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Total mesorectal excision and surgeon experience are prognostic factors in rectal cancer surgery, in terms of local recurrence and conservative sphincter surgery. Pre-operative radiation-chemotherapy can even improve those results. The aim of this study is to assess the utility of pre-operative radiation therapy (PRT) on the results of surgical treatment for rectal cancer comparing two consecutive series of patients operated on by surgeons with experience in rectal cancer surgery according to whether they had received PRT. Retrospective review of 118 patients with rectal cancer, divided into two groups: group I, 57 patients without pre-operative radiation-chemotherapy, and group II, 61 patients with rectal cancer who received pre-operative radiation-chemotherapy. Both groups were homogeneous. The short-term results (surgical technique, post-operative stay, post-operative complications) and long-term results (local recurrences, liver metastases and both overall and tumour-related survival) were analysed. The rate of anterior resection in the lower third was significantly higher (p = 0.037) in group II than in group I (56 vs 23%), the rate of abdominoperineal resection in the middle third was significantly lower (p = 0.046) in group II (3.5 vs 21%). The incidence of post-operative complications was similar in both groups, but the rate of anastomotic leaks was higher in group II. The local recurrences was lower in group II (p = 0.002), but the disease free survival and the overall survival was similar in both groups. At the multivariate analysis, the only prognostic factor for the local recurrence was the use of pre-operative radiation-chemotherapy. Besides surgeon experience and total mesorectal excision, a very important prognostic factor is the administration of pre-operative radiation-chemotherapy in cases of locally advanced rectal cancer, as it does not increase post-operative morbidity and mortality and significantly influences the rate of local recurrences and the conservative sphincter surgery.

Thrombosis of the portal-mesenteric axis is an infrequent cause of intestinal ischemia or infarction. In addition to the multiple acquired factors that contribute to the development of this entity, hereditary risk factors, especially the factor V Leiden mutation and the G20210A mutation of the prothrombin gene, have been implicated. The G20210A mutation of the prothrombin gene is found in up to 40% of patients with splenic-portal-mesenteric thrombosis. The present case illustrates the unusual and nonspecific presentation of this mutation in the form of diarrhea and images of thrombosis of the superior mesenteric-portal vein and cavernous transformation of the portal vein. Delayed diagnosis is highly frequent since the clinical signs, laboratory investigations and radiological tests do not suggest the diagnosis. The patient received anticoagulant treatment and showed clinical improvement with complete portal-mesenteric recanalization. Currently the diagnostic technique of choice is magnetic resonance angiography or computerized tomography angiography and treatment consists of indefinite anticoagulation. This case illustrates that an unusual or atypical localization of venous thrombosis may be a manifestation of thrombophilia, emphasizing the importance of genetic screening in these cases.

Introduccion El tratamiento medico del fracaso hepatico fulminante busca la recuperacion espontanea de la funcion hepatica, pero sus resultados son muy desalentadores (mortalidad del 50-80%). El trasplante hepatico es una opcion en los pacientes con mala evolucion a pesar del tratamiento medico, con una supervivencia superior al 50%. El momento idoneo para efectuar el trasplante es discutido, pues no debe hacerse ni demasiado pronto, cuando la enfermedad hepatica aun es reversible, ni demasiado tarde, cuando el paciente se encuentra en una situacion clinica irreversible. Pacientes y Metodo Se revisaron de forma retrospectiva las historias clinicas de 34 pacientes ingresados en nuestro hospital con el diagnostico de fracaso hepatico fulminante, de los que 26 fueron sometidos a trasplante. La causa mas frecuente fue la viral con 10 casos (38%), sin que se pudiera establecer etiologia alguna en 11 casos (42%). Trece pacientes presentaron complicaciones preoperatorias, la mas frecuente de las cuales fue la insuficiencia renal. Segun el grado de compatibilidad ABO/DR, fueron identicos en 13 casos (40%), compatibles en 17 (51%) e incompatibles en los 3 casos restantes (9%). Resultados Se efectuaron 33 trasplantes en 26 pacientes: 4 fueron retrasplantados por rechazo cronico, dos por fallo primario del injerto y un caso por rechazo hiperagudo. La mortalidad global fue del 46% (12 pacientes), y la causa mas frecuente de fallecimiento fue la infecciosa (50%). La supervivencia actuarial global fue del 68% al ano, del 63% a los 3 anos y del 59% a los 5 anos. Los factores de mal pronostico fueron la insuficiencia renal y respiratoria, el electroencefalograma grado D y los grados de encefalopatia III y IV; este ultimo fue el unico factor pronostico segun el analisis multivariante. Los factores pronosticos de mortalidad fueron los hallazgos de un electroencefalograma grado D, los grados de encefalopatia III y IV y la insuficiencia respiratoria; este ultimo fue el unico factor pronostico segun el analisis multivariante. Conclusiones La obtencion de buenos resultados con el empleo del trasplante en el abordaje del fracaso hepatico fulminante depende de una optima seleccion de los candidatos a trasplante, lo que implica la identificacion temprana de los mismos, esto es, precocidad en la indicacion del trasplante, reduccion del tiempo medio de espera y exclusion de aquellos con factores de mal pronostico.

Thrombosis of the portal-mesenteric axis is an infrequent cause of intestinal ischemia or infarction. In addition to the multiple acquired factors that contribute to the development of this entity, hereditary risk factors, especially the factor V Leiden mutation and the G20210A mutation of the prothrombin gene, have been implicated. The G20210A mutation of the prothrombin gene is found in up to 40% of patients with splenic-portal-mesenteric thrombosis. The present case illustrates the unusual and nonspecific presentation of this mutation in the form of diarrhea and images of thrombosis of the superior mesenteric-portal vein and cavernous transformation of the portal vein. Delayed diagnosis is highly frequent since the clinical signs, laboratory investigations and radiological tests do not suggest the diagnosis. The patient received anticoagulant treatment and showed clinical improvement with complete portal-mesenteric recanalization. Currently the diagnostic technique of choice is magnetic resonance angiography or computerized tomography angiography and treatment consists of indefinite anticoagulation. This case illustrates that an unusual or atypical localization of venous thrombosis may be a manifestation of thrombophilia, emphasizing the importance of genetic screening in these cases.

Medical treatment for fulminat hepatic failure seeks spontaneous recovery of the liver function, but the results are very discouraging (50-80% mortality). Liver transplantation is an option in patients with a poor evolution despite medical treatment, with survival rates of50%. The ideal moment for performing the transplant is controversial, as it should not be done too soon, when the liver disease is still reversible, or tool late, when the patient is in an irreversible clinical situation.A retrospective review was made of the clinical histories of 34 patients admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of fulminant hepatic failure, of whom 26 underwent transplantation. The most frequent cause was viral, with 10 cases (38%); no aetiology at all could be established in 11 cases (42%). Thirteen patients had preoperative complications, the most frequent being renal insufficiency. As for degree of ABO/DR compatibility, 13 cases were identical (40%), 17 compatible (51%) and the other 3 incompatible (9%).Thirty-three transplants were performed in 26 patients: 4 were retransplants due to chronic rejection, 2 for primary graft failure and 1 for hyperacute rejection. The overall mortality rate was 46% (12 patients), the most frequent cause of death being infection (50%). The overall actuarial survival rate was 68% at 1 year, 63% at 3 years and 59% at 5 years. The factors of poor prognosis were renal and respiratory insufficiency, a grade D electroencephalogram, and encephalopathy grades III and IV, the latter being the only prognostic factor identified in the multivariate analysis. The prognostic factors for mortality were a grade D electroencephalogram, encephalopathy grades III and IV and respiratory insufficiency, the latter being the only prognostic factor identified in the multivariate analysis.The achievement of good results with the use of transplantation in the management of fulminant hepatic failure depends on an optimum selection of transplant candidates, which means identifying them early, i.e. early indication for transplant, reduction in mean waiting time and exclusion of factors of poor prognosis.