Role of parenteral nutrition in oncologic patients with intestinal occlusion and peritoneal carcinomatosis / Papel de la nutrición parenteral en pacientes oncológicos con oclusión intestinal y carcinomatosis peritoneal

Introduction and aims: the precise role of parenteral nutrition in the management of oncologic patients with intestinal occlusion is not well defined yet. We aimed to identify the effects of parenteral nutrition in these patients regarding prognosis. Material and methods: 55 patients with intestinal occlusion and peritoneal carcinomatosis were included. Parenteral nutrition aimed at 20-35 kcal/Kg/day, and 1.0 g/kg/day of amino-acids. Weight, body mass index, type of tumor, type of chemotherapy, and ECOG among others were recorded and analyzed. Results: 69.1% of the patients had gastrointestinal tumors, 18.2% gynecologic and 12.7% others. Age was 60 ± 13y, baseline ECOG 1.5 ± 0.5 and body mass index 21.6 ± 4.3. Malnutrition was present in 85%. Survival from the start of parenteral nutrition was not significant when considering baseline ECOG (log rank = 0.593, p = 0.743), previous lines of chemotherapy (log rank = 2.117, p = 0.548), baseline BMI (log rank = 2.686, p = 0.261), or type of tumor (log rank = 2.066, p = 0.356). Survival in patients who received home parenteral nutrition after hospital discharge was higher than those who stayed in-hospital (log rank = 7.090, p = 0.008). Survival in patients who started chemotherapy during or after parenteral nutrition was higher than those who did not so (log rank = 17.316, p < 0.001). A total of 3.6% of patients presented catheter related infection without affecting survival (log rank = 0.061, p = 0.804). Conclusions: Parenteral nutrition in patients with advanced cancer and intestinal occlusion is safe, and in those who respond to chemotherapy, further administration of home parenteral nutrition together with chemotherapy may enhance prolonged survival (AU)

Introducción y objetivos: el papel preciso de la nutrición parenteral en el manejo de los pacientes oncológicos con obstrucción intestinal no está bien definido todavía. El objetivo del presente trabajo es evaluar los efectos de la nutrición parenteral en este tipo de pacientes en cuanto al pronóstico. Material y métodos: fueron incluidos 55 pacientes con obstrucción intestinal y carcinomatosis peritoneal. La nutrición parenteral proporcionó 20-35 kcal/Kg/día y 1.0 g/kg/día de aminoácidos. El peso, el IMC, el tipo de tumor, el tipo de quimioterapia recibida y el ECOG, entre otras variables, fueron recogidas y analizadas. Resultados: un 69,1% de los pacientes presentaban tumors gastrointestinales, un 18,2% ginecológicos y otros tumores el 12,7% restante. La edad media fue de 60 ± 13 años, con un ECOG basal de 1,5 ± 0,5 y un IMC de 21,6 ± 4,3. La presencia de malnutrición fue de un 85%. La supervivencia desde el inicio de la nutrición parenteral no fue significativamente distinta entre los pacientes al considerar su ECOG basal (log rank = 0,593, p = 0,743), las líneas previas de quimioterapia recibida (log rank = 2,117, p = 0,548), el IMC basal (log rank = 2,686, p = 0,261), o el tipo de tumor (log rank = 2,066, p = 0,356). La supervivencia en los pacientes en que fue posible el alta hospitalaria con nutrición parenteral fue superior (log rank = 7,090, p = 0,008). La supervivencia en los pacientes en que se inició la quimioterapia durante o tras iniciar la nutrición parenteral fue también superior (log rank = 17,316, p < 0,001). Un total de 3,6% de los pacientes presentaron infección relacionada con el catéter sin afectar la supervivencia (log rank = 0,061, p = 0,804). Conclusión: la nutrición parenteral en los pacientes oncológicos con obstrucción intestinal y carcinomatosis peritoneal es segura y, en aquellos que responden a quimioterapia, el uso de la nutrición parenteral domiciliaria, junto con en tratamiento antitumoral activo, aumentan la supervivencia (AU)

ROLE OF PARENTERAL NUTRITION IN ONCOLOGIC PATIENTS WITH INTESTINAL OCCLUSION AND PERITONEAL CARCINOMATOSIS.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: the precise role of parenteral nutrition in the management of oncologic patients with intestinal occlusion is not well defined yet. We aimed to identify the effects of parenteral nutrition in these patients regarding prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 55 patients with intestinal occlusion and peritoneal carcinomatosis were included. Parenteral nutrition aimed at 20-35 kcal/Kg/day, and 1.0 g/kg/day of amino-acids. Weight, body mass index, type of tumor, type of chemotherapy, and ECOG among others were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: 69.1% of the patients had gastrointestinal tumors, 18.2% gynecologic and 12.7% others. Age was 60 ± 13y, baseline ECOG 1.5 ± 0.5 and body mass index 21.6 ± 4.3. Malnutrition was present in 85%. Survival from the start of parenteral nutrition was not significant when considering baseline ECOG (log rank = 0.593, p = 0.743), previous lines of chemotherapy (log rank = 2.117, p = 0.548), baseline BMI (log rank = 2.686, p = 0.261), or type of tumor (log rank = 2.066, p = 0.356). Survival in patients who received home parenteral nutrition after hospital discharge was higher than those who stayed in-hospital (log rank = 7.090, p = 0.008). Survival in patients who started chemotherapy during or after parenteral nutrition was higher than those who did not so (log rank = 17.316, p < 0.001). A total of 3.6% of patients presented catheter related infection without affecting survival (log rank = 0.061, p = 0.804). CONCLUSIONS: Parenteral nutrition in patients with advanced cancer and intestinal occlusion is safe, and in tho se who respond to chemotherapy, further administration of home parenteral nutrition together with chemotherapy may enhance prolonged survival.

Introducción y objetivos: el papel preciso de la nutrición parenteral en el manejo de los pacientes oncológicos con obstrucción intestinal no está bien definido todavía. El objetivo del presente trabajo es evaluar los efectos de la nutrición parenteral en este tipo de pacientes en cuanto al pronóstico. Material y métodos: fueron incluidos 55 pacientes con obstrucción intestinal y carcinomatosis peritoneal. La nutrición parenteral proporcionó 20-35 kcal/Kg/día y 1.0 g/kg/día de aminoácidos. El peso, el IMC, el tipo de tumor, el tipo de quimioterapia recibida y el ECOG, entre otras variables, fueron recogidas y analizadas. Resultados: un 69,1% de los pacientes presentaban tumors gastrointestinales, un 18,2% ginecológicos y otros tumores el 12,7% restante. La edad media fue de 60 ± 13 años, con un ECOG basal de 1,5 ± 0,5 y un IMC de 21,6 ± 4,3. La presencia de malnutrición fue de un 85%. La supervivencia desde el inicio de la nutrición parenteral no fue significativamente distinta entre los pacientes al considerar su ECOG basal (log rank = 0,593, p = 0,743), las líneas previas de quimioterapia recibida (log rank = 2,117, p = 0,548), el IMC basal (log rank = 2,686, p = 0,261), o el tipo de tumor (log rank = 2,066, p = 0,356). La supervivencia en los pacientes en que fue posible el alta hospitalaria con nutrición parenteral fue superior (log rank = 7,090, p = 0,008). La supervivencia en los pacientes en que se inició la quimioterapia durante o tras iniciar la nutrición parenteral fue también superior (log rank = 17,316, p < 0,001). Un total de 3,6% de los pacientes presentaron infección relacionada con el catéter sin afectar la supervivencia (log rank = 0,061, p = 0,804). Conclusión: la nutrición parenteral en los pacientes oncológicos con obstrucción intestinal y carcinomatosis peritoneal es segura y, en aquellos que responden a qui mioterapia, el uso de la nutrición parenteral domiciliaria, junto con en tratamiento antitumoral activo, aumentan la supervivencia.

Role of peripherally inserted central catheters in home parenteral nutrition: a 5-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) has become a common therapy, with tunneled central venous catheters (CVCs) being preferred for its administration. Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are not currently recommended for long-term HPN, although evidence to support this statement is scarce. The authors aimed to evaluate the outcomes of HPN, focusing on CVC-related complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients attended at the authors' center for HPN from 2007-2011 were prospectively included. HPN composition aimed at 20-35 kcal/kg/d, 3-6 g/kg/d of glucose, 1.0 g/kg/d of amino acids, and <1 g/kg/d of lipids. HPN was infused in an intermittent schedule, mostly at night. Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) were confirmed with positive semi-quantitative or quantitative culture of the catheter or simultaneous differential blood cultures drawn through the CVC and peripheral vein. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients received HPN, with 79 implanted CVCs (48 PICCs, 10 Hickman, and 21 ports). Mean catheter-days were 129.1 for PICCs, 98.5 for Hickman, and 67.7 for ports (P = .685). When analyzing CRBSIs, ports had 44, Hickman had 20, and PICC had 0 episodes per 1000 catheter-days (P = .078). Only PICCs showed less incidence of CRBSIs vs ports (P = .043). Multivariate logistic regression, correcting by catheter-days, patients' age and sex, underlying disease, and type of catheter, showed that only catheter-days (P = .031) was a predictor for CRBSIs (P = .007, Nagelkerke R= = 0.246). CONCLUSION: PICCs are similar in terms of catheter-related complications to other CVCs for the administration of HPN, especially for oncology patients with HPN lasting <6 months.

Clinical characteristics of agitated psychotic patients treated with an oral antipsychotics attended in the emergency room setting: NATURA study.

Purpose. Prospective observational study to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with acute psychosis and agitation who receive oral psychopharmacological treatment at psychiatric emergency services (PES). Methods. A total of 278 patients with acute psychosis and agitation were admitted to PES and received oral psychopharmacological treatment. Diagnosis at admission, agitation level at entry and discharge, use of mechanical restraints, pharmacological and time to reintervention were prospectively explored. Severity of the disease was evaluated according to the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale-Excitement Component (PANSS-EC), Agitation Calmness Evaluation Scale (ACES) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) at admission, before first reintervention (if any) and at discharge from PES. Results. Most prevalent diagnoses were schizophrenia (77%) and bipolar disorder (12.2%). Mean (SD) scores in rating scales at baseline and at discharge were, respectively: PANSS-EC, 20.38(5.3) and 13.04 (5.5); CGI-S, 3.86(1.1) and 2.17(0.9); and ACES, 2.35(0.6) and 3.60(1.1). A total of 21.6% (60/278) of the patients required mechanical restraints and 38.1% (106/278) reintervention. From the emergency room, 20.5% patients went home while 71.2% were transferred to inpatient units. Conclusion. Clinical characteristics of psychotic agitated patients may help in deciding which type of treatment should be used and may be useful for the design of future prospective trials to explore treatment of agitation.

[Current status of the retroperitoneoscopic surgical approach in pediatric urology]. / Estado actual del abordaje retroperitoneoscopico en urologia pediatrica.

Urologic pediatric retroperitoneoscopy has had three different stages that have conditioned, although not hindered, its development: 1) limited number of indications in the pediatric age, because pediatric surgery itself is not much invasive; 2) adaptation of the technological development from adult to children; 3) overcoming the controversies between laparoscopic and non laparoscopic pediatric surgeons. After overcoming these stages, retroperitoneoscopy has become an indispensable tool for the treatment of various diseases of the kidney, being nephrectomy the gold standard among the indications for ablation, and pyeloplasty among reconstructive, through a complete or assisted retroperitoneoscopic approach.

Estado actual del abordaje retroperitoneoscopico en Urología Pediátrica / Current status of the retroperitoneoscopic surgical approach in pediatric urology

La retroperitoneoscopia urológica pediátrica presenta tres etapas diferenciadas que han condicionado su desarrollo, aunque no impedido: 1) limitadas indicaciones en la edad pediátrica, debido a que la cirugía pediátrica convencional se caracteriza por ser poco invasiva; 2) adecuación del desarrollo tecnológico realizado en el adulto a la edad pediátrica; 3) superar las controversias entre cirujanos pediátricos y no laparoscopistas. Tras superar ésta etapa, la retroperitoneoscopiase ha impuesto como herramienta imprescindible para el tratamiento de las diversas patologías de la celda renal, siendo de las indicaciones ablativos la nefrectomía su «gold estándar», y de las reconstructivas la pieloplastia, por abordaje retroperitoneoscopico completo o asistido (AU)

Urologic pediatric retroperitoneoscopy has had three different stages that have conditioned, although not hindered, its development: 1) limited number of indications in the pediatric age, because pediatric surgery itself is not much invasive; 2) adaptation of the technological development from adult to children; 3) overcoming the controversies between laparoscopic and non laparoscopic pediatric surgeons. After overcoming these stages, retroperitoneoscopy has become an indispensable tool for the treatment of various diseases of the kidney, being nephrectomy the gold standard among the indications for ablation, and pyeloplasty among reconstructive, through a complete or assisted retroperitoneoscopic approach (AU)

Internet in clinical research based on a pilot experience.

Computing has become an integral part of many disciplines nowadays, turning it into an evermore necessary working tool. Internet provides a fast and easy way to collect scientific data and is becoming a more and more effective and safe way to transmit data. It is also an efficient means for interaction and information sharing within a work group that provides the necessary flexibility. A pilot project was conducted replacing the traditional hardcopy version of the case report form for an electronic one (e-CRF) and with access to Internet within the Naturalistic Randomized Clinical Trial of the Effectiveness of Olanzapine and Risperidone in the Treatment of Schizophrenia. Carrying out this pilot project has given us the opportunity to determine the advantages electronic data collection (EDC) by Internet has to offer both researchers and sponsors. The results have optimized time management, since it is easier to work in real time; data quality is improved, since intermediates are eliminated, and it facilitates communication amongst the different parties involved in the project. The use of this technology requires updated Internet connections and adequate personal computers, since the possibilities offered by the computer system and high-speed connection are critical in conducting the project. Obviously, this may involve a higher initial investment, but the results have revealed to us that these start-up costs are later offset by lowering personnel costs or by decreasing the number of monitoring visits. On the basis of our experience and that of the participating investigators, certain recommendations for future clinical trials using e-CRF can be made. We will go into these recommendations in greater depth throughout this paper. In short, EDC can dramatically improve the clinical trial process, opening the door to new technologies in the world of clinical research, not only for sponsors, but also for clinicians.