How the training of ultrasonographers influences the certainty of prenatal detection of congenital malformations of interest to the pediatric surgeon.

BACKGROUND: The training needed for doing obstetric ultrasounds is rarely reported. The aim of this study was to determine whether the training of the ultrasonographer influences the prenatal diagnostic certainty of some congenital malformations. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective evaluation of antepartum sonographic findings of newborn infants found ultimately to have a congenital anomaly in a tertiary level pediatric reference center. Data were collected on admission for consecutive patients at a tertiary-level pediatric reference center. The mother´s pregnancy and birth demographic variables and those of the prenatal ultrasound (PUS) were analyzed and correlated with the final diagnosis. RESULTS: Sixty-seven neonates were included. All cases underwent PUS with a mean of 4.6. Prenatal diagnosis was established in 24 cases (35.8%). Thirteen surgical anomalies were detected, particularly anorectal malformation and gastroschisis. The accuracy of PUS was associated with the training of the physician performing the PUS, whereby PUS with the greatest accuracy were performed by gynecologists and maternal-fetal specialists against radiologists and general practitioners (p = 0.005). Patients without an accurate prenatal diagnosis had a greater risk of presenting comorbidities (relative risk [RR]: 1.65, p = < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.299-2.106). CONCLUSIONS: In our setting, prenatal diagnosis of these malformations is directly determined by the training of the person performing the ultrasound.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Con poca frecuencia se ha reportado el entrenamiento necesario para realizar ultrasonido (US) obstétrico. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar si el entrenamiento del ultrasonografista influye en la certeza del diagnóstico prenatal de algunas malformaciones congénitas. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo una evaluación retrospectiva de los hallazgos ultrasonográficos prenatales de neonatos que tuvieron malformaciones congénitas en un hospital de referencia pediátrico de tercer nivel. Se realizó al ingreso de neonatos consecutivos en un hospital de referencia de tercer nivel. Se recolectaron y analizaron datos del embarazo y alumbramiento, así como los de los ultrasonidos prenatales (USP) correlacionando con el diagnóstico final. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 67 neonatos. Todos tuvieron USP con media de 4.6. Se realizó diagnóstico prenatal en 24 casos (35.8%). Se detectaron 13 malformaciones congénitas, predominando malformación anorectal gastrosquisis. La certeza del USP se asoció con el entrenamiento del individuo que realizó el US y la mayor certeza se encontró cuando lo realizaron ginecólogos y especialistas materno-fetales contra radiólogos y médicos generales (p = 0.005). Los pacientes sin diagnóstico prenatal certero tuvieron mayor riesgo de presentar comorbilidades (riesgo relativo [RR]: 1.65, p = < 0.001, 95% intervalo de confianza [CI]: 1.299-2.106). CONCLUSIONES: En nuestro medio, el diagnóstico prenatal de estas malformaciones está determinado directamente por el entrenamiento de la persona que realiza el ultrasonido.

How the training of ultrasonographers influences the certainty of prenatal detection of congenital malformations of interest to the pediatric surgeon / Cómo el entrenamiento del ultrasonografista influye en la certeza de la detección prenatal de malformaciones congénitas de interés para el cirujano pediatra

Abstract Background: The training needed for doing obstetric ultrasounds is rarely reported. The aim of this study was to determine whether the training of the ultrasonographer influences the prenatal diagnostic certainty of some congenital malformations. Methods: We conducted a retrospective evaluation of antepartum sonographic findings of newborn infants found ultimately to have a congenital anomaly in a tertiary level pediatric reference center. Data were collected on admission for consecutive patients at a tertiary-level pediatric reference center. The mother´s pregnancy and birth demographic variables and those of the prenatal ultrasound (PUS) were analyzed and correlated with the final diagnosis. Results: Sixty-seven neonates were included. All cases underwent PUS with a mean of 4.6. Prenatal diagnosis was established in 24 cases (35.8%). Thirteen surgical anomalies were detected, particularly anorectal malformation and gastroschisis. The accuracy of PUS was associated with the training of the physician performing the PUS, whereby PUS with the greatest accuracy were performed by gynecologists and maternal-fetal specialists against radiologists and general practitioners (p = 0.005). Patients without an accurate prenatal diagnosis had a greater risk of presenting comorbidities (relative risk [RR]: 1.65, p = < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.299-2.106). Conclusions: In our setting, prenatal diagnosis of these malformations is directly determined by the training of the person performing the ultrasound.

Resumen Introducción: Con poca frecuencia se ha reportado el entrenamiento necesario para realizar ultrasonido (US) obstétrico. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar si el entrenamiento del ultrasonografista influye en la certeza del diagnóstico prenatal de algunas malformaciones congénitas. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo una evaluación retrospectiva de los hallazgos ultrasonográficos prenatales de neonatos que tuvieron malformaciones congénitas en un hospital de referencia pediátrico de tercer nivel. Se realizó al ingreso de neonatos consecutivos en un hospital de referencia de tercer nivel. Se recolectaron y analizaron datos del embarazo y alumbramiento, así como los de los ultrasonidos prenatales (USP) correlacionando con el diagnóstico final. Resultados: Se incluyeron 67 neonatos. Todos tuvieron USP con media de 4.6. Se realizó diagnóstico prenatal en 24 casos (35.8%). Se detectaron 13 malformaciones congénitas, predominando malformación anorectal gastrosquisis. La certeza del USP se asoció con el entrenamiento del individuo que realizó el US y la mayor certeza se encontró cuando lo realizaron ginecólogos y especialistas materno-fetales contra radiólogos y médicos generales (p = 0.005). Los pacientes sin diagnóstico prenatal certero tuvieron mayor riesgo de presentar comorbilidades (riesgo relativo [RR]: 1.65, p = < 0.001, 95% intervalo de confianza [CI]: 1.299-2.106). Conclusiones: En nuestro medio, el diagnóstico prenatal de estas malformaciones está determinado directamente por el entrenamiento de la persona que realiza el ultrasonido.

Perception of pediatric residents from a tertiary hospital in the city of México regarding their training during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUNDS: On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic, which changed the residents' teaching and learning process. The purpose of this study was to determine residents' satisfaction and impressions on their training during the pandemic in a tertiary pediatric hospital. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. An online survey was designed to determine residents' demographic and personal characteristics, as well as their perception about the theoretical and practical training, as well as about their emotional situation. The analysis separated medical students from surgical students in order to identify any differences existing between these groups, for which χ2 was calculated. RESULTS: Overall, 148 of 171 residents (86.5%) responded to the questionnaire; 75% belonged to the medical specialty and 25% to the surgical specialty. Statistically significant differences were found in terms of those training aspects they were concerned about during the pandemic (p < 0.001) and about the difficulties associated with online learning (p = 0.001). Differences were also found regarding their satisfaction toward the time needed to complete their thesis (p = 0.059) and activities outside the hospital (p = 0.029). Regarding their degree of satisfaction in general, most medical specialty students felt slightly satisfied (43.2%) and surgical specialty students felt mostly neutral (37.8%). Regarding their feelings about their mental health, statistically significant differences were found between both groups (p = 0.038) although both groups reported the same percentage of overall dissatisfaction (2.7%) in this area. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant challenges to medical education systems. Lack of practice in decision-making and maneuver execution are concerns for residents and may affect their future professional performance.

[Efficacy of intestinal splinting in hostile abdomen secondary to postoperative flanges in pediatric patients]. / Utilidad de la ferulización intestinal (FI) en abdomen hostil secundario a bridas postoperatorias en pacientes pediátricos.

Objetivo: Mostrar la eficacia de la FI para prolongar el tiempo libre de oclusión intestinal quirúrgica en niños con abdomen hostil secundario a bridas posquirúrgicas. Método: Análisis retrospectivo de FI por abdomen hostil de 2000 a 2011 y su seguimiento a largo plazo. Comparamos el tiempo libre de oclusión quirúrgica antes y después de la FI. Resultados: Se incluyeron 20 FI en 19 pacientes. Predominaron las causas congénitas, la mediana de edad en la cirugía fue de 6 meses, todos tenían cirugías previas con mediana de tres, y dos de ellas fueron por oclusión intestinal previa. La férula se quitó a los 28 días (mediana). Con un seguimiento de 1-183 meses, hubo una recurrencia de oclusión quirúrgica. El tiempo libre de oclusión quirúrgica posferulización fue significativamente mayor que el preferulización mediante la prueba de Wilcoxon, con un valor Z = -3.594; p = < 0.0001. Conclusiones: Esta es la segunda serie exclusiva en niños que muestra que la FI es eficaz para prolongar el tiempo libre de oclusión quirúrgica.

Assessment of the Mexican Board of Pediatric Surgery Certification System.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of the Mexican Board of Pediatric Surgery (MBPS) certifying system, using contemporary international guidelines. DESIGN: Retrospective assessment of evidence collected during the design and implementation processes of 2 consecutive applications of the MBPS certifying examination, using Cizek's checklist for evaluating credential-testing programs. It includes the relevant guidelines from the American Education Research Association, the American Psychological Association, the National Council on Measurement in Education, and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. Four independent and previously trained raters used the checklist. They underwent a 2-week training using frame-of-reference and performance dimensions methodologies. SETTING: Certification examinations of MBPS. POPULATION: The 2013 and 2014 MBPS certification examinations, with 111 evidence items of the processes, followed for the assessment of 86 examinees. RESULTS: The checklist internal consistency was 0.89. Absolute interrater agreement was 0.34 for the 2013 and 0.66 for the 2014 editions of the examination. The 2013 examination complied with 55 (64%) of the checklist 86 items, in 2014 with 72 (84%). CONCLUSION: In 2014, the certifying system reached a quality of 84%. For optimal fulfillment of its social responsibility, the MBPS is required to maintain its level of quality and attempt to improve its performance.

[Prognostic factors related to mortality in newborns with necrotising enterocolitis]. / Factores pronóstico para mortalidad en neonatos con enterocolitis necrosante.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis is the most frequent and severe acquired gastrointestinal disease in newborns and still has high mortality. There are few published papers about prognostic factors of death in our country. OBJECTIVE: To know the factors associated with death in patients with necrotizing enterocolitis. METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive, comparative study with a case-control design was conducted on patients with necrotizing enterocolitis during a 5-year period. RESULTS: Deceased patients had significantly lower platelet counts compared to survivors (P=0.022) and the prognostic factors associated with mortality were anaemia (P=0.006, OR = 15.62), stage III of necrotizing enterocolitis (P<0.001, OR = 47.5), to require surgical treatment (P<0.001, OR = 47.5), to have intestinal necrosis (P=0.001, OR = 48.5) or perforation (P=0.016, OR =24.25), to have medical complications, specifically intravascular disseminated coagulation (P<.001, RR = 98), and multi-organ failure (P<0.001, RR = 2). It was also found that patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and diagnosis of necrotising enterocolitis when they were hospitalized were more likely to have surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We must be aware of the factors associated with mortality, as well as those associated with surgical treatment to reduce overall mortality for this condition.

[Prognostic factors related to mortality in newborns with jejunoileal atresia]. / Factores pronóstico para mortalidad en neonatos con atresia intestinal yeyuno-ileal.

BACKGROUND: Jejuno-ileal atresia is one of the main causes of intestinal obstruction in neonates. The origin is vascular accidents in the fetal intestine. It is an entity that requires early and specialist management. OBJECTIVE: to know the factors related to mortality in neonates with jejunoileal atresia. METHODS: Case-control nested in a cohort design, comparative study during ten years, between deceased and survivors analyzing factors related to mortality before surgery and during surgery and in the postoperative course. RESULTS: We analyzed 70 patients in 10 years, there were 10 deaths (14.2%). No one had a prenatal diagnosis. Factors related to mortality were: intestinal perforation with a relative risk (RR) of 4.4, peritonitis (RR: 5.6), the need of stomas (RR: 4.9), the presence of sepsis (RR: 4.6) and when the residual small bowel length was below 1 meter (RR: 7.4). CONCLUSION: The delay in diagnosis causes late intervention and increased mortality delayed diagnosis promotes late transport of the neonate and enhances mortality, factors associated with mortality related to intestinal perforation. It is necessary to spread this disease in the medical community to improve prenatal and postnatal diagnosis.

Prognostic factors related to mortality in newborns with Bochdalek hernia: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Bochdalek hernia remains an entity carrying a high mortality. Because there are no published studies about prognostic factors for mortality in Bochdalek hernia in underdeveloped countries, we designed the present study. Our objective was to determine the prognostic factors related to mortality in Bochdalek hernia in countries such as Mexico. METHODS: We designed a case (deceased)-control (alive) study during a 10-year period analyzing epidemiological and pre-, intra- and postoperative factors related to mortality. Our protocol is to operate when the patient is hemodynamically stable. RESULTS: We analyzed 11 cases and 38 controls. There was pulmonary hypertension in 65% of the patients. Associated anomalies were not related to mortality. Low Apgar score (p = 0.016), the need for high frequency ventilation (p = 0.003) or having postoperative complications (p = 0.025) were related to mortality with pulmonary hypertension being the main cause. Odds ratios showed that immediate intubation, preoperative pulmonary hypertension (p = 0.05) and the necessity for preoperative stabilization (p = 0.043) increased mortality risk by 1.5 times. Using preoperative high-frequency ventilation increased the risk nine times and, when needed postoperatively, increases the risk 11 times. CONCLUSIONS: Factors related to mortality were low Apgar score, immediate intubation, need for stabilization, postoperative complications and need for high-frequency ventilation.

Unnecessary gastric decompression in distal elective bowel anastomoses in children: a randomized study.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to investigate the role of nasogastric drainage in preventing postoperative complications in children with distal elective bowel anastomosis. Nasogastric drainage has been used as a routine measure after gastrointestinal surgery in children and adults to hasten bowel function, prevent postoperative complications, and shorten hospital stay. However, there has been no study that shows in a scientific manner the benefit of nasogastric drainage in children. METHODS: We performed a clinical, controlled, randomized trial comprising 60 children who underwent distal elective bowel anastomoses and compared postoperative complications between a group with nasogastric tube in place (n = 29) and one without it (n = 31). RESULTS: Demographic data and diagnoses were comparable in both groups (P = NS). No anastomotic leaks or enterocutaneous fistulae were found in any patient. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to abdominal distension, infection, or hospital stay. Only one patient in the experimental group required placement of the nasogastric tube due to persistent abdominal distension (3.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The routine use of nasogastric drainage after distal elective intestinal surgery in children can be eliminated. Its use should depend on the individual patient's situation.

Cirugía bariátrica en los niños: ¿Necesidad o exageración? / Bariatric surgery in children: necessity or exaggeration?

El incremento de la prevalencia de la obesidad a nivel mundial y particularmente en México, los malos resultados con las técnicas conservadoras para el control de peso y la identificación de los riesgos asociados a esta patología han provocado una gran polémica relacionada con la aplicación de otros procedimientos más agresivos, como la cirugía bariátrica en los niños (adolescentes). Primeramente, debe insistirse en la prevención ya que los métodos conservadores permiten obtener resultados muy limitados. Dado que la expectativa de vida y la mortalidad en los adolescentes se ve afectada por las enfermedades asociadas o comorbilidades, hoy por hoy la esperanza de vida para el adolescente obeso es la cirugía bariátrica, particularmente porque permite en un gran porcentaje no sólo reducir su exceso de peso, sino controlar la diabetes tipo 2, la hipertensión arterial y otros factores de riesgo para enfermedad cardiovascular, músculo-esquelética, psicológica y de calidad de vida entre otros.

Increase in the prevalence of obesity at a worldwide level, particularly in Mexico, has shown poor results with conservative measures for weight control. Identification of risks associated with this pathology has provoked a great controversy related to using other more aggressive procedures such as bariatric surgery in adolescents. Prevention of obesity should be the first priority because conservative methods produce only very limited results. Because life expectancy and mortality in adolescents are affected by associated or comorbid diseases, at the present time the hope for a better life expectancy for the obese adolescent is bariatric surgery, particularly because in a great percentage of patients it not only results in reduction of excessive weight but may also control type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension and other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, psychological problems, and quality of life, among others.

Usefulness of intravenous heparin to prevent thrombosis of central venous catheter in children.

BACKGROUND: central venous catheter (CVC) thrombosis in children is a main issue and its prevention with intravenous heparin is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of intravenous heparin in preventing CVC thrombosis both clinically and macroscopically. METHODS: we conducted a randomized clinical trial in a tertiary care children's hospital with patients <18 years of age with CVC. Experimental group included addition of heparin at 2 IU/ml of intravenous fluids (IV), whereas the control group did not include heparin. RESULTS: seventy six lumen of catheters were included, 38 in each group. Both groups were homogeneous in epidemiological variables. Macroscopic thrombus was found in 27 (35.5%) lumen of catheters. The group with heparin showed thrombus in 7.8% and 63% in the control group (p <0.0001 with relative risk (RR) of 20 and confidence interval (CI) at 95% (5.1-77.2). Clinical evaluation showed adequate flow in the IV of the heparin group in 94.7% and 57.8% in the control group (p <0.001). Blood return through the lumen of catheters with heparin was present in 86.8% and 42.1% in the control group (p <0.001). Mean time for catheters was 14.3 days. There were no side effects or prolonged partial thromboplastin time. CONCLUSIONS: heparin infusion at 2 IU/ml is safe and effective in preventing CVC thrombosis in children.

No evidence of porcine endogenous retrovirus in patients with type 1 diabetes after long-term porcine islet xenotransplantation.

Xenotransplantation is a promising alternative for donor shortage to ameliorate physiologic and metabolic disorders. The major concern for xenotransplant is the risk of zoonosis mainly by the porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV), presentation in the piglet genome. Twenty-three patients with type 1 diabetes were transplanted with porcine islets using collagen-generating devices which were implanted subcutaneously in the anterior wall of the abdomen. Clinical characteristics and metabolic tests were recorded in each visit. They were tested for PERV using PCR and RT-PCR from blood pretransplantation and every 3 months during a 4.6- to 8-year follow-up after their first xenotransplant. Tests by PCR of every DNA sample (780 samples) revealed that there was no PERV infection in the DNA of white cells. No evidence of PERV activation was found in this group of patients with type 1 diabetes during clinical long-term follow-up.

[Comparison between two antibiotic schemes in relation to surgical site infection in children: a randomized clinical trial].

BACKGROUND: There are few randomized clinical trials that prove the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) to prevent pediatric surgical site infections (SSI). We undertook this study to determine the effectiveness of AP vs. traditional scheme of antibiotics. METHODS: We carried out a randomized clinical trial at the General Surgery Department of a Tertiary Care Children's Hospital in Mexico City. There were 187 consecutive patients, age 18 years or less, with clean or clean-contaminated procedures performed between January 2005 and December 2006. Exclusion criteria included previous scar on operated site, receiving antibiotics, or no informed consent. Cefalotin or clindamycin plus amikacin was administered 2 h before incision, continued for just 24 h in the experimental group (EG) vs. cefalotin or clindamycin plus amikacin administered just before, during or after incision and continuing for 5 days (control group, CG). RESULTS: Sixteen patients were excluded. EG included 26 clean and 54 clean-contaminated procedures, and in the CG there were 27 and 64 procedures, respectively. EG had a lower incidence of SSI (1/80 [1.2 %] vs. 10/91 [10.9 %], RR 9.7, (95% CI: 1.2-77.9, p = 0.009). The difference is based mainly on the clean-contaminated procedures. CONCLUSIONS: AP administered 2 h before incision and continuing for 24 h significantly decreases the risk of SSI compared to CG in clean-contaminated procedures.

Comparación de dos esquemas antibióticos en infección de sitio quirúrgico en niños / Comparison between two antibiotic schemes in relation to surgical site infection in children: a randomized clinical trial

Introducción: Hay pocos estudios controlados que prueben la efectividad de la profilaxis antibiótica para prevenir infección de sitio quirúrgico en niños. El objetivo de esta investigación es determinar la efectividad de la profilaxis antibiótica contra esquema tradicional de antibióticos. Material y métodos: Ensayo clínico controlado llevado a cabo en el Departamento de Cirugía General en hospital pediátrico de tercer nivel, de 187 casos consecutivos menores de 18 años, con herida limpia o limpia-contaminada, entre enero de 2005 y diciembre de 2006. Se excluyeron los pacientes con cicatriz previa, quienes habían recibido antibióticos o que no proporcionaron su consentimiento informado. A un grupo (experimental) se administró cefalotina o clindamicina más amikacina dos horas antes de la incisión y por 24 horas y a otro se le administraron los mismos antibióticos durante o después de incisión y por cinco días. Se determinó el número de infecciones de sitio quirúrgico en procedimientos limpios y limpios contaminados. Resultados: Se excluyeron 16 pacientes. El grupo experimental incluyó 26 procedimientos limpios y 54 limpios contaminados y el grupo control, 27 y 64, respectivamente. El grupo experimental tuvo menos incidencia de infección de sitio quirúrgico (1 de 80 [1.2 %] contra 10 de 91 [10.9 %]), RR = 9.7, IC 95 % = 1.2-77.9, p = 0.009. Dicha diferencia basada en los procedimientos limpios contaminados. Conclusiones: La profilaxis antibiótica administrada dos horas antes de incidir y por 24 horas disminuyó significativamente la incidencia de infección de sitio quirúrgico en heridas limpias contaminadas.

BACKGROUND: There are few randomized clinical trials that prove the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) to prevent pediatric surgical site infections (SSI). We undertook this study to determine the effectiveness of AP vs. traditional scheme of antibiotics. METHODS: We carried out a randomized clinical trial at the General Surgery Department of a Tertiary Care Children's Hospital in Mexico City. There were 187 consecutive patients, age 18 years or less, with clean or clean-contaminated procedures performed between January 2005 and December 2006. Exclusion criteria included previous scar on operated site, receiving antibiotics, or no informed consent. Cefalotin or clindamycin plus amikacin was administered 2 h before incision, continued for just 24 h in the experimental group (EG) vs. cefalotin or clindamycin plus amikacin administered just before, during or after incision and continuing for 5 days (control group, CG). RESULTS: Sixteen patients were excluded. EG included 26 clean and 54 clean-contaminated procedures, and in the CG there were 27 and 64 procedures, respectively. EG had a lower incidence of SSI (1/80 [1.2 %] vs. 10/91 [10.9 %], RR 9.7, (95% CI: 1.2-77.9, p = 0.009). The difference is based mainly on the clean-contaminated procedures. CONCLUSIONS: AP administered 2 h before incision and continuing for 24 h significantly decreases the risk of SSI compared to CG in clean-contaminated procedures.

A standardized perioperative surgical site infection care process among children with stoma closure: a before-after study.

BACKGROUND: We report on the effectiveness of a standardized perioperative care process for lowering surgical site infection (SSI) rates among children with stoma closure at a tertiary-care public pediatric teaching hospital in Mexico City. METHODS: All consecutive children with stoma closure operated on between November 2003 and October 2005 were prospectively followed for 30 days postoperatively. We conducted a before-after study to evaluate standardized perioperative bowel- and abdominal-wall care process results on SSI rates. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were operated on, and all completed follow-up. SSI rates declined from 42.8% (12/28) before to 13.9% (6/43) after the standardization procedure (relative risk (RR) = 3.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3-7.2; p = 0.006). SSI independently associated risk factors comprised peristomal skin inflammation >3 mm (odds ratio (OR) = 9.6; 95% CI = 1.8-49.6; p = 0.007) and intraoperative complications (OR = 13.3; 95% CI = 1.4-127.2; p = 0.02). Being operated on during the after-study period was shown to be a protective factor against SSI (OR = 0.2; 95% CI = 0.4-0.97; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Standardization was able to reduce SSI rates threefold in children with stoma closure in a short period of time.

Unexpected immunoresponse to Gal and APA antigens in diabetic type 1 patients receiving neonatal pig islets after 6 years.

Cotransplantation of porcine islets and Sertoli cells into preimplanted subcutaneous devices improve metabolic control in type 1 diabetic patients, and survive grafted for more than 4 years. We report here, further assessment of the endocrine and porcine nature of the surviving cells and the immune responses elicited toward Gal alpha(1,3)-Gal beta(1,4)-GlcNAc (Gal) antigen in patients who received a second and third transplants. No immunosuppressive drugs were administered. We were able to immunostain insulin- and glucagon-positive cells in all biopsies of patients and Sertoli cell markers in 60.9% of biopsies. Additionally, all biopsies tested, amplified the porcine COII gene. Patients demonstrated an increase in antipig antibodies in response to the first transplant with a decreasing response toward the second and third transplants. In all transplants, the IgG levels promptly returned to basal values after 3-4 months. The long-term survival of porcine cells and the reduced humoral immune response to multiple transplants indicate a form of tolerance. We have not been able to find CD25-positive cells, indicating that it is probably an immune accommodation of the graft.

Relaciones anatómicas de la vena subclavia en un grupo de recién nacidos con puntos de orientación óseos para su mejor punción con técnica infraclavicular y supraclavicular

Introducción. Objetivo: corroborar de manera objetiva las diferencias anatómicas existentes en el trayecto de la vena subclavia en un grupo de recién nacidos para describir la mejor técnica de punción subclavia en este grupo de edad. Material y métodos. Estudio quirúrgico-radiológico, descriptivo, prolectivo, midiendo distancias de la vena subclavia con relación a la clavícula y la articulación esterno-clavicular. Resultados. El punto donde cruza la vena a la clavícula es más lateral respecto a lo reportado en la literatura. La profundidad de la vena respecto a la clavícula es de 3.2 mm para el lado izquierdo (2-5) y de 2.0 mm para el lado derecho, el ángulo ascendente que sigue la vena es en promedio de 38° del lado izquierdo y de 34° del lado derecho. El punto más alto de la vena sobre la articulación es de 9 mm del lado izquierdo y 7 mm del lado derecho. Los ángulos en la porción descendente de la vena subclavia son en promedio de 27° del lado izquierdo y de 81° del lado derecho. Conclusiones. Se propone una técnica de punción de la vena subclavia tanto con técnica supra como infraclavicular en recién nacidos, basada en los hallazgos anatómicos.

Introduction. To correlate in an objective manner the anatomical differences of the subclavian vein in newborns for a better approach to it's puncture. Material and methods. A descriptive, surgical and pathological study in cadavers measuring the subclavian vein related to the clavicle and the sterno-clavicular joint. Results. The specific point where the subclavian vein cross the clavicle is lateral than the 1 reported in literature. The deepness of the vein with respect to the clavicle is 3.2 mm for the left side and 2 mm for the right, the ascending angle of the vein is 38° on the left and 34° on the right side. The highest point of the vein over the joint is 9 mm on the left and 7 mm on the right side. The descending angles of the vein are 27° on the left and 81° on the right side in average. Conclusions. We propose, based on our results, a puncture technique for the subclavian vein in newborns either with the supra or infraclavicular technique.