Revista Española de Enfermedades Digestivas

Cholecystectomy in mild acute biliary pancreatitis: the sooner; the better

Influence of delayed cholecystectomy after acute gallstone pancreatitis on recurrence: consequences of lack of resources

Introduction: Acute pancreatitis is often a relapsing condition, particularly when its triggering factor persists. Our goal is to determine the recurrence rate of acute biliary pancreatitis after an initial episode, and the time to relapse, as well as to identify the risk factors for recurrence. Material and method: We included all patients admitted for a first acute gallstone pancreatitis event during four years. Primary endpoints included readmission for recurrence and time to relapse. Results: We included 296 patients admitted on a total of 386 occasions. The incidence of acute biliary pancreatitis in our setting is 17.5/100,000 population/year. In all, 19.6% of pancreatitis were severe (22.6% of severe acute pancreatitis for first episodes versus 3.6% for recurring pancreatitis), with an overall mortality of 4.4%. Overall recurrence rate was 15.5%, with a median time to relapse of 82 days. In total, 14.2% of patients relapsed after an acute pancreatitis event without cholecystectomy or endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography. Severe acute pancreatitis recur in 7.2% of patients, whereas mild cases do so in 16.3%, this being the only risk factor for recurrence thus far identified. Conclusions: Patients admitted for pancreatitis should undergo cholecystectomy as soon as possible or be guaranteed priority on the waiting list. Otherwise, endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography with sphincterotomy may be an alternative to surgery for selected patients.

Introducción: la pancreatitis aguda es una enfermedad con tendencia a recurrir, sobre todo si persiste la causa que la desencadena. Nuestro objetivo es determinar la tasa de recurrencia de la pancreatitis aguda biliar tras un primer episodio y su intervalo de aparición, así como identificar los factores de riesgo de recidiva. Material y método: hemos incluido todos los pacientes ingresados por un primer episodio de pancreatitis aguda de origen litiásico durante cuatro años. Las variables principales estudiadas fueron reingreso por recurrencia e intervalo de tiempo de aparición del nuevo episodio. Resultados: hemos incluido 296 pacientes que han ingresado en un total de 386 ocasiones. La incidencia de la pancreatitis aguda biliar en nuestro medio es de 17,5/100.000 habitantes/año. El 19,6% de las pancreatitis han sido graves (22,6% de pancreatitis agudas graves en el primer episodio vs. 3,6% en las pancreatitis recurrentes) con una mortalidad global del 4,4%. La tasa global de recurrencia ha sido del 15,5%, con un intervalo de tiempo de 82 días de mediana. El 14,2% de los pacientes han presentado recurrencia después de un episodio de pancreatitis sin que se les hubiera realizado colecistectomía o colangio-pancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica. Las pancreatitis agudas graves recurren un 7,2% mientras que las leves lo hacen el 16,3%, siendo este el único factor de riesgo de recurrencia hallado. Conclusiones: los pacientes ingresados por pancreatitis deberían ser colecistectomizados a la mayor brevedad posible o ser priorizados en la lista de espera. En su defecto, una alternativa a la cirugía podría ser la colangio-pancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica con esfinterotomía en casos seleccionados.

Using autologous platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of complex fistulas

Objective: This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of autologous fibrin gel rich in platelet growth factors for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas. Material and methods: Prospective epidemiological study. Patients with complex perianal fistula or perianal fistula mere alteration of continence are included. identification of both holes and the journey, curettage of it and instillation of Vivostat PRF® in the way it is done to observe excess material by OFE. The variables analyzed were: age, sex, use of prior Seton clinic prevalent type of fistula, postoperative complications, fistula closure and impaired quality of life using the SF-36 test (v2). Results: From January 2011 to May 2013 have involved 23 patients, 12 men and 11 women, with an average age of 49 years and a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Two dropped out. 17 patients had low transsphincteric fistulas, 2 and 2 high transsphincteric intersphincteric with impaired continence. The most common symptom is the discharge. Twelve patients had a loose seton (62%), of which nine cured. Of all the patients we have operated the success rate is 62%. No patient developed incontinence after treatment. Only two reported a worse quality of life after surgery. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that there is a clear benefit to the use of Vivostat PRF® as a treatment for complex perianal fistulas. It is a highly reproducible technique with acceptable results and does not produce impairment of continence.

Objetivo: este estudio tiene como objetivo demostrar la efectividad y seguridad de un gel de fibrina autóloga rico en factores de crecimiento plaquetario para el tratamiento de las fístulas perianales complejas. Material y métodos: estudio epidemiológico prospectivo descriptivo. Se incluyen pacientes que presentan fístula perianal compleja o fístula perianal simple con alteración de la continencia. Se realiza identificación de ambos orificios y del trayecto, legrado del mismo e instilación del Vivostat PRF® en el trayecto hasta observar exceso de material por el OFE. Las variables a analizar son: edad, sexo, uso de setón previo, clínica prevalente, tipo de fístula, complicaciones postoperatorias, cierre de la fístula y alteraciones en la calidad de vida mediante el test sf-36(v2). Resultados: desde enero del 2011 hasta mayo del 2013 se ha intervenido a 23 pacientes, 12 hombres y 11 mujeres, con una media de edad de 49 años y un seguimiento mínimo de 12 meses. Dos abandonaron el estudio. 17 pacientes presentaban fístula transesfinteriana baja; 2, transesfinteriana alta, y 2, interesfinteriana con alteración de la continencia. El síntoma más frecuente es la supuración. Doce pacientes llevaban un setón laxo (62%), de los cuales curaron nueve. De todos los pacientes que hemos intervenido el porcentaje de éxitos es de un 62%. Ningún paciente desarrolló incontinencia después del tratamiento. Sólo dos refieren una peor calidad de vida después de la intervención. Conclusión: este estudio demuestra que hay un claro beneficio con el uso de Vivostat PRF® como tratamiento para las fístulas perianales complejas. Es una técnica altamente reproductible con resultados aceptables y que no produce alteraciones de la continencia.

Initial experience with golimumab in clinical practice for ulcerative colitis

Background: Golimumab is a TNF-blocking agent indicated as a second-line therapy in ulcerative colitis. Purpose: To research the effectiveness and safety of golimumab in patients with ulcerative colitis in clinical practice. Methods: Retrospective study of the effectiveness and safety of golimumab in patients with ulcerative colitis. All patients received golimumab 200 mg subcutaneously at week 0, and golimumab 100 mg subcutaneously at week 2. After the induction treatment, each patient received 50 mg sc. every 4 weeks in patients with body weight less than 80 kg, and 100 mg every 4 weeks in patients with body weight greater than or equal to 80 kg. Results: Study of a group of 23 ulcerative colitis patients, 7 of whom were naive to any anti-TNF therapy, and 16 patients who had previously been treated with an anti-TNF agent other than golimumab (non-naive patients). The average treatment time with golimumab was 14.3 weeks. Globally, withdrawal of corticosteroids was observed in 74% of cases. Clinical response was observed in 85.5% of patients who had not received biological treatment previously, and in patients who had previously received biological treatment the response rate was 75%. Conclusions: In this short study, golimumab seems to be an alternative treatment in naive and non-naive anti-TNF ulcerative colitis patients. It is also a safe therapy, given that there were no adverse effects in the patients studied.

Self-expanding metal stents in postoperative esophageal leaks

Background: Postoperative esophageal leaks have a high morbidity and mortality. Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) have been used as an alternative to re-operation. Aim: Evaluating predictors of success of SEMS in postoperative esophageal leaks. Methods: Retrospective study of patients with postoperative esophageal leaks referred for SEMS placement in a reference center during a period of 3 years. Technical success was defined as closure of the leak in barium swallow at 15 days. Clinical success was considered as endoscopic and/or radiographic confirmation of closure after stent removal. Results: Thirteen patients placed SEMS. Median follow-up was 58 days. Leaks had a median size of 20 mm. Time between surgery and SEMS placement was 20 days. One patient died 2 days after SEMS placement and one had worsening of the fistula after SEMS expansion. Time till stent migration was 9 days. Technical success was achieved in 9 of 11 patients, with clinical success without recurrence in 5 patients. All leaks with less than 20 mm were solved endoscopically. Technical and clinical success was higher when time between surgery and SEMS placement was lower, even though without statistical significance (respectively, p = 0.228 and 0.374). In the 8 patients who died during follow-up, median survival was 59 days. Conclusions: Technical success of SEMS was higher than 80%; however, due to high morbidity and mortality, only 45% of patients had their stent removed. Lower time from diagnosis to SEMS placement and leak size less than 20 mm may be associated with better results.

Transcultural adaptation and validation of the Celiac Dietary Adherence Test: a simple questionnaire to measure adherence to a gluten-free diet

Background and aims: A gluten-free diet is to date the only treatment available to celiac disease sufferers. However, systematic reviews indicate that, depending on the method of evaluation used, only 42% to 91% of patients adhere to the diet strictly. Transculturally adapted tools that evaluate adherence beyond simple self-informed questions or invasive analyses are, therefore, of importance. The aim is to obtain a Spanish transcultural adaption and validation of Leffler's Celiac Dietary Adherence Test. Methods: A two-stage observational transversal study: translation and back translation by four qualified translators followed by a validation stage in which the questionnaire was administered to 306 celiac disease patients aged between 12 and 72 years and resident in Aragon. Factorial structure, criteria validity and internal consistency were evaluated. Results: The Spanish version maintained the 7 items in a 3-factor structure. Feasibility was very high in all the questions answered and the floor and ceiling effects were very low (4.3% and 1%, respectively). The Spearman correlation with the self-efficacy and life quality scales and the self-informed question were statistically significant (p < 0.01). According to the questionnaire criteria, adherence was 72.3%. Conclusion: The Spanish version of the Celiac Dietary Adherence Test shows appropriate psychometric properties and is, therefore, suitable for studying adherence to a gluten-free diet in clinical and research environments.

Antecedentes y objetivos: la dieta sin gluten es, hasta la fecha, el único tratamiento para la enfermedad celiaca, pero revisiones sistemáticas indican que sólo entre un 42% y un 91% de los pacientes siguen la dieta estrictamente, dependiendo del método de evaluación y de la definición de adherencia. Es importante contar con herramientas adaptadas transculturalmente que permitan evaluar la adherencia más allá de preguntas autoinformadas o de invasivas analíticas. El objetivo es adaptar transculturalmente y validar el Celiac Dietary Adherence Test de Leffler a la población española en lengua castellana. Métodos: estudio transversal observacional en dos fases: una primera de traducción/retrotraducción por cuatro traductores cualificados y una fase de validación en la que se aplicó el cuestionario a 306 pacientes de Aragón con enfermedad celiaca entre los 12 y los 72 años. Se evaluaron la estructura factorial, la validez de criterio y la consistencia interna. Resultados: la traducción al castellano mantuvo sus 7 ítems con una estructura de 3 factores. La factibilidad fue muy buena con todas las preguntas contestadas y con efectos suelo y techo muy bajos (4,3% y 1%, respectivamente). La correlación de Spearman con las escalas de autoeficacia y calidad de vida y la pregunta autoinformada resultaron estadísticamente significativas (p < 0,01). Aplicando los criterios de este cuestionario se obtuvo una adherencia del 72,3%. Conclusión: la adaptación española del CDAT muestra unas propiedades psicométricas adecuadas, por lo que su uso estaría indicado para el estudio de la adherencia a la dieta sin gluten en entornos clínicos y de investigación.

Practical considerations in the management of proton-pump inhibitors

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the most active ingredients prescribed in Spain. In recent decades there has been an overuse of these drugs in both outpatient clinics and hospitals that has lead to a significant increase in healthcare spending and to an increase in the risk of possible side effects. It is important for health professionals to know the accepted indications and the correct doses for the use of these drugs. On the market there are different types of PPI: omeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole and esomeprazole. Omeprazole is the oldest and most used PPI, being also the cheapest. Although there are no important differences between PPIs in curing diseases, esomeprazole, a new-generation PPI, has proved to be more effective in eradicating H. pylori and in healing severe esophagitis compared to other PPIs. In recent years the use of generic drugs has spread; these drugs have the same bioavailability than the original drugs. In the case of PPIs, the few comparative studies available in the literature between original and generic drugs have shown no significant differences in clinical efficacy.

Los inhibidores de la bomba de protones (IBP) son uno de los principios activos más prescritos en España. En las últimas décadas se ha observado un sobreuso de estos fármacos tanto a nivel extrahospitalario como hospitalario que ha producido un aumento importante en el gasto sanitario y un incremento en el riesgo de posibles efectos adversos. Es importante que los profesionales sanitarios se ajusten a las indicaciones admitidas y a las dosis correctas para el empleo de estos medicamentos. Existen en el mercado diferentes tipos de IBP: omeprazol, pantoprazol, lansoprazol, rabeprazol y esomeprazol. El omeprazol es el más antiguo y utilizado, siendo también el más barato. Si bien en la mayoría de las indicaciones terapéuticas en las que se emplean estos medicamentos no se describen diferencias entre los distintos IBP en la curación de las enfermedades, el esomeprazol, IBP de última generación, ha demostrado mayor eficacia en la erradicación del H. pylori y en la curación de la esofagitis grave respecto al resto de IBP. En los últimos años el uso de los fármacos genéricos se ha extendido; este tipo de medicamentos presentan la misma biodisponibilidad que los medicamentos originales. En el caso de los IBP, los pocos estudios comparativos disponibles en la literatura entre los fármacos originales y los genéricos no han demostrado diferencias significativas en la eficacia clínica.

Acute oesophageal necrosis (black oesophagus)

Spontaneous intramural esophageal dissection: an unusual onset of eosinophilic esophagitis

Atypical diagnosis by endoscopic capsule: Whipple's disease

Whipple's disease is a chronic systemic infection produced by the actinomycete Tropheryma whipplei. Endoscopic tests are key in the diagnosis as they allow biopsy and histopathological examination for definitive diagnosis of this entity. We present a case of Whipple's disease where capsule endoscopy, uncommon for the diagnosis of this condition, was essential for it and its performance before and after antibiotic treatment allows to describe the macroscopic evolution of the findings in the small bowel. This case illustrates the usefulness of capsule endoscopy to allow complete examination of the small bowel disease in which up to 30% of patients may present with normal endoscopy.

La enfermedad de Whipple es una infección sistémica crónica producida por el actinomiceto Tropheryma whipplei. Las pruebas endoscópicas son claves en el diagnóstico ya que permiten la toma de biopsia y su estudio anatomopatológico para el diagnóstico definitivo de esta entidad. Presentamos un caso de enfermedad de Whipple en el que la cápsula endoscópica, poco común para el diagnóstico de esta afección, fue clave para el mismo y su realización antes y después del tratamiento antibiótico permite describir la evolución macroscópica de los hallazgos en intestino delgado. Este caso ilustra la utilidad de la cápsula endoscópica al permitir un estudio completo del intestino delgado en esta enfermedad en la que hasta el 30% de los pacientes puede cursar con gastroscopia normal.

Acute transverse colon volvulus with secondary gastric ischemia: case report

Minimally invasive treatment of rectovesical fistula: a case report

Disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome: complete pancreas transection secondary to acute pancreatitis

Surgical management of appendiceal adenocarcinoid: case report and literature review

Is there any relationship between drug addiction and the development of a signet ring cell carcinoma of the stomach?

A rare case of gangrene of cystic duct due to the insertion of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) tube into the cystic duct by mistake