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SUMMARY The progression of certain primary esophageal motor disorders to achalasia has been documented; however, the true incidence of this decay is still elusive. This study aims to evaluate: (i) the incidence of the progression of diffuse esophageal spasm to achalasia, and (ii) predictive factors to this progression. Thirty-five patients (mean age 53 years, 80% females) with a manometric picture of diffuse esophageal spasm were followed for at least 1 year. Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease confirmed by pH monitoring or systemic diseases that may affect esophageal motility were excluded. Esophageal manometry was repeated in all patients. Five (14%) of the patients progressed to achalasia at a mean follow-up of 2.1 (range 1–4) years. Demographic characteristics were not predictive of transition to achalasia, while dysphagia (P= 0.005) as the main symptom and the wave amplitude of simultaneous waves less than 50 mmHg (P= 0.003) were statistically significant. In conclusion, the transition of diffuse esophageal spasm to achalasia is not frequent at a 2-year follow-up. Dysphagia and simultaneous waves with low amplitude are predictive factors for this degeneration.

Resumen El insulinoma es la neoplasia mas frecuente del grupo de tumores neuroendocrinos de pancreas. En el presente estudio se evaluaron los resultados clinicos e inmunohistoquimicos de 20 casos de pacientes tratados quirurgicamente desde enero de 1986 hasta diciembre de 2004. Se describio el cuadro clinico, los examenes de laboratorio e imageneologicos, y se hizo enfasis en los aspectos quirurgicos, las complicaciones y el seguimiento a medio y largo plazo. La cirugia se indico sobre la base de las evidencias clinicas y analiticas de hipoglucemia e hiperinsulinemia. En 15 pacientes se logro la localizacion previa de la lesion, en 5, su localizacion fue identificada durante la cirugia mediante la palpacion y a traves del ultrasonido intraoperatorio. Los procedimientos quirurgicos realizados con mas frecuencia fueron la reseccion pancreatica en la mitad de los pacientes y la enucleacion por laparotomia en la otra mitad. En 2 pacientes se utilizo la via laparoscopica. Dos presentaron tardiamente diabetes mellitus. La complicacion quirurgica mas frecuente fue la fistula pancreatica en 13 de los casos. No hubo mortalidad en la presente serie. En la totalidad de los pacientes se obtuvo la reversion clinica de los sintomas, caracterizada por la desaparicion de la triada de Whipple, ademas de la normalizacion o el aumento de los valores de glucemia, comparados con los valores del preoperatorio.

Because of the worse results from retransplantation in relation to the initial liver transplantation, there is a need to refine the indication for retransplantation, such that fair distribution of this benefit is obtained.This was a study of 139 patients who underwent liver retransplantation. Thirty variables were studied: 18 relating to the recipient and 12 to the donor. All the independent variables were initially compared with the length of survival using univariate analyses. Variables presenting significance were compared with the dependent variable of length of survival, to determine which factors were related to longer survival among patients, when evaluated together.A multivariate model for determining long-term survival among patients with retransplants was built up using the following variables: recipient's age, creatinine, urgency of retransplantation and early failure of the first graft. Through this multivariate model it was possible to determine a score that was categorized according to tertile distributions (below the 33rd percentile, score24; 33rd to 66th percentile, 24or = scoreor = 32; above the 66th percentile, score32). One-year, 3-year, and 5-year patient survival rates following retransplantation were respectively 85%, 82%, and 77% for scores24; 69%, 66%, and 61% for scores between 24 and 32; and 21%, 19%, and 16% for scores32 (P0.0001).The variables of recipient's age, creatinine, urgency of retransplantation, and early failure of the initial transplantation were factors that were independently related to the long-term survival of patients with liver retransplants.

OBJETIVO: Analisar o perfil dos principais centros de transplantes do Brasil, quanto às opções técnicas no transplante de pâncreas. MÉTODO: Foi encaminhado um questionário por correio eletrônico (email) para um membro de cada equipe de 12 centros de transplante do Brasil, com casuística mínima de um transplante de pâncreas. O questionário continha 10 perguntas, abordando aspectos controversos e não padronizados. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos centros (90,9%) utiliza incisão mediana. O órgão de escolha a ser implantado primeiro foi principalmente o rim, em 63% dos centros. Em relação à drenagem venosa, 90,9% utilizam a drenagem sistêmica. A ligadura da veia ilíaca interna é realizada em 54,5% dos centros. A maioria dos centros (90,9%) utiliza a drenagem entérica para transplante combinado pâncreas-rim. Para o transplante de pâncreas isolado, apenas cinco centros responderam, sendo que dois utilizam a drenagem entérica e três a vesical. A utilização de dreno na cavidade abdominal ocorre em 63% dos centros. Em 72,7% dos centros é realizada algum tipo de indução na imunossupressão para o transplante combinado pâncreas-rim, sendo a imunossupressão básica a associação de tacrolimus (FK506), micofenolato mofetil (MMF) e corticóide. A antibioticoprofilaxia é realizada por todos os centros e profilaxia para fungos é realizada por seis centros (54,5%). Oito centros (72,7%) utilizam algum tipo de profilaxia para trombose vascular, em esquemas diversos. CONCLUSÃO: Existem diversos caminhos técnicos na condução do transplante pancreático. A falta de padronização dificulta a análise e a comparação dos resultados. Apesar dessa heterogeneidade das equipes, observamos uma tendência para a realização de incisão mediana, drenagem venosa sistêmica e exócrina entérica, com a utilização de algum tipo de profilaxia para trombose vascular nos transplantes combinados pâncreas-rim. BACKGROUND: To analyze the profile of the most important Brazilian Transplant Centers regarding technical options in the pancreas transplant. METHODS: A query was sent by electronic mail for the 12 Brazilian Transplant Centers with at least one pancreas transplant performed. The query included ten questions approaching controversial and non-standard technical aspects. RESULTS: Midline abdominal incision is used in 90.9% of the Centers. The first organ to be implanted is the kidney in 63% of the Centers. Regarding the venous drainage, 90.9% perform systemic drainage. In 54.5% of the Centers the internal iliac vein is ligated. For combined pancreas-kidney transplant 90.9% of the teams perform enteric drainage. Five Centers answered about isolated pancreas transplant, two of them use enteric drainage and the other three prefer to utilize the bladder. 63% of the surgical teams use abdominal drain. 72.7% of the Centers adopt immunosupression induction for the combined pancreas-kidney transplant. The basic immunosuppression was an association between tacrolimus (FK506), and mofetil microfenolato (MMF), and corticoids. While antibiotic prophylaxis is performed in all the 12 Centers, fungus prophylaxis is routinely made in six of them. Eight Centers (72.7%) adopt vascular thrombosis prophylaxis by several different protocols. CONCLUSION: There are various technical medical protocols on how to conduct a pancreas transplant patient. The lack of homogeneity in the protocols makes it more difficult to analyze and compare the results. Nevertheless we can conclude that in combined pancreas-kidney transplant there is a preference towards midline abdominal incision, and vein systemic and enteric drainage, and vascular thrombosis prophylaxis.

O conhecimento da relação entre a veia cava inferior e o tecido hepático é fundamental para a sua abordagem durante a cirurgia hepática. Observa-se na literatura dados contraditórios. Objetivo: Pesquisar a sintopia da veia cava inferior, o número de veias confluentes para o contorno direito e a distância do segmento retro-hepático da veia cava inferior. Métodos: Foram estudados 38 fígados humanos, entre 13 e 98 anos de ambos sexos. Obtida a peça anatômica, era dissecada a veia cava inferior, observando-se a sua sintopia com o parênquima hepático. Foram obtidas medidas biométricas da veia cava inferior, como a medida do segmento retro-hepático e anotado o número de veias confluentes para o contorno lateral direito da veia cava inferior. Foi realizado estudo estatístico comparando os dados em relação ao sexo. Resultados: a sintopia do lobo caudado foi determinada como incompleta em 37 (97,4%) casos. A distância total da veia cava inferior em seu segmento retro-hepático foi em média 59,66 mm. O número de veias confluentes foi de 3,44 significantemente maior no sexo masculino (p = 0,027). Conclusões: A sintopia incompleta do lobo caudado é encontrada na maioria dos casos. Este fato facilita o acesso cirúrgico a veia cava inferior retro-hepática quando exposta pelo seu contorno lateral direito. Esta veia apresenta um segmento relativamente curto ocupando um sulco na parte posterior do fígado. Um pequeno número de veias confluem para o contorno direito, significantemente maior no sexo masculino. Deve o cirurgião preocupar-se com a dissecção da região devido a presença destes vasos e a possibilidade de sangramentos volumosos.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados do Protocolo de Atendimento de pacientes com diagnóstico de pancreatite aguda grave. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados, consecutivamente, a partir de janeiro de 2002, idade, sexo, etiologia, tempo de internação, tipo de tratamento e mortalidade de 37 pacientes portadores de pancreatite aguda grave. RESULTADOS: A idade dos pacientes variou de 20 a 88 anos (média de 50 anos); 27% foram do sexo feminino e 73% do masculino. O tempo médio global de internação foi 47 dias. Treze pacientes foram tratados cirurgicamente; a média de operações realizadas foi duas por paciente. Ocorreram seis óbitos dentre os pacientes submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico (46%) e dois óbitos no grupo submetido somente ao tratamento clínico (8,3%). A mortalidade global foi 21% CONCLUSÃO: Após a modificação na forma de abordagem dos pacientes com pancreatite aguda grave, houve diminuição da mortalidade e uma tendência para a conduta expectante. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of the Protocol for treatment of patients with severe acute pancreatitis. METHODS: We consecutively analyzed age, gender, etiology, length of hospital stay, type of treatment and mortality of 37 patients with severe acute pancreatitis from January 2002. RESULTS: The patients' ages ranged from 20 to 88 years (average 50 years), 27% were female and 73% male. Mean overall hospital stay was 47 days. Thirteen patients were treated surgically, the average operations per patient was two. There were six deaths among patients undergoing surgical treatment (46%) and two deaths in the group submitted to medical treatment alone (8.3%). The overall mortality was 21%. CONCLUSION: After modification in the form of management of patients with severe acute pancreatitis, there was a decrease in mortality and a trend for conservative management. Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM) Departamento de Cirurgia Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM) UNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de Cirurgia UNIFESP, EPM SciELO

Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Disciplina Gastroenterol Quirurg, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Las técnicas convencionales de resección pancreática para el tratamiento de enfermedades neoplásicas, en la mayoría de las veces implican la extirpación de segmentos extensos del parénquima pancreático, existiendo como eventuales complicaciones a largo plazo, el surgimiento de insuficiencia pancreática endocrina o exocrina. La pancreatectomía central se constituye en una alternativa de resección pancreática, que limita esta resección solamente al sector comprometido, especialmente en las neoplasias benignas o de bajo grado de malignidad. Presentamos las características clínicas, de imagen y la técnica empleada en dos pacientes, para el tratamiento quirúrgico de un tumor endocrino no funcionante y de un cistoadenoma seroso, localizados en el cuello del páncreas, mediante la pancreatectomía central.

Cystic duct duplication with a single gallbladder is one of the most uncommon abnormalities of the biliary tract, with fewer than 15 instances published. The authors describe a 49-year-old patient undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in whom a second cystic duct was found, initially misdiagnosed as the biliary tract. The cholecystectomy was performed successfully with the aid of intraoperative cholangiography. It is the first time a duplicated cystic duct has been treated successfully using a laparoscopic approach.

INTRODUÇÃO: Insulinoma é a neoplasia endócrina mais frequente dos tumores funcionantes do pâncreas. Origina-se a partir das células beta das ilhotas de Langerhans e caracteriza-se pela produção excessiva de insulina, com consequente hipoglicemia. O tratamento de escolha é a remoção cirúrgica da neoplasia. O presente relato tem como objetivo apresentar uma complicação metabólica pouco observada. RELATO DO CASO: Homem de 41 anos de idade há dois anos com tonturas, visão turva e convulsões. Os sintomas estavam bem relacionados com períodos prolongados de jejum e melhoravam com as refeições, e durante um dos episódios foi constatada a presença de hipoglicemia, melhorando os sintomas imediatamente após administração de glicose endovenosa. A pesquisa glicêmica revelou intensa hipoglicemia. Ultrassonografia, tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética de abdome não revelaram nenhum tipo de alterações no pâncreas. Com a hipótese diagnóstica de hiperglicemia orgânica por provável insulinoma, o paciente foi submetido à enucleação da lesão. No 5º dia do pós-operatório surgiu fístula pancreática e acidose metabólica com resolução satisfatória. O laudo histopatológico mostrou tumor endócrino de pâncreas de 1,5 cm. CONCLUSÃO: Todo paciente submetido à ressecção de insulinoma pancreático deve realizar o pós-operatório imediato em unidades de terapia intensiva, monitorando de forma rigorosa os níveis de glicemia como prevenção de acidose metabólica. INTRODUCTION: The insulinoma is the most frequent endocrine neoplasm among the functional pancreatic tumors. It originates in the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans and is characterized by the oversecretion of insulin, leading to hypoglycemia. The treatment of choice is the surgical excision of the tumor. The aim of the present report is to describe a rarely observed metabolic complication. CASE REPORT: The case is presented of a 41-year-old man with a 2-year history of dizziness, blurred vision and seizures. The symptoms were closely related to prolonged fasting and improved with eating; hypoglycemia was found during one of the episodes. Symptoms were relieved immediately after intravenous administration of glucose. Blood glucose workup showed severe hypoglycemia. Abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging did not show any alteration in the pancreas. With the diagnostic hypothesis of organic hypoglycemia from a likely insulinoma, the patient underwent the enucleation of the lesion. On the 5th postoperative day, a pancreatic fistula appeared, as well as metabolic acidosis which resolved satisfactorily. The histopathological report showed a 1.5-cm endocrine pancreatic tumor. CONCLUSION: Every patient submitted to pancreatic insulinoma resection should stay in an intensive care unit during the immediate postoperative period and their glycemic levels must be monitored closely to prevent metabolic acidosis.

To evaluate the effects of iodine contrast media and gadoteric acid in acute necrotizing pancreatitis.Fifty rabbits were distributed in 5 groups: 10 rabbits were assigned in the control group (group 5) and 40 rabbits were assigned in the pancreatitis group, wherein acute necrotizing pancreatitis was induced through retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate (1 mL/kg weight) in the main pancreatic duct. After 3 hours, they were randomized to receive endovenous iodinized nonionic contrast medium (group 1), iodinized ionic contrast medium (group 2), gadoteric acid (group 3), and physiological serum at 0.9% (group 4). Six hours after induction of pancreatitis, these animals were reoperated. During surgery, pancreatic tissue flow through laser Doppler, hematometric values, biochemistry, and histopathology analysis by hematoxylin and eosin were done. Statistical analysis using Kruskal-Wallis, Fisher-Freeman-Halton, and parametric t tests was performed.There was statistical significance when comparing tissue flow before and after induction of pancreatitis (P0.0001). Ionic and nonionic contrast media and gadoteric acid did not increase the grade of pancreatic necrosis (P0.05).Ionic and nonionic contrast media and gadoteric acid did not produce adverse effects in the present model of acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

In this paper, the authors evaluate if the use of a venous drainage system in the cava vein (instead of the external iliac vein) presents differences in pancreatic transplantation. Between December 2000 and 2004, 105 pancreas-kidney transplants were performed. Patients in group A (n=49) underwent complete liberation of the right iliac vein for venous drainage. In group B (n=56), the venous drainage system was placed in the cava vein or in the confluence. Analyzed clinical parameters included: insulin replacement, vascular thrombosis in the graft, intraabdominal collections, graft loss, reoperation, and deaths. When compared to the external iliac vein, venous drainage to the cava vein did not result in significant differences. Venous drainage to the cava vein is a valuable alternative when the right iliac fossa has been previously approached. It is a practical, rapid procedure and it is not necessary to expose the internal iliac vein.

Carcinoma of the papilla of Vater is classified as periampullary cancer representing 5% of all gastrointestinal tract malignancies. Early and accurate diagnosis is important for those patients with a tumor of the papilla, as the prognosis is more favorable than in other periampullary neoplasms. Endoscopically obtained biopsies from suspicious papillae can detect an early tumor, although even for skilled pathologists it is often difficult to differentiate carcinomas from noninvasive lesions on the basis of forceps biopsies. The purpose of this study was to assess the preoperative diagnostic accuracy of duodenoscopy appearance and biopsy in all cases with suspicion of tumor. Thirty patients with suspicion of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater and with final diagnosis established by pancreatoduodenectomy were included in this retrospective study. In each case, a comparison was made between endoscopic biopsy and duodenoscopic appearance. Duodenoscopic appearance sensitivity and accuracy for malignancy were 86% and 83%, respectively, whereas endoscopic biopsy sensitivity and accuracy were 65% and 67%, respectively. Although preoperative diagnosis of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater is useful for making therapeutic decisions, the diagnostic value of the endoscopic appearance was superior to endoscopic biopsy in this series.

Background. Belzer solution is considered to be the best preservation media used for pancreas transplantation; however, its high cost accounts for approximately 14.5% of all resources allocated by the Brazilian government toward each pancreatic transplant. The objective of the present study was to test a reduction of Belzer solution during pancreas harvest, thereby lowering procedural cost. Methods. The patients received pancreas-kidney transplantations during the period from January 2003 to August 2004. Patients were divided into two groups. Patients assigned to Group A (n=30) received only Belzer solution (2 L through the aorta artery), whereas patients in Group B (n= 16) were perfused first with 1 L of Eurocollins solution followed by 1 L of Belzer solution. The two groups were assessed for differences in the following clinical parameters: the need for insulin replacement or antifungal and anticytomegalovirus treatment, pancreatitis, acute cellular rejection, graft vascular thrombosis, fistulas, intra-abdominal collection, graft loss, deaths, pancreatic ischemia time, and average hospitalization time. Results. No statistically significant differences were observed in any of the parameters analyzed (P

Objective The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in the diagnosis of biliary tract complications (BC) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Materials and methods Among 21 OLT patients who underwent routine follow-up MRC using a breath-hold T2-weighted turbo spin-echo sequence with half-Fourier acquisition (HASTE), 5 had an elevated serum alkaline phosphatase level. Diagnostic confirmation was obtained with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) (n = 11), surgery (n = 3), or clinical and laboratory follow-up of at least 1 year (n = 8). Results In 13 patients, no abnormality of the biliary tract was detected using MRC. In 8 patients, anastomotic strictures were diagnosed, 7 of which were confirmed at surgery or using ERC. One patient with normal findings at MRC and abnormal liver function test results was found to have a stricture at ERC. All patients with normal MRC and liver function tests had 1 year of uneventful follow-up and were considered true-negative cases. We found that MRC had 87.5% sensitivity, 92.3% specificity, 87.5% positive predictive value, 92.3% negative predictive value, and 90.4% accuracy for the diagnosis of BC. Conclusion MRC is a valuable examination to detect BC after OLT. It provides useful information for planning interventional procedures.

RACIONAL: O insulinoma é uma neoplasia que pertence ao grupo de tumores neuroendócrinos do pâncreas; embora raro, é o mais freqüente entre eles. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados clínico e imunohistoquímico de doentes com insulinoma de pâncreas submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Foram detalhados o quadro clínico, exames laboratoriais e de imagem, dando ênfase aos aspectos cirúrgicos, complicações e acompanhamento, a médio e longo prazos, de 12 doentes portadores de insulinoma. A cirurgia foi indicada para todos, com base nas evidências clínicas e laboratoriais de hipoglicemia e hiperinsulinemia. RESULTADOS: Em sete doentes conseguiu-se a localização prévia da lesão; em cinco, sua localização foi identificada durante a cirurgia mediante palpação e através do ultra-som intra-operatório. O procedimento mais freqüentemente utilizado foi a ressecção pancreática em oito doentes. A complicação cirúrgica mais freqüente foi a fístula pancreática, observada em sete doentes. Dois apresentaram tardiamente diabetes mellitus. Não houve mortes na presente casuística. CONCLUSÃO: Na totalidade dos doentes obteve-se a reversão clínica dos sintomas, caracterizada pelo desaparecimento da tríade de Whipple, além de normalização ou aumento dos níveis de glicemia, quando comparados aos valores do pré-operatório. BACKGROUND: Despite its rarity, the insulinoma is the most common pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. OBJECTIVE: Analyze clinical and immunohistochemical data from surgical resection of the pancreas insulinoma. METHOD: Twelve cases are described, concerning surgical aspects, complications and medium-long term outcome of patients. They underwent surgical treatment due to clinical suspicion and biochemical diagnosis of hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinism. RESULTS: The insulinoma was identified preoperatively in seven patients, while intraoperative ultrasonography and palpation were necessary for diagnosis in the other cases. Eight patients underwent pancreatic resection and pancreatic leak was observed in seven cases. Two patients developed diabetes mellitus and no mortality occurred in the current series. CONCLUSION: All patients presented satisfactory outcome and remained asymptomatic with normal glicemia levels.

OBJETIVO: Estudar a anatomia funcional do fígado, sua segmentação, tendo como referência às estruturas vasculares, venosas, no interior do parênquima. MÉTODOS: Dissecção em fígados de cadáveres recentes, identificando, na intimidade dos órgãos, os pedículos portais e as veias hepáticas, definindo, assim, os segmentos hepáticos ou unidades funcionais do fígado. RESULTADOS: Caracterização anatômica dos segmentos hepáticos, em número de 8, suas estruturas vasculares aferentes e eferentes, orientando ressecções anatômicas, regradas, preservando a vitalidade e função dos segmentos remanescentes. CONCLUSÃO: O conhecimento da anatomia funcional do fígado, baseada na sua segmentação, constitui a base para a moderna cirurgia hepática. PURPOSE: The aim of this article is to sudy the functional anatomy of the liver and its segmentation, based on vascular (venous) structures in the parenquima. METHODS: Liver dissection in recent cadavers, identifying the portal pedicles and hepatic veins, which define the liver segments or its functional units. RESULTS: Anatomic caracterization of the eight liver segments, its afferent and efferent vascular structures, in order to guide anatomical resections that preserve the function and irrigation of the remaining segments. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of functional anatomy of the liver, based on its segmentation, is the basis of the modern hepatic surgery.

UNIFESP-EPM Departamento de Cirurgia UNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de Cirurgia SciELO

Intestinal complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy are rare and usually caused by direct injury sustained on trocar insertion. However, intestinal ischaemia has been reported as an unusual complication of the pneumoperitoneum. We describe a 55-years-old patient who underwent an uneventful laparoscopic cholecystectomy after an episode of acute cholecystitis. Initial recovery was complicated by development of increasing abdominal pain which led to open laparotomy on day 2. Gangrene of the distal ileum and right-sided colon was detected and small bowel resection with right colectomy and primary anastomosis was performed. Histological examination of the resected ileum showed features of venous hemorragic infarction and trombosis. In view of the proximity of the operation it is assumed that ileal ischaemia was precipitated by carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum. Some studies have been demonstrated that, within 30 minutes of establishing a pneumoperitoneum at an intraabdominal pressure of 16 mmHg, cardiac output, blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery and portal vein decrease progressively. Carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum may lead to mechanical compression of the splanchnic veins and mesenteric vasoconstriction as a result of carbon dioxide absortion. The distribution of the ischaemic segment of intestine is also unusual as the most precarious blood supply is traditionally at the splenic flexure of the colon. It has been suggested that intermittent decompression of the abdomen reduces the risk of mesenteric ischaemia during penumoperitoneum especially in patients with predisposing clinical features for arteriosclerosis intestinal. In present patient was observed intestinal venous infarction what remains unclear but we think the carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum have been related to it.

Primary hepatic carcinosarcoma is a rare malignant hepatic tumor containing both carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements. A 40-year-old man referred to our liver transplant team because of hepatic cirrhosis was on the waiting list, having undergone all liver tests, ultrasonography, and with normal serum alpha fetoprotein markers every 6 months to search for a tumor. He underwent a liver transplantation without complication. The pathologic findings of the original liver indicated carcinosarcoma. We have reviewed the literature on this subject.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical and microbiological characteristics of the infectious complications among simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantations (SPKT). Materials and methods. Among the first 45 SPKT the mean age was 34 years (range, 21 to 49) and the mean duration of follow-up 13 months (range, 2 to 27 months). Results: Twenty-three patients (51%) presented at least one to three episodes (1.7 mean) of infectious complications that needed hospitalization. The etiology of the infections included 71% bacterial (44% gram-negative rods and 27% gram-positive cocci), 16% viral (12% from CMV and 4% from Herpes sp) and 13% fungal (8% by Candida sp and 4% by others fungus). Wound and urinary infections were most frequent, occurring in 22% and 28% of the patients, respectively. All patients who were submitted to vesical drainage developed infections in contrast a rate of only 44% among patients undergoing enteric drainage. Conclusion: Infectious complications are the main cause of morbidity and mortality following simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation, especially with vesical drainage. The use of enteric drainage combined with administration of broad spectrum prophylactic antibiotics is recommended.