Hernia interna de Quain como causa de abdomen agudo / Internal hernia of Quain as a cause of acute abdomen

Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 47 años de edad que consulta en urgencias por un cuadro de 8 horas de evolución, de dolor abdominal continuo y difuso, acompañado de vómitos alimentarios al inicio y biliosos después. La paciente presenta estabilidad hemodinámica permaneciendo afebril. El hemiabdomen inferior presenta signos de irritación peritoneal. En los análisis destaca la presencia de neutrofilia y leucocitosis, la radiología simple de abdomen es compatible con suboclusión de intestino delgado, y la TAC de urgencia sugiere la posibilidad de torsión intestinal. La cirugía urgente realizada aprecia una hernia interna de un segmento de ileon de unos 25cm, a través de un orificio patológico en el lado derecho del ligamento ancho del útero. Se realiza resección del asa herniada que sufre necrosis isquémica y se cierra el orificio herniario para evitar la recidiva. El día 11 tras el ingreso, es dada de alta sin complicaciones (AU)

We present the case of a 47-year-old gravida 2, para 2, with previous 2 caesarean sections. The patient presented to our hospital with a chief complaint of diffuse continuous abdominal pain and vomiting. Her lower abdomen had tenderness and was slightly distended. The patient had no fever and was hemodynamically stable. The laboratory test showed an elevated white blood cell count with a left shift. Plain abdominal X-rays showed a lightly prominent small bowel loops in the left upper quadrant. CT scan suggests the possibility of intestinal torsion. At this stage, we elected to perform an urgent laparoscopic exploration. We discovered 25 cm of ileum strangulated through a defect in the right broad ligament of the uterus. Resection of the necrotic small bowel loop, and closure of the broad ligament were performed. The patient was discharged from the hospital on day 11, with no postoperative complications (AU)

Impact of the new european paediatric regulatory framework on ethics committees: overview and perspectives.

AIM: To evaluate the impact of the new European paediatric regulatory framework on the activities of Ethics Committees operating in Europe and to assess their involvement and interest in paediatric research. METHODS: Task-force in Europe for Drug Development for the Young Network of Excellence and Relating Expectations and Needs to the Participation and Empowerment of Children in Clinical Trials project set up an inventory of Ethics Committees existing in Europe and conducted a survey on their approach to paediatric trials. RESULTS: Ethics Committees operating in 22 European Countries participated in this survey. Results showed a high lack of knowledge, understanding and awareness of the current European paediatric regulatory framework and a lack of involvement of Ethics Committees in paediatric research, especially in terms of training and education, demonstrated also by the decreasing number of Ethics Committees answering exhaustively to the whole questionnaire. The majority of participating Ethics Committees expressed interest in future initiatives related to paediatric research. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a limited knowledge and understanding of the current paediatric regulatory framework, a significant number of Ethics Committees operating in Europe show interest in initiatives related to paediatric research. Networking may be an essential tool to be used to enhance Ethics Committees role in supporting paediatric research. Any initiative should be undertaken at European level in collaboration with European Union Institutions.

Postoperative radiotherapy in patients with positive nodes after functional neck dissection.

A study was designed to assess the usefulness of postoperative radiotherapy (RT) in patients with surgically treated laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer with histologically proven positive neck nodes. Patients underwent operation between 1984 and 1995, with functional neck dissection (FND) being part of the treatment in all cases. The selection criteria included squamous cell carcinoma, negative margins for the primary tumor, and no previous treatment. For evaluation purposes, patients were divided into 2 groups: surgery alone versus surgery with postoperative RT. Eighty-three patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and entered the study. All but 1 of the patients were men. The mean age was 58 years (range, 35 to 77 years). A multivariate analysis was used to analyze the prognostic parameters selected by univariate analysis, eg, age, alcohol, tumor location, T and N stages, and presence or absence of extracapsular spread and a desmoplastic pattern. Postoperative RT was not selected by univariate analysis as a prognostic factor, but was included in the multivariate analysis in order to assess its impact on survival and recurrence rates. Using the statistical method of multivariate analysis, we could not find evidence of a benefit to survival or local recurrence rates with postoperative RT in this series. Patients younger than 55 years and those with extracapsular spread had a decreased survival rate and a higher neck recurrence rate, irrespective of the treatment method.