Current indications of ex-situ liver resection: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Ex situ liver resection and autotransplantation, a surgical technique introduced for managing advanced and unresectable malignant tumors, never became a popular surgical procedure, due mainly to the high incidence of adverse events and postoperative recurrences. This study aims to assess the clinical outcomes of ex situ liver resection and autotransplantation in the currently available literature. METHODS: The PubMed electronic database was used to retrieve studies that meet the inclusion criteria for the topic. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies were included. The mean (range) 90-day mortality rate was 11.6% (0%-50%) and the mean overall survival was 55.8% (12.5%-100.0%). R0 resection was achieved in 100% of cases. In the overall study sample, the maximum tumor size was found to be positively correlated with the 90-day mortality rate (P = .047) and negatively correlated with the overall survival (P = .048). The mean number of total resected segments appeared to be positively correlated with the length of hospital stay (P = .039). In the malignant tumor sample, there was a significant relationship between the maximum tumor size and postoperative liver failure, 90-day mortality rate (P = .027 and P = .034, respectively), and between the mean length of anhepatic phase and mean length of hospital stay (P = .0092). CONCLUSION: The ex situ liver resection and autotransplantation appears to be a valuable option in selected patients with conventionally unresectable hepatic tumors and normal liver function. However, it was not possible to provide clear and unequivocal recommendations about this procedure. To rectify this, an international database to help surgeons in their decision-making process ought to be established.

Prospective Observational Study on acute Appendicitis Worldwide (POSAW).

Background: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common surgical disease, and appendectomy is the treatment of choice in the majority of cases. A correct diagnosis is key for decreasing the negative appendectomy rate. The management can become difficult in case of complicated appendicitis. The aim of this study is to describe the worldwide clinical and diagnostic work-up and management of AA in surgical departments. Methods: This prospective multicenter observational study was performed in 116 worldwide surgical departments from 44 countries over a 6-month period (April 1, 2016-September 30, 2016). All consecutive patients admitted to surgical departments with a clinical diagnosis of AA were included in the study. Results: A total of 4282 patients were enrolled in the POSAW study, 1928 (45%) women and 2354 (55%) men, with a median age of 29 years. Nine hundred and seven (21.2%) patients underwent an abdominal CT scan, 1856 (43.3%) patients an US, and 285 (6.7%) patients both CT scan and US. A total of 4097 (95.7%) patients underwent surgery; 1809 (42.2%) underwent open appendectomy and 2215 (51.7%) had laparoscopic appendectomy. One hundred eighty-five (4.3%) patients were managed conservatively. Major complications occurred in 199 patients (4.6%). The overall mortality rate was 0.28%. Conclusions: The results of the present study confirm the clinical value of imaging techniques and prognostic scores. Appendectomy remains the most effective treatment of acute appendicitis. Mortality rate is low.

[Ultrasonography and the Alvarado score in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis: impact on the negative appendectomy rate]. / Ecografía y Escala de Alvarado en el diagnóstico de la apendicitis aguda. Impacto en la tasa de apendicectomía negativa.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the negative appendectomy rate (NAR) after patients with acute abdomen were evaluated with the Alvarado score and compare it to the NAR in patients evaluated with abdominal ultrasound. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive study in patients who underwent emergency surgery for suspected acute appendicitis in a tertiary-care hospital over a period of 1 year. RESULTS: A total of 225 patients were included. The NAR was 7.11% for the series. An Alvarado score of 5 or more had an odds ratio (OR) of 7.46 (P=.0002) for acute appendicitis; sensitivity was 94.2%. Ultrasound findings consistent with acute appendicitis had an OR of 3.58 (P=.0125) for the diagnosis; the NAR was 5%. CONCLUSION: The high sensitivity of an Alvarado score of 5 or more supports using this tool to evaluate all patients who come to the emergency department with pain in the right iliac fossa. With scores of 7 or more the NAR falls to 3%. Abdominal ultrasound is a rapid, inexpensive diagnostic procedure associated with a low NAR.

OBJETIVO: Establecer la tasa de apendicectomía negativa (TAN) y evaluar las diferencias entre la Escala de Alvarado y la ecografía abdominal en los pacientes con apendicitis aguda (AA) y aquellos con apendicectomía negativa. METODO: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo de corte transversal. Se recogieron los pacientes intervenidos de urgencia bajo sospecha de AA durante un año en un hospital de tercer nivel. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 225 pacientes. La TAN fue de 7,11%. Una puntuación en la Escala de Alvarado mayor o igual de 5 obtuvo una odds ratio (OR) de 7,46 (p = 0,0002) para padecer AA, con una sensibilidad del 94,2%. La ecografía compatible con AA obtuvo una OR 3,58 (p = 0,0125) y una TAN del 5%. CONCLUSIONES: La elevada sensibilidad de la Escala de Alvarado para puntuación mayor o igual de 5 hace aconsejable su aplicación en todo paciente que acude al Servicio de Urgencias con dolor en la fosa iliaca derecha. Puntuaciones mayores o iguales a 7 disminuyen la TAN hasta el 3%. La ecografía abdominal es una prueba rápida y barata con una TAN baja.