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ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to study the diagnostic efficacy of the percutaneous puncture of pancreatic tissue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients with suspicion of pancreatic neoplasm, and with a percutaneous biopsy of pancreatic tissue, from 2000 to 2011. For the statistical comparative analysis, the sample was stratified by tumour size: ≤ 3cm and > 3cm. RESULTS: A total of 90 biopsies were performed. Pancreatic neoplasm diagnosis was made in 47 cases (52%), with 16 false negatives (18%), no false positives, and chronic pancreatitis in 24 cases (27%). The efficacy of the test results were: an overall sensitivity of 75% (95% CI: 62%-85%), a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 87%-100%), a positive predictive value of 100% (95% CI: 92%-100%), and a negative predictive value of 63% (95% CI: 46%-77%). For tumour sizes ≤ 3cm the sensitivity was 70% (95% CI: 45%-88%), with a specificity of 100% (95% CI 66%-100%), a positive predictive value of 100% (95% CI: 76%-100%, and a negative predictive value 60% (95% CI: 32%-83%). For tumours greater than 3cm, the sensitivity was 88% (95% CI: 70%-98%), the specificity was 100% (95% CI: 75%-100%), with a positive predictive value of 100% (95% CI: 85%-100%) and a negative predictive value of 81% (95% CI: 54%-96%). CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic percutaneous biopsy efficacy was strongly determined by lesion size. For tumour sizes less than 3cm, the sensitivity and negative predictive value are unacceptably low, as negative results would not reliable.
Cirugía Española 02/2013; · 0.87 Impact Factor
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Cirugía Española 05/2012; 90(6):412-3. · 0.87 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Triple negative breast cancers (negative estrogen receptor, progestagen receptor and no overexpression of HER2) seems to be more aggressive than other breast carcinoma subtypes. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze if a more aggressive surgical treatment should be offered to this subgroup of patients.
The Castellon Cancer Registry Database (C.Valenciana, Spain) was used to identify eligible breast cancer patients. Female patients who were diagnosed and/or treated from January 2000 to December 2008 with primary, invasive, unilateral breast cancer at our hospital were included. A total of 410 patients make up the study population. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were used to estimate 5-year local recurrence functions and to compare them across strata. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals to fit the effect of conservative surgery and other independent variables on local recurrence.
Median follow-up time was 60 months (1-127 months). A total of 21 patients (5%) presented a local recurrence during follow-up. There was a 9% difference in terms of local recurrence between conservative and non-conservative techniques for triple negative patients, whereas such difference was only 1% for no triple negative patients. On univariate analysis for local recurrence, only tumor size and lymph node metastasis were statistically associated with local recurrence. All other variables (type of surgery, triple negative status, molecular classification, tumor grade, age, adjuvant treatments, and total number of analyzed lymph nodes) were not statistically significant. On multivariate analysis, independent prognostic factors were breast conservative surgery (HR 4.62 95%CI 1.12-16.82), number of positive lymph nodes (HR 1.07 95%CI 1.01-1.17) and millimetre tumor size (HR 1.02 95%CI 1.01-1.06). In contrast, triple negative status trended to be a risk factor but without statistical significance (HR 1.59 95%CI 0.42-8.04).
It was not possible to find statistically significant differences between conservative and non-conservative surgery for triple negative breast cancer. However, a trend was observed for higher recurrence rates after breast conservative surgery for this group of patients. Prospective clinical trials are needed to confirm this observation.
Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland) 05/2012; 21(3):401-5. · 2.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Bariatric surgery is becoming increasingly more common in the treatment of morbid obesity in our hospitals. One of the measures being used to optimise the results of this surgery seems to be the standardising the preoperative weight loss. As there are no universal recommendations for carrying out this weight loss, a review of this topic is presented.
To analyse whether sufficient scientific evidence exists to recommend preoperative weight loss in candidate patients for bariatric surgery. What would be the best options to carry out this weight loss is also analysed, as well as making some recommendations based on the scientific evidence.
There is great heterogeneity in the designs of the different studies, with different guidelines for weight loss and various surgical techniques. However, preoperative weight loss leads to a decrease in the size of the liver and intra-abdominal fat, which improves the surgical field and intra-operative view, which in turn helps during the surgical act, both in open as well as laparoscopic surgery. There is no consensus on the effect of preoperative weight loss has in predicting the medium or long term results after bariatric surgery.
The current scientific evidence makes preoperative weight loss recommendable in candidate patients for bariatric surgery. However, there is no consensus on what is the best procedure to achieve this preoperative weight loss.
Cirugía Española 03/2012; 90(3):147-55. · 0.87 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Breast screening programs in Spain cover almost 100% of population. The objective of the present study was to analyze if there have been any changes during the last decade in our breast screening unit (Unidad de Prevención del Cáncer de Mama de Castellón) that can also be extrapolated to other breast screening units.
We conducted a retrospective and descriptive analysis reviewing patients seen in our breast screening unit between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2009. Patients with a final diagnosis of carcinoma, year of diagnosis, age, histological type, infiltration, surgical procedure and tumor extension were analyzed.
A total of 311 breast cancers were diagnosed among 90,010 women who were seen at our breast screening unit. Mean age of the patients was 56 years. A progressive increase of the target population was seen (24,004 persons in 2000 and 31,950 in 2009). Histological type, percentage of infiltrative tumors and lymph node involvement did not show significant differences by year. Differences were observed for tumor size (pT category of TNM classification) and breast conservation surgery.
Tumor stage in cancers diagnosed in breast screening units progressively decreased when the program was being implemented. There is a maximum level among which tumor characteristics remain constant. Changes in screening programs can modify these characteristics.
Cirugia y cirujanos 09/2011; 79(5):402-8. · 0.14 Impact Factor
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Cirugía Española 06/2011; 90(1):68-9. · 0.87 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In cancer of the colon, the number of lymph nodes that should be analysed before a patient is classified as free of lymph node involvement has been widely discussed. A mathematical model is proposed which is based on the Bayes Theorem for calculating the probability of error (PE) similar to that normally used to evaluate a diagnostic test, but adapted to a quantitative variable, the lymph node count.
The clinical histories of 480 patients routinely operated on in attempt to cure cancer of the colon were reviewed. Cases with any kind of metastasis were excluded. The proposed formula based on the Bayes Theorem was applied with the aim of calculating the PEs for the complete series and for different patient sub-groups (T2, T3, and T4 tumours).
For the probabilities of error of classifying a patient as N negative, which varied between 5% and 1% (near or practically 0), the minimum number of negative lymph nodes required for analysis fluctuated between 7 and 17, respectively, for the complete series. This minimum figure was also variable for the different sub-groups (T2, T3, and T4 tumours) studied. These numbers mainly depended on the case characteristics of a specific study group as regards the prevalence of the N+ cases that they dealt with, and of its historically demonstrated ability to collect and identify positive lymph nodes in those patients that had them.
From a mathematical point of view, the minimum number of lymph nodes that have to be analysed in cancer of the colon in order to classify a patient as N negative is not a constant. This depends on the error that is prepared to be assumed for that diagnosis, possibly depending on certain tumour traits, and also may be adapted to the cases of each study group.
Cirugía Española 10/2010; 88(6):383-9. · 0.87 Impact Factor
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Cirugía Española 03/2010; 87(3):193-4; author reply 194-5. · 0.87 Impact Factor
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Javier Escrig Sos
Cirugía Española 12/2009; 87(2):127; author reply 128. · 0.87 Impact Factor
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Atención Primaria 10/2009; · 0.63 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is an effective alternative to axillary lymph node dissection (ALD) for axillary staging. SNB (test) needs a validation period in which ALD (the gold standard) is always performed. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values (PV) are used to define the accuracy of the procedure. We hypothesise that, during the period of validation, a bias is produced if the result of SNB is included as a part of the ALD.
A hypothetical population of 350 patients was analysed. First analyses were performed by including the sentinel lymph node as a part of 'the rest of the axilla'. Second analyses were re-done according to our theory, and sentinel lymph node was considered outside 'the rest of the axilla'. Sensitivity, specificity and PV were compared for both models.
First group (classic) - sensitivity: 94%; specificity: 100%; positive PV: 100%; negative PV: 97%. Second group (new proposed model) - sensitivity: 87%; specificity: 81%; positive PV: 44%; negative PV: 97%.
The classic concept of sentinel lymph node to calculate sensitivity, specificity and positive PV can result in a bias. The magnitude of this bias will vary in terms of the obtained values, but its direction is always optimistic.
Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland) 10/2009; 18(6):368-72. · 2.09 Impact Factor
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Javier Escrig Sos
Cirugía Española 10/2009; 86(4):267. · 0.87 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The ratio of positive lymph nodes between the total number of harvested lymph nodes (metastatic lymph node ratio, MLNR) has been proposed as an alternative to the total number of lymph nodes alone in predicting outcomes for patients with breast cancer. Because there can be differences between European and non-European populations, the authors present the first study analyzing MLNR influence over disease-free survival (DFS) by using a population-based cancer registry in a European country.
Data from 441 patients with T1-2 N1-3 breast cancer included in the Castellon Cancer Registry (Comunidad Valenciana, Spain) were used. Cumulative DFS was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method, with univariate comparisons between groups through the log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis.
At univariate analysis, factors influencing the 10-year DFS rate were tumor size, conservative or nonconservative surgery, histologic grade, histologic type, radiotherapy, tamoxifen, estrogen and progesterone receptor status, p53 status, total number of positive lymph nodes, and MLNR. At multivariate analysis, tumor size, MLNR, and progesterone receptor status were revealed to be independent prognostic factors; the metastatic lymph node ratio was the most notably independent factor (hazard ratio 1.02, 5.21, and 0.61, respectively).
MLNR is a stronger prognostic factor for recurrence than the total number of positive lymph nodes in T1-T2 N1-3 breast cancer.
World Journal of Surgery 07/2009; 33(8):1659-64. · 2.36 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To analyse the diagnostic performance of the primary care (PC) doctor in benign anal diseases.
Cross-sectional study including patients referred to our clinic from PC with the diagnosis of clinical conditions pertaining to benign anal diseases between 1st June and 31st December 2007. The diagnosis established by the PC doctor was compared with that of 2 medical specialists in general and digestive diseases surgery.
Department of General Surgery and Digestive Diseases. Castellon General Hospital.
Patients diagnosed with a benign anal disease in PC and referred to our department.
The sensitivity, specificity and kappa index was calculated for each disease.
A total of 105 patients were included. The diagnoses were: 65 haemorrhoids, 13 fissures, 8 fistulas, 7 abscesses, 4 pilonidal cysts, and 8 other diagnoses. A physical examination was carried out on 61 patients and 19 had a rectal examination. In AE, 44 haemorrhoids, 20 fissures, 9 pilonidal cysts were diagnosed and there were 16 other diagnoses. For haemorrhoids the sensitivity was 90.9%, the specificity 59%, and the kappa index was 0.5. For a fistula, it was 43.8%, 98.9% and 0.5, respectively and for a fissure, 15%, 88.2% and 0.04. The physical examination improved all these results.
The diagnostic performance of benign anal diseases in PC is insufficient. A good physical examination and improved training in these diseases could possibly improve these results.
Atención Primaria 04/2009; 41(4):207-12. · 0.63 Impact Factor
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Cirugía Española 03/2009; 85(2):124-6. · 0.87 Impact Factor
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Cirugía Española 03/2009; 85(2):67-8. · 0.87 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis has become the standard surgical procedure for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis of the colon. Nevertheless, its use in Crohn's disease patients remains controversial. A review was carried out in order to determine the present scientific evidence on the usefulness of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in Crohn's disease patients. There are no clinical trials analysing this issue. Scientific evidence is based on case series and retrospective studies. Most authors agree that Crohn's disease remains a contraindication for ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, due to the high rate of complications and pouch failure. Nevertheless, a small group of authors consider ileal pouch-anal anastomosis as a good alternative for selected Crohn's disease patients. Both groups agree that if the pouch can be preserved, functional results are good. According to our review, current scientific evidence does not recommend ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for Crohn's disease patients.
Cirugía Española 03/2009; 85(2):69-75. · 0.87 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The assessment and interpretation of the results of a clinical study are a real challenge for the clinicians. In this paper we establish a general basis for a critical and reserved assessment of these, from the fundamental aspects of the design and statistics, as well as the application of the results to our own patients according to risk and benefit criteria. Main errors and the traps that should be avoided are emphasised.
Cirugía Española 01/2009; 84(6):307-12. · 0.87 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Metastasis to regional lymph nodes, after distant metastasis, is the most important prognostic factor of colorectal carcinomas. It is also of primary importance in decisions related to the administration of adjuvant treatments. Most scientific associations recommend the examination of at least 12 lymph nodes for the reliable determination of the absence of nodal metastases. We performed a literature review on lymph node recovery in order to determine whether 12 is the minimum and optimal number of lymph nodes to be examined after colorrectal cancer surgery. The differences between authors suggest that an optimal number of lymph nodes to be examined after colorectal cancer surgery probably does not exist and depends on many factors. Thus, recovering as many lymph nodes as possible seems to be a good option.
Cirugía Española 04/2008; 83(3):108-17. · 0.87 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Balloon dilatation of the papilla of Vater is used to treat biliary lithiasis. The results and complications rate of this technique are excellent. Published data indicate that this procedure does not significantly alter the physiology of the sphincter of Oddi and that normal function is maintained. Papillary balloon dilatation would therefore provide an advantage over other techniques in which sphincteric function is abolished. The objective of this study was to evaluate the functional status of the sphincter of Oddi after balloon dilatation of the papilla of Vater.
Twenty-four New Zealand albino rabbits were used. All animals underwent laparotomy and duodenotomy with balloon dilatation of the papilla of Vater. Manometric study of the biliary tract and of the sphincter of Oddi was also performed before, shortly after, and 21 days after dilatation. Biliary and sphincter of Oddi pressures and phasic activity of the sphincter (frequency, amplitude and duration of waves) were used as measuring variables for each of the stages of the experiment.
Papillary balloon dilatation immediately provoked substantial sphincter relaxation. Comparison of the values of basal biliary and sphincter of Oddi pressures with those found 21 days after dilatation showed no statistically significant differences. No significant differences were found when the variables related to phasic activity of the sphincter (frequency, amplitude and duration) were compared between the distinct phases of the experiment.
The results of the present study suggest complete recovery of sphincter function 21 days after balloon dilatation.
Cirugía Española 12/2007; 82(5):278-84. · 0.87 Impact Factor
