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Background and Aims: Emergency General Surgery (EGS) conditions account for millions of deaths worldwide, yet it is practiced without benchmarking-based quality improvement programs. The aim of this observational, prospective, multicenter, nationwide study was to determine the best benchmark cutoff points in EGS, as a reference to guide improvement measures., Methods: Over a 6-month period, 38 centers (5% of all public hospitals) attending EGS patients on a 24-h, 7-days a week basis, enrolled consecutive patients requiring an emergent/urgent surgical procedure. Patients were stratified into cohorts of low (i.e., expected morbidity risk <33%), middle and high risk using the novel m-LUCENTUM calculator., Results: A total of 7258 patients were included; age (mean ± SD) was 51.1 ± 21.5 years, 43.2% were female. Benchmark cutoffs in the low-risk cohort (5639 patients, 77.7% of total) were: use of laparoscopy ≥40.9%, length of hospital stays ≤3 days, any complication within 30 days ≤ 17.7%, and 30-day mortality ≤1.1%. The variables with the greatest impact were septicemia on length of hospital stay (21 days; adjusted beta coefficient 16.8; 95% CI: 15.3 to 18.3; P < .001), and respiratory failure on mortality (risk-adjusted population attributable fraction 44.6%, 95% CI 29.6 to 59.6, P < .001). Use of laparoscopy (odds ratio 0.764, 95% CI 0.678 to 0.861; P < .001), and intraoperative blood loss (101-500 mL: odds ratio 2.699, 95% CI 2.152 to 3.380; P < .001; and 500-1000 mL: odds ratio 2.875, 95% CI 1.403 to 5.858; P = .013) were associated with increased morbidity., Conclusions: This study offers, for the first time, clinically-based benchmark values in EGS and identifies measures for improvement., (Copyright © 2021 IJS Publishing Group Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Our aim was to describe the clinical profile of patients presenting sustained ventricular arrhythmias after sacubitril/valsartan (SV) initiation. All cases of sustained ventricular arrhythmias in patients receiving SV were consecutively recorded in two centers. Nineteen patients had sustained ventricular arrhythmias after SV. All were men and were previously receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or angiotensin II receptor blockers before SV initiation. Fifteen patients (78.9%) had electrical stability in the previous 6 months. Nine patients (47.4%) initiated SV at the lowest available dose (24/26 mg). Globally, in all but five patients alive at discharge, SV was discontinued after the event. Six patients presented new arrhythmic events after discontinuation of SV. Two deaths and three heart transplants occurred (one due to heart failure and the other two due to persistent ventricular arrhythmias). All patients had a high arrhythmic risk, and 17 (89.5%) had an implanted cardioverter defibrillator. No specific triggers for the arrhythmic event were found. Male sex and previous episodes of ventricular arrhythmias could be associated with an increased risk of sustained ventricular tachycardia after SV initiation. Discontinuation of the drug might be an additional approach to enable a better control of ventricular arrhythmias in some patients.

Background: The aims of this study were to characterize the immune response profile in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and early postoperative recurrence (POR), to identify predictive biomarkers, and to develop a noninvasive predictive tool for individual estimation of POR risk., Methods: Sixty-one patients who had undergone ileocolonic resection for CD were prospectively included and followed up for 24 months. Fecal calprotectin (FC), analytical parameters, and plasma cytokines were obtained before surgery and at various time points during postoperative follow-up. Morphological recurrence was assessed by ileocolonoscopy or magnetic resonance enterography within 6-12 months after surgery. Clinical activity was scored using the Harvey-Bradshaw Index., Results: Twenty-seven patients (44.3%) had morphological recurrence during follow-up. Fecal calprotectin values were significantly associated with POR risk over time. The receiver operating characteristic curve for FC provided an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.88 (95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.96), and morphological recurrence was best predicted by FC ≥160 μg/g at 6 months after surgery (85% sensitivity, 70% specificity, 26% predictive positive value, 98% negative predictive value [NPV]). The plasma cytokine profile showed higher presurgery interleukin (IL)-13 plasma levels and higher IL-6 and interferon (IFN)-γ levels at 6 months after surgery in patients with POR compared with patients without recurrence. The combination of FC, IL-6, and IFN-γ values at 6 months gave an AUC of 0.90 for predicting an early recurrence., Conclusions: FC values <160 μg/g at 6 months have a high NPV to rule out early lesions. Combined values of FC, IL-6, and IFN-γ levels at 6 months postsurgery constitute a prognostic index with a high predictive capacity to assess the risk of early POR., (© 2019 Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Purpose: The superior right colic vein (SRCV) has been proposed as the main cause of superior mesenteric vein bleeding by avulsion during laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. Our objective is to identify the main vessel causing transverse mesocolic tension during the extraction of the surgical specimen or extracorporeal anastomosis and to perform an anatomical description of the SRCV., Methods: In this cadaveric study, we performed a simulation of right hemicolectomy and anatomical description of the surgical area of the gastrocolic trunk of Henle (SAGCTH), the gastrocolic trunk of Henle (GCTH), and SRCV. The length of the exteriorization of the anastomotic transverse colon (ATC) was measured before and after sectioning the vascular vessel causing the exteriorization tension., Results: Five fresh cadavers and 12 formalin were dissected. In 100% of the specimens, the SRCV was present and drained in 95% into the GCTH and in 5% directly into the superior mesenteric vein (SMV). In 100% of the specimens, the SRCV caused the tension when extracting the ATC. The mean length of exteriorization of the ATC before and after SRCV section was 7.2 and 10.4 cm in formalin cadavers, meaning a 44% of increment in the length of exteriorization. In fresh cadavers, the mean length of exteriorization increased to 2.7 cm, meaning a 28% of the initial length of exteriorization., Conclusions: The SRCV is the main cause of tension in the extraction of the surgical specimen after right hemicolectomy. Its high tie increases the length of the ATC exteriorization, in about 3 cm, and could reduce the risk of SMV bleeding during laparoscopic right hemicolectomy and facilitate an extracorporeal anastomosis free of tension.

Purpose: Combination of preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP) and botulinum toxin type A (BT) has not been previously reported in the management of large incisional hernia (LIH)., Methods: Observational study of 45 consecutive patients with LIH between June 2010 and July 2014. The diameters of the hernia sac, the volumes of the incisional hernia (VIH) and the abdominal cavity (VAC), and the VIH/VAC ratio were measured before and after PPP and BT using abdominal CT scan data. We indicated the combination of both techniques when the volume of the incisional hernia (VIH)/volume of the abdominal cavity (VAC) ratio was >20%., Results: The median insufflated volume of air for PPP was 8.600 ± 3.200 cc (4.500-13.250), over a period of 14.3 ± 1.3 days (13-16). BT administration time was 40.2 ± 3.3 days (37-44). We obtained an average value of reduction of 14% of the VIH/VAC ratio after PPP and BT (p < 0.05). Complications associated with PPP were 15.5%, and with surgical technique, 26.6%. No complications occurred during the BT administration. Reconstructive technique was anterior CST and primary fascial closure was achieved in all patients. Median follow-up was 40.5 ± 19 months (12-60) and we reported 2 cases of hernia recurrence (4.4%)., Conclusions: Preoperative combination of PPP and BT is feasible and a useful tool in the surgical management of LIH, although at the cost of some specific complications.

Background: Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) is an effective method of assessing small bowel Crohn's disease (CD). Fecal calprotectin (FC) correlates well with endoscopic disease activity. We aimed to evaluate the correlation between FC and disease activity according to MRE and surgical pathology in small bowel CD., Methods: One hundred twenty consecutive patients with ileal CD who underwent MRE assessment were included. Clinical data, C-reactive protein and FC, radiological and histological variables were obtained. Clinical activity was evaluated by the Harvey-Bradshaw Index and FC by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MRE activity was assessed by means of the Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity score. Chiorean's score was used to grade pathological inflammation in surgical specimens., Results: Seventy-five patients (62.5%) were in clinical remission (Harvey-Bradshaw Index < 5) and 45 (37.5%) had active disease (Harvey-Bradshaw Index ≥ 5). The Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity score was significantly associated with FC levels (P < 0.01), with a moderate overall correlation (Spearman's r = 0.56, P < 0.001). FC reflected MRE inflammatory activity with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.914 (confidence interval, 0.849-0.958; P < 0.001). A cutoff value of 166.50 μg/g had 90% sensitivity, 74% specificity, 89% positive predictive value, and 76% negative predictive value for diagnosis of inflammation. Twenty-eight of 120 patients were operated. Surgical pathology showed a good agreement with FC for moderate (P = 0.03) and severe (P = 0.01) Chiorean's index. No relationship was detected for C-reactive protein., Conclusions: FC correlates with the degree of MRE inflammatory activity and with surgical pathology damage in ileal CD. Thus, FC could be a surrogate marker of disease control used to select patients for MRE assessment and therapeutic adjustment.

The effect of electromagnetic fields on bone is debated. In an experimental study of this effect, we compared two lots of growing female rates (both lots n = 15, age 3 weeks, average weight 23.2 +/- 3.3 g), one of which was exposed to a 3-mT, 100-Hz, Helmholtz-type electromagnetic field for 24 hours a day for 30 days, and the other of which served as the control. Bone development and bone mass were evaluated by morphometry, densitometry, and histomorphometry. The rats were killed at 30 days and weighed. The right femurs were dissected, measured, and weighed; bone densitometry was used to determine femoral bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD), and histomorphometry of the nondecalcified bone was used to determine trabecular bone volume (Cn-BV-TV%), number (Tb-N mm) and thickness (Tb-Th microm), intertrabecular space (Tb-Sp microm) and growth cartilage thickness (Gc-Th microm). In the rats exposed to the electromagnetic field, BMC and BMD (P = 0.019 and P = 0.002, respectively) and Cn-BV-TV, Tb-N, Tb-Th (P = 0.005, P = 0.036, and P = 0.027, respectively) all were decreased, whereas Tb-Sp was increased (P = 0.002). There were no significant differences in initial and final body weight, or in final femur weight, femur length, and GC-Th. These findings indicate that electromagnetic fields of the type used here reduced bone formation and increased bone resorption without affecting bone development in rats.

Dermatomyositis is an inflammation of the striated muscle with an important leukocyte infiltrate which is accompanied by a characteristic cutaneous exanthema. In the international classification we find DM associated with neoplasm in 10% of cases. It is accepted that neoplasms are related to DM if it does not exceed it in two years (prior o after the onset of the disease. The most commonly associated are lung, ovary and breast cancers. In the pas ten years only two cases of DM associated to renal cancer (both in renal cell cancers) have been published. In this article we present a case history of a woman with a DM associated to a renal oat-cell carcinoma. Also, we will review the literature on this theme and will evaluate the predictive parameters of the presence of malignancies in this pathology.

We discuss the cystic pathology of seminal vesicles, and its relation with ureteral ectopy, as well as the therapeutic options for both entities. We present our experience in the resolution of three typical cases.

From a consecutive series of 106 renal transplants, we present our experience on spontaneous renal allograft rupture. This complication appeared in 6 patients, which accounts for 5.6% of the overall group: four patients (66.6%) had acute rejection, two (33.3%) developed thrombosis of the renal vein (one of which coincided with rejection), and rupture was attributed to trauma in one patient (16.6%). Rupture was diagnosed within the first two weeks after transplant in five patients and on day 27 in one patient. The therapeutic approach was determined according to the cause of the rupture. In our view, nephrectomy is warranted in those cases with venous thrombosis and in acute rejection correction of hypovolemia and adequate immunosuppression are essential. Drainage of perirenal hematoma is the first step when conservative surgical treatment is required. We use three-dimensional renal corsetage with polyglycolic acid mesh (PAM) for hemostasis and to prevent expansion and fragmentation of the parenchyma. PAM is easy to handle and covers the kidney completely and uniformly. Two nephrectomies were carried out and in both cases thrombosis of the renal vein was diagnosed. PAM was placed in two cases: one with rejection and the other with trauma. The remaining two patients were managed conservatively due to the good response of rejection to immunosuppressor therapy and the patients response to medical treatment. There were no deaths and complications were observed in only one patient (16.6%). All patients with preserved transplant (66.6%) had a good course and renal function was preserved.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with lipiodol and adriamycin was performed in 46 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In 27, this procedure was followed by selective arterial embolization using gelatin sponge particles. Surgical resection was carried out in 5 cases and 13 patients were transplanted (OLT). The aim of the study was to analyze the survival and degree of tumor necrosis. In the nonsurgical group the overall survival was 67% after 24 months in the OKUDA I stage, 31% after 20 months in the OKUDA II stage and 25% after 6 months in the OKUDA III stage. For the patients who underwent surgery, survival was 38% after 20 months in 5 patients who were resected and 72% after 24 months in 13 patients who were transplanted. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization improves survival in patients who are not operated on, and can be used as a complementary treatment for patients who undergo surgery. A full tumor necrosis was observed in well encapsulated tumors.