Clinical prediction rules have been designed to reduce variability and improve the diagnostic process. However, there are no unanimous criteria regarding which of them is the most efficient for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The primary aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic efficacy of the most commonly used clinical prediction rules. The second aim was to identify the combination of the smallest number of clinical and analytical variables that would allow a cost-effective diagnostic approach. A retrospective observational study was conducted of 458 patients who were evaluated for right iliac fossa pain between January 2010 and December 2016. The scores tested were Alvarado, AIR, RIPASA, and AAS. Univariate and multiple regressions were used for validation. Alvarado one was the most efficient to establish a positive diagnosis of acute appendicitis. However, the most simplified and predictive combination variables included anorexia, white blood cell count > 8275 leukocytes/mL, neutrophilia (> 75%), abdominal pain < 48 h, migrating pain, and temperature out the range of 37-39ºC. A new and effective CPR (HMC score) for predicting appendicitis in patients presenting with the right iliac fossa pain has been established.
Background/Objectives: Gastric cancer is a major global health concern and a leading cause of cancer-related death. While surgical resection remains the cornerstone of curative treatment, postoperative morbidity and mortality are significant issues. This study aimed to identify factors associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma. Results: The median age was 73 years. Eighteen total gastrectomies (15%) and eighty-eight subtotal gastrectomies (66.6%) were performed. Major complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ III) occurred in 22.3% of patients, and the hospital mortality rate was 7.5%. Independent predictors of morbidity included anemia (OR 2.49, p = 0.047), extended lymphadenectomy (OR 5.09, p = 0.002), and conversion to open surgery (OR 9.40, p = 0.031). Coagulopathy was a significant predictor of mortality (OR 5.01, p = 0.049). Methods: A retrospective, single-center observational study was conducted on 120 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery between January 2004 and December 2022. Preoperative assessments included endoscopy, imaging, and staging according to the TNM classification. Risk factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Conclusions: Laparoscopic gastrectomy is a technically challenging procedure with substantial risks of morbidity and mortality. Identifying modifiable risk factors, such as anemia and coagulopathy, provides opportunities for improved outcomes through preoperative prehabilitation and optimized patient selection.
Introducción. El manejo de la hernia ventral sigue siendo un desafío para los cirujanos. Su reparación mediante técnicas mínimamente invasivas, como la totalmente extraperitoneal (eTEP) laparoscópica, permite una amplia disección del espacio a reparar, una recuperación postoperatoria más rápida, menor dolor postoperatorio y estancia hospitalaria. El abordaje eTEP es un enfoque novedoso que utiliza el espacio retromuscular para colocar material protésico y fortalecer la pared abdominal. El objetivo es describir los resultados a corto plazo de nuestra experiencia inicial con la técnica eTEP en el manejo de las hernias ventrales. Metodología. Estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo, donde se incluyen pacientes con el diagnóstico de hernia ventral, sometidos a cirugía laparoscópica-eTEP, entre julio-2021 y junio-2022. Resultados. De un total de 21 pacientes, el 61.9% fueron hombres. El 47.6% tenían sobrepeso y el 52.4% obesidad. Estancia hospitalaria media: 1.6 días. El 66.7% fueron hernias incisionales. Las técnicas quirúrgicas realizadas fueron: Rives-Stoppa (71.4%) asociándose liberación del músculo transverso en el 28.6%. El 19% de los pacientes presentaron complicaciones globales y solo uno fue grave, requiriendo reintervención quirúrgica. Se observó la presencia de seroma clínico en el 9.5% y ecográfico en 57.1%. No se evidenciaron hematomas, infección de herida quirúrgica ni casos de recidiva herniaria. Discusión y conclusiones. El abordaje laparoscópico eTEP Rives-Stoppa, asociado o no a separación posterior de componentes, en el manejo de las hernias ventrales ofrece buenos resultados asociando una baja incidencia de complicaciones postoperatorias, corta estancia hospitalaria, baja incidencia de recidivas herniarias, por lo que podría considerarse una técnica segura y efectiva en el tratamiento de las hernias ventrales.
Objectives: To analyze the factors associated with recurrent choledocholithiasis following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with biliary sphincterotomy (BS). Methods: A retrospective, observational, and analytical cohort study was conducted. Patients who underwent ERCP with BS for benign biliary pathology and were followed for a minimum of two years were included. Demographic and clinical data were collected, including the indication for the procedure, endoscopic findings, performance and timing of cholecystectomy (before or after ERCP), and the need for repeat procedures. Episodes of choledocholithiasis were defined as those occurring at least six months after the initial ERCP. Follow-up continued until patient death, loss of follow-up, or the conclusion of the study. Results: A total of 576 patients were included, with a mean age of 71 years and an average follow-up duration of 131 months. Sixty-nine cases of recurrent choledocholithiasis were documented (11.96%). Multivariate analysis identified the following predictive factors for recurrence: age over 50 years, bile duct dilation upon initial evaluation, history of biliary surgery, cytology sampling, placement of biliary stents, repeated ERCP, biliary diversion procedures, and cholecystectomy prior to the index ERCP. Conclusions: Biliary duct dilation, advanced age, and any previous manipulation of the biliary tree are associated with an increased risk of recurrent choledocholithiasis. Cholecystectomy performed after the initial ERCP was not associated with a reduced recurrence risk.
Background/Objectives. To analyze the factors associated with recurrent choledocholithiasis following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with biliary sphincterotomy (BS). Methods. A retrospective, observational, and analytical cohort study was conducted. Patients who underwent ERCP with BS for benign biliary pathology and were followed for a minimum of two years were included. Demographic and clinical data were collected, including the indication for the procedure, endoscopic findings, performance and timing of cholecystectomy (before or after ERCP), and the need for repeat procedures. Episodes of choledocholithiasis were defined as those occurring at least six months after the initial ERCP. Follow-up continued until patient death, loss to follow-up, or the conclusion of the study. Results. A total of 576 patients were included, with a mean age of 71 years and an average follow-up duration of 131 months. Sixty-nine cases of recurrent choledocholithiasis were documented (11.96%). Multivariate analysis identified the following predictive factors for recurrence: age over 50 years, bile duct dilation on initial evaluation, history of biliary surgery, cytology sampling, placement of biliary stents, repeated ERCP, biliary diversion procedures, and cholecystectomy prior to the index ERCP. Conclusions. Biliary duct dilation, advanced age, and any previous manipulation of the biliary tree are associated with an increased risk of recurrent choledocholithiasis. Cholecystectomy performed after the initial ERCP was not associated with a reduced recurrence risk.