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The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic requires an analysis in the field of oncological surgery, both on the risk of infection, with very relevant clinical consequences, and on the need to generate plans to minimize the impact on possible restrictions on health resources. The AEC is making a proposal for the management of patients with hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) malignancies in the different pandemic scenarios in order to offer the maximum benefit to patients, minimising the risks of COVID-19 infection, and optimising the healthcare resources available at any time. This requires the coordination of the different treatment options between the departments involved in the management of these patients: medical oncology, radiotherapy oncology, surgery, anaesthesia, radiology, endoscopy department and intensive care. The goal is offer effective treatments, adapted to the available resources, without compromising patients and healthcare professionals safety., (Copyright © 2020 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess antibiotic consumption, susceptibility patterns and targeted treatment for OXA-48 carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) related infections in surgical patients in a General Surgery Department., Methods: Retrospective review of patients with a positive culture for OXA-48 and associated clinical data of infection, while hospitalized in a General Surgery Department from January 2013 to December 2018., Results: Sixty-five patients with 66 isolations (OXA-48) were included: Klebsiella pneumoniae, 57 (86.5%); Enterobacter cloacae, 5 (7.6%); Escherichia coli, 3 (4.5%); Morganella morganii, 1 (1.5%). The most frequent source was intra-abdominal infection (n=39, 60%), and previous antibiotic consumption was: piperacillin-tazobactam (48%), meropenem (45%), ciprofloxacin (25.5%), ertapenem (16.5%), imipenem (12%), amikacin (12%), tigecycline (12%). Temporal trends (2013/14, 2015/16 and 2017/18) in susceptibility patterns were (percentages): ceftazidime-avibactam X-X-100; amikacin 100- 96-84 (p=0.518); tigecycline 100-92-80 (p=0.437); colistin 100-67-66 (p<0.001); meropenem 37-64-72 (p=0.214); imipenem 51-41-77 (p=0.109); gentamicin 13-19-18 (p=0.879); ertapenem 35-0-0 (p<0.001). Median duration of the targeted antibiotic therapy was 14 [IQR 9-20] days; antibiotics used were: tigecycline (57%); meropenem (40.5%); amikacin (37.5%); ceftazidime-avibactam (9%); imipenem (7.5%); colistin (7.5%). Global mortality rate at 30 days was 12% (8 patients). Targeted treatment was appropriate (antibiogram) in 87.7%, and targeted combination scheme was administered in 76.9%, which included a carbapenem in 49.2%., Conclusions: OXA-48-related-intra-abdominal infection is significant in surgical patients, with substantial broad-spectrum antibiotic consumption. Useful targeted therapy includes ceftazidime-avibactam, amikacin, tigecycline, meropenem, and imipenem., (©The Author 2020. Published by Sociedad Española de Quimioterapia. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).)

Introduction: The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) has required adaptation by hospitals affected by the pandemic, which has caused a reduction in elective surgical activity., Methods: Retrospective study of patients operated on in the previous month and during the peak of the pandemic. We analysed the COVID-19 infection rate, the severity of respiratory infection according to the Brescia respiratory COVID-19 severity scale, the adopted therapeutic measures and the overall postoperative complications., Results: From 17 th February to 31 st March 2020, there was a progressive decrease in surgical activity, with only 213 patients operated on. This comprised 59 (27.8%) elective operations for oncological diseases, 97 (45.5%) elective operations for benign diseases and 57 (26.7%) as urgent procedures.There was a progressive increase in the rate of infection by COVID-19, with a total of 15 cases (7%). This included 10 patients (16.9%) in the elective group for oncological disease, 1 (1%) in the elective surgery group for benign disease and 4 (7%) in the urgent surgery group (p < 0.001). Five patients presented with a severe respiratory infection, of which 4 were affected by oncological disease. There were 3 deaths (1.4%), which were all due to the worsening of a respiratory infection., Conclusions: The patients undergoing the surgical procedures showed high rates of COVID-19 infection and postoperative complications, especially the patients with oncological diseases. Local resumption of surgical activity must be based on the prioritisation of the cases to be operated on, respecting certain premises of security and optimisation of the available resources., (© 2020 AEC. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Proctologic issues entail a frequent reason for consultation in the emergency department (ED). We aim to analyze how the SARS-COV-2 pandemic has impacted in the demand for proctological consultations., Material and Method: Descriptive comparative retrospective study of cross-sectional cohorts of patients attending the ED for proctological complaints from March to April in 2020 and 2019. Demographic variables, comorbidities, reasons for consultation and diagnosis, treatment and readmission were included. Four periods were analyzed according to the different stages of the pandemic derived limitations., Results: A total of 191 patients were reviewed, 58 in 2020 and 133 in 2019 with an average age of 48 years (SD 20.1) and 112 (58.6%) males. The average number of daily consultations was 2.18 patients in 2019 versus 0.95 in 2020 (p=0.025) meaning a 56% reduction in consultations for proctological reasons. This difference in average consultations was significant in both periods of lockout (p=0.001) and previous de-escalation (p=0.014). The diagnosis distribution was similar between both periods; however, perianal abscesses doubled their rate in 2020, 22.4% versus 11.3% (p=0.045). There was an increasing need for surgery, 31% vs 15% (p=0.011) with no difference in outpatients regimen after emergency surgery (12.5% vs 7.5%, p=0.201). Three patients in 2020 required readmission to the ED (5.2% vs 12.9%, p=0.086)., Conclusion: There was a decrease of a 56% in proctologic emergency consultation, however, the need for surgery was twice more frequent during the study period. Reflection on the use of emergencies for proctological reasons is warranted., (Copyright © 2020 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Infections caused by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are dramatically increasing worldwide, with an important impact on surgical patients. Our aim was to assess the clinical profile, outcomes, treatment, mortality and costs of CPE-related surgical site infection (SSI) in patients with abdominal surgery., Methods: Review of CPE-related SSI in patients with abdominal surgery from January 2013 to December 2018. Patient factors and interventions present previously to the SSI identification were recorded, and a mortality analysis was also performed in patients with abdominal surgery and CPE-related organ/space SSI., Results: Fifty patients were included: superficial incisional SSI 50%, deep incisional SSI 28%, organ/space SSI (or intra-abdominal infection) 70%. Klebsiella pneumoniae OXA-48 was present in 84%, and the most frequent were colorectal surgery (40%) and pancreatic surgery (20%). The antimicrobial susceptibility was: ceftazidime-avibactam 100%, amikacin 91.7%, tigecycline 89.1%, colistin 70.8%, meropenem 62.8%, imipenem 52.1%. An appropriate definitive antimicrobial treatment was administered in 86%, using a combined scheme in 76%. Global 30-day mortality rate for intra-abdominal infection was 20%, and mortality-related factors were: solid tumour (P=.009), solid metastasis (P=.009), septic shock (P=.02), blood transfusions (P=.03). Median global stay was 45 (IQR 26-67) days. Median global cost of hospitalization was €29,946 (IQR 15,405-47,749)., Conclusions: The clinical profile of patients with CPE-related SSI associates several comorbidities, interventions, prolonged stay and elevated costs. Mortality-related factors in intra-abdominal infection are solid tumour, metastasis, septic shock or blood transfusions., (Copyright © 2019 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Due to the current pandemic of respiratory disease known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, many patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection will require elective surgery, surgery that cannot be postponed, or emergency surgical treatment. In these situations, special measures need to be adopted in order to minimize the possibility of transmission between patients, exposure of healthcare personnel and the development of postoperative complications. This document explains the main principles to consider when managing confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients during evaluation as well as when surgical treatment is required., (Copyright © 2020 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The pathological evaluation of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) samples and the impact of R1 resections on survival has recently been questioned. This study evaluates the introduction of a standardized pathology study protocol (PSP) and the prognosis of R1 resections after long-term follow-up., Methods: We reviewed data from a prospectively maintained database regarding 109 periampullary tumors treated by PD from 2005 to 2013. The results of the introduction of a PSP were analysed, and the recurrence rate (RR), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of the R1 resections were evaluated for each positive margin., Results: The PD specimens of periampullary tumors analyzed by PSP showed a higher rate of isolated lymph nodes (17 vs. 8; P=.003), N+ (60% vs. 31%; P<.001), microvascular invasion (67% vs. 34%; P=.001) and R1 resections (42% vs. 18%; P=.010). Pancreatic adenocarcinomas with R1 resection in the PSP group were compared with R0, presenting higher percentages of vascular resections (P=.033), N+ (P=.029), lymphatic and perineural invasion (P=.047; P=.029), higher RR (P=.026), lower DFS (P=.016) and lower OS (P=.025). Invasion of the medial margin correlated with a worse prognosis., Conclusions: Our series shows an increase in R1 resection after the introduction of a PSP. Infiltration of the medial margin seems to be associated with a higher RR and a decrease in DFS and OS., (Copyright © 2019 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Fine-needle aspiration biopsies are a key tool for preoperative assessment of thyroid nodules, and the Bethesda system is the preferred method to report cytological analysis. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficiency of the Bethesda system to identify the malignancy risk of thyroid nodules., Methods: Patients who underwent thyroid surgery between June 2010 and June 2017 were included. Samples were classified into 6categories according to rates of malignancy associated with each diagnostic category. In order to investigate the correlation between categories, a statistical analysis compared the categories with pathology reports. Diagnostic indicators were calculated as a screening test (categories IV, V, VI as true-positive) and as a method to identify malignancy (V, VI as true-positive)., Results: In a series of 522 patients, we found 184 (35.2%) malignant tumours, papillary carcinoma being the most prevalent with 155 cases (84.2%). Malignant rates for diagnostic categories were: I, 0%; II, 1.5%; III, 6.4%; IV, 31%; V, 86.5%; VI, 100%. A robust correlation was identified between categories on statistical analysis. For the «screening test» analysis, sensitivity was 98.9%, specificity 84.4%, positive predictive value 69.6%, negative predictive value 99.5%, and diagnostic accuracy 88.2%. Analysing the accuracy to detect malignancy, values were: sensitivity 98.6%, specificity 97.6%, positive predictive value 93.5%, negative predictive value 99.5%, diagnostic accuracy 97.9%., Conclusion: The Bethesda system is a clear and reliable approach to report thyroid cytology and therefore is an effective tool to identify malignancy risk and guide clinical management., (Copyright © 2018 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a very complex operation. Its development took place very slowly at the most prestigious centers in the world. The aim of this investigation is to know who were the first surgeons to perform a PD in Spain as well as its historical circumstances. Despite all kinds of difficulties and very few resources, the first PD in Spain were carried out in Barcelona at the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau where from the mid-50s a school of gastrointestinal surgery emerged with surgeons soon to become the spearhead of the Spanish surgery and a reference for the whole country: Pi-Figueras, Vicente Artigas, Antonio Soler-Roig and Antonio Llauradó. Almost simultaneously, in Oviedo, Luis Estrada also introduced the PD and total pancreaticoduodenectomy after a period of training with the pioneers of pancreatic surgery in the United States., (Copyright © 2017 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: There are no quantified data on the real activity carried out by residents during the 5 years of training in the specialty of general and digestive surgery (GGS) in Spain. There are also limited data on programs in other surgical specialities, and in other countries. The aim of the study is to estimate the mean overall surgical activity by specific skill areas and by the level of complexity of the Spanish program in the specialty of GGS., Patients and Method: A prospective, observational, multicentre study was performed on the activity of GGS residents in Spain using the Resident Computerised Logbook of the Spanish Surgeons Association (LIR-AEC). Each of the residents registered their own activity supervised by their tutor. The sample period was 6 months. The medians of the annual activity and the period of residency were calculated from the results., Results: Surgical activity: during the residency, it was estimated that that they attended 1,325 operations, 654 (49%) as lead surgeon. Health care activity: the mean number of times on-call was 5.2±1.8 per month. Activity in outpatient clinics was 548 first visits, and almost double for second visits. Scientific activity: the total number of courses and conferences attended was 34. The estimated mean number of presentations at conferences was 14, with 3 publications., Conclusions: LIR-AEC is a suitable tool to verify activity in the Spanish GGS Program. These results may be useful for comparing with training programs in other countries and in other surgical specialties., (Copyright © 2012 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Background: Surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment for pancreatic cancer, but it is associated with high complication rates. Outcome is poor, even in those resected cases. Identification of prognostic factors preoperatively may help to improve treatment of these patients, based on the expected response., Methods: A retrospective study of clinical variables of 59 patients with histological diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma at University Hospitals Ramon y Cajal and La Princesa (Madrid, Spain) between 1999 and 2003 was performed., Results: We analyzed 59 patients (32 males and 27 females) with a mean age of 63.76 years. All patients were operated on, performing palliative surgery in 32% and tumor resection in 68%, including pancreaticoduodenectomy in 51% and distal pancreatectomy in 17%. Median overall survival was 14 months (range: 1-110 months). We observed that the presence of abdominal pain (p = 0.042) and back pain (p = 0.004) at diagnosis, palpation of abdominal mass at physical examination (p = 0.012), preoperative levels of hemoglobin <12 g/dl (p = 0.0006) and serum albumin <2.8 g/dl (p = 0.021), perineural infiltration (p = 0.025), lymph node affection (p = 0.004), stages II, III, and IV (p = 0.001), and presence of residual tumor (R+) (p = 0.008) are all associated with poor survival., Conclusions: Abdominal and back pain, palpation of abdominal mass at physical examination, preoperative levels of hemoglobin <12 g/dl and serum albumin <2.8 g/dl, perineural infiltration, lymph node affection, stages II, III, and IV, and the presence of residual tumor are associated with poor outcome.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the pre-surgical administration of a chemotherapy regime based on irinotecan or oxaliplatin and the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), and the influence of these histological changes on the outcome of patients after surgical intervention., Patients and Method: A prospective study which included 45 patients surgically intervened due to colorectal cancer liver metastases between May 2005 and July 2009. Demographic data and the variables before during and after the operation were collected. A specimen of the resection was obtained for histological analysis following the classification parameters of the NAFLD (NASH index) and SOS scale., Results: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was given before the resection in 22 cases (study group) and 23 patients made up the control group (no chemotherapy). Borderline or diagnostic steatohepatitis was observed in 4 of the 7 patients (57.2%) who were given preoperative irinotecan (P=0.001). Seven of the 15 patients (46.7%) treated with oxaliplatin developed a moderate or severe SOS (P=0.002). There were no differences in morbidity or mortality associated to the NAFLD grade, but there was a higher rate of liver complications and longer mean hospital stay in patients with moderate/severe SOS (P=0.004 and P=0.021, respectively)., Conclusions: Treatment with irinotecan was significantly associated with an increase in the incidence of steatohepatitis, but did not increase the morbidity or mortality. Patients treated with oxaliplatin had a higher incidence of SOS, an increase in liver complications and a longer mean hospital stay., (Copyright © 2010 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Pyogenic liver abscess in patients with Crohn's disease is not common, but the mortality has been reported to be high if diagnosis and treatment is delayed. Intra-abdominal abscesses, fistulous disease, and steroid therapy have all been reported to be important predisposing factors in the pathogenesis of this entity. We present a patient with Crohn's disease in whom multiple abscesses were encountered in the right lobe of the liver. The diagnosis of liver abscess was established by abdominal computed tomography and the patient was treated by percutaneous catheter drainage. Awareness of this rare complication is important because diagnosis is difficult to make and a high index of suspicion is required. Once suspected, aggressive diagnostic workup and treatment is indicated. Most patients with liver abscess can be successfully managed by percutaneous catheter drainage combined with antibiotic therapy if it is diagnosed before extensive necrosis has occurred.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV is a heritable disease of type III collagen metabolism. Most patients have a defect either in the synthesis or structure of type III procollagen, a finding consistent with the fact that these patients are prone to spontaneous rupture of the aorta and intestines, tissues rich in type III collagen. The diagnosis is suspected in a patient with a combination of clinical manifestations and family history, but it is confirmed only by culture of the patient's skin fibroblasts and the demonstration of a defect in type III collagen metabolism. We present a patient with Ehlers-Danlos type IV syndrome who developed a recurrent colon perforation, and discuss the surgical strategy to prevent recurrences.

Objective: To identify which perioperative risk factors are associated to postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with carcinoma of the esophagus., Design: We analyzed 8 perioperative risk factors: age, preoperative hospital stay, intraoperative blood transfusions, tumor stage, histology, grade of tumor differentiation, prior respiratory disease, surgical treatment., Patients: Forty-six patients with esophageal carcinoma who underwent surgical resection., Results: 1) Morbidity: There was statistical significance between the increase in postoperative morbidity and age > 75 years (p < 0.001), advanced stage of disease (p < 0.001), preoperative hospital stay higher than 20 days (p < 0.05) and severe respiratory disease (p < 0.05). 2) Mortality: There was a statistically significant increase in postoperative mortality in patients with preoperative hospital stay higher than 20 days and in patients > 75 years., Conclusions: The incidence of postoperative morbidity and mortality in esophageal cancer varies according to age, prior respiratory disease, tumor stage and preoperative hospital stay.

We report a case of MALT (Mucosa Associated Lymphocytic Tissue) gastric lymphoma which occurred in a 52-year-old woman, associated with Hodgkin's disease, Lymphocyte Predominant type, in epiploic nodes. Although many cases of composite lymphomas have been reported, we were not able to find cases of gastric MALT lymphoma associated with Hodgkin's disease. This is probably the first case reported in the literature.