Tratamiento médico o quirúrgico de la obstrucción intestinal alta / Medical or surgical treatment of small bowel obstruction

Introducción: La obstrucción intestinal (OI) es una causa frecuente de consulta en los servicios de urgencia. Los avances en los métodos de diagnósticos y la implementación de unidades de paciente crítico han logrado disminuir la morbimortalidad de esta afección. El proceso diagnóstico incluye desde la anamnesis y examen físico al uso de exámenes de laboratorio e imagenológicos para definir el mejor tratamiento en cada caso, ya sea médico o quirúrgico. Objetivo: Describir la respuesta al tratamiento médico o quirúrgico en pacientes con diagnóstico de OI alta en nuestro hospital.Materiales y métodos: Serie de casos retrospectiva de todos los casos egresados con diagnóstico de OI alta (parcial o completa) como diagnóstico primario, atendidos en el hospital desde enero de 2012 hasta mayo de 2014. Resultados: Hubo 134 casos incluidos, con 101 OI completas, 81 de ellas se resolvieron de forma quirúrgica. En las 20 restantes se decidió tratamiento médico, sin presentar este subgrupo mayor morbimortalidad asociada; sin embargo dada la evolución de estos pacientes se requirió en un 75% de los casos cirugía definitiva. Todas las OI parciales (33 casos), se resolvieron de forma conservadora, sin requerir cirugía. Conclusión: El tratamiento conservador de la OI no presentó mayores complicaciones que el tratamiento quirúrgico, por lo que se mantiene como una posibilidad válida de tratamiento teniendo en cuenta que es necesaria una vigilancia estricta para evitar mayor morbimortalidad. Sin embargo, esto no significa que operar o no operar sea lo mismo, siendo importante considerar la etiología de la OI.

Background: Small bowel intestinal obstruction (IO) is a frequent problem presenting in emergency rooms. Advances in diagnostic methods and the creation of intensive case units have diminished the morbidity and mortality of this disease. The diagnostic tool includes a careful clinical examination, the use of laboratory tests plus radiological procedures, which together allow to define the best treatment option for each patient wit IO. Aim: To report the response to medical or surgical treatment of patients with a small bowel IO. Material and methods: Review of a retrospective case series of 134 patients discharged from a clinical hospital with the primary diagnosis of small bowel intestinal obstruction between 2012 and 2014. Results: One hundred and one patients had a complete obstruction and 81 of these were treated surgically. In the remaining 20, a medical treatment was chosen, without observing a higher frequency of complications. However, 75% of these patients required surgery during their evolution. All partial obstructions were treated conservatively, without requiring surgery. Conclusion: Conservative treatment of intestinal obstruction is not associated with a higher rate of complications but requires a close clinical follow up. The etiology of the obstruction must be taken in consideration for decision making.

Efecto del bypass gástrico a largo plazo (7 a 10 años) en pacientes con obesidad severa y mórbida sobre el peso corporal, diabetes, dislipidemia y desarrollo de anemia / Results of gastric bypass for morbid obesity after a follow up of seven to 10 years

weight and complications of obesity, seven to 10 years after gastric bypass surgery. Material and Methods: One hundred eighteen subjects with morbid obesity, aged 15 to 66years (103 women), were followed for a mean of 94 months after surgery. Body weight, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and hemoglobin were measured before surgery and during follow up. Results: At 24 months of follow up, all patients lost weight and there was a mild weight increase at 94 months, that paralleled the preo-perative body mass index. Diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia subsided in 95, 87 and 94% of cases, respectively. Twenty percent of patients had mild anemia and 11% moderate or severe anemia. No patient recovered the preoperative weight. Conclusions: Weight reducing effects of gastric bypass are maintained after 94 months of follow up with the expected health benefits.

Correlación ecográfica-laparoscópica en colecistitis crónica y aguda: validación 10 años después / Ultrasonographic and laparoscopic correlation in acute and chronic cholecystitis: 10 years later validation

Introduction: Abdominal ultrasound is the initial diagnosis tool for gallbladder disease and laparoscopic surgery is the gold standard approach. The aim of this study was to validate 10 years after, the ultrasonographic and laparoscopic findings previously proposed by our team to forecast laparoscopic cholecystectomy in terms of difficulties and perioperative complications. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 336 patients operated by laparoscopy between June and ¡December 2007 in our center. Ultrasound findings were classified according to the classification proposed in 1997 based on the thickness of the gallbladder wall, lumen and the presence of gallstones or sonic shadow. Results: Type I and IIA cholecystitis had a lower percentage of intraoperative difficulties (14.9 and 32.8 percent respectively) and conversion to open surgery (1.1 vs 1.7 percent respectively), whereas type LIB and III were associated greater presence of difficulties (51.3 percent and 71.4 percent respectively) and conversion rate (9.2 percent and 23.8 percent respectively). Conclusions: this classification is a useful tool in de correlation of ultrasonographic and laparoscopic findings in acute and chronic cholecystitis, helping the surgeon in predicting surgical problems, complications and risk of conversion to open surgery and supports the results previously published.

Introducción: La ecografia abdominal constituye el examen inicial en la patología vesicular; la cirugía laparoscópica es la vía de abordaje de elección. El objetivo de este estudio fue validar, 10 años después, la clasificación ecográfica y su correlación con los hallazgos laparoscópicos, propuesta previamente por nuestro equipo de trabajo para pronóstico de la colecistectomía laparoscópica en cuanto a dificultades y complicaciones peri operatorias. Materiales y Métodos: Se evaluaron 336 pacientes operados por vía laparoscópica entre junio y diciembre de 2007 en nuestro centro. Los hallazgos ecográficos se clasificaron de acuerdo a la clasificación propuesta en 1997, basada en el grosor de la pared vesicular, la presencia de lumen y de cálculos o sombra sónica. Programa Stata 9.1. Se realizó prueba de comparación de proporciones con p < 0,05. Resultados: Las colecistitis tipo I y IIA tuvieron menor porcentaje de dificultades intraoperatorias (14,9 y 32,8 por ciento) y de conversión a cirugía abierta (1,1 y 1,7 por ciento), mientras que las tipo IIB y III se asociaron a una mayor presencia de dificultades (51,3 por ciento y 71,4 por ciento respectivamente) y porcentaje de conversión (9,2 y 23,8 por ciento respectivamente). Conclusiones: esta clasificación constituye una herramienta útil en la correlación de hallazgos ecográficos y laparoscópicos en colecistitis crónica y aguda, ayudando al cirujano en la predicción de problemas quirúrgicos, complicaciones y riesgo de conversión a cirugía abierta, apoyando los resultados previamente publicados.

Cirugía en mayores de 80 años: evolución clínica y costos asociados / Surgical complications and costs among octogenarians

Background: Old age is a negative prognostic factor among patients subjected to surgical procedures. Aim: To assess the clinical profile and hospital stay costs among patients aged 80 years or more in a surgical department. Material and Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of 115 surgical patients aged 84 +/- 4 years (67 percent males), hospitalized during 2007. Clinical presentation, surgical treatment, functional status on admission and discharge and hospitalization costs, was analyzed. Results: Ninety percent of patients had associated diseases and 83 percent had previous surgical procedures. On admission, 88 percent of patients had a normal functional status. Hernia was the most common surgical diagnosis in 17 percent. Thirty percent required emergency surgery. Mean hospital stay was 11 days, 47 percent required admission to the critical patients unit, 20 percent had complications, 8 percent required a second operation and two patients died. At discharge, 27 percent had a functional impairment. Hospitalization costs were 3.8 times greater among those that had complications, 3.1 times higher among those that required a second intervention and 1.8 times higher among those classified as III or IV according to American Surgical Association physical status classification, compared with those classified as I or II. Conclusions: Surgical patients aged more than 80 years, are more prone to complications and their hospitalization costs are higher.

Introducción: Los octogenarios son un grupo demográficamente emergente, que han generado cambios en la epidemiología del paciente quirúrgico, asociándose a mayores tasas de complicaciones, mortalidad y costos de atención. Objetivo: Estudiar el perfil clínico y costos de hospitalización de los pacientes octogenarios atendidos el año 2007 en nuestro departamento de cirugía. Material y Método: Revisión retrospectiva de los registros clínicos de pacientes quirúrgicos mayores de 80 años durante el año 2007. Se analizó la presentación clínica, tratamiento quirúrgico, evolución postoperatoria y status funcional (escala KATZ) al ingreso y alta. Se analizó además los costos asociados a la hospitalización y tratamiento. Resultados: Serie de 115 pacientes con edad promedio de 83,7 años. Un 89,5 por ciento presentaron comorbilidades y 85,2 por ciento cirugías previas. Al ingreso un 87,7 por ciento eran autovalentes (KATZ A-B). El diagnóstico quirúrgico más frecuente fue Hernia (16,87 por ciento). Un 29,5 por ciento se intervino de urgencia. La estadía total promedio fue 10,6 días, requiriendo un 47 por ciento de los pacientes Unidad de Pacientes Críticos (UPC). Un 20 por ciento sufrió complicaciones (principalmente delirium), 7,8 por ciento requirió reintervención, y dos pacientes fallecieron. Un 26,7 por ciento presentó deterioro funcional al alta. El costo de hospitalización fue 3,75 veces mayor en los complicados, 3,1 veces mayor en los re-operados, 3,69 veces mayor en los que requirieron UPC, y 1,77 veces mayor en los ASA III-IV respecto a los I-II. Conclusión: Las complicaciones fueron en su mayoría no-quirúrgicas asociándose a hospitalizaciones prolongadas y de alto costo económico, con alta tasa de permanencia en UPC. Los factores asociados a mayor costo fueron complicación postoperatoria, re-operación, estadía prolongada en UPC y ASA III-IV.

Resultados del bypass gástrico resectivo en pacientes obesos mórbidos ≤ 18 años y ≥ 65 años / Resection gastric bypass in morbid obese patients aged less than 18 and over 65 years

Background: The incidence of morbid obesity is increasing and gastric bypass is the most effective surgical treatment. Aim: To assess the long term results of resection gastric bypass among morbidly obese patients aged less than 18 and over 65 years in terms of weight loss and correction comorbidities. Material and methods: From August 1999 to December 2006, 712 patients with morbid obesity were subjected to open resection gastric bypass. A group of 12 patients, aged less than 18 years and a second group of 8 patients aged more 65 years were selected to prospectively assess weight loss, complications and correction of associated comorbidities. Results: In the first group body mass índex (BMI) decreased from 45±6.7 kg/m² to 27.7±3.2 kg/m², in a follow-up períod of 22.9±8.4 months. All comorbidities disappeared or improved. A single patient (8.3 percent) had an incisional hernia. Among the second group, BMI decreased from 40.6±5.4 kg/m² to 28.4±4.4 kg/m², in a follow-up períod of 26.6±15.9 months. All obesity comorbidities disappeared. Three patients (37.5 percent) presented incisional hernias. No patient died or had postoperative complications. Conclusions: In both groups resection gastric bypass was safe, obtained an appropriate weight loss and corrected all associated comorbidities to obesity.

Riesgo perioperatorio del bypass gástrico reseccional en pacientes con obesidad mórbida: Estudio prospectivo de 684 pacientes / Perioperative risk among morbid obese patients subjected to gastric bypass

Background: Bariatric surgery is a complex procedure not exempt of complications. Aim: To assess mortality and complications of excisional gastric bypass among morbidly obese subjects. Material and methods: Prospective analysis of 684 morbid obese patients (age range 14-70 years, 525 females) subjected to an excisional gastric bypass. Major postoperative complications and mortality were registered. Results: Mean body mass index (BMI) of the subjects was 43.7 kg/m2. One hundred sixty two patients had a BMI between 35 and 39.9 kg/m2, 419 had a BMI between 40 and 49.9 kg/m2 and 103 had a BMI over 50 kg/m2. Two patients with a BMI of 52 and 56 kg/m2 respectively, died in the postoperative period (0.3%). Thirty six patients had major complications. Anastomotic fistula was the most common complication in 12 patients (1.7%). Fourteen patients required a new operation due to complications. None of these died. The mean operative volume of the surgical team was 124 patients per year. Conclusions: Excisional gastric bypass has a low rate of mortality and complications, if the surgical team operates a large volume of patients.

Efecto del bypass en la esofagitis erosiva en pacientes con obesidad mórbida / Effects of gastric bypass on erosive esophagitis in obese subjects

Background: Obesity is an important risk for pathological gastroesophageal reflux. Aim: To assess the effects of gastric bypass on obese subjects with erosive esophagitis. Patients and methods: Sixty two morbid obese subjects (aged 16 to 70 years, 41 females) with erosive esophagitis at the moment of surgery were studied. These patients were subjected to a gastric bypass with gastric resection. They were followed with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy every one year, looking for the presence of erosions or ulcers in the distal esophagus. Results: The mean follow up period was 21 months. Prior to surgery all patients had heartburn or regurgitation and at two years after surgery, 97% were asymptomatic. Esophagitis was found in 97 and 6.5% before and after surgery, respectively. Two patients had an esophageal ulcer, that healed on follow up endoscopy. There was a 72% reduction of overweight on late follow up. Conclusions: Gastric bypass is effective to control pathological gastroesophageal reflux in patients with morbid obesity.

Comparación entre el aspecto endoscópico del cardias, hallazgos manométricos y pHmetría de 24 horas en pacientes con síntomas de reflujo gastroesofágico crónico / Comparison of the endoscopic aspect of the cardia, manometry and 24 hours pH measurement in patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux

Background: The endoscopic view of the gastric cardia could be related with the manometric competence of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and with pathological gastroesophageal reflux. Aim: To compare the endoscopic aspect of the cardia with the results from esophageal manometry and 24 h esophageal pH monitoring. Materials and Methods: The cardia of a group of 150 patients (aged 19 to 72 years, 89 women) with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms was classified as normal or open, during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. All subjects were subjected to a manometric study to measure LES pressure and determine LES incompetence and to a 24 h esophageal pH measurement. Results: LES pressure was 14.7±6.2 and 8.7±4.2 mmHg in patients with normal and open cardia, respectvively (p <0.001). Likewise, 43 and 79% of patients with normal and open cardia had an incompetent LES, respectively (p <0.001). Pathological acid reflux was present in 43 and 71% of patients with normal or open cardia, respectively (p <0.001). Conclusions: The endoscopic appearance of the cardia can identify patients with pathological gastroesophageal reflux.