Wandering gallbladder

A wandering gallbladder typically is attached to surrounding structures only by the cystic duct and its mesentery. Its characteristic propensity for torsion places it at risk for necrosis. A 70-year-old woman admitted to our hospital was found to have a wandering gallbladder. The possible clinical implications of this finding are discussed.     

Defining the Role of Surgery for Primary Gastrointestinal Tract Melanoma

Objective The objective of the study was to determine the outcomes for primary gastrointestinal melanomas (PGIM). Material and methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1973–2004) was queried. Results Overall, 659 cases of PGIM were identified. The annual incidence of PGIM was approximately 0.47 cases per million in 2000. Overall median survival time was 17 months. Tumors were identified in the oral–nasopharynx (32.8%), anal canal (31.4%), rectum (22.2%), esophagus (5.9%), stomach (2.7%), small bowel (2.3%), gallbladder (1.4%), and large bowel (0.9%). Univariate analysis demonstrated age, tumor location, stage, surgery, and lymph node status were significant predictors of improved survival. MST has not been reached for tumors located in the large bowel, while tumors located in the stomach demonstrated the shortest median survival (5 months). Improvement in MST was observed for those patients undergoing surgical resection. The presence of lymph node involvement conferred a poorer prognosis. Multivariate analysis of the cohort identified that location, advanced tumor stage, failure to undertake surgical resection, positive lymph node status, and age were all independent predictors of poorer outcome. Conclusion PGIM occurs most often in the oral–nasopharynx and anal canal. Surgical extirpation is the only identifiable treatment modality that significantly improves survival.     

Nutritional assessment of the lung transplant patient: body mass index as a predictor of 90-day mortality following transplantation.

BACKGROUND: It is well documented that malnourished and/or obese surgical patients have increased morbidity and mortality post-operatively. Only a few studies investigating the effect of nutritional status on mortality are available pertaining to the transplant population. Since limited data are available on the nutritional status and its effects on mortality in the lung transplant population, we sought to ascertain whether there is an association between mortality and preoperative nutritional status. METHODS: We examined mortality during the first 3 months after transplantation. Patients were grouped by body mass index (BMI) categories as < 17 kg/m(2), 17 to < 20 kg/m(2), 20 to 25 kg/m(2) (reference group), > 25 to 27 kg/m(2), and > 27 kg/m(2). Additional risk factors retrieved from the pre-transplant records included age, gender, diagnosis, energy requirements, protein requirements, protein and caloric intake, and weight history. Logistic regression for univariate and multivariate analysis for mortality used recipient age, gender, disease category, pre-transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV) serology, transplant type (single or bilateral), and donor age, gender, and CMV serology. RESULTS: The likelihood estimates or odds ratios (ORs) of the risk of death within 90 days of lung transplantation for the BMI categories compared to the reference group were 3.7 for BMI < 17 kg/m(2) (p = 0.085), 1.6 for BMI < 17 to 20 kg/m(2) (p = 0.455), 3.5 for BMI > 25 to 27 kg/m(2) (p = 0.069), and 5.0 for BMI > 27 kg/m(2) (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a pre-transplant BMI < 17 kg/m(2) or > 25 kg/m(2) the risk of dying within 90 days post-transplant was increased. In patients with a pre-transplant BMI of > 27 kg/m(2) the risk was significantly higher in than the reference group.     

Glycated haemoglobin levels are related to chronic subclinical inflammation in renal transplant recipients without pre-existing or new onset diabetes.

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of chronic subclinical inflammation (CSI), is related to cardiovascular mortality in the general and renal transplant populations. In the general population, high CRP levels are associated with pre-diabetic glucose homeostasis alterations which may contribute to the proatherogenic effect of CSI. METHODS: We studied 134 consecutive renal transplant recipients without pre-existing or new onset diabetes. CRP, oral glucose tolerance test, insulin sensitivity and HbA1c were measured. RESULTS: Among CRP tertiles, fasting glucose and glucose after 120 min were not different. However, HbA1c was higher (4.9+/-0.6; 5.2+/-0.5; 5.4+/-0.5; P=0.005] and insulin sensitivity lower (McAuley index: 7.2+/-2; 6.8+/-2; 6.2+/-1.3; P=0.042) in the third CRP tertile. In addition, HDL-cholesterol was lower and triglycerides and body mass index (BMI) higher in the third tertile. Consequently, metabolic syndrome was more prevalent in the upper CRP tertiles [11 (25%); 19 (43%); 22 (50%); P=0.01). In multivariate analyses, HbA1c was related to higher CRP levels (standardized beta coefficient=0.21, P=0.013), independently of BMI (standardized beta coefficient=0.24, P=0.005) and triglycerides (standardized beta coefficient=0.18; P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical glucose homeostasis alterations are related to chronic inflammation in renal transplant recipients without pre-existing or new onset diabetes and may contribute to their high cardiovascular mortality.     

Adenomatoid tumor of the epididymis

ObjectiveParatesticular tumors are very rare and mostly bening. Wa aport a new case of adenomatoid tumor of epididymisMethodMale of 40 years old with solid lesion in epidididymis tale treated with mass exéresisResultsAdenoamotid tumor of the epididymis confirmed with hystopathologic techniqueConclusionAdenomatoid tumor of epididymis is the most frequent paratesticular tumors and when is suspected, conservative surgery must be performed     

The relationship of shoulder pain intensity to quality of life, physical activity, and community participation in persons with paraplegia

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: For persons with spinal cord injury (SCI), severe bodily pain is related to a lower quality of life. However, the effect of pain from a specific body region on quality of life has yet to be determined. The shoulder joint is a common site of pain among persons with SCI. Therefore, our purpose was to identify the relationship of self-reported shoulder pain with quality of life, physical activity, and community activities in persons with paraplegia resulting from SCI. METHODS: Eighty participants with shoulder pain who propel a manual wheelchair (mean age: 44.7 years; mean duration of injury: 20 years; injury level T1-L2) completed the following questionnaires: Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index, Subjective Quality of Life Scale, Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities, and Community Activities Checklist. Correlations between shoulder pain scores and quality of life, physical activity, and community activities were determined using Spearman's rho test. RESULTS: Shoulder pain intensity was inversely related to subjective quality of life (r(s) =-0.35; P= 0.002) and physical activity (r(s) = -0.42; P < 0.001). Shoulder pain intensity was not related to involvement in community activities (r(s) = -0.07; P = 0.526). CONCLUSIONS: Persons with SCI who reported lower subjective quality of life and physical activity scores experienced significantly higher levels of shoulder pain. However, shoulder pain intensity did not relate to involvement in general community activities. Attention to and interventions for shoulder pain in persons with SCI may improve their overall quality of life and physical activity.     

Estudio de coste-beneficio comparando la reparación de la hernia ventral abierta y laparoscópica

Objective

Laparoscopic surgery is a successful treatment option offering significant advantages to patients compared with open ventral hernia repair. A cost-benefit analysis was performed to compare the clinical results and economic costs of the open and laparoscopic techniques for anterior abdominal wall hernia repair, in order to determine the more efficient procedure.

Material and methods

We performed a prospective study of 140 patients with primary and incisional hernia, and analyzed clinical data, morbidity, costs of surgery and hospital stay costs.

Results

The cost of disposable surgical supplies was higher with laparoscopic repair but reduced the average length of stay (P < .001) and patient morbidity (P < .001). The total cost of the laparoscopic procedure was, therefore, less than initially estimated, yielding a savings of 1,260 € per patient (2,865 € vs. 4,125 €).

Conclusions

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is associated with a reduced complication rate, a lower average length of stay and with lower total costs. Laparoscopic repair can save 1.260 € for each patient, and so this procedure should be considered a cost-effective approach.     

Citrulline levels following proximal versus distal small bowel resection

Purpose

Citrulline, a nonprotein amino acid synthesized by enterocytes, is a biomarker of bowel length and the capacity to wean from parenteral nutrition. However, the potentially variant effect of jejunal versus ileal excision on plasma citrulline concentration [CIT] has not been studied. This investigation compared serial serum [CIT] and mucosal adaptive potential after proximal versus distal small bowel resection.

Methods

Enterally fed Sprague-Dawley rats underwent sham operation or 50% small bowel resection, either proximal (PR) or distal (DR). [CIT] was measured at operation and weekly for 8 weeks. At necropsy, histologic features reflecting bowel adaptation were evaluated.

Results

By weeks 6–7, [CIT] in both resection groups significantly decreased from baseline (P < 0.05) and was significantly lower than the concentration in sham animals (P < 0.05). There was no difference in [CIT] between PR and DR at any point. Villus height and crypt density were higher in the PR than in the DR group (P ≤ 0.02).

Conclusion

[CIT] effectively differentiates animals undergoing major bowel resection from those with preserved intestinal length. The region of intestinal resection was not a determinant of [CIT]. The remaining bowel in the PR group demonstrated greater adaptive potential histologically. [CIT] is a robust biomarker for intestinal length, irrespective of location of small intestine lost.     

The impact of the prevention strategies on the indirect effects of CMV infection in solid organ transplant recipients

Transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive therapy are at increased risk of active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease. Without appropriate prophylaxis, as many as 80% of solid organ transplant recipients may experience CMV infection. In addition to the direct effects of CMV, infection may be associated with a range of indirect effects, including an increase in risk of other infections, as well as a higher incidence of rejection, graft loss and death. The indirect effects of CMV infection can vary depending on the transplanted organ. For example, CMV-infected kidney transplant recipients may be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, while CMV infection in liver transplant recipients may potentiate hepatitis C infection and increase the risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. Indirect effects result from a number of pathological processes, including immune modulation and immunosuppression, generation of cytotoxic, pro-inflammatory responses, and smooth muscle proliferation. Prophylactic treatment with antiviral medication can reduce the risk of CMV disease, thereby improving graft survival and overall outcomes, particularly in kidney and heart transplant recipients. Antiviral prophylaxis should be considered for all patients at risk of CMV infection after solid organ transplantation. In this paper we review the main indirect effects of CMV infection in solid organ transplant recipients, and the impact of CMV prophylaxis on these effects.