Risk Factors for Oronasal Fistula in Primary Palatoplasty: A Case-Control Study From a Reference Center in Medellín, Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Oronasal fistula is one of the most critical complications in primary palatoplasty, with a reported incidence between 5% and 46% with multiple associated risk factors described previously. In addition, in more than half of the patients, it implies additional surgeries, increasing risks for the patient and health care costs. In this case-control study, the authors aim to determine the specific risk factors for oronasal fistula after primary palatoplasty in the study population. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken to identify all patients undergoing primary palatoplasty between 2017 and 2019. Patients who developed oronasal fistula were included (cases) and compared with patients from the same cohort without fistula (controls). Demographic, clinical, and perioperative variables and their association with postoperative fistula presentation were explored through crude and adjusted analysis. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-nine patients with a median age of 6 years (5-6) who underwent primary palatoplasty were found. Forty-five presented an oronasal fistula, corresponding to 32% of the population, and 64% required subsequent repair of an oronasal fistula. In the crude analysis, the surgeon's experience (OR: 0.44) was associated significantly with the outcome. Adjusted analysis showed an association between surgical site infection and syndromic presentation. CONCLUSIONS: The experience of the surgeon is a protective factor for the oronasal fistula presentation; in addition, the presentation of infection of the operative site, the syndromic presentation, and the clinical follow-up at 1 year were also relevant; the latter, possibly due to the social context of our patients.

Descriptive Study of Patients With Upper Limb Amputation As Possible Candidates for a Hand Transplant in Medellín, Colombia.

Introduction The amputation of the upper limb, especially of the hand, is a serious trauma with significant functional and psychological impact. Treatment options include adaptation to the stump, use of prostheses, and composite tissue transplantation. Unfortunately, in Colombia, to date, there are no epidemiological data that characterize the sociodemographic and clinical variables of patients with upper limb amputation. Objective To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with upper limb amputation in two hospital institutions in the city of Medellín during the period 2018-2019 as a basis for developing a hand transplant program in Colombia. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out where a total of 443 medical records were reviewed, of which eight records that met the inclusion criteria were identified. Variables such as age, etiology of amputation, level of amputation, comorbidities, complications, and rehabilitation process were analyzed. The information was collected in the REDCap program, and a descriptive analysis was carried out with the data obtained. Results From a sample of 443 amputee patients, eight were selected that met the inclusion criteria. There were 7/8 men (87%) aged 43 years. A total of 75% came from rural areas. In 3/8 patients, there was amputation of the dominant limb. The most common mechanisms were shear trauma and crushing in the context of an occupational accident. A total of 50% had a complete extra-hospital amputation, and reimplantation was not attempted in any of the cases. The most frequent levels of amputation were the proximal and distal third of the forearm. The longest follow-up time was 12 months. Only two patients mentioned the possibility of using a prosthesis during rehabilitation. Conclusions Three young patients were identified, without comorbidities, with amputation of the dominant limb in the context of an occupational accident and without the possibility of rehabilitation with prostheses who benefit from a possible future hand transplant. However, it is necessary to implement a composite tissue transplantation program and public health policies that allow this procedure to be performed in Colombia.

Hallazgos radiológicos de un astrocitoma pilocítico diseminado, en una adolescente colombiana / Radiological findings of a disseminated pilocytic astrocytoma in a Colombian teenager

El astrocitoma pilocítico (AP) es el tumor más común del sistema nervioso central (SNC) en la población pediátrica. Es considerado un glioma circunscrito debido a su curso benigno. Aparece como una lesión bien determinada, típicamente quística, con un nódulo mural hiperintenso. Tiene una lenta tasa de crecimiento y baja celularidad. El AP se origina principalmente en el cerebelo, la vía óptica y la región hipotalámica/quiasmática. Se presenta un caso inusual de diseminación de un AP de fosa posterior al canal espinal en una adolescente de 16 años.

Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is the most common Central Nervous System (CNS) tumor in the pediatric population. It is regarded as a Circumscribed Glioma, due to its benign course. PA is a well-circumscribed, typically cystic lesion with a hyper-intense mural nodule. It shows a slow rate of growth and low cellularity. PA arises mostly in the cerebellum, optic pathway and hypothalamic/chiasmatic region. We report an unusual case of PA dissemination from the posterior fossa to the spinal canal in a 16 year old teenager.