Pre-operative predictive factors for gangrenous cholecystitis at an Australian quaternary cardiothoracic centre.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine associations between pre-operative factors and gangrenous cholecystitis. Gangrenous cholecystitis represents a severe spectrum of cholecystitis and is associated with an increased risk of complications. Early recognition and diagnosis of gangrenous cholecystitis can optimize prioritization for surgery and improve outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was undertaken. Patient demographics, medical comorbidities, pre-operative biochemical and ultrasound findings as well as post-operative outcomes were assessed. Four hundred and fourteen patients who underwent an emergency cholecystectomy between 2018 and 2020 were reviewed. RESULTS: One hundred and nine (26%) patients who underwent emergency cholecystectomy during this 3-year period had gangrenous cholecystitis. These patients were older (median age 65 versus 45, P < 0.001) and more likely to be male (58.7% versus 32.5%, P < 0.001). Patients with coronary disease (OR 2.55, P < 0.001), hypertension (OR 2.25, P = 0.001), or arrhythmias (OR 3.64, P = 0.001) were two-to-three times more likely to have gangrenous cholecystitis. Patients with renal disease (OR 1.92, P = 0.004) or using antiplatelet medication (OR 2.27, P = 0.003) were twice as likely to have gangrenous cholecystitis. Patients who had gangrenous cholecystitis presented with a higher white cell count (median 13 x 109 /L versus 8 x 109 /L, P < 0.001) and a higher C-reactive protein (median 196 versus 18 mg/L, P < 0.001). Patients with gangrenous cholecystitis had poorer post-operative outcomes. CONCLUSION: We verified predictive factors from existing literature and identified a number of novel pre-operative predictive factors for gangrenous cholecystitis which could help with development of a scoring system for clinical use.

Delays in presentation of intussusception and development of gangrene in Zimbabwe.

INTRODUCTION: prompt diagnosis and treatment are considered key to successful management of intussusception. We examined pre-treatment delay among intussusception cases in Zimbabwe and conducted an exploratory analysis of factors associated with intraoperative finding of gangrene. METHODS: data were prospectively collected as part of the African Intussusception Network using a questionnaire administered on consecutive patients with intussusception managed at Harare Children´s Hospital. Delays were classified using the Three-Delays-Model: care-seeking delay (time from onset of symptoms to first presentation for health care), health-system delay (referral time from presentation to first facility to treatment facility) and treatment delay (time from presentation at treatment facility to treatment). RESULTS: ninety-two patients were enrolled from August 2014 to December 2016. The mean care-seeking interval was 1.9 days, the mean health-system interval was 1.5 days, and the mean treatment interval was 1.1 days. Mean total time from symptom onset to treatment was 4.4 days. Being transferred from another institution added 1.4 days to the patient journey. Gangrene was found in 2 (25%) of children who received treatment within 1 day, 13 (41%) of children who received treatment 2-3 days, and 26 (50%) of children who received treatment more than 3 days after symptom onset (p = 0.34). CONCLUSION: significant care-seeking and health-system delays are encountered by intussusception patients in Zimbabwe. Our findings highlight the need to explore approaches to improve the early diagnosis of intussusception and prompt referral of patients for treatment.

COVID-19 and peripheral arterial complications in people with diabetes and hypertension: A systematic review.

AIMS: Identify the prevalence, risk factors and outcomes of lower extremity ischemic complications. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed and SCOPUS databases for SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 and peripheral arterial complications. RESULTS: Overall 476 articles were retrieved and 31 articles describing 133 patients were included. The mean age was 65.4 years. Pain and gangrene were the most common presentation. Hypertension (51.3%), diabetes (31.9%) and hypercholesterolemia (17.6%) were associated co-morbidities. Overall, 30.1% of patients died and amputation was required in 11.8% patients. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 patients with diabetes or hypertension are susceptible for lower limb complications and require therapeutic anti-coagulation.

Association of Higher Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels With Reduced Thrombosis Risk in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has a primary role in the prophylaxis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and may be protective against thrombosis in SLE. Optimal weight-based dosing of HCQ is unknown. This study was undertaken to examine the usefulness of HCQ blood monitoring in predicting thrombosis risk in a longitudinal SLE cohort. METHODS: HCQ levels were serially quantified from EDTA whole blood by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The mean HCQ blood levels calculated prior to thrombosis or until the last visit were compared using t-tests between patients with and those without thrombosis. Pooled logistic regression was used to analyze the association between rates of thrombosis and HCQ blood level. Rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: In 739 patients with SLE, thrombosis occurred in 38 patients (5.1%). The mean ± SD HCQ blood level was lower in patients who developed thrombosis versus those who did not develop thrombosis (720 ± 489 ng/ml versus 935 ± 580 ng/ml; P = 0.025). Thrombosis rates were reduced by 13% for every 200-ng/ml increase in the most recent HCQ blood level (RR 0.87 [95% CI 0.78-0.98], P = 0.025) and by 13% for mean HCQ blood level (RR 0.87 [95% CI 0.76-1.00], P = 0.056). Thrombotic events were reduced by 69% in patients with mean HCQ blood levels ≥1,068 ng/ml versus those with levels <648 ng/ml (RR 0.31 [95% CI 0.11-0.86], P = 0.024). This remained significant after adjustment for confounders (RR 0.34 [95% CI 0.12-0.94], P = 0.037). CONCLUSION: Low HCQ blood levels are associated with thrombotic events in SLE. Longitudinal measurement of HCQ levels may allow for personalized HCQ dosing strategies. Recommendations for empirical dose reduction may reduce or eliminate the benefits of HCQ in this high-risk population.

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus.

Skin and soft tissue infections are common in diabetics. Diabetic foot infection usually results from disruption of the skin barrier, trauma, pressure, or ischemic wounds. These wounds may become secondarily infected or lead to development of adjacent soft tissue or deeper bone infection. Clinical assessment and diagnosis of these conditions using a multidisciplinary management approach, including careful attention to antibiotic selection, lead to the best outcomes in patient care.

Incidence and risk factors for gangrene in patients with systemic sclerosis from the EUSTAR cohort.

OBJECTIVE: In patients with SSc, peripheral vasculopathy can promote critical ischaemia and gangrene. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, incidence and risk factors for gangrene in the EUSTAR cohort. METHODS: We included patients from the EUSTAR database fulfilling the ACR 1980 or the ACR/EULAR 2013 classification criteria for SSc, with at least one visit recording data on gangrene. Centres were asked for supplementary data on traditional cardiovascular risk factors. We analysed the cross-sectional relationship between gangrene and its potential risk factors by univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Longitudinal data were analysed by Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: 1757 patients were analysed (age 55.9 [14.5] years, disease duration 7.9 [10.3] years, male sex 16.7%, 24.6% diffuse cutaneous subset [dcSSc]). At inclusion, 8.9% of patients had current or previous digital gangrene, 16.1% had current digital ulcers (DUs) and 42.7% had ever had DUs (current or previous). Older age, DUs ever and dcSSc were statistically significant risk factors for gangrene in the cross-sectional multivariable model. During a median follow-up of 13.1 months, 16/771 (0.9%) patients developed gangrene. All 16 patients who developed gangrene had previously had DUs and gangrene. Further risk factors for incident gangrene were the dcSSc subset and longer disease duration. CONCLUSION: In unselected SSc patients, gangrene occurs in about 9% of SSc patients. DUs ever and, to a lesser extent, the dcSSc subset are strongly and independently associated with gangrene, while traditional cardiovascular risk factors could not be identified as risk factors.

Pattern of limb amputations in Liberia.

Background: Amputation is one of the oldest known surgical procedures. It has been one of the modalities of applying judgment and treatment. Its method and indications has evolved over time. Modern amputation is regarded as a part of treatment rather than failure of treatment. Amputation is the removal of a limb or part of a limb through on or more bone. When through a joint is referred to as disarticulation. Data on the profile and pattern of amputation in Liberia will add to the body of knowledge. Aim and Objectives: Is to describe the pattern of limb of amputations in Liberia. Also to describe the anatomical variations of limb amputations in Liberia. Patients and Method: A retrospective study of all patients that underwent limb amputation surgeries in the John F Kennedy Memorial (JFK M), Hospital , Monrovia Liberia between January 2010 to December 2015. Results: 100 patients had limb amputations between 2010 and 2015. Males(73) to female(27) ratio were 2.4:1. The age range was 9 - 91 years. Mean age was 42.9 years. The indications for amputations were Trauma 24%, Diabetes 29%, Gangrene (6%), Chronic ulcer (25%), Tumour (5%). Below knee(47%), Above Knee(45%), Below elbow(2%), Above Elbow(2%), Knee Disarticulation(2%), and Big Toe Disarticulation(2%). Conclusion: The profile of Limb amputation in Liberia is not very different from what is obtaining in the region. However the limitations of histology and other investigative procedure have affected the accurate diagnosis of certain conditions like tumours.

RésuméContexte: L amputation est l'une des vieilles interventions chirurgicales connues. Elle a ete une des modalitees exigeant un choix judicieux et le traitement adequat. Ses methodes et indications ont evoluer aucours de temps. L' amputation moderne est consideree comme faisant partie du traitement plutot que de l' echec therapeutique. L amputation est definie comme l' ablation d' un member ou d une partie de membre au a travers d' un ou des plusieurs os. Quand ,elle se fait au niveau d'une articulation, celle ci s' appellee la desarticulation. Les donnees sur le profil et structure de l amputation au Liberia ajouteront un plus de conaissance au corps academique. But et objectifs: C' est de decrire le mode d'amputation du member au Liberia; Ainsi que ses variations anatomiques. Patients et Methode: Une etude retrospective de tous les Patients ayant subit l' amputation chirurgicale du membre a John F kennedy Memorial Hospital, Monrovia, Liberia entre janvier 2010 jusque decembre 2015. Resultas: 100 patients ont subit les amputations entre 2010 et 2015. Males :73, Femeles: 27, Sexe ratio :2.4/1, Tranche d 'age :9-91ans, Age moyen: 42,9 ans, Indications des amputations: Diabetes:29%, Ulceres chroniques:25%, Traumatisme: 24%, Gangrene: 6%, Tumeures: 5%, Au dessous du genou: 47%, Au dessus du genoux: 45%, En dessous du coude: 2%, Au dessus du coude:2%, Disarticulation du genou: 2%, Desarticulation du gros orteil : 2%. Conclusion: Le profil sur les amputations des membres au Liberia n' est pas tres different de ce obtenu dans la region. Cependant ,carence en histologie et autres investigatios paracliniques ont affectees le diagnostique precis des certaines conditions comme les tumeurs.

Editor's Choice - Impact of Endovascular Pedal Artery Revascularisation on Wound Healing in Patients With Critical Limb Ischaemia.

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the impact of endovascular pedal artery revascularisation (PAR) on the clinical outcomes of patients with critical limb ischaemia (CLI). METHODS: This retrospective analysis of a single centre cohort included 239 patients who underwent endovascular revascularisation of infrapopliteal arteries for a chronic ischaemic wound. PAR was attempted in 141 patients during the procedure. After propensity score matching, there were 87 pairs of patients with and without PAR. RESULTS: After the matching, the two groups showed balanced baseline clinical and lesion characteristics. PAR was achieved in 60.9% of the PAR group. Direct angiosome flow was more frequently obtained in the PAR group than in the non-PAR group (81.6% vs. 34.5%; p < .001). Subintimal angioplasty (47.1% vs. 29.9%; p = .019) and pedal-plantar loop technique (18.4% vs. 0%; p < .001) were more frequent in the PAR group. At the one year follow up, the PAR group showed greater freedom from major amputation (96.3% vs. 84.2%; p = .009). The wound healing rate, overall survival, major adverse limb event, and freedom from re-intervention did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, the patient subgroup with successful PAR showed a higher wound healing rate than the non-PAR group (76.0% vs. 67.0%; p = .031). In a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model, successful PAR (hazard ratio [HR] 1.564, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.068-2.290; p = .022) was identified as an independent factor associated with improved wound healing, whereas gangrene (HR 0.659, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.471-0.923; p = .015), C reactive protein >3 mg/dL (HR 0.591, 95% CI 0.386-0.904; p = .015), and pre-procedural absence of pedal arch (HR 0.628, 95% CI 0.431-0.916; p = .016) were associated with impaired wound healing. CONCLUSION: Successful PAR significantly improved wound healing in patients with CLI. Thus, efforts should be made to revascularise the pedal arteries, especially when the pedal arch is completely absent.

Operative versus non-operative treatment in diabetic dry toe gangrene.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Diabetic foot is a major comorbidity of diabetes, with 15-25% of diabetic patients developing diabetic foot ulcer during their lifetime. Other major diabetic foot complications include cellulitis, abscess, wet gangrene, dry gangrene, and necrotizing fasciitis. Dry gangrene involves tissue necrosis due to chronic ischemia whereby the tissue becomes numb, dry, wrinkled, and dead. Although diabetic foot complications have been extensively studied in literature, there is limited data on the management of dry gangrene. METHODS: We report a case series of 12 patients with diabetes-related dry gangrene in the toes, initially planned to be managed conservatively with autoamputation. RESULTS: One patient had an autoamputation, while eight patients underwent surgical amputations (six major amputations, two minor amputations) for better clinical outcomes. Two patients died, while no change was observed in one patient even after 12 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Managing diabetic dry toe gangrene by waiting for autoamputation may lead to worse clinical outcomes and should be practiced cautiously on a case-by-case basis. Early surgical intervention should be opted to improve patients' quality of life.

Global Impact of Peripheral Obstructive Arterial Disease in Portugal: An Eight Year Study.

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral arterial disease has an important impact on morbidity/mortality. The objective of this study was to quantify the impact of this disease in Portugal during the last eight years, expressed by the volume of admissions, treatment strategies and associated morbidity and mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We collected data from the Diagnosis Related Group national database on primary diagnosis, procedures codes, demographic variables, a number of risk factors, and mortality of all cases admitted from 2009 to 2016 with a primary diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease coded according to the 9th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-9). RESULTS: In this study, peripheral arterial disease led to 27 684 hospitalisations, which corresponded to 26.7% of all admissions for vascular disease in this period. Approximately 49.9% of patients were admitted to the emergency department. The volume of procedures in patients with claudication decreased over the eight years, unlike patients with critical ischaemia, in which the number of procedures increased. DISCUSSION: Age and the presence of cardiovascular risk factors have been associated with the severity of disease, as observed in our series. Overall hospital mortality varied, being significantly higher in patients with more advanced severity of the disease. CONCLUSION: Peripheral arterial disease represents an important burden in the overall volume of admissions in Portuguese public hospitals. A large number of patients was admitted in the context of emergency.

Introdução: A doença arterial obstrutiva periférica tem um importante impacto a nível de morbi/mortalidade. O objetivo deste trabalho é quantificar o impacto desta doença em Portugal, ao longo dos últimos oito anos, expresso pelo volume de internamento, tratamento e pela morbi-mortalidade respetiva. Material e Métodos: Foram analisados os registos de internamento no Serviço Nacional de Saúde entre 2009 e 2016 da base de dados dos grupos de diagnósticos homogéneos utilizando os códigos 9th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-9) de diagnóstico e procedimentos. Verificámos o número de casos em cada ano por estadio de doença, dados demográficos, fatores de risco, tratamento e morbi-mortalidade. Resultados: No período de estudo a doença arterial periférica conduziu a 27 684 internamentos o que correspondeu a cerca de 26,7 % do total de internamentos por patologia vascular neste período. Cerca de 49,9 % dos doentes foram admitidos em contexto de urgência. Os procedimentos em doentes claudicantes diminuíram ao longo dos oito anos ao contrário dos doentes com isquémia crítica em que os procedimentos aumentaram. Discussão: A idade e a presença de fatores de risco cardiovasculares têm sido associadas à gravidade da doença, tal como na nossa série. A mortalidade hospitalar global varia, sendo mais significativa nos doentes com doença mais avançada. Conclusão: A doença arterial periférica é uma patologia com importante representação no internamento dos hospitais do Serviço Nacional de Saúde. Há ainda um importante volume de doentes admitidos no contexto de urgência o que sugere eventual falta de reconhecimento/referenciação atempada por parte dos cuidados saúde primários, devendo mais esforços ser realizados no sentido de aumentar a interação entre os cuidados de saúde primários e os hospitais terciários.

Effect of Delay to Operation on Outcomes in Patients with Acute Appendicitis: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have investigated the association between time interval and incidence of complicated appendicitis and post-operative surgical site infection (SSI), but the results are controversial. METHODS: A systematic search of the electronic databases identified studies that investigated the association of appendectomy delay with complicated appendicitis and SSI among patients with acute appendicitis. Qualitative and quantitative meta-analysis of the results was conducted. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies were included in the final analysis. Meta-analysis showed no significant difference in complicated appendicitis incidence between patients in the 6-12 h, > 12 and < 6 h groups (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.89-1.30, p = 0.47; OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.88-1.22, p = 0.64). Comparison of the 6-12 h category with the < 6 h category of in-hospital delay revealed significant associations between longer in-hospital delay and increased risk of post-operative SSI (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.11-1.77, p = 0.004). Patients in the 24-48 h category had 1.99- and 1.84-fold (p < 0.05) higher odds of developing complicated appendicitis compared to patients in the < 24 h category for pre-hospital delay and total delay, respectively (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.35-2.94, p = 0.0006; OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.05-3.21, p = 0.03). When pre-hospital and total delay time extended to more than 48 h, the odds of risk increased 4.62- and 7.57-fold, respectively (OR 4.62, 95% CI 2.99-7.13, p < 0.00001; OR 7.57, 95% CI 6.14-9.35, p = < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: Complicated appendicitis incidence was associated with overall elapsed time from symptom onset to admission or operation; short appendectomy in-hospital delay did not increase the risk of complicated appendicitis but was associated with a slightly increased risk of SSI. Prompt surgical intervention is warranted to avoid additional morbidity, enabling quicker recovery in this population.

[Epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary features of diabetic foot: a study conducted at the Medico-surgical Clinic, University Hospital Sylvanus Olympio in Lomé]. / Pied diabétique: aspects épidémiologique, diagnostique, thérapeutique et évolutif à la Clinique Médico-chirurgicale du CHU Sylvanus Olympio de Lomé.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot is a common and severe complication of diabetes. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary features of diabetic foot at a Hospital in Lomé (Togo). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2015 (5 years) at the Medico-surgical Clinic, University Hospital Sylvanus Olympio in Lomé All patients hospitalized for diabetic foot during the study period were enrolled. RESULTS: Diabetic foot prevalence was 12.90%. The average age of patients was 60,74 years (ranging from 39 to 86 years). Diabetic foot was predominant in male patients, with a sex ratio of 1.38. Type 2 diabetes was found in 88.70% of patients. The mean duration of diabetes evolution was 11.67 years (ranging from 1 to 24 years). Foot lesions were caused by a trauma resulting in a superinfected sore in 70.97% of cases. Gangrene (61.29%) and ischemic necrosis (12.90%) were the most common lesions. Neuropathy was the main etiopathogenetic factor (61.29). The majority of lesions (61.29%) were classified as Wagner grade 4 and 5 and 51,62% of patients underwent lower limb amputation. CONCLUSION: Foot lesions are frequent in diabetic patients living in Lomé. The fight against this scourge depends on education of patients and their caregivers as well on multidisciplinary and concerted patient management.

[Secondary amputation of the limb after primary surgery of open fractures of the lower limb]. / Amputations secondaires du membre après une chirurgie primaire des fractures ouvertes du membre inferieur.

This study reports the complications occurred during the management of open fractures of the lower limbs, resulting in secondary amputations, observed in clinicians' practice in recent years as well as different risk factors and possible deficiencies in management at the origin of these complications. We conducted a retrospective study over a period of 06 years (January 2006 - January 2012). It included patients with open fracture of the lower limb initially treated in our institution and whose complications resulted in amputation. All patient undergoing emergency amputation after examination at the Emergency Department were excluded. All patient treated in another hospital before being referred to us were excluded by the study, even if secondary amputation had been performed in our institution. We collected data by analyzing the records of patients (clinical and complementary examinations, surgical reports). We evaluated our management of open fractures of the lower limb according to the guidelines and recommendations found in the literature. These complications were observed in 9 out of 306 open fractures of the lower limb treated in the same period (January 2006 - January 2012), reflecting a rate of 2.9%. The average age was 42.6(26-57) years, all patients were male. We recorded 1 case of fracture of the femur, 7 cases of fracture of 2 leg bones and 1 case of foot crushing. These were open fractures including 1 case of type 1 fracture, 3 cases of type II fracture and 5 cases of type III fracture, according to Gustilo and Anderson classification. We performed 5 amputations of the thigh and 4 amputation of the upper third of the leg. Various complications motivated these amputations, including bone infections or soft-tissue gangrenes of ischemic or infectious origin. The patients had no morbidities such as diabete and were not chronic smokers. No patient died. Open fractures deserve special attention of the surgeon on immediade complications both from a diagnostic and therapeutic point of view in order to reduce the amputation rates after primary surgery giving patients the impression that they had an incorrect procedure performed on them. Particular attention should be paid to the degree of initial contamination and to the presence of a virulent germ at the site of trauma which may motivate particular attitudes during primary management.

Gender disparities among patients with peripheral arterial disease treated via endovascular approach: A propensity score matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Remarkable improvement in the treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) has led to changes in revascularization strategies from traditional open surgery to less invasive endovascular management. However, few studies are available on gender disparities in patients with PAD treated via an endovascular approach. This study was designed to analyze gender related differences with respect to in-hospital outcomes in PAD patients. METHODS: Our data was obtained from National Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2012 through 2014. We used International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnostic and procedural codes appropriate for PAD and endovascular treatment. Endovascular treatment included drug eluting stent, bare metal stent, atherectomy or angioplasty of lower extremity arteries. A propensity score matching was performed to adjust for imbalances between variables. RESULTS: Females presented late with more comorbidities and underwent more emergent/urgent procedures. After performing propensity score matched analysis, 25 758 patients were included in each group. There was no difference in in-hospital mortality between males and females in matched cohorts (2.3% vs 2.4%, P = 0.25). Acute renal failure, gangrene, infection, and composite of all complications were higher in males. Only blood transfusion was noted higher in females. CONCLUSION: This study revealed no difference in in-hospital mortality between males and females undergoing endovascular peripheral intervention. Males have a higher rate of complications compared to females which explains the higher cost of care in males. Further research with long-term follow up is needed to see if there is any difference with regards to long-term outcomes and re-admission.

Factores predictivos de colecistitis aguda gangrenosa / Predictive factors of acute gangrenous cholecystitis

Introducción: La colecistitis aguda gangrenosa (CAG) es una complicación severa de la colecistitis aguda, afectando entre el 2 y 20% de las mismas. En la actualidad no hay disponibles guías definidas para detectar estos casos y definir su conducta quirúrgica con rapidez. El objetivo de este trabajo es contribuir al estudio de los factores predictivos de la CAG para identificar los pacientes que requieren cirugía de urgencia. Material y métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda retrospectiva de pacientes que fueron sometidos a colecistectomía con diagnóstico preoperatorio de colecistitis aguda en el Nuevo Hospital San Roque, entre enero de 2011 y diciembre de 2012. El Nuevo Hospital San Roque es un centro público de atención de tercer nivel al que acceden de forma gratuita los habitantes de la Ciudad de Córdoba (Argentina) y alrededores que no cuentan con cobertura de salud privada. Los factores de riesgo preoperatorios evaluados incluyeron sexo, edad, diabetes, obesidad, vómitos, fiebre, recuento de glóbulos blancos, eritrosedimentación, enzimas hepáticas, amilasa y hallazgos ecográficos como diámetro de la pared vesicular y líquido perivesicular. Los pacientes fueron divididos en 2 grupos de acuerdo con el diagnóstico anatomopatológico: el grupo 1 incluyó pacientes con CAG y el grupo 2, pacientes con colecistitis aguda no gangrenosa. Resultados: De un total de 183 pacientes sometidos a colecistectomía, 101 (55,1%) presentaron CAG. El análisis multivariado determinó que en nuestro grupo de estudio la razón de probabilidades de CAG asociadas a las variables fiebre, diabetes, y sexo masculino son mayores de 2 y estadísticamente significativas. Asimismo, la razón de probabilidades de CAG aumenta con el nivel de glóbulos blancos y eritrosedimentación. Conclusión: Las variables fiebre, diabetes, sexo masculino, glóbulos blancos, y eritrosedimentación pueden ser consideradas factores predictivos independientes en nuestro caso de estudio.

Introduction: Acute gangrenous cholecystitis (AGC) is a severe complication of acute cholecystitis affecting between 2 and 20% of them. To date, there are no defined guidelines available to triage high-risk surgical patients. Our objective is to contribute to the literature studying predictive factors of AGC aimed at identifying patients who require emergency surgery. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective search of patients who underwent cholecystectomies with preoperative diagnosis of acute cholecystitis at Nuevo Hospital San Roque between January 2011 and December 2012. Nuevo Hospital San Roque is a public hospital in Argentina that provides health services to non-privately insured residents of the Cordoba metropolitan area. The resulting sample was used to perform a multivariate analysis encompassing the following preoperative risk factors: gender, age, diabetes, obesity, vomiting, fever, white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, liver enzymes, amylase and sonographic findings like diameter of gallbladder wall and perivesicular liquid. Patients were divided into two groups according to pathological diagnosis: group 1 included patients with acute AGC and group 2 with no gangrenous acute cholecystitis. Results: One hundred and one patients presented AGC out of a total of 183 patients analyzed. Our multivariate analysis determined that the odds ratio of CAG associated with the variables fever, diabetes, and male gender are greater than 2 and statistically significant. Likewise, the odds ratio of CAG is increasing in the level of white blood cells and in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Conclusion: We found that fever, diabetes, male gender, white blood cells, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate can be considered independent predictors in our sample.

Ileo-sigmoid knotting: a review of 61 cases in Kenya.

INTRODUCTION: Ileo-sigmoid knotting (ISK) is a rare cause of bowel obstruction in which the ileum twists around the sigmoid colon. It is associated with rapid bowel gangrene and a high mortality rate. Little has been published about this condition in Kenya. The objective was to determine the presentation, management, and outcome of patients with ISK. METHODS: A seven year (January 2008-December 2014) retrospective chart review of patients managed for ISK at Tenwek Hospital in Bomet, Kenya. RESULTS: A total of 61 cases were identified, with a mean age of 35.8 years (range 2-68), and mean symptom duration of 1.6 days (range 3 hours-7 days). Gangrene was noted to involve both the ileum and colon in 45 patients, the ileum only in 9 patients, and the sigmoid colon only in one. Resection and primary anastomosis was carried out in most cases of gangrenous ileum (48/54, 89%) and gangrenous sigmoid colon (34/46, 74%), while resection and stoma was performed in 8 patients with gangrenous colon. Death occurred in 7 (11.5%) patients due to severe sepsis and multisystem organ failure. Morbidities were noted in 15 (24.6%) patients, including surgical site infection (8, 13.1%), respiratory insufficiency (4, 6.6%), fascial dehiscence (3, 4.9%) and anastomotic leak (2, 3.2%). The mean duration of hospitalization was 8.3 days (range 1-26). CONCLUSION: In this review, though retrospective in nature, ISK was noted to have high rates of bowel gangrene. In the appropriate setting, resection and primary anastomosis can be safely carried out in most cases of gangrenous colon.

Is gallbladder inflammation more severe in male patients presenting with acute cholecystitis?

BACKGROUND: The male gender is considered a risk factor for complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The reasons for this gender associated risk are not clearly understood. The extent of gallbladder inflammation has been shown to influence surgical outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not gallbladder inflammation is more severe in male patients presenting with acute cholecystitis. METHODS: A retrospective gender dependent comparison of the data of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in a primary care facility within a five-year period was performed. RESULTS: 138 patients, 69 males and 69 females were included for analysis. Severe gallbladder inflammation (gangrenous and necrotizing cholecystitis) was seen in a significant portion of the male population compared to the female population (p = 0.002). The male gender was confirmed in a multivariate analysis as an independent risk factor for severe cholecystits (p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: The male gender is a risk factor for severe gallbladder inflammation. An early surgical intervention may be needed to prevent complications.

Statin use before diabetes diagnosis and risk of microvascular disease: a nationwide nested matched study.

BACKGROUND: The role of statins in the development of microvascular disease in patients with diabetes is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that statin use increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy, and gangrene of the foot in individuals with diabetes. METHODS: We identified all patients living in Denmark who were aged 40 years or older and were diagnosed with incident diabetes between Jan 1, 1996, and Dec 31, 2009. We obtained patients' data from the Danish Patient Registry and information on drug use from the Danish Registry of Medicinal Product Statistics. We randomly selected 15,679 individuals from the database who had used statins regularly until their diagnosis of diabetes (statin users) and matched them in a 1:3 ratio with 47,037 individuals who had never used statins before diagnosis (non-statin users). Our primary outcome was to compare the cumulative incidence of diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy, or gangrene of the foot in statin users versus non-statin users. We analysed data with Cox regression models, adjusted for covariates including sex, age at diabetes diagnosis, and method of diabetes diagnosis. To address potential biases between statin users and non-statin users, we made adjustments to our analysis with a propensity score and with other factors. Median follow-up was 2·7 years (range 0-13). FINDINGS: During 215,725 person-years of follow-up, 2866 patients developed diabetic retinopathy, 1406 developed diabetic neuropathy, 1248 developed diabetic nephropathy, and 2392 developed gangrene of the foot. Compared with non-statin users, statin users had a lower cumulative incidence of diabetic retinopathy (hazard ratio 0·60, 95% CI 0·54-0·66; p<0·0001), diabetic neuropathy (0·66, 0·57-0·75; p<0·0001), and gangrene of the foot (0·88, 0·80-0·97; p=0·010), but not diabetic nephropathy (0·97, 0·85-1·10; p=0·62). These results were similar after adjusting for the competing risk of death, after matching for a propensity score, after adjusting for visits to a family doctor, and by stratification on covariates. The corresponding multivariable adjusted hazard ratio for risk of diabetes in the total population was 1·17 (95% CI 1·14-1·21; p<0·0001). INTERPRETATION: Use of statins before diagnosis of incident diabetes was not associated with an increased risk of microvascular disease. Whether statins are protective against some forms of microvascular disease-a possibility raised by these data-will need to be addressed in other studies similar to ours, in mendelian randomisation studies, and preferably in randomised controlled trials. FUNDING: Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital.