Bilateral skeletonized internal thoracic artery grafts in patients with diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE: Increased risk of deep sternal infections has prohibited routine bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting in diabetic patients. The technique for harvesting the skeletonized internal thoracic artery provides the potential to minimize this risk. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of bypass grafting with bilateral skeletonized internal thoracic arteries in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. METHODS: From May 1996 to April 1998, 231 consecutive diabetic and 534 nondiabetic patients underwent bilateral skeletonized internal thoracic artery grafting. Mean age was 66 years. Compared with the nondiabetic group, the diabetic group comprised more women (29% vs 18%, P =.001), had a greater prevalence of hypertension (53% vs 44%, P =.019) and congestive heart failure (20% vs 14%, P =.016), but a lower prevalence of preoperative acute myocardial infarction (26% vs 34%, P =.027). RESULTS: Operative mortality of diabetic patients was comparable with that of nondiabetic patients (3% vs 2.6%). The two groups also had similar occurrences of deep sternal infection (2.6% vs 1.7%, respectively, P =.40). Deep sternal infection was significantly more prevalent in obese, diabetic women (3/20 = 15%) than in diabetic patients without this combination of risk factors (3/211 = 1.4%, P <.0001) (odds ratio 11.1, confidence interval 2.1-59.4). Diabetic patients also had a higher incidence of stroke (3.5% vs 0.9%, P =.014). Three-year actuarial survival of diabetic patients was lower (91.3% vs 94.7%, P =.083). CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral skeletonized internal thoracic artery grafting is a good surgical revascularization option in diabetic patients. Operative mortality and prevalence of sternal infection are comparable with those of nondiabetic patients. However, the risk of sternal infection in obese diabetic women is high, and for them we advocate the use of a single artery instead of bilateral internal thoracic arteries.     

Effect of age on outcome of bilateral skeletonized internal thoracic artery grafting

BACKGROUND: Elderly patients are considered to be at higher risk for coronary artery bypass grafting. Surgical techniques of arterial myocardial revascularization without vein grafts were primarily reserved for the young. This report evaluates the impact of age on the outcome of 634 consecutive patients who underwent double skeletonized internal thoracic artery grafting between April 1996 and December 1997. METHODS: Patients were stratified into five age groups: One hundred ninety-six were less than 60 years of age, 98 between 60 and 65 years, 132 between 65 and 70 years, 116 between 70 and 75 years, and 92 were older than 75 years. The groups did not differ with regard to preoperative risk factors. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 2.5% (n = 16). Mortality of urgent and elective operations was 1.6%, and that of emergency operations was 9.7% (p < 0.001). There were 7 (1.1%) myocardial infarctions, 9 strokes (1.4%), and 10 deep sternal wound infections (1.6%). Using the Mantel-Haenszel test, there was no relation between age and hospital mortality, myocardial infarctions, strokes, or sternal infections. A correlation was found between advanced age and early unfavorable events (6.7%, 7.2%, 12.9%, 15.5%, and 15.2% in corresponding age groups, p < 0.003), and late mortality (0.6%, 1%, 1.5%, 4.3%, and 9.8%, respectively, p < 0.01). However, early return of angina was lower (2.6%, 1%, 0.8%, 0.9%, and 0%, p < 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective, nonrandomized study suggests that older age is not a risk factor for operative mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with double skeletonized internal thoracic arteries. Apart from avoiding morbidity associated with leg incisions, older patients showed an interesting trend toward lower rates of angina return. Older patients, however, sustained increased perioperative morbidity and late mortality rates.     

Chances of reversibility in early sensory deprivation of the Homo vulnerabilis: A 5-year (and ongoing) prospective study

Background: This prospective study evaluated the effectiveness of a rehabilitation program in vulnerable children with language deficits.

Aims/Objectives: Evaluating reversibility of a sensory understimulation.

Material/Methods: Two groups of five students, each, (sensory and not sensory deprived) were evaluated at ages 5 and 11. Both groups were taught the compulsory national educational program. The sensory deprived group also had a 5-year rehabilitation program. After that time, their language and vocabulary were reevaluated.

Results: Both groups became able to read, write and perform mathematical operations. Both groups took the compulsory elementary school national performance test and all of them performed above the national average. Despite these good performances the differences between both groups regarding language persisted.

Conclusions: Deficits in children with early sensory deprivation are improved with rehabilitation programs. In order to achieve better restoration, intervention should be done earlier than at 5 years of age. Even if some deficits are not fully reversible, the improvement is significant and allows social inclusion and the possibility of breaking their circle of vulnerability.

Significance: Documenting the importance of early rehabilitation in sensory deficits.     

Evolution of living donor kidney transplantation: historic, statistical, national and own experience data

Despite representing a small percentage of the transplant activity in our country, living donor kidney transplantation is a good alternative for the future because the needs exceed the offer of cadaver donor organs. We present the evolution of living donor kidney transplantation in Spain from the beginning in accordance to the ONT (Organización Nacional de trasplantes), and our current situation in comparison with other countries, as well as data obtained from the experience in our hospital which began in 1965.     

Paint-only is equivalent to scrub-and-paint in preoperative preparation of abdominal surgery sites

BACKGROUND: Antiseptic preoperative skin site preparation is used to prepare the operative site before making a surgical incision. The goal of this preparation is a reduction in postoperative wound infection. The most straightforward technique necessary to achieve this goal remains controversial. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective randomized trial was designed to prove equivalency for two commonly used techniques of surgical skin site preparation. Two hundred thirty-four patients undergoing nonlaparoscopic abdominal operations were consented for the trial. Exclusion criteria included presence of active infection at the time of operation, neutropenia, history of skin reaction to iodine, or anticipated insertion of prosthetic material at the time of operation. Patients were randomized to receive either a vigorous 5-minute scrub with povidone-iodine soap, followed by absorption with a sterile towel, and a paint with aqueous povidone-iodine or surgical site preparation with a povidone-iodine paint only. The primary end point of the study was wound infection rate at 30 days, defined as presence of clinical signs of infection requiring therapeutic intervention. RESULTS: Patients randomized to the scrub-and-paint arm (n = 115) and the paint-only arm (n = 119) matched at baseline with respect to age, comorbidity, wound classification, mean operative time, placement of drains, prophylactic antibiotic use, and surgical procedure (all p > 0.09). Wound infection occurred in 12 (10%) scrub-and-paint patients, and 12 (10%) paint-only patients. Based on our predefined equivalency parameters, we conclude equivalence of infection rates between the two preparations. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative preparation of the abdomen with a scrub with povidone-iodine soap followed by a paint with aqueous povidone-iodine can be abandoned in favor of a paint with aqueous povidone-iodine alone. This change will result in reductions in operative times and costs.     

No-touch aorta off-pump coronary surgery: the effect on stroke

OBJECTIVE: Studies examining the neuroprotective effects of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting have shown inconsistent results. Most studies, however, have not differentiated between clampless and clamp off-pump techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of avoiding aortic manipulation on major neurologic outcomes after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: A total of 700 consecutive patients undergoing multiple-vessel off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting between 2000 and 2003 were included. The 429 patients undergoing aortic no-touch technique were compared with 271 patients in whom partial aortic clamps were applied. The aorta was screened by manual palpation, and epiaortic ultrasonography was used selectively. RESULTS: The frequency of detected atherosclerotic aortic disease was higher in the no-touch group (17.4% vs 5.1%, P < .0001). No-touch revascularization was achieved with arterial conduits, arranged in T-graft or in situ configurations (50%). The respective graft/patient ratios were 2.5 +/- 0.6 and 2.6 +/- 0.6 in the side-clamp and no-touch groups ( P = .009); however, revascularization of the posterolateral myocardial territory was comparable (87% vs 90%, difference not significant). The incidence of stroke (0.2% vs 2.2%, P = .01) was significantly lower in the no-touch group (1/429). Logistic regression identified partial aortic clamping as the only independent predictor of stroke (odds ratio 28.5, confidence interval 0.22-333, P = .009), increasing this risk 28-fold. Peripheral vascular disease ( P = .068), diabetes ( P = .072), and history of stroke ( P = .074) trended toward stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Avoiding partial aortic clamping during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting provides superior neurologic outcome. The results are reproducible and irrespective of the severity of aortic disease or the method of aortic screening. This technique is recommended whenever technically feasible.     

Small bowel obstruction due to metastatic lobular carcinoma of the breast

Although breast cancer most frequently metastasizes to the bone, lung, pleura, liver, adrenal glands and brain, it can also affect other organs such as the small bowel and ovaries, especially if the type of cancer is infiltrating and lobular. We present a case of metastases to the small bowel and ovaries from pleomorphic type infiltrating lobular breast carcinoma presenting as intestinal obstruction. Barium transit study revealed a stenosis in the jejunum and another in the terminal ileum at the ileocecal valve area. A flat formation in the area of the ileocecal valve was observed on endoscopy but the results of biopsy were negative, a fairly frequent finding due to the absence of infiltration of the intestinal mucosa. Pathological and immunohistochemical study of the intestinal and ovarian surgical specimens confirmed the diagnosis of metastases from lobular carcinoma of the breast, which was corroborated by breast biopsy.     

Urinary bacteriologic study prior to endoscopic urologic surgery

ObjectiveThe objectives of this study are to know the incidence of preoperative bacteriuria in patients undergoing endoscopic urologic surgery, to analyze the most frequent microorganisms appearing in the cultures and their resistance to antibiotics in order to select the most appropriate prophylactic one for our population, and to determine the risk factors related to postoperative bacteriuria or sepsis of urologic originMaterial and Methods449 patients undergoing endoscopic urologic surgery were included in the study. Urinary samples were collected for culture prior to prophylactic antibiotic administration and again a week after bladder catheter removal once the antibiotic treatment was finished. Variables related to an increase in infectious complications were analyzed. Special attention was paid to postoperatory incidences, mainly those of infectious natureResultsPreoperative bacteriuria was found in 66 out of 428 patients (15.4%). It was found to be related to age, sex, previous infection episodes, diabetes mellitus, indwelling catheter and to the pathology for which operation was indicated. The most frequently found microorganism was Escherichia Coli. Resistance to prophylactic antibiotic was found in 37.9% of patients with preoperatory bacteriuria. Postoperatory bacteriuria, observed in 22.0% of the patients was exclusively related to preoperatory bacteriuria. 2.9% of patients showed sepsis of urinary origin criteria during hospital staying, and it was found to be exclusively related to length of surgery and neither to preoperatory bacteriuria nor to indwelling catheter time or the “inappropriate” prophylactic antibiotic use in these casesConclusionsA good part of patients who underwent endoscopic surgery showed preoperatory bacteriuria, responsible for postoperative bacteriuria in less than 25% of the cases. The length of surgery seemed to be the only related cause whit sepsis of urinary origin     

Child maltreatment, child protection and mental health

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes advances in our understanding of child maltreatment and the implications thereof for physical, psychological and social development, with special emphasis on mental health aspects. RECENT FINDINGS: Methodological problems persist. These may be related in part to an over-emphasis on type of maltreatment, to the detriment of consideration of degree and extent of maltreatment. They may also be related to inadequate application of a comprehensive model of maltreatment and its consequences. Recent studies underline the inter-relatedness and cross-over between different types of child maltreatment and family violence. Research also underlines the extent to which child maltreatment is a major public health crisis internationally. Effects are seen on physical health and development as well as mental health, and it is becoming increasingly evident that these outcomes are inextricably linked to one another. There are encouraging signs that certain interventions are effective. SUMMARY: There is a need for a more sophisticated model of child maltreatment that includes not only degree but also the extent to which basic developmental needs are overridden when children are maltreated, and that includes children's responses to maltreatment as a mediating influence. More studies are needed of samples of children who have been maltreated in order to gain a better understanding of how maltreatment distorts the trajectory of normal development. Crucially, we need more research on intervention, including both case management and psychological treatment approaches.