Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en la población pediátrica con apendicitis aguda: experiencia en un hospital general de tercer nivel / Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pediatric population with acute appendicitis: Experience at a general, tertiary care hospital

Introducción. La apendicitis constituye la principal causa de abdomen agudo quirúrgico en pediatría. Durante la pandemia por COVID-19, se replantearon las estrategias de manejo ydisminuyeron las consultas en las guardias, lo que podría asociarse a diagnósticos tardíos y complicaciones. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el impacto de la pandemia en los niños con apendicitis aguda. Métodos. Estudio analítico retrospectivocomparativo de pacientes pediátricos conapendicitis aguda durante los cinco meses del confinamiento por COVID-19 versus los meses equivalentes del año previo. Se analizaron la incidencia, la clínica, el estadio, el abordajequirúrgico y las complicaciones. Resultados. Los casos totales de apendicitisse redujeron un 25 % (n = 67 versus n = 50 en 2020). El tiempo medio hasta la consulta fue de 24 horas en ambos períodos (p = 0,989). La incidencia de peritonitis fue del 44 % (n = 22) versus el 37 % (n = 22) (p = 0,22) en 2019. No se evidenció diferencia en los estadios deenfermedad de acuerdo con lo informado en los partes quirúrgicos. En 2019, todas las cirugías se realizaron por vía laparoscópica; en 2020, solo un42 % (n = 21). La incidencia de complicaciones fue del 6 %, contra 7,5 % en el período previo (p = 0,75). Un paciente fue COVID-19 positivo. Conclusión. A pesar de la reducción en el númerode casos de apendicitis, no se evidenció una demora en la consulta en nuestra población. El mayor impacto se asoció a la readecuación del manejo, evitando el abordaje laparoscópico para reducir la diseminación del virus.

Introduction. Appendicitis is the leading cause of surgical acute abdomen in pediatrics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, management strategies were reassessed and the number of visits to the emergency department dropped down, which may be associated with delayed diagnoses and complications. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of the pandemic on children with acute appendicitis. Methods. Analytical, retrospective, comparative study of pediatric patients with acute appendicitis in the 5 months of COVID-19 lockdown versus the same period in the previous year. Incidence, clinical data, stage, surgical approach, and complications were analyzed. Results. The total number of appendicitis cases went down by 25 % (n = 67 versus n = 50 in 2020). The mean time to consultation was 24 hours in both periods (p = 0.989). The incidence of peritonitis was 44 % (n = 22) versus 37 % (n = 22) (p = 0.22) in 2019. No differences were  observed in terms of appendicitis stage based on surgery reports. In 2019, all surgeries were laparoscopic; while in 2020, only 42 % (n = 21). The incidence of complications was 6 % versus 7.5 % in the previous period (p = 0.75). One patient was COVID-19 positive. Conclusion. Although in our population the number of appendicitis cases dropped down, consultation was not delayed. The greater impact was associated with the reformulation of management strategies, in which the laparoscopic approach is avoided to reduce virus transmission.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pediatric population with acute appendicitis: Experience at a general, tertiary care hospital. / Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en la población pediátrica con apendicitis aguda: experiencia en un hospital general de tercer nivel.

INTRODUCTION: Appendicitis is the leading cause of surgical acute abdomen in pediatrics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, management strategies were reassessed and the number of visits to the emergency department dropped down, which may be associated with delayed diagnoses and complications. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of the pandemic on children with acute appendicitis. METHODS: Analytical, retrospective, comparative study of pediatric patients with acute appendicitis in the 5 months of COVID-19 lockdown versus the same period in the previous year. Incidence, clinical data, stage, surgical approach, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The total number of appendicitis cases went down by 25% (n = 67 versus n = 50 in 2020). The mean time to consultation was 24 hours in both periods (p = 0.989). The incidence of peritonitis was 44% (n = 22) versus 37% (n = 22) (p = 0.22) in 2019. No differences were observed in terms of appendicitis stage based on surgery reports. In 2019, all surgeries were laparoscopic; while in 2020, only 42% (n = 21). The incidence of complications was 6% versus 7.5% in the previous period (p = 0.75). One patient was COVID-19 positive. CONCLUSION: Although in our population the number of appendicitis cases dropped down, consultation was not delayed. The greater impact was associated with the reformulation of management strategies, in which the laparoscopic approach is avoided to reduce virus transmission.

Introducción. La apendicitis constituye la principal causa de abdomen agudo quirúrgico en pediatría. Durante la pandemia por COVID-19, se replantearon las estrategias de manejo y disminuyeron las consultas en las guardias, lo que podría asociarse a diagnósticos tardíos y complicaciones. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el impacto de la pandemia en los niños con apendicitis aguda. Métodos. Estudio analítico retrospectivo comparativo de pacientes pediátricos con apendicitis aguda durante los cinco meses del confinamiento por COVID-19 versus los meses equivalentes del año previo. Se analizaron la incidencia, la clínica, el estadio, el abordaje quirúrgico y las complicaciones. Resultados. Los casos totales de apendicitis se redujeron un 25% (n = 67 versus n = 50 en 2020). El tiempo medio hasta la consulta fue de 24 horas en ambos períodos (p = 0,989). La incidencia de peritonitis fue del 44% (n = 22) versus el 37% (n = 22) (p = 0,22) en 2019. No se evidenció diferencia en los estadios de enfermedad de acuerdo con lo informado en los partes quirúrgicos. En 2019, todas las cirugías se realizaron por vía laparoscópica; en 2020, solo un 42% (n = 21). La incidencia de complicaciones fue del 6%, contra 7,5% en el período previo (p = 0,75). Un paciente fue COVID-19 positivo. Conclusión. A pesar de la reducción en el número de casos de apendicitis, no se evidenció una demora en la consulta en nuestra población. El mayor impacto se asoció a la readecuación del manejo, evitando el abordaje laparoscópico para reducir la diseminación del virus.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical skills training in pediatric surgery residents.

PURPOSE: To analyze the initial impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on surgical skills training and performance of Pediatric Surgery Residents. METHODS: Retrospective study considering the modifications on the Pediatric Surgery Residency training from March 1st-May 31st, 2020. Exposure to OR learning opportunities was compared to the same 2018-2019 trimesters. An anonymous survey about self-perception on surgical skills development was also performed. RESULTS: Residents performed 209 procedures as leading surgeons during the 2020 trimester with a mean number of surgeries per resident of 20.9, representing a reduction of 46% and 56.8% compared to the 2018-2019 averages, respectively. Reduction in both the number and the percentage of total procedures (n: 209, 56.8%) compared to both 2019 (n: 354, 68.7%, p: 0.000272) and 2018 (n: 420, 76.1%, p < 0,00,001) showed statistical correlation with no changes in their complexity pattern. From the survey (response rate: 100%), hours dedicated to simulation-based training were highly increased. More time was spent studying, but only 60% achieved better preparation for surgery and 70% perceived a decrease in surgical confidence. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the pandemic promoted new teaching strategies and the use of simulation-based training, it drastically reduced "on-the-job" learning opportunities with potential effects on residents' performance and self-confidence during surgery.

Testis-sparing surgery for testicular tumors in children: a 20 year single center experience and systematic review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Although surgical therapy for testicular tumors (TT) is often radical orchidectomy, tumor resection with preservation of healthy testicular parenchyma has been proposed. This study herein reports a 20 year single center experience applying testicular sparing surgery (TSS) as a primary operative strategy in pediatric patients. A systematic literature review summarizes the utility and outcomes of TSS in appropriately selected patients. METHODS: Pediatric patients with TT who underwent TSS between 1997 and 2018 were studied. TSS was indicated if patients presented evidence of adequately spared healthy testicular parenchyma on preoperative ultrasound and negative serum tumor markers. A systematic review of the literature was also performed. RESULTS: 12 cases met full inclusion criteria with 10 of 12 subjects in the prepubertal age group. Follow-up was 73 months (range 18-278 months). Only a single male patient (GSCCT) presented with early recurrence and orchidectomy was then performed. No cases of postoperative testicular atrophy were identified. Sexual maturation (Tanner stage) expected for age in each patient was documented. Review of the literature identified 34 published studies including 269 patients (94% prepubertal). Pathologic lesions here were mainly mature teratoma(s)-(62%) with a follow-up period of 4 years. Recurrent tumors were observed in only three patients (1.1%) notably two Leydig Cell Tumors and one Teratoma. Testicular atrophy reportedly occurred in only one single case (0.37%). DISCUSSION: TSS is a feasible alternative to radical orchidectomy in pediatric male patients with localized TT and negative tumor markers. Long term follow-up is essential to monitor testicular growth, puberty with sexual development and psychological male health.

Pediatric Robotic Surgery in South America: Advantages and Difficulties in Program Implementation.

Robotic assisted laparoscopic surgery is gaining popularity around the world due to its vast benefits. Although it has been established mainly in developed countries, in South America the robotic programs have become more popular, but its growth is clearly slower. Information about robotic pediatric surgery program in Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina was collected through e-mail surveys. Results were analyzed and compared to worldwide information about robotic surgery. Due to the wide social, economical, and technological gap between hospitals in South America, it is hard to develop a proper pediatric robotic surgery program. The main obstacles in those four countries appear to be a combination of high purchase costs and equipment maintenance, lack of financial coverage of the procedure by insurance companies and the absence of significant benefits proved in pediatrics in relation to laparoscopic surgery. The pediatric specialties are in the process of making and implementing robotic programs supported by the evident development in adult specialties. However, pediatric robotic surgery in Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Argentina do not seems to share that growth.

Tratamiento mínimamente invasivo de una lesión de la vía biliar secundaria a un traumatismo abdominal cerrado: Caso clínico / Minimally invasive treatment of biliary tract injury secondary to closed abdominal trauma: Clinical case

Las lesiones hepáticas y de las vías biliares por causa traumática son poco usuales en la edad pediátrica. Del total de pacientes con trauma abdominal cerrado, menos del 9 % presentan lesión hepática, y la frecuencia varía entre el 2 % y el 3 % de la lesión de las vías biliares. Actualmente, el tratamiento recomendado para el trauma abdominal cerrado con lesión hepática sin repercusión hemodinámica es conservador; en caso de presentar lesión de la vía biliar intra- o extrahepática, los abordajes de preferencia son mínimamente invasivos, como la cirugía percutánea o endoscópica, y se utiliza la laparotomía en casos seleccionados. Se presenta el caso de un paciente con trauma abdominal cerrado y trauma hepático, inicialmente laparotomizado en 2 ocasiones por inestabilidad hemodinámica y hemoperitoneo; presentó un bilioma subdiafragmático y coleperitoneo, en el que se realizó un manejo mínimamente invasivo por drenaje percutáneo bajo control tomográfico.

Hepatic and biliary tract injuries due to traumatic causes are rare in pediatric patients. Of the total number of patients with closed abdominal trauma, less than 9 % have liver injury, and the frequency varies between 2 and 3 % of biliary tract lesions. Currently, the recommended treatment for closed abdominal trauma with liver injury without hemodynamic repercussion is conservative. In case of presenting intra or extrahepatic biliary tract lesion, the preferred approaches are minimally invasive, such as percutaneous or endoscopic surgery, using laparotomy in selected cases. We present the case of a patient with closed abdominal trauma and liver trauma, initially laparotomized on 2 occasions due to hemodynamic instability and hemoperitoneum; presented a subdiaphragmatic and coleperitoneal bilioma; it was performed minimally invasive percutaneous drainage under tomographic control.

[Minimally invasive treatment of biliary tract injury secondary to closed abdominal trauma: Clinical case]. / Tratamiento mínimamente invasivo de una lesión de la vía biliar secundaria a un traumatismo abdominal cerrado: Caso clínico.

Hepatic and biliary tract injuries due to traumatic causes are rare in pediatric patients. Of the total number of patients with closed abdominal trauma, less than 9 % have liver injury, and the frequency varies between 2 and 3 % of biliary tract lesions. Currently, the recommended treatment for closed abdominal trauma with liver injury without hemodynamic repercussion is conservative. In case of presenting intra or extrahepatic biliary tract lesion, the preferred approaches are minimally invasive, such as percutaneous or endoscopic surgery, using laparotomy in selected cases. We present the case of a patient with closed abdominal trauma and liver trauma, initially laparotomized on 2 occasions due to hemodynamic instability and hemoperitoneum; presented a subdiaphragmatic and coleperitoneal bilioma; it was performed minimally invasive percutaneous drainage under tomographic control.

Las lesiones hepáticas y de las vías biliares por causa traumática son poco usuales en la edad pediátrica. Del total de pacientes con trauma abdominal cerrado, menos del 9 % presentan lesión hepática, y la frecuencia varía entre el 2 % y el 3 % de la lesión de las vías biliares. Actualmente, el tratamiento recomendado para el trauma abdominal cerrado con lesión hepática sin repercusión hemodinámica es conservador; en caso de presentar lesión de la vía biliar intra- o extrahepática, los abordajes de preferencia son mínimamente invasivos, como la cirugía percutánea o endoscópica, y se utiliza la laparotomía en casos seleccionados. Se presenta el caso de un paciente con trauma abdominal cerrado y trauma hepático, inicialmente laparotomizado en 2 ocasiones por inestabilidad hemodinámica y hemoperitoneo; presentó un bilioma subdiafragmático y coleperitoneo, en el que se realizó un manejo mínimamente invasivo por drenaje percutáneo bajo control tomográfico.