La irrigación transanal como opción terapéutica para los pacientes con incontinencia y estreñimiento crónico severo refractarios a primera línea / Transanal irrigation as a therapeutic option for patients with incontinence and severe chronic constipation refractory to first line treatment

Introducción: El objetivo es evaluar la utilidad de la irrigación transanal como tratamiento de la incontinencia y estreñimiento crónico severo refractario a primera línea terapéutica, y valorar su impacto en la sintomatología y calidad de vida. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo descriptivo de pacientes con incontinencia y estreñimiento crónico que han iniciado irrigación transanal en dos hospitales de la región. Se recogen variables sociodemográficas, comorbilidades, tratamientos previos, pruebas realizadas, parámetros e incidencias durante la irrigación, puntuación en las escalas de gravedad de incontinencia y estreñimiento de la Cleveland Clinic y calidad de vida EuroQol-5D antes y después del tratamiento. Resultados: Un total de 40 pacientes, 20 con incontinencia y 20 con estreñimiento crónico. Tras una media de 9 meses de tratamiento, en 14 pacientes con incontinencia hemos objetivado una media de mejoría de 7,45 puntos pre-post tratamiento en la escala de gravedad de incontinencia de la Cleveland Clinic, y una media de mejoría en la calidad de vida de 23 puntos pre-post tratamiento en la escala EQ5D (p<0,001); y en 16 pacientes con estreñimiento una media de mejoría de 7,6 puntos pre-post tratamiento en la escala de gravedad de estreñimiento de la Cleveland Clinic, y una media de mejoría en la calidad de vida de 31,5 puntos pre-post tratamiento en la escala EQ5D (p<0,001). Conclusiones: La irrigación transanal es una terapia efectiva para pacientes con incontinencia y estreñimiento crónico no respondedores a primera línea terapéutica. Es sencilla, autoadministrable y segura. Cuando el paciente aprende a emplearla, mejora su sintomatología y calidad de vida. (AU)

Introduction: The aim is to evaluate the utility of transanal irrigation such as treatment of incontinence and severe chronic constipation which is refractory to first-line therapy, and to assess its impact into the symptomatology and quality of life. Methods: Observational retrospective study of patients with incontinence and chronic constipation that had initiated transanal irrigation in two hospitals of the region. We collect sociodemographic variables, comorbidity, previous treatments, tests, parameters and incidences during the irrigation, and punctuation in the Cleveland Clinic Incontinence and Constipation Scores and EuroQol-5D Quality Of Life Scale before and after the treatment. Results: 40 patients, 20 with incontinence and 20 with chronic constipation. After an average period of 9 months of treatment, in 14 patients with incontinence we have observed a mean clinical improvement of 7,45 points before-after treatment measured with Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score, and a mean improvement of 23 points in their quality of life before-after treatment measured with EQ5D Scale (p<0.001); and in 16 patients with constipation a mean clinical improvement of 7,6 points before-after treatment measured with Cleveland Clinic Constipation Score, and a mean improvement of 31,5 points in their quality of life before-after treatment measured with EQ5D Scale (p<0.001). Conclusions: Transanal irrigation is an effective therapy for patients with incontinence and chronic constipation that are refractory to first-line therapies. It's an easy, self-administered and safe procedure. When the patient learns how to use it, the symptomatology and quality of life are improved. (AU)

Perforación traqueal diferida tras cirugía tiroidea en un paciente con radioterapia cervical.

Tracheal perforation is a rare complication of thyroid surgery. A 36-year-old man with previous neck radiotherapy due to a nasopharyngeal cancer. After right hemithyoidectomy and isthmusectomy, the patient presented a tracheal perforation. The diagnosis was confirmed with computed tomography and bronchoscopy. A conservative management was performed with drainage and antibiotic therapy, and the evolution was satisfactory. If recognized at the time of the surgery, perforations should be closed primarily. Delayed perforations will be treated with an emergency surgery or conservatively depending on the clinical situation of the patient.

La perforación traqueal es una rara complicación de la cirugía tiroidea. Varón de 36 años con antecedente de radioterapia cervical por una neoplasia de cavum sometido a hemitiroidectomía derecha e istmectomía que durante el posoperatorio presentó una perforación traqueal confirmada por tomografía computarizada y broncoscopia. Se realizó manejo conservador con drenaje y antibioticoterapia, evolucionando de forma favorable. Las perforaciones identificadas durante la cirugía deben ser reparadas intraoperatoriamente, mientras que las diferidas se tratarán de forma quirúrgica urgente o de manera conservadora en función de la situación clínica del paciente.

Crk proteins activate the Rap1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor C3G by segregated adaptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: C3G is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that activates Rap1 to promote cell adhesion. Resting C3G is autoinhibited and the GEF activity is released by stimuli that signal through tyrosine kinases. C3G is activated by tyrosine phosphorylation and interaction with Crk adaptor proteins, whose expression is elevated in multiple human cancers. However, the molecular details of C3G activation and the interplay between phosphorylation and Crk interaction are poorly understood. METHODS: We combined biochemical, biophysical, and cell biology approaches to elucidate the mechanisms of C3G activation. Binding of Crk adaptor proteins to four proline-rich motifs (P1 to P4) in C3G was characterized in vitro using isothermal titration calorimetry and sedimentation velocity, and in Jurkat and HEK293T cells by affinity pull-down assays. The nucleotide exchange activity of C3G over Rap1 was measured using nucleotide-dissociation kinetic assays. Jurkat cells were also used to analyze C3G translocation to the plasma membrane and the C3G-dependent activation of Rap1 upon ligation of T cell receptors. RESULTS: CrkL interacts through its SH3N domain with sites P1 and P2 of inactive C3G in vitro and in Jurkat and HEK293T cells, and these sites are necessary to recruit C3G to the plasma membrane. However, direct stimulation of the GEF activity requires binding of Crk proteins to the P3 and P4 sites. P3 is occluded in resting C3G and is essential for activation, while P4 contributes secondarily towards complete stimulation. Tyrosine phosphorylation of C3G alone causes marginal activation. Instead, phosphorylation primes C3G lowering the concentration of Crk proteins required for activation and increasing the maximum activity. Unexpectedly, optimal activation also requires the interaction of CrkL-SH2 domain with phosphorylated C3G. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that phosphorylation of C3G by Src and Crk-binding form a two-factor mechanism that ensures tight control of C3G activation. Additionally, the simultaneous SH2 and SH3N interaction of CrkL with C3G, required for the activation, reveals a novel adaptor-independent function of Crk proteins relevant to understanding their role in physiological signaling and their deregulation in diseases. Video abstract.

Traumatismo esplénico secundario a colonoscopia: una complicación infrecuente

Introducción: La colonoscopia es un procedimiento frecuente y seguro, no exento sin embargo de complicaciones. El traumatismo esplénico es una complicación infrecuente, pero potencialmente mortal. Caso Clínico: Mujer de 75 años, consultaba por dolor y distensión abdominal tras colonoscopia. A la exploración presentaba dolor a la palpación en epigastrio e hipocondrio izquierdo sin irritación peritoneal. La TC urgente informaba de hematoma esplénico de 10 x 2,6 cm sin signos de sangrado activo. Fue tratada de forma conservadora con evolución favorable. Conclusión: El manejo del traumatismo esplénico depende de la estabilidad hemodinámica, el grado de la lesión y la presencia de sangrado activo. En casos seleccionados, el tratamiento conservador constituye una alternativa para evitar cirugías innecesarias, aunque se debe monitorizar al paciente de forma estricta durante 48-72 h en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivo. Aunque la lesión esplénica secundaria a la colonoscopia es una complicación infrecuente, puede presentar alta morbimortalidad si pasa inadvertida.

Introduction: Colonoscopy is a frequent and routine procedure, and even though it is considered safe, it can have complications. The splenic traumatism is an infrequent complication, but potentially mortal. Clinical Case: Woman 75 years old, consulted for abdominal pain and distension after a colonoscopy. Physical examination revealed pain in epigastric and left hypochondrium without peritoneal irritation. Urgent TC scan reported a splenic hematoma of 10 x 2,6 cm, without active bleeding. She received non-operative treatment with a favorable evolution. Conclusion: The management depends on the hemodynamic stability, the grade of injury and the presence of and active bleeding. In selected cases, non-operative treatment is an option that avoids unnecessary surgeries, even if the patient must stay 48-72 h hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit for a strict monitoring of vital signs. Although the splenic injury secondary a colonoscopy is an infrequent complication, it can be potentially mortal if it is not diagnosed.

No es GIST todo lo que parece / GIST is not all that it seems

We present a 41-year-old female who was admitted to our hospital with a history of 2-month epigastric pain and vomiting. Physical examination was normal. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a sessile submucosal tumor with central ulceration in the gastric body-antrum. Biopsies revealed a gastric mucosa without changes. Nevertheless, endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsies showed interlacing bundles of spindle cells. The immunohistochemical study was negative for CD117 and smooth muscle actin and positive for S100 protein. A CT scan identified a heterogeneous mass in the stomach wall (AU)

Transanal irrigation as a therapeutic option for patients with incontinence and severe chronic constipation refractory to first-line treatment.

INTRODUCTION: The aim is to evaluate the utility of transanal irrigation such as treatment of incontinence and severe chronic constipation which is refractory to first-line therapy, and to assess its impact into the symptomatology and quality of life. METHODS: Observational retrospective study of patients with incontinence and chronic constipation that had initiated transanal irrigation in two hospitals of the region. We collect sociodemographic variables, comorbidity, previous treatments, tests, parameters and incidences during the irrigation, and punctuation in the Cleveland Clinic Incontinence and Constipation Scores and EuroQol-5D Quality Of Life Scale before and after the treatment. RESULTS: 40 patients, 20 with incontinence and 20 with chronic constipation. After an average period of 9 months of treatment, in 14 patients with incontinence we have observed a mean clinical improvement of 7,45 points before-after treatment measured with Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score, and a mean improvement of 23 points in their quality of life before-after treatment measured with EQ5D Scale (P < .001); and in 16 patients with constipation a mean clinical improvement of 7,6 points before-after treatment measured with Cleveland Clinic Constipation Score, and a mean improvement of 31,5 points in their quality of life before-after treatment measured with EQ5D Scale (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Transanal irrigation is an effective therapy for patients with incontinence and chronic constipation that are refractory to first-line therapies. It's an easy, self-administered and safe procedure. When the patient learns how to use it, the symptomatology and quality of life are improved.

GIST is not all that it seems.

We present a 41-year-old female who was admitted to our hospital with a history of 2-month epigastric pain and vomiting. Physical examination was normal. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a sessile submucosal tumor with central ulceration in the gastric body-antrum. Biopsies revealed a gastric mucosa without changes. Nevertheless, endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsies showed interlacing bundles of spindle cells. The immunohistochemical study was negative for CD117 and smooth muscle actin and positive for S100 protein. A CT scan identified a heterogeneous mass in the stomach wall.

Postoperative Diet with an Oligomeric Hyperproteic Normocaloric Supplement versus a Supplement with Immunonutrients in Colorectal Cancer Surgery: Results of a Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial.

(1) Background: For normo-nourished colorectal cancer patients, the need for immunonutrients after elective surgery is not known. (2) Methods: Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, phase III clinical trial comparing the postoperative diet with 200 mL oligomeric hyperproteic normocaloric (OHN; experimental arm) supplement vs. 200 mL immunonutritional (IN) (active comparator) supplement twice a day for five days in 151 normo-nourished adult colorectal-resection patients following the multimodal rehabilitation ERAS protocol. The proportions of patients with complications (primary outcome) and those who were readmitted, hospitalized for <7 days, had surgical site infections, or died due to surgical complications (secondary outcome) were compared between the two groups until postoperative day 30. Tolerance to both types of supplement and blood parameters was also assessed until day 5. (3) Results: Mean age was 69.2 and 84 (58.7%) were men. Complications were reported in 41 (28.7%) patients and the incidence did not differ between groups (18 (25%) vs. 23 (32.4%) patients with OHN and IN supplement, respectively; p = 0.328). No significant differences were found for the rest of the variables. (4) Conclusions: IN supplement may not be necessary for the postoperative recovery of colorectal cancer patients under the ERAS regimen and with normal nutritional status at the time of surgery.

Surgical acute abdomen and COVID-19 vaccination.

In response to the publication "Acute appendicitis, foreign bodies and COVID-19 vaccination: correspondence", we reviewed the association between acute surgical abdomen and COVID-19 vaccination.