Cylindrical abdominoperineal resection rationale, technique and controversies / Amputação abdominoperineal cilíndrica racional, técnica e controvérsias

Surgery remains the cornerstone in rectal cancer treatment. Abdominoperineal excision (APE), described more than 100 years ago, remains as an important procedure for the treatment of selected advanced distal tumors with direct invasion of the anal sphincter or preoperative fecal incontinence. Historically, oncological outcomes of patients undergoing APE have been worse when compared to sphincter preserving operations. More recently, it has been suggested that patients undergoing APE for distal rectal cancer are more likely to have positive circumferential resection margins and intraoperative perforation, known surrogate markers for local recurrence. Recently, an alternative approach known as "Extralevator Abdominoperineal Excision" has been described in an effort to improve rates of circumferential margin positivity possibly resulting in better oncological outcomes compared to the standard procedure. The objective of this paper is to provide a technical description and compare available data of both Extralevator and Standard abdominal perineal excision techniques. (AU)

Um dos pilares mais importantes no tratamento do câncer de reto ainda é a ressecção cirúrgica. A amputação de reto, ou excisão abdomino-perineal do reto (APE), descrita há mais de 100 anos, continua sendo um procedimento importante para o tratamento de tumores retais distais que invadem o aparelho esfincteriano ou em casos de incontinência pré-operatória. Entretanto, os resultados oncológicos dos pacientes submetidos à APE são piores quando comparados com os pacientes submetidos a procedimentos com preservação esfincteriana. Recentemente, foi sugerido que os pacientes submetidos à APE por câncer de reto distal apresentam mais frequentemente margem radial positiva, assim como perfuração intraoperatória do tumor, fatos reconhecidamente associados à recidiva local. Uma nova técnica cirúrgica conhecida como "Amputação de reto extraelevador ou cilíndrica" tem sido descrita em um esforço para reduzir as taxas de margem radial positivas, sugerindo melhores resultados oncológicos quando comparada com o procedimento convencional. O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever a técnica deste procedimento e comparar seus resultados com os obtidos com a técnica convencional de acordo com a evidência disponível. (AU)

The role of carcinoembriogenic antigen in predicting response and survival to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for distal rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Carcinoembriogenic antigen (CEA) is the most frequently used tumor marker in rectal cancer. A decrease in carcinoembriogenic antigen after radical surgery is associated with survival in these patients. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy may lead to significant primary tumor downstaging, including complete tumor regression in selected patients. Therefore, we hypothesized that a decrease in CEA after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy could reflect tumor response to chemoradiotherapy, affecting final disease stage and ultimately survival. METHODS: Patients with distal rectal cancer managed by neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and available pretreatment and postchemoradiotherapy levels of CEA were eligible for the study. Outcomes studied included final disease stage, relapse, and survival, and these were compared according to initial CEA level, post-chemoradiotherapy CEA level, and the reduction in CEA. RESULTS: Overall 170 patients were included. Post-chemoradiotherapy CEA levels <5 ng/ml were associated with increased rates of complete clinical response and pathologic response. Additionally, postchemoradiotherapy CEA levels <5 ng/ml were associated with increased overall and disease-free survival (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03). There was no correlation between initial CEA level or reduction in CEA and complete response or survival. CONCLUSION: A postchemoradiotherapy CEA level <5 ng/ml is a favorable prognostic factor for rectal cancer and is associated with increased rates of earlier disease staging and complete tumor regression. Postchemoradiotherapy CEA levels may be useful in decision making for patients who may be candidates for alterative treatment strategies.

Mortalidade após ressecção hepática: determinação de um fator de risco pós-operatório precoce e eficaz / Mortality rates after hepatic resection: early and effective postoperative risk factor determination

RACIONAL: A definição de insuficiência hepática pós-operatória não é ainda padronizada, dificultando a comparação de inovações em procedimentos hepáticos e tornando complexo o uso de intervenções terapêuticas pós-operatórias. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a utilidade e acurácia do critério diagnóstico de insuficiência hepática pós hepatectomia utilizando o tempo de protrombina e bilirrubina sérica como preditores da mortalidade. MÉTODOS: Foram estudadas 775 hepatectomias eletivas. O fígado não-tumoral foi anormal em 43% dos casos: esteatose >30% em 107 (14%), fibrose em 237 (43%) e cirrose em 94 (12%). Foi analisado o impacto sobre a mortalidade da ocorrência de tempo de protrombina menor que 50% e bilirrubina total sérica maior que 50 μmol/L (critério 50-50) nos dias pós-operatórios 1, 3, 5 e 7. RESULTADOS: A cinética pós-operatória do tempo de protrombina e da bilirrubina sérica foram distintas. O menor nível de tempo de protrombina foi no 1º dia do pós-operatório e o pico de bilirrubina sérica foi no 3º. A tendência ao retorno para valores pré-operatórios destes dois fatores bioquímicos se firmou claramente no 5º dia. A mortalidade operatória global foi de 3,4% (26 pacientes), incluindo 21 (81%) casos com parênquima não tumoral anormal e 20 (77%) após uma hepatectomia maior. O índice de mortalidade foi maior em pacientes com tempo de protrombina <50% ou bilirrubina sérica >50 μmol/L no pós-operatório. A conjunção de tempo de protrombina < 50% e bilirrubina sérica > 50 μmol/L no 5º dia foi fator preditivo de mortalide, a qual atingiu 59% quando esta associação ocorreu. CONCLUSÃO: A partir do 5º dia de pós-operatório, a associação de tempo de protrombina < 50% e bilirrubina sérica > 50 μml/L (3 mg/dL) (critério 50-50) foi preditor prático e acurado de mortalidade após hepatectomia. Propõe-se assim este critério como definição de insuficiência hepática pós-operatória.

BACKGROUND: The definition of postoperative hepatic insufficiency has not yet been standardized, making it difficult to compare innovations concerning hepatic procedures as well as turning the use of postoperative therapeutic interventions a complex task. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness and accuracy of diagnosing hepatic insufficiency post-hepatectomy, using prothrombin and seric bilirubin time as predictors of mortality. METHODS: 775 elective hepatectomies were studied. Non-tumoral spleens were abnormal in 43% of cases studied: stenosis > 30% in 107 (14%), fibrosis in 237 (43%) and cirrhosis in 94 (12%). The impact over mortality with remark to prothrombin time being less than 50% and total seric bilirubin being greater than 50 μmol/L (criteria 50-50) in the postoperative days number 1, 3, 5 and 7, was analyzed. RESULTS: Postoperative kinetics regarding prothrombin and seric bilirubin time were distinct. The smallest prothrombin time level occurred in the first postoperative day, whereas seric bilirubin reached its peak in the third day. The tendency of these two biochemical factors to return to preoperative values was sustained in the fifth day. Overall surgical mortality rates were of 3,4% (26 patients), including 21 (81%) cases of abnormal tumor parenchyma and 20 (77%) after major hepatectomy. Mortality rates were higher in patients who presented prothrombin time < 50% or seric bilirubin > 50 μmol/L post surgery. The junction of prothrombin time < 50% and seric bilirubin > 50 μmol/ in the fifth day was a predictive factor for mortality, reaching 59% when this association occurred. CONCLUSION: Beginning from the fifth post surgery day, the association of prothrombin time < 50% and seric bilirubin > 50 μml/L (3 mg/dL) (criteria 50-50) became a practical and accurate predictor of post-hepatectomy mortality. Consequently, this criterion is proposed as a definition of postoperative hepatic insufficiency.

Does CO2 pneumoperitoneum alter the ultra-structuture of the mesothelium?

BACKGROUND: Pneumoperitoneum may be responsible for ultra-structural alterations in the mesothelium during laparoscopy. To characterize the effect of pneumoperitoneum on the mesothelial cells with CO(2) and compressed air; and to compare to laparotomy and control group (anesthesia only). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty C-57 mice were divided in four groups of 10 animals each: CO(2), air, laparotomy, and control group. The animals were submitted to pneumoperitoneum at 8 mmHg during 30 min (CO(2) or compressed air). Five animals of each group were sacrificed 2 and 24 h after the procedure. Fragments of parietal peritoneum were collected and processed for scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Control group revealed uninterrupted mesothelial cells, without any evidence of cellular limits; close contact between the cells; absence of intercellular clefts and presence of microvilli. In the laparotomy group, similar results to the control group, with decreased microvilli were noted. Air pneumoperitoneum was associated with alterations in the morphology of the mesothelial cells, clear cellular limits, and cells with spherical and fusiforme formats. CO(2) pneumoperitoneum showed mesothelial cells with clear cellular limits, predominantly spherical cellular format, and intercellular clefts that allowed the visualization of the exposed basal membrane. These alterations were more intense after 24 h. There was a statistical significance between CO(2) group (2 and 24 h) compared to the control group and laparotomy for cellular limits, intercellular clefts and microvilli, P < 0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumoperitoneum causes damage in the mesothelial ultra-structure, which differs from the laparotomy group. CO(2) pneumoperitoneum is more harmful to the mesothelium than the air.

Aortoenteric fistula to the sigmoid colon-case report.

Aortoenteric fistula is defined as a communication between the aorta and any adjacent segment of the bowel. It may be primary or secondary. The former occurs de novo in patients with intestinal or vascular diseases, whereas secondary aortoenteric fistula is a rare and dreadful complication of aortic reconstruction with vascular prosthesis. We report a case of a 62-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with acute rectal bleeding. The patient had previous aortoiliac surgery with the utilization of an aorto-bifemoral vascular graft. Diagnosis of secondary aortoenteric fistula was made between the aortoiliac graft and sigmoid colon. After exploratory laparotomy, Hartmann's procedure, excision of the graft, oversewing of the aortic stump, and axilobifemoral bypass were successfully performed. This study reports a rare type of secondary aortoenteric fistula to the left colon, and it describes an unusual and successful surgical treatment.

Negative pressure post-extubation pulmonary edema complicating appendectomy in a young patient: case report.

Negative-pressure pulmonary edema after endotracheal intubation is an uncommon and potentially serious complication of patients undergoing general anesthesia for different surgical procedures. We report a case of a healthy 20-year-old male patient with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The patient was submitted to appendectomy under general anesthesia and developed negative-pressure pulmonary edema immediately after extubation. The present paper reports this potentially serious complication illustrating the main radiological findings consistent with alveolar hemorrhage in this setting and the treatment performed.

P53 and Rb tumor suppressor gene alterations in gastric cancer.

UNLABELLED: Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes has been frequently observed in gastric carcinogenesis. Our purpose was to study the involvement of p53, APC, DCC, and Rb genes in gastric carcinoma. METHOD: Loss of heterozygosity of the p53, APC, DCC and Rb genes was studied in 22 gastric cancer tissues using polymerase chain reaction; single-strand conformation polymorphism of the p53 gene exons 5-6 and exons 7-8 was studied using 35S-dATP, and p53 expression was detected using a histological immunoperoxidase method with an anti-p53 clone. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: No loss of heterozygosity was observed in any of these tumor suppressor genes; homozygous deletion was detected in the Rb gene in 23% (3/13) of the cases of intestinal-type gastric carcinoma. Eighteen (81.8%) cases showed band mobility shifts in exons 5-6 and/or 7-8 of the p53 gene. The presence of the p53 protein was positive in gastric cancer cells in 14 cases (63.6%). Normal gastric mucosa showed negative staining for p53; thus, the immunoreactivity was likely to represent mutant forms. The correlation of band mobility shift and the immunoreactivity to anti-p53 was not significant (P =.90). There was no correlation of gene alterations with the disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: The inactivation of Rb and p53 genes is involved in gastric carcinogenesis in our environment. Loss of the Rb gene observed only in the intestinal-type gastric cancer should be further evaluated in association with Helicobacter pylori infection. The p53 gene was affected in both intestinal and diffuse histological types of gastric cancer.

P53 and Rb tumor suppressor gene alterations in gastric cancer

A inativação de genes supressores tumorais tem sido freqüentemente observada na carcinogênese gástrica. O nosso objetivo foi estudar o envolvimento dos genes p53, APC, DCC e Rb no câncer gástrico. MÉTODO: Vinte e dois casos de câncer gástrico foram estudados por PCR-LOH (reação de polimerase em cadeia- perda de alelo heterozigoto) dos genes p53, APC, DCC e Rb; e por PCR-SSCP (reação de polimerase em cadeia- polimorfismo de conformação de cadeia única) dos exons 5-6 e exons 7-8 do gene p53, empregando 35S-dATP e expressão de p53 por imunoperoxidase com monoclonal anti-p53. RESULTADOS E DISCUSSAO: Perda de alelo heterozigoto não foi detectada nos genes estudados; deleção homozigótica foi observada no gene Rb em 23% (3/13) dos casos de câncer gástrico do tipo intestinal. Desvio de motilidade de banda nos exons 5-6 e/ou exons 7-8, indicando mutação do gene p53 foi encontrada em 18 casos (81.8%). A expressão de p53 foi positiva nas células de câncer gástrico em 14 casos (63.6%). A mucosa gástrica normal não corou com anti-p53, portanto, a reatividade imune deve representar formas mutantes. A correlação de desvio de motilidade de banda e expressão imune de p53 não foi significante (p=0.90). Não houve correlação entre as alterações genéticas e a extensão da doença. CONCLUSAO: A inativação dos genes p53 e Rb tem papel na carcinogênese gástrica no nosso meio. A perda do gene Rb observada apenas no câncer gástrico do tipo intestinal deve ser avaliada posteriormente em associação com infecção pelo Helicobacter pylori. O gene p53 estava afetado em ambos os tipos histopatológicos.

As alterações não-evasivas da mucosa esofágica devem ser valorizadas na caracterização endoscópica da esofagite por refluxo? / Non erosive alterations of esophageal mucosa should be considered as endoscopic reflux esophagitis?

Racional - A doença do refluxo gastroesofágico representa afecção de grande importância médico social pela sua elevada e crescente prevalência e por poder prejudicar, de modo considerável, a qualidade de vida do paciente acometido, contudo, existem controvérsias quanto a caracterização da esofagite e sua correlação clínica. Objetivo - Avaliar dados demográficos e características manométricas e pH-métricas do esôfago em diferentes grupos de esofagite e, verificar se as alterações não-erosivas da mucosa esofágica (esofagite não-erosiva) devem ou não ser valorizadas na caracterização endoscópica da esofagite por refluxo. Casuística e Métodos - Foram estudados 238 pacientes com sintomas típicos (pirose e/ou regurgitação) da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico, classificados de acordo com o estudo endoscópico do esofâgo em três grupos:I- sem esofagite; II- com esofagite não-erosiva e III- com esofagite erosiva. Foram correlacionados dados clínicos e o grau da esofagite valorizando-se pirose, regurgitação e manifestações extra-esofágicas. Resultados - Cento e dezesseis pacientes (48,7%) eram do sexo masculino e 122 (51,3%) do feminino. A idade variou de 16 a 80 anos. Cinqënta e oito pacientes não apresentaram esofagite erosiva. Os resultados quanto a pirose, regurgitação e manifestações extra-esofágicas não mostraram diferença significante nos 3 grupos. O estudo manométrico apresentou diferença entre grupos estudados em relação a extensão e o tônus pressórico do esfíncter inferior. No estudo phmétrico, o refluxo gastroesofágico foi caracterizado como patológico em 31 pacientes (53,4%) no grupo I, 39 (76,5%) no II e 93 (72,1%) no grupo III. Conclusões - Os pacientes com sintomatologia típica da doença do refluxo gastro-esofágico mas com alterações não-erosivas da mucosa esofágica, apresentam comportamento funcional da transição esôfago-gástrica mais parecido com aqueles de esofagite erosiva, sugerindo que tais alterações devam ser valorizadas na caracterização endoscópica da esofagite.

Análise comparativa das características clônicas, anátomo-patológicas e sobrevida entre pacientes com câncer colo-retal abaixo e acima de 40 / Analysis comparative of the clinical, anatomo-pathological characteristics and supervened between patients with colorectal cancer below and above of 40 years old

A possibilidade de que indivíduos portadores de câncer colo-retal (CCR) com idade inferior a 40 anos tenham pior prognóstico ainda suscita controvérsia, havendo a dúvida se este fato resulta de tumores mais agressivos, estadiamento desfavorável ou simples retardo no diagnóstico. Objetivo: Avaliar as características clínicas, anátomo-patológicas e a sobrevida de pacientes com CCR diagnosticado antes e após 40 anos de idade. Pacientes e Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo tipo caso-controle envolvendo 66 pacientes abaixo de 40 anos de idade (Grupo Jovem), pareados por sexo e localizaτπo do CCR com Grupo Controle constituído por pacientes com idade superior a 40 anos. Resultados: As médias foram de 33 e 63 anos de idade nos Grupos Jovem e Controle, respectivamente. Em ambos os grupos, 38 pacientes (58por cento) eram homens. Nπo houve diferenτa quanto α duração dos sintomas entre os dois grupos (13,8 meses vs 14,5 meses; p=0,52). O tumor localizava-se no reto em 48 pacientes (73 por cento), no cólon direito em 8(12 por cento), no sigmóide em 7 (11 por cento) e no transverso em 3 (5por cento). Não houve diferenτa entre a proporτπo de carcinomas mucinosos entre os grupos.

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome: case report.

The case of a patient with blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome who is infected by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome virus due to multiple blood transfusions is presented. This case shows that although it is a rare systemic disorder, blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic anemia or gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients should be investigated by endoscopy, which is the most reliable method for detecting these lesions. The patient underwent gastroscopy and enteroscopy via enterotomy with identification of all lesions. Minimal resection of the larger lesions and string-purse suture of the smaller ones involving all the layers of the intestine were performed. The string-purse suture of the lesions detected by enteroscopy proved to be an effective technique for handling these lesions, avoiding extensive intestinal resection and stopping the bleeding. Effective management of these patients demands aggressive treatment and should be initiated as soon as possible to avoid risks involved in blood transfusions, as occurred in this case.

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome: case report

The case of a patient with blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome who is infected by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome virus due to multiple blood transfusions is presented. This case shows that although it is a rare systemic disorder, blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic anemia or gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients should be investigated by endoscopy, which is the most reliable method for detecting these lesions. The patient underwent gastroscopy and enteroscopy via enterotomy with identification of all lesions. Minimal resection of the larger lesions and string-purse suture of the smaller ones involving all the layers of the intestine were performed. The string-purse suture of the lesions detected by enteroscopy proved to be an effective technique for handling these lesions, avoiding extensive intestinal resection and stopping the bleeding. Effective management of these patients demands aggressive treatment and should be initiated as soon as possible to avoid risks involved in blood transfusions, as occurred in this case

História da ultra-sonografia intra-operatória / History of intraoperative ultrasonography

A ultra-sonografia intra-operatória foi realizada especialmente a partir de 1960, com alguns relatos de experiências iniciais nos anos 50. Inicialmente foram avaliados tumores cerebrais, posteriormente estudando-se também cálculos de vias biliares e cálculos renais. Entretanto, a ultra-sonografia intra-operatória em modo A ou modo B estático não adquiriu grande aceitação no meio médico. Não obstante, os primeiros estudos forneceram as bases para o desenvolvimento da moderna ultra-sonografia intra-operatória, com a utilização dos equipamentos ultra-sonográficos em modo B em tempo real. Os autores discorrem sobre a utilização da ultra-sonografia intra-operatória desde o seu início até os dias atuais

Intraoperative ultrasonography was initially used after 1960. There are also few reports on initial experiences published during the 50'. This technique was firstly used to study cerebral tumors and later on it was also used to evaluate biliary and renal calculi. At that time, intraoperative ultrasonography with A-mode or nonreal-time B-mode imaging did not achieve great recognition by surgeons and clinicians. However, the efforts of the initial reports were used in the development of modern intraoperative ultrasonography using real-time B-mode imaging. The authors comment on the evolution of intraoperative ultrasonography since its birth up to date.

Molecular aspects of hepatic carcinogenesis.

Exogenous agents correlated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been identified and well characterized. These agents, including the different viruses that cause chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, can lead to regenerative nodules and dysplastic nodules/adenomatous hyperplasia. These conditions associated with several molecular alterations of hepatocyte ultimately culminate in hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, there has been a great progress in the identification of somatic and germinative mutations that may be correlated with the development of HCC, justifying a review on the subject. Hence, the factors involved in the process of hepatic carcinogenesis, such as infection by the hepatitis B and C viruses, with a special focus in the molecular alterations described in recent years are discussed herein, pointing out areas potentially relevant for clinical development.

Molecular aspects of hepatic carcinogenesis

Exogenous agents correlated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been identified and well characterized. These agents, including the different viruses that cause chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, can lead to regenerative nodules and dysplastic nodules/adenomatous hyperplasia. These conditions associated with several molecular alterations of hepatocyte ultimately culminate in hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, there has been a great progress in the identification of somatic and germinative mutations that may be correlated with the development of HCC, justifying a review on the subject. Hence, the factors involved in the process of hepatic carcinogenesis, such as infection by the hepatitis B and C viruses, with a special focus in the molecular alterations described in recent years are discussed herein, pointing out areas potentially relevant for clinical development

Intestinal intussusception and occlusion caused by small bowel polyps in the Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Management by combined intraoperative enteroscopy and resection through minimal enterostomy: case report

The Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is a hereditary disease that requires frequent endoscopic and surgical intervention, leading to secondary complications such as short bowel syndrome. CASE REPORT: This paper reports on a 15-year-old male patient with a family history of the disease, who underwent surgery for treatment of an intestinal occlusion due to a small intestine intussusception. DISCUSSION: An intra-operative fiberscopic procedure was included for the detection and treatment of numerous polyps distributed along the small intestine. Enterotomy was performed to treat only the larger polyps, therefore limiting the intestinal resection to smaller segments. The postoperative follow-up was uneventful. CONCLUSION: We point out the importance of conservative treatment for patients with this syndrome, especially those who will undergo repeated surgical interventions because of clinical manifestation while they are still young

Changes in body fluid and energy compartments during prolonged hunger strike

Prolonged total food deprivation in non-obese adults is rare, and few studies have documented body composition changes in this setting. In a group of eight hunger strikers who refused alimentation for 43 days, water and energy compartments were estimated, aiming to assess the impact of progressive starvation. Measurements included body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold (TSF), arm muscle circumference (AMC), and bioimpedance (BIA) determinations of water, fat, lean body mass (LBM), and total resistance. Indirect calorimetry was also performed in one occasion. The age of the group was 43.3+/-6.2 years (seven males, one female). Only water, intermittent vitamins and electrolytes were ingested, and average weight loss reached 17.9 percent. On the last two days of the fast (43rd-44th day) rapid intravenous fluid, electrolyte, and vitamin replenishment were provided before proceeding with realimentation. Body fat decreased approximately 60 percent (BIA and TSF), whereas BMI reduced only 18 percent. Initial fat was estimated by BIA as 52.2+/-5.4 percent of body weight, and even on the 43rd day it was still measured as 19.7+/-3.8 percent of weight. TSF findings were much lower and commensurate with other anthropometric results. Water was comparatively low with high total resistance, and these findings rapidly reversed upon the intravenous rapid hydration. At the end of the starvation period, BMI (21.5+/-2.6 kg/m2) and most anthropometric determinations were still acceptable, suggesting efficient energy and muscle conservation. Conclusions: 1) All compartments diminished during fasting, but body fat was by far the most affected; 2) Total water was low and total body resistance comparatively elevated, but these findings rapidly reversed upon rehydration; 3) Exaggerated fat percentage estimates from BIA tests and simultaneous increase in lean body mass estimates suggested that this method was inappropriate for assessing energy compartments in the studied population; 4) Patients were not morphologically malnourished after 43 days of fasting; however, the prognostic impact of other impairments was not considered in this analysis

Infecçöes do catéter venoso central / Infections of central venous catheter

O catéter venoso central é considerado a linha vital de sutentaçäo dos pacientes dependentes de nutriçäo venosa prolongada, e suas complicaçöes infecciosas constituem freqüente causa de internaçäo e morbidade. Os modernos catéteres de Silastic aumentaram a durabilidade e eficiência do acesso venoso, mas sua substituiçäo é também mais complexa e dispendiosa. Numa pequena série de pacientes submetidos a nutriçäo parenteral domiciliar por síndrome do intestino curto, e portadores de catéteres de Silastic, a infecçäo da cânula foi tratada mediante a oferta de antibióticos sistêmicos combinados com instilaçäo local de antimicrobianos. Houve integral regressäo do processo infeccioso sem necessidade de remoçäo do catéter, e com excelente tolerância à medicaçäo. Conclui-se que a esterilizaçäo in-situ de catéteres venosos de longa duraçäo merece ser tentada em casos selecionados