Cláudio Moura Lacerda

Needlescopic clipless cholecystectomy as an efficient, safe, and cost-effective alternative with diminutive scars: the first 1000 cases.

Background The advent of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS), surgery without skin scarring, is now challenging every surgeon to improve the esthetic results for patients. Minilaparoscopic cholecystectomy (MLC) represents a refinement in laparoscopic surgery, potentially as cosmetically effective as NOTES. Nevertheless, because of the increased cost and difficulty in managing the equipment, it has not been widely accepted among surgeons. Objective To report modifications of the minilaparoscopic technique that make it possible to conduct needlescopic procedures safely and effectively, thereby, considerably reducing costs and promoting the dissemination of this operation. Method One thousand consecutive patients who underwent MLC were analyzed, from January 2000 to May 2009 (78.7% women; average age 45.9 y). Surgical technique: after performing the pneumoperitoneum at the umbilical site, 4 trocars were inserted; 2 of 2 mm, 1 of 3 mm, and 1 of 10 mm in diameter, through which a laparoscope was inserted. Neither the 3-mm laparoscope, nor clips, nor manufactured endobags were used. The cystic artery was safely sealed by electrocautery near the gallbladder neck and the cystic duct was sealed with surgical knots. Removal of the gallbladder was carried out, in an adapted bag made with a glove wrist, through the 10-mm umbilical site. Results The operative time was 43 minutes. The average hospital stay was 16 hours. There was no conversion to open surgery; 2.8% of patients underwent conversion to standard (5 mm) laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of difficulties with the procedure; there were 1.9% minor umbilical site infections and 1.0% umbilical herniations. There was no mortality; no bowel injury, no bile duct injury, and no postoperative hemorrhage, only 1 patient with Luschkas duct bile leakage needed a reoperation. Conclusions The MLC technique shows no differences in risks as compared with other laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures. It also entails a considerable reduction in cost, and, as it does not use the 3-mm laparoscope or disposable materials, it is possible to perform MLC on a larger number of patients. Owing to the near invisibility of scars, MLC may also be considered as cosmetically effective as NOTES and SILS.

Orthotopic Liver Transplantation Without Venovenous Bypass Using the Conventional and Piggyback Techniques

INTRODUCTION Orthotopic liver transplantation is a widely used procedure for the treatment of irreversible liver diseases for which there is no possibility of medical treatment. When this procedure is performed by the conventional technique, the retrohepatic vena cava is removed along with the native liver. The inferior vena cava (IVC) remains clamped until the revascularization of the graft, and in this period there is a reduction in the venous return, which may induce a fall by up to 50% in the cardiac output with hemodynamic instability and a fall in renal perfusion pressure. The use of a portal-femoral-axillary venovenous bypass system, in which the blood from the femoral and portal veins returns to the heart via the axillary vein propelled by a centrifugal pump, is intended to minimize the effects of the IVC clamping. In the piggyback (PB) technique, the native liver is removed and the IVC of the recipient is preserved and only partially clamped. We have employed both techniques without the use of venovenous bypass for 10 years. The objective of this study was to compare the results obtained from the use of the two techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed of 195 patients transplanted between 1999 and 2008: 125 by the conventional technique and 70, the PB technique. The intraoperative parameters were analyzed (surgical time, ischemia time, use of blood products, and diuresis), as well as intensive care support (duration of stay in intensive care unit and use of vasoactive drugs), period of intubation, length of hospital stay, renal function, graft function, postoperative complications, retransplantation, and patient survival. RESULTS The PB group showed a reduction in surgical time, warm ischemia time, the use of packed red blood cells concentrates, and fresh frozen plasma, as well as mortality at 30 days (P<.05). There were no differences in relation to cold ischemia time, intraoperative diuresis; length of stay and use of vasoactive drugs in the intensive care unit; the period of intubation; the duration of hospital stay; the renal function; the graft function; the need for reoperation; the incidence of sepsis, biliary complications, vascular complications; need for retransplantation; and 1-year mortality. The cumulative survival rate at 1 year was significantly better among the PB patients. CONCLUSION Orthotopic liver transplantation can be performed without venovenous bypass with good results, using either the conventional technique or the PB technique. Provided that there is no technical contraindication and a long ischemia period is not foreseen, the PB technique should be the technique of choice.

Impact of MELD allocation policy on survival outcomes after liver transplantation: a single-center study in northeast Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) allocation policy on survival outcomes after liver transplantation (LT). INTRODUCTION: Considering that an ideal system of grafts allocation should also ensure improved survival after transplantation, changes in allocation policies need to be evaluated in different contexts as an evolutionary process. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out among patients who underwent LT at the University of Pernambuco. Two groups of patients transplanted before and after the MELD allocation policy implementation were identified and compared using early postoperative mortality and post‐LT survival as end‐points. RESULTS: Overall, early postoperative mortality did not significantly differ between cohorts (16.43% vs. 8.14%; p = 0.112). Although at 6 and 36‐months the difference between pre‐ vs. post‐MELD survival was only marginally significant (p = 0.066 and p = 0.063; respectively), better short, medium and long‐term post‐LT survival were observed in the post‐MELD period. Subgroups analysis showed special benefits to patients categorized as non‐hepatocellular carcinoma (non‐HCC) and moderate risk, as determined by MELD score (15‐20). DISCUSSION: This study ensured a more robust estimate of how the MELD policy affected post‐LT survival outcomes in Brazil and was the first to show significantly better survival after this new policy was implemented. Additionally, we explored some potential reasons for our divergent survival outcomes. CONCLUSION: Better survival outcomes were observed in this study after implementation of the MELD criterion, particularly amongst patients categorized as non‐HCC and moderate risk by MELD scoring. Governmental involvement in organ transplantation was possibly the main reason for improved survival.

Resposta terapêutica e inflamatória de ratos com peritonite secundária submetidos ao uso tópico de ampicilina/sulbactam

OBJETIVOS: A peritonite aguda representa uma importante causa de sepsis e obito nas unidades de terapia intensiva e cirurgia. Classicamente o seu tratamento deve incluir: a administracao sistemica de antibioticos, a remocao mecânica dos contaminantes e a restauracao da integridade gastrintestinal. A utilizacao de antibioticos diretamente na cavidade peritoneal e controversa. Estudo com o objetivo de avaliar o uso terapeutico, intraperitoneal da ampicilina associada ao sulbactam. METODOS: foram mensurados os niveis plasmaticos do oxido nitrico, bem como a contagem de eosinofilos, linfocitos, monocitos e neutrofilos no sangue e no lavado peritoneal, utilizando-se modelo de peritonite em ratos (ligadura-transfixacao cecal). Vinte quatro ratos Wistar, machos, foram divididos em quatro grupos de seis animais, assim distribuidos: grupo A: metodo de inducao de peritonite - soltura da ligadura + tratamento com soro fisiologico; grupo B: metodo de inducao de peritonite + soltura da ligadura + tratamento com soro fisiologico acrescido de ampicilina / sulbactam; grupo C: metodo de inducao de peritonite + soltura da ligadura-transfixacao cecal; e grupo D: laparatomia para realizacao de lavado peritoneal mais coleta de sangue. A ligadura-transfixacao do cecum permaneceu por 24 horas, antes do tratamento instaurado. Foi realizada uma relaparotomia nos 18 ratos com coleta de liquido de lavado peritoneal e sangue. Foram dosados os niveis plasmaticos de oxido nitrico e determinado o numero de eosinofilos, linfocitos, monocitos e neutrofilos no sangue e no lavado peritoneal. RESULTADOS: Nao ocorreu diferenca estatisticamente significante (p > 0,05) nos niveis de oxido nitrico, bem como no numero de eosinofilos, linfocitos, monocitos e neutrofilos no sangue e no lavado peritoneal, entre os grupos. CONCLUSAO: Neste estudo, concluiu-se que: a utilizacao de ampicilina associada a sulbactam por via intraperitoneal nos ratos com peritonite fecal: nao modificou a sobrevida; nao alterou os niveis plasmaticos de oxido nitrico; nao alterou a contagem de eosinofilos, linfocitos, monocitos e neutrofilos tanto no sangue como no lavado peritoneal.

Esplenectomia e ligadura da veia gástrica esquerda na esquistossomose mansônica: efeitos sobre pressão das varizes do esôfago e indicadores endoscópicos de risco de sangramento por varizes esofagogástricas

BACKGROUND A significant number of patients with schistosomiasis develop the hepatosplenic form, with portal hypertension, in which bleeding caused by rupture of esophagogastric varices emerged as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. AIM To investigate the effects of splenectomy and ligature of the left gastric vein on risk factors for bleeding of esophagogastric varices in patients with schistosomiasis mansoni, hepatosplenic form, with a history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. METHODS The main risk factors of bleeding from esophagogastric varices were studied in 34 patients. The following parameters were investigated: 1) esophageal variceal pressure, measured by the endoscopic pneumatic balloon technique; 2) size, fundamental color, extension and red signs of esophageal varices, gastric varices and gastropathy of portal hypertension. The evaluations were performed in the preoperative period, immediate postoperative period (between the sixth and eighth postoperative days) and the sixth month of follow-up. RESULTS The variceal pressure has fallen from 22.3+/-2.6 mmHg before surgery to 16.0+/-3.0 mmHg in the immediate postoperative period (p<0.001), reaching 13.3+/- 2.6 mmHg in the sixth month of follow-up. A significant reduction of the frequency of the parameters associated with a greater risk of hemorrhage was observed between the preoperative period and six-month follow-up, when the proportion of large esophageal varices (p<0.05), varices extending to the upper esophagus (p<0.05), bluish varices (p<0.01), varices with red signs (p<0.01) and gastropathy (p<0.05) decreased. CONCLUSION In patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis with a previous history of variceal hemorrhage, splenectomy and gastric vein ligation was effective in reducing the main hemorrhagic risk factors until the sixth month of follow-up, indicating a good way to control the bleeding episodes.BACKGROUND: A significant number of patients with schistosomiasis develop the hepatosplenic form, with portal hypertension, in which bleeding caused by rupture of esophagogastric varices emerged as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. AIM: To investigate the effects of splenectomy and ligature of the left gastric vein on risk factors for bleeding of esophagogastric varices in patients with schistosomiasis mansoni, hepatosplenic form, with a history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. METHODS: The main risk factors of bleeding from esophagogastric varices were studied in 34 patients. The following parameters were investigated: 1) esophageal variceal pressure, measured by the endoscopic pneumatic balloon technique; 2) size, fundamental color, extension and red signs of esophageal varices, gastric varices and gastropathy of portal hypertension. The evaluations were performed in the preoperative period, immediate postoperative period (between the sixth and eighth postoperative days) and the sixth month of follow-up. RESULTS: The variceal pressure has fallen from 22.3+/-2.6 mmHg before surgery to 16.0+/-3.0 mmHg in the immediate postoperative period (p<0.001), reaching 13.3+/- 2.6 mmHg in the sixth month of follow-up. A significant reduction of the frequency of the parameters associated with a greater risk of hemorrhage was observed between the preoperative period and six-month follow-up, when the proportion of large esophageal varices (p<0.05), varices extending to the upper esophagus (p<0.05), bluish varices (p<0.01), varices with red signs (p<0.01) and gastropathy (p<0.05) decreased. CONCLUSION: In patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis with a previous history of variceal hemorrhage, splenectomy and gastric vein ligation was effective in reducing the main hemorrhagic risk factors until the sixth month of follow-up, indicating a good way to control the bleeding episodes.

Emprego do escore MELD para a predição da sobrevivência pós-transplante hepático

OBJECTIVE To assess the overall accuracy of the preoperative MELD score for predicting survival after liver transplantation (LT) and appraise medium-term (24 months) predictors of survival. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study including patients transplanted by the Department of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation of the Oswaldo Cruz University Hospital, University of Pernambuco, between July 15th, 2003 and July 14th, 2009. We used analysis of area under ROC (receiver operating characteristic) as a summary measure of the performance of the MELD score and assessed predictors of medium-term survival using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS The cumulative survival of three, six, 12 and 24 months of the 208 patients studied was 85.1%, 79.3%, 74.5% and 71.1%, respectively. The preoperative MELD score showed a low discriminatory power for predicting survival after TH. By univariate analysis, we identified intraoperative transfusion of red blood cells (p <0.001) and platelets (p = 0.004) and type of venous hepatocaval anastomosis (p = 0.008) as significantly related to medium-term survival of the patients studied. However, by multivariate analysis only red blood cell transfusion was a significant independent predictor of outcome. CONCLUSION The MELD score showed low overall accuracy for predicting post-transplant survival of patients studied, among which only intraoperative transfusion of red blood cells was identified as an independent predictor of survival in the medium term after TH.

Reconstruction of Venous Outflow of Domino Liver Graft Using Deceased Donor Iliac/Cava Veins

The double piggyback technique has been proposed for domino liver transplantation. To make this possible, it is necessary to reconstruct the venous outflow of the domino liver graft on the back table. The authors describe the technical details of this procedure in three consecutive cases. A deceased donor cava-iliac bifurcation segment was used. The iliac veins were anastomosed to the ostia of the right and middle-left hepatic veins, and the graft cava vein was anastomosed to the ostium of the three hepatic veins of the recipient. In all cases anatomic compatibility was observed; the outcome of the patients was satisfactory.

Transplante de fígado a partir de doadores em assistolia: resultados iniciais do grupo de transplante de fígado do Hospital Oswaldo Cruz, Universidade de Pernambuco

BACKGROUND: The demand for liver transplantation has increasingly exceeded the supply of cadaver donor organs. Hepatic allografts from non-heart-beating donors have been cited as a means to expand the supply of donor livers. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of six patients who had undergone orthotopic liver transplantation from non-heart-beating donors at Oswaldo Cruz University Hospital, Pernambuco University, Brazil, between October 2002 and September 2004. RESULTS: Primary graft non-function, vascular or biliary complications were not observed. Re-transplantation was not required. All patients were discharged from hospital in good clinical conditions. CONCLUSION: Although more experience is required, good initial results have been obtained with non-heart-beating livers donors by the Oswaldo Cruz University Hospital Group.

Postoperative kidney injury does not decrease survival after liver transplantation

PURPOSE To explore the effect of acute kidney injury (AKI) on long-term survival after conventional orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) without venovenous bypass (VVB). METHODS A retrospective cohort study was carried out on 153 patients with end-stage liver diseases transplanted by the Department of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation of the University of Pernambuco, from August, 1999 to December, 2009. The Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and log-rank test were applied to explore the association between AKI and long-term patient survival, and multivariate analyses were applied to control the effect of other variables. RESULTS Over the 12.8-year follow-up, 58.8% patients were alive with a median follow-up of 4.5-year. Patient 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival were 74.5%, 70.6%, 67.9% and 60.1%; respectively. Early postoperative mortality was poorer amongst patients who developed AKI (5.4% vs. 20%, p=0.010), but long-term 5-year survival did not significantly differed between groups (51.4% vs. 65.3%; p=0.077). After multivariate analyses, AKI was not significantly related to long-term survival and only the intraoperative transfusion of red blood cells was significantly related to this outcome (non-adjusted Exp[b]=1.072; p=0.045). CONCLUSION The occurrence of postoperative acute kidney injury did not independently decrease patient survival after orthotopic liver transplantation without venovenous bypass in this data from northeast Brazil.

Esplenectomia e ligadura da veia gástrica esquerda na esquistossomose mansônica: efeito sobre a pressão das varizes de esôfago aferida por tecnica não-invasiva

Em ambos os hospitais universitarios de Pernambuco, o tratamento de escolha para portadores de esquistossomose hepatoesplenica (EHE) com antecedente de hemorragia digestiva alta (HDA) por rotura de varizes de esofago (VE) e a esplenectomia associada a ligadura da veia gastrica esquerda (ELGE); porem, o impacto desta cirurgia sobre a pressao das VE, provavelmente, o parâmetro que melhor se correlaciona com o risco de recidiva hemorragica, ainda nao foi estudado. Com a introducao, em nosso meio, de tecnica nao-invasiva de medicao da pressao das VE, isto tornou-se possivel, com minimos riscos, tomando-se o objetivo do presente estudo. A ELGE foi empregada em vinte portadores de EHE com antecedentes de HDA. A pressao das VE foi medida atraves do metodo endoscopico nao-invasivo do balao pneumatico, antes da cirurgia, e estes valores comparados com novas medicoes realizadas cinco a oito dias apos. A pressao nas VE no pre-operatorio variou entre 20,0 e 28,7mmHg (media de 24,35± 2,36 mmHg). Nao houve correlacao da pressao com o calibre das VE. No pos-operatorio (PO), observou-se uma queda significante na pressao das VE, que variou entre 14,6 e 21,5 mmHg (media 17,29± 1,75 mmHg, p<0,001). Os resultados do presente trabalho confirmam as ideias que fundamentam a indicacao da ELGE em portadores de EHE com antecedente de HDA. Esta cirurgia determina, pelo menos a curto prazo e na ampla maioria dos casos, uma reducao na pressao das VE reduzindo o risco de recidiva de HDA.