Sustainable surgical resource initiative for Haiti: the SSRI-Haiti project.

In response to the 2010 earthquake and subsequent cholera epidemic, St Luke's Medical Center was established in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Here, we describe its inception and evolution to include an intensive care unit and two operating rooms, as well as the staffing, training and experiential learning activities, which helped St Luke's become a sustainable surgical resource. We describe a three-phase model for establishing a sustainable surgical centre in Haiti (build facility and acquire equipment; train staff and perform surgeries; provide continued education and expansion including regular specialist trips) and we report a progressive increase in the number and complexity of cases performed by all-Haitian staff from 2012 to 2022. The results are generalised in the context of the 'delay framework' to global health along with a discussion of the application of this three-phase model to resource-limited environments. We conclude with a brief description of the formation of a remote surgical centre in Port-Salut, an unforeseen benefit of local competence and independence. Establishing sustainable and collaborative surgery centres operated by local staff accelerates the ability of resource-limited countries to meet high surgical burdens.

Desafios para implementação da SAE perioperatória em pacientes do centro cirúrgico / Challenges for implementing perioperative SAE in surgical center patients / Retos para la implantación del SAE perioperatorio en pacientes de centros quirúrgicos

Introdução: A Sistematização da Assistência de Enfermagem Perioperatória (SAEP) é o alicerce que fornece sustentação nas ações de enfermagem, na promoção de saúde e prevenção de complicações de clientes cirúrgicos. Objetivo: este estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a percepção dos enfermeiros, que assistem pacientes cirúrgicos, sobre a SAEP dentro do contexto da sua prática profissional. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma pesquisa de revisão de literatura de caráter descritiva que implicou na busca de arti- gos científicos de 2012 a 2022, que abordassem as dificuldades que a enfermagem en- contra para a execução da SAEP. Desta forma, foram utilizados apenas publicações que estivessem nas bases de dados SciELO, LILACS, LATINDEX, MIAR. Resultados: Fo- ram identificados inicialmente 414 artigos, após a aplicação dos critérios propostos nove artigos foram selecionados para a amostra. Conclusão: As dificuldades encontradas no exercício profissional da enfermagem no centro cirúrgico estão relacionadas a não com- preensão e a aplicabilidade da SAEP, e também pela falta de recursos humanos, tecnoló- gicos e assistenciais.

Introduction: The Systematization of Perioperative Nursing Care (SAEP) is the foundation that provides support in nursing actions, in health promotion and prevention of complications in surgical clients. Objective: this study aimed to know the perception of nurses, who assist surgical patients, about SAEP within the context of their professional practice. Methodology: This is a descriptive literature review research that involved the search for scientific articles from 2012 to 2022, which addressed the difficulties that nursing encounters in the implementation of SAEP. In this way, only publications that were in the SciELO, LILACS, LATINDEX, MIAR databases were used. Results: Initially, 414 articles were identified, after applying the proposed criteria, nine articles were selected for the sample. Conclusion: The difficulties encountered in the professional practice of nursing in the surgical center are related to the lack of understanding and applicability of the SAEP, and also to the lack of human, technological and assistance resources.

Introducción: La Sistematización de los Cuidados de Enfermería Perioperatoria (SAEP) es el fundamento que proporciona apoyo en las acciones de enfermería, en la promoción de la salud y prevención de complicaciones en los clientes quirúrgicos. Objetivo: este estudio tuvo como objetivo conocer la percepción de las enfermeras, que asisten pacientes quirúrgicos, sobre la SAEP en el contexto de su práctica profesional. Metodología: Se trata de una investigación de revisión bibliográfica descriptiva que implicó la búsqueda de artículos científicos desde 2012 hasta 2022, que abordaran las dificultades que la enfermería encuentra en la implementación del SAEP. De esta forma, sólo se utilizaron publicaciones que estuvieran en las bases de datos SciELO, LILACS, LATINDEX, MIAR. Resultados: Inicialmente, se identificaron 414 artículos, después de aplicar los criterios propuestos, se seleccionaron nueve artículos para la muestra. Conclusiones: Las dificultades encontradas en la práctica profesional de enfermería en el centro quirúrgico están relacionadas con la falta de comprensión y aplicabilidad del SAEP, así como con la falta de recursos humanos, tecnológicos y asistenciales.

Joint-Venture Ambulatory Surgery Centers: The Perfect Partnership.

BACKGROUND: Ambulatory surgery growth has increased in the last few decades as ambulatory surgery centers have been shown to succeed in cost efficiencies through their smaller size and breadth, specialization of care, and ability to quickly participate in perioperative process improvement and education. METHODS: A 5-year retrospective fiscal review was performed for all Northwell Health-physician ambulatory surgery center joint ventures. The outcome measures studied included model of ownership, specialty types, and gross revenue. Additional facility characteristics were studied, including growth trajectory, facility size, and cost to build a de novo facility. RESULTS: Eleven free-standing ambulatory surgery centers were identified at Northwell Health during the 5-year study period. The total gross revenue for all Northwell clinical joint ventures for 2019 alone was $102,854,000. Northwell Health is a majority stakeholder in eight of their joint venture ambulatory surgery centers, with an average Northwell ownership of 53 percent and an average number of physician owners per facility of 11. The number of hospital-physician joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers grew from two to 11 facilities during the study period (450 percent). Surgical volume followed a similar trajectory, increasing 295 percent over the same time period. CONCLUSIONS: The ambulatory surgery center setting provides a vast number of possibilities for key stakeholders, including patients themselves, to benefit from financial and clinical efficiencies. Ambulatory surgery centers have been popular, as they meet patient expectations for convenience of elective surgery, reduce payer and clinical pressures to minimize length of stay in hospitals, and achieve similar or higher quality care with less intense resources.

Dificuldades de enfermeiros na segurança do paciente em centro cirúrgico: estudo exploratório / Difficulties of nurses in patient safety in the surgical center: an exploratory study / Dificultades del enfermero en la seguridad del paciente en centro quirúrgico: un estudio exploratorio

OBJETIVO: Descrever as dificuldades de enfermeiros na gestão da segurança do paciente no centro cirúrgico. MÉTODO: Estudo exploratório descritivo, com abordagem quanti-qualitativa, por meio de um survey on-line com 204 enfermeiros de centro cirúrgico de diferentes regiões do Brasil. O questionário continha dados de caracterização socioprofissional e uma questão aberta. Para análise, adotou-se estatística descritiva e análise textual com suporte do software IRAMUTEQ. RESULTADO: Obtiveram-se três classes semânticas: (1) Suporte organizacional (35,6%); (2) Conflitos interpessoais no trabalho (38,3%) e (3) Envolvimento da equipe de saúde no checklist de cirurgia segura (25,8%). CONCLUSÃO: as dificuldades de enfermeiros para a gestão da segurança do paciente no centro cirúrgico relacionam-se principalmente às relações interpessoais no ambiente de trabalho e ao suporte organizacional.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the nurses' difficulties in managing patient safety in the surgical center. METHOD: A descriptive exploratory study, with a quantitative and qualitative approach, conducted by means of an online survey with 204 nurses working in the surgical centers from different Brazilian regions. The questionnaire contained data on socio-professional characterization and an open question. For analysis, descriptive statistics and textual analysis were adopted with the support of the IRAMUTEQ software. RESULTS: Three semantic classes were obtained: (1) Organizational support (35.6%); (2) Interpersonal conflicts at work (38.3%); and (3) Involvement of the health team in the safe surgery checklist (25.8%). CONCLUSION: The nurses' difficulties in managing patient safety in the surgical center are mainly related to interpersonal relationships in the workplace and to organizational support.

OBJETIVO: Describir las dificultades del enfermero para gestionar la seguridad del paciente en el centro quirúrgico. MÉTODO: Estudio exploratorio descriptivo, con abordaje cuantitativo y cualitativo, a través de una survey online con 204 enfermeros de centros quirúrgicos de diferentes regiones de Brasil. El cuestionario contenía datos de caracterización socioprofesional y una pregunta abierta. Para el análisis se adoptó estadística descriptiva y análisis textual con el apoyo del software IRAMUTEQ. RESULTADO: Se obtuvieron tres clases semánticas: (1) Apoyo organizacional (35,6%); (2) Conflictos interpersonales en el trabajo (38,3%) y (3) Participación del equipo de salud en la checklist de cirugía segura (25,8%). CONCLUSIÓN: Las dificultades de los enfermeros para gestionar la seguridad del paciente en el centro quirúrgico están relacionadas principalmente con las relaciones interpersonales en el lugar de trabajo y el apoyo organizacional.

Centralizing a national pancreatoduodenectomy service: striking the right balance.

BACKGROUND: Centralization of pancreatic surgery is currently called for owing to superior outcomes in higher-volume centres. Conversely, organizational and patient concerns speak for a moderation in centralization. Consensus on the optimal balance has not yet been reached. This observational study presents a volume-outcome analysis of a complete national cohort in a health system with long-standing centralization. METHODS: Data for all pancreatoduodenectomies in Norway in 2015 and 2016 were identified through a national quality registry and completed through electronic patient journals. Hospitals were dichotomized (high-volume (40 or more procedures/year) or medium-low-volume). RESULTS: Some 394 procedures were performed (201 in high-volume and 193 in medium-low-volume units). Major postoperative complications occurred in 125 patients (31·7 per cent). A clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula occurred in 66 patients (16·8 per cent). Some 17 patients (4·3 per cent) died within 90 days, and the failure-to-rescue rate was 13·6 per cent (17 of 125 patients). In multivariable comparison with the high-volume centre, medium-low-volume units had similar overall complication rates, lower 90-day mortality (odds ratio 0·24, 95 per cent c.i. 0·07 to 0·82) and no tendency for a higher failure-to-rescue rate. CONCLUSION: Centralization beyond medium volume will probably not improve on 90-day mortality or failure-to-rescue rates after pancreatoduodenectomy.

ANTECEDENTES: Actualmente se aboga por la centralización de la cirugía pancreática debido a los mejores resultados obtenidos en los centros de mayor volumen. Por el contrario, la preocupación de las organizaciones y de los pacientes está en línea con la sobriedad en la centralización. Todavía no se ha alcanzado un consenso en el equilibrio óptimo. Este estudio observacional presenta un análisis de volumen-resultado de una cohorte nacional completa en un sistema de salud con largo tiempo de centralización. MÉTODOS: Se identificaron los datos de todas las duodenopancreatectomías realizadas en Noruega en 2015 y 2016 a través de un registro nacional de calidad y se completaron a través de los datos electrónicos de los pacientes. Los hospitales fueron dicotomizados (volumen alto (≥ 40 procedimientos/año) o volumen medio/bajo)) RESULTADOS: Se realizaron 394 procedimientos (201 versus 193 en unidades de volumen alto versus volumen medio/bajo). Un total de 125 pacientes (31,7%) presentaron complicaciones postoperatorias mayores. Se diagnosticó una fístula pancreática postoperatoria clínicamente relevante en 66 pacientes (16,8%). En total, 17 pacientes (4,3%) fallecieron dentro de los 90 días, y la tasa de fracaso de rescate fue de 17 de 125 (13,6%) pacientes. En el análisis multivariable de comparación con el centro de volumen alto, las unidades de volumen medio/bajo presentaron tasas de complicaciones generales iguales, menor mortalidad a los 90 días (razón de oportunidades, odds ratio, OR 0,2, i.c. del 95% 0,1-0,8) y sin tendencia a una mayor tasa de fracaso de rescate. CONCLUSIÓN: La centralización más allá del volumen medio probablemente no mejore la mortalidad a los 90 días o las tasas de fracaso de rescate después de la duodenopancreatectomía.

Surviving the COVID-19 Pandemic: Surge Capacity Planning for Nonemergent Surgery.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has confronted the U.S. health care system with unprecedented challenges amidst a tenuous economic environment. As inpatient hospitals across the country prepare for an overwhelming influx of highly contagious COVID-19 cases, many nonemergent procedures have been cancelled or indefinitely postponed without guidance regarding eventual safe accommodation of these procedures in the future. Given the potentially prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care use, it is imperative for plastic surgeons to collaborate with other medical and surgical specialties to develop surge capacity protocols that allow continuation of safe, high-quality, nonemergent procedures. The purpose of this article is to provide necessary and timely public health information relevant to plastic surgery and also share a conceptual framework to guide surge capacity protocols for nonemergent surgery.

Blueprint for Restructuring a Department of Surgery in Concert With the Health Care System During a Pandemic: The University of Wisconsin Experience.

The current health care environment is complex. Systems often cross US state boundaries to provide care to patients with a wide variety of medical needs. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is challenging health care systems across the globe. Systems face varying levels of complexity as they adapt to the new reality. This pandemic continues to escalate in hot spots nationally and internationally, and the worst strain on health care systems may be yet to come. The purpose of this article is to provide a road map developed from lessons learned from the experience in the Department of Surgery at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and University of Wisconsin Health, based on past experience with incident command structures in military combat operations and Federal Emergency Management Agency responses. We will discuss administrative restructuring leveraging a team-of-teams approach, provide a framework for deploying the workforce needed to deliver all necessary urgent health care and critical care to patients in the system, and consider implications for the future.

Complex Cancer Surgery in the Outpatient Setting: The Josie Robertson Surgery Center.

Minimally invasive operative techniques and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have transformed clinical practice and made it possible to perform increasingly complex oncologic procedures in the ambulatory setting, with recovery at home after a single overnight stay. Capitalizing on these changes, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's Josie Robertson Surgery Center (JRSC), a freestanding ambulatory surgery facility, was established to provide both outpatient procedures and several surgeries that had previously been performed in the inpatient setting, newly transitioned to this ambulatory extended recovery (AXR) model. However, the JRSC core mission goes beyond rapid recovery, aiming to be an innovation center with a focus on superlative patient experience and engagement, efficiency, and data-driven continuous improvement. Here, we describe the JRSC genesis, design, care model, and outcome tracking and quality improvement efforts to provide an example of successful, patient-centered surgical care for select patients undergoing relatively complex procedures in an ambulatory setting.

Analysis of operating room efficiency between a hospital-owned ambulatory surgical center and hospital outpatient department.

BACKGROUND: Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are frequently utilized; however some ambulatory procedures may be performed in hospital outpatient departments (HOPs). Our aim was to compare operating room efficiency between our ASC and HOP. METHODS: We reviewed outpatient general surgery procedures performed at our ASC and HOP. Total case time was divided into five components: ancillary time, procedure time, exit time, turnover time, and nonoperative time. RESULTS: Overall, 220 procedures were included (114 ASC, 106 HOP). Expressed in minutes, the mean turnover time (29.8 ±â€¯9.6 vs. 24.5 ±â€¯12.7; p < 0.01), ancillary time (32.2 ±â€¯7.0 vs. 22.2 ±â€¯4.5; p < 0.01), procedure time (77.4 ±â€¯44.9 vs. 56.2 ±â€¯23.0 p < 0.01), exit time (11.8 ±â€¯4.4 vs. 8.5 ±â€¯4.3; p < 0.01), and nonoperative time (62.9 ±â€¯21.9 vs. 48.7 ±â€¯15.0; p < 0.01) were longer at the HOP than at the ASC. CONCLUSION: ASC outpatient procedures are more efficient than those performed at our HOP. A system evaluation of our HOP operating room efficiency is necessary.

Initial Results of Bilateral Subthalamic Nucleus Stimulation for Parkinson Disease in a Newly Established Center in a Developing Country: Shiraz, Southern Iran.

OBJECTIVE: To report the establishment of a new center for deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a surgical treatment for Parkinson disease and the surgical outcomes, from 2014 to 2017 in Shiraz, Southern Iran. METHODS: A new treatment program was established in Shiraz through a multidisciplinary team in 2014. Thirty-four patients underwent implantation of subthalamic nucleus (STN) electrodes during the last 3 years. Twenty-five patients fulfilled the minimum 6-month follow-up criteria. The baseline Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) was assessed 1 month before surgery in both off-medication and on-medication states by a movement disorder neurologist. To evaluate the outcomes, subscores of the UPDRS were assessed in all patients before surgery and at least 6 months after the operation. RESULTS: All 25 patients had advanced Parkinson disease categorized as stage 3 or 4 using the Hoehn and Yahr scale. STN DBS resulted in a dramatic improvement in motor function of most patients. A reduction in dopaminergic medication dosage (average 60% reduction) was observed. The mean improvement was 40% in UPDRS II and 67% in UPDRS III. No surgical or hardware complications were observed. Stimulation-related adverse effects, including increased falling and worsening of speech, occurred in a few patients after surgery. Most of the patients experienced weight gain after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral STN DBS is a satisfactory and safe treatment for carefully selected patients with advanced Parkinson disease. According to the results, the procedure can be performed safely and with comparable results in developing countries around the world.

[Are There any Differences in Quality or Complication Rate in Total Knee Arthroplasty after Establishing a Centre for Endoprosthesis?] / Gibt es Veränderungen in der Qualität bzw. Komplikationshäufigkeit in der Knieendoprothetik durch die Etablierung eines Endoprothesenzetrums?

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to show whether there are any changes in quality or incidence of complications in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) after establishing a centre for endoprothesis (EPZ). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study comparing 100 TKAs one year before establishing an EPZ (Group I) with 100 TKAs one year after establishing an EPZ (group II). Data were collected by analysing our electronic documentation system, and the report of the rehabilitation hospital. The following parameters were documented which are necessary to establish an EPZ: existence of X-rays before and after operation. Existence of full length weight bearing X-ray before operation or using a navigation device. Existence of preoperative planning, duration of TKA below 100 minutes. The following complications were documented: Periprosthetic infections, occurrence of periprosthetic fissures/fractures, thrombembolism, neurologic complications, patients' satisfaction rate with the hospital stay and mortality rate. Additionally femorotibial angle, femoral angle, tibial angle and tibial slope were measured. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 22.0. using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the Qui-Square test and the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in local or systemic complications. The mean duration of operation was 82.9 min in group I (min.: 55, max.: 141) und 81.5 min in group II (min.: 57, max.: 129; p > 0.05). In group I, there were 20/100 cases (20%) with operation time longer than 100 minutes, in group II 13/100 cases (13%; p < 0.001). Analysis of anatomical femorotibial angle, femur angle, tibial angle and tibial slope showed no significant differences. The rate of documented survey of patients' satisfaction rate improved from 62% in group I to 98% in group II (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: By establishing an EPZ, we achieved a significant improvement in the parameters operation time > 100 minutes and documented survey of patients' satisfaction rate, but not in complication rate.

Scratch to state-of-the-art: setting up a new robotic facility in a developing country.

The potential challenges encountered for setting up a robotic assisted surgical facility in developing country like India are many. We describe the initial hurdles and troubleshooting in establishing a facility of such kind. This experience might help to decrease initial hiccups in setting up such an innovative technology at other institutes.

Clima de segurança em centro cirúrgico: validação de um questionário para o cenário brasileiro / Safety climate in the surgical center: validation of a questionnaire for the Brazilian scenario

Validar a versão traduzida e adaptada culturalmente do Safety Attitudes Questionnaire/Operating Room Version para o contexto brasileiro. Estudo metodológico de validação das propriedades psicométricas do questionário adaptado para o contexto brasileiro. A amostra correspondeu a 590 profissionais de saúde atuantes em centro cirúrgico, de quatro hospitais brasileiros, coletando-se os dados de maio a agosto de 2014. A validação de constructo ocorreu pela análise fatorial exploratória e a confiabilidade pelo alpha de Cronbach. A análise originou um questionário com 40 assertivas alocadas em seis domínios: clima de segurança, percepção da gerência, percepção do estresse, condição do trabalho, comunicação no ambiente cirúrgico e percepção do desempenho profissional. A versão adaptada mostrou-se confiável, obtendo o valor geral do alpha de Cronbach de 0,87 e entre os domínios, o alpha variou de 0,59 a 0,87. Esta pesquisa permitiu validar um instrumento passível de avaliar o clima de segurança em centro cirúrgico.

To validate the translated and culturally adapted version of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire/Operating Room Version to the Brazilian context. A methodological study to validate the psychometric properties of the questionnaire adapted to the Brazilian context. The sample corresponded to 590 health professionals acting in the surgical center, of four Brazilian hospitals, collecting the data from May to August 2014. The construct validation was performed by the exploratory factorial analysis and the reliability using the Cronbach's alpha. The analysis generated a questionnaire with 40 affirmations divided into six domains: clima de segurança, percepção da gerência, percepção do estresse, condição do trabalho, comunicação no ambiente cirúrgico e percepção do desempenho profissional. The adapted version was reliable, obtained a general Cronbach's alpha value of 0.87, and between domains, the alpha varied from 0.59 to 0.87. This study allowed to validate an instrument capable of assessing the safety environment in a surgical center.

Cancelamento de cirurgias: uma revisão integrativa da literatura / Cancellation of surgeries: an integrative literature review / Cancelación de cirugías: una revisión integrativa de literatura

Objetivo: Compilar e analisar informações disponíveis na literatura nacional e internacional sobre cancelamento de cirurgias. Método: Revisão integrativa da literatura de publicações do período de 2010 a junho de 2016, encontradas em periódicos indexados nas bases de dados LILACS, SciELO, BVS, CINAHL, CAPES e SCOPUS, nos idiomas inglês, português e espanhol. Resultados: Foram selecionados 61 artigos, que levantaram taxas de cancelamento de 0,48 até 38%. As causas mais frequentes são similares entre os estudos, sendo as mais comuns: condições clínicas do paciente não favoráveis à cirurgia, problemas relacionados à estrutura e à organização da instituição e o não comparecimento do paciente. Intervenções para reduzir o número de cancelamentos são relatadas, várias delas possuindo resultados eficazes. Conclusão: O cancelamento de cirurgias é uma temática em estudo mundial e que ainda requer investigações e intervenções, por ser prejudicial aos envolvidos e ao sistema de saúde.

Objective: To compile and analyze information available in the national and international literature about cancellation of surgeries. Method: Integrative literature review carried out from 2010 to June 2016, with search performed in indexed databases such as LILACS, SciELO, BVS, CINAHL, CAPES, and SCOPUS, for articles written in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Results: 61 articles were selected, which mentioned cancellation rates from 0.48 to 38%. Most frequent causes are similar among the studies, being the most common: patient's clinical conditions not favorable to surgery, problems related to the institution's structure and organization, and patient non-attendance. Interventions to reduce the number of cancellations are reported, several of them having effective results. Conclusion: The cancellation of surgeries is a worldwide theme that still requires investigations and interventions, as it harms people involved and the health system.

Objetivo: Compilar y analizar informaciones disponibles en la literatura nacional e internacional sobre cancelación de cirugías. Método: Revisión integrativa de la literatura de publicaciones del período de 2010 a junio de 2016, encontradas en periódicos indexados en las bases de datos LILACS, SciELO, BVS, CINAHL, CAPES y SCOPUS, en los idiomas inglés, portugués y español. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 61 artículos, que levantaron tasas de cancelación de 0,48 hasta 38%. Las causas más frecuentes son similares entre los estudios, siendo las más comunes: condiciones clínicas del paciente no favorables a la cirugía, problemas relacionados a la estructura y la organización de la institución y la no ausencia del paciente. Las intervenciones para reducir el número de cancelaciones se reportan, varias de ellas con resultados eficaces. Conclusión: La cancelación de cirugías es una temática en estudio mundial y que aún requiere investigaciones e intervenciones, por ser perjudicial para los involucrados y para el sistema de salud.

Implementing an epilepsy surgery center. Initial experience at a university hospital in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Epilepsy is a serious neurological condition, often without a full and effective treatment. In some cases, surgery is beneficial, despite being underused. Our aim herein is to describe the implementation of an epilepsy surgery center in a federal university hospital, sharing the initial experience gained, as well as describing the main challenges and first results. METHODS: Experience report of an epilepsy surgery center implementation. Retrospective review of 13 drug-resistant patients who underwent surgical treatment. RESULTS: Thirteen patients underwent surgical epilepsy treatment, five patients categorized as the International League Against Epilepsy class 1, two in class 2, three in class 3, zero in class 4, and two in class 5; with a 30.76% complication rate. CONCLUSION: Despite the challenges, it was possible to implement an epilepsy surgery center with favorable results and acceptable incidence of complications, which were not higher than the incidences found in more experienced centers.

Implementing an epilepsy surgery center. Initial experience at a university hospital in Brazil / Implementação de um centro de cirurgia de epilepsia. Experiência inicial em um hospital universitário no Brasil

ABSTRACT Epilepsy is a serious neurological condition, often without a full and effective treatment. In some cases, surgery is beneficial, despite being underused. Our aim herein is to describe the implementation of an epilepsy surgery center in a federal university hospital, sharing the initial experience gained, as well as describing the main challenges and first results. Methods: Experience report of an epilepsy surgery center implementation. Retrospective review of 13 drug-resistant patients who underwent surgical treatment. Results: Thirteen patients underwent surgical epilepsy treatment, five patients categorized as the International League Against Epilepsy class 1, two in class 2, three in class 3, zero in class 4, and two in class 5; with a 30.76% complication rate. Conclusion: Despite the challenges, it was possible to implement an epilepsy surgery center with favorable results and acceptable incidence of complications, which were not higher than the incidences found in more experienced centers.

RESUMO Epilepsia é um problema neurológico sério e para o qual não há um tratamento efetivo e definitivo. Apesar de o tratamento cirúrgico ser bastante benéfico em alguns casos, ainda é subutilizado. O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever a implementação de um Centro de Cirurgia de Epilepsia em um Hospital Universitário Federal, divulgar a experiência inicial obtida, os principais desafios, as dificuldades e os resultados iniciais. Método: Relato da experiência na implementação do Centro de Epilepsia. Análise retrospectiva de série de treze pacientes com epilepsia resistente a medicação e que foram submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico. Resultados: Treze pacientes submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico, 5 com a Liga Internacional Contra Epilepsia classe 1, 2 com classe 3, três com classe 3, zero com classe 4 e 2 com classe 5; com uma taxa de complicação de 30, 76%. Conclusão: Apesar das dificuldades, foi possível a implementação de um Centro de Cirurgia de Epilepsia com resultados favoráveis e taxas de complicação não superiores aos centros de países desenvolvidos.