Usefulness of vancomycin treatment individualization via Bayesian algorithms: a 5-year study in critical patients.

Compare two vancomycin dosing strategies in critical patients with methicillin-resistant (MRSA) infections, considering the heterogeneity of the dosing regimens administered and their implications for toxicity and efficacy. Longitudinal retrospective observational study in two patient cohorts (standard dosing vs dosing via Bayesian algorithms). The group of Bayesian algorithms received substantially higher and significantly heterogeneous doses, with an absence of nephrotoxicity.

Brain lesions associated with eosinophilia. A useful clue for neurotoxocariasis. Report of one case.

Neurotoxocariasis is uncommon. Its manifestations include events of meningitis, encephalitis and less frequently vasculitis, which manifest as headache, seizures, focalization, confusion, cognitive alterations and /or fever. Peripheral eosinophilia with clinical and neurological imaging elements, allow its early suspicion.

Improving the sensitivity of gastrointestinal helminth detection using the Mini-FLOTAC technique in wild birds.

High-performance-validated tests are essential for successful epidemiological monitoring, surveillance of parasitic infections, and comparative studies in wildlife populations. The Mini-FLOTAC is a novel flotation-based technique for the sensitive detection and quantification of gastrointestinal parasites that is recently being explored for use in wildlife. A limitation of any flotation-based copromicroscopic method is the selection of the flotation solution (FS), which might influence the performance of the test.

International Delphi Expert Consensus on Safe Return to Surgical and Endoscopic Practice: From the Coronavirus Global Surgical Collaborative.

Objective: The aim of this work is to formulate recommendations based on global expert consensus to guide the surgical community on the safe resumption of surgical and endoscopic activities.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused marked disruptions in the delivery of surgical care worldwide. A thoughtful, structured approach to resuming surgical services is necessary as the impact of COVID-19 becomes better controlled.

Recovery of endoscopy services in the era of COVID-19: recommendations from an international Delphi consensus.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on provision of endoscopy services globally as staff and real estate were repurposed. As we begin to recover from the pandemic, a cohesive international approach is needed, and guidance on how to resume endoscopy services safely to avoid unintended harm from diagnostic delays. The aim of these guidelines is to provide consensus recommendations that clinicians can use to facilitate the swift and safe resumption of endoscopy services.

Treatment of post-cholecystectomy biliary strictures with fully-covered self-expanding metal stents - results after 5 years of follow-up.

Background: Endoscopic treatment of post-cholecystectomy biliary strictures (PCBS) with multiple plastic biliary stents placed sequentially is a minimally invasive alternative to surgery but requires multiple interventions. Temporary placement of a single fully-covered self-expanding metal stent (FCSEMS) may offer safe and effective treatment with fewer re-interventions. Long-term effectiveness of treatment with FCSEMS to obtain PCBS resolution has not yet been studied.

Low occurrence of hemosporidian parasites in the Neotropic cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) in Chile.

Hemosporidian parasites rarely infect aquatic birds. Few studies have been conducted in South America identifying some lineages of the genera Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon, and Haemoproteus, but none has been done in the Neotropic cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus). This species is widely distributed through the American continent, from Southern USA to Tierra del Fuego, using a wide range of aquatic habitats.

Successful management of benign biliary strictures with fully covered self-expanding metal stents.

Background & Aims: Fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMS) are gaining acceptance for the treatment of benign biliary strictures. We performed a large prospective multinational study to study the ability to remove these stents after extended indwell and the frequency and durability of stricture resolution.

Methods: In a nonrandomized study at 13 centers in 11 countries, 187 patients with benign biliary strictures received FCSEMS.

Treatment of common bile duct injuries after surgery.

The treatment of common biliary duct injuries after surgery is a permanent challenge for physicians, and management by a multidisciplinary team is often required. The endoscopic approach is a valuable tool because it is able to assess the problem and also provide a therapeutic option for both fistulas and stenosis of the biliary tree. This article discusses the endoscopic management of postsurgical injuries of the common bile duct and discusses the application of practical tools.

[Palliative treatment for locally advanced or metastatic gallbladder cancer: conclusions of the Latin American Consensus meeting for the management of gallbladder cancer].

Gallbladder cancer is a rare disease in Western developed countries, but it is a highly prevalent and lethal disease in Chile and other countries in Latin America. No randomized controlled trials have been performed in gallbladder cancer to establish standard treatments. We therefore performed the first Latin American consensus meeting for the management of gallbladder cancer.

[Endoluminal excision of an esophageal fibrovascular polyp. Report of one case].

We report a 47-year-old woman presenting with dysphagia. A chest CAT scan and barium swallow showed an endoluminal mass that extended to four vertebrae. An endoluminal sonography localized the pediculum of the mass, that was excised endoscopically.

[Experience with capsule endoscopy diagnostic tool for the small intestine].

Background: Wireless capsule endoscopy (CE) is a relatively new method to evaluate the small intestine.

Aim: To evaluate the indications of CE in our center and assess whether specific indications are associated with best results during CE studies.

Material And Methods: Retrospective analysis of 69 patients aged 9 to 85 years (36 males) subjected to a CE at our institution between April 2004 and October 2007.

[Endoscopic argon plasma coagulation in recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula. Clinical series and review of the literature].

Introduction: Recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula (RTEF) is a complication that occurs in up to 15% of patients after esophageal atresia repair. The clinical features include coughing, aspiration, recurrent pneumonia and failure to thrive. Surgical treatment is recommended.

[Inverted colonic diverticula: an uncommon endoscopic finding].

Background: The appearance of inverted colonic diverticula (ICD) is similar to that of elevated polypoid lesions. The aim of this study was to describe the endoscopic characteristics of ICD with a view to avoiding misdiagnosis, and to report the frequency of these lesions.

Material And Method: Using an endoscopic database, we retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent colonoscopy at our institution between July 2001 and July 2004.

[Endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy: when and how].

Endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy (EPS) has fallen into disuse for some time because of the risk of severe complications. More recently, EPS has been advocated as an effective treatment modality for several pancreatic disorders, including severe chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocyst, ampulloma, pancreas divisum, and pancreatic sphincter dysfunction. Favorable outcomes in patients undergoing EPS to facilitate further interventions, in whom long-term follow-up was available, was 70%; complications occurred in 14% and reintervention was required in 23%.