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BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation is a complex and valuable therapy. However, complications that burden postoperative quality of life, such as incisional hernia, are to be better elucidated, such as risk factors and prophylactic measures. AIM: This study aimed to define the rate of incisional hernia in patients who underwent liver transplantation in a population in southern Brazil and to assess the related risk factors in order to establish measures for prior optimization and specific prophylactic care in the future. METHODS: Patients undergoing adult Liver transplantation from January 2004 to November 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, assessing demographic features, surgical outcomes, and predisposing factors. RESULTS: Among 261 liver transplantation patients included, incisional hernia was diagnosed in 71 (27.2%). Of the 71 incisional hernia patients, 28 (39.4%) developed IH during the first post-transplant. Majority of the patients were male (52/71, 73.2%); of the 71 patients, 52 had hepatitis C virus (HCV) and 33 (46.5%) had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Male gender (p=0.044), diabetes mellitus (p=0.008), and acute cellular rejection (p

BACKGROUND: Abdominal wall hernia is one of the most common surgical pathologies. The advent of minimally invasive surgery raised questions about the best technique to be applied, considering the possibility of reducing postoperative pain, a lower rate of complications, and early return to usual activities. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of open and laparoscopic hernioplasties in Brazil from 2008 to 2018, analyzing the rates of urgent and elective surgeries, mortality, costs, and the impact of laparoscopic surgical training on the public health system. METHODS: Nationwide data from 2008 to 2018 were obtained from the public health registry database (DATASUS) for a descriptive analysis of the selected data and parameters. RESULTS: 2,671,347 hernioplasties were performed in the period, an average of 242,850 surgeries per year (99.4% open, 0.6% laparoscopic). The economically active population (aged 20-59) constituted the dominant group (54.5%). There was a significant reduction (P

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal neoplasm of the digestive tract and has a wide variation in biological behavior; surgical resection remains the main form of treatment. AIM: This study aimed to analyze clinicopathological characteristics and survival of patients with GIST in a reference institution for oncological diseases. METHODS: An observational, longitudinal, and retrospective study of patients diagnosed with GIST from January 2011 to January 2020 was carried out by analyzing epidemiological and clinical variables, staging, surgical resection, recurrence, use of imatinib, and curves of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: A total of 38 patients were included. The majority (58%) of patients were males and the median age was 62 years. The primary organs that were affected by this tumor were stomach (63%) and small intestine (17%). Notably, 24% of patients had metastatic disease at diagnosis; 76% of patients received surgical treatment and 13% received neoadjuvant treatment; and 47% of patients received imatinib as adjuvant or palliative therapy. Tumor recurrence was 13%, being more common in the liver. The 5-year OS was 72.5% and DFS was 47.1%. The operated ones had better OS (87.1% vs. 18.5%) and DFS (57.1% vs. 14.3%) in 5 years. Tumor size ≥5 cm had no difference in OS at 5 years, but DFS was 24.6%, when compared with 92.3% of smaller tumors. Patients who were undergoing neoadjuvant therapy and/or using imatinib did not show any significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment with adequate margins allows the best gain in survival, and the use of imatinib in more advanced cases has prognostic equity with less advanced-stage tumors. Treatment of metastatic tumors seems promising, requiring further studies. RESUMO - RACIONAL: O Tumor estromal gastrointestinal (Gastrointestinal stromal tumor - GIST) é a neoplasia mesenquimal mais comum do trato digestivo, possui comportamento biológico variado e a principal forma de tratamento é a ressecção cirúrgica. OBJETIVO: analisar as características clínico-patológicas e a sobrevida de pacientes com GIST em uma instituição de referência para doenças oncológicas. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo observacional, longitudinal e retrospectivo de pacientes com diagnóstico de GIST de janeiro de 2011 a janeiro de 2020, analisando variáveis epidemiológicas e clínicas, estadiamento, ressecção cirúrgica, recidiva, uso de imatinibe e curvas de sobrevida global (SG) e sobrevida livre de doença (SLD). RESULTADOS: foram incluídos 38 pacientes, a maioria (58%) do sexo masculino, idade mediana de 62 anos. Os principais órgãos primários foram estômago (63%) e intestino delgado (17%). 24% tinham doença metastática ao diagnóstico. 76% receberam tratamento cirúrgico e 13% tratamento neoadjuvante. 47% dos pacientes receberam Imatinib como terapia adjuvante ou paliativa. A recorrência tumoral foi de 13%, mais comum no fígado. SG de 5 anos foi de 72,5% e SLD 47,1%. Os operados tiveram melhor SG (87,1% vs. 18,5%) e SLD (57,1% vs. 14,3%) em 5 anos. O tamanho do tumor igual ou maior que 5 cm não teve diferença na SG em 5 anos, mas SLD foi de 24,6%, em comparação com 92,3% dos tumores menores. Pacientes em terapia neoadjuvante e/ou em uso de imatinibe não apresentaram diferenças significativas. CONCLUSÕES: O tratamento cirúrgico com margens adequadas permite o melhor ganho de sobrevida, e o uso de Imatinibe em casos mais avançados tem equidade prognóstica com tumores em estágio menos avançado. O tratamento de tumores metastáticos parece promissor, necessitando de mais estudos.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of the topical liver hypothermia and IPC combination against I/R injury after initial reperfusion. METHODS: In 32 Wistar rats, partial liver ischemia was induced for 90 minutes in normothermia (IN), ischemic preconditioning (IPC), 26ºC topical hypothermia (H) and 26ºC topical hypothermia plus IPC (H+IPC). MAP, body temperature and bile flow were recorded each 15 minutes. Plasmatic injury markers and tissue antioxidant defenses were assessed after 120 minutes of reperfusion. RESULTS: MAP and body temperature remained constant during all experiment. Bile flow returned to levels similar to controls after 45 minutes of reperfusion in the H and H+IPC groups and increased significantly in comparison to the NI and IPC groups after 105 and 120 minutes. AST and ALT increased significantly in the normothermic groups in comparison to controls. TBARS levels decreased significantly in the H+IPC group in comparison to the other groups whereas Catalase levels increased significantly in the IPC group. SOD levels were significantly higher in the H group in comparison to all groups. CONCLUSION: The induction of 26ºC topical hypothermia associated or not to IPC protected the ischemic liver against ischemia/reperfusion injuries and allowed an early recovery of the hepatic function.OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos da hipotermia hepática tópica combinada ao pré-condicionamento isquêmico na proteção dos danos iniciais de isquemia e reperfusão. MÉTODOS: Trinta e dois ratos Wistar foram submetidos à isquemia hepática parcial durante 90 minutos em Normotermia (IN), Pré-condicionamento Isquêmico (IPC), Hipotermia a 26ºC (H) e Hipotermia a 26ºC mais PCI (H+PCI). A PAM, a temperatura corporal e o fluxo biliar foram aferidos em intervalos de 15 minutos. Marcadores plasmáticos de danos hepáticos e as defesas antioxidantes foram avaliados após 120 minutos de reperfusão. RESULTADOS: A PAM e a temperatura corporal permaneceram constantes durante o experimento. O fluxo biliar retornou a valores semelhantes ao grupo C nos grupos H e H+PCI após 45 minutos de reperfusão e aumentou significativamente nos grupos H e H+PCI em comparação aos grupos IN e PCI após 105 e 120 minutos. Os níveis plasmáticos da AST e ALT demonstraram aumento significativo no grupo IN em comparação ao grupo C. Os níveis de TBARS diminuíram significativamente no grupo H+PCI em comparação aos grupos IN, PCI e H. Os níveis de Catalase aumentaram significativamente no grupo PCI em comparação aos grupos C, IN e H+PCI. Os níveis de SOD foram significativamente maiores no grupo H em comparação aos grupos C, IN, PCI e H+PCI. CONCLUSÃO: A hipotermia tópica protegeu o fígado isquêmico contra os danos de isquemia e reperfusão e permitiu uma recuperação precoce da função hepática.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and body temperature changes in a new model of liver ischemia-reperfusion applying topical Hypothermia and Ischemic Preconditioning (IPC). METHODS: Rats (n= 32) were divided in 5 groups: Control (C), Normothermic Ischemia (NI), Ischemic Preconditioning (IPC), Hypothermia 26°C plus IPC (H+IPC) and Hypothermia 26°C (H). MAP and body temperature were recorded at 30 minutes intervals throughout the entire experiment. The study groups underwent 90 minutes partial hepatic ischemia followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion. The median and lateral left lobes were isolated and topical 26°C hypothermia was induced by superfusion of cooled saline solution in H+IPC and H groups. A 10 minutes protocol of ischemia and reperfusion was applied in the IPC and H+IPC groups before the major ischemic insult. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in MAP and body temperature means between the groups throughout the experiments. CONCLUSION: The present model allows the induction of topical hepatic hypothermia associated or not to IPC. New studies to evaluate the possible synergistic effects of these tools can be reproduced without significant changes in macrohemodynamics and body temperature, or in other words, under stable conditions.OBJETIVO: Avaliar as variações de temperatura corporal, pressão arterial média (PAM) em um novo modelo de isquemia e reperfusão hepático que utiliza Pré-condicionamento isquêmico e Hipotermia tópica. MÉTODOS: Ratos (n= 32) da raça Wistar foram divididos em 5 grupos: Controle (C), Isquemia normotérmica (IN), Hipotermia a 26°C (H), Pré-condicionamento isquêmico (PCI) e Hipotermia a 26°C com Pré-condicionamento isquêmico com hipotermia (H+PCI). As aferições da PAM e temperatura corporal foram realizadas em intervalos de 30 minutos. Os animais foram submetidos à isquemia hepática de 90 minutos e 120 minutos de reperfusão. Nos grupos H e H+PCI, o fígado foi isolado e resfriado por superfusão de solução fisiológica gelada. Nos grupos com PCI e H+PCI foram aplicados 10 minutos de isquemia e 10 minutos de reperfusão antes do insulto isquêmico maior. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença na PAM e temperatura corporal entre os grupos durante todo o experimento. CONCLUSÃO: O presente modelo permite a aplicação de hipotermia local associada ou não ao PCI. Novos estudos para avaliar os possíveis efeitos sinergísticos destas ferramentas podem ser reproduzidos sem alterações significativas na macrohemodinâmica e temperatura corporal, ou seja, sob condições estáveis.

Background: This study examined how reliable is the pre-trans- plant model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in predicting post- transplantation survival and analyzed variables associated with patient survival. Methods: A cohort study was conducted. Receiver operating characteristic curve c-statistics were used to determine the ability of MELD score to predict mortality. The Kaplan-Meier (KM) method was used to analyze survival as a function of time regarding the MELD score and Child- Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) category. The Cox model was employed to assess the association between baseline risk factors and mortality. Results: Recipients and donors were mostly male, with a mean age of 51.6 and 38.5 yr, respectively (n = 436 transplants). The c-statistic values for three-month patient mortality were 0.60 and 0.61 for MELD score and CTP category, respectively. KM survival at three, six and 12 months were lower in those who had a MELD score ‡21 or were CTP category C. Multivariate analysis revealed that recipient age ‡65 yr, MELD ‡ 21, CTP C category, bilirubin ‡ 7 mg/dL, creatinine ‡ 1.5 mg/dL, platelet transfusion, hepato- cellular carcinoma, and non-white color donor skin were predictors of mortality. Conclusions: Severe pre-transplant liver disease, age ‡ 65, non-white skin donor, and hepatocellular carcinoma are associated with poor outcome.

PURPOSE: The oxidative stress is an important mechanism responsible for dysfunction after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Glutathione (GSH) low levels after cold storage render the grafts vulnerable to reperfusion injury. Aim of this study was to evaluate GSH and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) liver concentrations, the hepatocellular injury and function in optimal and suboptimal grafts after human OLT. METHODS: Liver biopsies were taken in 33 patients before the implant and two hours after reperfusion, allowing determination of GSH, GSSG and oxidative stress ratio (GSH/GSSG). Serum transaminases, prothrombin activity (PT) and factor V were measured to evaluate injury and function respectively. Histopathological injury was analyzed by an index of five parameters. RESULTS: There was a decrease in GSH (pOBJETIVO: O estresse oxidativo é um importante mecanismo responsável pela disfunção dos enxertos após transplante de fígado (TF). Sabe-se que níveis baixos de Glutationa reduzida (GSH) deixam os enxertos vulneráveis aos danos de reperfusão. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as concentrações de GSH e da Glutationa oxidada (GSSG), os danos hepatocelulares e a função em enxertos ótimos e subótimos após TF. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas biópsias em 33 pacientes imediatamente antes do implante e duas horas após a reperfusão, permitindo a determinação do GSH, GSSG e o cálculo do índice de stress oxidativo (GSH/GSSG). Foram medidas as transaminases hepáticas e as atividades da Protrombina (TP) e do Fator V para avaliação dos danos hepatocelulares e da função do enxerto, respectivamente. O dano histopatológico foi avaliado através de um índice de cinco parâmetros. RESULTADOS: Houve uma diminuição nos níveis de GSH (p

Botryomycosis is a rare chronic granulomatous bacterial infection involving mostly the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The nomenclature is a misnomer as it is caused by true bacteria and not by fungus. This uncommon infection sometimes simulates neoplasia and actinomycosis. Staphylococcus aureus is the agent isolated in most cases, followed by Pseudomonas sp. cepas. The authors present an uncommon case of invasive umbilical Botriomycosis simulating an acute abdome. A combination of surgery and antibiotic therapy treatment was applied with complete resolution of the infection. More often seen in the skin, this is the first report of Botryomycosis affecting this site.