Cost analysis of single-use (Ambu® aScope™) and reusable bronchoscopes in the ICU.

BACKGROUND: Flexible optical bronchoscopes are essential for management of airways in ICU, but the conventional reusable flexible scopes have three major drawbacks: high cost of repairs, need for decontamination, and possible transmission of infectious agents. The main objective of this study was to measure the cost of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) using reusable bronchoscopes and single-use bronchoscopes in an ICU of an university hospital. The secondary objective was to compare the satisfaction of healthcare professionals with reusable and single-use bronchoscopes. METHODS: The study was performed between August 2009 and July 2014 in a 16-bed ICU. All BAL and PT procedures were performed by experienced healthcare professionals. Cost analysis was performed considering ICU and hospital organization. Healthcare professional satisfaction with single-use and reusable scopes was determined based on eight factors. Sensitivity analysis was performed by applying discount rates (0, 3, and 5%) and by simulation of six situations based on different assumptions. RESULTS: At a discount rate of 3%, the costs per BAL for the two reusable scopes were 188.86€ (scope 1) and 185.94€ (scope 2), and the costs per PT for the reusable scope 1 and scope 2 and single-use scopes were 1613.84€, 410.24€, and 204.49€, respectively. The cost per procedure for the reusable scopes depended on the number of procedures performed, maintenance costs, and decontamination costs. Healthcare professionals were more satisfied with the third-generation single-use Ambu® aScope™. CONCLUSIONS: The cost per procedure for the single-use scope was not superior to that for reusable scopes. The choice of single-use or reusable bronchoscopes in an ICU should consider the frequency of procedures and the number of bronchoscopes needed.

Tumor fibroso solitario del lóbulo caudado del hígado / Solitary fibrous tumor of the liver caudate lobe

Introduction: Solitary fibrous tumor of the liver (SFTL) constitutes such a rare finding that it has been published only as case reports and to the present date there are only 45 cases published in English medical literature. This article describes the case of a patient treated at our institution with SFTL. Case report: A male 59-years-old patient was diagnosed with a SFTL incidentally found in a computed abdominal tomography taken by another causes, tumor was originating from the caudate lobe. The patient was asymptomatic. At surgery, the tumor was observed originating directly from the caudate lobe through a pedicle measuring approximately 3 cm. The tumor was resected sectioning its implantation pedicle and ligating all arterial, venous and biliary vessels. The SFTL was well encapsulated, measured 15 x 9 x 6 cm and weighted 794 g. The histological diagnosis was a SFTL and was confirmed by immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies that reacted positively to CD34 and vimentin and negatively to CD117, S100, smooth-muscle α-actin and desmin. Conclusions: SFTL is an uncommon tumor. The present case is the first reported in Chilean medical literature and presented all the habitually described radiologic, surgical and pathological characteristics.

Introducción: El tumor fibroso solitario del hígado (TFSH) constituye un hallazgo tan raro que se ha publicado únicamente como reportes de caso y hasta el presente se encontraron sólo 45 casos publicados en la literatura inglesa. El presente artículo describe el caso de un paciente que fue tratado en nuestra institución por un TFSH. Reporte de caso: Paciente masculino de 59 años de edad al que, en una tomografía abdominal computarizada que se tomó por otras causas, se encontró en forma incidental un gran tumor hepático localizado en el lóbulo caudado del hígado. El paciente no refería síntomas relacionados con el tumor. En la cirugía se observó que el tumor se originaba directamente del lóbulo caudado al cual lo unía un pedículo de aproximadamente 3 cm de diámetro transverso. Se seccionó el tumor desde su base de implantación en el hígado ligándose los vasos arteriales y venosos así como los conductos biliares que se encontraron. Este medía 15 x 9 x 6 cm y pesaba 794 g, se encontraba bien encapsulado. El diagnóstico histológico fue el de un TFSH, el cual se confirmó mediante inmunohistoquímica con anticuerpos monoclonales que resultaron positivos para CD34 y vimentina en las células tumorales y negativos para CD117, S100, α-actina de músculo liso y desmina. Conclusiones: El TFSH es un tumor raro. El presente caso de un TFSH es el primero reportado en la literatura médica chilena y presentó las características radiológicas, quirúrgicas y patológicas habitualmente descritas en estos casos.

Respuesta inflamatoria postoperatoria en pacientes con cáncer gástrico resecado / Postoperative inflammatory response in patients with gastric cancer submitted to total and partial distal gastrectomy

Introduction: The removal of the stomach causes an acute inflammatory response. In some cases this response is exaggerated due to complications. The main purpose of this study was to describe the expected inflammatory response to gastrectomy. Methods: This is a prospective analysis of consecutive patients submitted to gastrectomy for gastric cancer. For analytical purposes, the cohort was divided in complicated and uncomplicated patients. Uncomplicated patients were further divided in total gastrectomy and partial gastrectomy. The main outcome measure was to compare the inflammatory response of uncomplicated and complicated patients. The secondary outcome measure was to compare the inflammatory response of uncomplicated patients submitted to total and partial gastrectomy along the timeline. Results: Preoperative values were similar between groups. At 24 h after gastrectomy, complicated patients showed significantly higher values for D-dimer, CRP and WBC. Further analysis comparing uncomplicated patients showed normal preoperative values and a mild elevation of inflammatory parameters which was similar in both groups of patients. Conclusions: The expected systemic inflammatory response to partial or total gastrectomy was mild. Elevations of inflammatory values were shown early by complicated patients, constituting reliable parameters to identify postoperative inflammatory complications.

Introducción: La extirpación del estómago produce una respuesta inflamatoria aguda. En algunos casos esta respuesta es exagerada debido al desarrollo de complicaciones. El objetivo general del presente estudio es el de describir la respuesta inflamatoria esperable en pacientes sometidos a gastrectomía. Métodos: Análisis prospectivo de pacientes consecutivos sometidos a gastrectomía por cáncer gástrico. La cohorte se analizó dividida en pacientes sin complicaciones y pacientes que sufrieron complicaciones. Los pacientes sin complicaciones fueron además divididos en pacientes sometidos a gastrectomía total y parcial. El objetivo principal fue comparar la respuesta inflamatoria de pacientes complicados con pacientes sin complicaciones. El objetivo secundario fue comparar la respuesta inflamatoria de los pacientes no complicados sometidos a gastrectomía total con los pacientes sometidos a gastrectomía parcial. Resultados: Los valores de los exámenes preoperatorios fueron similares entre todos los grupos. A las 24 h después de la gastrectomía, los pacientes complicados mostraron valores significativamente mayores de la proteína C reactiva, leucocitos y dímero-D. El análisis comparativo de los pacientes sin complicaciones, sometidos a gastrectomía total y parcial, mostró una moderada elevación de los parámetros inflamatorios, la cual fue similar en ambos grupos. Conclusiones: La respuesta inflamatoria esperable a la gastrectomía total o parcial es moderada. Los pacientes que sufrieron complicaciones mostraron precozmente una importante elevación de sus parámetros inflamatorios lo que permite sospechar el desarrollo de complicaciones postoperatorias.

Resección mixta laparoscópica y endoscópica de un tumor del estroma gastrointestinal de la unión gastroesofágica / Resection of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the gastroesophagic junction using a mixed laparoscopic-endoscopic technique

Introduction: The ideal treatment for non-disseminated gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) of the stomach is the local surgical resection. The laparoscopic approach has been validated showing its safety without compromising the oncological principles. The localization on the gastroesophagic junction is a specific situation on gastric GIST, mainly for submucosal tumors arising over the lesser curvature. Wedge resection of these tumors is technically demanding and has been associated to surgical complications and late development of stenosis and gastroesophageal reflux. For these reasons a mixed technique combining endoscopic and laparoscopic approaches has been developed. Herein we report a patient with an endophytic gastric GIST located on the gastroesophageal junction operated on with this technique. Clinical Case: A female 37-years old patient with a submucosal tumor of the gastroesophagic junction was submitted to laparoscopic surgery. During the surgical act the difficulty to continue with the laparoscopic resection became evident and the intragastric resection assisted with endoscopy was undertaken. The technique and the surgical outcomes are described. Conclusion. The intragastric approach for submucosal tumors located over the gastroesophagic junction is safe and relatively simple. This technique is widely described in the medical literature and its indications validated.

Introducción. El tratamiento de elección para los tumores localizados del estroma gastrointestinal (GIST) del estómago es la resección quirúrgica local. Se ha demostrado la seguridad de la técnica laparoscópica sin compromiso de los principios oncológicos. Un problema específico está constituido por los GIST de la unión esófago-gástrica, principalmente los tumores de crecimiento intramural que se localizan en la curvatura menor. La resección en cuña de estos tumores no sólo es técnicamente demandante, sino que se asocia a complicaciones quirúrgicas y al desarrollo de estenosis de la unión gastroesofágica o a reflujo gastroesofágico por la extensa destrucción de la anatomía. Por estas razones se desarrolló una técnica mixta combinando el abordaje laparoscópico y endoscópico. En el presente reporte, describimos el caso de una paciente con un GIST gástrico endofítico de la unión esófago-gástrica que fue operado mediante esta técnica. Caso clínico: Paciente femenino de 37 años de edad, en la que se diagnostica un tumor de la unión esófago-gástrica. Ante la sospecha de un posible GIST gástrico se decide el abordaje laparoscópico, durante la cirugía se evidencia la dificultad de la resección laparoscópica por lo que se intenta la resección intragástrica asistida con endoscopia. Se describe la técnica y los resultados de la cirugía. Conclusiones. El abordaje intragástrico de tumores submucosos de la unión esófago-gástrica es seguro y relativamente simple. Esta técnica se encuentra ampliamente descrita en la literatura y sus indicaciones están validadas.

Mechanism of inhibition of MMTV-neu and MMTV-wnt1 induced mammary oncogenesis by RARalpha agonist AM580.

We hypothesized that specific activation of a single retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RARalpha), without direct and concurrent activation of RARbeta and gamma, will inhibit mammary tumor oncogenesis in murine models relevant to human cancer. A total of 50 uniparous mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-neu and 50 nuliparous MMTV-wnt1 transgenic mice were treated with RARalpha agonist (retinobenzoic acid, Am580) that was added to the diet for 40 (neu) and 35 weeks (wnt1), respectively. Among the shared antitumor effects was the inhibition of epithelial hyperplasia, a significant increase (P<0.05) in tumor-free survival and a reduction in tumor incidence and in the growth of established tumors. In both models, the mechanisms responsible for these effects involved inhibition of proliferation and survival pathways, and induction of apoptosis. The treatment was more effective in the MMTV-wnt1 model in which Am580 also induced differentiation, in both in vivo and three-dimensional (3D) cultures. In these tumors Am580 inhibited the wnt pathway, measured by loss of nuclear beta-catenin, suggesting partial oncogene dependence of therapy. Am580 treatment increased RARbeta and lowered the level of RARgamma, an isotype whose expression we linked with tumor proliferation. The anticancer effect of RARalpha, together with the newly discovered pro-proliferative role of RARgamma, suggests that specific activation of RARalpha and inhibition of RARgamma might be effective in breast cancer therapy.

[Congenital asplenia and pneumococcal purpura fulminans in a pediatric patient: case report with pathological findings and review]. / Asplenia congénita y purpura fulminans neumocóccico en paciente pediátrico: reporte de caso con necropsia y revisión del tema.

Absent or defective splenic function is associated with a high risk of fulminant bacterial infections, especially due to encapsulated bacteria. Not knowing this condition may delay medical treatment. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of sepsis in these patients. Asplenic patients are at high risk for septic shock and eventually purpura fulminans, a life-threatening condition. We report the case of a 3 years oíd girl, with mitral stenosis and recurrent pneumonía that was admitted due to fever but in the next few hours presented hypotension, purpura and livedo reticularis. Laboratory test showed leucopenia (3.400/mm(3)), bandemia (43% of immature forms), thrombocytopenia, hypoprothombinemia and severe lactic acidosis (ph: 7.0 and lactic acid 11 mmol/1). The patient developed septic shock and multiorganic failure. Mechanical ventilation, volume resuscitation, vasoactive drugs and antibiotic therapy was initiated. Ultrasound was performed on the second day, demostrating asplenia. Peripheral blood smear showed Howell-Jolly bodies. Patient had a positive blood culture for penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (serotype 19F). Patient died of intracerebral hemorrhage after 8 days of admission. Necropsy confirmed asplenia and bilateral suprarenal haemorrhage. Absence of spleen can lead to life threatening infections, it is important to recognize it because vaccination and antibiotic prophylaxis can provide life-saving protection. This case provides a reminder to pursue asplenia as a potential underlying mechanism for invasive bacterial infection in children.

Asplenia congénita y purpura fulminans neumocóccico en paciente pediátrico: reporte de caso con necropsia y revisión del tema / Congenital asplenia and pneumococcal purpura fulminans in a pediatric patient: case report with pathological findings and review

Absent or defective splenic function is associated with a high risk of fulminant bacterial infections, especially due to encapsulated bacteria. Not knowing this condition may delay medical treatment. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of sepsis in these patients. Asplenic patients are at high risk for septic shock and eventually purpura fulminans, a life-threatening condition. We report the case of a 3 years oíd girl, with mitral stenosis and recurrent pneumonía that was admitted due to fever but in the next few hours presented hypotension, purpura and livedo reticularis. Laboratory test showed leucopenia (3.400/mm³), bandemia (43 percent of immature forms), thrombocytopenia, hypoprothombinemia and severe lactic acidosis (ph: 7.0 and lactic acid 11 mmol/1). The patient developed septic shock and multiorganic failure. Mechanical ventilation, volume resuscitation, vasoactive drugs and antibiotic therapy was initiated. Ultrasound was performed on the second day, demostrating asplenia. Peripheral blood smear showed Howell-Jolly bodies. Patient had a positive blood culture for penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (serotype 19F). Patient died of intracerebral hemorrhage after 8 days of admission. Necropsy confirmed asplenia and bilateral suprarenal haemorrhage. Absence of spleen can lead to life threatening infections, it is important to recognize it because vaccination and antibiotic prophylaxis can provide life-saving protection. This case provides a reminder to pursue asplenia as a potential underlying mechanism for invasive bacterial infection in children.

La condición de asplenia predispone a infecciones invasoras por bacterias capsuladas. Desconocer previamente ese antecedente dificulta y retarda el tratamiento médico. Streptococcus pneumoniae es el agente habitualmente causal de sepsis en estos pacientes. Los individuos asplénicos son particularmente proclives a evolucionar con shock séptico y eventual-mente al desarrollo de purpura fulminans, entidad altamente letal. Comunicamos el caso de una paciente con 3 años de edad y antecedente de cardiopatía y neumonías a repetición. Ingresó con compromiso sensorial, febril, hipotensa, con púrpura y livedo reticularis. En los exámenes de laboratorio destacaba la presencia de leucopenia (3.400/ mm³) trombopenia e hipoprotrombinemia (39 por ciento). Se inició ventilación mecánica, reanimación con volumen, fármacos vasoactivos y antibioterapia con vancomicina, clindamicina y ceftriaxona. Evolucionó con shock séptico refractario y síndrome de disfunción orgánica múltiple. Al segundo día de evolución una ecograña de abdomen comprobó la ausencia de bazo. En el frotis sanguíneo se evidenciaron corpúsculos de Howell-Jolly. Hemocul-tivo (+) S. pneumoniae resistente a penicilina (serotipo 19F). Un infarto hemorrágico cerebral ocasionó su deceso al octavo día. El estudio necrópsico corroboró la asplenia y evidenció necrohemorragia suprarrenal bilateral. La sepsis en un paciente asplénico puede ser de alguna forma prevenible mediante profilaxis antimicrobiana y vacunación neumocóccica. Dado los antecedentes de la paciente la búsqueda de asplenia era fundamental.

Pericarditis purulenta primaria por Streptococcus pneumoniae, a propósito de un caso clínico / Primary purulent pericarditis by Streptococcus pneumoniae: case report and literature review

Background: Purulent pericarditis has become a rare clinical entity since the onset of antimicrobial therapy and has a poor outcome in the majority of cases. Case-report: A healthy 3 month-old patient admitted with dyspnea, pallor and anorexia, developing cardiogenic shock due to cardiac tamponade. Chest X-ray showed cardiomegaly. He required mechanical ventilation, volume resuscitation and vasoactive drugs. Echocardiogram showed a large pericardial effusion, CT sean ruled out lung and mediastinal infection. Pericardial drainage was performed and Vancomycin plus Ceftriaxone were initiated, with a positive blood culture for Penicillin-sensitive Streptococcus pneumoniae. The evolution was favourable after surgical drainage and controlling the infection. No extraperdicardial infection was found. He received 3 weeks of antibiotic therapy. Immunological studies were normal. Conclusion: Primary purulent pericarditis is uncommon, so early detection and treatment of this life-threatening condition may lead to a good outcome.

Hoy en día la pericarditis purulenta (PP) es una patología poco frecuente, pero de pronóstico grave. Comunicamos el caso clínico de un paciente de 3 meses, sano previamente. Consultó por palidez, rechazo alimentario y dificultad respiratoria de pocas horas de evolución. La radiografía de tórax demostró cardiomegalia. Evolucionó hacia shock cardiogénico por taponamiento cardíaco. Recibió inicialmente expansores de volumen y drogas vasoactivas. Antibioterapia con vancomicina y ceftriaxona. Ecocar-diograma objetivó derrame pericárdico extenso, complementado con TAC que descartó foco infeccioso endotoráxico. Se realizó pericardiocentesis y luego ventana pericárdica. Se aisló en hemocultivo Streptococcus pneumoniae, sensible a penicilina. Luego de drenaje quirúrgico y control de infección presentó evolución favorable. No se encontró sitio infeccioso extrapericárdico. Completó tres semanas de tratamiento antibiótico. Estudio inmunológico fue normal. La PP es observada raramente en individuos sanos. La presentación en este caso fue de horas, por un agente inhabitual y de extrema gravedad. Un diagnóstico precoz, en conjunto con un tratamiento médico-quirúrgico es fundamental, como la mejor forma de evitar secuelas.

Tratamiento biológico de las fracturas subtrocanterianas / Biologic treatment of subtrochanteric fractures

Hip fractures are a common problem in trauma surgery. They are divided in femoral neck fractures, intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures. The first two represent 90% of all, and subtrochanterics are almost 10%, This is a prospective study based in bone circulation preservation technique. We prospectively analyzed 49 patients with subtrochanteric fractures treated with surgery with an extramedular 95° angle device with minimal tissue lesion and indirect reduction, avoiding extra disruption of periostium. As a conclusion we can say that this technique represent a good method to achieve bone consolidation, 98% at 18 weeks in our study.

Las fracturas de cadera tienen gran impacto en todos los ámbitos de la salud. Estas se dividen tradicionalmente en fracturas del cuello femoral, intertrocantereanas y subtrocantereanas. Las dos primeras dan cuenta del 90% del total, y las subtrocantereanas el 5 a 10% restante. Muchas veces son manejadas en conjunto con las fracturas intertrocantereanas, a pesar de ser muy diferentes. Nuestro objetivo fue realizar un estudio prospectivo basado en la preservación de la circulación manteniendo indemnidad de los tejidos blandos. Se enrolaron 49 pacientes en forma consecutiva con fracturas subtrocantereanas que fueron sometidos a cirugía con mínima agresión al foco de fractura y reducción indirecta, privilegiando la preservación de los tejidos blandos sobre la reducción anatómica. La reducción indirecta y el método de osteosíntesis biológico con elemento de 95º es un excelente método para la consolidación de las fracturas subtrocantereanas, llegando al 98% en esta serie con un promedio de consolidación de 18 semanas.

Isolation of an amikacin-resistant Escherichia coli strain after tobramycin treatment of previous recurrent episodes of respiratory tract infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Amikacin-resistant Escherichia coli strains are isolated rarely from clinical samples. In the present study, investigation of an amikacin-resistant clinical isolate of E. coli demonstrated the presence of two class 1 integrons carrying the aacA4 gene plus the aacA7 gene, and the dfrA17 gene plus the aadA5 gene, respectively. Resistance to amikacin in this E. coli isolate was related to the presence of both aacA4 and aacA7.

Supported discharge shortens hospital stay in patients hospitalized because of an exacerbation of COPD.

This prospective, controlled, but not formally randomized study investigates the feasibility and efficiency of an alternative to standard hospitalization for patients with exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), based upon supported discharge with nurse supervision at home. Over a 12-month period, emergency physicians, not directly involved in the study, admitted 205 patients with exacerbated COPD to the authors' respiratory unit. Patients were included in the supported discharge group (n=105) if they voluntarily chose to participate in the programme and lived in the city of Palma de Mallorca (where adequate home support could be provided). Patients not fulfilling these criteria (mainly residents outside the city) served as controls (n=100). Inpatient treatment was standardized in all patients and included oxygen therapy, bronchodilators, antibiotics and steroids. Both groups were comparable in terms of age (mean +/- SD: 70 +/- 10 versus 65 +/- 11 yr for supported discharge and control group, respectively), severity of airflow obstruction (forced expiratory volume in one second 45 +/- 18% reference versus 46 +/- 19% ref.), comorbidity and socioeconomic status. Length of hospital stay (LOS) in the supported discharge group was shorter (5.9 +/- 2.8 versus 8.0 +/- 5.1 days, p < 0.001). After discharge, a respiratory nurse visited supported discharge patients at home during 7.3 +/- 3.8 days. Only one patient (1%) required hospital readmission during this period of time. The reduced LOS resulted in a lower utilization of hospital beds at any given point in time throughout the study period. Within the framework and potential limitations of this study, the results indicate that the supported discharge programme in Spain: 1) allows a significant reduction in the length of hospital stay of patients hospitalized because of an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; 2) does not result in an inappropriately increased rate of hospital readmissions; and 3) reduces the utilization of hospital resources.