Evolución de la cirugía urgente en un servicio de cirugía general durante la pandemia de COVID-19 y comparación con una cohorte histórica.

BACKGROUND: Acute care surgery decreased during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To study the evolution of acute care surgery and its relationship with the pandemic severity. METHOD: Retrospective cohort study which compared patients who underwent acute care surgery during the pandemic to a control group. RESULTS: A total of 660 patients were included (253 in the control group, 67 in the first-wave, 193 in the valley, and 147 in the second wave). The median daily number of acute care surgery procedures was 2 during the control period. This activity decreased during the first wave (1/day), increased during the valley (2/day), and didn't change in the second wave (2/day). Serious complications were more common during the first wave (22.4%). A negative linear correlation was found between the daily number of acute care surgery procedures, number of patients being admitted to the hospital each day and daily number of patients dying because of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Acute care surgery was reduced during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased during the valley, and returned to the pre-pandemic level during the second wave. Thus, acute care surgery was related to pandemic severity, with fewer surgeries being performed when the pandemic was more severe.

ANTECEDENTES: La cirugía urgente disminuyó durante la primera ola de la pandemia de COVID-19. OBJETIVO: Estudiar la evolución de la cirugía urgente y su relación con la gravedad de la pandemia. MÉTODO: Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo que compara los pacientes intervenidos de forma urgente durante la pandemia con un grupo control. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 660 pacientes (253 en el grupo control, 67 en primera ola de la pandemia, 193 en el periodo valle y 147 en la segunda ola). La mediana del número de cirugías urgentes fue de 2 (intervalo intercuartílico: 1-3) durante el periodo control, disminuyó durante la primera ola (1/día), aumentó durante el valle (2/día) y no se modificó en la segunda ola (2/día). Las complicaciones mayores fueron más comunes durante la primera ola (22.4%). Se encontró una correlación lineal negativa entre el número de procedimientos quirúrgicos urgentes diarios y el número de ingresos hospitalarios y fallecimientos diarios por COVID-19. CONCLUSIONES: La cirugía urgente se redujo durante la primera ola, aumentó durante el periodo valle y volvió a niveles prepandémicos durante la segunda ola. Además, la cirugía urgente se relaciona con la gravedad de la pandemia, ya que se realizaron menos cirugías urgentes durante el periodo de mayor gravedad de la pandemia.

Impact on the incidence of gastrointestinal perforation during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Costa del Sol healthcare system area.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Gastrointestinal perforation is a surgical emergency that is associated with a high mortality rate and requires special care. During the pandemic, there has been competition with COVID-19 patients for health resources, especially ICU bed availability. The primary aim of our study was to compare the incidence of gastrointestinal perforation during the COVID-19 pandemic, with cases registered before the pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, observational, single center, cohort study was conducted that included patients that underwent emergency surgery for gastrointestinal perforation in the periods during the pandemic (6 months) and before the pandemic (12 months). Sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, duration of hospital and ICU stay, status at discharge, and perforation site were compared. RESULTS: The study included 67 subjects (33 in the pre-pandemic period and 34 in the pandemic period). There were no significant differences regarding sex, age, or comorbidity. The perforation rate per emergency intervention was 4-times higher during the pandemic. There was an increase in the number of patients that were foreigners (4 [11%]) and nonresidents (6 [17%]). ICU admissions decreased (6 [19%]) but ICU stay increased to 137 h. Hospital stay increased by 5 days and delay in care increased 4.5 h. The number of deaths was higher (from 5 [15.2%] to 10 [29.4%]). Four patients with perforations were positive for COVID-19, were admitted to the ICU, and died. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic there was an increase in the incidence of gastrointestinal perforations at our healthcare system area; symptoms were more advanced, and mortality was higher.

Enhanced Recovery After Emergency Surgery: Utopia or Reality? / Rehabilitación multimodal en cirugía de urgencias: ¿utopía o realidad?

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) constitutes the application of a series of perioperative measures based on the evidence, in order to achieve a better recovery of the patient and a decrease of the complications and the mortality. These ERAS programs initially proved their advantages in the field of colorectal surgery being progressively adopted by other surgical areas within the general surgery and other surgical specialties. The main excluding factor for the application of such programs has been the urgent clinical presentation, which has caused that despite the large volume of existing literature on ERAS in elective surgery, there are few studies that have investigated the effectiveness of these programs in surgical patients in emergencies. The aim of this article is to show ERAS measures currently available according to the existing evidence for emergency surgery.

Factores epidemiológicos en la conversión de la colecistectomía videolaparoscópica / Epidemiological factors in the conversion of videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy

Introducción: La colecistectomía videolaparoscópica es el proceder más idóneo para tratar la litiasis vesicular y sus complicaciones, pero existen factores epidemiológicos que pueden propiciar la conversión. Objetivo: Determinar los factores epidemiológicos que incidieron en la conversión de la colecistectomía videolaparoscópica. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de tipo descriptivo y retrospectivo en el Hospital Militar "Octavio de la Concepción y de la Pedraja", desde enero de 2010 hasta mayo de 2019. Fueron estudiados 64 pacientes intervenidos de forma electiva o de urgencia, que fueron convertidos de mínimo acceso a vía convencional. Resultados: Se evidenció mayor número de conversiones urgencias, a predominio de hombres, con rango de edad entre 41 y 55 años. En la cirugía electiva sobresalió el sexo femenino, del mismo grupo etario. La conversión fue más habitual en los pacientes sobrepeso. La litiasis vesicular sintomática (cólico biliar) fue la condición más encontrada como antecedente. La diabetes mellitus fue la enfermedad crónica no trasmisible más asociada a la conversión. Conclusiones: Fue más frecuente la conversión en el grupo de edad entre 41 a 55 años, en pacientes del sexo masculino, sobrepeso, asociado a cólicos biliares y diabetes mellitus(AU)

Introduction: Videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy is the most suitable procedure to treat gallbladder lithiasis and its complications, but there are epidemiological factors that can promote conversion. Objective: To determine the epidemiological factors that influenced the conversion of videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: A descriptive and retrospective study was carried out at the Hospital Militar "Octavio de la Concepción y de la Pedraja", from January 2010 to May 2019. 64 patients underwent elective or emergency surgery, who were converted with minimal access to conventional. Results: A greater number of conversions from emergency was evident, predominantly in men, with an age range between 41 and 55 years. In elective surgery, the female sex, from the same age group, stood out. Conversion was more common in overweight patients. Symptomatic gallbladder lithiasis (biliary colic) was the most commonly found condition as an antecedent. Diabetes mellitus was the chronic non-communicable disease most associated with conversion. Conclusions: Conversion was more frequent in the age group between 41 to 55 years, in male patients, overweight, associated with biliary colic and diabetes mellitus(AU)

Prospective Study of Factors Associated With Postoperative Delirium After Urgent Abdominal Surgery. / Estudio prospectivo de los factores asociados al delirium en el postoperatorio de la cirugía abdominal urgente.

INTRODUCTION: Delirium is a frequent complication in elderly patients after urgent abdominal surgery. METHODS: Prospective study of consecutive patients aged ≥65years who had undergone urgent abdominal surgery from 2017-2019. The following variables were recorded: age, sex, ASA, physiological state, cognitive impairment, frailty (FRAIL Scale), functional dependence (Barthel Scale), quality of life (Euroqol-5D-VAS), nutritional status (MNA-SF), preoperative diagnosis, type of surgery (BUPA Classification), approach and diagnosis of postoperative delirium (Confusion Assessment Method). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the correlation of these variables with delirium. RESULTS: The study includes 446 patients with a median age of 78years, 63.6% were ASA ≥III and 8% had prior cognitive impairment. 13.2% were frail and 5.4% of the patients had a severe or total degree of dependence. 13.6% developed delirium in the postoperative period. In the univariate analysis, all the variables were statistically significant except for sex, type of surgery (BUPA) and duration. In the multivariate analysis the associated factors were: age (P<.001; OR: 1,08; 95%CI: 1,038-1,139), ASA (P=.026; OR: 3.15; 95%CI: 1.149-8.668), physiological state (P<.001; OR: 5.8; 95%CI: 2.176-15.457), diagnosis (P=.006) and cognitive impairment (P<.001; OR: 5.8; 95%CI: 2.391-14.069). CONCLUSION: The factors associated with delirium are age, ASA, physiological state in the emergency room, preoperative diagnosis and prior cognitive impairment.

Use of King Vision® videolaryngoscope in an unanticipated difficult airway in an adult patient with giant vallecular cyst, a case report. / Uso del videolaringoscopio King Vision® en una vía aérea difícil no esperada por un quiste vallecular gigante en un adulto, a propósito de un caso.

Laryngeal cysts are largely asymptomatic and typically described in the context of incidental discovery on routine laryngoscopy. These cysts, in adults are even rarer and can have catastrophic consequences in an anaesthetized patient if airway management is inappropriate. We describe a case of difficult endotracheal intubation and the treatment of an adult patient with an asymptomatic, giant vallecular cyst that was discovered during rapid-sequence induction of general anesthesia in urgent surgery. In conclusion, vallecular cysts can cause extreme problems in securing the airway. It is important to avoid complications associated with repeated attempts at intubation, airway loss, or cyst rupture causing difficulty visualizing vocal cords and aspiration. The use of King Vision® videolaryngoscope is a good alternative in these cases. Close attention to logistics and the immediate availability of an otolaryngologist is vital.

Factores asociados a la mortalidad por infecciones posoperatorias / Factors associated with mortality from postoperative infections

Introducción: las infecciones posoperatorias favorecen la ocurrencia de otras complicaciones, en ocasiones letales, razón por la que elevan los índices de morbilidad y mortalidad. Objetivo: identificar diferentes factores relacionados con la aparición de las infecciones posoperatorias que están asociados con la mortalidad por sus efectos. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, de serie de casos, basado en 258 pacientes operados de forma urgente o electiva durante el trienio 2012-2014 en el Servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital Provincial Saturnino Lora de Santiago de Cuba. Estos pacientes presentaron infecciones posquirúrgicas, de los cuales 27 (10,5 por ciento) fallecieron. Resultados: la aparición de la infección posquirúrgica estuvo asociada a las intervenciones contaminadas en la cirugía urgente seguida por las limpias y limpias contaminadas para la electiva, así como la infección del sitio operatorio superficial y en otras localizaciones en ambos grupos. La mortalidad estuvo relacionada con la edad mayor de 60 años, el estado físico preoperatorio ASA ≥ III, la cirugía abdominal urgente, contaminada, el tiempo quirúrgico mayor de una hora y las reintervenciones. Conclusiones: en todos los fallecidos repercutieron los factores de predicción para la ocurrencia de infecciones posoperatorias y como consecuencia de la correlación de cada uno de ellos, se acrecentó el riesgo de morir(AU)

Introduction: postoperative infections cause other complications, sometimes lethal ones, a reason why they raise morbidity and mortality rates. Objective: to identify different factors related to the occurrence of postoperative infection and which, because of their effects, they are associated with mortality. Methods: a descriptive study of case series was carried out, based on 258 patients who had emergency or elective surgery in the Department of Surgery of Saturnino Lora Provincial Hospital of Santiago de Cuba (2012-2014). These patients had postoperative infections, and 27 of them (10.5 percent) died. Results: the occurrence of postoperative infection was associated with contaminated interventions in emergency surgery, followed by clean and clean-contaminated for the elective one, as well as surface surgical site infection and in other locations in both groups. Mortality was associated with age (over 60 years), preoperative fitness ASA≥III, contaminated emergency abdominal surgery, operating time longer than an hour and second interventions. Conclusions: In all the deceased patients there was a repercussion of predicting factors for the occurrence of postoperative infections and, as a result of the correlation of each of them, the risk of dying increased(AU)

[Perioperative management of direct oral anticoagulant in emergency surgery and bleeding. Haemostasis monitoring and treatment]. / Manejo perioperatorio de los anticoagulantes orales directos en cirugía urgente y sangrado. Monitorización y tratamiento hemostático.

There is an almost unanimous consensus on the management of the direct new oral anticoagulants, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban in elective surgery. However, this general consensus does not exist in relation with the direct new oral anticoagulants use in emergency surgery, especially in the bleeding patient. For this reason, a literature review was performed using the MEDLINE-PubMed. An analysis was made of the journal articles, reviews, systematic reviews, and practices guidelines published between 2000 and 2014 using the terms "monitoring" and "reversal". From this review, it was shown that the routine tests of blood coagulation, such as the prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time, have a limited efficacy in the perioperative control of blood coagulation in these patients. There is currently no antidote to reverse the effects of these drugs, although the possibility of using concentrated prothrombin complex and recombinant activated factor vii has been suggested for the urgent reversal of the anticoagulant effect.

[Reversion of oral anticoagulation in emergency surgery]. / Reversión de la anticoagulación oral en cirugía de urgencia.

EN: Bleeding is the most serious adverse effect of oral anticoagulants. Emergency surgery requires the rapid reversion of coagulation disorder though the use of such products as prothrombin complex, vitamin K, or activated recombinant factor VII. We analyze the cases of 5 patients on oral anticoagulants (vitamin K antagonists) who required emergency surgery in our hospital in the past year. We describe patient characteristics, laboratory findings before and after correction of anticoagulant effects, preoperative treatment of coagulation disorder, surgical interventions, and outcomes.

ES: La hemorragia es el efecto adverso más grave secundario al tratamiento con anticoagulantes. Es necesario revertir rápidamente la anticoagulación en enfermos que van a ser intervenidos de urgencia. Para la reversión se utilizan productos como complejo protrombínico, vitamina K y factor VII activado recombinante. En el último año, en nuestro hospital han sido intervenidos cinco pacientes que necesitaban una cirugía urgente y estaban en tratamiento con anticoagulantes orales (antagonistas de la vitamina K). Presentamos sus datos demográficos, la analítica antes y después de corregir los efectos anticoagulantes, el tratamiento preoperatorio de la anticoagulación, las intervenciones quirúrgicas y los resultados.

Videolaparoscopia en el trauma abdominal / Videolaparoscopy in abdominal trauma

Introducción: la videolaparoscopia realizada de urgencia es uno de los avances tecnológicos más importantes para el diagnóstico precoz y el tratamiento oportuno de las afecciones abdominales agudas que incluyen las de causa traumática. Objetivo: caracterizar a pacientes con trauma abdominal sometidos a videolaparoscopia de urgencia, según variables seleccionadas, e identificar algunos aspectos concernientes a la aplicación de esta técnica en nuestro medio. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de 18 pacientes ingresados por trauma abdominal en el servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital Universitario Saturnino Lora, de Santiago de Cuba, durante los años 2006-2007, a los que se les realizó videolaparoscopia de urgencia. Resultados: predominaron los hombres jóvenes y los traumas abiertos. La ecografía y la punción abdominales fueron los métodos diagnósticos más utilizados. En los dos tercios de la serie la videolaparoscopia fue negativa o diagnosticó violación peritoneal simple. El hígado fue la víscera más frecuentemente lesionada. Para el acceso videolaparoscópico se necesitaron dos puertos en la mayoría de la serie. Dos pacientes requirieron laparotomía convencional, para un índice de conversión de 11,1 por ciento, por lo que se evitaron 16 laparotomías innecesarias. El tiempo quirúrgico y la estadía hospitalaria posoperatoria fueron menores en la cirugía videolaparoscópica que en la laparotomía convencional. Conclusiones: la videolaparoscopia realizada con urgencia puede considerarse una herramienta de probada utilidad para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de los pacientes con traumatismos abdominales, porque evita un número considerable de laparotomías innecesarias y permite un aceptable margen de seguridad en la medida en que el cirujano perfeccione y domine esta tecnología(AU)

Introduction: the video-laparoscopy carried out with emergency is one of the more important technological advances for an early diagnosis and the timely treatment of acute abdominal affections including those of traumatic cause. Objective: to characterize patients with abdominal trauma submitted to videolaparoscopia of urgency according to the selected variables and to identify some features related to the implementation of this technique in our context. Methods: a descriptive and observational study was conducted in 18 patients admitted due to abdominal trauma in the service of general surgery of the "Saturnino Lora" University Hospital of Santiago de Cuba province from 2006 to 2007, who underwent emergency video-laparoscopy. Results: there was predominance of young men and of open traumata. The echography and the abdominal puncture were the more used diagnostic methods. In the two third of the series, the video-laparoscopy was negative or diagnosed a simple peritoneal violation. The liver was the more frequent injured viscus. For the videolaparoscopy access are necessary two ports in most of series. Two patients required conventional laparotomy for a conversion rate of 11,1 percent avoinding 16 unnecessary laparotomies. The surgical time and the postoperative hospital stay were less in the videolaparoscopy surgery than in the conventional laparotomy. Conclusions: the videolaparoscopy carried out with emergency may be considered a tool of usefulness demonstrated for diagnosis and treatment of patients presenting with abdominal traumata because of it avoids many unnecessary laparotomies and allows an acceptable degree of certainty insofar as the surgeon improve and dominate this technology(AU)