Effect of bag extraction to prevent wound infection on umbilical port site wound on elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard treatment for gallbladder stones. Complications due to laparoscopic procedure are rare, but rate of wound infection in some studies is about 8 %. From January 2007 to December 2008, 320 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed at our hospital, and in 4.7 % of them, wound infection of the umbilical trocar was identified. We believe that this infection rate could be lower and that it is necessary to implement a new technique to reduce the wound infection. The aim of the study was to evaluate the benefits of bag extraction of gallbladder to prevent the wound infection. METHODS: Two-arm, parallel, 1:1, randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN38095251). All patients suffering from symptomatic gallbladder stones of low risk were enrolled for this study and were divided into two groups in basics gallbladder extraction: with (80 patients) or, as usually, without bag (76 patients). All patients with cholecystitis or accidental gallbladder perforation were excluded. We compared all the results to establish whether meaningful differences were found. RESULTS: The final sample analysed (156 patients) consisted of 121 women and 35 men; there were 80 in the control group and 76 in the study group. There were 15 (9.6 %) diagnosed wound infections, eight cases in the study group and seven in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: The determinant of wound infection in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy is not the direct contact of the gallbladder with the wound; therefore, bag extraction is not necessary.

Surgical management of acute cholecystitis. Results of a nation-wide survey among Spanish surgeons.

There is a wide variability in the management of acute cholecystitis. A survey among the members of the Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC) analyzed the preferences of Spanish surgeons for its surgical management. The majority of the 771 responders didn't declare any subspecialty (41.6%), 21% were HPB surgeons, followed by colorectal and upper-GI specialities. Early cholecystectomy during the first admission is the preferred method of management of 92.3% of surgeons, but only 42.7% succeed in adopting this practice. The most frequent reasons for changing their preferred practice were: Patients not fit for surgery (43.6%) and lack of availability of emergency operating room (35.2%). A total of 88.9% perform surgery laparoscopically. The majority of AEC surgeons advise index admission cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis, although only half of them succeed in its actual implementation. There is room for improvement in the management of acute cholecystitis in Spanish hospitals.

Continuous monitoring of adverse effects improves surgical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: There has been significant debate about the advantages and disadvantages of using administrative databases or clinical registry in healthcare improvement programs. The aim of this study was to review the implementation and outcomes of an accountability policy through a registry maintained by professionals of the surgical department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients admitted to the department between 2003 and 2022 were prospectively included. All adverse events (AEs) occurring during the admission, convalescent care in facilities, or at home for a minimum period of 30 days after discharge were recorded. RESULTS: Out of 60,125 records, 24,846 AEs were documented in 16,802 cases (27.9%). There was a progressive increase in the number of AEs recorded per admission (1.17 in 2003 vs. 1.93 in 2022) with a 26% decrease in entries with AEs (from 35.0% in 2003 to 25.8% in 2022), a 57.5% decrease in reoperations (from 8.0% to 3.4%, respectively), and an 80% decrease in mortality (from 1.8% to 1.0%, respectively). It is noteworthy that a significant reduction in severe AEs was observed between 2011 and 2022 (56% vs. 15.6%). CONCLUSION: A prospective registry of AEs created and maintained by health professionals, along with transparent presentation and discussion of the results, leads to sustained improvement in outcomes in a surgical department of a university hospital.

Treatment of symptomatic macromastia in a breast unit. Outcomes analysis of breast reduction using BREAST-Q.

INTRODUCTION: The BREAST-Q (breast reduction module) is a specific and validated questionnaire to evaluate breast reduction in the treatment of symptomatic macromastia, offering information on their quality of life and degree of satisfaction. METHODS: Prospective study of a cohort of 34 patients treated by bilateral breast reduction in a breast unit in 2017-2020 surveyed with the Spanish version of BREAST-Q version 2. The statistical study to assess the effect of reduction, changes from the pre to postoperative scores of the domains were performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Statistical significance was determined with p values ​​<0.05. RESULTS: The mean time elapsed from surgery to the postoperative survey was 16 (SD 9) months. Post-surgical complications or sequelae occurred in 14 (42%) patients with 23 events. The preoperative scores, median and interquartile range, in satisfaction with the breasts (28, 26), psychological (33, 14), physical (42, 19) and sexual (34, 14) well-being improved in the postoperative survey to (82, 15), (81.29), (82, 30) and (90, 38), respectively. These changes were statistically significant, p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: The first application of the BREAST-Q in its version in Spanish for Spanish women in patients with symptomatic macromastia treated surgically in a breast unit shows that breast reduction improves the quality of life of patients and that they are very satisfied with the outcome of the surgery and its surgeon, although the information received should clearly be improved.

Prospective analysis of clinician accuracy in the diagnosis of benign anorrectal pathology: the value of clinical information.

AIM: the prevalence of anorectal disorders in general population is high. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of clinical symptoms on diagnostic accuracy for benign anorectal pathology among different specialists and evaluate the relationship between diagnostic accuracy and years of professional experience. METHODS: seven typical cases were selected. In a first interview, participants were shown images and asked to make a diagnosis. Afterwards, images with additional information (clinical symptoms) were used. Two groups (group 1 = general surgeons and group 2 = medical specialists who attended emergency department) completed both phases of the study to analyze the influence of clinical symptoms on the final diagnosis. RESULTS: forty four specialists were interviewed. The percentage of participants making a correct diagnosis in groups 1 and 2, respectively, was as follows: case 1 (perianal abscess): 100 vs. 80.6%, (p = 0.157); case 2 (fissure): 92.3 vs. 51.6% (p = 0.015); case 3 (thrombosed hemorrhoid): 92.3 vs. 74.2% (p = 0.321); case 4 (anal condyloma): 100 vs. 87.1% (p = 0.302); case 5 (rectal prolapse): 100 vs. 83.9% (p = 0.301); case 6 (prolapsed hemorrhoid): 92.3 vs. 29% (p = 0.001), and case 7 (fistula): 100 vs. 67.7% (p = 0.021). There were significant differences in the number of correctly diagnosed cases between groups (p < 0.001). Information about clinical symptoms significantly increased overall and specific accuracy. There was no correlation between experience and accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: clinical symptoms are important for diagnostic accuracy in anorectal pathology. Training in anorectal pathology in medical specialists is warranted.

[Changes in the complaints made to a General and Gastrointestinal Surgery Department after a change in hospital structure and function]. / Variación en las reclamaciones dirigidas a un Servicio de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo tras un cambio estructural y funcional hospitalario.

OBJECTIVE: The complaints to a medical service are a measure of the quality of health care perceived by the patients. The aim of this study was to analyse the differences found in the percentage of complaints made to the General and Gastrointestinal Surgery Department (GGSD) with the changes made due to moving to a new hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A longitudinal study of the percentage of complaints made to the GGSD in two 6 month periods in the same year (periods A and B). The Department was moved to a new hospital between the two periods. The percentage complaints associated with the hospital and outpatient activity is compared. RESULTS: The percentage complaints made to the GGSD was 3.02% directed at the hospital service and 0.44% to outpatient care. When both periods were compared, a statistically significant difference was observed in the hospital complaints (A: 3.74% vs B: 2.20%, P=.006) and in the outpatient complaints (A: 0.53% vs. B: 0.34%, P=.005). It could also be shown that there was a continuous significant correlation in the parallel decrease in the hospital and outpatient complaints (R:0.988 P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The structural and functional change due to moving to a new hospital showed that the percentage of complaints made to the GGSD changed significantly in the period studied. Prospective multicentre studies are required to evaluate whether these results can be extrapolated to other services.

Executive summary of the Consensus Document of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) and of the Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC) in antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery is one of the most effective measures for preventing surgical site infection, although its use is frequently inadequate and may even increase the risk of infection, toxicities and bacterial resistance. As a result of advances in surgical techniques and the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms, the current guidelines for prophylaxis need to be revised. La Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas (Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology) (SEIMC) together with the Asociación Española de Cirujanos (Spanish Association of Surgeons) (AEC) have revised and updated the recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis to adapt them to any type of surgical intervention and to current epidemiology. This document gathers together the recommendations on antimicrobial prophylaxis in the various procedures, with doses, duration, prophylaxis in special patient groups, and in epidemiological settings of multidrug resistance to facilitate standardized management and the safe, effective and rational use of antibiotics in elective surgery.

Executive summary of the Consensus Document of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) and of the Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC) in antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery. / Resumen ejecutivo del Documento de Consenso de la Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC) y de la Asociación Española de Cirujanos (AEC) en profilaxis antibiótica en cirugía.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery is one of the most effective measures for preventing surgical site infection, although its use is frequently inadequate and may even increase the risk of infection, toxicities and antimicrobial resistance. As a result of advances in surgical techniques and the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms, the current guidelines for prophylaxis need to be revised. The Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas (Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology) (SEIMC) together with the Asociación Española de Cirujanos (Spanish Association of Surgeons) (AEC) have revised and updated the recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery to adapt them to any type of surgical intervention and to current epidemiology. This document gathers together the recommendations on antimicrobial prophylaxis in the various procedures, with doses, duration, prophylaxis in special patient groups, and in epidemiological settings of multidrug resistance to facilitate standardized management and the safe, effective and rational use of antibiotics in elective surgery.

Weight difference between double parathyroid adenomas is the cause of false-positive IOPTH test after resection of the first lesion.

BACKGROUND: Some patients with double parathyroid adenoma show a greater than 50% decline in intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) after resection of the first lesion. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that significant adenoma weight differences may explain this inappropriate decline of IOPTH. METHODS: We reviewed prospective database records at two tertiary institutions. Patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of double adenoma and no familial history of hyperparathyroidism were included. Diagnosis of double adenoma was confirmed either preoperatively (double uptake), intraoperatively (bilateral exploration), or at reintervention. IOPTH was determined following the Miami protocol. The 10-min postexcision sample was considered as the 0-min sample for IOPTH determinations at the time of resection of the second lesion. RESULTS: Thirteen patients met the inclusion criteria. After resection of the first lesion, IOPTH failed to decline in four patients and a second adenoma was removed. They had similar weight (404 vs. 598 mg). In nine patients IOPTH showed a false greater than 50% decline. These patients had the largest adenoma removed first (846 +/- 226 mg), and only two had normal PTH serum concentrations 10 min after resection. The second adenoma was always smaller (284 +/- 177 mg; P = 0.02) and its resection either during the same operation (7 cases) or at reoperation (2 cases) led to normalization of IOPTH at 10 min in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Two-thirds of patients with double parathyroid adenoma show a false-positive decline of IOPTH after resection of the first adenoma. This appears to be due to the initial removal of the larger lesion.

Impact of thyroid nodular disease on 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperparathyroidism with coexisting thyroid nodular disease (TND) has been considered a contraindication for selective parathyroidectomy because the low sensitivity of preoperative localization studies, especially 99(m)Tc-sestamibi scanning (MIBI) and ultrasound. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of concomitant TND in the preoperative image studies. METHODS: A total of 236 consecutive patients who had parathyroidectomy for sporadic hyperparathyroidism and the preoperative localization study that was done with MIBI were reviewed. Patients were divided into three groups: those who did not have any thyroid disease, those who had concomitant TND not necessary to resect, and those in whom thyroid resection due to TND was necessary at the time of parathyroidectomy. RESULTS: MIBI showed a sensitivity of 78.5% in patients without concomitant TND, 73% in patients with TND but not thyroidectomy needed, and 54.5% in the cases that thyroid resection was necessary. When MIBI and ultrasound were both suspicious for an adenoma, the sensitivity was not influenced by the TND. CONCLUSION: In patients with coexisting thyroid disease but not thyroidectomy needed, MIBI scintigraphy contributes to the detection of a solitary adenoma. When thyroid resection is required, MIBI imaging is often negative.

Immunomodulatory Roles of PARP-1 and PARP-2: Impact on PARP-Centered Cancer Therapies.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and PARP-2 are enzymes which post-translationally modify proteins through poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation)-the transfer of ADP-ribose chains onto amino acid residues-with a resultant modulation of protein function. Many targets of PARP-1/2-dependent PARylation are involved in the DNA damage response and hence, the loss of these proteins disrupts a wide range of biological processes, from DNA repair and epigenetics to telomere and centromere regulation. The central role of these PARPs in DNA metabolism in cancer cells has led to the development of PARP inhibitors as new cancer therapeutics, both as adjuvant treatment potentiating chemo-, radio-, and immuno-therapies and as monotherapy exploiting cancer-specific defects in DNA repair. However, a cancer is not just made up of cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment also includes multiple other cell types, particularly stromal and immune cells. Interactions between these cells-cancerous and non-cancerous-are known to either favor or limit tumorigenesis. In recent years, an important role of PARP-1 and PARP-2 has been demonstrated in different aspects of the immune response, modulating both the innate and adaptive immune system. It is now emerging that PARP-1 and PARP-2 may not only impact cancer cell biology, but also modulate the anti-tumor immune response. Understanding the immunomodulatory roles of PARP-1 and PARP-2 may provide invaluable clues to the rational development of more selective PARP-centered therapies which target both the cancer and its microenvironment.

Surgical site infection prevention measures in General Surgery: Position statement by the Surgical Infections Division of the Spanish Association of Surgery. / Medidas de prevención de la infección de localización quirúrgica en cirugía general. Documento de posicionamiento de la Sección de Infección Quirúrgica de la Asociación Española de Cirujanos.

Surgical site infection is associated with prolonged hospital stay and increased morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs, as well as a poorer patient quality of life. Many hospitals have adopted scientifically-validated guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infection. Most of these protocols have resulted in improved postoperative results. The Surgical Infection Division of the Spanish Association of Surgery conducted a critical review of the scientific evidence and the most recent international guidelines in order to select measures with the highest degree of evidence to be applied in Spanish surgical services. The best measures are: no removal or clipping of hair from the surgical field, skin decontamination with alcohol solutions, adequate systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (administration within 30-60minutes before the incision in a single preoperative dose; intraoperative re-dosing when indicated), maintenance of normothermia and perioperative maintenance of glucose levels.

Coordinated signals from PARP-1 and PARP-2 are required to establish a proper T cell immune response to breast tumors in mice.

Poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP)-1 and PARP-2 play an essential role in the DNA damage response. Based on this effect of PARP in the tumor cell itself, PARP inhibitors have emerged as new therapeutic tools both approved and in clinical trials. However, the interactome of multiple other cell types, particularly T cells, within the tumor microenvironment are known to either favor or limit tumorigenesis. Here, we bypassed the embryonic lethality of dually PARP-1/PARP-2-deficient mice by using a PARP-1-deficient mouse with a Cd4-promoter-driven deletion of PARP-2 in T cells to investigate the understudied role of these PARPs in the modulation of T cell responses against AT-3-induced breast tumors. We found that dual PARP-1/PARP-2-deficiency in T cells promotes tumor growth while single deficiency of each protein limited tumor progression. Analysis of tumor-infiltrating cells in dual PARP-1/PARP-2-deficiency host-mice revealed a global change in immunological profile and impaired recruitment and activation of T cells. Conversely, single PARP-1 and PARP-2-deficiency tends to produce an environment with an active and partially upregulated immune response. Our findings pinpoint opposite effects of single and dual PARP-1 and PARP-2-deficiency in modulating the antitumor response with an impact on tumor progression, and will have implications for the development of more selective PARP-centered therapies.

Usefulness of preoperative Tc-mibi parathyroid scintigraphy in secondary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The usefulness of Tc-mibi parathyroid scintigraphy (Tc-PS) in planning parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism is not well known. The aim of this study was to review our experience with Tc-PS concerning: (1) the identification of hyperplastic glands, (2) detection of major ectopias and (3) prevention of recurrences. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three consecutive patients undergoing first-time subtotal parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism had a dual-phase planar Tc-PS performed, and glands were classified as detected, weak, or not detected. The number and position of visualized glands were determined. Parathyroid weight, histology, and their relationship to Tc-PS were recorded after surgery. RESULTS: Of 132 potential glands, 48 (35%) were localized on the Tc-PS and 128 (96.9%) were identified intraoperatively. Tc-PS positive/weak glands were heavier than nonlocalized glands. Tc-PS contributed to successful surgery in four patients with a single difficult gland each (three retrieved from the neck and one--fifth gland--requiring mediastinotomy). There was one persistence (3%) because of a missed fourth undescended inferior parathyroid gland. Two recurrences 2 years after surgery were due to a fifth thoracic gland not shown in the preoperative Tc-PS. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative Tc-PS helped in the intraoperative identification of moderate or major ectopias in 4/33 patients but was not useful to prevent recurrences from highly ectopic glands not visualized before first-time surgery.

Nodal yield, morbidity, and recurrence after central neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The role of central neck dissection (CND) in differentiated thyroid cancer remains controversial. This study aims at elucidating the potential benefits and drawbacks of CND associated to total thyroidectomy in papillary cancer. METHODS: Protocols of patients undergoing total thyroidectomy and CND for papillary cancer were reviewed. The following data were recorded: macroscopic appearance of central nodes; nodes obtained at operation; number of metastatic nodes and parathyroid glands incidentally resected; metastases, age, completeness, invasiveness, size score; postoperative s-Ca; complications; and recurrences. Differences between therapeutic (gross nodal involvement) and prophylactic (no apparent node involvement) CNDs were studied. RESULTS: Forty-three patients (mean age, 52 +/- 17 years) were studied. A mean of 8.4 +/- 6.6 nodes were resected per patient. A 60% prevalence (26/43) of presence of nodal involvement (N+) was found with no difference between low- and high-risk patients. Twenty-five (60%) patients developed transient hypocalcemia, which was associated with incidental parathyroidectomy, number of nodes resected, and thymectomy. Two patients (4.6%) developed permanent hypoparathyroidism and 3 (7%), transient vocal cord paralysis. Parathyroid glands were found in 19% of the specimens. At follow-up, there were no central neck recurrences, but 5 patients developed lateral recurrences despite treatment with I(131). All 5 patients had had therapeutic CND with 6 or more metastatic nodes obtained in the CND specimen. No lateral neck recurrences were observed after prophylactic CND or in patients with < 6 nodes involved. CONCLUSIONS: CND prevents central neck recurrences. Morbidity of bilateral CND is significant, and its systematic implementation in the absence on gross nodal involvement requires reassessment.