Hemoperitoneo secundario a lesión esplénica tras colonoscopia diagnóstica. Una complicación infrecuente

Introducción: La colonoscopia es una herramienta básica en el estudio de patologías del área colorrectal, así como uno de los pilares del screening del cáncer de colon y recto. Sin embargo, no es un procedimiento exento de riesgos, algunos de ellos con elevada morbimortalidad. Caso Clínico: Varón de 55 años con enolismo crónico y hepatopatía por Virus Hepatitis C y Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica. En estudio por diarrea se solicita una ecografía de abdomen donde, como único hallazgo, se muestra una lesión de 7 mm a nivel de páncreas y una colonoscopia con intención diagnóstica que no muestra alteraciones significativas. Con la sospecha de que la lesión pancreática pudiese ser la causa del cuadro diarreico, se realiza un escáner abdominal donde se muestra una colección subcapsular a nivel esplénico de 11 × 3 cm compatible con hematoma sin signos de sangrado activo. Dada la estabilidad hemodinámica, se inicia manejo conservador, con empeoramiento del dolor abdominal e hipotensión en las siguientes 12 h. Se repite prueba de imagen objetivando aumento de hematoma esplénico y líquido libre intraabdominal. Se indica cirugía urgente donde se evidencia hemoperitoneo secundario a lesión esplénica que obliga a realizar esplenectomía. Conclusión: La presencia de una posible lesión esplénica yatrogénica se debe tener en cuenta en el diagnóstico diferencial en un paciente con dolor abdominal de inicio agudo y anemización o alteración del estado hemodinámico dentro de las primeras 24-48 h tras la realización de una colonoscopia.

Introduction: Colonoscopy is a basic tool in the study of pathology of the colorectal area, as well as one of the pillars of colon and rectal cancer screening. However, it is not a risk-free procedure, some of them with high morbimortality. Case Report: 55-year-old male with chronic alcoholism and hepatopathy due to HCV, COPD. During a study for diarrhea, an ultrasound of the abdomen revealed a 7 mm pancreas tumor, and a diagnostic colonoscopy showed no significant alterations. With the suspicion that the pancreatic lesion could be the cause of the diarrhea, an abdominal scan was performed showing a subcapsular collection at the splenic level of 11 × 3 cm compatible with hematoma without signs of active bleeding. Due to the hemodynamic stability, conservative management was decided, with worsening abdominal pain and hypotension in the following 12 hours. A new imaging test showed an enlarged splenic hematoma and free abdominal fluid suggestive of hemoperitoneum. Urgent surgery found hemoperitoneum secondary to splenic lesion and splenectomy was required. Conclusion: The presence of a possible iatrogenic splenic lesion should be considered in the differential diagnosis in a patient with acute onset abdominal pain and anemia or hemodynamic status alteration within the first 24-48 hours after colonoscopy.

Is prophylactic mesh closure effective to decrease the incidence of incisional hernia after laparotomy in colorectal surgery?

BACKGROUND: few studies have studied prophylactic mesh closure after laparotomy for colorectal surgery. METHODS: a retrospective cohort study was performed to compare patients with and without prophylactic mesh closure after open colorectal surgery. RESULTS: 309 patients were included from January 2014 to December 2016. Prophylactic mesh closure was performed in 98 patients (31.7%). After a mean follow-up of 21.7 months, incisional hernia was developed in 9 and 54 patients in the group with and without mesh respectively (9.2% vs. 25.7%, OR = 0.3, p = 0.001). In the multivariate Cox model prophylactic mesh closure was associated with a protective effect on incisional hernia development with a Hazard Ratio of 0.46 (p = 0.033). Surgical site infection was more frequent in the mesh group (19.4% vs. 9.5%, OR = 2.3, p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: prophylactic mesh closure is effective to decrease the incidence of incisional hernia after colorectal surgery.

NT3/TrkC Pathway Modulates the Expression of UCP-1 and Adipocyte Size in Human and Rodent Adipose Tissue.

Neurotrophin-3 (NT3), through activation of its tropomyosin-related kinase receptor C (TrkC), modulates neuronal survival and neural stem cell differentiation. It is widely distributed in peripheral tissues (especially vessels and pancreas) and this ubiquitous pattern suggests a role for NT3, outside the nervous system and related to metabolic functions. The presence of the NT3/TrkC pathway in the adipose tissue (AT) has never been investigated. Present work studies in human and murine adipose tissue (AT) the presence of elements of the NT3/TrkC pathway and its role on lipolysis and adipocyte differentiation. qRT-PCR and immunoblot indicate that NT3 (encoded by NTF3) was present in human retroperitoneal AT and decreases with age. NT3 was also present in rat isolated adipocytes and retroperitoneal, interscapular, perivascular, and perirenal AT. Histological analysis evidences that NT3 was mainly present in vessels irrigating AT close associated to sympathetic fibers. Similar mRNA levels of TrkC (encoded by NTRK3) and ß-adrenoceptors were found in all ATs assayed and in isolated adipocytes. NT3, through TrkC activation, exert a mild effect in lipolysis. Addition of NT3 during the differentiation process of human pre-adipocytes resulted in smaller adipocytes and increased uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) without changes in ß-adrenoceptors. Similarly, transgenic mice with reduced expression of NT3 (Ntf3 knock-in lacZ reporter mice) or lacking endothelial NT3 expression (Ntf3flox1/flox2;Tie2-Cre+/0) displayed enlarged white and brown adipocytes and lower UCP-1 expression. Conclusions: NT3, mainly released by blood vessels, activates TrkC and regulates adipocyte differentiation and browning. Disruption of NT3/TrkC signaling conducts to hypertrophied white and brown adipocytes with reduced expression of the thermogenesis marker UCP-1.

Extraction-site incisional hernia after laparoscopic colorectal surgery: should we carry out a study about prophylactic mesh closure?

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic mesh closure has only scarcely been studied to avoid extraction-site incisional hernia after laparoscopic colorectal surgery. The aim was to analyze extraction-site incisional hernia incidence after laparoscopic colorectal surgery to assess if prophylactic mesh closure should be studied. METHODS: A retrospective analytic cohort study was conducted in patients who had undergone laparoscopic colorectal surgery with an extraction-site incision. Extraction-site incisional hernia was diagnosed during clinical examination or imaging. Risk factors for extraction-site incisional hernia were analyzed. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-five patients were included. More than 80% of the patients had a malignant disease. Ninety-two patients (40.9%) underwent right colectomy. Midline extraction-site incision was used in 86 (38.2%) patients. After a mean follow-up of 2.4 years, 39 (17.3%) patients developed an extraction-site incisional hernia. Midline extraction-site incision was associated with incisional hernia when compared to transverse and Pfannenstiel incision (39.5% vs. 3.6%, OR 17.5, p < 0.001). Surgery to repair an extraction-site incisional hernia was also more frequent in the group of patients with a midline incision (10.5% vs. 1.4%, OR 8.0, p = 0.002). In the multivariate analysis, incisional hernia was associated with body mass index, high blood pressure, and midline incision. CONCLUSIONS: Extraction-site incisional hernia was mainly related to midline incisions; therefore, midline incision should be avoided whenever possible. Studying prophylactic mesh closure for Pfannesnstiel or transverse incisions is needless, as these incisions have a low incisional hernia risk.

Calcium oscillations in human mesenteric vascular smooth muscle.

Phenylephrine (PE)-induced oscillatory fluctuations in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) of vascular smooth muscle have been observed in many blood vessels isolated from a wide variety of mammals. Paradoxically, until recently similar observations in humans have proven elusive. In this study, we report for the first time observations of adrenergically-stimulated [Ca(2+)]i oscillations in human mesenteric artery smooth muscle. In arterial segments preloaded with Fluo-4 AM and mounted on a myograph on the stage of a confocal microscope, we observed PE-induced oscillations in [Ca(2+)]i, which initiated and maintained vasoconstriction. These oscillations present some variability, possibly due to compromised health of the tissue. This view is corroborated by our ultrastructural analysis of the cells, in which we found only (5 ± 2)% plasma membrane-sarcoplasmic reticulum apposition, markedly less than measured in healthy tissue from laboratory animals. We also partially characterized the oscillations by using the inhibitory drugs 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) and nifedipine. After PE contraction, all drugs provoked relaxation of the vessel segments, sometimes only partial, and reduced or inhibited oscillations, except CPA, which rarely caused relaxation. These preliminary results point to a potential involvement of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) in the maintenance of the Ca(2+) oscillations observed in human blood vessels.

Age-dependent defective TGF-beta1 signaling in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß1) is a pleiotropic cytokine, which is deregulated in atherosclerosis; however the role of age in this process is unknown. We aimed to assess whether TGF-ß1 signaling is affected by age. METHODS: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were obtained from patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Levels of TGF-ß1 were measured by ELISA in sera from 169 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The p27 expression was determined by Western blot from internal mammary arteries (IMA) obtained from CABG patients (n=13). In VSMC from these patients undergoing abdominal surgery, secretion of TGF-ß1 was determined by ELISA of cell-conditioned media. RESULTS: In VSMC from aged patients we observed a lower TGF-ß1 secretion, measured as TGF-ß1 concentration in cell conditioned medium (p<0.001). This effect was correlated to an age-dependent decrease of p27 expression in IMA from aged CABG patients. In a similar manner, there was an age-dependent decrease of serum TGF-ß1 levels in CABG patients (p=0.0195). CONCLUSIONS: VSMC from aged patients showed a higher degree of cellular senescence and it was associated to a lower TGF-ß1 secretion and signaling.

Resultados de la implantación de un protocolo de fast-track en una unidad de cirugía colorrectal: estudio comparativo / Results of applying a fast-track protocol in a colorectal surgery unit: comparative study

Objetivo: Implantar un protocolo de fast-track (FT) en una unidad de cirugía colorrectal, comprobando la seguridad de aplicación del mismo, en pacientes sometidos a cirugía colorrectal electiva, mediante la evaluación de las diferencias de morbilidad y estancia hospitalaria con respecto a un grupo control (GC) con cuidados tradicionales. Analizamos también la recuperación funcional del grupo FT. Material y método Se compararon mediante un estudio de cohorte prospectivo con control no concurrente, un grupo de 108 pacientes intervenidos por cáncer colorrectal entre 2008 y 2009, a los que se les aplicó el protocolo FT y un GC de 147 pacientes intervenidos entre 2005 y 2007 de similares características, con cuidados postoperatorios tradicionales. Resultados Fueron similares en ambos grupos las características demográficas, el riesgo anestésico y los procedimientos quirúrgicos realizados, con un mayor número de pacientes con abordaje laparoscópico en el grupo FT. El cumplimiento de los ítems incluidos en nuestro protocolo FT fue elevado (72,2-92,6%).Se observaron complicaciones en 77 pacientes (52%) del GC frente a 30 (27,8%) en el grupo FT (p<0,001), debido fundamentalmente a la disminución de la infección de la herida quirúrgica (p<0,001). Mortalidad y número de reingresos fueron menores en el grupo FT, sin diferencias estadísticamente significativas. La mediana de estancia hospitalaria fue de 14 días en el GC y de 8 en el FT (p<0,001).Conclusiones La aplicación de un programa de FT en cirugía colorrectal es segura, permitiendo una disminución significativa de la morbilidad y la estancia hospitalaria, sin aumentar el número de reingresos (AU)

Objective: To implement a fast-track (FT) protocol in a colorectal surgery unit, checking its safety when applied to patients subjected to elective colorectal surgery, by evaluating the differences in morbidity and hospital stay compared to a control group with traditional care. We also analyse the functional recovery of the FT group. Material and method: A prospective cohort study with non-concurrent control, was conducted on a group of 108 patients operated on for colorectal cancer between 2008 and 2009,to which the FT protocol was applied, and a control group (CG) of 147 patients subjected to surgery between 2005 and 2007 with similar characteristics, with traditional postoperative care. Results: The demographic characteristics, anaesthetic risk, and the surgical procedures performed were similar, with a higher number of patients with laparoscopic approach in the FT group. The compliance with the items in our FT protocol was high (72.2-92.6%).Complications were observed in 77 patients (52%) in the GC compared to 30 (27.8%) in the FT group (P<.001), mainly due to the decrease in surgical wound infection (P<.001). Mortality and the number of readmissions were less in the FT group, with no statistically significant differences. The median hospital stay was 14 days in the CG and 8 in the FT group (P<.001).Conclusions: The applying of an FT program in colorectal surgery is safe, leading to a significant decrease in morbidity and hospital stay, without increasing the number of readmissions (AU)

[Results of applying a fast-track protocol in a colorectal surgery unit: comparative study]. / Resultados de la implantación de un protocolo de fast-track en una unidad de cirugía colorrectal: estudio comparativo.

OBJECTIVE: To implement a fast-track (FT) protocol in a colorectal surgery unit, checking its safety when applied to patients subjected to elective colorectal surgery, by evaluating the differences in morbidity and hospital stay compared to a control group with traditional care. We also analyse the functional recovery of the FT group. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective cohort study with non-concurrent control, was conducted on a group of 108 patients operated on for colorectal cancer between 2008 and 2009, to which the FT protocol was applied, and a control group (CG) of 147 patients subjected to surgery between 2005 and 2007 with similar characteristics, with traditional postoperative care. RESULTS: The demographic characteristics, anaesthetic risk, and the surgical procedures performed were similar, with a higher number of patients with laparoscopic approach in the FT group. The compliance with the items in our FT protocol was high (72.2-92.6%). Complications were observed in 77 patients (52%) in the GC compared to 30 (27.8%) in the FT group (P<.001), mainly due to the decrease in surgical wound infection (P<.001). Mortality and the number of readmissions were less in the FT group, with no statistically significant differences. The median hospital stay was 14 days in the CG and 8 in the FT group (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The applying of an FT program in colorectal surgery is safe, leading to a significant decrease in morbidity and hospital stay, without increasing the number of readmissions.