Risk factors of anastomotic leakage in colon cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the risk factors for anastomosis leak in colon cancer surgery (CCS) in our environment, and developed a predictive equation for that risk. METHOD: We performed a case-control study nested in a cohort of 576 consecutive patients undergoing colon cancer surgery with primary anastomosis, univariate statistical tests and univariate logistic regression for statistical analysis of associated factors with anastomosis leak in colon cancer surgery, and multivariate logistic regression for predicting that risk using a predictive equation associated with a ROC curve. RESULTS: We obtained a higher risk of anastomosis leak in patients whose operative time was longer than 180 minutes. The variables: preoperative transfusion, previous pathologies, nutritional status, approach, surgical technique or age do not influence the development of this complication. The equation found has a sensitivity of 64.1% and a specificity of 67.5%. CONCLUSION: Operation time longer than 180 minutes was the main risk factor for anastomosis leak. Our equation can hardly predict this risk. After further validation, our results may help the surgeon make a more individualized, safer decision regarding whether to perform an anastomosis or make a stoma.

OBJETIVO: Analizar los posibles factores de riesgo de dehiscencia de anastomosis tras cirugía de cáncer de colon en nuestro entorno y elaborar una ecuación predictiva del riesgo. MÉTODO: Estudio de casos y controles sobre una cohorte de 576 pacientes intervenidos de cáncer de colon. Se realizó análisis descriptivo, análisis univariante y regresión logística multivariante para la predicción del riesgo de dehiscencia de anastomosis mediante una ecuación predictiva asociada a curva ROC. RESULTADOS: Existe mayor riesgo de presentar dehiscencia de anastomosis cuando el tiempo quirúrgico supera los 180 minutos. La transfusión preoperatoria, la patología previa, el estado nutricional, la vía de abordaje, la técnica quirúrgica y la edad no influyen en el desarrollo de esta complicación. Se ha determinado el punto de corte óptimo para la predicción aplicando la ecuación, que presenta una sensibilidad del 64.1% y una especificidad del 67.5%. CONCLUSIÓN: El tiempo quirúrgico prolongado es el principal factor de riesgo de fuga tras la cirugía. Nuestra ecuación difícilmente puede predecir dicho riesgo. Tras su validación, nuestros resultados pueden ayudar al cirujano a tomar una decisión individualizada y segura sobre realizar una anastomosis primaria o dejar un estoma.

Non-targeted, high resolution mass spectrometry strategy for simultaneous monitoring of xenobiotics and endogenous compounds in green sea turtles on the Great Barrier Reef.

Chemical contamination poses a threat to ecosystem, biota and human health, and identifying these hazards is a complex challenge. Traditional hazard identification relies on a priori-defined targets of limited chemical scope, and is generally inappropriate for exploratory studies such as explaining toxicological effects in environmental systems. Here we present a non-target high resolution mass spectrometry environmental monitoring study with multivariate statistical analysis to simultaneously detect biomarkers of exposure (e.g. xenobiotics) and biomarkers of effect in whole turtle blood. Borrowing the concept from clinical chemistry, a case-control sampling approach was used to investigate the potential influence of xenobiotics of anthropogenic origin on free-ranging green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) from a remote, offshore 'control' site; and two coastal 'case' sites influenced by urban/industrial and agricultural activities, respectively, on the Great Barrier Reef in North Queensland, Australia. Multiple biomarkers of exposure, including sulfonic acids (n=9), a carbamate insecticide metabolite, and other industrial chemicals; and five biomarkers of effect (lipid peroxidation products), were detected in case sites. Additionally, two endogenous biomarkers of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress were identified, and showed moderate-to-strong correlations with clinical measures of inflammation and liver dysfunction. Our data filtering strategy overcomes limitations of traditional a priori selection of target compounds, and adds to the limited environmental xenobiotic metabolomics literature. To our knowledge this is the first case-control study of xenobiotics in marine megafauna, and demonstrates the utility of green sea turtles to link internal and external exposure, to explain potential toxicological effects in environmental systems.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with situs inversus totalis]. / Colecistectomía laparoscópica en una paciente con situs inversus totalis.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case with situs inversus totalis (SIT) and chronic cholelithiasis solved by laparoscopic surgery, outlining the utility of minimal invasive surgery and specific considerations in patients with anatomic variations. CASE REPORT: A case of a 46 year-old female who presented with a six-month history of abdominal colic pain at the left hypochondrium, accompanied with nausea and vomiting, is presented. On examination she had epigastric tenderness. Blood tests, including liver function tests, were normal. Electrocardiogram showed right axis deviation and right ventricular hypertrophy, in keeping with dextrocardia. Chest-X-Ray confirmed the diagnosis of dextrocardia. An ultrasound scan of the upper abdomen identified the gallbladder containing stones in the left upper quadrant. A CT scan visualized the spleen and the gastric camera in the right upper quadrant. Barium gastrointestinal transit, barium enema and abdominal-X-Ray were used as complementary diagnostic studies. A magnetic resonance cholangiography was not performed because the patient suffered from claustrophobia. Cholecystectomy and transcystic cholangiography were performed by laparoscopic route, taking care to set-up the operating theatre in the mirror image of the normal set-up for cholecystectomy. The patient completed a successful procedure without complications and was discharged 48 hours after the procedure. Histological exam diagnosed a chronic lithiasic cholecystitis. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an adequate surgical procedure for patients with total situs inversus and cholelithiasis, having a high security range. Detailed clinical examination is important for the diagnosis of previously unknown anatomic variations. Transcystic cholangiography is mandatory when a magnetic resonance cholangiography can not be performed. Furthermore, perhaps in this situation a left-handed surgeon is better prepared than a right-handed one to comfortably carry out the procedure.

[Nutritional status of an hospitalised aged population]. / Estudio del estado nutricional en la población anciana hospitalizada.

AIMS: The aims of the study were to evaluate the nutritional status of the hospitalised elderly patients, to estimate the prevalence and distribution of malnutrition among them and to value the correlation of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) with nutritional biochemical and anthropometric parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross sectional survey was done among a sample of 200 elderly patients admitted to the USP San Carlos Hospital (Murcia) during a period of 3 months. The study employed the MNA and a blood test including hemogram and albumin and transferrin serum levels. Chang's protocol was used to classify the nourishing pattern. For statistical analyses of the MNA tool, the Spearman's coefficient was employed. RESULT: Mean age of the 200 patients was 80.72 SD 7.43 years. Mean weight was 63.41 SD 19.57 kg and mean height was 160.93 SD 8.36 cm, with a mean Body Mass Index of 24.27 SD 7.31. The serum values of albumin and transferrin and total lymphocytes in blood were 3.09 SD 0.5 g/l, 1.69 SD 0.37 mg/dl and 1412 mm3 respectively. Average score of the MNA was 15.9 SD 6.21 with a maximum value of 27 and a minimum of 5.5 points. According to this scale, 50% (n=100) of the patients were malnourished, and 32% (n=32) of them presented mixed undernutrition of moderate degree. Values of malnutrition in the MNA test correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with values under normality of the biochemical and immunological parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Patients over 80 years of age are either malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. These results are obtained both by means of the nutritional classic valuation and the MNA and presents a statistically significantly correlation. Therefore the MNA represents a useful, reliable and easily administered clinical tool to identify elderly people at risk of malnutrition and guide nutritional intervention in order to improve nutritional status.