Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis in liver transplant

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis occurs due to chronic irritation of the peritoneal surface resulting in inflammation and fibrosis. Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis usually occurs in patients requiring peritoneal dialysis (PD); however, it may also occur in liver transplant patients. The fibrosis in encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis could be severe enough to cause small bowel obstruction (SBO). Herein, we report a case of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis secondary to liver transplantation that presented with SBO. The patient was started on Tamoxifen for encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis and evaluated at follow-up without any other intestinal obstruction episodes. This case demonstrates that encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis can occur as a liver transplant complication and present with small bowel obstruction.

Ethiopathogenic mechanisms of endometriosis-related infertility.

Endometriosis is a highly prevalent disease among women of reproductive age and is frequently associated to infertility. However, the mechanisms underlying endometriosis-related infertility are still not completely known. Several studies have been conducted in order to elucidate this question. Besides anatomical changes that may impair gametes and embryo transport along the tubes; a smaller ovarian reserve due to advanced endometriosis and endometriomas; and a dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, there are pieces of evidence suggesting that the peritoneal ectopic endometrial foci may induce a local inflammatory response, with the recruitment of macrophages, cytokine release, and reactive oxygen species generation, leading to a pro-oxidant peritoneal microenvironment. These alterations may be systemically reflected and also affect the follicular microenvironment. A harmful follicular fluid may disrupt cumulus cells functions and, consequently, compromise oocyte competence. There is also evidence suggesting that the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis may alter sperm function. Reduced endometrial receptivity is also pointed as a possible mechanism involved in endometriosis-related infertility, which needs further investigation.

Prolactin concentration in various stages of endometriosis in infertile women.

OBJECTIVE: The relation between excessive prolactin and endometriosis-related infertility is debatable. Anovulation or defective luteal phase occurs frequently due to hyperprolactinemia in subfertile women. In this investigation, we evaluated the association between serum prolactin levels and the severity of endometriosis. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study carried out at the Babol Infertility Research Center looked into the baseline serum prolactin levels of 114 infertile women with endometriosis and compared them to the levels seen in 101 infertile women without endometriosis (controls). Statistical analysis included independent t-test, chi-square, Welch test and ROC curve analysis. RESULTS: Infertile women with endometriosis had significantly higher serum prolactin levels than infertile women without endometriosis (p=0.003). A significant difference was detected between controls and individuals with endometriosis stages III/IV (p-value=0.009). Prolactin was found to have diagnostic value to detect endometriosis stages III/IV vs. stages I/II in AUC=0.65, 95% CI (0.55, 0.76). Prolactin values with a cut off set at 20.08 ng/mL had a sensitivity of 0.74 and specificity of 0.54 in detecting disease stages III/IV vs. I/II. The prognostic capability of prolactin in detecting endometriosis in cases vs. controls by ROC curve analysis had an AUC=+0.67, 95% CI (0.60, 0.74). Prolactin values with a cut off set at 17.5 ng/mL had a sensitivity of 0.64 and specificity of 0.63 in segregating subjects with and without endometriosis. CONCLUSION: Higher prolactin levels were observed in infertile women with more severe endometriosis when compared to infertile women without endometriosis. Prolactin levels act as a probable prognostic biomarker to detect endometriosis stages III/IV vs. I/II and segregate infertile women with endometriosis from subjects without endometriosis.

Hernioplastias inguinales transabdominal Preperitoneal: análisis de una serie de casos / Transabdominal inguinal hernioplasties Preperitoneal: analysis of a series of cases

La hernia inguinal tiene una incidencia entre 6,3 y 23,5 hernias por 10.000 habitantes, siendo uno de los procedimientos más comunes en cirugía, con más de 20 millones de reparaciones globales por año. Una de las técnicas de abordaje por videolaparoscopía es la vía transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP). OBJETIVOS: Describir la experiencia en una serie de casos de cirugía de hernia plastia por la vía TAPP. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Diseño del estudio: observacional descriptivo. Población: pacientes operados de hernioplastías inguinales por vía laparoscópica en la Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola, Córdoba, Argentina, durante el periodo de febrero de 2016 a febrero de 2017. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 47 pacientes operados; 44 (93.2 %) hombres, con un promedio de edad de 40.53 (18-65) años y de índice de masa corporal de 28.6 (24-51.2) kg/m2. Se operaron 89 hernias, 42 (89.3 %) bilaterales y 5 (10.7 %) unilaterales. Al 100 % de los pacientes se les practicó la técnica TAPP. Existieron 3 (3.33 %) recidivas. No hubo mortalidad en la serie. CONCLUSIONES: Las hernioplastías inguinales laparoscópica presentan una curva de aprendizaje rápida en cirujanos experimentados, con bajas tasas de morbilidad y recidivas. (AU)

The inguinal hernia has an incidence between 6.3 and 23.5 hernias per 10,000 inhabitants, being one of the most common procedures in surgery, with more than 20 million global repairs per year. One of the techniques of videolaparoscopy approach is the transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP). OBJECTIVES: To describe the experience in a series of cases of hernia surgery by TAPP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Study design: descriptive observational. Population: patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty at the Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola, Córdoba, Argentina during the period from February 2016 to February 2017. RESULTS: 47 operated patients were studied; 44 (93.2%) men, with an average age of 40.53 (18-65) years and a body mass index of 28.6 (24-51.2) kg / m2. We operated 89 hernias, 42 (89.3%) bilateral and 5 (10.7%) unilateral. 100% of the patients underwent the TAPP technique. There were 3 (3.33%) recurrences. There was no mortality in the series. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty has a rapid learning curve in experienced surgeons, with low morbidity and recurrence rates. (AU)

Ten Principles for Safe Surgical Treatment of Ovarian Endometriosis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To show a step-by-step laparoscopic approach for excision of an ovarian endometrioma following surgical principles for safety and maximal preservation of ovarian function. DESIGN: Video. Medical management of ovarian endometriomas is not recommended. Operative laparoscopy is the treatment of choice. Although considered a simple procedure, ovarian cystectomy requires a precise and correct technique in order to preserve ovarian function. SETTING: A private hospital. PATIENT: An asymptomatic, 27-year-old woman with ultrasound imaging suggesting a 6.2 × 5.4 cm left endometrioma. Additional findings of endometriotic implants were noted in the posterior aspect of the left broad ligament, retrocervical region, Douglas pouch, and left round ligament. INTERVENTIONS: After trocar insertion, standard inspection of the pelvic cavity with identification of endometriosis lesions and adhesions was performed. The endometrioma was drained with direct trocar puncture to avoid spillage of the endometriotic contents. Cyst aspiration and saline cleaning were executed. After drainage, a cold cut was performed at the puncture site for better identification of the cyst capsule. Through gentle traction and countertraction, the capsule was peeled from the ovarian cortex, preserving as much ovarian tissue as possible followed by careful hemostasis with a bipolar instrument. The ovary is fixed, anatomy re-established, and concomitant pelvic endometriosis resected. We aim for complete surgical excision in order to avoid leaving disease behind. The ovarian edges were reapproximated using simple interrupted stitches. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The total procedure time was 40 minutes. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic endometrioma stripping offers an effective option for ovarian endometriosis treatment, reducing recurrence and being reproducible by gynecologic surgeons after proper training.

[Disseminated peritoneal hydatidosis manifested as intestinal ischaemia]. / Hidatidosis peritoneal diseminada manifestada como isquemia intestinal.

BACKGROUND: The hydatid disease, or echinococcosis, is endemic in Mediterranean countries, as well as in Australia, Asia, Africa, South America, and Canada. Among its complications is intraperitoneal rupture, a rare form of presentation, with highly variable symptoms. The treatment of choice is surgery plus adjuvant medical treatment in most patients. OBJECTIVE: A case is presented of a patient with disseminated peritoneal hydatidosis manifested as intestinal ischaemia. CLINICAL CASE: A 50-year-old male was admitted to the emergency room with a history of chronic abdominal pain that worsened in the last 24hours. He showed signs of sepsis in the physical examination and was subjected to surgery, in which intestinal ischaemia was found due to a disseminated peritoneal cystic disease, which had led to mesentery retraction. An intestinal resection with an end-ileostomy was performed. The results of the biopsy of the cystic lesions was disseminated peritoneal echinococcosis. Medical treatment was started with albendazole and praziquantel. CONCLUSION: This case shows a rare presentation of disseminated peritoneal hydatidosis, which led to intestinal ischaemia.

[Omental torsion. Case Report]. / Torsión de epiplón. Reporte de caso.

BACKGROUND: Omental torsion is an infrequent cause of acute abdomen and its symptoms are non-specific, often presenting with pain at the right iliac fossa as the only symptom. Its aetiology remains unknown, but different risk factors have been associated with the disease, including obesity, congenital malformations, and tumours. These risk factors have been classified as predisposing or triggering, primary or secondary, and external or internal. CLINICAL CASE: The is a case of a 24-year-old male who complained about pain in the right iliac fossa without any other symptoms. The diagnosis was acute appendicitis, but during the laparoscopic approach, omental torsion was found. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of omental torsion is is complex. However, computed tomography and ultrasound have been used successfully. The treatment for omental torsion is the resection of necrotised tissue by a laparoscopic approach.

A Rare Case of Ascites due to Peritoneal Amyloidosis.

BACKGROUND: The clinical manifestations of amyloidosis depend on the type of insoluble protein as well as the location of amyloid deposits in tissues or organs. In the gastrointestinal tract, the small intestine is the most common site of amyloid deposits, whereas peritoneal involvement and ascites are rare. CASE REPORT: We report on a case of ascites due to peritoneal amyloidosis. A 65-year-old patient was admitted to our institution due to anasarca and pulmonary congestion, mimicking heart failure. We started the patient on diuretics and vasodilators. Despite improvement in pulmonary congestion and peripheral edema, his ascites was not reduced. Echocardiogram revealed restrictive cardiomyopathy and a speckle-tracking pattern suggestive of cardiac amyloidosis. Subcutaneous and peritoneal biopsies revealed amyloidosis. CONCLUSIONS: Amyloidosis is rare in the peritoneum and is usually asymptomatic. Ascites occurs in only 20% of patients with peritoneal amyloidosis. We searched PubMed using "ascites" and "amyloidosis" and identified only eight case reports of amyloidosis with ascites. Physicians should be particularly careful in heart failure and anasarca cases when ascites is disproportional or not responsive to diuretic treatment. To date, there is no specific treatment for peritoneal amyloidosis.

[Intestinal obstruction secondary to postoperative adhesion formation in abdominal surgery. Review]. / Obstrucción intestinal secundaria a formación de adherencias postoperatorias en cirugía abdominal. Revisión de la literatura.

The development of intestinal obstruction after upper and lower abdominal surgery is part of the daily life of each every surgeon. Despite this, there are very few good quality studies that allow enable assessment of the frequency of intestinal obstruction to be assessed, even although postoperative adhesions are the cause of considerable direct and indirect morbidity and its prevention can be considered a public health problem. And yet, in Mexico, at this time, there is no validated recommendation validated on the prevention of adhesions, or more particularly, in connection with the use of a variety of anti-adhesion commercial products which have been marketed for at least a decade. Intraperitoneal adhesions develop between surfaces without peritoneum of the abdominal organs, mesentery, and abdominal wall. The most common site of adhesions is between the greater omentum and anterior abdominal wall previous. Despite the frequency of adhesions and their direct and indirect consequences, just there is only one published a recommendation (from gynaecological literature), regarding peritoneal adhesion prevention. As regards of colorectal surgery, performed more than 250,000 colorectal resections are performed annually in the United States, and from 24% to 35% of them will develop a complication. The clinical and economic financial burden of these complications is enormous, and surgeries colorectal surgery been specifically highlighted as a potential point prevention point of surgical morbidity.

Endometriosis is an important cause of pelvic pain in adolescence / Endometriose é causa importante de dor pélvica na adolescência

Objective: despite endometriosis being a common disease, where early detection is key to preventing its progression, it is a condition often overlooked in adolescents. The aim of this study was to report the clinical characteristics of adolescent patients with endometriosis monitored in a tertiary hospital. Methods: a retrospective study of 394 patients undergoing surgery with a histological diagnosis of endometriosis at the Endometriosis Division of the Gynecology Department at the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo Medical School from 2008 to 2013. 21 adolescents were included (aged under 21 years). Results: the age ranged from 17.95 ± 1.48 years, the average time for diagnostic confirmation was 2.96 ± 2.93 years, and the age at the onset of symptoms was 15.28 ± 3.03 years on average. The sites affected were ovarian (38%), peritoneal (47.6%) and retrocervical (23.8%). Dysmenorrhea was found in 80.9 % of adolescents (severe in 33.3% of cases) and chronic pelvic pain in 66.6%. Conclusion: endometriosis in adolescents is an important differential diagnosis from pelvic pain and ovarian cysts, mainly among those with no response to conventional treatment. The main forms of involvement are peritoneal and ovarian. Despite the onset of symptoms in adolescence and advances in imaging methods, the diagnosis of this disease is still delayed. .

Objectivo: embora a endometriose seja uma doença prevalente, cujo diagnóstico precoce é fundamental para a prevenção de sua progressão, é uma condição frequentemente negligenciada em adolescentes. O objetivo deste estudo é levantar as características clínicas das pacientes adolescentes com endometriose acompanhadas em um hospital terciário. Métodos: levantamento retrospectivo de 394 pacientes submetidas à cirurgia com diagnóstico histológico de endometriose no Setor de Endometriose da Divisão de Clínica de Ginecologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, de 2008 a 2013. Foram incluídas 21 adolescentes (idade menor de 21 anos). Resulados: a idade média foi de 17,95±1,48 anos, a média de tempo para a confirmação diagnóstica foi de 2,96±2,93 anos e a idade do início dos sintomas foi em média de 15,28±3,03 anos. Os locais de acometimento foram ovariano (38%), peritoneal (47,6%) e retrocervical (23,8%). Dismenorreia esteve presente em 80,9% das adolescentes (sendo severa em 33,3% dos casos) e dor pélvica crônica em 66,6%. Conclusão: endometriose em adolescentes é um importante diagnóstico diferencial de dor pélvica e cistos anexiais, principalmente entre aquelas sem resposta ao tratamento convencional. As principais formas de acometimento são peritoneais e ovarianas. Apesar do início dos sintomas na adolescência e dos avanços nos métodos de imagem, ainda se observa demora no diagnóstico dessa doença. .

Serum B-type natriuretic peptide in the initial workup of patients with new onset ascites: a diagnostic accuracy study.

UNLABELLED: Heart failure (HF) is, after cirrhosis, the second-most common cause of ascites. Serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) plays an important role in the diagnosis of HF. Therefore, we hypothesized that BNP would be useful in the differential diagnosis of ascites. Consecutive patients with new onset ascites were prospectively enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All patients had measurements of serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG), total protein concentration in ascitic fluid, serum, and ascites BNP. We enrolled 218 consecutive patients with ascites resulting from HF (n = 44), cirrhosis (n = 162), peritoneal disease (n = 10), and constrictive pericarditis (n = 2). Compared to SAAG and/or total protein concentration in ascites, the test that best discriminated HF-related ascites from other causes of ascites was serum BNP. A cutoff of >364 pg/mL (sensitivity 98%, specificity 99%, and diagnostic accuracy 99%) had the highest positive likelihood ratio (168.1); that is, it was the best to rule in HF-related ascites. Conversely, a cutoff ≤ 182 pg/mL had the lowest negative likelihood ratio (0.0) and was the best to rule out HF-related ascites. These findings were confirmed in a 60-patient validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Serum BNP is more accurate than ascites analyses in the diagnosis of HF-related ascites. The workup of patients with new onset ascites could be streamlined by obtaining serum BNP as an initial test and could forego the need for diagnostic paracentesis, particularly in cases where the cause of ascites is uncertain and/or could be the result of HF.

Endometriosis is an important cause of pelvic pain in adolescence.

OBJECTIVE: despite endometriosis being a common disease, where early detection is key to preventing its progression, it is a condition often overlooked in adolescents. The aim of this study was to report the clinical characteristics of adolescent patients with endometriosis monitored in a tertiary hospital. METHODS: a retrospective study of 394 patients undergoing surgery with a histological diagnosis of endometriosis at the Endometriosis Division of the Gynecology Department at the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo Medical School from 2008 to 2013. 21 adolescents were included (aged under 21 years). RESULTS: the age ranged from 17.95 ± 1.48 years, the average time for diagnostic confirmation was 2.96 ± 2.93 years, and the age at the onset of symptoms was 15.28 ± 3.03 years on average. The sites affected were ovarian (38%), peritoneal (47.6%) and retrocervical (23.8%). Dysmenorrhea was found in 80.9 % of adolescents (severe in 33.3% of cases) and chronic pelvic pain in 66.6%. CONCLUSION: endometriosis in adolescents is an important differential diagnosis from pelvic pain and ovarian cysts, mainly among those with no response to conventional treatment. The main forms of involvement are peritoneal and ovarian. Despite the onset of symptoms in adolescence and advances in imaging methods, the diagnosis of this disease is still delayed.

Torsión omental como causa de abdomen agudo pediátrico / Omental torsion a rare cause of acute abdomen in children

INTRODUCCIÓN: La torsión omental constituye una causa infrecuente de dolor abdominal del niño, con una frecuencia relativa estimada de un caso por cada 200 cirugías realizadas por sospecha de apendicitis. Se sugiere que la incidencia de esta patología estaría en aumento paralelo a la obesidad infantil, y al mayor conocimiento diagnóstico con imagenología. PRESENTACIÓN DE CASOS: Cinco pacientes fueron tratados en el Hospital Luis Calvo Mackenna con diagnóstico postoperatorio de torsión o infarto omental entre enero de 2006 y enero de 2011.Todos se presentaron con dolor abdominal agudo en el cuadrante inferior derecho acompañado de otros síntomas fuertemente sugerentes de una apendicitis aguda. En ninguno de los 5 casos se obtuvo diagnóstico imagenológico de urgencias, por lo que recibieron manejo exclusivamente quirúrgico (omentectomía con o sin apendicectomía, vía minilaparotomía o laparoscopía), con resultados satisfactorios. El estudio histopatológico demostró congestión, hemorragia y/o necrosis omental, e inflamación periférica apendicular. DISCUSIÓN: Con un mayor acceso a imágenes y conocimiento de esta patología por el equipo médico, se hace posible realizar el diagnóstico de forma preoperatoria, lo que es decisivo para posibilitar diferentes alternativas terapéuticas y puede evitar la cirugía restringiéndola a casos seleccionados.

INTRODUCTION: Omental torsion is a rare cause of abdominal pain in children, with an estimated incidence of one for every 200 appendectomies performed. A rise in that number has been projected, parallel to a higher prevalence of childhood obesity and a higher accuracy in diagnostic imaging. CASE REPORT: Five patients had a postoperative diagnosis of omental torsion in Hospital Luis Calvo Mackenna between January of 2006 and January 2011. All of them started an acute abdominal pain in right iliac fossa and general symptoms that resembled acute appendicitis. None of them had a correct diagnosis by emergency imaging; thereby a surgical resolution – open or laparoscopic omentectomy with or without appendectomy - was indicated with good outcomes. Histopathological study showed congestion, hemorrhage and/or omental necrosis, and periappendicular inflammation. DISCUSSION: With more readily available imaging studies and a higher index of suspicion, a preoperative diagnosis of omental torsion could be achieved, potentially avoiding unnecessary surgery.

T helper (Th)1, Th2, and Th17 interleukin pathways in infertile patients with minimal/mild endometriosis.

In the present study, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12, IL-17, and IL-23 levels were measured in serum and peritoneal fluid of women with minimal or mild endometriosis and compared with levels in controls without endometriosis. Higher IL-23 levels were encountered in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis, suggesting a possible role of this cytokine in these women's infertility.

Torsión primaria de epiplón: caso clínico / Primary omental torsion: report of one case

We report a 40 years old female consulting in the emergency room for abdominal pain and a mass in the left lower quadrant. An abdominal CAT sean showed an omental torsion. The patient was operated, excising the involved omentum. The postoperative period was uneventful and the patient was discharged three days after admission.

El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar el caso clínico de una paciente con torsión de epiplón manejado en nuestra institución. Se trata de una paciente de sexo femenino de 40 años de edad, que se presenta al servicio de urgencias por clínica de dolor abdominal de una semana de evolución asociado a masa abdominal en flanco izquierdo, en quien se realiza tomografía que revela cambios compatibles con torsión de epiplón por lo cual es llevada a cirugía realizándose resección de todo el omento.

Torsion of the omentum. A rare cause of acute abdomen.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical aspects, treatment and evolution of acute abdomen caused by torsion of the greater omentum. METHODS: Retrospective analysis study consisted of a group of eleven patients with acute abdomen caused by torsion of the greater omentum. The variables included were age, sex, body mass index (BMI), clinical picture, evolution time, laboratory tests, radiology and treatment. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed. RESULTS: Seven (63.6%) women and four (36.36%) men; mean age 33 (20 to 58) years; BMI > 25.0 in nine (81.81%); average evolution 6.54, SD 3.47 days. All presented abdominal pain, six (54.5%) abdominal distension, four (36.3%) walking difficulty, three (27.27%) general malaise, ten (90.9%) slight leucocytosis, five (45.4%) previous surgery. In all cases diagnosis was made by laparotomy, treatment was resection of the affected segment, and no complications were seen. CONCLUSIONS: Segmental torsion of the greater omentum is a rare cause of acute abdomen. Pain is the most frequent symptom, and the condition resembles acute appendicitis. It is often discovered during surgery and is treated by the removal of the affected omentum segment.

Giant congenital mesenteric hernia in the adult.

INTRODUCTION: Internal hernia is a visceral protrusion through a defect or aperture, either mesenteric or peritoneal and is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction. Within this group, the congenital mesenteric (transmesenteric) hernia is extremely rare, being more common in the pediatric population. OBJECTIVE: To present the case of a 38-year-old woman with intestinal obstruction and acute abdomen who underwent surgery. A giant mesenteric (transmesenteric) hernia was found. The hernia was reduced and the defect closed. Discharge was made without complications. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital mesenteric hernias are an infrequent pathology that may cause intestinal obstruction, predominantly in the pediatric population. Occurrence in adults is extremely rare.