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The hepatic portal vein is the main vascular route responsible for collecting blood from the liver, spleen, pancreas, stomach, gallbladder, and intestines. Its key function is to metabolize the components acquired from the blood. The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics of HPV variants and understand the possible clinical considerations that arise with them. The databases Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences were researched until January 2024. Tree authors independently performed the search, study selection and data extraction. Methodological quality was evaluated with an assurance tool for anatomical studies. Pooled prevalence was estimated using a random effects model. A total of 31 studies met the established selection criteria. In this study, 21 articles were included for the meta-analysis with a total of 51,244 subjects. Of these 21 articles, the topics studied came mainly from Europe and Asia, with three (n = 554; 1.08%) and 11 articles (n = 50,090; 97.75%) respectively, also having six articles from North America (n = 442; 0.86%) and one from Africa (n = 158; 0.31%), discarding the articles from Oceania and South America. For the HPV trifurcation variant, it was 8% (CI = 7-10%). Apropos the right posterior portal vein variant, as the primary tributary from the main HPV, it was 7% (CI = 4-11%). About the right anterior portal vein variant originating from the left portal vein, it was 4% (CI = 1-6%). Finally, the prevalence of the isolated variants was 2% (CI = 1-3%). The knowledge of HPV and its anatomical variants is of utmost importance for both medical professionals and anatomists, as it is one of the vessels that collects blood from many important viscera found in the abdominal cavity, any structural alteration could be crucial in diagnosis and surgical procedures.

Background: A glioblastoma (GBM) is a type of tumor originating from the glial brain cells, the astrocytes, and thus belongs to the astrocytoma group. Bevacizumab (BV) is a treatment for GBM. BV is the active ingredient in the drugs Avastin®, Alymsys®, Mvasi® and ZiraBev®. It is currently approved as second-line treatment for GBM recurrence in combination with radiotherapy, and as first-line treatment for other cancers, including advanced colorectal cancer, metastatic breast cancer and advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. The objective of this systematic review was to analyze the scientific evidence from the science-based literature on the therapeutic effect and adverse effects of the drug BV in patients with GBM or GBM multiforme. Methods: We systematically searched electronic databases for the literature search, including the MEDLINE (via PubMed), SCOPUS, Google Scholar, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Web of Science databases, covering records from their earliest data to December 2024. Randomized or controlled clinical trials that were published in English or Spanish were included. The following keywords were used in different combinations: “Bevacizumab therapy”, “Bevacizumab pharmaceutical”, “Glioblastoma”, “Glioma” and “multiform glioblastoma”. Results: The use of Bevacizumab has been extensively studied in the scientific literature, with beneficial effects in symptom control. However, the adverse effects of BV vary across different types of carcinomas, which is why it has already been established that these adverse effects must be taken into consideration. In our meta-analysis of adverse effects, we found 14 adverse effects and estimated their prevalence, with an average of 19% (CI: 4 to 44%). The most significant vascular adverse effect was thromboembolism, which led to a greater number of complications for patients with GBM. Finally, the most common adverse effects were nausea, vomiting, fatigue and hypertension. Conclusions: While the beneficial properties of this pharmacological therapy have been observed, its adverse effect profile requires constant evaluation, as it includes vascular, blood and symptomatic adverse effects, which must be analyzed on a case-by-case basis and with great attention, especially in the case of more serious complications such as thromboembolic events.

Background: The sphenoidal emissary foramen (SEF) is an inconstant foramen of the sphenoid bone that facilitates venous communication between the pterygoid venous plexus and the cavernous sinus. Understanding its prevalence and laterality is crucial to preventing vascular injury during skull base procedures. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 133 adult Chilean dried skulls. Each specimen was examined both internally and externally to record SEF presence and laterality. Three independent observers performed the assessments under direct lighting, achieving excellent interobserver agreement (κ = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.81–0.92). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Cramer’s V coefficients were calculated to evaluate side dominance and effect size at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The SEF was present in 40.17%. Bilateral foramina were observed in 26.79%, and unilateral SEF in 13.38%. Left-sided SEF (9.12%) was more common than right-sided SEF (4.26%), showing a significant difference (p = 0.03; Cramer’s V = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.02–0.33). This mild but significant left-sided prevalence indicates slight directional asymmetry rather than functional lateralization. Conclusions: The Chilean prevalence of the SEF lies within the mid-range of international data and closely aligns with Brazilian osteological reports. Although a minor left-sided predominance was observed, the effect size was weak (Cramer’s V = 0.19), reinforcing the interpretation of the SEF as a normal morphological variability rather than a true anatomical variant. Precise preoperative identification of the SEF is crucial to reduce the risk of venous injury and avoid unintentional penetration.

Objectives: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a chronic complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) with symptoms like intense pain and impaired quality of life. This condition has no treatment; instead, the pain is managed with various antidepressants, including duloxetine. The aim of this study is to analyze the evidence on the efficacy of duloxetine in the management of DPN. Methods: A systematic search in different databases was conducted using the keywords “diabetic neuropathy”, “duloxetine therapy”, “neuropathic pain”, and “Diabetes Mellitus”. Finally, eight studies were included in this meta-analysis. Results: All articles comparing duloxetine at different doses vs. a placebo reported significant differences in favor of duloxetine on pain scales like 24 h Average Pain Severity (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −1.06, confidence interval [CI] = −1.09 to −1.03, and p < 0.00001) and BPI Severity (SMD = −0.70, CI = −0.72 to −0.68, and p < 0.00001), among others. A total of 75% of the meta-analyses of studies comparing duloxetine at different doses showed a tendency in favor of the 120 mg/d dose. There were significant differences in favor of duloxetine when compared to routine care on the Euro Quality of Life (SMD = −0.04, CI = −0.04 to −0.03, and p < 0.00001) and SF-36 Survey (SMD = −5.86, CI = −6.28 to −5.44, and p < 0.00001) scales. There were no significant differences on the visual analog scale (VAS) when comparing duloxetine and gabapentin. Conclusions: Duloxetine appears to be effective in the management of DPN in different pain, symptom improvement, and quality of life scales.

Purpose: The most common anomaly is an anomalous left coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery. These variants can be different and depend on the location as well as how they present themselves in their anatomical distribution and their symptomatological relationship. For these reasons, this review aims to identify the variants of the coronary artery and how they are associated with different clinical conditions. Methods: The databases Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and LILACS were researched until January 2024. Two authors independently performed the search, study selection, and data extraction. Methodological quality was evaluated using an assurance tool for anatomical studies (AQUA). Pooled prevalence was estimated using a random effects model. Results: A total of 39 studies met the established selection criteria. In this study, 21 articles with a total of 578,868 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. The coronary artery origin variant was 1% (CI = 0.8–1.2%). For this third sample, the funnel plot graph showed an important asymmetry, with a p-value of 0.162, which is directly associated with this asymmetry. Conclusions: It is recommended that patients whose diagnosis was made incidentally and in the absence of symptoms undergo periodic controls to prevent future complications, including death. Finally, we believe that further studies could improve the anatomical, embryological, and physiological understanding of this variant in the heart.

Background and Objectives: The pancreas receives blood through a complex network of multiple branches, primarily originating from the celiac trunk (CeT) and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). This blood supply is structured into three main arterial groups, each serving different regions of the pancreas to effectively support its endocrine and exocrine functions. Materials and Methods: The databases Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Latin American and the Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) were searched until January 2025. Methodological quality was evaluated using an assurance tool for anatomical studies (AQUA). Pooled prevalence was estimated using a random effects model. Results: A total of sixteen studies met the established selection criteria in this study for meta-analysis. Pancreatic irrigation variants presented a prevalence of 11.2% (CI: 7–14%) and a heterogeneity of 88.2%. The other studies were analyzed by subgroups, showing statistically significant differences in the following subgroups: (1) sample type—a larger sample of images analyzed in the included studies (p = 0.312), which did not show statistically significant differences; (2) geographical region (p = 0.041), which showed a greater presence in the Asian population studied, and this was statistically significant; and (3) sex (male or female) (p = 0.12), where there were no statistically significant differences. Conclusions: The discovery of variations in pancreatic irrigation is common due to the numerous blood vessels involved in supplying this vital organ. Understanding different vascular patterns (such as those from the splenic and mesenteric arteries) is crucial for surgical interventions on the pancreas. For transplant patients, a thorough vascular analysis of both the donor and recipient is essential. Variations can impact blood flow and compatibility, potentially leading to transplant rejection if not addressed. To enhance outcomes, it is recommended to develop more accurate imaging tools for pre-surgical analysis, necessitating ongoing research in this area.

Background/Objectives: The inferior thyroid artery (ITA) is an essential component of the thyroid gland’s vasculature, with significant clinical and surgical implications due to its anatomical variability. This systematic review aimed to describe the prevalence of ITA anatomical variants and their association with clinical conditions or surgical implications. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in MEDLINE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Scopus, and EMBASE on 20 November 2025. Eligibility criteria included studies reporting on the presence of ITA variants and their correlation with pathologies. Two authors independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality using the AQUA and JBI tools. Results: Of the 2647 articles identified, 19 studies involving 1118 subjects/cadavers were included. Variations in ITA origin, absence, and additional arteries were reported, with the most common variant being direct origin from the subclavian artery. Clinically, these variations were associated with increased risk of intraoperative hemorrhage, potential nerve damage, and challenges in preoperative planning, particularly during thyroidectomy and other neck procedures. Conclusions: Understanding the anatomical diversity of the ITA is crucial for reducing surgical risks and improving patient outcomes. The review highlighted the need for more standardized research protocols and comprehensive data reporting to enhance the quality of evidence in this domain. Preoperative imaging and thorough anatomical assessments tailored to individual patient profiles, considering ethnic and gender-related differences, are essential for safe surgical interventions in the thyroid region.

Background/Objectives: The objective of this study was to describe the anatomical variants of the pancreaticobiliary junction and how its position or structural change could be associated with hepatic, duodenal, and pancreatic clinical complications. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), Google Scholar, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases from their inception up to September 2024. Results: Two authors independently performed the search, study selection, data extraction, and assessed the methodological quality with an assurance tool for anatomical studies (AQUA). Finally, the pooled prevalence was estimated using a random effects model. A total of 59 studies with a total of 22,752 participants were included in this review. The overall prevalence of the anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction (APBJ) variant was 12% (95% CI = 6% to 18%). The prevalence of cancer associated with variants of APBJ was 29% (95% CI = 23% to 34%). Conclusions: In the present anatomical systematic review and meta-analysis, we found that a longer common channel correlated with a higher prevalence of bile duct or gallbladder malignancy, due to the backward flow of bile which occurs as a result of the position and distance of the bile ducts, as well as pancreatic failing. Hence, APBJs are of great interest for gastroduodenal surgeons.

Background: The internal jugular vein (IJV) is a vascular structure that is responsible for the venous drainage of both the head and neck and is commonly found posterior to the internal carotid artery and adjacent to cervical lymph nodes or nerve structures such as the glossopharyngeal and accessory nerves. As a vagal nerve, it is an important reference point for surgical access in neck interventions and dissections. Methods: The databases Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and LILACS were searched until August 2024. Methodological quality was evaluated with an assurance tool for anatomical studies (AQUA). Pooled prevalence was estimated using a random effects model. Results: A total of 10 studies met the established selection criteria in this meta-analysis study. The prevalence of variants of the IJV was 3.36% (CI: 2.81–6.96%), with a heterogeneity of 94.46%. Regarding the subgroup analysis, no study presents statistically significant differences in the studies analyzed for this review. Conclusions: Knowing the IJV variants in detail will make early diagnosis useful, especially in surgeries in the neck region and in classic surgeries such as thyroidectomies and tracheostomies, among others. It will be important to know the position of the IJV.

Vigorous spontaneous breathing has emerged as a promotor of lung damage in acute lung injury, an entity known as “patient self-inflicted lung injury”. Mechanical ventilation may prevent this second injury by decreasing intrathoracic pressure swings and improving regional air distribution. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects of spontaneous breathing during the early stage of acute respiratory failure on lung injury and determine whether early and late controlled mechanical ventilation may avoid or revert these harmful effects. A model of partial surfactant depletion and lung collapse was induced in eighteen intubated pigs of 32 ±4 kg. Then, animals were randomized to (1) SB‐group: spontaneous breathing with very low levels of pressure support for the whole experiment (eight hours), (2) Early MV-group: controlled mechanical ventilation for eight hours, or (3) Late MV-group: first half of the experiment on spontaneous breathing (four hours) and the second half on controlled mechanical ventilation (four hours). Respiratory, hemodynamic, and electric impedance tomography data were collected. After the protocol, animals were euthanized, and lungs were extracted for histologic tissue analysis and cytokines quantification. SB-group presented larger esophageal pressure swings, progressive hypoxemia, lung injury, and more dorsal and inhomogeneous ventilation compared to the early MV-group. In the late MV-group switch to controlled mechanical ventilation improved the lung inhomogeneity and esophageal pressure swings but failed to prevent hypoxemia and lung injury. In a lung collapse model, spontaneous breathing is associated to large esophageal pressure swings and lung inhomogeneity, resulting in progressive hypoxemia and lung injury. Mechanical ventilation prevents these mechanisms of patient self-inflicted lung injury if applied early, before spontaneous breathing occurs, but not when applied late.