[Impact of days elapsed from the onset of symptoms to hospitalization in COVID-19 in-hospital mortality: Time matters]. / Impacto de los días transcurridos desde el inicio de los síntomas hasta la hospitalización en la mortalidad hospitalaria por COVID-19: el tiempo importa.

Background: COVID-19 shows different clinical and pathophysiological stages over time. Theeffect of days elapsed from the onset of symptoms (DEOS) to hospitalization on COVID-19prognostic factors remains uncertain. We analyzed the impact on mortality of DEOS to hospital-ization and how other independent prognostic factors perform when taking this time elapsedinto account. Methods: This retrospective, nationwide cohort study, included patients with confirmed COVID-19 from February 20th and May 6th, 2020. The data was collected in a standardized online datacapture registry. Univariate and multivariate COX-regression were performed in the generalcohort and the final multivariate model was subjected to a sensitivity analysis in an earlypresenting (EP; < 5 DEOS) and late presenting (LP; ≥5 DEOS) group. Results: 7915 COVID-19 patients were included in the analysis, 2324 in the EP and 5591 in theLP group. DEOS to hospitalization was an independent prognostic factor of in-hospital mortalityin the multivariate Cox regression model along with other 9 variables. Each DEOS incrementaccounted for a 4.3% mortality risk reduction (HR 0.957; 95% CI 0.93---0.98). Regarding variationsin other mortality predictors in the sensitivity analysis, the Charlson Comorbidity Index onlyremained significant in the EP group while D-dimer only remained significant in the LP group. Conclusion: When caring for COVID-19 patients, DEOS to hospitalization should be consideredas their need for early hospitalization confers a higher risk of mortality. Different prognosticfactors vary over time and should be studied within a fixed timeframe of the disease.

Impact of days elapsed from the onset of symptoms to hospitalization in COVID-19 in-hospital mortality: time matters.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 shows different clinical and pathophysiological stages over time. The effect of days elapsed from the onset of symptoms (DEOS) to hospitalization on COVID-19 prognostic factors remains uncertain. We analyzed the impact on mortality of DEOS to hospitalization and how other independent prognostic factors perform when taking this time elapsed into account. METHODS: This retrospective, nationwide cohort study, included patients with confirmed COVID-19 from February 20th and May 6th, 2020. The data was collected in a standardized online data capture registry. Univariate and multivariate COX-regression were performed in the general cohort and the final multivariate model was subjected to a sensitivity analysis in an early presenting (EP; <5 DEOS) and late presenting (LP; ≥5 DEOS) group. RESULTS: 7915 COVID-19 patients were included in the analysis, 2324 in the EP and 5591 in the LP group. DEOS to hospitalization was an independent prognostic factor of in-hospital mortality in the multivariate Cox regression model along with other 9 variables. Each DEOS increment accounted for a 4.3% mortality risk reduction (HR 0.957; 95% CI 0.93-0.98). Regarding variations in other mortality predictors in the sensitivity analysis, the Charlson Comorbidity Index only remained significant in the EP group while D-dimer only remained significant in the LP group. CONCLUSION: When caring for COVID-19 patients, DEOS to hospitalization should be considered as their need for early hospitalization confers a higher risk of mortality. Different prognostic factors vary over time and should be studied within a fixed timeframe of the disease.

[Incidence of intravenous colistin nephrotoxicity in hospitalized patients]. / Incidencia de nefrotoxicidad inducida por colistina intravenosa en pacientes hospitalizados.

OBJECTIVE: The increase in infections with multidrug resistant bacteria has forced to return to the use of colistin, antibiotic with known nephrotoxicity. The aim of the study is to determine the incidence of colistin nephrotoxicity nowadays. METHODS: Retrospective-observational-unicentric study was collected hospitalized patients in intravenous colistin treatment during the years 2018-2019. Nephrotoxicity was defined according to the RIFLE scale. The variables to determine it were serum creatinine (sCr) and glomerular filtration (GF). The variables analyzed were age, sex, treatment duration, loading and cumulative dose, empirical/targeted treatment, chronic kidney disease, concomitant use of intravenous contrast and nephrotoxic drugs. RESULTS: A total of 90 patients (60% men) were included, with an average age of 58.2±18.1 years. The mean duration of treatment was 9±8.3 days, with an average cumulative dose of 69.8±71MU. There were no differences between sCr and GF at the beginning and end of treatment. The incidence of nephrotoxicity was 1.73 cases/100 days of treatment (prevalence of 15.56%). CONCLUSIONS: Colistin nephrotoxicity has an important incidence, without developing severe illness.

Clinical Predictive Model of Multidrug Resistance in Neutropenic Cancer Patients with Bloodstream Infection Due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

We aimed to assess the rate and predictive factors of bloodstream infection (BSI) due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa in neutropenic cancer patients. We performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study including oncohematological neutropenic patients with BSI due to P. aeruginosa conducted across 34 centers in 12 countries from January 2006 to May 2018. A mixed logistic regression model was used to estimate a model to predict the multidrug resistance of the causative pathogens. Of a total of 1,217 episodes of BSI due to P. aeruginosa, 309 episodes (25.4%) were caused by MDR strains. The rate of multidrug resistance increased significantly over the study period (P = 0.033). Predictors of MDR P. aeruginosa BSI were prior therapy with piperacillin-tazobactam (odds ratio [OR], 3.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.29 to 5.30), prior antipseudomonal carbapenem use (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.65 to 3.87), fluoroquinolone prophylaxis (OR, 2.99; 95% CI, 1.92 to 4.64), underlying hematological disease (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.26 to 3.44), and the presence of a urinary catheter (OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.65 to 3.91), whereas older age (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97 to 0.99) was found to be protective. Our prediction model achieves good discrimination and calibration, thereby identifying neutropenic patients at higher risk of BSI due to MDR P. aeruginosa The application of this model using a web-based calculator may be a simple strategy to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from the early administration of broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage against MDR strains according to the local susceptibility patterns, thus avoiding the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in patients at a low risk of resistance development.

Narrative review of pediatric critical care humanization: Where we are? / Revisión narrativa sobre humanización en cuidados intensivos pediátricos: ¿dónde estamos?

The humanization of care emerges as a response to something that seems indisputable: the scientific and technological developments in Intensive Care Units. Such development has improved the care of the critically ill patient in quantitative terms, but has perhaps caused the emotional needs of patients, families and professionals to be regarded as secondary concerns. The humanization of healthcare should be discussed without confusing or discussing the humanity displayed by professionals. In this paper we review and describe the different strategic lines proposed in order to secure humanized care, and adopt a critical approach to their adaptation and current status in the field of pediatric critical care.

Main information requests of family members of patients in Intensive Care Units. / Principales demandas informativas de los familiares de pacientes ingresados en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos.

OBJECTIVE: To compile an inventory of information requests prioritized by the family members, to find out which professionals them consider able to respond these requests, and to explore the differences in perception between family members and professionals. DESIGN: Qualitative analysis of content validation and descriptive cross-sectional study. SCOPE: 41 Spanish ICU. PARTICIPANTS: Relatives, physicians and nurses of critical patients. INTERVENTION: From an initial list of questions extracted from literature review, physicians, nurses, and relatives of critical patients incorporated issues that they considered not included. After analyzing content validity, a new list was obtained, which was again submitted to the participants' assessment to evaluate the level of importance that they assigned to each question and which professional they considered appropriate to answer it. RESULTS: most important questions for the relatives: concern about the clinical situation, measures to be taken, prognosis and information. There was a coincidence between relatives and professionals in the priority issues for families. There were significant differences in the importance given to each question: between doctors and relatives (72/82 questions), and between nurses and relatives (66/82 questions) (P<.05). For the relatives, 63% of the questions could be answered by doctors or nurses, 27% preferably by doctors and 10% by nurses. CONCLUSIONS: The most relevant issues for families were prognosis and severity, but also the need for information. Healthcare professionals tend to underestimate the importance of many of the questions that concern families. Relatives feel that most of their concerns can be resolved either by doctors or nurses.

Tratamiento laparoscópico de masas anexiales en el embarazo: reporte de dos casos / Laparoscopic management of adnexal masses in pregnancy: Report of two cases

Resumen ANTECEDENTES Las masas ováricas detectadas durante el embarazo tienden a la desaparición espontánea. Casi siempre se trata de quistes funcionales, foliculares, cuerpos lúteos y quistes tecaluteínicos. CASO CLÍNICO Se reportan dos casos de pacientes en el segundo trimestre del embarazo en quienes se estableció el diagnóstico de masas anexiales en la ecografía del primer trimestre, con aumento del tamaño y dolor. CONCLUSIONES El riesgo de malignidad en pacientes con masas anexiales es muy bajo y el tratamiento quirúrgico está determinado por los síntomas de dolor o crecimiento rápido. En estas pacientes el acceso laparoscópico es factible y debe considerarse una alternativa segura.

Abstract BACKGROUND Ovarian masses detected during pregnancy tend to spontaneously disappear. It is almost always functional cysts, follicular, corpora lutea and tecaluteinic cysts. CLINICAL CASE Two cases of patients in the second trimester of pregnancy were reported in whom the diagnosis of adnexal masses was established in the ultrasound of the first trimester, with an increase in size and pain. CONCLUSIONS The risk of malignancy in patients with adnexal masses is very low and surgical treatment is determined by symptoms of pain or rapid growth. In these patients, laparoscopic access is feasible and should be considered a safe alternative.

Effects of early administration of acetazolamide on the duration of mechanical ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or obesity-hypoventilation syndrome with metabolic alkalosis. A randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic alkalosis (MA) inhibits respiratory drive and may delay weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV). MA is common in CO2-retainer patients that need MV. Acetazolamide (ACTZ) decreases serum bicarbonate concentration and stimulates respiratory drive. This study evaluated the effects of ACTZ on the duration of MV in patients with MA and COPD or obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) intubated with acute respiratory failure. METHODS: Multicenter, randomized, controlled, double-blind study, with COPD or OHS patients with MV < 72 h and initial bicarbonate >28 mmol/L and pH > 7.35. Test-treatment, ACTZ 500 mg or placebo, was daily administered if pH > 7.35 and bicarbonate >26 mmol/L. Clinical, respiratory and laboratory parameters were recorded. RESULTS: 47 patients (36 men) were randomized. There were no significant differences between groups in comorbidities, baseline characteristics or arterial blood gases at inclusion. The mean difference in the duration of MV between placebo and ACTZ group was 1.3 days (95%CI, -2.1-4.8; p = 0.44). Kaplan-Meier curves showed no differences in the duration of MV (Log-Rank p = 0.41). Between-group comparison of estimated marginal means (CI 95%) during MV were, respectively: PaCO2 55 (51-59) vs 48 (47-50) mm Hg, p = 0.002; bicarbonate concentration 34 (32-35) vs 29 (28-30) mmol/L, p < 0.0001; and minute volume 9.7 (8.9-10.4) vs 10.6 (9.2-12.0) L/min, p = 0.26. There were no severe adverse effects with ACTZ administration. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with MA and COPD or OHS, early treatment with ACTZ did not shorten significantly the duration of MV compared with placebo. TRIAL REGISTRY: clinical.trials.gov; NCT01499485; URL:.www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Clinical efficacy of ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitor combinations for the treatment of bloodstream infection due to extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in haematological patients with neutropaenia: a study protocol for a retrospective observational study (BICAR).

INTRODUCTION: Bloodstream infection (BSI) due to extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacilli (ESBL-GNB) is increasing at an alarming pace worldwide. Although ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitor (BLBLI) combinations have been suggested as an alternative to carbapenems for the treatment of BSI due to these resistant organisms in the general population, their usefulness for the treatment of BSI due to ESBL-GNB in haematological patients with neutropaenia is yet to be elucidated. The aim of the BICAR study is to compare the efficacy of BLBLI combinations with that of carbapenems for the treatment of BSI due to an ESBL-GNB in this population. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A multinational, multicentre, observational retrospective study. Episodes of BSI due to ESBL-GNB occurring in haematological patients and haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients with neutropaenia from 1 January 2006 to 31 March 2015 will be analysed. The primary end point will be case-fatality rate within 30 days of onset of BSI. The secondary end points will be 7-day and 14-day case-fatality rates, microbiological failure, colonisation/infection by resistant bacteria, superinfection, intensive care unit admission and development of adverse events. SAMPLE SIZE: The number of expected episodes of BSI due to ESBL-GNB in the participant centres will be 260 with a ratio of control to experimental participants of 2. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol of the study was approved at the first site by the Research Ethics Committee (REC) of Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge. Approval will be also sought from all relevant RECs. Any formal presentation or publication of data from this study will be considered as a joint publication by the participating investigators and will follow the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). The study has been endorsed by the European Study Group for Bloodstream Infection and Sepsis (ESGBIS) and the European Study Group for Infections in Compromised Hosts (ESGICH).

Sacrocolpopexia laparoscópica para el tratamiento del prolapso apical: resultados y seguimiento a largo plazo / Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for apical prolapse

Objetivos: Evaluar los resultados subjetivos, anatómicos y funcionales a largo plazo de las pacientes sometidas a sacrocolpopexia laparoscópica para manejo de prolapso apical. Métodos: Estudio observacional con pacientes a quienes se les hizo sacrocolpopexia laparoscópica entre febrero de 2006 y diciembre de 2012, en tres centros. El nivel de soporte del piso pélvico se midió mediante la escala de cuantificación del prolapso de órganos pélvicos (POP-Q). Los resultados funcionales se evaluaron mediante un cuestionario de síntomas intestinales, urinarios, sexuales y de molestias físicas. También se estimó la satisfacción global de las pacientes con una escala de uno a diez. Resultados: Se realizó sacrocolpopexia laparoscópica a 68 pacientes, pero el seguimiento fue posible sólo en 24. Ninguna paciente tuvo prolapso apical postoperatorio. El punto C medio del POP-Q fue -6,8 cm. Se observó mejoría importante con respecto a los síntomas subjetivos de prolapso con reducciones significativas en las puntuaciones del cuestionario en el seguimiento postoperatorio. La satisfacción fue en promedio de 9,1. La incontinencia urinaria preoperatoria se resolvió en el 35 por ciento de las que la reportaron, sin necesidad de cirugía de continencia concomitante. No hubo complicaciones a corto plazo. A largo plazo hubo una hernia incisional en el sitio del trocar y una obstrucción intestinal por la malla. Conclusión: La sacrocolpopexia laparoscópica es un tratamiento quirúrgico seguro y eficaz para el prolapso apical post-histerectomía. Proporciona un excelente soporte apical y buen nivel de satisfacción, con una mejoría general de los síntomas de prolapso.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term subjective, anatomical and functional outcomes after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for apical prolapse. Methods: An observational study of women undergoing laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy between February 2006 and December 2012 was undertaken, at three centers. Pelvic organ support was assessed objectively using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification scale (POP-Q). Functional outcomes were assessed using a questionnaire of bowel, urinary, sexual and physical discomfort symptoms postoperatively. Also was assessed the overall satisfaction of surgery with a scale of one to ten. Results: During the period of the study, sacrocolpopexy was done in 68 patients, but follow-up was possible only in 24. At a mean follow up of 34 months, all 24 women had stage 0 vault support with point C of the POP-Q score averaging -6.8 cm. Subjective improvements in prolapse symptoms were observed with significant reductions in the questionnaire scores. The satisfaction measured with visual scale averaged 9.1. Fifteen women reported stress urinary incontinence before sacrocolpopexy, and it was resolved in 35 percent without concomitant continence surgery. New onset incontinence was reported in two women. There were no intraoperative and perioperative complications. The long term complications were an incisional hernia on the trocar port site and bowel obstruction caused by the mesh that needed intestinal resection. Conclusions: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy is a safe and effective surgical treatment for post-hysterectomy apical prolapse. It provides excellent apical support and good level of satisfaction, with overall improvement in prolapse symptoms.

Application of Medical Information Systems for the detection of high risk patients: rapid care alerts. Pilot study of the ARA-Son Llàtzer Project.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the implementation of a Medical Information System (MIS) in the Critical Care Departament (CCD). DESIGN: A prospective observational cohort study was carried out. SETTING: Clinical and Surgical wards in Son Llàtzer Hospital. PATIENTS: Patients with criteria of rapid care alert (RCA) without treatment, cardiac arrest (CA), and unexpected ward deaths (UWD), during 2010. MAIN VARIABLES: Age, sex, nursing shift, nursing alert, vital signs, unplanned admission to intensive care, CA, UWD and death. RESULTS: The MIS detected 9647 episodes with RCA signs in 4020 patients (26.4 episodes/day). A total of 8547 episodes were reviewed. Sixty-five patients required rapid response by the intensive care staff; 61.5% were detected in the afternoon shift (15:00 a 22:00), and 61.5% were admitted to the CCD. Diminished consciousness (DC) and respiratory failure were the most frequent problems. The sepsis rate was 23%. We reviewed 45 CA and 35 UWD. Of the total cases of CA, 33 patients died (73.3%) and 66.7% had criteria of untreated RCA. Monitoring (P<.05) and rhythms amenable to defibrillation (P<.002) were associated to survival. As regards the UWD, 75% had criteria of untreated RCA, and 40.6% presented diminished consciousness. In the last 6 months there was a significant reduction in UWD (P=.01) CONCLUSIONS: The MIS could be a complimentary tool in the activity of the CCD to improve the prognosis of hospitalized patients.

Nanoinformatics: developing new computing applications for nanomedicine.

Nanoinformatics has recently emerged to address the need of computing applications at the nano level. In this regard, the authors have participated in various initiatives to identify its concepts, foundations and challenges. While nanomaterials open up the possibility for developing new devices in many industrial and scientific areas, they also offer breakthrough perspectives for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In this paper, we analyze the different aspects of nanoinformatics and suggest five research topics to help catalyze new research and development in the area, particularly focused on nanomedicine. We also encompass the use of informatics to further the biological and clinical applications of basic research in nanoscience and nanotechnology, and the related concept of an extended "nanotype" to coalesce information related to nanoparticles. We suggest how nanoinformatics could accelerate developments in nanomedicine, similarly to what happened with the Human Genome and other -omics projects, on issues like exchanging modeling and simulation methods and tools, linking toxicity information to clinical and personal databases or developing new approaches for scientific ontologies, among many others.

Cistouretropexia laparoscópica tipo Burch para el tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzos: seguimiento a largo plazo / Laparoscopic Burch colposuspension for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence

Objetivos: Conocer las complicaciones, las tasas de cura subjetiva y valoración con el índice de severidad de Sandvik a largo plazo de pacientes en quienes se realizó cistouretropexia laparoscópica tipo Burch para la corrección de su incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo (IUE). Método: Análisis descriptivo, retrospectivo. Nivel de evidencia III. Se incluyeron las pacientes con diagnóstico de IUE tipo Blaivas IIB, a quienes se les practicó Burch laparoscópico en la Clínica del Prado y Profamilia Medellín, entre los años 2003 y 2007. Las variables principales a evaluar fueron edad, tiempo quirúrgico, cura subjetiva, índice de severidad de Sandvik y complicaciones. Resultados: Se analizaron 72 pacientes con promedio de edad de 46,57 +/- 9,54 años. El tiempo promedio de seguimiento fue de 24,4 meses (rango: 9,0-55,8 meses). El tiempo quirúrgico promedio fue de 79,83 minutos (rango: 44-160 minutos). Refirieron cura subjetiva 56 pacientes (77,8 por ciento). El índice de severidad de Sandvik muestra que a largo plazo 56,9 por ciento pacientes estaban secas con remisión completa de los síntomas y el 13,8 por ciento pacientes tenían pérdidas leves. Conclusiones: El Burch laparoscópico es una opción efectiva para el manejo de la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo tipo Blaivas IIB. Provee tasas de curación subjetiva a largo plazo similares a otros tipos de tratamiento. Es una opción más a tener en cuenta en el manejo de la IUE, en especial aquellas pacientes con patologías asociadas que se beneficien del abordaje por laparoscopia.

Objectives: To describe the subjective cure rate, the score of the Sandvik test and the complications after laparoscopic Burch in patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods: Prospective descriptive study. We included all patients diagnosed with SUI Blaivas type IIB, and operated on by laparoscopy in two reference institutions between 2003 and 2007. Results: We analyzed 72 patients with an average age of 46.57 +/- 9.54 years. The average follow-up was 24.4 months, with a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 55.8. The average operating time in 29 patients in which we only performed laparoscopic Burch with or without colporrhaphy was 93.7 minutes (55-180 minutes); 56 patients (77.8 percent) reported subjective cure. The Sandvik's severity index found 56.9 percent dry patients and 13.8 percent with mild losses. Conclusion: The laparoscopic management may be useful in some patients, especially those who will be carried to laparoscopy by some other indication. Subjective cure rates are similar to other types of surgery.

Histerectomía laparoscópica total: manejo ambulatorio: experiencia Clínica del Prado, Medellín, Colombia / Outpatient total laparoscopic hysterectomy

Objetivo: Describir los resultados de la histerectomía laparoscópica total ambulatoria. Método: Se analizan 297 pacientes sometidas a histerectomía laparoscópica total y que fueron dadas de alta luego de la recuperación anestésica, entre mayo de 2007 y marzo de 2008. Se requería una puntuación de menos de 5 en la escala visual análoga del dolor para el alta. Resultados: El promedio de edad fue de 42 años, el tiempo quirúrgico de 79,1 minutos, el sangrado estimado fue de 37,1 ml, el tiempo promedio de estancia total fue de 9,4 horas con un tiempo promedio de estancia postoperatoria de 5,4 horas. La tasa de complicaciones postoperatorias fue de 11,8 por ciento y la de readmisiones del 3,3 por ciento. El promedio de Escala Visual Análoga del dolor para la primera noche fue de 4,2 puntos. El 6 por ciento de las pacientes presentaron vómitos en su domicilio. El 99 por ciento de las pacientes recomendarían este tipo de manejo. Conclusiones: El manejo ambulatorio después de histerectomía laparoscópica total es posible, seguro y bien evaluado por las pacientes. Este manejo no conlleva un mayor riesgo de complicaciones y la tasa de readmisiones es baja.

Objective: To describe the results of a group of patients in which total laparoscopic hysterectomy was done as an outpatient procedure. Methods: We included 297 patients who were undergone to laparoscopic total hysterectomy, and were discharge to their home after recovery of anesthesia from may 2007 to march 2008. It was necessary to have a punctuation less than 5 in the analogue visual scale to be sent at home. Results: Mean age was 42 years, surgical time 79.1 minutes, estimated blood loss 37.1 ml, overall length of stay 9.4 hours, postoperative length of stay 5.4 hours. Postoperative complication rate was 11.8 percent, readmission rate was 3.3 percent. Mean VAS Score for pain during the first night was 4.2 points; 6 percent of patients vomited at home. Mean VAS Score for satisfaction with ambulatory management was 9.5, and 99 percent of the patients would recommend this type of management. Conclusions: Ambulatory management after total laparoscopic hysterectomy is possible, safe and well evaluated by patients. It does not impose a higher risk of complications and readmission rate is low.

Histerectomía laparoscópica total, curva de aprendizaje: experiencia de Clínica del Prado, Medellín, Colombia / Total laparoscopic hysterectomy and learning curve: experience of Clínica del Prado, Medellín, Colombia

Objetivos: Comparar la curva de aprendizaje en histerectomía laparoscópica total (HLT) de 4 ginecólogos en la Clínica del Prado, Medellín, Colombia. Determinar el número de cirugías necesarias para alcanzar un tiempo quirúrgico promedio de 90 minutos, disminuir la laparoconversiones a un 3 por ciento o menos y disminuir las complicaciones totales a menos del 10 por ciento. Método: Se realizó un estudio de cohorte prospectivo que incluyó 626 pacientes operadas por 4 ginecólogos laparoscopistas con técnica y equipamiento quirúrgico similar. Se formaron 4 grupos de pacientes de acuerdo al orden en la casuística de cada uno de ellos. Resultados: El tiempo quirúrgico promedio de 93 minutos se logra con las primeras 50 HLT. El realizar entre 50-100 HLT baja las tasas de laparoconversión a 1,9 por ciento. La tasa de complicaciones en la sumatoria de la primera y segunda cohorte es de 19,4 por ciento y la tasa de complicaciones totales en la tercera cohorte es de 8,7 por ciento (RR: 0,45; IC95 por ciento: 0,26-0,78) la cual permanece en el límite deseado (10 por ciento) en la cuarta cohorte. Conclusiones: La curva de aprendizaje en HLT para lograr un promedio de tiempo de cirugía de 90 minutos se logra con las primeras 50 histerectomías. A pesar de las limitaciones metodológicas, el presente estudia revela que para lograr la destreza máxima toma entre 50-100 histerectomías para lograr laparoconversiones menores del 3 por ciento y entre 100-150 histerectomías para lograr complicaciones totales inferiores a 10 por ciento.

Objective: To compare the learning curve in total laparoscopic hysterectomy (HLT) from four gynecologists in the Clínica del Prado, Medellín, Colombia. To determine the number of surgeries required to achieve an average surgical time of 90 minutes, to reduce laparoconversions to 3 percent or less and to reduce total complications to less than 10 percent. Method: We performed a prospective cohort study including 626 patients operated by four gynecologists laparoscopist with similar technique and surgical equipment. We made four groups of patients according to the order in the cases of each one. Results: The mean operative time of 93 minutes is achieved with the first 50 HLT. Doing 50-100 HLT, laparoconversions rates low to 1.9 percent. The complication rate in the sum of first and second cohort is 19.4 percent and the total complication rate in third cohort is 8.7 percent (RR: 0.45; 95 percentCI 0.26-0.78) which remains in the desired limit (10 percent) in fourth cohort. Conclusions: HLT learning curve to achieve an average surgical time of 90 minutes is achieved with the first 50 hysterectomies. Despite the methodological limitations this study, shows that to achieve máximum expertise, it takes between 50-100 hysterectomies to achieve laparoconversions less than 3 percent, and between 100-150 hysterectomies to achieve total complications lower than 10 percent.

Using web services for linking genomic data to medical information systems.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a new perspective for biomedical information systems, regarding the introduction of ideas, methods and tools related to the new scenario of genomic medicine. METHODS: Technological aspects related to the analysis and integration of heterogeneous clinical and genomic data include mapping clinical and genetic concepts, potential future standards or the development of integrated biomedical ontologies. In this clinicomics scenario, we describe the use of Web services technologies to improve access to and integrate different information sources. We give a concrete example of the use of Web services technologies: the OntoFusion project. RESULTS: Web services provide new biomedical informatics (BMI) approaches related to genomic medicine. Customized workflows will aid research tasks by linking heterogeneous Web services. Two significant examples of these European Commission-funded efforts are the INFOBIOMED Network of Excellence and the Advancing Clinico-Genomic Trials on Cancer (ACGT) integrated project. CONCLUSIONS: Supplying medical researchers and practitioners with omics data and biologists with clinical datasets can help to develop genomic medicine. BMI is contributing by providing the informatics methods and technological infrastructure needed for these collaborative efforts.