Protocol for fast postoperative improvement (FPOI) in gastrointestinal surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Peroperative treatment has required multimodal protocols that stimulate patient evolution and shorten hospital stay. OBJECTIVE: Identify the type of pathology, intervention performed and evaluate the effectiveness of the Rapid Postoperative Improvement Protocol (RAMPO) in patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgery. METHOD: A total of 122 patients were evaluated, a group of 61 patients received the RAMPO protocol and the other group of equal number of patients were treated with traditional protocols (Controls). RESULTS: Both groups were admitted for colorectal cancer, colostomy due to benign pathology and gastric cancer. The interventions performed were: colorectal resections (35.25%), intestinal transit restitution (29.51%) and gastrectomy (15.57%). In the RAMPO group, postoperative glycemia values (116.49 vs. 167.08 mg/dl) reflected better metabolic control with shorter hospital stay (5.49 vs. 14.11 days), obtaining a higher degree of satisfaction (91.80 vs. 19.67%) when compared to the control group (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: The RAMPO protocol presented relevant aspects to the traditional management of patients undergoing elective surgeries of the gastrointestinal tract, being safe, acceptable in our environment, with faster hospital discharge, significantly improving the evolution of patients, a lower percentage of complications and a high degree of satisfaction without increasing morbidity and mortality.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El tratamiento peroperatorio ha requerido protocolos multimodales que estimulen la evolución del paciente y acorten la estancia hospitalaria. OBJETIVO: Identificar el tipo de patología y la intervención realizada, y evaluar la efectividad del protocolo de rápida mejoría posoperatoria (RAMPO) en pacientes sometidos a cirugía electiva gastrointestinal. MÉTODO: Se evaluaron 122 pacientes; a un grupo de 61 se les aplicó el protocolo RAMPO y en el otro grupo de igual número de pacientes se siguieron protocolos tradicionales (controles). RESULTADOS: Ambos grupos ingresaron por cáncer colorrectal, colostomía por patología benigna y cáncer gástrico. Las intervenciones realizadas fueron resecciones colorrectales (35.25%), restitución del tránsito intestinal (29.51%) y gastrectomía (15.57%). En el grupo RAMPO, los valores de glucemia posoperatoria (116.49 vs. 167.08 mg/dl) reflejaron un mejor control metabólico con menor estancia hospitalaria (5.49 vs. 14.11 días), con un mayor grado de satisfacción (91.80% vs. 19.67%) al compararse con el grupo control (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIÓN: El protocolo RAMPO presentó aspectos relevantes al manejo tradicional de los pacientes sometidos a cirugías electivas del tracto gastrointestinal, siendo seguro, aceptable en nuestro medio y con egreso hospitalario más rápido, mejorando de manera significativa la evolución de los enfermos, con menos complicaciones y un alto grado de satisfacción, sin aumentar la morbimortalidad.

Efecto de la hiperviscosidad seminal sobre la integridad acrosómica y la movilidad espermática antes y después de la criopreservación. / Effect of seminal hyperviscosity on acrosomal integrity and sperm motility before and after cryopreservation

La criopreservación del semen es una herramienta útil en la reproducción asistida, la cual puede tener impacto en las características espermáticas durante el congela miento y el descongelamiento. El objetivo de este estudio fue valorar la integridad del acroso ma y la movilidad de los espermatozoides criopreservados y descongelados provenientes de muestras hiperviscosas y no viscosas. Se realizó el espermograma, la integridad del acrosoma, el espermocultivo y los niveles de los marcadores de glándulas accesorias en 60 muestras de semen. Cada alícuota de semen fue inmersa en un crioprotector comercial para congelar a -196°C. Transcurridos 30 días, éstas fueron descongeladas y en el sedimento celular espermá ticesuspendido se evaluó la movilidad y la integridad acrosómica, disminuyendo significa tivamente la movilidad progresiva (p<0,05), la vitalidad espermática (p<0,005) y la integridad acrosómica (p<0,05); dicho descenso fue más evidente en las muestras hiperviscosas. La viscosidad del semen fresco se relacionó inversamente con la movilidad y la integridad del acrosoma antes y después del congelamiento (p<0,05). En veinte muestras de semen se iden tificó la presencia de microorganismos y de anticuerpos IgA anti C. trachomatis , de las cuales quince muestras en la reproducción hiperviscosas. El aumento de la viscosidad seminal y los niveles de ácido cítrico están asociados con disfunción prostática, baja movilidad espermática y reacción prematura del acrosoma, lo que puede reducir la capacidad fecundante de un esper matozoide. La etiología de la hiperviscosidad sigue siendo compleja; sin embargo, para pre servar la movilidad y la integridad del acrosoma, previamente deben investigarse sus causas en las muestras seminales que van a ser sometidas a la criopreservación.

Semen cryopreservation is a useful tool in assisted reproduction, which may have impact on sperm characteristics during freezing and thawing. The aim of this study was to assess the integrity of the acrosome and motility of cryopreserved and thawed spermatozoos in hyperviscous and no viscous samples. In semen samples spermiogram, glandular markers, acrosome integrity, culture and the levels markers accessory glands were measured. Each ali quot of semen was immersed in cryoprotectant and maintained in a commercial freezer at -196 ° C. After 30 days, these were thawed and in the cell pellet resuspended, spermatic motility and acrosomal integrity were evaluated. In thawed samples, there were significant decreases in progressive motility (p <0.05), vitality (p <0.005) and acrosome integrity (p <0.05) with respect to fresh sperm, this decline was most evident in hyperviscous samples. The viscosity of fresh semen was inversely related to motility and acrosome integrity before and after freezing (p <0.05). Twenty semen samples showed the presence of microorganisms and C. trachomatis IgA antibodies, of which fifteen showed hyperviscosity. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that semen samples with low levels of citric acid had less acrosomal integrity both before and after freezing (p <0.05). The viscoelasticity and citric acid levels are associated with prostate dys function, low sperm motility and premature acrosome reaction, which can reduce the fertilizing capacity of sperm. The etiology of hyperviscosity remains complex; however, to preserve mo tility and acrosome integrity, its causes must be investigated previously in the seminal samples to be subjected to cryopreservation.

Effect of seminal hyperviscosity on acrosomal integrity and sperm motility before and after cryopreservation. / Efecto de la hiperviscosidad seminal sobre la integridad acrosómica y la movilidad espermática antes y después de la criopreservación.

Semen cryopreservation is a useful tool in assisted reproduction, which may have impact on sperm characteristics during freezing and thawing. The aim of this study was to assess the integrity of the acrosome and motility of cryopreserved and thawed spermatozoos in hyperviscous and no viscous samples. In semen samples spermiogram, glandular markers, acrosome integrity, culture and the levels markers accessory glands were measured. Each aliquot of semen was immersed in cryoprotectant and maintained in a commercial freezer at -196 ° C. After 30 days, these were thawed and in the cell pellet resuspended, spermatic motility and acrosomal integrity were evaluated. In thawed samples, there were significant decreases in progressive motility (p <0.05), vitality (p <0.005) and acrosome integrity (p <0.05) with respect to fresh sperm, this decline was most evident in hyperviscous samples. The viscosity of fresh semen was inversely related to motility and acrosome integrity before and after freezing (p <0.05). Twenty semen samples showed the presence of microorganisms and C. trachomatis IgA antibodies, of which fifteen showed hyperviscosity. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that semen samples with low levels of citric acid had less acrosomal integrity both before and after freezing (p <0.05). The viscoelasticity and citric acid levels are associated with prostate dysfunction, low sperm motility and premature acrosome reaction, which can reduce the fertilizing capacity of sperm. The etiology of hyperviscosity remains complex; however, to preserve motility and acrosome integrity, its causes must be investigated previously in the seminal samples to be subjected to cryopreservation.

Tensión arterial y masa corporal en mujeres infértiles con síndrome de ovario poliquístico y su relación con el perfil hormonal / Blood pressure and body mass in infertile women polycystic ovary syndrome and its relation to the profile hormone

Objetivo: Evaluar perfil hormonal, índice de masa corporal y tensión arterial en 40 mujeres infértiles con ovario poliquístico. Métodos: En la consulta del Centro de Atención Integral de la Universidad de Los Andes se valoró talla, peso y tensión arterial. Durante la fase folicular del ciclo menstrual en ellas se midió en sangre las hormonas sexuales e insulina (basal y 2 horas poscarga glucosada) por electroquimioluminiscencia. Resultados: El índice de masa corporal se correlacionó directamente con el valor de tensión arterial sistólica, la relación LH/FSH y la testosterona sérica; e inversamente con las hormonas FSH y PRL. Los datos clínicos y de laboratorio se observaron dentro de los límites de referencia; sin embargo, la testosterona guardó relación directa con LH/FSH, índice de masa corporal y tensión arterial sistólica. Al compararse dos grupos de paciente con base al valor de la mediana poblacional, los grupos masa corporal > 24 kg/m2 y tensión arterial sistólica >120 mmHg mostraron niveles de DHEA-S e insulina (basal y 2 h) más elevados que en mujeres con índice de masa corporal y tensión arterial sistólica más bajos. Conclusiones: Existe correlación entre niveles séricos de andrógenos con sobrepeso e hipertensión arterial por mecanismos etiológicos interrelacionados. Síndrome de ovario poliquístico es de origen multicausal eventualmente con hiperandrogenemia. La falla metabólica debe controlarse en estas pacientes, lo que permitiría bajar el efecto de los andrógenos y favorecer el estado de fertilidad, pero sobre evita a largo plazo complicaciones como obesidad, diabetes mellitus tipo 2 e hipertensión arterial.

Objective: To evaluate hormonal profile, body mass index and blood pressure in 40 infertile women with polycystic ovary. Methods: In the out patien clinic of the Centro de Atencion Integral de la Universidad de Los Andes, height, weight and blood pressure were assessed. During follicular phase of the menstrual cycle in blood of them sex hormones and insulin (basal, 2 hours post glucose load) were measured by electrochemiluminescence. Results: The body mass index was directly correlated with the value of systolic blood pressure, ratio LH/ FSH and testosterone in serum, and it was inversely correlated with the hormones FSH and PRL. Clinical and laboratory data were observed within the reference limits, but kept directly related to testosterone LH / FSH, BMI and systolic blood pressure. When comparing two patient groups based on the value of the population median, body mass groups > 24 kg/m2 and systolic blood pressure > 120 mmHg, they showed levels of DHEA- S and insulin (basal and 2 h) higher than those women with lower values of BMI and systolic blood pressure. Conclusions: There is a correlation between serum androgen levels with overweight and hypertension by aetiological mechanisms interrelated. Polycystic ovary syndrome is multicausal origin eventually with hyperandrogenemia. Metabolic failure should be monitored in these patients, which would lower the effect of androgens and promote fertility status, but prevents long-term complications such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure.

Concentración espermática mínima requerida para inseminación intrauterina mediante capacitación por migración ascendente / Low sperm concentration required to IUI through training by upward migration

Objetivo: Determinar cuál es la cantidad mínima necesaria de espermatozoides móviles que se requiere para realizar la inseminación intrauterina y evaluar la morfología estricta de Kruger y la movilidad espermática antes y después de la capacitación por migración ascendente. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo de 35 muestras de semen de hombres infértiles, se lavaron alícuotas de 1 mL de semen fresco, se centrifugaron y sobre el centrifugado se colocó una capa de medio de capacitación para lograr una migración ascendente. Resultados: Los valores de movilidad y formas normales espermáticas se observaron significativamente aumentados en las muestras después de la capacitación. Fue posible recuperar ≥ 2 x 106 espermatozoides móviles aun en muestras aparentemente inapropiadas caracterizadas por hipospermia u oligozoospermia severa, pero contenían en el total del eyaculado al menos 5 millones de espermatozoides móviles que permitieron un elevado porcentaje de recuperación espermática. Conclusiones: La posibilidad de obtener altos porcentajes de recuperación de espermatozoides móviles en el total del eyaculado permite la inseminación intrauterina como técnica de reproducción asistida en pacientes oligozoospérmicos antes de elegir fertilización in vitro o inyección citoplasmática del espermatozoide cuando el factor masculino es la causa de infertilidad.

Objective: To determine what is the minimum necessary amount of motile sperm required for intrauterine insemination and to evaluate the Kruger strict morphology test and sperm motility before and after training sperm by swim up. Methods: Prospective study of 35 semen samples from infertile men, aliquots of 1 mL of fresh semen was washed, centrifuged and over the pellet was placed a layer of capacitation medium to achieve an upward migration. Results: The values of motility and normal sperm forms were observed in the samples significantly increased after the training. It was possible to recover ≥2 x 106 motile sperm even in seemingly inappropriate samples with hypospermia or severe oligozoospermia, but these contained in the total ejaculate at least 5 million of motile spermatozoa that allowed a high percentage of retrieval. Conclusions: The possibility of obtaining high recoveries of motile sperm in the total ejaculate allows IUI as assisted reproduction technique in oligozoospermic patients before choosing IVF or cytoplasmic sperm injection when the male factor is cause of infertility.

Varicocele decreases epididymal neutral α-glucosidase and is associated with alteration of nuclear DNA and plasma membrane in spermatozoa.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between a marker of epididymal function and both the fragmentation of the sperm nucleus and the integrity and maturity of the sperm membrane in patients with or without varicocele. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Semen samples were obtained from men with varicocele grades II and III (n = 60) and from a control group with zoospermia defined as normal (n = 30). Samples were evaluated by a spermiogram, a hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST), neutral α-glucosidase (NAG) enzyme activity, sperm hyaluronan-binding assay (HBA) and DNA fragmentation using a sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test. RESULTS: Seminal plasma NAG levels, percentage of sperm bound to hyaluronic acid, HOST-positive cells and sperm quality were significantly lower in the varicocele compared with the control group. Higher levels of sperm DNA fragmentation, as measured by SCD, were also observed in the varicocele group compared with the control group. Seminal NAG activity levels showed a strong negative correlation with DNA fragmentation and a significant positive correlation with the HBA test and the HOST. CONCLUSIONS: Varicocele causes a reduction in NAG activity by the epididymis that is associated with damage to both the membrane and sperm nucleus and a reduction in the seminal parameters. NAG levels were correlated with the quality of the sperm membrane and nucleus. Data suggest that a reduction of fertilization capacity in men during varicocele can result from damage to both the testis and the epididymis.

[Mycoplasmas and antibodies anti-Chlamydia in semen of infertile men and their relationship with seminal quality and markers of male accessory sex glands]. / Mycoplasmas y anticuerpos anti-Chlamydia en semen de hombres infértiles y su relación con la calidad seminal y los marcadores de glándulas sexuales accesorias masculinas.

Male infertility may be due to inflammation or infection of the genital tract among other causes. Male accessory sex glands and sperm function may also be involved in the problem of infertility. This study tries to associate the most frequent bacteria in semen of infertile men including Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum with the seminal characteristics and levels of fructose, citric acid and alpha-neutral glucosidase as markers of the accessory glands. Detection of antibodies anti Chlamydia trachomatis indicated that it was the most prevalent germ. Antibodies (Ab) anti-Chlamydia, Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum were associated with a decrease of the glandular markers fructose and alpha-neutral glucosidase. On the other hand, there were increased pH and leukocytospermia in men positive for antibodies anti-Chlamydia. Microbiological and biochemical evaluation of semen could orient more about the spread of infection and allow for the selection of the most effective therapy. We find that microbiological and glandular accessory markers assessments in semen are important to diagnose and to treat infections.

Mycoplasmas y anticuerpos anti-Chlamydia en semen de hombres infértiles y su relación con la calidad seminal y los marcadores de glándulas sexuales accesorias masculinas / Mycoplasmas and antibodies anti-Chlamydia in semen of infertile men and their relationship with seminal quality and markers of male accessory sex glands

La infertilidad masculina puede deberse a inflamación o infección del tracto genital entre otras causas. En el problema de la infertilidad masculina pueden estar implicadas las glándulas sexuales accesorias y la función espermática. En este trabajo se trata de asociar los gérmenes más frecuentes en semen de hombres infértiles incluyendo Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis y Ureaplasma urealyticum con las características seminales, y los niveles de fructosa, ácido cítrico y a-glucosidasa neutra como marcadores de las glándulas sexuales accesorias masculinas. La detección de los anticuerpos indicó que C. trachomatis fue el germen de mayor prevalencia. Los anticuerpos (Acs) anti-Chlamydia, Mycoplasma hominis y Ureaplasma urealyticum se asociaron con descenso de los marcadores glandulares fructosa y a-glucosidasa. Por otra parte se observó aumento del pH y leucocitospermia en los pacientes con Acs anti-Chlamydia. La evaluación microbiológica y la bioquímica del semen orientarían más sobre la propagación de la infección y permitiría seleccionar la terapia más efectiva. Se observó que es importante la evaluación microbiológica y de los marcadores de glándulas accesorias sexuales masculinas en el semen para diagnosticar y tratar las infecciones masculinas.

Male infertility may be due to inflammation or infection of the genital tract among other causes. Male accessory sex glands and sperm function may also be involved in the problem of infertility. This study tries to associate the most frequent bacteria in semen of infertile men including Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum with the seminal characteristics and levels of fructose, citric acid and a-neutral glucosidase as markers of the accessory glands. Detection of antibodies anti Chlamydia trachomatis indicated that it was the most prevalent germ. Antibodies (Ab) anti-Chlamydia, Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum were associated with a decrease of the glandular markers fructose and a-neutral glucosidase. On the other hand, there were increased pH and leukocytospermia in men positive for antibodies anti-Chlamydia. Microbiological and biochemical evaluation of semen could orient more about the spread of infection and allow for the selection of the most effective therapy. We find that microbiological and glandular accessory markers assessments in semen are important to diagnose and to treat infections.

Markers of accessory sex glands function in men with varicocele, relationship with seminal parameters.

INTRODUCTION: Varicocele has been associated with decreased semen quality, not much is known about the effect of varicocele on the accessory sex glands function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship among varicocele, seminal parameters and biochemical markers of accessory sex glands: neutral alpha glucosidase (NAG, epididymis), fructose (seminal vesicles), prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and zinc (prostate). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A clinical study was performed in 190 men with varicocele and 100 men normozoospermic as control group. Semen analysis, hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST), polymorphonuclear (PMN), fructose, zinc, PAP and NAG were determinate. Differences were evaluated by, t test, ANOVA and a Pearson's coefficient correlation. RESULTS: Varicocele group showed a decrease in sperm motility, normal morphology, HOST and vitality. No differences were observed in fructose, PAP and zinc levels between control and varicocele group. The NAG was significantly decreased in varicocele group. A positive correlation was observed between both fructose and PAP with semen volume, sperm concentration, PMN, and zinc levels. Additionally, a decrease of NAG was correlated with a decrease of normal sperm morphology, motility, vitality and HOST. CONCLUSIONS: Varicocele does not alter fructose secretion by seminal vesicles and PAP and zinc by prostate. Varicocele is associated with a decrease of NAG activity in seminal fluid, suggesting epididymal dysfunction possibly associated with a detrimental in sperm quality.

Selenium, copper and zinc in seminal plasma of men with varicocele, relationship with seminal parameters.

Varicocele has been associated with decrease in seminal parameters. Selenium (Se), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) are trace elements essential for normal spermatogenesis of mammals and play a critical role as antioxidant defense system enzymes. Se, Cu, and Zn are associated with sperm quality in fertile and infertile men. However, there is little information about Se, Cu, and Zn concentrations in semen in patients with varicocele and its association with seminal parameters. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of Se, Cu, and Zn in semen of patients with varicocele and the relationship with seminal parameters. Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence was used for the fist time in the seminal fluid analysis. The concentration of selenium in men with varicocele was smaller than the normozoospermic group, while no differences were observed for both concentrations of zinc and copper. A significant positive correlation between zinc and selenium concentration was observed. Selenium in seminal plasma correlates with a good spermatozoa concentrations, motility, and morphology. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was observed between zinc levels and sperm count. In conclusion, a decrease in selenium concentration was associated with detriment of seminal parameters. A study should be conducted to evaluate the benefits of both zinc and selenium supplementation to improve seminal parameters in patients with varicocele.