Impact of pregnancy on women's health-related lifestyle habits: Diet, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking.

OBJECTIVES: To explore health-related lifestyles in women before and during pregnancy, and to determine the potential differences between both and the relevant factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study including 348 women with a child <5 years of age was conducted in six health areas. The following variables were recorded: sociodemographic (age, educational level, marital status, social class, type of cohabitation, nationality), health-related habits (physical activity, diet, tobacco use, alcohol consumption), health conditions, and medication intake. RESULTS: Four lifestyle habits were compared between the pre-conception and pregnancy periods: diet, physical activity, and alcohol and tobacco use. The proportion of women who consumed alcohol (42.8 % vs 3.4 %) or smoked (19.3 % vs 12.4 %) was significantly higher before conception (p < 0.01). Conversely, the proportion of inactive women was lower before pregnancy, with 23.3 % (CI95%: 18.7-27.9) formerly classified as active versus 35.3 % (CI95%: 30.2-40.5) (p < 0.01). Similarly, adherence to the Mediterranean diet increased during pregnancy (62.9 % vs 75.0 %; p < 0.01). Furthermore, 53.2 % (CI95%: 47.8-58.5) of women reported a change from non-healthy to healthy in at least one of the evaluated habits. Logistic regression analyses revealed the variables associated with a positive change, which were being national Spanish (OR: 6.9) and experiencing the first pregnancy (OR: 1.8). CONCLUSIONS: The lifestyles of women undergo changes between the pre-gestation and pregnancy periods. However, such variations do not affect all health-related habits similarly. A positive change was observed in diet, alcohol consumption, and smoking habit, whereas pregnancy negatively impacted on physical activity and sedentary behaviours.

Rhabdomyolysis following Nuss Procedure: A Prospective Study in Children.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative rhabdomyolysis (RML) has been documented after several surgical procedures in adults. Musculoskeletal remodeling after Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum (PE) could cause RML. We evaluated the incidence of RML after Nuss procedure in children. METHODS: This study was a prospective study from 2018 to 2021. We enrolled all otherwise healthy patients who underwent PE correction with only one bar. Studied variables included demographic and clinical data, duration of surgery, complications, and length of hospitalization. The patients included underwent serial measurements of serum creatine kinase (CK), troponin I, N terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), serum creatinine, urea, and glomerular filtration rate at 6 and 48 hours postoperatively, and hospital discharge. RESULTS: Forty-six patients met criteria (40 males/6 females), with a mean age of 15.1 ± 1.4 years. Mean duration of surgery was 74 ± 28 minutes, and length of hospitalization was 4.6 ± 1.6 days. RML was diagnosed in 30.4% of patients at 6 hours, 91.3% at 48 hours, and 21.7% at hospital discharge. Mean preoperative CK value was 181.1 ± 141.6 IU/L, and postoperative values were 863.3 ± 302.6 IU/L at 6 hours, 1,675.2 ± 561 IU/L at 48 hours, and 850 ± 683.7 IU/L at hospital discharge, with statistically significant differences (p = 0.001). High-sensitivity troponin I and NT-proBNP levels increased significantly during the postoperative time (p = 0.001). Renal function remained stable (p = 0.55). CONCLUSION: Nuss technique produces RML without kidney injury in healthy patients. This knowledge should be considered for patients at increased risk of developing acute kidney injury and other complications.

Influence of the mother's lifestyles on the initiation of breastfeeding: A case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Breast milk is the optimal food during the first months of life. The main objective was to analyse the factors associated with not initiating breastfeeding in terms of maternal lifestyles, epidemiological characteristics and information on breastfeeding. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Observational analytical study of cases and controls in 6 primary care centres. The sample included women with a child under 5 years, with an estimated necessary sample size of 166 cases (women who did not initiate breastfeeding) and 166 controls (women who began breastfeeding). Sociodemographic and maternal lifestyle variables were measured before and during pregnancy, such as physical activity using the BPAAT questionnaire, diet with the MEDAS-14 questionnaire, and tobacco and alcohol consumption. We assessed the information and opinions about breastfeeding as well as previous experience with it. RESULTS: The study included 348 women (174 cases and 174 controls) with a mean age of 33.4 years (SD, 5.4). The variables independently associated with not initiating breastfeeding were: absence of previous experience with breastfeeding (odds ratio [OR], 12.75), making the decision during pregnancy or delivery (OR, 10.55), not being married or in a partnership (OR, 3.42) and being sedentary for periods of 2 hours or greater/day during pregnancy (OR, 1.77). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the determining factors associated with not initiating breastfeeding were the lack of previous experience with breastfeeding, the timing of the decision about breastfeeding, and marital status. When it came to lifestyle, only a sedentary lifestyle was associated with not initiating breastfeeding, while dietary or other habits had no influence.

Percutaneous Cryoanalgesia: A New Strategy for Pain Management in Pectus Excavatum Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, pain protocols for pectus excavatum (PE) have incorporated cryoanalgesia through thoracoscopic approach. Since 2019, ultrasound-guided percutaneous cryoanalgesia (PCr) has been applied at our institution, either on the same day as the Nuss procedure or 48 hours before surgery. We carried out a preliminary retrospective review of patients with PE in whom PCr prior to surgery was performed at our institution between 2019 and 2021. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two groups were evaluated: PCr on the same day (PCrSD) and PCr 48 hours before surgery (PCr48). Despite PCr, patients were treated with "patient-controlled analgesia" (PCA) with opioids for at least 24 hours, switching to conventional intravenous analgesia and oral analgesia in the following days. Demographic, clinical-radiological variables, PCA opioid use, pain grade according to the visual analog scale (VAS), and length of stay (LOS) were compared between the groups. A total of 20 patients were included (12 with PCrSD and 8 with PCr48), without significant differences in demographics or clinical-radiological variables. The overall median time of PCr was 65 minutes (55-127), with no differences between the groups. RESULTS: PCr48 group presented with significantly lower median number of hours of continuous PCA (24 vs. 32 hours; p = 0.031), lower median number of rescue boluses (11 vs. 18; p = 0.042), lower median VAS in the early postoperative hours (2 vs. 5.5; p = 0.043), and lower median LOS (3.5 vs. 5 days). CONCLUSION: PCr performed 48 hours prior to surgery is more effective in terms of PCA requirements, VAS, and LOS when compared with cryoanalgesia on the same day.

Hamartoma of the Vallecula in a Five-Month-Old Infant- A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Hamartomas is a neoplasms composed of mature tissue elements from the affected site with disproportion between their components. Although lingual hamartomas are traditionally infrequent in the head and neck, a significant number of case reports with this disorder in infancy are arising from the literature. CASE REPORT: We present a remarkable case of a vallecular hamartoma in a 5-month-old infant. Moreover, the value of histopathological diagnosis was highlighted regarding the differentiation between hamartomas and other benign/reactive lesions. CONCLUSION: Surgical excision is regarded as the treatment of choice for vallecular hamartomas; in addition, no recurrence has been reported after complete resection.

Chemically Assisted Dissection With Sodium 2-Mercaptoethanesulfonate (MESNA) in the Surgical Management of Pediatric Cholesteatoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the chemically assisted dissection with sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (MESNA), in the reduction of residual and recurrent cholesteatoma after mastoidectomy in children with chronic cholesteatomatous otitis media (CCOM). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. POPULATION: One hundred forty mastoidectomies performed in patients under 18 years of age for the treatment of CCOM. INTERVENTIONS: Chemically assisted dissection (CAD) with MESNA compared with surgical dissection without MESNA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Recidivism of cholesteatoma (recurrence and residual disease), variations in the average of bone conduction threshold after treatment, and complications. RESULTS: Recidivism of cholesteatoma was significantly lower when CAD with MESNA was used (p < 0.0001). No difference was found in the mean variation of the average of bone conduction thresholds between the groups, confirming its safety profile regarding auditory function. Meatoplasty stenosis after surgery was more prevalent within CAD with MESNA group (p: 0.049). CONCLUSION: Recurrent and residual cholesteatoma remains a problem, especially in children and despite surgical techniques such as canal wall down mastoidectomy and endoscopic ear surgery. CAD with MESNA can be safe and effective to reduce recurrence rates. Multicenter and prospective studies with larger number of patients are needed to validate these findings. The higher rate of meatoplasty stenosis after CAD with MESNA merits additional clinical research to confirm these findings, as well as in vitro studies evaluating the effect of the drug on the activity of fibroblasts and other growth factors that may be involved.

Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics associated with disease severity in juvenile recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: A study of 104 patients in a tertiary care pediatric hospital.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JRRP) is generally aggressive and with a high recurrence rate. Currently, there is no definite curative treatment for JRRP. Therefore, a greater understanding of the aspects that influence the severity and prognosis of the disease is required. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish the clinical and socioeconomic characteristics of pediatric patients with JRRP and its relationship with the severity of the disease in a tertiary care pediatric hospital. RESULTS: A strong relationship was observed between the severity of the disease and the age at the time of diagnosis, and having a tracheostomy. A moderate association was found between the severity of the disease and the age at the time of the study, the area of origin and the recurrence rate. None of the socioeconomic statuses had a correlation with the severity of the JRRP. CONCLUSIONS: JRRP is associated with multiple surgeries due to the recurrence and aggressiveness of the disease. The socioeconomic status does not seem to influence the severity of the disease, whereas younger patients and users of tracheostomy should receive a more strict follow-up given the increased risk of severe disease.

Nuss Procedure for a Patient with Negative Haller Index.

Introduction Minimally invasive repair for pectus excavatum (MIRPE) is controversial in extremely severe cases of pectus excavatum (PE) and an open repair is usually favored. Our aim is to describe a case of a patient with an extremely severe PE that underwent a minimally invasive approach. Case report An 8-year-old girl with severe sternum depression was assessed. She had a history of exercise intolerance, nocturnal dyspnea, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Chest computed tomography showed that sternum depression was posterior to the anterior vertebral column; therefore, Haller and correction index could not be measured. Spirometry indicated an obstructive ventilation pattern (forced expiratory volume in 1 second = 74.4%), and echocardiogram revealed a dilated inferior vena cava, mitral valve prolapse with normal ventricular function. After multidisciplinary committee evaluation, a MIRPE approach was performed. All symptoms had disappeared at the 3-month postoperative follow-up; the desired sternum shape was achieved and normalization of cardiopulmonary function was observed. The Nuss bars were removed after a 2-year period. After 18-month follow-up, the patient can carry out normal exercise and is content with the cosmetic result. Conclusion Nuss procedure is feasible in our 8-year-old patient. In this case, both the Haller and correction index were not useful to assess the severity of PE. Therefore, under these circumstances, other radiologic parameters have to be taken into consideration for patient evaluation.

Surgical Emergencies in Intestinal Venous Malformations.

BACKGROUND: Venous malformations (VMs) can occur in any part of the body; however, the gastrointestinal tract is a frequent location. These are usually asymptomatic, thus, representing a challenge to diagnosis. Intestinal location of VMs can be associated with severe complications that ultimately require an emergency surgery. Our aim was to analyze all patients with an intestinal VM with special focus on those who required emergency surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of patients presenting complication caused by intestinal VM was performed. Clinical records, associated anomalies, physical findings, and treatment were assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients had a diagnosis of intestinal VM, 16 (76%) were associated to blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) and 5 (24%) were isolated. Only four (19%) of the total cases presented an episode of acute abdomen with hemodynamic instability that required an emergency surgery. Findings included two gastrointestinal bleedings, one volvulus, and one intussusception of small bowel. All patients underwent an uneventful recovery and are presently doing well. CONCLUSION: Intestinal VM can be challenging to diagnose in emergency situations, such as gastrointestinal situation or acute abdomen. The complications associated with it must be kept in mind, regardless of its low incidence.

Advantages of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Severe Pectus Excavatum Assessment in Children.

AIM: Cardiac function can be impaired in patients with pectus excavatum (PE) due to anatomic and dynamic compression of the heart. Efforts for radiation dose reduction in imaging techniques have allowed cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (c-MRI) to play a major role in PE assessment. The aim of our study is to describe the findings of c-MRI 18 months after we changed the PE assessment protocol from chest computed tomography to c-MRI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Since mid-2015 all patients with severe PE (suspected Haller's index > 3.2) were assessed with inspiratory and expiratory c-MRI. A retrospective analysis of these patients was performed evaluating the following parameters: (1) Radiologic PE indexes (Haller's, correction and asymmetry indexes; and sternal rotation) and (2) cardiac function (including left and right ventricle ejection fraction). RESULTS: A total of 20 patients met the inclusion criteria. Dynamic imaging showed a significant difference during inspiration and expiration of the Haller's index 3.85 (range: 3.17-7.3) versus 5.10 (range: 3.85-10.8) (p < 0.05), and correction index (26.86% vs. 36.84%, respectively, p < 0.05). The sternal rotation was 14.5 (range: 0-36). c-MRI analysis disclosed a right ventricle ejection fraction of 50.3%. (normal range: 61% [54-71%]). Echocardiographic imaging underestimated the functional repercussion of PE in all patients. CONCLUSION: Initial results show that PE assessment by c-MRI allows a radiation-free image of the chest wall deformity during the entire breathing process. Also, it permitted the evaluation of the influence of sternum impingement on cardiac function. These findings allowed us a careful surgical evaluation and preoperative planning.

Management of actinic cheilitis using ingenol mebutate gel: A report of seven cases.

Actinic cheilitis (AC) can precede the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the lip, a location with high risk of invasiveness and metastasis. We communicate the good results that we obtained when treating seven patients suffering from AC with ingenol mebutate (IM) 0,015% concentration gel on three consecutive days. Three patients achieved complete clearance and four significant improvement. IM is a topical field treatment approved for actinic keratosis. To our knowledge, reported experience in the management of AC with IM is very limited. Local skin responses grade 3 were the main adverse event observed and they resolved in all patients without specific therapy within 1 to 2 weeks. IM is characterized by its rapid clinical effect, its favorable safety profile and its dosing period of only 3 days, shorter than with other field therapies. All these facts make it an attractive new therapy for AC, with need for further study.

Severe tracheobronchial injuries: our experience.

INTRODUCTION: Severe tracheobronchial injuries (TBI) in children are usually traumatic or iatrogenic. However, they can also be caused by mediastinal infections that lead to critical situations. We herein report our experience in the treatment of these lesions. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted for patients treated at our center from 2008 to 2014. TBI was diagnosed by imaging studies and bronchoscopy. Treatment was initially conservative (drainage of air and secretions, mechanical ventilation with minimal pressures, and an early extubation) with a limited use of surgical procedures whenever necessary. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients (7 males and 3 females) with a median age of 7.5 years (range, 3-17 years) suffered TBI. The mechanism was traumatic in six (three accidental and three iatrogenic) and mediastinal infection in four (three mycotic and one bacterial abscesses). All traumatic cases responded to conservative measures, except one iatrogenic lesion, which was surgically repaired. There were no complications or residual damages. Two patients with mediastinal infection presented with sudden cardiorespiratory arrest, one with hemoptysis caused by an arteriotracheal fistula and the other because of carinal rupture. Both died before any therapeutic measures could be taken. The other two patients were treated, one with previous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, underwent arterial embolization, but ultimately died, and the other one survived, but required esophagectomy and creation of a thoracostome for secondary wound closure of the bronchocutaneous fistula. CONCLUSION: Conservative treatment with gentle respiratory support suffices in most traumatic cases of TBI. Infectious abscesses with involvement of adjacent structures sometimes require complex surgery and are life-threatening.

Topical N-acetylcysteine for the treatment of lamellar ichthyosis: an improved formula.

Topical N-acetylcysteine is gaining recognition as a useful and safe therapy for lamellar ichthyosis. We report a case of inherited lamellar ichthyosis that showed a good response to treatment with a new formula of N-acetylcysteine cream. With this new formula, which is described in the article in a practical manner, the odor of sulfur was minimized and we obtained excellent adherence to treatment.

Early endoscopic dilation and mitomycin application in the treatment of acquired tracheal stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: Acquired airway stenosis is a common complication in children after periods of tracheal intubation. We reviewed our experience in the endoscopic treatment of these lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients who presented acquired tracheal-subglottic stenosis (SGS) treated at our center from 2005 to 2012. We reviewed the etiology, age, clinical presentation, methods of diagnosis, number of bronchoscopies, angioplasty balloon dilations performed, and long-term results. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients (13 M, 5 F) were treated at our institution between 2005 and 2012. Median age at treatment was 3.5 months (range, 1-96 months). Of the 18 children, 16 children had SGS (all cases were postintubation), and 2 children presented tracheal stenosis (1 postintubation, 1 after tracheal surgery). Median intubation time was 30 days (range, 3-120 days). Extubation failure and stridor were the main clinical features. SGS were diagnosed as grade I in three patients, grade II in nine patients, and grade III in six patients. Bronchoscopy allowed diagnostic in all cases, and was followed by angioplasty balloon dilation, with a median of 2.5 (range, 1-5) sessions. In SGS grade I, the relation patient/number of dilations was 1; in SGS grade II 2.6, and in SGS grade III 3.5. Mitomycin was applied in 15 patients. No patients presented intraoperative complications or required reoperation. Median follow-up time was 36 months (range, 5-72 months) and no recurrence was noticed. CONCLUSIONS: Early endoscopic dilation with balloon shows as an effective and safe treatment in acquired tracheal and SGS.

Failed Nissen fundoplication in children: causes and management.

INTRODUCTION: Nissen fundoplication (NF) is the gold standard procedure for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in children. However, it fails in a significant proportion of patients. The purpose of this study was to identify preoperative predictors of failure and to examine the results of reoperations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The charts of patients who underwent NF at our institution between 1992 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Surgery was indicated in patients with symptomatic GER in whom medical treatment failed, particularly, in cases of esophageal atresia (EA), congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), and neurologic impairment (NI). Chi-square comparisons and logistic regression were used to test comorbidities, previous abdominal surgery, surgical technique, gastrostomy, pyloromyotomy or pyloroplasty, age, weight, and surgical complications as possible predictors of NF failure. RESULTS: A total of 360 children (217 male and 143 female) underwent NF. Comorbidities were NI (n = 100, 27.8%), EA (n = 50, 13.9%), CDH (n = 22, 6.1%), and abdominal wall defects (AWD) (n = 6, 1.7%). A total of 35 patients (9.7%) had esophageal stenosis. Age at surgery was 3.06 years (0.04-20.7 years) and weight was 12 kg (2-77 kg). NF was open in 196 patients (54.4%) and laparoscopic in 164 patients (45.6%) (with 9 conversions). Follow-up was 6.7 years (0.01-18.7 years). A total of 42 patients (11, 7%) had postoperative complications (10 wound infection, 9 dumping syndrome, 8 gastrostomy related complications, 7 intestinal obstruction, 5 evisceration, 2 chylothorax, and 1 pneumothorax). Reflux recurred in 42 patients (11.7%) and 35 patients (9.7%) underwent redo NF 1.01 years (0.02-8.4 years) after the initial surgery. A total of nine patients (2.5%) required further interventions (five another redo NF, three esophageal replacements, and one esophago-gastric disconnection). A total of 29 patients (8.1%) died during the follow-up (25 because of their baseline disease, 3 in the postoperative period, and 1 because of pulmonary aspiration 3 years after surgery). EA (31.6% failure) and CDH (46.7% failure) were the only comorbidities predictive of NF failure (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Failure of NF is particularly frequent in patients previously operated upon for EA or CDH and can be predicted preoperatively. However, the benefits of the operation may outweigh this risk. Redo NF is indicated if symptoms of GER recur, but the proportion of failure is even higher. In subsequent failures, other options like esophageal replacement or esophagogastric dissociation should also be considered.

Porokeratoma: a different entity or a variant of verrucous (hyperkeratotic) porokeratosis?

Porokeratoma (acanthoma with features of porokeratosis) is a recently described entity with a distinct pattern of cornoid lamellation and clinically different from typical porokeratosis. We present a case of multiple porokeratomas on the buttock of a 78-year-old man with paraplegia secondary to poliomyelitis and ankylosing spondylarthritis. We briefly review the characteristics and controversies of this new entity.

Bebé colodión: su evolución; presentación de tres casos / Collodion baby: its evolution; report of three cases

El bebé colodión se caracteriza por la presencia de una membrana que cubre la totalidad de la piel del recién nacido. La mayoría de los niños que presenta esta membrana desarrolla ictiosis, siendo la eritrodermia ictiosiforme congénita no ampollar la forma más frecuente, seguida de la ictiosis lamelar y la ictiosis vulgar. No existen características clínicas ni histológicas que sirvan de guía para predecir el diagnóstico final. Estos niños presentan complicaciones debido a las alteraciones de la función de barrera de la piel, como deshidratación hipernatrémica, hipotermia e infecciones cutáneas y sistémicas. Sin embargo el pronóstico de este cuadro ha mejorado en los últimos años debido a los mejores cuidados intensivos neonatales. Presentamos tres casos de bebé colodión evaluados en el servicio de Dermatología del Complejo Hospitalario de Pontevedra (España) y describimos sus características clínicas, tratamientos, complicaciones, pruebas complementarias realizadas y diagnóstico final. A pesar de que el bebé colodión es un fenotipo infrecuente, destacamos la importancia de conocer su tratamiento, así como los diferentes procesos a los que puede dar lugar...

Collodion baby consists on a membrane covering the whole body surface of a newborn. Most children born as collodion baby develop ichthyosis, being the most frequent the non-bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, followed by lamellar ichthyosis and ichthyosis vulgaris. There are no distinctive clinical or histological features that can be used to predict the final diagnosis. These children have complications due to the impaired barrier function, such as hypernatraemic dehydration, hypothermia, or cutaneous and systemic infections. However the prognosis has dramatically improved over time with the development of neonatal intensive care. We present three cases of collodion baby seen at the Dermatology Service of the Pontevedra Hospital Complex (Spain) and describe their clinical characteristics, treatments, complications, diagnostic procedures and final diagnoses. Despite collodion baby is an uncommon entity, we highlight the importance of knowing its treatment and the different processes that may arise from it...