Suicide after and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico City

Objectives: Prior research has indicated that no increase in suicides occurred immediately following the declaration of the COVID-19 emergency in Mexico City. Here we examine longer-term overall suicide trends and trends according to basic demographic groups. Methods: We used interrupted time-series analysis to model trends in monthly suicides before COVID-19 (January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2020), comparing the expected number of suicides both overall and according to age and sex with the observed number of suicides for the remainder of 2020 (April 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020). Results: There was an overall increase in suicides during the first 9 months of the pandemic, with a rate ratio of 2.07 (1.86-2.31). The increase began in the early months of the pandemic and remained stable and high after June 2020. Men and women, younger people (< 45) and older people (≥ 45) were affected. The increase was especially high among older women (RR = 3.33; 2.04-5.15). Conclusions: The increase in suicides in Mexico City is worrying and highlights the need to strengthen economic development, mental health, and well-being programs. Suicides among older women should be closely monitored. There is an urgent need to expand primary health care services to include robust suicide prevention and treatment options.

Unplanned Hospital Readmission and Visit to the Emergency Room in the First Thirty Days after Head and Neck Surgery: A Prospective, Single-center Study

Abstract Introduction Head and neck surgery remains a complex field; the patients can suffer important functional or life-threating complications after treatment that need unplanned readmissions, increasing the cost related to the treatment. Objective To evaluate the incidence risk factors and causes associated with 30-day unplanned hospital readmission and visit to the emergency room (ER) after surgery for head and neck cancer. Methods Prospective, longitudinal, nonrandomized study. Results A total of 834 patients were included, 726 in the major surgery group and 108 in the minor surgery group. The 30-day readmission rate for all causes was of 7,9% for the patients treated by a major surgery and of 0% for the patients treated in the outpatient clinic for minor procedures, to a total readmission rate of 6,8%. The rate of visit to the emergency room for all causes in the first 30 days was of 14% for the patients treated by a major surgery and of 2,7% for the patients treated in the outpatient clinic. Conclusion Major surgery, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status and type of wound are conditions related to unplanned readmission or visit to the ER in the first 30 day after discharge. The most commonly associated causes are infections or wound complications. An evidence-based risk stratification of the patients can be important to improve decision-making and resource utilization. An educational strategy can provide possible ways to improve the rate of readmission and reduce the amount of money expended by healthcare systems.

Submental Artery Island Flap in Oral Cavity Reconstruction. An Observational, Retrospective Two-centre Study

Abstract Introduction The submental flap provides an alternative technique in orofacial reconstruction, especially in situations in which free flaps are not available, or the patients are unfit. Objective To demonstrate the oncological safety and benefits of this flap in oral cavity reconstruction. Methods A total of 14 patients with oral cavity cancers, who underwent submental flap reconstruction from January 2016 to January 2018, were included in the study. Results There were 11 male and 3 female patients with a mean age of 66.7 ± 14 (Min: 52/Max: 91) years old. The most common primary tumor site was the mobile tongue in 12 (85.7 %) patients. All of the patients underwent ipsilateral selective neck dissection after the flap was harvested. Flap partial necrosis was observed in one patient, and total necrosis in another one. The mean follow-up was of one year. Nonlocal or regional recurrences were observed. Conclusion Submental island flap represents a good option in oral cavity reconstruction in a restricted setting or in patients considered not fit for free flap reconstruction. Preoperative selection of clinically neck node-negative patients is essential due to the potential risk of occult metastasis.

Functional Results of Transverse Extended Incision in Cervical Neck Dissection

Abstract Introduction Multiple incisions have been described for the surgical approach of cervical neck nodes. All of these descriptions are associated with better or worse exposure of the surgical field as well as with different functional and aesthetic results, which are not always satisfactory. Objective Compare the transverse cervical incision with the classic incision in J or U. Methods This is a retrospective study of 47 patients who required cervical neck dissection between June 15, 2016 and June 15, 2017.A transversal incision was made in these surgeries, and their results were then compared with those of a group of 57 patients treated between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2012, in whose cases an incision in J or U was made. Results Regarding the incision type, complications were present in 4 (8.5 %) cases in the transversal incision group, and in 7 (12.2 %) patients of the group of traditional incisions in J or U, without statistical differences (p = 0.078). The only variables associated with complications of healing in the two groups was body mass index (BMI) < 18.5. The patients showed subjective satisfaction with the aesthetic result of the transverse incision, with an average of 7.51 vs 6.20 in the J or U incision. Conclusion The transverse incision represents a safe, aesthetic, and oncologically adequate option, associated with a lower cicatricial retraction rate, without significant complication rate and allowing adequate exposure of the surgical field, similar to the obtained with the classic incision in J or U.

Ultrasonido diagnóstico en cadera irritable / Diagnostic ultrasound in irritable hip

Se estudiaron 72 pacientes por el método de ultrasonografía con el objetivo de demostrar su utilidad en el diagnóstico del síndrome de cadera irritable en el niño. Se utilizó un equipo de tiempo real con transductor sectorial de 5 Mhz para comparar ambas caderas. Se halló efusión en 43 pacientes. En los enfermos con sinovitis transitorias predominó sólo la efusión articular; el engrosamiento capsular con alteraciones de la cabeza femoral en la Enfermedad de Perthes y una efusión anecoica con pequeñas imágenes ecogénicas en el caso de artritis séptica. Se consideró la ecografía un método eficaz de elección para realizar diagnóstico diferencial de las enfermedades agrupadas en el síndrome de cadera irritable

Presión del manguito en la intubación endotraqueal: ¿debe medirse de manera rutinaria? / Cuff pressure in endotracheal intubation: should it be routinely measured?

Objetivo. Determinar la correlación que existe entre la presión del manguito en la intubación endotraqueal (PMIE) y las manifestaciones de dolor traqueal postoperatorio.Material y Métodos. Estudio transversal comparativo al que se integraron de manera aleatoria sujetos progra-mados a cirugía electiva que requirieron intubación endotraqueal. Se midió la PMIE antes de su retiro, integrándose dos grupos, uno en el que la PMIE fue igual o menor de 42 mmHg (Grupo A), y otro en el que fue mayor de 42 mmHg (Grupo B). En todos los casos se utilizaron tubos de baja presión y alto volumen. Las presencia de dolor se evaluó 60 minutos y 24 h después de la extubación.Resultados. Se incluyeron 10 sujetos en el grupo A y 30 en el B, sin diferencias en la duración de la intubación 117 ñ 36.9 min versus 133 ñ 64.9 min, p = 0.3, ni en el calibre del tubo utilizado. Sesenta minutos después de la extubación el dolor fue similar en ambos grupos, mientras que 24 h después de la extubación persistió en 10 por ciento de los pacientes del grupo A y 53.3 por ciento del grupo B, p = 0.02. La correlación entre la PMIE y la presencia de dolor a las 24 h fue de 0.76, p = 0.00001.Conclusiones. La elevada PMIE es un factor relacionado con la presencia de dolor traqueal, por lo que deberían implementarse medidas de vigilancia rutinaria y dispositivos para evitar que la presión del manguito exceda el mínimo necesario.

Variación circadiana de la presión arterial en pacientes con hipertensión arterial sistémica de reciente diagnóstico / Circadian variations of the blood pressure in patients with recently diagnosed systemic arterial hypertension

Para determinar la variación cardiana de la presión arterial en hipertensos de reciente diagnóstico, se analizaron las lecturas de la presión arterial obtenidas durante la vigilia, el sueño y la jornada laboral, en personal del Departamento de Anestesiología del Hospital General de Zona Núm. 1, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social en Durango. Se consideró hipertensión arterial sistémica la presencia de 50 por ciento o más de lecturas de presión arterial sistólica = 140 mmHg o de presión arterial diastólica = 90 mmHg en la vigilia; y de presión arterial sistólica = 120 mmHg o presión arterial diastólica ñ 80 mmHg en el sueño. Los patrones circadianos de la presión arterial y de la frecuencia cardiaca en los hipertensos se caracterizan por disminución de las fluctuaciones en el periodo de vigilia, en el que además se observan cifras de presión arterial sistólica y diastólica elevadas en forma sostenida y durante periodos prolongados y ausencia de sincronía entre las elevaciones de la presión arterial y de la frecuencia cardiaca

Oclusión tubaria bilateral y minilaparotomía con anestesia local / Bilateral tubal ligation and minilaparotomy with local anesthesia

Se estudiaron 208 pacientes en puerperio inmediato, seleccionadas en forma aleatoria, a quienes se les practicó oclusión tubaria bilateral voluntaria por la técnica de Pomeroy modificada con abordaje abdominal infraumbilical con anestesia local. El procedimiento se consideró seguro y eficaz. Su aplicación reduce el costo hospitalario y el riesgo operatorio