[Anesthesic management during total organic separation of pygopagus conjoined twins]. / Manejo anestésico durante la separación orgánica total de gemelos unidos pigópagos.

BACKGROUND: Conjoined twins are among the most rare and challenging congenital malformations. The incidence varies from 1:30 000 to 1:200 000 live births. Pygopagus twins account for about 10 to 18% of all conjoined twins. CLINICAL CASE: We report the case of male conjoined pygopagus twins. They shared medullary canal, anal canal and sacrococcygeal region, without any degree of cross circulation. At the moment of the surgery, twin 1 had congenital heart disease without medical treatment. Twin 2 presented craniofacial malformations. The total organic separation was performed electively, by being driven by two teams of anesthesiologists with balanced general anesthesia, intravenous and sequential induction intubation. Non-invasive and invasive monitoring was used for both twins. During the transanesthetic period, twin 1 presented multiple hypercyanotic episodes associated to hypovolemia and hypotension. Twin 2 remained stable. During the final separation acute bleeding and hemodynamic instability showed up, requiring the use of inotropes, vasopressors and blood components. The twins were sent to intensive care where they remained under surveillance for three days. They were discharged a month and a half after the surgical event. CONCLUSIONS: Each type of siamese has specific characteristics depending on the type of union; comprehensive knowledge of the morphology and physiopathology of the twins is essential for optimal anesthetic management.

INTRODUCCIÓN: los gemelos unidos son una de las más raras y desafiantes malformaciones congénitas. Su incidencia varía de 1:30 000 a 1:200 000 nacidos vivos. Los gemelos pygopagus (pigópagos) representan del 10 al 18% de todos los gemelos unidos. CASO CLÍNICO: se presenta el caso de gemelos masculinos unidos pigópagos. Compartían canal medular, canal anorrectal y región sacrococcígea y no tenían ningún grado de circulación cruzada. Al momento del evento quirúrgico, el gemelo 1 era portador de cardiopatía congénita cianógena sin tratamiento médico. El gemelo 2 tenía malformaciones craneofaciales. La separación orgánica total se realizó de forma electiva; se llevó a cabo por dos equipos de anestesiólogos, con anestesia general balanceada, inducción intravenosa e intubación secuencial. Se empleó monitoreo no invasivo e invasivo para ambos. El gemelo 1 presentó durante el transanestésico múltiples episodios de hipercianosis asociados a hipovolemia e hipotensión. El gemelo 2 se mantuvo estable. Durante la separación definitiva se presentó sangrado agudo e inestabilidad hemodinámica, lo cual requirió el uso de inotrópicos, vasopresores y hemocomponentes. Los gemelos egresaron a terapia, donde permanecieron en vigilancia durante tres días. Fueron dados de alta un mes y medio después del evento quirúrgico. CONCLUSIÓN: cada tipo de siameses tiene características específicas dependiendo del tipo de unión; el conocimiento de la morfología y la fisiopatología es esencial para ofrecer un óptimo manejo anestésico.

[Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for aortic stenosis. Initial experience]. / Tratamiento de la estenosis valvular aórtica con implante de prótesis valvular transcatéter. Experiencia inicial.

BACKGROUND: Aortic stenosis is a frequent disease in the elderly, and is associated with other systemic pathologies that may contraindicate the surgical procedure. Another option for these patients is percutaneous aortic valve implantation, which is less invasive. We present our initial experience with this procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with aortic stenosis were included once selection criteria were accomplished. Under general anaesthesia and echocardiographic and fluosocopic control, a transcatheter aortic valve was implanted following s valvuloplasty. Once concluded the procedure, angiographic and pressure control was realized in order to confirm the valve function. RESULTS: Between November 2014 and May 2015, 6 patients were treated (4 males and 2 females), with a mean age of 78.83±5.66 years-old. The preoperative transvalvular gradient was 90.16±28.53mmHg and posterior to valve implant was 3.33±2.92mmHg (P<.05). Two patients had concomitant coronary artery disease which had been treated previously. One patient presented with acute right coronary artery occlusion which was immediately treated. However due to previous renal failure, postoperative sepsis and respiratory failure, the patient died one month later. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that our preliminary results showed that in selected patients percutaneous aortic valve implantation is a safe procedure with clinical improvement for treated patients.