New therapeutic strategy with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory hepatopulmonary syndrome after liver transplant: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Due to the lack of published literature about treatment of refractory hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) after liver transplant (LT), this case adds information and experience on this issue along with a treatment with positive outcomes. HPS is a complication of end-stage liver disease, with a 10%-30% incidence in cirrhotic patients. LT can reverse the physiopathology of this process and restore normal oxygenation. However, in some cases, refractory hypoxemia persists, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be used as a rescue therapy with good results. CASE SUMMARY: A 59-year-old patient with alcohol-related liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension was included in the LT waiting list for HPS. He had good liver function (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score 12, Child-Pugh class B7). He had pulmonary fibrosis and a mild restrictive respiratory pattern with a basal oxygen saturation of 82%. The macroaggregated albumin test result was > 30. Spirometry demon strated a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of 78%, forced vital capacity (FVC) of 74%, FEV1/FVC ratio of 81%, diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide of 42%, and carbon monoxide transfer coefficient of 57%. He required domiciliary oxygen at 2 L/min (16 h/d). The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and extubated in the first 24 h, needing high-flow therapy and non-invasive ventilation and inhaled nitric oxide afterwards. Reintubation was needed after 72 h. Due to the non-response to supportive therapies, installation of ECMO was decided with progressive recovery after 9 d. Extubation was possible on the tenth day, maintaining a high-flow nasal cannula and de-escalating to conventional oxygen therapy after 48 h. He was discharged from ICU on postoperative day (POD) 20 with a 90%-92% oxygen saturation. Steroid recycling was needed twice for acute rejection. The patient was discharged from hospital on POD 27 with no symptoms, with an 89%-90% oxygen saturation. CONCLUSION: Due to the favorable results observed, ECMO could become the central axis of treatment of HPS and refractory hypoxemia after LT.

Implementación del protocolo ERAS en ancianos sometidos a resección hepática / Implementation of an ERAS protocol on elderly patients in liver resection

Introducción: El aumento en la calidad de vida, la mejora en los cuidados perioperatorios, la aplicación del concepto de fragilidad y un mayor desarrollo de técnicas quirúrgicas permite a pacientes ancianos el acceso a la cirugía hepática. Sin embargo, la edad sigue siendo limitante para la implementación de protocolos ERAS en este grupo. El objetivo del estudio es evaluar la implementación del protocolo ERAS en pacientes ancianos (≥70años) sometidos a resecciones hepáticas. Métodos: Estudio de cohorte prospectivo que incluye pacientes intervenidos de resección hepática durante diciembre de 2017 a diciembre de 2019 sometidos a un programa ERAS, comparando los resultados de pacientes ≥70años (G≥70) frente a <70años (G<70). La fragilidad se midió con el score Physical Frailty Phenotype. Resultados: Se incluyeron 101 pacientes, de los que 32 (31,6%) correspondieron a G≥70. El 90% de ambos grupos verificaron realizar >70% del ERAS. Se encontraron diferencias a favor del G<70 en el inicio de tolerancia y la movilización activa el primer día postoperatorio. La estancia postoperatoria fue superponible (3,07días vs 2,7días). La morbimortalidad fue similar; ClavienI-II (G≥70: 41% vs G<70: 30,5%) y ≥III (G≥70: 6% vs G<70: 8,5%), al igual que los reingresos. La mortalidad global fue <1%. El cumplimiento del ERAS se asoció a un descenso en las complicaciones (ERAS <70%: 80% vs ERAS >90%: 20%; p=0,02) y de la gravedad de las mismas en la serie global y en ambos grupos a estudio. El 6% del G≥70 presentó fragilidad; el único paciente fallecido alcanzó un índice de fragilidad de 4. Conclusión: Los pacientes ancianos son candidatos a entrar en protocolo ERAS obteniendo una rápida recuperación, sin aumentar la morbimortalidad ni los reingresos. (AU)

Background: The increase of quality of life, the improvement in the perioperative care programs, the use of the frailty index, and the surgical innovation has allowed to access of complex abdominal surgery for elderly patients like liver resection. Despite of this, in patients aged 70 or older there is a limitation for the implementation ERAS protocols. The aim of this study is to evaluate the implementation ERAS protocol on elderly patients (≥70years) undergoing liver resection. Methods: A prospective cohort study of patients who underwent liver resection from December 2017 to December 2019 with an ERAS program. We compare the outcomes in patients ≥70years (G≥70) versus <70years (G<70). The frailty was measured with the Physical Frailty Phenotype score. Results: A total of 101 patients were included; 32 of these (31.6%) were patients ≥70years. 90% of the both groups had performed >70% of the ERAS. Oral diet tolerance and mobilization on the first postoperative day were quicker in <70years group. The hospital stay was similar in both groups (3.07days/2.7days). Morbidity and mortality were similar; ClavienI-II (G≥70: 41% vs G<70: 30.5%) and Clavien ≥III (G≥70: 6% vs G<70: 8.5%), like hospital readmissions. Mortality was <1%. ERAS protocol compliance was associated with a decrease in complications (ERAS <70%: 80% vs ERAS >90%: 20%; p=0.02) and decrease in severity of complications in both study groups. Frailty was found in 6% of the elderly group; the only patient who died had a frailty index of 4. Conclusion: Implementation of ERAS protocol for elderly patients is possible, with major improvements in perioperative outcomes, without an increase in morbidity, mortality neither readmissions. (AU)

Implementation of an ERAS protocol on elderly patients in liver resection.

BACKGROUND: The increase of quality of life, the improvement in the perioperative care programs, the use of the frailty index, and the surgical innovation has allowed to access of complex abdominal surgery for elderly patients like liver resection. Despite of this, in patients aged 70 or older there is a limitation for the implementation ERAS protocolos. The aim of this study is to evaluate the implementation ERAS protocol on elderly patients (≥70 years) undergoing liver resection. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of patients who underwent liver resection from December 2017 to December 2019 with an ERAS program. We compare the outcomes in patients ≥70 years (G ≥ 70) versus <70 years (G < 70). The frailty was measured with the Physical Frailty Phenotype score. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were included. 32 of these (31.6%) were patients ≥70 years. 90% of the both groups had performed >70% of the ERAS. Oral diet tolerance and mobilization on the first postoperative day were quicker in <70 years group. The hospital stay was similar in both groups (3.07days/2.7days). Morbidity and mortality were similar; Clavien I-II(G ≥ 70:41% vs G < 70:30,5%) and Clavien ≥ III (G ≥ 70:6% vs G < 70:8.5%), like hospital readmissions. Mortality was <1%. ERAS protocol compliance was associated with a decrease in complications (ERAS < 70%:80% vs ERAS > 90%:20%; p = 0.02) and decrease in severity of complications in both study groups. Frailty was found in 6% of the elderly group; the only patient who died had a frailty index of 4. CONCLUSION: Implementation of ERAS protocol for elderly patients is possible, with major improvements in perioperative outcomes, without an increase in morbidity, mortality neither readmissions.

Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms and Their Relationship with Nutritional Status and Mortality in Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression are common in patients with cancer. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients awaiting elective surgery and whether there is an association with their preoperative nutritional status and postoperative mortality. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 215 patients with CRC proposed for surgery. Data about nutritional status were collected using the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria, while anxiety and depression symptoms data were collected using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: HADS detected possible anxiety in 41.9% of patients, probable anxiety in 25.6%, possible depression in 21.9%, and probable depression in 7.9%. GLIM criteria found 116 (53.9%) patients with malnutrition. The HADS score for depression subscale was significantly higher in malnourished patients than in well-nourished (5.61 ± 3.65 vs. 3.95 ± 2.68; p = 0.001). After controlling for potential confounders, malnourished patients were 10.19 times more likely to present probable depression (95% CI 1.13-92.24; p = 0.039). Mortality was 1.9%, 4,2%, and 5.6% during admission and after 6 and 12 months, respectively. Compared to patients without depressive symptomatology, in patients with probable depression, mortality risk was 14.67 times greater (95% CI 1.54-140.21; p = 0.02) during admission and 6.62 times greater (95% CI 1.34-32.61; p = 0.02) after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of anxiety and depression symptoms in CRC patients awaiting elective surgery is high. There is an association between depression symptoms, preoperative nutritional status, and postoperative mortality.

Treatment of acute intraoperative Budd-Chiari syndrome by placement of silicone prosthesis.

Complete liver mobilization for major resections sometimes causes liver tilting due to the release of the suspensory elements of the liver. Rarely this may take to a liver abnormal position with acute obstruction to venous flow at the suprahepatic level (Budd-Chiari syndrome). To avoid this complication, techniques such as post-operative stent implantation have been described. The case of a patient who underwent a complete mobilization of the liver for resection of the inferior venous cava and a right renal tumor, was reported. After that, an acute Budd-Chiari Syndrome was observed caused of the liver malposition, which was solved with the placement of two silicone prostheses in the liver cell.

Poor Physical Performance Is Associated with Postoperative Complications and Mortality in Preoperative Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

Introduction: Poor physical performance has been shown to be a good predictor of complications in some pathologies. The objective of our study was to evaluate, in patients with colorectal neoplasia prior to surgery, physical performance and its relationship with postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality, at 1 month and at 6 months. Methods: We conducted a prospective study on patients with preoperative colorectal neoplasia, between October 2018 and July 2021. Physical performance was evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test and hand grip strength (HGS). For a decrease in physical performance, SPPB < 10 points or HGS below the EWGSOP2 cut-off points was considered. Nutritional status was evaluated using subjective global assessment (SGA). The prevalence of postoperative complications and mortality during admission, at 1 month, and at 6 months was evaluated. Results: A total of 296 patients, mean age 60.4 ± 12.8 years, 59.3% male, were evaluated. The mean BMI was 27.6 ± 5.1 kg/m2. The mean total SPPB score was 10.57 ± 2.07 points. A total of 69 patients presented a low SPPB score (23.3%). Hand grip strength showed a mean value of 33.1 ± 8.5 kg/m2 for men and 20.7 ± 4.3 kg/m2 for women. A total of 58 patients presented low HGS (19.6%). SGA found 40.2% (119) of patients with normal nourishment, 32.4% (96) with moderate malnutrition, and 27.4% (81) with severe malnutrition. Postoperative complications were more frequent in patients with a low SPPB score (60.3% vs. 38.6%; p = 0.002) and low HGS (64.9% vs. 39.3%, p = 0.001). A low SPPB test score (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.37−4.79, p = 0.003) and low HGS (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.37−5.29, p = 0.004) were associated with a higher risk of postoperative complications after adjusting for tumor stage and age. Patients with a low SPPB score presented an increase in in-hospital mortality (8.7% vs. 0.9%; p = 0.021), at 1 month (8.7% vs. 1.3%; p = 0.002) and at 6 months (13.1% vs. 2.2%, p < 0.001). Patients with low HGS presented an increase in mortality at 6 months (10.5% vs. 3.3%; p = 0.022). Conclusions: The decrease in physical performance, evaluated by the SPPB test or hand grip strength, was elevated in patients with colorectal cancer prior to surgery and was related to an increase in postoperative complications and mortality.

Outcomes of robotic-assisted vs conventional laparoscopic surgery among patients undergoing resection for rectal cancer: an observational single hospital study of 300 cases.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery attempts to facilitate rectal surgery in the narrow space of the pelvis. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of robotic versus laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. Monocentric retrospective study including 300 patients who underwent robotic (n = 178) or laparoscopic (n = 122) resection between Jan 2009 and Dec 2017 for high, mid and low rectal cancer. The robotic and laparoscopic groups were comparable with regard to pretreatment characteristics, except for sex and ASA status. There were no statistical differences between groups in the conversion rate to open surgery. Surgical morbidity and oncological quality did not differ in either group, except for the anastomosis leakage rate and the affected distal resection margin. There were no differences in overall survival rate between the laparoscopic and robotic group. Robotic surgery could provide some advantages over conventional laparoscopic surgery, such as three-dimensional views, articulated instruments, lower fatigue, lower conversion rate to open surgery, shorter hospital stays and lower urinary and sexual dysfunctions. On the other hand, robotic surgery usually implies longer operation times and higher costs. As shown in the ROLARR trial, no statistical differences in conversion rate were found between the groups in our study. When performed by experienced surgeons, robotic surgery for rectal cancer could be a safe and feasible option with no significant differences in terms of oncological outcomes in comparison to laparoscopic surgery.

Right and Left Colorectal Cancer: Differences in Post-Surgical-Care Outcomes and Survival in Elderly Patients.

(1) There is evidence of the embryological, anatomical, histological, genetic and immunological differences between right colon cancer (RCC) and left colon cancer (LCC). This research has the general objective of studying the differences in outcome between RCC and LCC. (2) A longitudinal analytical study with prospective follow-up of the case-control type was conducted from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2017 including 398 patients with 1:1 matching, depending on the location of the tumor. Inclusion criteria: programmed colectomies, 15 cm above the anal margin, adults and R0 surgery. (3) Precisely 6.8% of the exitus occurred in the first 6 months of the intervention. At 6 months, patients with LCC presented a mean survival of 7 months higher than RCC (p = 0.028). In the first stages, it can be observed that most of the exitus are for patients with RCC (stage I p = 0.021, stage II p = 0.014). In the last stages, the distribution of the deaths does not show differences between locations (stage III p = 0.683, stage IV p = 0.898). (4) The results show that RCC and LCC are significantly different in terms of evolution, progression, complications and survival. Patients with RCC have a worse prognosis, even in the early stages of the disease, due to more advanced N stages, larger tumor size, more frequently poorly differentiated tumors and a greater positivity of lymphovascular invasion than LCC.

Infarto esplénico masivo en bazo errante: una indicación infrecuente de esplenectomía de urgencia / Massive splenic infarction in a wandering spleen: A rare indication for emergency splenectomy

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Manejo conservador en íleo biliar / Non-operative management to gallstone ileus

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Ablación por radiofrecuencia del lecho quirúrgico tras tumorectomía en cirugía conservadora del cáncer de mama / Radiofrequency Ablation of the Surgical Bed After Lumpectomy in Breast-conserving Surgery

INTRODUCCIÓN: Obtener márgenes libres en cirugía conservadora del cáncer de mama (CCCM) es esencial para evitar la recurrencia local, precisando para ello la reintervención en múltiples ocasiones. La ablación por radiofrecuencia (ARF) de los márgenes tras tumorectomía parece ser una herramienta útil para evitar las reintervenciones, aunque con insuficiente evidencia. En este estudio se analiza la eficacia y seguridad de la ARF tras la CCCM para obtener márgenes libres. MÉTODOS: Estudio experimental, no aleatorizado, realizado en un grupo intervención de 40 pacientes al que se aplicó ARF tras tumorectomía y exéresis posterior de los márgenes, y otro grupo control histórico de 40 pacientes al que se realizó CCCM. En el grupo intervención, se analizó el efecto de la ARF sobre la viabilidad de las células tumorales en los márgenes extirpados. Se realizó además un análisis comparativo sobre el porcentaje de reintervenciones, las complicaciones y el resultado estético en ambos grupos. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 240 márgenes extirpados tras ARF, evidenciando un elevado número de márgenes libres. Comparado con el grupo control, disminuyó significativamente el número de reintervenciones (0% vs. 12%; p = 0,02), sin hallar diferencias respecto a las complicaciones (5% vs. 10%; p = 0,67) ni al resultado estético (excelente o bueno 92,5% vs. 95%; p = 0,3). CONCLUSIONES: La ARF tras tumorectomía es una técnica sencilla, segura y eficaz para la obtención de márgenes libres, y permite reducir las reintervenciones sin afectar a las complicaciones ni al resultado estético

INTRODUCTION: Obtaining tumor-free margins during breast conservative surgery (BCS) is essential to avoid local recurrence and frequently requires reoperation. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of surgical margins after lumpectomy seems to be a helpful tool to avoid reoperations, but evidence is insufficient. This study analyzes the efficacy and safety of RFA after BCS to obtain free surgical margins. METHODS: Non-randomized experimental study performed in an intervention group of 40 patients assigned to receive RFA after lumpectomy and successive resection of surgical margins, and a historical control group of 40 patients treated with BCS alone. In the intervention group, the RFA effect on tumor cell viability in the surgical margins was analyzed. Also, reoperation rate, complications and cosmetic results were compared in both groups. RESULTS: A total of 240 excised margins were analyzed after RFA, obtaining a high number of tumor-free margins. Compared to the control group, the reoperation rate decreased significantly (0% vs 12%; P = .02), without differences in terms of postoperative complications (10% vs 5%; P = .67) or cosmetic results (excellent or good 92.5% vs 95%; P = .3). CONCLUSIONS: RFA after lumpectomy is a reliable, safe and successful procedure to obtain tumor-free surgical margins and to decrease the reoperation rate without affecting complications or compromising cosmetic results