Robotic surgery implementation in an isolated overseas territory - The case of Reunion Island.

INTRODUCTION: In February 2020, robotic surgery was introduced in University Hospital of St Pierre in Reunion Island. The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of robotic assisted surgery in the hospital and its impact on operating times and patient outcomes. METHODS: Data was prospectively collected on patients undergoing laparoscopic robotic assisted surgery between February 2020 and February 2022. Information included patient demographics, type of surgery, operating times and length of stay. RESULTS: Over the two-year study period, 137 patients underwent laparoscopic robotic assisted surgery performed by 6 different surgeons. 89 of the surgeries were in gynecology, including 58 hysterectomies, 37 were in digestive surgery, and 11 in urology. The installation and docking times decreased across all specialties and were found to be significantly reduced when comparing the first and last 15 hysterectomies: mean installation time decreased from 18.7 to 14.5 minutes (p=0.048), mean docking time decreased from 11.3 to 7.1 minutes (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of robotic assisted surgery in an isolated territory such as Reunion Island was slow due to a lack of trained surgeons, supply difficulties and Covid crisis. Despite these challenges, the use of robotic surgery allowed for technically more challenging surgeries and demonstrated similar learning curves to other centers.

Consultations due to suspected child and adolescent sexual abuse at the Department of Gynecology of a children's hospital: pre- and intra-COVID-19 pandemic / Consultas por sospecha de abuso sexual infantojuvenil en la sección de Ginecología de un hospital pediátrico: variaciones prepandemia e intrapandemia de COVID-19

Introducción. Se ha postulado que el aislamiento social debido a la pandemia de la enfermedad por el coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19, por su sigla en inglés) aumentaría la incidencia de abuso sexual infantojuvenil (ASIJ). Objetivo. Comparar la incidencia y las características de las consultas realizadas en Ginecología en relación con ASIJ antes y durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, observacional y comparativo entre las situaciones de sospecha de ASIJ ocurridas durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en relación con las del mismo período del año previo en un hospital pediátrico de alta complejidad. Resultados. Se consignaron 122 consultas por sospecha de ASIJ, 78 en el período previo a la pandemia y 44 en la pandemia. El motivo de consulta al hospital más frecuente, en ambos grupos, fue el relato de ASIJ y, al Servicio de Ginecología en particular, la evaluación de genitales externos. La mayor parte presentó un examen físico normal. Se observó una mayor prevalencia de infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) en el grupo de pandemia. Se realizaron más internaciones y denuncias para protección de víctimas en dicho grupo. Se registró que el agresor era conocido de la víctima en casi el 90 % de las víctimas de ambos grupos. Conclusiones. Durante la pandemia se evidenció una disminución en el número total de consultas a Ginecología, de modo que aquellas por sospecha de ASIJ representaron un mayor porcentaje. Sin embargo, las características en relación con la presencia de lesiones graves, infecciones de transmisión sexual o embarazo no se vieron modificadas

Introduction. It has been suggested that the social isolation due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may increase the incidence of child and adolescent sexual abuse (CASA). Objective. To compare the incidence and characteristics of medical consultations made to the Department of Gynecology due to CASA before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods. Descriptive, observational, and comparative study about suspected CASA events occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to those occurred in the previous year at a tertiary care children's hospital. Results. One hundred and twenty-two medical consultations due to suspected CASA were recorded; 78 before and 44 during the pandemic. In both groups, the most common reason for consultation at the hospital was an account of CASA and, at the Department of Gynecology in particular, the external genitalia examination. Most subjects had a normal physical examination. There was a higher prevalence of STI in the pandemic group. In addition, there were also more hospitalizations and police reports for victims protection in this group. The abuser was known to the victim in almost 90% of cases in both groups. Conclusions. During the pandemic, the total number of medical consultations to the Department of Gynecology decreased so the percentage of those due to suspected CASA was higher. However, the presence of severe lesions, STIs or pregnancy did not change