Delay in the residents' choice for General and Digestive Surgery: Analysis of the period 2018-2022.

INTRODUCTION: Every year hundreds of medical residents choose their specialization in various surgical fields. However, these numbers have been poorly analyzed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the selection of General and Digestive Surgery by medical residents and compare these results with the selection of other surgical specialties. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study. The data from the selection of the medical residents from surgical specialties and the top 10 most demanded specialties between the years 2018 and 2022 were included. An analysis of adjusted ranking numbers based on the number of available positions was also conducted. RESULTS: The number of available positions in General and Digestive Surgery increased by 17.7% during the study period. However, the selection of our specialty has been delayed, with a median ranking number of 2419 (IQR: 1621-3284) in 2018, and 3484 (IQR: 2306-4156) in 2022 (p: .000). These differences remained significant after adjusting for the number of available positions (p: .000). The choice of Urology, Thoracic Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery, Gastroenterology, and Paediatrics also declined during this period, while Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Anesthesiology, and Endocrinology improved their numbers. CONCLUSION: The choice of General and Digestive Surgery has been delayed according to the data from the MIR selection of 2018-2022. The increase in the number of available positions has not been associated with a proportional increase in demand.

Analysis of recurrence and risk factors in laparoscopic sandwich technique for parastomal hernia repair.

INTRODUCTION: Parastomal hernias are frequent and highly recurrent. The sandwich technique is a combination of the keyhole and Sugarbaker techniques, using a double intraperitoneal mesh. The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes of the sandwich technique, specifically focusing on recurrence rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational retrospective study conducted in two tertiary referral centers in Catalonia, Spain. All consecutive patients who underwent parastomal hernia repair using the sandwich technique between 1st January 2016 and 31st December 2021 were included. RESULTS: A total of 38 patients underwent the laparoscopic sandwich technique for parastomal hernia repair. The overall recurrence rate was 7.9% (3/38), with a median follow-up of 39 months (IQR: 12.3-56.5). According to the EHS classification for parastomal hernia, there were 47.4% (18/38) type I defects, 10.5% (4/38) type II defects, 28.9% (11/38) type III defects, and 13.2% (5/38) type IV defects. The used mesh was predominantly TiMesh® (76.3%; 29/38), followed by DynaMesh® IPOM (23.7%; 9/38). Patients with recurrence exhibited higher rates of seroma, hematoma, surgical site infection, and one case of early recurrence attributed to mesh retraction. Consequently, postoperative complications emerged as the primary risk factor for hernia recurrence. CONCLUSION: The sandwich technique demonstrated recurrence rates consistent with those reported in the existing literature.

Parietex™ Composite Ventral Patch for primary and incisional hernia repair.

BACKGROUNDS: Ventral hernia repair with a preformed device is a frequent intervention, but few reports exist with Parietex™ Composite Ventral Patch. The aim was to evaluate the results of this mesh with the open intraperitoneal onlay mesh (open IPOM) technique. METHODS: Observational retrospective single institution study of all consecutive patients intervened for ventral or incisional hernia with a diameter inferior to 4 cm, from January 2013 to June 2020. The surgical repair was performed according to the open IPOM technique with Parietex™ Composite Ventral Patch. RESULTS: A total of 146 patients were intervened: 61.6% with umbilical hernias, 8.2% with epigastric hernias, 26.7% with trocar incisional hernias, and 3.4% with other incisional hernias. The global recurrence rate was 7.5% (11/146). Specifically, it was 7.8% in umbilical hernias, 0% in epigastric hernias, 7.7% in trocar incisional hernias and 20% (1/5) in other incisional hernias. The median time for recurrence was 14 months (IQR: 4.4-18.7). The median indirect follow-up was 36.9 months (IQR: 27.2-49.6), and the median presential follow-up was 17.4 months (IQR: 6.5-27.3). CONCLUSION: The open IPOM technique with a preformed patch offered satisfactory results for the treatment of ventral and incisional hernias.

Hospitalización a domicilio para pacientes quirúrgicos ante una pandemia por SARS-CoV-2: nuestra experiencia / Hospitalization at home for surgical patients in the face of a SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: our experience

Introducción: La hospitalización a domicilio para pacientes quirúrgicos (HaDQ) es una al-ternativa a la hospitalización convencional para pacientes quirúrgicos estables clínicamente, que precisen procedimientos de enfermería complejos por intensidad, frecuencia o carac-terísticas, y control por especialista quirúrgico en el domicilio.Método: Estudio transversal, descriptivo y retrospectivo de la actividad de la HADQ de nuestro hospital durante los primeros seis me-ses del 2020, para analizar la repercusión de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 en la unidad. Se distinguen tres periodos: prepandemia (enero-febreo), confinamiento (marzo-abril), poscon-finamiento (mayo-junio). Se diferencian dos grupos: A (HaD convencional) y B (despistaje preoperatorio COVID19). Se recogieron diver-sas variables: mes, tipo, estancia (HaD y hospi-tal), procedimientos, reingresos, domicilio, tipo visitas, COVID+. Se realizó un análisis estadís-tico descriptivo cuantitativo y cualitativo de los resultados obtenidosResultados: Ingresaron 345 pacientes, 225 en el grupo A (fase Pre (34%), fase C (40%), y fase Pos (25%)), y 120 en el B (fase C (75%), fase Pos (25%)). El confinamiento (fase C) fue el pe-ríodo más activo de la HADQ, tanto por número de ingresos (53%), como por la complejidad del grupo A que requería más procedimientos (71%) y más visitas domiciliarias (52%). Tam-bién aumentaron los pacientes de zona de no cobertura (42%), que implicaron visitas médicas y de enfermería en Hospital de Día (HD) (21%), y aumento de consultas telefónicas médicas (36%). En la fase Pos disminuyeron un 37% los ingresos del grupo A.Conclusiones: La HaDQ se reorganizó por la pandemia para atender a más pacientes quirúr-gicos, siendo un recurso asistencial esencial, especialmente durante el confinamiento. (AU)

Introduction: The HaDQ is an alternative to conventional hospitalization for clinically stable surgical patients who require complex nursing procedures due to intensity, frequency or char-acteristics, and control by a surgical specialist at home.Method: Cross-sectional, descriptive and ret-rospective study of the HADQ activity of our hospital during the first six months of 2020, to analyze the impact of the SARSCov2 pandemic in the unit. Three periods are distinguished: pre-pandemic (Jan-Feb), lockdown (Mar-Apr), post-lockdown (May-Jun). Two groups are differen-tiated: A (conventional HaD) and B (COVID19 preoperative screening). Various variables were collected: month, type, stay (HaD and hospi-tal), procedures, readmissions, address, type of visits, covid+. A quantitative and qualitative descriptive statistical analysis of the results ob-tained was carried out.Results: 345 patients were admitted, 225 in group A (phase Pre (34%), Phase C (40%), and phase Post (25%)), and 120 in group B (Phase C (75%), phase Post (25%)). %)). The confinement (phase C) was the most active period of the HADQ, both due to the number of admissions (53%), and the complexity of group A, which re-quired more procedures (71%) and more home visits (52%). There was also an increase in pa-tients from the non-coverage area (42%), which involved medical and nursing visits at the Day Hospital (HD) (21%), and an increase in medi-cal telephone consultations (36%). In the phase Post, the income of group A decreased by 37%.Conclusions: The HaDQ was reorganized due to the pandemic to care for more surgical pa-tients, being an essential care resource, espe-cially during confinement. (AU)

"Optimal recovery" after colon cancer surgery in the elderly, a comparative cohort study: Conventional care vs. enhanced recovery vs. prehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Colon cancer in elderly patients is an increasing problem due to its prevalence and progressive aging population. Prehabilitation has experienced a great grown in this field. Whether it is the best standard of care for these patients has not been elucidated yet. METHODS: A retrospective comparative cohort study of three different standards of care for elderly colon cancer patients (>65 years) was conducted. A four-weeks trimodal prehabilitation program (PP), enhanced recovery program (ERP) and conventional care (CC) were compared. Global complications, major complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3), reinterventions, mortality, readmission and length of stay were measured. Optimal recovery, defined as postoperative course without major complications, no mortality, hospital discharge before the fifth postoperative day and without readmission, was the primary outcome measure. The influence of standard of care in optimal recovery and postoperative outcomes was assessed with univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 153 patients were included, 51 in each group. Mean age was 77.9 years. ASA Score distribution was different between groups (ASA III-IV: CC 56.9%, ERP 25.5%, PP 58.9%; p = 0.014). Optimal recovery rate was 55.6% (PP 54.9%, ERP 66.7%, CC 45.1%; p = 0.09). No differences were found in major complications (p = 0.2) nor reinterventions (p = 0.7). Uneventful recovery favors ERP and PP groups (p = 0.046 and p = 0.049 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: PP and ERP are safe and effective for older colon cancer patients. Fewer overall complications and readmissions happened in ERP and PP patients. Major complications were independent of the standard of care used.

Portal pneumatosis in a patient with severe Salmonella colitis.

A 65-year-old patient with a history of ischemic stroke, residual ophthalmoparesis, positive fecal occult blood screening and pending colonoscopy attended the Emergency Room due to three days with pain, abdominal distension and diarrhea. In the Emergency Room, he presented diffuse abdominal pain, hemodynamic instability with acute renal failure and metabolic acidosis, with severe elevation of acute phase reactants. Abdominal fluid resuscitation and computed tomography (CT) were performed, which reported a dilatation of the loops of the small intestine to the distal ileum with thickening of the wall of the right colon and gas, dissecting intrahepatic portal branches and splanchnic veins.

Pilot Trial of Extended Hypothermic Lung Preservation to Analyze Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Pigs.

BACKGROUND: In lung transplantation (LT), the length of ischemia time is controversial as it was arbitrarily stablished. We ought to explore the impact of extended cold-ischemia time (CIT) on ischemia-reperfusion injury in an experimental model. METHODS: Experimental, randomized pilot trial of parallel groups and final blind analysis using a swine model of LT. Donor animals (n=8) were submitted to organ procurement. Lungs were subjected to 6h (n=4) or 12h (n=4) aerobic hypothermic preservation. The left lung was transplanted and re-perfused for 4h. Lung biopsies were obtained at (i) the beginning of CIT, (ii) the end of CIT, (iii) 30min after reperfusion, and (iv) 4h after reperfusion. Lung-grafts were histologically assessed by microscopic lung injury score and wet-to-dry ratio. Inflammatory response was measured by determination of inflammatory cytokines. Caspase-3 activity was determined as apoptosis marker. RESULTS: We observed no differences on lung injury score or wet-to-dry ratio any given time between lungs subjected to 6h-CIT or 12h-CIT. IL-1ß and IL6 showed an upward trend during reperfusion in both groups. TNF-α was peaked within 30min of reperfusion. IFN-γ was hardly detected. Caspase-3 immunoexpression was graded semiquantitatively by the percentage of stained cells. Twenty percent of apoptotic cells were observed 30min after reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that 6 and 12h of CIT were equivalent in terms of microscopic lung injury, inflammatory profile and apoptosis in a LT swine model. The extent of lung injury measured by microscopic lung injury score, proinflammatory cytokines and caspase-3 determination was mild.

Resección de lipoma submucoso en región prepilórica mediante cirugía robótica / Resection of submucosal lipoma in the prepyloric region by roboti surgery

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Interval colonoscopy following acute diverticulitis should not be discouraged yet: results from a retrospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: Although included in some guidelines, the recommendation of interval colonoscopy after an acute diverticulitis (AD) episode has recently been questioned. In this study, we evaluated the incidence of colon cancer during the follow-up of an episode of AD. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out of patients with conservatively treated AD at our Institution (January 2011 to December 2018) with or without endoscopic study. Patients who had no colonoscopy performed were followed for two years. The demographic, clinical, radiological, follow-up and anatomopathological records were analysed. We determined CT scan validity for the differential diagnosis of CC and AD; sensibility, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratios were calculated. Patients lost to follow-up and patients who had had colonoscopy in the previous three years were excluded. RESULTS: This study included 285 patients with a mean age of 59 years. A total of 225 interval colonoscopies were performed and 60 patients without colonoscopy were followed up. There were 19 CC (6.7%) diagnosed, 14 with interval colonoscopy and 5 during follow-up; 8 (42.1%) happened in patients who had had an episode of uncomplicated AD. Although CT scan accuracy is high, 87.7%, positive and negative likelihood ratios were low, 4.67 and 0.64, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Interval colonoscopy should still be advisable after an episode of AD. The rationale for this statement is based on a non-negligible rate of hidden CC and an important uncertainty in the differential diagnosis.

Pilot Trial of Extended Hypothermic Lung Preservation to Analyze Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Pigs.

BACKGROUND: In lung transplantation (LT), the length of ischemia time is controversial as it was arbitrarily stablished. We ought to explore the impact of extended cold-ischemia time (CIT) on ischemia-reperfusion injury in an experimental model. METHODS: Experimental, randomized pilot trial of parallel groups and final blind analysis using a swine model of LT. Donor animals (n=8) were submitted to organ procurement. Lungs were subjected to 6h (n=4) or 12h (n=4) aerobic hypothermic preservation. The left lung was transplanted and re-perfused for 4h. Lung biopsies were obtained at (i) the beginning of CIT, (ii) the end of CIT, (iii) 30min after reperfusion, and (iv) 4h after reperfusion. Lung-grafts were histologically assessed by microscopic lung injury score and wet-to-dry ratio. Inflammatory response was measured by determination of inflammatory cytokines. Caspase-3 activity was determined as apoptosis marker. RESULTS: We observed no differences on lung injury score or wet-to-dry ratio any given time between lungs subjected to 6h-CIT or 12h-CIT. IL-1ß and IL6 showed an upward trend during reperfusion in both groups. TNF-α was peaked within 30min of reperfusion. IFN-γ was hardly detected. Caspase-3 immunoexpression was graded semiquantitatively by the percentage of stained cells. Twenty percent of apoptotic cells were observed 30min after reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that 6 and 12h of CIT were equivalent in terms of microscopic lung injury, inflammatory profile and apoptosis in a LT swine model. The extent of lung injury measured by microscopic lung injury score, proinflammatory cytokines and caspase-3 determination was mild.

A new minimally invasive porcine model for the study of intrahepatic bile duct dilatation.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) procedures are becoming more frequent nowadays and novel techniques are on the rise. These procedures require high technical experience and complex endoscopic skills. The goal of this study was to develop a new minimally invasive animal model of bile duct dilatation in the pig, in order to offer a new tool for endoscopic and surgical therapy training and to test new therapeutic strategies. METHODS: Twenty-five female pigs underwent laparoscopic surgery in order to perform a common hepatic duct ligation. A pre- and postoperative biochemical analyses were performed: glucose, albumin, total bilirubin (TBil), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase, and alanine aminotransferase were measured. Surgical time and intra- and postoperative complications were registered. Five to six days after surgery, an EUS was performed to measure intrahepatic duct size (mm). Distance from the bile duct to the EUS transductor was also recorded (mm). T-student for quantitative variables was applied. Statistical significance was defined as p value ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The mean surgical time was 29.5 ± 14.9 min. In five pigs (20%), some mild intraoperative problems occurred. A severe postoperative complication occurred in one animal (4%). No postoperative mortality was registered. Postoperative serum analyses showed an increase in total bilirubin (p = 0.005) and gamma glutamyl transferase levels (p = 0.001). Postoperative EUS showed dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct in 76% of pigs, with a mean diameter of 9.6 ± 3.6 mm (distance from the gastric wall of 17.0 ± 6.4 mm). CONCLUSION: The surgical procedure described here is a safe technique to induce dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts in the pig, with a minimally invasive approach and a high efficacy rate. This animal model might be useful for EUS techniques training and for evaluating new therapeutic approaches.

Melanoma anal, una patología radicalmente distinta al melanoma cutáneo, con un pronóstico infausto / Anal melanoma, a radically different pathology from cutaneous melanoma with a tragic prognosis

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Impact of bariatric surgery on subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with morbid obesity.

BACKGROUND: The main cause of death in obese individuals is cardiovascular disease precipitated by atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction and inflammation are considered early events in the development of the disease. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify biomarkers of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with morbid obesity by comparing clinical, vascular, and biochemical parameters indicative of endothelial dysfunction in patients with and without atheromatous plaque and monitoring changes after bariatric surgery. SETTINGS: Multicenter collaboration between Biochemistry and Biomedicine Department in Barcelona University and University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova in Lleida. METHODS: Plasma samples from 66 patients with morbid obesity were obtained before bariatric surgery and at 6 and 12 months after. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the presence of atheromatous plaque. We used contrast-enhanced carotid ultrasound, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Griess, and EndoPAT-2000 methods. RESULTS: Patients with plaque showed the worst profile of cardiovascular risk factors. Carotid intima-media thickness and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were higher in plaque group (P < .0001). After bariatric surgery, vasa vasorum, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 decreased (P < .0001 in all cases). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity promotes atherogenesis, leading to vascular endothelial damage. Bariatric surgery reduces cardiovascular risk and the prognosis is better for patients without plaque. The increase in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, carotid intima-media thickness, and vasa vasorum proliferation might be the first alterations in the atheromatous process in obesity and could serve as good biomarkers of subclinical atherosclerosis.

Effect of bariatric surgery in the evolution of oxidative stress depending on the presence of atheroma in patients with morbid obesity.

BACKGROUND: Morbid obesity is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis, a chronic vascular disease related to oxidative stress (OS) and endothelial dysfunction. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the effect of bariatric surgery (BS) on oxidative stress as a cardiovascular risk factor in patients with and without atheromatous plaques. SETTING: Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital and University of Barcelona. METHODS: Plasma samples from 66 patients with morbid obesity were obtained before BS and 6 and 12 months after. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the presence of atheromatous plaques (detected by ultrasonography). OS parameters were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Patients with morbid obesity had OS independently of the presence of an atheroma, but oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels were higher in patients with plaques throughout the study (P = .0430). After surgery, oxidized low-density lipoprotein and malondialdehyde levels decreased significantly (P < .0001 in both cases). At the beginning of the study, antioxidant enzyme levels were the same between the groups. After surgery, paraoxonase 1 levels were increased (P < .0001) in the group without plaque, being significantly higher (P = .0147). Superoxide dismutase 2 levels were only decreased in patients without plaque (P < .0010), while catalase activity was higher in patients with plaque. CONCLUSIONS: Morbid obesity may lead to chronic OS, which increases predisposition to atherogenesis. BS improves the antioxidant profile and reduces OS and co-morbidities in both groups. However, the benefits are greater for patients without plaque. Therefore, BS may prevent atheroma formation and also could prevent plaque rupture by decreasing OS.

Leiomiosarcoma de colon. Una entidad muy infrecuente con mal pronóstico / Leiomyosarcoma of the colon. A very uncommon condition with poor prognosis

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