Cambios en el manejo diagnóstico-terapéutico del traumatismo hepático. Estudio retrospectivo comparando 2 series de casos en periodos diferentes (1997-1984 vs. 2001-2008)

Introduction

We present a series of 146 cases of hepatic trauma (HT) treated in our hospital over a period of 8 yearsm (2001-2008), and comparing it with a previous series of 92 cases (1977-1984).

Material and method

The mean age in the current series was 28.6 years and the majority were male. The closed traumas were mainly penetrating, with the most frequent cause being road traffic accidents.

Results

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) classification was used to evaluate the grade of the hepatic injury. Associated abdominal and /or extra-abdominal injuries were seen in 79.5% of the patients, with the most frequent being chest trauma, compared to bone fractures in the previous series. The most common associated intra-abdominal injury was the spleen in both series. The most used diagnostic technique in the current series was abdominal CT. Simple peritoneal puncture and lavage (PLP) were the most used examinations used in the previous series. Non-surgical treatment (NST) was given in 98 cases and the surgery was indicated in the remaining 48. In the previous series, 97.8% of patients were operated on. In the current series, on the 15 patients with severe liver injuries, 5 right hepatectomies, 2 segmentectomies and 6 packing compressions were performed, with the remaining two dying during surgery due to hepatic avulsion. The overall mortality was 3.4%, being 1% in the NST group and 8.3% in the surgical patients. In the previous series, the overall mortality was 29.3%.

Conclusions

The key factor for using NST is to control haemodynamic stability, leaving surgical treatment for haemodynamically unstable patients.     

Tratamiento del traumatismo cerrado de hígado,indicaciones de cirugía y desenlaces

Introduction

The liver is the most frequently injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma. Patients that are hemodynamically unstable must undergo inmmediate surgical treatment. There are 2 surgical approaches for these patients; Anatomical Liver resection or non-anatomic liver resection. Around 80-90% of patients are candidates for non-operative management. -Several risk factors have been studied to select the patients most suited for a non operative management.

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective study based on a prospective database. We searched for risk factors related to immediate surgical management and failed non-operative management. We also described the surgical procedures that were undertaken in this cohort of patients and their outcomes and complications.

Results

During the study period 117 patients presented with blunt liver trauma. 19 patients (16.2%) required a laparotomy during the initial 24 h after their admission. There were 11 deaths (58%) amongst these patients. Peri-hepatic packing and suturing were the most common procedures performed. A RTS Score < 7.8 (RR: 7.3; IC 95%: 1.8-30.1), and ISS Score > 20 (RR 2,5 IC 95%: 1.0-6.7), and associated intra-abdominal injuries (RR: 2.95; IC 95%: 1.25-6.92) were risk factors for immediate surgery. In 98 (83.7%) patients a non-operative management was performed. 7 patients had a failed non-operative management.

Conclusion

The need for immediate surgical management is related to the presence of associated intra-abdominal injuries, and the ISS and RTS scores. In this series the most frequently performed procedure for blunt liver trauma was peri-hepatic packing.     

Controversias en la obtención del injerto hepático procedente de donante vivo

Adult liver transplants from a living donor are a valid and effective alternative as a treatment in terminal liver disease. However, in the context of a donation from a brain dead donor, as in western countries (Spain), it is very high, and there are still controversial aspects that should be continuously assessed in order to ensure good results. Live donations are currently stable and represent about 5% of the total liver transplants performed in Europe. Morbidity and mortality is around 35% and 0.1%, respectively, probably reasonable figures given the characteristics of the intervention. The 1 and 5 year survival rates of the recipients of a living donor are currently 95% and 75%, which are similar to those coming from brain dead donors. However the level of biliary complications in this patient group is higher, with an incidence of around 35-40%. However, this incidence has not had any effect on the long-term results up until now.     

La resección laparoscópica de los segmentos del lóbulo hepático izquierdo debe ser el abordaje inicial en centros con experiencia

Introduction

The resection of tumours of the anatomical left lobe is normally straightforward using either left lateral sectionectomy (LLSEC) or segmentectomy II or III. Our objective is to present the results of the laparoscopic approach and to consider whether this could be the “ideal technique” in liver surgery units where the surgeons have experience of laparoscopic liver surgery (LLSURG).

Patients and methods

We have studied patients with resected solid tumours of the anatomical left lobe using LLSURG (n=18): 10 cases with LLSEC and 8 cases with segmentectomy II or III. We carried out a comparative study with a control group of 18 patients operated on using the same surgical technique using open surgery (OS).

Results

There were no cases of mortality in either of the 2 groups (n=36). Morbidity was similar (5.5% per group). For LLSEC, the LLSURG group (n=10) had a shorter hospital stay (p=0.005) and less surgical time (141 vs. 159 min) (differences not significant.), than the OS group. For segmentary resections II or III, in the LLSURG group (n=8) there was greater use of the Pringle manoeuvre (p=0.05), greater surgical time (p=0.05) and a shorter hospital stay (4.8 vs. 5.6 days) (differences not significant), than in the OS group.

Conclusions

LLSEC should be carried out by laparoscopy in centres where they have considerable experience. The patients may have a shorter hospital stay and spend less time in surgery than when OS is performed, with the same morbidity and mortality rates. Segmentectomy resections II or III carried out by laparoscopy involve a shorter hospital stay but longer surgery time and therefore the advantages are not as evident as they are for LLSEC.     

Nuevas tendencias en el tratamiento del dolor postoperatorio en cirugía general y digestiva

The correct application of multimodal analgesia appropriate to the pain intensity, the characteristics of the surgery and the hospitalisation scheme provide the key to improving the management of postoperative pain, which is currently still under treated. In highly complex surgeries the best benefit is obtained by combining systemic analgesic drugs with regional analgesia techniques.Epidural analgesia, not only provides an excellent quality of analgesia, but can prevent complications and reduce postoperative morbidity. Recently, peripheral blocks and parietal infiltration techniques, with or without catheter, have gained prominence in the postoperative analgesia of haemorrhoids and hernia repair. All these analgesic techniques are integrated into the concept of early postoperative rehabilitation and pursue the objective of minimising the side effects associated with the treatment and facilitate the functional recovery of the patient. In addition, proper postoperative pain management, not only increases the quality of in-patient care but is also a factor to consider in the development of chronic post-surgical pain, where the impact is significant and impairs the quality of life of the patients.     

Diferencias entre cirugía en bloque y enucleación en el tratamiento del sarcoma retroperitoneal

Aim

Today, free margin surgery is the gold-standard management for soft-tissue sarcoma patients and one of the most important predictors of recurrence and survival. To obtain optimal results, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the evolution of patients with RPS treated by «en bloc«surgical resection versus those treated with enucleation in the first surgery.

Methods

Fifty-six adult patients were divided into 2 groups. Patients in Group A underwent enucleation surgery, and patients in Group B underwent en bloc surgery. The endpoints of the study were survival time and time to recurrence, according to histological type and first surgical strategy.

Results

Disease-free survival was longer for en bloc surgery (P<0,05), but there was no difference in overall survival. When comparing the histology of patients who underwent enucleation surgery and en bloc resection surgery, the disease-free survival and overall survival rates were longer for liposarcoma. In the multivariate analysis, only free margins and histology of liposarcoma were significantly associated with a better survival.

Conclusions

The surgical management of patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma must be very aggressive, often requiring multivisceral resection. Considering the disease-free survival and overall survival rates obtained, it is clear that it is critical to manage patients as early as possible by a radical en bloc surgery.     

El sistema de cierre asistido al vacío en el tratamiento del pie diabético avanzado

Introduction

Deep diabetic foot lesions pose an enormous therapeutic problem. The purpose of this study was to present the experience of the use of vacuum assisted closure (VAC) in the treatment of advanced and complicated diabetic foot lesions.

Material and methods

Five cases of advanced diabetic foot that were treated with VAC were prospectively studied. Three patients were diagnosed with renal failure, including one with renal transplant, who were receiving immunosuppression therapy. Four patients had undergone local foot surgery. The foot lesions were classified as grade 3 or 4 according to the Wagner classification. In all patients extensive debridement was performed that resulted in open minor amputations in four cases and resection of the metatarsophalangeal joint in one case. The VAC was applied during the same procedure. The median follow-up period of the patients was 9 months.

Results

Foot salvage was achieved in all cases. The median number of changes of VAC was 16 within median period of 8 weeks. Half of the changes were performed as an outpatient procedure. There were no major complications or clinical signs of infection observed. In one case before treatment with VAC began, angioplasty of the iliac artery and superficial femoral artery was performed. Other interventions carried out after the treatment was started were, two distal revascularizations and two partial transmetatarsal amputations.

Conclusions

VAC appears to be very useful in the treatment of advanced diabetic foot lesions.     

Utilidad de la tomografía computarizada para el diagnóstico de lesiones intestinales y mesentéricas en el trauma abdominal cerrado

Background

The frequency of bowel and mesenteric injuries is increasing. They are difficult to diagnose and delays in their diagnosis leads to a significantly increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the computed tomography (CT) in the detection of blunt bowel and mesenteric injuries.

Method

Between January 2000 and October 2007, 79 patients with blunt abdominal trauma (60 men and 19 women) were included in our study. They underwent laparotomy after performing the abdominal CT. The CT findings were compared with the findings at laparotomy in order to determine the accuracy of the CT in the detection of bowel and mesenteric injuries.

Results

For the detection of bowel and mesenteric injuries we obtained for the CT: Sensitivity=84.2%, Specificity=75.6%, Positive Predictive Value =76.2%, Negative Predictive Value =83.8%, Positive Probability Value=3.45 and Negative Probability Value =0.21. Accuracy: 79.7%.

Conclusion

The abdominal CT is suitable for detecting bowel and mesenteric injuries following blunt abdominal trauma.     

Aspectos prácticos en el manejo de las lesiones obstétricas perineales de tercer y cuarto grado para minimizar el riesgo de incontinencia fecal

Faecal incontinence is underestimated in most epidemiological studies, probably because women may feel unable to discuss the symptoms they experience and avoid seeking medical advice. The most common cause of faecal incontinence in healthy women is an injury during a vaginal delivery. In this article we review the classification and terminology, as well as the risk factors, for third and fourth degree perineal tears. We also comment on the different suture techniques, the follow-up of women who sustain third and fourth degree tears and the advice given to those women regarding future pregnancies and mode of delivery. We highlight the importance of the endoanal ultrasound on the diagnosis of occult anal sphincter injury.     

Recto (colpo, perineo) sacropexia ventral en el tratamiento del prolapso rectal y rectogenital

Introduction

Ventral sacral-rectopexy with mesh corrects rectal prolapse and minimises rectal dissection. Subsequent colpopexy corrects apical and posterior prolapses of the vagina. The combination of both procedures can lead to the simultaneous correction of pelvic organ prolapses (POP).

Objective

To present the results of a patient series with several types of POP treated using the same approach and operation.

Material and method

A total of 57 patients diagnosed with any type of POP were operated on between January 2005 and August 2008 using ventral rectal-colpo-sacropexy, who were grouped into three types: A, total rectal prolapse isolated or combined with a hysterocele or colpocele (11 patients); B, rectoenterocele with internal rectal invagination and/or descending perineum (4 patients); and C, middle and posterior genital compartment prolapse (42 patients). The laparoscopic approach was used in the 15 patients of groups A and B and 11 from group C. A biological mesh was used in 41 patients and a macroporous synthetic one in the rest.

Results

The mean age of the patients in the series was 66 (19-81) years, with 55 females and 2 males. The median follow up was 25 (4-48) months. There were no major post-surgical complications. A recurrence of prolapse was recorded in one patient in group A (1/11); the 7 patients who suffered from incontinence improved after the surgery, no case of de novo constipation being recorded and an improvement in 8 of the 9 patients from groups A and B with obstructive defaecation. There were 9 (21%) recurrences detected in group C, but only 4 (9%) required reintervention. In all the recurrences a biological mesh had been used.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic ventral rectal-colpo-pexy is an effective technique to correct POP. Although safe and innocuous, the results with biological meshes did not last as long.     

Presente y futuro del trasplante de islotes pancreáticos en el tratamiento de la diabetes mellitus

Diabetes treatment with insulin does no prevent the development of secondary complications. For this reason, treatments other than conventional ones are needed, which could bring about an «almost physiological» metabolic regulation. This can only be done by transplanting insulin producing tissue, such as vascularised pancreas transplantation, which is an already consolidated clinical procedure these days, or by islets transplantation, which is still a procedure in the clinical research phase. This has the same metabolic objectives as the vascularised transplant, but without the risks of major abdominal surgery, since the islets are implanted in the liver with minimal surgery or using interventionist radiology by means of a catheter. A clinical trial (Edmonton Protocol) was published in the year 2000, which improved the results after islet transplantation by obtaining normoglycaemia periods of more than one year in a consecutive patient series with type 1 diabetes and without using corticoids. This protocol has been endorsed in other centre in different trials. Although the initial results were good, the progress of these patients has shown that many islets transplantations do not manage to maintain insulin-independence indefinitely.     

Resultados del abordaje laparoscópico en el tratamiento de la obstrucción aguda del intestino delgado por adherencias y hernias internas

Introduction

Laparotomy is the standard approach for the surgical treatment of acute small bowel obstruction (ASBO).

Patients and methods

From February 2007 to May 2012 we prospectively recorded all patients operated by laparoscopy in our hospital because of ASBO due to adhesions (27 cases) and/or internal hernia (6 cases). A preoperative abdominal CT was performed in all cases. Patients suffering from peritonitis and/or sepsis were excluded from the laparoscopic approach. It was decided to convert to laparotomy if intestinal resection was required.

Results

The mean age of the 33 patients who underwent surgery was 61.1 ± 17.6 years. 64% had previous history of abdominal surgery. 72% of the cases were operated by surgeons highly skilled in laparoscopy. Conversion rate was 21%. Operative time and postoperative length of stay were 83 ± 44 min. and 7.8 ± 11.2 days, respectively. Operative time (72 ± 30 vs 123 ± 63 min.), tolerance to oral intake (1.8 ± 0.9 vs 5.7 ± 3.3 days) and length of postoperative stay (4.7 ± 2.5 vs 19.4 ± 21 days) were significantly lower in the laparoscopy group compared with the conversion group, although converted patients had greater clinical severity (2 bowel resections). There were two severe complications (Clavien-Dindo III and V) in the conversion group.

Conclusions

In selected cases of ASBO caused by adhesions and internal hernias and when performed by surgeons highly skilled in laparoscopy, a laparoscopic approach has a high probability of success (low conversion rate, short hospital length of stay and low morbidity); its use would be fully justified in these cases.