Introduction: Necrotizing pneumonia complicated with empyema is a life-threatening condition that challenges multidisciplinary teams. The aim of this study is to perform an epidemiological characterization of these patients, and secondly, analyse their treatment and outcomes. Case presentation: A retrospective analysis of a series of consecutive patients experiencing necrotizing pneumonia with empyema who presented at Hospital Padre Hurtado. Seven (77.8%) were male. The median age was 53 (range 21-73) years. 44% presented with comorbidities (diabetes, high blood pressure, and neurological diseases). 44% presented drug abuse consumption and three (33.3%) were in a state of severe malnutrition. Management and outcome: The median time of hospitalization was 41 (range 16-129) days. Thoracotomies were performed in eight (83.2%) of the patients. In four patients, the isolated bacteria's were Enterococcus faecalis. Thoracic complications occurred in three (33.3%) patients. One patient required a lobectomy, one patient a fenestration and one (11.1%) patient died. Discussion: Necrotizing pneumonias complicated with empyema are rare, however, if there is an association with drug abuse, diabetes and malnutrition, we will continue to see such challenging cases with high morbidity and mortality.

Introducción: Las neumonías necrosantes (NN) con empiema son una enfermedad grave y un desafío multidisciplinario. El objetivo de este estudio es realizar una caracterización epidemiológica y, en forma secundaria, analizar su tratamiento y evolución. Presentación de casos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de una serie de casos consecutivos con NN con empiema que se presentaron en el Hospital Padre Hurtado. Siete (77,8%) eran de sexo masculino. La mediana de edad fue de 53 (rango 21-73) años. El 44% presentaban comorbilidades (diabetes, HTA o enfermedades neurológicas). El 44% presentaban abuso de drogas y 3 estaban en un estado de desnutrición severa. Manejo y evolución: La mediana de tiempo de hospitalización fue de 41 (rango 16-129) días. En 4 pacientes el germen aislado fue un Enterococcus faecalis. Complicaciones torácicas ocurrieron en el 33,3% de los pacientes. Un paciente requirió una lobectomía, un paciente una fenestración y otro paciente falleció. Discusión: Las NN con empiemas son raras. Sin embargo, frente a la asociación de diabetes, desnutrición y abuso de drogas continuaremos viendo estos casos de difícil manejo con elevada morbimortalidad.

Abstract Esophageal cancer surgery is a challenge despite the advances in surgical techniques and perioperative care. It continues to have high rates of complications and mortality, even in large volume centers. This paperrevises the epidemiology, staging and therapeutic options for esophageal cancer, according to its stage andlocation. It also encompasses the digestive tract reconstruction options, according to our own experience andreports from abroad.

Resumen La cirugía del cáncer de esófago ha sido y sigue siendo un desafío pese a los avances en técnica quirúrgica y cuidados peri operatorios y a pesar de que las complicaciones postoperatorias y la morbimortalidad sigue siendo alta, aún en centros con alto volumen de procedimientos y más aún en centros no dedicados a laatención de estos pacientes. En este artículo se revisarán algunos aspectos epidemiológicos, las herramientasdiagnósticas actuales, su etapificación, y las opciones terapéuticas de acuerdo al estadío, sea en etapas precoces o avanzadas, la localización y tipo de tumor, opciones de reconstrucción del tránsito digestivo en base alo reportado en la literatura internacional, la experiencia nacional y en base a nuestros propios resultados enel Departamento de Cirugía del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile.

RACIONAL: O tratamento cirúrgico do câncer de esôfago está associado com alta morbidade e mortalidade. Os acessos transtorácicos abertos ou os transmediastinais são considerados procedimentos invasivos e têm sido associados à altas taxas de complicações e de mortalidade operatória. Desta forma, a operação do esôfago minimamente invasiva tem sido sugerida como alternativa aos procedimentos clássicos, porque iria produzir melhora no desempenho pós-operatório a longo prazo. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a sobrevida, mortalidade e morbidade da esofagectomia por câncer de esôfago submetidos às técnicas minimamente invasivas e compará-los com os resultados publicados na literatura internacional. MÉTODO: Estudo observacional, prospectivo. Entre 2003 e 2012, 69 pacientes foram submetidos à esofagectomia minimamente invasiva devido ao câncer. Foram analisadas morbidade e mortalidade pós-operatória de acordo com a classificação Clavien-Dindo. A taxa de sobrevivência foi analisada pelo método de Kaplan-Meier. O número de nódulos linfáticos obtidos durante a dissecção do nódulo linfático foi analisado como um índice da qualidade da técnica cirúrgica. RESULTADOS: 63,7% dos pacientes tiveram complicações menores (tipo I-II Clavien Dindo), enquanto nove (13%) necessitaram de re-exploração cirúrgica. A complicação pós-operatória mais comum correspondeu a deiscência da anastomose cervical observada em 44 (63,7%) pacientes, mas sem suas repercussões clínicas, apenas dois deles necessitaram de reoperação. A taxa de mortalidade foi de 4,34%, e reoperação foi necessária em nove (13%) casos. O tempo médio de sobrevivência foi de 22,59±25,38 meses, com a probabilidade de uma taxa de sobrevida em três anos estimada em 30%. O número de linfonodos ressecados foi 17,17±9,62. CONCLUSÃO: As técnicas minimamente invasivas têm menor morbidade e mortalidade, satisfatório número de linfonodos ressecados e resultados a longo prazo semelhantes após operação aberta, em termos de qualidade de vida e sobrevida.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of esophageal cancer is associated to a high morbidity and mortality rate. The open transthoracic or transhiatal esophagectomy are considerably invasive procedures and have been associated to high rates of complications and operative mortality. In this way, minimally invasive esophageal surgery has been suggested as an alternative to the classic procedures because would produce improvement in clinical longterm postoperative outcomes. AIM: To assess survival, mortality and morbidity results of esophagectomy due to esophageal cancer submitted to minimally invasive techniques and compare them to results published in international literature. METHOD: An observational, prospective study. Between 2003 and 2012, 69 patients were submitted to a minimally invasive esophagectomy due to cancer. It was recorded postoperative morbidity and mortality according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. The survival rate was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method. The number of lymph nodes obtained during the lymph node dissection, as an index of the quality of the surgical technique, was analysed. RESULTS: 63.7% of patients had minor complications (type I-II Clavien Dindo), while nine (13%) required surgical re-exploration. The most common postoperative complication corresponded to leak of the cervical anastomosis seen in 44 (63.7%) patients but without clinical repercusion, only two of them required reoperation. The mortality rate was 4.34%, and reoperation was necessary in nine (13%) cases. The average survival time was 22.59±25.38 months, with the probability of a 3-year survival rate estimated at 30%. The number of resected lymph nodes was 17.17±9.62. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive techniques have lower morbidity and mortality rate, very satisfactory lymphnodes resection and similar long term outcomes in term of quality of life and survival compared to results observed after open surgery.