The repair of large ventral hernias in patients with severe cardio-respiratory disease: Volume transposition technique.

Massive hernias of the abdominal wall present a major challenge to the general surgeon. In some extreme cases of patients with severe cardio-respiratory disease, the repair of such hernias may be impracticable. In these cases, we believe the volume transposition technique is appropriate. In this approach, the hernia volume is calculated and the wall repaired with mesh to accommodate the estimated volume of the hernia sac, thus avoiding any increase in intra-abdominal pressure. We believe this technique is simple, reproducible and useful in cases that are inoperable due to cardio-respiratory problems that make any loss of lung volume unacceptable.

Chronic abdominal syndrome due to nervous compression. Study of 100 cases and proposed diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm.

OBJECTIVE: In the medical literature, thoracic disc protrusion has traditionally been considered a rare occurrence. We hypothesise that the incidence of such protrusions and their abdominal symptoms is higher than is generally believed and that their presence may account for a significant proportion of chronic non-visceral abdominal pains. Accordingly, the present study was designed to identify and quantify the symptoms experienced by patients with thoracic disc protrusion and to assess the relative risk of these symptoms being presented, compared to the general population. DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional study with a control group. The following comparison groups were analysed: case group, consisting of 100 patients diagnosed with thoracic disc protrusion in our hospital between February 2007 and October 2012, and control group consisting of 100 subjects from the general population, chosen at random. To compare the symptoms observed in each group, the following tests were applied to all study subjects: clinical examination, gastrointestinal-related quality of life (GIQLI) questionnaire and DN4 questionnaire. We also reviewed the subjects' medical records for the previous 3 years. RESULTS: The subjects in the case group had a significantly higher incidence of digestive-urologic symptoms, a poorer gastrointestinal quality of life and greater need of medical care than those in the control group. The differences were statistically significant for all the parameters studied. Almost all the case group subjects suffered chronic abdominal pain and/or digestive-urologic symptoms. We term this group of symptoms "chronic abdominal syndrome due to nervous compression". Nevertheless, in most cases, no neurologic aetiology was suspected, and therefore the treatment given was ineffective. In view of the results obtained, we propose a diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm for such patients. CONCLUSION: Thoracic disc protrusion, as well as having a non-negligible incidence, is often associated with a digestive-urologic clinical syndrome, and this factor should be taken into account in all cases of chronic abdominal pain and other digestive-urologic symptoms when standard tests are negative, so that appropriate treatment may be given.

Do we really know the symptoms of inguinal hernia?

PURPOSE: Although there is a high incidence of inguinal hernia in developed countries, few studies have been conducted to describe the symptoms, and these few only address the local symptoms, not those presenting at other levels. The aim of the present study is to conduct a detailed review of the symptoms, both inguinal and otherwise, of patients with inguinal hernia. METHODS: A case-control study was designed to compare the symptoms presented by 231 patients diagnosed with inguinal hernia with those of a second group of 231 randomly-selected subjects. In the hernia group, the symptoms were also evaluated according to the location of the hernia (right, left, bilateral). RESULTS: Significant differences (more symptomatology in patients with hernia) were found for the following items: groin pain, genital pain, urinary symptoms, abdominal pain, increased peristalsis and tenesmus. On the contrary, the control patients presented greater symptomatology with respect to back pain and diaphragm pain. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with inguinal hernia present a wide variety of symptoms, and these are not restricted to the inguinal area. It is important to be aware of this fact to convey accurate information to the patient, especially with regard to postoperative expectations.

Platelet-rich fibrin sealant as a treatment for complex perianal fistulas: a multicentre study.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of perianal fistulas is high, and this condition has a profoundly negative impact on patients' quality of life. The problem is greater when the fistula tract is high because treatment is necessarily complex (limited surgery may lead to recurrence, while aggressive surgery is associated with higher rates of faecal incontinence). To achieve a balance between these two options, we suggest that complex fistulas should be treated by sealing the tract with platelet-rich fibrin. Our objective is to evaluate the medium- to long-term results obtained from the treatment of complex perianal fistulas by sealing with platelet-rich fibrin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective longitudinal multicentre study involves three colorectal surgeons working at three hospitals. The study period was October 2010 to June 2013, during which a total of 60 patients were treated for complex fistulas. In all cases, the intervention consisted of curetting the fistula tract, sealing it with platelet-rich fibrin and closing the internal orifice. We evaluated the clinical outcomes (clinical examination and pelvic magnetic resonance (MRI)) and the quality of life results, both general (SF-36) and gastrointestinal (GIQLI questionnaire) in periodic reviews during consultation. RESULT: The median follow-up period was 24 months (11-43 months), during which in 40 patients (66.66 %) the fistulas remained closed, with a zero rate of faecal incontinence. The results of the quality of life questionnaires are comparable (indeed, they are better in some items for the cured patients) to those of the reference population. CONCLUSION: In our opinion, this procedure is safe and its results are promising in terms of clinical outcome and medium- to long-term quality of life.

[Use of anamnesis and immunological techniques in the diagnosis of anisakidosis in patients with acute abdomen]. / Utilidad de la anamnesis y de las técnicas inmunológicas en el diagnóstico de la anisakidosis en pacientes con abdomen agudo.

INTRODUCTION: Anisakis simplex can be a cause of digestive symptoms. Our aim was to evaluate the epidemiological antecedents and immunological data available for a differentiation between patients with anisakidosis and those with other acute abdominal problems. PATIENTS AND METHODS: this is a prospective cohort study involving 134 patients with acute abdominal problems: 52 patients were diagnosed with anisakidosis by means of surgical and pathological findings and/or specific IgE seroconversion against Anisakis simplex (group A), and in 82 patients anisakidosis had been ruled out (group NA: non-anisakidosis). We evaluated the antecedent of raw fish ingestion, the skin prick test, and IgE immunoblotting as diagnostic tools. RESULTS: patients in groups A and NA differ in terms of prior raw fish ingestion (p < 0.0001) and positive SPT (p < 0.0001), with their respective negative predictive values (NPV) being 98.39% (95%CI: 90.17-99.92) and 95.56% (95%CI: 83.64-99.23). Regarding immunoblotting, in 86.2% of patients in group A a band of 60 kDa was detected, which was also detected in 19.2% of patients in group NA. CONCLUSIONS: a negative answer to the question about raw or undercooked fish ingestion has very high sensitivity and NPV (98.39%), and is thus reasonably reliable to rule out anisakidosis. The absence of cutaneous sensitization to crude A. simplex extract gives a high probability (95.56%) that the illness is absent. The presence of a band of about 60 kDa in immunoblotting would be useful for diagnosis.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients over 70 years of age: review of 176 cases.

INTRODUCTION: We assessed the results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 176 patients over the age of 70 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included all patients older than 70 years of age who underwent laparoscopic surgery cholelithiasis during the previous ten years. Variables studied included age, sex, type of operation (programmed/emergency), comorbidity, anesthetic risk, intraoperative cholangiography, conversion to open surgery, number of trocars, reoperation, residual choledocholithiasis, postoperative hospital stay, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: The study included 176 patients (23.29% men and 76.71% women). The mean age was 74.86 years. The mean hospital stay was 1.27 days, with 16.98% morbidity and 0.56% mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe procedure in older patients. It results in faster recovery, a shorter postoperative stay and lower rates of morbidity and mortality than open bile duct surgery.

Sensitization to Anisakis simplex s.l. in a healthy population.

The main objective of this study was to determine the degree of sensitization to Anisakis simplex s.l. in healthy population. Using the determination of specific IgE, we studied the seroprevalence against A. simplex s.l. in blood donors selected at random in the region of Antequera (Southern Spain). We detected 22.1%. The immunoblotting technique revealed a band of approximately 60 kDa in the serum of individuals who also exhibited high values of specific IgE against A. simplex s.l. This band would be useful for diagnosis.

Treatment of cholecystoduodenal fistula in the era of laparoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: At first, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was considered unsuitable for patients presenting biliary tract diseases. This study seeks to demonstrate cholecystoduodenal fistula is not a contraindication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and it can be performed without a higher risk for the patient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study has been completed on laparoscopic biliary pathology from 1992 to 1999 (191 urgent and 877 elective choice surgeries). 302 cases (28%) are of complicated biliary pathology. We report on 14 cholecystoduodenal fistulae, 3 cholecystocolonic fistulae, and 2 cholecystogastric fistulae. RESULTS: Only in 5 patients with cholecystoduodenal fistula was the operation successfully completed by laparoscopy. Conversion to open surgery was because of bleeding (5 cases), difficulty for colon suture (2 cases), and inflammation of the gallbladder with the duodenum (7 cases). An endo-GIA 35 was used to transect the fistula. All patients were discharged after 4 or 5 days without wound infection, and they have been evaluated at 3 and 12 months, without problems. CONCLUSION: Cholecystoduodenal fistula can no longer be considered a contraindication for laparoscopic treatment, and it does not increase morbidity risk.