Camila Couto Gomes

Laparoscopy grading system of acute appendicitis: new insight for future trials.

Background: The mini-invasive techniques have revolutionized the surgery; however, the superiority of laparoscopic access for complicated appendicitis is still controversial. The most critical point has been the dismal quality of the methodology found in the series comparing laparoscopic and laparotomic procedures. The lack of stratification criteria to evaluate the inflammation in the appendix and abdomen has been pointed out by several authors. Purpose: To validate the laparoscopic grading system for acute appendicitis. Methods: Prospective study of 186 patients with presumed acute appendicitis who underwent an appendectomy if diagnostic laparoscopy showed appendicitis or normal-looking appendix without any other intra-abdominal disease. The appendix was graded as to different levels based upon its visual appearance: grade 0 (normal looking), 1 (redness and edema), 2 (fibrin), 3A (segmental necrosis), 3B (base necrosis), 4A (abscess), 4B (regional peritonitis), and 5 (diffuse peritonitis). This was then compared with a histologic assessment of the removed appendix supplemented by a biochemical study of collected peritoneal fluid (gold standard) to determine the diagnostic indexes. Besides that, the &kgr; coefficient confirmed concordance between them. Results: Laparoscopic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for acute appendicitis diagnosis were 100%, 63.3%, and 84.1%, respectively, and presented substantial concordance [&kgr;=0.74 (95% confidence interval, 0.60-0.88)]. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the laparoscopic grading system were 63%, 83.3%, and 80.1%, respectively, and presented moderate concordance [&kgr;=0.39 (95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.55)]. The biochemical-histologic grading system changed for 48 (25.8%) patients who had been previously classified by surgeons during laparoscopy. Most incorrect graduation occurred in grades 0 and 1. The presence of exudates was confirmed in all cases classified as grades 4A, 4B, and 5. Conclusions: Laparoscopy showed good to excellent accuracy for diagnosis and grading of acute appendicitis. The better grading system allowed the evaluation of patients with acute appendicitis in the same clinical stage.

The appendiceal stump closure during laparoscopy: historical, surgical, and future perspectives.

During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the closure of the appendiceal stump is an important step because of postoperative complications from its inappropriate management. The development of life-threatening events such as stercoral fistulas, postoperative peritonitis, and sepsis is feared and unwanted. The tactical modification of the appendiceal stump closure with a single endoligature, replacing the invaginating suture, adjusted very well to laparoscopic appendectomy, and nowadays is the procedure of choice, whenever possible. Among the alternatives that do not make use of an invaginating suture, studies advocate the use of an endostapler, endoligature (endo-loop), metal clips, bipolar endocoagulation, and polymeric clips. All alternatives have advantages and disadvantages against the different clinical stages of acute appendicitis, and it should be noted that the different forms of appendiceal stump closure have never been assessed in prospective randomized studies. Knowledge about and appropriate use of all of them are important for a safe and more cost-effective procedure.

Acute appendicitis: proposal of a new comprehensive grading system based on clinical, imaging and laparoscopic findings.

Advances in the technology and improved access to imaging modalities such as Computed Tomography and laparoscopy have changed the contemporary diagnostic and management of acute appendicitis. Complicated appendicitis (phlegmon, abscess and/ or diffuse peritonitis), is now reliably distinguished from uncomplicated cases. Therefore, a new comprehensive grading system for acute appendicitis is necessary. The goal is review and update the laparoscopic grading system of acute appendicitis and to provide a new standardized classification system to allow more uniform patient stratification. During the last World Society of Emergency Surgery Congress in Israel (July, 2015), a panel involving Acute Appendicitis Experts and the author’s discussed many current aspects about the acute appendicitis between then, it will be submitted a new comprehensive disease grading system. It was idealized based on three aspect of the disease (clinical and imaging presentation and laparoscopic findings). The new grading system may provide a standardized system to allow more uniform patient stratification for appendicitis research. In addition, may aid in determining optimal management according to grade. Lastly, what we want is to draw a multicenter observational study within the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) based on this design.

Lessons Learned With Laparoscopic Management of Complicated Grades of Acute Appendicitis

Background Laparoscopy has not been consolidated as the approach of first choice in the management of complicated appendicitis. Methodological flaws and absence of disease stratification criteria have been implicated in that less evidence. The objective is to study the safe and effectiveness of laparoscopy in the management of complicated appendicitis according to laparoscopic grading system. Method From January 2008 to January 2011, 154 consecutive patients who underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated appendicitis were evaluated in the prospective way. The patient’s age ranged from 12 to 75 years old (31.7 ± 13.3) and 58.3% were male. Complicated appendicitis refers to gangrenous and/or perforated appendix and were graded as 3A (segmental necrosis), 3B (base necrosis), 4A (abscess), 4B (regional peritonitis) and 5 (diffuse peritonitis). The outcomes including operative time, infection complication, operative complications and conversion rate were chosen to evaluate the procedure. Results The grade 3A was the most frequent with 50 (32.4%) patients. The mean operative time was 69.4 ± 26.3 minutes. The grade 4A showed the highest mean operative time (80.1 ± 26.7 minutes). The wound and intra-abdominal infection rates were 2.6 and 4.6%, respectively. The base necrosis was the most important factor associated with the conversion (5.2%). The grades 4A and 5 were associated with greater possibility of intra-abdominal collection. There were no operative complications. Conclusion The laparoscopic management of all complicated grades of acute appendicitis is safe and effective and should be the procedure of first choice. The laparoscopic grading system allows us to assess patients in the same disease stage.

Laparoscopic Management of Mobile Cecum.

Background and Objectives: The mobile cecum is an embryologic abnormality and has been associated with functional colon disease (chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome). However, unlike functional disease, the primary treatment is operative, using laparoscopic cecopexy. We compare the epidemiology and pathophysiology of mobile cecum syndrome and functional colon disease and propose diagnostic and treatment guidelines. Method: This study was a case–control series of 15 patients who underwent laparoscopic cecopexy. Age, gender, recurrent abdominal pain, and constipation based on Rome III criteria were assessed. Ileocecal–appendiceal unit displacement was graded as follows: I (cecum retroperitoneal or with little mobility); II (wide mobility, crossing the midline); and III (maximum mobility, reaching the left abdomen). Patients with Grades II and III underwent laparoscopic cecopexy. The clinical outcomes were evaluated according to modified Visicks criteria, and postoperative complications were assessed according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Results: The mean age was 31.86 ± 12.02 years, and 13 patients (86.7%) were women. Symptoms of constipation and abdominal pain were present in 14 (93.3%) and 11 (73.3%), respectively. Computed tomography was performed in 8 (53.3%) patients. The mean operative time was 41 ± 6.66 min. There were no postoperative infections. One (7.8%) patient was classified as Clavien Dindo IIIb and all patients were classified as Visick 1 or 2. Conclusion: Many patients with clinical and epidemiological features of functional colon disease in common in fact have an anatomic anomaly, for which the treatment of choice is laparoscopic cecopexy. New protocols should be developed to support this recommendation.

Acute calculous cholecystitis: Review of current best practices

Acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) is the most frequent complication of cholelithiasis and represents one-third of all surgical emergency hospital admissions, many aspects of the disease are still a matter of debate. Knowledge of the current evidence may allow the surgical team to develop practical bedside decision-making strategies, aiming at a less demanding procedure and lower frequency of complications. In this regard, recommendations on the diagnosis supported by specific criteria and severity scores are being implemented, to prioritize patients eligible for urgency surgery. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the best treatment for ACC and the procedure should ideally be performed within 72 h. Early surgery is associated with better results in comparison to delayed surgery. In addition, when to suspect associated common bile duct stones and how to treat them when found are still debated. The antimicrobial agents are indicated for high-risk patients and especially in the presence of gallbladder necrosis. The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and in some cases with antifungal agents is related to better prognosis. Moreover, an emerging strategy of not converting to open, a difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy and performing a subtotal cholecystectomy is recommended by adept surgical teams. Some authors support the use of percutaneous cholecystostomy as an alternative emergency treatment for acute Cholecystitis for patients with severe comorbidities.

Giant Cutaneous Horn in Afro-Brazilian Descendent Patient: Case Report and Literature Review

Cutaneous horn is the clinical diagnosis of hyperproliferation of compact keratin in the epidermis. It is presented as a conical projection of hyperkeratotic skin, often yellowish, which can be straight, curved or twisted and occurs in response to benign or malignant structural changes in the skin. Found most frequently in Caucasian, its giant clinical form is less common, especially in African-descendent patients. We report the case of a giant cutaneous horn in a female, 41 years old, Afro-Brazilian descendent patient, who has arrived at the dermatology ambulatory with a horn-like tumor located in the right parietal scalp with two years of evolution. She underwent to the surgical resection with a safety margin of 0.5cm and partial approximation of the skin flaps to allow healing by secondary intention. Histopathology has shown a completed excised lesion, diagnosed as cutaneous horn, over an area of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The patient has an uneventful recovery. A review of literature about the issue was undertaken and aspects of its epidemiology, associated disease, biologic behavior and treatment are discussed.

Metastatic and Synchronous Melanoma in the Testicle and Paratesticular Region

Background: Metastatic tumors of the testicles are rare (0.8%) and preferably located in the testicular parenchyma or, much more rarely, in the para-testicular region. The melanoma of the skin represents the third primary site of metastases and the patients may present with increased scrotum volume, heterogeneous testicle mass beside local pain and tenderness. Objective: To show the rare case of metastatic and synchronous melanoma in the testicle and para-testicular region. Description of the case: Case reports of a 74-year-old male patient who was undergone an extended acral melanoma resection in the left calcaneus. The micro stage showed Clark level IV and Breslow depth of 3 mm. The treatment was complemented with homolateral inguinal-iliac lymphadenectomy. Three years later a crossed metastasis was diagnosed in the opposite inguinal region that required another lymphadenectomy. The patient developed a perineal lymphedema that was managed clinically. He was then carried to oncologist who starts high-dose interferon per one year as adjuvant therapy. Two years later, the patient showed an increased size and irregularity of the right testicle along with pain and loss of elasticity. An ultrasound confirmed an increased testicle diameter and increased vascularization associated with parenchyma heterogeneity. The measurements of LDH, alpha-fetoprotein and βHCG were normal. A staging computed tomography scans showed bilateral pulmonary nodules and increased diameter of periaortic lymph nodes representative of metastatic disease. A radical right orchiectomy via the inguinal route was then expedited. The histopathology diagnosed synchronous metastatic melanoma in the testicle and paratesticular region. Conclusion: The presence of a testicular mass in patients with previous clinical history of melanoma represents a warning sign. It should be considered a metastatic disease at first time and an accurate diagnostic restage is mandatory.

A importância da linfocintilografia no tratamento do carcinoma de células de Merkel

O carcinoma de Celulas de Merkel constitui neoplasia cutânea maligna, rara e grave, de origem neuroendocrina, com comprometimento linfonodal em metade dos pacientes e metastases disseminadas em 20% quando do diagnostico anatomopatologico. Seu tratamento nao esta completamente estabelecido, entretanto a pesquisa do linfonodo sentinela vem sendo considerada indispensavel e pode trazer beneficios na conducao terapeutica dos pacientes.

Uso de adesivos teciduais em cirurgia digestiva

BACKGROUND: Despite refinements in the field of gastrointestinal surgery, anastomotic leakage still remains a serious problem associated with substantial morbidity and mortality and is the fearest life threatening complication in digestive surgery. To prevent or reduce these complications, a diversity of line reinforcement techniques have been investigated and several adjunctive measures have been developed. AIM: To review the data associated with the application of adhesives in digestive surgery procedures. METHOD: Review of papers available at Medline/Pubmed database using the follow headings: adhesive, gastrointestinal tract, surgical anastomosis, fistula. It was chosen recent articles on the subject which showed adhesives as strategy to reduce morbidity and mortality related to digestive surgery. CONCLUSION: Tissue adhesives appears to be safe in the clinical setting and are been used with increasing frequency in a variety of surgical field for its unique hemostatic and adhesive abilities, gaining increasing acceptance among surgeons. Studies suggest that surgical adhesive can be useful to reinforce and improve intestinal anastomotic healing, increase anastomotic bursting pressures and tensile strength. The potentially harmful tissue effects of the preparations might compromise the use of these substances. Because of the heterogeneity and lack of high level evidence, new studies have to be performed.