[Epidemiological aspects of arterial hypertension among the adult population of Maracaibo City]. / Aspectos epidemiológicos de la hipertensión arterial en la población adulta del Municipio Maracaibo.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of arterial hypertension (H) and its distribution according to gender, age group, body mass index (BMI) in the population of Maracaibo, Venezuela. 7.424 subjects were included, 3.640 males (M) and 3.784 females (F). Information was collected by means of domiciliary visits with a History and Physical Exam designed for this purpose. H was defined as Systolic Blood Pressure > or = 140 mmHg and/or Diastolic Blood Pressure > or = 90 mmHg. A prevalence of 36.9% of H in the total sample was found with a higher prevalence in M, 45.2%, than in F 28.9%. It increased progressively with age in both genders. Only 4.5% of hypertensive patients were well controlled, 41.2% of patients diagnosed as hypertensive, were not well controlled (DBP > or = 90 mmHg), and 54.3% hypertensives did not know about their condition. Patients with BMI > or = 25 Kg/m2 had a prevalence twice as patients with BMI < 25 Kg/m2 (47.6% Vs 24.2%). It is concluded that H is a serious problem of public health because of it's high prevalence and lack of control, and it is necessary to implement educational and medical programs for the detection and control of this disease.

[Splenic abscess, a diagnostic and therapeutic problem]. / El absceso esplénico, un problema diagnóstico y terapeútico.

Splenic abscess remains a rare entity, reserved for patients with predisposing factors or immunosuppressive conditions. In our 13 patients in which a splenic abscess was diagnosed pre- or intra-operatively, an average of 14 days past before the diagnosis was made. Main symptoms were fever, upper left abdominal pain, auscultatory left basal anomalies and splenomegaly. Culture from the spleen material included E. coli, Staphylococcus, Proteus, Salmonella and Streptococcus v. Although splenectomy has been considered the standard procedure for this pathology, we treated our last three patients by means of Computed Tomography Percutaneous Drainage (C.T.G.P.D.). There was no need for splenectomy after this procedure and there were no complications associated with the C. T. G. P. D.

Adjustable nylon ties for abdominal wall closure.

A study in 64 patients with a high risk of wound dehiscence or eviscerated wounds or in whom repeat laparotomies for peritoneal lavages due to sepsis were planned was accomplished using adjustable nylon ties for the closure of the abdominal wall, either as retention sutures or as one-layer sutures. The adjustable nylon ties are described, as well as the technique for placing and adjusting them. It is concluded that the adjustable nylon ties can substitute advantageously for the conventional retention sutures since the former are wider, easy to place, and can be readjusted to the point that they can be opened completely if it is necessary and then closed again. This is especially useful when repeat laparotomies for peritoneal lavages are required in patients with intra-abdominal sepsis.