Quality of Life in Pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery: Cost-Utility Analysis of Laparoscopic Versus Open Appendectomy.

Background: Economic evaluation in health care is becoming increasingly important. Laparoscopic appendectomy (LAp) is one of the most frequent minimally invasive procedures in the pediatric population. The increased costs of this approach in any indication could be justified by proving its cost-utility in terms of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We aim to perform a cost-utility analysis between open and LAp (open appendectomy [OAp] and LAp). Materials and Methods: We included the data of children operated for acute noncomplicated appendicitis, who agreed to answer a validated quality of life (QoL) questionnaire. Costs were calculated for each patient. We established a threshold for cost-effectiveness (λ) of 20,000 to 30,000€ per quality adjusted life year (QALY) according to previous research. Results: A total of 53 patients were included. Overall mean costs in the OAp were 758.98€ and in the LAp 1525.50€. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was 18,000€/QALY, under the threshold of cost-effectiveness, therefore favoring the laparoscopic approach as it improves HRQoL despite the costs. Conclusions: Economic evaluation studies in Pediatric Surgery are scarce and rarely measure outcomes in terms of QoL. This information is important in the decision-making process for institutions and health-care professionals. Our results encourage the use of laparoscopy in pediatric appendectomy to improve HRQoL in our patients.

Diagnóstico de hernia diafragmática congénita de presentación tardía mediante ecografía a pie de cama / Diagnosis of a late-onset congenital diaphragmatic hernia using bedside ultrasound

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Validating 3D indexes in the non-surgical pectus excavatum patient.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: In recent years there has been an increased interest in three-dimensional (3D) imaging for the assessment of chest wall deformities. Some studies have proven a correlation between 3D and traditional cross-sectional images but only for patients who already had an indication for a computed tomography (CT) scan prior to surgery; mainly due to their severity. Our aim is to determine the accuracy and reliability of the measures obtained by a portable 3D scanner in a cohort of pectus excavatum (PE) patients with different severity grades, as well as in controls. METHODS: We conducted a study comparing radiological and optical indexes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 3D surface images. We used a hand-held 3D scanner to obtain the optical Haller Index (3DHI) and Correction Index (3DCI) and a limited MRI scan to obtain the traditional indexes. A statistical analysis was carried out to determine the correlation between optical and radiological measures, plus a subjective severity evaluation. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients and controls were enrolled in the study. In both the control and PE groups, there was a significant positive correlation between the indexes, especially for the CI. There were no differences in correlation regarding gender, age or severity. CI appears to better discriminate amongst the different severity groups and controls. CONCLUSION: 3D surface imaging is feasible and appropriate to use to assess PE, regardless of the severity or characteristics of the individual patient. Even with a small hand-held device, we can obtain accurate images and measures which are especially useful for the assessment of the nonsurgical pectus patient.

Ecografía a pie de cama en el diagnóstico precoz de la enterocolitis necrosante: una estrategia para mejorar el pronóstico / Bedside ultrasound in the early diagnosis of necrotising enterocolitis: A strategy to improve the prognosis

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Prolapso uretral en una niña con sangrado urogenital / Urethral prolapse in a girl with urogenital bleeding

El prolapso uretral es una enfermedad poco frecuente que afecta a la uretra distal. Ocurre, con mayor frecuencia, en niñas negras prepúberes y en mujeres posmenopáusicas. El motivo de consulta suele ser sangrado genital y/o disuria. El tratamiento incluye desde terapia conservadora hasta operaciones quirúrgicas.Se presenta el caso de una niña blanca de 11 años que acudió a Urgencias por flujo vaginal desde hacía 6 días y sangrado genital desde hacía 3 días, que se acompañaba de dolor punzante en la región genital, con disuria ocasional. Se observó una eversión circular de la mucosa uretral con un área granulomatosa y necrótica, por lo que se intervino quirúrgicamente y se realizó una resección del prolapso, con resolución de la clínica

Urethral prolapse is an uncommon condition that involves the distal urethra. It occurs most often in prepuberal black girls and in postmenopausal women. The reason for consultation is usually genital bleeding and/or dysuria. The treatment includes from conservative therapy to surgical interventions.We present the case of an 11-year-old white girl who came to the Emergency Room due to vaginal discharge for 6 days and genital bleeding for 3 days that was accompanied by stabbing pain in genital region, with occasional dysuria. A circular eversion of the urethral mucosa was observed, so the patient was surgically intervened, performing a prolapse resection with clinical resolution

[Urethral prolapse in a girl with urogenital bleeding]. / Prolapso uretral en una niña con sangrado urogenital.

Urethral prolapse is an uncommon condition that involves the distal urethra. It occurs most often in prepuberal black girls and in postmenopausal women. The reason for consultation is usually genital bleeding and/or dysuria. The treatment includes from conservative therapy to surgical interventions. We present the case of an 11-year-old white girl who came to the Emergency Room due to vaginal discharge for 6 days and genital bleeding for 3 days that was accompanied by stabbing pain in genital region, with occasional dysuria. A circular eversion of the urethral mucosa was observed, so the patient was surgically intervened, performing a prolapse resection with clinical resolution.

El prolapso uretral es una enfermedad poco frecuente que afecta a la uretra distal. Ocurre, con mayor frecuencia, en niñas negras prepúberes y en mujeres posmenopáusicas. El motivo de consulta suele ser sangrado genital y/o disuria. El tratamiento incluye desde terapia conservadora hasta operaciones quirúrgicas. Se presenta el caso de una niña blanca de 11 años que acudió a Urgencias por flujo vaginal desde hacía 6 días y sangrado genital desde hacía 3 días, que se acompañaba de dolor punzante en la región genital, con disuria ocasional. Se observó una eversión circular de la mucosa uretral con un área granulomatosa y necròtica, por lo que se intervino quirúrgicamente y se realizó una resección del prolapso, con resolución de la clínica.

Colocación de reservorios venosos centrales mediante una técnica exclusivamente ecoguiada: experiencia preliminar / Insertion of a central venous reservoir using an exclusively ultrasound guided technique: Preliminary experience

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