Laparoscopic Pancreatectomy in Rats: The Development of an Experimental Model.

INTRODUCTION: several pancreatectomy techniques in rats have been described and utilized for research concerning the pancreas endocrine and exocrine functions. However, we did not find a description of any kind of laparoscopic pancreatectomy in rats in the consulted databases. The objective of this study is to describe a laparoscopic splenic lobe pancreatectomy in rats. METHODS: ten Wistars rats weighting more then 300 g were operated for standardizing the laparoscopic pancreatosplenectomy technique, aided by previous descriptions of laparoscopic splenectomy and open pancreatectomy in rats. Adjustments have been progressively adopted for technical refinement. RESULTS: In five animals a low-cost rat laparoscopic set was used. In other five animals we used a standard laparoscopic set. Three rats died early due to different causes: transection of the gastroesophageal junction, hemorrhagic shock and inadvertent colonic injury. The postoperative period of the other seven rats was uneventful until the seventh postoperative day. DISCUSSION: laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy in rats is feasible and safe, even with a low-cost set, in which the results were alike the standard laparoscopic set.

Ischemia-reperfusion rat model of acute pancreatitis: protein carbonyl as a putative early biomarker of pancreatic injury.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disorder that can affect adjacent and/or remote organs. Some evidence indicates that the production of reactive oxygen species is able to induce AP. Protein carbonyl (PC) derivatives, which can also be generated through oxidative cleavage mechanisms, have been implicated in several diseases, but there is little or no information on this biomarker in AP. We investigated the association between some inflammatory mediators and PC, with the severity of ischemia-reperfusion AP. Wistar rats (n = 56) were randomly assigned in the following groups : control; sham, 15- or 180-min clamping of splenic artery, with 24 or 72 h of follow-up. The relationships between serum level of PC and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) to myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in tissue homogenates and to cytokines in culture supernatants of pancreatic samples were analyzed. MPO activity was related to the histology scores and increased in all clamping groups. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß), and interleukin-6 were higher in the 180-min groups. Significant correlations were found between MPO activity and the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1ß. PC levels increased in the 15-min to 24-h group. TBARS levels were not altered substantially. MPO activity and TNF-α and IL-1ß concentrations in pancreatic tissue are correlated with AP severity. Serum levels of PC appear to begin to rise early in the course of the ischemia-reperfusion AP and are no longer detected at later stages in the absence of severe pancreatitis. These data suggest that PC can be an efficient tool for the diagnosis of early stages of AP.

Induced sputum in HIV- infected patients: diagnosis of acute pulmonary diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To make a narrative review of the accuracy of induced sputum for diagnosis of pulmonary disease in HIV-infected patients. DATA SOURCES: The MEDLINE, LILACS, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched. reference lists, abstracts of conference proceedings and scientific meetings were hand searched. STUDY SELECTION: Fifteen articles that specifically addressed the stated purpose were selected. DATA EXTRACTION: Yield of sputum induction and fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage were analyzed using explicit methodologic to evaluate the quality of clinical trials. RESULTS: Sputum induction demonstrated 55.5% sensitivity and 98.6% specificity to Pneumocystis pneumonia. Sensitivity of sputum induction was significantly higher with immunofluorescence than with cytochemical staining (67.1 versus 43.1%). Sputum induction for diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia demonstrated 60% sensitivity, 40% specificity, 80% positive predictive value, 20% negative predictive value and 56% accuracy. In relation to tuberculosis, sputum induction demonstrated 36% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value and 54.2% negative predictive value. CONCLUSION: Sputum induction seems to be effective and safe for diagnosis of pulmonary diseases in HIV-infected patients.

Induced sputum in HIV- infected patients: diagnosis of acute pulmonary diseases / Escarro induzido nos pacientes infectados pelo HIV: diagnóstico das doenças pulmonares agudas

OBJECTIVE: To make a narrative review of the accuracy of induced sputum for diagnosis of pulmonary disease in HIV-infected patients. Data sources: The MEDLINE, LILACS, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched. reference lists, abstracts of conference proceedings and scientific meetings were hand searched. METHODS: Study selection: Fifteen articles that specifically addressed the stated purpose were selected. Data extraction: Yield of sputum induction and fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage were analyzed using explicit methodologic to evaluate the quality of clinical trials. RESULTS: Sputum induction demonstrated 55.5 percent sensitivity and 98.6 percent specificity to Pneumocystis pneumonia. Sensitivity of sputum induction was significantly higher with immunofluorescence than with cytochemical staining (67.1 versus 43.1 percent). Sputum induction for diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia demonstrated 60 percent sensitivity, 40 percent specificity, 80 percent positive predictive value, 20 percent negative predictive value and 56 percent accuracy. In relation to tuberculosis, sputum induction demonstrated 36 percent sensitivity, 100 percent specificity, 100 percent positive predictive value and 54.2 percent negative predictive value. CONCLUSION: Sputum induction seems to be effective and safe for diagnosis of pulmonary diseases in HIV-infected patients.

OBJETIVO: Realizar uma revisão narrativa sobre a acurácia do escarro induzido no diagnóstico da doença pulmonar nos pacientes infectados pelo HIV. Fontes de dados: pesquisamos na MEDLINE, LILACS, EMBASE e Cochrane Library. Foi realizada busca manual nas listas de referências e em resumos de anais e conferências em congressos. MÉTODOS: Seleção dos estudos: foram selecionados 15 artigos que se relacionavam ao objetivo proposto. Extração dos dados: analisamos o rendimento do escarro induzido e da broncofibroscopia com lavado broncoalveolar, empregando critérios metodológicos na avaliação da qualidade dos ensaios clínicos. RESULTADOS: O escarro induzido mostrou uma sensibilidade de 55,5 por cento e especificidade de 98,6 por cento no diagnóstico da pneumocistose; a sensibilidade do escarro induzido foi significativamente maior com a imunofluorescência do que com a coloração citoquímica (67,1 vs. 43,1 por cento). O escarro induzido para o diagnóstico de pneumonia bacteriana mostrou uma sensibilidade de 60 por cento, um especificidade de 40 por cento, um valor preditivo positivo de 80 por cento, um valor preditivo negativo de 20 por cento e uma acurácia de 56 por cento. Com relação à tuberculose, o escarro induzido mostrou uma sensibilidade de 36 por cento, uma especificidade de 100 por cento, um valor preditivo positivo de 100 por cento e um valor preditivo negativo de 54,2 por cento. CONCLUSÃO: O escarro induzido parece ser efetivo e seguro no diagnóstico das pneumopatias nos pacientes infectados pelo HIV.

Revisão sistemática: uma revisão narrativa / Systematic review: a narrative review

OBJETIVO: realizar uma revisão narrativa sobre revisão sistemática. FONTE DOS DADOS: foi realizada busca no Cochrane Methodology Register, na Medline, na LILACS, no Google Scholar e na Cochrane Library, no período de 2000 a janeiro de 2007. Foram utilizados a busca manual das listas de referências e os contatos pessoais. SELEÇÃO DOS ESTUDOS: a estratégia de busca empregou, na Medline, as seguintes combinações dos termos MeSH: "Meta-Analysis" [Publication Type] AND "Evidence-Based Medicine"[MeSH] Limits: Publication Date from 2000 to 2007, Humans, Systematic Reviews. Na LILACS: (metanalise) or "metanalise" [Descritor de assunto] and [ medicina baseada em evidências] or "medicina baseada em evidências" [Descritor de assunto]. No Cochrane Methodology Register e no Google Scholar: "revisão sistemática e metanálise" e "medicina baseada em evidências". Após uma revisão independente por dois revisores, dez artigos que se referiam ao objetivo proposto foram selecionados. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: os temas mencionados nos estudos foram agrupados em duas categorias: aqueles que se reportavam à história da revisão sistemática e aqueles que definiam Medicina Baseada em Evidência, revisão sistemática e metanálise. CONCLUSÃO: os autores concluem com a necessidade de mais discussões sobre revisão sistemática entre os cirurgiões.

PURPOSE: Conduct a narrative review about systematic review. DATA SOURCE: We searched the Cochrane Methodology Register, MEDLINE, LILACS, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library (2000 to January 2007). We also handsearched reference lists, and used personal communications. SELECTION OF STUDIES: This was supplemented with a search strategy in Medline using the following combinations of MeSH-terms "Meta-Analysis" [Publication Type] AND "Evidence-Based Medicine" [MeSH] Limits:Publication Date from 2000 to 2007, Humans. Systematic Reviews. In LILACS: (metanalise) or "METANALISE" [Descritor de assunto] and [medicina baseada em evidências] or "MEDICINA BASEADA EM EVIDÊNCIAS" [Descritor de assunto]. In The Cochrane Methodology Review Group and Google Scholar: "revisão sistemática e metanálise"; "medicina baseada em evidências". After independent review by two observers, ten articles that specifically addressed the stated purpose were selected. DATA SYNTHESIS: The subjects assessed in these studies were grouped into two categories, ie, those addressing the history of systematic review, and the definitions of Evidence-Based Medicine, Systematic Review, Narrative Review and Meta-Analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The authors find that further discussion on systematic review should be encouraged among surgeons.

O papel da avaliação inicial simplificada no prognóstico da pancreatite aguda / The role of simplified initial evaluation for acute pancreatitis prognosis

OBJETIVO: Correlacionar a avaliação clínico-laboratorial inicial simplificada com a gravidade da pancreatite aguda e a presença de necrose. MÉTODO: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo dos pacientes com diagnóstico final de PA internados no Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho - UFRJ entre janeiro de 1990 e agosto de 2002. Foi considerado apenas o primeiro episódio de cada paciente. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos a análise estatística. Foram estudados 164 pacientes onde a idade média foi de 43,7 anos. RESULTADOS: A etiologia biliar foi a mais freqüente com 43,9 por cento dos casos. A incidência de necrose foi de 21,3 por cento e a mortalidade global de 23,2 por cento. Observamos que a ausência de taquicardia na admissão estava associada à forma branda da doença, e que os níveis plasmáticos de uréia e creatinina elevados na admissão estão associados à forma grave da doença, e a hiperglicemia (121mg/dl) à necrose pancreática. CONCLUSÕES: A avaliação inicial simplificada ainda tem espaço, embora que limitado, no acompanhamento do paciente com PA.

BACKGROUND: Our goal was to study if early and simplified clinical and laboratorial evaluation are associated to severity and necrosis in acute panceatitis (AP). METHODS: One hundred and sixty four patients, hospitalized at the Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital between January 1990 and August 2002 with a AP final diagnosis, were included in this study. The study was retrospective and included only the first episode of each patient. From the charts we obtained clinical, laboratorial, imaging exams, operations and death data. From these data we established the severity of each case. Statistical analysis used the Variance Analysis test of Kruskal-Wallis, completed by the Multiple Comparisons test if the diference was significant. Statistic significance was defined as p< 0,05. RESULTS: Biliar etiology was the most common: 43,9 percent of cases, necrosis incidence was 21,3 percent and overall mortality was 23,2 percent. We observed that normal cardiac frequency at admission was associated to mild AP, as high urea and creatinine plasmatic levels at admission to severe AP, and hyperglycemia (121 mg/dl) to pancreatic necrosis. CONCLUSION: We concluded that early and simplified clinical and laboratorial evaluation at admission had a limited but clear role in AP prognosis.

Modified Denis technique: a simple solution for maximal hemostasis in suprapubic prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To describe our experience with a modified Denis technique for hemostasis in suprapubic prostatectomy. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of 78 patients who underwent suprapubic prostatectomy using a modified Denis technique between September 1996 and June 2001. After adenomectomy, we performed a bladder neck removable partition purse-string suture, and the prostatic fossa was drained. Patients were followed up for hemorrhagic complications and bladder neck strictures for 12 months. RESULTS: The mean intraoperative hemorrhage amount was 264 mL (range 160 to 510). The postoperative irrigating fluid volume was 2000 mL (range 500 to 4500), and the bladder irrigation duration was 24 hours in 70 patients (89.8%) and 48 hours in 8 patients (10.2%). Postoperative hemorrhage, measured by the prostatic fossa drain, was 0 mL in 48 patients and had a mean value of 55 mL (range 10 to 90) in 30 patients. No hemorrhagic complication was noted. None of our patients had transfusion, bladder clot formation, or late hemorrhage. One case (1.3%) of bladder neck stricture developed. CONCLUSIONS: This modified Denis technique is very effective and easy to perform and to learn. It has solved all our hemorrhagic problems in suprapubic prostatectomy.