Vulvectomy: Indications and Results in the General Surgery Department of the Ignace Deen Chu Hospital in Conakry

Introduction: The aim of this study was to report the indications and evaluate the results of vulvectomy in the general surgery department of Ignace Deen Hospital, CHU Conakry. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study, conducted over a period of five (05) years from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2022, in the general surgery department of Ignace Deen Hospital, CHU Conakry. We included in our study all patient records in whom vulvectomy was performed. Results: We recorded 15 cases of vulvectomy out of 453 perineal surgeries, i.e. 3.31%, with a mean age of 43.56 years and extremes of 35 and 69 years. Vulvar cancer was the most common diagnosis (46.67%), followed by Buschke-Lowenstein (33.33%) and anal canal cancer extending to the vulva (20%). Six patients had undergone biopsy (40%). Vulvectomy with lymph node dissection was performed in only 9 patients (60%), and all surgical specimens were sent to anatomical pathology (100%). Conclusion: Vulvectomy is a surgical technique most often indicated for the treatment of vulvar cancer.

Splenectomy: Indications in the General Surgery Department of Ignace Deen Hospital

Introduction: Splenectomy is the surgical removal of the spleen. It can be performed during various pathologies, ranging from abdominal trauma to hemoglobinopathies. The progress made in the knowledge of the immune functions of the spleen and the fear of post-splenectomy infectious complications have favored the development of surgical or non-surgical splenic preservation techniques calling into question the dogma of splenectomy. The aim of this study was to determine the indications for splenectomy. Methodology: This was a retrospective, descriptive study lasting 5 years in the general surgery department of the Ignace Deen National Hospital. All files of splenectomized patients were included, our variables were clinical, therapeutic and progressive. Results: We collected 42 cases of splenectomies out of the 2478 surgical procedures performed, representing 1.7% of the department’s surgical activities. The average age was 44 years. The age group of 41 to 50 years was the most represented, i.e. 26% (n = 11) of cases. Sex ratio = 1. Abdominal pain was the reason for consultation in patients, i.e. 100% (n = 42) of cases. The antecedents were dominated by recurrent malaria with 52.3% (n = 22) of cases, then recurrent anemia in 21% (n = 9), and 16.7% (n = 7) had sickle cell disease. Splenomegaly was found in 31 patients, or 73.6%. Ultrasound was performed in all patients. The indications for splenectomy were: isolated splenomegaly with risk of rupture (38%, n = 16), hypersplenism (26%, n = 11) and trauma to the spleen (19.04%, n = 8). Total splenectomy was performed in all cases. The surgical consequences were favorable in 85.7%, (n = 36) with morbidity of 14% (n = 6) and mortality of 9.52% (n = 4). The average length of hospitalization was 10.4 days with extremes of 1 and 22 days. Conclusion: Splenectomy constitutes a relatively common surgical procedure in our context. The indications for splenectomy were isolated splenomegaly with risk of rupture, hypersplenism and trauma to the spleen and total splenectomy was the rule.

Thyroidectomy: Frequency and Indications in the General Surgery Department of the Hôpital National Ignace Deen/CHU de Conakry

Introduction: Thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. The aim of this study was to report the results of thyroidectomy in the general surgery department of the Hôpital national Ignace Deen/CHU de Conakry. Methodology: This was a retrospective study, of seven (07) years (January 1, 2016 - August 31, 2023), in the General Surgery Department of the Ignace Deen National Hospital-CHU in Conakry. We included all records of patients admitted and operated on for thyroidectomy and with up-to-date medical records. The variables were epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic. Results: During the study period, we recorded 3221 cases of surgery, including 40 thyroidectomies (1.24% of cases). The average age was 42.4 years. Women were the most represented, with a sex ratio of 0.16. The reason for consultation was anterior cervical swelling in 86% (n = 25) of cases, followed by signs of cervical compression 21% (n = 6) and signs of thyrotoxicosis 31% (n = 9). Indications for thyroidectomy were dominated by homogeneous goitres in 69% (n = 20) of cases, basedow’s disease in 20.7% (n = 6) and nodular goitres in 6.9% (n = 2) of cases. The surgical procedures were lobo-isthmectomies in 72.4% (n = 21), subtotal thyroidectomies 13.8% (n = 4), total thyroidectomies 10.3% (n = 3). Postoperative follow-up was straightforward in 69% (n = 20). Complications included haemorrhage in 20.7% (n = 6) and recurrence in 6.9% (n = 2). The average hospital stay was 7 days. Conclusion: Thyroidectomy is a relatively frequent surgical procedure in our department. Indications are dominated by homogeneous goitres. Morbidity is related to hemorrhage. Rigorous hemostasis could improve the quality of thyroidectomy.

Evaluation and Relevance of Indications for Primary Caesarean Section: A Five-Year Experience Report from Nevers Hospital Center

Context: The caesarean section rate continues to increase in our different health structures specially for women who have not had a scar in the uterus. Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the key factors and main indications for primary caesarean sections and to find ways to reduce the increasing rates. Patients and Method: This is a longitudinal and retrospective study carried out from June 1, 2018 to July 31, 2022. The study included all patients who had a cesarean-section for the first time (primary caesarean). An anterior uterine scar was a non-inclusion criterion. Data were collected prospectively using Synfonievre and Agopra software via patients’ files and information collection sheet. Data were analyzed with SPSS 21 software, Mac version. Averages were calculated for quantitative data and percentages for qualitative data. The statistical tests used were the Pearson Chi2 test. The observed differences were considered significant when the p-value was less than 0.05. Results: During the study period, we recorded 8832 deliveries and 3148 caesarean sections (35.6%). Primary CS concerned 70% of overall C-section rate. The main indications were FHR Fetal Heart Rate abnormalities (FHRA) (27%), followed by the other indications (including preterm delivery, umbilical cord dystocia, malpresentation of fetus, foetal abnormalities, elective CS, triple gestation, mother abnormalities);dystocia or prolonged labor (18.7%), breech presentation in a twin pregnancy with 11.3% and 9.6% respectively. We recorded more vaginal deliveries with labor induction: 81.4% against 75.2%. An obstetrical audit led to better labor management and a reduction in the cesarean section rate. Conclusion: We need to focus on diagnosis of fetal distress, management of breech presentation during of a twin birth and a singleton. Induction of labor can be an effective alternative in certain indications. An obstetrical audit is needed to reverse the caesarean section rate.

Practice of Obstetrical Hysterectomy at the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital Center: Indications and Maternal Prognosis

Obstetric hysterectomy is a surgical procedure most often performed in a context of extreme emergency in an obstetric environment. The incidence of obstetric hysterectomy is differently expressed around the world. In the CHU-SO maternity ward, hemorrhagic obstetric emergencies are common. The extreme urgency in which patients are admitted, the insufficiency of the technical platform, associated with the challenge of the availability of blood products, often leads to performing an obstetric hysterectomy for hemostasis. It is responsible for high maternal morbidity and mortality. Since 2000 no study has been carried out on this practice in the service. Objective was to describe the practice of obstetric hysterectomy at the CHU-SO and specifically to determine the prevalence, the prognostic factors to be able to act to reduce maternal mortality. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional, and analytical study was carried out at the Gynecology-Obstetrics clinic of the CHU-SO;from January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022. All hysterectomies performed in an obstetric emergency context (during pregnancy, perpartum or postpartum) in the department were included in our study. We did not include cases of obstetric hysterectomies outside the SO hospital or planned non-obstetric hysterectomies. Results: We recorded 75 cases of obstetric hysterectomy and 15,625 deliveries (0.48%). The average age was 32.89 ± 5.93. The age group between 30 and 35 years old was the most affected with a rate of 37.33%. Labor and third trimester hemorrhage were the main reasons for admission, patients were referred in 80% of cases. The average parity was 3.25 ± 1.92 with utmost of 0 and 11. The pauciparous (41.67%) and multiparous (32%) were the most affected. The indications frequently found were uterine atony (44%);uterine rupture (33.33%). Subtotal inter adnexal hysterectomy was performed in 94.67%. General anesthesia practiced in 69%. They were all polytransfuses. Three poor prognostic factors were observed during our study, namely: uterine atony;the state of hemodynamic shock before the operation;lack of blood transfusion. The maternal death rate was 21.33%. Conclusion: Obstetric hysterectomy is a very mutilating and complicated surgical procedure and is still common practice in Africa. The maternal prognosis is still reserved with a very high mortality rate in Togo.

Vaginal Caesarean Section: A Review of Indications in Mali

Introduction: The vaginal caesarean described since the 19th century remains unknown to many practitioners. The publications available on the subject are rare. The objective of this review is to report the experience of our team in Mali on vaginal cesarean section. Materials and Methods: This is a documentary review of a series of 5 cases on the practice of vaginal caesarean section at the Sominé Dolo Hospital and Reference Health Center of the Sanitary District of Bla in Mali between 2005 and 2022. Results: We performed a vaginal caesarean section on 5 patients in this series. The indications were retroplacental hematoma in 2/5 cases including 1 with a live fetus, eclampsia crisis in 1/5 cases, dystocia on uterine prolapse in 1/5 cases and beating cord prolapse in 1/5 cases. In the 5 cases, the pregnancy was not at term. In 3/5 cases, cesarean section was indicated to save the non-term fetus with a very low possibility of success by classic cesarean section and in 2/5 cases for maternal rescue with fetal death in utero. 2 live newborns were released in satisfactory condition, 1 died after 6 hours of life. Antibiotic therapy was not necessary in the majority of cases. The average length of hospitalization was 3 days. Conclusion: The circumstances of the realization of the vaginal cesarean section in our series of studies remain frequent in the practice of modern obstetrics. The short duration of hospitalization and the low use of antibiotics can contribute to the reduction of the medical cost of caesarean section in low-income countries, such as Mali.

Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty: Indications and Results, a Preliminary Senegalese Experience from the Neurosurgery Department of the CHNU of Fann

Introduction: Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are percutaneous techniques that consist in injecting an acrylic cement into the body of a pathological vertebra. This work aims to report the experience the of Fann’s neurosurgery department in treating certain spinal pathologies by vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Methods: During a 3-year period from July 1, 2019 to July 31, 2022, we conducted a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study, including patients who underwent vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty for dorsolumbar spinal pathology. Results: The mean age of the 13 patients in our study was 51.61 years. Female gender was predominant in 62% (n = 8). The context of spontaneous onset was found in six patients. Nine patients had a VAS (visual analogue scale) ≥ 8 (69.23%). On clinical examination, all patients had a syndrome without neurological deficits. 84.61% of patients had a CT scan (n = 11). The dorsolumbar hinge was most affected with 53.85% of cases. Seven patients had a vertebral compression of between 25% and. The average degree of kyphosis was 8˚ and seven patients had a degree of kyphosis ≥ 10˚. Tumour aetiology accounted for 46.15% of cases. Kyphoplasty was performed in 61.53% (n = 9) of the cases and vertebroplasty was performed in 38.47% (n = 4) of the patients. Kyphoplasty was associated with biopsy in two cases and with osteosynthesis in one patient. Vertebroplasty was always associated with a biopsy. The evolution was favourable with a significant reduction in pain and vertebral kyphosis. The mean VAS decreased from 8.15 to 0.69 three months after treatment and the mean kyphosis decreased from 8˚ to 2˚. Conclusion: Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty as percutaneous techniques allow consolidation of the vertebral body and pain relief. Kyphoplasty alone not only reduces pain but also restores the height of the compacted vertebral body.

Cesarean Sections according to the Robson’s Classification in Two University Hospitals of Yaoundé: Indications and Maternofetal Outcome

Introduction: Cesarean section is a surgical intervention which consists in the extraction of a fetus from the uterus after its incision. The rate of cesarean section varies depending on the country and the health facility. For this reason, in 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the use of Robson’s classification to evaluate the practice of cesarean sections in order to identify the groups of women who had abnormally high rates. The objective of our study was to evaluate cesarean sections using the Robson’s classification in CHRACERH and in the Yaoundé Central Hospital (YCH). Methodology: We carried out a retrospective cross sectional and descriptive study in two (02) university hospitals in Yaoundé which took place from December 2017 to May 2018. We included in our study all women who gave birth over a period of two (02) years from January 2016 to December 2017 in these two health facilities. Our sampling was exhaustive over the study period. The parturients’ information was collected using an anonymous and pretested questionnaire. The Robson’s group of every parturient was determined. Descriptive parameters like mean and proportions were calculated. We compared the rates and indications of cesarean sections between the both hospitals using Chi2 test. Results: Out of 330 deliveries realized in CHRACERH, we had 90 cesarean sections;hence, a rate of 27.2%. Out of 1863 deliveries carried out at the YCH, 462 were by cesarean section, hence a rate of 24.8%. The women who belonged to groups 1, 3 and 5 contributed to the highest rates of cesarean sections in both hospitals: in CHRACERH, group 5 (31.1%), group 3 (20%) and group 1 (15.6%), at YCH: group 3 (22.5%), group 1 (21.6%) and group 5 (17.3%). The indications of the cesarean sections varied depending on the Robson’s group and the hospital, the principal indication in group 1 was acute fetal distress (28.6%) in CHRACERH and cephalopelvic disproportion (36.7%) at YCH. Cephalopelvic disproportion was the predominant indication in groups 3 of CHRACERH (44.4%) and YCH (39.2%). In groups 5, CHRACERH and of YCH, a scarred uterus was the principal indication for the cesarean section at 82.4% and 78.4% respectively. At CHRACERH, the maternofetal complications were more frequent in groups 1 and 2 at the YCH, this was the case mostly in groups 1 and 3. Conclusion: The Robson’s classification is an adequate tool for the evaluation and comparison of the rates of cesarean sections. The rates of cesarean section in CHRACERH (27.2%) and at YCH (24.8%) were higher than the rates recommended by WHO. Robson’s groups 1, 3 and 5 were identified as the groups most at risk for cesarean sections in the both hospitals.

Endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy:indications,outcome,and a safe stentless technique

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Geochemical Indications of Possible Gas Hydrates in the Northeastern South China Sea

Gas hydrate, mainly composed of hydrocarbon gas and water, is considered to be a clean energy in the 21st century. Many indicators such as BSRs （Bottom-Simulating Reflections）, which are thought to be related to gas hydrate, are found in the South China Sea （SCS） in recent years. The northeastern part of the SCS is taken as one of the most potentials in the area by many scientists. It is situated in the conjunction of the northern divergent continental margin and the eastern convergent island margin, whose geological settings are much preferable for gas hydrate to occur. Through this study, brightness temperature anomalies recorded by satellite-based thermal infrared remotely sensed images before or within the imminent earthquake, the high content of hydrocarbon gas acid-degassed from subsurface sediment and the high radioactive thermoluminescence value of subsurface sediment were found in the region. Sometimes brightness temperature anomalies alone exist in the surrounding of the Dongsha Islands. The highest content of hydrocarbon gas amounts to 393 μL methane per kilogram sediment and the highest radioactive thermoluminescence value is 31752 unit; their geometric averages are 60.5 μL/kg and 2688.9 unit respectively. What is more inspiring is that there are three sites where the methane contents are up to 243, 268 and 359μL/kg and their radioactive thermoluminescence values are 8430, 9537 and 20826 unit respectively. These three locations are just in the vicinity of one of the highest confident BSRs identified by predecessors. Meanwhile, the anomalies are generally coincident with other results such as headspace gas anomaly in the sediment and chloride anomaly in the interstitial water in the site 1146 of Leg 184. The above-mentioned anomalies are most possibly to indicate the occurrence of gas hydrate in the northeastern SCS.

Current indications for endoscopic submucosal dissection of early gastric cancer

The development of endoscopic treatment technology has further promoted the minimally invasive treatment of early gastric cancer(EGC).Endoscopic treatment has achieved better therapeutic effects in terms of safety and prognosis and is the preferred treatment method for patients who meet the indications for endoscopic treatment.However,the consequent problem is that some patients receiving endoscopic treatment may undergo non-curative resection,and the principle of follow-up management for non-curative resection patients deserves further attention.In addition,there are still debates on how to improve the accuracy of clinical staging,select a reasonable treatment method for patients who meet the expanded indications for endoscopic treatment,manage patients with positive endoscopic surgical margins,conduct research on function-preserving surgery,and manage the treatment of EGC under the current situation in China.Consequently,we aim to review current indications for endoscopic submucosal dissection of EGC in order to better inform treatment options.

A Study on Intellectual Property Right Protection of Geographical Indications and Regional Public Brand Building in Xinjiang

This paper studies the geographical indication resources of Xinjiang and their distribution in administrative regions,national grain production functional zones,protected zones for production of major agricultural products,advantageous areas of Chinese characteristic agricultural products,and national advantageous characteristic industrial clusters.It analyzes the main problems existing in the protection of intellectual property rights of geographical indications.Besides,it discusses the strategies for the protection of intellectual property rights of geographical indications in the autonomous region and the building of regional public brands in the contest of the strategy of strengthening the country with intellectual property and rural revitalization strategy.Finally,it comes up with recommendations,including collecting and sorting out the human factors and natural factors of geographical indications of famous,excellent and special products,strengthening the protection of geographical indications of Xinjiang cotton and its products,enhancing the protection of geographical indications of grain and oil crops and sugar beet,implementing the protection of geographical indications for products with special needs for ethnic minorities,building national geographical indication product protection demonstration areas,formulating national and international standards for geographical indication products,and take full advantage of the EU-China Agreement on Cooperation on and Protection of Geographical Indications to actively participate in the EU protection of geographical indications.

New indications of gas hydrate in the northeastern China permafrost zone

1.Objectives The Mohe Basin in Heilongjiang,China has a NEE thrust nappe belt,which was assembled by the root zone,middle thrust zone and thrust front,north-south and north-east normal faults with three tectonic activities of the Middle Jurassic to. Eocene,the Miocene,and the Early to Middle Pleistocene. The middle thrust zone and thrust front has a large number of folds,thrust faults,fractures and glutenites,which are the major structures of gas hydrate accumulation in the Mohe Basin.

Single rod instrumentation in patients with scoliosis and comorbidities: Indications and outcomes

AIM To present our results on the use of a single rod instrumentation correction technique in a small number of patients with major medical co-morbidities.METHODS This study was a prospective single surgeon series. Patients were treated with single rod hybrid constructs and had a minimum 2-year follow-up. Indications included complex underlying co-morbidities, conversion of growing rods to definitive fusion, and moderate adolescent idiopathic primarily thoracic scoliosis with severe eczema and low body mass index(BMI).RESULTS We included 99 consecutive patients. Mean age at surgery was 12.8 years(SD 3.5 years). Mean scoliosis correction was 62%(SD 15%) from 73°(SD 22°) to 28°(SD 15°). Mean surgical time was 153 min(SD 34 min), and blood loss was 530 mL(SD 327 mL); 20% BV(SD 13%). Mean clinical and radiological follow-up was 3.2 years(range: 2-12) post-operatively. Complications included rod failure, which occurred in three of our complex patients with severe syndromic or congenital kyphoscoliosis(3%). Only one of these three patientsrequired revision surgery to address a non-union. Our revision rate was 2%(including a distal junctional kyphosis in a Marfan's syndrome patient).CONCLUSION The single rod technique has achieved satisfactory deformity correction and a low rate of complications in patients with specific indications and severe underlying medical conditions. In these children with significant co-morbidities, where the risks of scoliosis surgery are significantly increased, this technique has achieved low operative time, blood loss, and associated surgical morbidity.

Changing trends in penetrating keratoplasty indications at a tertiary eye care center in Budapest,Hungary between 2006 and 2017

AIM:To analyze the changing trends in penetrating keratoplasty(PKP)indications.METHODS:This retrospective study included all patients with PKP between 2006 and 2017.Patients were classified using histological diagnoses.Our groups were as the following:pseudophakic or aphakic bullous keratopathy,regraft,acute necrotizing and ulcerative keratitis,keratoconus,Fuchs'dystrophy,corneal dystrophy other than Fuchs',corneal scar,other diagnoses and failed endothelial keratoplasty graft.Additionally,two different time-periods(2006-2012 and 2013-2017)were analysed.RESULTS:Totally 1721 histological analyses of 1214 patients were available for review.The diagnoses were pseudophakic or aphakic bullous keratopathy in 487(28.3%),regraft in 443(25.7%),acute necrotizing and ulcerative keratitis in 313(18.2%),corneal scar in 153(8.9%),keratoconus in 140(8.1%).Fuchs'dystrophy in 61(3.5%),corneal dystrophy other than Fuchs'in 46(2.7%),other diagnoses in 44(2.6%)and failed endothelial keratoplasty graft in 34(2.0%)cases.From the first to the second analysed time-period,incidence of acute necrotizing and ulcerative keratitis,corneal scar,Fuchs'dystrophy increased(P<0.032 for all)and incidence of keratoconus significantly decreased(P=0.015).CONCLUSION:Pseudophakic or aphakic bullous keratopathy is the leading indication for PKP,followed by regraft and acute necrotizing and ulcerative keratitis.

Indications for penetrating keratoplasty and anterior lamellar keratoplasty during 2010-2017

AIM: To review the indications of penetrating keratoplasty(PK) and anterior lamellar keratoplasty(ALK) at Qingdao Eye Hospital, Shandong Eye Institute, Qingdao, China, from 2010 to 2017. METHODS: The data of all patients undergoing PK or ALK from January 2010 to December 2017 was retrospectively reviewed, with the indications during 2010-2013 and 2014-2017 compared. RESULTS: A total of 1869 eyes were included, among which 1405 eyes(75.2%) had PK and 464 eyes(24.8%) had ALK. The leading indications were suppurative keratitis(36.8%), keratoconus(15.5%), herpes keratitis(13.1%), and regraft(10.5%). In eyes undergoing PK, the top four indications were suppurative keratitis(38.7%), herpes keratitis(15.3%), keratoconus(12.6%), and regraft(12.5%) during 2014-2017, with the proportion of suppurative keratitis and herpes keratitis decreased while regraft and keratoconus increased compared with 2010-2013. In eyes with ALK, suppurative keratitis(30.8%), keratoconus(24.1%), corneal dystrophies and degenerations(10.6%), and corneal dermoid tumor(9.7%) were the top four indications, and there was no significant difference for the proportion of each indication between 2010-2013 and 2014-2017. CONCLUSION: Suppurative keratitis is the most common indication for PK and ALK at Qingdao Eye Hospital during 2010-2017, followed by keratoconus, herpes keratitis, and regraft. In eyes treated with PK, the proportion of suppurative keratitis and herpes keratitis decrease while regraft and keratoconus increase during 2014-2017 compared with 2010-2013.

Peritonectomy HIPEC-contemporary results,indications

Paul Sugarbaker＇s procedural description in this paper （1）comes from the pioneer and master of this area. His original description of peritoneal cancer index （PCI） and cytoreduction score （CC） is also fundamental to selection of patients and intraoperative assessment. PCI is calculated by dividing

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and jejunostomy:Indications and techniques

Nutritional support is essential in patients who have a limited capability to maintain their body weight.Therefore,oral feeding is the main approach for such patients.When physiological nutrition is not possible,positioning of a nasogastric,nasojejunal tube,or other percutaneous devices may be feasible alternatives.Creating a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG)is a suitable option to be evaluated for patients that need nutritional support for more than 4 wk.Many diseases require nutritional support by PEG,with neurological,oncological,and catabolic diseases being the most common.PEG can be performed endoscopically by various techniques,radiologically or surgically,with different outcomes and related adverse events(AEs).Moreover,some patients that need a PEG placement are fragile and are unable to express their will or sign a written informed consent.These conditions highlight many ethical problems that become difficult to manage as treatment progresses.The aim of this manuscript is to review all current endoscopic techniques for percutaneous access,their indications,postprocedural follow-up,and AEs.

Indications, Yield and Outcome of Colonoscopy: A 7-Year Retrospective Study in a Resource-Limited Setting

Background and Aims: Diagnostic colonoscopy allows exploration of the colonic mucosa. Indications are multiple. The purpose of this work was to describe the indications and to report the lesions observed during colonoscopy at the General Hospital of Douala. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection over a period of 7 years (January 1, 2010 to January 31, 2017). The data collected from the reports were socio-demographic characteristics, indications and lesions observed at colonoscopy. Binary logistic regression allowed us to identify the independent risk factors associated with the presence of tumors and polyps. Results: We included 719 exams. The main indications were rectorrhagia (29.5%), abdominal pain (25.9%) and constipation (17.8%). A colonic lesion was found in 60.1% of cases. A colorectal tumor accounted for 10.3% of cases. Factors independently associated with colonic tumor were complete colonoscopy (aOR: 0.167 95% CI [0.096 - 0.289], p Conclusion: The presence of weight loss, abdominal or rectal mass should motivate the realization of a complete colonoscopy in search of a colorectal tumor. The most observed lesions remain hemorrhoids, polyps and diverticulosis of the colon.

Multiple indications for everolimus after liver transplantation in current clinical practice

AIM: To assess our experience with the use and management of everolimus-based regimens post-liver transplantation and to redefine the potential role of this drug in current clinical practice.METHODS: From October 1988 to December 2012, 1023 liver transplantations were performed in 955 patients in our Unit. Seventy-four patients(7.74%) received immunosuppression with everolimus at some time post-transplantation. Demographic characteristics, everolimus indication, time elapsed from transplantation to the introduction of everolimus, doses and levels administered, efficacy, side effects, discontinuation andpost-conversion survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean age at the time of conversion to everolimus was 57.7 ± 10 years. Indications for conversion were: refractory rejection 31.1%, extended hepatocellular carcinoma in explanted liver 19%, post-transplant hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence 8.1%, de novo tumour 17.6%, renal insufficiency 8.1%, severe neurotoxicity 10.8%, and others 5.4%. Median time from transplantation to introduction of everolimus was 6 mo(range: 0.10-192). Mean follow-up post-conversion was 22 ± 19 mo(range: 0.50-74). The event for which the drug was indicated was resolved in 60.8% of patients, with the best results in cases of refractory rejection, renal insufficiency and neurotoxicity. Results in patients with cancer were similar to those of a historical cohort treated with other immunosuppressants. The main side effects were dyslipidemia and infections. Post-conversion acute rejection occurred in 14.9% of cases. The drug was discontinued in 28.4% of patients.CONCLUSION: Everolimus at low doses in combination with tacrolimus is a safe immunosuppressant with multiple early and late indications post-liver transplantation.