Randomized comparison of oblique and perpendicular stabilizers for minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum.

OBJECTIVES: Bar dislocation is one of the most feared complications of the minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum. METHODS: Prospective randomized parallel-group clinical trial intending to assess whether oblique stabilizers can reduce bar displacement in comparison with regular stabilizers used in minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum. Additionally, we evaluated pain, quality of life and other postoperative complications. Participants were randomly assigned to surgery with perpendicular (n = 16) or oblique stabilizers (n = 14) between October 2017 and September 2018 and followed for 3 years. Bar displacements were evaluated with the bar displacement index. Pain scores were evaluated through visual analogue scale and quality of life through the Pectus Excavatum Evaluation Questionnaire. RESULTS: Control group average displacement index was 17.7 (±26.7) and intervention group average displacement index was 8.2 (±10.9). There was 1 reoperation in each group that required correction with 2 bars. Bar displacement was similar among groups (P = 0.12). No other complications were recorded. There was no statistically significant difference on pain score. There was a significant difference between pre- and postoperative composite scores of the participants' body image domain and psycho-social aspects in both groups. The difference between the pre- and postoperative participants' perception of physical difficulties was greater and statistically significant in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistical difference in the use of perpendicular or oblique stabilizers, but the availability of different models of stabilizers during the study suggested that this can be advantageous. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03087734.

Quality of life outcomes after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum utilizing a new set of metallic bars and stabilizers.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the postoperative quality of life (QoL) of patients who underwent minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) with a newly designed bar and bar stabilizers. METHODS: We conducted a prospective randomized study in which patients were operated either with standard perpendicular stabilizers (control group) or with the newly designed oblique stabilizers (intervention group). All patients were evaluated 6 months after the operation with the Pectus Excavatum Evaluation Questionnaire (PEEQ). RESULTS: There were 16 patients in the control group and 14 in the intervention group. Mean age was 17 (SD: 3.3, range 14-27) years. There were no demographic differences between groups. Two patients in the control group and one in the intervention group were repaired with two bars instead of one. There was one reoperation in each group. There was a significant difference between the pre- and postoperative scores, in both groups, in the patient body image domain (control group: 9.5 to 3; p < 0.01; intervention group 10 to 3; p < 0.01), as well as in the psychosocial domain (control group: 13.5 to 24, p < 0.01; intervention group: 15 to 24, p < 0.01). With regards to the patients' perception of physical difficulties before and after MIRPE, the difference between pre- and postoperative scores was greater in the intervention group (8 to 12, p < 0.01) than in the control group (10 to 11, p = 0.04). The mean length of stay was 4.5 and 5 days in the intervention group and the control group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that patients who underwent MIRPE with the newly designed bars and stabilizers had non-inferior outcomes than patients reported in the literature who underwent MIRPE with standard bars and stabilizers. We found slightly better outcomes in patients in the intervention group compared to the control group, but larger studies will be needed to confirm if those differences are statistically significant. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Capacidade de manuseio da parada cardíaca em locais de alto fluxo de pessoas em Curitiba / Capacity of handling a heart arrest in places with a great flux of people in Curitiba

JUSTIFICATIVA: A parada cardiorrespiratória (PCR) é considerada uma situação preocupante, posto que o tempo até o início dos procedimentos de reversão interfere diretamente na sobrevida do paciente. Sabendo da importância desse atendimento pré-hospitalar o estado do Paraná promulgou uma lei, obrigando os estabelecimentos com grande concentração de pessoas a manterem um desfibrilador externo automático (DEA) disponível, bem como pessoal qualificado a ofertar suporte básico devida e a manusear o desfibrilador externo automático. OBJETIVO: Identificar a porcentagem de estabelecimentos com fluxo superior a 2000 pessoas/dia que possuem desfibrilador externo automático e avaliar o nível técnico do pessoal treinado para o atendimento de uma parada cardiorrespiratória. MÉTODOS: Considerou-se uma amostra de 40 estabelecimentos em Curitiba-PR. Nos locais onde consentiram a realização da pesquisa, avaliou-se a presença do desfibrilador externo automático, bem como seu funcionamento e acessibilidade. Em seguida apresentou-se um caso clínico para a identificação do desempenho do socorrista no atendimento de uma parada cardiorrespiratória. A identificação do desempenho foi realizada com base no protocolo Basic Life Suport (BLS) de avaliação seguindo os parâmetros da American Heart Association (AHA). RESULTADOS: Vinte e oito locais assentiram participar da pesquisa, e desses somente 13 (46,4%) possuíam o desfibrilador externo automático. Cinco desse locais concordaram em serem submetidos a um teste para avaliar o desempenho do socorrista, sendo que dois apresentaram nota 9, um nota 8 e dois inferior a 3. CONCLUSÃO: Poucos locais estão realmente adequados para fazer o atendimento necessário a uma parada cardiorrespiratória. É necessário maiores investimentos e uma maior fiscalização desses estabelecimentos.

BACKGROUND: Cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA) is considered an alarming situation, since time until onset of reversal procedures has a direct influence on patient survival. Given the importance of pre-hospital treatment, the state of Parana, Brazil passed a law obliging establishments with a large volume of people passing through them to have an automatic external defibrillator (AED) available, in addition to personnel qualified to provide basic life support and operate the automatic external defibrillator. OBJECTIVE: Identify the percentage of establishments with a daily flow of more than 2000 individuals that have an automatic external defibrillator and assess the technical level of trained personnel in treating cardiorespiratory arrest. METHODS: The sample was composed of 40 establishments in Curitiba, Parana state. The presence of automatic external defibrillator as well as its functionality and accessibility were assessed. Next, a clinical case was presented to evaluate the performance of emergency responders in treating cardiorespiratory arrest. Performance was based on the Basic Life Support (BLS) protocol, in accordance with American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. RESULTS: Twenty-eight establishments agreed to take part in the study, 13 (46.4%) of which had an automatic external defibrillator on their premises. Five agreed to undergo a test to evaluatethe emergency responder's performance, 2 obtaining a score of 9, one 8 and two below 3. CONCLUSION: Few places are really adequate in order to treat a cardiorespiratory arrest. It is necessary further investments and a more efficient inspection of those establishments.

Resposta cutânea a alérgenos ambientais em indivíduos atendidos em serviço de pneumologia, Maringá, Estado do Paraná, Brasil / Cutaneous response to environmental allergens in patients attended in pulmonology service of Maringá, Paraná State, Brazil

As alergias respiratórias, comumente as rinites e a asma, vêm se tornando cada vez mais frequentes. Considerando que no Noroeste do Paraná há poucos dados referentes ao assunto, propusemos a verificar os agentes causadores de alergias respiratórias e suas intercorrências em indivíduos atendidos em serviço privado de pneumologia do município de Maringá, Paraná. Estudo tipo observacional transversal, retrospectivo, realizado de janeiro/2004 a dezembro/2005. Os participantes foram avaliados clinicamente e realizado o teste de hipersensibilidade imediata, Punctura ­ Prick TestR. De cada indivíduo foram anotados os seguintes dados: idade, positividade ao teste, principais alérgenos reagentes, presença ou ausência de atopia, rinite ou asma. De 396 indivíduos, 236 (59,3%) apresentaram positividade para um ou mais alérgenos, sendo que 80 (20,2%) reagiram a três antígenos, 85 (21,5%) a quatro ou mais. A reatividade dos indivíduos foi mais frequente à poeira doméstica (207), Dermatophagoides pteronyssimus (184), Dermatophagoides farinae (158) e Blomia tropicalis (95). Inclusive, poeira domiciliar, D. pteronyssimus e D. farinae ocorreram principalmente em indivíduos com moderada a severa atopia. Aproximadamente 70% dos indivíduos com idade entre seis a 20 anos apresentaram atopia. Considerando o elevado nível de atopia nos pacientes atendidos pelo serviço de pneumologia em Maringá, é imprescindível realizar programas de controle no meio ambiente, juntamente com o acompanhamento e o tratamento médico dos indivíduos atópicos.

Respiratory allergies, especially rhinitis and asthma, are becoming increasingly common. Given that in northwestern Paraná there is little data on the subject, our objective was to verify the causative agents of respiratory allergies and their complications in patients treated at a private pulmonology service in the municipality of Maringá, Paraná. The study was observational, retrospective, lasting from January 2004 to December 2005. Patients were evaluated clinically, and the Prick TestR was performed. The age, positive test, major allergen reagents, presence or absence of atopy, rhinitis or asthma were noted for each individual. Of 396 individuals, 236 (59.3%) were positive for one or more allergens, whereas 80 (20.2%) were positive for three antigens and 85 (21.5%) to four or more. The reactivity of individuals was more frequent for house dust (207), Dermatophagoides pteronyssimus (184), Dermatophagoides farinae (158) and Blomia tropicalis (95). House dust, D. pteronyssimus and D. farinae occurred mainly in subjects with moderate to severe atopy. Over 70% of individuals from six to 20 years of age had atopy. Considering the high level of atopy in patients seen by the pulmonology service in Maringá, it is essential to undertake environment programs, along with monitoring and medical treatment of atopic individuals.