O sucesso dos transplantes de fígado certamente seria comprometido se a avaliação pré-operatória dos pacientes não fosse realizada de forma adequada. Isto se justifica devido ao reconhecimento de que o sucesso da cirurgia depende, em princípio, do diagnóstico da doença de base, da determinação de sua extensão e do grau de repercussão sistêmica. No final das décadas de setenta a noventa os progressos da hepatologia na identificação das hepatites virais e no manejo da ascite e da síndrome hepatorrenal melhoraram sobremaneira a expectativa de vida do doente portador de doença hepática crônica. Mas, sem dúvida o transplante ortotópico do fígado (TOF) foi o espetacular avanço da hepatologia moderna. Atualmente o transplante é um tratamento eficaz das hepatopatias crônicas, e o índice de sobrevivência global aos 3 anos é ao redor de 80%. É, portanto, uma alternativa de tratamento indicada nos casos terminais, onde a mortalidade com tratamentos conservadores pode atingir até 70% ao final de 12 meses. Neste artigo, os autores comentam aspectos do TOF, relacionados à indicação e a sobrevida.

The success of liver transplantation would be certainly compromised if the pre-operative evaluation was not adequately performed. The success of the liver transplantation depends on the diagnosis of the underlying hepatic disease, the determination of its extension and the degree of systemic repercussion. In the last 30 years, the progress in hepatology, the identification of viral hepatitis and the better management of ascitis and hepatorenal syndrome have increased the life expectancy of patients with chronic liver failure. Undoubtedly, orthotopic liver transplantation represents a great advance in modern hepatology. Nowadays, liver transplantation represents a valid therapeutic option for chronic liver diseases with (and presents) a mean survival rate of about 80% in 3 years. Thus, it is an indicated treatment in situations where the conservative treatment (would) could lead to a (incur) mortality rate as high as 70% in one year. In this article the authors comment (on) various aspects of Orthotopic Liver Transplantation related to indications and survival rates.

A case of dimorphism among the males of the pinnotherid crab, Zaops ostreum (Say, 1817), is reported. The morphological features of the two types of males are also given.

A new species of Podochela Stimpson, 1860, P. meloi sp. n., collected from one of the estuaries of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil is described with illustrations showing its distinguishing features. A key to the species is provided.

Chaceon fenneri (Manning & Holthuis, 1984), so far known only from the offshore region of Florida, was collected off the Northeast of Brazil. A discussion on the variation within the species and morphometric data of the specimens examined are also given.

O objetivo deste experimento foi o desenvolvimento de um modelo de obstrução do ducto biliar comum através da interposição de uma prótese de silicone extrínseca ao ducto com única ligadura sem secção. Desenvolveu-se um modelo experimental alternativo, em ratos Wistar, que provoca a interrupção do fluxo bílio-duodenal com resultado satisfatório, pois houve distorção da arquitetura hepática, caracterizada por fibrose e proliferação ductal além de indicadores bioquímicos da colestase.

A vagotomia gástrica proximal firmou-se como o procedimento de escolha no tratamento cirúrgico eletivo das úlceras duodenais crônicas, por ser a operação mais segura quanto à morbidade e mortalidade. Sua aplicação tem sido estendida às complicações da úlcera duodenal, mediante operação complementar que visa solucionar a complicação. Com o objetivo de avaliar a vagotomia gástrica proximal no tratamento das úlceras duodenais estenosantes os resultados clínicos de uma série consecutiva de 80 pacientes submetidos à vagotomia gástrica proximal e duodenoplastia (VGP + Dp) foram comparativos aos de uma série de 106 pacientes submetidos à vagotomia gástrica seletiva e antrectomia (VGS + A); os pacientes foram avaliados 2 a 16 anos após a cirurgia. As séries foram homogêneas quanto ao sexo e à idade. Cinco diferentes tipos de duodenoplastia foram realizados, de acordo com as características anatômicas do duodeno estenosado No grupo da VGS + A a reconstrução do trânsito alimentar foi gastroduodenal em 46 pacientes e gastrojejunal nos 60 pacientes restantes. O índice de mortalidade operatória foi de 1,2% com VGP + Dp e de 1,9% com VGS + A. Controle endoscópico pós-operatório demonstrou patência da luz duodenal e piloro conservado nos pacientes submetidos à duodenoplastia. A recorrência ulcerosa ocorreu em 5% após VGP + Dp e em 1,9% após VGS + A. Conclui-se que: 1. a duodenoplastia resolve a estenose duodenal sem dano do esfíncter pilórico, mantendo as vantagens da vagotomia gástrica proximal sem operação complementar de drenagem do estômago. 2 Na avaliação clínica global os melhores resultados foram obtidos com a vagotomia gástrica proximal. 3. A vagotomia gástrica proximal associada à duodenoplastia é uma boa opção de tratamento da úlcera duodenal estenosante.

Proximal gastric vagotomy has been accepted as the procedure of choice for the elective surgical treatment of chronic duodenal ulcers, being the safest operation when considering morbidity and mortality. Its application has been extended to duodenal to complicated ulcer means of a complementary operation aiming to solve the complication. With the aim of evaluating the proximal gastric vagotomy in the treatment of stenosing duodenal ulcers the clinical results of 80 consecutive patients treated with proximal gastric vagotomy plus vagotomy (VGP + Dp) were compared to those of a series of 106 patients submitted to selective gastric vagotomy plus antrectomy (VGS + A). These patients were evaluated for a period of 2 to 16 years after surgery. The series were homogeneous related in gender and age. Five different types of duodenoplast were performed, according to anatomic characteristics of the stenosed duodenum. In the VGS + A group the reconstruction of alimentary tract was gastroduodenal in 46 patients and gastrojejunal in 60 patients. Post operative endoscopic control showed patency of the duodenal lumen and preserved pyloric sphincter in the patients submitted to duodenoplaty. Ulcer recurrence ocurred in 5% after VGP + Dp and in 1,9% after VGS + A. Late postoperative complications such as diarrhea dumping and bilious vomiting were more frequent and more severe among the patients treated with VGS + A. Bilious vomiting did not occur and dumping and diarrhea were rare, mild and transitory after VGP + Dp. The overall clinical assessment, according to Visick classification, showed excelent results in 73% of the patients with VGP + Dp and in 42% of the patients with VGS + A; excelent and good result were found in 87% of the patients of the first group and in 76% of the second group. The better performance of proximal gastric vagotomy, with less frequent side effects and milder and transitory late complications, turns 5% to 10% ulcer recurrence tolerable and makes it acceptable as the operation of choice for the treatment of uncomplicated chronic duodenal ulcer.

Callinectes maracaibonesis Taissoun originally recorded from Venezuela is now confirmed to be present in the northeast region of Brazil. In fact, the species is more common than C. bocourti and possibly due to its close resemblence to the former may have been identified as the latter. Striking colour patterns of the two species which co-exist in the same habitat drew attention of the authors and a careful examination of several specimens showed distinct morphological differences between the two species.

A faunistic survey of the species of Callinectes Stimpson, 1871 carried out in the coastal and estuarine regions of the State of Rio Grande do Norte yielded five species: C. bocourti A. Milne Edwards, 1879; C. danae Smith, 1869; C. exasperatus (Gerstaecker, 1856); C. larvatus Ordway, 1863 and C. ornatus Ordway, 1863. Specimens examined consist of those collected on a monthly basis from three fixed stations within the estuary of Potengi, Natal during a period of two years and those obtained from other localities. Among the species occuring in the region, C. danae is more abundant and has a wider range of tolerance of salinity while C. larvatus is restricted to the marine habitat. Though C. danae sustains important artisan fishery, C. bocourti of large size also contribute to the fishery.