How to Predict Postoperative Complications After Early Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis: the Chole-Risk Score.

BACKGROUND: Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) is the gold standard treatment for patients with acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC); however, it is still related to significant postoperative complications. The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications and develop a preoperative score able to predict them. METHODS: Multicentric retrospective analysis of 1868 patients with ACC submitted to ELC. Included patients were divided into two groups according to the presentation of increased postoperative complications defined as postoperative complications ≥ Clavien-Dindo IIIa, length of stay greater than 10 days and readmissions within 30 days of discharge. Variables that were independently predictive of increased postoperative complications were combined determining the Chole-Risk Score, which was validated through a correlation analysis. RESULTS: We included 282 (15.1%) patients with postoperative complications. The multivariate analysis predictors of increased morbidity were previous percutaneous cholecystostomy (OR 2.95, p=0.001), previous abdominal surgery (OR 1.57, p=0.031) and diabetes (OR 1.62, p=0.005); Charlson Comorbidity Index >6 (OR 2.48, p=0.003), increased total bilirubin > 2 mg/dL (OR 1.88, p=0.002), dilated bile duct (OR 1.79, p=0.027), perforated gallbladder (OR 2.62, p<0.001) and severity grade (OR 1.93, p=0.001). The Chole-Risk Score was generated by grouping these variables into four categories, with scores ranging from 0 to 4. It presented a progressive increase in postoperative complications ranging from 5.8% of patients scoring 0 to 47.8% of patients scoring 4 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The Chole-Risk Score represents an intuitive tool capable of predicting postoperative complications in patients with ACC.

Management of thyroid nodules with atypical cytology on fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the thyroid categorized as atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) is a newly defined category according to the recent Bethesda guidelines. We sought to assess the characteristics and treatment of patients with an AUS/FLUS FNAB at our institution. Additionally, we evaluated the utility of the recommended 3-month timing of repeat FNAB. METHODS: A retrospective study of all patients with an FNAB categorized as AUS/FLUS at an academic tertiary-care center. Clinical, cytological, and ultrasound variables were compared among management groups. Differences in patients receiving repeat FNAB before or after a 3-month interval were compared. RESULTS: A total of 203 patients of the 5,391 FNABs performed at our institution met the Bethesda criteria for AUS/FLUS; 62% were sent directly to surgery, 25% had a repeat FNAB, and 13% were observed. Younger (p=0.006) and male patients (p=0.04) were more likely to go directly to surgery. Microcalcifications, irregular margins, and marked hypoechogenicity on ultrasound did not appear to influence the decision to repeat the FNAB, observe the patient, or refer the patient for surgery. Timing of repeat FNAB (<3 months or ≥3 months) did not alter the diagnostic results of the second FNAB (p=0.73). The overall rate of malignancy in patients undergoing surgery was 15.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Gender and age, not ultrasound characteristics, appear to influence the decision for surgery in AUS/FLUS patients. Timing of repeat biopsy did not alter management, repeat FNAB diagnosis, or rate of malignancy in our cohort.

Estudio prospectivo, multicéntrico sobre la actividad de los residentes de cirugía general y del aparato digestivo en España a través del libro informático del residente / A prospective, multicentre study on the activity of general and digestive surgery residents based on the use of the computerised logbook

Introducción: No hay datos cuantificados de la actividad real conseguida durante los 5 años de formación en España de la especialidad de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo (CGAD). Igualmente, hay escasos datos en los programas de otros países y especialidades quirúrgicas. El objetivo es estimar la actividad media quirúrgica global, por áreas de capacitación específica y grado de complejidad, del programa español de la especialidad. Participantes y método Estudio multicéntrico prospectivo observacional sobre la actividad de los residentes de CGAD en España a través del libro informático del residente de la Asociación Española de Cirujanos (LIR-AEC). Cada residente registra su propia actividad supervisado por su tutor. El periodo de muestra fue de 6 meses. A partir de los resultados se estimaron las medianas de actividad anual y del periodo de la residencia. Resultados Actividad quirúrgica: se ha estimado que durante la residencia asisten a 1.325 intervenciones, realizan como cirujano principal 654 (49%). Actividad asistencial: la media de guardias es de 5,2±1,8 al mes. La actividad en consultas externas es de 548 primeras visitas y casi el doble de segundas visitas. Actividad científica: el número total de cursos y congresos es de 34. La media estimada de comunicaciones a congresos es de 14 y de publicaciones de 3.ConclusionesEl LIR-AEC es una herramienta adecuada para verificar la actividad del programa español de CGAD. Estos resultados permitirán una evaluación comparativa con la formación de los programas de otros países y especialidades quirúrgicas (AU)

Introduction: There are no quantified data on the real activity carried out by residents during the 5 years of training in the specialty of general and digestive surgery (GGS) in Spain. There are also limited data on programs in other surgical specialities, and in other countries. The aim of the study is to estimate the mean overall surgical activity by (..) (AU)

[A prospective, multicentre study on the activity of general and digestive surgery residents based on the use of the computerised logbook]. / Estudio prospectivo, multicéntrico sobre la actividad de los residentes de cirugía general y del aparato digestivo en España a través del libro informático del residente.

INTRODUCTION: There are no quantified data on the real activity carried out by residents during the 5 years of training in the specialty of general and digestive surgery (GGS) in Spain. There are also limited data on programs in other surgical specialities, and in other countries. The aim of the study is to estimate the mean overall surgical activity by specific skill areas and by the level of complexity of the Spanish program in the specialty of GGS. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A prospective, observational, multicentre study was performed on the activity of GGS residents in Spain using the Resident Computerised Logbook of the Spanish Surgeons Association (LIR-AEC). Each of the residents registered their own activity supervised by their tutor. The sample period was 6 months. The medians of the annual activity and the period of residency were calculated from the results. RESULTS: Surgical activity: during the residency, it was estimated that that they attended 1,325 operations, 654 (49%) as lead surgeon. Health care activity: the mean number of times on-call was 5.2±1.8 per month. Activity in outpatient clinics was 548 first visits, and almost double for second visits. Scientific activity: the total number of courses and conferences attended was 34. The estimated mean number of presentations at conferences was 14, with 3 publications. CONCLUSIONS: LIR-AEC is a suitable tool to verify activity in the Spanish GGS Program. These results may be useful for comparing with training programs in other countries and in other surgical specialties.