Simulation in pediatric minimally invasive surgery: adaptation of a simple series of exercises as part of the process of an initial implementation of a resident training program.

INTRODUCTION: the simulation in minimally invasive surgery is fundamental for surgeon in training to learning and training skills, especially in pediatrics, due to the particularities, reduced spaces, specific and rare procedures. The aim of this study was to propose an adapted series of exercises and to simply evaluate the performance of pediatric surgery residents in the initial implementation of a training program. METHOD: seven basic skills exercises in video surgery, based on series and programs already published and using low-cost materials, were performed by six residents in 2 moments, with an interval of 15 days and evaluated by simple instrument. RESULTS: there was no difficulty with models. Considering the individual averages of the seven exercises together in the two moments, five of the six residents increased the score in the second moment. The average score per exercise increased in five of the seven tasks. Despite the small number of participants and repetition, it has already been possible to observe a trend of better performance with decreased time of all residents after a single repetition. All considered the exercises capable of training essential skills of the specialty, with simple and inexpensive materials. CONCLUSION: given the challenges of simulated training in pediatric video surgery, it is known the benefit of a continuous program, with exercises that can simulate real situations. A pre-established schedule, more participants and repetitions, supervision of experienced surgeons and validated instruments are fundamental to evaluate surgeons in training and show statistical benefits of simulated exercises in this series.

Simulation in pediatric minimally invasive surgery: adaptation of a simple series of exercises as part of the process of an initial implementation of a resident training program / Simulação em cirurgia minimamente invasiva pediátrica: adaptação de uma série de exercícios simples e de fácil aplicação como parte do processo de implementação inicial de um programa de treinamento de residentes

ABSTRACT Introduction: the simulation in minimally invasive surgery is fundamental for surgeon in training to learning and training skills, especially in pediatrics, due to the particularities, reduced spaces, specific and rare procedures. The aim of this study was to propose an adapted series of exercises and to simply evaluate the performance of pediatric surgery residents in the initial implementation of a training program. Method: seven basic skills exercises in video surgery, based on series and programs already published and using low-cost materials, were performed by six residents in 2 moments, with an interval of 15 days and evaluated by simple instrument. Results: there was no difficulty with models. Considering the individual averages of the seven exercises together in the two moments, five of the six residents increased the score in the second moment. The average score per exercise increased in five of the seven tasks. Despite the small number of participants and repetition, it has already been possible to observe a trend of better performance with decreased time of all residents after a single repetition. All considered the exercises capable of training essential skills of the specialty, with simple and inexpensive materials. Conclusion: given the challenges of simulated training in pediatric video surgery, it is known the benefit of a continuous program, with exercises that can simulate real situations. A pre-established schedule, more participants and repetitions, supervision of experienced surgeons and validated instruments are fundamental to evaluate surgeons in training and show statistical benefits of simulated exercises in this series.

RESUMO Introdução: a simulação em cirurgia minimamente invasiva é fundamental para treinamento e aprendizagem de habilidades ao cirurgião em formação, especialmente na pediatria, devido às particularidades da especialidade, espaços reduzidos, procedimentos específicos e raros. O objetivo deste estudo foi propor uma adaptação de uma série de exercícios em simulador e avaliar o desempenho dos residentes de cirurgia pediátrica na implementação inicial de um programa de treinamento. Método: sete exercícios de habilidades básicas em videocirurgia, baseados em séries e programas já publicados e utilizando materiais de baixo custo, foram realizados por seis residentes em 2 momentos, com intervalo de 15 dias e avaliados por instrumento simples. Resultados: não houve dificuldade em relação aos modelos. Considerando- se as médias individuais dos sete exercícios juntos nos dois momentos, cinco dos seis residentes aumentaram a pontuação no segundo momento. A pontuação média por exercício aumentou em cinco das sete tarefas. Apesar do pequeno número de participantes e repetição, já foi possível observar uma tendência de melhor desempenho com diminuição do tempo de todos os residentes após uma única repetição. Todos consideraram os exercícios capazes de treinar habilidades essenciais da especialidade, de maneira acessível e com materiais simples e baratos. Conclusão: diante dos desafios do treinamento simulado em videocirurgia pediátrica, sabe-se do benefício de um programa contínuo, com exercícios que simulam situações reais. Um cronograma pré-estabelecido, mais participantes e mais repetições, supervisão de cirurgiões experientes e instrumentos validados são fundamentais para avaliar a evolução dos cirurgiões em formação e permitir demonstrar resultados com significância estatística.

COVID-19 associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children mimicking acute appendicitis - how to differentiate and conduct pediatric patients during the pandemic? - Proposal of a management flowchart.

INTRODUCTION: the new coronavirus pandemic has been a reality throughout 2020, and it has brought great challenges. The virus predominantly manifests in the pediatric population with mild symptoms. However, an increase in the incidence of Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 has been described in the literature. MIS-C manifests mainly with fever and gastrointestinal symptoms and may mimic acute abdomen due to acute appendicitis. The objective of this study is to propose a care flowchart for suspected cases of acute appendicitis in the initial phase in pandemic times, considering the possibility of MIS-C. This situation was brought up by a patient treated in a pediatric hospital in Brazil. DISCUSSION: It was possible to identify common signs and symptoms in the reported patient and those published cases that may serve as alerts for early identification of MIS-C cases. Based on the literature review and on the similarities between the syndrome and the inflammatory acute abdomen in children, we elaborated an initial approach for these cases to facilitate the identification, early diagnosis, and management. The flowchart considers details of the clinical history, physical examination, and complementary exams prior to the indication of appendectomy in patients with initial phase symptoms. CONCLUSION: MIS-C, although rare and of poorly known pathophysiology, is most often severe and has a high mortality risk. The use of the proposed flowchart can help in the diagnosis and early treatment of MIS-C.

COVID-19 associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children mimicking acute appendicitis - how to differentiate and conduct pediatric patients during the pandemic? - Proposal of a management flowchart / Síndrome inflamatória multissistêmica em crianças associada ao COVID-19 mimetizando apendicite aguda - como diferenciar e conduzir pacientes pediátricos durante a pandemia? - Proposta de fluxograma de atendimento

ABSTRACT Introduction: the new coronavirus pandemic has been a reality throughout 2020, and it has brought great challenges. The virus predominantly manifests in the pediatric population with mild symptoms. However, an increase in the incidence of Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 has been described in the literature. MIS-C manifests mainly with fever and gastrointestinal symptoms and may mimic acute abdomen due to acute appendicitis. The objective of this study is to propose a care flowchart for suspected cases of acute appendicitis in the initial phase in pandemic times, considering the possibility of MIS-C. This situation was brought up by a patient treated in a pediatric hospital in Brazil. Discussion: It was possible to identify common signs and symptoms in the reported patient and those published cases that may serve as alerts for early identification of MIS-C cases. Based on the literature review and on the similarities between the syndrome and the inflammatory acute abdomen in children, we elaborated an initial approach for these cases to facilitate the identification, early diagnosis, and management. The flowchart considers details of the clinical history, physical examination, and complementary exams prior to the indication of appendectomy in patients with initial phase symptoms. Conclusion: MIS-C, although rare and of poorly known pathophysiology, is most often severe and has a high mortality risk. The use of the proposed flowchart can help in the diagnosis and early treatment of MIS-C.

RESUMO Introdução: a pandemia do novo coronavírus arrastou-se ao longo de 2020 e trouxe grandes desafios. Acredita-se que o vírus manifesta-se na população pediátrica predominantemente com quadros leves, entretanto, aumento da incidência da Síndrome Inflamatória Multissistêmica em Crianças (SIM-C) associada à COVID-19 tem sido descrito na literatura. A SIM-C manifesta-se principalmente com febre e sintomas gastrointestinais, podendo mimetizar abdome agudo inflamatório por apendicite aguda. O objetivo deste trabalho é propor fluxograma de atendimento dos casos suspeitos de apendicite aguda em fase inicial, em tempos de pandemia, considerando-se a possibilidade de SIM-C, motivado pelo caso de paciente atendido em hospital pediátrico no Brasil. Discussão: Foi possível identificar sinais e sintomas em comum entre o paciente aqui relatado e casos publicados que podem servir de alerta para identificação precoce dos casos de SIM-C. Com base na revisão da literatura e nas semelhanças entre a síndrome e quadros de abdome agudo inflamatório na criança, foi elaborado fluxograma de abordagem inicial destes doentes para facilitar a identificação, diagnóstico precoce e condução dos pacientes. O fluxograma leva em consideração detalhes da história clínica, exame físico e exames complementares antes da indicação de apendicectomia em pacientes com sintomas na fase inicial. Conclusão: A SIM-C, apesar de rara e da fisiopatologia pouco conhecida, apresenta-se na maioria das vezes de forma grave e possui alto risco de mortalidade. O uso do fluxograma proposto pode auxiliar no diagnóstico e tratamento precoce da SIM-C.

Scintigraphic Evaluation of the Impact of Pneumoperitoneum on Renal Blood Flow: A Rabbit Model.

Background: Increased intra-abdominal pressure resulting from pneumoperitoneum can cause renal physiological changes, such as oliguria and anuria, in mammals. Although videolaparoscopic operations are common, the occurrence of renal lesions due to these procedures has not been precisely documented in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of pneumoperitoneum on renal blood flow using renal scintigraphy in a rabbit model. Methods: Six New Zealand male rabbits weighing 3 kg, previously anesthetized, were mechanically ventilated and underwent pneumoperitoneum. Each animal served as its own control and was analyzed in two different moments: [99mTc] diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) renal blood flow evaluation in baseline conditions (T0) and 30 minutes after installation of 15 mmHg-pneumoperitoneum (T1). The animals were monitored throughout the study by capnography, oximetry, and arterial pressure median, and were euthanized at the end of the experiment. Results: The quantitative analysis of the scintigraphic images of renal uptake of the radiopharmaceutical evidence reduced renal arterial blood flow during pneumoperitoneum. Compared with baseline conditions, all animals presented a reduction of renal blood flow varying from 16% to 82%, with mean [±standard deviation] of 53% [±24%]. Conclusions: Pneumoperitoneum induces a significant reduction of the renal blood flow, as determined in this experimental method in rabbits and dynamic renal scintigraphy with [99mTc] DTPA is an adequate method to investigate this event in the experimental setting.

Simulation in Pediatric Video Surgery: Training with Simple and Reproducible Exercises Elaborated by Residents.

Background: Most residents do not have a defined program for simulation training in video surgery in Brazil. The training takes place for the most part in vivo or in short courses. The goal of this article is to describe and evaluate a set of exercises using low-cost materials, created by the residents themselves, to enable basic skills training in video surgery. Materials and Methods: Seven exercises were elaborated aiming to simulate main maneuvers performed in video surgery. The residents were guided by a written and video description showing the execution of the exercises, performed the exercises, and answered a questionnaire. After 3 weeks of free training, the residents performed the exercises and answered the questionnaire again. Results: Seven residents started the study; however, 6 completed the two steps. Among the participants, 83% received in vivo video surgery training, and only 2 (33%) received some supervised simulation training in minimally invasive surgery before this time. All participants considered the set of seven exercises representative of the actual skills in video surgery. There was no difficulty in acquiring the materials or in assembling them to carry out the training. All the participants had a shorter training time than initially proposed, on average 1 day/week for 20 minutes. Conclusions: A simple set of exercises can be elaborated by the residents themselves and make feasible the simulated training in video surgery even without the availability of sophisticated and expensive materials. The presence of a tutor and the scheduling of exclusive training seem necessary for more satisfactory results.

Atypical clinical presentation of visceral leishmaniasis: a rare case without splenomegaly.

Clinical manifestations of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) usually include splenomegaly. We report a case of a woman from an endemic area with fever but normal splenic size. This is rare, especially in patients not immunocompromised.

[Assessment of adherence to the WHO surgical safety checklist in urological and gynecological surgeries at two teaching hospitals in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil]. / Avaliação da adesão ao checklist de cirurgia segura da OMS em cirurgias urológicas e ginecológicas, em dois hospitais de ensino de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil.

The WHO surgical safety checklist is a useful tool for decreasing the number of adverse events in hospitals, but its implementation is still a challenge. This study aimed to assess adherence to the checklist in urological and gynecological surgeries at two teaching hospitals in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. A cross-sectional observational design was used, elective surgeries were selected, and data were collected from medical charts. Adherence was based on the quality and proper completion of the checklist, and the association of structural and socio-professional factors was analyzed using multiple regression. Of the 375 surgeries reviewed, 61% included a checklist and 4% were correctly filled out. The existence of a checklist was associated with gynecological surgeries (OR = 130.18) and longer operating time (OR = 2.13), while quality of the checklist was related to urological surgeries (ß = 26.36). Adherence to the checklist needs to be improved, and the observed differences suggest the influence of distinct implementation strategies at the two institutions.

Avaliação da adesão ao checklist de cirurgia segura da OMS em cirurgias urológicas e ginecológicas, em dois hospitais de ensino de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil / Assessment of adherence to the WHO surgical safety checklist in urological and gynecological surgeries at two teaching hospitals in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil / Evaluación de la adherencia al checklist de cirugía segura de la OMS en cirugías urológicas y ginecológicas en dos hospitales universitarios en Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

O checklist de cirurgia segura da Organização Mundial da Saúde é uma ferramenta útil para diminuir eventos adversos em hospitais, porém sua implantação efetiva ainda é um desafio. Este estudo objetiva avaliar a adesão ao checklist em cirurgias urológicas e ginecológicas de dois hospitais de ensino em Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. O desenho foi observacional transversal; selecionaram-se cirurgias eletivas, e a coleta se deu por meio de revisão de prontuários. Descreveu-se a adesão mediante a existência e qualidade do preenchimento do checklist, e analisou-se a associação de fatores estruturais e socioprofissionais valendo-se de análise de regressão múltipla. Das 375 cirurgias revisadas, 61% tinham checklist, e 4% estavam totalmente preenchidos. A existência do checklist se associou às cirurgias ginecológicas (maternidade) (OR = 130,18) e à maior duração da cirurgia (OR = 2,13), enquanto a qualidade do preenchimento se relacionou com as cirurgias urológicas (hospital geral) (β = 26,36). A adesão ao checklist precisa ser aprimorada, e as diferenças sugerem a influência das distintas estratégias de implantação utilizadas em cada instituição.

The WHO surgical safety checklist is a useful tool for decreasing the number of adverse events in hospitals, but its implementation is still a challenge. This study aimed to assess adherence to the checklist in urological and gynecological surgeries at two teaching hospitals in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. A cross-sectional observational design was used, elective surgeries were selected, and data were collected from medical charts. Adherence was based on the quality and proper completion of the checklist, and the association of structural and socio-professional factors was analyzed using multiple regression. Of the 375 surgeries reviewed, 61% included a checklist and 4% were correctly filled out. The existence of a checklist was associated with gynecological surgeries (OR = 130.18) and longer operating time (OR = 2.13), while quality of the checklist was related to urological surgeries (β = 26.36). Adherence to the checklist needs to be improved, and the observed differences suggest the influence of distinct implementation strategies at the two institutions.

El checklist de cirugía segura es una herramienta útil para disminuir los eventos adversos en hospitales, pero su implantación efectiva aún es un reto. Este estudo tiene por objetivo evaluar la adherencia al checklist en cirugías urológicas y ginecológicas de dos hospitales universitarios en Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. El diseño fue observacional transversal, se seleccionaron cirugías electivas y la recogida de datos fue mediante revisión de historias clínicas. Se describe la adherencia a partir de la existencia y calidad de la cumplimentación del checklist y se analiza la asociación de factores estructurales y socioprofesionales mediante análisis de regresión múltipla. De las 375 cirugías revisadas, el 61% tenía checklist y el 4% estaba totalmente cumplimentado. La existencia del checklist se asoció a las cirugías ginecológicas (maternidad) (OR = 130,18) y a la mayor duración de la cirugía (OR = 2,13), mientras la calidad de la cumplimentación se relacionó con las cirugías urológicas (hospital general) (β = 26,36). La adherencia al checklist es una oportunidad de mejora y las diferencias sugieren la influencia de diferentes estrategias de ejecución utilizados en cada institución.