Erector Spinae Plane Block in pediatric cancer pain: Case report / Bloqueo del plano erector espinal en dolor oncológico pediátrico: reporte de caso

Abstract The advent of the erector spinae plane block brought a new therapeutic option in a multimodal analgesia strategy, as evidenced in this case, which describes a five-year old pre-school patient who presented with severe abdominal cancer pain, secondary to an abdominal neuroblastoma, with partial high-dose opioid response, undergoing bilateral erector spinal plane block. The technique used did not give rise to complications and proved to be effective in blocking pain and reducing the opioid dosage 36 hours after the procedure. The paper discusses the variables involved in the administration mode (continuous infusion vs. bolus) and the benefit for optimal analgesia in the pediatric oncology setting.

Resumen Con la aparición del bloqueo del plano erector espinal surgen nuevas alternativas terapéuticas dentro de una estrategia de analgesia multimodal, tal como se puede apreciar en este caso, en el cual se describe un paciente preescolar de cinco años, quien cursó con dolor abdominal oncológico intenso secundario a neuroblastoma abdominal con respuesta parcial a opioides en dosis altas y en el que se empleó el bloqueo mencionado aplicado bilateralmente. La técnica empleada no generó complicaciones y demostró ser efectiva al permitir el control del dolor y la disminución de las dosis de opioides en las 36 horas posteriores a su colocación. Se plantea la discusión de variables con relación a la forma de administración (infusión continua vs. bolo) y la utilidad en la optimización analgésica en el contexto oncológico pediátrico.

Análisis comparativo de la necesidad de cuidados paliativos y la capacidad instalada para la atención en el Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales para los Trabajadores del Estado (ISSSTE), México, 2019 / Analysis of the need for palliative care and installed capacity for care in the Institute of Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE), Mexico, 2019

Antecedentes: Los cuidados paliativos (CP) alivian el sufrimiento severo relacionado con la enfermedad grave y mejoran la calidad de vida. Son un elemento esencial de la cobertura sanitaria universal y su provisión es obligatoria en México. Sin embargo, existen importante retraso para la atención paliativa (AP) en el sector sanitario mexicano del que forma parte el Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales para los Trabajadores del Estado (ISSSTE). Objetivo: Caracterizar la capacidad instalada para brindar CP en el ISSSTE y comparar la atención brindada con la necesidad calculada para 2019. Material y método: Estudio observacional, transversal, comparativo de prevalencias y mortalidad anual (2015-2019) de población institucional susceptible de beneficiarse de CP de acuerdo con The Lancet Commission report y los resultados de la caracterización de la capacidad instalada para atención paliativa en el ISSSTE. Resultados: Para 2019, las personas pudieron beneficiarse de AP por mortalidad: 7483 (44,65 %); por prevalencia global de enfermedades asociadas a sufrimiento severo relacionado con la enfermedad: 63.095 (16,9 %). Se otorgó CP en 6848 personas (58 % oncológicos; 51 % > 60 años), el 10,8 % del total calculado por prevalencia. Existe AP en 24 unidades médicas (14/3.er nivel [n = 15; 93,3 %], 7/2º nivel [n = 127; 7,87 %]), inexistente en 1.er nivel de atención; 11 (42 %) equipo ampliados; no se cuenta con equipos especializados de CP pediátricos; ninguna otorga atención de tiempo completo. Disponibilidad de opioides: buprenorfina transdérmica (77 %), tramadol inyectable (73 %), buprenorfina sublingual (69 %); morfina, buprenorfina y fentanilo (31 %); 16 centros realizan actividades académicas, 5 investigación. (AU)

Background: Palliative care (PC) alleviates severe suffering related to serious illness and improves quality of life. It is an essential element of universal health coverage and its provision is mandatory in Mexico. However, there are huge gaps between need and provision in the Mexican health sector, of which the Institute of Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE) is part. Objective: To characterize the installed capacity to provide PC in the ISSSTE, and to compare the care provided with the need as calculated for 2019. Material and method: An observational, cross-sectional, comparative study of prevalence and annual mortality (2015-2019) in the institutionalized population likely to benefit from PC according to The Lancet Commission report, and the results of the characterization of the installed capacity for PC in the ISSSTE. Results: In 2019 people can benefit from PC in the ISSSTE for mortality data was n = 7,483 (44.65 %); the global prevalence of diseases associated with serious health-related suffering was n = 63,095 (16.9 %); PC care was provided to 6,848 people (58 % oncological; 51 % > 60 years), 10.8 % of the total need calculated according to prevalence. There are PC services in 24 medical units (14/3rd level [n = 15; 93.3 %], 7/2nd level [n = 126; 3.06 %]), non-existent in 1st level of care; 11 (42 %) expanded teams; no pediatric PC teams. Full-time care was not offered; the reported opioid availability was TD/buprenorphine (77 %), tramadol injection (73 %), SL/ buprenorphine (69 %); morphine, buprenorphine, fentanyl, (31 %); 16 centers had academic activities regarding PC, and 5 had research. (AU)

Quality Indicators in Pediatric Palliative Care: Considerations for Latin America.

Pediatric palliative care is a growing field in which the currently available resources are still insufficient to meet the palliative care needs of children worldwide. Specifically, in Latin America, pediatric palliative care services have emerged unevenly and are still considered underdeveloped when compared to other regions of the world. A crucial step in developing pediatric palliative care (PPC) programs is delineating quality indicators; however, no consensus has been reached on the outcomes or how to measure the impact of PPC. Additionally, Latin America has unique sociocultural characteristics that impact the perception, acceptance, enrollment and implementation of palliative care services. To date, no defined set of quality indicators has been proposed for the region. This article explores the limitations of current available quality indicators and describes the Latin American context and how it affects PPC development. This information can help guide the creation of standards of care and quality indicators that meet local PPC needs while considering the sociocultural landscape of Latin America and its population.