Retrocarotid dissection technique compared to the caudocranial approach for the surgical treatment of carotid body tumors: A 15-year experience.

INTRODUCTION: Carotid body tumors are rare neoplasms with malignant potential. We aim to follow up on our initial experience published in 2015 and compare the occurrence of complications and postoperative outcomes with the use of retrocarotid dissection (RCD) against the standard caudocranial (SCCD) technique. METHODS: This was an observational, case-control study in which we analyzed all of the carotid body tumor resections performed from 1986 to 2022. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used accordingly. Statistical analysis was performed on Stata 17. RESULTS: A total of 181 surgical procedures were included, mean age was 56 years (± 13.63), and 168 (93%) were performed in women. The mean medio-lateral diameter was larger in the RCD group (2.85 ± 1.57 cm vs 1.93 ±1.85 cm; p = 0.002) and presurgical embolization was more frequently performed in the SCCD group (27.5% vs 0.7%; p < 0.001). A total of 40 (22.09%) resections were performed using the SCCD technique. In contrast, in 141 (77.91%) procedures the RCD technique was used. The mean surgical time in the RCD group was lower (197.37 ± 70.56 min vs 232 ± 98.34 min; p = 0.01). No statistically significant difference was found between SCCD and RCD in terms of vascular lesions (n = 20 [11.04%], 15% vs 9%, respectively; p = 0.36), transient or permanent nerve injuries (25% vs 33%, respectively; p = 0.31), or mean intraoperative bleeding (SCCD: 689.95 ± 680.05 mL vs RCD: 619.64 ± 837.94 mL; p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: RCD appears to be a safe and equivalent alternative to the standard caudocranial approach in terms of intraoperative bleeding or vascular lesions, with a sustained, significant decrease in surgical time.

Fifteen Years of Experience with Surgical Management of Bilateral Non-familial Carotid Body Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral carotid body tumors (CBTs) clinical manifestation is infrequent. We conducted this work to describe our experience in the surgical treatment of bilateral CBT and to analyze our results. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study. We analyzed the totality of bilateral CBT resections that had been performed in our institution from January 2008 to September 2023. Data was obtained from medical records and anonymized, ethics approval was obtained from our institution committee. As the number of observations was less than those required by the central limit theorem our sample was considered nonparametric. Statistical analysis was performed on Stata 17. RESULTS: We evaluated 16 patients with a total of 32 CBT; surgical resection was performed in 28 cases (87.50%). Median age of the patients was 60 years (interquartile range [IQR] 46-64). Regarding the Shamblin classification, 9 CBTs (32.14%) were classified as Shamblin I, 11 (39.29%) as Shamblin II, and 8 (28.57%) as Shamblin III. The median Distance to the Base of the Skull (DTBOS) was 3.5 cm (IQR 2.7-5.1), and the median tumor volume was 11.25 cc (IQR 3.4-18.7). The median bleeding volume was 300 ml (IQR 200-500), and the median surgical time was 190 min (IQR 145-240). All surgeries were performed using the Retrocarotid Dissection technique. We documented 9 (32.14%) cases of nerve injuries, all of which were transitory. In the median regression a statistically significant association was found between DTBOS, Shamblin classification and tumor volume with intraoperative bleeding and length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment remains safe and should be considered the gold standard for accurate histologic diagnosis. DTBOS and tumor volume, in addition to Shamblin classification, must be considered in preoperative planning to predict bleeding and hospital stay.

Five-year survival after retroperitoneal oncologic resection with and without vascular surgeon intervention.

OBJECTIVES: Retroperitoneal tumor resection commonly disturbs major vessels; therefore, surgical teams can recruit vascular surgeons to prevent injuries and improve the prognosis of oncologic patients. The objective of the present study is to establish long-term survival after retroperitoneal tumor resection surgery with an emphasis on the potential impact of preventing or repairing major vessel injuries when tumors are adjacent to the aorta or vena cava. METHODS: Retrospective case series including all cases of surgical removal of retroperitoneal tumors between 2007 and 2020 in a highly specialized hospital in Mexico City. Long-term survival was defined as 5 years after surgical intervention. Descriptive statistics, group-comparison tests, and regression analysis were performed using Stata 16. RESULTS: From a total of 70 cases, vascular injury occurred in 30 (42.8%) and the vascular surgeon intervened in 19 (27.1%) of them, 4 (21%) were performed by a vascular surgeon with planned intervention, and in 9 (47.3%) cases the vascular surgeon was called to join the surgery due to emergency. Intraoperative bleeding was 2-fold greater in the group with an emergent participation of vascular surgery in contrast with the planned intervention group (4, 235 mL vs 2, 035 mL, p = 0.04). The regression model revealed a significant association between the intervention of a vascular surgeon and long-term survival (OR 59.3, p = 0.03) after adjusting for sociodemographic and characteristics of oncologic nature. CONCLUSIONS: Planned intervention of vascular surgeons in retroperitoneal tumor resection may have a positive impact not only in trans-operatory period, but also on long-term survival.

Clinical Outcomes of Pulmonary Embolism in Mexican Patients With COVID-19.

Coagulation abnormalities have been reported in COVID-19 patients, which may lead to an increased risk of Pulmonary Embolism (PE). We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients diagnosed with PE during their hospital stay. We analyzed patients with PE and COVID-19 in a tertiary center in Mexico City from April to October of 2020. A total of 26 (100%) patients were diagnosed with Pulmonary Embolism and COVID-19. We observed that 14 (54%) patients were receiving either prophylactic or full anticoagulation therapy, before PE diagnosis. We found a significant difference in mortality between the group with less than 7 days (83%) and the group with more than 7 days (15%) in Intensive Care Unit (P = .004); as well as a mean of 8 days for the mortality group compared with 20 days of hospitalization in the survivor group (P = .003). In conclusion, there is an urgent need to review antithrombotic therapy in these patients in order to improve clinical outcomes and decrease hospital overload.

Influenza in Yucatan in 2018: Chronology, characteristics and outcomes of ambulatory and hospitalized patients.

INTRODUCTION: Influenza season is expected between October and February in the northern hemisphere, including Mexico. Previous studies suggested that transmission peak may occur earlier in Yucatan, a state in southeast Mexico. OBJECTIVES: (a) Describe the seasonality of 2018 influenza cases seen at O´Horan hospital, statewide, and nationwide; (b) analyze the characteristics, clinical manifestations and outcomes of ambulatory and hospitalized patients; (c) analyze fatal outcomes occurrence among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. METHODS: Retrospective analytic cohort of all confirmed influenza cases assisted at O´Horan hospital during 2018, along with a chronologic graphic description of the statewide epidemic curve from the epidemiological surveillance registries. RESULTS: A total of 264 influenza cases were analyzed; 145 (55%) were female; 26% were vaccinated. Health workers and unvaccinated individuals were more prone to develop severe cases. Dyspnea and tachypnea were strong predictors of hospitalization; headache, myalgias, arthralgias and rhinorrhea correlated inversely. 236 (89.47%) cases occurred in July and 22 of the 23 deaths occurred before October. No fatal outcomes were observed among vaccinated individuals. Influenza AH1N1 represented 83.6% of serotyped cases. DISCUSSION: Onset of influenza season in Yucatan may reflect a need for rethinking timing of vaccination and of preventive campaigns, as most cases occurred before vaccination period.

Emergency treatment for a venomous snakebite accident in rural southern Mexico.

In Latin America, 51 995 emergencies and 337 deaths are caused by snakebites yearly. Prompt and adequate treatment is crucial after an envenomation. We here report the case of a 40-year-old male agriculturalist, who was bitten by a venomous snake. Hours after the bite, he was admitted at the nearest clinic, diagnosed with type IV envenomation. After initial antivenom treatment he was transported to an urban hospital. Hemorrhage persisted and the patient developed compartmental syndrome and renal failure. The patient died 3 days after the accident. To reduce fatalities from snakebite envenomation, such as the case we here presented, there is a need for coordinated and multilevel approach, collaborative work and continual medical training.

Surgical Management of Bilateral Carotid Body Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare neoplasms located in the carotid bifurcation. The majority of these tumors are unilateral; bilateral CBTs represent approximately 5% of all affected patients, and the recommended treatment is to surgically remove them in staged-planned surgeries. We describe the experience, outcomes, and the surgical management of bilateral CBTs in our institution. METHODS: A retrospective review of CBTs patients was completed; patient demographics, comorbidities, lesion location, anatomic characteristics, surgical techniques, complications, reinterventions, and other factors that may influence outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients with CBTs were treated surgically; of these, 8 had bilateral CBTs (7%); the mean age was 56 years, and 7 (87%) were females. Thirteen surgical resections were performed, and in 2 of the cases, the pathology report was malignant (15%). Five were classified as Shamblin I (31%), 5 as Shamblin II (31%), and remaining 6 as Shamblin III (38%). The mean time between the first and second procedure was of 10.7 months. Complications included one case of neck hematoma requiring evacuation and postoperative neurologic complications occurred in three patients (one patient with facial and two with vocal cord palsies). None of the studied individuals had a family history of CBT, and all of them lived in altitude areas higher than 2000 meters above mean sea level (mamsl). The mean tumor size was 3.55 cm and 2.75 cm for right and left CBTs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A better understanding of the clinical characteristics of patients with bilateral CBTs may lead to a more standardized and optimal management with fewer complications and a better quality of life afterward.

A case report of a concomitant total thyroidectomy and carotid body tumor resection in a 43 year old female.

INTRODUCTION: Carotid body tumors (CBT) are rare neoplasms with relatively; due to their malignant potential, the indicated treatment is surgical resection. There have been described some associations of carotid body tumors with other neoplasms, however, the concomitant presentation of CBT with multinodular goiter is rarely encountered. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We herein present the case of a 43-year old woman with the aforementioned association. As a part of the diagnostic evaluation, an ultrasound was performed, revealing both conditions simultaneously. The surgery took place with the aim of resecting both lesions during the same intervention. The patient was discharged without complications. DISCUSSION: The concomitant presentation of goiter and carotid body tumor is rarely reported but an extended Kocher incision could be enough to an adequate exposure and same surgical procedure resection. CONCLUSION: This case reinforce the concomitant assessment in two different pathologies. Although there is one case reported before, this case lead to improvement in the treatment of these patients.

Left Common Femoral to Right Common Iliac Venous Bypass Through a Retroperitoneal Exposure.

The endovascular recanalization of the iliocaval system has replaced venous surgical reconstructions as the primary treatment option in severe post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). We herein present a 51-year-old female with previous deep venous thrombosis, complicated with PTS with a large and complex circumferential calf ulcer measuring 25 cm of length in the left lower extremity. Venogram revealed a complete and extensive occlusion in the left iliofemoral system. A surgical bypass from the left common femoral vein to the right common iliac vein was performed. Patient recovered well and after 12 months postoperation her large wound is healing favorably with a clean and well granulated bed. Iliofemoral venous bypass is a feasible treatment for non-healing ulcer of lower extremity.