Indications and Coverage of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: A Worldwide IFSO Survey Comparing Different National Guidelines.

INTRODUCTION: Knowing how metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is indicated in different countries is essential information for the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO). AIM: To analyze the indications for MBS recommended by each of the national societies that comprise the IFSO and how MBS is financed in their countries. METHODS: All IFSO societies were asked to fill out a survey asking whether they have, and which are their national guidelines, and if MBS is covered by their public health service. RESULTS: Sixty-three out of the 72 IFSO national societies answered the form (87.5%). Among them, 74.6% have some kind of guidelines regarding indications for MBS. Twenty-two percent are still based on the US National Institute of Health (NIH) 1991 recommendations, 43.5% possess guidelines midway the 1991s and ASMBS/IFSO 2022 ones, and 34% have already adopted the latest ASMBS/IFSO 2022 guidelines. MBS was financially covered in 65% of the countries. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the IFSO member societies have MBS guidelines. While more than a third of them have already shifted to the most updated ASMBS/IFSO 2022 ones, another significant number of countries are still following the NIH 1991 guidelines or even do not have any at all. Besides, there is a significant number of countries in which surgical treatment is not yet financially covered. More effort is needed to standardize indications worldwide and to influence insurers and health policymakers to increase the coverage of MBS.

74 Ge( n , γ ) cross section below 70 keV measured at n_TOF CERN.

Neutron capture reaction cross sections on 74 Ge are of importance to determine 74 Ge production during the astrophysical slow neutron capture process. We present new resonance data on 74 Ge( n , γ ) reactions below 70 keV neutron energy. We calculate Maxwellian averaged cross sections, combining our data below 70 keV with evaluated cross sections at higher neutron energies. Our stellar cross sections are in agreement with a previous activation measurement performed at Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe by Marganiec et al., once their data has been re-normalised to account for an update in the reference cross section used in that experiment.

¿Qué hemos aprendido de las encuestas de la AEC, AECP y del Observatorio de Infección en Cirugía? Cumplimiento de las medidas de prevención de infección postoperatoria y comparación con las recomendaciones de la AEC / What have we learned from the surveys of the AEC, AECP and the Observatory of Infection in Surgery? Compliance with postoperative infection prevention measures and comparison with the AEC recommendations

Antes de planificar estrategias de mejora, es crucial conocer el grado de implementación de las medidas preventivas de infección postoperatoria. Se presentan los resultados agregados de 3encuestas realizadas por el Observatorio de Infección en Cirugía a miembros de 11 asociaciones de cirugía y de enfermería quirúrgica. Las preguntas fueron dirigidas a determinar el conocimiento de la evidencia científica, las creencias personales y el uso real de las principales medidas. De 2.295 encuestados, el 45,1% no recibe información de la tasa de infección de su unidad. Se observó un conocimiento insuficiente de algunas de las principales recomendaciones de prevención y unas tasas de utilización, en ocasiones, inquietante. Se indagó sobre las estrategias preferidas para mejorar el cumplimiento de las pautas preventivas y su grado de implementación. Se confirmó la brecha existente entre la evidencia científica y la práctica clínica en la prevención de infecciones en diferentes especialidades quirúrgicas (AU)

Before planning improvement strategies, it is crucial to know the degree of implementation of preventative measures for postoperative infection. The aggregated results of 3surveys carried out by the Observatory of Infection in Surgery to members of 11 associations of surgeons and perioperative nurses are presented. The questions were aimed to determine the knowledge of the scientific evidence, personal beliefs and the actual use of the main measures. Of 2295 respondents, 45.1% did not receive feedback on the infection rate of their unit. Insufficient knowledge of some of the main prevention recommendations and some disturbing rates of use were observed. The preferred strategies to improve compliance with preventive guidelines and their degree of implementation were investigated. A gap between scientific evidence and clinical practice in the prevention of infection in different surgical specialties was confirmed (AU)

Neutron Capture on the s-Process Branching Point

The neutron capture cross sections of several unstable nuclides acting as branching points in the s process are crucial for stellar nucleosynthesis studies. The unstable ^{171}Tm (t_{1/2}=1.92 yr) is part of the branching around mass A∼170 but its neutron capture cross section as a function of the neutron energy is not known to date. In this work, following the production for the first time of more than 5 mg of ^{171}Tm at the high-flux reactor Institut Laue-Langevin in France, a sample was produced at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland. Two complementary experiments were carried out at the neutron time-of-flight facility (n_TOF) at CERN in Switzerland and at the SARAF liquid lithium target facility at Soreq Nuclear Research Center in Israel by time of flight and activation, respectively. The result of the time-of-flight experiment consists of the first ever set of resonance parameters and the corresponding average resonance parameters, allowing us to make an estimation of the Maxwellian-averaged cross sections (MACS) by extrapolation. The activation measurement provides a direct and more precise measurement of the MACS at 30 keV: 384(40) mb, with which the estimation from the n_TOF data agree at the limit of 1 standard deviation. This value is 2.6 times lower than the JEFF-3.3 and ENDF/B-VIII evaluations, 25% lower than that of the Bao et al. compilation, and 1.6 times larger than the value recommended in the KADoNiS (v1) database, based on the only previous experiment. Our result affects the nucleosynthesis at the A∼170 branching, namely, the ^{171}Yb abundance increases in the material lost by asymptotic giant branch stars, providing a better match to the available pre-solar SiC grain measurements compared to the calculations based on the current JEFF-3.3 model-based evaluation.

5G-assisted telementored surgery.

Safe and effective implementation of remote surgery and telementoring can have significant limitations. Fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks could be useful in overcoming these drawbacks. As a proof of concept, the authors present technical and clinical details of two procedures assisted by telementoring using 5G that were also broadcast live. Secure remote access advice.

Opposite changes in meteorin-like and oncostatin m levels are associated with metabolic improvements after bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective therapy for type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects remain elusive. Here we studied the effects of bariatric surgery on circulating meteorin-like (Metrnl) and oncostatin m (OSM) levels, two hormones intimately linked to energy homeostasis. Metrnl and OSM levels were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in 25 patients with obesity, as well as in 33 normal-weight controls. At baseline, patients with obesity showed lower Metrnl and higher OSM levels compared to controls. LSG increased Metrnl and decreased OSM levels, in correlation to improvements in glucose and lipid homeostasis. Our data indicate that LSG conversely modulated Metrnl and OSM levels, and suggest that a dual approach modulating these two molecules might provide a novel strategy for obesity and type 2 diabetes treatment.

Extended prophylaxis with bemiparin for the prevention of venous thromboembolism after abdominal or pelvic surgery for cancer: the CANBESURE randomized study.

BACKGROUND: There is not enough clinical evidence to make a strong recommendation on the optimal duration of thromboprophylaxis using low-molecular weight heparins (LMWH) in patients undergoing major cancer surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CANBESURE is a randomized, double-blind study which enrolled patients admitted for abdominal or pelvic surgery for cancer. They received 3500 IU of bemiparin subcutaneously once daily for 8 days and were then randomized to receive either bemiparin or placebo for 20 additional days. Bilateral venography was performed after 20 days and evaluated blinded. The primary efficacy outcome was the composite of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), non-fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) and all-cause mortality at the end of double-blind period. Major venous thromboembolism (proximal deep-vein thrombosis, non-fatal pulmonary embolism and venous thromboembolism-related deaths) was also evaluated. The primary safety outcome was major bleeding. RESULTS: Six hundred and twenty-five and 488 patients were included in the safety and main efficacy analyzes, respectively. The primary efficacy outcome occurred in 25 out of 248 patients (10.1%) in the bemiparin group and 32 out of 240 (13.3%) in the placebo group (relative risk reduction 24.4%; 95% CI: -23.7-53.8%; P = 0.26). At the end of double-blind period, major venous thromboembolism occurred in 2 (0.8%) and 11 (4.6%) patients, respectively (relative risk reduction 82.4%; 95% CI: 21.5-96.1%; P = 0.010). No significant difference was found in major bleedings. CONCLUSIONS: Four weeks compared with 1 week of prophylaxis with bemiparin after abdominal or pelvic cancer surgery did not significantly reduce the primary efficacy outcome, but decreased major venous thromboembolism (VTE) without increasing hemorrhagic complications.

El Proyecto MADAI: un estudio epidemiológico sobre el abordaje y manejo del dolor agudo periquirúrgico / MADAI project: an epidemiologic study about the perioperative pain tnanagetnent and treattnent

Objetivo. Obtener información descriptiva sobre el abordaje y el manejo del paciente con dolor agudo periquirúrgico tratado con analgésicos parenterales en el ámbito hospitalario. Metodología. Estudio epidemiológico, descriptivo, multicéntrico. Pacientes ingresados en los servicios de cirugía general, torácica, cardiovascular, angiología y cirugía vascular, ginecología, traumatología y urología. Resultados. Participaron 76 hospitales distribuidos por las diferentes comunidades autónomas y un total de 439 investigadores. Se evaluaron 1972 pacientes de los que el 43.9% y 25.5%, respectivamente pertenecieron a los servicios de cirugía general y traumatología. El 52.8% de los pacientes tenían más de 60 años, un 31.2 % no presentaron ninguna enfermedad concomitante, el 36.7% padecían hipertensión y un 16.5% diabetes. En el 5.8% de los pacientes se utilizaron escalas para valorar la intensidad del dolor al ingreso. En las sucesivas visitas, este porcentaje oscila entre el 10 % y el 15%. En el postoperatorio, los principales analgésicos administrados son los AINE (sobre todo el metamizol, que utilizan del 63.6% al 40.5% del total de pacientes del estudio) y el paracetamol, que utilizan el 41.3% a las 0-12horas y el 27% el día 4. El porcentaje que recibe medicación de rescate va disminuyendo, desde el primer control (25.7%), al del cuarto día (6%), siendo la medicación más utilizada el paracetamol. Conclusiones. A pesar de que en el ámbito de la cirugía se considera importante el tratamiento del dolor, la utilización de protocolos no es habitual. La elaboración y utilización de guías terapéuticas para el tratamiento del dolor peri quirúrgico podría mejorar el confort del paciente y su recuperación (AU)

Objective. To obtain descriptive information about patient treatment with acute perioperative pain receiving parenteral analgesics in hospital environments. Methodology. Epidetniologic descriptive multicentre study. Patients admitted in the following Surgery services: General, Thoracic, Cardiovascular, Angiology, Gynaecology, Orthopaedic and Urology. Results. Participation of 76 hospitals, distributed along the country; and 439 investigators. 1972 patients were assessed. 43.9% and 25.5% were admitted in General and Orthopaedic surgery services respectively. 52.8% of patients were over 60 years oíd. 31.2% did not present any concomitant illness. 36.78% had arterial hypertension and 16.5% diabetes mellitus. Pain scales to measure pain intensity, were used by 5.8% of patients at admission. In the following visits, these percentages ranged from 10% to 15%. During postoperative period NSAIDs were the most widely used (specially metamizol, administrated from 63.6% to 40.5% of the patients) and acetaminophen which was used by 41.3% of the patients in the first 12 hours and 27% in the 4th day. The percentage of patients that received rescue medication decreases from 25.7 % at first control to 6% at 4th day control; being acetaminophen the most commonly used medication. Conclusions. Despite pain treatment is considered important in surgical environments, treatment protocols are seldom used. The elaboration and the use of therapeutics guidelines for perioperative pain treatment could improve the patient comfort and their recuperation (AU)

[Late ischemic stricture following anterior rectal resection]. / Estenosis isquémica tardía tras resección anterior de recto.

A considerable incidence of colonic strictures after oncologic low anterior resections has been reported. The present paper describes a colonic stricture 5 years after the surgery, and not related to radiotherapy, that required a challenging differential diagnosis with local recurrence of rectal cancer. The role of endoscopy in the management of this condition is discussed.

Estenosis isquémica tardía tras resección anterior de recto / No disponible

Existe una incidencia no despreciable de lesiones de colon deorigen isquémico tras resecciones anteriores bajas por cáncer.Presentamos un caso de estenosis isquémica de colon, no relacionadacon radioterapia, a los 5 años de la cirugía. Se discute la dificultaddel diagnóstico diferencial con recidiva tumoral, así como elimportante papel que desempeña la endoscopia en el abordaje deestos pacientes

A considerable incidence of colonic strictures after oncologiclow anterior resections has been reported. The present paper describesa colonic stricture 5 years after the surgery, and not relatedto radiotherapy, that required a challenging differential diagnosiswith local recurrence of rectal cancer. The role of endoscopyin the management of this condition is discussed

Perianal metastases from lobular breast carcinoma.

Breast cancer gastrointestinal and soft tissue metastases are extremely rare. We present the case of a woman with perianal metastases from a primary lobular breast carcinoma 11 years after mastectomy and local radiotherapy.

Optimal dosing of bemiparin as prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism in surgery for cancer: an audit of practice.

AIMS: Low-molecular-weight heparins are drugs of first choice for thromboprophylaxis in cancer surgery. We sought to determine the optimal use of bemiparin in cancer surgery in standard clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective, multicentre audit on the use of bemiparin in patients undergoing cancer surgery and given prophylaxis with bemiparin was undertaken. Surgeons' assessment of venous thromboembolic (VTE) risk (moderate or high) was compared to the criteria of current Consensus Guidelines for VTE management. We assessed the incidence of documented symptomatic VTE, bleeding events, thrombocytopenia, deaths and total events related to VTE or bemiparin prophylaxis (i.e. bleeding, thrombocytopenia). The potential economic impact of postoperative vs. preoperative bemiparin was also analysed. RESULTS: Clinical records from 197 patients from 5 Spanish centres were checked. Prophylaxis was started postoperatively in 45 patients (22.8%). According to the surgeons' criteria, 73 (37.1%) patients were at high VTE risk and received bemiparin 3500 IU/d. However, according to the criteria of current Guidelines, 189 (95.9%) patients were at high risk of VTE (heterogeneity P-value<0.0001). Three (1.5%) patients, all of them receiving bemiparin 2500 IU/d, developed a symptomatic confirmed VTE. There were 4 major and 5 minor bleeding events during bemiparin prophylaxis. A lower incidence of bleeding (2.2% vs. 5.3%; P=0.48) and total events (2.2% vs. 9.9%; P=0.11) was seen with bemiparin started postoperatively as compared to preoperative bemiparin. Bleeding rates did not significantly differ between patients given low or high bemiparin prophylactic doses (4.0% vs. 5.5%; P=0.72). Two patients died due to cardio-respiratory failure and sepsis, respectively. Postoperative bemiparin provided net cost savings of 909 euro per patient compared to preoperative start of prophylaxis due to shorter hospital stays (9 vs. 11 days) and lower incidence of complications in the postoperative bemiparin group. CONCLUSIONS: Many cancer patients are still poorly assessed for risk of VTE. Bemiparin 3500 IU/d is associated with a lower incidence of VTE without significant increase in complications as compared with bemiparin 2500 IU/d. Postoperative bemiparin prophylaxis seems to be as effective and safer than preoperative start of prophylaxis. Further prospective clinical studies are needed to fully address this issue.

[Animal models in glucose intolerance and type-2 diabetes]. / Modelos animales de intolerancia a la glucosa y diabetes tipo 2.

There stilla are many unknown facts about the pathogenic mechanisms of such a prevalente disease nowadays as i type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). The advances in diabetes prevention and management will greatly depend on the understanding of these mechanisms; therefore, it will be essential to keep on using animal models on which carrying out experiments that would be urethical in humans. DM2 represents a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by an increase in insulin resistance at periphera tissues and a deterioration in insulin secretion by pancreatic beta-cells, both abnormalities being highly interweaved. The mentioned heterogeneity of DM2 is also reflected by the high diversity of useful animal models for its study. The main DM2 models are reviewed, classifying them by their mechanism of action in spontaneous or induced. Also, two categories in each one of them are distinguiseed: analogous models, which try to imitate the human disease, and intrinsic models, with which we pretend to answer specific questions about the disease. The decision about which model to case for a particular experiment usually is multifactorial. Ideally, the experiments should be carried out in several different models, taking into account that none of them completely reflects the complexity of human DM2 and that precautions should be taken when trying to extrapolate the findings to the clinical practice.