Prophylactic mesh does not prevent parastomal hernia in long-term: Meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses evaluating parastomal hernia prevention with mesh placement during end colostomy formation have reported contradictory results. This review aimed to assess the efficacy of this strategy in long-term follow-up according to the latest available data. METHODS: Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched. Randomized clinical trials were included if they compared mesh with no mesh during initial end colostomy creation in adult patients to prevent parastomal hernia with a follow-up longer than 2 years. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate parastomal hernia incidence (primary outcome), parastomal hernia repair rate, and mortality. Subgroup analysis included surgical approach and mesh position, and trial sequential analysis was performed. RESULTS: Eight randomized clinical trials involving 537 patients met the inclusion criteria. Based on long-term follow-up, the incidence of parastomal hernia was not reduced when a prophylactic mesh was placed (relative risk = 0.68 [95% confidence interval:0.46-1.02]; I2 = 81%, P =.06). The parastomal hernia repair rate was low; however, no difference was found between the groups (relative risk = 0.90 [95% confidence interval:0.51-1.56]; I2 = 0%; P = .70), and no difference was detected between the groups when mortality was assessed (relative risk = 1.03 [95% confidence interval: 0.77-1.39]; I2 = 21%; P = .83). Subgroup analyses did not show differences according to the surgical approach or mesh position used. Regarding trial sequential analysis, an optimal information size was not achieved. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic mesh placement during end colostomy formation does not prevent parastomal hernia in the long term. The parastomal hernia repair rate and mortality rate did not vary between the included groups. Heterogeneity among the included randomized clinical trials might restrict the reliability of the results.

Cenário atual da estrutura das unidades de terapia intensiva na Argentina: resultados do inquérito de autoavaliação de unidades de terapia intensiva da Sociedad Argentina de Terapia Intensiva / Current stage of the intensive care unit structure in Argentina: results from the Sociedad Argentina de Terapia Intensiva self-assessment survey of intensive care units

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever e comparar a estrutura das unidades de terapia intensiva argentinas que responderam ao inquérito de autoavaliação de unidades de terapia intensiva desenvolvido pela Sociedad Argentina de Terapia Intensiva. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal observacional com uso de um inquérito voluntário online por meio do banco de dados de membros da Sociedad Argentina de Terapia Intensiva e outras publicações em mídias sociais. Foram analisadas as respostas recebidas entre dezembro de 2018 e julho de 2020. Foram utilizados testes não paramétricos e estatística descritiva. Resultados: Foram recebidos 392 inquéritos, sendo 244 considerados para a análise. Eram de unidades de terapia intensiva adulto 77% (187/244), e 23% (57/244) eram de unidades de terapia intensiva pediátrica. A taxa de participação foi de 76%. A amostra incluiu 2.567 leitos de unidades de terapia intensiva (1.981 adulto e 586 pediátrica). Observamos nítida concentração de unidades de terapia intensiva nas regiões Centro e Buenos Aires, Argentina. A mediana de leitos foi de dez (intervalo interquartil 7 - 15). A mediana de monitores multiparamétricos, ventiladores mecânicos e oxímetros de pulso foi de um por leito, sem diferenças regionais ou de tipo de unidade de terapia intensiva (adulto ou pediátrica). Embora nossa amostra tenha evidenciado que as unidades de terapia intensiva pediátrica apresentaram proporção de ventilação mecânica/leito maior do que as unidades de terapia intensiva adulto, esse achado não foi linearmente correlacionado. Conclusão: A Argentina tem concentração notável de leitos de cuidados intensivos e complexidade estrutural superior nas regiões de Buenos Aires e Centro, tanto de unidades de terapia intensiva adulto quanto pediátrica. Além disso, observou-se ausência de dados precisos informados sobre a estrutura e os recursos de unidades de terapia intensiva. São necessárias mais opções de melhoria para alocar os recursos de unidades de terapia intensiva nos níveis institucional e regional.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe and compare the structure of Argentinean intensive care units that completed the "self-assessment survey of intensive care units" developed by the Sociedad Argentina de Terapia Intensiva. Methods: An observational crosssectional study was conducted using an online voluntary survey through the Sociedad Argentina de Terapia Intensiva member database and other social media postings. Answers received between December 2018 and July 2020 were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were used. Results: A total of 392 surveys were received, and 244 were considered for the analysis. Seventy-seven percent (187/244) belonged to adult intensive care units, and 23% (57/244) belonged to pediatric intensive care units. The overall completion rate was 76%. The sample included 2,567 ICU beds (adult: 1,981; pediatric: 586). We observed a clear concentration of intensive care units in the Central and Buenos Aires regions of Argentina. The median number of beds was 10 (interquartile range 7 - 15). The median numbers of multiparameter monitors, mechanical ventilators, and pulse oximeters were 1 per bed with no regional or intensive care unit type differences (adult versus pediatric). Although our sample showed that the pediatric intensive care units had a higher mechanical ventilation/bed ratio than the adult intensive care units, this finding was not linearly correlated. Conclusion: Argentina has a notable concentration of critical care beds and better structural complexity in the Buenos Aires and Centro regions for both adult and pediatric intensive care units. In addition, a lack of accurate data reported from the intensive care unit structure and resources was observed. Further improvement opportunities are required to allocate intensive care unit resources at the institutional and regional levels.

Utilidad del carbonato de litio, yoduro inorgánico y plasmaféresis en una paciente con hipertiroidismo severo y agranulocitosis por tiamazol en tiempos de COVID-19 / Usefulness of lithium carbonate, inorganic iodide and plasmapheresis in a patient with severe hyperthyroidism and agranulocytosis due to thiamazole in times of COVID-19

RESUMEN Mujer de 43 años con diagnóstico reciente de enfermedad de Graves-Basedow ingresa a urgencias por infección de tejidos blandos, agranulocitosis por tiamazol e hipertiroidismo descompensado. La paciente requería tratamiento definitivo para hipertiroidismo, pero dado el contexto de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 no se contaba con yodo radioactivo (131I) por lo que se planteó la tiroidectomía total. Se necesitaba una preparación preoperatoria rápida y eficaz por lo que se decidió compensar su hipertiroidismo con lugol, carbonato de litio, dexametasona y finalmente plasmaféresis antes de cirugía. Con ello se logró disminuir los niveles de hormonas tiroideas en el tiempo deseado y se procedió al tratamiento quirúrgico definitivo. Se presenta el caso por lo anecdótico y por ser necesario el conocimiento del manejo en escenarios, como esta pandemia, donde no haya acceso a 131I.

ABSTRACT A 43-year-old woman with a recent diagnosis of Graves-Basedow disease was admitted to the emergency room due to soft tissue infection, thiamazole agranulocytosis, and severe hyperthyroidism. The patient required definitive treatment for hyperthyroidism, but given the context of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic, radioactive iodine was not available, so she prepared for total thyroidectomy. A rapid and effective preoperative preparation was required, so it was decided to compensate her hyperthyroidism with lugol, lithium carbonate, dexamethasone and finally plasmapheresis before surgery. Thyroid hormone levels normalized in a short time, and the thyroidectomy was performed. The case is presented because of the anecdotal and because knowledge of management in scenarios, such as this pandemic, where there is no access to 131I.

[Neurolysis of the median nerve in the elderly: a long term evaluation]. / La neurólisis del nervio mediano en el paciente anciano: evaluación a largo plazo.

PURPOSE: Carpal tunnel release by opening the flexor retinaculum is considered a satisfactory treatment. However, several factors, like ageing, may influence postoperative results. We present the long term outcomes in elderly patients. METHODS: This is an historical prospective long term study of 52 patients who received surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome when they were 65 or older. We have carried out a clinical-functional (with the Levine questionnaire), electromyographic and dynamometric valuation of the patients studied, up to ten years from the surgery. RESULTS: The results of Levine's questionnaire, revealed favourable data for a mean follow-up of 10.35 years, with a mean improvement in the clinical score of 1.93 points (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.72-2.17) and in the functional score of 0.83 points (95% CI: 0.68-0.99). Similarly, the electromyographic values showed a significant improvement compared to preoperative ones (mean difference of sensory velocity of 8.43m/s, 95% CI: 8.17-11.63; mean difference of motor latency of 1.65ms, 95% CI: 1.24-2.25). The data on grip strength did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly patients, complete section of the carpal transverse ligament, allows maintaining favourable differences in most of the parameters studied, ten years after surgery, making the surgical treatment a recommendable option.

Panhypopituitarism as first manifestation of a lung cancer.

Pituitary metastases of solid tumours are infrequent, specially as a first manifestation. When they happen, they are usually due to breast or lung cancer and are asymptomatic or produce diabetes insipidus. It is very strange that they produce hormonal deficiency. We present a case report of a bronchogenic adenocarcinoma in a 65-year-old man which began with panhypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus and visual alterations. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large sellar mass, with clivus infiltration and invading the right cavernous sinus. The biopsy result was adenocarcinoma metastases from lung cancer.

Satisfacción de expectativas y necesidades de pacientes / Satisfactions of expectations and needs of patients

Fundamento: Como profesionales de la salud, cuya la bor fundamental es el servicio orientado a la satisfacción de necesidades de nuestros pacientes, consideramos prioritaria la participación del usuario en la evaluación y mejoramiento de la calidad. Material y Método: Nuestra misión de equipo fue conocer el servicio ideal que el paciente espera y hasta que punto el Hospital del Trabajador de Santiago (HTS), satisface estas expectativas. Se evaluó el servicio ideal que el paciente espera v/s el servicio percibido, a través de 2 instrumentos de recolección de datos, basados en el Modelo de Expectativas del Dr. Noriaki Kano y los atributos de calidad. Resultados: El HTS cumple en un 100 por ciento las expectativas básicas de sus pacientes y en un 91 por ciento las expectativas esperadas, lo que destacamos como fortaleza. Existe un 9 por ciento restante de expectativas esperadas que el HTS no cumple, lo que para nosotros constituye una debilidad. Nuestras propuestas de mejoramiento apuntan a sensibilizar al personal, crear normativas, difundir cambios y motivar. Conclusiones: El HTS asegura la calidad de atención al satisfacer plenamente las expectativas básicas de sus pacientes y las expectativas esperadas en su mayoría. La participación de usuario es fundamental para conocer el servicio ideal. De las características que definimos como maravilladoras en nuestra encuesta pudimos descubrir oportunidades de mejorar nuestro servicio y sorprender a nuestros clientes. El trabajo en equipo, con énfasis en la calidad y orientado al paciente, nos permitió intercambiar experiencias, enriquecernos como personas, fortalecer la motivación y el compromiso

Etiología del derrame pleural en el Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias / Pleural effusion etiology at the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases

Objetivo. Establecer la distribución etiológica del derrame pleural en una región geográfica determinada, así como la edad de los pacientes, avances en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de las enfermedades subyacentes y optimizar las actitudes diagnósticas y terapéuticas. Sitio. El Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias en la Ciudad de México. Material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de 314 expedientes de pacientes que ingresaron al Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias durante el periodo comprendido de enero de 1991 a diciembre de 1996. Resultados. La edad de todos los pacientes estudiados fue de 49.9 ñ 18.4. La causa más frecuente del derrame pleural fue tuberculosis en 133 pacientes (42 por ciento), con un promedio de edad de 42.8 ñ 17.9; seguido de neoplasias en 89 (28 por ciento), edad 61.5 ñ 13.3; la tercera causa fue derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado con 54 casos (17 por ciento) con edad promedio de 42 ñ 18.2. Encontramos 30 trasudados que significaron el 9 por ciento en frecuencia, de los cuales 20 eran secundarios a insuficiencia cardiaca (edad 59.2 ñ 11.9). Otras causas de derrame pleural incluyeron trauma, enfermedades colágeno-vasculares y embolismo pulmonar. En cuatro sujetos no fue posible establecer la causa del derrame. Conclusiones. El 42 por ciento de los casos fueron secundarios a TB, el 28 por ciento a neoplasia,el 17 por ciento infección no tuberculosa y el 9 por ciento a trasudados. La causa más común de derrame pleural fue la tuberculosis que, aunque de esperarse dada la alta incidencia de la enfermedad en nuestra región, también pueden encontrarse diversas etiologías en los mismos grupos de edad