Changes in the characteristics of hospital admissions due to decompensated cirrhosis in the era of direct-acting antivirals against hepatitis C virus.

BACKGROUND: the development of interferon-free regimens, based on direct acting antivirals (DAAs) has revolutionized the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. AIMS: to determine if there have been changes in the characteristics of hospital admissions due to decompensated cirrhosis in a general hospital since the introduction of DAAs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: this was a prospective study of all hospital admissions due to decompensated cirrhosis during two periods: October 2012-October 2014 (P-I) and July 2016-July 2018 (P-II). Clinical and demographic variables were collected and standard statistical methods were used for the analysis. RESULTS: there were 746 hospital admissions; 347 in P-I and 399 in P-II. P-I patients were younger (59 vs 63 years; p = 0.034), while the proportion of admissions due to HCV-cirrhosis was lower in P-II (15.8 % vs 21.6 %; p = 0.041). There were no significant differences in the proportion of admissions due to other etiologies of cirrhosis between both periods. Patients in the P-II group presented an active viral infection (57.1 vs 97.3 %; p = 0.001) less frequently and had a higher rate of excessive alcohol consumption (55.5 vs 30.7 %; p = 0.003) when admitted, while HIV co-infection was less frequent (1.6 % vs 10.7 %; p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: the proportion of admissions due to decompensated HCV-related cirrhosis has decreased by almost 30 % since the introduction of the DAA. In addition, the characteristics of patients admitted have changed since the application of interferon-free regimens.

Giant biloma as a result of a blunt abdominal trauma: A case report.

A 58-year-old man with a history of a heavy alcohol intake was admitted to hospital for a 3-weeks history of abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting and an increased abdominal girth that appeared progressively after an abdominal trauma due to an accidental fall. On physical examination, jaundice was present and the abdomen was distended with no tenderness on palpation. Laboratory studies showed an increased white-cell count, an elevated C-reactive protein and abnormal liver-function tests. Abdominal ultrasonography showed a large fluid collection in the right side of the abdomen. An abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a gallbladder perforation communicating to a big subcapsular hepatic biloma of 9.5 by 25.0 by 35.0 centimeters, which was compressing the liver and other intraabdominal organs. Finally, our patient underwent an open cholecystectomy with drainage of the biloma, and a partial resection of the Glisson's capsule. Macroscopic and microscopic examination of the resected specimens confirmed the diagnosis of traumatic gallbladder perforation. Gallbladder traumatic injury is a rare entity. The diagnosis represents a challenge because of its low incidence, its association with other lesions of vital organs and the nonspecific and insidious symptoms that can produce. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the damage caused; nevertheless, cholecystectomy remains the treatment of choice in patients with rupture or avulsion of the gallbladder. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the English literature of an isolated blunt traumatic gallbladder injury that was associated with the development of a large biloma.

Personalized Interventional Surgery of the Lumbar Spine: A Perspective on Minimally Invasive and Neuroendoscopic Decompression for Spinal Stenosis.

Pain generator-based lumbar spinal decompression surgery is the backbone of modern spine care. In contrast to traditional image-based medical necessity criteria for spinal surgery, assessing the severity of neural element encroachment, instability, and deformity, staged management of common painful degenerative lumbar spine conditions is likely to be more durable and cost-effective. Targeting validated pain generators can be accomplished with simplified decompression procedures associated with lower perioperative complications and long-term revision rates. In this perspective article, the authors summarize the current concepts of successful management of spinal stenosis patients with modern transforaminal endoscopic and translaminar minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques. They represent the consensus statements of 14 international surgeon societies, who have worked in collaborative teams in an open peer-review model based on a systematic review of the existing literature and grading the strength of its clinical evidence. The authors found that personalized clinical care protocols for lumbar spinal stenosis rooted in validated pain generators can successfully treat most patients with sciatica-type back and leg pain including those who fail to meet traditional image-based medical necessity criteria for surgery since nearly half of the surgically treated pain generators are not shown on the preoperative MRI scan. Common pain generators in the lumbar spine include (a) an inflamed disc, (b) an inflamed nerve, (c) a hypervascular scar, (d) a hypertrophied superior articular process (SAP) and ligamentum flavum, (e) a tender capsule, (f) an impacting facet margin, (g) a superior foraminal facet osteophyte and cyst, (h) a superior foraminal ligament impingement, (i) a hidden shoulder osteophyte. The position of the key opinion authors of the perspective article is that further clinical research will continue to validate pain generator-based treatment protocols for lumbar spinal stenosis. The endoscopic technology platform enables spine surgeons to directly visualize pain generators, forming the basis for more simplified targeted surgical pain management therapies. Limitations of this care model are dictated by appropriate patient selection and mastering the learning curve of modern MIS procedures. Decompensated deformity and instability will likely continue to be treated with open corrective surgery. Vertically integrated outpatient spine care programs are the most suitable setting for executing such pain generator-focused programs.

A Proposed Personalized Spine Care Protocol (SpineScreen) to Treat Visualized Pain Generators: An Illustrative Study Comparing Clinical Outcomes and Postoperative Reoperations between Targeted Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression Surgery, Minimally Invasive TLIF and Open Laminectomy.

Background: Endoscopically visualized spine surgery has become an essential tool that aids in identifying and treating anatomical spine pathologies that are not well demonstrated by traditional advanced imaging, including MRI. These pathologies may be visualized during endoscopic lumbar decompression (ELD) and categorized into primary pain generators (PPG). Identifying these PPGs provides crucial information for a successful outcome with ELD and forms the basis for our proposed personalized spine care protocol (SpineScreen). Methods: a prospective study of 412 patients from 7 endoscopic practices consisting of 207 (50.2%) males and 205 (49.8%) females with an average age of 63.67 years and an average follow-up of 69.27 months was performed to compare the durability of targeted ELD based on validated primary pain generators versus image-based open lumbar laminectomy, and minimally invasive lumbar transforaminal interbody fusion (TLIF) using Kaplan-Meier median survival calculations. The serial time was determined as the interval between index surgery and when patients were censored for additional interventional and surgical treatments for low back-related symptoms. A control group was recruited from patients referred for a surgical consultation but declined interventional and surgical treatment and continued on medical care. Control group patients were censored when they crossed over into any surgical or interventional treatment group. Results: of the 412 study patients, 206 underwent ELD (50.0%), 61 laminectomy (14.8%), and 78 (18.9%) TLIF. There were 67 patients in the control group (16.3% of 412 patients). The most common surgical levels were L4/5 (41.3%), L5/S1 (25.0%), and L4-S1 (16.3%). At two-year f/u, excellent and good Macnab outcomes were reported by 346 of the 412 study patients (84.0%). The VAS leg pain score reduction was 4.250 ± 1.691 (p < 0.001). No other treatment during the available follow-up was required in 60.7% (125/206) of the ELD, 39.9% (31/78) of the TLIF, and 19.7% (12/61 of the laminectomy patients. In control patients, only 15 of the 67 (22.4%) control patients continued with conservative care until final follow-up, all of which had fair and poor functional Macnab outcomes. In patients with Excellent Macnab outcomes, the median durability was 62 months in ELD, 43 in TLIF, and 31 months in laminectomy patients (p < 0.001). The overall survival time in control patients was eight months with a standard error of 0.942, a lower boundary of 6.154, and an upper boundary of 9.846 months. In patients with excellent Macnab outcomes, the median durability was 62 months in ELD, 43 in TLIF, and 31 months in laminectomy patients versus control patients at seven months (p < 0.001). The most common new-onset symptom for censoring was dysesthesia ELD (9.4%; 20/206), axial back pain in TLIF (25.6%;20/78), and recurrent pain in laminectomy (65.6%; 40/61) patients (p < 0.001). Transforaminal epidural steroid injections were tried in 11.7% (24/206) of ELD, 23.1% (18/78) of TLIF, and 36.1% (22/61) of the laminectomy patients. The secondary fusion rate among ELD patients was 8.8% (18/206). Among TLIF patients, the most common additional treatments were revision fusion (19.2%; 15/78) and multilevel rhizotomy (10.3%; 8/78). Common follow-up procedures in laminectomy patients included revision laminectomy (16.4%; 10/61), revision ELD (11.5%; 7/61), and multilevel rhizotomy (11.5%; 7/61). Control patients crossed over into ELD (13.4%), TLIF (13.4%), laminectomy (10.4%) and interventional treatment (40.3%) arms at high rates. Most control patients treated with spinal injections (55.5%) had excellent and good functional outcomes versus 40.7% with fair and poor (3.7%), respectively. The control patients (93.3%) who remained in medical management without surgery or interventional care (14/67) had the worst functional outcomes and were rated as fair and poor. Conclusions: clinical outcomes were more favorable with lumbar surgeries than with non-surgical control groups. Of the control patients, the crossover rate into interventional and surgical care was 40.3% and 37.2%, respectively. There are longer symptom-free intervals after targeted ELD than with TLIF or laminectomy. Additional intervention and surgical treatments are more often needed to manage new-onset postoperative symptoms in TLIF- and laminectomy compared to ELD patients. Few ELD patients will require fusion in the future. Considering the rising cost of surgical spine care, we offer SpineScreen as a simplified and less costly alternative to traditional image-based care models by focusing on primary pain generators rather than image-based criteria derived from the preoperative lumbar MRI scan.

Segmental T12 Vertebral Artery Injury Treated by Endovascular Coil Placement after Kyphoplasty for Symptomatic Spinal Angioma. Case Report of a Minimal Invasive Solution for a Complication of a Minimally Invasive Spine Procedure.

BACKGROUND: Vertebral angioma is a tumor defined as an abnormality of vascular tissue development. It usually has an asymptomatic behavior, being present in 10%-12% of autopsies and imaging studies. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 70-year-old man consulted because of a long history of low back pain. Imaging studies were compatible with vertebral angioma at T12; we decided to perform a minimally invasive surgical procedure, such as kyphoplasty. During surgery, there was a sharp decrease in pulmonary saturation, and the patient underwent a computed tomography scan evaluation confirming a left hemothorax due to segmental branch vascular injury at T12. Given the patient's poor medical condition and the complexity of an emergent open procedure in the thoracic spine, we decided to undertake a minimally invasive endovascular coil placement to repair the vascular injury. Due to a favorable outcome, we discharged the patient after 72 hours of surveillance. CONCLUSIONS: Even in the case of a complication to occur, we should always consider a minimally invasive solution to solve the problem because patients undergoing these procedures correspond to elderly patients with poor medical conditions or comorbidities.

Dysphagia rates after minimally invasive tubular approach to the anterior cervical spine.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical spine surgery (anterior cervical spine surgery [ACSS]) is a commonly indicated to provide neurological decompression, correct deformity, and preserve stability. Current series report good to excellent results, but a number of patients suffer from dysphagia with reported rates as high as 80%. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort of patients undergoing ACSS (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion [ACDF]; and arthroplasty, total disc replacement [TDR]) from 2013 to 2017 by a single surgeon. We collected demographic data, surgical outcomes, clinical outcomes, and dysphagia incidence and magnitude (visual analog scale [VAS]), we analyzed results with SPSS 22. RESULTS: A total of 81 patients operated from 2013 to 2018, ACDF was performed in 70, and TDR was performed in 11, mean surgical time was 156.8, mean neck pain and radicular pain VAS reduced significantly in both groups (p < 0.01). Dysphagia was encountered in 18 ACDF patients, and one TDR patient. Overall dysphagia rate was 9.1% in day-1 post-operative, with mean 0.27 magnitude (standard deviation [SD] 0.4) in ACDF group and 0.18 (0.6 SD) in TDR group, 1-month follow-up dysphagia rate was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive techniques may reduce post-operative dysphagia related to soft-tissue trauma, to 9% in day-1 post-operative (as compared to 39%), and to 0% (as compared to 8.5% reported worldwide) by 1-month follow-up.

ANTECEDENTES: La cirugía cervical anterior (CCA) esta comúnmente indicada para proporcionar descompresión neurológica, corregir deformidades y preservar la estabilidad. Las series actuales reportan tasas de disfagia de hasta el 80%. MÉTODO: cohorte retrospectiva de pacientes sometidos a CCA (discectomía y fusión cervical anterior [DFCA], y artroplastia total de disco [ATD]) de 2013 a 2017. Se recopilaron datos demográficos, quirúrgicos, clínicos y de incidencia y magnitud de la disfagia (escala visual analógica [EVA]). Se analizaron los resultados con SPSS 22. RESULTADOS: 81 pacientes operados de 2013 a 2018, ACDF en 70 y ATD en 11, tiempo quirúrgico promedio de 156.8 minutos. La puntuación en la EVA cervical y radicular se redujo significativamente en ambos grupos (p < 0.01). Hubo disfagia en 18 pacientes con DFCA y en uno con ATD. La tasa de disfagia fue del 9.1% en el primer día de posoperatorio, con EVA de 0.27 (desviación estándar [DE]: 0.4) en el grupo DFCA y de 0.18 (DE: 0.6) en el grupo ATD. La tasa de disfagia de seguimiento a 1 mes fue del 0%. CONCLUSIONES: Las técnicas mínimamente invasivas reducen la disfagia posoperatoria en CCA al 9% en el primer día (en comparación con el 39%) y al 0% (en comparación con el 8.5% reportado mundialmente) al mes de seguimiento.

Microsurgical Resection of Intraspinal Benign Tumors Using Non-Expansile Tubular Access.

BACKGROUND: Intraspinal tumors are 10 to 15 times less common than brain tumors. The midline approach with extensive laminectomies represents the current gold-standard for resection, causing instability, muscle damage, and kyphosis among other well-known complications. Minimally invasive series reported their results using retractor-based systems. We analyzed a patient series treated with a non-expansile tubular approach, describing the technique, grade of resection, and clinical outcomes. METHODS: A series of consecutive cases operated between 2016 and October 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The database included age, sex, clinical presentation, intraspinal location (intra/extradural), number of laminotomies, grade of resection, surgical time, bleeding, and follow-up. The initial and follow-up clinical condition was analyzed using the Frankel scale. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients underwent surgery: 3 intraspinal/extradural (23%), 8 intradural/extramedullary (61.5%), and 2 intramedullary tumors (15.3%); these were classified as 5 meningiomas (38.4%), 4 neurofibromas (30.7%), 2 schwannomas (15.3%), 1 hemangioblastoma (7.6%), and 1 astrocytoma (7.6%). Eleven (84.61%) patients had complete motor improvement, 1 patient had partial improvement, and 1 patient had no improvement (7.6% each). An 18-mm working channel tube was used for extramedullary lesions and 20-mm tubes for intramedullary injuries. Total tumor resection was achieved in 11 patients (84.6%) and subtotal in 2 patients (15.38%) corresponding to intramedullary tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study consisted of a small series, we have shown the possibility of resecting intraspinal tumors (some intradural-intramedullary) with non-expansile tubes in a safe and effective way with no complications. Most of the patients had complete neurological improvement at the end of follow-up.

Assessment of Paraspinal Muscle Atrophy Percentage after Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Unilateral Instrumentation Using a Novel Contralateral Intact Muscle-Controlled Model.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective comparative clinical study. PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess paraspinal muscle atrophy in patients who underwent minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) and unilateral pedicle screw fixation using a novel contralateral intact muscle-controlled model. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The increased incidence of paravertebral lumbar muscle injuries after open techniques has raised the importance of implementing minimally invasive spine surgical techniques using tubular retractors and minimally invasive screw placement. The functional cross-sectional area (FCSA) represents the lean muscle mass; furthermore, FCSA is a useful marker of the contractile ability of a muscle following a spine surgery. However, the benefits of unilateral fixation and MI-TLIF on paraspinal muscles have not been defined. METHODS: We performed a retrospective imagenological review on eleven patients who underwent unilateral MI-TLIF and unilateral transpedicular screw lumbar placement. FCSAs of the multifidus and erector spinae were measured 1 year after surgery at adjacent levels and were compared to the contralateral intact muscles. Measurement differences between the surgical and nonsurgical sites were compared. The interobserver reliability was calculated using an intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The mean FCSA at the surgical site was 20.97±5.07 cm2 at the superior level and 8.89±2.87 cm2 at the inferior level. The mean FCSA at the contralateral nonsurgical site was 20.15±5.95 cm2 at the superior level and 9.20±2.66 cm2 at the inferior level was. The superior and inferior FCSA measurements showed no significant difference between the surgical and nonsurgical sites (p=0.5, p=0.922, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Using a mini-open tubular approach through the sulcus between the longissimus and iliocostalis, MI-TLIF and unilateral pedicle screw instrumentation produced minimal paraspinal muscle damage at the superior and inferior adjacent levels.

Tratamiento con bloqueo esfenopalatino de la cefalea refractaria por trombosis del seno cavernoso / Treatment with sphenopalatine blockade against refractory headache due to thrombosis of the cavernous sinus

Introducción: Entre las cefaleas secundarias se encuentra la atribuida a flebotrombosis cerebral producida por trombosis séptica del seno cavernoso. El ganglio esfenopalatino interviene en la génesis y mantenimiento de cefaleas unilaterales; pues envía conexiones a la cavidad nasofaríngea y meninges, así desempeña una función importante en la modulación neuronal; el bloqueo de dicho ganglio es un método fácil, seguro, económico y efectivo de tratamiento del dolor irruptivo de algunos tipos de cefalea. Objetivo: Presentar los resultados del bloqueo GEFP en el tratamiento de la cefalea grave refractaria secundaria a trombosis séptica del seno cavernoso. Presentación de caso: Paciente de 71 años de edad, al que se realizó de forma exitosa bloqueo transnasal del ganglio esfenopalatino, para tratamiento de cefalea grave refractaria secundaria a trombosis séptica del seno cavernoso, consiguiéndose analgesia efectiva con disminución progresiva de la cefalea y control total de la misma a las 72 h de tratamiento. Conclusiones: El bloqueo podría constituir una opción en la terapéutica de este tipo de cefalea(AU)

Introduction: Among secondary headaches, one is attributed to cerebral phlebothrombosis produced by septic thrombosis of the cavernous sinus. The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) is involved in the genesis and maintenance of unilateral headaches, since it sends connections to the nasopharyngeal cavity and meninges, playing thus an important role in neuronal modulation; therefore; the blockade of this ganglion is an easy, safe, economic and effective method for treating breakthrough pain in some types of headache. Objective: To present the results of SPG blockade in the treatment of refractory severe headache produced by septic thrombosis of the cavernous sinus. Case presentation: A 71-year-old male patient is presented, who was successfully performed a transnasal SPG blockade, as a treatment for refractory severe headache caused by septic thrombosis of the cavernous sinus. Effective analgesia is achieved, together with progressive decrease of headache until it was totally controlled at 72 hours. Conclusions: Blockade was an option in the therapy of this type of headache(AU)

[Spinal extradural arachnoid cyst: A case report and review of literature]. / Quiste aracnoideo extradural espinal: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

BACKGROUND: Arachnoid cysts of spine are a very rare occurrence. The aetiology still remains unclear, but the most accepted explanation is the existence of areas of weakness in the spinal dura. Symptoms depend on the location in the spine. Magnetic resonance imaging is used for its diagnosis. Management depends of clinical presentation, and the surgery is reserved for patients with neurological impairment. CLINICAL CASE: A case is described of 67 year-old male with myelopathy and radiculopathy symptoms, both diagnosed simultaneously. The magnetic resonance imaging was used to diagnose a thoracolumbar extradural arachnoid cyst from T12-L2 and lumbar spinal canal stenosis. The patient was treated with a puncture procedure to empty the cyst and decompress the neural elements. There was a clinical improvement of myelopathy syndrome after puncture procedure. One month later, the patient underwent a minimally invasive surgical approach to decompress the neural elements in lumbar spine, achieving improvement of the radiculopathy syndrome and neurogenic claudication in both legs. CONCLUSION: There is currently no standard minimally invasive approach to surgically treat these cysts, but if the patient has mild symptoms, clinical observation is recommended.

A prospective clinical study comparing MI-TLIF with unilateral versus bilateral transpedicular fixation in low grade lumbar spondylolisthesis.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) has become one of the standard techniques for approaching ipsilateral decompression, anterior column fusion, and posterior stabilization. This procedure is usually accompanied by the placement of bilateral transpedicular screws in the corresponding segment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of unilateral screw fixation compared with bilateral fixation in patients diagnosed with low-grade symptomatic lumbar spondylolisthesis who underwent an MI-TLIF technique. METHODS: A prospective and comparative study was performed in 67 patients with grade 1 symptomatic lumbar spondylolisthesis. The sample was allocated on both unilateral fixation group (n=33) and bilateral fixation group (n=34). Clinical outcomes were evaluated using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analogue scale (VAS) for leg and back pain, and Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), preoperatively, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Changes over time and differences between the groups were analyzed. Statistical analyses included: Friedman test, Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney's U. A two-tailed P value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: During 1-year of evaluation there were no significant clinical differences between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with grade 1 symptomatic lumbar spondylolisthesis treated with MI-TLIF with unilateral screw fixation had similar clinical results than those treated with bilateral fixation at 12 months postoperatively.

Microscopy-assisted interspinous tubular approach for lumbar spinal stenosis.

Various minimally invasive techniques have been reported as an alternative to conventional lumbar decompression. The major advantage of these minimally invasive procedures lies in their reduction of unnecessary exposure and tissue trauma. Our objective was to describe a minimally invasive procedure for lumbar spinal stenosis decompression by enlarging the lumbar interspinous space, approaching it with a tubular retractor, and assisting with microscopy. Thoracolumbar fascia and paravertebral muscles are preserved throughout the whole procedure. Iatrogenic instability of the spine can be avoided if during the procedure both joints are just undercut in order to decompress the subarticular space. The approach described in this manuscript could be used as an alternate minimally invasive surgical procedure for the treatment of central and lateral lumbar spinal stenosis.

Rompiendo el efecto ''techo de cristal'' en la generación de evidencia clínica de alto nivel en ortopedia y traumatología / Breaking the "glass ceiling" effect in the generation of high-level clinical evidence in orthopedics and traumatology

Introduction: In clinical studies involving common orthopedic problems and traumatic injuries, randomization methods are difficult to orchestrate. The lack of high-level clinical evidence based on prospective, randomized, double-blind studies is often cited as a major reason for rejecting proposed therapeutic advances in orthopedic surgery. Materials and methods: This opinion document summarizes the limitations of clinical trials in surgical subspecialties. A consensus is presented about how the practicing orthopedic surgeon can produce high-quality clinical evidence and thus make changes to their clinical practice protocols. Results: This literature review revealed that level of evidence classifications vary among surgical subspecialties. Research in orthopedics and traumatology is primarily directed toward diagnosis, preferred treatment, and economic decision analysis, while other prognostic classifications are preferred in other areas, such as plastic surgery. In orthopedics, double-blind controlled studies are rare and often impractical or even unethical. Crossover between randomized surgical trials of study groups is more common. Other difficulties in surgical trials range from: lack of organizational and financial support, institutional approval or ethics committee and registration requirements for clinical trials, and to insufficient time outside of an already busy clinical program to dedicate to this laborious task. uncompensated task. Conclusion: Orthopedic surgery is a subspecialty based on experience and skill. Many innovations begin with enterprising surgeons reporting opinion reports or retrospective cohort studies, many of which are biased. Prospective observational cohort studies with consistent results may offer higher grade clinical evidence than poorly executed randomized trials.

Mirada bioética en la atención al paciente pediátrico frente a la Covid-19 / Bioethical look at pediatric patient care in the face of Covid-19

La pandemia causada por la COVID-19 se acompaña de desafíos bioéticos en vínculo con la atención a la salud de la población pediátrica, favorecido por las singularidades del grupo poblacional, la elevada transmisión viral, y el conocimiento aún limitado de las manifestaciones clínicas de la enfermedad en pacientes pediátricos. La presente investigación cumple el propósito de describir elementos teórico-prácticos que conforman la necesidad de una mirada bioética ante los retos multiplicados que se presentan durante la atención al paciente pediátrico en condiciones del nuevo escenario impuesto por la contingencia epidemiológica de la COVID-19. La revisión se realizó con la utilización de motores de búsqueda como el Google Académico, fueron consultados artículos en español e inglés en las bases de SciELO y Pubmed. Se exponen consideraciones bioéticas centradas en el paciente pediátrico y en el equipo de salud, que aportan una perspectiva ético-atencional más ampliada. El dominio y la aplicación práctica de los aspectos abordados permiten establecer cursos de acción que configuran la posibilidad de una atención sanitaria más próxima e integral, en beneficio de una mayorprotección a la salud de niños y adolescentes(AU)

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 is accompanied by bioethical challenges in connection with health care for the pediatric population, favored by the singularities of the population group, high viral transmission, and the still limited knowledge of the clinical manifestations of the disease in pediatric patients. The present research fulfills the purpose of describing theoretical-practical elements that make up the need for a bioethical look at the multiplied challenges that arise during pediatric patient care under the conditions of the new scenario imposed by the epidemiological contingency of COVID-19. The review was carried out using search engines such as Google Scholar, articles in Spanish and English were consulted in the databases of SciELO and Pubmed. Bioethical considerations focused on the pediatric patient and the health team are presented, which provide a broader ethical-attentional perspective. The mastery and practical application of the aspects addressed make it possible to establish courses of action that configure the possibility of closer and more comprehensive health care, for the benefit of greater protection of the health of children and adolescents(EU)

Mirada bioética en la atención al paciente pediátrico frente a la Covid-19 / Bioethical look at pediatric patient care in the face of Covid-19 / Olhar bioético no atendimento ao paciente pediátrico em face da Covid-19

RESUMEN La pandemia causada por la COVID-19 se acompaña de desafíos bioéticos en vínculo con la atención a la salud de la población pediátrica, favorecido por las singularidades del grupo poblacional, la elevada transmisión viral, y el conocimiento aun limitado de las manifestaciones clínicas de la enfermedad en pacientes pediátricos. La presente investigación cumple el propósito de describir elementos teórico-prácticos que conforman la necesidad de una mirada bioética ante los retos multiplicados que se presentan durante la atención al paciente pediátrico en condiciones del nuevo escenario impuesto por la contingencia epidemiológica de la COVID-19. La revisión se realizó con la utilización de motores de búsqueda como el Google Académico, fueron consultados artículos en español e inglés en las bases de SciELO y Pubmed. Se exponen consideraciones bioéticas centradas en el paciente pediátrico y en el equipo de salud, que aportan una perspectiva ético-atencional más ampliada. El dominio y la aplicación práctica de los aspectos abordados permiten establecer cursos de acción que configuran la posibilidad de una atención sanitaria más próxima e integral, en beneficio de una mayor protección a la salud de niños y adolescentes.

ABSTRACT The pandemic caused by COVID-19 is accompanied by bioethical challenges in connection with health care for the pediatric population, favored by the singularities of the population group, high viral transmission, and the still limited knowledge of the clinical manifestations of the disease. disease in pediatric patients. The present research fulfills the purpose of describing theoretical-practical elements that make up the need for a bioethical look at the multiplied challenges that arise during pediatric patient care under the conditions of the new scenario imposed by the epidemiological contingency of COVID-19. The review was carried out using search engines such as Google Scholar, articles in Spanish and English were consulted in the databases of SciELO and Pubmed. Bioethical considerations focused on the pediatric patient and the health team are presented, which provide a broader ethical-attentional perspective. The mastery and practical application of the aspects addressed make it possible to establish courses of action that configure the possibility of closer and more comprehensive health care, for the benefit of greater protection of the health of children and adolescents.

RESUMO A pandemia causada pela COVID-19 ver acompanhada de desafios bioéticos na atenção à saúde da população pediátrica, favorecida pelas singularidades do grupo populacional, alta transmissão viral e o linda limitado conhecimento das manifestaros clínicas da doença. pacientes pediátricos. A presente investigação compra o propósito de descrever elementos teórico-práticos que compõem a necessidade de um olhar bioético para os múltiplos desafios que se colocam durante a assistência ao paciente pediátrico nas condições do novo cenário imposto pela contingência epidemiológica do COVID-19. A revisão foi realizada em buscadores como o Google Scholar, os artigos em espanhol e inglês foram consultados nas bases de dados SciELO e Pubmed. São apresentadas considerações bioéticas voltadas para o paciente pediátrico e a equipe de saúde, que fornecem uma perspectiva ético-atencional mais ampla. O domínio e a aplicação prática dos aspectos abordados permitem estabelecer linhas de ação que configuram a possibilidade de uma atenção à saúde mais próxima e integral, em benefício de uma maior proteção à saúde da criança e do adolescente.

Fluoroscopy-guided pedicle screw accuracy with a mini-open approach: a tomographic evaluation of 470 screws in 125 patients.

BACKGROUND: Transpedicular screws are currently placed with open free hand and minimally invasive techniques assisted with either fluoroscopy or navigation. Screw placement accuracy had been investigated with several methods reaching accuracy rates from 71.9% to 98.8%. The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy and safety for 2-D fluoroscopy-guided screw placement assisted with electrophysiological monitoring and the inter-observer agreement for the breach classification. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 125 consecutive patients who underwent minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and transpedicular screws placement between the levels of T-12 and S-1. Screw accuracy was evaluated using a postoperative computed tomography by three independent observers. Pedicle breach was documented when there was a violation in any direction of the pedicle. Inter-observer agreement was assessed with the Kappa coefficient. RESULTS: A total of 470 transpedicular screws were evaluated between the levels of T-12 and S-1. In 57 patients the instrumentation was bilateral and in 68 unilateral. A substantial degree of agreement was found between the observers AB (κ=0.769) and A-C (κ=0.784) and almost perfect agreement between observers B-C (κ=0.928). There were a total of 427.33 (90.92%) screws without breach, 39.33 (8.37%) minor breach pedicles and 3.33 (0.71%) major breach pedicles. The pedicle breach rate was 9.08% Trajectory pedicle breach percentages were as follows: minor medial pedicle breach 4.68%, minor lateral pedicle breach 3.47%, minor inferior pedicle breach 0.22%, and major medial breach 0.70%. No intraoperative instrumentation-related or postoperative clinical complications were encountered and no surgical revision was needed. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated a high accuracy (90.2%) for 2-D fluoroscopy-guided pedicle screw using electromonitoring. Only 0.71% of the 470 screws had a major breach. Knowing the radiological spine pedicle anatomy and the correct interpretation of EMG are the key factors for this technique.

Anestesia epidural y control posoperatorio de la tensión arterial en pacientes con preeclampsia grave cesareadas / Epidural anesthesia and postoperative control of arterial pressure in patients with serious preeclampsia and who have undergone cesarean section

Introducción: La preeclampsia en Cuba tiene una incidencia de 10 a 12 y una mortalidad neonatal de 35 por ciento. Hay escasa evidencia acerca de si es adecuado el tratamiento estándar. Se acepta el uso de anestesia epidural en la preeclampsia grave porque, entre otros beneficios, estabiliza la presión arterial. Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia de la anestesia epidural continua como coadyuvante en el control posoperatorio de la tensión arterial en pacientes con preeclampsia grave. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio experimental en el hospital Dr. Agostinho Neto en el periodo 2013-2016. Se incluyeron 180 gestantes entre 15 y 40 años con preeclampsia grave intervenidas por cesárea, ASA III; asignadas aleatoriamente a un grupo de estudio y otro de control. En ambos se procedió según la norma cubana de obstetricia para el tratamiento de la preeclampsia. El grupo control recibió analgesia posoperatoria según recomendaciones del protocolo hospitalario, mientras se empleó anestesia epidural continua con 12,5 mg/h de bupivacaína al 0,125 por ciento en el grupo de estudio. Se midió la tensión arterial sistólica, diastólica y media durante las ocho primeras horas posoperatorias: Resultados: La tensión arterial sistólica y diastólica se controló en 93 por ciento y 88 por ciento, respectivamente. En el grupo control, 47 por ciento necesitó tres drogas antihipertensivas, 6 por ciento evolucionó hacia la eclampsia. Se controlaron los síntomas en el 97 por ciento del grupo de estudio. La taquicardia fue el efecto secundario esperado más frecuente de la anestesia epidural. Conclusiones: La anestesia epidural con bupivacaína al 12,5 mg/h es eficaz como coadyuvante en el control de la tensión arterial en el posoperatorio de pacientes con preeclampsia grave(AU)

Introduction: Preeclampsia in Cuba has an incidence of 10 to 12 and a neonatal mortality of 35 percent. There is little evidence about the standard treatment. The use of epidural anesthesia in severe preeclampsia is accepted because, among other benefits, it stabilizes blood pressure. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of continuous epidural anesthesia as an adjuvant in the postoperative control of blood pressure in patients with severe preeclampsia. Method: An experimental study was performed at Dr. Agostinho Neto Hospital in the period 2013-2016. We included 180 pregnant women aged 15-40 and with severe preeclampsia undergoing cesarean section (ASA III), randomly assigned to a study group and a control group. In both cases, we used the Cuban obstetrical standard for treating preeclampsia. The control group received postoperative analgesia according to the recommendations of the hospital protocol, while continuous epidural anesthesia was used with 12.5 mg/h of bupivacaine 0.125 percent in the study group. Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure were measured during the first eight postoperative hours. Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was controlled in 93 percent and 88 percent, respectively. In the control group, 47 percent needed three antihypertensive drugs, while 6 percent evolved towards eclampsia. Symptoms were controlled in 97 percent of the study group. Tachycardia was the most common expected side effect of epidural anesthesia. Conclusions: Epidural anesthesia with 12.5 mg/h of bupivacaine is effective as an adjuvant in controlling postoperative blood pressure in patients with severe preeclampsia(AU)

Limitantes de la producción científica estudiantil / Limitations of the scientific student production

Durante el proceso de formación de los estudiantes de las Ciencias de la Salud el desarrollo de sus habilidades científicas es tan importante como el de sus habilidades clínicas, pues el conocimiento del método científico y su aplicación durante las acciones de investigación resulta medular en la labor asistencial. Por lo tanto, la investigación y la publicación científicas constituyen aspectos relevantes en la formación de un estudiante, pues le permitirán practicar eficientemente la medicina basada en la evidencia. En este sentido, el eslabón final del proceso científico constituye la publicación de los resultados emanados del mismo en una revista, proceso en ocasiones muy engorroso y limitado. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo explicar algunas consideraciones teóricas sobre las limitantes de la producción científica estudiantil

The development of its scientific abilities during medical student educational processes is as important as that of its clinical abilities, as knowledge of the scientific method and its application during research is fundamental in health care work. Therefore, research and scientific publication constitute outstanding aspects in student training, as they will enable them to practice evidence-based medicine efficiently. In this sense, the final link in the scientific process constitutes the publication of the results obtained in a journal, an occasionally very complicated and restricted process. The present study has as its objective to explain some theoretical considerations on the limitations of the scientific student production