Proctitis in patients with monkeypox infection: a single-center analysis of 42 consecutive cases from a multidisciplinary observational study on monkeypox proctitis.

BACKGROUND: The current monkeypox (MP) virus outbreak was declared an international emergency in July 2022. The aim of this report is to describe our initial experience with patients with MP, focusing on proctitis. METHODS: We conducted an observational study between 20 May and 31 July 2022, on patients with MP at a reference tertiary center in Madrid, Spain. A descriptive analysis on MP was performed, focusing on its characteristics, symptoms, diagnosis, and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 143 positive MP cases were diagnosed in our center; 42 of them [all male, median age 39 years (range: 22-57 years)] had proctitis (29.37%), and 3 patients (2.09%/MP total cases and 7.14%/MP proctitis) required surgical drainage of a perianal abscess. CONCLUSIONS: General and digestive surgeons must be aware of the presence of proctological impairment and complications due to MP virus.

Impacto de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 sobre la actividad y profesionales de un Servicio de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo en un hospital terciario / SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the activity and professionals of a General Surgery and Digestive Surgery Service in a tertiary hospital

INTRODUCCIÓN: La rápida expansión de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 ha supuesto una radical reorganización de los recursos sanitarios y la exposición de profesionales al contagio. Los servicios de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo también necesitan adaptarse a este cambio. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Se realiza un estudio observacional descriptivo prospectivo de los casos de COVID-19 en pacientes y cirujanos de un Servicio de Cirugía General en un área de alta incidencia de infección entre el 1 y el 31 de marzo de 2020. RESULTADOS: Pacientes: La incidencia de infección por SARS-CoV-2 en los pacientes programados con hospitalización en el postoperatorio inmediato fue del 7%. Su edad media fue de 59,5 años y todos evolucionaron satisfactoriamente en planta. De 36 pacientes intervenidos de urgencia, dos fueron SARS-CoV-2+ y uno altamente sospechoso de COVID-19 (11,1%). Los tres pacientes fallecieron por insuficiencia respiratoria, su edad media era de 81 años. Cirujanos: Hubo un total de 12 casos SARS-CoV-2 + confirmados (24,4%) (8 de 34 adjuntos y 4 de 15 residentes).Actividad asistencial: El número medio de intervenciones quirúrgicas urgentes diarias bajó de 3,6 en febrero a 1,16 en el mes de marzo. El 42% de los pacientes intervenidos a partir de la entrada en vigor de las primeras medidas de aislamiento a nivel regional, presentaban cuadros evolucionados. CONCLUSIONES: El aumento de casos en la población general de COVID-19 debe alertar a los Servicios de Cirugía General de la necesidad de tomar de medidas de forma precoz que garanticen la seguridad de los pacientes y de los cirujanos

INTRODUCTION: The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection has led to a radical reorganization of healthcare resources. Surgical Departments need to adapt to this change. PATIENTS AND METHODS:We performed a prospective descriptive observational study of the incidence of COVID-19 in patients and surgeons of a General Surgical Department in a high prevalence area, between the 1st and 31st of March 2020. RESULTS:Patients: The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in elective surgery patients was 7% (mean age 59.5 years). All survived.Of 36 patients who underwent emergency surgery, two of them were SARS-CoV-2 positive and one was clinically highly suspicious of COVID-19 (11.1%). All three patients died of respiratory failure (mean age 81 years). Surgeons: There were a total of 12 confirmed SARS-CoV-2+ cases among the surgical department staff (24.4%) (8 out of 34 consultants and 4 out of 15 residents).Healthcare activity: The average number of daily emergency surgical interventions declined from 3.6 in February to 1.16 in March. 42% of the patients who underwent emergency surgery had peritonitis upon presentation. CONCLUSIONS: The fast pace of COVID-19 pandemia, should alert surgical departments of the need of adopting early measures to ensure the safety of patients and staff

Sacral nerve stimulation for constipation: long-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: There has been some controversy regarding the efficacy of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) for the treatment of chronic constipation, due to less positive outcomes and concerns about cost-effectiveness in the long term. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of SNS in patients with chronic constipation. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients who had SNS for chronic constipation in 2008-2017 at our institution. Clinical factors, profile of constipation, physiology studies, and patient satisfaction with SNS therapy were investigated during a follow-up period up to 10 years after the implantation. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients [86% female, median age 49 years (range 17-86)] were tested for SNS, and 24 received implants after a positive test phase [median 47 days (range 21-56 days)]. There were 27 bilateral and 2 unilateral implants, in S3 or S4 depending on best response. Mean follow-up was 59 months. Efficacy was considered as a score > 5 (on a scale of 1-10) in general symptom improvement. Nine (37.9%) implanted patients had a satisfaction score > 5. In 6 cases (25%), patient satisfaction was higher than 9. Due to the small sample size, there were no statistically significant variables considered as predictors of response. CONCLUSIONS: Our results agree with current studies which describe around a 30% response of SNS for refractory constipation. However, there is a small group of patients highly satisfied with SNS therapy. More studies are needed to better understand this profile and optimize outcomes.

Necrotising fasciitis of the lower limb due to perforated inguinal hernia.

Acute inguinal hernia complications (incarceration, strangulation) are relatively frequent conditions, especially in the elderly. Urgent surgery is the appropriate treatment if manual reduction is not achieved or strangulation or perforation is suspected. We present a 77-year-old patient with necrotising fasciitis of the lower limb as a consequence of extraperitoneal perforation of a sliding inguinal hernia. This devastating condition was diagnosed 20 h after the manual reduction of the hernia. Suspicion arose at the physical examination (crepitation, signs of cellulitis) and clinical deterioration of the patient, and was confirmed by computed tomography (CT) scanning. Urgent surgery was performed, including sigmoidectomy, debridement of the necrotic tissues of the medial and anterior thigh compartment, and fasciectomy, combined with optimal intensive care support. No signs of peritoneal or pelvic involvement were found. However, the comorbidities, advanced age and the progression of the disease led to fatal outcome. Early recognition of the complications of strangulated hernias is of vital importance for successful treatment in these cases, even if no signs of acute abdomen are present.