The use of POTTER (Predictive Optimal Trees in Emergency Surgery Risk) calculator to predict mortality and complications in patients submitted to Emergency Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: the ability of the care team to reliably predict postoperative risk is essential for improvements in surgical decision-making, patient and family counseling, and resource allocation in hospitals. The Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered POTTER (Predictive Optimal Trees in Emergency Surgery Risk) calculator represents a user-friendly interface and has since been downloaded in its iPhone and Android format by thousands of surgeons worldwide. It was originally developed to be used in non-traumatic emergency surgery patients. However, Potter has not been validated outside the US yet. In this study, we aimed to validate the POTTER calculator in a Brazilian academic hospital. METHODS: mortality and morbidity were analyzed using the POTTER calculator in both trauma and non-trauma emergency surgery patients submitted to surgical treatment between November 2020 and July 2021. A total of 194 patients were prospectively included in this analysis. RESULTS: regarding the presence of comorbidities, about 20% of the population were diabetics and 30% were smokers. A total of 47.4% of the patients had hypertensive prednisone. After the analysis of the results, we identified an adequate capability to predict 30-day mortality and morbidity for this group of patients. CONCLUSION: the POTTER calculator presented excellent performance in predicting both morbidity and mortality in the studied population, representing an important tool for surgical teams to define risks, benefits, and outcomes for the emergency surgery population.

Sexually transmitted infections lesions found during colonoscopies

Introduction: Anal examination and videoanoscopy (VA) are rarely performed during colonoscopies. In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in lesions of sexually transmitted anal and rectal infections, but these conditions are not noticed or reported during routine colonoscopy. Objective: To raise awareness regarding the fortuitous findings of lesions and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in colonoscopy exams and to demonstrate that anal examination and VA provide important information and should be routinely performed. Methods: We conducted a descriptive retrospective study in 16,132 patients screened by colonoscopy and VA between 2006 and 2018. Among numerous other findings, the presence of anal condylomata and sexually transmitted retitis or perianal dermatitis was observed. The rates of each finding were calculated, and the patients were subdivided by sex and into age groups by blocks of ten years. Results: Among the 16,132 colonoscopies performed, 26 cases of condyloma (0.16%) and 50 cases of proctitis or perianal dermatitis suspicious for STI (0.33%) were found. Conclusion: Performing anal examination and VA systematically in all routine colonoscopies enabled the identification of numerous anal conditions, including several fortuitous cases of STIs. The study proposes that anal examination and VA should be performed in all routine colonoscopies and, in suspected cases, complementary tests for STIs. (AU)

The use of POTTER (Predictive Optimal Trees in Emergency Surgery Risk) calculator to predict mortality and complications in patients submitted to Emergency Surgery / O uso do aplicativo POTTER (Predictive Optimal Trees in Emergency Surgery Risk) para prever mortalidade e complicações em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de emergência

ABSTRACT Introduction: the ability of the care team to reliably predict postoperative risk is essential for improvements in surgical decision-making, patient and family counseling, and resource allocation in hospitals. The Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered POTTER (Predictive Optimal Trees in Emergency Surgery Risk) calculator represents a user-friendly interface and has since been downloaded in its iPhone and Android format by thousands of surgeons worldwide. It was originally developed to be used in non-traumatic emergency surgery patients. However, Potter has not been validated outside the US yet. In this study, we aimed to validate the POTTER calculator in a Brazilian academic hospital. Methods: mortality and morbidity were analyzed using the POTTER calculator in both trauma and non-trauma emergency surgery patients submitted to surgical treatment between November 2020 and July 2021. A total of 194 patients were prospectively included in this analysis. Results: regarding the presence of comorbidities, about 20% of the population were diabetics and 30% were smokers. A total of 47.4% of the patients had hypertensive prednisone. After the analysis of the results, we identified an adequate capability to predict 30-day mortality and morbidity for this group of patients. Conclusion: the POTTER calculator presented excellent performance in predicting both morbidity and mortality in the studied population, representing an important tool for surgical teams to define risks, benefits, and outcomes for the emergency surgery population.

RESUMO Introdução: a capacidade da equipe de atendimento de prever de forma confiável o risco pós-operatório é essencial para melhorar a tomada de decisões cirúrgicas, o aconselhamento ao paciente e à família e a alocação de recursos nos hospitais. A calculadora POTTER (Predictive Optimal Trees in Emergency Surgery Risk), alimentada por inteligência artificial (IA) e com uma interface amigável, foi baixada em seu formato para iPhone e Android por milhares de cirurgiões em todo o mundo e foi originalmente desenvolvida para ser usada em pacientes de cirurgia de emergência não traumática. No entanto, a POTTER ainda não foi validada fora dos EUA. Neste estudo, nosso objetivo foi validar a calculadora POTTER em um hospital acadêmico brasileiro. Métodos: a mortalidade e a morbidade foram analisadas usando a calculadora POTTER em pacientes de cirurgia de emergência com e sem trauma submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico entre novembro de 2020 e julho de 2021. Um total de 194 pacientes foi incluído prospectivamente nessa análise. Resultados: Em relação à presença de comorbidades, cerca de 20% da população era diabética e 30%, fumante. Um total de 47,4% dos pacientes eram hipertensos antes da admissão. Após a análise dos resultados, identificamos uma capacidade adequada de prever a mortalidade e a morbidade em 30 dias para esse grupo de pacientes. Conclusão: a calculadora POTTER apresentou um excelente desempenho para prever a morbidade e a mortalidade na população estudada, representando uma ferramenta importante para as equipes cirúrgicas definirem riscos, benefícios e resultados para a população de cirurgia de emergência.

Algorithms for clinical assessment of the cervical spine in patients with severe trauma: a mixed-method analyzis / Algoritmos de avaliação clínica da coluna cervical em pacientes com traumatismo grave: uma análise mista / Algoritmos de evaluación clínica de la columna cervical en pacientes con traumatismo grave: un análisis mixto

ABSTRACT Objective: Cervical trauma is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, affecting 2% of patients admitted to emergency units. Therefore, this study aims to compare the use of two clinical cervical spine evaluation algorithms, the Canadian C-Spine Rule (CCR) and the National Emergency X-radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS). Methods: A descriptive study of the use of the two algorithms by medical residents in the initial assessment of severely traumatized patients admitted to the regional emergency unit was conducted. The evaluation of the indication for imaging tests and the positive predictive value of the algorithms were the parameters analyzed. Finally, the residents answered a questionnaire evaluating the applicability, degree of confidence and advantages of both flowcharts. Results: There was no significant difference between the number of indications for imaging or their predictive values. In the analysis of the questionnaires, the CCR proved to be more reliable and the NEXUS more applicable, and the positive and negative points of applying each of them were highlighted. Conclusion: It is concluded that the two methods are similar in detecting injuries and optimizing the use of imaging exams, being equally indicated to evaluate cervical trauma. However, the technical specifics of each must be taken into account when deciding which to use. Level of evidence IV; Descriptive Study.

RESUMO Objetivo: O trauma cervical é uma importante causa de morbidade e mortalidade, com acometimento de 2% dos pacientes admitidos nas unidades de emergência. Assim sendo, a pesquisa visa comparar a utilização de dois algoritmos clínicos de avaliação da coluna cervical: Canadian C-Spine Rule (CCR) e National Emergency X-radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS). Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo descritivo da utilização dos dois algoritmos por médicos residentes na avaliação inicial de pacientes traumatizados graves admitidos na unidade de emergência regional. A avaliação da indicação de exames de imagem e do valor preditivo positivo dos algoritmos foram os parâmetros analisados. Por fim, os residentes responderam a um questionário de avaliação da aplicabilidade, grau de confiança e vantagens de ambos os fluxogramas. Resultados: Não houve diferença significativa entre os números de indicação para imagem nem dos valores preditivos. Na análise do questionário, o CCR mostrou-se mais confiável e o NEXUS foi mais aplicável, sendo destacados os pontos positivos e negativos da aplicação de cada um deles. Conclusões: Conclui-se que houve semelhança na detecção de lesões e otimização da utilização de exames de imagem entre os dois métodos, sendo igualmente indicados para avaliação de traumatismo cervical, contudo cada um tem especificidades técnicas que devem ser levadas em conta no momento da escolha. Nível de evidência IV; Estudo descritivo.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El trauma cervical es una importante causa de morbilidad y mortalidad, con acometimiento de 2% de los pacientes admitidos en las unidades de emergencia. Siendo así, la investigación tiene como objetivo comparar el uso de dos algoritmos clínicos de evaluación de la columna cervical: Canadian C-Spine Rule (CCR) y National Emergency X-radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS). Métodos: Fue realizado un estudio descriptivo del uso de los dos algoritmos por médicos residentes en la evaluación inicial de los pacientes traumatizados graves admitidos en la unidad de emergencia regional. La evaluación de la indicación de exámenes de imagen y del valor predictivo positivo de los algoritmos fueron los parámetros analizados. Finalmente, los residentes respondieron un cuestionario de evaluación de la aplicabilidad, grado de confianza y ventajas de ambos diagramas de flujo. Resultados: No hubo diferencia significativa entre los números de indicación para imagen ni de los valores predictivos. En el análisis del cuestionario, el CCR se mostró más confiable y el NEXUS fue más aplicable, siendo destacados los puntos positivos y negativos de la aplicación de cada uno de ellos. Conclusiones: Se concluye que hubo semejanza en la detección de lesiones y optimización del uso de exámenes de imagen entre los dos métodos, siendo igualmente indicados para la evaluación de traumatismo cervical, aunque cada uno tiene especificidades técnicas que deben ser llevadas en cuenta en el momento de elegir. Nivel de evidencia IV; Estudio descriptivo.

Severity assessment of acute pancreatitis: applying Marshall scoring system.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of the Marshall scoring system to evaluate the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP). METHODS: We performed a prospective, observational study in 39 patients with AP evaluated by the Marshall scoring system and the Ranson criteria (admission and 48 hours). We assessed the progression of the disease for seven days and compared the data of the two criteria. RESULTS: Seven patients died during the observation period and one died afterwards. All deaths had shown failure of at least one system by the Marshall method. CONCLUSION: The Marshall scoring system may be used as an effective and simplified application method to assess the severity of acute pancreatitis.

Severity assessment of acute pancreatitis: applying Marshall scoring system / Avaliação da gravidade da pancreatite aguda: aplicando o sistema de pontuação de Marshall

Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of the Marshall scoring system to evaluate the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods : We performed a prospective, observational study in 39 patients with AP evaluated by the Marshall scoring system and the Ranson criteria (admission and 48 hours). We assessed the progression of the disease for seven days and compared the data of the two criteria. Results : Seven patients died during the observation period and one died afterwards. All deaths had shown failure of at least one system by the Marshall method. Conclusion : The Marshall scoring system may be used as an effective and simplified application method to assess the severity of acute pancreatitis.

Objetivo: analisar a eficácia do sistema de pontuação de Marshall na avaliação da gravidade da pancreatite aguda. Métodos: foi realizado um estudo prospectivo e observacional em 39 pacientes com PA, avaliados pelo sistema de pontuação dos critérios de Marshall e Ranson (admissão e 48 horas). Foi avaliada a evolução do quadro clínico durante sete dias e comparados os dados dos dois critérios. Resultados: sete pacientes morreram durante o período de observação e um morreu após esse período. Todos os óbitos possuíam, pelo sistema de Marshall, falência de pelo menos um sistema. Conclusão: concluímos que o sistema de pontuação de Marshall pode ser utilizado, por ser um método eficaz e de aplicação simplificada, para avaliar a gravidade da pancreatite aguda.

Traditional learning and problem-based learning: self-perception of preparedness for internship.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate Pontificia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC-SP) medical students' perception of their preparedness to attend the internship course by comparing students who entered the internship in 2009, who were taught according to the traditional learning method, and those who entered the internship in 2010, who were taught according to the new method, i.e. problem-based learning (PBL). METHODS: 50 traditional learning method students answered a standard Lickert scale questionnaire upon entering internship in 2009. In 2010, the process was repeated with PBL students. The questionnaire was based upon the Preparation for Hospital Practice Questionnaire. This questionnaire was evaluated by professors from three medical schools in Brazil regarding its applicability. The original questions were classified according to the importance these professors attributed to them, and less important questions were removed. Scores obtained from the Student's t-test were considered significant with p < 0.05. RESULTS: A significant statistical difference was observed in 16 questions, and the traditional learning method students reported higher average scores. When questions were divided into dimensions, a significant statistical difference appeared in the dimensions " social aspects of health", "medical skills", and "ethical concepts"; traditional learning method students again reported higher scores (p < 0.001 for all dimensions). Higher scores were also reported when the average of the answers to the whole questionnaire was calculated. CONCLUSION: Traditional learning method students consider themselves to be better prepared for internship activities than PBL students, according to the following three comparative means: by analyzing the answers to each question, by grouping these answers into dimensions, and by calculating the means of answers to the whole questionnaire.

Traditional learning and problem-based learning: self-perception of preparedness for internship / Método tradicional e aprendizado baseado em problemas: autopercepção do preparo para o internato

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate Pontificia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC-SP) medical students' perception of their preparedness to attend the internship course by comparing students who entered the internship in 2009, who were taught according to the traditional learning method, and those who entered the internship in 2010, who were taught according to the new method, i.e. problem-based learning (PBL). METHODS: 50 traditional learning method students answered a standard Lickert scale questionnaire upon entering internship in 2009. In 2010, the process was repeated with PBL students. The questionnaire was based upon the Preparation for Hospital Practice Questionnaire. This questionnaire was evaluated by professors from three medical schools in Brazil regarding its applicability. The original questions were classified according to the importance these professors attributed to them, and less important questions were removed. Scores obtained from the Student's t-test were considered significant with p < 0.05. RESULTS: A significant statistical difference was observed in 16 questions, and the traditional learning method students reported higher average scores. When questions were divided into dimensions, a significant statistical difference appeared in the dimensions " social aspects of health", "medical skills", and "ethical concepts"; traditional learning method students again reported higher scores (p < 0.001 for all dimensions). Higher scores were also reported when the average of the answers to the whole questionnaire was calculated. CONCLUSION: Traditional learning method students consider themselves to be better prepared for internship activities than PBL students, according to the following three comparative means: by analyzing the answers to each question, by grouping these answers into dimensions, and by calculating the means of answers to the whole questionnaire.

OBJETIVO: Este estudo visa avaliar a percepção dos alunos de Medicina da Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC-SP) quanto ao seu preparo para cursar o internato, comparando os alunos que ingressaram no internato em 2009, no método tradicional, e aqueles que o iniciaram em 2010, no novo método, o aprendizado baseado em problemas (ABP). MÉTODOS: Aplicou-se um questionário padronizado, respondido através de uma escala de Lickert, a cinquenta alunos do método tradicional, no início do internato, em 2009. Em 2010, o processo foi repetido com os alunos do novo método. O questionário foi baseado no Preparation for Hospital Practice Questionnaire. Esse questionário foi avaliado, no Brasil, quanto à sua aplicabilidade, por professores de três cursos de Medicina. As questões originais foram classificadas de acordo com a importância atribuída por eles e as consideradas menos relevantes foram retiradas. Compararam-se os resultados por meio do teste t de Student com p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Observa-se diferença estatística significante em dezesseis questões, sendo que os alunos do método tradicional apresentaram maiores médias. Quando se separam as questões em dimensões, nota-se diferença estatística significante em "aspectos sociais da saúde", "habilidades clínicas" e "conceitos éticos": os alunos do método tradicional demonstraram, novamente, maiores valores (p < 0,001 para todas as dimensões). Calculando-se a média de respostas do questionário inteiro, também observam-se maiores valores. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que os alunos do método tradicional se julgam melhor preparados para as atividades do internato do que os do ABP, nas três vias de comparação: analisando-se as respostas de cada questão, agrupando-as em dimensões e calculando-se a média de respostas do questionário inteiro.