[A study of the incidence and the specific risk factors for surgical site nosocomial infections]. / Studiu asupra incidentei reale a infectiilor nosocomiale de sediu chirurgical si a factorilor de risc specific.

UNLABELLED: The aim of our study is to estimate the incidence of surgical site nosocomial infections in a general surgery department and also to present the importance of the risk factors associated with these infections using the latest diagnostic protocols. MATERIAL AND METHOD: a retrospective analysis of 3038 surgical procedures performed between 2000-2002. We identified all the patients with surgical site nosocomial infection (SSI) mentioned in the observation sheet using NNISS/HELICS protocols to appreciate the risk for surgical site nosocomial infections. The results were compared to those published in the literature. RESULTS: we selected 198 cases (6,55%) with surgical site nosocomial infections of 3024 surgical patients (we excluded 14 cases): 41.4% of them were superficial infections, 49% profound infections, 7.1% organ-space infections and 2.5% with mixed nosocomial infections. We analysed the incidence depending on the risk factors and the type of surgical procedure, the agents involved in the development of the postoperative nosocomial infections, the germs concerned and their antibiotics resistance. CONCLUSIONS: the rates of different NNISS values after surgical procedures with nosocomial infections are analysed relative to the rates published by HELICS study for Romania and other European countries and it shows larger rates than the european average, maybe because our country has not started yet the HELICS protocol for SSI.

[Correlation of adenomatous polyps and early colorectal cancer. Diagnostic and therapeutic implications]. / Relatia polip adenomatos--cancer colorectal precoce. Implicatii diagnostice si terapeutice.

AIM: To detect the patients with colorectal adenomatous polyps or those with adenocarcinoma areas with a view to prevent and to treat the malignant disease. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective study including 309 patients hospitalized between 2000-2005 diagnosed with isolated adenomatous polyps after repeated colonoscopies. The research method was selective screening with identification of risk factors regarding the evolution of colorectal polyps in early cancer, using colonoscopy and histopathological examination. RESULTS: We identified 464 single or multiple isolated polyps of which 399 were adenomas, 59 hyperplastic polyps and 6 other types of lesions. Histologically we recorded 41 (13.27%) polyps with a low grade of dysplasia, 56 (18.12%) with severe dysplasia and 30 (9.7%) intramucosal adenocarcinoma with submucosal invasion. TREATMENT: Colonoscopic polypectomy was used for benign polyps and in situ carcinoma. In case of adenocarcinoma is probable the invasion of submucosal lymphatics being shown a colorectal resection as appropriate. We performed 279 colonoscopic polypectomies and 30 conventional resections. CONCLUSIONS: High grade of dysplasia, the number of polyps, ulceration, bleeding, intraepithelial areas of neoplastic transformation are predictive factors for early colorectal cancer. Depth of submucosal invasion of malignant transformed polyps are important pathological factors to predict lymphatic metastasis and to select the therapeutic procedure.

[Differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Diagnosis and therapeutic aspects]. / Carcinomul tiroidian diferentiat. Aspecte diagnostice si terapeutice.

The significant increase in incidence of thyroid cancer in the last decade, augmented the interest in reevaluation of treatment and diagnosis methods. Those aspects let us into making this retrospective study regarding the differentiated thyroid carcinoma. The clinical material consist in 70 C.T. patients, of which 54 (77.14%) C.T.D. patients, ages between 17-80 year old, sex ratio W/M 3.5/1.9. Preoperatively malignancy diagnosis was made by FNAC in 38.88%, intraoperatively by extemporaneous pathological exam 42.59%, postoperatively by paraffin exam 18.51%. Papillary CTD 30 (55.55%), follicular 20 (41.25%), Hürthle cells carcinoma 4 (7.2%). From the therapeutical point of view, the elective procedure of thyroidectomy was dictated by the histological type, staging and specific prognostic factors. There was 41 (75.9%) patients with total thyroidectomy (T.T), with a specific morbidity of 7 (12.96%) and 5-years survival rate of 88.88%. Preoperatively diagnosis of C.T was suspected through clinic, ultrasonography and scintigraphy arguments and confirmed by FNAC. The non conclusive cases were diagnosed intraoperatively by extemporaneous exam or postoperatively by paraffin exam. In most cases total thyroidectomy remains the essential surgical procedure. Also clinical, imaging and biological postoperative monitoring as well as suppress and substitution hormonotherapy are mandatory.

[Duodenal post-bulbar ulcers. Diagnostic and therapeutic problems]. / Ulcerul duodenal postbulbar. Probleme de diagnostic si tratament.

Our study upon 1235 cases of duodenal ulcers (1991 - 2001) revealed a decrease of its morbidity rate of 10 - 12%. However, the incidence of the post-bulbar duodenal ulcer (P.B.D.U.) remained constant - 9,33% (115 cases) from all duodenal ulcers. Its diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties, its peculiar etiology, pathogeny, topography and evolution are the consequence of the duodeno-bilio-pancreatic morphologic modifications, clinic polymorphism, radiologic indirect signs and difficult endoscopic localisation. Definitive diagnosis was set only intraoperatively. There are 2 forms of P.B.D.U.: proximal (D1 fixed) - 62,60% and distal (D2 above duodenal papilla) - 37,40%. Associated bilio-digestive lesions were encountered in 30 cases (26,08%). Due to its aggressive, endocrine-type etiology and pathogeny, evolution to severe complications and resistance to modern medical therapy, the PBDU should be of first surgical intent, considering a radical procedure whenever possible. Gastric 2/3 resection or truncal vagotomy with limited gastric resection were achieved in 90,43% of cases. We preferred the Bilroth II type anastomosis (65,20%) excluding the ulcerous lesion. Drainage of the duodenal stump was employed in 26% of cases. Specific postoperative morbidity of 12,17%, an early re-operations rate of 6,05% and postoperative mortality of 3,47% versus 2,05% for the duodenal ulcers, emphasize the severity of the P.B.D.U.

[Postoperative biliary peritonitis--diagnosis and treatment difficulties]. / Peritonitele biliare postoperatorii--dificultati de diagnostic si tratament.

AIM: To point out the severity of the postoperative biliary peritonitis (PBP) and to established the most proper ways of diagnosis and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 14 PBP (6 males and 8 females, age between 42 and 76 years) admitted in the last 14 years were analyzed. The PBP occurred after biliary surgery in 13 cases and after gastro-duodenal surgery in 1 case. The delay between the first operation and the establishing of the diagnosis and reoperation varied between 24 hours and more than 3 days. All the patients were operated on; the operation had to fulfill 2 main objectives: the treatment of the peritonitis and to solve the biliary lesions. RESULTS: 6 patients had a fair evolution. We registered 8 complications with a morbidity rate of 57,14% and 2 deaths with a mortality rate of 14,3%. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Postoperative biliary peritonitis is one of the most severe complications of the biliary and gastro-duodenal surgery, due to preoperative unrecognized biliary lesions or occurring as postoperative accidents or complications. 2. The clinical picture, deeply modified by the complex postoperative treatment makes the early diagnosis very difficult and leads to a delay of the re-operation. 3. The treatment is exclusively a surgical one, with two main objectives: the biliary lesion repair and the treatment of the peritonitis. 4. The postoperative biliary peritonitis are charged by a high postoperative morbidity and mortality rate, the delay of the diagnosis and the time of reoperation being the main risk factor.

[The pancreatic pseudocyst--late complication of the severe acute pancreatitis. Therapeutic options]. / Pseudochistul de pancreas, complicatie tardiva a pancreatitelor acute severe. Posibilitati si optiuni terapeutice.

AIM: the assessment of the therapeutical methods in the pancreatic pseudocyst occurred after severe acute pancreatitis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 30 (33.3%) pancreatic pseudocysts (18 men and 12 women aged between 28-64) occurred in the evolution of 90 severe acute pancreatitis in the last 5 years (2000-2004) were analyzed. The diagnosis was established on the clinical and imaging aspects on average 1 month after the onset of the severe acute pancreatitis. The treatment was different, depending on size, anatomo-clinical form, pseudocyst age, presence of complications and the biological status of the patient. 14 uncomplicated pseudocysts, with the diameter less than 6 cm, were treated conservatively, until their complete resorption. 6 cases were operated on (2 cysto-gastrostomy, 1 cysto-jejunostomy and 3 external drainage). We performed percutaneous external CT guided drainage in 2 cases and endoscopic drainage in other 8 cases (trans-papillary-trans-ductal drainage 3 cases and endoscopic US guided drainage in 5 cases: transgastric 2, transduodenal 2 and transesophageal 1). RESULTS: 28 (93.3%) cases had a fair evolution (complete resorption in 14 uncomplicated pseudocysts after 3-6 weeks of conservative treatment). We registered 2 gastro-duodenal bleeding during endoscopic US guided drainage, which required operation (haemostasis cysto-gastrostomy). Mortality rate was 0. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The pseudocyst is the main late complication of the severe acute pancreatitis (33.3% in our study). 2. The uncomplicated pseudocysts with the diameter less than 6 cm, benefit of the conservative treatment and monitoring in progress until their complete resolution. 3. There are 3 therapeutical methods for the pseudocysts more than 6 cm in diameter and/or complicated: the percutaneous external US/CT guided drainage, the endoscopic drainage and surgery. 4. The option for the drainage procedure must take into account the morphological and evolutionary aspects of the pseudocyst, the age and biological status of the patient.

[Severe acute pancreatitis--diagnostic and therapeutic strategy]. / Pancretitele acute severe--strategie diagnostica si terapeutica.

To establish the optimal diagnosis and therapeutical strategy in severe acute pancreatitis. 94 (56.9%) severe acute pancreatitis (79 males and 15 females, aged between 26 and 81), selected from 165 acute pancreatitis admitted in the last 5 years (2000-2004) were analyzed. The disease was assigned as severe when one or more of the following criteria were present: Ranson score >3 on admission or at 48 hours, APACHE II score >8, visceral failures, Balthazar CT score C, D or E and local complications (infected necrosis, pseudocyst or pancreatic abscess). Medical treatment (aggressive supportive intensive care therapy, minimizing pancreatic secretion and antibiotic therapy) was the first therapeutical step in all cases. 49 (52.1%) patients were operated on: 20 as early surgery imposed by biliary sepsis (16 cases) or by an acute abdomen with uncertain etiology and unfavourable evolution, and 22 as late surgery (at least 12 days after onset), imposed by the presence of the infected pancreatic necrosis, visceral failures or other local complications, the necrosectomy being the main surgical procedure for infected necrosis. 77 (81.9%) cases had a fair evolution. The conservative treatment led to a complete recovery in 37 (37.2%) cases. We registered an overall mortality rate of 12.7% and postoperative mortality rate of 14%; we also registered 5 (10.2%) postoperative complications: 4 pancreatic and 1 colonic fistulae. (1) The treatment of the severe acute pancreatitis must be performed only in the specialized multidisciplinary well equipped centers with very well trained staff. (2) Medical conservative treatment (aggressive supportive intensive care therapy and antibiotic therapy) is the main therapeutical method within the acute phase (first two weeks). (3) Very restrictive surgical indications within the acute phase. (4) Necrosectomy is the main surgical procedure for the infected necrosis.

[Present strategies in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases]. / Strategii actuale în diagnosticul si tratamentul chirurgical al bolilor tiroidiene.

AIM: Selective and critical presentation of the present exploring methods concerning surgical thyroid diseases and accomplishing a pre-surgical diagnosis as accurate as possible. Depending of the diagnosis--choosing the most appropriate surgical strategy according to the newest concepts in thyroid pathology. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Clinical-statistic study, carried out retrospectively over 1,108 patients having various surgical thyroid maladies hospitalized in 1980-1999 period. There have been operated 1,058 cases. Demographic structure as regards sex, F/M was 9.07/0.93 for goiters, whereas for thyroid cancer it was 3/1. RESULTS: Nodular goiters are the most frequent (77.31%), with a pathology benign majority (91.30%). The fundamental problem is the pre-surgical establish malign lesions that require a complex therapeutic protocol comparing to benign nodules. Benign lesions 91.30%, carcinomas 5.48%, others 3.21%. All types of thyroidectomies have been made: T.ST 69.37%, T.T for benign and malign lesions 7.65% and other procedures. Thyroid specific morbidity is 4.25%, whereas unspecific is 8.69%. The 0.08% mortality (1 case), virtually null, place the result between the best of the kind. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-surgical diagnosis, as accurate as possible, based on the clinic exam using the vacuum punction with a fine needle, finally confirmed by the paraffin exam, provided the choice of an optimal surgical strategy, followed by an appropriate post-surgical protocol. Total thyroidectomy is the preferred procedure is most of the thyroid cancer forms and in benign diseases is highly recommended (multi-nodular goiters, hyperthyroid, Basedow disease, cancer).

[Retroperitoneal Castleman's disease]. / Boala castleman retroperitoneala.

We present 2 cases of retroperitoneal localisation of Castleman's disease--hyalino-vascular histologic type. A 65 years old woman and a 67 years old man were admitted with the diagnosis of retroperitoneal tumour. The clinical findings were not specific. Surgical removal of the tumour is the treatment of choice. Focal recurrences didn't occur.

[Transhiatal esophagectomy]. / Esofagectomiile transhiatale.

Between 1991-2001, 40 patients underwent esophagectomy without thoracotomy for: caustic esophageal stenosis (26 cases), cervical esophageal cancer (1), lower esophageal cancer (7), and acute post-caustic oesophagitis (2). Thirty-four patients underwent transhiatal esophagectomy, 3 patients had an esophagectomy by "stripping" and in 3 other patients a combination of stripping and transhiatal esophagectomy. Postoperative complications included: injuries of the laryngeal recurrent nerve (2), pulmonary complications (13), anastomotic leakage (5). Two patients died in the postoperative period one from a myocardial infarction and the other from an acute myocardial dilatation. Trans-hiatal esophagectomy can be considered as a viable alternative to transthoracic esophagectomy in the management of the benign and malignant diseases of the esophagus. Transhiatal esophagectomy is a safe method of resection because of its reported lower morbidity and mortality and similar survival rates compared to transthoracic esophagectomy.

[Severe acute pancreatitis. Its management and experience]. / Pancreatitele acute grave. Conduita si experienta.

The authors examined a group of 91 cases of acute pancreatitis hospitalised and treated between 1992 and 1996, using multiparametric bioclinical scores like Ranson, Imrie, Apache II systems and morphological scores obtained through C.T., they have divided the examined group into patients with A.B.P. (acute benign pancreatitis)--59 (64.84%), who don't require exquisite therapeutical means, with positive healing and A.S.P.--32 (35.16%), who require a complex medico-surgical therapeutics with unforeseeable evolution and results. The purpose of the paper was the one of establishing a diagnostical and therapeutical strategy for the A.S.P. adequate to actual conceptions. The correct diagnosis of acute pancreatitis initially has been established at 59 (64.83%) and erroneous at 32 (36.13%) cases. The diagnosis of A.S.P. has been established in 32 (35.16%). The etiology has been lithiasic (biliary) for 31.25% and nonbiliary for 68.75% patients. The C.T. examination in the best way to diagnose necrosis and infections, to follow the evolution and especially the surgical indication, achieved by the authors in 30% of cases. The initial medical treatment has been fulfilled at all the patients and the surgical one at 29 (91.63%). There have been implemented explorer laparotomies in 33.33% cases, interventions on the pancreas in 72.66%, operations associated on the biliary ways 41.37%, necessity operations 13.8%, with different types of draining (conventional and open abdomen). The results have been taxed by locoregional complications in 72.41%, general complications in 44.51% and a general rate of decrease of 43.75%. It is recommended initial surgical abstention and gravity estimations, the reanimation of all A.S.P. for prevention and treatment of general complications, surgical treatment of A.S.P. complications. The A.S.P. treatment of biliary (lithiasic) etiology after two months and after C.T. to confirm inflammatory process remission.