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Background: In recent years, several publications have shown that new adhesives and sealants, like Tissucol(®), applied in thyroid space reduce local complications after thyroidectomies., Study Aims: To demonstrate the effectiveness of fibrin glue Tissucol(®) in reducing the post-operative hospital stay of patients operated on for differentiated thyroid carcinoma in which total thyroidectomy with central and unilateral node neck dissection was performed (due to the debit drains decrease), with consequent cost savings., Material and Methods: A prospective randomised study was conducted during the period between May 2009 and October 2013 on patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma with cervical nodal metastases, and subjected to elective surgery. Two groups were formed: one in which Tissucol(®) was used (case group) and another where it was not used (control group). Patients were operated on by surgeons specifically dedicated to endocrine surgical pathology, using the same surgical technique in all cases., Results: A total of 60 total thyroidectomies with lymph node dissection were performed, with 30 patients in the case group, and 30 patients in control group. No statistically significant differences were observed in most of the studied variables. However, the case group had a shorter hospital stay than the control group with a statistically significant difference (p<0.05)., Conclusion: Implementation of Tissucol(®) has statistically and significantly reduced the hospital stay of patients undergoing total thyroidectomy with neck dissection, which represents a significant reduction in hospital costs. This decrease in hospital stay has no influence on the occurrence of major complications related to the intervention., (Copyright © 2015 Academia Mexicana de Cirugía A.C. Published by Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.)

Background: Most surgeons have rapidly accepted the use of minimally invasive surgical approaches for the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism. The role of the endoscope in neck surgery is still being discussed due to its technical difficulty and complex patient selection criteria., Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted between April 2010 and April 2013. It included patients diagnosed with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (sPHPT) by locating a single adenoma using ultrasound and sestamibi scintigraphy imaging. All patients agreed to be included in the study. Experienced endocrine surgeons that had been trained in endocrine minimally invasive surgery performed the procedure. The same surgical technique was used in all of the cases. The demographic and clinical variables were evaluated. A descriptive analysis was performed on the data measuring mean, standard deviation, and range., Results: A total of 28 endoscopic lateral parathyroidectomies were performed. All patients were diagnosed with sporadic hyperparathyroidism sPHPT. The mean age was 68 years (59-89). No intraoperative complications were registered. Postoperative morbidity was comparable to that reported in the classical approach. A favourable outcome was observed in 27 of the 28 patients (96%) after a mean follow-up time of 22 (9 - 53) months., Conclusions: An endoscopic approach for hyperparathyroidism sPHPT is feasible and reproducible, and it obtains comparable results to the classical open surgery. Several factors make this technique suitable for highly specialised hospitals with a high patient volume and specialised endocrine surgery units., (Copyright © 2015 Academia Mexicana de Cirugía A.C. Published by Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy with gastric partition (PPPD-GP) seems to be associated to a better postoperative outcome than conventional pancreaticojejunostomy in the setting of a prospective-randomized study. The aim of this study is to further evaluate the surgical outcome in a series of 129 consecutive patients., Methods: Between 2007 and June 2013, 129 patients with periampullary tumors surgically treated with PPPD-GP were retrospectively analyzed. Surgical complications (Clavien-Dindo score), as well as pancreatic and non-pancreas related complications were analyzed., Results: Overall postoperative complication rate was 77%, although 50% of complications were graded I-II by the Clavien-Dindo classification. Incidence of clinically relevant pancreatic fistula was 18%: ISGFP type B: 12%, and type C: 6%. Other pancreas specific complications such as delayed gastric emptying and pospancreatectomy haemorrhage were 27 and 15%, respectively, similar to results published in the literature. Overall perioperative mortality rate was 4.6%., Conclusion: PPPD-GP results show that it is a technique with an acceptable morbidity, low mortality and pancreatic fistula rate similar to other techniques currently described of pancreaticoenteric reconstruction., (Copyright © 2015 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Pancreatic cancer surgery represents a challenge for surgeons due to its technical complexity, the potential complications that may appear, and ultimately because of its poor survival. The aim of this article is to summarize the scientific evidence regarding the surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer in order to help surgeons in the decision making process in the management of these patients .Here we will review such fundamental issues as the need for a biopsy before surgery, the type of pancreatic anastomosis leading to better results, and the need for placement of drains after pancreatic surgery will be discussed., (Copyright © 2014 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (Z-E) is characterized by gastrin-secreting tumors, responsible for causing refractory and recurrent peptic ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract. The optimal approach and the extension of tumor resection remains the subject of debate., Methods: During the period February 2005 and February 2014, 6 patients with Z-E underwent surgery, 4 men and 2 women with a median age 46.8 years (22-61). Two patients were affected with multiple endocrine neoplasia type-1 (MEN-1). Fasting gastrin levels greater than 200pg/ml (NV: <100) was diagnostic. Radiologic imaging to localize the lesion included octreoscan 6/6, computer tomography (CT) 6/6, and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) 1/6., Results: The octreoscan was positive in 5 patients. The CT localized the tumor in the pancreas in 2 patients, in the duodenum in 3 patients (1 confirmed by EUS) and between the common bile duct and vena cava in one patient. The laparoscopic approach was used in 4 patients, 2 patients converted to open surgery. The following surgical techniques were performed: 2 pylorus-preserving pancreatico-duodenectomy (PPPD), one spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy, one duodenal nodular resection, 1 segmental duodenectomy and one extrapancreatic nodular resection. Pathological studies showed lymph nodes metástasis in 2 patients with pancreatic gastrinomas, and in one patient with duodenal gastrinoma. The median follow-up was 76,83 months (5-108) and all patients presented normal fasting gastrin levels., Conclusions: Surgery may offer a cure in patients with Z-E. The laparoscopic approach remains limited to selected cases., (Copyright © 2014 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a complex disease with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic disease to disabling forms or serious complications. The management of CP frequently differs among geographical areas and even among centers. These differences are due to the scarcity of high-quality studies and clinical practice guidelines that focus on the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. The aim of the Spanish Pancreatic Club was to create evidence-based recommendations for the management of CP. Two coordinators chose a multidisciplinary panel of 24 experts in this disease. These experts were selected on the basis of their clinical and research experience in CP. A list of questions was drawn up and each question was then reviewed by two panelists. These questions were then used to produce a draft, which was discussed in a face-to-face meeting with all the participants. Levels of evidence were based on the classification of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. In the second part of the consensus process, recommendations were established for the management of pain, pseudocysts, biliary and duodenal stenosis, pancreatic fistula and ascites, left portal hypertension, diabetes mellitus, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and nutritional support in CP., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier España, S.L. y AEEH y AEG. All rights reserved.)

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a relatively uncommon, complex and highly heterogeneous disease. There is no clear pattern applicable to the initial stages of CP, which hampers its early diagnosis. Some of the complications of CP, especially chronic pain, can be difficult to manage. There is wide variation in the diagnosis and treatment of CP and its complications among centers and health professionals. The Spanish Pancreatic Club has developed a consensus document on the management of CP. Two coordinators chose a multidisciplinary panel of 24 experts in this disease. A list of questions was drawn up. Each question was reviewed by two experts. These questions were then used to produce a draft, which was discussed in a face-to-face meeting with all the participants. The first part of the consensus document focusses on the diagnosis of CP and its complications., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier España, S.L. y AEEH y AEG. All rights reserved.)

The most frequent complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy are analysed in this review. These include, delayed gastric emptying, pancreatic fistula, post-operative bleeding, and the complications after vascular reconstruction in the cases of locally extended pancreatic cancer. For this, randomised prospective studies, systematic meta-analyses and clinical guidelines on the definition, clinical severity grade and treatment of these complications have been evaluated., (Copyright © 2011 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objectives: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) are rare tumours of the exocrine pancreas. Although they can develop metastasis, the prognosis is good. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of these tumours attended in our hospital., Patients and Method: All cases of SPN in the database of the Pathology Department between 1991 and 2010 were included. Age, sex, symptoms, type of surgery, pathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics, and clinical evolution were analyzed., Results: Six cases were identified; all of them were women with a median age of 27.5 years. One patient presented haemoperitoneum, 2 abdominal pain and 3 were diagnosed incidentally. The most frequent localization was the pancreatic tail (n=4) and the median size was 7.7 cm. Four tumours were benign and 2 carcinomas. One of them had liver and lymph node metastases. Ki-67 proliferation index was low (1-3%). After a median follow-up of 33.5 months, all patients were alive and without evidence of relapse., Conclusion: SPNs occur in young women. In most cases surgical resection is curative. A low mitotic index confers a good prognosis and a long survival., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objective: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a premalignant lesion of the pancreas. Its natural history is not well known. We evaluated the characteristics and predictor factors of malignancy of IPMN., Patients and Method: A retrospective analysis was performed in 88 patients diagnosed with IPMN between January 1997 and December 2008. The diagnosis was done by abdominal computed tomography (CT), pancreatic-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Gender, age, symptoms, origin, location, CA 19.9 serum levels, size of tumours and nodules by imaging techniques, type of surgery, malignancy and survival were evaluated. Nine pre-surgical variables were selected, and univariate and multivariate analysis to identify independent prognostic factors of malignancy were performed., Results: The mean age was 64 years and 53% were men. 39% of tumours were incidental. 50% had their origin on the main pancreatic duct, 37% on collateral branchs and 13% were multifocal. 68% patients were operated: 42% had malignant neoplasms (32% carcinoma in situ and 68% invasive). Twelve patients died (1 benign, 1 in situ and 10 invasive). Univariate and multivariate analysis identified the symptoms and the tumour size (≥ 22 mm [median of our serie] and ≥ 30 mm [size accepted in literature]) as independent predictor factors of malignancy., Conclusions: Many IPMN are incidental findings. The presence of symptoms and size of the tumour are independent prognostic factors of malignancy and they should be considered to decide therapeutic actions., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Cystic neoplasms (CN) of the pancreas represent 10% of cystic lesions and 1% of pancreatic tumors. Mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN), serous cystadenoma (SC) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) are cystic neoplasms and represent more than 90% of these types of lesion. Few series have been published on these lesions, especially in Spain., Aim: To evaluate the incidence, characteristics and survival of patients with cystic neoplasms attended in our hospital in the last 12 years., Patients and Method: A retrospective analysis was carried out in all patients diagnosed with CN between January 1997 and December 2008. Diagnosis was made by abdominal computed tomography, pancreatic-magnetic resonance imaging and/or endoscopic ultrasonography. Sex, age, year of diagnosis, symptoms, tumoral location and size, type of surgery, pathology, and survival were evaluated., Results: A total of 117 patients were analyzed. The mean age was 63±14 years and 56% were women. Eighty-eight patients had IPMN, 21 had SC and eight had MCN. Fifty-six per cent were diagnosed in the last 4 years, 42.7% were diagnosed as an incidental finding and 19% had a history of acute pancreatitis. The most frequent location was the pancreatic head (53%). The mean imaging size was 32mm. Surgical resection was performed in 69.2% of the patients. Twenty-three percent of the tumors were malignant, 30% were carcinoma in situ and 70% were invasive. Thirteen percent of the patients died; of these 93.3% had invasive carcinoma. Five-year survival was 94.7% in SC, 76% in IPMN and 60% in MCN., Conclusions: CN were mainly identified as incidental findings, although acute pancreatitis is another possible cause. The most frequent tumor in our environment is IPMN. Surgical treatment of IPMN and MCN, at the right moment, may be useful to prevent the development of pancreatic carcinoma., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objective: Pancreatic cancer has the poorest prognosis of any common gastrointestinal malignancy, with a 5-year overall survival of less than 5%. A better knowledge of prognostic factors related to this neoplasia might help improve the survival of these patients. We evaluated the prognostic significance of different factors in both overall survival and tumor recurrence in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who had undergone pancreatic resection with curative intent., Patients and Method: All patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma submitted to surgical resection in our unit from January 1995 to February 2005 were evaluated. Twenty-three pre-surgical, therapeutic, and histopathologic variables were analyzed. Univariate (Kaplan-Meier, log-rank test) and multivariate (Cox regression) analyses were performed to select independent prognostic factors., Results: Ninety-four patients were evaluated. The median age of patients was 63 years and 53% were woman. The probability of overall survival was 63% at 1 year, 18% at 3 years, and 8% at 5 years, with a median survival of 18 months. Univariate analysis identified performance of adjuvant therapy, histologic grade, percentage of involved-resected lymph nodes, pathologic N stage, and pathologic TNM stage as variables associated with overall survival. On the other hand, the probability of tumor recurrence was 52% at 1 year, 83% at 3 years, and 91% at 5 years, with a median time to tumor recurrence of 12 months. Predictive variables of tumor recurrence in the univariate analysis were preoperative N stage, preoperative TNM stage, postoperative CA 19.9 serum concentration, histological grade, percentage of involved-resected lymph nodes, pathologic N stage and pathologic TNM stage. Multivariate analysis identified histological grade and pathologic N stage as independent predictive factors of both overall survival (histologic grade: HR=2.341 [CI 95%, 1.342-4.098; p=0.003]; pathologic N stage: HR=2.242 [1.213-4.149; p=0.01]) and tumor recurrence (histological grade: HR=1.742 [CI 95%, 1.121-3.086; p=0.05]; pathologic N stage: HR=2.096 [1.089-4.032; p=0.027])., Conclusions: The histological grade and pathologic N stage predict the prognosis of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma after surgical resection.

Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is an infrequent disease with a subtle initial presentation and a variable course, necessitating a high index of suspicion to make the correct diagnosis. In chronic failure patients on haemodialysis it becomes even more difficult to suspect this entity since the high prevalence of secondary hyperparathyroidism(SHP). Two patients with PC out of a series of 160 patients with moderate-to-severe SHP submitted for parathyroidectomy are reported. Their clinical features are compared with those of the twenty-two cases previously reported in the literature with a discussion of this pathology. Patients with PC showed higher blood levels of iPTH, total calcium, phosphate and total alkaline phosphatase than the SHP population. The final diagnosis of PC was made after histological study revealing capsular or blood vessel invasion.

Introduction: The standard surgical procedure for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the main duct (IPMN-M) or side branch ducts (IPMN-Br) is pancreaticoduodenectomy. IPMN-BR is a more indolent disease with a lower incidence of malignancy., Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of organ-preserving pancreatic resections (OPPR) including duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPHR) and pancreatic head resection with segmental duodenectomy (PHRSD) in patients with IPMN-BR., Patients and Method: Surgical outcomes were evaluated in eight IPMN-Br patients: DPHR was performed in 4 patients and PHRSD was performed in 4 patients. In addition, 13 IPMN patients with Whipple resections were included in the analysis., Results: The incidence of postoperative complications was 38% after Whipple resection, 100% after DPHR and 25% after PHRSD. The mean length of hospital stay was 27 days after DPHR, 22 days after Whipple resection and 16 days after PHRSD. Invasive IPMN was found in 38% of the patients in the Whipple group, and noninvasive IPMN was found in 100% of patients who underwent organ-preserving surgery., Conclusions: Pancreaticoduodenectomy remains the treatment of choice in patients with invasive IPMN. PHRSD appears to be a useful procedure for IPMN-Br located in the head of the pancreas.

The management of acute necrotizing pancreatitis has changed significantly over the last few years. Currently, most patients survive the early phases of the disease due to improvements in intensive care unit management. The most important risk factor for morbidity and mortality is infection of the pancreatic necrosis. Ideally, surgery should be delayed until 4 weeks after the onset of symptoms of pancreatitis, as it is at this time that the necrosis is most clearly demarcated. Advances in diagnostic imaging and minimally invasive techniques in surgery and radiology have revolutionized the surgical management of this disease. However, minimally invasive techniques should be limited to critically-ill patients unfit for conventional surgery.

Introduction: The reported experience with laparoscopic pancreatic surgery remains limited to case reports or small series of patients. A recent European multicenter study has allowed the limits and results of this technique to be known. This article presents an analysis of the results of the Spanish National Registry of Laparoscopic Pancreatic Surgery., Material and Methods: A total of 132 patients with lesions in the left pancreas were included in this series. The final diagnosis included 42 neuroendocrine tumors, 40 cystic neoplasms, 24 cysts and pseudocysts, 8 inflammatory tumors, 8 ductal carcinomas, 7 intraductal papillary mucinous tumors, 1 acinar carcinoma and 2 solid pseudopapillary tumors., Results: The conversion rate was 9.7%. Tumor enucleation was performed only in patients with insulinomas. The most frequent technique was spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy. There were no postoperative deaths. The overall rate of postoperative pancreatic-related complications was 16%., Conclusions: Although only a few Spanish hospitals participated in the registry, a greater number of hospitals are expected to enroll patients in the very near future.

Background and Objective: Although hypertriglyceridemia is an accepted cause of acute pancreatitis, its clinical course is not well defined. What is more, lipemic serum may interfere with an accurate pancreatic enzyme measurement and may hinder the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. The objective was to analyze the clinical performance of hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis and the diagnosis value of the serum measurement of pancreatic enzymes., Patients and Method: 31 demographic, clinical, analytical and radiological data of 19 hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis were retrospectively analyzed and their results were compared with data of 19 lithiasic acute pancreatitis without hypertriglyceridemia. Diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was based on clinical, radiological and/or laparotomical findings. Serum levels of triglycerides higher than 1,000 mg/dl were considered the cause of acute pancreatitis when other causes were excluded. Acute pancreatitis was considered lithiasic when gallstones were identified by ultrasonography, serum levels of triglycerides were lower than 200 mg/dl and there was no history of alcohol consumption., Results: Compared with lithiasic acute pancreatitis, hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis showed more personal and family hypertriglyceridemia (9 vs 0), more previous episodes of pancreatitis (13 vs 2), pancreatitis was more severe (13 vs 5) and had more complications (29 vs 5). There was no mortality in either group. The serum levels of amylase and lipase supported the diagnosis in 26% and 58% of patients with hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis compared with 58% and 79% of patients with lithiasic acute pancreatitis, respectively. Hospital stay was longer in hypertriglyceridemic than in lithiasic acute pancreatitis (24 [45] vs 7.6 [3.1] days; p = NS). Demographic and analytical factors which could permit to predict the severity of acute pancreatitis could not be identified., Conclusions: Hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis is relapsing and its clinical course is more severe than lithiasic acute pancreatitis. The measurement of amylase and lipase levels is less useful in the diagnosis of hypertriglyceridemic than in lithiasic acute pancreatitis.

Objective: To describe the characteristics of patients included in the pancreatic tumor registry of the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona., Patients and Method: All patients with pancreatic tumors attended between July 1990 and March 2003 were registered. Data collection included: age, gender, date of diagnosis, diagnosis, histology, size, location and tumor stage, and treatment. The correlation between tumor stage and age, date of diagnosis, and tumor location was also evaluated., Results: Six hundred thirty patients with pancreatic tumors were included, representing an incidence of 60 patients/year. The mean age was 66 years and the male-to-female ratio was 1,18:1. The most frequent lesion was malignant tumor of the pancreas (92%), and the most frequent histological type was pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (73%). The most frequent location was the head of the pancreas (64%). In 28% of the patients, pancreatic cancer was diagnosed in stage I and II. Resection was performed in 31% of patients, whereas 48% of the patients received no treatment. The ratio between local (stage I)/disseminated (stage IV) disease was 0,34. The ratio between stage I/IV increased with age, diagnosis prior to 1994, and tumor location in the head of the pancreas., Conclusion: Hospital tumor registries can be used to define the profile of the attended population, which can help to delineate the best diagnostic-therapeutic strategy and can be useful in clinical research.

Background: Surgical resection is the only curative treatment of pancreatic carcinoma (PC). An accurate assessment of the extension of PC is mandatory to select appropriate patients to this therapeutic option. This study was aimed at assessing the usefulness of abdominal ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) to establish tumoral staging and to predict tumor resectability., Patients and Methods: Between January 1990 and December 1995, 84 PC patients were submitted to surgical procedures (potentially curative resection in 30%, biliodigestive anastomosis in 51% and exploratory laparotomy in 13%). Preoperative staging was carried out by means of abdominal US and/or CT. Definitive staging was established according to surgical findings, using the TNM classification., Results: Accuracy of preoperative evaluation with regard to tumoral staging was 65%, being underestimated in 29 (35%) patients. This underestimation was mainly due to lesions in stage I. In addition, preoperative staging predicted tumor unresectability with a 50% sensitivity and a 83% specificity., Conclusions: US and CT have a good specificity in the staging and unresectability prediction of pancreatic cancer. However, their usefulness is limited by their low sensitivity.

Objective: Retrospective study of urological complications in our series of reno-pancreatic transplants., Material and Methods: Between February 1983 and May 1994 our group has conducted 93 RPT, 80 of which, mean age 36 +/- 6 years (24-54 years), are studied in this paper: 57 male and 23 female with an average time in dialysis of 20 +/- 15 months (0-84 months) and diabetes evolution of 21 +/- 5 years (11-37 years)., Results: Actuarial annual survival of patient, renal graft and pancreatic graft has been 85%, 79% and 74% respectively. Haematuria: 25% incidence, with graft pancreatitis etiology in 16 cases, rejection in 8 and urinary fistula in 6. Urinary infection: 85% incidence, symptomatic in 23 patients (29%) and asymptomatic in the remaining cases. Dysuria, urethritis and urethral stenosis: 14 patients, all male, most with both conditions associated. Reconversion of pancreatic exocrine secretion by intestinal route was performed in 7 patients. Urinary fistula: secondary to surgery in 9 cases and rejection in 4. Etiology of one case remained unknown. In 4 cases it was resolved with conservative treatment, and with surgical correction in 8. One patient required pancreatic transplantectomy and one patient died of AMI., Conclusions: Urological complication in RPT account for a significant morbidity, urinary fistula being the one with greater repercussion on the patient and pancreatic graft survival.

Patients with chronic pancreatitis develop massive pleural effusion in less than 1% and its frequency as the first clinical manifestation of the disease is unknown. Three patients with massive pleural effusion and dyspnea which led to the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis are referred. The patients were 28, 37 and 41 years old, they were hard-drinking and they came to the hospital because of quick and progressive dyspnea, with hypoxemia and hypocapnia. Two patients had right and one left pleural effusion. The thoracothentesis gave 10, 9 and 3.5 l of serohematic liquid rich in pancreatic enzymes. All cases showed tomographic changes of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocysts. Only in one of them the link between the pseudocyst and pleural effusion through a fistula in the right support of the diaphragm could be identified. The different therapeutic possibilities are discussed. Pancreatopleural fistula diagnosis should be considered in patients with massive fast pleural effusion and a history of high alcohol intake. High levels of pancreatic enzymes in the pleural liquid confirm the diagnosis.

Background: The APACHE II method has been widely used to classify patients according to disease severity. The high mortality and the lack of reliable prognostic parameters justify the study and application of indexes of severity (IS) and prognostic indexes (PI) in patients with intraabdominal sepsis., Methods: A prospective study is presented concerning 100 patients with intraabdominal sepsis in whom a prognostic index derived from the APACHE II method by means of a logistic regression model was applied. In this model the APACHE II score is used as the only independent variable with the aim of predicting the outcome (mortality or survival) at the time of hospital admission., Results: The predictive values obtained, with a 70% probability of mortality taken as the cut-off point, were: sensitivity 100%, specificity 87.7% and total predictive capacity 91%., Conclusions: It was concluded that the logistic prediction model of prognosis shows a high correlation with patient outcome and the application of the APACHE II score is useful in patients with intraabdominal infection.

Unlabelled: The clinical potential of free radical (OFR) ablative therapy is dependent upon the proportion of the total injury caused by the reperfusion mechanism compared with the proportion resulting from ischemic injury itself. Prostaglandin cascade can both activate and be activated by OFR., Aim: to investigate the influence of different periods of cold ischemis in renal tissue (cortex and medulla) -regarding superoxide dismutase (S.O.D.) activity, the amount of erythrocyte trapping and prostaglandin synthesis. Also, to evaluate the effect of exogenous S.O.D. in the prevention of reperfusion injury., Material and Methods: 48 Lewis male rats (200-250 g) received renal isografts (RTx) preserved in Collins solution at 4 C for different periods: control group (8) non operated; group I (8) immediate RTx; group II (8) 12 hrs; group III (8) 18 hrs; group IV (8) 12 hrs+S.O.D. (13 mg/kg e.v.); group V (8) 18 hrs+S.O.D. (13 mg/kg e.v.). Before reperfusion all recipients received 1 ml of 51-Cr labelled erythrocytes. After 15 min. reperfusion grafts were removed and samples (cortex and medulla) obtained for measuring trapping of erythrocytes. S.O.D. activity and prostaglandins (PGe2, TxB2, 6-Keto-PGF1)., Results: A strong correlation was found between the duration of cold ischemia and the amount of trapping both in cortex and in medulla. S.O.D. administration induced a significant drop of trapping. In non-operated rats S.O.D. activity in cortex was two fold medulla content. However, after reperfusion, a significant decrease in cortex was found in all groups. S.O.D. administration raised S.O.D. activity in cortex similar to control values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine secreting tumor which has been traditionally considered as a potentially curable cause of hypertension. However, the existence of malignant pheochromocytomas as well as the problem which the recurrence of benign pheochromocytomas present, make the eradication of this tumor more complicated. It is note worthy the difficulty in localizing recurrent pheochromocytomas as well as the prognostic interest that presents the possibility of differentiating between recurrence and metastasis. We refer the case of a female patient suffering benign adrenal pheochromocytoma, who, 10 years it was surgically removed, presented a relapse of symptoms, and was diagnosed of extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma, in Zuckerkandl organ. The importance of performing a long term post-surgical follow-up in these patients is stressed.