Epidemiological profile in a tertiary admission unit of spine diseases / Perfil epidemiológico em uma unidade de internação terciária de doenças da coluna vertebral / Perfil epidemiológico en una unidad de internación terciaria de patologias de la columna vertebral

ABSTRACT: Introduction: In March 2020, WHO officially decreed that the world was going through a pandemic, that of Covid-19. In May 2022, in Brazil, the end of measures to deal with the pandemic was decreed. In 2022, there was a movement to return to normal care in the provision of care. Objective: In the present study, we carried out a retrospective descriptive analysis of the epidemiological scenario of the ward of the Spine Group at the Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidade de São Paulo (HC-FMUSP). Method: Data analysis was performed from information gathered in patients' medical records. Results: In the analyzed period, there were 152 consultations in hospitalization, with the main cause being spinal trauma. Of all the cases, only 23.68% were scheduled on an elective basis, which despite being a lower than expected number, was shaped by the demands of urgent care channeled to the service in question. Conclusion: Despite a higher number of cases hospitalized in the post-pandemic period, there is still the expectancy of more elective cases to be treated in the future. Level of Evidence III; Retrospective Case Series Study.

RESUMO: Introdução: Em março de 2020, a OMS decretou oficialmente que o mundo atravessava uma pandemia, a Covid-19. Em maio de 2022, no Brasil, decretou-se o fim das medidas de enfrentamento à pandemia. No ano de 2022, houve um movimento de retorno à normalidade assistencial na prestação de atendimentos. Objetivo: No presente estudo, realiza-se uma análise retrospectiva descritiva do cenário epidemiológico da enfermaria do Grupo de Coluna Vertebral do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HC-FMUSP). Método: A análise dos dados foi efetuada a partir do levantamento de prontuários médicos. Resultados: No período analisado, houveram 152 atendimentos em regime de internação, com a principal causa sendo o traumatismo da coluna vertebral. De todos os casos, apenas 23,68% foram casos agendados em regime eletivo, o que apesar de ser um número abaixo do esperado, foi moldado pelas demandas dos atendimentos de urgência canalizados ao serviço em questão. Conclusão: Apesar do aumento de atendimentos no período pós pandemia, há espaço para maior retomada do volume de casos eletivos no futuro. Nível de Evidência III; Estudo Retrospectivo de Série de Casos.

RESUMEN: Introdución: En marzo de 2020, la OMS decretó oficialmente que el mundo atravesaba una pandemia, la del Covid-19. En mayo de 2022, en Brasil, se decretó el fin de las medidas para enfrentar la pandemia. En el año 2022, hubo un movimiento para volver a la atención normal en la prestación de cuidados. Objetivo: En el presente estudio, realizamos un análisis descriptivo retrospectivo del escenario epidemiológico de la sala del Grupo de Columna Vertebral del Hospital das Clínicas de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidade de São Paulo (HC-FMUSP). Método: El análisis de los datos se realizó con acceso al prontuario médico de los pacientes. Resultados: En el período analizado, hubo 152 consultas en hospitalización, siendo la principal causa trauma espinal. Del total de casos, solo el 23,68% fueron programados de forma electiva que, a pesar de ser un número inferior al esperado, estuvo condicionado por las demandas de atención urgente canalizadas al servicio en cuestión. Conclusión: A pesar del aumento de asistencias en el período postpandemia, hay espacio para una mayor recuperación futura en el volumen de casos electivos. Nivel de Evidencia III; Estudio Retrospectivo de Serie de Casos.

Epidemiology of vertebral fractures evaluated at iot-fmusp from 2019 to 2022 / Epidemiologia das fraturas vertebrais avaliadas no iot-fmusp de 2019 a 2022 / Epidemiología de fracturas vertebrales evaluadas en iot-fmusp del2019 al 2022

ABSTRACT: Objective: To determine the epidemic profile of patients with spinal fractures referred for evaluation by Spine Group of IOT-HCFMUSP between 2019 and 2022. To enable the effect of the Covid-19 Pandemic on these epidemic profiles. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients with spinal fractures referred by the São Paulo Center for the Regulation of Health Offers and Services (CROSS) to the Spine Group of IOT-HCFMUSP between 2019 and 2022. The epidemiological profile between the pre-pandemic Covid-19 period and the period of the Covid-19 pandemic until December 2022 in the city of São Paulo was compared. Results: The medical records of 427 patients were analyzed between March 2019 and December 2022. During the period, males accounted for 71.9% of cases, and the mean age was 46.7 years. Falls from heights were the most frequent trauma mechanism (63.7%), followed by motorcycle accidents (14.3%). The absence of neurological deficit occurred in 76.8% of the cases, and the most injured region was the lumbar region (39.3%). There were changes in the epidemiological profile during the Covid-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic. Conclusions: A predominance of middle-aged males was observed, in addition to the trauma mechanism of falling from a height, as well as the absence of a neurological deficit in the initial evaluation. The lumbar and cervical regions were the most frequent sites of injury. The pandemic period interfered with the epidemiological profile presented and in the time interval between the injury and the evaluation at the IOT-HCFMUSP. Level of Evidence IV; Case Series.

RESUMO: Objetivos: Determinar o perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes com fraturas na coluna vertebral encaminhados para avaliação pelo Grupo de Coluna do IOT-HCFMUSP entre 2019 e 2022. Avaliar o efeito da Pandemia de Covid-19 sobre esse perfil epidemiológico. Métodos: Foram analisados retrospectivamente os prontuários dos pacientes com fratura na coluna encaminhados pela Central de Regulação de Ofertas e Serviços de Saúde (CROSS) de São Paulo ao Grupo de Coluna do IOT-HCFMUSP entre os anos de 2019 e 2022. Foi comparado o perfil epidemiológico entre o período pré-pandemia Covid-19 e o período de pandemia Covid-19 até dezembro de 2022 na cidade de São Paulo. Resultados: Analisou-se o prontuário médico de 427 pacientes entre março de 2019 e dezembro de 2022. No período o sexo masculino correspondeu a 71,9% dos casos, a média da idade foi de 46,7 anos. Queda de altura foi o mecanismo de trauma mais frequente (63,7%), seguido de acidentes de motocicleta (14,3%). A ausência de déficit neurológico ocorreu em 76,8% dos casos, bem como a região mais lesada foi a lombar (39,3%). Houveram mudanças no perfil epidemiológico durante a pandemia de Covid 19 em relação à pré-pandemia. Conclusões: Observado predomínio do sexo masculino de meia idade, além do mecanismo de trauma de queda de altura, bem como ausência de déficit neurológico a avaliação inicial. A região lombar e cervical foram os locais mais frequentes de lesão. O período pandêmico interferiu no perfil epidemiológico apresentado e nos intervalos de tempo entre a lesão e a avaliação no IOT-HCFMUSP. Nível de Evidência IV; Série de Casos.

RESUMEN: Objetivos: Determinar la epidemiología de los pacientes con fracturas vertebrales evaluadas por el Grupo de Columna IOT-HCFMUSP entre 2019 y 2022. Evaluar el efecto de la Pandemia Covid-19 sobre esta epidemiología. Métodos: Análisis retrospectivo de historias clínicas de pacientes con fracturas de columna remitidos por el Central de Regulação de Ofertas e Serviços de Saúde (CROSS) de São Paulo al Grupo de Columna IOT-HCFMUSP entre 2019 y 2022. Se comparó el perfil epidemiológico entre el periodo de la pre-pandemia de Covid-19 y el período de pandemia de Covid-19 hasta diciembre de 2022. Resultados: Serie de casos de 427 pacientes entre marzo de 2019 y diciembre de 2022. En el período, el sexo masculino representó el 71,9% de los casos, la edad promedio fue de 46,7 años. La caída de altura fue el mecanismo traumático más común (63,7%), seguido de los accidentes de motocicleta (14,3%). La ausencia de déficit neurológico se presentó en el 76,8% de los casos, siendo la región lumbar (39,3%) la región más lesionada. Hubo cambios en el perfil epidemiológico durante la pandemia de Covid-19 con relación a la prepandemia. Conclusiones: Hubo predominio del sexo masculino, caídas de altura como mecanismo traumático y ausencia de déficit neurológico en la evaluación inicial. La región lumbar y cervical fueron los sitios de lesión más frecuentes. El período pandémico interfirió con el perfil epidemiológico presentado y los intervalos de tiempo entre la lesión y la evaluación en el IOT-HCFMUSP.

Análise biomecânica das fixações atlantoaxiais: estudo experimental / Análise biomecânica das fixações atlantoaxiais: estudo experimental

Introdução: o tratamento cirúrgico de pacientes com fraturas do processo odontoide tem sido controverso. As principais técnicas cirúrgicas para o segmento C1-C2 incluem além da artrodese cervical (aramagem tipo Gallie, parafusos transarticulares e aramagem tipo 88), a fixação direta com parafuso no processo odontoide. Objetivo: comparar a estabilidade mecânica destes quatro tipos de osteossínteses do segmento atlantoaxial (C1-C2). Metodologia: vinte segmentos atlantoaxiais de cadáveres humanos adultos foram preparados com fraturas do tipo 2 de Anderson e D'Alonso e divididos em quatro grupos: aramagem tipo Gallie (aG); parafusos transarticulares (pT); parafuso no processo odontoide (pD); aramagem tipo 88 (a88). Os corpos de prova foram submetidos a esforços de flexocompressão em máquina universal de ensaios mecânicos para análise de resistência, elasticidade e deformações. Resultados:na fase de acomodação, os parafusos no processo odontoide apresentaram pouquíssima mobilidade com cargas baixas. Na fase de elasticidade, não houve diferença significativa entre as construções testadas. Com relação à resistência máxima suportada pelas construções, houve uma diferença estatisticamente significativa a favor da aramagem tipo Gallie. Conclusão: nossos testes mostraram que em relação à acomodação houve diferença significativa entre a aramagem tipo Gallie e o parafuso no processo odontoide; e quanto à resistência máxima, entre a aramagem tipo Gallie e o parafuso transarticular.

Introduction: the surgical treatment of patients with fractures of the odontoid process has been controversial. The main surgical techniques for C1-C2 are: Gallie wiring, transarticular screw, direct odontoid process screw and 88 posterior laminar wiring. Objective: to compare the mechanical stability of these four types of atlantoaxial segment osteosynthesis (C1/C2). Methodology: twenty atlantoaxial segments of adult human cadavers were prepared with Anderson and D'Alonso type II fractures and divided into four groups: Gallie wiring; transarticular screw; odontoid process screw; 88 wiring. After being fixed with each osteosynthesis technique, they were submitted to flexocompression efforts in a universal mechanical testing machine for analysis of strength, elasticity and deformations. Results: in the accommodation phase, the odontoid process screws showed very little mobility with low loads. In the elasticity phase, there was no significant difference between the constructions tested. With regard to the maximum resistance supported by the constructions, there was a statistically significant difference in favor of Gallie wiring. Conclusion: Our tests showed a significant difference between Gallie wiring and odontoid process screw in accommodation; and between the Gallie wiring and the transarticular screw in maximum resistance test

Effects of ganglioside GM1 and erythropoietin on spinal cord injury in mice: Functional and immunohistochemical assessments

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the functional and immunohistochemical effects of ganglioside GM1 and erythropoietin following experimental spinal cord injury. Methods: Thirty-two male BALB/c mice were subjected to experimental spinal cord injury using the NYU Impactor device and were randomly divided into the following groups: GM1 group, receiving standard ganglioside GM1 (30 mg/kg); erythropoietin group, receiving erythropoietin (1000 IU/kg); combination group, receiving both drugs; and control group, receiving saline (0.9%). Animals were evaluated according to the Basso Mouse Scale (BMS) and Hindlimb Mouse Function Score (MFS). After euthanasia, the immunohistochemistry of the medullary tissue of mice was analyzed. All animals received intraperitoneal treatment. Results: The GM1 group had higher BMS and MFS scores at the end of the experiment when compared to all other groups. The combination group had higher BMS and MFS scores than the erythropoietin and control groups. The erythropoietin group had higher BMS and MFS scores than the control group. Immunohistochemical tissue analysis showed a significant difference among groups. There was a significant increase in myelinated axons and in the myelinated axon length in the erythropoietin group when compared to the other intervention groups (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Erythropoietin and GM1 have therapeutic effects on axonal regeneration in mice subjected to experimental spinal cord injury, and administration of GM1 alone had the highest scores on the BMS and MFS scales.

Impact of the covid-19 pandemic on spine surgery in a tertiary health care institution / Impacto da pandemia de covid-19 nas cirurgias de coluna em uma instituição terciária de saúde

ABSTRACT Objectives: To assess postoperative complications, including COVID-19 infection, among patients undergoing surgeries at a tertiary institution during the pandemic, and to develop a local epidemiological profile of spine surgery patients. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study of all patients who underwent spine surgery between March 2020 and 14 January 2021 in a tertiary institution in Latin America. All patients who underwent spine surgery were included, without age restrictions. The main outcomes were postoperative complications, including COVID-19 infection. Results: 74 patients were included in the study, 43 males and 31 females. The average age was 49.6 years. The mean duration of hospitalization was 11.5 days. Urgent surgeries were performed in 60.81% of cases. During hospitalization, only 5 of 74 patients were diagnosed with COVID-19, and only 1 patient had pulmonary involvement estimated to be greater than 50%. On average, 1.9 surgical debridements were required after postoperative surgical site infection. Conclusions: During the hospitalization period, only 6.7% of patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. The COVID-19 infection death rate was 1 in 5 cases. The postoperative surgical site infection rate was 10.8%, similar to the level before the pandemic. Level of Evidence IV; Observational retrospective descriptive study .

RESUMO Objetivos: Avaliar complicações pós-cirúrgicas, incluindo infecções por COVID-19, entre pacientes cirúrgicos numa instituição terciária de saúde durante a pandemia, e desenvolver um perfil epidemiológico local de pacientes de cirurgias da coluna. Métodos: estudo descritivo e retrospectivo de todos os pacientes que passaram por cirurgias da coluna entre março de 2020 e 14 de janeiro de 2021, numa instituição terciária na América Latina. Todos os pacientes que passaram por cirurgias na coluna foram incluídos, sem restrição de idade. Os principais resultados foram complicações pós-cirúrgicas, incluindo a infecção por COVID-19. Resultados: 74 pacientes foram incluídos no estudo, 43 do sexo masculino e 31 do feminino. A média de idade foi de 49.6 anos. A duração média da hospitalização foi de 11.5 dias. Cirurgias urgentes foram realizadas em 60.81% dos casos. Durante a hospitalização, apenas 5 dos 74 pacientes foram diagnosticados com COVID-19, e apenas 1 deles teve envolvimento pulmonar estimado em mais que 50%. Em média, 1,9 desbridamentos cirúrgicos foram necessários após infecção do sítio cirúrgico. Conclusões: Durante o período de hospitalização, apenas 6,37% dos pacientes foram diagnosticados com infeção por COVID-19. A taxa de mortes devido à infecção por COVID-19 foi de 1 em 5. Infecções do sítio cirúrgico atingiram uma taxa de 10.8%, nível similar àquele prévio à pandemia. Nível de evidência IV ; Estudo observacional retrospectivo descritivo .

Comparison between start back screening tool and dram for detection of psychosocial factors in low back pain / Comparação entre start back screening tool e dram na detecção de fatores psicossociais em dor lombar / Comparación entre start back screening tool y dram en la detección de factores psicosociales en dolor lumbar

ABSTRACT Objective: To correlate the results of the STarT Back Screening Tool and DRAM questionnaires, applied simultaneously, in a population with low back pain. Methods: Comparative cross-sectional study with 84 participants with low back pain assessed by both STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST) and DRAM questionnaires. The degree of correlation between the two questionnaires was analyzed through the evaluation of individualized data and using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: According to the DRAM, 19% of the patients were classified as "normal", 32.1% as "at risk" and 48.8% as "distressed". According to SBST, 59.5% of patients were classified as "low risk", 31% as "medium risk" and 9.5% as "high risk". Applying the Spearman's coefficient to evaluate the degree of correlation between the two questionnaires, a value of 0.4 was obtained. This shows that there is a positive, but weak, correlation (p <0.001) between the two questionnaires. Conclusion: There is a positive correlation between the two questionnaires, but the DRAM showed a greater tendency to classify patients with some degree of psychological distress when compared to the SBST. Both questionnaires are effective in identifying these factors, but the data suggest that the DRAM may be more effective as a screening tool in patients with low back pain, in view of the higher number of patients identified. Level of evidence III; Diagnostic test study.

RESUMO Objetivo: Correlacionar os resultados dos questionários STarT Back Tool e DRAM, aplicados em um único tempo, a uma população com dor lombar. Métodos: Estudo transversal comparativo com 84 participantes portadores de dor lombar baixa submetidos aos questionários STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST) e DRAM. O grau de correlação entre os dois questionários foi analisado pela avaliação dos dados individualizados e do coeficiente de correlação de Spearman. Resultados: De acordo com o DRAM, 19% dos pacientes foram classificados como "normais", 32,1% "em risco" e 48,8% se enquadraram no subgrupo "distressed". De acordo com o SBST, 59,5% dos pacientes foram classificados como "baixo risco", 31% "risco médio" e 9,5% "alto risco". Ao aplicar o coeficiente de Spearman para avaliar o grau de correlação entre os dois questionários, foi obtido o valor de 0,4. Isso mostra que há uma correlação positiva entre os dois questionários, embora seja considerada correlação fraca (p < 0,001). Conclusão: Há uma correlação positiva entre os dois questionários, porém o DRAM mostrou tendência maior a identificar pacientes com algum grau de transtorno psíquico quando comparado com o SBST. Ambos os questionários são efetivos para identificar esses fatores, mas os dados sugerem que o DRAM talvez seja mais efetivo como ferramenta de triagem em pacientes com dor lombar baixa, em virtude do maior número de doentes identificados. Nível de evidência III; Estudo diagnóstico.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Correlacionar los resultados de los cuestionarios STarT Back Tool y DRAM, aplicados de una sola vez, en una población con dolor lumbar. Métodos: Estudio transversal comparativo con 84 participantes con dolor lumbar evaluados por los cuestionarios STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST) y DRAM. El grado de correlación entre los dos cuestionarios se analizó mediante la evaluación de datos individualizados y del coeficiente de correlación de Spearman. Resultados: Según DRAM, el 19% de los pacientes fue clasificado como "normal", el 32,1% como " en riesgo" y el 48,8% se encuadró en el subgrupo "distressed". Según SBST, el 59,5% de los pacientes fue considerado como de "bajo riesgo", el 31% de "riesgo medio" y el 9,5% de "alto riesgo". Al aplicar el coeficiente de Spearman para evaluar el grado de correlación entre los dos cuestionarios, se obtuvo un valor de 0,4. Ello demuestra que existe una correlación positiva, pero débil (p <0,001) entre los dos cuestionarios. Conclusión: Existe una correlación positiva entre los dos cuestionarios, pero DRAM mostró una mayor tendencia a identificar pacientes con algún grado de trastorno psicológico en comparación con SBST. Ambos cuestionarios son eficaces para identificar estos factores, pero los datos sugieren que DRAM puede ser más eficaz como herramienta de detección en pacientes con dolor lumbar, debido al mayor número de pacientes identificados. Nivel de evidencia III; Estudio diagnóstico.

Complications after partial, total or extended sacrectomy: a case series / Complicações depois de sacrectomia parcial, total ou estendida: série de casos / Complicaciones después de sacrectomía parcial, total o extendida: serie de casos

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to conduct a survey of the different complications of partial, total or extended sacrectomy for the treatment of spinal tumors. Method This study is a descriptive analysis of medical records from a series of 18 patients who underwent sacrectomy between 2010 and 2019 at a tertiary center specializing in spinal tumor surgeries. The variables analyzed were sex, age, hospitalization time, oncologic diagnosis, posterior fixation pattern, rate of complications, and Frankel, ASA and ECOG scales. Results Of the 18 patients, 10 (55.5%) were male and 8 (44.5%) were female, and the mean age was 48 years. The mean hospitalization time was 23 days. Of the 18 patients, 8 (44.5%) contracted postoperative infections requiring surgery. Perioperative complications included liquoric fistula (22.25%), hemodynamic instability requiring vasoactive drugs in the immediate postoperative period (22.25%), wound dehiscence (11.1%), acute obstructive abdomen (11.1%), occlusion of the left external iliac artery (11.1%), immediate postoperative death due to acute myocardial infarction (11.1%), and intraoperative death due to hemodynamic instability (11.1%). Conclusions Partial, total or extended sacrectomy is a complex procedure with high morbidity and mortality, even in centers specializing in the treatment of spinal tumors. Level of evidence IV; case series study.

RESUMO Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo é fazer um levantamento das diferentes complicações da sacrectomia parcial, total ou estendida para tratamento de tumores da coluna vertebral. Métodos O estudo é uma análise descritiva de prontuários de uma série de 18 pacientes submetidos à sacrectomia entre 2010 e 2019 em um centro terciário especializado em cirurgias de neoplasia na coluna. As variáveis analisadas foram sexo, idade, tempo de internação, diagnóstico oncológico, padrão de fixação posterior, taxa de complicações e escalas de Frankel, ASA e ECOG. Resultados Dos 18 pacientes, 10 (55,5%) eram homens e 8 (44,5%) mulheres com média de idade de 48 anos. O tempo médio de internação foi de 23 dias. Dos 18 pacientes, 8 (44,5%) contraíram infecções pós-operatórias com necessidade de cirurgia. As complicações perioperatórias incluíram fistula liquórica (22,25%), instabilidade hemodinâmica com necessidade de medicação vasoativa no pós-operatório imediato (22,25%), deiscência da ferida operatória (11,1%), abdome obstrutivo agudo (11,1%), oclusão da artéria ilíaca externa esquerda (11,1%), óbito pós-operatório imediato por infarto agudo do miocárdio (11,1%) e óbito intraoperatório por instabilidade hemodinâmica (11,1%). Conclusões A sacrectomia parcial, total ou estendida é um procedimento complexo com alta taxa de mortalidade e morbidade, mesmo em centros especializados no tratamento de tumores na coluna. Nível de evidência IV; Série de casos.

RESUMEN Objetivo El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar las diferentes complicaciones de la sacrectomía parcial, total o extendida para el tratamiento de tumores vertebrales. Métodos El estudio es un análisis descriptivo de las historias clínicas de 18 pacientes sometidos a sacrectomía entre 2010 y 2019 en un centro terciario especializado en cirugías de neoplasia de columna. Las variables analizadas fueron sexo, edad, estancia hospitalaria, diagnóstico de cáncer, patrón de fijación posterior, tasa de complicaciones, escalas de Frankel, ASA y ECOG. Resultados De los 18 pacientes, 10 (55,5%) eran hombres y 8 (44,5%) mujeres con una edad promedio de 48 años. La estancia hospitalaria promedio fue de 23 días. De los 18 pacientes, 8 (44,5%) contrajeron infecciones posoperatorias que requirieron cirugía. Las complicaciones perioperatorias incluyeron fístula de líquido cefalorraquídeo (22,25%), inestabilidad hemodinámica que requirió medicación vasoactiva en el posoperatorio inmediato (22,25%), dehiscencia de la herida quirúrgica (11,1%), abdomen obstructivo agudo (11,1%), oclusión de la arteria ilíaca externa izquierda (11,1%), muerte posoperatoria inmediata por infarto agudo de miocardio (11,1%) y muerte intraoperatoria por inestabilidad hemodinámica (11,1%). Conclusiones La sacrectomía parcial, total o extendida es un procedimiento complejo con una alta tasa de mortalidad y morbilidad, incluso en centros especializados en el tratamiento de tumores de la columna. Nivel de evidencia IV; Series de casos

Risk Factors Associated with Postoperative Infection in Cancer Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the rate of and main risk factors for postoperative infection in cancer patients who underwent spine surgery in the last 5 years in order to determine whether there is an association between postoperative infection and increased mortality during hospitalization. METHODS: All cancer patients who underwent surgical procedures between January 2015 and December 2019 at a single hospital specializing in spine cancer surgery were analyzed. The primary outcome of interest was postoperative infection. Bivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for each variable in relation to the occurrence of infection. RESULTS: We evaluated 324 patients, including 176 men (54.3%) and 148 women (45.7%) with a mean age of 56 years. The incidence of postoperative infection was 20.37%. Of the 324 patients, 39 died during hospitalization (12%). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical time greater than 4 hours, surgical instrumented levels greater than 6, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group of 3 or 4 were associated with an increased risk of postoperative infection, but these factors did not lead to an increase in mortality during hospitalization.

COMVC-19: A Program to protect healthcare workers' mental health during the COVID-19 Pandemic. What we have learned

OBJECTIVE: In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought a work and stress overload to healthcare workers, increasing their vulnerability to mental health impairments. In response, the authors created the COMVC-19 program. The program offered preventive actions and mental health treatment for the 22,000 workers of The Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP). This paper aims to describe its implementation and share what we have learned from this experience. METHODS: Workers were able to easily access the program through a 24/7 hotline. Additionally, a mobile phone app that screened for signs and symptoms of emotional distress and offered psychoeducation and/or referral to treatment was made available. Data from both these sources as well as any subsequent psychiatric evaluations were collected. RESULTS: The first 20 weeks of our project revealed that most participants were female, and part of the nursing staff working directly with COVID-19 patients. The most frequently reported symptoms were: anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances. The most common diagnoses were Adjustment, Anxiety, and Mood disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a mental health program in a multimodal intervention was feasible in a major quaternary public hospital. Our data also suggests that preventive actions should primarily be aimed at anxiety and depression symptoms, with a particular focus on the nursing staff.

Comparative tomographic study of the iliac screw and the S2-alar-iliac screw in children.

OBJECTIVES: The recent advancements in spine fixation aid in the treatment of complex spinal pathologies. Both the iliac screw (IS) and the S2-alar-iliac (S2AI) screw provide adequate stability in the fixation of complex lumbosacral spine pathologies, leading to a significant increased rate of using these techniques in the daily practice of the spine surgeons. This study aims to analyze, describe, and compare the insertion and positioning parameters of the S2AI screw and IS techniques in children without spinal deformities. METHODS: An observational retrospective study was conducted at a university hospital in 2018, with 25 computed tomography (CT) images selected continuously. Mann-Whitney-Shapiro-Wilk tests were performed. The reliability of the data was assessed using the intraclass correlation. The data were stratified by age group only for Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS: The mean age was 11.7 years (4.5 SD). The mean IS length was 106.63 mm (4.59 SD). The mean length of the S2AI screw was 104.13 mm (4.22 SD). The mean skin distance from the IS entry point was 28.13 mm (4.27 SD) and that for the S2AI screw was 39.96 mm (4.54 SD). CONCLUSIONS: Through CT, the S2AI screw trajectory was observed to have a greater bone thickness and skin distance than the IS. There was a linear correlation between age and screw length for both techniques. A similar relationship was observed between skin distance and age for the S2AI screw technique. In children, the S2AI screw technique presents advantages such as greater cutaneous coverage and implant thickness than the IS technique.