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Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent diagnosis in surgical patients which has a detrimental effect on short-term and long-term outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and predictive factors of transient and persistent postoperative AKI in patients submitted to major abdominal surgery and to characterize the impact of AKI on in-hospital mortality. Methods: This study was a cross-examination of a retrospective analysis of clinical data of 450 patients who underwent major abdominal surgery from January 2010 to February 2011. Only AKI developing in the first 48 h after surgery was considered. AKI was diagnosed using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) classification based on both serum creatinine (SCr) and urine output criteria. Persistent and transient AKI were defined according to the Acute Disease Quality Initiative (ADQI) workgroup definitions. Results: In our study, 22.4% of patients developed AKI in the first 48 h post-surgery (n = 101), and 48% of patients had persistent AKI (n = 49), defined as postoperative AKI, with a duration of more than 48 h. Older age (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.06 [1.00–1.11], p = 0.039), hypertension (adjusted OR 4.60 [1.17–18.11], p = 0.029), and higher preoperative SCr (adjusted OR 22.67 [4.00–128.46], p < 0.001) were independent predictors of persistent AKI. The overall in-hospital mortality was 6.4% (n = 29). Persistent AKI was associated with higher mortality than transient AKI (51.9 vs. 20.7%; unadjusted OR 13.03 [5.78–29.36], p < 0.001; adjusted OR 4.20 [1.02–17.27], p = 0.047). Conclusion: In this cohort of patients submitted to major abdominal surgery, persistent AKI was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in contrast to transient AKI.

Background and Aims: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG)-related fistulas are important and potentially fatal complications. We aimed at determining the incidence, predictive factors, and management of recurrence of post-LSG fistulas. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 12 consecutive patients with LSG fistulas managed endoscopically between 2008 and 2013. We analyzed factors associated with recurrence of post-LSG fistulas and the efficacy of a primarily endoscopic approach to manage fistula recurrence. Results: The average age at fistula detection after LSG was 43.3 ± 10.9 years, and 10 (83%) patients were female. The median interval between surgery and initial fistula detection was 14 (4-145) days. Fistulas were located at the gastric cardia in 9/12 patients. A median of 4 (1-10) endoscopies were performed per patient until all fistulas were successfully closed. The median follow-up was 30.5 (15-72) months. Fistula recurrence was detected in 3 (25%) female patients with an average age of 31.7 ± 7.9 years after a median of 119 (50-205) days of the initial fistula closure. Fistulas in all 3 patients recurred at the gastric cardia and were successfully managed endoscopically. There was a second recurrence in 1 patient after 6 months, and she was re-operated with anastomosis of a jejunal loop at the site of the fistula orifice at the gastric cardia. We did not find any factors at initial fistula detection that were significantly associated with fistula recurrence. There were no deaths related to initial fistula after LSG and fistula recurrence. Conclusions: A primarily endoscopic approach is an effective and safe method for the management of fistulas after LSG. Fistula recurrence occurred in 25% of patients and was managed endoscopically. Key Messages: Although we could not define predictive factors of post-LSG fistula recurrence, it is a clinical reality and can be managed endoscopically. Objectivos: As fistulas pós-gastrectomia vertical (sleeve) laparoscópica (LSG) são complicações importantes e potencialmente fatais. O objectivo do estudo foi determinar a incidência, factores preditivos e manejo da recorrência de fistulas pós LSG. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de 12 doentes com fistulas pós LSG manejados endoscopicamente entre 2008 e 2013. Analisámos factores associados à recorrência de fistulas pós LSG e a eficácia da abordagem endoscópica. Resultados: Idade média na detecção das fistulas pós LSG foi de 43.3 ± 10.9 anos e 10 (83%) doentes eram mulheres. O intervalo mediano entre a cirurgia e a detecção da fistula inicial foi de 14 (4-145) dias. As fistulas localizaram-se no cárdia em 9/12 doentes. Foram realizadas em mediana 4 (1-10) endoscopias por doente até ao encerramento eficaz das fistulas. O tempo mediano de seguimento foi de 30.5 (15-72) meses. A recorrência das fistulas foi detectada em 3 (25%) doentes, todas mulheres, com idade média de 31.7 ± 7.9 anos, após um tempo mediano de 119 (50-205) dias após encerramento da fistula inicial. As recorrências das fistulas nas três doentes ocorreram no cárdia e foram manejados endoscopicamente. Houve uma segunda recorrência de fistula numa doente após 6 meses que foi reoperada com anastomose de ansa jejunal no local do orifício de fistula no cárdia. Não conseguimos determinar factores na altura da detecção da fistula inicial pós LSG significativamente associados com recorrência de fistulas. Não houve mortalidade associada às fistulas pós LSG (inicial ou recorrência). Conclusões: A abordagem primariamente endoscópica das fistulas pós LSG é um método eficaz e seguro. A recorrência de fistulas ocorreu em 25% dos doentes. As recorrências de fistulas pós LSG são manejáveis endoscopicamente. Mensagens chave: Embora não tenhamos conseguido definir factores preditivos de recorrência de fistulas pós LSG, a recorrência de fistulas é uma realidade clínica e é manejável endoscopicamente.

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequent during hospitalization and may contribute to adverse consequences. We aimed to evaluate long-term adverse renal function and mortality after postoperative AKI in a cohort of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of adult patients who underwent major non-vascular abdominal surgery between January 2010 and February 2011 at the Department of Surgery II of Hospital de Santa Maria–Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Portugal. Exclusion criteria were as follows: chronic kidney disease on renal replacement therapy, undergoing renal replacement therapy the week before surgery, death before discharge and loss to follow-up through January 2014. Patients were categorized according to the development of postoperative AKI in the first 48 h after surgery using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes classification. AKI was defined by an increase in absolute serum creatinine (SCr) ≥0.3 mg/dL or by a percentage increase in SCr ≥50% and/or by a decrease in urine output to 6 h. Adverse renal outcomes (need for long-term dialysis and/or a 25% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate after hospital discharge) and mortality after discharge were evaluated. Cumulative mortality was analysed with the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test and outcome predictive factors with the Cox regression. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Results Of 390 selected patients, 72 (18.5%) developed postoperative AKI. The median follow-up was 38 months. Adverse renal outcomes and death after hospital discharge were more frequent among AKI patients (47.2 versus 22.0%, P < 0.0001; and 47.2 versus 20.5%, P < 0.0001, respectively). The 4 year cumulative probability of death was 44.4% for AKI patients, while it was 19.8% for patients with no AKI (log-rank test, P < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, AKI was a risk factor for adverse renal outcomes (adjusted hazard ratio 1.6, P = 0.046) and mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.4, P = 0.043). Conclusions AKI after major abdominal surgery was independently associated with the risk of long-term need for dialysis and/or renal function decline and with the risk of death after hospital discharge.

Background Surgery is one of the leading causes of acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized patients. Major abdominal surgery has the second higher incidences of AKI, after cardiac surgery. AKI results from a complex interaction between hemodynamic, toxic and inflammatory factors. The pathogenesis of AKI following major abdominal surgery is distinct from cardiac and vascular surgery. The neutrophil, lymphocytes and platelets (N/LP) ratio has been demonstrated as an inflammatory marker and an independent predictor for AKI and mortality after cardiovascular surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic ability of the post-operative N/LP ratio after major abdominal surgery. Methods We cross-examined data of a retrospective analysis of 450 patients who underwent elective or urgent major nonvascular abdominal surgery at the Department of Surgery II of Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte from January 2010 to February 2011. N/LP ratio was determined using maximal neutrophil counts and minimal lymphocyte and platelet counts in the first 12 h after surgery. AKI was considered when developed within 48 h after surgery. Results One-hundred and one patients (22.4%) developed AKI. Patients with higher N/LP ratio had an increased risk of developing postoperative AKI (6.36 ± 7.34 vs 4.33 ± 3.36, p

A 57-year-old woman developed dysphagia 30 years after esophagectomy with partial gastrectomy and colonic interposition due to severe and extensive caustic esophageal stricture. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a lateral spreading tumor in the colonic tube with a granular surface measuring 40 mm in diameter. The lesion was removed by piecemeal endoscopic mucosal resection. Histology revealed tubular adenoma with low/high-grade dysplasia. Although colonic interposition replacement is a relatively common procedure, especially in the past, the development of adenoma or adenocarcinoma as a late complication is very rare.

Background. We analyzed the incidence, risk factors, and prognosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a cohort of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.Methods. A total of 450 patients were retrospectively studied. AKI was defined by an increase in serum creatinine (SCr) ≥ 0.3 mg/dl or by an increase in SCr ≥ 50% and/or by a decrease in urine output to 0.5 ml/kg/hour for 6 hours, in the first 48 hours after surgery. Logistic regression method was used to determine predictors of AKI and in-hospital mortality. A two-tailedPvalue Results. One hundred one patients (22.4%) had postoperative AKI. Age (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.05), nonrenal Revised Cardiac Risk Index score (adjusted OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.3–3.1,P=0.003), intraoperative erythrocytes transfusions (adjusted OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4–3.5,P <.0001), and nonrenal Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (adjusted OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.06,P=0.0191) were associated with postoperative AKI. AKI was associated with increased in-hospital mortality (20.8% versus 2.3%,P <.0001; unadjusted OR 11.2, 95% CI 4.8–26.2,P <.0001; adjusted OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.2–11.7,P=0.024).Conclusion. AKI was common in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery and was associated with in-hospital mortality.

Carcinoid heart disease typically presents with pulmonary stenosis and tricuspid regurgitation. Management is intended for symptomatic relief, and valvular intervention is indicated in refractory heart failure. Balloon valvuloplasty is an option for patients not suitable for surgery. We report the case of a patient with a carcinoid tumour, who developed postoperative refractory hypoxemia. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed carcinoid pulmonary and tricuspid valve disease, with severe pulmonary stenosis. Balloon valvuloplasty was performed with major clinical improvement.

The emergence of alternative health systems has given rise to a plurality of methods of care due to the reflexive construction of pathways that lie beyond normative medicine. These lay choices stem from rationalities that are divorced from scientific reason and are instead tied to complex explanatory systems based on subjective experience. This article discusses the phenomenon of what we call ‘alternative protagonisms in the trajectories of health’, which involves promoting one’s health using approaches that are not part of biomedicine. What makes individuals seek alternative systems for promoting health and coping with disease? How do individuals integrate these systems into their daily lives, and how do they articulate them within the biomedical system? What are the lay rationalities that privilege alternative systems in explanatory and interventional contexts? Because this is a relatively recent phenomenon in Portuguese society and it has not been assessed from a sociological perspective, we identify the analytical pillars that form the foundation for this approach to health. Toward this end, this article summarizes the classical dichotomies that have shaped the debate on the production of knowledge, particularly regarding health and disease. This summary includes the dichotomies between science and common sense, between nature and culture, and between medical and lay rationalities. A emergência de sistemas de saúde alternativos dá lugar ao pluralismo de cuidados que corresponde a construções reflexivas de percursos que estão para lá da normatividade da medicina. Essas escolhas leigas correspondem a racionalidades distantes da razão da ciência ao constituírem-se como sistemas explicativos complexos que se referem à experiência subjetiva. Este artigo problematiza o fenômeno ‘protagonismos alternativos nas trajetórias de saúde’ entendido como as atitudes ativas de construir a própria saúde com recurso a abordagens que não se incluem na biomedicina. O que leva os indivíduos a procurar sistemas ‘alternativos’ para promover a saúde e lidar com a doença? Como integram esses sistemas no seu cotidiano e como os articulam com o sistema biomédico? Quais as racionalidades leigas que privilegiam na sua configuração explicativa e interventiva os sistemas alternativos? Sendo este fenômeno relativamente recente na sociedade portuguesa e praticamente não analisado sociologicamente, interessa-nos situar os pilares analíticos que baseiam a sua compreensão. Nesse sentido, retomamos as dicotomias clássicas que têm marcado o debate sobre aprodução do conhecimento, nomeadamente sobre saúde/doença – diálogos entre ciência e senso comum; entre natureza e cultura; entre racionalidades médica e leigas.