Vitamin C and thiamine for the treatment of refractory septic shock in surgical critically ill patients: a retrospective before-and-after study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate whether early vitamin C and thiamine administration was associated with a lower 28-day and in-hospital mortality in surgical critically ill patients with refractory septic shock. METHODS: We performed a retrospective before-and-after study on patients with refractory septic shock. According to local protocol, hydrocortisone is initiated in case of refractory septic shock. In January 2017, the protocol was changed and vitamin C and thiamine were included. Patients who were admitted in 2015-2016 and 2017-2018 were included in the control and treatment groups, respectively. The primary end point was 28-day and in-hospital mortality. Secondary end points were ICU mortality, ICU and hospital length of stay, duration of vasopressors and mechanical ventilation, use of renal replacement therapy (RRT), and the modification in serum procalcitonin and SOFA score during the first 72 h. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients were included (58 in the treatment group and 62 in the control group). Log-rank test in Kaplan-Meier curves showed lower 28-day and in-hospital mortality over time in the treatment group (p=0.021 and p=0.035, respectively) but it not reached statistical significance in ICU mortality over time (p=0.100). The need of RRT was less frequent in treatment group (17.2% vs. 37.1%, p=0.024). There were no differences in other secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous vitamin C and thiamine administration in surgical patients with refractory septic shock may be associated with a lower 28-day and in-hospital mortality. Further prospective studies are needed in refractory septic shock.

Clinical course of a complex regional pain syndrome type II in upper limb.

INTRODUCTION: the complex regional pain syndrome type II, also called causalgia, is a rare clinical condition that appears after a traumatic or surgical event with evidence of nervous system involvement. Its clinical presentation is the consequence of a multifactorial pathogenic process that involves peripheral and central mechanisms and has variable clinical manifestations. We present the photographic record of a patient with complex regional syndrome type II. CLINICAL CASE: 43-year-old patient who consulted for neuropathic pain during the last four years, of severe intensity, associated with sensory, vasomotor and trophic changes in the right upper limb, as a consequence of neurectomy of the palmar digital nerves of the third finger. CONCLUSION: achieving the photographic record of the clinical phases of complex regional pain syndrome type II in its entirety is difficult, because not all patients present all clinical phases, a fact that gives relevance to this case.

INTRODUCCIÓN: el síndrome doloroso regional complejo (SDRC) tipo II, también llamado causalgia, es una condición clínica poco frecuente que aparece después de un evento traumático o quirúrgico con evidencia de afectación del sistema nervioso. Su presentación clínica es consecuencia de un proceso patogénico multifactorial que involucra mecanismos periféricos y centrales y tiene manifestaciones clínicas variables. Presentamos el registro fotográfico de un paciente con síndrome regional complejo tipo II. CASO CLÍNICO: paciente de 43 años que consultó por dolor neuropático durante los últimos cuatro años, de intensidad severa, asociado a cambios sensoriales, vasomotores y tróficos en miembro superior derecho, como consecuencia de neurectomía de los nervios digitales palmares propios del tercer dedo. CONCLUSIÓN: lograr el registro fotográfico de las fases clínicas del SDRC tipo II en su totalidad resulta difícil, debido a que no todos los pacientes presentan todas las fases clínicas; hecho que otorga la relevancia a este caso.

Artroplastía total de codo en un paciente adulto mayor como opción terapéutica para el manejo de seudoartrosis en fractura de húmero distal / Total elbow arthroplasty in an older adult patient, as a therapeutic option for the management of pseudoarthrosis in distal humerus fracture

Resumen: Introducción: Las fracturas de húmero distal en el adulto mayor constituyen un desafío terapéutico para ortopedistas, debido a las condiciones fisiológicas y los cambios óseos propios de esta edad. Reporte de caso: Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 80 años con osteopenia, quien sufrió una caída de su propia altura con fractura de húmero distal derecho, inicialmente se le dio manejo conservador, pero debido al desarrollo de seudoartrosis, se decidió hacer una artroplastía total de codo, con buenos resultados funcionales en el seguimiento postoperatorio a cuatro años. Discusión: En las fracturas de húmero distal, el manejo no quirúrgico es una opción en pacientes con baja demanda funcional o que tengan un mal estado general, y si no es el caso o fracasa el manejo conservador, deben ser llevados a artroplastía total de codo, ya que ésta proporciona una rápida recuperación del paciente en comparación con la reducción abierta y el manejo con material de osteosíntesis.

Abstract: Introduction: Distal humeral fractures in the elderly patient are a therapeutic challenge for orthopaedists, because of age's characteristic physiological conditions and bone changes. Case report: We present the case of an 80-year-old woman with osteopenia, who had distal humeral fracture due to a fall from her own height; she was initially treated conservatively, but by the reason of a non-union, we decided to perform a total elbow arthroplasty, achieving a positive functional result in the four years of postoperative follow-up. Discussion: Nonsurgical management is an option for treat humeral fractures in patients with low functional demands or in poor general condition. If the patient does not present the conditions above, or if nonsurgical management fails, a total elbow arthroplasty must be performed, because this method provides a rapid recovering if compared to an open reduction and osteosynthesis material management.

[Total elbow arthroplasty in an older adult patient, as a therapeutic option for the management of pseudoarthrosis in distal humerus fracture]. / Artroplastía total de codo en un paciente adulto mayor como opción terapéutica para el manejo de seudoartrosis en fractura de húmero distal.

INTRODUCTION: Distal humeral fractures in the elderly patient are a therapeutic challenge for orthopaedists, because of ages characteristic physiological conditions and bone changes. CASE REPORT: We present the case of an 80-year-old woman with osteopenia, who had distal humeral fracture due to a fall from her own height; she was initially treated conservatively, but by the reason of a non-union, we decided to perform a total elbow arthroplasty, achieving a positive functional result in the four years of postoperative follow-up. DISCUSSION: Nonsurgical management is an option for treat humeral fractures in patients with low functional demands or in poor general condition. If the patient does not present the conditions above, or if nonsurgical management fails, a total elbow arthroplasty must be performed, because this method provides a rapid recovering if compared to an open reduction and osteosynthesis material management.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las fracturas de húmero distal en el adulto mayor constituyen un desafío terapéutico para ortopedistas, debido a las condiciones fisiológicas y los cambios óseos propios de esta edad. REPORTE DE CASO: Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 80 años con osteopenia, quien sufrió una caída de su propia altura con fractura de húmero distal derecho, inicialmente se le dio manejo conservador, pero debido al desarrollo de seudoartrosis, se decidió hacer una artroplastía total de codo, con buenos resultados funcionales en el seguimiento postoperatorio a cuatro años. DISCUSIÓN: En las fracturas de húmero distal, el manejo no quirúrgico es una opción en pacientes con baja demanda funcional o que tengan un mal estado general, y si no es el caso o fracasa el manejo conservador, deben ser llevados a artroplastía total de codo, ya que ésta proporciona una rápida recuperación del paciente en comparación con la reducción abierta y el manejo con material de osteosíntesis.

[Bilateral tubal ligation and minilaparotomy with local anesthesia]. / Oclusión tubaria bilateral y minilaparotomía con anestesia local.

Two hundred and eight puerperal patients who had been operated for tubal ligation by Pomeroy's technique with abdominal approach by minilaparotomy and local anesthesia, were analyzed. This procedure was safe and effective. Their application seems to reduce the hospital cost and the operative risk.

[Surgical complications of endoscopic sphincterotomy]. / Complicaciones quirúrgicas de la esfinterotomía endoscópica.

Between June 1988 and June 1990, 267 endoscopic sphincterotomies were attempted for various indications. In 204 patients (74%) the indication was choledocholithiasis of which 109 with an intact gallbladder. Of the 267 patients, 22 (8.2%) developed complications and 4 died (1.4%). Six required urgent surgery 2.24% of the entire series and 0.3% of all emergency surgery done in that period in our department. Although most complications can be treated medically, about one fourth require emergency surgery. A medico-surgical team is needed to manage this type of patient.