Spanish version of the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale: translation and cross-cultural adaptation.

BACKGROUND: Emergence delirium (ED) is a mental disturbance in children during recovery from general anaesthesia. The Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) scale is the only validated scale that assesses ED in paediatric patients undergoing general anaesthesia. The aim of this study was the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the PAED scale into Spanish (Chile).  METHODS: A five-stage translation and cross-cultural adaptation process was carried out. The reliability of the Spanish version of the PAED scale was evaluated in paediatric patients independently by a set of two raters (anaesthesiologists or postanaesthesia care unit nurses) in the postanaesthetic period after major outpatient surgery. ED was defined by a cut-off level of ≥ 10 points on the PAED scale.  RESULTS: The PAED scale was evaluated in 353 consecutive children. Patients had a mean age of 7.4 ± 3.22 years. The preoperative ASA Physical Status class was 62%, 37%, and 1% (ASA class I, II and III, respectively). The distribution of patients by service was as follows: 45% of patients underwent paediatric surgery; 33% underwent otorhinolaryngological surgery; 11% underwent orthopaedic surgery; 10% underwent ophthalmological surgery; and 1% underwent other types of surgery. The interrater agreement ranged from 96.9% to 97.9%, with Kappa values ranging from 0.59 to 0.79. The Cronbach's alpha value was 0.91. The ED global incidence was 9.1% and was higher in the younger age groups (3-10 years). CONCLUSIONS: The translated and cross-culturally adapted Spanish version of the PAED scale is a reliable instrument to measure ED in the postanaesthetic period in Chilean children.

Effect of Oats and Wheat Genotype on In Vitro Gas Production Kinetics of Straw.

Increases in cereals grain yield in the last decades have increased the accumulation of straw on the soil after harvest. Farmers typically open burn the straw to prepare the soil for the next crop, resulting in pollution, emission of greenhouse gases, erosion, loss of soil organic matter, and wildfires. An alternative is feeding straw to ruminants, but straw nutritive value is limited by its high content of lignocellulose and low content of protein. Cereal breeding programs have focused on improving grain yield and quality and agronomic traits, but little attention has been paid to straw nutritive value. We screened straw from 49 genotypes of oats and 24 genotypes of wheat from three cereal breeding trials conducted in Chile for in vitro gas production kinetics. We found moderate effects of the genotype on gas production at 8, 24, and 40 h of incubation, and on the maximum extent and rate of gas production. Gas production was negatively associated with lignin and cellulose contents and not negatively associated with grain yield and resistance to diseases and lodging. Effects observed in vitro need to be confirmed in animal experiments before gas production kinetics can be adopted to identify cereal genotypes with more digestible straw.

Menopause and obstetric history as risk factors for fecal incontinence in women.

BACKGROUND: Fecal incontinence is a highly prevalent condition, especially in women. However, few data on prevalence in women attending primary care are available, particularly regarding the presence of risk factors. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine characteristics of women with fecal incontinence and to analyze obstetric history and menopause as potential risk factors. DESIGN: Observational study with a cross-sectional design. SETTINGS: Patients in primary care at 10 health care centers in Barcelona, Spain. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fecal incontinence was defined as loss of flatus or liquid/solid stool occurring at least monthly. Data on the following variables were collected by face-to-face interviews and patient questionnaires: demographic and clinical characteristics, obstetric history, menopause data, fecal incontinence, and quality of life. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to study the association of potential risk factors with fecal incontinence. RESULTS: The study included 332 women with a mean age of 60.8 (SD, 17.8) years. The prevalence of fecal incontinence was 12.0% (40/332). Flatus incontinence was reported in 27 patients (67.5%), liquid stool incontinence in 25 (62.5%), and solid stool incontinence in (19) 47.5%. On multivariable analysis, the only independent risk factors for fecal incontinence were an obstetric history of complicated deliveries (instrumentation or podalic presentation; OR, 3.66; 95% CI, 1.54-8.68, P = .003) and menopause (OR, 5.67; 95% CI, 1.35-23.78; P = .018). LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design hampered identification of the time at which the impact of menopausal status occurred, and data obtained from patient interviews was subject to recall bias. CONCLUSIONS: Complicated deliveries are risk factors for fecal incontinence in women. Fecal incontinence appears to be more prevalent in menopausal women.

Analgesia in patients with acute abdominal pain.

BACKGROUND: For decades, the indication of analgesia in patients with Acute Abdominal Pain (AAP) has been deferred until the definitive diagnosis has been made, for fear of masking symptoms, generating a change in the physical exploration or obstructing the diagnosis of a disease requiring surgical treatment. This strategy has been questioned by some studies that have shown that the use of analgesia in the initial evaluation of patients with AAP leads to a significant reduction in pain without affecting diagnostic accuracy. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the evidence available supports the use of opioid analgesics in the diagnostic process of patients with AAP. SEARCH STRATEGY: Trials were identified through searches in Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, issue 2, 2009), MEDLINE (1966 to 2009) and EMBASE (1980 to 2009). A randomised controlled trial (RCT) filter for a MEDLINE search was applied (with appropriate modification for an EMBASE search). Trials also were identified through "related articles". The search was not limited by language or publication status. SELECTION CRITERIA: All published RCTs which included adult patients with AAP, without gender restriction, comparing any opioids analgesia regimen with the non-use of analgesic before any intervention and independent of the results. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two independent reviewers assessed the studies identified via the electronic search. Articles that were relevant and pertinent to the aims of the study were selected and their respective full-text versions were collected for subsequent blinded evaluation. The allocation concealment was considered in particular as an option to diminish the biases.The data collected from the studies were reviewed qualitatively and quantitatively using the Cochrane Collaboration statistical software RevMan 5.0. After performing the meta-analysis, the chi-squared test for heterogeneity was applied. In situations of significant clinical heterogeneity, statistical analyses were not applied to the pool of results. In situations of heterogeneity, the random effect model was used to perform the meta-analysis of the results. A sensitivity analysis was also applied based on the evaluation to the methodological quality of the primary studies. MAIN RESULTS: Eight studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Differences with use of opioid analgesia were verified in variables: Change in the intensity of the pain, change in the patients comfort level. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The use of opioid analgesics in the therapeutic diagnosis of patients with AAP does not increase the risk of diagnosis error or the risk of error in making decisions regarding treatment.

Epidemiology of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, gastric cardia, and upper gastric third.

The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction (gastric cardia) has risen rapidly over the past three decades in the United States and northern Europe. This increase had been most dramatic among White males. The majority of these cancers arise from Barrett's esophagus. However, less than 10% of the patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma were known to have Barrett's esophagus before. Current evidence indicates that gastroesophageal reflux and obesity are major risk factors for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Abdominal obesity, more prevalent in males, and independent of body mass index, seems to be associated with an increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma but not of cardia adenocarcinoma. This observation may explain the high male:female ratio observed in esophageal adenocarcinoma. Tobacco use has also been found as a possible risk factor for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastric cardia. Infection with Helicobacter pylori and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs might reduce the risk. On the other hand, low intake of fruits, vegetables, and cereal fibers seem to increase the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Currently, there is no evidence that strongly supports any specific strategy to screen a subgroup of the population at risk for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus or esophagogastric junction. Future strategies to decrease obesity and tobacco use might help to reduce the burden of esophageal adenocarcinoma at least partially.

Pérdida de masa ósea tras gastrectomía tubular: estudio prospectivo comparativo con el bypass gástrico / Bone mass loss after sleeve gastrectomy: A prospective comparative study with gastric bypass

Introducción: La cirugía bariátrica es la opción más eficaz para el tratamiento de los pacientes con alto riesgo de complicaciones por su obesidad. Sin embargo provoca una serie de alteraciones metabólicas sobre el calcio y la vitamina D y un aumento de la resorción que conllevan una pérdida de masa ósea. Objetivo: El objetivo del estudio es la comparación de la gastrectomía tubular (GT) con el bypass gástrico en Y de Roux (BGYR) respecto la pérdida de masa ósea medida mediante densitometría y marcadores de remodelado óseo. Pacientes y métodos: Se incluyeron 15 mujeres con obesidad mórbida, 8 en la GT y 7 en el BGYR, de edad media 47,8±9 con un índice de masa corporal 43,3±3,4. Se realizaron mediciones de la masa ósea a nivel de columna, fémur y tercio distal del radio y marcadores de remodelado óseo N-telopéptido (NTx), y fosfatasa alcalina específica ósea (FAO), así como niveles de vitamina D antes y a los 12 meses de la intervención. Resultados: Se observó una pérdida significativa de masa ósea con la GT y el BGYR, en columna lumbar y cadera mientras que en el radio no se observaron diferencias significativas. El porcentaje de pérdida de masa ósea fue menor en columna y fémur tras la GT que con el BGYR, aunque sin llegar a la significación estadística, 4,6&%#x000B1;4,4 (media±DE) y 6,3&%#x000B1;5,4 (media±DE) respectivamente. A los 12 meses el NTx aumentó para ambos tipos de intervención y las FAO aumentaron solo para la GT. Conclusión: La GT provoca una pérdida menor de masa ósea, aunque no significativa, respecto el BGYR (AU)

Introduction: Bariatric surgery is the most effective option for the treatment of patients with a high risk of complications due to their obesity. However, it brings about a series of changes in calcium and vitamin D metabolism and an increase in resorption which lead to a loss of bone mass. Aim: The objective of this study is to compare sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) as regards loss of bone mass using bone densitometry and bone remodelling markers. Patients and methods: Fifteen women with morbid obesity were included, 8 by SG and 7 by RYGB, with a mean age of 47.8±9 and mean body mass index 43.3±3.4. Bone mass measurements were made on the lumbar spine, femur and distal radius, and the bone remodelling markers N-telopeptide (NTx) and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), as well as vitamin D levels before and 12 months after surgery. Results: A significant bone mass loss was observed was observed with SG and RYGB, in the lumbar spine and hip, whilst no differences were observed in the radial. The percentage bone mass loss was less in the column and femur after SG than with RYGB, although it did not reach statistical significance, 4.6&%#x000B1;4.4 (mean±SD) and 6.3&%#x000B1;5.4 (mean±SD), respectively. At 12 months the Ntx increased for both types of surgery, and the BAP was only increased for SG. Conclusion: SG causes less, although not significant, bone mass loss compared to RYGB (AU)

[Bone mass loss after sleeve gastrectomy: a prospective comparative study with gastric bypass]. / Pérdida de masa ósea tras gastrectomía tubular: estudio prospectivo comparativo con el bypass gástrico.

INTRODUCTION: Bariatric surgery is the most effective option for the treatment of patients with a high risk of complications due to their obesity. However, it brings about a series of changes in calcium and vitamin D metabolism and an increase in resorption which lead to a loss of bone mass. AIM: The objective of this study is to compare sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) as regards loss of bone mass using bone densitometry and bone remodelling markers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen women with morbid obesity were included, 8 by SG and 7 by RYGB, with a mean age of 47.8+/-9 and mean body mass index 43.3+/-3.4. Bone mass measurements were made on the lumbar spine, femur and distal radius, and the bone remodelling markers N-telopeptide (NTx) and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), as well as vitamin D levels before and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: A significant bone mass loss was observed was observed with SG and RYGB, in the lumbar spine and hip, whilst no differences were observed in the radial. The percentage bone mass loss was less in the column and femur after SG than with RYGB, although it did not reach statistical significance, 4.6%+/-4.4 (mean+/-SD) and 6.3%+/-5.4 (mean+/-SD), respectively. At 12 months the Ntx increased for both types of surgery, and the BAP was only increased for SG. CONCLUSION: SG causes less, although not significant, bone mass loss compared to RYGB.

Prevalencia de incontinencia fecal y su relación con el hábito defecatorio en pacientes atendidos en medicina primaria / Prevalence of fecal incontinence and its relationship with bowel habit in patients attended in primary care

Fundamento y objetivo: La incontinencia fecal (IF) es una enfermedad de elevada prevalencia en la población general. La detección de alteraciones en el hábito defecatorio de estos pacientes podría ser de gran utilidad para el tratamiento de esta enfermedad. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la relación entre la prevalencia de IF en un área metropolitana de Barcelona y la presencia de una alteración del hábito defecatorio de los pacientes estudiados.Pacientes y método. Estudio transversal efectuado mediante entrevista directa a la población atendida en 10 centros de atención primaria. Se estudió la presencia de síntomas de IF y para el estudio de la consistencia y forma de las heces se utilizó la escala de Bristol validada a la lengua española.Resultados. La muestra del estudio fue de 518 sujetos, con una media (DE) de edad de 60,3 (17,7) años. La prevalencia global de IF detectada fue del 10,8% (el 2,7% gases, el 3,7% heces líquidas y el 4,4% heces sólidas). La consistencia y forma de las heces fue normal en el 75,6% en el grupo de pacientes sin IF y en el 54,5% del grupo de pacientes con el diagnóstico de IF (p=0,001) (AU)

Background and objectives. Fecal incontinence is a high prevalence disease in general population. The diagnosis of alterations in bowel habit could be of interest for the management of this clinical disorder. The aim of the study was to study the relationship between fecal incontinence prevalence and alteration of bowel habit in patients of a metropolitan area of Barcelona.Patients and methods. A cross-sectional multicenter study was undertaken by interviewing the population attending 10 primary health centers. The presence of symptoms of fecal incontinence was analyzed and the bowel habit was assessed using the validated Spanish version of Bristol Stool Scale. Results: A total of 518 subjects were studied with a mean age of 60.3 (SD: Standard deviation 17.7) years. The overall prevalence of fecal incontinence was 10.8% (2.7% incontinence to flatus, 3.7% liquid stool and 4.4% solid stool). There was a normal bowel habit in 75.6% in the group of patients without fecal incontinence and in 54.5% in patients with fecal incontinence (p=0.001).Conclusion: The prevalence of fecal incontinence in primary care is high. 45% of patients with fecal incontinence exhibited an abnormal bowel habit (AU)

Survival of a cohort of patients with Intermediate and advanced gall bladder cancer treated with a prospective therapeutic protocol / Sobrevida de uma coorte de pacientes com câncer na vesícula intermédio e avançado tratados com um protocolo terapêutico de natureza prospectiva

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of a prospective therapeutic protocol with long-term follow up in terms of survival rates in a cohort of patients treated with Intermediate and Advanced GBC (GBC). METHODS: Prospective cohort of patients with intermediate and advanced stages of GBC treated between 1996 and 2006. All cases were treated with a partial hepatic segmentectomy on segments IVb and V and a regional lymph node dissection and six cycles of out-patient chemotherapy (5-FU and leukovorin). With an average follow-up of 31.5 months, the morbidity, operative mortality, hepatic and lymphatic infiltration and actuarial survival were measured. Descriptive statistics were applied as well as bivariate analysis applying Fisher's exact test and non-parametrical tests and Kaplan Meier survival curves. Also logistic regression and proportional risk of Cox were applied. RESULTS: 40 patients were included in this protocol, with an average age of 59.5 years (40-85 years), of which 28 were women (70 percent). Depth of wall infiltration: muscular 8 patients (20 percent), subserosal 12 patients (30 percent), serosal 12 patients (30 percent) and perivesicular adipose tissue 8 patients (20 percent). The series morbidity was 27.5 percent. There was no operative mortality. The chemotherapy was well tolerated. The overall actuarial survival in the series was 50 percent at 60 months. CONCLUSION: Our protocol treatment has morbidity, mortality and survival rates similar to previously reported series.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados de resultados da aplicação de um protocolo terapêutico de natureza prospectiva, com seguimento em longo prazo nos termos de taxas de sobrevivência em uma coorte de pacientes operados com carcinoma vesícula biliar (CVB) intermédio e avançado. MÉTODOS: A coorte prospectiva de pacientes com estágios intermediários e avançados de CVB tratados entre 1996 e 2006. Todos os casos foram tratados com uma segmentectomia hepática parcial em segmentos IVb e V e uma dissecção linfonodal regional e seis ciclos de quimioterapia de ambulatório (5-FU e leukovorin). Com um tempo de seguimento médio de 31,5 meses, a morbidade, mortalidade operatória, hepático e infiltração linfática e atuarial de sobrevida foram medidas. Estatísticas descritivas foram aplicadas, bem como análise bivariada aplicando o teste exato de Fisher, testes não-paramétricos, curvas de sobrevida Kaplan Meier e técnica de regressão logística e risco proporcional de Cox. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 40 pacientes neste protocolo, com uma média de idade de 59,5 anos (40-85 anos), dos quais 28 eram mulheres (70 por cento). Profundidade de infiltração parede: muscular 8 pacientes (20 por cento), subserosal 12 pacientes (30 por cento), serosas 12 pacientes (30 por cento) e perivesicular no tecido adiposo, 8 pacientes (20 por cento). A série morbidade foi de 27,5 por cento. Não houve mortalidade operatória. A quimioterapia foi bem tolerada. A sobrevida global atuarial da série foi de 50 por cento em 60 meses. CONCLUSÃO: Nosso protocolo tem tratamento morbidade, mortalidade e taxas de sobrevivência semelhantes às relatadas anteriormente série.

Survival of a cohort of patients with intermediate and advanced gall bladder cancer treated with a prospective therapeutic protocol.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of a prospective therapeutic protocol with long-term follow up in terms of survival rates in a cohort of patients treated with Intermediate and Advanced GBC (GBC). METHODS: Prospective cohort of patients with intermediate and advanced stages of GBC treated between 1996 and 2006. All cases were treated with a partial hepatic segmentectomy on segments IVb and V and a regional lymph node dissection and six cycles of out-patient chemotherapy (5-FU and leukovorin). With an average follow-up of 31.5 months, the morbidity, operative mortality, hepatic and lymphatic infiltration and actuarial survival were measured. Descriptive statistics were applied as well as bivariate analysis applying Fisher's exact test and non-parametrical tests and Kaplan Meier survival curves. Also logistic regression and proportional risk of Cox were applied. RESULTS: 40 patients were included in this protocol, with an average age of 59.5 years (40-85 years), of which 28 were women (70%). Depth of wall infiltration: muscular 8 patients (20%), subserosal 12 patients (30%), serosal 12 patients (30%) and perivesicular adipose tissue 8 patients (20%). The series morbidity was 27.5%. There was no operative mortality. The chemotherapy was well tolerated. The overall actuarial survival in the series was 50% at 60 months. CONCLUSION: Our protocol treatment has morbidity, mortality and survival rates similar to previously reported series.

[Prevalence of fecal incontinence and its relationship with bowel habit in patients attended in primary care]. / Prevalencia de incontinencia fecal y su relación con el hábito defecatorio en pacientes atendidos en medicina primaria.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fecal incontinence is a high prevalence disease in general population. The diagnosis of alterations in bowel habit could be of interest for the management of this clinical disorder. The aim of the study was to study the relationship between fecal incontinence prevalence and alteration of bowel habit in patients of a metropolitan area of Barcelona. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional multicenter study was undertaken by interviewing the population attending 10 primary health centers. The presence of symptoms of fecal incontinence was analyzed and the bowel habit was assessed using the validated Spanish version of Bristol Stool Scale. RESULTS: A total of 518 subjects were studied with a mean age of 60.3 (SD: Standard deviation 17.7) years. The overall prevalence of fecal incontinence was 10.8% (2.7% incontinence to flatus, 3.7% liquid stool and 4.4% solid stool). There was a normal bowel habit in 75.6% in the group of patients without fecal incontinence and in 54.5% in patients with fecal incontinence (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of fecal incontinence in primary care is high. 45% of patients with fecal incontinence exhibited an abnormal bowel habit.

Intrabiliary rupture of hepatic echinococcosis, a risk factor for developing postoperative morbidity: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine if intrabiliary rupture (IBR), an evolutive complication of hepatic echinococcosis (HE), is a risk factor for developing postoperative morbidity (POM). METHODS: This was a concurrent cohort study that included patients operated on for HE between 1996 and 2006 and who had clinical check-ups at 1, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months postoperatively. Principal outcome variable was "development POM," considered dichotomously. The exposure variable was the presence of IBR, analyzed dichotomously (present or absent) and according to the number of IBR (without, with one, and with two or more). The sample size was considered on the basis of a 95% confidence interval (95% CI), a power of 80%, a 1:2 ratio of patients without and with IBR, and a 10% proportion of POM in patients without IBR and 26% in patients with IBR. Descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate analyses were used. Relative risks (RR) and 95% CI were calculated. RESULTS: The cohorts (median age of 42 years, 56.4% female, a median cyst diameter of 15 cm, and a follow-up of 118 months) were composed of 96 patients without IBR (38.1%) and 156 patients with IBR (61.9%). A morbidity rate of 17.1% was verified (9.4% in the group without IBR and 21.8% in the group with IBR [p = 0.011]). An adjusted RR of 3.4 (95% CI = 2.64, 4.18) was verified for the comparison of subgroups without IBR vs. with two or more IBR (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The presence of two or more IBR constitutes a risk factor for developing POM in patients with HE.

Systematic review of literature with different types of designs / Revisión sistemática de la literatura con diferentes tipos de diseños

In certain situations, which occur with particular frequency in the field of surgery and its related disciplines (where what predominates are observational-type studies), the management of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCT) is very difficult and as such, conducting a systematic review (SR) based on RCT and realice a meta-analysis is even more difficult. Therefore, we have generated a methodology for implementing a SR with different types of designs (including observational studies) as an alternative in order to clarify the uncertainty in the field of therapy when there are few RCT and the evidence relies so heavily on descriptive and observational studies. The aim of this study, was to set out a methodology that leads to a SR with various types of designs. Methodologycally, this is based on consideration of the different primary studies through the application of a methodological quality score made up of 3 items (type of study design, size of the population studied and methodology used in the study). Once assigned a point score, a calculation of weighted averages with their respective confidence intervals of 95 percent is applied to each variable to be studied, which finally enables to apply a meta-analysis and compare groups. A methodological proposal leading to a SR with various types of designs.

En ciertas situaciones, en especial frecuentes en el ámbito de la cirugía y sus disciplinas afines (donde lo que predomina son estudios de tipo observacional), la conducción de ensayos clínicos con asignación aleatoria (EC) es muy difícil; por ende, realizar revisiones sistemáticas (RS) con base en EC y posteriormente meta-analizar la información lo es aún más. Por esta razón hemos generado una metodología para realizar RS con diferentes tipos de diseños (incluyendo estudios observacionales), como una alternativa para aclarar la incertidumbre en el ámbito de la terapia cuando existen pocos EC y la evidencia se apoya fundamentalmente en estudios descriptivos y observacionales. El objetivo de este estudio fue exponer una metodología para conducir RS con diversos tipos de diseños. La metodología, se basa en la ponderación de los diferentes estudios primarios a través de la aplicación de un escore de calidad metodológica compuesto por 3 ítems (tipo de diseño del estudio, tamaño de la población estudiada y metodología empleada en el estudio). Una vez asignado un puntaje se aplica un cálculo de promedios ponderados con sus respectivos intervalos de confianza del 95 por ciento a cada variable que se desee estudiar, lo que permite finalmente realizar un meta-análisis y comparar grupos. Se presenta una propuesta metodológica para conducir RS con diversos tipos de diseños.

Curación asistida por presión negativa comparada con curación convencional en el tratamiento del pie diabético amputado. Ensayo clínico aleatorio / Negative-pressure wound therapy versus standard wound dressing in the treatment of diabetic foot amputation. A randomised controlled trial

Introducción Las heridas del pie diabético secundarias a amputación son complejas y de difícil tratamiento. Actualmente, la curación asistida por presión negativa (CAPNE) es ampliamente utilizada para el tratamiento de diversos tipos de heridas. Sin embargo, en la literatura médica hay escasas pruebas científicas sólidas sobre la aplicación de este tipo de curación en heridas del pie diabético amputado. El objetivo de este estudio es comparar la efectividad de la CAPNE con la de la curación convencional en heridas del pie diabético secundarias a amputación. Pacientes y método Ensayo clínico aleatorio. Sujetos mayores de 18 años, diabéticos de tipo II, con herida por amputación del pie, asignados a curación con CAPNE (grupo A) o a curación convencional (grupo B). La variable respuesta fue el tiempo en alcanzar el 90% de granulación. Se estimó un tamaño de muestra de 11 pacientes por grupo. La CAPNE se preparó con una espuma de éster de poliuretano, sonda Nelaton n.o 16, apósito transparente adhesivo y aspiración central a 100mmHg. La herida se curó cada 48 a 72h y se evaluó semanalmente. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva y analítica. Resultados Veinticuatro sujetos con un promedio de edad de 61,8 ± 9,0 años (79% varones), 12 sujetos en cada grupo. El tiempo promedio para alcanzar el 90% de granulación fue significativamente menor en el grupo A (18,8 ± 6 días frente a 32,3 ± 14 días), p=0,007. Conclusión La CAPNE reduce en un 40% el tiempo de granulación de la herida en el pie diabético amputado comparado con el de la curación convencional

Introduction Foot amputation wounds in patients with diabetes are complex and treatment is often difficult. At the moment negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is widely used for the treatment of several types of wounds. Nevertheless, the clinical evidence to support the application of this dressing in foot amputation wounds in patients with diabetes is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of NPWT compared with standard wound dressing to treat diabetic foot amputation wounds. Patients and method Randomised controlled trial. Diabetic patients aged 18 years or older with a foot amputation wound were assigned to treatment with NPWT (A group) or standard wound dressing (B group). Primary efficacy end point was time in reaching 90% of wound granulation. A size of sample of 11 patients per group was used. NPWT was prepared with a polyurethane ether foam dressing, a Nelaton catheter, a transparent adhesive drape and continuous negative pressure of 100mmHg. The wound was treated every 48–72h and evaluated weekly. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used. Results There were 24 patients, with a mean age of 61.8±9 years (79% men), 12 in each group. The average time to reach 90% of granulation was lower in A group (18.8±6 days versus 32.3±13.7 days), a statistically significant difference (P=0.007). Conclusion NPWT reduces the granulation time of diabetic foot amputation wounds by 40%, compared with the standard wound dressing (AU)

[Negative-pressure wound therapy versus standard wound dressing in the treatment of diabetic foot amputation. A randomised controlled trial]. / Curación asistida por presión negativa comparada con curación convencional en el tratamiento del pie diabético amputado. Ensayo clínico aleatorio.

INTRODUCTION: Foot amputation wounds in patients with diabetes are complex and treatment is often difficult. At the moment negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is widely used for the treatment of several types of wounds. Nevertheless, the clinical evidence to support the application of this dressing in foot amputation wounds in patients with diabetes is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of NPWT compared with standard wound dressing to treat diabetic foot amputation wounds. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Randomised controlled trial. Diabetic patients aged 18 years or older with a foot amputation wound were assigned to treatment with NPWT (A group) or standard wound dressing (B group). Primary efficacy end point was time in reaching 90% of wound granulation. A size of sample of 11 patients per group was used. NPWT was prepared with a polyurethane ether foam dressing, a Nelaton catheter, a transparent adhesive drape and continuous negative pressure of 100 mmHg. The wound was treated every 48-72 h and evaluated weekly. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used. RESULTS: There were 24 patients, with a mean age of 61.8 +/- 9 years (79% men), 12 in each group. The average time to reach 90% of granulation was lower in A group (18.8 +/- 6 days versus 32.3 +/- 13.7 days), a statistically significant difference (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: NPWT reduces the granulation time of diabetic foot amputation wounds by 40%, compared with the standard wound dressing.

Diagnostic properties of a symptoms scale for diagnosing reflux esophagitis.

OBJECTIVE: To the objective of the study was to determine accuracy and predictive values of a symptoms scale for diagnosing reflux esophagitis (RE). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Standard criterion study. All recruited patients from two centers in Chile underwent both digestive endoscopy (reference standard) and a symptoms scale known to be valid and reliable for diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease. The RE variable was dealt with dichotomously. A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios of the scale were calculated. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty eight (238) subjects (57.6% female), with an average age of 44.2+/-13.0 years were included. Of these, 57.1% presented with RE. With a cut-off score of six, association was confirmed between the symptoms scale and RE with an odds ratio of 7.26 and a correct classification i.e. diagnostic accuracy of 73.1%. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratios, of 74.3%, 71.6%, 77.7%, 67.6%, 2.61, and 0.36 respectively, were obtained. CONCLUSION: A seven-item symptoms scale when compared to endoscopy as gold standard was useful for diagnosing RE. Using a cutoff of six points, the diagnostic accuracy of the scale was 73.1%.

Description of Echinococcus granulosus genotypes in human hydatidosis in a region of southern Chile.

INTRODUCTION: Echinococcus granulosus species has a wide variety in both geography and hosts; indeed, 10 genotypes have been reported in studies on material of animal origin. The aim of this study was to genotype E. granulosus obtained from human hydatid cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hydatid fluid and sand was collected from patients who underwent surgery for hepatic and pulmonary hydatidosis at Hospital Regional in Temuco, Chile, between 2004 and 2005. Two PCR systems were used: PCR Eg 9 and PCR Eg 16. The RsaI enzyme was used for RFLP. The genotype was confirmed using the sequence of one fragment of 366 bp from a mitochondrial gene (cox1). RESULTS: The DNA of protoscolices from 24 samples was analyzed, 4 of them from pulmonary cysts and 20 from hepatic cysts. The 366 bp fragment was amplified in 20 out of 24 samples (83.3%). Enzymatic digestion revealed the presence of 3 possible genotypes: in 20 out of 21 samples (95,2%), a restriction was observed corresponding to the G1 or G7 genotypes; in the remaining sample genotype G4 or G7 was observed. Sequencing confirmed the presence of G1 genotype for 19 samples and G6 genotype for the remaining sample (G4 or G7 according to PCR-RFLP). CONCLUSION: The PCR-RFLP technique enabled three possible genotypes present (G1 or G7, G4 or G7) to be established. Sequencing allowed us to decisively identify the G1 and G6 genotypes in our study group. Previous studies agree with the identification of the G1 genotype in our country. We consider it significant that the G6 genotype is present in Chile for its epidemiological implications.

Efectividad de la profilaxis antibiótica en el curso de la colecistectomía laparoscópica electiva: revisión sistemática de la literatura / Systematic review on the effectiveness of antimicrobial prophylaxis in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Introducción: El uso de la profilaxis antibiótica (PA) es una práctica común en cirugía, sin embargo, su indicación en la colecistectomía laparoscópica electiva (CLE) es controversial. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la efectividad de la PA en CLE en relación a incidencia de infección del sitio operatorio (ISO). Material y método: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura (RS), analizando ensayos clínicos aleatorios (ECA) y estudios de cohortes (EC), cuya población fueran sujetos mayores de 18 años sometidos a CLE en quienes se comparara el uso de un esquema de PA vs. placebo. Se consultaron las bases de datos Cochrane, MEDLINE, SciELO y LiLACS, a través de términos MeSH, palabras libres y términos booleanos. La calidad metodológica de los estudios fue valorada mediante la aplicación del escore MINCIR cuya puntuación fluctúa entre 6 y 36 puntos. Se aplicó estadística descriptiva, meta-análisis para la comparación de grupos y análisis de sensibilidad. Resultados: Se analizaron 10 artículos que generaron 11 estudios comparativos (9 ECA y 2 EC). La mediana de la calidad metodológica de los estudios analizados fue de 18,5 puntos. La población de los estudios es de 2271 pacientes (1196 con PAy 1077 con placebo). No se verificaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las variables edad, peso, tiempo quirúrgico ni estancia hospitalaria en los grupos en estudio. El meta-análisis dio un odds ratio final de 0,726 (IC de 95 por ciento de 0,429 -1,226); y el análisis de sensibilidad excluyendo los EC, un OR de 0,954 (IC de 95 por ciento de 0,480 - 1,897); es decir que, en ambas situaciones, no se estableció un efecto protector del uso de PA sobre el desarrollo de ISO en pacientes sometidos a CLE. Conclusión: La evidencia encontrada en esta RS no sustenta el uso de PA en CLE.

Background: Antimicrobial prophylaxis is a common practice in surgery. However its indication in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy is controversial. Aim: To determine the effectiveness of antimicrobial prophylaxis in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Material and methods: Systematic literature review of clinical trials and cohort studies in subjects over 18 years of age, comparing the effect antimicrobial prophylaxis versus placebo in the incidence of operative site infections. Cochrane, MEDLINE, Scielo and LiLACS databases were consulted. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using the MINCIR store, that ranges from 6 to 36. Results: Nine clinical trials and two cohort studies were analyzed. The mean MINCIR score of the studies was 18.5. The total population of all studies were 2271 patients (1196 receiving antimicrobial prophylaxis and 1077 receiving placebo). Both groups were comparable in age, weight, surgical time and length of hospital stay. The meta analysis gave a final odds ratio for the risk of infection of 0.73 (95 percent confidence interval 0.43-1.23). Sensitivity analysis, excluding cohort studies gave an odds ratio of 0.95 (95 percent confidence interval 0.48-1.9). Thus, in both situations no protective effect of antimicrobial prophylaxis on operative site infections was demonstrated. Conclusions: This systematic review does not support the use antimicrobial prophylaxis in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Efectividad del tratamiento laparoscópico de quistes y tumores hepáticos: revisión global de la evidencia / A systematic review about laparoscopic treatment of hepatic tumors and cysts

Introducción: Existe controversia acerca de la eficacia, efectividad y eficiencia del tratamiento laparoscópico de quistes y tumores hepáticos, así como respecto de las resecciones hepáticas por vía laparoscópica. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la evidencia disponible sobre la efectividad de la cirugía laparoscópica en el tratamiento de quistes (QH) y tumores hepáticos, (TH) así como respecto de las resecciones hepáticas por vía laparoscópica (RHVL). Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos MEDLINE, EMBASE y la biblioteca Cochrane. Se consideraron todo tipo de estudios publicados entre 1988 y 2006 y se llevó a cabo la evaluación de la validez interna de la evidencia así como de su calidad global. Resultados: Se incluyeron 37 estudios (2 revisiones sistemáticas, 6 estudios de cohortes y 29 series de casos). Existen diferentes opciones para el tratamiento laparoscópico de los QH; sin embargo, la calidad de la evidencia sobre la eficacia del tratamiento laparoscópico de éstos, respecto de la vía abierta, es baja. Existen diferentes opciones de tratamiento laparoscópico para los TH, entre las que destacan el tratamiento resectivo y las terapias no resectivas. No se dispone de estudios comparativos respecto a la eficacia y seguridad del tratamiento laparoscópico resectivo o no resectivo en TH. Existe evidencia que las RHVL se asocian con menor estancia hospitalaria y reducción de las pérdidas hemáticas respecto de las resecciones vía abierta. La evidencia disponible sobre morbilidad y mortalidad de RHVL es escasa y de calidad baja. No se dispone de estudios comparativos sobre eficacia y seguridad de las RHVL. Conclusiones: La evidencia disponible es escasa y de baja calidad metodológica, situación que dificulta la formulación de recomendaciones. Son necesarios estudios de mejor calidad que evalúen de manera adecuada éstas técnicas.

Background: There are doubts about the effectiveness of laparoscopic treatment of hepatic tumors and cysts. Aim: To assess the available evidence about the effectiveness of laparoscopic treatment of hepatic tumors and cysts and liver resections. Material and methods: A search in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases was done, considering all studies published between 1988 and 2006. The internal validity of the evidence and global quality of the reports was assessed. Results: Thirty seven reports were included (two systematic revisions, six cohort studies and 29 case series). The quality of evidence about the effectiveness of laparoscopic treatment of hepatic cysts, when compared with the open approach, is low. Resective and non resective options are available for the laparoscopic treatment of hepatic tumors. There are no studies available comparing the effectiveness and safety of these two approaches. Laparoscopic hepatic resections have less blood loss and require a shorter hospital stay than the open approach. The available evidence on complications and mortality is scarce and of low quality. There are no studies available about the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic hepatic resections. Conclusions: Since the evidence is scanty and low quality, no recommendations can be made about laparoscopic treatment of hepatic cysts or tumors and liver resections.