Sleeve gastrectomy for idiopathic acute gastric dilatation with transmural necrosis.

Acute gastric dilatation (AGD) is usually related to eating disorders, postoperative status and mechanical obstruction of the duodenum. When intragastric pressure is augmented, it can lead to alteration of blood flow and result in transmural necrosis. However, there are very few reports on idiopathic AGD and so here we describe the case of a 26-year-old woman diagnosed with AGD without any apparent cause. Conservative treatment was initially conducted, but because of the persistence of dilatation, presence of gastric ulcer and gastric pneumatosis, a surgical approach was necessary. During surgery, gastric necrosis was observed in the greater curvature. A sleeve gastrectomy was conducted from the angle of His to the antrum. No complications were present during the postoperative course. Oeso-gastro-duodenal barium study showed no signs of gastric emptying and psychiatric evaluation ruled out any eating disorder.

Surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Surgical resection is the only potentially curative option in the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Preoperative radiological imaging allows to rule out the presence of metastases. Three resectability categories are established based on the radiological findings depending on the degree of contact between the tumor and the blood vessels. Histological confirmation of malignancy is only required in cases of borderline or non-resectable tumors, prior to neoadjuvant treatment initiation. Diagnostic laparoscopy is recommended in the presence of large tumors of the body or tail and in borderline tumors to explore the possibility of resection and to apply treatment with curative intent, as well as in those cases with high level of biomarkers to rule out peritoneal involvement. Prior to surgery preoperative nutritional measures as well as endoscopic biliary drainage can be applied to optimize patient’s conditions. Cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy is the recommended surgical technique in tumors located in the head of the pancreas. The benefits from pyloric preservation, type or reconstruction (one vs. two loops), type of anastomosis (pancreaticojejunostomy vs. pancreaticogastrostomy), intraoperative biopsy of the pancreatic resection margin or the use of intraperitoneal drainages are inconclusive. Total pancreatectomy and/or portal resection should only be performed in particular cases; however, arterial resections have shown no benefits. Radical antegrade modular pancreaticosplenectomy, that can be performed laparoscopically, is the technique used for those tumors located in the pancreatic body-tail (AU)

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Surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Surgical resection is the only potentially curative option in the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Preoperative radiological imaging allows to rule out the presence of metastases. Three resectability categories are established based on the radiological findings depending on the degree of contact between the tumor and the blood vessels. Histological confirmation of malignancy is only required in cases of borderline or non-resectable tumors, prior to neoadjuvant treatment initiation. Diagnostic laparoscopy is recommended in the presence of large tumors of the body or tail and in borderline tumors to explore the possibility of resection and to apply treatment with curative intent, as well as in those cases with high level of biomarkers to rule out peritoneal involvement. Prior to surgery preoperative nutritional measures as well as endoscopic biliary drainage can be applied to optimize patient's conditions. Cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy is the recommended surgical technique in tumors located in the head of the pancreas. The benefits from pyloric preservation, type or reconstruction (one vs. two loops), type of anastomosis (pancreaticojejunostomy vs. pancreaticogastrostomy), intraoperative biopsy of the pancreatic resection margin or the use of intraperitoneal drainages are inconclusive. Total pancreatectomy and/or portal resection should only be performed in particular cases; however, arterial resections have shown no benefits. Radical antegrade modular pancreaticosplenectomy, that can be performed laparoscopically, is the technique used for those tumors located in the pancreatic body-tail.

Consensus guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with pancreatic cancer in Spain.

The management of patients with pancreatic cancer has advanced over the last few years. We convey a multidisciplinary group of experts in an attempt to stablish practical guidelines for the diagnoses, staging and management of these patients. This paper summarizes the main conclusions of the working group. Patients with suspected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma should be rapidly evaluated and referred to high-volume centers. Multidisciplinary supervision is critical for proper diagnoses, staging and to frame a treatment plan. Surgical resection together with chemotherapy offers the highest chance for cure in early stage disease. Patients with advanced disease should be classified in treatment groups to guide systemic treatment. New chemotherapeutic regimens have resulted in improved survival. Symptomatic management is critical in this disease. Enrollment in a clinical trial is, in general, recommended.

PanGen-Fam: Spanish registry of hereditary pancreatic cancer.

PURPOSE: To describe the organisation of the registry and the preliminary results in terms of characteristics of high-risk pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) families recruited to date and findings of the screening programme. To compare early onset sporadic cases (⩽50 years), sporadic cases (>50 years) and cases with family history of cancer, for PDAC possible risk factors. METHODS/PATIENTS: Families with hereditary cancer syndromes predisposing to PDAC were recruited from two main sources: Spanish hospitals participating in PanGenEU, a pan-European multicentre case-control study, and their genetic counseling unit. Individuals at high-risk of PDAC were enrolled into a screening programme, consisting of Endoscopic ultrasound, computerised tomography, magnetic resonance imaging. Genetic testing of candidate genes was offered according to each patient's risk. RESULTS: Among 577 consecutive PDAC cases, recruited via PanGenEU, 36 (6%) had ⩾2 first-degree relative with PDAC: Familial pancreatic cancer (FPC). So far PanGen-Fam has recruited 42 high-risk PDAC families; 25 (60%) had FPC. Five index cases with cancer were positive for BRCA2 and one for BRCA1 germline mutations. In the second year of prospective PDAC screening, one neuroendocrine tumour and a high-grade dysplasia lesion suspicious of carcinoma were diagnosed among 41 high-risk individuals. Furthermore EUS detected chronic-pancreatitis-like parenchymal changes in 15 patients. CONCLUDING STATEMENT: The identification and recruitment of PDAC high-risk families into the PanGen-Fam registry provides an opportunity to detect early onset cancer and precursor pancreatic cancer lesions at a potentially curative stage and to increase the knowledge of the natural history of the disease.

Chylous ascytes secondary to acute pancreatitis: a case report and review of literature.

Chylous ascites is an uncommon finding which is due to the presence of thoracic or intestinal lymph in the abdominal cavity. It is usually caused by a chronic disruption of the lymphatic system. The present report is one of the rare cases in the literature of chylous ascites secondary to idiopathic acute pancreatitis, which showed a complete resolution with a combination of low fat enteral nutrition with MCT and somatostatin analogs.

Chylous ascytes secondary to acute pancreatitis: a case report and review of literature / Ascitis quilosa secundaria a pancreatitis: caso clínico y revisión de la bibliografía

Chylous ascites is an uncommon finding which is due to the presence of thoracic or intestinal lymph in the abdominal cavity. It is usually caused by a chronic disruption of the lymphatic system. The present report is one of the rare cases in the literature of chylous ascites secondary to idiopathic acute pancreatitis, which showed a complete resolution with a combination of low fat enteral nutrition with MCT and somatostatin analogs (AU)

La ascitis quilosa es un hallazgo infrecuente producido por la presencia de linfa de origen torácico o intestinal en la cavidad abdominal. Normalmente es producido por la disfunción crónica del sistema linfático. El caso que presentamos es uno de los pocos casos descritos en la literatura de ascitis quilosa secundaria a una pancreatitis aguda idiopática, que se resolvió completamente con una combinación de dieta enteral baja en grasas con triglicéridos de cadena media y análogos de somatostatina (AU)

Late gastrointestinal complications after pelvic radiotherapy: radiation enteritis

INTRODUCTION: Radiation enteritis is a complication of radiation therapy for pelvic tumours. It appears after a variable period of time and is often progressive. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyse our experience of 77 cases (52 females and 25 males) diagnosed with radiation enteritis or proctitis between 1986 and 2006. RESULTS: The most frequent location of radiation injury is ileum (55 patients, 71%), followed by rectum (22 patients, 28%). Twenty-eight patients (36%) were medically managed and 49 (64%) required surgical treatment. In 41 (53%) of the patients the affected region was resected, in 5 (7%) a by-pass was performed and in 3 (4%) a terminal colostomy. Surgical mortality was 4% (3 cases) and the complication rate 9% (7 cases). Twelve patients (16%) presented recurrence of radiation-related illness. Excluding those cases deceased because of tumoral progression, 5-year survival rate was 90% and 10-year survival rate 83%. CONCLUSION: Radiation enteritis must be initially conservatively managed, but in those cases without response, surgery is indicated. Surgical treatment should not be delayed fearing postoperative complications, which are more susceptible to appear in deteriorated patients. If technically possible, the affected region should be resected, because complications may appear later at this damaged location (AU)

[Multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of rectal cancer: the benefits of neoadjuvant therapy]. / Abordaje multidisciplinar en el tratamiento del cáncer de recto: eficacia del tratamiento neoadyuvante.

OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study was to assess the impact of neoadjuvant treatment on rectal cancer following involvement of a multidisciplinary team (MDT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: between January 2000 and December 2005, 90 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma were evaluated by a MDT and operated on after receiving neoadjuvant treatment with radiochemotherapy (RTCT) -67% were men and 33% were women, with a mean age of 65.04 years (21-83 years). Surgery was low anterior resection in 50% and abdominoperineal amputation in 42.2%. RESULTS: the rate of complications associated with neoadjuvant treatment was 54.4%, with gastrointestinal complications being most frequent. However, this toxicity was tolerated by most patients. It was severe in two cases (2.2%), leading to chemotherapy discontinuation. A histological analysis of specimens showed a complete pathologic response in 10 cases (11.1%) and a partial response (downstaging of T) in 32 cases (35.6%), hence overall response to neoadjuvant treatment was 46.6%. Postoperative complications included anastomotic leakage in 8.3%, perineal wound complications in 34.2%, and urinary disease in 12.2%. The surgical mortality rate was 0%. Local recurrence occurred in 4.4%, and distant metastases were found in 22.2%. Both overall and disease-free survivals were 80 and 64%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: neoadjuvant treatment results in low local recurrence rates and optimal survival rates, with no increase in morbidity or mortality. A systematic evaluation by a MDT in the context of a clinical protocol offers better cure rates.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNT) are infrequent epithelial neoplasms associated with a better outcome than pancreatic adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed our 22 years of experience in managing PNT. Forty-nine patients (27 women and 22 men) with a mean age of 49 years were studied. There were 28 insulinomas, eight glucagonomas, three gastrinomas, one VIPoma and one carcinoid. Eight patients presented with nonfunctional tumours. Enucleation was performed in 20 patients, distal pancreatectomy in 16, middle pancreatic resection in four, cephalic pancreatoduodenectomy in two and total pancreatoduodenectomy in one. In six patients, the tumour was not resected. RESULTS: Postoperative complication rate was 22%: six pancreatic fistulas, three intra-abdominal collections, one remnant pancreatitis and one pancreatic pseudocyst. There was no mortality. 39 cases showed benign histologic features and ten malignant ones. Symptomatic palliation was achieved in 94% of the cases. Five patients presented recurrences: three liver metastases and two pancreatic recurrences. Actuarial mean survival was 163 months and was longer in insulinomas, in those tumours completely resected and in tumours with benign histological features. CONCLUSION: Conservative surgery of the pancreas is preferred, but aggressive surgery is indicated when the primary tumour can be controlled. Despite of minimising pancreatic resection, there is a high complication rate, mainly pancreatic fistulas, though they can often be conservatively managed. Insulinomas are the PNT with better outcome; those completely resected also associate a better prognosis.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNT) are infrequent epithelial neoplasms associated with a better outcome than pancreatic adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed our 22 years of experience in managing PNT. Forty-nine patients (27 women and 22 men) with a mean age of 49 years were studied. There were 28 insulinomas, eight glucagonomas, three gastrinomas, one VIPoma and one carcinoid. Eight patients presented with nonfunctional tumours. Enucleation was performed in 20 patients, distal pancreatectomy in 16, middle pancreatic resection in four, cephalic pancreatoduodenectomy in two and total pancreatoduodenectomy in one. In six patients, the tumour was not resected. RESULTS: Postoperative complication rate was 22%: six pancreatic fistulas, three intra-abdominal collections, one remnant pancreatitis and one pancreatic pseudocyst. There was no mortality. 39 cases showed benign histologic features and ten malignant ones. Symptomatic palliation was achieved in 94% of the cases. Five patients presented recurrences: three liver metastases and two pancreatic recurrences. Actuarial mean survival was 163 months and was longer in insulinomas, in those tumours completely resected and in tumours with benign histological features. CONCLUSION: Conservative surgery of the pancreas is preferred, but aggressive surgery is indicated when the primary tumour can be controlled. Despite of minimising pancreatic resection, there is a high complication rate, mainly pancreatic fistulas, though they can often be conservatively managed. Insulinomas are the PNT with better outcome; those completely resected also associate a better prognosis (AU)

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[Causes of conversion in laparoscopic surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease: an analysis of our experience]. / Causas de conversión en la cirugía laparoscópica de la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico: análisis de nuestra experiencia.

BACKGROUND: since its introduction in 1991 laparoscopic antireflux surgery has gained great success and popularity among surgeons, and now it is the gold standard for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). AIM: to identify and evaluate the causes of conversion in the laparoscopic surgery of GERD and hiatus hernia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: since January 1993 to August 2007 606 laparoscopic antireflux procedures were performed in our hospital. There were 296 women and 310 men with a median age of 53.5 years. The main indication for surgery was evidence of intractable or recurrent GERD symptoms after adequate medical treatment with associated hiatal hernia. The preoperative workup included manometry, pH-metry, oral endoscopy, and barium swallow. The surgical technique was mainly the Nissen-Rossetti procedure. RESULTS: mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.7 days. The operation had to be converted to an open procedure in 43 cases (7%). Conversions were more frequent in the first decade of the learning curve (26 vs. 17, p < 0.016), and fewer among the group of experts in advanced laparoscopic surgery (15 vs. 28, p < 0.017). In 17 cases conversions were due to an intraoperative complication whereas in 26 cases a conversion was done because of technical difficulties. Esophageal perforation and pneumothorax rates were 0.8 and 1%, respectively, and mortality and morbidity rates were 0.1 and 12%. CONCLUSION: the rate of conversion is acceptable and significantly decreases with surgeon experience.

Abordaje multidisciplinar en el tratamiento del cáncer de recto: eficacia del tratamiento neoadyuvante / No disponible

Objetivo: evaluar el papel de la terapia neoadyuvante en eltratamiento del cáncer de recto en nuestro hospital, tras la implantaciónde un grupo multidisciplinar de trabajo (MDT).Material y métodos: desde enero de 2000 hasta diciembrede 2005 se ha evaluado en sesión clínica por el grupo MDT untotal de 90 pacientes diagnosticados de adenocarcinoma de rectoe intervenidos quirúrgicamente tras recibir tratamiento neoadyuvantecon radioquimioterapia (QMRT). La edad media fue de65,04 años (21-83 años), siendo un 67% varones y un 33% mujeres.Los procedimientos quirúrgicos realizados fueron fundamentalmenteresección anterior baja en un 50% y amputación abdominoperinealen un 42,2%.Resultados: la tasa de complicaciones asociada al uso del tratamientoneoadyuvante fue del 54,44%, siendo más frecuenteslas gastrointestinales. Sin embargo, esta toxicidad fue bien toleradaen la mayor parte de los casos, siendo grave y acarreando lasuspensión del tratamiento quimioterápico en 2 pacientes (2,2%).El análisis anatomopatológico de las piezas resecadas demostróuna respuesta completa en 10 casos (11,1%) y una respuesta parcial(disminución del parámetro T de la clasificación TNM) en 32casos (35,6%), con lo que la respuesta global del tratamiento neoadyuvantefue del 46,6%. Entre las complicaciones postoperatoriasse produjeron un 8,3% de dehiscencias anastomóticas, un34,2% de complicaciones de la herida perineal y un 12,2% decomplicaciones urinarias. La mortalidad quirúrgica fue del 0%. Latasa de recidiva pélvica fue del 4,4% y la sistémica del 22,2%. Lasupervivencia actuarial global y libre de enfermedad a los 5 añosfue del 80 y 64% respectivamente.Conclusión: el tratamiento QMRT neoadyuvante proporcionauna cifras bajas de recidiva pélvica junto con buenas tasas desupervivencia, no añadiendo una morbimortalidad importante alacto quirúrgico. La evaluación sistemática por un grupo MDT enel contexto de un protocolo clínico parece ofrecer al paciente mejoresoportunidades de curación

Objective: the aim of this study was to assess the impact ofneoadjuvant treatment on rectal cancer following involvement of amultidisciplinary team (MDT).Materials and methods: between January 2000 and December2005, 90 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma were evaluatedby a MDT and operated on after receiving neoadjuvant treatmentwith radiochemotherapy (RTCT) –67% were men and33% were women, with a mean age of 65.04 years (21-83 years).Surgery was low anterior resection in 50% and abdominoperinealamputation in 42.2%.Results: the rate of complications associated with neoadjuvanttreatment was 54.4%, with gastrointestinal complicationsbeing most frequent. However, this toxicity was tolerated by mostpatients. It was severe in two cases (2.2%), leading to chemotherapydiscontinuation. A histological analysis of specimens showeda complete pathologic response in 10 cases (11.1%) and a partialresponse (downstaging of T) in 32 cases (35.6%), hence overallresponse to neoadjuvant treatment was 46.6%. Postoperativecomplications included anastomotic leakage in 8.3%, perinealwound complications in 34.2%, and urinary disease in 12.2%.The surgical mortality rate was 0%. Local recurrence occurred in4.4%, and distant metastases were found in 22.2%. Both overalland disease-free survivals were 80 and 64%, respectively.Conclusions: neoadjuvant treatment results in low local recurrencerates and optimal survival rates, with no increase in morbidityor mortality. A systematic evaluation by a MDT in the contextof a clinical protocol offers better cure rates

Causas de conversión en la cirugía laparoscópica de la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico: análisis de nuestra experiencia / No disponible

Introducción: desde su introducción en 1991, la cirugía antirreflujopor vía laparoscópica ha ido adquiriendo gran popularidadhasta convertirse en el procedimiento de elección de la enfermedadpor reflujo gastroesofágico.Objetivo: identificar y analizar de forma retrospectiva las causasde conversión del abordaje laparoscópico en la cirugía de laenfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico y de la hernia de hiato.Material y métodos: desde 1993 a agosto de 2007 se hanefectuado en nuestro centro 606 cirugías antirreflujo por vía laparoscópica,encontrando 296 mujeres y 310 varones con una edadmedia de 53,3 años. La indicación fundamental fue la existenciade un reflujo gastroesofágico resistente al tratamiento médico conhernia de hiato asociada. De forma preoperatoria se van a efectuarestudios manométricos y pH-métricos, endoscopia oral ytránsito esofagogastroduodenal. La técnica quirúrgica de elecciónfue mayoritariamente la funduplicatura tipo Nissen-Rossetti.Resultados: la estancia media postoperatoria fue de 2,7 días,realizándose conversión a cirugía abierta en 43 casos (7%). Lasconversiones fueron más frecuentes en la primera década de lacurva de aprendizaje (26 vs. 17 p < 0,016), y menores en el grupode cirujanos expertos en cirugía laparoscópica avanzada(15 vs. 28, p < 0,017). En 17 casos la conversión fue debida auna complicación intraoperatoria y en 26 casos a dificultades técnicas.Las tasas de perforación esofágica y de neumotórax fuerondel 0,8 y 1%, mientras que la tasa de mortalidad y morbilidad fuedel 0,1 y 12% respectivamente.Conclusión: la tasa de conversión está dentro de los límitesaceptables y ha disminuido con la experiencia

Background: since its introduction in 1991 laparoscopic antirefluxsurgery has gained great success and popularity amongsurgeons, and now it is the gold standard for the treatment of gastroesophagealreflux disease (GERD).Aim: to identify and evaluate the causes of conversion in thelaparoscopic surgery of GERD and hiatus hernia.Material and methods: since January 1993 to August 2007606 laparoscopic antireflux procedures were performed in ourhospital. There were 296 women and 310 men with a medianage of 53.5 years. The main indication for surgery was evidenceof intractable or recurrent GERD symptoms after adequate medicaltreatment with associated hiatal hernia. The preoperativeworkup included manometry, pH-metry, oral endoscopy, and bariumswallow. The surgical technique was mainly the Nissen-Rossettiprocedure.Results: mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.7 days. Theoperation had to be converted to an open procedure in 43 cases(7%). Conversions were more frequent in the first decade of thelearning curve (26 vs. 17, p < 0.016), and fewer among thegroup of experts in advanced laparoscopic surgery (15 vs. 28,p < 0.017). In 17 cases conversions were due to an intraoperativecomplication whereas in 26 cases a conversion was done becauseof technical difficulties. Esophageal perforation and pneumothoraxrates were 0.8 and 1%, respectively, and mortality andmorbidity rates were 0.1 and 12%.Conclusion: the rate of conversion is acceptable and significantlydecreases with surgeon experience

[Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic insulinoma]. / Manejo diagnóstico y terapéutico del insulinoma pancreático.

INTRODUCTION: insulinoma is the most frequent pancreatic endocrine tumor. Its preoperative diagnosis has been controversial for many years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the experience in the management and treatment of this kind of tumor at Hospital Ramón y Cajal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: between January 1999 and July 2006, 12 patients were operated on in our hospital (9 females and 3 males) who had been diagnosed with insulinoma, with a mean age of 56 years (16-72 years). RESULTS: octreotide scintigraphy allowed a diagnosis in 33.3% of cases, abdominal CT in 83.3%, and echoendoscopy in 100%. Intraoperative ultrasonography confirmed the presence of an insulinoma in 100% of cases. In all cases a complete excision was possible, with 9 enucleations and 3 distal pancreatectomies. Two patients developed a pancreatic fistula, and one a pancreatic pseudocyst that healed spontaneously without surgery. The overall cure rate was 100%. After a mean follow-up of 48 months no recurrences have been reported. CONCLUSION: in our experience, we consider advisable that abdominal CT and echoendoscopy be performed before surgery. However, the initial procedure of choice would be pancreas palpation and intraoperative ultrasonography. Surgery cured 100% of cases, and the procedure selected depends on size, location, distance from the main pancreatic duct, and relation to multiple endocrine neoplasm 1 (MEN-1).

Manejo diagnóstico y terapéutico del insulinoma pancreático / Diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic insulinoma

Introducción: el insulinoma es el tumor endocrino pancreático más frecuente. Su diagnóstico preoperatorio ha sido motivo de controversia durante muchos años. El objetivo del trabajo es evaluar la experiencia del Hospital Ramón y Cajal en el manejo diagnóstico y terapéutico de este tipo de tumores. Material y métodos: en el periodo comprendido entre enero de 1999 y julio de 2006 fueron intervenidos en nuestro hospital 12 pacientes (9 mujeres y 3 varones) con el diagnóstico de insulinoma, con una edad media de 56 años (16-72 años). Resultados: la gammagrafía con octreótido nos permitió realizar el diagnóstico en el 33,3% de los casos, el TAC abdominal en el 83,3% y la ecoendoscopia en el 100%. El 100% de los insulinomas fue diagnosticado durante la cirugía gracias al uso de la ecografía intraoperatoria. En todos los casos se realizó la excisión completa del tumor, mediante 9 enucleaciones y 3 pancreatectomías distales. Dos pacientes presentaron una fístula pancreática y otro un pseudoquiste pancreático que se resolvieron de forma conservadora. La tasa de curación fue del 100%. El seguimiento fue de 48 meses, no encontrándose ningún caso de recidiva. Conclusión: en nuestra experiencia, creemos aconsejable la realización de TAC abdominal y ecoendoscopia como pruebas previas a la cirugía. Sin embargo, la técnica de elección sería la palpación del páncreas y la realización de una ecografía intraoperatoria. La cirugía es curativa en el 100% de los casos, y la técnica efectuada dependerá del tamaño, localización y distancia del tumor al conducto pancreático, así como su relación con el síndrome MEN-1

Introduction: insulinoma is the most frequent pancreatic endocrine tumor. Its preoperative diagnosis has been controversial for many years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the experience in the management and treatment of this kind of tumor at Hospital Ramón y Cajal. Material and methods: between January 1999 and July 2006, 12 patients were operated on in our hospital (9 females and 3 males) who had been diagnosed with insulinoma, with a mean age of 56 years (16-72 years). Results: octreotide scintigraphy allowed a diagnosis in 33.3% of cases, abdominal CT in 83.3%, and echoendoscopy in 100%. Intraoperative ultrasonography confirmed the presence of an insulinoma in 100% of cases. In all cases a complete excision was possible, with 9 enucleations and 3 distal pancreatectomies. Two patients developed a pancreatic fistula, and one a pancreatic pseudocyst that healed spontaneously without surgery. The overall cure rate was 100%. After a mean follow-up of 48 months no recurrences have been reported. Conclusion: in our experience, we consider advisable that abdominal CT and echoendoscopy be performed before surgery. However, the initial procedure of choice would be pancreas palpation and intraoperative ultrasonography. Surgery cured 100% of cases, and the procedure selected depends on size, location, distance from the main pancreatic duct, and relation to multiple endocrine neoplasm 1 (MEN-1)

Evolution of the therapeutic approach of visceral artery aneurysms.

INTRODUCTION: Visceral artery aneurysms are an infrequent entity. Most of them are asymptomatic, but when they present as a rupture, a high mortality is associated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We review our experience of 18 cases between 1988 and 2006. RESULTS: 9 males and 9 females with a mean age of 66,5 years are analyzed. Aneurysms were located in splenic artery (9), hepatic artery (2), superior mesenteric artery (2), celiac trunk (3), inferior mesenteric artery (1) and gastroduodenal artery (1). Three of them were associated with abdominal aorta aneurysms. Fourteen patients were asymptomatic, three presented abdominal pain and one case presented with rupture and intraperitoneal bleeding. Surgical treatment was performed in thirteen of the patients and endovascular in five. Two cases of endovascular treatment failed and surgery was necessary. Postsurgical mortality was 0 and complications appeared in 2 patients. Mean hospital stay after surgical treatment was 11 days and 3 days after endovascular one. None of the patients presented recurrences, and one has chronic mesenteric ischemia as sequelae of surgical treatment of a superior mesenteric artery aneurysm. CONCLUSION: Visceral artery aneurysms must be treated if it is feasible, due to the potential risk of rupture. Endovascular treatment associates lower morbimortality rates and shorter hospital stay than surgical one, but nowadays many aneurysms are not suitable for this management. Endovascular treatment is a technically difficult approach, that requires a specific training and the first cases represent a learning curve.

The Shouldice herniorrhaphy in the treatment of inguinal hernias: a prospective study on 775 patients.

The authors present a study of 775 patients who underwent a Shouldice herniorrhaphy between 1987 and 2000, as performed by one surgeon. Average patient age was 52 years, and 93% of patients were male. Local anesthesia with sedation was used in 643 cases (83%) and regional anesthesia in 13%. The length of the incision was 9.5 cm. The average duration of surgery was 57.5 min (40-75). Tolerance to local anesthesia with sedation was 93%, a similar percentage to that of general anesthesia. The most significant postoperative complications were: urinary retention 8%, headache 7%, and ecchymosis 6%. Hospitalization time in 76% of the cases was 1 day, while 20% of interventions were undertaken on an outpatient basis. The average absence from work was 20 days. The recurrence rate at 7 years was 2%.

Impact of donor, recipient, and graft features on the development of primary dysfunction in liver transplants.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the utility of eight anatomic/pathologic suboptimal and 9 others graft features, versus in 20 donor versus 14 recipient characteristics to predict primary transplant dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 248 consecutive liver transplants performed at the Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, in 206 patients over a 79-month period. At least one biopsy specimen was obtained from 169 grafts (68.1%). Recipients were classified as showing primary function or dysfunction, the latter group being subdivided into primary failure and inadequate initial function. The primary function and inadequate initial function groups were defined in terms of transaminases less or more than 2000 IU and prothrombin activity over or under 50%, respectively during posttransplant days 2 to 7. RESULTS: The following graft-related rates were recorded: arteriopathy 6.5%, steatosis 29.4% (macrovesicular 26.4%, microvesicular 4.7%, or both 1.7%), hepatocyte vacuolization 14.2%, sinusoidal ectasia 12.4%, hepatocellular necrosis 44.7%, and neutrophilic infiltration 24.4%. The only significant factors in the multivariate analysis were cause of donor death other than cranioencephalic trauma (P=.032) and moderate steatosis (30%-60% affected hepatocytes); (P=.012). CONCLUSIONS: The only factors that seem to influence the development of primary liver dysfunction were a moderate degree of graft steatosis and a cause of brain death other than cranioencephalic trauma.