Prevalence of endodontic infection in patients with Crohn´s disease and ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have linked apical periodontitis (AP) to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of AP and root canal treatment (RCT) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn´s disease (CD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study, including 28 patients with Crohn´s disease and 26 with ulcerative colitis, was conducted. AP was diagnosed as radiolucent periapical lesions (RPLs), using the periapical index score (PAI). Student's t test, 2 test and multivariate logistic regression were used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression run with age, gender, number of teeth, number of RFT, periodontal disease and the type of IBD as covariates, taking as dependent variable and outcome "periapical status" (0 = no tooth with RPL; 1 = at least one tooth with RPL), showed that both UC and CD patients had the prevalence apical periodontitis (OR = 1.03; C.I. 95% = 0.25 - 4.31; p = 0.97). The multivariate analysis, including all the above covariates, shows that both in UC and CD patients the prevalence of RCT was similar (OR = 0.76; C.I. 95% = 0.17 - 7.31; p = 0.73). Periapical status was significantly associated with endodontic status (OR = 42.72; C.I. 95% = 3.87 - 472.15; p = 0.002), regardless of IBD type. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study show similar frequency of AP and RFT in both UC and CD patients. The type of IBD does not appear to affect the prevalence of radiographically detectable periapical lesions or the prevalence of root canal treatment.

Hepatic resection and blood transfusion increase morbidity after cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC for colorectal carcinomatosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) is an effective but complex treatment for peritoneal metastasis (PM). Our objective was to identify risk factors for postoperative morbidity and mortality following CRS-HIPEC. METHODS: Retrospective study of prospectively collected data of patients undergoing CRS-HIPEC for PM arises from colorectal cancer between January 2008 and December 2017. Perioperative variables were correlated with morbidity outcomes using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients underwent CRS-HIPEC, and overall morbidity and mortality were 31.3% and 4.5% respectively. Major morbidity rate was 19.4%; 7.5% of patients were re-operated. Intraoperative blood transfusion (p = 0.01), liver resection (p < 0.01), and intestinal anastomosis (p < 0.01) were associated with a higher morbidity in univariate analysis. A multivariate analysis identified blood transfusion and liver resection as independent risk factors (OR 3.66, IC 1.13-16.54; OR 4.33, IC 1.17-11.46, respectively). Extension of visceral resection did not correlate with morbidity. Patients with lymph-node infiltration had a higher major complication rate (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: CRS-HIPEC is a feasible treatment for colorectal PM with an acceptable morbi-mortality rate in experienced centers. In our study, digestive anastomosis, perioperative blood transfusion, hepatic resection, and lymph-node infiltration were associated with higher morbidity rates.

Goal-directed therapy in cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) in peritoneal carcinomatosis treatment causes significant hemodynamic, metabolic, and hematological alterations. Studies on the anesthetic intraoperative management are heterogeneous and scarce. There is a great heterogeneity in the anesthetic management of CRS and HIPEC. The aim of this study is to analyze perioperative hemodynamic goal-directed management and to evaluate the complications arisen until the seventh postoperative day. METHODS: Prospective, observational study of all CRS and HIPEC patients from March 2014 to May 2017. Hemodynamic and clinical parameters were registered during surgery and the first 3 postoperative days. We correlated intraoperative data with the postoperative course until the seventh day. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients were included in the study (age 58.5 ± 10.9 years, 47% colorectal carcinoma, and 38% ovarian carcinoma). Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index (PCI) (median and ranges) was 10 [0-39]. Cardiac Index (CI) 3.15 l/min-1/m-2 [1.79-5.60]) and Systolic Volume Variation (SVV) (10% [3%-17%]) remained within the values of normality in all surgery phases. A large difference was observed between the minimum and maximum ranges of fluid therapy administered (median 9.8 ml/kg/h [5.3-24.3]), showing a great interindividual variation in the fluids requirement. A direct relationship was observed between PCI and surgery duration, fluid therapy, and intraoperative transfusion percentage (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: There is a great variability in the intraoperative fluid therapy needs of the patients. SVV monitoring makes it possible to adjust the fluid therapy needs in each surgery phase. The use of a hemodynamic goal-directed anesthetic protocol in CRS and HIPEC enables to individually adjust the fluid therapy, avoiding over-hydration and ensuring hemodynamic stability in all surgery phases.

Treatment of transsphincteric fistula-in-ano with growth factors from autologous platelets: results of a phase II clinical trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to evaluate to the safety, feasibility and efficacy of a novel treatment for transsphincteric cryptoglandular fistula: injection of autologous plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) into the fistula tract accompanied by sealing using a fibrin plug created from the activated platelet-poor fraction of the same plasma. METHOD: This article is a prospective, phase II clinical trial. The procedure was externally audited. Thirty-six patients diagnosed with transsphincteric fistula-in-ano were included. All patients underwent follow-up examinations at 1 week and again at 3, 6 and 12 months after discharge. Main outcome measures safety (number of adverse events), feasibility and effectiveness of the treatment. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients received the study treatment, with the procedure found to be feasible in all patients. A total of seven adverse events (AE) related to the injected product or surgical procedure were identified in 4 of 36 patients. At the end of the follow-up period (12 months), 33.3% of patients (12/36) had achieved complete fistula healing and 11.1% of patients (4/36) had achieved partial healing. In total, this amounted to 44.4% of patients (16/36) being asymptomatic at final follow-up. In successfully healed patients, a gradual reduction in pain was observed, as measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (p = 0.0278). Compared to baseline, a significant improvement in Wexner score was seen in patients achieving total or partial healing of the fistula (p = 0.0195). CONCLUSIONS: The study treatment was safe and feasible, with apparently modest efficacy rates. Continence and pain improvement following treatment may be considered predictive factors for healing.

Is the interval from surgery to ileostomy closure a risk factor for low anterior resection syndrome?

AIM: Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) comprises a collection of symptoms affecting patients after restorative surgery for rectal cancer. The aim of the present study was to analyse the incidence of LARS in patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery with and without subsequent ileostomy and to determine whether the interval to ileostomy closure is a factor associated with its occurrence. METHOD: All patients undergoing curative anterior resection for rectal cancer from 2008 to 2012 in our institution were included in the study. They were divided into two groups according to whether or not a defunctioning ileostomy had been performed. Patients were assessed for LARS at a median interval of 23.60 ± 16.73 (12-48) months from anterior resection in those who did not have an ileostomy and at an interval of 11.31 ± 14.24 (12-60) months from closure of the ileostomy in those who did. They underwent a structured telephone interview based on a validated LARS score questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analysis was carried out to assess possible associations between LARS and the variables studied. RESULTS: There were 150 patients (93 men) of whom 54.7% had no evidence of LARS, 17.3% had minor symptoms and 28% major symptoms of LARS. Univariate analysis showed that male gender, the presence of a temporary ileostomy and neoadjuvant therapy were predisposing factors for LARS. The interval from construction of the ileostomy to its closure did not appear to be a factor associated with LARS. In multivariate analysis, male gender and preoperative neoadjuvant therapy were significant predisposing factors for LARS. CONCLUSION: Male gender and preoperative neoadjuvant therapy are risk factors for LARS. The presence of ileostomy or time to ileostomy closure is not associated with the development of this syndrome.

Outcomes of Liver Transplantation During Adulthood After Kasai Portoenterostomy Due to Biliary Atresia.

Biliary atresia (BA) is a neonatal progressive cholangiopathy of unknown etiology and one of the most common reasons for liver transplantation (LT) in children. Kasai portoenterostomy (KP) improves survival of the native liver, although LT remains the only ultimate treatment. In some cases KP makes it possible to defer the ultimate LT until adulthood. We report our experience regarding 5 cases of BA treated with LT during adulthood. KP was performed in all patients at an average age of 176 days (range, 60-280), which allowed an average survival of the native liver of 19.01 years (range, 14.06-22.32). Five-year survival rate was 100%. Ten-year survival rate did not reach 100% because of a death 9.55 years after LT due to chronic graft rejection, in a patient who was already prepared for a new LT. Our results corroborate that KP remains the first-line treatment of BA. Early performance of the KP provides children with the best chance of survival, allowing the delay of the LT to adulthood. LT during adulthood in these patients achieves good post-LT survival rate; we have not found any data regarding this group of patients in the literature.