DOES MALE GENDER INCREASE THE RISK OF LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY?

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferable treatment for chronic or acute cholecystitis. Some factors may increase the rate of laparoscopic conversion to open cholecystectomy and perioperative complications. The role of gender as a risk factor for laparoscopic cholecystectomy is controversial. AIM: To evaluate the role of the gender on the operative findings and outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHOD: All patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for chronic or acute cholecystitis were included. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, imaging exams, intraoperative and postoperative data were obtained and analyzed. The data was obtained retrospectively from electronic medical records and study protocols. RESULTS: Of a total 1,645 patients who were subjected to laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 540 (32.8%) were men and 1,105 (67.2%) were women. Mean age was similar in both genders (p=0.817). Operative time has longer in the male (72.48±28.50) than in the female group (65.46±24.83, p<0.001). The rate of acute cholecystitis was higher in the male (14.3%) than in the female group (5.1%, p<0.001). There was no difference between the genders in regard to the rate of conversion (p=1.0), intraoperative complication (p=1.0), postoperative complication (p=0.571), and operative mortality (p=1.0). CONCLUSION: Male gender is not an independent risk factor for laparoscopic conversion and perioperative complications.

Does male gender increase the risk of laparoscopic cholecystectomy? / O gênero masculino aumenta o risco de colecistectomia laparoscópica?

ABSTRACT Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferable treatment for chronic or acute cholecystitis. Some factors may increase the rate of laparoscopic conversion to open cholecystectomy and perioperative complications. The role of gender as a risk factor for laparoscopic cholecystectomy is controversial. Aim: To evaluate the role of the gender on the operative findings and outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Method: All patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for chronic or acute cholecystitis were included. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, imaging exams, intraoperative and postoperative data were obtained and analyzed. The data was obtained retrospectively from electronic medical records and study protocols. Results: Of a total 1,645 patients who were subjected to laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 540 (32.8%) were men and 1,105 (67.2%) were women. Mean age was similar in both genders (p=0.817). Operative time has longer in the male (72.48±28.50) than in the female group (65.46±24.83, p<0.001). The rate of acute cholecystitis was higher in the male (14.3%) than in the female group (5.1%, p<0.001). There was no difference between the genders in regard to the rate of conversion (p=1.0), intraoperative complication (p=1.0), postoperative complication (p=0.571), and operative mortality (p=1.0). Conclusion: Male gender is not an independent risk factor for laparoscopic conversion and perioperative complications.

RESUMO Racional: A colecistectomia laparoscópica é o tratamento de escolha para colecistite crônica ou aguda. Alguns fatores podem aumentar a taxa de conversão para colecistectomia laparotômica e de complicações perioperatórias. O papel do gênero, como um fator de risco para colecistectomia laparoscópica, é controverso. Objetivo: Avaliar o papel do gênero nos achados operatórios e no desfecho da colecistectomia laparoscópica. Métodos: Todos os pacientes que foram submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica por colecistite crônica ou aguda foram incluídos. Dados demográficos, clínicos, laboratoriais, de imagem, intraoperatórios e pós-operatórios foram obtidos e analisados. Os dados foram obtidos retrospectivamente a partir de prontuários eletrônicos e protocolos de estudo. Resultados: De um total de 1.645 pacientes que foram submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica, 540 (32,8%) eram homens e 1.105 (67,2%) mulheres. A idade média foi semelhante em ambos os gêneros (p=0,817). O tempo operatório foi maior nos homens (72,48±28,50) do que nas mulheres (65,46±24,83) (p<0,001). A taxa de colecistite aguda foi maior no grupo masculino (14,3%) do que no feminino (5,1%, p<0,001). Não houve diferença entre os gêneros quanto à taxa de conversão (p=1,0), complicação intraoperatória (p=1,0), complicação pós-operatória (p=0,571) e mortalidade operatória (p=1,0). Conclusão: O gênero masculino não é fator de risco independente para a conversão laparoscópica e complicações perioperatórias.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function in men with liver cirrhosis before and after liver transplantation / Função do eixo hipotálamo-hipófise-gonadal em homens cirróticos antes e após o transplante hepático

Objective: To evaluate the influence of end-stage liver disease and orthotopic liver transplantation in the pituitary function and hormone metabolism before and after liver transplantation. Methods: In a prospective study, serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2) and prolactin (PRL) of 30 male patients with cirrhosis were determined two to four hours before and six months after liver transplantation. The results were compared according to the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD). Results: male patients with liver cirrhosis have hypogonadism. FSH was normal, but inappropriately low due to androgen failure; E2 and PRL, on their turn, were high. After liver transplantation, FSH and LH levels increased (p < 0.05), whereas E2 and PRL normalized (p < 0.05). The MELD score did not influence changes in FSH, PRL and LH, however, the more severe the cirrhosis was, the more significant was the normalization of E2 (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Patients with cirrhosis and male hypogonadism have inappropriately normal levels of FSH and LH, associated with an increase in E2 and LRP. After liver transplantation, FSH and LH increased, while E2 and PRL returned to normal. Changes in E2 levels were most pronounced in patients with MELD > 18. The severity of cirrhosis had no influence on FSH, PRL and LH. .

Objetivo: avaliar a influência da doença hepática terminal e do transplante hepático ortotópico na função hipofisária e no metabolismo hormonal através da aferição dos níveis séricos dos hormônios folículo estimulante (FSH), hormônio luteinizante (HL), estradiol (E2) e prolactina (PRL) antes e após o transplante hepático. Métodos: em um estudo prospectivo, níveis séricos dos hormônios folículo estimulante (FSH), hormônio luteinizante (HL), estradiol (E2) e prolactina (PRL) de 30 paciente masculinos com cirrose foram determinados duas a quatro horas antes e seis meses após o transplante hepático. Os resultados foram comparados de acordo com o Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD). Resultados: acientes masculinos com cirrose hepática apresentam hipogonadismo. O FSH encontravam-se normais, porém inapropriadamente baixos devido à falência androgênica; já o E2 e o PRL estavam elevados. Após o transplante hepático, os níveis de FHS e HL aumentaram (p < 0,05), enquanto o E2 e o PRL normalizaram (p < 0,05). O MELD não influenciou as alterações no FSH, HL ou PRL, todavia, quanto mais grave a cirrose, mais significante foi a normalização do E2 (p=0,01). Conclusão: pacientes masculinos com cirrose e hipogonadismo apresentam níveis inapropriadamente normais de FSH e HL, associados com elevação do E2 e PRL. Após o transplante hepático, FSH e HL aumentaram, enquanto E2 e PRL retornaram aos valores normais. As alterações nos níveis de E2 foram mais pronunciadas em pacientes com MELD > 18. A gravidade da cirrose não teve influência no FSH, HL e PRL. .

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function in men with liver cirrhosis before and after liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of end-stage liver disease and orthotopic liver transplantation in the pituitary function and hormone metabolism before and after liver transplantation. METHODS: In a prospective study, serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2) and prolactin (PRL) of 30 male patients with cirrhosis were determined two to four hours before and six months after liver transplantation. The results were compared according to the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD). RESULTS: male patients with liver cirrhosis have hypogonadism. FSH was normal, but inappropriately low due to androgen failure; E2 and PRL, on their turn, were high. After liver transplantation, FSH and LH levels increased (p < 0.05), whereas E2 and PRL normalized (p < 0.05). The MELD score did not influence changes in FSH, PRL and LH, however, the more severe the cirrhosis was, the more significant was the normalization of E2 (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients with cirrhosis and male hypogonadism have inappropriately normal levels of FSH and LH, associated with an increase in E2 and LRP. After liver transplantation, FSH and LH increased, while E2 and PRL returned to normal. Changes in E2 levels were most pronounced in patients with MELD > 18. The severity of cirrhosis had no influence on FSH, PRL and LH.

Insulin-like growth factor I correlates with MELD and returns to normal level after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is produced almost entirely by the liver and is the main promoter of anabolic growth hormone (GH) effects on protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism. IGF-I is significantly decreased in patients with liver cirrhosis. Our objective was to determine the relationship between circulating IGF-I and MELD (Model for End-stage Liver Disease) in cirrhotics subjected to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). We also assessed the changes of IGF-I and its major binding protein (IGF-binding protein-3 or IGFBP-3) after OLT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective study, serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 of 25 male adult patients with end-stage liver disease were measured 2 to 4 hours before and 6 months after orthotopic liver transplantation. Seven age-matched healthy male volunteers with normal liver enzymes, albumin, and prothrombin time served as controls. MELD was determined on the day of OLT. For this analysis, extra points were not added for patients with hepatocarcinoma. RESULTS: The cirrhotic group had significantly lower IGF-I (46.7±21.6 ng/mL) and IGFBP-3 (1.0±0.9 ng/mL) levels in the pre-transplant period compared with the controls (208.6±76.5 ng/mL and 4.62±0.93 ng/mL, respectively) (p<0.05). There was a negative correlation between IGF-I or IGFBP-3 and MELD (p<0.001) (ß=-1.750; standard error =2.5054 and ß=-0.038; standard error <0.0001, respectively). IGF-I e IGFBP-3 increased to normal levels after OLT (207.7±82.8 and 4.14±1.1 ng/mL, respectively) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 observed in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis are corrected after OLT. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 correlate negatively with MELD.

Influence of leukotriene inhibitor montelukast on wound contraction and cutaneous healing process in rats.

BACKGROUND: Wound contractures can cause severe deformities and disabilities. Recent studies have suggested that leukotriene receptor antagonists have an inhibitory effect on the healing contraction process. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the leukotriene inhibitor montelukast on the cutaneous healing process and the wound contraction phenomenon in rats. METHODS: For this study, 60 male rats were randomly divided into four groups (MK-7d, SF-7d, MK-14d, and SF-14d) according to the drug given through a rigid orogastric tube (MK group: montelukast 10 mg/kg/day; SF group: normal saline solution) and the day the animals were killed (7d: postoperative day 7; 14d: postoperative day 14). An excisional wound (2 x 2 cm) was created on the dorsum of each rat. The wounds were left open to heal spontaneously and documented by standard digital photographs on different postoperative days. Wound contraction rates were calculated with specific software, and specimens were histologically evaluated using picrosirius red stain. Results were analyzed using the Aspin-Welch, Mann-Whitney, and t tests, assuming a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The wound contraction rates were similar between the control and study groups (p > 0.05). On postoperative day 7, the wounds showed a marginally significant reduction in collagen maturation in the study group (40.1% +/- 6.88% vs 61.2% +/- 8.02%; p = 0.0607). On postoperative day 14, this reduction was statistically significant in the MK group (26% +/- 5.66% vs 68.3% +/- 7.76%; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Montelukast does not alter the contraction rate of excisional wounds in rats but has a significant and progressive inhibitory effect on collagen maturation.

Donor complications including the report of one death in right-lobe living-donor liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Our objective is to assess donor complications in all right hepatic lobe living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) at our center. METHODS: Of a total of 352 liver transplantations performed, 60 were right-lobe LDLT. Most donors (88.3%) were related to the recipients. RESULTS: Mean hospital stay was 5.4+/-0.6 days. No complications occurred due to preoperative evaluation. Most donors received one or two units of autologous blood transfusion. Only 5 (8.3%) needed nonautologous blood transfusion. Most complications were minor and treated conservatively. Bile leaks from the cut surface of the liver occurred in 5 donors (8.3%). Two patients had potentially fatal complications: perforated duodenal ulcer and portal vein thrombosis (PVT). The donor with perforated ulcer developed septicemia and multiple organ failure. He was discharged from the hospital with hemiparesis due to cerebral ischemia. The patient with PVT remained asymptomatic and the portal vein was recanalized by the 3rd postoperative month. One donor died in the immediate postoperative period of cardiac arrest due to cardiac arrhythmia. CONCLUSION: Right hepatectomy for LDLT may be associated with significant morbidity, including death and it should be performed only by surgeons with great experience.

[Study of biliary anatomy in living related liver transplantation]. / Anatomia das vias biliares em doadores e receptores de transplante hepático inter vivos.

BACKGROUND: Anatomic variations of the biliary tree are frequent and increase complications after liver transplantation. AIM: To describe the anatomy of the bile ducts of donors and recipients of living related liver transplantation. METHODS: From March 1998 to September 2002, the study was retrospective (23 transplantations). From October 2002 to August 2003, the study was prospective (17 transplantations). We studied the hepatic anatomy of 80 consecutive patients (40 donors and 40 recipients) of the living-related liver transplantation program of the "Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná" and the "Hospital Nossa Senhora das Graças", Curitiba, PR, Brazil; 51 were male (27 recipients 24 donors) and 29 female (13 recipients and 16 donors). The median age among the donors was 32.6 years and among the recipients was 36.3 years. Thirty-two recipients were adults and 8 recipients were under 15 years old. The bile duct anatomy was studied by magnetic resonance cholangiography in 33 patients, and anomalies were seen in 3 of them (9.1%). RESULTS: The most prevalent variation of bile ducts was the fusion of the right posterior duct with the left duct (6.06%; n=2). In the 40 harvesting operations, the right bile duct was single in 25 patients (87.5%), among the 32 right-lobe donors, double in 2 (6.25%) and triple in 2 (6.25%). All of the eight left livers procured had single bile ducts. Among the 40 recipients, the common bile duct was bifurcated in 2 of them (5%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of biliary anomalies is high in patients subjected to living liver transplantation and some anomalies are not diagnosed with preoperative imaging exams.

Anatomia das vias biliares em doadores e receptores de transplante hepático inter vivos / Study of biliary anatomy in living related liver transplantation / Study of biliary anatomy in living related liver transplantation

RACIONAL: Variações anatômicas das vias biliares são freqüentes e aumentam as complicações dos transplantes hepáticos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a anatomia das vias biliares nos doadores e receptores do transplante hepático inter vivos realizados no Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná e do Hospital Nossa Senhora das Graças de Curitiba, Curitiba, PR. CASUíSTICA E MÉTODOS: A avaliação foi retrospectiva de março de 1998 até setembro de 2002 (23 transplantes), quando os dados passaram a ser captados de forma prospectiva (17 transplantes), até agosto de 2003. Foram obtidos dados de 80 pacientes consecutivos (40 doadores e 40 receptores), submetidos a transplante hepático inter vivos, sendo 32 transplantes com receptor adulto e 8 transplantes pediátricos (receptor com idade inferior a 15 anos). Entre os 80 pacientes incluídos no estudo, 51 eram do sexo masculino (27 receptores e 24 doadores) e 29 do feminino (13 receptores e 16 doadores). A idade média dos doadores foi de 32,6 anos e a dos receptores de 36,3 anos. RESULTADOS: Nas cirurgias de captação do lobo hepático direito, a via biliar direita foi única em 25 entre 29 casos (86,2 por cento), dupla em dois (6,9 por cento) e tripla em dois (6,9 por cento). Nos oito casos em que o setor lateral esquerdo ou o lobo hepático esquerdo foram captados, a via biliar foi única. Entre os 33 pacientes submetidos a colangiografia por ressonância magnética, variações foram verificadas em três pacientes (9,1 por cento), sendo a mais comum o ducto biliar posterior direito tributário do ducto hepático esquerdo (6,06 por cento; n = 2). CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de anomalias biliares nos transplantes inter vivos de fígado é elevada e algumas não são diagnosticadas com os exames de imagem pré-operatórios.

BACKGROUND: Anatomic variations of the biliary tree are frequent and increase complications after liver transplantation. AIM: To describe the anatomy of the bile ducts of donors and recipients of living related liver transplantation. METHODS: From March 1998 to September 2002, the study was retrospective (23 transplantations). From October 2002 to August 2003, the study was prospective (17 transplantations). We studied the hepatic anatomy of 80 consecutive patients (40 donors and 40 recipients) of the living-related liver transplantation program of the "Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná" and the "Hospital Nossa Senhora das Graças", Curitiba, PR, Brazil; 51 were male (27 recipients 24 donors) and 29 female (13 recipients and 16 donors). The median age among the donors was 32.6 years and among the recipients was 36.3 years. Thirty-two recipients were adults and 8 recipients were under 15 years old. The bile duct anatomy was studied by magnetic resonance cholangiography in 33 patients, and anomalies were seen in 3 of them (9.1 percent). RESULTS: The most prevalent variation of bile ducts was the fusion of the right posterior duct with the left duct (6.06 percent; n=2). In the 40 harvesting operations, the right bile duct was single in 25 patients (87.5 percent), among the 32 right-lobe donors, double in 2 (6.25 percent) and triple in 2 (6.25 percent). All of the eight left livers procured had single bile ducts. Among the 40 recipients, the common bile duct was bifurcated in 2 of them (5 percent). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of biliary anomalies is high in patients subjected to living liver transplantation and some anomalies are not diagnosed with preoperative imaging exams.

Anatomia da artéria hepática em doadores e receptores de transplante hepático intervivos / Hepatic artery anatomy in living related liver transplantation

OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente estudo é avaliar a anatomia da artéria hepática nos doadores e receptores do transplante hepático intervivos realizados no Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná e do Hospital Nossa Senhora das Graças de Curitiba. MÉTODO: A avaliação foi retrospectiva de março de 1998 até setembro de 2002 (23 transplantes), quando os dados passaram a ser captados de forma prospectiva (17 transplantes), até agosto de 2003. Foram obtidos dados de 80 pacientes consecutivos (40 doadores e 40 receptores), submetidos a transplante hepático intervivos, sendo 32 transplantes com receptor adulto e 8 transplantes pediátricos (receptor com idade inferior a 15 anos). Entre os 80 pacientes incluídos no estudo, 51 eram do sexo masculino (27 receptores e 24 doadores) e 29 eram do sexo feminino (13 receptores e 16 doadores). A idade média dos doadores foi de 32,6 anos e a dos receptores de 36,3 anos. RESULTADOS: No estudo da anatomia da artéria hepática, realizaram-se arteriografias em 43 pacientes, e variações anatômicas foram encontradas em 18 casos (41,86 por cento), sendo a mais comum a artéria hepática direita ramo da artéria mesentérica superior (12,5 por cento; n=5); no estudo da anatomia arterial realizado nas cirurgias, foram verificadas variações em 16 casos (20 por cento) entre os 80 casos estudados, sendo a mais comum a artéria hepática direita como ramo da artéria mesentérica superior (7,5 por cento; n=6). CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que a prevalência de variações na anatomia da artéria hepática é elevada.

Nutritional aspects of liver transplantation.

Most adult and pediatric liver transplantation candidates present several metabolic disturbances that lead to malnutrition. Because malnutrition may adversely affect morbidity and mortality of orthotopic liver transplantation, it is very important to carefully assess the nutritional status of the waiting list patients. Pretransplant nutritional therapy -- enteral or parenteral -- may positively influence liver metabolism, muscle function, and immune status. Nutrition therapy should continue in the short- and also in the long-term post-transplant periods. For malnourished patients, early post-transplant enteral or parenteral nutrition have been useful in improving nutritional status. Finally, the metabolic and nutritional care of the liver transplant donor must be considered to reduce allograft dysfunction indices.

Transplante hepático: experiência com 35 casos / Liver transplantation: experience with 35 cases

No período de 24 de setembro de 1991 a 31 de setembro de 1995 foram realizados 35 transplantes hepáticos no Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná. A idade dos pacientes variou de 6 a 57 anos, com média de 26 anos. As indicaçöes do procedimento foram bastante variáveis e as mais comuns foram a cirrose criptogenética, cirrose por hepatite autoimune, cirrose alcoólica por hepatite C. Trinta e quatro implantes foram realizados de 1 a 4 horas após a retirada do fígado do doador e um 12 horas após. O implante foi realizado com todo o fígado em 34 pacientes e com os segmentos I, II, III e IV em um paciente. As complicaçöes pós-operatórias mais frequentes foram a rejeiçäo celular, insuficiência renal aguda, síndrome da angústia respiratória do adulto e trombose da artéria hepática. Seis pacientes (17 por cento) foram a óbito durante a internaçäo hospitalar e sete (20 por cento) faleceram no pós-operatório tardio (seguimento de 1 a 48 meses). As causas de óbito foram múltiplas e a principal foi a infecçäo viral. A qualidade de vida após 6 meses de transplante é muito boa, com o paciente retornando às suas atividades normais