Social robotics as an adjuvant during the hospitalization process in pediatric oncology patients.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the experience of implementing social robotics as an adjuvant during the hospitalization process in pediatric oncology patients. METHODS: Before and after cohort study, applying an intervention with the Lego Mindstorms EV3 kit in patients between 8 and 17 years old that are hospitalized with a cancer diagnosis. We excluded patients from the intensive care unit or when their treating physician recommended so. The intervention consisted of a three-phase workshop: an open architecture story, building a car robot using the Lego Mindstorm EV3 kit, and cooperative playing activities such as races and passing obstacles. RESULTS: Thirteen patients received the intervention with robotic lego. The median age was 15 years (IQR = 3), and 84.6% of the population (n = 11) were male. We found significant improvement in the language (topic management p = .011 and communicative intention p = .034). Other characteristics improved, but not significantly (self-care activities index, catching). No adverse events occurred during the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study suggest that implementing social robotics during hospitalization in children with cancer is a therapeutic adjuvant and safe intervention that promotes better communication, self-care, and a physical activity improvement. For future studies, the impact of this intervention could be measured in hospitalized pediatric cancer patients.

Fonoresultados en paciente con reconstrucción inmediata del nervio laríngeo recurrente durante cirugía de tiroides / Vocal outcome after immediate reconstruction of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in thyroid surgery

Objetivo: Evaluar la función fonatoria de pacientes con reconstrucción inmediata del Nervio Laríngeo Recurrente durante cirugía de tiroides. Materiales y Métodos: Se incluyeron 10 pacientes con sección unilateral del Nervio Laríngeo Recurrente con reconstrucción inmediata durante cirugía de tiroides, por anastomosis directa. Se analizaron los registros video-estroboscópicos, índice de Discapacidad Vocal y análisis acústico de la voz post-operatorios. Diseño:Resultados: Seguimiento de 24,2 ±17.3 meses. Análisis acústico de la voz, con prolongación del Jitter (1.39 ± 0.99 DE) y un tiempo máximo fonatorio disminuido de 10.9 ± 3.07 segundos. Cierre glótico completo en el 90% de los casos. El valor promedio del Índice de Discapacidad Vocal fue leve (22.7 ± 11.8 DE). Conclusión: Los resultados anatómicos y funcionales demuestran que esta técnica quirúrgica preserva la función fonatoria y la soportan como manejo primario de este tipo de lesiones correlacionándose con resultados ya descritos en la literatura.

Objective: Assess the phonatory function of patients with immediate reconstruction of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery. Materials and Methods: 10 patients with unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve section, with immediate reconstruction performed during thyroid surgery by direct anastomosis. Postoperative stroboscopy records, Voice Handicap Index and acoustic voice analysis were recollected. Design: Results: Follow-up 24,2 ±17.3 months. Acoustic voice analysis, with prolonged Jitter (1.39 ± 0.99 DE) and maximum phonation time decreased of 10.9 ± 3.07 seconds. Complete glottal closure in 90% of cases. The average value of Voice Handicap Index was mild (22.7 ± 11.8 DE). Conclusion: Anatomical and functional results demonstrates immediate reinnervation preserves the phonatory function, and supports it, as a primary management of this type of injury, in correlation with results already described in the literature.