Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio at diagnosis in colorectal cancer: propensity score analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) at the time of colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis has been proposed as a predictor of long-term survival. The aim of the study was to analyse its usefulness in a homogeneous population with control of the main confounding factors. METHODOLOGY: Observational study of 836 patients operated on for CRC who were divided into two groups: NLR ≤ 3.3 vs NLR > 3.3. To control for confounders, they were matched one-to-one by propensity analysis. A final sample of 526 patients remained for study. RESULTS: The two groups were mismatched in terms of age, comorbidity, tumour stage, rectal location, and neoadjuvant therapy. Once matching was performed, baseline NLR was statistically significantly associated with long-term survival (p < 0.001) and behaved as an independent prognostic factor for survival (p = 0.001; HR: 1,996; 95% CI: 1.32-3.00) when adjusted in a Cox regression model using age (p < 0,001; HR: 1,04; IC95%: 1,02-1,06) and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (p < 0,001; HR: 1,40; IC95%: 1,27-1,55). Neoadjuvant therapy lost its statistical significance (p = 0,137; HR: 1,59; IC95%: 0,86-2,93). CONCLUSIONS: A high baseline NLR (> 3.3) in patients with colorectal cancer at diagnosis represents a poor prognostic factor in terms of survival. Its use in routine practice could intensify therapeutic strategies and follow-up in these patients.

Hypercoagulability status, operative mortality, and long-term survival in patients operated on for mesenteric venous thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: Mesenteric venous thrombosis (MVT) is a rare cause of acute surgical abdomen, with high mortality. The aim of this study was to analyze long-term outcomes and possible factors influencing its prognosis. METHODS: All patients who underwent urgent surgery for MVT from 1990 to 2020 in our center were reviewed. Epidemiological, clinical, and surgical data; postoperative outcomes; origin of thrombosis; and long-term survival were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: primary MVT (hypercoagulability disorders or idiopathic MVT) and secondary MVT (underlying disease). RESULTS: Fifty-five patients, 36 (65.5%) men and 19 (34.5%) women, mean age 66.7 years (standard deviation: ±18.0 years), underwent surgery for MVT. Arterial hypertension (63.6%) was the most prevalent comorbidity. Regarding the possible origin of MVT, 41 (74.5%) patients had primary MVT and 14 (25.5%) patients had secondary MVT. From these, 11 (20%) patients had hypercoagulable states, 7 (12.7%) had neoplasia, 4 (7.3%) had abdominal infection, 3 (5.5%) had liver cirrhosis, 1 (1.8%) patient had recurrent pulmonary thromboembolism, and 1 (1.8%) had deep venous thrombosis. Computed tomography was diagnostic of MVT in 87.9% of the cases. Intestinal resection was performed in 45 patients due to ischemia. Only 6 patients (10.9%) had no complication, 17 patients (30.9%) presented minor complications, and 32 patients (58.2%) presented severe complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Operative mortality was 23.6%. In univariate analysis, comorbidity measured by the Charlson index (P = .019) and massive ischemia (P = .002) were related to operative mortality. The probability of being alive at 1, 3, and 5 years was 66.4%, 57.9%, and 51.0%, respectively. In univariate analysis of survival, age (P < .001), comorbidity (P < .001), and type of MVT (P = .003) were associated with a good prognosis. Age (P = .002; hazard ratio: 1.05, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.09) and comorbidity (P = .019; hazard ratio: 1.28, 95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.57) behaved as independent prognostic factors for survival. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical MVT continues to show high lethality. Age and comorbidity according to the Charlson index correlate well with mortality risk. Primary MVT tends to have a better prognosis than secondary MVT.

Gastric ischemia secondary to intestinal occlusion due to gallstone ileus.

Gallstone ileus is a rare complication of cholecystoduodenal fistula. Gastric ischemia due to intestinal obstruction is an extremely rare event that, if not diagnosed in time, can have a fatal outcome. We present the case of a patient with intestinal occlusion due to a gallstone obstructing the middle jejunum in which gastric ischemia was diagnosed intraoperatively due to the distension caused by the intestinal obstruction.

Utility of a new prognostic score based on the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI®) in patients operated on for colorectal cancer (S-CRC-PC score).

BACKGROUND: Postoperative complications after colorectal cancer surgery have been associated with poor long-term prognosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic impact of postoperative complications after colorectal cancer surgery assessed by the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI®) and designing a new prognostic score based on this index. METHODS: This observational longitudinal study included a series of 604 patients who underwent colorectal surgery for cancer. Demographic data, comorbidity measured by Charlson Index, tumor characteristics, surgical data and postoperative complications were recorded as predictors. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed and long-term survival was the output variable. Based on Hazard Ratios obtained on multivariate analysis, a new score, S-CRC-PC, was created for predicting long-term survival. RESULTS: Two-hundred and twelve (35.1%) patients developed some postoperative complication. The mean CCI was 11.6 (±19.19). Mild complications (CCI <26.2) were detected in 95 (15.7%) patients. Moderate complications (CCI 26.2-42.2) were detected in 64 (10.6%) patients. Severe complications (CCI >42.3) were detected in 53 patients (8.8%) patients. Mortality rate was 1.7%. In multivariate analysis, age (p < 0.001), Charlson score (p = 0.014), CCI (p < 0.001), and TNM stage (p < 0.001) were statistically significantly in relation to long-term survival rate. S-CRC-PC score was statistically associated with survival rate (HR: 1.34-95% CI: 1.27-1.41). Patients with S-CRC-PC values from 0 to 8 points (low risk), 8.1-16 points (medium risk), and scores above 16 points (high risk) had a cumulative survival rate at five-years of 98%, 83%, and 31% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative complications after colorectal cancer surgery assessed by CCI are an independent prognostic factor of survival rate. The S-CRC-PC score may be helpful in predicting long-term cancer outcomes.

Comparative study of postoperative complications after open and laparoscopic surgery of the perforated peptic ulcer: Advantages of the laparoscopic approach.

BACKGROUND: Despite the acceptance of the laparoscopic approach for the treatment of perforated peptic ulcers, its definitive implantation is still a matter of discussion. We performed a comparative study between the open and laparoscopic approach focused on postoperative surgical complications. METHODS: Retrospective observational study in which patients operated on for perforated peptic ulcus in our center between 2001 and 2017 were analyzed. Only those in whom suture and/or omentoplasty had been performed were selected, either for open or laparoscopic approach. Demographic, clinical, and intraoperative variables, complications, mortality and length of stay were collected. Both groups, open and laparoscopic surgery patients, were compared. RESULTS: The final study sample was 250 patients, 190 (76%) men and 60 (24%) women, mean age 54 years (SD ± 16.7). In 129 cases (52%), the surgical approach was open, and in 121 (48%) it was laparoscopic. Grades III-V complications of the Clavien-Dindo Classification occurred in 23 cases (9%). Operative mortality was 1.2% (3 patients). Laparoscopically operated patients had significantly fewer complications (p = 0.001) and shorter hospital stay (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, laparoscopic approach (p = 0.025; OR:0.45-95%CI: 0.22-0.91), age (p = 0.003; OR:1.03-95%CI: 1.01-1.06), and Boey score (p = 0.024 - OR:1.71 - CI95%: 1.07-2.72), were independent prognostic factors for postoperative surgical complications. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery should be considered the first-choice approach for patients with perforated peptic ulcer. It is significantly associated with fewer postoperative complications and a shorter hospital stay than the open approach.

Shock Index asociado a la edad y al Glasgow Coma Score como predictor de mortalidad en la atención inicial del paciente politraumatizado / Shock index combined with age and the Glasgow Coma Scale during the initial care of polytraumatized patients as a predictor of mortality

Objetivo: Estudiar si la edad y la puntuación Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) incrementan la predicción de mortalidad del Shock Index (SI) en la atención inicial del paciente politraumatizado y compararlo con las escalas pronósticas, GAP (Glasgow Coma Score-Age-Systolic Blood Pressure), RTS (Revised Trauma Score) e ISS (Injury Severity Score). Método: Estudio observacional sobre una cohorte de pacientes de la unidad de cuidados críticos de un hospital de tercer nivel con diagnóstico de trauma grave entre 2015 y 2020. Se recogió el SI (FC/TAS) y el SI asociado al GCS (SI/G), a la edad (SIA) y a ambos (SIA/G). Se calculó el área bajo la curva (ABC) de la característica operativa del receptor (COR) para cada uno de ellos para la mortalidad hospitalaria (MH) y en las primeras 24 horas (M24). También se comparó el ABC COR del SIA/G con las de las escalas GAP, RTS e ISS. Resultados: Se analizaron 433 pacientes de los cuales fallecieron 47 (10,9%). Todos los SI se relacionaron significativamente con la mortalidad, pero el SIA/G presentó la mayor ABC COR para MH (0,879, IC95% 0,83-0,93) y para M24 (0,875, IC95% 0,82-0,93). El valor SIA/G de 3,3 puntos mostró una sensibilidad del 82% y especificidad del 80% para MH y del 86% y 78% para M24. El ABC COR del SIA/G para la MH fue superior a las de las escalas GAP, RTS e ISS. Conclusión. SIA/G es superior al SI y a las escalas clásicas GAP, RTS e ISS como predictor de MH del paciente politraumatizado. (AU)

Objectives: To study whether combining age and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) with the shock index (SI) - SIA/G - during the initial care of polytraumatized patients can improve the ability of the SI alone to predict mortality. To compare the predictive performance of the SIA/G combination to other prognostic scales: the addition of points for the GCS, age and systolic blood pressure (GAP); the Revised Trauma Score (RTS); and the Injury Severity Score (ISS). Material and methods: Observational cohort study of patients with severe trauma admitted to the intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital between 2015 and 2020. We calculated the SI (heart rate/systolic blood pressure), the SI/G ratio, the product of the SI and age SIA, and the combined index: SIA/G. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) for hospital mortality and 24-hour mortality were calculated for the SIA/G combination and compared to the AUROCs for the GAP, the RTS, and the ISS. Results: We analyzed data for 433 patients, 47 of whom (10.9%) died. All the prognostic indexes were significantly related to mortality but the SIA/G was the best predictor of both hospital and 24-hour mortality, with AUROCs of 0.879 (95% CI, 0.83-0.93) and 0.875 (95% CI, 0.82-0.93), respectively. A score of 3.3 for the SIA/G showed 82% sensitivity and 80% specificity for hospital mortality (86% and 78%, respectively, for 24-hour mortality). The AUROCs for the GAP, RTS, and ISS indexes were lower for hospital mortality. Conclusion: The combined SIA/G score is a better predictor in hospital of mortality in patients with multiple injuries than the SI or the traditional GAP, RTS, and ISS indexes.

Shock index combined with age and the Glasgow Coma Scale during the initial care of polytraumatized patients as a predictor of mortality. / Shock Index asociado a la edad y al Glasgow Coma Score como predictor de mortalidad en la atención inicial del paciente politraumatizado.

OBJECTIVES: To study whether combining age and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) with the shock index (SI) - SIA/G - during the initial care of polytraumatized patients can improve the ability of the SI alone to predict mortality. To compare the predictive performance of the SIA/G combination to other prognostic scales: the addition of points for the GCS, age and systolic blood pressure (GAP); the Revised Trauma Score (RTS); and the Injury Severity Score (ISS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational cohort study of patients with severe trauma admitted to the intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital between 2015 and 2020. We calculated the SI (heart rate/systolic blood pressure), the SI/G ratio, the product of the SI and age SIA, and the combined index: SIA/G. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) for hospital mortality and 24-hour mortality were calculated for the SIA/G combination and compared to the AUROCs for the GAP, the RTS, and the ISS. RESULTS: We analyzed data for 433 patients, 47 of whom (10.9%) died. All the prognostic indexes were significantly related to mortality but the SIA/G was the best predictor of both hospital and 24-hour mortality, with AUROCs of 0.879 (95% CI, 0.83-0.93) and 0.875 (95% CI, 0.82-0.93), respectively. A score of 3.3 for the SIA/G showed 82% sensitivity and 80% specificity for hospital mortality (86% and 78%, respectively, for 24-hour mortality). The AUROCs for the GAP, RTS, and ISS indexes were lower for hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: The combined SIA/G score is a better predictor in hospital of mortality in patients with multiple injuries than the SI or the traditional GAP, RTS, and ISS indexes.

OBJETIVO: Estudiar si la edad y la puntuación Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) incrementan la predicción de mortalidad del Shock Index (SI) en la atención inicial del paciente politraumatizado y compararlo con las escalas pronósticas, GAP (Glasgow Coma Score-Age-Systolic Blood Pressure), RTS (Revised Trauma Score) e ISS (Injury Severity Score). METODO: Estudio observacional sobre una cohorte de pacientes de la unidad de cuidados críticos de un hospital de tercer nivel con diagnóstico de trauma grave entre 2015 y 2020. Se recogió el SI (FC/TAS) y el SI asociado al GCS (SI/G), a la edad (SIA) y a ambos (SIA/G). Se calculó el área bajo la curva (ABC) de la característica operativa del receptor (COR) para cada uno de ellos para la mortalidad hospitalaria (MH) y en las primeras 24 horas (M24). También se comparó el ABC COR del SIA/G con las de las escalas GAP, RTS e ISS. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 433 pacientes de los cuales fallecieron 47 (10,9%). Todos los SI se relacionaron significativamente con la mortalidad, pero el SIA/G presentó la mayor ABC COR para MH (0,879, IC 95% 0,83-0,93) y para M24 (0,875, IC 95% 0,82-0,93). El valor SIA/G de 3,3 puntos mostró una sensibilidad del 82% y especificidad del 80% para MH y del 86% y 78% para M24. El ABC COR del SIA/G para la MH fue superior a las de las escalas GAP, RTS e ISS. CONCLUSIONES: SIA/G es superior al SI y a las escalas clásicas GAP, RTS e ISS como predictor de MH del paciente politraumatizado.

Portal thrombosis in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The digestive manifestations of a SARS-CoV-2 infection are varied and nonspecific. The appearance of portal thrombosis in these patients is very rare. Facing a patient with a diagnosis of acute portal thrombosis, we must rule out that the trigger is an intra-abdominal infectious process. We present the case of a patient diagnosed with severe pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2 infection with elevated D-Dimer and a concomitant diagnosis of portal thrombosis not attributed to other causes.

Severe respiratory failure secondary to megaesophagus due to terminal achalasia.

We present the case of a 56-year-old male diagnosed with achalasia ten years previously without follow-up. He presented with fever, dysphonia and dyspnea associated with a constitutional syndrome of one month of evolution. Laboratory tests showed leucocytosis of 15,870/ul. The chest radiography confirmed mediastinal widening and a chest computed tomography (CT) showed full esophageal dilation up to 10 cm compressing the trachea and right main bronchus, with tapering at the esophagogastric junction.