Antibiotic prophylaxis for hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: The use of antibiotic prophylaxis for hernia repair is currently a controversial issue given the disparity among study results in this area. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this systematic review was to clarify the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in reducing postoperative wound infection rates in elective open inguinal hernia repair. SEARCH STRATEGY: In the present review, we searched for eligible trials in august 2006, using the search terms below. This revealed four new included trials (total of twelve). We searched the Cochrane Colorectal Cancer Group specialized register, by crossing the terms herni* and inguinal or groin and the terms antimicr* or antibiot* , as free text and MeSH terms. A similar search were performed in Medline and Embase was conducted using the following terms: #1 antibiotic* or antimicrob* or anti infecti* or antiinfecti*; #2 prophyla* or prevent*; #3 #1 and #2; #4 clean and (surgery or tech* or proced*); #5 herni*; #6 (wound infection) and #4; #7 #3 and (#4 or #5 or #6). Reference lists of the included studies were checked to identify additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Only randomized clinical trials were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Twelve randomized clinical trials were identified. Six of them used prosthetic material for hernia repair (hernioplasty) whereas the remaining studies did not (herniorraphy). Pooled and subgroup analysis were conducted depending on whether prosthetic material was or not used. A random effects model was used in the analysis. MAIN RESULTS: The total number of patients included was 6705 (treatment group: 4128, control group: 2577). Overall infection rates were 2.9% and 3.9% in the prophylaxis and control groups, respectively (OR 0.64, 95%CI 0.48 - 0.85). The subgroup of patients with herniorrhaphy had infection rates of 3.5% and 4.9% in the prophylaxis and control groups, respectively (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.51 - 1.00). The subgroup of patients with hernioplasty had infection rates of 1.4% and 2.9% in the prophylaxis and control groups, respectively (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.27 - 0.85). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this meta-analysis the administration of antibiotic prophylaxis for elective inguinal hernia repair cannot be universally recommended. Nevertheless, its administration cannot either be recommended against when high rates of wound infection are observed.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: The use of antibiotic prophylaxis for hernia repair is currently a controversial issue given the disparity among study results in this area. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this systematic review was to clarify the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in reducing postoperative wound infection rates in elective open inguinal hernia repair. SEARCH STRATEGY: Searches in the Cochrane Colorectal Cancer Group specialized register were conducted crossing the terms herni* and inguinal or groin and the terms antimicr* or antibiot* , as free text and MeSH terms. A similar search in Medline (WebSPIRS from Silver Platter, January/1966 to March/2004) and Embase (1976 to December/2003) was conducted using the following terms: #1 antibiotic* or antimicrob* or anti infecti* or antiinfecti*; #2 prophyla* or prevent*; #3 #1 and #2; #4 clean and (surgery or tech* or proced*); #5 herni*; #6 (wound infection) and #4; #7 #3 and (#4 or #5 or #6). Reference lists of the included studies were checked to identify additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Only randomized clinical trials were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Eight randomized clinical trials were identified. Three of them used prosthetic material for hernia repair (hernioplasty) whereas the remaining studies did not (herniorraphy). Pooled and subgroup analysis were conducted depending on whether prosthetic material was or not used. A random effects model was used in the analysis. MAIN RESULTS: The total number of patients included was 2907 (treatment group: 1421, control group: 1486). Overall infection rates were 2.88% and 4.3% in the prophylaxis and control groups, respectively (OR 0.65, 95%CI 0.35 - 1.21). The subgroup of patients with herniorrhaphy had infection rates of 3.78% and 4.87% in the prophylaxis and control groups, respectively (OR 0.84, 95%CI 0.53 - 1.34). The subgroup of patients with hernioplasty had infection rates of 1.2% and 3,3% in the prophylaxis and control groups, respectively (OR 0.28, 95%CI 0.02 - 3.14). REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this meta-analysis, there was no clear evidence that routine administration of antibiotic prophylaxis for elective inguinal hernia repair reduced infection rates.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: The use of antibiotic prophylaxis for hernia repair is currently a controversial issue given the disparity among study results in this area. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this systematic review was to clarify the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in reducing postoperative wound infection rates in elective open inguinal hernia repair. SEARCH STRATEGY: Searches in the Cochrane Colorectal Cancer Group specialized register were conducted crossing the terms herni* and inguinal or groin and the terms antimicr* or antibiot*, as free text and MeSH terms. A similar search in Medline (WebSPIRS from Silver Platter, January/1966 to November/2002) and Embase (1976 to December/2002) were conducted using the following terms: #1 antibiotic* or antimicrob* or anti infecti* or antiinfecti*; #2 prophyla* or prevent*; #3 #1 and #2; #4 clean and (surgery or tech* or proced*); #5 herni*; #6 (wound infection) and #4; #7 #3 and (#4 or #5 or #6). Reference lists of the included studies were checked to identify additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Only randomized clinical trials were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Seven randomized clinical trials were identified. Two of them used prosthetic material for hernia repair (hernioplasty) whereas the remaining studies did not (herniorraphy). Pooled and subgroup analysis were conducted depending on whether prosthetic material was or not used. A random effects model was used in the analysis. MAIN RESULTS: The total number of patients included was 2660 (treatment group: 1297, control group: 1363). Overall infection rates were 3.08% and 4.69% in the prophylaxis and control groups, respectively (OR 0.61, 95%CI 0.32 - 1.17). The number of patients who need to be treated with prophylaxis (NNT) to prevent one infection in at least 30 days was 50 (95%CI 25 to infinite). The subgroup of patients with herniorrhaphy had infection rates of 3.78% and 4.87% in the prophylaxis and control groups, respectively (OR 0.84, 95%CI 0.53 - 1.34). NNT was 100 (95%CI 34 - infinite). The subgroup of patients with hernioplasty had infection rates of 1.3% and 4.2% in the prophylaxis and control groups, respectively (OR 0.28, 95%CI 0.02 - 3.14). NNT is 25 (IC95% NNH 25 to NNT 8). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this meta-analysis, there was no clear evidence that routine administration of antibiotic prophylaxis for elective inguinal hernia repair reduced infection rates.

[Acute recurring pancreatitis due to gastric duplication]. / Pancreatitis aguda recidivante por duplicación gástrica.

We report the case of a young female patient with a gastric duplication communicating with the pancreas, which manifested clinically as episodes of acute relapsing pancreatitis. We analyze the diagnostic procedures and treatment methods, and review similar cases reported in the literature.

Stromal tumors of the digestive tract. Prognostic value of mitotic index.

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the prognostic factors and evaluated the usefulness of mitotic index to predict the behavior of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty three patients operated on for stromal tumors of the digestive tract were studied retrospectively. Mean follow-up was 6 years. The number of mitosis/10 high power fields was the definitive criterion for classification, regardless of their inmunohistologic differentiation. Twelve tumors had 0 mitoses, 34 from 1 to 9 mitoses, and 7 had > or = 10 mitoses. The survival rate was analyzed and the morphological characteristics and evolution were correlated according to mitotic index. RESULTS: The incidence of advanced illness was related to the number of mitoses: 29% in the group with 1 to 9 mitoses, and 86% when there were > or = 10 mitoses. The recurrence intervals were 44 and 8 months respectively. No tumor with 0 mitoses evolved aggressively. The survival rate was significantly related (p < 0.001), to the mitotic index. The group with 0 mitoses had a survival rate of 100% after 10 years, those with 1 to 9 mitoses 69% and those with > or = 10 mitoses 14%. The other factors which influenced the prognosis (location, size, local invasion and resection) depended, as well, on the mitotic index. CONCLUSION: The classification of digestive tract stromal tumors by mitotic index is an efficient method because it distinguishes 3 entities with different biological behavior in the long term.

Octreotide: effects in experimental severe acute pancreatitis. Analysis of survival, biochemical findings and histomorphometry.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of octreotide in acute experimental pancreatitis was examined. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Acute pancreatitis was induced in 70 male Wistar rats by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic duct. Octreotide (50 micrograms = 0.5 ml) or isotonic saline was administered subcutaneously every six hours for 24 hours, beginning at the time of induction of pancreatitis (groups 1 and 2) or 12 hours later (groups 3 and 4). Six hours after the last dose of octreotide or saline, the rats were sacrificed. Ten additional rats were used for basal biochemical determination. For the analysis of survival, another 10 rats were included. The survival rate, serum concentrations of amylase, lipase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and morphometric studies (total area of the pancreas and percentage necrosis) were examined. Statistical analysis involved Student's t test, ANOVA and the Mantel-Haenszel test. RESULTS: No significant differences existed among the groups with respect to survival, morphometric analysis or biochemical determinations, except for a minor increase in LDH levels in the group treated with octreotide at the time of induction. CONCLUSIONS: Octreotide administration has almost no impact on mortality in experimental severe acute pancreatitis. Biochemical and morphometric changes are minimal. Therefore, according to the present study, the efficacy of octreotide administration is very low.

[Idiopathic portal hypertension, multiple focal nodular hepatic hyperplasia, the CREST syndrome and protein S deficiency]. / Hipertensión portal idiopática, hiperplasia nodular focal hepática múltiple, síndrome de CREST y déficit de proteína "S".

A 54 year old woman with idiopathic portal hypertension, CREST syndrome, protein "S" deficiency and multiple focal nodular hyperplasia is reported. The patient presented several episodes of upper digestive bleeding due to portal hypertension gastropathy and to esophageal varices. Treatment with propanolol and isosorbide 5-mononitrate failed to control recurrent bleeding and a portacaval shunt was performed. At operation, ten hepatic nodes were found, being diagnosed as focal nodular hyperplasia in the pathologic study. Congestive gastropathy, esophageal varices and splenomegaly disappeared after portacaval shunt and bleeding did not recur after a follow-up of twelve months. This results support the role of portal decompressive surgery in the bleeding due to portal hypertension gastropathy.

[Undifferentiated small cell (oat cell) carcinoma of the esophagus]. / Carcinoma indiferenciado de células pequeñas (oat cell) de esófago.

A case of small cell carcinoma (oat cell) of the esophagus is presented. Esophagectomy and gastroplasty were performed followed by six cycles of combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Recovery was uneventful. The patient died nine months later with widespread disease. Literature is reviewed. To date, about 100 cases of this rare tumor have been reported. The aggressive behavior of the tumor is stressed and the different therapeutic modalities are discussed.