Giant squamous cell carcinoma developed on a mesh-related enterocutaneous fistula: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Squamous cell carcinoma degeneration on enterocutaneous fistulas (EF) is infrequent. There are some reports of malignant conversion in Crohn's disease-associated fistulas. Literature about the malignant development of mesh-related EF is even more limited. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: A 66-year-old patient who developed necrotizing pancreatitis was managed through an open necrosectomy approach with a prolonged open abdomen that derived an incisional hernia which was repaired using a synthetic mesh. Years later, the patient was admitted to the service because of hypovolemic shock due to gastrointestinal bleeding. An abdominal wound with mesh exposition and cloudy discharge was observed. A high-output enterocutaneous fistula diagnosis was established. After an institutional surgical committee, a surgical approach was defined, a 60 cm en-block resection of the involved small bowel was done, and the surgical specimen was obtained for histopathological analysis. DISCUSSION: The use of prosthetic mesh in the case of incisional hernias is associated with a higher incidence of complications. However, there is no evidence of the development of squamous cell carcinoma developed on a mesh-related enterocutaneous fistula. This is a condition associated with Chron's disease and its diagnosis should be suspected by the exacerbation of local signs and symptoms. The scarce literature published suggests that this pathology can be managed by radical surgery and even chemoradiation, the last one required only for patients with associated Chron's disease. CONCLUSION: Squamous Cell Carcinoma developed on a mesh-related enterocutaneous fistula is a rare condition with no classic signs and symptoms that allow diagnostic identification.

Retrospective validation of parkland grading scale in a Latin-American high-volume center.

BACKGROUND: Increased complication rates following laparoscopic cholecystectomies have been described, likely related to surgical difficulty, anatomical variations, and gallbladder inflammation severity. Parkland Grading Scale (PGS) stratifies the severity of intraoperative findings to predict operative difficulty and complications. This study aims to validate PGS as a postoperative-outcome predictive tool, comparing its performance with Tokyo Guidelines Grading System (TGGS). METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective cohort study where PGS and TGGS performances were evaluated regarding intraoperative and postoperative outcomes. Both univariate and bivariate analyses were performed on each severity grading scale using STATA-SE 16.0 software. Additionally, we proposed a Logistic Regression Model for each scale. Their association with outcomes was compared between both scales by their Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve. RESULTS: 400 Patients were included. Grade 1 predominance was observed for both PGS and TGGS (47.36% and 25.3%, respectively). A positive association was observed between higher PGS grades and inpatient postoperative care, length of stay, ICU care, and antibiotic requirement. Based on the area under the ROC curve, better performance was observed for PGS over TGGS in the evaluated outcomes. CONCLUSION: PGS performed better than TGGS as a predictive tool for inpatient postoperative care, length of stay, ICU, and antibiotic requirement, especially in severe cases.

Transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy for the resection of large size pheochromocytoma: Case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that form in chromaffin cells of the neural crest during the embryological period. In the overall population, incidence rate is 0.1%; lack of early diagnosis or adequate treatment can lead to life-threatening complications. The secretion of catecholamines, such as adrenaline or norepinephrine, produces paroxysmal headache, palpitations and arterial hypertension. Secondary, hyperglycemic crises may also appear, thus contributing to misdiagnosis of diabetes mellitus or diabetic ketoacidosis. Surgery prevails as primary treatment; despite its subsequent high mortality rate of up to 50% during the intra and postoperative periods. CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a 55-year-old man, diagnosed in 2012 with arterial hypertension and almost uncontrollable labile arterial hypertension, who had been medicated with second and third-line antihypertensive drugs, but, who, nonetheless showed no clinical improvement. Biochemical profile studies showed elevated normetanephrine and metanephrine levels; and an abdominal MRI, a markedly vascularized, 72 × 62 mm diameter solid mass in the right adrenal fossa; thereby leading to its classification as a large, noradrenergic phenotype pheochromocytoma. DISCUSSION: In 2018, at the Fundación de Santa Fe de Bogotá Hospital, patient underwent Transperitoneal Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy, which proceeded without complications. In the 6-month postoperative follow-up, patient remained asymptomatic for cardiovascular risk and maintained stable blood pressure within goals; consequently, antihypertensive therapy was suspended. CONCLUSION: Despite advances in surgical technique and perioperative management, minimally invasive surgery for resection of large pheochromocytoma is a challenging procedure, due to risk of intraoperative hemodynamic instability.

Acute abdomen in the centanary patient, mesh migration into the sigmoid colon after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (TAPP): A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: The complications induced by mesh, such as foreign body reaction, deep-seated infection, mesh migration and perforation into viscera, have been reported sporadically. Colon erosion and penetration by laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair mesh can possibly cause perforation of the colon with acute abdomen. CASE PRESENTATION: A 100-year-old male, who underwent 4 years ago TAPP repair of left inguinal, presented to the emergency department with acute abdomen due to chronic mesh penetration into the sigmoid colon, the migrating mesh generated a free wall perforation with generalized fecal peritonitis. DISCUSSION: Tailoring the mesh, appropriate suture placement and adherence to principles of antisepsis during hernia repair surgery are crucial in avoiding longterm mesh-related complications. CONCLUSION: TAPP is a safe procedure for treat groin hernias, unless, mesh complications like foreign body reaction, deep-seated infection, mesh migration and perforation.

Sexual and reproductive health for young adults in Colombia: teleconsultation using mobile devices.

BACKGROUND: Sexual risk behaviors associated with poor information on sexuality have contributed to major public health problems in the area of sexual and reproductive health in teenagers and young adults in Colombia. OBJECTIVE: To report our experience with the use of DoctorChat Mobile to provide sexual education and information among university students in Bogota, Colombia, and knowledge about the sexual risk factors detected among them. METHODS: A mobile app that allows patients to ask about sexual and reproductive health issues was developed. Sexual and reproductive risk behaviors in a sample of young adults were measured before and after the use of the app through the validated survey Family Health International (FHI) Behavioral Surveillance Survey (BSS) for Use With Adults Between 15 and 49 Years. A nonprobabilistic convenience recruitment was undertaken through the study´s webpage. After completing the first survey, participants were allowed to download and use the app for a 6-month period (intervention), followed by completion of the same survey once again. For the inferential analysis, data was divided into 3 groups (dichotomous data, discrete quantitative data, and ordinal data) to compare the results of the questions between the first and the second survey. The study was carried out with a sample of university students between 18 and 29 years with access to mobile phones. Participation in the study was voluntary and anonymous. RESULTS: A total of 257 subjects met the selection criteria. The preintervention survey was answered by 232 subjects, and 127 of them fully answered the postintervention survey. In total, 54.3% (69/127) of the subjects completed the survey but did not use the app, leaving an effective population of 58 subjects for analysis. Of these subjects, 53% (31/58) were women and 47% (27/58) were men. The mean age was 21 years, ranging between 18 and 29 years. The differences between the answers from both surveys were not statistically significant. The main sexual risk behaviors identified in the population were homosexual intercourse, nonuse of condoms, sexual intercourse with nonregular and commercial partners, the use of psychoactive substances, and lack of knowledge on symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV transmission. CONCLUSIONS: Although there were no differences between the pre- and postintervention results, the study revealed different risk behaviors among the participating subjects. These findings highlight the importance of promoting high-impact educational strategies on this matter and the importance of providing teenagers and young adults with easily accessible tools with reliable health information, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Costo-efectividad de la colecistectomía laparoscópica y de la abierta en una muestra de población colombiana / Cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy

Introducción. La colecistectomía ha sido objeto de varios estudios clínicos y de costos a nivelmundial. Objetivo. Evaluar el costo-efectividad de la colecistectomía abierta y de la laparoscópica desde laperspectiva del tercer pagador. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio de costo-efectividad en dos hospitales de Bogotá. Se obtuvieron los datos de efectividad de las cirugías a partir de un estudio de cohortes, y se obtuvo enforma retrospectiva el tipo de colecistectomía y en forma prospectiva, el resultado. Se incluyeron 376 pacientes intervenidos por colecistitis o litiasis de mayo de 2005 a junio de 2006; 156 pacientes fueron intervenidos por colecistectomía abierta y 220 por laparoscopia. Los resultados que se analizaron fueron los siguientes: frecuencia de complicaciones, estancia hospitalaria, reincorporación a las labores cotidianas y duración de la cirugía. Los costos se recolectaron según el tipo de estudio económico y sólo se incluyeron los costos directos. Posteriormente, se planteó un estudio de costo-efectividad a un año desde la perspectiva del tercer pagador; se propuso un modelo de árbol de decisiones y se calcularon las razones de incremento de costo-efectividad para cada uno de los desenlaces propuestos. Resultados. Los resultados de la colecistectomía abierta frente a la laparoscópica fueron: OR ajustado de complicaciones: 2,02 (IC95% 0,94-4,37); conversión quirúrgica (tasa): 3,2%; estancia: 2,2 Vs. 1,6,p=0,003; reincorporación a cotidianidad: 32,5 Vs. 9,6, p<0,001; duración quirúrgica: 22 minutos (p<0,001) menor en la colecistectomía abierta; desde la perspectiva del tercer pagador, costo promedio: US$995 Vs. US$ 1.048; incremento del costo-efectividad: US$ 7,4 favoreciendo la laparoscópica; desde la perspectiva paciente, costo promedio: US$ 53.2 Vs. US$ 104,8; incremento del costo-efectividad: US$-7.3 favoreciendo la laparoscópica; cero mortalidad. La variable que más impactó tiene en la toma de decisiones en términos de costos es el costo del procedimiento quirúrgico. Conclusiones. Hubo mayor estancia hospitalaria en la colecistectomía abierta frente a la mayor duración quirúrgica en la laparoscópica; en el costo directo de la laparoscópica: menor para IPS y pacientes; y en costo-efectividad equiparable para ambos procedimientos.

Introduction. Cholecystectomy has been the subject of several clinical and cost comparison studies. Objective. The results of open or laparoscopy cholecystectomy were compared in terms of cost and effectiveness from the perspective of health care institutions and from that of the patients. Materials and methods. The cost-effectiveness study was undertaken at two university hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia. The approach was to select the type of cholecystectomy retrospectively and then assess the result prospectively. The cost analysis used the combined approach of micro-costs and daily average cost. Patient resource consumption was gathered from the time of surgery room entry to time of discharge. A sample of 376 patients with cholelithiasis/cystitis (May 2005-June 2006) was selected--156 underwent open cholecystectomy and 220 underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The following data were tabulated: (1) frequency of complications and mortality, post-surgical hospital stay, (2) reincorporation to daily activities, (3) surgery duration, (4) direct medical costs, (5) costs to the patient, and (6) mean and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Results. Frequency of complications was 13.5% for open cholecystectomy and 6.4% for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p=0.02); hospital stay was longer in open cholecystectomy than in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p=0.003) as well as the reincorporation to daily activities reported by the patients (p<0.001). The duration of open cholecystectomy was 22 min longer than laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p<0.001). The average cost of laparoscopic cholecystectomy was lower than open cholecystectomyand laparoscopic cholecystectomy was more cost-effective than open cholecystectomy (US$ 995 vs. US$ 1,048, respectively). The patient out-of-pocket expenses were greater in open cholecystectomy compared to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p=0.015). Mortality was zero. Conclusions: The open laparoscopy procedure was associated with longer hospital stays, where asthe cholecystectomy procedure required a longer surgical duration. The direct cost of the latter was lower for both for the health care institution and patients. The cost-effectiveness for both procedures was comparable.

[Cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy]. / Costo-efectividad de la colecistectomía laparoscópica y de la abierta en una muestra de población colombiana.

INTRODUCTION: Cholecystectomy has been the subject of several clinical and cost comparison studies. OBJECTIVE: The results of open or laparoscopy cholecystectomy were compared in terms of cost and effectiveness from the perspective of health care institutions and from that of the patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cost-effectiveness study was undertaken at two university hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia. The approach was to select the type of cholecystectomy retrospectively and then assess the result prospectively. The cost analysis used the combined approach of micro-costs and daily average cost. Patient resource consumption was gathered from the time of surgery room entry to time of discharge. A sample of 376 patients with cholelithiasis/cystitis (May 2005-June 2006) was selected--156 underwent open cholecystectomy and 220 underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The following data were tabulated: (1) frequency of complications and mortality, post-surgical hospital stay, (2) reincorporation to daily activities, (3) surgery duration, (4) direct medical costs, (5) costs to the patient, and (6) mean and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. RESULTS: Frequency of complications was 13.5% for open cholecystectomy and 6.4% for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p=0.02); hospital stay was longer in open cholecystectomy than in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p=0.003) as well as the reincorporation to daily activities reported by the patients (p<0.001). The duration of open cholecystectomy was 22 min longer than laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p<0.001). The average cost of laparoscopic cholecystectomy was lower than open cholecystectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy was more cost-effective than open cholecystectomy (US$ 995 vs. US$ 1,048, respectively). The patient out-of-pocket expenses were greater in open cholecystectomy compared to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p=0.015). Mortality was zero. CONCLUSIONS: The open laparoscopy procedure was associated with longer hospital stays, where as the cholecystectomy procedure required a longer surgical duration. The direct cost of the latter was lower for both for the health care institution and patients. The cost-effectiveness for both procedures was comparable.

A telephone survey of patient satisfaction with realtime telemedicine in a rural community in Colombia.

We conducted a telephone survey of all patients referred to a realtime telemedicine consultation at the Centre for Telehealth in Bogotá. Over a six-month period, 281 teleconsultations were conducted, and we were able to retrieve telephone numbers for 156 patients. Of these, 121 patients (78%) agreed to answer the questionnaire. Eighty percent of the respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the teleconsultation and 63% would use telemedicine again. Sixty-five percent thought that telemedicine improved their medical care. More than 50% believed that telemedicine had a positive effect in terms of medical care improvement, time- and cost-savings. Twenty-seven percent felt that teleconsultation was not as good as a traditional face-to-face consultation. Lack of familiarity with ICT did not appear to act as a major barrier to telemedicine, and cognitive factors may be more important in acceptability to patients and their satisfaction. The results of the present study may also be relevant to the poorest countries of the world, where two-thirds of the population live in rural areas.

Perspectivas en seguridad del paciente: entrevista con líderes colombianos / Perspectives on patient safety: interview with colombian leaders

Desde sus inicios una de las funciones principales de los ingenieros Biomédicos ha sido garantizar la seguridad del paciente en el entorno clínico por medio de la gestión de la tecnología biomédica y la investigación de incidentes tecnológicos. en la actualidad no es difícil encontrar ingenieros Biomédicos como pieza clave de los equipos interdisciplinarios que analizan eventos adversos en las IPS de Colombia. Aún en contextos tecnológicos, sociodemográficos y regulatorios cambiantes, los Ingenieros Biomédicos han tenido la oportunidad de continuar desarrollando y evolucionando su profesión alrededor de la seguridad del paciente por medio de una variedad de habilidades que incluyen el entrenamiento, evaluación, gestión y diseño de tecnología biomédica. en este proceso ha sido relevante el efectivo trabajo en equipos interdisciplinarios, la colaboración entre entornos hospitalarios y la adecuada transferencia de conocimiento a través agentes de cambio; profesionales que ayudan a educar y difundir nuevas prácticas seguras en la atención en salud. esta entrevista está dedicada a estos profesionales y a la gestión tecnológica y cultural que han emprendido en sus instituciones con el fin de gestionar la seguridad del paciente y mejorar la calidad en la atención en salud; con el resultado de convertirlas en instituciones pioneras en colombia. en este artículo se presentan las opiniones de un grupo de “champions” en seguridad del Paciente sobre el impacto de las políticas gubernamentales, los procesos de análisis de eventos adversos y el papel del ingeniero Biomédico en la seguridad del paciente.

since its conception one of the main functions of Biomedical engineers has been to ensure patient safety in the clinical environment through the management of biomedical technology and the investigation of technological incidents. at present it is not difficult to find Biomedical Engineers as a cornerstone in interdisciplinary teams that analyze adverse events in IPS in colombia. even in changing technological, socio-demographic and regulatory contexts, the Biomedical engineers have had the opportunity to continue developing and evolving their work around patient safety through a diversity of skills including training, assessment, management and design of technology. in this process, the effective interdisciplinary teamwork, the collaboration among health care settings and the proper transfer of knowledge through champions have been important factors. this interview is dedicated to these champions and the technological and cultural management that they have undertaken in their institutions to manage patient safety and increase the quality in health care; with the result of transforming their institutions into pioneers in colombia. this article presents the opinions of a group of patient safety “champions” regarding the impact of government policies, the adverse events process and the role of the Biomedical engineer in patient safety.

Access to mobile communication technology and willingness to participate in automated telemedicine calls among chronically ill patients in Honduras.

OBJECTIVES: patients in underdeveloped countries may be left behind by advances in telehealthcare. We surveyed chronically ill patients with low incomes in Honduras to measure their use of mobile technologies and willingness to participate in mobile disease management support. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 624 chronically ill primary care patients in Honduras were surveyed. We examined variation in telephone access across groups defined by patients' sociodemographic characteristics, diagnoses, and access to care. Logistic regression was used to identify independent correlates of patients' interest in automated telephonic support for disease management. RESULTS: participants had limited education (mean 4.8 years), and 65% were unemployed. Eighty-four percent had telephone access, and 78% had cell phones. Most respondents had voicemail (61%) and text messaging (58%). Mobile technologies were particularly common among patients who had to forego clinic visits and medications due to cost concerns (each p < 0.05). Most patients (>80%) reported that they would be willing to receive automated calls focused on appointment reminders, medication adherence, health status monitoring, and self-care education. Patients were more likely to be willing to participate in automated telemedicine services if they had to cancel a clinic appointment due to transportation problems or forego medication due to cost pressures. CONCLUSIONS: even in this poor region of Honduras, most chronically ill patients have access to mobile technology, and most are willing to participate in automated telephone disease management support. Given barriers to in-person care, new models of mobile healthcare should be developed for chronically ill patients in developing countries.

Web-based asynchronous teleconsulting for consumers in Colombia: a 2-year follow up.

BACKGROUND: Remote consultation was implemented in 2006 in our institution, through an open-access Web-based Teleconsulting service: Doctor Chat. This tool was created with the aim of improving access to health care services in Colombia, especially in underserved areas. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to report our experience with the free Web-based application for teleconsultation. METHODS: After validating the tool, we analyzed the queries submitted between May 2007 and June 2009. Requests were classified into three axes: purpose of the query, specialty, and geographic area of origin. Descriptive statistics were gathered for each category (name, email, city, country, age, gender). RESULTS: We received 1624 consultations, with an average of 59 requests per month. 52.7% of the users were aged 18 to 29 years. Users asked mainly about sexual and reproductive health issues. 79.2% of consultations came from Colombia and 32.91% of the users were students. CONCLUSIONS: Doctor Chat is an innovative tool to deliver health care information, but advertising, preventive and technical strategies must be implemented to improve its impact on Colombia's health system.

Prevalence of suicide risk factors and suicide-related outcomes in the National Mental Health Study, Colombia.

A community survey in 4,426 adults was undertaken as part of the World Mental Health Survey Initiative reporting the prevalence and risk factors for suicide-related outcomes in Colombia. Lifetime prevalence estimates of suicide ideation, plans, attempts, and risk factors for suicide-related outcomes were assessed. Retrospective reports of disorders age-of-onset were used to study associations between primary mental disorders and first onset of suicide-related outcomes. Risks of plans and attempts were highest with ideation early age-of-onset and within the first year. The highest risk for ideation and attempt among ideators occurred in the 18-29 age group. After first employment (defined as the first paid job accepted by the respondent) and presence of mental disorders constituted risk factors. Impulse-control disorders were strongest diagnostic predictors.

[Health care workers' perception of the Internet and mobile technologies in Colombia]. / Percepciones de los trabajadores del sector salud frente a Internet y las tecnologías móviles en Colombia.

In July 2007 in Medellín, Colombia, 1,200 health care professionals were asked to complete a questionnaire: of the 493 who participated, the mean age was 31.2 years; 58.8% were physicians; and 97.6% had Internet access, 60.5% on a daily basis and 27.7%, weekly. The preferred place to access the Internet was from home (58%) or from the work place (12.5%); 98% reported having a cell phone, and of those, 80% were interested in using health education tools via cell phone. These are the first data published regarding Internet and cellular phone penetration among health care workers in Colombia. Acceptance of the Internet and mobile systems as health information tools is gaining, and as such, creating a new opportunity for training and harnessing of these new technologies.

Mielolipoma suprarrenal: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Adrenal myelolipoma: case report and literature review

El mielolipoma es un tumor poco frecuente, benigno y, generalmente, asintomático, cuyo hallazgo radiológico suele ser incidental. En ocasiones, puede ser sintomático, en especial cuando el tumor alcanza un gran tamaño y se manifiesta con dolor abdominal. Se ha encontrado correlación con causas de hipertensión secundaria por su asociación esporádica con feocromocitoma y aldosteronoma.Reportamos un caso de adenoma asociado a mielolipoma en un paciente con hipertensión de difícil manejo.

Percepciones de los trabajadores del sector salud frente a Internet y las tecnologías móviles en Colombia / Health care workers' perception of the Internet and mobile technologies in Colombia

In July 2007 in Medellín, Colombia, 1 200 health care professionals were asked to complete a questionnaire: of the 493 who participated, the mean age was 31.2 years; 58.8 percent were physicians; and 97.6 percent had Internet access, 60.5 percent on a daily basis and 27.7 percent, weekly. The preferred place to access the Internet was from home (58 percent) or from the work place (12.5 percent); 98 percent reported having a cell phone, and of those, 80 percent were interested in using health education tools via cell phone. These are the first data published regarding Internet and cellular phone penetration among health care workers in Colombia. Acceptance of the Internet and mobile systems as health information tools is gaining, and as such, creating a new opportunity for training and harnessing of these new technologies.

Necrotizing fasciitis due to Vibrio alginolyticus in an immunocompetent patient.

We describe a patient with a history of asthma and remote use of steroids the development of necrotizing fascitis due to Vibrio alginolyticus after an injury from a coral reef during bathing in the Caribbean Sea off Colombia. The patient recovered with aggressive surgical debridement and antibiotics.