Infectious aortitis and managing it at a community military hospital.

Infectious aortitis is a rare disease process which can be of fungal, viral or bacterial aetiology. This disease process is often incidentally found during concomitant infectious processes, likely due to haematogenous spread. Common sources are from cardiac, genitourinary and gastroenterologic sources. CT imaging of the aorta is essential in identifying physiological changes-wall thickness changes, ectasia and stenosis. We present a case of a female in her early 60s with a medical history of cardiomyopathy with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction, who was initially admitted for acute cholecystitis complicated by the development of gallstone pancreatitis. Imaging evaluation incidentally noted findings consistent with aortitis with a penetrating ulcer, and blood cultures were positive for Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia, confirming her diagnosis of infectious aortitis. She was started on intravenous antibiotics, required preoperative nutritional optimisation, and subsequently underwent an open aortic resection and aortoiliac reconstruction with rifampin-soaked Dacron graft.

Post-Stroke Swallowing And Communication Complications: Prevalence And Association With Comorbid Conditions And Risk Factors.

A cross sectional study utilising convenience sampling was conducted to determine the co-morbidities and risk factors in post stroke patients with swallowing and communication complications. The study recruited 150 diagnosed cases of stroke with no gender and age limitation from Combined Military Hospital, Fatima Memorial Hospital, and Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from January to June 2015. Glasgow coma scale, Modified Massey Bedside Swallow Screener, informal clinical assessment by SLP, and medical history sheet were employed for data collection, while the data was analysed using SPSS -23. Results revealed 103 (68.7%) patients with swallowing and 99 (66%) with communication difficulties. Swallowing issues revealed significant association with age (p=.016); history of stroke (p=.017), smoking (p=.004), alcohol intake (p=.035), diabetes mellitus (p=.003), and GCS (p=.009). Communication difficulties had significant association with hypertension (p=.029), GCS (p=.000). Hence, stroke related dysphagia is associated with diabetes mellitus; level of consciousness, previous history of stroke, smoking, alcohol abuse, and age, while communication issues are associated with hypertension and level of consciousness.

Coronel (SM-M) Doctor Waldemar Vanini Perrone: segundo Director Técnico del Servicio de Sanidad Militar (1974 - 1978) / Colonel (SM-M) Dr. Waldemar Vanini Perrone: second Technical Director of the Military Health Service (1974 - 1978) / Coronel (SM-M) Dr. Waldemar Vanini Perrone: segundo Diretor Técnico do Serviço de Saúde Militar (1974 - 1978)

El 23 de diciembre de 1918 se creó por ley el Servicio de Sanidad del Ejército y la Armada, dependencia del Ministerio respectivo y remoto antecedente de la actual Dirección Nacional de Sanidad de las Fuerzas Armadas de Uruguay. Un Director General con título médico fue designado como jerarca del nuevo Servicio y presidente de su Consejo de Administración. Fue asimilado al grado militar acorde con su jerarquía administrativa: coronel. Mientras la dirección general estuvo a cargo de médicos, éstos fueron designados por ley como Directores Científicos de Sanidad Militar. El Director General Científico tuvo amplísimas atribuciones técnicas y administrativas: reglamentación de los servicios a crearse; representación de la institución; superintendencia técnica de todos los establecimientos; propuesta de nombramientos; asesoramiento del ministerio respectivo; remoción y propuesta de destituciones. El primer Director General de Sanidad fue el médico Francisco Fernández Enciso (1878-1925) quien ejerció el cargo entre 1918 y 1920. Y el último, el médico Guillermo Rodríguez Guerrero, entre 1948 y 1953. Desde entonces, y en forma definitiva, la dirección general quedó a cargo de militares de carrera, pero no médicos, asistidos de un Consejo Técnico Consultivo por médicos del hospital central. El 24 de abril de 1962, se insertó en la Orden del Servicio de Sanidad el nombramiento del coronel médico Hugo Brugnini como Subdirector del Servicio e Inspector General de Servicios de Sanidad. De acuerdo a esta documentación, la Subdirección Técnica del Servicio de Sanidad Militar se inició en 1962 y su primer titular fue el médico Hugo Brugnini. Desde entonces se han nombrado numerosos profesionales para ocupar el cargo de subdirección o lisa y llanamente dirección técnica. Quien sucedió al doctor Brugnini fue el coronel médico Waldemar Vanini, nacido en Montevideo el 16 de febrero de 1924 y fallecido en 1979 en la misma ciudad a la edad de 55 años.

Practice patterns of hepatobiliary surgery within the military.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the trends of hepatobiliary surgeries performed at military hospitals and to discuss potential implications on resident training and military readiness. While there is data to suggest centralization of surgical specialty services leads to improved patient outcomes, the military does not currently have a specific centralization policy. Implementation of such a policy could potentially impact resident training and readiness of military surgeons. Even in the absence of such a policy, there may still be a trend toward centralization of more complex surgeries like hepatobiliary surgeries. The present study evaluates the numbers and types of hepatobiliary procedures performed at military hospitals. METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of de-identified data from Military Health System Mart (M2) from 2014 to 2020. The M2 database contains patient data from all Defense Health Agency treatment facilities, encompassing all branches of the United States Military. Variables collected include number and types of hepatobiliary procedures performed and patient demographics. The primary endpoint was the number and type of surgery for each medical facility. Linear regression was used to evaluate significant trends in numbers of surgeries over time. RESULTS: Fifty-five military hospitals performed hepatobiliary surgeries from 2014 to 2020. A total of 1,087 hepatobiliary surgeries were performed during this time; cholecystectomies, percutaneous procedures, and endoscopic procedures were excluded. There was no significant decrease in overall case volume. The most commonly performed hepatobiliary surgery was "unlisted laparoscopic liver procedure." The military training facility with the most hepatobiliary cases was Brooke Army Medical Center. CONCLUSION: The number of hepatobiliary surgeries performed in military hospitals has not significantly decreased over the years 2014-2020, despite a national trend toward centralization. Centralization of hepatobiliary surgeries in the future may impact residency training as well as military medical readiness.

Associations of Surgical Team Communication With the Layout of Physical Space: A Network Analysis of the Operating Room in a Military Medical Center.

AIM: To examine how the spatial topology of the operating room (OR) within the medical center impacts surgical team communication. BACKGROUND: Understanding the complex association between surgical team communication and the OR's spatial network location is critical to patient safety. Effective surgical communication is associated with fewer adverse events and medical errors. METHODS: We employed a cross-sectional, quantitative, case study, and network-centric study design. We studied the population of 204 clinicians in a large military medical center (36 perioperative nurses, 34 surgical technicians, 62 anesthesia providers, and 72 surgeons), focusing on surgical teams with cases completed within duty hours. Data were collected from December 2020 to June 2021 using an electronic survey. Spatial network analysis was done using electronic floor plans. Statistical analysis was done with descriptive statistics and linear regressions. The outcomes were general and task-specific communication, and team-level variables were aggregated from scores for all team members. Spatial effects were assessed with network centrality (degree, Laplacian, and betweenness). RESULTS: The individual-level survey response rate was 77% (157 of 204). Data were collected on 137 surgical teams. On a 5-point scale, general and task-specific communication ranged from 3.4 to 5.0 and 3.5 to 5.0, respectively (for both, median = 4.7). Team size ranged from 4 to 6 individuals (median = 4). Surgical suites with higher network centralities were associated with significantly lower communication scores. CONCLUSIONS: The OR's spatial network location has important impacts on surgical team communication. Our findings have design and workflow implications for ORs and even surgical care in combat zones.

Death, Introduced.

An anesthesiology intern at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center uses poetry to describe the nuances related to an end-of-life discussion with a terminally ill patient. She was a new admission to the oncology service who had already come to grips with her impending death, but had not yet discovered its identity.

El campo inglés / The English countryside / O campo inglês

This article is a historical research that focuses on the site where the National Directorate of Health of the Armed Forces, the Central Hospital, the General Directorate of Peripheral Care, the Supply Division and the Directorate of Architecture and Hospital Engineering are currently located. It has belonged to the Uruguayan State since its creation. During the decades of 1880 and 1890, it was given on loan to one of the oldest clubs in our country, the Montevideo Cricket Club. The first two soccer matches of which there are historical references took place there. Of those first years, there are no photographs of that area, but there is an oil painting made around 1930-34 by a member of the Cricket that until now the only thing that is known of the person is the name, A.W. Hall. Hall. This painting is currently located in the aforementioned clubhouse.

Este artigo é uma pesquisa histórica que se concentra no local onde se encontram atualmente a Diretoria Nacional de Saúde das Forças Armadas, o Hospital Central, a Diretoria Geral de Atenção Periférica, a Divisão de Abastecimento e a Diretoria de Arquitetura e Engenharia Hospitalar. Pertence ao Estado uruguaio desde sua criação. Durante os anos 1880 e 1890, ela foi emprestada a um dos clubes mais antigos de nosso país, o Montevideo Cricket Club. As duas primeiras partidas de futebol, das quais há referências históricas, aconteceram ali. Desde aqueles primeiros anos, não há fotografias desta área, mas há uma pintura a óleo feita por volta de 1930-34 por um membro do Cricket Club, cujo único nome conhecido é A.W. Hall. Salão. A pintura está atualmente alojada na sede do clube acima mencionado.

El presente artículo es una investigación histórica que tiene como eje el predio donde actualmente se erige la Dirección Nacional de Sanidad de las Fuerzas Armadas, Hospital Central, Dirección General de Atención Periférica, División Abastecimientos y Dirección de Arquitectura e Ingeniería Hospitalaria. El mismo pertenece al Estado Uruguayo desde su creación. Durante las décadas de 1880 y 1890, se entregó en comodato a uno de los clubes más antiguos de nuestro país, el Montevideo Cricket Club. En él se llevaron a cabo los dos primeros partidos de fútbol de los cuales se tienen referencias históricas. De esos primeros años, no existen fotografías de dicha área, sí, un óleo realizado alrededor de 1930-34 por un miembro del Cricket que hasta el momento lo único que se conoce de la persona es el nombre, A.W. Hall. Dicha pintura, se localiza actualmente en la sede del club mencionado.

Association between traumatic brain injuries and ketamine infusion side effects following combat injury.

INTRODUCTION: Ketamine is a vital component for acute pain management in emergency trauma care for both civilian and military hospitals. This preliminary analysis examined whether combat-injured US service members sustaining traumatic brain injuries (TBI) experienced increased odds of ketamine side effects compared with those without TBI. METHODS: This preliminary analysis included combat-injured service members, ages ≥18 years with documented pain scores during the 24 hours before and 48 hours after receiving an intravenous ketamine infusion at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) between 2007 and 2014. Logistic regression modeling examined the association between TBI and ketamine side effects (eg, hallucinations, nightmares, dysphoria, nausea, decreased oxygen saturation) during hospitalisation. RESULTS: Of the 77 patients, 62% presented with a documented TBI. Side effects were documented for 18.8% of those without TBI and 24.4% of those with TBI. Analyses were unable to find evidence against the null hypothesis with the current sample size, even when adjusting for injury characteristics and preinfusion opioid doses (adjusted OR=0.90 (95% CI 0.26 to 3.34), p=0.87). CONCLUSION: In this small sample of combat-injured service members, we were unable to detect a difference in ketamine-related side effects by documented TBI status. These hypothesis-generating findings support the need for future studies to examine the use of intravenous ketamine infusions for pain management, and subsequent care outcomes in patients who experience polytraumatic trauma inclusive of TBI.

Limited impact of an ultraviolet disinfection intervention on hygienic behaviors of nursing staff in a military hospital.

Ultraviolet disinfection (UV-C), though effective, has not been thoroughly evaluated at the level of the clinical end user. We assessed behavioral outcomes related to environmental hygiene among 60 nursing staff in a medical-surgical section after introduction of a UV-C tool aimed at disinfecting 4 high-touch surfaces, and we noted limited changes.

Níveis séricos de antígeno prostático específico em pacientes de um hospital de Goiânia ­ GO / Serum levels of prostatic specific antigen in patients at a hospital in Goiânia ­ GO

O antígeno prostático específico (PSA) é o marcador mais importante para a detecção e monitoramento do câncer de próstata. Objetivo: O estudo objetivou analisar os dados laboratoriais e epidemiológicos do antígeno prostático específico de pacientes atendidos no Laboratório Clínico do Hospital do Policial Militar de Goiânia-GO (LC/HPM), considerando as medidas preventivas em relação ao câncer de próstata. Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo baseado na análise de 1.249 prontuários de usuários do LC/HPM. O levantamento de dados laboratoriais e epidemiológicos, como idade, resultados do PSA total e PSA livre foi realizado por meio de um formulário padronizado pelos pesquisadores. Foram analisados 1.249 exames de PSA L/T, dos quais 58 (4,6%) apresentaram PSA total com resultados entre 4,0 e 10,0 ng/mL e 16 (1,3%) apresentaram concomitantemente valores de PSA total entre 4,0 e 10,0 ng/mL e relação PSA L/T < 25%. Os pacientes apresentaram faixa etária entre 34 e 93 anos, sendo a média 60 anos. Tornou-se evidente que tanto no ano de 2018 quanto em 2019, realizou-se um número maior de exames de PSA L/T, em comparação ao ano de 2020. O estudo revelou que 16 (1,3%) pacientes apresentaram risco aumentado para o desenvolvimento de neoplasia prostática, sendo observada uma diminuição do número de indivíduos que procuraram o LC/HPM para realização de exames de PSA livre e total no ano de 2020, quando comparado aos anos de 2019 e 2018, possivelmente em razão da pandemia de Covid-19, uma tendência global

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the most important marker for the detection and monitoring of prostate cancer. This study aimed to analyse the epidemiological and laboratory data of prostate-specific antigen of patients treated at the Clinical Laboratory of the Military Police Hospital at Goiânia-GO (CL/MPH), considering preventive measures in relation to prostate cancer. Methods: This is a retrospective study with analysis of 1,249 medical records of CL/MPH users. The collection of epidemiological and laboratory data, such as age, total PSA and free PSA results, was performed using a form standardized by the researchers. We analyzed 1,249 PSA T/F tests, and of these, of which 58 (4.6%) total PSA sink with results between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/mL and 16 (1.3%) were concomitantly presenting total PSA values between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/mL and PSA T/F < 25%. The patients were aged between 34 and 93 years, with a mean age of 59 years. It became evident that both in 2018 and in 2019, there were a greater number of PSA T/F exams, compared to 2020. This study revealed that 16 (1.3%) patients were at increased risk for the development of prostate cancer, with a decrease in the number of individuals who sought the CL/MPH for free and total PSA tests in 2020, compared to 2019 and 2018, possibly due to Covid-19 pandemic, a global trend

Impact of COVID-19 on cancer management in military hospitals of Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on cancer management in Saudi Arabia's military hospitals. METHODS: This multi-centric, retrospective study compared cancer patients diagnosed from February-July 2019 and 2020, focusing on the time duration for acceptance and time for oncologic treatment initiation. Eligibility and referral status were recorded. Clinical data of COVID-19-positive cancer patients were collected and evaluated their outcomes and survival. RESULTS: Data of 1574 cancer patients (mean age, 57.1 years) were collected. Mean time for acceptance was 7.3 days in 2019 and 8 days in 2020, with no statistically significant difference. Mean time for oncology treatment initiation was 38.4 days in 2019 and 44.3 days in 2020, with no statistically significant difference. The number of new cancer patients decreased in 2020 but increased in peripheral hospitals. It decreased in Riyadh and Jeddah hospitals. Concerning referral status, a statistically significant modification was recorded only in Riyadh and Tabuk hospitals. No significant changes observed in time duration for acceptance of new patients and oncology treatment initiation from 2019-2020. A total of 76 COVID-19-positive cancer patients recorded; 72% were symptomatic, 73.6% recovered, 22.3% died due to COVID-19 complications, and 8% died due to cancer; cancer progressed in 7 patients. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 did not affect oncology service in Saudi Arabia's military hospitals. New cancer cases reduced during the pandemic. Cancer patients are at increased risk for COVID-19 complications, including death.

Estilos de vida y estado nutricional en el personal militar sanitario durante la COVID-19 / Lifestyles and nutritional status in military health personnel during COVID-19

Introducción: El personal militar sanitario posee características laborales y factores propios de la vida militar, que los predisponen a alterar sus estilos de vida, más aún con las medidas restrictivas que se establecen por la emergencia sanitaria de la COVID-19. Objetivo: Determinar la asociación entre los estilos de vida y el estado nutricional del personal militar sanitario. Métodos: El estudio fue transversal, la muestra estuvo conformada por 104 profesionales sanitarios militares que laboran en el Hospital Militar Central. Se aplicó el Cuestionario de Estilos de Vida de Arrivillaga, Salazar y Gómez; se pesó y talló a los sujetos, para obtener el índice de masa corporal, también se obtuvo la medida del perímetro abdominal, que indicó el riesgo cardiometabólico, se realizó el análisis descriptivo, bivariado (prueba de ji cuadrado) y multivariado para obtener razones de prevalencia. Resultados: Se evidenció asociación entre estilo de vida poco saludable con el índice de masa corporal (razón de prevalencia = 15,467; IC 95 por ciento: 2,228 - 107,357: p < 0,001) de igual manera cuando fue ajustado para las variables edad, sexo, profesión y grado militar (razón de prevalencia ajustado =18,515; IC 95 por ciento: 2,98 - 114,913: p < 0,001). Conclusiones: Se concluye que existe asociación entre el estilo de vida y el estado nutricional, determinado por el IMC y el PA en el personal militar sanitario estudiado(AU)

Introduction: Military health personnel have work characteristics and factors inherent to military life that predispose them to alter their lifestyles, even more so with the restrictive measures that were established by the health emergency of COVID-19. Objective: To determine the association between lifestyles and nutritional status of military health personnel. Methods: The study was cross-sectional, the sample consisted of 104 military health professionals who work in the Central Military Hospital. The Lifestyle Questionnaire of Arrivillaga, Salazar and Gómez was applied; subjects were weighed and carved to obtain the body mass index, the measurement of the abdominal perimeter was also obtained, which indicated the cardiometabolic risk, the descriptive, bivariate analysis (chi-square test) and multivariate analysis was performed to obtain prevalence ratio values. Results: The association between "unhealthy" lifestyle with the Body Mass Index (prevalence ratio = 15,467; 95 percent CI: 2,228-107,357: p < 0,001) was evidenced in the same way when it was adjusted for the variables age, sex, profession and military rank (adjusted prevalence ratio = 18,515; 95 percentCI: 2,98-114,913: p < 0,001). Conclusions: There is an association between lifestyle and nutritional status determined by body mass index and abdominal circumference in military health personnel(AU)

[Exploration of the small intestine through single-balloon enteroscopy, experience in the Mohammed V Training Military Hospital in Rabat: about 51 cases]. / Exploration du grêle par entéroscopie simple ballon, expérience de l´Hôpital militaire et d´instruction Mohamed V de Rabat: à propos de 51 cas.

Enteroscopy has become an indispensable technique for the exploration and, in particular, the treatment of small intestine lesions. It is usually performed following video capsule endoscopy of the small intestine. Three equivalent techniques exist: double balloon enteroscopy, single balloon enteroscopy and spiral enteroscopy. The purpose of this study is to describe the technical feasibility of single balloon enteroscopy as well as its tolerance, indications and the results obtained in our context. We conducted a retrospective and descriptive analysis of the records of patients undergoing single balloon enteroscopy in the Department of Gastroenterology at the Mohammed V Training Military Hospital in Rabat over an 8-year period. Inclusion criteria were: small intestine disease or the suspicion of small intestine disease on imaging tests or video-capsule endoscopy and having undergone single balloon enteroscopy. The variables studied were the technical feasibility of single balloon enteroscopy, its indications, results and complications. Fifty-one (51) patients, including 30 men and 21 women with an average age of 48 years (18 years-91 years), were included in the study. The technique used in all patients was single balloon enteroscopy under general anesthesia with intubation. The mean duration of single balloon enteroscopy via the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract (antegrade) was 45 min and 60 min via the lower GI tract (retrograde). The small intestine was explored up to the proximal ileum via the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract and through more than 120cm from IAD via the lower GI tract. The indications included: unexplained digestive bleeding (72%), small intestine wall thickening (17%), the suspicion of small intestine tumor (6%), evaluation of Crohn´s disease (4%) and endoscopic video capsule (ECV) reduction (2%). Diagnosis was made or confirmed in 29 patients, reflecting a diagnostic efficiency of 57%. Angiodysplasia accounted for 70% of the lesions, ulcerations 10%, stenoses 7%, tumors 7%, diverticula 3% and spontaneous ECV reduction 3%. Endoscopic treatment was performed in 20 patients, with a therapeutic efficiency of 39%; it was based on argon plasma coagulation of gastroenteric angiodysplasia lesions. No complications were observed in our case series. Single balloon enteroscopy is a well-tolerated examination which allows for the exploration of a long portion of the small intestine. Multiple and various indications were provided in our study and the diagnostic and therapeutic benefits were satisfactory.

Born on the Battlefield: Celebrating the Centennial of the Discovery of Epidural Anesthesia.

The year 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of epidural anesthesia by Spanish military surgeon Major Fidel Pagés. The idea for the technique was born from Pagés' experiences in forward military hospitals in North Africa and Austria and would go on to revolutionize the fields of surgery and obstetrics.

Sala de emergencias Bagdad. La evolución en la cirugía de control de daños / Baghdad ER. The evolution of damage control surgery

Las características de las heridas producidas en los atentados terroristas en varias ciudades del mundo y en los combates de las operaciones militares en Afganistán e Irak, han determinado un nuevo tipo de manejo de las lesiones por parte del personal medico involucrado. La categorización de las hemorragias, el nuevo esquema de atención prehospitalaria MARCH y la incorporación de la resucitación balanceada a la cirugía de control de daños, en un hospital de soporte en combate en Bagdad, representan parte del cambio. La retroalimentación entre la experiencia civil y militar ha permitido el progreso del tratamiento de los traumatismos. Los hospitales venezolanos han desarrollado su propia experiencia en el desarrollo de la cirugía de control de daños. Un nuevo tipo de ingresos en las emergencias capitalinas y la covid 19 señalan los nuevos desafíos a los que se enfrentan los cirujanos venezolanos(AU)

The large number of casualties produced as a result of terrorist attacks and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, stimulated the medical community to rethink the management of trauma. The categorization of the haemorrhages, the new mnemonic MARCH and the incorporation the balanced resuscitation in the damage control surgery, in a combat support hospital in Baghdad, represent a change. The feedback between the civil and military permitted the progress in the treatment of the injuries. The venezuelans hospitals development their experience in the damage control surgery. A new kind of injuries in the capital and the covid 19 indicate the news challenges for the surgeons(AU)

D-Day to December 1944: The odyssey of the third auxiliary surgical group in World War II.

ABSTRACT: As a Major in the US Army Medical Corps, Darrell A. Campbell, MD, led Team 13 of the Third Auxiliary Surgical Group in Europe in World War II. The team began work on June 7, 1944, in a clearing station tent near the beach at Normandy. Subsequently, over the next 7 months, it was assigned to mobile hospitals in 15 different locations in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. Major Campbell kept the log books used to record all of the operations done by his team during this time and brought them home where three were discovered more than 70 years later. These log books contain descriptions of more than 500 consecutive operations done by Team 13. They provide a unique insight into the activities of the surgeons who worked to save lives on the front lines of battle in the European Theater of Operations between June and December 1944 and form the basis for this historical perspective.This is an article on the history of surgery.

Review article: History of venous trauma.

ABSTRACT: This is a literature review on the history of venous trauma since the 1800s, especially that to the common femoral, femoral and popliteal veins, with focus on the early 1900s, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and then civilian and military reviews (1960-2020). In the latter two groups, tables were used to summarize the following: incidence of venous repair versus ligation, management of popliteal venous injuries, patency of venous repairs when assessed <30 days from operation, patency of venous repairs when assessed >30 days from operation, clinical assessment (edema or not) after ligation versus repair, incidence of deep venous thrombosis after ligation versus repair, and incidence of pulmonary embolism after ligation versus repair.There is a lack of the following in the literature on the management of venous injuries over the past 80 years: standard definition of magnitude of venous injury in operative reports, accepted indications for venous repair, standard postoperative management, and timing and mode of early and later postoperative assessment.Multiple factors have entered into the decision on venous ligation versus repair after trauma for the past 60 years, but a surgeon's training and local management protocols have the most influence in both civilian and military centers. Ligation of venous injuries, particularly those in the lower extremities, is well tolerated in civilian trauma, although there is the usual lack of short- and long-term follow-up as noted in many of the articles reviewed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Review article, levels IV and V.

Hábito de fumar y comorbilidad en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica / Smoking habit and comorbidity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

RESUMEN Introducción: La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica constituye un problema de salud en Cuba y el mundo; su pronóstico está en relación con varios factores. Objetivo: Caracterizar a una serie de pacientes hospitalizados con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, según edad, sexo, fenotipo, hábito de fumar y enfermedades comórbidas. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal que incluyó a los 296 pacientes que ingresaron en el Servicio de Medicina Interna del Hospital Militar Central "Dr. Carlos J. Finlay" con el diagnóstico de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, en el período de dos años. Se determinaron las enfermedades comórbidas, el fenotipo dado por la forma clínica de presentación de los pacientes (A, B, C y D); la edad, sexo, hábito de fumar, tiempo y cantidad que fuma. Se utilizó el índice de comorbilidad de Charlson, para valorar la comorbilidad asociada en la enfermedad. Resultados: El 54 % de los pacientes fueron masculinos, el 96,9 % mayor de 50 años, el 36,1 % del fenotipo C y el 76,6 % fumadores. La hipertensión arterial fue más frecuente en los fenotipos B, C y D, en más del 70 %, la diabetes mellitus en el 73,7 % del fenotipo B y la cardiopatía isquémica en el 61,7 % del fenotipo D. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los pacientes estudiados fueron masculinos, mayores de 50 años, fumadores por más de 10 años y del fenotipo C. Las enfermedades comórbidas más frecuentes fueron la hipertensión arterial, la diabetes mellitus y la cardiopatía isquémica.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease constitutes a health problem in Cuba and the world, its prognosis is related to several factors. Objective: To characterize a series of hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to age, sex, phenotype, smoking habit and comorbid diseases. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out that included the 296 patients who were admitted to the Internal Medicine Service of the Central Military Hospital Dr. Carlos J. Finlay with the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the period of two years. Comorbid diseases were determined, the phenotype given by the clinical presentation of the patients (A, B, C and D); age, sex, smoking habit, time and amount of smoking. The Charlson comorbidity index was used to assess the associated comorbidity in COPD. Results: 54% of the patients were male, 96,9% older than 50 years, 36,1% phenotype C, and 76,6% smokers. Hypertension was more frequent in phenotypes B, C and D, in more than 70%, diabetes mellitus in 73,7% of phenotype B, and ischemic heart disease in 61,7% of phenotype D. Conclusions: Most of the patients studied were male, older than 50 years, smokers for more than 10 years and phenotype C. The most frequent comorbid diseases were arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease.

Combating the "Peacetime Effect" in Military Plastic Surgery: Implications for Mission Readiness.

Military treatment facility-assigned surgeons face numerous challenges in maintaining critical wartime skills, including the "peacetime effect" and the "dual mission." Using the field of plastic surgery to illustrate these issues, we contrast plastic surgeons' contributions to combat casualty care with primary data describing plastic surgeons' clinical practice in many military hospitals. Then, we outline the current administrative mechanisms being promoted at the enterprise-level for surgeons to gain a more mission-focused, clinical practice, while also examining significant shortcomings in these policies. Finally, we conclude with a call to action for the military surgical community to accelerate change in the development of more robust clinical practices for our surgeons, or potentially lose our ability to field a ready surgical force.