Hepatectomía extendida: una alternativa segura en lesiones hepatobiliares malignas / Extended hepatectomy: a safe procedure for hepatobiliary malignancy

Introducción: La hepatectomía extendida, definida como la resección de 5 o más segmentos hepáticos, se ha asociado a un elevado riesgo perioperatorio. El objetivo del presente estudio es comparar los resultados quirúrgicos de pacientes sometidos a resecciones hepáticas de más de 2 segmentos versus hepatectomía extendida. Material y Método: Se analizó nuestra serie prospectiva de pacientes entre agosto 2002 y junio 2005. Se excluyeron resecciones laparoscópicas, unisegmentarias y no anatómicas. Se configuraron 2 grupos: Grupo I: Hepatectomías extendidas, Grupo II: Resecciones hepáticas de 2 a 4 segmentos. Se analizaron variables demográficas, indicaciones, uso de hemoderivados, función hepática postoperatoria, morbilidad y mortalidad. Resultados: En este período se realizaron 59 hepatectomías. Veintinueve cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Grupo I: (n=14,) Grupo II: (n=15). Todos los pacientes del primer grupo fueron resecados por lesiones malignas (9 metástasis, 5 tumores primarios). El promedio de segmentos resecados fue 5.5 para el grupo I y 2.3 para el Grupo II. Los tiempos operatorios promedio fueron 283 y 199 minutos, respectivamente (p=0.025). Se transfundieron un promedio de 2.69 y 0.85 U GR en cada grupo (p=0.009). La estadía hospitalaria promedio fue 13.6 días para el primer grupo, y 7.35 para el segundo (p=0.004). En el Grupo I, 4 de 14 pacientes presentaron complicaciones quirúrgicas y 1 de 15 en el grupo II (p=0.1). Fallece un paciente de cada grupo, debido a insuficiencia hepática postoperatoria. Conclusiones: A pesar del gran volumen de parénquima resecado, la hepatectomía extendida es una alternativa segura para el tratamiento de lesiones hepáticas malignas.

Introduction: Extended hepatectomy has been associated with a high perioperative risk. The aim of this study is to compare the surgical results in patients who underwent a hepatic resection of more than two Couinaud's segments versus an extended hepatectomy (more than four segments). Methods: Our prospective database from August 2002 to June 2005 was reviewed. Non-anatomical, unisegmental and laparoscopic resections were excluded. There were two groups. Group I: Extended hepatectomies; Group II: Hepatic resections from 2 to 4 segments. Demographic characteristics, indications for surgery, technical aspects, use of hemocomponents, post-operative liver function, morbidity and mortality were reviewed. Results: In this period, 59 hepatectomies were performed. 29 procedures achieved the inclusion criteria. Group I: (n=14), Group II: (n=15). Hepatobiliary malignancy was the surgical indication in all cases in Group I (9 liver metastases, 5 primary liver tumors). Mean number of resected segments were 5.5 for Group 1, and 2.3 for Group II. Mean operative time was 283 and 199 minutes, respectively (p=0.025). Mean red blood cell units transfused were 2.69 and 0.85 in each group (p=0.009). Mean postop hospital stay was 13.6 days por the first group and 7.3 for the second group (p=0.004). In Group I, 4 of 14 patients developed a postoperative complication and 1 of 15 in Group II (p=0.1). Postoperative liver failure was present in two patients from Group I, one of them died. In Group II, 1 patient died secondary to liver failure. Conclussions: Extended hepatectomy is a safe procedure for hepatobiliary malignancy even when a large amount of liver parenchyma is resected.

Evaluación del juicio clínico y las guías de decisión en la pesquisa de pacientes adultos con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en la unidad de emergencia / Comparison of physician judgment and decision aids for diagnosing community-acquired pneumonia in the emergency department

Acute respiratory infections in adults constitute a common health problem in the ambulatory care setting. Objective: To compare physician judgment with decision rules developed by Diehr, Singal, Heckerling and Gennis, for diagnosing community-acquired pneumonia in the emergency department. Design: Prospective observational investigation with preradiograph survey of physician's clinical diagnosis of pneumonia in immunocompetent adult patients presenting with fever or respiratory complaints. All patients had uniform clinical data collected, including chest radiographs and sufficient information to retrospectively apply the four clinical prediction rules. Setting: the emergency department of a major urban teaching hospital from Santiago, Chile. Participants: Adult patients presenting with recent history of acute cough, sputum production, chest pain, dyspnea or fever. Results: Of 325 patients, 112 (34 percent) had pneumonia. The sensitivity (0.79), specificity (0.66), positive predictive value (0.55) and negative predictive value (0.85) of physician judgment were very similar to the Diehr rule. The sensitivity of the Heckerling (0.84) and Gennis (0.92) rules exceeded that of physician judgment but specificities were lower (0.41 and 0.31, respectively). The accuracy of physician judgment (0.70) and the Diehr rule (0.69) exceeded that of the other decision rules. Conclusions: Physician's judgment prior to observation of radiography has moderate sensitivity and specificity to diagnose pneumonia in the emergency setting. The accuracy and specificity of physician judgment exceeded that of all four decision rules to diagnose pneumonia in adult patients.

Las infecciones respiratorias agudas constituyen una causa frecuente de consulta ambulatoria en la población adulta. Objetivos: Comparar el juicio clínico del médico con las guías de decisión descritas por Diehr, Singal, Heckerling y Gennis para el diagnóstico de neumonía en adultos que consultan por fiebre y/o síntomas respiratorios en la unidad de emergencia. Métodos: Estudio clínico prospectivo realizado en pacientes adultos inmunocompetentes, sin daño pulmonar crónico, atendidos en el servicio de urgencia de un hospital docente de la Región Metropolitana. Después de la anamnesis y examen físico, el médico de urgencia establecía un diagnóstico presuntivo, y luego se realizaba una radiografía de tórax para confirmar o excluir el diagnóstico de neumonía. El registro clínico fue estandarizado y permitió medir en forma retrospectiva las cuatro guías de decisión descritas en la literatura. Resultados: De los 325 pacientes examinados, 112 (34 por ciento) tenían neumonía. La sensibilidad (0,79), especificidad (0,66), valores predictivos positivo (0,55) y negativo (0,85) del juicio clínico y la regla descrita por Diehr fueron similares. Las reglas descritas por Heckerling y Gennis fueron más sensibles (0,84 y 0,92) que el juicio clínico para el diagnóstico de neumonía, pero su especificidad fue muy baja (0,41 y 0,31). El juicio clínico y la regla descrita por Diehr fueron más precisas (0,70 y 0,69) que las otras guías de decisión. Conclusión: El juicio clínico del médico tiene una sensibilidad y especificidad moderada para establecer el diagnóstico de neumonía en la unidad de emergencia. El juicio clínico fue más preciso y específico que las cuatro guías de decisión en la pesquisa de pacientes adultos con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad.

Sepsis neonatal en la era de profilaxis antimicrobiana prenatal / Neonatal sepsis in the era of antenatal antibiotic prophylaxis

The aim of this study was to compare incidence, bacteriology and associated mortality of neonatal sepsis in a neonatal unit, after (2001-2004) and before (1995-1996) implementation of universal screening for prevention of Group B Streptococcus diseases. Early onset sepsis incidence decreased from 2.5 to 1 per 1000 live births (p = 0.03), with a decrease in the proportion of Group B Streptococcus cases from a 54 percent to 11 percent (p < 0.01). In late onset sepsis, coagulase-negative Staphylococci continued to be the predominant pathogen (49 percent of cases), and Candida albicans emerged as the second etiologic agent in the postscreening period. Sepsis associated mortality was low in both periods (2.2 percent).

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la incidencia, bacteriología y mortalidad de la sepsis neonatal entre los años 2001-2004 en una unidad neonatal, período en que se utilizó screening universal para prevención de Streptococcus agalactiae (grupo B), en comparación a un período anterior sin estrategias preventivas (1995-96). La incidencia de sepsis precoz disminuyó desde 2,5 a 1/1.000 nacidos vivos (p = 0,03), observándose una disminución de casos de S. agalactiae de 54 a 11 por ciento (p <0,01). En sepsis tardías, Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa permanece como el patógeno preponderante (49 por ciento de casos), apareciendo Candida albicans como segundo microorganismo causal más frecuente en el último período. La mortalidad asociada a sepsis ha permanecido baja en ambos períodos (2,2 por ciento). Los resultados de este estudio son concordantes con publicaciones extranjeras.

Valor predictivo de la historia clínica y examen físico en el diagnóstico de neumonía del adulto adquirida en la comunidad / Predictive value of history and physical examination for the diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia in adults

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia in adults is a serious health problem in the ambulatory care setting. Aim: To define clinical variables associated with the presence of pneumonia in adult patients presenting with fever or respiratory symptoms to the emergency department. Material and methods: Prospective study carried out in the emergency department from the Catholic University Hospital in Santiago, Chile. Three hundred twenty-five patients (53±22 years) presenting fever or acute respiratory symptoms were included. After obtaining a clinical history and physical examination, the physician established a tentative diagnosis. Subsequently, a definitive diagnosis was made with the chest X rays. Results: Thirty-four percent of the patients had pneumonia. The clinical diagnosis of pneumonia before X-ray examination was variable among emergency physicians (positive likelihood ratio: 1.5-4.8) and showed only moderate sensitivity (79 percent) and specificity (66 percent). The clinical variables significantly associated with the presence of pneumonia were: advanced age (over 75 years), cardiovascular disease, fever, chills, sputum production, orthopnea, altered mental status, cyanosis, dullness on percussion, bronchial breath sounds, crackles, any abnormal vital sign (heart rate ³100 beats/min, respiratory rate ³20 breaths/min or temperature ³38°C) and oxygen saturation below 90 percent breathing air. Conclusions: Clinical judgment prior to observation of chest X rays had moderate sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of pneumonia. There were no individual clinical findings, or combination of findings, that could confirm or exclude the diagnosis of pneumonia for a patient suspected of having this illness.

Cáncer de vesícula biliar: Tendencia y distribución del riesgo en Chile / Gallbladder cancer: trend and risk distribution in Chile

Background: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the first cause of death by cancer among Chilean women and mortality has not improved in the last 20 years. Aim: To study GBC mortality trend from 1985-2002, analyze risk differentials by age, sex, geographic region and accessibility to surgery. Material and Methods: Mortality data was obtained from death certificate databases. Population data was obtained from the census and biliary surgery information, from Ministry of Health registries. Standardized Mortality rates were based in the world population; trend was analyzed with point of change methods. Results: From 1985 to 2002, 27,183 GBC deaths occurred, 1,510 per year. The absolute number of deaths increased in 65% but standardized mortality rates remained unchanged at 11.3 per 100,000. These were higher among women than men (15.6 and 7.0, respectively, with a risk ratio of 2.2). Sex ratio peaked at ages 35-54 with risk ratio of 4.1. Death risk increased from North to South, peaking in poorer areas, especially in places with rural population and Mapuche ethnic admixture. Mortality appear to correlate with the rate of people waiting for gallbladder surgery, but not reaching statistical significance (r2 0.27, ns). Compared with other countries, Chile has a higher rate of GBC deaths in relation to its gross domestic product per capita. Conclusions: There is a high and persistent persistent risk for GBC in Chile, particularly among women, from the Southern regions where gallbladder surgery is insufficient for the needs, as reflected by the rates of people waiting for biliary surgery. GBC rates could be dropped by offering gallbladder surgery to everyone waiting for it and to those incident cases with gallstones.