Ascitis: Diagnóstico, análisis del líquido, tratamiento y complicaciones / Ascites: Diagnosis, fluid analysis, treatment and complications

Un problema común en la gastroenterología y en otras áreas de la medicina interna es la ascitis. Esta entidad puede ser la manifestación de diversas patologías. Por esta razón, es necesario conocer el abordaje inicial de estos pacientes, así como sus complicaciones y tratamiento

Seqüelas cirúrgicas do trauma pancreático / Surgical sequelae in pancreatic trauma

Mesmo infreqüente as seqüelas do trauma pancreático têm sua importância fundamentada pela dificuldade terapêutica daí advinda. As mesmas sao representadas pela fístula externa, os abscessos, a pancreatite crônica, os pseudocistos, e os derrames pancreáticos cavitários. Cada uma destas seqüelas tem o seu tratamento específico e a individualizaçao do caso, assim como, o estudo do pâncreas remanescente, constituem a base da terapêutica proposta.

Paracentesis con infusión de albumina en el tratamiento de la ascitis a tensión en pacientes cirróticos / Paracentesis combined with albumin infusion in the treatment of tense ascites in cirrhotic patients

We randomized 31 cirrhotic patients with tense ascites to a Group A receiving only diuretic therapy (spironolactone, furosemide, n = 14) or a Group B treated with paracentesis and intravenous albumin infusion (n = 17). Ascites was elminated in 88% of patients in Group B compared to 57% of patients in Group A (p < 0.05). Complications developed in 4 patients in Group A and 2 patients in Group B. Paracentesis was associated to a mild and transient reduction in mean arterial pressure and a significant rise in urinary output. Duration of hospital stay was 5 ñ 3 days in Group B and 22 ñ 6 Group A (p < 0.001). Survival and likelihood of rreadmission for ascites was similar in both groups. Our results suggest that paracentesis plus intravenous albumin infusion is a fast, safe and effective therapy for tense ascites in cirrhotic patients