Carcass characteristics of suckling lambs protected by the PGI "Lechazo de Castilla y León" European quality label: Effect of breed, sex and carcass weight.

In the Region of "Castilla y León" (Spain), as in other Mediterranean areas, fresh suckling lamb meat is regarded as having a high edible quality. The EU granted this product a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) "Lechazo de Castilla y León" in 1999. In this study, several carcass characteristics of suckling lambs protected by this PGI were determined, while the effects of breed, sex, and carcass weight were studied. Some differences in carcass characteristics within the three PGI authorized breeds have been detected. Neither carcass weight nor conformation measurements were good predictors of the composition of the PGI protected suckling lamb carcasses. The best predictors were fatness and composition of the leg and loin tissues, although dissection of these joints is not feasible on a daily basis. Lastly, some differences, due to sex and weight were identified in conformation, fat percentage, jointing and joint composition. Differences were, however, rather small, due to the lambs' young age and low variation in carcass weight.

[Cholelithiasis in patients with liver cirrhosis]. / Colelitiasis en pacientes con cirrosis hepática.

We retrospectively studied 67 cirrhotic patients hospitalized in the service of gastroenterology of Hospital Daniel A. Carrión, Callao, Perú, between June 1993 and July 1995, aimed to determine the frequency of cholelithiasis and its main clinical and epidemiological features. Twelve out of 67 cirrhotic patients (17.91%) had cholelithiasis. 24% of women and 14.3% of men were affected (p > 0.05). The mean age of women and men were 57.33 and 57.5 years old respectively (range: 41-67 years old). The frequency of cholelithiasis did not increase with age and the proportionally most affected age group was 41-50 years (33.33%). Alcoholic etiology was the most often in cirrhotic patients with cholelithiasis (41.67%). The severity of liver disease influenced in the cholelithiasis frequency (p = 0.001) and 33.33% of patients with gallstones were in grade C of Child Pugh Score. Two thirds of patients were asymptomatic. We conclude: 1. Cholelithiasis in our cirrhotic patients more prevalent than in general population (17.91% vs 0.7-5%). 2. Age did not influence in cholelithiasis prevalence in our cirrhotic patients. 3. The severity of liver disfunction influenced in highly significant way (p = 0.001) on cholelithiasis prevalence. 4. Cirrhotic patients with gallstones had mostly (66.67%) an asymptomatic course.

[Pediatric colonoscopic polypectomy]. / Polipectomía colonoscópica pediátrica.

Colorectal polyps are relatively frequent in infancy and constitute one of the main causes of bleeding per rectum. Endoscopic polypectomy, with its lower morbidity and mortality, has revolutionized its treatment. Between October 1, 1985 and May 31, 1994, 122 polypectomies were done in 88 pediatric patients. Forty five patients (51.1%) were male and 43 female (48.9%). Forty four patients (50%) were between 1 and 5 years of age. Ninety five polyps (77.9%) were found more frequently in the rectum. Regarding the size, 63 polyps (51.6%) measured between 1 and 2 cm. Seventy three patients (83%) had a single polyp, 10 patients (11.4%) had 2 polyps and 1 patient had 12 polyps. Ninety six polyps (78.7%) were pedunculated, being this the more frequent form found. Histologically the most common was the juvenile polyp, found in 106 cases (87.6%). The polypectomies was carried out without using general anesthesia and is performed as an outpatient procedure. We had no experience of endoscopic complications. It is concluded that colonoscopy polypectomy is a useful, simple and safe procedure for treating colorectal polyps in children.

Diagnóstico laparoscópico: un estudio retrospectivo de 259 casos / Laparoscopic diagnostic: a retrospective review of 259 cases

El rol que se le asigna a la laparoscopía en el manejo de las enfermedades hepáticas ha cambiado debido al uso de la biopsia dirigida por imágenes. La laparoscopía, sin embargo, permite la inspección directa de la superficie hepática y de la cavidad abdominal así como también la toma de biopsia. Con la finalidad de evaluar la utilidad de la laparoscopía y específicamente el valor diagnóstico de la visualización directa de la superficie hepática, nosotros retrospectivamente recolectamos información en 259 pacientes que se les realizó endoscopía. Se evaluó la contribución de los hallazgos laparoscópicos para el manejo de los pacientes y el valor del diagnóstico laparoscópico comparado con la histología. La laparoscopía tuvo un rendimiento diagnóstico de 74 por ciento. El diagnóstico visual fue más exacto en pacientes con cáncer hepático (86 por ciento), pero fue moderado en los pacientes con peritonitis tuberculosa (78.5 por ciento) y cirrosis (69 por ciento). Nosotros concluimos que la laparoscopía continúa siendo un procedimiento de gran valor diagnóstico especialmente en los casos donde se requiere evaluar exactamente la arquitectura hepática, con baja morbilidad y sin mortalidad