Hemodialysis vascular access options in pediatrics: considerations for patients and practitioners

Recent data indicate that the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in pediatric patients (age 0–19 years) has increased over the past two decades. Similarly, the prevalence of ESRD has increased threefold over the same period. Hemodialysis (HD) continues to be the most frequently utilized modality for renal replacement therapy in incident pediatric ESRD patients. The number of children on HD exceeded the sum total of those on peritoneal dialysis and those undergoing pre-emptive renal transplantation. Choosing the best vascular access option for pediatric HD patients remains challenging. Despite a national initiative for fistula first in the adult hemodialysis population, the pediatric nephrology community in the United States of America utilizes central venous catheters as the primary dialysis access for most patients. Vascular access management requires proper advance planning to assure that the best permanent access is placed, seamless communication involving a multidisciplinary team of nephrologists, nurses, surgeons, and interventional radiologists, and ongoing monitoring to ensure a long life of use. It is imperative that practitioners have a long-term vision to decrease morbidity in this unique patient population. This article reviews the various types of pediatric vascular accesses used worldwide and the benefits and disadvantages of these various forms of access

Stent grafting of acute hepatic artery bleeding following pancreatic head resection

The purpose of this study was to report the potential of hepatic artery stent grafting in cases of acute hemorrhage of the gastroduodenal artery stump following pancreatic head resection. Five consecutive male patients were treated because of acute, life-threatening massive bleeding. Instead of re-operation, emergency angiography, with the potential of endovascular treatment, was performed. Because of bleeding from the hepatic artery, a stent graft (with the over-the-wire or monorail technique) was implanted to control the hemmorhage by preserving patency of the artery. The outcome was evaluated. In all cases, the hepatic artery stent grafting was successfully performed, and the bleeding was immediately stopped. Clinically, immediately after the procedure, there was an obvious improvement in the general patient condition. There were no immediate procedure-related complications. Completion angiography (n=5) demonstrated control of the hemorrhage and patency of the hepatic artery and the stent graft. Although all patients recovered hemodynamically, three individuals died 2 to 10 days after the procedure. The remaining two patients survived, without the need for re-operation. Transluminal stent graft placement in the hepatic artery is a safe and technically feasible solution to control life-threatening bleeding of the gastroduodenal artery stump

Fístula pancreática após duodenopancreatectomia: correlação dos aspectos intra-operatórios e histologicos do pâncreas

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a relação entre a ocorrência de fístula pancreática pós-anastomose pancreatojejunal, em doentes submetidos à duodenopancreatectomia por neoplasia maligna periampolar, com aspectos histológicos de fibrose e inflamação encontrados no tecido pancreático e com o calibre do ducto pancreático principal. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo interessando doentes que foram submetidos ao tratamento com ressecção cirúrgica. Verificou-se o índice de fístulas pancreáticas encontradas. Classificou-se de acordo com a histologia da fibrose e da inflamação pancreática. RESULTADOS: Identificaram-se 77 doentes, com média de idade de 57,6 anos, sendo 62,4% do sexo masculino. De acordo com o tipo de operação realizada, 66,3% constituíram-se em gastroduodenopancreatectomia e 33,7% em duodenopancreatectomia com preservação do piloro. Em relação ao número de fístulas diagnosticadas, identificou-se que 23,4% doentes apresentaram tal complicação pós-operatória, sendo que em 66,7% a causa era neoplasia de papila. Achados macroscópicos intraoperatórios, identificou-se classificação da textura pancreática, tida como normal, em 85,8% e, quanto ao calibre do ducto principal pancreático, foi encontrada média de 4,9mm. Houve relação importante entre a consistência endurecida do coto pancreático e a ausência da fístula. Nos doentes com tecido normal ou amolecido, o índice de fístula foi 25,4%. Quanto ao diâmetro ductal, identificou-se (p <0,05) maior número de deiscências da anastomose pancreática na ausência de dilatação ductal. Evidenciou-se que doentes com valores médios do diâmetro de ducto de 5,4mm (76,7%) não mostraram esta complicação. CONCLUSÃO: A presença de fibrose e de dilatação ductal habitualmente coexistem e estão relacionadas à menor porcentagem de fístulas enteropancreáticas