[Remote presentation of thesis and final postgraduate works during the COVID-19 pandemic. Are there advantages in the non-face-to-face presentations?] / Presentación a distancia de tesis y trabajos finales de Posgrado durante la pandemia COVID-19.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic limited in person presentation of final works and theses for the completion of specializations, masters and doctorates. Objective: To describe the experience in remote presentations of summative essays and thesis. Materials and methods: A qualitative-quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out. Perceptions of graduates and examiner board members were explored through a questionnaire. Results: 54 presentations were included: 53.7% specializations, 40.7% masters and 5.6% doctorates. The average audience number was 34 and distance to the university was 273.6 km. 116 professionals answered: graduates 28.4% and examiner board members 71.6%. They were female gender in 51.5% and 36.1%, respectively. 100% of graduates and 96.3% of examiner board members believed that they were able to present the results of the investigation, and only 3% and 7.3%, respectively, reported technical difficulties. Positive aspects identified by graduates were higher comfort (45.5%), and greater audience number (36.4%); while the examiner board members identified preventing transportation (37,8%) and taking advantage of technologies (35,4%). Graduates identified as negative aspects audience invisibility (33.3%), and potential threat of technical difficulties (27.3%); whilst the examiner board members identified none (31,7%), and potential threat of technical difficulties (20,7%). Conclusion: Remote presentations were successful for graduates and examiner board members, and allowed to continue and finish academic postgraduate training.

Introducción: La pandemia por COVID-19 limitó la presentación de trabajos finales y tesis para la finalización de especializaciones, maestrías y doctorado en forma presencial. Objetivo: Describir la experiencia en presentaciones a distancia de trabajos finales integradores y tesis. Materiales y métodos: Estudio cuali-cuantitativo de corte transversal. Se exploraron las percepciones de los graduados y jurados mediante un cuestionario. Resultados: Se incluyeron 54 presentaciones: 53,7% especializaciones, 40,7% maestrías y 5,6% doctorados. El promedio de audiencia fue de 34 personas y la distancia a la universidad fue 273,6 km. Respondieron 116 profesionales: graduados 28,4% y jurados 71,6%. Entre ellos 51,5% y 36,1% eran de género femenino, respectivamente. El 100% de los graduados y el 96,3% de los jurados opinaron que pudieron exponer los resultados de la investigación y solo el 3% y 7,3% respectivamente expresó que existieron dificultades técnicas. Los aspectos positivos identificados por los graduados fueron mayor comodidad (45,5%) y mayor número de audiencia (36,4%); mientras que los jurados identificaron evitar traslados (37,8%) y aprovechamiento de tecnologías (35,4%). Los graduados identificaron como aspectos negativos la invisibilidad de la audiencia (33,3%) y potenciales dificultades técnicas (27,3%); mientras que los jurados no identificaron ninguno (31,7%) y potenciales de dificultades técnicas (20,7%). Conclusión: La modalidad de presentaciones a distancia fue satisfactoria tanto para los graduados como para los jurados y permitió dar continuidad y completar el proceso educativo de las carreras de posgrado.

Recommendations regarding emergency head and neck procedures during coronavirus disease-2019.

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has spread globally and is considered a world health emergency. Healthcare professionals represent an important percentage of the infected population, with otolaryngologists and head and neck surgeons at particular risk. Elective procedures have been strongly discouraged, but urgent disorders still entail a hazardous setting. We performed a non-systematic review of the publications and guidelines regarding Head and Neck surgical emergencies management in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature describing management of the disease was also reviewed to adapt conventional treatment to the present circumstances. A concise and specific compilation of practical recommendations was made with the aim of improving management of emergencies involving the head and neck region, while offering a safe alternative for patients and healthcare providers. In addition, we have made a brief summary of how these recommendations were adapted based on our socio-economic background and available health resources.

La enfermedad del coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) se ha extendido a nivel mundial y se considera una emergencia sanitaria mundial. Los profesionales sanitarios representan un porcentaje importante de la población infectada, y los otorrinolaringólogos y cirujanos de cabeza y cuello corren un riesgo especial. Se han desaconsejado enérgicamente los procedimientos electivos, pero los trastornos urgentes aún implican un entorno peligroso. Realizamos una revisión no sistemática de las publicaciones y guías sobre el manejo de emergencias quirúrgicas de cabeza y cuello en el contexto de la pandemia de COVID-19. También se revisó la literatura que describe el manejo de la enfermedad con el fin de adaptar el tratamiento convencional a las circunstancias actuales. Se realizó una recopilación concisa y específica de recomendaciones prácticas con el objetivo de mejorar el manejo de las emergencias que involucran la región de la cabeza y el cuello, al tiempo que ofrece una alternativa segura para los pacientes y los proveedores de atención médica. Además, hemos hecho un breve resumen de cómo se adaptaron estas recomendaciones en función de nuestros antecedentes socioeconómicos y los recursos de salud disponibles.

Teaching strategies and outcomes in 3 different times of the COVID-19 pandemic through a dynamic assessment of medical skills and wellness of surgical trainees.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic had a substantial impact on surgical training programs. This study describes the teaching strategies and outcomes in 3 different times of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic through a dynamic assessment of medical skills and well-being of trainees. METHODS: Three surveys were administered during 2020 to general surgery residents and fellows in a university hospital in Argentina. Perceptions on the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 were described. The stress rate and risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 124 answers. In total, 59% were men, 82% of trainees reported concerns about the loss of surgical skills in early phase 1. Time spent with academic activities increased in 94.5% of the cases. Owing to the prompt implementation of changes, by the end of 2020, 73% participated in a greater number of procedures (P = .003); personal protective equipment use related problems dropped from 40% to 14% (P = .031), and the lack of adequate spaces where trainees could express reduced from 28% to zero. Half of the trainees felt stressed, and 18% required psychological assistance; reporting problems with personal protective equipment use was identified as a risk factor (P = .012). CONCLUSION: Assessing trainees' perceptions at 3 different times of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic enabled the implementation of dynamic changes. The negative impact on surgical training was partially offset by the optimal use of virtual learning. Half of them felt stressed, identifying problems in the use of personal protective equipment as a predisposing factor.

Emergency restructuring and impact of the pandemic in an Image-Guided Minimally Invasive Surgery Section

Antecedentes: La enfermedad por coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) ha forzado cambios en todas las facetas de los sistemas de salud. En este artículo se describen las modificaciones realizadas en la Sección de Cirugía Miniinvasiva Guiada por Imágenes (CIGIM) del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, para promover la seguridad y el bienestar del personal manteniendo la capacidad de respuesta a la demanda asistencial y académica. Material y métodos: Las medidas incluyeron la reorganización del personal, el manejo de los procedimientos electivos y de urgencia, las consultas ambulatorias, así como la actividad docente y de investigación. También se analizó comparativamente la variación interanual (2019-2020) de los pacientes atendidos (procedimientos percutáneos y consultas ambulatorias) entre el 20 de marzo y el 10 de mayo de cada año. Resultados: La Sección CIGIM fue reorganizada en rotaciones semanales de 3 actividades, con distanciamiento estricto entre sus miembros, y hasta el momento ninguno resultó afectado. Los pacientes operados y las consultas realizadas durante el período estudiado 2019 vs. 2020 disminuyeron significativamente: 136 vs. 57 operados y 102 vs. 39 consultas;p <0,0001. Las plataformas virtuales se utilizaron con éxito para mantener la actividad de pregrado, incluyendo cursadas de alumnos de grado de Medicina de dos universidades, el programa de residencia de Cirugía General y reuniones científicas;en dicho período se produjeron 3 trabajos científicos para publicación. Conclusiones: La disminución de la demanda asistencial, la reorganización de los grupos de trabajo y las plataformas virtuales pueden resultar estrategias y herramientas valiosas para afrontar la pandemia por COVID-19. Background: Coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) has forced changes in all facets of health systems. This article describes the modifications made in the Image-Guided Minimally Invasive Surgery Section (CIGIM) of the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, to promote the safety and well being of personnel while maintaining the ability to respond to academic and healthcare demand. Material and methods: Measures included reorganization of staff, management of elective and emergency procedures, outpatient consultations, as well as teaching and research activity. The inter-annual variation (2019-2020) of the patients attended (percutaneous procedures and outpatient consultations) between March 20 and May 10 of each year was also analyzed comparatively. Results: The CIGIM Section was reorganized into weekly rotations of 3 activities, with strict distancing among its members, and so far none have been affected. The operated patients and the consultations made during the analyzed period of 2019 vs. 2020 decreased significantly: 136 vs. 57 operated and 102 vs. 39 consultations;p <0.0001. Virtual platforms were successfully used to maintain undergraduate activity, including courses taken by medical students from two universities, the General Surgery residency program and scientific meetings;In this period, 3 scientific papers were written for publication. Conclusions: Dealing with healthcare demand, reorganizing working groups and virtual platforms can be valuable strategies and tools to confront the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emergency restructuring and impact of the pandemic in an Image-Guided Minimally Invasive Surgery Section COVID-19: Reestructuración de emergencia e impacto de la pandemia en una Sección de Cirugía Mininvasiva Guiada por Imágenes

Background: Coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) has forced changes in all facets of health systems. This article describes the modifications made in the Image-Guided Minimally Invasive Surgery Section (CIGIM) of the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, to promote the safety and well being of personnel while maintaining the ability to respond to academic and healthcare demand. Material and methods: Measures included reorganization of staff, management of elective and emergency procedures, outpatient consultations, as well as teaching and research activity. The inter-annual variation (2019-2020) of the patients attended (percutaneous procedures and outpatient consultations) between March 20 and May 10 of each year was also analyzed comparatively. Results: The CIGIM Section was reorganized into weekly rotations of 3 activities, with strict distancing among its members, and so far none have been affected. The operated patients and the consultations made during the analyzed period of 2019 vs. 2020 decreased significantly: 136 vs. 57 operated and 102 vs. 39 consultations;p <0.0001. Virtual platforms were successfully used to maintain undergraduate activity, including courses taken by medical students from two universities, the General Surgery residency program and scientific meetings;In this period, 3 scientific papers were written for publication. Conclusions: Dealing with healthcare demand, reorganizing working groups and virtual platforms can be valuable strategies and tools to confront the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tracheostomy in the intensive care unit: Guidelines during COVID-19 worldwide pandemic.

PURPOSE: COVID-19 has become a pandemic with significant consequences worldwide. About 3.2% of patients with COVID-19 will require intubation and invasive ventilation. Moreover, there will be an increase in the number of critically ill patients, hospitalized and intubated due to unrelated acute pathology, who will present underlying asymptomatic or mild forms of COVID-19. Tracheostomy is one of the procedures associated with an increased production of aerosols and higher risk of transmission of the virus to the health personnel. The aim of this paper is to describe indications and recommended technique of tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients, emphasizing the safety of the patient but also the medical team involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multidisciplinary group made up of surgeons with privileges to perform tracheostomies, intensive care physicians, infectious diseases specialists and intensive pulmonologists was created to update previous knowledge on performing a tracheostomy in critically ill adult patients (>18 years) amidst the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in a high-volume referral center. Published evidence was collected using a systematic search and review of published studies. RESULTS: A guideline comprising indications, surgical technique, ventilator settings, personal protective equipment and timing of tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients was developed. CONCLUSIONS: A safe approach to performing percutaneous dilational bedside tracheostomy with bronchoscopic guidance is feasible in COVID-19 patients of appropriate security measures are taken and a strict protocol is followed. Instruction of all the health care personnel involves is key to ensure their safety and the patient's favorable recovery.

Emergency restructuring and impact of the pandemic in an Image-Guided Minimally Invasive Surgery Section

Background: Coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) has forced changes in all facets of health systems. This article describes the modifications made in the Image-Guided Minimally Invasive Surgery Section (CIGIM) of the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, to promote the safety and well being of personnel while maintaining the ability to respond to academic and healthcare demand. Material and methods: Measures included reorganization of staff, management of elective and emergency procedures, outpatient consultations, as well as teaching and research activity. The inter-annual variation (2019-2020) of the patients attended (percutaneous procedures and outpatient consultations) between March 20 and May 10 of each year was also analyzed comparatively. Results: The CIGIM Section was reorganized into weekly rotations of 3 activities, with strict distancing among its members, and so far none have been affected. The operated patients and the consultations made during the analyzed period of 2019 vs. 2020 decreased significantly: 136 vs. 57 operated and 102 vs. 39 consultations;p <0.0001. Virtual platforms were successfully used to maintain undergraduate activity, including courses taken by medical students from two universities, the General Surgery residency program and scientific meetings;In this period, 3 scientific papers were written for publication. Conclusions: Dealing with healthcare demand, reorganizing working groups and virtual platforms can be valuable strategies and tools to confront the COVID-19 pandemic.