Occupational exposure to pesticides and symptoms of depression in agricultural workers. A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The use of pesticides can result in harm to both the environment and human health. There is a growing concern in the field of occupational health about the impact on the mental health of agricultural workers. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to systematize scientific evidence from the last ten years on the impact of occupational exposure to pesticides on the development of depression symptoms in agricultural workers. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search in the PubMed and Scopus databases from 2011 to September 2022. Our search included studies in English, Spanish, and Portuguese that examined the association between occupational exposure to pesticides and symptoms of depression in agricultural workers, following the guidelines recommended by the PRISMA statement and the PECO strategy (Population, Exposure, Comparison, and Outcomes). RESULTS: Among the 27 articles reviewed, 78% of them indicated a link between exposure to pesticides and the incidence of depression symptoms. The pesticides most frequently reported in the studies were organophosphates (17 studies), herbicides (12 studies), and pyrethroids (11 studies). The majority of the studies were rated as having intermediate to intermediate-high quality, with the use of standardized measures to assess both exposure and effect. CONCLUSION: The updated evidence presented in our review indicates a clear association between pesticide exposure and the development of depressive symptoms. However, more high-quality longitudinal studies are necessary to control for sociocultural variables and utilize pesticide-specific biomarkers and biomarkers of depression. Given the increased use of these chemicals and the health risks associated with depression, it is crucial to implement more stringent measures to monitor the mental health of agricultural workers regularly exposed to pesticides and to enhance surveillance of companies that apply these chemicals.

A new approach for the acquisition of trauma surgical skills: an OSCE type of simulation training program.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, trauma-related deaths are one of the main causes of mortality. Appropriate surgical treatment is crucial to prevent mortality, however, in the past decade, general surgery residents' exposure to trauma cases has decreased, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, accessible simulation-based training scenarios are essential. METHODS: A low-cost, previously tested OSCE scenario for the evaluation of surgical skills in trauma was implemented as part of a short training boot camp for residents and recently graduated surgeons. The following stations were included bowel anastomosis, vascular anastomosis, penetrating lung injury, penetrating cardiac injury, and gastric perforation (laparoscopic suturing). A total of 75 participants from 15 different programs were recruited. Each station was videotaped in high definition and assessed in a remote and asynchronous manner. The level of competency was assessed through global and specific rating scales alongside procedural times. Self-confidence to perform the procedure as the leading surgeon was evaluated before and after training. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in pre-training scores between groups for all stations. The lowest scores were obtained in the cardiac and lung injury stations. After training, participants significantly increased their level of competence in both grading systems. Procedural times for the pulmonary tractotomy, bowel anastomosis, and vascular anastomosis stations increased after training. A significant improvement in self-confidence was shown in all stations. CONCLUSION: An OSCE scenario for training surgical skills in trauma was effective in improving proficiency level and self-confidence. Low pre-training scores and level of confidence in the cardiac and lung injury stations represent a deficit in residency programs that should be addressed. The incorporation of simulation-based teaching tools at early stages in residency would be beneficial when future surgeons face extremely severe trauma scenarios.

Validity Argument for a Simulation-Based Objective Structured Clinical Examination Scenario for Evaluation of Surgical Skills in Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Trauma is one of the main causes of death globally, and appropriate surgical care is crucial to impact mortality. However, resident-performed trauma cases have diminished in the last 10 years. Simulation-based tools have proven to be effective to evaluate practical skills in a variety of settings. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding proper validation of trauma surgery models. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate under a contemporary validity framework, an objective structured clinical evaluation (OSCE) scenario for the assessment of basic and advanced surgical skills in trauma and emergency surgery. METHODS: An OSCE-type simulation assessment program was developed incorporating six stations representing basic and advanced surgical skills that are essential in trauma surgery. Each station was designed using ex-vivo animal tissue. The stations included basic knots and sutures, bowel resection and anastomosis, vascular end-to-end anastomosis, lung injury repair, cardiac injury repair, and laparoscopic suturing. Eight postgraduate year 2 (PY-2), eight recently graduated surgeons (RGS), and 3 experts were recruited, and their performance was blindly assessed by experts using the validated general rating scale OSATS (Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills) as well as the time taken to complete the procedure. RESULTS: Significant differences were identified among groups. The average OSATS score was 82 for the PY2 group, 113 for the RGS group, and 147 for the experts (P < 0.01). The average procedural time to complete all the stations was 98 minutes for the PY2 group, 68 minutes for the RGS group, and 35 minutes for the expert surgeons (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: An OSCE scenario designed using ex-vivo tissue met 4 out of 5 criteria of the Messick validity framework: content, relation to other variables, response process and consequences of the test. The results show it is a valid strategy for the evaluation of practical skills in trauma surgery.

[Neisseria meningitidis pneumonia. A case report]. / Neumonía bacterémica por Neisseria meningitidis: Primer caso reportado en Chile y revisión bibliográfica.

Few cases of bacteremic pneumonia by Neisseria meningitidis (NM) have been described worldwide; mostly in elderly patients or those with comorbidities. They appear clinically indistinguishable from other acute infectious pneumoniae, that do not develope the syndrome of meningococcemia. We report a 17-years-old male, without prior medical history, consulting in the emergency department with a 7-day history of productive cough, right pleural pain, fever and dyspnea. He was admitted to the ICU due to septic shock and respiratory distress. He was managed with vasoactive drugs and prone positioning ventilation for 48 hours. Chest radiography showed a right superior lobe condensation. The electrocardiogram and echocardiogram suggested septic myocarditis. Blood cultures demonstrated the presence of serogroup W135-NM. A lumbar puncture ruled out meningitis, and a 10-day ceftriaxone therapy was completed favorably.

[Helicobacter pylori infection detected during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy]. / Disminución en la frecuencia de infección por Helicobacter pylori en endoscopías digestivas altas.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (HP) is the most widespread chronic human infection worldwide and the most important pathogenic factor of gastric cancer. The calculated prevalence at the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile from 2002 to 2005 was 44.9%. AIM: To determine the current prevalence of HP in patients undergoing an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGI) and analyze its distribution according to age and endoscopic findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed 3.433 UGI performed during the year 2015, selecting those in which rapid urease test (RUT) was done. A positive RUT or a positive gastric biopsy (GB) were considered as HP infection. RESULTS: RUT was done in 1862 UGI (55%) performed in patients aged 51 ± 17 years, (66% women). In 23% of these endoscopies, the RUT was positive. A GB was obtained 43% of endoscopies and 30% were positive for HP. In 105 patients the RUT was negative and the GB positive (rendering a 19.5% false negative rate). HP was detected by RUT and GB in 29% of endoscopies. The highest prevalence of infection (38.1%) was found between 40 and 49 years. HP infection had odds ratio of 4.24 for nodular gastropathy, 2.63 for gastric ulcer and 2.14 for duodenal ulcer (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HP prevalence in our center decreased significantly from 44.9% to 28.9% in 11 years. False negative RUT results may bias this finding. The use of proton pump inhibitors and antimicrobials that can interfere with the detection of HP should be registered to properly analyze the results of the RUT.

Improving Medical Student Performance With Unsupervised Simulation and Remote Asynchronous Feedback.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of training medical students to perform two clinical procedures using unsupervised simulation with remote asynchronous feedback, compared to an intensive workshop with in-person feedback. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Third-year medical students were recruited and randomized into 2 groups: Thoracentesis or paracentesis. Within each group, participants were further randomized into either unsupervised simulation with remote asynchronous feedback (experimental group; EG) or a 2-hour workshop (control group; CG). The EG underwent two unsupervised 20-minute training sessions and received remote asynchronous feedback. The CG had a 2-hour workshop where they received in-person feedback. After training, students were assessed using the objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) scale. Twenty students in thoracentesis and 23 in paracentesis training completed the 2 training sessions with remote and asynchronous feedback, and 30 students for both thoracentesis and paracentesis groups completed the 2-hour workshop. RESULTS: The EG achieved a significantly higher passing rate than the CG on both procedures (thoracentesis 80% vs. 43%, paracentesis 91% vs. 67%, p-value< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The asynchronous educational method allowed EG students to achieve higher performance than CG students. This novel modality allowed students and instructors to train and assess at their own pace.

Transgastric repair of transfixing gastroesophageal junction gunshot wound: video case report.

Managing traumatic injuries of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) is infrequent due to associated lesions of adjacent highly vascularized organs. Its anatomical localization in the upper abdomen makes the repair challenging to perform. A stable 23-year-old male was presented at the emergency department with two thorax gunshot wounds. Computed tomography revealed air in the periesophageal space and right hemopneumothorax with no injury of the major vessels. A chest tube was placed and the patient was transferred hemodynamically stable to the operating. Abdominal exploration identified injuries to the left diaphragm; liver lateral segment; 1-cm transfixing perforation of the GEJ and right diaphragmatic pillar. Primary repair of the GEJ was performed and patched with a partial fundoplication. The diaphragm was repaired and the liver bleeding controlled. Finally, drains and a feeding jejunostomy were placed. The patient had an uneventful early postoperative course and was discharged home on the 12th postoperative day.

SELF-CONFIDENCE ON ACQUIRED SURGICAL SKILLS TO DEAL WITH SEVERE TRAUMA PATIENTS IN RECENTLY GRADUATED SURGEONS.

BACKGROUND: Level of competence by procedure. Trauma is one of the leading causes of death in the world and proper surgical care is critical to impact mortality. In Chile, trauma associated death ranks first as mortality cause in population between 20 and 59 years old. Appropriate surgical skills are required to deal with these complex patients. Self-confidence to practice trauma procedures after the General Surgery Residency have not been reported in our country. AIM: Describe the level of self-confidence to deal with trauma procedures of surgeons who recently graduated from a General Surgery Residency. METHOD: Descriptive cross-sectional study. We designed and applied a survey in 2015, 2016 and 2017 to recently graduated surgeons, to inquire about self-confidence of surgical skills to deal with trauma scenarios. Eighteen trauma surgery procedures (including cervical, thoracic, abdominal and vascular procedures) were evaluated using a 5-grade Likert scale. The number of procedures performed during the residency was also queried. RESULTS: Eighty-eight recently graduated surgeons from 11 different training programs in Chile were included. The report of competencies was high in procedures such as intestinal injuries, were 98% felt competent or very competent in their repair. On the other hand, in complex traumas such as major vessel injury, up to 76% reported not being competent. Self-confidence on procedures was directly associated with the number of procedures performed during residency. CONCLUSIONS: Recently graduated surgeons from General Surgery Programs report high levels of confidence to deal with low and intermediate complexity traumas, but a lower level of confidence to treat high complexity cases.

Elaboración de un simulador de trauma torácico a partir de un torso cadavérico utilizando tecnología de imágenes digitales e impresión 3D / Elaboration of a thoracic trauma surgery simulation model from a cadaveric human torso incorporating digital image technology and 3D printing

Resumen Objetivo: Presentar la elaboración de un simulador de trauma torácico de alta fidelidad elaborado mediante modelamiento e impresión 3D a partir de un torso humano cadavérico. Materiales y Método: Estudio descriptivo del desarrollo de un simulador de trauma torácico utilizando metodología centrada en el prototipado y la iteración basada en testeos. Resultados: Se elaboró un simulador reutilizable mediante la digitalización de un torso cadavérico utilizando tomografía computada. Se realizó una reconstrucción digital del torso diseñando los planos subcutáneos, muscular y óseo en base a las imágenes del paciente pre y postoracotomía anterolateral. Utilizando impresión 3D y materiales sintéticos, se elaboró la caja torácica para luego instalar un corazón y pulmón porcino ventilado y perfundido. Los parches de la toracotomía son reemplazables y de bajo costo. En conjunto, este simulador permite el entrenamiento en manejo de lesiones traumáticas cardiacas y pulmonares de alta fidelidad. Conclusión: La metodología presentada permite la creación de un modelo para el entrenamiento y evaluación de habilidades quirúrgicas en trauma torácico. Los elementos principales del simulador son reutilizables y permiten mantener bajos los costos del entrenamiento.

Aim: To describe the design and creation of a high-fidelity thoracic trauma surgery simulation model incorporating 3D printing technology using a cadaveric human torso as a model. Materials and Method: This is a descriptive study that aims to illustrate the creation process of a thoracic trauma surgery simulation model throughout the incorporation of prototypes and dynamic iteration technologies. Results: A high-fidelity reusable thoracic trauma surgery simulation model was created from the digitalization of a cadaveric torso using a computed tomography scan. Throughout digital reconstruction tools, the subcutaneous, muscular, and skeletal structures were modeled from images obtained before and after an anterolateral thoracotomy. Using 3D printing and synthetic materials, a high-fidelity thoracic cavity was built so that perfused and ventilated porcine heart and lungs could be placed. A thoracotomy patch for the anterolateral thoracotomy was designed in a reusable and low-cost fashion. This simulation model is suitable for high fidelity training in the surgical management of cardiopulmonary traumatic injuries. Conclusion: The described methodology allowed the creation of a simulation model for training and assessment of surgical skills in thoracic trauma. The main components of the simulation model are made from reusable materials, broadening access to low-cost, high fidelity training.

Self-confidence on acquired surgical skills to deal with severe trauma patients in recently graduated surgeons / Autoconfiança nas habilidades cirúrgicas adquiridas para lidar com pacientes com trauma grave em cirurgiões recém-formados

ABSTRACT Background: Trauma is one of the leading causes of death in the world and proper surgical care is critical to impact mortality. In Chile, trauma associated death ranks first as mortality cause in population between 20 and 59 years old. Appropriate surgical skills are required to deal with these complex patients. Self-confidence to practice trauma procedures after the General Surgery Residency have not been reported in our country. Aim: Describe the level of self-confidence to deal with trauma procedures of surgeons who recently graduated from a General Surgery Residency. Method: Descriptive cross-sectional study. We designed and applied a survey in 2015, 2016 and 2017 to recently graduated surgeons, to inquire about self-confidence of surgical skills to deal with trauma scenarios. Eighteen trauma surgery procedures (including cervical, thoracic, abdominal and vascular procedures) were evaluated using a 5-grade Likert scale. The number of procedures performed during the residency was also queried. Results: Eighty-eight recently graduated surgeons from 11 different training programs in Chile were included. The report of competencies was high in procedures such as intestinal injuries, were 98% felt competent or very competent in their repair. On the other hand, in complex traumas such as major vessel injury, up to 76% reported not being competent. Self-confidence on procedures was directly associated with the number of procedures performed during residency. Conclusions: Recently graduated surgeons from General Surgery Programs report high levels of confidence to deal with low and intermediate complexity traumas, but a lower level of confidence to treat high complexity cases.

RESUMO Racional: Trauma é uma das principais causas de morte no mundo e cuidados cirúrgicos adequados são críticos para determinar a mortalidade. No Chile, morte associada a trauma é a primeira causa de mortalidade na população entre 20 e 59 anos. Para lidar com esses pacientes complexos, são necessárias habilidades cirúrgicas precisas para esses procedimentos. Autoconfiança de cirurgiões recentemente graduados na Residência em Cirurgia Geral para práticas de procedimentos de trauma no nosso país não tem sido reportada. Objetivo: Descrever nível de autoconfiança para lidar com procedimentos de trauma em cirurgiões recentemente graduados na residência de cirurgia geral. Método: Estudo transversal. Foi desenhada e aplicada uma enquete em 2015, 2016 e 2017 a cirurgiões recentemente graduados para pesquisar sobre autoconfiança e habilidades cirúrgicas para lidar com cenários de trauma. Foram avaliados 18 procedimentos cirúrgicos de trauma (incluindo procedimentos cervicais, torácicos, abdominais e vasculares) usando a 5-grade Likert Scale. O número total de procedimentos feitos durante a residência foi avaliado. Resultados: Foram incluídos 88 cirurgiões recentemente graduados. O nível de competência foi reportado como alto em procedimentos como trauma intestinal, onde 98% sentiu-se competente ou muito competente em sua reparação. Por outro lado, em traumas complexos como dano vascular maior, até 76% reportaram não se sentirem competentes. A autoconfiança nos procedimentos esteve diretamente associada com o número de procedimentos realizados. Conclusões: Cirurgiões recentemente graduados na residência de cirurgia geral reportam níveis altos de confiança para lidar com traumas de complexidade baixa e média, mas um nível menor de confiança para tratar casos de complexidade alta.

Neumonía bacterémica por Neisseria meningitidis: primer caso reportado en Chile y revisión bibliográfica / Neisseria meningitidis pneumonia. a case report

Few cases of bacteremic pneumonia by Neisseria meningitidis (NM) have been described worldwide; mostly in elderly patients or those with comorbidities. They appear clinically indistinguishable from other acute infectious pneumoniae, that do not develope the syndrome of meningococcemia. We report a 17-years-old male, without prior medical history, consulting in the emergency department with a 7-day history of productive cough, right pleural pain, fever and dyspnea. He was admitted to the ICU due to septic shock and respiratory distress. He was managed with vasoactive drugs and prone positioning ventilation for 48 hours. Chest radiography showed a right superior lobe condensation. The electrocardiogram and echocardiogram suggested septic myocarditis. Blood cultures demonstrated the presence of serogroup W135-NM. A lumbar puncture ruled out meningitis, and a 10-day ceftriaxone therapy was completed favorably.

Disminución en la frecuencia de infección por Helicobacter pylori en endoscopías digestivas altas / Helicobacter pylori infection detected during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

Background: Helicobacter pylori (HP) is the most widespread chronic human infection worldwide and the most important pathogenic factor of gastric cancer. The calculated prevalence at the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile from 2002 to 2005 was 44.9%. Aim: To determine the current prevalence of HP in patients undergoing an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGI) and analyze its distribution according to age and endoscopic findings. Material and Methods: We reviewed 3.433 UGI performed during the year 2015, selecting those in which rapid urease test (RUT) was done. A positive RUT or a positive gastric biopsy (GB) were considered as HP infection. Results: RUT was done in 1862 UGI (55%) performed in patients aged 51 ± 17 years, (66% women). In 23% of these endoscopies, the RUT was positive. A GB was obtained 43% of endoscopies and 30% were positive for HP. In 105 patients the RUT was negative and the GB positive (rendering a 19.5% false negative rate). HP was detected by RUT and GB in 29% of endoscopies. The highest prevalence of infection (38.1%) was found between 40 and 49 years. HP infection had odds ratio of 4.24 for nodular gastropathy, 2.63 for gastric ulcer and 2.14 for duodenal ulcer (p < 0.05). Conclusions: HP prevalence in our center decreased significantly from 44.9% to 28.9% in 11 years. False negative RUT results may bias this finding. The use of proton pump inhibitors and antimicrobials that can interfere with the detection of HP should be registered to properly analyze the results of the RUT.