Tubular vs. mini-open lumbar discoidectomy: surgical-clinical outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical-surgical results of the tubular vs. mini-open approach in lumbar discoidectomy. The tubular approach promises to reduce the number of rest days and an earlier return to daily activities and work. METHOD: A case-control study of patients operated on for disc herniation using tubular surgery (case) and mini-open (control) was carried out. The variables investigated were as follow: radicular and lumbar pain, sex, age, failure in conservative treatment, single-level lumbar hernia, surgical time, bleeding, length of hospital stay, persistence of symptoms, complications, occupational activity, and reintegration into everyday activities. RESULTS: Through 100 surgeries performed, two groups were created, tubular and mini-open, with 50 patients each, with L4-L5 or L5-S1 disc herniation, respectively. The most affected level was L4-L5 (69%). Of the total cases, a significant improvement was found (p < 0.05) at 15 postoperative days in the VAS and ODI scale in the tubular group with respect to mini-open. Complications such as surgical wound infection, durotomy, and persistent pain occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The tubular approach is a safe and effective option for herniated discs of the lumbar segment, and reduces surgical times, bleeding, and the time of reinsertion to daily activities of the patient.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar los resultados clínico-quirúrgicos del abordaje tipo tubular en comparación con el mini-open en la discoidectomía lumbar. El abordaje tubular promete reducir el número de días de reposo y una reincorporación más temprana a las actividades diarias y laborales. MÉTODO: Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles de pacientes operados por hernia discal mediante cirugía tubular (casos) o mini-open (controles). Las variables investigadas fueron: dolor radicular y lumbar, sexo, edad, falla en el tratamiento conservador, hernia lumbar de un solo nivel, tiempo quirúrgico, sangrado, tiempo de estancia hospitalaria, persistencia de síntomas, complicaciones, tipo de actividad ocupacional y reinserción a las actividades cotidianas. RESULTADOS: Se realizaron 100 cirugías y se crearon dos grupos, tubular y mini-open, con 50 pacientes cada uno, con hernia discal de L4-L5 o L5-S1, respectivamente. El nivel más afectado fue L4-L5 (69%). Del total de los casos, se encontró mejoría significativa (p < 0.05) a los 15 días posquirúrgicos en la escala EVA y ODI en el grupo tubular con respecto al mini-open. Ocurrieron complicaciones como infección de herida quirúrgica, durotomía y dolor persistente. CONCLUSIONES: El abordaje tubular es una opción segura y efectiva para hernias discales del segmento lumbar, y reduce los tiempos quirúrgicos, el sangrado y el tiempo de reinserción a las actividades cotidianas del paciente.

Assisted dorso-lumbar instrumentation with O-arm neuronavegation and minimally invasive surgery: clinical-surgical outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical-surgical outcomes after dorso-lumbar instrumentation using O-arm assisted neuronavigation and minimally invasive surgery. METHOD: In this retrospective cohort, 104 patients who underwent dorso-lumbar instrumentation with the use of O-arm from September 2013 to May 2020 were studied. Variables investigated included: symptoms, number of screws, levels approached, bleeding, surgical time, hospital stay, complications and clinical improvement after the surgical procedure. RESULTS: The most frequent symptoms were: unilateral or bilateral radiculopathy of the pelvic extremities, paresthesia, mechanical low back pain and progressive decrease in strength. A total of 542 screws were placed, with the lumbar spine being the site with the highest prevalence. The average bleeding, surgical time, and hospital stay was: 50 ml, 160 minutes, and 24 hours, respectively. The most frequent complications were: Residual neuropathy, dura mater tear and surgical site infection. Clinical improvement at 24 hours, 4 weeks and 6 months was achieved in: 77.3%, 86.5% y 94.8% of the patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Neuronavigation with the use of O-arm along with mini-open surgery approach results in good clinical-surgical outcomes in the correction of complex disorders of the dorso-lumbar spine.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar los resultados clínico-quirúrgicos de la instrumentación dorso-lumbar mediante neuronavegación asistida con O-arm y cirugía mínimamente invasiva. MÉTODO: En esta cohorte retrospectiva se estudiaron 104 pacientes sometidos a instrumentación dorso-lumbar con uso de O-arm, operados entre septiembre de 2013 y mayo de 2020. Las variables investigadas fueron sintomatología, cantidad de tornillos, niveles abordados, sangrado, tiempo quirúrgico, estancia hospitalaria, complicaciones y mejoría clínica posterior al procedimiento quirúrgico. RESULTADOS: La sintomatología más frecuente fue radiculopatía unilateral o bilateral de extremidades pélvicas, parestesias, lumbalgia mecánica y disminución progresiva de la fuerza. Se utilizaron en total 542 tornillos, siendo la columna lumbar el sitio de mayor prevalencia. Los promedios de sangrado, tiempo quirúrgico y estancia hospitalaria fueron de 50 ml, 160 minutos y 24 horas, respectivamente. Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron neuropatía residual, rasgadura de la duramadre e infección del sitio quirúrgico. La mejoría clínica a las 24 horas, 4 semanas y 6 meses se logró en el 77.3%, el 86.5% y el 94.8% de los pacientes, respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES: La neuronavegación con O-arm junto con el abordaje quirúrgico de tipo mini-open permite buenos resultados clínico-quirúrgicos en la corrección de los trastornos complejos de la columna dorso-lumbar.

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction caused by herpes zoster: Case report and pathophysiology.

Herpes zoster (HZ) infection occurs in approximately 10% to 30% of individuals. Visceral neuropathies secondary to HZ can cause cystitis and urinary retention. But colonic pseudo-obstruction can also occur. Peripheral neuropathy may reveal segmental motor paresis of either upper or lower limbs, the abdominal muscles or the diaphragm. We report the case of a 62-year-old male patient who presented with abdominal distention and cutaneous vesicular eruption on the left side of the abdominal wall. Plain X-rays and computed tomography scan showed distended small bowel. A diagnosis of intestinal pseudo-obstruction was made secondary to segmental paresis of the small intestine and visceral neuropathy. Conservative management was successful and the patient was discharged uneventfully. Intestinal pseudo-obstruction ought to be considered when dealing with non-obstructive (adynamic) conditions of the digestive tract associated with HZ infection; since early recognition may help to avoid unnecessary surgery.

Urine TREM-1 as a marker of urinary tract infection in children.

Objective Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)-1 is a receptor that is thought to improve recognition of patients with true infection. In this study, we investigated whether Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM-1) is present in urine samples from children with urinary tract infection (UTI) and in samples from healthy children. Methods A total of 128 samples met the inclusion criteria for the study. Urine samples were processed for culture and urinalysis as a regular protocol for patients with UTI. Samples were classified according to culture and urinalysis results. TREM-1 protein expression was detected with flow cytometry and sTREM-1 was assessed by ELISA. Results Flow cytometry showed detectable expression of TREM-1 in 100% of samples, UTI and non-UTI groups ( p < 0.001). Mean fluorescence intensity of TREM-1 was different between the groups ( p < 0.001). Levels of sTREM-1 were detected in patients with UTI, but not in non-UTI patients. Conclusions All of our patients (healthy and diseased) showed TREM-1 expression. However, TREM-1 levels in patients with UTI tend to be higher and are associated with increased neutrophils and cytokine activity induced by bacteria.

[Early neonatal sepsis and associated factors]. / Sepsis neonatal temprana y factores asociados.

BACKGROUND: Early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) is an infectious disease of low incidence but high morbidity and mortality with severe consequences to the newborn prognosis. Identifying the associated factors related to EONS allows to start a timely treatment and to take preventive measures. METHODS: In this case and controls study we identified all the newborns (NB) with and without EONS (cases and controls), diagnosed through blood culture in a period of three years. We studied risk factors such as: low gestational age, gender, weight, maternal infections, and premature rupture of membranes. RESULTS: Our study consisted of 27 cases and 36 controls, with a mean age of 32.43 and 33.19 weeks of gestation (WOG), respectively (p > 0.05). Of these, 22 and 29 of the cases and controls had a gestational age < 37 WOG, (p > 0.05). However, maternal infection (odds ratio [OR] 1.76), respiratory distress syndrome (OR 4.72), the need of resuscitation (OR 2.9), intubation (OR 5.1) and ventilation support (OR 2.6) were statistically different between both groups (p < 0.05). The most isolated microorganism was Staphylococcus coagulase negative (42.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors associated with EONS were maternal infection, the need of resuscitation, and intubation to ventilation support.

Introducción: la sepsis neonatal es un problema de baja incidencia, pero de elevada morbimortalidad y consecuencias severas para el pronóstico del recién nacido (RN). Conocer los factores asociados a sepsis neonatal temprana (SNT) permite iniciar un tratamiento oportuno y tomar medidas preventivas. Métodos: en este estudio de casos y controles identificamos a todos los RN con y sin SNT (casos y controles), diagnosticada con hemocultivo, en un periodo de tres años. Estudiamos los factores de riesgo para SNT: baja edad gestacional, peso, sexo, patologías maternas y ruptura prematura de membranas. Resultados: pudimos captar un total de 27 casos y 36 controles, con una edad promedio de 32.43 y 33.19 semanas de gestación (SDG), respectivamente (p > 0.05). Respectivamente 22 y 29 de los casos y controles tuvieron una edad < 37 SDG (p > 0.05). Sin embargo, la presencia de enfermedad materna, la necesidad de reanimación, intubación y apoyo ventilatorio fueron estadísticamente diferentes entre ambos grupos (p < 0.05). El microorganismo más frecuentemente aislado fue el Staphylococcus coagulasa negativo (42.3%). Conclusión: los factores asociados a SNT fueron la presencia de enfermedad materna, la necesidad de reanimación y la intubación para apoyo ventilatorio.

Expression of TREM-1 in maternal leukocytes in preterm, prelabour rupture of the membranes.

Studies have shown that triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) is the mediator and activator of neutrophils and monocytes after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), heat-inactivated Gram (-) bacteria, Gram (+) bacteria or fungi. Different studies have measured the expression of TREM-1 in patients with bacterial infections and critical states. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of TREM-1 in circulating maternal leukocytes in premature rupture of the membranes (PRM). Two groups of patients were included in this case control study: pregnant women with PRM and healthy controls. All patients were free of any infection, including cervix and urinary tract. Although all patients expressed TREM-1 to some extent, there was no statistically significant difference in the expression of different cellularities in both groups; except for the mononuclear leukocytes (p < 0.05). In this study, TREM-1 was not altered in PRM.

[Expression of TREM-1 in patients with invasive cervical cancer and precursor lesions]. / Expresión de TREM-1 en pacientes con cáncer cervical invasor y lesiones precursoras.

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that the TREM-1 glycoprotein belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily that induces secretion of various proinflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to measure the expression of TREM-1 in patients with cervical cancer. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study we included four groups of patients: GI: women with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (IL) (n = 15 p / g); GII: patients with high-grade squamous IL (n = 9 w / g); GIII: patients with invasive cervical cancer (n = 9 p / g) and GIV: healthy patients (n = 15 p / g). In all patients the expression of TREM-1 and the Average Fluorescence Index (AFI) in neutrophils and monocytes were measured, as well as levels of leukocytes, neutrophils and monocytes. We used Student's t test for independent samples. For these variables, we applied Mann-Whitney rank-sum, ANOVA, and Tukey tests. Chi square test was used for qualitative variables. RESULTS: The percentages of TREM-1 expression in neutrophils and monocytes, plus the AFI in neutrophils in the 4 groups was not significantly different. The AFI of TREM-1 in monocytes was significantly different when comparing group II and group III versus group IV (p < 0.02). There was also no significant difference when comparing the mean values of leukocytes, neutrophils and monocytes in the different groups. CONCLUSION: This study shows increased expression of TREM-1 in monocytes from patients with advanced cancer.

Introducción: se ha demostrado que la glicoproteína TREM-1 pertenece a la superfamilia de las inmunoglobulinas que induce la secreción de varias citocinas proinflamatorias. El objetivo de este trabajo fue medir la expresión de TREM-1 en pacientes con cáncer cervical. Métodos: en este estudio transversal analítico incluimos 4 grupos de pacientes: GI: mujeres con lesión intraepitelial (LI) escamosa de bajo grado (n = 15 p/g); GII: pacientes con LI escamosa de alto grado (n = 9 p/g); GIII: pacientes con cáncer cervical invasor (n = 9 p/g), y GIV: pacientes sanas (n = 15 p/g). En todas las pacientes se midió la expresión de TREM-1 y el Índice Medio de Fluorescencia (IMF) en neutrófilos y monocitos, así como los niveles de leucocitos, neutrófilos y monocitos. Usamos t de Student para muestras independientes. Para estas mismas variables, aplicamos prueba de suma de rangos de Mann-Whitney, ANOVA y Turkey. Para las variables cualitativas se utilizó la prueba de Chi cuadrada. Resultados: los porcentaje de expresión de TREM-1 en neutrófilos y monocitos, además del IMF en neutrófilos en los 4 grupos, no fue significativamente diferente. El IMF de TREM-1 en monocitos fue significativamente diferente al comparar el grupo II y grupo III frente al grupo IV (p < 0.02). Tampoco hubo diferencia significativa al comparar los valores promedio de leucocitos, neutrófilos y monocitos en los diferentes grupos. Conclusión: este estudio documenta una mayor expresión de TREM-1 en monocitos de pacientes con cáncer avanzado.

Crawford Williamson Long: The True Pioneer of Surgical Anesthesia.

Anesthesia and analgesia are as old as mankind itself. However, we now know that the true pioneer of surgical anesthesia through inhalation of ether was Doctor Crawford Williamson Long (1815-1878), who endeavored to help his profession and mankind without pursuing any reward or honor. Crawford Williamson Long was a great and beloved American surgeon. He was a well-educated and elegant man with an outstanding personality. Crawford was born in Danielsville, Georgia, in the United States and was the son of James Long and Elizabeth Ware Long. He married Mary Caroline Swain Long and gave birth to 12 children. Long proved the effectiveness of ether after painlessly removing a tumor from the neck. In 1847, a rivalry broke out among Horace Wells, Charles Thomas Jackson, and William Thomas Green Morton for the primacy as regards the discovery of anesthesia. The US Congress offered itself to arbitrate the case of the so called "ether controversy." Finally, a few years after the end of the North American Civil War, while taking care of a patient, Crawford passed away, presumably after suffering a stroke.

Raloxifene modifies the insulin sensitivity and lipid profile of postmenopausal insulin resistant women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of raloxifene on the insulin sensitivity and lipid profile in insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: This placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study involved 64 postmenopausal women aged between 45 and 55 years. All subjects were screened with the insulin resistance homeostasis model assessment (IR-HOMA) and those patients in the lowest quartile (n = 16) were assigned as insulin sensitive and those in the highest quartile as insulin resistant (n = 16). Patients in both groups received either raloxifene hydrochloride (60 mg/day) or a placebo for a period of 12 weeks. Insulin sensitivity, the serum lipid profile and anthropometric measurements were established before and after therapy. RESULTS: Women with the highest IR-HOMA scores were associated with a significantly higher weight, body mass index, waist and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.05). Raloxifene significantly reduced the IR-HOMA scores from 5.76 ± 2.91 to 1.93 ± 0.96 (p = 0.02) and modified the lipid profile in insulin-resistant patients when compared with the placebo group and those patients receiving raloxifene in the insulin-sensitive group. CONCLUSION: Raloxifene reduced insulin resistance and modified the lipid profile in insulin-resistant postmenopausal women.

Diagnóstico, clasificación y tratamiento de las infecciones en el pie diabético / Diagnosis, classification, and treatment of infections in the diabetic foot

Objetivo: Revisar la literatura para establecer lineamientos y recomendaciones para disminuir la amputación y muerte relacionadas con las infecciones del pie diabético. Sede: Centro de Prevención y Salvamento de Pie Diabético San Elian, Veracruz, Veracruz. Diseño: Revisión de la literatura. Material y Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda en la literatura para la respuesta adecuada de los siguientes ejes de investigación: clasificación de la infección (cómo se determina la gravedad de la infección); importancia de clasificar (cómo se define una infección grave, qué puntaje tiene la osteomielitis en la gravedad de la infección), y tratamiento (momento óptimo, tratamiento no quirúrgico, uso de antibióticos, cultivos, manejo de osteomielitis y tiempo de tratamiento). Resultados: Las clasificaciones de PEDIS (Perfusión, extensión, profundidad, infección y sensibilidad), IDSA (Infectious Disease Society of America) y San Elian clasifican la gravedad de la infección en leve, moderada y grave. La desbridación quirúrgica de tejido infectado debe realizarse sin diferimiento en forma inicial y subsecuente tantas veces como sea necesario con ''destechamiento'' de trayectos fistulosos. En las infecciones de moderadas a graves se recomienda tratamiento empírico de amplia cobertura (Gram positivos, Gram negativos y anaerobios). El cultivo de la herida antes de iniciar o continuar el tratamiento empírico se hace en infecciones moderadas o graves y se ajusta con el resultado del cultivo si no mejora o empeora la infección. El Staphylococcus aureus se aísla en un 40 y 50 %, con resistencia a la meticilina en un 30 a 40 %. Los antibióticos de elección son la vancomicina, la tigeciclina o el linezolid. La osteomielitis es una infección moderada profunda, caracterizada por descarga purulenta, exposición del hueso, ''dedo en salchicha'', o prueba del estilete positivo. El diagnóstico definitivo se hace con biopsia o resonancia magnética nuclear. La hospitalización está indicada en casos graves en pacientes hemodinámicamente y metabólicamente inestables. Conclusiones: Las infecciones de pie diabético pueden ser de leves a graves y pueden culminar en amputación parcial del pie, de la extremidad o hasta causar la defunción del paciente. Se requiere de una atención sistemática e integral con base en la clasificación y puntaje de San Elian.

Objective: To review the literature to establish guidelines and recommendations to diminish amputation and deaths related to diabetic foot infections. Setting: Centro de Prevención y Salvamento de Pie Diabético San Elian, Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico. Design: Review of the literature. Material and Methods: We performed a search in the literature to find an adequate answer to the following research questions: classification of the infection (how to determine the severity of the infection), relevance of classifying (how is a severe infection defined, what score can be given to osteomyelitis in the severity of the infection) and treatment (optimal time, non-surgical treatment, antibiotics use, handling of osteomyelitis, and time of treatment). Results: PEDIS (perfusion, extension, depth, infection, and sensitivity), IDSA (Infectious Disease Society of America) and San Elian classify the infection as mild, moderate and severe. Surgical debridement of the infected tissue must be performed without delay initially and subsequently as many times as required with ''unroofing'' of fistulous tracts. In moderate to severe infections an ample coverage (Gram positive and Gram negative and anaerobic bacteria) treatment is recommended. Culturing of the injury before or during empirical treatment is performed for moderate to severe infections and should be adjusted to the result of the culture if the infections does not improve or gets worse. Staphylococcus aureus is isolated 40 to 50%, with resistance to methicillin in 30 to 40%. Choice antibiotics are vancomycin, tigecycline and linezolid. Osteomyelitys is a deep moderate infection, characterized by purulent discharge, bone exposure, ''sausage toe'' or positive probe-to bone test. Definite diagnosis is reached with biopsy or magnetic nuclear resonance. Hospitalization is indicated in severe cases of hemodynamically and metabolically unstable patients. Conclusions: Diabetic foot infections can go from mild to severe and end in partial amputation of the feet, the extremity, or even cause death of the patient. Systematic and integral care based on the San Elian classification and score is required.

Effect of an educative intervention on the clinical ability of physicians in the management of metabolic syndrome.

PURPOSE: To measure the effect of an educative intervention on the clinical ability of Family Physicians of two Family Units of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with metabolic syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with a control group using basal and final measurements. The educative intervention of the experiment group included one in-the-classroom work and another at the doctors' office. The instrument was validated by a panel of experts and included 140 items and five case-oriented problems, reaching a reliability index of 0.87. RESULTS: . There was no significant difference at base measurement among the different levels of clinical ability between the two groups (p = 0.82), both the experimental and the control groups showed a higher frequency of medium level abilities (33.3 vs. 36.8% respectively). At the end of the follow-up, a significant increase in the experimental group (98 with 49-106 over 69 with 26-94) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The educative intervention utilized in this study improved the ability of Family Physicians to diagnose, treat an apply preventive measures in patients with metabolic syndrome.

[Assessment of surgical competence. A Mexican pilot study]. / Evaluación de competencias quirúrgicas. Estudio piloto mexicano.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of technical dexterity is currently the weakest issue in surgical evaluation. It is imperative to develop an objective exam that allows us to correct training deficiencies and abilities and to objectively feedback education programs and hospitals. The purpose of this study was to perform a correlation between theoretical knowledge and surgical skills. METHODS: We performed a national pilot study in in surgeons certifying by the Mexican Board of Surgery in 2010. This was a two-stage study: written exam (stage I) and oral exam (viva voce) to all surgeons approving the written exam (stage II). In stage II we utilized an objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) whose results were correlated with those of the written and oral exams. The assessment involved seven skill stations and a global rating scale to indicate correctly performed or not and a fail/pass exam, respectively. RESULTS: Sixty-two surgeons approved the written exam in two places. We found no statistical difference among skills in open surgery (bowel anastomosis, liver and vascular suture), laparoscopic surgery (grape pilling, cutting a circle and intracorporeal knot tying) and instrument identification. There was a statistically significant difference (p <0.001) when median values were compared between laparoscopic surgery vs. open surgery and the identification of surgical instruments. There was a correlation between theoretical knowledge and surgical skills. CONCLUSION: When applying an OSATS, we found a positive correlation between theoretical knowledge and surgical skills. This assessment proves to to be valid and reliable for the evaluation of surgical dexterity.

Principles of statistics in surgery.

Surgery, like any other scientific discipline, requires a systematic analysis of all its different variables in order to prove the real significance of research findings. Statistics, the science of numerical evaluation, can thoroughly help to determine the real value of surgical treatment. In this work, we study the statistical tests and principles needed to demonstrate their role in surgical research. Without a strong statistical background, a researcher may feel overwhelmed when deciding what statistical methods to utilize in research. Determining what type of data to collect and what hypothesis test to run can alter the entire way a surgical study is conducted. The relationship between power, sample size and effect size is discussed as well as the components necessary for a power analysis. Selecting an appropriate sample size is of utmost importance in any type of research since an undersized sample can invalidate an entire study. Categorical surgical data, numerical data, and the appropriate statistical procedures needed for analysis are reviewed. Methods discussed include the 2-Sample t-test, Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis, ANOVA, Chi-Square test and Fisher's exact test.

Allopurinol and xanthine oxidase inhibition in liver ischemia reperfusion.

INTRODUCTION: Allopurinol was first introduced, in 1963, as a xanthine oxidase inhibitor when it was investigated for concomitant use with cancer chemotherapy drugs. Today it is used in gout and hyperuricemia. Due to its additive benefit in preventing oxidative damage, attention has shifted towards the use of allopurinol in organ ischemia and reperfusion. CURRENT STATUS: Currently, the mechanism by which allopurinol exerts a protective benefit in ischemia reperfusion related events is not fully understood. There are various theories: it may act by inhibiting the irreversible breakdown of purine substrates, and/or by inhibiting the formation of reactive oxygen species, and/or by protecting against damage to the mitochondrial membrane. AIM: This work focuses on liver ischemia and reperfusion injury in an effort to better understand the mechanisms associated with allopurinol and with this pathological entity. REVIEW OF LITERATURE: The current research, mainly in animal models, points to allopurinol having a protective benefit, particularly if used pre-ischemically in liver ischemia reperfusion injury. Furthermore, after reviewing allopurinol dosing and administration, it was found that 50 mg/kg is statistically the most effective dose in attenuating liver ischemia reperfusion injury. Owing to the limited number of samples, the time of administration did not show statistical difference, but allopurinol was often beneficial when given around 1 h before ischemia. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, allopurinol, through its known xanthine oxidase inhibitory effect, as only one of the potential mechanisms, has demonstrated its potential application in protecting the liver during ischemia and reperfusion.

Allopurinol protection in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Through the evaluation of randomized clinical trials using a statistical methodology consisting of comparative assessment, we sought to determine the conditions under which allopurinol was a protective agent for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: The medical literature was searched for all human clinical trials from 1966 to 2008 examining the use of allopurinol in CABG. The final articles were divided into two groups based on the effectiveness of allopurinol, as determined by the requirement of postoperative inotropic/mechanical LV support. In four of the studies patients had high risk factors for CABG and this group was considered the high-risk (HR) group. The other four studies found that allopurinol-treated patients did as well as their own controls. This group had few risk factors and was considered the low-risk (LR) group. RESULTS: This study demonstrated that HR patients who received allopurinol during CABG had significantly better results than the HR patients without allopurinol treatment. Patients receiving allopurinol in the group with LR factors had no significant differences compared with the LR controls. HR allopurinol patients did significantly better (p <. 05) than LR allopurinol patients undergoing CABG. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that patients with HR factors benefited more from allopurinol than patients with LR factors. Our findings lead us to believe that it is possible that allopurinol is efficacious in patients with a potentially higher oxidant buildup as a result of increased cardiovascular risk. This hypothesis needs to be confirmed.

Bactibilia and surgical site infection after open cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Bactibilia is the presence of bacteria in gall bladder bile and may play a role in the appearance of septic complications. It has been related to increased rates of surgical site infection after cholecystectomy. In this study we investigated whether bactibilia correlates with the presence of surgical site infection after cholecystectomy. METHODS: In this observational and descriptive study we investigated those patients operated by open cholecystectomy because of chronic cholecystitis. Patients had bile culture during surgery (January-December 2006). There were two study groups: patients with negative biliary culture (group 1) and patients with positive biliary culture (group 2). Variables were age, gender, biliary culture reports, abscess, cellulitis, seroma, and hematoma. Statistical analysis included Pearson chi(2) or Fisher's exact test. For independent variables, Student t-test was used. RESULTS: Eighty patients were included (n = 40 per group). There were 24 males (30%) and 56 females (70%) who had open cholecystectomy and had biliary culture. General morbidity was 42.50% and surgical site infection rate in general was 11.25%. There were two patients with abscesses and two patients with cellulitis in group 1. There were four patients with abscesses and one patient with cellulitis in group 2. There was no statistically significant difference when comparing surgical site infection in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of bacteria in gall bladder cultures does not correlate with the development of surgical site infection after open cholecystectomy.

Effects of dantrolene on ischemia-reperfusion injury in animal models: a review of outcomes in heart, brain, liver, and kidney.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) is the restoration of blood flow to a tissue that was formerly deficient of blood flow. Tissue damage after IR is considered an IR injury (IRI). During IR, there is an increased level of cytosolic calcium ([Ca(2+)]i) due to the release of calcium from mitochondrial, sarcoendoplasmic reticulum, and nuclear organelles. Dantrolene sodium (dantrolene) is a 1-[[[5-(4-nitrophenol)-2-furanyl]methylene]amino]-2, 4-imidazolidinedione sodium salt with a nonspecific mechanism, inhibiting organelle release of Ca(2+) into the cytosol. This work reviews the outcomes of administering dantrolene in brain, heart, liver, and kidney animal models of IRI. METHODS: An extensive PubMed, MEDLINE, and MEDLAR literature review during the last 30 years on the effect of dantrolene in IRI in animal models was analyzed to determine the clinical implications of this important study. Particular attention was given to dantrolene in heart, brain, liver, and kidney IRI. RESULTS: Heart: Nine studies of heart IRI were reviewed and include an in vivo dog model (n = 1), in vivo rabbit model (n = 1), isolated dog myocardial fibers (n = 1), and isolated rat hearts (n = 6). Four studies showed decreased infarct size and increased cardiac function after IRI. One in vivo rabbit study found no difference in infarct size or cardiac function after IRI versus controls. Dantrolene may be protective or inductive of post-IRI arrhythmias depending on preestablished myocyte cycling times. Brain: Nine studies of brain IRI were reviewed and include an in vivo dog model (n = 1), in vivo gerbil model (n = 2), and in vivo rat models (n = 6). Dantrolene shows protective decreases in apoptotic markers in 6 studies, but it shows no effect on the necrotic core and mixed effects on reduction of infarct volume. One study found increased mortality in the dantrolene group. Liver: One study of in vivo rat liver IRI found that dantrolene decreased liver function tests, tissue necrosis factor α, tissue necrosis, and increased interleukin 10. Kidney: One study of in vivo rat kidney IRI showed that dantrolene had no effect. CONCLUSIONS: Dantrolene shows protective effects in animal models of heart, brain, and potentially liver IRI, reinforcing the importance of calcium homeostasis during IRI. Variations of dose, timing of administration, route of administration, and outcomes between studies make definitive conclusions difficult. The nonspecific mechanism of action of dantrolene may also account for the variation among studies. Lack of studies in the liver and kidney makes any consensus in these organs premature, and thus, emphasis for this review was put on studies of the heart and brain.

Bactibilia e infección del sitio quirúrgico posterior a colecistectomía abierta / Bactibilia and surgical site infection after open cholecystectomy

Introducción: La bactibilia es la presencia de bacterias en bilis vesicular y está relacionada con la aparición de complicaciones sépticas y con el desarrollo de infección en herida quirúrgica de la colecistectomía. En este estudio investigamos si la bactibilia se correlaciona con infección de herida posterior a colecistectomía abierta. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, de pacientes sometidos, entre enero y diciembre de 2006, a colecistectomía abierta en forma electiva por colecistitis crónica litiásica, a quienes se les realizó cultivo de bilis en el transoperatorio. Se identificaron dos grupos: con cultivo biliar negativo (grupo 1) y con cultivo biliar positivo (grupo 2). Las variables estudiadas fueron edad, sexo, resultados del cultivo, absceso, celulitis, seroma y hematoma. El análisis estadístico incluyó c2 de Pearson o prueba exacta de Fisher y t de Student. Resultados: Se estudiaron 80 pacientes (n = 40 por grupo), 24 hombres (30%) y 56 mujeres (70%), en quienes se practicó colecistectomía abierta y que contaban con cultivo biliar para el análisis. La morbilidad general fue de 42.5%. La tasa de infección del sitio quirúrgico fue de 11.25%. En el grupo 1, dos pacientes presentaron abscesos y dos celulitis; en el grupo 2, cuatro abscesos y uno celulitis. No hubo diferencia significativa al comparar la infección del sitio quirúrgico entre ambos grupos. Conclusiones: La presencia de bacterias en los cultivos de bilis vesicular no se correlacionó con el desarrollo de infección en herida quirúrgica posterior a colecistectomía.

BACKGROUND: Bactibilia is the presence of bacteria in gall bladder bile and may play a role in the appearance of septic complications. It has been related to increased rates of surgical site infection after cholecystectomy. In this study we investigated whether bactibilia correlates with the presence of surgical site infection after cholecystectomy. METHODS: In this observational and descriptive study we investigated those patients operated by open cholecystectomy because of chronic cholecystitis. Patients had bile culture during surgery (January-December 2006). There were two study groups: patients with negative biliary culture (group 1) and patients with positive biliary culture (group 2). Variables were age, gender, biliary culture reports, abscess, cellulitis, seroma, and hematoma. Statistical analysis included Pearson chi(2) or Fisher's exact test. For independent variables, Student t-test was used. RESULTS: Eighty patients were included (n = 40 per group). There were 24 males (30%) and 56 females (70%) who had open cholecystectomy and had biliary culture. General morbidity was 42.50% and surgical site infection rate in general was 11.25%. There were two patients with abscesses and two patients with cellulitis in group 1. There were four patients with abscesses and one patient with cellulitis in group 2. There was no statistically significant difference when comparing surgical site infection in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of bacteria in gall bladder cultures does not correlate with the development of surgical site infection after open cholecystectomy.