Revista Colombiana de Cirugía

Graduate continuining education in surgery

Globalization of surgical education: are all surgeons equal?

Learning curve in the endoscopic submucosal dissection at a Latin American university hospital

Introduction: The endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a technique used in the treatment of early gastric cancer that was developed in Japan in the early 90's. When compared with mucosectomy it shows clear benefits, as lower local recurrence with the resection of lesions greater than 2 cm, yet with larger number of complications, especially bleeding and perforation. There is little experience with ESD in the West, because of the low incidence of early gastric cancer and the lack of screening programs; ESD reports are scarce in Colombia. Objective: To report the experience with the endoscopic dissection of the gastric submucosa in the period between March 2012 and January 2014 at Hospital de San José, Bogotá, Colombia. Methods: ESD was performed in eight patients (four men and four women) that fulfilled the Vienna criteria for this procedure. Results: Eight ESD were performed, three in the body and five in the antrum, with a mean size of 3.4 cm; complications included bleeding in one patient and perforation in one patient. En bloc resection was achieved in all eight cases with R0 (margins free of tumor) in seven patients. Conclusion: Gastric ESD is a complex technique and infrequent technique in our evironment. The procedure was performed in a safe manner with acceptable complication rates and achieving en bloc resection in all patients.

Emphysematous cholecystitis, literature review and report of three cases

La colecistitis enfisematosa es una rara forma de presentación de la colecistitis aguda, caracterizada por la presencia de gas en la pared, en la luz o ambas, la cual puede evolucionar a colecistitis gangrenosa y posteriormente a peritonitis. Se asocia con una alta tasa de morbilidad y mortalidad. Se presentan tres casos clínicos de hombres adultos mayores, que presentaron dolor abdominal con síntomas gastrointestinales y signos de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica. Se les practicó tomografía computadorizada de abdomen, que evidenció hallazgos característicos de colecistitis enfisematosa. Los tres pacientes se sometieron a colecistectomía de urgencia, con una adecuada evolución posoperatoria y sin complicaciones mayores ni mortalidad.

Emphysematous cholecystitis is a rare presentation of acute cholecystitis, characterized by the presence of intramural or intraluminal gas; it can evolve to gangrenous cholecystitis and peritonitis, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Three clinical cases, all elderly men, are reported, who presented abdominal pain with gastrointestinal symptoms and signs of systematic inflammatory response. CT of abdomen showed the characteristic findings of emphysematous cholecystitis. The three patients underwent emergency cholecystectomy, and all had adequate postoperative evolution without complications or mortality.

Adenomyomatosis of the biliary tree, ten-year incidence and review of current literature

Introducción. La adenomiomatosis es una entidad anatomo-clínica de difícil diagnóstico. Se puede clasificar en generalizada, segmentaria y localizada. Suele presentarse con síntomas de colelitiasis, aunque puede variar desde ser completamente asintomática hasta sugerir una lesión maligna. El objetivo de este estudio fue revisar la afectación adenomiomatosa de la vesícula biliar y los conductos biliares intrahepáticos y extrahepáticos, así como su diagnóstico y tratamiento. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio retrospectivo de 10 años de duración en los servicios de Cirugía Digestiva y Anatomía Patológica del Hospital Universitario San Cecilio en Granada, España. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes que presentaban afectación adenomiomatosa de la vesícula biliar y del sistema biliar intrahepático y extrahepático. Resultados, Entre los años 2000 y 2010, se identificaron 24 pacientes, 19 mujeres y 5 hombres, con adenomiomatosis de un total de 5.141 piezas quirúrgicas. Las manifestaciones clínicas fueron de colelitiasis en 20 (83,3 %) pacientes, de colecistitis en 2 (8,35 %) y de obstrucción (ictericia) en 2 (8,35 %), y correspondieron con los hallazgos histopatológicos: se encontraron 20 lesiones localizadas en el fondo de la vesícula, dos en el conducto cístico y dos en el colédoco distal. En la mayoría de los casos se practicó colecistectomía laparoscópica simple; los últimos dos se sometieron a duodenopancreatectomía cefálica u operación de Whipple, por sospecharse afectación maligna. Conclusión. Esta enfermedad puede presentarse con ausencia completa de síntomas, o con manifestaciones de colelitiasis, colecistitis o de síndrome colestásico. En los casos en que se sospeche una afectación maligna, lo adecuado es hacer un examen histopatológico intraoperatorio, antes de practicar cirugías complejas.

Introduction: Adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder and biliary ducts is an anatomic and medical entity of difficult diagnosis. It can be classified as generalized, segmentary or localized. Typical clinical presentation includes symptoms of cholelithiasis, but it can range from completely asymptomatic to suspicion of malignancy. The aim of this study was to review the gallbladder and intra and extrahepatic biliary ducts affectation by adenomyomatosis, its diagnosis and treatment. Patients and Method: Ten-year retrospective study, held at San Cecilio University Hospital's Digestive Surgery and Pathology Services in Granada, Spain. All patients with gallbladder and intra and extrahepatic biliary ducts adenomyomatosis were included. Results: 24 patients with adenomyomatosis were identified out of 5,141 surgical specimen in the ten-year period 2000-2010; 19 were female and five male. Twenty (83.3%) patients presented with symptoms of cholelithiasis, two (8.35%) with symptoms of cholecystitis, and two (8.35%) with obstructive signs (jaundice),all of which were consistent with the pathology findings: 20 lesions were located in the gallbladder fundus, two in the cystic duct, and two in the distal common bile duct. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in all but the last two cases, in which a cephalic pancreatico-duodenectomy, or Whipple procedure, was perfomed for suspected malignancy. Conclusion: This entity's clinical condition can present as totally asymptomatic, or with symptoms of cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, or cholestatic syndrome. When malignancy is suspected, intra-operative pathological confirmation is recommended before undertaking a complex surgical procedure.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with ultra short hospital stay

Introducción. La colecistectomía laparoscópica es la técnica de elección para el tratamiento de la enfermedad biliar benigna. El manejo ambulatorio en este tipo de procedimientos podría ofrecer ahorros económicos y una mayor disponibilidad de camas. Objetivo. El propósito del presente estudio es mostrar nuestra experiencia al practicar colecistectomías laparoscópicas con manejo ambulatorio menor de seis horas. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio de cohortes en pacientes sometidos a colecistectomía laparoscópica en la Clínica Gestión Salud de Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, entre el 1° de octubre de 2009 y el 31 de agosto de 2013. Resultados. Se practicaron 1.260 colecistectomías laparoscópicas. Se cumplieron los criterios para manejo ambulatorio en 1.207 (95,8 %) casos. El tiempo promedio de hospitalización hasta el alta hospitalaria, fue de 4,18 horas (rango: 3 a 10). De los 1.207 pacientes que cumplieron criterios para manejo ambulatorio, 23 (1,9 %) requirieron ser hospitalizados y la primera causa de hospitalización fue el diagnóstico intraoperatorio de enfermedad biliar aguda. El porcentaje de reingreso de pacientes dados de alta, fue del 0,6 %. Conclusiones. En esta serie, la colecistectomía laparoscópica se pudo practicar con manejo ambulatorio ultracorto para el tratamiento de la enfermedad biliar benigna en pacientes seleccionados, sin que esto atentara contra la seguridad del paciente ni se tradujera en altos índices de reingreso o consulta.

Background: At the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy it was usual to have a one-day hospital stay (overnight) after surgery. Refinement of the surgical and anesthetic techniques has resulted in the discharge of patients on the same day of the operation. The aim of this study was to present our experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy as an ambulatory procedure, with a hospital stay of less than six hours. Methods: A cohort study was carried out including all patients submitted to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Inclusion criteria were: ages between 17 and 75 years, benign gallbladder disease (polyps and cholelithiasis), elective surgery, 1 and 2 ASA classification, residence at less than 20 kilometer distance, available telephone contact and the ambulatory regime informed consent. The same two surgeons operated on all patients. All patients were given general anesthesia with local anesthetic infiltration at the port sites. Results: A total of 1260 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed. 1207 (95,8%) had criteria to be included in the ambulatory regime. Only 23 (1.9%) out of the 1207 patients required hospitalization. Average time for hospital discharge was 4.18 hours (r: 3-10) and readmission percentage was 0.6%. Conclusions: In our series an ultra-short ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy regime was implemented for the treatment of the benign biliary disease in selected patients with no negative incidence on the patients safety, and very low readmission rate and postoperative consultations.

Acute appendicitis: review of histopthology in patients in the state of Boyacá, Colombia

Introducción. La apendicitis aguda es una de las principales causas de dolor abdominal y es la indicación quirúrgica más común por abdomen agudo. Existen pocos estudios sobre apendicitis en la población latinoamericana. Objetivo. Evaluar la frecuencia de los hallazgos histopatológicos de la apendicitis en una población de Boyacá (Colombia) y, con mayor detalle, los de apendicitis gangrenosa. Materiales y métodos. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de los especímenes de apendicitis aguda de la base de datos del Departamento de Patología del Hospital San Rafael de Tunja, durante el periodo de enero a diciembre de 2011. Además, se revisaron de forma retrospectiva las historias clínicas de los pacientes con apendicitis gangrenosa. Resultados. Se encontraron 1.688 informes de histopatología de apendicitis aguda. Las muestras de tejidos provenían de siete áreas diferentes del departamento de Boyacá. Los estadios, por orden de frecuencia, fueron: apendicitis supurativa aguda (49 %), gangrenosa (24 %), apéndice normal (18 %) y apéndice edematoso (7 %). Otros diagnósticos histopatológicos (1 % del total de la muestra) fueron linfoma de Hodgkin, endometriosis, neuroma, tuberculosis apendicular, adenocarcinoma apendicular y tumores neuroendocrinos en el apéndice. Discusión. Se encontró que en la población boyacense, la apendicitis supurativa fue la presentación más frecuente, seguida de la gangrenosa. El diagnóstico de apendicitis gangrenosa mediante el examen físico, representa un reto para el médico. Este es el primer estudio en que se analiza una muestra de diagnósticos histopatológicos de apendicitis a nivel departamental en Colombia.

Introduction: Acute appendicitis is one of the leading causes of abdominal pain and is the most common surgical presentation of acute abdomen. Studies on appendicitis in the Latin American populations are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pathological findings of appendicitis in a population in the state of Boyacá, Colombia, and, with deeper detail, those with gangrenous appendicitis. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study of all acute appendicitis specimens in the Department of Pathology at San Rafael Hospital in the city of Tunja, Boyacá, between January and December of 2011. Review of clinical records of patients with gangrenous appendicitis was also performed. Results: During the one year period there were 1,688 histopathology reports of acute appendicitis. All specimens came from seven different areas in the state (departamento) of Boyacá. The results were as follows: acute suppurative appendix (49%,) followed by gangrenous-perforated appendix (24%), normal histology (18%), and edematous appendix (7%). Other histopathological diagnoses (1% of the total sample) were Hodgkin´s lymphoma, endometriosis, neuroma, appendicular tuberculosis, appendiceal adenocarcinoma, and neuroendocrine tumors of the appendix. Discussion: We found that in the state of Boyacá's population, suppurative appendicitis was the most common presentation, followed in frequency by gangrenous appendicitis. The diagnosis by physical examination of gangrenous appendicitis is still a challenge for the clinician. This is the first study that reviews appendicitis samples in one Colombian state.

Management of closed pleural drainage systems

El objetivo de los sistemas de drenaje pleural es la evacuación del contenido patógeno del espacio pleural. Hasta hace poco, solo se conocían y utilizaban los frascos de vidrio; sin embargo, los sistemas comerciales actuales han 'inundado' la práctica quirúrgica por lo que son frecuentes los errores en el manejo de estos sistemas, en su mayoría por desconocimiento no solo de la fisiología del espacio pleural sino también del funcionamiento de dichos sistemas. El objetivo de esta revisión es demostrar de una forma didáctica y práctica el funcionamiento de los sistemas de drenaje pleural y contribuir en mejorar la seguridad de la práctica de la cirugía.

The main purpose of the thoracic drainage systems is the evacuation of pathological content in the pleural space. Until recently only the glass bottles was the single system in use; however commercial systems have flooded the surgical practice, leading to frequent errors in the management of such systems, mostly due to a lack of knowledge on both the physiology of the pleural space and the operation of this system. The aim of this review is to show the operation of the thoracic drainage systems in a didactic and practical way and to contribute to the the safety of their use in the surgical practice.

Surgical treatment of autosomic polycistic liver disease, case series

Nowadays liver and biliary tract surgery are the most commonly performed procedures worldwide; refinement in surgical techniques, anesthetic care and liver transplantation have revolutionized the treatment of liver diseases that were previously incurable. The autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease is a rare condition that may be associated with polycystic kidney disease or can present alone; the symptoms of this condition occur in the advanced stages of the disease. Despite the multiple modalities of treatment available, surgery with hepatectomy and fenestration has shown better results in patients with early satiety and massive hepatomegaly. A literature review was carried out and a number of cases dealt with this disease at the Metropolitan Hospital in Quito, Ecuador, are presented.

Left-sided acute appendicitis: infrequent presentation of an infrequent entity. Literature review and case report

La apendicitis aguda izquierda es infrecuente y requiere una alta sospecha diagnóstica, estudios imaginológicos complementarios y un tratamiento quirúrgico definitivo. El retraso en el diagnóstico conlleva múltiples complicaciones y dificultades durante el procedimiento quirúrgico. Se presenta una revisión de la literatura científica a propósito de un caso clínico de apendicitis izquierda aguda secundaria a una malrotación intestinal, con sus manifestaciones clínicas, estudios diagnósticos y tratamiento.

Left-sided acute appendicitis is a rare entity that requires a high index of suspicion, and complementary imaging studies for a definitive surgical treatment. Delay in diagnosis results in multiple complications and difficulties during the surgical procedure. We present a review of the literature, the clinical manifestations, the diagnostic studies and treatment, and report a clinical case of left-sided acute appendicitis secondary to intestinal malrotation.

Meckel's divericulum in the senior adult patient: a primary cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Literature review and case report

El divertículo de Meckel es la anormalidad congénita más frecuente del tubo digestivo, que afecta, aproximadamente, al 2 % de la población. Se produce por una alteración en el cierre del conducto onfalomesentérico, por lo general, en la quinta semana de vida intrauterina. Aunque usualmente es asintomático, puede manifestarse por una de las siguientes complicaciones: sangrado gastrointestinal, obstrucción intestinal, inflamación y perforación, enfermedad tumoral y encarcelación en una hernia inguinal (hernia de Littre). Tiene incidencia de complicaciones a largo plazo, de 4,2 %, la cual disminuye con la edad. El tratamiento del divertículo de Meckel sintomático siempre es quirúrgico y existe controversia respecto a su resección cuando es un hallazgo incidental. El divertículo de Meckel es una causa infrecuente de sangrado gastrointestinal con hematoquecia, usualmente en la población pediátrica. En los adultos, la complicación más frecuente es la obstrucción intestinal causada por intususcepción, vólvulos o estenosis. Se presenta el caso de una paciente adulta mayor con sangrado gastrointestinal, como complicación de un divertículo de Meckel.

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital malformation of the gastrointestinal tract, affecting approximately 2% of the population. It is a consequence of the inadequate closure of the viteline duct during the fifth week of gestational life. It is usually asymptomatic; however, gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal obstruction, inflammation, perforation, neoplastic pathology or hernia incarceration (Littre's hernia) may complicate it. It has a of 4.2% rate life-long risk of complications, rate that decreases with age. The treatment for a symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum is surgical. There is controversy about the surgical management incidentally detected Meckel's diverticulum. Meckel's diverticulum is an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal bleeding, usually affecting the pediatric population. In the adult population, the most frequent complication is intestinal obstruction caused by intussusception, volvulus or intestinal stenosis. In this article, we present a clinical case of an elder patient with gastrointestinal bleeding caused by a Meckel's diverticulum.