Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS®) protocol adapted to the Brazilian reality: a prospective cohort study for thoracic patients.

BACKGROUND: In Low-Middle Income Countries (LMICs), resource optimization and infrastructure availability are recurrently in debate. In order to assist the development and implementation of guidelines, LMICs often exemplify from High-Income Countries protocols. At the final, it will be: content adaption is often needed. In this study, we demonstrated the preliminary analysis of the Brazilian experience by adapting the ERAS® Protocol for thoracic surgery patients (PROSM). METHODS: Patients' data were extracted from the surgical group database that operated in the city of Sao Paulo. Patients' data were organized for analysis after the institution's ethics committee gave their approval. Patients' variables were analyzed and compared to a control group. Subgroup analysis included patients without ICU Admission. RESULTS: PROSM patients had reduced ICU length of stay (LOS) (Mean of 0.3±0.58 days, 1.2±1.65 days, P=0.001), Hospital LOS (Mean of 1.6±1.32 days, 3.9±3.25 days, P=0.001) and Chest Drain duration (Median 1.0±1.00 days, 3.0±3.00 days, P=0.001). Analyses of patients that were not admitted to the ICU demonstrated reduced Hospital LOS and Chest drain duration. Cost analysis, such as procedure, daily, and post-surgical costs were also significantly lower towards PROSM group. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed important aspects for improvement of the delivered care quality and opportunity for expenditure management. We expect to assist more countries to improve knowledge under the implementation of enhanced protocols.

A hybrid simulation model for pre-operative planning of transsphenoidal encephalocele.

Congenital transsphenoidal encephalocele (CTE) surgical correction is a challenging procedure. Although rare, this anomaly, characterized with neural herniation elements, including the pituitary gland or optic pathway through the sphenoid bone with anatomical alteration, can be presented in many different ways and should be individually analyzed. Significant advances in medical technology and the 3D models may simulate the complex anatomical relations of the human body. Nowadays, medical education relies on the availability of standardized materials that can reliably emulate human anatomy. Therefore, realistic anatomical models have become an alternative for cadavers or animal specimens. In this technical note, the authors present a new technique to create personalized models that combine 3D printing, molding, and casting to create an anatomically and tactilely realistic model based on magnetic resonance and computerized tomography images. Produced from different silicon types, the model recreated the anatomic alterations precisely, allowing a multidisciplinary team to determine the adequate surgical approach for this patient. We describe a case of congenital transsphenoidal encephalocele of a 3-year-old boy, whose surgical correction was planned using a hybrid model. The technical description of the model is given in detail. This new hybrid model allowed a detailed discussion of the surgical approach aspects by having tissues of different consistencies and resistances and a very high prediction rate. This approach may allow a reduction in surgery time and possible complications after operative procedures.

Multimaterial 3D printing preoperative planning for frontoethmoidal meningoencephalocele surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical correction of frontoethmoidal meningoencephalocele, although rare, is still challenging to neurosurgeons and plastic reconstructive surgeons. It is fundamental to establish reliable and safe surgical techniques. The twenty-first century has brought great advances in medical technology, and the 3D models can mimic the correct tridimensional anatomical relation of a tissue organ or body part. They allow both tactile and spatial understanding of the lesion and organ involved. The 3D printing technology allows the preparation for specific surgery ahead of time, planning the surgical approach and developing plans to deal with uncommon and high-risk intraoperative scenarios. CASE PRESENTATION: The present report describes a case of frontoethmoidal encephalocele, (nasofrontal subtype) of a 19-month-old girl, whose surgical correction was planned using 3D printing modeling. CONCLUSION: The 3D model allowed a detailed discussion of the aspects of the surgical approach by having tissues of different consistencies and resistances, and also predicting with millimetric precision the bilateral orbitotomy measurements. Moreover, it was a fundamental and valuable factor in the multidisciplinary preoperative discussion. This approach allowed reducing the time of surgery, accurately planning the location of the osteotomies and precontouring the osteosynthesis material. 3D models can be very helpful tools in planning complex craniofacial operative procedures.