Endovenous Laser Ablation with and Without Concomitant Phlebectomy for the Treatment of Varicose Veins: A Retrospective Analysis of 954 Limbs.

BACKGROUND: Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) with concomitant phlebectomy is commonly performed in many institutions. However, phlebectomy is associated with cosmetic complications such as surgical scarring, hemorrhage, and hematoma. This study aims to compare the need for additional sclerotherapy during follow-up after EVLA with and without concomitant phlebectomy. METHODS: Between November 2013 and December 2018, we performed EVLA on 1,363 limbs in 1,009 patients with symptomatic primary varicose veins, of which 954 limbs in 771 patients with great saphenous vein (GSV) or small saphenous vein (SSV) insufficiency were included in this study. Data were collected prospectively and supplemented with retrospective medical record review. Demographic and clinical characteristic profiles were collected. The outcomes of EVLA with or without concomitant phlebectomy were compared. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors for additional sclerotherapy after EVLA. RESULTS: CEAP classification (P < 0.001), operative time (P < 0.001), laser device type (P < 0.001), length of the treated vein (P < 0.001), linear endovenous energy density (P < 0.001), and tumescent local anesthesia volume (P < 0.001) differed significantly. Pain after EVLA was significantly more frequent in the nonphlebectomy group than in the phlebectomy group (P = 0.005). During follow-up, 34 of 954 limbs (3.6%) underwent additional sclerotherapy for residual visible varicose veins after EVLA. No statistical difference was found in the rate of additional sclerotherapy between the groups (P = 0.849). Logistic regression showed that female sex (odds ratio [OR], 6.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.86-20.6; P = 0.003) is significantly associated with additional sclerotherapy, and concomitant phlebectomy is not a significant predictor of additional sclerotherapy (OR, 0.844; 95% CI, 0.375-1.90; P = 0.682). CONCLUSIONS: Patient preference for additional sclerotherapy was comparable between those who underwent EVLA with and without concomitant phlebectomy. This result supports our present strategy of avoiding simultaneous phlebectomy at the time of primary EVLA.

[Use of StyletScope in a patient with airway injury].

A forty-year old man hanged himself and was transported to our hospital. On arrival his consciousness was clear but he showed dyspnea, dysphagia, and oral bleeding. Tracheal intubation was attempted but was failed and emergency tracheostomy was successfully accomplished. Tracheoplasty was soon scheduled under general anesthesia because of subcutaneous emphysema. An ordinary laryngoscope could not give a view of the larynx at all. Orotracheal intubation was accomplished with StyletScope. It worked very well for the destroyed trachea. StyletScope is a useful device for intubation, especially in difficult airway management.

Warthin's tumor of the parotid gland: study of 70 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical characteristics, treatment and complication of Warthin tumors. METHODS: we conducted a retrospective study of 70 patients undergoing resection of papillary lymphomatous cystadenoma. VARIABLES: age, sex, ethnicity, presence or absence of smoking, primary site of tumor, tumor size in cm, presence of bilateral tumor, type of operation, multicentricity, treatment complications, recurrence and follow up. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (62.8%) were male and 26 (37.2%) female, with a mean age of 56.7; smoking was present in 55 (78.6%) patients; 66 (94.3%) tumors were unilateral and four (5.7%) bilateral, with an average size of 4.1 cm on physical examination. The complications were 14 (19%) cases of facial paresis and / or paralysis, seroma in 10 (13.8%), Frey's syndrome in three (4%), hematoma in two (2.7%) and wound infection in one (1.5%) case. CONCLUSIONS: Warthin tumors have a higher incidence in male smokers and predominantly unilateral location of the parotid gland. Superficial parotidectomy with preservation of facial nerve was effective in 100% cases. Complications were transient paresis or paralysis, seroma, Frey syndrome, hematoma and wound infection.

[Neck skin collision tumor]. / Tumor de colisão de pele do pescoço.

The collision or mixed tumor is a malignant neoplasm of the skin related to sun exposure and incidence rates of up to 1.5%. It displays a distinctive clinical behavior in relation to other malignancies of the skin and the histological diagnosis, characterized by the collision between a basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, i.e., two malignancies with distinct histologies and sharp interface between them. The case reported was of a male, 73-year-old patient, with two cervical lesions progressively growing in recent months. The chosen treatment was surgery. Histological examination showed the presence of squamous cell carcinoma adjacent to basal cell carcinoma. These tumors preferentially occur in light-skinned men in the fifth or sixth decades of life. Their most common location is in the head and neck, especially in the central part of the face. The differential diagnosis of basal-squamous carcinoma is defined by distinct histological criteria, since both tumors have similar clinical behavior. Local recurrence rates vary from 12% to 45%, whereas regional ones are of approximately 7.5%. The main prognostic factors are gender, surgical margins, perineural infiltration and lymph node status. The treatment of choice is resection, radiotherapy being indicated as adjuvant or to inoperable lesions. Local recurrence is the main limiting factor in disease-free survival, with poor results.

Tumor de Warthin da glândula parótida: estudo de 70 casos / Warthin's tumor of the parotid gland: study of 70 cases

OBJETIVO: Relatar as características clínicas, tratamento e complicações.dos tumores de Warthin. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo com 70 pacientes submetidos à ressecção de cistoadenoma papilífero linfomatoso,. Variáveis analisadas: idade, sexo, etnia, presença ou não de tabagismo, sítio primário do tumor, tamanho do tumor em centímetros, presença de bilateralidade, tipo de operação, multicentricidade, complicações do tratamento, presença de recidiva no seguimento e tempo de seguimento.. RESULTADOS: Quarenta e quatro pacientes (62,8 por cento) eram do sexo masculino e 26 (37,2 por cento), do sexo feminino, com média etária de 56,7 anos, O tabagismo estava presente em 55 (78,6 por cento) pacientes, (94,3 por cento) dos tumores eram unilaterais e quatro (5,7 por cento) bilaterais, com tamanho médio de 4,1cm ao exame físico. As complicações foram 14 (19 por cento) casos de paresia e/ou paralisia facial, seroma em 10 (13,8 por cento), síndrome de Frey em três (4 por cento), hematoma em dois (2,7 por cento) e infecção de ferida operatória em um (1,5 por cento) caso. CONCLUSÃO: O tumor de Warthin tem maior incidência no sexo masculino, em tabagistas e localização unilateral predominante na glândula parótida. A parotidectomia superficial com preservação do nervo facial mostrou-se eficaz em 100 por cento casos. As complicações encontradas foram paresias ou paralisias transitórias, seroma, síndrome de Frey, hematoma e infecção de ferida operatória.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical characteristics, treatment and complication of Warthin tumors. METHODS: we conducted a retrospective study of 70 patients undergoing resection of papillary lymphomatous cystadenoma. Variables: age, sex, ethnicity, presence or absence of smoking, primary site of tumor, tumor size in cm, presence of bilateral tumor, type of operation, multicentricity, treatment complications, recurrence and follow up. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (62.8 percent) were male and 26 (37.2 percent) female, with a mean age of 56.7; smoking was present in 55 (78.6 percent) patients; 66 (94.3 percent) tumors were unilateral and four (5.7 percent) bilateral, with an average size of 4.1 cm on physical examination. The complications were 14 (19 percent) cases of facial paresis and / or paralysis, seroma in 10 (13.8 percent), Frey's syndrome in three (4 percent), hematoma in two (2.7 percent) and wound infection in one (1.5 percent) case. CONCLUSIONS: Warthin tumors have a higher incidence in male smokers and predominantly unilateral location of the parotid gland. Superficial parotidectomy with preservation of facial nerve was effective in 100 percent cases. Complications were transient paresis or paralysis, seroma, Frey syndrome, hematoma and wound infection.

Tumor de colisão de pele do pescoço / Neck skin collision tumor

O tumor de colisão ou tumor misto é uma neoplasia maligna de pele, relacionada à exposição solar e com índices de incidência de até 1,5 por cento. Apresenta comportamento clínico peculiar, em relação às demais neoplasias malignas de pele e com diagnóstico histológico, caracterizado pela colisão entre um carcinoma basocelular e um carcinoma epidermóide, ou seja, duas neoplasias com histologias distintas e interface nítida entre ambas. O caso relatado foi de paciente do sexo masculino, 73 anos, com duas lesões cervicais de crescimento progressivo nos últimos meses. O tratamento realizado foi cirúrgico, com exame histológico demonstrando a presença de carcinoma de células escamosas contíguo ao carcinoma de células basais. O acometimento preferencial ocorre em homens de pele clara, na quinta ou sexta décadas de vida. Sua localização mais comum é na cabeça e pescoço, principalmente na parte central da face. O carcinoma basoescamoso é diagnóstico diferencial, definido através de critérios histológicos distintos, uma vez que ambas neoplasias apresentam comportamento clínico semelhante. Os índices de recidiva local variam de 12 por cento a 45 por cento, enquanto que é baixo na recidiva regional, de aproximadamente 7,5 por cento. Os principais fatores prognósticos são o gênero do paciente, margens cirúrgicas, infiltração perineural e status linfonodal. O tratamento de escolha é a ressecção, sendo a radioterapia indicada na sua adjuvância e lesões irressecáveis. A recidiva local é o principal fator limitante na sobrevida livre de doença que apresenta resultados pobres.

The collision or mixed tumor is a malignant neoplasm of the skin related to sun exposure and incidence rates of up to 1.5 percent. It displays a distinctive clinical behavior in relation to other malignancies of the skin and the histological diagnosis, characterized by the collision between a basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, i.e., two malignancies with distinct histologies and sharp interface between them. The case reported was of a male, 73-year-old patient, with two cervical lesions progressively growing in recent months. The chosen treatment was surgery. Histological examination showed the presence of squamous cell carcinoma adjacent to basal cell carcinoma. These tumors preferentially occur in light-skinned men in the fifth or sixth decades of life. Their most common location is in the head and neck, especially in the central part of the face. The differential diagnosis of basal-squamous carcinoma is defined by distinct histological criteria, since both tumors have similar clinical behavior. Local recurrence rates vary from 12 percent to 45 percent, whereas regional ones are of approximately 7.5 percent. The main prognostic factors are gender, surgical margins, perineural infiltration and lymph node status. The treatment of choice is resection, radiotherapy being indicated as adjuvant or to inoperable lesions. Local recurrence is the main limiting factor in disease-free survival, with poor results.

Gallstone pancreatitis: positive correlation between severe pancreatitis and passed stone.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Little is known about whether the severity of pancreatitis depends upon persistent stone impaction or stone passage into the duodenum, and the role of endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) has remained controversial. METHODS: This study reviewed our experience of 183 patients with gallstone pancreatitis, with special attention paid to the relationship between the severity of pancreatitis, the severity of coexisting biliary pathology, and the outcome. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (9%) had severe pancreatitis (SP) and the remaining 167 (91%) had mild pancreatitis (MP). All of the SP patients had pancreatic necrosis, and 6 of them developed multiple organ failure (MOF). No SP patients had stones impacted at the papilla of Vater or persistent stones and purulent bile in the bile duct (severe cholangitis). Most SP patients (94%) had stones in the gallbladder alone, suggesting stone passage into the duodenum. Of the 167 MP patients, on the other hand, 58 (35%) had severe cholangitis. Four patients (25%) with SP died of MOF. There were four deaths in the MP group (2%) and all in patients with coexisting severe cholangitis, 2 of whom were in septic shock at the time of admission. CONCLUSIONS: None of the SP patients had severe cholangitis. The positive correlation between SP and passed stone suggests that early ES should not be advocated for SP patients. MP patients with coexisting severe cholangitis are likely to benefit from ES.

Prevalence of intestinal nematodes in alcoholic patients

We report the results of a retrospective study on the frequency of intestinal nematodes among 198 alcoholic and 440 nonalcoholic patients at the University Hospital Cassiano Antonio Moraes in Vitória, ES, Brazil. The control sample included 194 nonalcoholic patients matched according to age, sex and neighborhood and a random sample of 296 adults admitted at the same hospital. Stool examination by sedimentation method (three samples) was performed in all patients. There was a significantly higher frequency of intestinal nematodes in alcoholics than in controls (35.3 percent and 19.2 percent, respectively), due to a higher frequency of Strongyloides stercoralis (21.7 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively). Disregarding this parasite, the frequency of the other nematodes was similar in both groups. The higher frequency of S. stercoralis infection in alcoholics could be explained by immune modulation and/or by some alteration in corticosteroid metabolism induced by chronic ethanol ingestion. Corticosteroid metabolites would mimic the worm ecdisteroids, that would in turn increase the fecundity of females in duodenum and survival of larvae. Consequently, the higher frequency of Strongyloides larvae in stool of alcoholics does not necessarily reflect an increased frequency of infection rate, but only an increased chance to present a positive stool examination using sedimentation methods

Prevalence of intestinal nematodes in alcoholic patients.

We report the results of a retrospective study on the frequency of intestinal nematodes among 198 alcoholic and 440 nonalcoholic patients at the University Hospital Cassiano Antonio Moraes in Vit ria, ES, Brazil. The control sample included 194 nonalcoholic patients matched according to age, sex and neighborhood and a random sample of 296 adults admitted at the same hospital. Stool examination by sedimentation method (three samples) was performed in all patients. There was a significantly higher frequency of intestinal nematodes in alcoholics than in controls (35.3% and 19.2%, respectively), due to a higher frequency of Strongyloides stercoralis (21.7% and 4.1%, respectively). Disregarding this parasite, the frequency of the other nematodes was similar in both groups. The higher frequency of S. stercoralis infection in alcoholics could be explained by immune modulation and/or by some alteration in corticosteroid metabolism induced by chronic ethanol ingestion. Corticosteroid metabolites would mimic the worm ecdisteroids, that would in turn increase the fecundity of females in duodenum and survival of larvae. Consequently, the higher frequency of Strongyloides larvae in stool of alcoholics does not necessarily reflect an increased frequency of infection rate, but only an increased chance to present a positive stool examination using sedimentation methods.