Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography results for the treatment of symptomatic choledocholithiasis in pregnant patients: A recent experience at a secondary care hospital in Mexico City. / Resultados de la colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica para el tratamiento de la coledocolitiasis sintomática en pacientes embarazadas: Experiencia reciente de un hospital de segundo nivel de la Ciudad de México.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the treatment of choice for symptomatic choledocholithiasis during pregnancy. In pregnant patients, aside from the risks inherent in the procedure and sedation, there is the added concern of the potentially damaging effects of ionizing radiation on the fetus. AIM: To describe the maternal and fetal results of ERCP performed to resolve symptomatic choledocholithiasis in pregnant patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted. It included pregnant patients with choledocholithiasis that underwent ERCP within the time frame of June 2017 and June 2018. RESULTS: The study included 9 pregnant patients, with a mean gestational age of 24.1 weeks, that underwent ERCP. There were no maternal or fetal complications associated with sedation, mean fluoroscopy time was 26.7seconds, and one patient (11.1%) presented with mild post-ERCP pancreatitis that was resolved through medical management. Pregnancy progression was normal in 100% of the cases, resulting in the birth of neonates with a normal Apgar score, a mean weight of 3,120g, a mean length of 49.94cm, and a mean gestational age of 38.37 weeks. At follow-up at 6 months, the infants had a mean weight of 7.1kg and a mean length of 66.94cm. CONCLUSIONS: The results from our hospital center were similar to those described in the international literature, showing that ERCP in our medical environment is a feasible, safe, and efficacious method for both the mother and fetus. When performed by an experienced endoscopist, it should be considered the treatment of choice for choledocholithiasis in pregnant patients.

C-reactive protein level in morbidly obese patients before and after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Human obesity is associated with a proinflammatory state and an elevated level of mediators, such as C-reactive protein (CRP). OBJECTIVES: To establish CRP levels as baseline preoperative values and then at 6 months after bariatric surgery, as well as to determine the changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), leukocytes, and glycemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, analytical, retrospective, longitudinal, and open study was conducted. Serum CRP values were measured in 36 adults presenting with morbid obesity, and their baseline relation to weight, BMI, leukocytes, and glycemia was determined; the relation to the same parameters was established again, 6 months after bariatric surgery. RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation of preoperative and postoperative CRP (mg/L) was 1.15±0.86 and 0.34±0.28, respectively with p<0.0001; weight (kg) 112.10±22.91 and 84.82±17.11, p=0.0443; BMI (kg/m(2)) 42.48±5.97 and 32.2±4.79, p=0.0988; glucose (mg/dL) 100.58±17.82 and 87.11±8.49, p<0.0001, and leukocytes (× 10(3)/mm(3)) 8.62±1.69 and 6.99±1.56, p=0.3192. Baseline CRP only correlated with weight and BMI (p=0.047 and p=0.027 respectively) and there was no correlation between postoperative CRP and the evaluated parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative CRP had a significant lineal relation to weight and body mass index. Patients who underwent bariatric surgery had a significant decrease in CRP, weight, and fasting glucose at 6 months after surgery.

Stapled transanal longitudinal posterior proctectomy (STALPP) in total rectal prolapse: a 7-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Surgical management of complete rectal prolapse is challenging. We present our results with the novel technique stapled transanal longitudinal posterior proctectomy (STALPP) in patients with complete rectal prolapse. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study in two hospitals from January 2005 to December 2012. Twenty-one patients with complete rectal prolapse were included. In all patients, STALPP was performed. The study variables were operative time, intraoperative bleeding, number of cartridges used, length of rectum prolapsed through the anus, length of rectal wall resected, length of hospital stay and preoperative and postoperative Wexner continence score and manometric measurement of anal canal resting tone and squeeze pressure. RESULTS: The median length of prolapsed tissue was 13 cm; the mean Wexner score in the preoperative and postoperative period was 15.95 and 4.95, respectively (p = 0.025). The mean resting tone improved from 23.3 to 32.85 mmHg postoperatively (p = 0.03), as did maximal squeeze pressure from 31 to 62.7 mmHg (p = 0.003). Median operative time was 65 min; median intraoperative bleeding was 12 ml; there was no postoperative bleeding, and no reinterventions were required. The median number of cartridges used was 4. The median length of resected wall in the right posterolateral sector was 8 and 6 cm in the left. The median length of hospital stay was 4 days, and the mean follow-up period was 2 years. No mortality was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Stapled transanal longitudinal posterior proctectomy is a safe and feasible surgical alternative for patients with complete rectal prolapse.