Feasibility of Routine Ambulatory Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Brazil.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In several developed countries, most laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LCs) are performed as an ambulatory operation (ALC) with a high rate of success. In Latin America, the experience with this procedure is still limited. Our objective is to evaluate the feasibility to implement ALC in a Brazilian teaching hospital. METHODS: Data obtained from electronic medical records and study protocols of all patients who underwent an LC between January 2011 and March 2018 were evaluated. All patients with chronic or acute cholecystitis were initially considered for an ALC. RESULTS: Of a total of 1645 patients who underwent LC, 1577 (95.9%) were discharged on the same day of the operation. The main reasons for hospital admission after ALC were patient refusal to be discharged (n = 23; 1.4%), nausea and vomiting (n = 15; 0.9%), and complicated acute cholecystitis. No patient was excluded from consideration for ALC based only on age, history of previous upper abdominal operation, and presence of comorbidity. Patient age ranged from 12 to 100 years, with a mean of 50.23 ± 15.35 years. Intraoperative and postoperative complication rates were 0.4% and 5.5%, respectively. Most perioperative complications were because of technical surgical difficulties and complications common to most abdominal operations (surgical site, pulmonary, urinary, and venous complications). Thirteen (0.8%) patients were readmitted to the hospital because of abdominal pain and fever (n = 4), pneumonia (n = 3), deep venous thrombosis (n = 3), or urinary retention (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: ALC may be performed in Brazil with low rates of morbidity, mortality, and hospital readmission. Its implementation should be stimulated in Latin America.

DOES MALE GENDER INCREASE THE RISK OF LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY?

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferable treatment for chronic or acute cholecystitis. Some factors may increase the rate of laparoscopic conversion to open cholecystectomy and perioperative complications. The role of gender as a risk factor for laparoscopic cholecystectomy is controversial. AIM: To evaluate the role of the gender on the operative findings and outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHOD: All patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for chronic or acute cholecystitis were included. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, imaging exams, intraoperative and postoperative data were obtained and analyzed. The data was obtained retrospectively from electronic medical records and study protocols. RESULTS: Of a total 1,645 patients who were subjected to laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 540 (32.8%) were men and 1,105 (67.2%) were women. Mean age was similar in both genders (p=0.817). Operative time has longer in the male (72.48±28.50) than in the female group (65.46±24.83, p<0.001). The rate of acute cholecystitis was higher in the male (14.3%) than in the female group (5.1%, p<0.001). There was no difference between the genders in regard to the rate of conversion (p=1.0), intraoperative complication (p=1.0), postoperative complication (p=0.571), and operative mortality (p=1.0). CONCLUSION: Male gender is not an independent risk factor for laparoscopic conversion and perioperative complications.

Motor neuron disease in patients with HIV infection: Report of two cases and brief review of the literature.

HIV-associated motor neuron disease (MND), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-like syndrome associated with HIV infection, is a rare manifestation of HIV infection. HIV-associated MND has only been identified in few cases to date. We analysed two Brazilian patients with HIV infection who developed MND. The diagnosis of HIV infection was concomitant with diagnosis of MND in one patient and it occurred eight years before the MND symptoms in another patient. The manifestation of MND in our patients with HIV infection was similar to classic ALS. The antiretroviral therapy improves their HIV infection. However, slow progression of MND occurred in the two patients despite their antiretroviral therapy or HIV viral load (undetectable). We revised the international literature (PubMed database) of the patients reported with MND and HIV infection.

Results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the elderly. / Resultado da colecistectomia laparoscópica em idosos.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the elderly compared with younger patients. METHODS: we retrospectively reviewed computerized medical records of all patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for chronic or acute cholecystitis from January 1, 2011 to March 31, 2018 at a single teaching hospital. We stratified the patients into two groups: elderly (≥60 years of age) and younger (<60 years of age). RESULTS: of 1,645 patients subjected to laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 1,161 (70.3%) were younger and 484 (29.7%) were elderly. The rate of male was higher in the elderly (n=185; 38.2%) group than in the younger (n=355; 30.6) (p=0.003). Jaundice was more common in the elderly (p=0.004). The rate of prior abdominal operation was also higher in the elderly (p<0.001). The percentage of patients with ASA score II, III, and IV was higher in the elderly group (p<0.001 in score II and III and 0.294 in score IV). Operative time was longer in the elderly (71.68±31.27) than in the younger group (p=0.001). The following perioperative data were higher in the elderly: acute cholecystitis (p<0.001), conversion rate (p=0.028), postoperative complications (p=0.042), and mortality (p=0.026). CONCLUSION: the operative time is longer and the rate of acute cholecystitis, conversion to open cholecystectomy and postoperative complications are higher in the elderly patients submitted to laparoscopic cholecystectomy when compared with younger individuals.

OBJETIVO: avaliar os resultados da colecistectomia laparoscópica em idosos comparados com pacientes mais jovens. MÉTODOS: revisamos os prontuários médicos informatizados de todos os pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica para colecistite crônica ou aguda, de 1o de janeiro de 2011 a 31 de março de 2018, em um único hospital de ensino. Os pacientes foram estratificados em dois grupos: idosos (≥60 anos de idade) e mais jovens (<60 anos de idade). RESULTADOS: de 1645 pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica, 1161 (70,3%) eram mais jovens e 484 (29,7%) eram idosos. A taxa de homens foi maior nos idosos (n=185, 38,2%) do que no grupo mais jovem (n=355, 30,6%, p=0,003). Icterícia foi mais comum em idosos do que no grupo mais jovem (p=0,004). A taxa de operação abdominal prévia também foi maior nos idosos (<0,001). A porcentagem de pacientes com escore ASA II, III e IV foi maior no grupo de idosos (p<0,001 no escore II e III e 0,294 no escore IV). O tempo de operação foi maior nos idosos (71,68±31,27) do que no grupo mais jovem (p=0,001). Os seguintes dados perioperatórios foram maiores nos idosos: colecistite aguda (p<0,001), taxa de conversão (p=0,028), complicações pós-operatórias (p=0,042) e mortalidade (p=0,026). CONCLUSÃO: o tempo operatório é maior e a taxa de colecistite aguda, conversão para colecistectomia aberta e complicações pós-operatórias são maiores em idosos quando comparados com pacientes mais jovens submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica.

Treatment of epilepsy in patients with myasthenia gravis: Is really harder than it looks?

The relationship between myasthenia gravis (MG) and epilepsy has been rarely reported. As consequence, there are no specific guidelines for the management of these conditions when they mutually occur. We reported on three patients in whom epilepsy and MG are coexisting, but in different clinical settings. Two patients were treated with antiepileptic drugs which improved their symptoms. One patient has controlled the seizures after a successful anterior temporal lobectomy with no appreciable consequences to her MG. We discuss the difficulties in the management of epilepsy in patients with MG. In addition, we report on the first epileptic surgery in a MG patient, indicating that this surgical procedure as a safe option for the treatment of intractable epilepsy in patients with MG.

Management of Stable Angina with Ivabradine as Safe Alternative to Patients with Myasthenia Gravis.

Management of cardiac symptoms in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients can be challenging. The aim of this report is to describe the safe use of ivabradine for stable angina in MG patients. A 48 y.o. woman, with MG diagnosis, presented stable angina. Therapies choices were reduced considering concomitant disease as well as previous and unsuccessful cardiologic managements. Ivabradine showed unexpected results. The patient presented an improvement of neurological and cardiac symptoms, bringing ivabradine as one more therapeutic option to similar patients. In this report we recommend ivabradine as an effective and safe drug for treatment of stable angina in MG patients.

Does male gender increase the risk of laparoscopic cholecystectomy? / O gênero masculino aumenta o risco de colecistectomia laparoscópica?

ABSTRACT Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferable treatment for chronic or acute cholecystitis. Some factors may increase the rate of laparoscopic conversion to open cholecystectomy and perioperative complications. The role of gender as a risk factor for laparoscopic cholecystectomy is controversial. Aim: To evaluate the role of the gender on the operative findings and outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Method: All patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for chronic or acute cholecystitis were included. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, imaging exams, intraoperative and postoperative data were obtained and analyzed. The data was obtained retrospectively from electronic medical records and study protocols. Results: Of a total 1,645 patients who were subjected to laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 540 (32.8%) were men and 1,105 (67.2%) were women. Mean age was similar in both genders (p=0.817). Operative time has longer in the male (72.48±28.50) than in the female group (65.46±24.83, p<0.001). The rate of acute cholecystitis was higher in the male (14.3%) than in the female group (5.1%, p<0.001). There was no difference between the genders in regard to the rate of conversion (p=1.0), intraoperative complication (p=1.0), postoperative complication (p=0.571), and operative mortality (p=1.0). Conclusion: Male gender is not an independent risk factor for laparoscopic conversion and perioperative complications.

RESUMO Racional: A colecistectomia laparoscópica é o tratamento de escolha para colecistite crônica ou aguda. Alguns fatores podem aumentar a taxa de conversão para colecistectomia laparotômica e de complicações perioperatórias. O papel do gênero, como um fator de risco para colecistectomia laparoscópica, é controverso. Objetivo: Avaliar o papel do gênero nos achados operatórios e no desfecho da colecistectomia laparoscópica. Métodos: Todos os pacientes que foram submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica por colecistite crônica ou aguda foram incluídos. Dados demográficos, clínicos, laboratoriais, de imagem, intraoperatórios e pós-operatórios foram obtidos e analisados. Os dados foram obtidos retrospectivamente a partir de prontuários eletrônicos e protocolos de estudo. Resultados: De um total de 1.645 pacientes que foram submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica, 540 (32,8%) eram homens e 1.105 (67,2%) mulheres. A idade média foi semelhante em ambos os gêneros (p=0,817). O tempo operatório foi maior nos homens (72,48±28,50) do que nas mulheres (65,46±24,83) (p<0,001). A taxa de colecistite aguda foi maior no grupo masculino (14,3%) do que no feminino (5,1%, p<0,001). Não houve diferença entre os gêneros quanto à taxa de conversão (p=1,0), complicação intraoperatória (p=1,0), complicação pós-operatória (p=0,571) e mortalidade operatória (p=1,0). Conclusão: O gênero masculino não é fator de risco independente para a conversão laparoscópica e complicações perioperatórias.

Resultado da colecistectomia laparoscópica em idosos / Results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the elderly

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar os resultados da colecistectomia laparoscópica em idosos comparados com pacientes mais jovens. Métodos: revisamos os prontuários médicos informatizados de todos os pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica para colecistite crônica ou aguda, de 1o de janeiro de 2011 a 31 de março de 2018, em um único hospital de ensino. Os pacientes foram estratificados em dois grupos: idosos (≥60 anos de idade) e mais jovens (<60 anos de idade). Resultados: de 1645 pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica, 1161 (70,3%) eram mais jovens e 484 (29,7%) eram idosos. A taxa de homens foi maior nos idosos (n=185, 38,2%) do que no grupo mais jovem (n=355, 30,6%, p=0,003). Icterícia foi mais comum em idosos do que no grupo mais jovem (p=0,004). A taxa de operação abdominal prévia também foi maior nos idosos (<0,001). A porcentagem de pacientes com escore ASA II, III e IV foi maior no grupo de idosos (p<0,001 no escore II e III e 0,294 no escore IV). O tempo de operação foi maior nos idosos (71,68±31,27) do que no grupo mais jovem (p=0,001). Os seguintes dados perioperatórios foram maiores nos idosos: colecistite aguda (p<0,001), taxa de conversão (p=0,028), complicações pós-operatórias (p=0,042) e mortalidade (p=0,026). Conclusão: o tempo operatório é maior e a taxa de colecistite aguda, conversão para colecistectomia aberta e complicações pós-operatórias são maiores em idosos quando comparados com pacientes mais jovens submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica.

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the elderly compared with younger patients. Methods: we retrospectively reviewed computerized medical records of all patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for chronic or acute cholecystitis from January 1, 2011 to March 31, 2018 at a single teaching hospital. We stratified the patients into two groups: elderly (≥60 years of age) and younger (<60 years of age). Results: of 1,645 patients subjected to laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 1,161 (70.3%) were younger and 484 (29.7%) were elderly. The rate of male was higher in the elderly (n=185; 38.2%) group than in the younger (n=355; 30.6) (p=0.003). Jaundice was more common in the elderly (p=0.004). The rate of prior abdominal operation was also higher in the elderly (p<0.001). The percentage of patients with ASA score II, III, and IV was higher in the elderly group (p<0.001 in score II and III and 0.294 in score IV). Operative time was longer in the elderly (71.68±31.27) than in the younger group (p=0.001). The following perioperative data were higher in the elderly: acute cholecystitis (p<0.001), conversion rate (p=0.028), postoperative complications (p=0.042), and mortality (p=0.026). Conclusion: the operative time is longer and the rate of acute cholecystitis, conversion to open cholecystectomy and postoperative complications are higher in the elderly patients submitted to laparoscopic cholecystectomy when compared with younger individuals.