursaba con dos o más. El 78.5% de las muertes sucedió en pacientes ASA III-IV. El 80% de las muertes se asoció a niveles preoperatorios de albúmina por debajo de 3.5 g/dL. La causa de muerte más frecuentemente reportada fue sepsis en 35% de los eventos. Conclusión. La mortalidad postoperatoria en nuestra serie es baja. En 0.3% de los pacientes sometidos a cirugía se detectó algún evento potencialmente prevenible. Las muertes postoperatorias ocurrieron en pacientes más viejos y con niveles bajos de albúmina.