Caracterización de las lesiones ocasionadas en combate y su tratamiento / Characterization of injuries during combat and their treatment

Introducción. Colombia es un país que ha tenido el conflicto armado como parte de su historia. Durante más de 50 años, diferentes tipos de armas han sido empleados en la guerra interna. Desde el año 1999 hasta 2010, en el Hospital Militar Central, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia, se atendieron más de 15.000 personas heridas en combate. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir los abordajes quirúrgicos realizados para el tratamiento de lesiones generadas en combate militar, por el servicio de Cirugía general en el Hospital Militar Central, entre los años 2016 y 2021. Métodos. Se condujo un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal, en donde se recolectó información de la base de datos del grupo de Trauma del Hospital Militar Central, sobre los pacientes con lesiones generadas en combate, atendidos por el servicio de cirugía general. Resultados. En total ingresaron 203 pacientes, 99 % de sexo masculino, 87 % pertenecientes al ejército. El departamento de donde más se recibieron heridos fue Arauca (20,7 %). Las armas de fuego de alta velocidad fueron los artefactos relacionados con las heridas en más de la mitad de los casos. Las intervenciones quirúrgicas más frecuentes fueron extracción de cuerpo extraño (28 %), exploración vascular (25,5 %) y toracostomía o toracoscopia (20,6 %). Conclusión. Los procedimientos quirúrgicos para el manejo del trauma militar siguen siendo variados con respecto a la ubicación y el abordaje, razón por la cual el conocimiento del cirujano general debe ser amplio, para estar capacitado para su manejo.

Introduction. Colombia is a country that has had armed conflict as part of its history. For more than 50 years, different types of weapons have been used in internal warfare. From 1999 to 2010, more than 15,000 people injured in combat were treated at the Central Military Hospital, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia. The objective of this study was to describe the surgical approaches carried out for the treatment of injuries generated in military combat, by the General Surgery service at the Central Military Hospital, between 2016 and 2021. Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was conducted, where information was collected from the database of the Trauma group of the Central Military Hospital on patients with injuries during combat treated by the General Surgery service. Results. A total of 203 patients were admitted, 99% were male, 87% belonged to the Army. The department from which the most wounded were received was Arauca (20.7%). High-velocity firearms were the injury-related weapons in more than half of the cases. The most common surgical interventions performed were foreign body extraction (28%), vascular exploration (25.5%), and thoracostomy or thoracoscopy (20.6%). Conclusion. Surgical procedures for the management of military trauma continue to be varied with respect to location and approach, which is why the general surgeon's knowledge must be extensive to be qualified for its management.

Evaluación de la experiencia de telemedicina en consulta de Cirugía de cabeza y cuello en un centro de referencia en Manizales / Evaluation of telemedicine experience in head and neck surgery consultation in a referral center in Manizales

Introducción. La infección por COVID-19 afectó drásticamente la atención en salud a nivel mundial, generando retos para la atención primaria. En orden de mitigar y manejar el contagio, la telemedicina se convirtió en una modalidad emergente y efectiva en varias especialidades médicas, incluida la cirugía de cabeza y cuello. Métodos. Estudio de corte transversal con análisis retrospectivo de pacientes atendidos en la consulta virtual durante 18 meses. Se estimaron frecuencias absolutas y relativas, y bivariado con regresión logística binaria. Se incluyeron las variables de diagnóstico primario, poder resolutivo de la consulta, necesidad de cita presencial, plataforma y dificultades de la misma. Resultados. Se incluyeron 2485 pacientes provenientes de 11 departamentos. La patología tiroidea fue la más frecuente (62,9 %), seguida de la aerodigestiva (10,9 %). La consulta fue eficiente en el 99 % de los casos, con una capacidad resolutiva del 96,4 %. El 1,4 % tuvo dificultades en la plataforma y el 8,3 % de los pacientes requirió cita presencial. Cuando hubo dificultad para la revisión de exámenes o una inadecuada inspección funcional, fue 30 veces más probable no poder resolver eficientemente la consulta. Conclusión. La telemedicina provee una alternativa eficiente de atención en cirugía de cabeza y cuello, especialmente en los controles de patología tiroidea, evitando desplazamientos innecesarios. En el tracto aerodigestivo, donde el examen físico es primordial, su utilidad está limitada a la posibilidad de realizar un examen endoscópico posterior que permita una adecuada estadificación y facilite la valoración presencial.

Introduction. The COVID-19 infection drastically affected health care worldwide, creating challenges for primary care. In order to mitigate and manage infection, telemedicine has become an emerging and effective modality in several medical specialties, including head and neck surgery. Methods. Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of patients seen in virtual consultation over 18 months. Absolute and relative frequencies were estimated, univariate analysis was done with chi-square, and bivariate analysis with binary logistic regression. Variables such as primary diagnosis, the resolution power of the consultation, the need for an in-person appointment, the platform, and its difficulties were included. Results. 2485 patients from 11 departments were included. Thyroid pathology was the most frequent (62.9%), followed by aerodigestive tract pathology (10.8%). The consultation was efficient in 99% of cases, with a resolution capacity of 96.4%. 1.4% had difficulties on the platform and 8.3% of patients required an in-person. When there was difficulty in reviewing exams or an inadequate functional inspection, it was 30 times more likely to not be able to efficiently be resolved. Conclusion. Telemedicine provides an efficient alternative for care in head and neck surgery, especially in thyroid pathology controls, avoiding unnecessary travel. In the aerodigestive tract, where the physical examination is essential, its usefulness is limited to the possibility of performing a subsequent endoscopic examination that allows adequate staging and facilitates in-person assessment.

Preoperative rectal tumor embolization as an adjunctive tool for bloodless abdominoperineal excision: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Abdominoperineal excision (APE)-related hemorrhage can be challenging due to difficult access to pelvic organs and the risk of massive blood loss. The objective of the present study was to demonstrate the use of preoperative embolization (PE) as a strategy for blood preservation in a patient with a large low rectal tumor with a high risk of bleeding, scheduled for APE. CASE SUMMARY: A 56-year-old man presented to our institution with a one-year history of anal bleeding and rectal tenesmus. The patient was diagnosed with bulky adenocarcinoma limited to the rectum. As the patient refused any clinical treatment, surgery without previous neoadjuvant chemoradiation was indicated. The patient underwent a tumor embolization procedure, two days before surgery performed via the right common femoral artery. The tumor was successfully devascularized and no major bleeding was noted during APE. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and a one-year follow-up showed no signs of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic tumor embolization may play a role in bloodless surgeries and increase surgical and oncologic prognoses. We describe a patient with a bulky low rectal tumor who successfully underwent preoperative embolization and bloodless abdominoperineal resection.

Conservation of both hematocrit and liver regeneration in hepatectomies: a vascular occlusion approach in rats / Hepatectomia hemoconservadora no rato: preservação do hematócrito e da regeneração hepática

ABSTRACT Background: Hepatectomies promote considerable amount of blood loss and the need to administrate blood products, which are directly linked to higher morbimortality rates. The blood-conserving hepatectomy (BCH) is a modification of the selective vascular occlusion technique. It could be a surgical maneuver in order to avoid or to reduce the blood products utilization in the perioperative period. Aim: To evaluate in rats the BCH effects on the hematocrit (HT) variation, hemoglobin serum concentration (HB), and on liver regeneration. Methods: Twelve Wistar rats were divided into two groups: control (n=6) and intervention (n=6). The ones in the control group had their livers partially removed according to the Higgins and Anderson technique, while the rats in the treatment group were submitted to BCH technique. HT and HB levels were measured at day D0, D1 and D7. The rate between the liver and rat weights was calculated in D0 and D7. Liver regeneration was quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated. Results: The HT and HB levels were lower in the control group as of D1 onwards, reaching an 18% gap at D7 (p=0.01 and p=0.008, respectively); BCH resulted in the preservation of HT and HB levels to the intervention group rats. BCH did not alter liver regeneration in rats. Conclusion: The BCH led to beneficial effects over the postoperative HT and serum HB levels with no setbacks to liver regeneration. These data are the necessary proof of evidence for translational research into the surgical practice.

RESUMO Racional: As hepatectomias compreendem considerável perda sanguínea e utilização de hemoderivados, o que diretamente estão relacionados com maior morbimortalidade. A hepatectomia hemoconservadora (HH) é modificação da técnica de oclusão vascular seletiva em hepatectomia. Ela pode ser alternativa cirúrgica para evitar ou diminuir o uso de hemoderivados no perioperatório. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da HH sobre o volume globular (VG), concentração de hemoglobina (HB) e sobre a regeneração hepática em ratos. Métodos: Dois grupos de ratos Wistar foram constituídos: controle (n=6) e intervenção (n=6). Os do grupo controle foram submetidos à hepatectomia parcial de Higgins e Anderson e os do grupo Intervenção à HH. VG e HB foram medidos nos dias D0, D1 e D7. A relação peso do fígado/peso do rato foi calculada em D0 e D7. A regeneração hepática foi analisada qualitativamente e quantitativamente. Resultados: Houve diminuição dos níveis de VG e HB nos ratos do grupo controle a partir de D1, atingindo decréscimo de 18% em D7 (p=0,01 e p=0,008 respectivamente); a HH permitiu a manutenção dos níveis de VG e HB nos ratos do grupo intervenção. A HH não alterou a regeneração hepática. Conclusão: HH resultou em níveis maiores de VG e HB pós-operatórios sem alterar a regeneração hepática. Pode-se considerar estes dados como a prova necessária para a translação à pesquisa clinicocirúrgica.

Abordagem cirúrgica do lentigo maligno facial pela técnica de Spaghetti / Surgical approach of facial lentigo maligna with the Spaghetti technique

A completa remoção cirúrgica do lentigo maligno é desafiadora devido à dificuldade em determinar margens, disseminação subclínica e frequente localização facial. Neste artigo, relata-se abordagem cirúrgica de extenso lentigo maligno facial pela técnica de spaghetti, com margens livres no terceiro estágio cirúrgico. Essa técnica consiste na ressecção de margem circular periférica aos limites clínicos do tumor com avaliação histológica, sem remoção da lesão. Novas etapas incluem ampliação das margens comprometidas até que todo o perímetro esteja livre, quando então a ressecção do tumor e a reconstrução do defeito cirúrgico são realizadas simultaneamente. Objetiva atingir margens livres preservando tecido em áreas estéticas e funcionais.

Complete surgical removal of lentigo maligna is challenging due to the difficulty in determining margins, subclinical spread and frequent facial location. In this article, we report the surgical approach of an extensive facial lentigo maligna with the "spaghetti" technique, with free margins in the third surgical step. This technique consists in the resection of a circular margin surrounding the clinical boundaries of the tumor, with histological evaluation, without removing the lesion. New steps include widening of the affected margins until the whole area is free, when tumor resection and reconstruction of the surgical defect take place simultaneously. The aim is to reach the free margins, preserving tissue in aesthetic and functional areas.

Blood transfusion and increased perioperative risk in coronary artery bypass grafts

Abstract Objective: To correlate blood transfusions and clinical outcomes during hospitalization in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). Methods: Transfusion, clinical and hematological data were collected for 1,378 patients undergoing isolated or combined CABG between January 2011 and December 2012. The effect of blood transfusions was evaluated through multivariate analysis to predict three co-primary outcomes: composite ischemic events, composite infectious complications and hospital mortality. Because higher risk patients receive more transfusions, the hospital mortality outcome was also tested on a stratum of low-risk patients to isolate the effect of preoperative risk on the results. Results: The transfusion rate was 63.9%. The use of blood products was associated with a higher incidence of the three coprimary outcomes: composite infectious complications (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.70 to 4.19; P<0.001), composite ischemic events (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.70 to 3.46; P<0.001) and hospital mortality (OR 3.07, 95% CI 1.53 to 6.13; P<0.001). When only patients with logistic EuroSCORE ≤ 2% were evaluated, i.e., low-risk individuals, the mortality rate and the incidence of ischemic events and infectious complications composites remained higher among the transfused patients [6% vs. 0.4% (P<0.001), 11.7% vs. 24,3% (P<0.001) and 6.5% vs. 12.7% (P=0.002), respectively]. Conclusion: The use of blood components in patients undergoing CABG was associated with ischemic events, infectious complications and hospital mortality, even in low-risk patients.

Tratamento cirúrgico e seguimento a longo prazo das micoses subcutâneas causadas por fungos demáceos: cromoblastomicose, feoifomicose e eumicetoma / Surgical treatment and long-term follow-up of subcutaneous mycoses caused by dematiaceous fungi: chromoblastomycosis, phaeohyphomycosis and eumicetoma

Introdução: As micoses subcutâneas provocadas por fungos demáceos (MSCFD)são classificadas conforme sua apresentação no tecido: cromoblastomicose com presença de corpúsculos fumagoides, feoifomicose com hifas septadas demáceas e eumicetoma com grãos compostos por hifas septadas demáceas. Diversos tratamentos são propostos, entre eles a exérese cirúrgica. O tratamento cirúrgico é mais indicado nos casos em que há infecção localizada e passível de exérese, com bons resultados terapêuticos e baixa taxa de recidiva. Objetivo: Apresentar a experiência de um serviço dermatológico no tratamento cirúrgico dos casos de MSCFD, discutindo as abordagens cirúrgicas e seus resultados. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo com análise descritiva dos casos atendidos no período de abril de 2014 a dezembro de 2016 em clínica dermatológica da cidade de São Paulo. Foram incluídos todos os casos com diagnóstico de MSCFD que foram submetidos à terapêutica cirúrgica com exérese total da lesão. Resultados: Foram totalizados sete casos: dois de eumicetoma, um de cromoblastomicose e quatro de feoifomicose. De todos os casos apenas um não foi abordado em regime de centro cirúrgico ambulatorial. Todos evoluíram sem sequelas e sem recidivas no seguimento clínico. Conclusões: A remoção da lesão cutânea é um boa opção terapêutica nos casos de MSCFD em que o procedimento cirúrgico for viável.

Introduction: Subcutaneous mycoses caused by dematiaceous fungi are classified according to their characteristics in the tissue: chromoblastomycosis (with the presence of fumagoid corpuscles), phaeohyphomycosis (with dematiaceous septate hyphae) and eumicetoma (with grains composed of septate hyphae). Several treatments are proposed, among them, surgical excision. Surgical treatment is more indicated in cases where there is localized infection and where excision is possible, yielding good therapeutic outcomes and low recurrence rates. Objective: To describe the experience of a dermatological service in the surgical treatment of subcutaneous mycosis cases caused by dematiaceous fungi, discussing the surgical approach and its results. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out with the descriptive analysis of cases treated from April 2014 to December 2016, at a dermatological clinic in the Brazilian Southeast city of São Paulo. All cases diagnosed with subcutaneous mycoses caused by dematiaceous fungi were included and surgically treated with total exeresis of the lesion. Results: A total of 7 cases were analyzed ­ 2 eumicetomas, 1 chromoblastomycosis and 4 phaeohyphomycoses. Only one on the cases was not treated at an ambulatory surgical center. All cases progressed without sequelae or recurrences during the clinical follow-up. Conclusions: When surgical treatment is possible, the exeresis of the lesion is a good therapeutic option in cases of subcutaneous mycoses caused by dematiaceous fungi.

Hemangioma infantil / Infantile haemangioma

Introducción: los hemangiomas infantiles suponen uno de los principales motivos de consulta pediátrica. La nomenclatura para designarlo ha sufrido constantes cambios, lo que ha derivado cierta confusión. Es fundamental el conocimiento de la clasificación actual de las lesiones vasculares que pueden tener características clínicas similares, pero distinta evolución, pronóstico y tratamiento. Objetivo: profundizar y ampliar los conocimientos sobre el diagnóstico y el tratamiento actualizado del hemangioma infantil. Métodos: se realizó una revisión bibliográfica, la localización de artículos fue en las bases de datos informatizadas on-line Medline, Cochrane Library, Lilacs, así como el metabuscador Google. La búsquede se realizó solo entre 2009-2014. Síntesis de la información: los hemangiomas infantiles son los tumores benignos más frecuentes en lactantes. Se observan entre el 1,1 y 2,6 por ciento. Son más frecuentes en la raza blanca, en el sexo femenino (3:1 o 5:1). Se presentan de forma esporádica y pueden localizarse en cualquier región anatómica, con predilección en la cabeza y el cuello. Su diagnóstico es clínico, la mayoría son pequeños y no requieren de tratamiento. Conclusiones: se considera necesario la difusión del conocimiento sobre el hemangioma infantil, ya que somos los receptores iniciales de estos pacientes y su diagnóstico oportuno es vital para iniciar un tratamiento precoz en caso necesario(AU)

Introduction: infantile hemangioma is one of the main reasons for pediatric consultation. The nomenclature used to define this type of lesion has constantly undergone changes throughout history, which has resulted in some confusion. It is essential to have knowledge on the current classification of the different vascular lesions that may have similar clinical characteristics but different progression, prognosis and treatment. Objective: to delve into and broaden knowledge on the current diagnosis and treatment of infantile hemangioma. Methods: a literature review was made to locate articles in the most important on-line databases, including Medline, Cochrane Library, Lilacs, and the meta-searcher Google. The years of publications comprised 2009 through 2014. Data synthesis: infantile hemangiomas are the most frequent benign tumors in breastfed children. They account for 1.1 to 2.6 percent. They are more common in Caucasians, in females (3:1 or 5:1). They occur occasionally and t can be found in any anatomical region, mainly in the head and the neck. Their diagnosis is clinical, most of them are small and do not require treatment. Conclusions: it is necessary to spread the knowledge on infantile hemangioma as we are the first ones to receive these patients, so timely diagnosis is vital to start an early treatment if required(AU)

Disseminated cutaneous atypical mycobacteriosis by M. chelonae after sclerotherapy of varicose veins in a immunocompetent patient: a case report

Atypical mycobacteria are saprophytic organisms not transmitted from person to person, which affect mainly immunosuppressed but also immunocompetent individuals. We present a case of atypical mycobacteriosis after a vascular procedure, with widespread cutaneous lesions associated with polyarthralgia. Mycobacterium chelonae was identified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The patient showed improvement after treatment with three antibiotics. Mycobacterium chelonae causes skin lesions after invasive procedures. The clinical form depends on the immune state of the host and on the entry points. The diagnosis is based essentially on culture and the mycobacteria is identified by PCR. We highlight the importance of investigating atypical mycobacteriosis when faced with granulomatous lesions associated with a history of invasive procedures.

Opções terapêuticas para minimizar transfusões de sangue alogênico e seus efeitos adversos em cirurgia cardíaca: Revisão sistemática / Therapeutic options to minimize allogeneic blood transfusions and their adverse effects in cardiac surgery: A systematic review

Introdução: O sangue alogênico é um recurso terapêutico esgotável. Novas evidências demonstram um consumo excessivo de sangue e uma diminuição das doações, resultando em estoques de sangue reduzidos em todo o mundo. As transfusões de sangue estão relacionadas a aumento na morbimortalidade e maiores custos hospitalares. Deste modo, torna-se necessário procurar outras opções de tratamento. Estas alternativas existem, porém são pouco conhecidas e raramente utilizadas. Objetivo: Reunir e descrever de maneira sistemática, objetiva e prática todas as estratégias clínicas e cirúrgicas, como opções terapêuticas eficazes para minimizar ou evitar transfusões de sangue alogênico e seus efeitos adversos nos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca. Métodos: Foi efetuada uma pesquisa bibliográfica com busca ao descritor “Blood transfusion” (MeSH) e aos termos “Cardiac surgery” e “Blood management”. Estudos com títulos não relacionados diretamente ao tema da pesquisa, estudos que não continham nos resumos dados relacionados à pesquisa, estudos mais antigos que relataram estratégias repetidas foram excluídos. Resultados: Tratar anemia e plaquetopenia, suspender anticoagulantes e antiplaquetários, reduzir flebotomias rotineiras, técnica cirúrgica menos traumática com hipotermia e hipotensão moderada, hemostasia meticulosa, uso de agentes hemostáticos sistêmicos e tópicos, hemodiluição normovolêmica aguda, recuperação sanguínea intraoperatória, tolerância à anemia (oxigênio suplementar e normotermia), bem como várias outras opções terapêuticas mostram ser estratégias eficazes em reduzir transfusões de sangue alogênico. Conclusão: Existem múltiplas estratégias clínicas e cirúrgicas para otimizar a massa eritrocitária e o estado de coagulação, minimizar a perda de sangue e melhorar tolerância à anemia. Estes recursos terapêuticos deveriam ser incorporados à prática médica mundial, visando diminuir o consumo de hemocomponentes, ...

Introdution: Allogeneic blood is an exhaustible therapeutic resource. New evidence indicates that blood consumption is excessive and that donations have decreased, resulting in reduced blood supplies worldwide. Blood transfusions are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, as well as higher hospital costs. This makes it necessary to seek out new treatment options. Such options exist but are still virtually unknown and are rarely utilized. Objective: To gather and describe in a systematic, objective, and practical way all clinical and surgical strategies as effective therapeutic options to minimize or avoid allogeneic blood transfusions and their adverse effects in surgical cardiac patients. Methods: A bibliographic search was conducted using the MeSH term “Blood Transfusion” and the terms “Cardiac Surgery” and “Blood Management.” Studies with titles not directly related to this research or that did not contain information related to it in their abstracts as well as older studies reporting on the same strategies were not included. Results: Treating anemia and thrombocytopenia, suspending anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents, reducing routine phlebotomies, utilizing less traumatic surgical techniques with moderate hypothermia and hypotension, meticulous hemostasis, use of topical and systemic hemostatic agents, acute normovolemic hemodilution, cell salvage, anemia tolerance (supplementary oxygen and normothermia), as well as various other therapeutic options have proved to be effective strategies for reducing allogeneic blood transfusions. Conclusion: There are a number of clinical and surgical strategies that can be used to optimize erythrocyte mass and coagulation status, minimize blood loss, and improve anemia tolerance. In order to decrease the consumption of blood components, diminish morbidity and mortality, and reduce hospital costs, these treatment strategies should be incorporated ...

Correção de defeitos cirúrgicos grandes: técnica da dupla cerclagem / Correction of large surgical defects: double cerclage technique

Feridas cirúrgicas de grandes dimensões requerem fechamento através de retalhos ou enxertos, muitas vezes de difícil execução. A técnica da dupla cerclagem constitui alternativa eficaz para o fechamento direto, mesmo que parcial, desse tipo de defeito. Demonstraremos caso ilustrativo da técnica.

Large surgical wounds can be closed using flaps or grafts, which are often difficult to carry out. The double cerclage technique is an effective option for direct ? though partial ? closure of this type of incision. The technique will be demonstrated using an illustrative case.

Tres médicos mexicanos y su referencia al ejercicio ético moral de la medicina: segunda mitad del siglo XIX / Three Mexican physicians and their moral and ethical reference to the practice of medicine: second half of the 19 century

En la actualidad se habla cada vez más de la suficiencia tecnológica, del aislamiento humano y de la evasión por parte del personal de salud hacia las necesidades afectivas de los pacientes; este enfoque no es reciente. A través de múltiples fuentes, los médicos del siglo XIX mexicano externaron sus inquietudes respecto a la manera como se llevaba a cabo la atención del enfermo; aseguraban que el progreso científico estaba originando la deshumanización de la medicina, haciendo olvidar que el médico trabaja con seres sensibles e inteligentes y que, por tanto, debía ajustar su proceder de acuerdo con la personalidad de sus pacientes. Ante tal situación, los médicos decimonónicos invitaban a la reflexión, a cumplir una serie de deberes frente al enfermo, ante sus colegas y ante las autoridades gubernamentales, lo que nos lleva a concluir que los principios éticos siempre han estado vigentes. Este artículo analiza en particular la postura de tres profesionales de la salud: Francisco Flores (1855-1931), Porfirio Parra (1854-1912) y Adrián de Garay (1860-192?), respecto a cómo debía ser el ejercicio de su profesión; externan que los principios éticos debían estar presentes en todo momento.

Worldwide, the technological revolution is taking place, but the human aspect of health care demonstrates that medical personnel often avoid the responsibility for the emotional care of their patients. This is not a recent point of view. In many ways, during the 19th century, Mexican physicians were outspoken about the problems in regard to the manner in which care of sick persons was carried out. They were certain that scientific progress was the origin of medical dehumanization, frequently forgetting that physicians were treating sensitive and intelligent persons and, therefore, must adjust their behavior in accordance with their patients. Because of this situation, 19th century physicians were invited to share a list of responsibilities and duties to patients, among their professional colleagues as well as among government authorities. In particular, the philosophies of three health professionals were analyzed, Francisco Flores (1855-1931), Porfirio Parra (1854-1912) and Adrián de Garay (1860-192?), in regard to how the practice of medicine should be exercised and that the underlying ethical and moral principles must always be present.

Osteomielitis Crónica en el Hospital Universitario de Caracas / Chronic Osteomyelitis at the University Hospital in Caracas

La osteomielitis crónica (OMC) persiste como un problema de difícil solución, con múltiples recurrencias, limitaciones diagnósticas y terapéuticas que generan complicaciones discapacitantes y numerosas hospitalizaciones. Es consecuencia de un diagnóstico tardío o tratamiento ineficaz, que hacen crucial la adecuada utilización de los métodos diagnósticos y de un tratamiento óptimo. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de los casos de OMC en el Hospital Universitario de Caracas (HUC). Se revisaron las historias del HUC entre enero 1995 y enero 2001, obteniéndose 207 casos, para estudiar las características de la enfermedad con respecto a: edad, sexo, hueso mayormente afectado, factores de riesgo o enfermedades subyacentes, métodos diagnósticos utilizados, microorganismos aislados y tipo de tratamiento. Las características estudiadas fueron similares a lo descrito en la literatura. La radiología fue el estudio más utilizado (84,06%), sin embargo se apreció una subutilización de los métodos diagnósticos disponibles. Se realizó tratamiento combinado médico-quirúrgico (antibioticoterapia y limpieza quirúrgica) en 76,81% de los pacientes, se tomaron muestras óseas para cultivos en 53,83% de los pacientes intervenidos, se apreció un alto porcentaje de recaídas (35,22%) y amputaciones (47,77%), lo que refleja un manejo no óptimo de la OMC, que genera una morbilidad significativa que afecta la calidad de vida e incrementa los costos hospitalarios.

Chronic osteomyelitis (COM) persists as a difficult to solve problem, with multiple recurrences, diagnostic and therapeutic limitations that generate disabling complications, and numerous hospitalizations. It is consequence of a retarded diagnosis or ineffective treatment, which turn make an adequate use of diagnostic methods and optimal treatment crucial. A descriptive study of COM cases seen at the University Hospital in Caracas between January 1995 and January 2001 included a total of 207 cases. The study included the characteristics of the disease regarding age, sex, most compromised bone, risk factors or underlying diseases, diagnostic methods used, microorganisms isolated and type of treatment. The characteristics studied were similar to those described in the literature. Radiology was the most used examination (84.06%); nevertheless, there was a sub utilization of diagnostic methods available. A combined medical-surgical treatment (antibiotics and surgical cleaning) was used in 76.81% of the patients; bone samples for culture were taken from 53.83% of the patients treated; and there was a high percentage of relapses (35.22%) and amputations (47.77%), which reflects a non optimal management of COM, that generates a significant morbidity that affects life quality and increases hospital costs.