¿Entendemos qué es el dolor? / Do we understand what is pain?

Tanto para el médico como para el paciente es fácil entender el dolor como un fenómeno asociado a trauma o daño tisular. Sin embargo, frente al dolor crónico este enfoque no funciona ni para explicar el dolor ni para tratarlo en forma efectiva. Apareció, entonces el concepto de dolor psicosomático, el cual explicaba el dolor como un proceso originado en la mente y carente de sustrato somático real. Esta visión orientó a la terapia de la mente (psicólogo o psiquiatra) como solución al cuadro de dolor crónico, lo que tampoco produjo los resultados esperados. El modelo biopsicosocial ha contribuido a dar una mejor explicación de los factores que generan la experiencia de dolor y a obtener mejores resultados en muchos cuadros de dolor crónico merced a una terapia orientada bajo esta perspectiva.

Dolor agudo: programa de dolor agudo Clínica Las Condes / Acute Pain: program of the acute pain of Clinica Las Condes

El cuidado óptimo del paciente quirúrgico incluye el control del dolor postoperatorio, pero la incidencia de dolor postoperatorio moderado y severo sigue siendo alta. Las complicaciones relacionadas con el trauma quirúrgico y el dolor asociado a éste justifican un manejo enérgico. En 1988 Ready y col. describió el concepto de Servicio de Dolor Agudo (SDA) como una entidad multiprofesional dedicada a evaluar el dolor, administrar la analgesia y monitorizarla en el postoperatorio. En noviembre de 1996 y dependiendo del Departamento de Anestesiología se da inicio al Programa de Dolor Agudo (PDA) de Clínica Las Condes. Hasta noviembre del 2006 se han atendido 6.913 pacientes. Junto a los pacientes postquirúrgicos, el PDA recibe un número significativo de pacientes no quirúrgicos (15,2 por ciento). Nuestros resultados muestran una caída significativa del dolor a las 12 horas estabilizándose en EVA 2 y efectos colaterales bajos. La incidencia de complicaciones severas es muy bajo. 90 por ciento de los pacientes encuestados se mostraron satisfechos o muy satisfechos con la atención recibida.

Dolor crónico un problema complejo de tratar / Chronic Pain a complex problem to deal

El paciente de dolor crónico habitualmente llega al médico con una mala experiencia previa como resultado de intentos terapéuticos inefectivos. Algunos llegan con una cierta ira hacia el sistema de salud ya que éste ha sido inefectivo para librarlo de un dolor que ha trastornado su vida. Otros se han adaptado a esta condición y recurren al médico como un intento más pero sin muchas esperanzas. El tratamiento bajo la perspectiva biopsicosocial requiere una nueva visión del cuadro de dolor por parte del paciente y que éste adopte una actitud activa y no pasiva frente a la terapia que se le ofrece. Por otro lado, el tratamiento producirá cambios en la percepción del dolor y en la condición de vida del paciente en la medida que éste comprenda que no hay tratamientos rápidos para un dolor que lleva años en su vida y en la medida que realice la terapia multidisciplinaria que normalmente comprende un período de alrededor de ocho semanas. Estos y otros factores hacen difícil el tratamiento duradero de los cuadros de dolor crónico.

Partnered care in the Bahamas: A model of advanced healthcare delivery for developing countries / Cuidados mediante asociación en las bahamas: un modelo avanzado de prestación de servicios de salud Para los países en vías de desarrollo

OBJECTIVE: To assess the delivery of advanced specialized medical care using The Partnered Care Model as a means of providing affordable access to all, irrespective of ability to pay. DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all persons presenting to a specialized, private, cardiac unit, The Bahamas Interventional Cardiology Center (BICC), over an 8.5-year period from March 1996 to September 2004 was conducted. The Bahamas Heart Center's Discounted Service System had been applied since inception to all patients in three groups including insured patients billed at 100of the fee schedule of The Medical Association of the Bahamas for the procedures performed, private self-pay and government patients billed at 75and 50respectively. Their respective distribution and contributions to total revenue was analyzed. A series of financial models were constructed taking into consideration variables that could influence the percentages of revenues collected from each sector and the number of individuals served RESULTS: One thousand five-hundred and forty-two patients received services in BICC over the 8.5 year period (56males and 44females age range: 0.25 - 96 years, with mean age of 55.7 years). One thousand eight-hundred and eighty-eight patient-procedures were performed, with 51insured generating 69total revenue, 18Private producing 16Revenue, and 31Government patients generating 15. Financial models were created to predict revenue behaviour in various scenarios. CONCLUSION: Partnered Care is a viable alternative for Governments (Ministries of Health) of developing countries to provide costly specialized healthcare to their populations at minimal expense and capital outlay. Partnered Care reduces the otherwise overwhelming burden of healthcare cost to governments, particularly in developing countries, by sharing the burden of care between the private, user and government sectors.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la prestación de servicios médicos especializados avanzados, usando el modelo de cuidados mediante asociación, como medio de proporcionar acceso económico a todos, con independencia de su capacidad de pago. DISEÑO Y MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un análisis retrospectivo de todas las personas que acudieron a una unidad privada de cardiología – The Bahamas Interventional Cardiology Center (BICC) – por un periodo del 8.5 años, a saber, de marzo de 1996 a septiembre de 2004. El sistema de servicio de descuentos del Centro Cardiológico de Bahamas, había sido aplicado desde el principio a todos los pacientes en tres grupos. Los mismos comprendían: los pacientes con seguro – quienes pagaban el 100% de la suma estipulada por la Asociación Médica de Bahamas para los procedimientos realizados, los pacientes privados auto-financiados, y los pacientes con asistencia gubernamental, que abonaban 75% y 50% respectivamente. Se analizó su distribución respectiva y sus contribuciones al ingreso total. Se construyó una serie de modelos financieros tomando en consideración las variables que podrían influir en los porcentajes de ingresos percibidos por cada sector así como el número de individuos atendidos. RESULTADOS: Mil quinientos cuarenta y dos pacientes recibieron servicios en el BICC por espacio de 8.5 años (56% hombres y 44% mujeres). El rango de edad: 0.25–96 años, con una edad media de 55.7 años). Se realizaron mil ochocientos ochenta y ocho procedimientos por los cuales el 51% constituido por los asegurados generó un ingreso total del 69%; el 18% formado por los privados produjo un ingreso del 17%; y el 31% representado por los pacientes gubernamentales generó una entrada del 15%. Se crearon modelos financieros a fin de predecir el comportamiento de los ingresos en diversos escenarios. CONCLUSIÓN: El cuidado mediante asociación es una alternativa viable, mediante la cual los gobiernos (los ministerios de salud) de los países en vías de desarrollo pueden brindar a sus respectivas poblaciones, servicios de salud especializados – que de otra forma serían costosos – con costos y desembolso de capital mínimos. Los cuidados mediante asociación reducen la carga del costo de la atención a la salud para los gobiernos – carga que de otra forma resultaría realmente abrumadora, especialmente en los países en vías de desarrollo. Esto se logra mediante el procedimiento de compartir la carga de los cuidados médicos entre los tres sectores referidos – el de los usuarios, el privado, y el gubernamental.

Thirty-five years of cardiac surgery in Jamaica

A retrospective review of the files of all patients who underwent cardiac surgery at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) and the Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC), during the period April 1968 to June 2003 was undertaken. Data collected included age, gender New York Heart Association risk score, type and date of cardiac surgery. The mortality rate of patients who underwent surgery during the period January 1994 to June 2003 was also analyzed A total of 2202 patients had undergone cardiac surgery (CS) in Jamaica during the study period of 35 years and two months. The common surgical procedures were valve surgery--replacement and repair (37.65), correction of patent ductus arteriosus (25.2) and repair of congenital heart disease (24.2). Coronary arterial bypass grafting procedures constituted a small percentage (4.1) of the cardiac surgical operations. A considerable number of patients have undergone CS in Jamaica, but much more needs to be done as the patient load exists. The future of the cardiac surgical service therefore depends on improvement in the facilities at both institutions and the cadre of the intensive care nursing staff The building of the Cardiothoracic-Neurosurgical Unit (commenced in March, 2003) is an essential step towards this

Thymic surgery in Jamaica 1992-2000

The treatment for thymic tumours and/or myaesthenia gravis (MG) includes thymectomy. Controversy exists as to the optimal timing and operative approach to thymectomy. At the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, the results of thymic surgery during the period 1992 to 2000 were studied retrospectively. There were 26 patients operated on, 17 females and nine males. Twenty-three underwent thymectomy to treat MG, and three to remove a thymoma. The average age for females was 30.7 years, and 25.1 years for males. Average duration of symptoms prior to surgery was 16 months (all patients), and the interval between diagnosis and referral averaged 2.6 months. All patients underwent thymectomy via median sternotomy with a cervical extension of the incision if required. A policy of phrenic nerve preservation, even if residual tumour was left behind, was followed. Patients with thymomas were given post-operative radiotherapy. Chemotherapy was not given to any patient. The medium and long term results of thymic surgery in a developing country are presented. The results are within international norms, although the small patient population makes statistical analysis difficult. There appears to be no need to change current practice, despite the reported efficacy of less invasive approaches to thymic surgery

Severe neurological complications post-open heart surgery. The Jamaican experience

During the period January 1994 to December 1999, a total of 395 patients--adults and children--underwent various types of open heart surgical (OHS) procedures. The age range of these patients was 10 days to 77 years. Most (43.5) of these patients underwent valve replacement--first time and 'redo'--as a result of rheumatic heart disease of varying duration and severity. The other large group was the complex congenital heart abnormalities (16), followed by the group that underwent repair of atrial septal defect (13), coronary artery bypass graft (13) and repair of ventricular septal defect (12). Open valve repair (2) and excision of atrial myxoma (0.5) were uncommon OHS procedures. Nine patients (2.3) developed severe neurological complications (NCs) post-OHS. These included: a short period (< 48 hours) of irritability and fluctuating consciousness level; seizure activity associated with hemisparesis and/or blindness; severe encephalopathy and vegetative state. Four patients showed complete recovery, but one died as a result of complications of the anti-seizure medication. Of the other five, four died as a result of the NCs, and one was discharged in a vegetative state. Such severe neurological complications after an otherwise successful cardiac surgery represent a devastating outcome for patients and their families, and the social and economic impacts are enormous. Several risk factors were identified. The main ones being mitral valve replacement (MVR), especially 'redo' surgery, female gender, age over 60 years, high New York Heart Association functional class and post-operative hypotension. However, the true incidence of NCs (gross and subtle) in the study group cannot be ascertained. A detailed, structured neurological and neuropsychiatric assessment, both pre- and post-operatively, is therefore needed to document the true incidence of this complication. There is also the need for public education, especially for those with valvular disease, in order to encourage changes in attitude and behaviour towards continued follow-up care and valve surgery, both first time and 'redo'.

Surgery for patent ductus arteriosus. Still the gold standard

The surgical treatment of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, was examined over an eight-year period. The results of standard surgical modalities were comparable to large published series. A review of the literature regarding the treatment options for PDA does not support a change in management strategy in favour of non-surgical methods. The treatment of PDA at this centre has shown excellent long-term results, with minimal mortality and morbidity.

Granulosa-theca cell tumour of the ovaries. A late metastasizing tumour

Granulosa-theca cell tumours are ovarian neoplasms of low malignancy with hormone secreting potential, accounting for 2-3of all ovarian cancers. They have an uncertain clinical course and a potential for late recurrence after surgical removal. Clinical features of a patient presenting with pulmonary metastases 21 years after removal of the primary tumour are described, along with a review of the management options.

Thymectomy in myasthenia gravis. The Jamaican experience

Forty-five patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) were subjected to thymectomy by the median sternotomy technique and were followed up for 4,380 patient months. No operative deaths occurred and 93.3%of the patients benefited from surgery with 28.8%achieving remission. Forty pptients (88.5%) showed improvement within one month, and 73%of those who achieved remission did so in the first 2 years. Outcome was not affected by thymic pathology except in one patient who had a thymoma removed. These results confirm the value of thymectomy in the management of MG patients with generalised disease and the efficacy of the simple median sternotomy procedure.

Myasthenia gravis in Jamaica: clinical, immunological and genetic studies

Clinical, immunological and genetic parameters were studied in 73 Jamaican patients with myasthenia gravis (Mg). The reported biomodal clinical distribution of females with early onset of disease and males with late onset was not observed. The female to male ratio was 2:1. The most frequent manifestations of disease were ptosis (84.9%), general muscle weakness (68.5%), bulbar symptoms (41.1%) and diplopia (32.9%). Unusual presenting features such as unilateral ptosis, recurrent chest infection and stumbling while walking resulted in diagnosis being missed in 5.8%of cases. The sensitivity of radiommunoassay in detecting acetylcholine receptor antibody (AchR-Ab) in sera from a subgroup of 35 MG patients was 71.4%whilst that of the ELISA was only 14.2%. There was no correlation between HLA-type, thymic pathology and course of disease. HTLV-I could not be implicated in the pathogenesis of this disease. There was a paucity of other associated autoimmune conditions among MG patients. Thymectomy was an important therapeutic modality in that improvement was observered in 22 cases and remission in 11.

Caustic strictures of the oesophagus

Ingestion of caustic material is a major management problem which occurs most commonly in children. Twenty-five patients with caustic ingestion seen over a ten-year period are reported. Twelve patients had severe burns, resulting in oesophageal strictures. Of these, ten were children below six years of age (median age, 3 years). Dysphagia and vomitting were the main presenting features. Oropharyngeal burn was present in 83%of patients with oesophageal burns. The strictures involved the entire oesophagus in two patients, the upper third in four, the mid oesophagus in two and the lower third in four. Periodic dilatations were successful in restoring an adequate lumen in 7 patients with short strictures. Five patients required surgery. There was one death. Caustic damage to the oesophagus is preventable. Education of the public and simple measures by manufacturers of caustics are urgently needed,

Endodermal sinus (Yolk Sac) tumour of the mediastinum

An endodermal sinus tumour of the anterior mediatinum is described in a19-year-old man. This very rare condition is reported for the first time in the Caribbean literature