Adequacy testing in peritoneal dialysis: a five years experience in a single dialysis center

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of patients is treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). Adequacy testing in PD has gained wide interest because of its shown relation with morbidity and mortality. METHODS: We describe retrospectively the 5 years follow-up (1993-1998) of adequacy testing of our PD patient population on 1 January 1998. We were used to change the PD regime if Kt/Vurea was < 1.7. RESULTS: On 1 January 1998 there were 57 patients on PD treatment (41 patients on CAPD, 16 on CCPD). The total PD group adequacy values are given on 1 January 1998. During the 5 years follow-up residual renal Kt/Vurea declined, from a mean value of 0.51 to zero. Mean values of total Kt/Vurea remained unchanged (2.01 at the start, 1.83 at 3 years, 1.91 at 5 years) as a consequence of an increase in peritoneal Kt/Vurea. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to maintain a reasonable dialysis adequacy in time by adjusting the total daily PD fluid amount, despite the total loss of residual renal function in 5 years. However, it will be difficult to reach the newest DOQI guidelines, especially in patients with total loss of their residual renal function and in patients with a larger body surface area.     

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Eight years of experience at a single center

One hundred and thirty-four patients using continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) for a mean time of 23.1 +/- 18.3 months (range, 1-76.6) from a single center are reviewed with respect to biochemistry, hematology, parameters of dialysis efficiency, nutrition, and the nature and frequency of complications. Cumulative patient survival was 90%, 86% and 75% at 1, 2 and 3 years, and survival of patients using this technique was 75%, 62% and 40% at corresponding time intervals with no difference demonstrated in diabetic patients or in those older than 50 years. Biochemical and hematologic parameters were well maintained with peritoneal creatinine clearance increasing and peritoneal protein loss remaining stable with ongoing CAPD. Loss of ultrafiltration, however, accounted for 17.7% of permanent transfers to alternative therapy. Low serum albumin and elevated serum triglyceride concentrations correlated with mortality, whereas low serum albumin, low cholesterol, and high phosphate levels correlated with morbidity as assessed by frequency of hospital admissions. Dietary protein intake assessed by urea generation rate was significantly lower than that estimated from a 24-hour dietary recall (0.82 vs. 1.02 g/kg/day, p less than 0.01) and with the exception of body mass index and serum albumin, anthropometric and visceral protein measurements showed few correlations with nutritional adequacy. Bacterial peritonitis remained the major complication, although fungal infections made a significant contribution to morbidity and mortality. Overall, CAPD is confirmed to be a satisfactory form of dialysis for all forms of end-stage renal failure and an integral part of any renal replacement program. However, nutritional adequacy and lowering of complication rates require further investigation.     

Health-related quality of life of liver transplant recipients: a single center experience

Background/Aims: To evaluate the health related quality of life (HRQOL) of liver transplant recipients and to identify risk factors influencing post-operative HRQOL. Methodology: Adult patients who underwent primary liver transplantation from 2009 to 2010 were asked to complete a HRQOL survey at pre-operation and one year postoperatively. We compared the HRQOL of liver transplant recipients at pre-transplantation and one year postoperatively to the general population. Pre-transplant variables were analyzed to identify the risk factors influencing postoperative HRQOL. Results: Pre-transplant HRQOL was significantly lower than that of the general population and significantly improved at one year postoperatively. Multivariate analyses suggested hepatocellular carcinoma, pre-transplant hypertension and high model for end-stage liver disease score were independent risk factors for postoperative physical component summary (PCS); and higher education level, marital status and lower income level negatively impacted on the postoperative mental component summary (MCS). Conclusions: Factors influencing postoperative HRQOL were identified in the present study. Transplant centers should pay more attention to patients with above-mentioned risk factors and strive to improve the HRQOL.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma in Egypt： A single center study over a decade

AIM: To identify the trend, possible risk factors and any pattern change of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Egypt over a decade. METHODS: All HCC patients attending Cairo Liver Center between January 1993 and December 2002, were enrolled in the study. Diagnosis of HCC was based on histopathological examination and/or detection of hepatic focal lesions by two imaging techniques plus α-fetoprotein level above 200 ng/mL. The duration of the study was divided into two periods of 5 years each; period Ⅰ (1993-1997) and period Ⅱ (1998-2002). Trend, demographic features of patients (age, gender, and residence), risk factors (HBsAg, HCV-Ab, schistosomiasis and others) and pattern of the focal lesions were compared between the two periods. Logistic regression model was fitted to calculate the adjusted odds ratios for the potential risk factors. The population attributable risk percentage was calculated to estimate the proportion of HCC attributed to hepatitis B and C viral infections. RESULTS: Over a decade, 1 328 HCC patients out of 22 450 chronic liver disease (CLD) patients were diagnosed with an overall proportion of 5.9%. The annual proportion of HCC showed a significant rising trend from 4.0% in 1993 to 7.2% in 2002 (P = 0.000). A significant increase in male proportion from 82.5% to 87.6% (P= 0.009); M/F from 5:1 to 7:1 and a slight increase of the predominant age group (40-59 years) from 62.6% to 66.8% (P= 0.387) in periods Ⅰ and Ⅱ respectively, reflecting a shift to younger age group. In the bivariate analysis, HCC was significantly higher in rural residents, patients with history of schistoso miasis and/or blood transfusion. Yet, after adjustment, these variables did not have a significant risk for development of HCC. There was a significant decline of HBsAg from 38.6% to 20.5% (P= 0.000), and a slight increase of HCV-Ab from 85.6% to 87.9% in periods Ⅰ and Ⅱ respectively. HBV conferred a higher risk to develop HCC more than HCV in period Ⅰ (OR 1.9 vs 1.6) and period Ⅱ (OR 2.7 vs 2.0), but the relative contribution of HBV for development of HCC declined in period Ⅱ compared to period Ⅰ (PAR% 4.2%, 21.32%). At presentation, diagnostic α-fetoprotein level (≥200 ng/mL) was demonstrated in 15.6% vs 28.9% and small HCC (≤3 cm) represented 14.9% vs 22.7% (P = 0.0002) in periods Ⅰ and Ⅱ respectively. CONCLUSION: Over a decade, there was nearly a twofold increase of the proportion of HCC among CLD patients in Egypt with a significant decline of HBV and slight increase of HCV as risk factors. α-Fetoprotein played a limited role in diagnosis of HCC, compared to imaging techniques. Increased detection of small lesions at presentation reflects increased awareness of the condition.     

The adequacy of peritoneal dialysis in a single Chinese center

ObjectiveTo assess the adequacy of peritoneal dialysis in Chinese by analyzing the relationship between weekly urea kinetics (Kt/V) and clinical outcomes.MethodsA total of 146 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for more than 6 months in the Shanghai Renji Hospital between July 1997 and March 1999 were enrolled into this study. They were assigned to three groups according to weekly Kt/V: Group A, Kt/V less than 1.7; Group B, Kt/V between 1.7 and 2; and Group C, Kt/V greater than 2. Patient and technique survivals were analyzed by using the log rank method.ResultsThe overall 2-year actuarial patient and technique survivals were 90% and 76%, respectively. The 2-year actuarial patient survival was 78% for Group A, 97% for Group B, and 96% for Group C (p<0.05). The 2-year technique survival was 56% for Group A, 88% for Group B, and 88% for Group C. Both actuarial patient and technique survivals in Group A were significantly lower (p<0.05) compared with the other two groups.ConclusionThe study showed that clinical outcomes in Groups B and C patients were similar. However, patients with weekly Kt/V values less than 1.7 had poorer clinical outcomes compared with patients from groups B and C. We conclude that Chinese patients who were receiving peritoneal ambulatory dialysis may benefit from weekly Kt/V greater than 1.7.     

Duodenal GIST: a single center experience

Purpose

The duodenum as primary site for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is rare and mitotic rate, tumor size, type of mutation and number of chromosomal aberrations have prognostic implications.

Methods

We analyzed the outcome of 13 patients with duodenal GISTs who underwent surgical tumor resection. Either segmental duodenectomy or pylorus-preserving duodenopancreatectomy was performed. The tumors were histopathologically examined and the risk of progression was assessed based on tumor size and mitotic count. Additionally, mutation analysis of the KIT and PDGFRA receptor tyrosine kinase genes and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) were performed in all cases.

Results

Eight patients underwent segmental duodenectomy and five patients were treated with pylorus-preserving duodenopancreatectomy. None of the five GISTs with low or no risk for malignancy according to the Miettinen classification developed tumor progress. In contrast, five of eight cases (62.5%) with high-risk tumors revealed tumor progress, and four of these patients died (50%). The median overall survival for all patients was 66 months, and the median disease-free survival 41 months. The operative procedure and type of mutation did not correlate with long-term survival. CGH analysis displayed ?15q in 12/13 tumors, and ?1p in 11/13 cases as characteristic chromosomal aberrations for intestinal origin. Notably, ?22q was present in three of four cases with tumor progress.

Conclusions

Both segmental duodenectomy and pylorus-preserving duodenopancreatectomy are appropriate options to treat duodenal GIST and should be implemented depending on resectability and the patient's performing state. The Miettinen classification and CGH findings correlate with the clinical course.     

Microscopic colitides: a single center experience in Mexico

Background/aim Microscopic colitis is characterized by chronic diarrhea and specific microscopic changes in a macroscopically normal colonic mucosa. In this paper, we report the clinical and histological features of a group of Mexican patients with microscopic colitis. Materials and methods Patients were identified from 10 years of data in the pathology database of our institution. A pathologist reassessed all biopsy material. We included only patients who met strict histopathological criteria. Clinical data were obtained from medical records. Results Microscopic colitis was diagnosed in 26 cases. The female/male ratio was 1.8:1. The median age at diagnosis was 56.5 ± 15.7 (range, 26–85) years. The most frequent symptoms were diarrhea in all, weight loss in 22 (84%), and abdominal pain in 18 (69%) patients. Sixteen (61%) patients reported associated diseases; autoimmune thyroid disorders were the most common. Drug-induced microscopic colitis was suspected in 12 (46%) patients. More than 80% of the treated patients improved or had clinical remission. Conclusion Microscopic colitis is an uncommon colonic disease at our institution, representing less than 1% of the final diagnoses in mucosal colonic biopsies. It is the largest case series of microscopic colitis in the Mexican population.     

应用激光鞘拔除电极导线(附五例报道)

目的探讨应用激光鞘拔除电极导线的安全性、可行性。方法回顾分析北京大学人民医院应用激光鞘拔除电极导线的5例患者资料,总结电极导线拔除原因、电极导线特点、手术相关并发症、手术时间、曝光时间、曝光量等。结果 5例患者(2例女性),年龄(62.8±16)岁,其中1例为Ⅱa类适应证,4例为I类适应证,共拔除电极导线8根(2根除颤电极导线),均成功拔除,无并发症发生,手术时间、曝光时间、曝光量的中位数分别为4 min、1min 35 s、1.305 mgy。结论对于大的、有经验的中心,应用激光鞘拔除电极导线是安全、可行的。     

Primary budd-Chiari syndrome - a single center experience

Background/Aims: Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is recognized as a clinical manifestation of various prothrombotic conditions which may be lethal within 3 years of the onset of symptoms if untreated. This study is a retrospective analysis of patients with BCS managed between 2004 and 2011. Methodology: The diagnosis was confirmed with contrast CT-angiography and/or Doppler ultrasound. Results: BCS was diagnosed in 20 patients (11 females and 9 males), median age 38 years (ranging from 18 to 56). Twelve patients were referred as acute BCS for the liver transplant (LTx) assessment. Thrombosis of the hepatic veins was caused by myeloproliferative disorders (n=8), end-stage liver disease (n=4), protein C deficiency (n=3), paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) (n=1), antiphospholipid syndrome (n=1) and secondary poliglobulia (n=1). In two patients the origin of BCS could not be established despite appropriate screening. Median follow-up was 29 months. Low molecular heparin with subsequent conversion to vitamin K antagonists was routinely applied in all patients. Two patients underwent TIPS procedure with good long term outcome and 10 subjects received LTx; 1 patient was lost to follow-up and 1 died of chest infection 9 years since the diagnosis of BCS was made; 14 patients, including those who received LTx, were alive and well at least one year after BCS diagnosis. All survivors remain stable and are followed-up on a regular basis. Conclusions: Strict adherence to the diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines plays a crucial role in the management of BCS patients. Our results confirm the efficacy of anticoagulation as well as TIPS and/or OLT in treatment of this rare condition.     

Ipilimumab-induced hypophysitis,a single academic center experience

Pituitary - Immune checkpoint inhibitors, single or in combination, have recently become a cornerstone for the treatment of many malignancies. Ipilimumab, a CTLA-4 inhibitor, was initially FDA...     

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis: a single center experience

AIM: To share our experience of the management and outcomes of patients with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI).METHODS: The charts of seven patients who underwent surgery for PCI between 2001 and 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical features, diagnoses and surgical interventions of patients with PCI are discussed.RESULTS: Seven patients with PCI (3 males, 4 females; mean age, 50 ± 16.1 years; range, 29-74 years) were analyzed. In three of the patients, abdominal pain was the only complaint, whereas additional vomiting and/or constipation occurred in four. Leukocytosis was detected in four patients, whereas it was within normal limits in three. Subdiaphragmatic free air was observed radiologically in four patients but not in three. Six of the patients underwent an applied laparotomy, whereas one underwent an applied explorative laparoscopy. PCI localized to the small intestine only was detected in four patients, whereas it was localized to the small intestine and the colon in three. Three patients underwent a partial small intestine resection and four did not after PCI was diagnosed. Five patients were diagnosed with secondary PCI and two with primary PCI when the surgical findings and medical history were assessed together. Gastric atony developed in one case only, as a complication during a postoperative follow-up of 5-14 d.CONCLUSION: Although rare, PCI should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen. Diagnostic laparoscopy and preoperative radiological tests, including computed tomography, play an important role in confirming the diagnosis.     

Evolution in techniques of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy: a decade long experience from a tertiary center

Background

Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy is a technically demanding surgery performed only at few centers in the world. This article aims to describe the evolution of the technique and summarizes the results in our institute over the years.

Methods

Prospective data of patients undergoing laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy from March 1998 to January 2009 was retrospectively reviewed.

Results

There were a total of 75 patients (22 females and 53 males) with a mean age of 62 (range, 28–76) years. Conversion rate was 0%, overall postoperative morbidity was 26.7% and mortality rate was 1. 33%. Pancreatic fistula was seen in 6.67%. The mean operating time was 357 min (range 270–650), and the mean blood loss was 74 ml (range 35–410). The average time to the first bowel movement was 3 days and mean hospital stay was 8.2 days (range 6–42). Resected margins were positive in 2.6% of cases. The mean number of retrieved lymph nodes for the malignant lesions was 14 (range 8–22).

Conclusion

Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy can be safely performed by highly skilled laparoscopic surgeons. This technique can achieve adequate margins and follow oncological principles. Randomized comparative trials are needed to establish the superiority of laparoscopy versus open surgery.     

Treatment of retroperitoneal echinococcosis: the experience of a single center

Retroperitoneal echinococcosis (RE) is a rare condition that is associated with a high mortality and disability rate. It is associated with a high rate of misdiagnosis, a high risk of surgery, and is extremely difficult to manage. There is no uniform standard for determining the exact form of surgical method and the timing of surgery.This was a retrospective analysis of the characteristics and surgical management of patients diagnosed with RE in our hospital between 2012 and 2019.Between 2012 and 2019, 1257 cases of echinococcosis and 121 cases of RE were diagnosed in our hospital. Of these, 68 cases involved surgical treatment, 53 involved non-surgical treatment, and 12 cases were lost to follow-up (4 cases in the surgical group and 8 cases in the non-surgical group). Thus, 109 cases were followed-up. RE cases were divided according to different treatment methods into a radical resection group (Group A, 31 cases), a non-radical resection group (Group B, 37 cases), and a non-surgical group (Group C, 53 cases). We carried out a detailed analysis of the 109 cases experiencing surgical intervention with effective follow-up.Our analysis found that radical resection is the first line of treatment of RE, although non-radical surgery can benefit most patients. It is important to emphasize the importance of the first round of surgery, particularly in cases involving hepatic echinococcosis. If the lesion can be removed radically during the first round of surgery, then radical surgery should be performed.     

Ten-year experience of smoking cessation in a single center in Japan

BackgroundLong-term, real-world data, as opposed to academic or research data, on outcomes of smoking cessation clinics are scarce. We assessed patient outcomes over a 10-year period at a smoking cessation clinic in a community teaching hospital in Japan and explored predictors of successful smoking cessation.MethodsWe used data from a prospective registry of cigarette smokers who participated in a 3-month smoking cessation program comprising combined pharmacological treatment and cognitive behavioral therapy and explored factors associated with program execution and successful smoking cessation. The primary outcome was smoking cessation, defined by quitting completely between the 8-week and 12-week sessions, with verification according to exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) level of ≤10 ppm.ResultsBetween August 2007 and December 2017, 813 patients with nicotine dependence participated in the program. The number of participants decreased after Japan׳s 2010 tobacco tax increase. Among participants, 433 (53.3%) completed the program. In multivariate analysis, the number of cigarettes smoked daily (odds ratio [OR] 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96, 0.99), cardiovascular disease (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.16, 2.68), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.10, 2.78), and gastric/duodenal ulcer (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.04, 3.08) were significantly associated with program completion. Among program completers, 288 (66.5%) achieved smoking cessation. Exhaled CO level (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.93, 0.97) and mental disorders (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.33, 0.85) were negatively associated with successful smoking cessation.ConclusionsBaseline exhaled CO level and mental disorders were significantly associated with either success or failure of smoking cessation.     

Bivalirudin in peripheral vascular interventions: a single center experience

Unfractionated heparin is a widely utilized anticoagulant during peripheral angioplasty procedures (PTA). In contrast to heparin, bivalirudin is a direct thrombin inhibitor with predictable anticoagulation, does not activate platelets, and inhibits both soluble and bound thrombin. The experience with bivalirudin during PTA remains limited. In this single-center prospective study, 48 consecutive patients (60.4% males, mean age 70.0 12.1) received bivalirudin as the primary anticoagulant during PTA (0.75 mg/kg bolus, 1.75 mg/kg/h during the procedure). Thirty-four (70.8%) had claudication and 6 (12.5%) had ulceration. Thrombus was angiographically seen in 3 (6.3%) patients. In-hospital serious procedural complications were limited to 2 (4.2%) (exact 95% confidence interval: (0.5%,14.3%]) patients with major bleeding; none (0.0%) of the other following endpoints occurred: death, limb loss, emergent need for revascularization of the same vessel, embolic strokes, and vascular complications (exact 95% confidence intervals: [0.0%,6.1%]). This compared favorably to previously reported data using unfractionated heparin and the same serious procedural complications endpoints from our group at the same institution (9.2%). We conclude that the use of bivalirudin during PTA appears feasible and safe. Large prospective registries are needed to confirm these findings.