Abstract Objectives: In the past decade, advances in immunological therapy have increased the survival of kidney recipients and their grafts. However, it has not achieved the desired level of improvement. This study aims to reveal the mortality among kidney recipients. Methods: Medical data of the patients, who had undergone kidney transplantation (KT) between November 2010 and December 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were adult kidney recipients, who had died. Exclusion criteria were pediatric recipients, recipients of en bloc and dual KT, recipients with missing data, and recipients with a primary non-functioning graft. The recipients were grouped according to their donor type; Group 1 (from a living donor) and Group 2 (from a deceased donor). Subgroup analyses were done for mortality by time-period post-transplant and for infectious causes of mortality. Results: Of 314 recipients, 35 (11.14%) died. Twenty-nine recipients were included in the study (Group 1: 17 and Group 2: 12). The most common cause of mortality was infection (58.6%), and the second was cardiovascular disease (CVD) (24.1%). Sepsis developed in 29.4% of infection-related deaths, while COVID-19 constituted 23.5% of infection-related deaths. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment of infectious and CVD are important to improve survival in kidney recipients.

Resumen Objetivos: En la última década, los avances en la terapia inmunológica han aumentado la supervivencia de los receptores de riñón y sus injertos. Sin embargo, no se pudo lograr el nivel de mejora deseado. Este estudio tiene como objetivo revelar la mortalidad entre los receptores de riñón. Materiales y métodos: Se revisaron retrospectivamente los datos médicos de los pacientes, que se habían sometido a un trasplante de riñón entre Noviembre de 2010 y Diciembre de 2020. Los criterios de inclusión fueron los receptores de riñón adultos, que habían fallecido. Los criterios de exclusión fueron los receptores pediátricos, los receptores de trasplantes de riñón dual y en bloque, los receptores con datos faltantes y los receptores con un injerto primario no funcionante. Los receptores se agruparon según su tipo de donante; Grupo 1 (de un donante vivo) y Grupo 2 (de un donante fallecido). Se realizaron análisis de subgrupos para la mortalidad por período de tiempo posterior al trasplante y para las causas infecciosas de mortalidad. Resultados: De 314 beneficiarios, 35 (11,14%) fallecieron. Se incluyeron 29 receptores en el estudio (Grupo 1:17; Grupo 2:12). La causa más común de mortalidad fue la infección (58,6%) y la segunda fue la enfermedad cardiovascular (24,1%). La sepsis se desarrolló en el 29,4% de las muertes relacionadas con la infección, mientras que el COVID-19 constituyó el 23,5% de las muertes relacionadas con la infección. Conclusión: El diagnóstico y tratamiento tempranos de enfermedades infecciosas y cardiovasculares es importante para mejorar la supervivencia de los receptores de riñón.

Abstract Background: There are some difficulties regarding the evaluation of the post-splenectomy state. Objective: The objective of the study is to compare the post-splenectomy blood changes of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients with those of trauma patients, 1 month and ≥ 6 months after surgery. Methods: Medical records of patients, who had undergone total splenectomy for ITP and trauma at a tertiary center between January 2009 and December 2019, were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The current study included 52 patients, who had undergone splenectomy for ITP (57.7%), and trauma (42.3%). Splenectomy, irrespective of the indications, resulted in an increase in hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and platelet levels. Neutrophils were responsible for the preoperative leukocytosis in ITP patients, and neutrophilia was ameliorated by splenectomy and also withdrawal of the steroid therapy in some patients. Decreased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio supported the finding that splenectomy ameliorated inflammation in ITP patients. Splenectomy resulted in a change in percentages of leukocytes in favor of basophils in ITP patients. Conclusions: Splenectomy, irrespective of the indications, resulted in an increase in hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and platelet levels, lymphocyte, monocyte, and eosinophil counts. Splenectomy ameliorated inflammation in ITP patients and resulted in a change in percentages of leukocytes in favor of basophils.

Resumen Antecedentes: Existen algunas dificultades con respecto a la evaluación del estado post-esplenectomía. Objetivo: Comparar los cambios sanguíneos post-esplenectomía de pacientes con PTI con los de pacientes traumatizados, 1 mes y ≥ 6 meses después de la cirugía. Métodos: Se revisaron retrospectivamente las historias clínicas de los pacientes que habían sido sometidos a esplenectomía total por PTI y trauma en un centro terciario entre enero de 2009 y diciembre de 2019. Resultados: El presente estudio incluyó a 52 pacientes, que habían sido sometidos a esplenectomía por PTI (57.7%) y traumatismo (42.3%). La esplenectomía, independientemente de las indicaciones, resultó en un aumento de la concentración de hemoglobina, hematocrito y niveles de plaquetas. Los neutrófilos fueron responsables de la leucocitosis preoperatoria en pacientes con PTI, y la neutrofilia mejoró mediante esplenectomía y también la suspensión de la terapia con esteroides en algunos pacientes. La disminución de NLR y PLR apoyó el hallazgo de una disminución de la inflamación en la esplenectomía en pacientes con PTI. La esplenectomía resultó en un cambio en los porcentajes de leucocitos a favor de los basófilos en pacientes con PTI. Conclusiones: La esplenectomía, independientemente de las indicaciones, resultó en un aumento de la concentración de hemoglobina, niveles de hematocrito y plaquetas, recuentos de linfocitos, monocitos y eosinófilos. Una disminución de la inflamación en la esplenectomía en pacientes con PTI resultó en un cambio en los porcentajes de leucocitos a favor de los basófilos.

Abstract Thoracoepigastric flap is rarely used for reconstruction of the large chest wall defects due to potential for necrosis and delayed wound healing. This article presents three patients with breast cancer, who underwent mastectomy and chest wall reconstruction with thoracoepigastric flap and subsequently developed distal flap necrosis. The negative pressure wound therapy may eliminate the need for additional graft and/or flap surgery in patients with large necrosis size.

Resumen El colgajo toracoepigástrico rara vez se utiliza para la reconstrucción de grandes defectos de la pared torácica debido al potencial de necrosis y al retraso en la cicatrización de la herida. En este artículo se presentan tres pacientes con cáncer de mama, que fueron sometidas a mastectomía y reconstrucción de la pared torácica con colgajo toracoepigástrico y posteriormente desarrollaron necrosis del colgajo distal. La terapia de presión negativa para heridas puede eliminar la necesidad de cirugía adicional de injerto y/o colgajo en pacientes con necrosis de gran tamaño.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: Há alguns estudos que examinam fatores prognósticos em esplenectomias não traumáticas em comparação com os traumáticos. OBJETIVO: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os preditores de mortalidade em pacientes submetidos à esplenectomia para doenças do baço não traumático. MÉTODOS: Os prontuários dos pacientes, submetidos à esplenectomia total não traumática para doenças do baço em um centro terciário entre janeiro de 2009 e dezembro de 2019, foram revisados retrospectivamente. Os critérios de exclusão incluíram pacientes menores de 18 anos, esplenectomias parciais, esplenectomias aplicadas para facilitar a cirurgia para a malignidade em órgãos contíguos e esplenectomias realizadas durante o transplante hepático. As lesões esplênicas iatrogênicas foram consideradas trauma e esses casos também foram excluídos. RESULTADOS: O presente estudo incluiu 98 pacientes. Nove (9,2%) pacientes morreram. Na análise univariada, idade, presença de neoplasia hematológica, hematócrito, hemoglobina, contagem de glóbulos brancos, razão entre neutrófilos-linfócitos, indicações de esplenectomia, aplicação de cirurgia de emergência, técnica cirúrgica e transfusão de componentes sanguíneos foram significativamente associadas à mortalidade. Na análise multivariada, a presença de malignidade hematológica [P=0,072; OR=7,17; (IC: 0,386-61,56)], aplicação de cirurgia de emergência [P=0,035; OR=8,33; (IC: 1,165-59,595)] e leucocitose [P=0,057; OR=1,136; (IC: 0,996-1,296)] verificou-se que estão positivamente associados à mortalidade. CONCLUSÃO: Neoplasia hematológica, cirurgia de emergência e leucocitose foram os preditores independentes da mortalidade em pacientes, operados por doenças não traumáticas do baço. Uma avaliação pré-operatória minuciosa, intervenção terapêutica precoce e técnicas cirúrgicas avançadas são importantes e podem servir para minimizar complicações e mortalidade em caso de inevitável esplenectomia. Pesquisas imunológicas podem fornecer novas oportunidades terapêuticas que podem impactar positivamente nos pacientes, minimizando a morbidade e a mortalidade.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: There are quite a few studies examining prognostic factors in non-traumatic splenectomies compared to traumatic ones. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the predictors of mortality in patients who underwent splenectomy for non-traumatic spleen diseases. METHODS: Medical records of the patients, who had undergone total splenectomy for non-traumatic spleen diseases at a tertiary center between January 2009 and December 2019, were retrospectively reviewed. Exclusion criteria included patients younger than 18 years of age, partial splenectomies, splenectomies applied to facilitate surgery for malignancy on contiguous organs, and splenectomies performed during liver transplantation. Iatrogenic splenic injuries were regarded as trauma and these cases were also excluded. RESULTS: The current study included 98 patients. Nine (9.2%) patients died. In univariate analysis, age, the presence of hematological neoplasia, hematocrit, hemoglobin, white blood cell counts, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, indications for splenectomy, application of emergency surgery, surgical technique, and transfusion of blood components were all significantly associated with mortality. In multivariate analysis, the presence of hematological malignancy [P=0.072; OR=7.17; (CI: 0.386-61.56)], the application of emergency surgery [P=0.035; OR=8.33; (CI: 1.165-59.595)] and leukocytosis [P=0.057; OR=1.136; (CI: 0.996-1.296)] were found to be positively associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Hematologic neoplasia, emergency surgery, and leukocytosis were the independent predictors of mortality in patients, who were operated on for non-traumatic spleen diseases. A thorough preoperative evaluation, early therapeutic intervention, and advanced surgical techniques are important and can serve to minimize complications and mortality in case of inevitable splenectomy. Immunological research can provide new therapeutic opportunities that may impact positively on patients by minimizing morbidity and mortality.

ABSTRACT Introduction: In some countries, organ donation is not widespread enough due to medical, cultural, ethical and socioeconomic factors. Living-donor kidney transplant constitutes the main source of kidney donation. Aim: To evaluate the causes of cancellation of living-donor kidney transplant and improve the effectiveness of transplant programs. Methods: Medical records of possible donors and recipients who were evaluated for living-donor kidney transplant at a tertiary medical center between November 2010 and September 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Evaluations were performed on 364 potential donors and 338 living-donor kidney transplant recipients; 207 of the latter (61.24%) underwent living-donor kidney transplant. Immune disorders represented the majority of cancellations (38.84%). Fifty-six donors (15.38%) were rejected mainly due to renal disorders (39%). Conclusion: Timely referral of patients to transplant centers must be guaranteed in order to overcome immune problems. Transplant centers should invest in programs adequate both for their resources and for their patients: paired kidney exchange, desensitization protocols, future research, etc.

RESUMEN Introducción: En algunos países la donación de órganos no es suficiente debido a factores médicos, culturales, éticos y socioeconómicos. El donante vivo de riñón constituye la principal fuente de donación de riñones. Objetivo: Evaluar las causas de cancelación de los donantes vivos de riñón y mejorar la eficacia de los programas de trasplante. Material y métodos: Se evaluaron retrospectivamente los registros médicos de posibles donantes y receptores para trasplante de riñón con donante vivo en un centro terciario, entre noviembre de 2010 y septiembre de 2019. Resultados: Se evaluaron 364 donantes potenciales y 338 receptores de trasplante de riñón con donante vivo; 207 receptores (61,24%) se sometieron a trasplante de riñón con donante vivo. Los problemas inmunológicos ocasionaron la mayoría de las cancelaciones (38,84%). A cincuenta y seis donantes (15,38%) se les negó la donación, principalmente debido a problemas renales (39%). Conclusión: La derivación oportuna de los pacientes a los centros de trasplante debe garantizarse para superar las barreras inmunológicas. Los centros de trasplante deberían invertir en programas adecuados, tanto por sus recursos como por los pacientes: protocolos de desensibilización, trasplante renal cruzado, investigación futura, etc.