Experiences of pregnant Venezuelan migrants/refugees in Brazil, Ecuador and Peru: a qualitative analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that since 2014, approximately 7.3 million Venezuelan migrants/refugees have left the country. Although both male and female migrants/refugees are vulnerable, female migrants/refugees are more likely to face discrimination, emotional, physical, and sexual violence. Currently there is a lack of literature that explores the experiences of pregnant Venezuelan migrants/refugees. Our aim is to better understand the experience of this vulnerable population to inform programming. METHODS: In the parent study, Spryng.io's sensemaking tool was used to gain insight into the gendered migration experiences of Venezuelan women/girls. A total of 9339 micronarratives were collected from 9116 unique participants in Peru, Ecuador and Brazil from January to April 2022. For the purpose of this analysis, two independent reviewers screened 817 micronarratives which were identified by the participant as being about someone who was pregnant, ultimately including 231 as part of the thematic analysis. This was an exploratory study and an open thematic analysis of the narratives was performed. RESULTS: The mean age and standard deviation of our population was 25.77 ± 6.73. The majority of women in the sample already had at least 1 child (62%), were married at the time of migration (53%) and identified as low socio-economic status (59%). The qualitative analysis revealed the following main themes among pregnant Venezuelan migrants/refugees: xenophobia in the forms of racial slurs and hostile treatment from health-care workers while accessing pregnancy care; sexual, physical, and verbal violence experienced during migration; lack of shelter, resources and financial support; and travelling with the hopes of a better future. CONCLUSION: Pregnant Venezuelan migrants/refugees are a vulnerable population that encounter complex gender-based and societal issues that are rarely sufficiently reported. The findings of this study can inform governments, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations to improve support systems for pregnant migrants/refugees. Based on the results of our study we recommend addressing xenophobia in health-care centres and the lack of shelter and food in host countries at various levels, creating support spaces for pregnant women who experience trauma or violence, and connecting women with reliable employment opportunities and maternal healthcare.

Parto asincrónico en un embarazo gemelar. Primer reporte de caso en el Perú / Asynchronous delivery in a twin pregnancy. First case report in Peru

RESUMEN El parto asincrónico (PA) o parto diferido (PD) es una presentación poco prevalente de la gestación múltiple. Este ocurre cuando un feto nace por vía vaginal y el -o losfetos restantes se mantienen intraútero y nacen con una diferencia de días o semanas. Se realiza el primer reporte en el Perú de una gestante cuyo primer parto fue a las 20,1 semanas y el segundo a las 24,4 semanas, y se detalla el manejo y los resultados perinatales del caso. La evidencia sugiere que un PD mejora la supervivencia y reduce la morbimortalidad del segundo feto. Es imprescindible continuar la investigación en este tema para describir su prevalencia real, identificar candidatas ideales, estandarizar el manejo obstétrico y así optimizar resultados maternos y fetales.

ABSTRACT Asynchronous delivery (AD) or delayed interval delivery (DID) is a rare presentation of multiple gestation. This occurs when one fetus is delivered vaginally and the remaining fetus or fetuses are kept in utero and are born with a difference of days or weeks. This is the first report in Peru of a pregnant woman whose first delivery was at 20.1 weeks and the second at 24.4 weeks, and the management and perinatal results of the case are detailed. The evidence suggests that a DID improves survival and reduces morbidity and mortality of the second fetus. Further research on this topic is essential to describe its real prevalence, identify ideal candidates, standardize obstetric management and thus optimize maternal and fetal outcomes.

Testimonios in the mouth of the dragon: A call for Black liberation in psychology.

U.S. society has witnessed and experienced the impact and suffering caused by the racial pandemic within the COVID-19 viral pandemic. In response to anti-Blackness, a multigenerational and multiracial movement of people is rising and demanding justice for Black lives. Using testimonio research and Liberation Psychology as a theoretical framework, the authors describe their current understanding of what it means to practice a more responsible resistance to racist power structures as non-Black Latinas in the field of psychology. Braun and Clarke's (2016) thematic analysis (TA) was used to search for patterns of meaning within the authors' testimonios. Results revealed four themes: (a) to "hold the line" means to struggle for Black liberation, (b) confront anti-Blackness and colonial mentality in the self and community, (c) challenge anti-Blackness within the field of psychology, and (d) collective struggle. The third theme was divided into two subthemes: (a) tear down and (b) center Black lives. The testimonios emphasize that practicing allyship involves being a dissenter who questions and challenges colonial mentality and anti-Blackness, who fights for the abolition of racist policies and power systems, and who moves beyond the hegemonic values that exist in the field of psychology. This study presents the use of testimonio research and Liberation Psychology as suitable tools for psychologists to increase their racial consciousness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Evaluación docente en los programas quirúrgicos de residentado médico mediante el instrumento MEDUCPG14

Objetivos : Determinar la validez y confiabilidad de los resultados del instrumento MEDUCPG14 y describir los resultados de la evaluación docente en los programas quirúrgicos de residentado médico de una universidad privada. Material y métodos : Estudio de tipo transversal de validación del instrumento MEDUCPG14. El instrumento fue aplicado a 77 médicos residentes de los programas quirúrgicos de residentado médico de la Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) y se evaluaron a 41 profesores. Resultados : Se obtuvo un coeficiente de confiabilidad de 0,959. Se encontraron dos dominios: Enseñanza y evaluación y retroalimentación (EER) (11 ítems) con confiabilidad de 0,957 y Trato respetuoso a pacientes y equipo de salud (TR) (3 ítems) con confiabilidad de 0,923. El porcentaje de respuesta fue mayor al 90%. No hubo diferencias significativas en los puntajes promedio por sexo, edad, especialidad y sede docente. Conclusión : El instrumento MEDUCPG-14 tiene una adecuada validez y confiabilidad en los programas quirúrgicos del residentado médico. Se requieren 4 o más evaluaciones por docente; no hubo diferencias en la evaluación de los docentes quirúrgicos en relación al sexo, sede docente y especialidad quirúrgica del médico residente.

SUMMARY Objectives : To determine the validity and reliability of results obtained using the MEDUCPG14 instrument as well as to describe the results of the academic evaluation of surgical resident programs of a private university. Methods : A cross- sectional study was performed; the instrument was applied to 77 residents of surgical programs of Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and to 41 professors. Results : A reliability coefficient of 0.959 was obtained. Two domains were found: teaching, feedback and evaluation (11 items) attained a coefficient of 0.957 and respectful treatment (3 items) attained a coefficient of 0.923. Answer rate was higher than 90%. No difference by age, gender and subspecialty was found. Conclusion : MEDUCPG-14 has adequate validity and reliability to evaluate academic performance in surgical resident programs. Four or more evaluations per professor are needed; no difference by age, sex and subspecialty was found.

Frecuencia e indicaciones del parto por cesárea en un hospital docente de Lima, Perú / Frequency and indications of cesarean delivery in a public teaching hospital in Lima, Peru / Frequency and indications of cesarean delivery in a public teaching hospital in Lima, Peru

RESUMEN Introducción . La cesárea es una operación reservada inicialmente para casos en los que el parto eutócico puede comprometer la vida de la gestante o del producto. Por diversas razones, se ha aceptado a la cesárea como método de parto de elección, aumentando su frecuencia. La OMS estableció un margen de tasa de cesáreas de 15% para las cesáreas primarias, ya que valores mayores no representan una disminución en la morbimortalidad fetal. Mundialmente se ha evidenciado tasas de hasta 21% (países europeos) y, en el Perú, 36% en el año 2015. Objetivos . Determinar la frecuencia e indicaciones más frecuentes de cesáreas en un hospital público docente de Lima. Métodos . Estudio descriptivo, tipo serie de casos, de pacientes sometidas a cesárea y sus indicaciones. Se incluyó a pacientes sometidas a cesáreas, electivas o de emergencia, desde enero 2013 hasta diciembre 2017. Resultados . La cesárea fue realizada con una frecuencia de 50,2%, siendo las indicaciones más frecuentes una cesárea previa y la desproporción cefalopélvica. Conclusiones . El estudio halló que se superó la tasa de cesáreas recomendada por la OMS. La indicación más frecuente en el período estudiado fue la cesárea previa.

ABSTRACT Introduction : Cesarean delivery was an option initially reserved for cases where vaginal delivery could compromise the life of the pregnant woman or the fetus. Due to diverse socioeconomic or cultural causes, cesarean delivery has become more accepted as an elective birth procedure. The WHO has established a marginal cesarean rate of 15% in primary cesarean deliveries, as higher rates do not decrease fetal morbidity and mortality. Worldwide, there have been rates as high as 21% (European countries), and 36% in Peru in 2015. Objectives : To determine the frequency of cesarean section and the most frequent indications in a public teaching hospital. Methods : Descriptive, retrospective series of case studies of patients who underwent elective or emergency cesarean section between January 2013 and December 2017 at a public teaching hospital in Lima, Peru. Results : The frequency of cesarean section was of 50.2%, and the most frequent indications were previous cesarean delivery and cephalopelvic disproportion. Conclusions : In the Peruvian public hospital studied, the rate of cesarean section exceeded that recommended by the WHO. The most frequent indication was repeat cesarean section.

Complications during multiorgan retrieval and pancreas preservation.

In pancreas transplantation, complications can arise at each step of the process, from the initial selection of donors and recipients through the surgical technique itself and the post-operative period, when lifelong immunosuppression is required. In the early steps, careful retrieval and preservation of the pancreas are crucial for the viability of the organ and ultimate success of the transplant. The pancreas is a low-flow gland, making it highly sensitive to transplantation conditions and presenting risk of pancreatitis due to periods of ischemia. The two groups of donors - after brain death (DBD) or after cardiac arrest (DCD) - require different strategies of retrieval and preservation to avoid or reduce the risk of complications developing during and after the transplantation. For DBD donor transplantation, multiorgan retrieval and cold preservation is the conventional technique. Asystole donor (DCD) transplantation, in contrast, can benefit from the newest technologies, such as hypothermic and especially normothermic preservation machines (referred to as NECMO), to optimize organ preservation. The latter has led to an increase in the pool of donors by facilitating recuperation of organs for transplantation that would have been discarded otherwise.

Resultados de la aplicación de un curso taller de distocia de hombros utilizando simulación en el programa de residentado médico de Obstetricia y Ginecología de la Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia / Results of a shoulder dystocia workshop course using simulation in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology residency program in the Cayetano Heredia University, Peru

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVO: La distocia de hombros es de ocurrencia impredecible a pesar de existir factores de riesgo, por ello los médicos generales y en especial los residentes de ginecología y obstetricia deben recibir capacitación utilizando las estrategias didácticas modernas como simulación. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar el nivel de satisfacción y el efecto en la práctica clínica del primer curso taller de distocia de hombros realizado entre mayo y julio de 2016 para los médicos residentes de obstetricia y ginecología del programa de residentado médico de la Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. METODOLOGÍA: Se realizó un estudio transversal, aplicando una encuesta de apreciación y aplicación en la práctica clínica a los médicos residentes de ginecología y obstetricia que realizaron el curso luego de 3 a 5 meses de haberlo finalizado. Las variables estudiadas fueron: año de residencia, sede hospitalaria, nivel de satisfacción mediante la calificación del curso, experiencia clínica en distocia de hombros, capacidad de resolución de la distocia, maniobras utilizadas, utilidad del curso al resolver la distocia y recomendación del mismo y a qué público se recomendaría. De los 33 médicos residentes que recibieron el curso, 5 de ellos terminaron el programa de residentado y se excluyeron del estudio. De los 28 médicos restantes, 24 respondieron la encuesta: 9 residentes de tercer año y 15 de segundo. RESULTADOS: El 79% calificó el curso como excelente y el 21% como bueno. Dieciocho residentes (75%) tuvieron en su práctica clínica episodios de distocia de hombros y en el 100% de los casos pudieron resolverlo utilizando las maniobras aprendidas. Las maniobras más usadas fueron las de McRoberts y Mazzanti. El 100% cree que el curso le ayudó a resolver la distocia y lo recomendaría a otros colegas. Cuando se les preguntó a quién debería ser recomendado, señalaron a médicos de pregrado, a residentes de primer año en primer lugar, a residentes de segundo y tercero, y también a médicos serumistas. CONCLUSIONES: El nivel de satisfacción del curso de distocia de hombros para los médicos residentes que lo recibieron fue bueno y ha permitido un cambio de comportamiento en su práctica clínica

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Despite there being risk factors, shoulder dystocia is unpredictable. For this reason, general practitioners, and especially gynaecology and obstetrics residents, should receive training using modern didactic strategies, such as simulation. The aim of the present study was to determine the level of satisfaction and the effect on clinical practice of the first shoulder dystocia workshop held between May and July 2016 for obstetric and gynaecological residents of the medical residency program of the Peruvian University Cayetano Heredia. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was carried out, using a questionnaire to assess the satisfaction and application in clinical practice, completed by gynaecology and obstetrics residents 3 to 5 months after having finished the course. The variables studied were: year of residence, hospital location, level of satisfaction of the quality of the course, clinical experience in shoulder dystocia, ability to resolve dystocia, manoeuvres used, course usefulness in resolving dystocia, and recommendation of the course to colleague, as well as at what public should it be aimed. Of the 33 resident physicians who attended the course, 5 of them completed the residency program and were excluded from the study. Of the 28 remaining doctors, 24 completed the questionnaire, of whom 9 were residents from the third year, and 15 from the second year. RESULTS: The majority (79%) rated the course as excellent, and 21% as good. Episodes of shoulder dystocia were attended to by 18 residents (75%) in their clinical practice, and in 100% of cases they were able to resolve it using the manoeuvres they had learned in the course. The most used manoeuvres were those of McRoberts and Mazzanti. All of them (100%) believed that the course helped them resolve the dystocia, and would recommend it to other colleagues. When asked who should be recommended, they referred to undergraduate doctors, first-year residents in first place, second and third year residents, as well as general practitioners. CONCLUSIONS: The level of satisfaction of the shoulder dystocia course for the resident physicians who attended it was good, and led to a change of behaviour in their clinical practice

Accelerated partial breast irradiation in a single 18 Gy fraction with high-dose-rate brachytherapy: preliminary results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of acute and chronic toxicity in patients suitable for accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) in a single 18 Gy fraction with multicatheter high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy, as well as cosmetic and oncological outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between September 2014 and March 2016, twenty consecutive patients with low-risk invasive and ductal carcinoma in situ were treated with interstitial multicatheter HDR brachytherapy in a single 18 Gy fraction. RESULTS: Median age was 63.5 years (range, 51-79). Acute toxicity was observed in seven patients, while the pain during following days and hematoma were seen in four patients. With a median follow-up of 24 months, late toxicity was found in one patient with fat necrosis g2 and fibrosis g2 in another patient. The overall survival (OS) and locoregional control (LC) was 100%. Disease-free survival (DFS) and distant control was 95%. Good to excellent cosmetic outcomes were noted in 80% of patients and fair in 4 patients (20%). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report in the medical literature that focuses on feasibility and acute and chronic toxicity, with a median follow-up of 24 months (range, 20-40). The protocol is viable and convenient. However, a longer follow-up is needed to know chronic toxicity and oncologic outcomes.

La simulación como modelo de enseñanza en cirugía / Simulation as a surgical teaching model

La enseñanza de la cirugía se ha visto afectada por múltiples factores a lo largo de estos últimos años, como son la reducción de la jornada laboral, la optimización del uso del quirófano o la seguridad del paciente. La metodología de enseñanza tradicional no logra minimizar el impacto de estos factores en la formación de los cirujanos. La simulación como modelo de enseñanza minimiza dicho impacto y es más eficaz que los métodos docentes tradicionales para integrar los conocimientos y las habilidades clínico-quirúrgicas complejas. La simulación complementa la asistencia clínica al paciente con la formación, creando un entorno de aprendizaje seguro en el que no se ve afectada la seguridad del paciente ni se generan conflictos éticos ni legales. Las metodologías de aprendizaje que utilizan la simulación permiten individualizar la enseñanza adaptándola a las necesidades de aprendizaje de cada alumno. Además, permiten entrenar todo tipo de habilidades técnicas, cognitivas o de comportamiento (AU)

Teaching of surgery has been affected by many factors over the last years, such as the reduction of working hours, the optimization of the use of the operating room or patient safety. Traditional teaching methodology fails to reduce the impact of these factors on surgeons training. Simulation as a teaching model minimizes such impact, and is more effective than traditional teaching methods for integrating knowledge and clinical-surgical skills. Simulation complements clinical assistance with training, creating a safe learning environment where patient safety is not affected, and ethical or legal conflicts are avoided. Simulation uses learning methodologies that allow teaching individualization, adapting it to the learning needs of each student. It also allows training of all kinds of technical, cognitive or behavioural skills (AU)

Simulation as a surgical teaching model. / La simulación como modelo de enseñanza en cirugía.

Teaching of surgery has been affected by many factors over the last years, such as the reduction of working hours, the optimization of the use of the operating room or patient safety. Traditional teaching methodology fails to reduce the impact of these factors on surgeons training. Simulation as a teaching model minimizes such impact, and is more effective than traditional teaching methods for integrating knowledge and clinical-surgical skills. Simulation complements clinical assistance with training, creating a safe learning environment where patient safety is not affected, and ethical or legal conflicts are avoided. Simulation uses learning methodologies that allow teaching individualization, adapting it to the learning needs of each student. It also allows training of all kinds of technical, cognitive or behavioural skills.

Oncoplastic breast conserving surgery with tailored needle-guided excision.

BACKGROUND: Breast conserving surgery (BCS) administered with oncoplastic approach (OBCS), when it is required, is currently the gold standard for the treatment of early breast cancer. Wire-guided localization (WL) is the most popular technique used to help surgeon in breast cancer excision. Currently, a universal and undeniable goal is to minimize the rate of positive margins and re-excision operation after BCS improving cosmetic outcome and decreasing health care costs. This study is aimed to report our experience combining OBCS and tailored WL as surgical approach for early breast cancers. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study on 148 breast cancer patients who were treated with OBCS and tailored WL, which consists in individualization of the number and location of wires depending on patient particularities, in our Breast Unit from March 2013 to December 2015. A multivariate analysis was used to determine the association between clinic-pathologic variables, which can be known preoperatively, and margin status. RESULTS: The rate of affected margins was 13.5% and 10.8% patients underwent re-interventions for oncologic reasons. Multifocality was strongly associated with involved margins [odds ratio (OR) 4.67]. CONCLUSIONS: OBCS together with tailored WL obtains an acceptable rate of positive margins and high rate of final BCS.

Coriocarcinoma: reporte de 3 casos / Choriocarcinoma: report of 3 cases

La enfermedad trofoblástica gestacional (ETG) es un trastorno proliferativo de las células del trofoblasto. La ETG más agresiva es el coriocarcinoma, debido a su rápida invasión vascular y formación de múltiples metástasis. Presentamos tres casos de coriocarcinoma poco frecuentes. Tres mujeres de 30, 47 y 44 años, respectivamente, acudieron a Emergencia por ginecorragia y tumoración vaginal con variaciones de presentación y antecedentes significativos, encontrándose en todas ellas metástasis diversas y raras. Se presenta estos casos, por ser una patología poco frecuente pero extremadamente agresiva, con amplio espectro clínico, presentaciones inusuales y necesidad de un diagnóstico precoz para su óptimo tratamiento.

Gestational trophoblastic disease is a proliferative disorder of trophoblast cells. Choriocarcinoma is the most aggressive type due to its rapid vascular invasion and metastasis formation. We present three rare cases of choriocarcinoma. Three women 30, 47, and 44 years old respectively were admitted for vaginal bleeding and vaginal tumor as main complaints with different presentations of the disease and past medical history; various and rare metastases were found. We report these cases because of their rarity and aggressive pathology, showing a wide clinical spectrum, unusual presentations and the need for early diagnostic and optimal treatment.

Apendicitis de muñón. ¿Una realidad infravalorada? / Stump appendicitis. Underrated reality?

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Endometritis posparto: experiencia en un hospital general

Objetivos: Conocer las características demográficas y clínicas de las pacientes con diagnóstico de endometritis puerperal en un hospital general. Diseño: Estudio de tipo descriptivo, serie de casos, retrospectivo. Institución: Servicio de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia (HNCH), Lima, Perú. Participantes: Puérperas. Material: Se seleccionó casos con diagnóstico de endometritis puerperal en el periodo de julio de 2011 a julio de 2012, de la base de datos de la Unidad de Epidemiología del HNCH. Se recolectó los datos en una ficha, en la que se incluyó las características demográficas, clínicas, antecedentes, factores de riesgo, diagnóstico, tratamiento, evolución y complicaciones. Principales medidas de resultados: Características de los casos de endometritis puerperal. Resultados: Se encontró 32 casos de endometritis puerperal, con prevalencia de 0,6%. La edad media fue 23 +/- 6,2; el 76% tenía educación secundaria y 72% era primípara. La vía de parto fue cesárea en 53% de los casos. El síntoma más frecuente fue sensación de alza térmica y el signo más frecuente loquios con mal olor. Entre los factores de riesgo, a un tercio de pacientes se les realizó más de 5 tactos vaginales, con un máximo de 8; 6 pacientes tuvieron rotura prematura de membranas y en 7 en pacientes se describió líquido meconial. La evolución de la totalidad de las pacientes fue favorable. Conclusiones: Conocer el impacto de la endometritis puerperal en un hospital general permitirá tomar las medidas preventivas para reducir la incidencia de casos de endometritis, por ejemplo, mejorando la profilaxis y tratamiento de la anemia, limitando los tactos vaginales así como promoviendo las normas de bioseguridad.

Objectives: To determine demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with diagnosis of postpartum endometritis at a national hospital. Design: Descriptive, series of cases, retrospective study. Setting: Gynecology and Obstetrics Service, Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia (HNCH), Lima, Peru. Participants: Women post partum. Material: Cases with puerperal endometritis from July 2011 through July 2012 were selected from the database of the Epidemiology Unit. Data collected included demographic characteristics, clinical history, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, evolution and complications. Main outcome measures: Puerperal endometritis cases characteristics. Results: Thirty two cases of puerperal endometritis represented a prevalence of 0.6%. Mean age was 23 +/- 6.2 years, 76% finished high school and 72% were nulliparous. Delivery was by cesarean section in 53% of cases. Most common symptom was fever and the most frequent sign was foul-smelling lochia. Among risk factors, one third of patients underwent more than 5 vaginal examinations, with a maximum of 8; 6 patients had premature rupture of membranes and in 7 meconial amniotic fluid was described. All patients had favorable evolution. Conclusions: Understanding the impact of puerperal endometritis in a general hospital will lead to preventive measures to reduce its incidence by improving anemia prophylaxis and treatment, limiting vaginal exams and promoting biosafety standards.

Cell wall integrity MAPK pathway is essential for lipid homeostasis.

The highly conserved yeast cell wall integrity mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway regulates cellular responses to cell wall and membrane stress. We report that this pathway is activated and essential for viability under growth conditions that alter both the abundance and pattern of synthesis and turnover of membrane phospholipids, particularly phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine. Mutants defective in this pathway exhibit a choline-sensitive inositol auxotrophy, yet fully derepress INO1 and other Opi1p-regulated genes when grown in the absence of inositol. Under these growth conditions, Mpk1p is transiently activated by phosphorylation and stimulates the transcription of known targets of Mpk1p signaling, including genes regulated by the Rlm1p transcription factor. mpk1Delta cells also exhibit severe defects in lipid metabolism, including an abnormal accumulation of phosphatidylcholine, diacylglycerol, triacylglycerol, and free sterols, as well as aberrant turnover of phosphatidylcholine. Overexpression of the NTE1 phospholipase B gene suppresses the choline-sensitive inositol auxotrophy of mpk1Delta cells, whereas overexpression of other phospholipase genes has no effect on this phenotype. These results indicate that an intact cell wall integrity pathway is required for maintaining proper lipid homeostasis in yeast, especially when cells are grown in the absence of inositol.

Radiological and pathological assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma response to radiofrequency. A study on removed liver after transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The real efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in destroying hepatocellular carcinoma is not completely known, nor is the ability of computed tomography (CT) to precisely assess response. Our aims were to analyze pathological response, tumor size influence, and CT response evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 30 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules treated by RFA before liver transplant (LT) in 28 patients. Pathological study of the whole removed liver was then performed and the tumor response was classified as complete, incomplete, or absent. The biggest nodule diameter was estimated by CT or ultrasound. The procedure was carried out percutaneously in all but 3 patients, and in those 3 it was done surgically. RESULTS: The pathological response was complete in 14 nodules (46.7%) and incomplete in 16 (53.3%). The differences in mean preoperative diameter between cases with complete and incomplete response were not significant (p = 0.3). We found that small tumors were not always completely destroyed, whereas bigger tumors could be successfully deleted. There was no clear association between any location and better or poorer response. The detection of RFA incomplete response by means of CT scan had 50% sensitivity and 100% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, RFA can achieve some degree of tumor destruction in every treated case of hepatocellular carcinoma, the complete response rate being slightly lower than half. We have not found any association of response with tumor size or interval RFA-transplant. Second, CT had not enough sensitivity to assess RFA response of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Biliopancreatic diversion in a renal transplant patient.

Surgery is usually the only solution to modify the evolution of morbid obesity and resolve the associated co-morbidities. There is very little written regarding malabsorptive surgery and transplantation. A 48-year-old male with hypertension, hyperuricemia and obesity underwent renal transplantation in 1994 for renal amyloidosis. He was maintained on oral immunosuppressive cyclosporine. The patient developed uncontrollable hypertension, hyperlipemia, hyperglycemia and increasing weight to a BMI of 44. Thus, in December 2004, he underwent biliopancreatic diversion (BPD). After 18 months follow-up, he has lost 85% of his excess weight, and his hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipemia are markedly improved. Renal function was not modified, nor were the levels of cyclosporine. He has had no complications derived from the BPD, and has a better quality of life.