Should enteric drainage be used as a primary procedure instead of bladder drainage in clinical pancreas transplantation?
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
E Astudillo
Publications and source records attributed to E Astudillo.
Successful pancreas and kidney transplantation: a view of metabolic control.
BACKGROUND: Pancreas and kidney transplantation (PKTx) has become the treatment of choice in uremic patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). In these patients, the pancreatic graft provides an endogenous source of insulin. However, the determination of its long-term effect on metabolic control is crucial in order to establish the real efficacy of this treatment in diabetic patients. In this article, we describe the experience of the University of Barcelona in short- and long-term metabolic control in PKTx recipients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed seriated determinations of glycosilated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) in 55 patients who underwent PKTx at our center from 1983 to 1996 with both grafts functioning for more than 1 yr (mean follow-up 4.2 +/- 2.3 yr). Basal glucose and insulin levels, areas under the curve (AUC) of glycemia and insulinemia after OGTT were analyzed throughout follow-up, as well as fasting insulin resistance index (FIRI). RESULTS: HbA1c levels throughout follow-up were within the normal range. The OGTT was normal in 80% of the patients 5 yr after transplantation. Hyperinsulinemia was present throughout follow-up. Over time, no differences were detected in the AUC of glycemia and insulinemia between controls and patients with PKTx. During the evolution, no differences were found in FIRI, in spite of increasing body weight. CONCLUSION: When successful, PKTx provides long-term normalization of glycemic control, assessed by HbA1c and OGTT, despite the existence of sustained hyperinsulinemia. Our results strongly suggest that PKTx is the most effective treatment for uremic patients with IDDM from a metabolic point of view.
Adult↗
Laparoscopic unilateral and bilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome. Transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches.
OBJECTIVE: This prospective randomized study compares the safety and efficacy of transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy (TLPA) and retroperitoneal approach (RLPA) in obese patients with Cushing's syndrome. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Recently, a retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach has been described with benefits of avoiding the respiratory and hemodynamic effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum and giving direct access without the need to mobilize abdominal organs. METHODS: Twenty-one adrenalectomies were performed in 9 patients (2 men, 7 women; mean age, 46.33 +/- 19.41 years old; range, 16 to 74 years old) with Cushing's adenoma and in 6 women (mean age, 41.83 +/- 9.97 years old; range, 34 to 62 years old) with Cushing's disease. Randomization gave 10 TLPA and 11 RLPA. Arterial blood gas samples, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and clinical parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: The partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) increased in both retroperitoneal and transperitoneal CO2 insufflation compared with basal values (p < 0.01), and the TLPA showed a greater rise in the PaCO2 level compared with the RLPA at 30 minutes (p < 0.05); simultaneously, a significant increase (p < 0.05) of mean arterial pressure was observed in the TLPA compared with RLPA. No significant changes in heart rate were observed in both groups. The operative time with the TLPA and RLPA in patients with adenoma was 88.75 versus 105 minutes, respectively (p = not significant [NS]), and in patients with bilateral hyperplasia was 271.66 versus 305 minutes, respectively (p = NS). No patients required blood transfusions. The number of doses of analgesic with TLPA and RLPA in patients with adenoma was 3.25 versus 3.5, respectively (p = NS), and in patients with bilateral hyperplasia was 7.66 versus 7.33, respectively (p = NS). The hospital stay with TLPA and RLPA in patients with adenoma was 3.0 versus 2.75 days, respectively (p = NS), and in patients with bilateral hyperplasia was 6.0 versus 6.66 days, respectively (p = NS). The days to return to normal activity with TLPA and RLPA in patients with adenoma were 12.5 versus 12.25, respectively (p = NS), and in patients with bilateral hyperplasia were 19.66 versus 19.33, respectively (p = NS). Two patients with bilateral hyperplasia and TLPA had urinary infection. CONCLUSIONS: Transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy and RLPA may become the techniques of choice for surgical removal of the adrenal lesions in Cushing's syndrome. The retroperitoneoscopic approach might be a better option in patients with previous abdominal surgery and in patients with pre-existing cardiorespiratory disease.
Adenoma↗
Study of kidney rejection following simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation.
Simultaneous kidney-pancreas (SKP) transplantation is associated with increased risk of kidney rejection (KR) due to an unknown mechanism. The aim of this study is to analyze the characteristics of KR in 44 SKP transplantations under quadruple immunosuppressive therapy and to evaluate the response to treatment and its effect on renal allograft survival and renal function. The mean follow-up was 25 +/- 14 months. Seventy-seven percent of the patients (34 of 44) presented an acute renal allograft rejection. Sixty-six percent (29 of 44) had one rejection episode and 11% (5 of 4) 2 episodes. KR was early (85% in the first month after transplantation), intense (3.7-fold increase in creatinine) and had great clinical features. Twenty-eight percent of the patients had an early relapse during the first month after treatment. KR did not affect the survival of the renal allograft in the short-term (1 and 2 years). Overall, 62% were corticosensitive (CS) and the remaining 38% were corticoresistant (CR). The group with an isolated rejection without relapse was CS in 69% of the cases, achieved complete remission in 73% and renal function was not affected at 1 and 2 years [115 +/- 26 mumol/l (1.3 +/- 0.3 mg/dl) and 150 +/- 53 mumol/l (1.7 +/- 0.6 mg/dl)] in comparison with the group without rejection [97 +/- 18 mumol/l (1.1 +/- 0.2 mg/dl) and 115 +/- 35 mumol/l (1.3 +/- 0.4 mg/dl); p = NS]. On the other hand, the group with an early relapse of the first rejection and the group with two rejections were principally CR (62 and 60%, respectively), had partial remission with treatment (50 and 60%) and had worse renal function at 1 and 2 years [212 +/- 71 mumol/l (2.4 +/- 0.8 mg/dl) and 221 +/- 53 mumol/l (2.5 +/- 0.6 mg/dl)] than in the group with isolated KR (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001). In conclusion, despite intense immunosuppressive treatment, the frequency of rejection of a renal allograft in SKP is high. The response to treatment is satisfactory and does not affect the survival of the allograft in the short-term. However, multiple episodes or early relapse of rejection are associated with higher creatinine levels.
Adult↗
How can relations be improved between the family and the support team during the care of terminally ill patients?
The family and patient are a unit of treatment. The support team should try to develop good communication with the family to be able to offer help respectfully and tactfully throughout the different phases of the terminal illness. We review: (a) the influence of the terminal illness on the family, and (b) the important factors in the intervention of the support team and their relationship with the family.
Female↗
Technical aspects of adrenalectomy via operative laparoscopy.
Adrenalectomy is usually performed through a transabdominal or a posterior approach. These approaches are associated with a painful syndrome postoperatively and long hospital stay. We report a series of five successful laparoscopic adrenalectomies, performed on: a 35-year-old male with a 5-cm right nonfunctioning tumor; a 32-year-old female with a 1.8-cm right aldosterone-producing adenoma; a 17-year-old female with a 4-cm right adrenocortical adenoma; and a 33-year-old female with bilateral 3.5-cm right and 4.5-cm left pheocromocytoma. Single right adrenalectomy lasted between 2 h and 2 h 30 min and bilateral adrenalectomy 5 h and 30 min. No transfusion was required. The hospital stay was between 3 and 4 days. This technique adequately removes adrenal tumors surgically and results in less postoperative pain and rapid recovery.
Adolescent↗
Use of CA 19-9 in the early detection of recurrences in colorectal cancer: comparison with CEA.
The serum levels of CA 19-9 were determined in the follow-up of 370 patients with colorectal cancer and compared with CEA. An increase in CA 19-9 preceded clinical diagnosis of recurrence in 25% of 72 patients. The mean time between the rise in CA 19-9 and clinical diagnosis of relapse was 3.7 months (median 3). Sensitivity of CA 19-9 in the early diagnosis of recurrence was much lower than that obtained for CEA (75%). Only 1 patient had elevated CA 19-9 levels and normal CEA.
Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
Pheochromocytoma: laparoscopic approach with CO2 and helium pneumoperitoneum.
A number of different surgical approaches have been devised for adrenalectomy in patients with pheochromocytoma. The anterior transabdominal approach was at one time considered a source of postoperative morbidity; the advent of laparoscopy however, may result in a resurgence in its use. The laparoscopic approach was used with a CO2 pneumoperitoneum in one patient with a left pheochromocytoma, and using a helium pneumoperitoneum in another with bilateral pheochromocytoma. The left adrenalectomy took 135 minutes to perform and the total bilateral adrenalectomy 330 minutes. No transfusion was necessary. The postoperative stay was 4 days for both patients. To prevent the risk of CO2 retention during extended laparoscopic procedures, helium can serve as an alternative gas, as was documented in the patient who underwent total adrenalectomy. Unilateral or bilateral resection of pheochromocytoma can safely be performed laparoscopically and has the advantage of avoiding both the muscular trauma related to laparotomy and the rib resection necessary for the extraperitoneal approach.
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
Quality of life after successful pancreas-kidney transplantation.
Quality of life assessment has emerged as an important approach to evaluate the effect of pancreas transplantation in diabetic patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the ESRD treatment modality on the quality of life in patients with Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Thirty-two patients of similar age, sex and diabetes duration, treated for more than 1 year with simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplantation (Group 1, n = 12), or kidney transplantation (Group 2, n = 10), or hemodialysis (Group 3, n = 10) were studied. Quality of life was assessed using a questionnaire (34 questions with 103 possible answers) including social (sickness pension, working capacity) and subjective (general health perception), index of Spizer and index of reintegration to normal life of Wood Dauphine) quality of life indicators, working capacity, as well as physical ability (Karnofsky index), sports training and sexual activity. Patients in Group 1 showed highest scores on general health perception (p = 0.012), Karnofsky index (p = 0.076) and sexual activity (p = 0.026). There were no significant differences between groups on social index, as well as index of Spizer, index of reintegration to normal life and sport activity. Patients on hemodialysis treatment presented the lowest scores in all the items evaluated. In conclusion, in our experience simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation is the treatment modality that offers better quality of life to diabetic patients with ESRD; however, this does not translate into a higher socio-labor yield.
Activities of Daily Living↗
Native and graft pancreatitis following combined pancreas-renal transplantation.
Ten patients who had undergone whole-organ pancreas transplantation and pancreatoduodenocystostomy from a total of 60 simultaneous cadaveric kidney-pancreas transplants met the criteria for graft pancreatitis. This condition is clearly different from acute rejection on the basis of marked hyperamylasaemia and significant local findings over the allograft. Graft rejection was the cause of graft loss in one of the patients; eight are alive, seven with a functioning graft 61, 30, 27, 25, 21, 18 and 14 months after transplantation. Two patients died: one from severe graft pancreatitis and the other from cytomegalovirus infection. Bladder drainage with or without antibiotics has been the most common therapy, based on the theory that damage is caused by duodenal content and infected urine reflux. To prevent graft loss, antiviral treatment should be given when pancreatitis due to cytomegalovirus is suspected or diagnosed. Two patients with native pancreatitis are also described; the disease was severe and surgery was required in both cases. The pancreas grafts have now been functioning for 2 years 7 months and 2 years 10 months respectively.
Adult↗
Laparoscopic approach to the adrenal tumors.
Over the years, a number of different surgical approaches to the adrenal glands have been devised. The anterior transabdominal approach is considered to be a source of postoperative morbidity. However, this conviction can be changed. The laparoscopic approach was used in four patients. One had a right 5 cm nonfunctioning tumor, the second had a 1.8 cm right aldosterone-producing adenoma, the third patient had a 4 cm adrenocortical adenoma, and the fourth patient had a bilateral pheochromocytoma (tumor size was 3.5 cm and 4.5 cm in the right and left adrenals, respectively). Carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum was used in three patients, but helium pneumoperitoneum was used in the patient with bilateral pheochromocytoma to prevent CO2 retention. Single right adrenalectomy lasted between 2 h and 2 h 30 min, and bilateral adrenalectomy lasted 5 h 30 min. The hospital stay was between 3 and 4 days. Unilateral or bilateral adrenalectomy through laparoscopy can be performed safely and has the advantage of avoiding the muscular trauma related to laparotomy or rib resection necessary for the extraperitoneal approach.
Adolescent↗
Combined whole pancreas and liver retrieval: a new technique for arterial reconstruction of the pancreas graft.
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Humans↗
Prospective analysis of pancreatic grafts with duplex-Doppler ultrasound: value of resistive index in the diagnosis of rejection.
The diagnosis of rejection and its differentiation from other causes of pancreatic graft dysfunction remain the basic problem in pancreas transplantation. A previous study with pulsed Doppler (PD) done at our institution demonstrated an increase of the resistive index (RI) during pancreatic graft rejection episodes. The aim of the study was to determine prospectively the utility of duplex-Doppler (DD) ultrasound (US) in identifying the cause of pancreatic graft dysfunction. The major clinical categories were graft rejection and graft pancreatitis.
Adult↗
Combined whole pancreas and liver retrieval: comparison between Y-iliac graft and splenomesenteric anastomosis.
With the recent increase in the number of liver and pancreas transplants being performed in Europe, many groups have found it necessary to develop techniques for the combined harvesting of whole pancreaticoduodenal and liver grafts. To date we have carried out a total of 35 multiorgan procurements including liver, heart, pancreas, and kidneys. In ten cases we reconstructed the arterial supply of the pancreas with an end-to-end anastomosis between the proximal splenic artery and the distal end of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and in eight patients we used a donor Y-iliac graft. Patients were monitored postoperatively by determination of BUN, serum creatinine, blood glucose, serum and urinary amylase levels, and Doppler assessment of the graft was carried out at regular intervals. Mean ischemia/preservation time in both groups was 6 h. All simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplants functioned well initially with none of the patients requiring dialysis. All patients were insulin-free immediately after surgery. One patient in the splenomesenteric group developed venous thrombosis of the graft, requiring removal of the gland, but has subsequently been successfully retransplanted. All remaining patients have been insulin-free for 1-14 months. One patient in the Y-iliac group also developed venous thrombosis of the graft, but all remaining patients in this group have been insulin-free for 1-12 months after transplantation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adult↗
Prognostic value of CA 19.9 levels in colorectal cancer.
Pretreatment serum levels of carbohydrate antigen 19.9 (CA 19.9) and carcinoembryonic antigen were measured in 293 patients with colorectal cancer. Carbohydrate antigen 19.9 was above the cut-off limit of 37 U/mL in 35% of patients. Carbohydrate antigen 19.9 sensitivity was related to tumor stage. Carcinoembryonic antigen was above the cut-off level of 3.5 ng/mL in 61% of patients, and the simultaneous use of two markers increased sensitivity to 66%. The main use of pretreatment levels of CA 19.9 in locoregional cancer is in prognosis. Carbohydrate antigen 19.9 provided more prognostic information than that obtained by conventional staging methods. In patients with Dukes' C tumors, additional information was obtained for allocation of these patients into groups at low or high risk of recurrence. Prognostic significance of carcinoembryonic antigen was not independent of Dukes' classification.
Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
Pancreatic transplant rejection: evaluation by duplex-Doppler ultrasound with urinary amylase monitoring correlation.
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Amylases↗
Long-term evolution of diabetic retinopathy and renal function after pancreas transplantation.
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Adult↗
Metabolic characteristics in patients with long-term pancreas graft with systemic or portal venous drainage.
Between January 1983 and June 1990, 32 simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantations were performed at the University of Barcelona. Insulin-secretion was assessed by intravenous glucose tolerance test performed 24h after transplantation and oral glucose tolerance test during the follow-up. Insulin secretion was also studied in seven non-diabetic patients with kidney transplants. Insulin levels in patients with pancreas and kidney transplantations both at the basal level and after glucose stimulation were higher than normal but not different than those observed in patients with kidney transplantation only. Patients with both pancreas and kidney transplantations and kidney transplantation only presented a mild insulin resistance, measured by the glucose/insulin ratio. Insulin levels during the follow-up of a patient with portal venous drainage were similar to those observed in patients with systemic venous drainage. In conclusion, pancreas transplantation allows a long-term maintenance of glucose homeostasis, although coexisting with an insulin resistance, probably related of the immunosuppressive therapy.
Adult↗