Pruebas epicutáneas en pacientes con eczema perianal / Patch Testing in Patients With Perianal Eczema

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: La prevalencia de parches positivos en los pacientes afectados por una dermatitis anogenital oscila según las series entre un 25-78%, justificándose por tanto la realización de pruebas epicutáneas ante eczemas de esta localización. Los objetivos del presente estudio son por un lado determinar los alérgenos más frecuentes en los pacientes con eczema perianal y, por otro, establecer las baterías de alérgenos más útiles para el estudio con pruebas epicutáneas de esta afección. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se han revisado retrospectivamente (años 2001-2012) los resultados obtenidos al estudiar con pruebas epicutáneas a aquellos pacientes que presentaban exclusivamente un eczema perianal. RESULTADOS: De los 37 pacientes con esta clínica en 16 se observó alguna reacción positiva, siendo el metilcloroisotiazolinona/metilisotiazolinona el principal alérgeno implicado. Excepto un caso con sensibilización a gentamicina, todas las positividades con relevancia presente correspondieron a alérgenos de la batería estándar del Grupo Español de Investigación en Dermatitis de Contacto y Alergia Cutánea (GEIDAC) o a productos propios del paciente. CONCLUSIONES: En nuestra experiencia la metilcloroisotiazolinona/metilisotiazolinona es el principal alérgeno implicado en los eczemas perianales, procediendo esta sensibilización frecuentemente del uso de toallitas higiénicas. El estudio epicutáneo de un eczema perianal deberá realizarse básicamente con la batería estándar y los productos propios

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Reports show that between 25% and 78% of patients with anogenital dermatitis have positive patch test results. Consequently, patch testing would appear to be warranted in patients presenting with eczema in the anogenital region. The objectives of the present study were to identify the most common allergens in patients with perianal eczema and to determine which allergen series are most useful for patch testing in patients with this condition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patch test results in patients with only perianal eczema between 2001 and 2012. RESULTS: Of the 37 patients with perianal eczema, 16 had a positive reaction; methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone was the main allergen involved. With the exception of 1 case of sensitization to gentamicin, all the positive results with present relevance were to allergens from the standard series of the Spanish Contact Dermatitis and Skin Allergy Research Group (GEIDAC) or to the patient's own products. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone is the main allergen involved in perianal eczema, and sensitization often results from using wet wipes. Patch testing in perianal eczema should be based on the GEIDAC standard series and the patient's own products

Patch testing in patients with perianal eczema.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Reports show that between 25% and 78% of patients with anogenital dermatitis have positive patch test results. Consequently, patch testing would appear to be warranted in patients presenting with eczema in the anogenital region. The objectives of the present study were to identify the most common allergens in patients with perianal eczema and to determine which allergen series are most useful for patch testing in patients with this condition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patch test results in patients with only perianal eczema between 2001 and 2012. RESULTS: Of the 37 patients with perianal eczema, 16 had a positive reaction; methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone was the main allergen involved. With the exception of 1 case of sensitization to gentamicin, all the positive results with present relevance were to allergens from the standard series of the Spanish Contact Dermatitis and Skin Allergy Research Group (GEIDAC) or to the patient's own products. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone is the main allergen involved in perianal eczema, and sensitization often results from using wet wipes. Patch testing in perianal eczema should be based on the GEIDAC standard series and the patient's own products.

Gastric surgery and notes.

Rather than being an end point in and of itself, NOTES offers an approach that encompasses the potential use of a natural orifice in conjunction with flexible instruments as a less invasive and more cosmetically appealing method of performing certain surgical procedures. Gastric surgery through natural orifices is one of the cutting-edge procedures in the evolving field of NOTES. The potential indications for NOTES involve a wide spectrum of upper gastrointestinal diseases, including achalasia, reflux disease, submucosal tumors, cancer, and morbid obesity. Although NOTES is becoming more widely used, most studies still involve only small numbers of patients, and the design of larger series and comparative trials to evaluate the early indications and results of NOTES is needed.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus and the metabolic syndrome following sleeve gastrectomy in severely obese subjects.

BACKGROUND: Data on the effectiveness of sleeve gastrectomy in improving or resolving type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the metabolic syndrome (MS) are scarce. METHODS: A twelve-month prospective study on the changes in glucose homeostasis and the MS in 91 severely obese T2DM subjects undergoing laparoscopic SG (SG; n = 39) or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (GBP; n = 52), matched for DM duration, type of DM treatment, and glycemic control was conducted. RESULTS: At 12 months after surgery, subjects undergoing SG and GBP lost a similar amount of weight (%EBL: SG: 63.00 +/- 2.89%, BPG: 66.06 +/- 2.34%; p = 0.413). On that evaluation, T2DM had resolved, respectively, in 33 out of 39 (84.6%) and 44 out of 52 (84.6%) subjects after SG and GBP (p = 0.618). The rate of resolution of the MS (SG: 62.2%, BPG: 67.3%; p = 0.392) was also comparable. A shorter DM duration (p < 0.05), a DM treatment not including pharmacological agents (p < 0.05), and a better glycemic control (p < 0.05), were significantly associated with T2DM resolution in both surgical groups. Weight loss was not associated with T2DM resolution after SG or GBP, but was associated with resolution of the MS following the two surgical procedures (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that at 12 months after surgery, SG is as effective as GBP in inducing remission of T2DM and the MS. Furthermore, our data suggest that SG and GBP represent a successful an integrated strategy for the management of the different cardiovascular risk components of the MS in subjects with T2DM.

Short-term effects of sleeve gastrectomy on type 2 diabetes mellitus in severely obese subjects.

BACKGROUND: Data on the effectiveness of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in improving or resolving type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are scarce. METHODS: A 4-month prospective study was conducted on the changes in glucose homeostasis in 35 severely obese T2DM subjects undergoing laparoscopic SG (LSG) and 50 subjects undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP), matched for DM duration, type of DM treatment, and glycemic control. RESULTS: At 4-months after surgery, LSG and LRYGBP operated subjects lost a similar amount of weight (respectively, 20.6 +/- 0.7% and 21.0 +/- 0.6%). T2DM had resolved respectively in 51.4% and 62.0% of the LSG and LRYGBP operated subjects (P = 0.332). A shorter preoperative DM duration (P < 0.05), a preoperative DM treatment not including pharmacological agents, and a better pre-surgical fasting plasma glucose (P < 0.01) or HbAlc (P < 0.01), were significantly associated with a better type 2 DM outcome in both surgical groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that LSG and LRYGBP result in a similar rate of type 2 DM resolution at 4-months after surgery. Moreover, our data suggest that mechanisms beyond weight loss may be implicated in DM resolution following LSG and LRYGBP.

[Anterior cervical fusion with tantalum interbody implants. Clinical and radiological results in a prospective study]. / Artrodesis cervical anterior mediante implante de tantalio. Resultados clínicos y radiológicos.

Anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion (ACDF) is a widely accepted surgical technique in the treatment of cervical disc disease. Tantalum cages have been recently introduced in spine surgery for interbody fusion because of the advantages of their mechanical properties. We present the results of a prospective clinical and radiological study on 24 consecutive patients who underwent an ACDF with tantalum cages. Clinical evaluation was assessed preoperatively and after surgery by a questionnaire that included a Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) of neck and arm pain, the Oswestry Disability Index and the Zung Depression Scale. Results were classified by Odom's criteria. Radiological evaluation included flexion-extension X-rays, and changes in distance between spinous processes and Cobb angle were measured. Postoperatively patients were reviewed 3 and 12 months after surgery. A statistical significative improvement in all clinical data was reported. According to Odom's criteria in 75% of patients the results were considered like excellent or good. Only one case of radiological and clinical pseudoarthrosis was confirmed. No significative differences were reported 3 and 12 months after surgery. Tantalum cages are a very promising and usefull alternative among implants available for ACDF. Compatibility with MRI postoperative studies and the unnecessariness of autograft are some of their advantages.

Artrodesis cervical anterior mediante implante de tantalio. Resultados clínicos y radiológicos / Anterior cervical fusion with tantalum interbody implants. Clinical and radiological results in a prospective study

La discectomía cervical anterior con artrodesisintersomática (DCAA) es una técnica quirúrgica ampliamente aceptada en el tratamiento de la enfermedad discal cervical. Recientemente se han introducido con esta indicación las cajas de tantalio debido a sus excelentes propiedades mecánicas y biológicas. Presentamos los resultados iniciales clínicos y radiológicos de un estudio prospectivo de 24 pacientes intervenidos en nuestro servicio tras el empleo de cajas de tantalio en la DCAA. La evaluación clínica pre y postoperatoria se realizó mediante cuestionario que incluía una Escala Visual Analógica de dolor, el Índice de Oswestry, y la Escala de Zung. Los resultados fueron clasificados mediante los criterios de Odom. La evaluación radiológica incluyó radiografías dinámicas en las que se midieron las variaciones del ángulo de Cobb y la distancia interespinosa. Postoperatoriamente los pacientes fueron revisados en el tercer mes y al año dela intervención. Todos los parámetros clínicos mejoraron de forma estadísticamente significativa. Según con los criterios de Odom, el 75% de los casos fueron considerados como excelentes o buenos. Sólo se confirmó clínica y radiológicamente un caso de pseudo-artrosis. No se observaron diferencias significativas en las revisiones al año y a los 3 meses. Conclusión: Las cajas de tantalio constituyen un implante prometedor y pensamos que útil entre las diversas opciones quirúrgicas para la DCAA, por sus buenos resultados clínicos, por la no necesidad de autoinjerto, y por su excelente compatibilidad con la resonancia nuclear magnética

Anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusión (ACDF) is a widely accepted surgical technique in the treatment of cervical disc disease. Tantalum cages have been recently introduced in spine surgery for interbody fusion because of the advantages of their mechanical properties. We present the results of a prospective clinical and radiological study on 24 consecutive patients whounder went an ACDF with tantalum cages. Clinical evaluation was assessed preoperatively and after surgery by a questionnaire that included a Visual Analogic Scale(VAS) of neck and arm pain, the Os westry Dissability Index and the Zung Depression Scale. Results were classified by Odom’s criteria. Radiological evaluation included flexion-extension X-rays, and changes in distance between spinous processes and Cobb angle were measured. Postoperatively patients were reviewed 3and 12 months after surgery. A statisitical significative improvement in all clinical data was reported. According to Odom’s criteria in75% of patients the results were considered like excellent or good. Only one case of radiological and clinical pseudoarthrosis was confirmed. No significative differences were reported 3 and 12 months after surgery. Tantalum cages are a very promising and usefull alternative among implants available for ACDF. Compatibility with MRI postoperative studies and the unnecessariness of autograft are some of their advantages

Preparación de biomateriales basados en quitosano y estudios como portadores de osteoblastos en cultivo / Based on chitosan biomaterials and studies as carrieres of cultured osteoblasts

Introducción: El quitosano es un material potencialmenteútil en el transporte de células humanas.Objetivos: Comparar los distintos materiales a base de quitosanopreparados para su uso como biomateriales potenciales.Materiales y métodos: Tras la preparación y esterilizaciónde diferentes formas de distintos materiales a base de quitosanose procede a su adición a un cultivo primario de osteoblastoshumanos. Mediante distintas técnicas se analiza la superficie,homogeneidad, hinchamiento y la penetración en elbiomaterial de las células cultivadas.Resultados: Se ha encontrado penetrabilidad osteoblásticaasí como crecimiento superficial en distintos materiales dequitosano

Introduction: Chitosan is a potentially human cells carrieruseful material.Objectives: To compare several based-on chitosan materialsin several chitosan preparations or their use as potentialbiomaterials by human cultured osteoblasts.Material and methods: Different chitosan forms wereprepared and sterilized. Then they were added to a primaryhuman osteoblasts culture. Surface, homogeneity swellingand osteoblasts penetration into the biomaterial was analyzedusing several techniques.Results: Osteoblastic penetrability was found. Surfacegrowing on differents chitosan materials could be demonstrated

Análisis por micrometría óptica directa y confocal de quitosano en medio de cultivo de osteoblastos / Analysis by confocal and direct optical micrometry of chitosan in cultivated osteoblasts

INTRODUCCIÓN. El quitosano es un material potencialmenteútil en el transporte, fijación y desarrollo de osteoblastosOBJETIVOS. Analizar la estructura y distribuciónde poros en materiales con base quitosano parajustificar la selección de materiales estructuralmente compatiblescon el transporte, fijación y desarrollo de osteoblastos.RESULTADOS. Se pone de manifiesto la dependenciadel tamaño de poro con el contenido de quitosanoy, también se induce un posible modelo gráfico de distribuciónestructural de los poros que justifica la compatibilidadde los resultados micrométricos con los de medida dela porosidad por difusión de vapor de mercurio

INTRODUCTION. Chitosan is a potentially useful materialfor the transportation, fixation and development ofosteoblasts. OBJECTIVES. To analize the structure and distributionof pores in chitosan-based materials in order tojustify the selection of structurally compatible materialswith the transportation, fixation and development of osteoblasts.human cells carrier human cells carrier RESULTS.It has been shown the dependency of the pore sizewith the chitosan and, also, it is seen a possible graphicmodel of structural distribution of pores that justifies thecompatibility of the micrometrical results with those measuredby mercury vapor diffusion

Laparoscopic-assisted approach in rectal cancer patients: lessons learned from >200 patients.

BACKGROUND: The applicability of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of colorectal diseases is still controversial. Early reports on laparoscopic-assisted colectomy in patients with colon cancer suggested that it minimizes surgical trauma, decreases perioperative complications, and leads to a more rapid recovery. To our knowledge, no previous studies have compared the laparoscopic vs the open approach in rectal cancer. The aim of this paper was to assess the results of laparoscopic techniques in patients with rectal cancer. METHODS: From March 1998 to February 2003, all patients admitted to our unit with adenocarcinoma of the rectum were evaluated for surgery by the laparoscopic approach. RESULTS: A total of 220 patients with a mean age of 67.3 years were included in the study. One hundred thirty patients (59%) were treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. In >75% of the patients, a surgical procedure with sphincter preservation was performed. The rate of conversion to the open approach was 20%. Ten patients had intraoperative complications. Fifty-eight patients (26.3%) developed postoperative complications. The length of hospital stay was 6.8 days. The distribution of tumor stages was as follows: stage I, 16.81%; stage II, 33.6%; stage III, 26.36%; stage IV, 19.09%. The mean number of lymph nodes was 13.8. The incidence of local relapse was 5.3%, with a follow-up of 18 months. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery can be safely performed in patients with adenocarcinoma of the rectum with good short-term results. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.