Testing the effect of the epidemiologic paradox: birth weight of newborns of immigrant and non-immigrant mothers in the region of Valencia, Spain.

The epidemiological paradox and 'healthy migrant effect' refer to the favourable health outcomes in unprivileged groups under unfavourable socioeconomic conditions. Weight at birth is associated with the epidemiological paradox. However, differences in fertility structure (mainly mother's age and first maternity) might be the cause of the difference in weight at birth between children of immigrant and non-immigrant mothers. This paper aims to analyse the impact of the epidemiologic paradox by distinguishing between the factors related to fertility structure, in addition to other socio-cultural factors. The importance of fertility structure as the cause of weight-at-birth differences of the newborns of immigrant and non-immigrant women, and between those of subgroups of immigrant mothers, is tested. Based on data from birth registries for the period 1998-2009, a variance analysis was performed for Spanish mothers and for those of five major immigrant subgroups living in the region of Valencia, Spain, which experienced significant migrant inflows within a short period of time. A Scheffé test between pairs of nationalities was carried out. Finally, linear regression models were built. The results suggest that the most relevant factors are those related to fertility structure, and that consequently the epidemiological paradox does not apply for immigrant mothers as a whole, although Bolivian immigrant offspring may be an exception. This unexpected result requires further research to test to what extent this is due to the special adaptation of multigenerational high-altitude populations in pregnancy. The factors associated with fertility structure must be controlled when trying to relate birth weight differences between ethnic groups to socioeconomic factors.

From omission to excellence: Reducing the percentage of incomplete trainee reports by ensuring documentation of comparison studies.

The inclusion of comparison studies within radiology reports is an important, standard practice. Despite this, we identified that after-hours preliminary reports rendered by trainees within our institution often omitted reference to comparison studies for pediatric inpatient portable radiographs. We addressed this issue through a quality improvement project targeting pediatric radiographs. Key interventions included modifying the structured reports by removing default text in the comparison field, designating the comparison field as mandatory, and restructuring the report templates to remove extraneous information. We also initiated a targeted educational campaign. 392 reports before and 267 reports after intervention (total 732 reports) were evaluated to determine the number of reports lacking comparison information when comparisons were available. Following the interventions, there was a statistically significant decrease in incomplete reports from 12.5% to 6%. This project highlights the success of utilizing structured reporting to improve the quality of trainee reports.

Iodine quantification of renal lesions: Preliminary results using spectral-based material extraction on photon-counting CT.

Objectives: To assess the range of quantitative iodine values in renal cysts (RC) (with a few renal neoplasms [RNs] as a comparison) to develop an expected range of values for RC that can be used in future studies for their differentiation. Material and Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 140) with renal lesions who had undergone abdominal examination on a clinical photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) were retrospectively included. Automated iodine quantification maps were reconstructed, and region of interest (ROI) measurements of iodine concentration (IC) (mg/cm3) were performed on whole renal lesions. In addition, for heterogeneous lesions, a secondary ROI was placed on the area most suspicious for malignancy. The discriminatory values of minimum, maximum, mean, and standard deviation for IC were compared using simple logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves (area under the curve [AUC]). Results: A total of 259 renal lesions (243 RC and 16 RN) were analyzed. There were significant differences between RC and RN for all IC measures with the best-performing metrics being mean and maximum IC of the entire lesion ROI (AUC 0.912 and 0.917, respectively) but also mean and minimum IC of the most suspicious area in heterogeneous lesions (AUC 0.983 and 0.992, respectively). Most RC fell within a range of low measured iodine values although a few had higher values. Conclusion: Automated iodine quantification maps reconstructed from clinical PCCT have a high diagnostic ability to differentiate RCs and neoplasms. The data from this pilot study can be used to help establish quantitative values for clinical differentiation of renal lesions.

Sensitivity and representativeness of one-health surveillance for diseases of zoonotic potential at health facilities relative to household visits in rural Guatemala.

Most human and animal disease notification systems are unintegrated and passive, resulting in underreporting. Active surveillance can complement passive efforts, but because they are resource-intensive, their attributes must be evaluated. We assessed the sensitivity and representativeness of One-Health surveillance conducted at health facilities compared to health facilities plus monthly household visits in three rural communities of Guatemala. From September 2017 to November 2018, we screened humans for acute diarrheal, febrile and respiratory infectious syndromes and canines, swine, equines and bovines for syndromic events or deaths. We estimated the relative sensitivity as the incidence rate ratio of detecting an event in health facility surveillance compared to household surveillance from Poisson models. We used interaction terms between the surveillance method and sociodemographic factors or time trends to assess effect modification as a measure of relative representativeness. We used generalized additive models with smoothing splines to model incidence over time by surveillance method. We randomized 216 households to health facility surveillance and 198 to health facility surveillance plus monthly household visits. Health facility surveillance alone was less sensitive than when combined with household surveillance by 0.42 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.53), 0.56 (95% CI: 0.39, 0.79), 0.02 (95% CI: 0.00, 0.10), 0.28 (95% CI: 0.15, 0.50) and 0.22 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.92) times for human acute infections, human severe acute infections, and deaths in canines, swine and equines, respectively. Health facility surveillance alone underrepresented Spanish speakers (interaction p-value = 0.0003) and persons in higher economic assets (interaction p-values = 0.0008). The trend in incidence over time was different between the two study groups, with a larger decrease in the group with household surveillance (all interaction p-values <0.10). Surveillance at health facilities under ascertains syndromes in humans and animals which leads to underestimation of the burden of zoonotic disease. The magnitude of under ascertainment was differentially by sociodemographic factors, yielding an unrepresentative sample of health events. However, it is less time-intensive, thus might be sustained over time longer than household surveillance. The choice between methodologies should be evaluated against surveillance goals and available resources.

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair without sutures--double crown technique: our experience after 140 cases with a mean follow-up of 40 months.

It has been reported that avoidance of recurrences after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) depends on using sutures to secure the mesh. We developed a successful sutureless LVHR. The "Double Crown" LVHR using ePTFE mesh (overlap, 23 cm) was done in 140 cases. Tacks were placed 1 cm apart at the edge of the mesh. A second crown of tacks was placed at the edge of the defect. Three conversions (2.14%) and five bowel perforations occurred intraoperatively (3.57%). Postoperative complications were prolonged ileus (two cases), hematoma (two cases), seroma requiring drainage (three cases), and reoperation in one case for mesh intolerance, three cases for bowel perforation, and one case for small bowel ischemia. The recurrence rate (mean follow-up of 40 months) was 2.14%. The Double Crown LVHR is a safe alternative to LVHR using sutures, with a similar recurrence rate, less pain, fewer incisions and infections, and a shorter operating time.

[Mesh fixation with sutures versus fibrin sealant in hernioplasty with re-absorbable prosthesis (polyglycolic acid and trimethylene carbonate). Experimental study in animals]. / Fijación con sutura frente a sellante de fibrina en hernioplastia con prótesis reabsorbible (ácido poliglicólico y carbonato trimetileno). Estudio experimental en animales.

INTRODUCTION: Current studies have shown the validity of the atraumatic fixation with fibrin glue (Tissucol) compared to conventional sutures in polypropylene mesh fixation. We propose to study the behaviour of absorbable mesh. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used 20 Wistar white rats. Two hernia defects were made in the abdominal wall, which were repaired using absorbable PGA-TMC preperitoneal mesh. The right side of the mesh was fixed with Tissucol and left side with conventional suture attached to the muscle fascia. One group of 10 rats were sacrificed at day 14 (Series A) and the other 10 rats at 28 days (Series B). We used two tests to assess the contingency of the abdominal wall; Pressure Test: pneumoperitoneum more than 40mmHg maintained for 1min, Traction Test: dynamometry of the affected area more than 300mg per cm(2) of traction. Abdominal wall was analysed to determine the integration of the new generation mesh. RESULTS: The fixation of the mesh after the pressure and traction tests showed no statistically significant changes in either group. The integration of the mesh and vessel neoformation was higher in the cases of fixation with fibrin glue. CONCLUSIONS: Biological fixation with fibrin glue is similar to the conventional. Absorbable mesh was suitably integrated and vascular neoformation and integration of the mesh was also found to be better than conventional sutures when fibrin sealant was applied.

Role of fibrin glue in the prevention of peritoneal adhesions in ventral hernia repair.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fibrin glue on the prevention of postoperative peritoneal adhesion to prosthetic materials used in ventral hernia repair. METHODS: Ten pigs were included in this study. The abdomens of the animals were opened by means of a median subumbilical laparotomy to place four prostheses that were cut into square pieces of 4 x 4 cm. The two prostheses in the most cephalic position were polypropylene meshes, and the other two prostheses in a more caudal position were expanded polytetrafluoroethylene prostheses (Dualmesh Plus Corduroy). The prostheses on the right side of each animal were previously impregnated with fibrin glue. After 5 weeks, the animals were reoperated on to assess the quantity and quality (consistency) of the adhesions. RESULTS: There were fewer intraperitoneal adhesions and they were more labile in the case of prostheses impregnated with fibrin glue. Moreover, we also observed that in many of the animals the polypropylene mesh did not show any adhesions, although polypropylene has been considered to be a typical adhesion producing material. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrin glue reduces both the quantity and consistency of adhesions, even in the case of polypropylene meshes.

[Prevention of peritoneal adhesions to intraperitoneal prostheses. An experimental study in pigs]. / Prevención de adherencias peritoneales a las prótesis intraperitoneales. Estudio experimental en cerdos.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fibrin glue and hyaluronidase gel on the prevention of postoperative peritoneal adhesions to intraperitoneal prostheses. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty pigs, divided in two groups, were included. In all animals, four implants (4 x 4 cm) were placed: two polypropylene mesh implants were placed in an upper location and two polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) implants (Dualmesh Plus Corduroy) were placed in a lower position. Implants located in the right side of the animals were painted with fibrin glue (group A, n = 10) or with hyaluronidase gel (group B, n = 10). After 5 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and the results (number and grade of intraperitoneal adhesions, histological data on prosthesis integration, such as mesothelialization, fibroblast infiltration, vessel neoformation, etc.) were evaluated. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal adhesions decreased in implants painted with fibrin glue and hyaluronidase gel compared with untreated implants. When right-sided adhesions formed, they were looser and in many animals, the implants were completely peritonized. Integration of the prostheses was not affected by either fibrin glue or hyaluronidase gel. CONCLUSIONS: Adhesion formation can be reduced after abdominal surgery. The reduction achieved in this study was greater in the quantity than in the consistency of the adhesions. The results with hyaluronidase gel were moderately superior to those obtained with fibrin glue. Hyaluronidase gel has the advantage of being inexpensive.

[Analysis of the Spanish National Registry of Laparoscopic Pancreatic Surgery]. / Análisis del Registro Nacional Español de la Cirugía Laparoscópica del Páncreas.

INTRODUCTION: The reported experience with laparoscopic pancreatic surgery remains limited to case reports or small series of patients. A recent European multicenter study has allowed the limits and results of this technique to be known. This article presents an analysis of the results of the Spanish National Registry of Laparoscopic Pancreatic Surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 132 patients with lesions in the left pancreas were included in this series. The final diagnosis included 42 neuroendocrine tumors, 40 cystic neoplasms, 24 cysts and pseudocysts, 8 inflammatory tumors, 8 ductal carcinomas, 7 intraductal papillary mucinous tumors, 1 acinar carcinoma and 2 solid pseudopapillary tumors. RESULTS: The conversion rate was 9.7%. Tumor enucleation was performed only in patients with insulinomas. The most frequent technique was spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy. There were no postoperative deaths. The overall rate of postoperative pancreatic-related complications was 16%. CONCLUSIONS: Although only a few Spanish hospitals participated in the registry, a greater number of hospitals are expected to enroll patients in the very near future.

Fijación con sutura frente a sellante de fibrina en hernioplastia con prótesis reabsorbible (ácido poliglicólico y carbonato trimetileno). Estudio experimental en animales / Mesh fixation with sutures versus fibrin sealant in hernioplasty with re-absorbable prosthesis (polyglycolic acid and trimethylene carbonate). Experimental study in animals

Introducción Dado que estudios actuales han mostrado la validez de la fijación atraumática con cola de fibrina (Tissucol®) frente a las suturas convencionales con malla de polipropileno, en este trabajo se quiere estudiar el comportamiento en las mallas reabsorbibles. Material y métodos Se utilizaron 20 ratas blancas Wistar. Se realizaron 2 defectos herniarios en la pared abdominal, que se repararon de forma preperitoneal con malla reabsorbible de ácido poliglicólico y carbonato trimetileno, en el lado de la derecha la malla se fijó con Tissucol® y en el lado de la izquierda se fijó con sutura convencional fijada a la fascia muscular. Se sacrificaron 10 ratas a los 14 días (serie A) y el resto a los 28 días (serie B). Se emplearon para comprobar la contingencia de la pared abdominal 2 test; el test de presión: neumoperitoneo mayor de 40mmHg mantenido durante 1min, y el test de tracción: dinamometría de la zona afectada mayor de 300g de tracción por cm2. Se analizó la pared abdominal para determinar la integración de la malla de nueva generación. Resultados La fijación de la malla tras los test de presión y de tracción no evidenció alteraciones estadísticamente significativas en los 2 grupos. La integración de la malla fue mayor en los casos de fijación con cola de fibrina, donde se observó un aumento del número de neovasos. Conclusiones La fijación con colas biológicas de fibrina equiparó a la convencional. La malla reabsorbible se integró adecuadamente y se comprobó que tanto la neoformación vascular como la propia integración de la malla es más notable al aplicar el sellante de fibrina que con la sutura convencional. (AU)

Introduction Current studies have shown the validity of the atraumatic fixation with fibrin glue (Tissucol®) compared to conventional sutures in polypropylene mesh fixation. We propose to study the behaviour of absorbable mesh. Material and methods We used 20 Wistar white rats. Two hernia defects were made in the abdominal wall, which were repaired using absorbable PGA-TMC preperitoneal mesh. The right side of the mesh was fixed with Tissucol and left side with conventional suture attached to the muscle fascia. One group of 10 rats were sacrificed at day 14 (Series A) and the other 10 rats at 28 days (Series B). We used two tests to assess the contingency of the abdominal wall; Pressure Test: pneumoperitoneum more than 40mmHg maintained for 1min, Traction Test: dynamometry of the affected area more than 300mg per cm2 of traction. Abdominal wall was analysed to determine the integration of the new generation mesh. Results The fixation of the mesh after the pressure and traction tests showed no statistically significant changes in either group. The integration of the mesh and vessel neoformation was higher in the cases of fixation with fibrin glue. Conclusions Biological fixation with fibrin glue is similar to the conventional. Absorbable mesh was suitably integrated and vascular neoformation and integration of the mesh was also found to be better than conventional sutures when fibrin sealant was applied (AU)

Prevención de adherencias peritoneales a las prótesis intraperitoneales. Estudio experimental en cerdos / Prevention of peritoneal adhesions to intraperitoneal prostheses. An experimental study in pigs

Introducción. El objetivo de este estudio es investigar el efecto de la cola de fibrina y del gel de hialuronidasa en la prevención de adherencias peritoneales a las prótesis intraperitoneales. Material y método. En este estudio hemos utilizado 20 cerdos, divididos en 2 grupos: en todos los animales se procedió a colocar implantes de 4 x 4 cm: 2 de malla de polipropileno en una posición más cefálica, y otros dos de politetrafluoroetileno (Dualmesh® Plus Corduroy) en una posición más caudal. Los implantes situados en el lado derecho del animal se impregnaron de inhibidores de la producción de adherencias (en 10 animales se utilizó cola de fibrina, serie A, y en otros 10 se utilizó gel de hialuronidasa, serie B). Después de 5 semanas, se procedió al sacrificio de los animales y se evaluaron los resultados (cantidad y calidad de las adherencias formadas, así como datos histológicos de integración de las prótesis, como mesotelización infiltración por fibroblastos, vasos neoformados, etc.). Resultados. Al cabo de 5 semanas se apreciaba que los implantes impregnados de sustancias inhibidoras de la producción de adherencias presentaban menos adherencias, éstas (cuando existían) eran más laxas, e incluso en muchos casos los implantes estaban perfectamente peritonizados. La integración de las prótesis no estaba afectada por la presencia de los inhibidores. Conclusiones. La formación de adherencias puede disminuirse tras la cirugía abdominal. La disminución conseguida es mayor en la cantidad que en la consistencia de adherencias. Los resultados son algo mejores en la serie en la que se utilizó hialuronidasa que en la que se utilizó cola de fibrina. La hialuronidasa tiene la ventaja de tener un menor coste (AU)

Introduction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fibrin glue and hyaluronidase gel on the prevention of postoperative peritoneal adhesions to intraperitoneal prostheses. Material and method. Twenty pigs, divided in two groups, were included. In all animals, four implants (4 x 4 cm) were placed: two polypropylene mesh implants were placed in an upper location and two polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) implants (Dualmesh Plus Corduroy) were placed in a lower position. Implants located in the right side of the animals were painted with fibrin glue (group A, n = 10) or with hyaluronidase gel (group B, n = 10). After 5 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and the results (number and grade of intraperitoneal adhesions, histological data on prosthesis integration, such as mesothelialization, fibroblast infiltration, vessel neoformation, etc.) were evaluated. Results. Intraperitoneal adhesions decreased in implants painted with fibrin glue and hyaluronidase gel compared with untreated implants. When right-sided adhesions formed, they were looser and in many animals, the implants were completely peritonized. Integration of the prostheses was not affected by either fibrin glue or hyaluronidase gel. Conclusions. Adhesion formation can be reduced after abdominal surgery. The reduction achieved in this study was greater in the quantity than in the consistency of the adhesions. The results with hyaluronidase gel were moderately superior to those obtained with fibrin glue. Hyaluronidase gel has the advantage of being inexpensive (AU)

Análisis del Registro Nacional Español de la Cirugía Laparoscópica del Páncreas / Analysis of the Spanish National Registry of Laparoscopic Pancreatic Surgery

Introducción. En el pasado, la experiencia de la cirugía laparoscópica del páncreas se mantenía limitada a experiencias individuales con un reducido núcleo de pacientes. El reciente estudio multicéntrico europeo ha permitido conocer los límites y los resultados de la técnica. En este trabajo se presenta el análisis de los resultados del Registro Nacional Español de la Cirugía Laparoscópica del Páncreas (RNEP). Material y métodos. Se ha incluido a 132 pacientes con lesiones localizadas en el páncreas izquierdo: 42 tumores neuroendocrinos, 40 neoplasias quísticas, 24 quistes y seudoquistes, 8 tumores inflamatorios, 8 carcinomas ductales, 7 neoplasias papilares mucinosa, 1 carcinoma acinar, 2 tumores sólidos seudopapilares. Resultados. El índice de conversión fue del 9,7%. La técnica de enucleación se realizó tan sólo en pacientes portadores de un insulinoma. La pancreatectomía distal con preservación esplénica fue la utilizada con más frecuencia. La mortalidad fue nula y, como morbilidad, la fístula pancreática apareció en el 16% de los casos. Conclusiones. A pesar de que el número de hospitales españoles es limitado, los resultados obtenidos hacen esperar una mayor experiencia en un futuro próximo (AU)

Introduction. The reported experience with laparoscopic pancreatic surgery remains limited to case reports or small series of patients. A recent European multicenter study has allowed the limits and results of this technique to be known. This article presents an analysis of the results of the Spanish National Registry of Laparoscopic Pancreatic Surgery. ¡ Material and methods. A total of 132 patients with lesions in the left pancreas were included in this series. The final diagnosis included 42 neuroendocrine tumors, 40 cystic neoplasms, 24 cysts and pseudocysts, 8 inflammatory tumors, 8 ductal carcinomas, 7 intraductal papillary mucinous tumors, 1 acinar carcinoma and 2 solid pseudopapillary tumors. Results. The conversion rate was 9.7%. Tumor enucleation was performed only in patients with insulinomas. The most frequent technique was spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy. There were no postoperative deaths. The overall rate of postoperative pancreatic-related complications was 16%. Conclusions. Although only a few Spanish hospitals participated in the registry, a greater number of hospitals are expected to enroll patients in the very near future (AU)

Cirugía laparoscópica de órganos sólidos / Laroscopic surgery of solid organs

No disponible

Perfil de los tutores de un gran hospital universitario / Profile of the tutors of a large university hospital

Introducción: La tutoría es poco utilizada en España. La Conferencia Mundial sobre Enseñanza de la Medicina ha recalcado su importancia. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer la situación actual, como base para definir cuáles deben ser las características del tutor ideal. Material y métodos: En los Hospitales Universitarios Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, que cuentan con 326 residentes y 54 tutores, se pasó en 1999 un cuestionario a los tutores. Se recibieron 42 respuestas (78 per cent), realizándose análisis simple. Resultados: La edad media de los encuestados era de 47 años. De ellos, 34 (81 per cent) eran varones y 17 (41 per cent) doctores. La universidad de origen era la de Sevilla en 27 (64 per cent) y la de Granada en tres (7 per cent). El hospital Virgen del Rocío era el hospital de origen en 27 casos (64 per cent) y el Virgen Macarena en 8 (19 per cent). Tenían una experiencia como especialista superior a 15 años 30 encuestados (71 per cent); de 11 a 15 años, 7 (17 per cent); de 6 a 10 años, 4 (9 per cent) e inferior a 6 años, uno (2 per cent). En cuanto a la experiencia como tutor, era superior a 15 años en dos entrevistados (5 per cent); de 11 a 15 años en uno (2 per cent); de 6 a 10 años en 13 (31 per cent) e inferior a 6 años en 26 (62 per cent). Plantilla: 28 (67 per cent); adjuntos: 30 (71 per cent); jefes sección: 11 (26 per cent); jefe servicio: 1 (2 per cent). Las carencias sentidas según los encuestados eran compensaciones y reconocimiento (42; 100 per cent); recursos docentes (42; 100 per cent); tiempo (41; 98 per cent), y colaboración (6; 14 per cent). En cuanto a la cualificación de las carencias (0: mínimo; 10: máximo), el reconocimiento obtuvo 8,0; las ayudas docentes, 7,7; el tiempo, 7,5; las compensaciones, 6,1, y la colaboración, 5,7. La puntuación de la autovaloración fue de 7,6 en los resultados globales; de 6,8 en la programación; de 6,7 en la cumplimentación de actividades, y de 4,9 en la investigación. Conclusiones: a) reconocer la actividad de los tutores; b) disponer de tiempo para desarrollar sus funciones; c) darles formación en metodología docente, y d) concienciar a los hospitales sobre la docencia e investigación (AU)