Development of alcohol control law, Sao Tome and Principe.

The World Health Organization (WHO) African Region is struggling with increasing harm associated with alcohol consumption. Legislators of Sao Tome and Principe, concerned about this harm and the high prevalence of alcohol use disorders, designed a comprehensive alcohol control bill to tackle this situation. Input into the design of the bill was obtained through interviews involving many stakeholders. The process had five phases: (i) scoping the problem to understand the social burden of the harm caused by alcohol consumption; (ii) updating the evidence on alcohol policies and identifying areas for legislative interventions; (iii) drafting the bill; (iv) aligning the legislative framework of the bill; and (v) initiating the parliamentary procedure. The new bill scored 92/100 using a standardized alcohol control policy scale. The bill covers all domains of WHO's 2010 global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, and includes the three most cost-effective interventions for reducing alcohol consumption: increased excise taxes on alcohol; bans or comprehensive restrictions on exposure to alcohol advertising; and restrictions on the availability of retailed alcohol through reduced hours of sale. The National Assembly plenary session upheld the bill, which is now under evaluation of the specialized First Commission on Political, Legal, Constitutional and Ethical Affairs. Approval of the bill requires the final voting once it is back with the National Assembly and its promulgation by the President. Drafting an alcohol control bill which is country-led, inclusive, evidence-based and free of interference by the alcohol industry helps prioritize public health objectives over other interests.

La Région africaine de l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS) fait face à une hausse des dégâts causés par l'alcool. Préoccupés par la situation et par la forte prévalence des troubles liés à cette consommation, les législateurs de Sao Tomé-et-Principe ont élaboré un projet de loi détaillé afin d'y remédier. À l'origine de sa conception, plusieurs entretiens avec différentes parties prenantes. Le processus s'est divisé en cinq phases: (i) définir l'étendue du problème pour évaluer le fardeau que les dégâts provoqués par l'alcool font peser sur la société; (ii) actualiser les données probantes relatives aux politiques en matière d'alcool et identifier les domaines nécessitant une intervention législative; (iii) rédiger le projet de loi; (iv) aligner le cadre législatif du projet de loi; et enfin, (v) initier la procédure parlementaire. Le nouveau projet de loi a obtenu un score de 92/100 sur une échelle d'évaluation standard des mesures de lutte contre l'alcool. Il couvre tous les thèmes repris dans la Stratégie mondiale de l'OMS visant à réduire l'usage nocif de l'alcool, publiée en 2010. Il prévoit également les trois interventions les plus rentables en termes de diminution de la consommation d'alcool: l'augmentation des taxes d'accise sur l'alcool; l'interdiction ou l'instauration de conditions strictes en matière d'exposition à la publicité pour l'alcool; et une disponibilité restreinte des boissons alcoolisées dans le commerce en limitant les heures de vente. L'Assemblée nationale a soutenu le projet de loi en séance plénière. Il est désormais en cours d'évaluation au sein de la première Commission spécialisée en affaires politiques, juridiques, constitutionnelles et éthiques. Pour être adopté, le projet de loi doit revenir à l'Assemblée nationale pour un vote final, puis être promulgué par le président. Une loi globale de lutte contre l'alcool, élaborée par le pays lui-même, fondée sur des faits et n'ayant subi aucune ingérence de la part de l'industrie de l'alcool contribue à faire passer les objectifs de santé publique avant d'autres intérêts.

La Región de África de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) está tratando de hacer frente a los crecientes daños derivados del consumo de alcohol. Los legisladores de Santo Tomé y Príncipe, preocupados por estos daños y por la alta prevalencia de los trastornos por consumo de alcohol, diseñaron un proyecto de ley integral para el control del alcohol con el fin de solucionar esta situación. Las contribuciones al diseño del proyecto de ley se obtuvieron a través de entrevistas en las que participaron muchas partes interesadas. El proceso constó de cinco fases: (i) la delimitación del problema para comprender la carga social de los daños causados por el consumo de alcohol; (ii) la actualización de los datos sobre las políticas de alcohol y la identificación de las áreas de intervención legislativa; (iii) la redacción del proyecto de ley; (iv) la adaptación del marco legislativo del proyecto de ley; y (v) el inicio del procedimiento parlamentario. El nuevo proyecto de ley obtuvo una puntuación de 92/100 según una escala estandarizada de políticas para el control del alcohol. El proyecto de ley abarca todos los ámbitos de la estrategia mundial que la OMS puso en marcha en 2010 para reducir el uso nocivo del alcohol, e incluye las tres intervenciones más rentables para reducir el consumo de alcohol: el aumento de los impuestos especiales sobre el alcohol; la prohibición o la restricción general de la exposición a la publicidad del alcohol; y la restricción de la disponibilidad del alcohol al por menor mediante la reducción del horario de venta. La sesión plenaria de la Asamblea Nacional respaldó el proyecto de ley, que ahora está bajo evaluación de la Comisión Primera especializada en Asuntos Políticos, Jurídicos, Constitucionales y Éticos. La aprobación del proyecto de ley requiere la votación final una vez que regrese a la Asamblea Nacional y que el Presidente lo promulgue. La elaboración de un proyecto de ley para el control del alcohol que sea liderado por el país, inclusivo, basado en la evidencia y libre de interferencias por parte de la industria del alcohol ayuda a priorizar los objetivos de salud pública sobre otros intereses.

Mastoidectomia: parâmetros anatômicos x dificuldade cirúrgica / Mastoidectomy: anatomical parameters x surgical difficulty

INTRODUÇÃO: A meninge temporal rebaixada e o/ou seio sigmoide anteriorizado são condições que podem determinar dificuldades cirúrgicas na realização da mastoidectomia. OBJETIVO: Correlacionar a medida do prolapso do seio sigmoide e da meninge temporal na tomografia com a dificuldade cirúrgica na mastoidectomia. MÉTODO: As medidas tomográficas de prolapso sigmóideo e da meninge temporal foram correlacionadas com presença ou não de dificuldade cirúrgica observados durante o procedimento mastoidectomia de pacientes com otomastoidite crônica (n=30). FORMA DE ESTUDO: Coorte contemporânea com corte transversa. RESULTADOS: Em 10 pacientes, observou-se dificuldade cirúrgica assim distribuída: devido ao prolapso do seio sigmoide (n = 2) ou prolapso da meninge temporal (n = 7) ou ambos (n = 1). Nos pacientes cuja dificuldade cirúrgica foi devido ao prolapso do seio sigmoide, a distância na tomografia da borda anterior do seio sigmoide à parede posterior do canal auditivo externo foi menor que 9 mm. Nos pacientes cuja dificuldade cirúrgica foi devido ao prolapso da meninge temporal, a distância tomográfica desta ao plano superior do osso petroso foi 7 mm. CONCLUSÃO: A distância na tomografia computadorizada entre a meninge temporal e o plano superior do osso petroso 7 mm e uma distância do bordo anterior do seio sigmoide à parede posterior do canal auditivo externo inferior a 9 mm são preditivos de dificuldades cirúrgicas durante a mastoidectomia.

INTRODUCTION: The lowered temporal meninges and/ or anterior sigmoid sinus are contiditions that can determine surgical difficulties in performing mastoidectomy. OBJECTIVE: To correlate in the tomography the extent of the prolapse of the sigmoid sinus and of temporal meninges with the surgical difficulty in the mastoidectomy. METHOD: The tomographic measurements of prolapse sigmoid and of temporal meninges were correlated with the presence or non-presence of the surgical difficulty observed during the mastoidectomy procedure in patients with ostomatoiditis chronic (n=30). FORM OF STUDY: Contemporary cohort transverse. RESULTS: In 10 patients were observed surgical difficulty distributed as: due to prolapse of the sigmoid sinus (n = 2) or temporal meninges prolapse (n = 7) or both (n = 1). In patients in which the surgical difficulty was due to sigmoid sinus prolapse, the tomography distance of the anterior border of the sigmoid sinus to posterior wall of external auditory canal was lower than 9 mm. In patients in which surgical difficulty was due to temporal meninges prolapse, the tomographic distance to the upper plane of the petrous bone was 7 mm. CONCLUSION: The computerized tomography distance between the temporal meninges and the upper plane of the petrous bone 7 mm and the distance of the anterior border of the sigmoid sinus to posterior wall of external auditory canal was lower than 9 mm are predictive to the surgical difficulties to perform mastoidectomy.

Biópsia de nasofaringe em Serviço de Otorrinolaringologia: correlação clínico histopatológico / Nasopharyngeal biosy in an Otorhinolaryngology Service: clinical histopathological correlation

Os tumores de nasofaringe são afecções raras. Devido à grande diversidade de lesões dessa região, todos os pacientes com suspeita de tumor em nasofaringe devem se submeter a exame endoscópico nasal e biópsia...

Nasopharyngeal neoplasm are rare diseases. Due to great diversity of lesions affecting this area, all patients suspected to have a nasopharyngeal neoplasm should be submitted to nasal endoscopy and biopsy...

Uso de retalhos na reconstrução da base do crânio após acessos endonasais avançados / Use of pedicled flaps for skull base reconstruction after expanded endonasal approaches

A reconstrução endoscópica da base do crânio após os acessos endonasais é de grande importância na obtenção de bons resultados. Retalhos pediculados têm-se mostrado eficazes e versáteis para a reconstrução de grandes defeitos da base do crânio...

Reconstruction of the skull base after an expanded endonasal approach is critical to achieve a good outcome. Techniques based on these of pedicled flaps have proven to be a reliable and versatile reconstructive option for extensive defects of skull base...

Pólipo antrocoanal: uma revisão de dezesseis casos / Antrochoanal polyp: a review of sixteen cases

INTRODUÇÃO: O pólipo antrocoanal ou pólipo de Killian é uma lesão polipóide solitária benigna, que acomete principalmente crianças e adultos jovens. Estudos demonstram que o pólipo de Killian representa entre 4-6 por cento de todos os pólipos nasais da população em geral. Contudo, na população pediátrica, esta porcentagem atinge 33 por cento. Origina-se de uma hipertrofia da mucosa do antro do seio maxilar próximo ao óstio e desenvolve-se, por estímulo desconhecido, através do óstio do seio maxilar para a cavidade nasal e em direção a coana e parte posterior da nasofaringe, podendo estender-se até a orofaringe. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o resultado do tratamento cirúrgico em pacientes atendidos no Serviço de Otorrinolaringologia do Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal do Ceará, principalmente em relação à técnica cirúrgica empregada e a eficácia de cada técnica no controle da doença. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Trata-se de um trabalho retrospectivo, realizado através da análise dos prontuários dos pacientes submetidos à polipectomia por pólipos de Killian ou por outros pólipos nasais, atendidos no período de 01.03.1991 a 30.04.2001, no Setor de Otorrinolaringologia do Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio da Universidade Federal do Ceará. RESULTADOS: Nove pacientes (56,6 por cento) eram do sexo masculino e 7 (43,8 por cento) do sexo feminino. Onze (68,75 por cento) pacientes encontravam-se na faixa etária entre 8 e 20 anos de idade. Os sintomas predominantes foram obstrução nasal unilateral (81,3 por cento) e rinorréia purulenta (43,8 por cento). A cirurgia mais comumente empregada foi a abordagem combinada externa e endonasal em 87,5 por cento dos casos. A cirurgia do pólipo antrocoanal correspondeu a 21,6 por cento de todos os procedimentos cirúrgicos realizados no mesmo período para remoção de pólipos nasais. Houve uma taxa de recidiva pós-operatória de 12,5 por cento. CONCLUSÕES: Pólipo antrocoanal...

INTRODUCTION: An Antrochoanal polyp, or KillianÆs polyp is a benign solitary polypoid lesion that affects mainly children and young adults. Studies demonstrate that KillinÆs polyp generally represents 4-6 percent of all nasal polyps. However, in the pediatric population this percentage reaches 33 percent. It originates from a hypertrophy of the mucous membrane on the maxillary sinus antrum, and it grows for unknown reasons, through the maxillary sinus ostium towards the nasal cavity and the choana - the posterior portion of the pharynx. AIM: To evaluate the result of the surgical treatment on patients assisted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the Walter Cantídio University Hospital - Medical School of the Federal University of Ceará, mainly on the surgical technique employed and the efficacy of each technique in controlling the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study, accomplished through a chart analysis from the patients submitted to polypectomy because of KillianÆs polyps or other nasal polyps, operated from March 1st, 1991 to April 30th of 2001, in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the Medical School of the Walter Cantídio University Hospital of the Federal University of Ceará. RESULTS: Nine patient (56.6 percent) were males and 7 (43.8 percent) were females. Eleven (68.75 percent) patients were between 8 and 20 years of age. Predominant symptoms were unilateral nasal obstruction (81.3 percent) and purulent rhinorrhoea (43.8 percent). The most common procedure employed was the combined approach: external and endonasal, in 87.5 percent of the cases. Antrochoanal polyp removal procedure accounted for 21.6 percent of all the surgical procedures accomplished in the same period for the removal of nasal polyps. Postoperative recurrence was of 12.5 percent. CONCLUSIONS: Antrochoanal polyp was an affection that prevailed among children and young adults. The combined external and endonasal approach was the one...

Efficacy and safety of Sultamicillin (Ampicillin/Sulbactan) and Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections in adults--an open-label, multicentric, randomized trial.

UNLABELLED: Upper respiratory tract infections are the most common causes of medical visits in children and adults, demanding massive use of antibiotics. Bacterial resistance caused by beta-lactamase is one of the most serious problems in this matter. Sultamicillin, a double pro-drug of Ampicillin/Sulbactan, is a potent beta-lactamase inhibitor which can face this challenge. AIM: Evaluate efficacy, safety and tolerability of Ampicillin/Sulbactan compared to Amoxicillin/Clavulanate in upper respiratory tract infections in adults. METHODS: 102 patients were enrolled and randomized to receive Ampicillin/Sulbactan or Amoxicillin/Clavulanate during 10 days. They were evaluated 10 and 30 days after treatment to learn about the therapeutic response. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups respecting cure at the end of treatment (visit 2) or at the end of the study (visit 3). Cure ratio was 61.7% and 93.2% (visits 2 and 3) in the Amoxicillin/Clavulanate group compared to 64.4% and 97.4%, respectively, in Ampicillin/Sulbactan group. The adverse events ratio for the two groups was the same (p=0.940). The number of patients with diarrhea was greater in the group of patients receiving Amoxicillin/Clavulanate (70.6%) than in the group receiving Ampicillin/Sulbactan (29.4%) (p=0.0164). CONCLUSIONS: Ampicillin/Sulbactan is as safe and efficient as Amoxicillin/Clavulanate in the empiric treatment of upper respiratory infections in adults. The low occurrence of diarrhea in the group receiving Ampicillin/Sulbactan needs confirmation in other studies.

Eficácia e segurança de Sultamicilina (Ampicilina/Sulbactam) e Amoxacilina/Clavulanato no tratamento das infecções de via aéreas superiores em adultos: um estudo multicêntrico, aberto e randomizado / Efficacy and safety of Sultamicillin (Ampicillin/Sulbactan) and Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections in adults: an open-label, multicentric, randomized trial

As IVAS em crianças e adultos são os motivos mais freqüentes de consulta médica e os que mais demandam o uso de antibióticos. A crescente resistência bacteriana causada pela produção das beta-lactamases constitui um dos mais sérios problemas atuais. A Sultamicilina é uma pró-droga dupla da ampicilina e do sulbactam, um potente inibidor de beta-lactamases que pode fazer frente a estas dificuldades. OBJETIVO: avaliar a eficácia, segurança e tolerabilidade da Ampicilina/Sulbactan comparada à Amoxacilina/Acido Clavulânico no tratamento de IVAS, em adultos. METODOLOGIA: 102 pacientes com diagnóstico de IVAS foram randomizados em dois grupos recebendo Ampicilina/Sulbactan ou Amoxacilina/Clavulanato por 10 dias. Foram avaliados 10 e 30 dias após para análise da resposta terapêutica. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença entre os grupos com relação à proporção de pacientes curados ao final do tratamento (visita 2) ou do estudo (visita 3). No grupo que recebeu Amoxacilina/Clavulanato, as proporções de cura foram de 61.7 por cento e 93.2 por cento nas visitas 2 e 3, comparadas a 64.4 por cento e 97.4 por cento, respectivamente, no grupo que recebeu Ampicilina/Sulbactan. A proporção de pacientes que experimentou pelo menos um evento adverso foi semelhante nos dois grupos (p = 0.940). A diarréia foi significativamente mais freqüente no grupo Amoxacilina-Clavulanato (70.6 por cento) do que no grupo Ampicilina/Sulbactan (29.4 por cento), (p=0.0164). CONCLUSÕES: A Ampicilina/Sulbactan é tão segura e eficaz quanto a Amoxacilina/Clavulanato no tratamento empírico de IVAS em adultos. A ocorrência significativamente menor de quadros de diarréia no grupo recebendo Ampicilina/Sulbactan necessita confirmação em estudos posteriores.

Upper respiratory tract infections are the most common causes of medical visits in children and adults, demanding massive use of antibiotics. Bacterial resistance caused by beta-lactamase is one of the most serious problems in this matter. Sultamicillin, a double pro-drug of Ampicillin/Sulbactan, is a potent beta-lactamase inhibitor which can face this challenge. AIM: evaluate efficacy, safety and tolerability of Ampicillin/Sulbactan compared to Amoxicillin/Clavulanate in upper respiratory tract infections in adults. METHODS: 102 patients were enrolled and randomized to receive Ampicillin/Sulbactan or Amoxicillin/Clavulanate during 10 days. They were evaluated 10 and 30 days after treatment to learn about the therapeutic response. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups respecting cure at the end of treatment (visit 2) or at the end of the study (visit 3). Cure ratio was 61.7 percent and 93.2 percent (visits 2 and 3) in the Amoxicillin/Clavulanate group compared to 64.4 percent and 97.4 percent, respectively, in Ampicillin/Sulbactan group. The adverse events ratio for the two groups was the same (p=0.940). The number of patients with diarrhea was greater in the group of patients receiving Amoxicillin/Clavulanate (70.6 percent) than in the group receiving Ampicillin/Sulbactan (29.4 percent) (p=0.0164). CONCLUSIONS: Ampicillin/Sulbactan is as safe and efficient as Amoxicillin/Clavulanate in the empiric treatment of upper respiratory infections in adults. The low occurrence of diarrhea in the group receiving Ampicillin/Sulbactan needs confirmation in other studies.

Antrochoanal polyp: a review of sixteen cases.

INTRODUCTION: An Antrochoanal polyp, or Killian's polyp is a benign solitary polypoid lesion that affects mainly children and young adults. Studies demonstrate that Killian's polyp generally represents 4-6% of all nasal polyps. However, in the pediatric population this percentage reaches 33%. It originates from a hypertrophy of the mucous membrane on the maxillary sinus antrum, and it grows for unknown reasons, through the maxillary sinus ostium towards the nasal cavity and the choana--the posterior portion of the pharynx. AIM: To evaluate the result of the surgical treatment on patients assisted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the Walter Cantídio University Hospital-Medical School of the Federal University of Ceará, mainly on the surgical technique employed and the efficacy of each technique in controlling the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study, accomplished through a chart analysis from the patients submitted to polypectomy because of Killian's polyps or other nasal polyps, operated from March 1st, 1991 to April 30th of 2001, in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the Medical School of the Walter Cantídio University Hospital of the Federal University of Ceará. RESULTS: Nine patient (56.6%) were males and 7 (43.8%) were females. Eleven (68.75%) patients were between 8 and 20 years of age. Predominant symptoms were unilateral nasal obstruction (81.3%) and purulent rhinorrhoea (43.8%). The most common procedure employed was the combined approach: external and endonasal, in 87.5% of the cases. Antrochoanal polyp removal procedure accounted for 21.6% of all the surgical procedures accomplished in the same period for the removal of nasal polyps. Postoperative recurrence was of 12.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Antrochoanal polyp was an affection that prevailed among children and young adults. The combined external and endonasal approach was the one most used. Despite maxillary sinus approach to the polyp origin, postoperative recurrence is a possibility.

Endoscopia nasal e a localizacão do sítio de sangramento na epistaxe: a revolucão da última década / Nasal endoscopy and localization of the bleeding source in epistaxis: last decade's revolution

A epistaxe continua sendo uma das emergências otorrinolaringológicas mais comuns e preocupantes. Apesar do grande interesse no assunto, ainda não há consenso com relacão à sua melhor abordagem inicial. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o sítio de sangramento em pacientes com epistaxe ativa ou recorrente. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Clínico prospectivo. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Trinta pacientes adultos com epistaxe ativa ou recorrente foram avaliados com rinoscopia anterior clássica e endoscopia para identificacão do sítio de sangramento na cavidade nasal. RESULTADO: O uso do endoscópio permitiu o diagnóstico do sítio de sangramento em todos os pacientes. CONCLUSAO: O exame endoscópico cuidadoso da porcão posterior da cavidade nasal permite a identificacão do sítio de sangramento na maioria dos casos de epistaxe e deve ser considerado um exame de rotina.

Nasal endoscopy and localization of the bleeding source in epistaxis: last decade's revolution.

UNLABELLED: Epistaxis remains one of the most common otolaryngology emergencies. Despite considerable interest in the subject, there is still no consensus on the most appropriate primary therapeutic modality. AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bleeding source of acute or recurrent epistaxis in adults. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical prospective. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty adults patients with acute or recurrent epistaxis were evaluated through the use of frontal light and endoscope for identification of the bleeding source in the nasal cavity. RESULTS: Use of the nasal endoscope allowed diagnosis of the bleeding site in all patients. CONCLUSION: A careful examination of the posterior nasal cavity allows identification of the bleeding source in most patients and should be a routine procedure.