Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma in Brazil: What Are We Missing?

BACKGROUND: Breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) has been diagnosed in more than 1000 patients in more than 30 countries, although only a few cases have been reported in Latin America and the Caribbean to date. As the second-largest global market for breast implants with a predominance of textured-surface implants, Brazil is a major global market for cosmetic augmentations, making it unlikely that cases of BIA-ALCL are actually scarce. METHODS: A local and voluntary registry of patients with BIA-ALCL was initiated in 2018. All patients diagnosed with BIA-ALCL were confirmed by the World Health Organization criteria. Implant characteristics, disease symptoms, treatment, and oncologic outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Fourteen cases of BIA-ALCL in a Brazilian population were identified in the Paraná state. Disease-specific diagnostic tests were omitted before surgical intervention in 50 percent of patients. With additional cases from a literature review, the treatment and outcomes of 29 cases of BIA-ALCL in Brazil were assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with other populations, these initial observations suggest that awareness of the disease by the local breast surgery community remains low and that a number of cases may remain undiagnosed. Lack of preoperative diagnostic testing compromises disease treatment, oncologic outcomes, and both short- and long-term surveillance.

Explante de silicone mamário: um estudo longitudinal multicêntrico / Breast silicone explant: a multicenter longitudinal study

Introdução: Após a colocação de implantes mamários de silicone, algumas pacientes apresentam sintomas descritos como doença do implante mamário e buscam a cirurgia de explante. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar o histórico de sintomas e verificar as impressões dos pacientes submetidos ao explante mamário em três momentos distintos: antes de colocar os implantes mamários, enquanto estavam com os implantes e após a cirurgia de explante. Métodos: Essa pesquisa foi delineada como um estudo observacional longitudinal multicêntrico utilizando um questionário on-line de participação voluntária enviado por e-mail. Resultados: Foram analisados 156 pacientes, 84% apresentavam três ou mais sintomas e 66,1% destes obtiveram melhora de sua sintomatologia após o explante (p<0,001). Antes da colocação de silicone, a mediana de autossatisfação corporal era de 7, enquanto estavam com os implantes a mediana tornou-se 9 e após a cirurgia de explante a mediana se manteve em 9 (p<0,001). Grupos de apoio em redes sociais auxiliaram na decisão de fazer o explante em 87,2% das pacientes. Conclusão: Pacientes que têm sintomas após colocarem silicone apresentam melhora com a retirada dos implantes mamários. A autossatisfação corporal aumenta com a colocação de implantes mamários e permanece elevada após a retirada destes. Pacientes que fazem a cirurgia do explante costumam estar arrependidas de terem colocado silicone, muito satisfeitas com a decisão de removêlos e igualmente satisfeitas com o resultado da cirurgia de explante mamário. Grupos de apoio em redes sociais foram importantes na tomada de decisão destas pacientes.

Introduction: Following silicone breast implant placement, some patients present symptoms described as breast implant illness and seek explant surgery. This study aims to analyze the historical symptoms and ascertain breast explant patients' impressions at three different times: before breast implant placement while having the implants, and after the explant surgery. Methods: This survey was designed as a multicenter longitudinal observational study using an online voluntary participation questionnaire sent by e-mail. Results: 156 patients were analyzed, 84% had three or more symptoms, and 66.1% improved their symptoms after the explant (p<0.001). Before the placement of silicone, the median self-body satisfaction was 7, while with the implants, the median became 9, and after the explant surgery, the median remained up to 9 (p<0.001). Support groups on social networks helped in the decision to explant in 87.2% of the patients. Conclusion: Patients presenting symptoms after silicone placement show improvement with breast implant removal. Body self-satisfaction increases with the placement of breast implants and remains increased after their removal. Patients who undergo the explant surgery usually regret having implanted silicone; they are very satisfied with the decision to remove them and equally satisfied with the result of the breast explant surgery. Support groups on social networks were important in the decision-making of these patients.

Breast Implant Illness: onde estamos e para onde vamos? / Breast Implant Illness: where are we and where are we going?

Apesar dos mais de 60 anos de história, dezenas de estudos e grandes amostras populacionais, nos últimos anos diversos pacientes têm retornado ao consultório do cirurgião plástico. Apresentam dúvidas a respeito do silicone, algumas devido aos relatos recentes de BIA-ALCL (Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma), mas a grande maioria pela possibilidade de sintomas sistêmicos relacionados aos implantes e que despertam o desejo da sua remoção. Procedimento conhecido como explante. Este fenômeno, cujas dúvidas são inúmeras e as respostas mínimas, é conhecido na literatura mundial como Breast Implant Illness (BII). Na Internet e redes sociais, centenas de sinais e sintomas têm sido relacionados às próteses de silicone, usualmente inespecíficos. Os sintomas mais comuns referidos pelas pacientes são fadiga crônica, artralgia, confusão mental, mialgia, perda de memória, dificuldade de concentração e olhos secos. Até o momento, não existem testes diagnósticos para BII, nenhum método baseado em evidência científica para diferenciá-la de outras condições e há muito pouco conhecimento a respeito do seu início, curso, fatores de risco, causas e manejo adequado. A opção pela retirada dos implantes vem crescendo vertiginosamente nos últimos anos, sendo uma das dez cirurgias mais realizadas nos Estados Unidos no ano passado. A literatura mostra taxas de melhora dos sintomas variáveis após o explante e as pacientes mostram-se, via de regra, satisfeitas com seu resultado estético e apresentam níveis de ansiedade e estresse menores após o procedimento. São necessários estudos prospectivos, randomizados bem desenhados correlacionando períodos distintos das pacientes, desde o pré-operatório do implante até o pós-explante.

Despite more than 60 years of history, numerous studies and large population samples, in recent years, several patients have returned to the plastic surgeons office. They have doubts about the silicone, some due to the recent reports of BIAALCL, but the vast majority due to the possibility of systemic symptoms related to the implants and which arouse the desire for its removal. Procedure known as explant. This phenomenon, whose doubts are numerous and the responses are minimal, is known in the world literature as Breast Implant Illness (BII). On the Internet and social networks, hundreds of signs and symptoms have been related to silicone implants, usually nonspecific. The most common symptoms reported by patients are chronic fatigue, arthralgia, mental confusion, myalgia, memory loss, difficulty concentrating and dry eyes. So far, there are no diagnostic tests for BII, no method based on scientific evidence to differentiate it from other conditions, and there is very little knowledge about its onset, course, risk factors, causes and proper management. The option for removing the implants has been growing dramatically in recent years, being one of the ten most performed surgeries in the United States last year. The literature shows variable improvement rates after the explantation and the patients are, as a rule, satisfied with their aesthetic result and have lower levels of anxiety and stress after the procedure. Prospective, well-designed randomized studies correlating different periods are necessary, from the preoperative period of the implant until after the explantation.

Use of flow cytometry and cytology to differentiate breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma from reactive seromas in Brazilian patients.

INTRODUCTION: The combination of cytology and multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) may be useful in the diagnosis of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and may be a practical way to differentiate lymphoma from benign and reactive seromas. Although the Brazilian breast implant market is the second largest in the world, with several manufacturers and the almost exclusive use of textured implants, the occurrence of BIA-ALCL in Brazil is underreported. METHODS: One hundred seventeen sequential collections of suspicious periprosthetic fluid (PF) from 105 Brazilian patients registered between March/2018 and March/2021 were evaluated by routine cytomorphology and flow cytometry. The combination of CD30, HLA-DR, and CD25 was used together with T and B lymphocyte and monocyte evaluation. The PF samples were divided into positive, acute reactive (neutrophilic exudate), or chronic reactive (macrophage or lymphocyte rich), and unavailable samples. RESULTS: Nine BIA-ALCL positive cases (7.7%) were identified, with typical morphology and increased FSC/SSC dispersion, bright expression of CD30, CD25 and HLA-DR, and absence or weakness of T-cell antigens (CD3, CD8, CD4, CD5, and CD7). Reactive samples were acute (n = 18, 15.4%) and chronic (n = 70, 59.8%). Twenty samples were excluded. The mean age of BIA-ALCL patients was 50 years (31-57 years) and 35 years in reactive patients (20-69 years). CONCLUSION: Use of MFC with a comprehensive antibody panel consisting of CD30 in conjunction with CD25 and HLA-DR can discriminate anaplastic cells of BIA-ALCL from lymphoid or neutrophilic reactive cells and should be considered in the initial evaluation of seroma.

Mamoplastia: passos para uma cirurgia segura. Evidências da literatura / Mammoplasty: steps for safe surgery. Evidence from literature

RESUMO Introdução: A mamoplastia é uma das cirurgias mais realizadas pelos cirurgiões plásticos. Como todo procedimento, não é isenta de riscos ou complicações. Objetivos: Discutir questões controversas e intercorrências em cirurgia mamária e principais tratamentos. Métodos: Participaram da discussão quatro membros titulares da SBCP com ampla experiência em cirurgia plástica mamária, além do regente do capítulo de mamoplastias. Foram avaliados fatores que apresentavam maior controvérsia em mamoplastias: utilização de antibióticos; infiltração pré-operatória; associação da mamoplastia com implantes mamários; grandes ptoses mamárias; mamoplastia masculinizadora; retalhos para ascensão do complexo areolopapilar (CAP); utilização de drenos; curativos em mamoplastias e enxerto de gordura. Resultados: A literatura e discussão entre especialistas gerou as observações: há evidencias robustas da efetividade no uso de antibióticos perioperatório de mamoplastias redutoras, mas não há evidências de benefícios em se manter o uso por mais de 24 horas; a infiltração pré- operatória com soluções vasoconstritoras não reduz a incidência de hematoma; em mamoplastia associada a implantes não houve consenso sobre a melhor técnica, plano ou textura do implante; não houve consenso sobre a melhor técnica na ascensão do CAP em grandes ptoses, se enxertos ou retalhos; a mamoplastia masculinizadora não apresenta complicações diversas das encontradas na literatura; não existe protocolo específico para conduta quando há sofrimento do CAP; curativos podem ser removidos no primeiro dia de pós-operatório ou mantidos por mais tempo, e deve haver parcimônia no enxerto de gordura. Conclusão: O presente estudo concluiu que a mamoplastia é uma cirurgia segura, porém são necessários estudos continuados que possibilitem minimizar complicações.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Mammoplasty is one of the most performed surgeries by plastic surgeons. Like every procedure, it is not free of risks or complications. Objectives: Discuss controversial issues and complications in breast surgery and main treatments. Methods: Four full members of the SBCP with extensive experience in breast plastic surgery participated in the discussion, in addition to the regent of the mammoplasty chapter. Factors that presented the greatest controversy in mammoplasties were evaluated: use of antibiotics; preoperative infiltration; association of mammoplasty with breast implants; large mammary ptoses; masculinizing mammoplasty; flaps for the elevation of the nipple-areola complex (NAC); use of drains; dressings in mammoplasties and fat grafting. Results: The literature and discussion among specialists generated the observations: there is robust evidence of the effectiveness in the use of perioperative antibiotics of reducing mammoplasties, but there is no evidence of benefits in maintaining use for more than 24 hours; preoperative infiltration with vasoconstrictor solutions does not reduce the incidence of hematoma; in mammoplasty associated with implants there was no consensus on the best technique, plane or texture of the implant; there was no consensus on the best technique in the elevation of NAC in large ptoses, whether grafts or flaps; masculinizing mammoplasty does not present complications different from those found in the literature; there is no specific protocol for conduct when there is suffering from the NAC; dressings can be removed on the first postoperative day or kept longer, and there should be parsimony in the fat graft. Conclusion: The present study concluded that mammoplasty is safe surgery, but continued studies are needed to minimize complications.

A Picture of Breast Reconstruction in a Public Oncology Hospital in Latin America: A Ten-Year Experience.

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is the most frequent malignant tumor among women worldwide, with the sole exception of non-melanoma skin cancer. Currently, one of the most common treatments in Brazil is modified radical mastectomy, which, although effective, leads to both physical and psychological complications. In this context, breast reconstruction seeks to restore the functional and psychosocial health of women. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of breast reconstructions after mastectomy by comparing immediate and delayed reconstructions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study, which was performed by analyzing the electronic medical records of the Erasto Gaertner Hospital in Curitiba, Brazil, from between January 2007 and December 2017. RESULTS: After applying exclusion criteria, we analyzed a total of 268 medical records from January 2010 to December 2017. The most frequent histological type was invasive ductal carcinoma. Patients treated after 2014 had a higher number of immediate reconstructions, and the most commonly used method was alloplastic reconstruction using expanders (66.5%). There was no significant difference in the frequency of immediate or late complications between patients who opted for immediate or delayed reconstructions. The most common immediate complication was surgical wound dehiscence, and the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with a higher rate of complications in immediate reconstructions. CONCLUSION: The current preference is for immediate reconstructions with breast tissue expanders in combination with chemotherapy, which follows a trend in Brazil and worldwide that has been identified in the literature. Finally, the growth in immediate reconstructions with no associated increase in complications demonstrates the effectiveness of this practice.

Correction to: Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and the Textured Breast Implant Crisis.

Anne K. Groth's name was wrongly tagged in the original publication of this article. It has been corrected here.

Linfoma anaplásico de células grandes associado a implante mamários: um desafio diagnóstico / Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a diagnostic challenge

O linfoma anaplásico de células grandes associado a implante mamário (BIA-ALCL ) é uma entidade provisória com características morfológicas e imunofenotípicas indistinguíveis do linfoma anaplásico de células grandes (ALCL) ALK negativo. Ao contrário do ALCL, o BIA-ALCL surge principalmente em associação ao implante mamário. A confirmação diagnóstica do BIA-ALCL pode ser difícil e a associação de características morfológicas e patológicas com citometria de fluxo e imuno-histoquímica pode auxiliar no diagnóstico. O objetivo deste relatório é descrever um caso de BIA-ALCL no qual a análise citológica e imunofenotipológica utilizando citometria de fluxo sugeriu a presença de grandes células positivas para CD30 no líquido de derrame.

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a provisional entity with morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics indistinguishable from ALKnegative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). Unlike ALCL, BIA-ALCL arises mainly in association with breast implantation. Diagnostic confirmation of BIA-ALCL can be difficult and associating morphological and pathological hallmarks with flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry can assist in the diagnosis. The objective of this report is to describe a case of BIA-ALCL in which cytological and immunophenotypological analysis using flow cytometry suggested the presence of large CD30-positive cells in the effusion fluid.

Thoracic Wall Reconstruction: Surgical Planning in Extended Malignant Resections.

INTRODUCTION: The reconstruction of defects in thoracic wall remains a challenge for plastic surgeons. Advances in surgical treatment of illnesses of thoracic wall have been fostering the treatment of lesions within more advanced levels. Consequently, larger and more complex defects are generated, demanding soft tissue covering and framework repair. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report the experience in chest wall reconstruction and demographics of a tertiary cancer center. METHODS: All patients submitted to thoracic wall reconstruction by the plastic surgery department from January 2012 to May 2018 in a tertiary cancer center were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients have undergone thoracic wall reconstruction. The majority of patients in our series were submitted to surgical treatment of locally advanced breast cancer (84.3%). The most common defect location was the right anterolateral region (65.6%). The latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap was the most used in thoracic wall reconstructions. Three cases of thoracectomy with rib resection were reconstructed with methylmethacrylate and polypropylene surgical mesh associated with musculocutaneous flap. Four patients presented major complications, and 12 patients (37.5%) presented minor complications. There were no deaths related to procedures or instability of thoracic wall. Twenty-two patients presented progression of the disease, and 16 died due to the primary pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Extended resection of the chest wall is associated in most cases with advanced disease, especially advanced breast cancer. Despite poor prognosis associated to locally advanced disease, it is imperative to perform chest wall reconstruction and allow the patient to continue adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy or chemotherapy) and improve quality of life.

Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and the Textured Breast Implant Crisis.

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is an uncommon T-cell, CD-30+/ALK lymphoma. Late (9 years) periprosthetic fluid (seroma) is the most common presentation (90% of the cases). A combination of textured breast implant, bacterial contamination, and genetic predisposition seems to be necessary for BIA-ALCL to occur. There are 35 million patients with implants in the world, and at the present moment, 573 cases of BIA-ALCL have been reported. The risk of developing BIA-ALCL in Australia varies from 1:2832 to 1:86,029, with texture grades 3 and 4 seeming to pose a higher risk than grades 2 and 1. NCCN has established guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, and early diagnosis is the key to cure. At an early stage and for the vast majority of patients, the treatment consists of capsulectomy and implant removal. However, at stages II to IV, a systemic treatment is warranted, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy (residual disease), and brentuximab vedotin. The majority of patients can be cured, and complete capsular removal is the most important factor. So far, 33 patients have died from BIA-ALCL worldwide, with deaths related to delay in diagnosis and treatment. Textured implants have been in the midst of the current implant crisis, and Biocell was recalled worldwide after the latest FDA update on the disease. At the present moment, no medical society or regulatory agency has recommended implant removal. It is about time that we start robust breast implant registries to determine risks. Besides, based on scientific criteria, we must consider all the benefits and risks associated with the available breast devices.Level of Evidence III This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Reconstruction options for locally advanced breast cancer cases and their impact on the quality of life

Introduction: Radical surgical procedures are indicated for part of the patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). The improvement in the use of myocutaneous flaps allowed surgeons to perform extensive resections, a procedure that can be traumatic for women, leading to several biopsychosocial complications in a shortened survival. Objectives: This study aimed at understanding the effects of surgical treatment on the quality of survival of patients with guarded and unchanging prognosis. Methodology: The project was designed in two stages: review of medical records with a sample of 27 cases and face-to-face interviews with the administration of questionnaires in a sample of five cases among the remaining patients who underwent LABC surgery at Hospital Erasto Gaertner in Curitiba (PR). Results: On average, the answers obtained with the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument were "regular" for physical, psychological, and environmental domains and "good" for the social relations domain. In the 12-item short-form survey (SF-12), the means were 45,125 points for the mental component and 40,875 points for the physical one. These values show the impact of advanced disease, hygienic surgery, and chest reconstruction on the quality of life of the patients, reflecting the biopsychosocial damage caused by LABC. Conclusion: The data reveal that LABC treatment is aggressive, but in patients with survival, the surgical treatment associated with chest reconstruction had surprisingly positive results in relation to quality of life.

Prehabilitation: how to prepare our patients for elective major abdominal surgeries? / Pré-habilitação: como preparar nossos pacientes para cirurgias abdominais eletivas de maior porte?

Surgical approach is the main form of treatment for several diseases of the abdominal cavity. However, surgical procedure itself is a stressor that may lead to adverse effects unrelated to the treatment goal. Prehabilitation has emerged as a multifactorial preoperative health conditioning program, which promotes improvement in functional capacity and postoperative evolution. The present study reviews literature using MEDLINE, Ovid, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases in order to determine the concept of prehabilitation program and the indications and means of patient selection for it, as well as to suggest ways to implement this program in cases of major abdominal surgeries.

Várias doenças da cavidade abdominal têm, na abordagem cirúrgica, sua principal forma de tratamento. Entretanto, o próprio procedimento cirúrgico é um agente estressor que pode promover efeitos adversos não relacionados com o objetivo do tratamento. A pré-habilitação emergiu como um programa multifatorial de condicionamento de saúde pré-operatório, que promove melhora na capacidade funcional e na evolução pós-operatória. O presente estudo faz uma revisão da literatura usando os bancos de dado MEDLINE, Ovid, Google Scholar e Cochrane para determinar o conceito, as indicações, os meios de seleção dos pacientes, e para sugerir as formas de implementação do programa de pré-habilitação em cirurgias abdominais de grande porte.

Inframammary fold subcutaneous cushion assessment using MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

BACKGROUND: The inframammary fold (IMF) is one of the most important elements in the determination of the aesthetic of the female breast. During mastectomies, it is important to preserve the subcutaneous portion nearby the IMF, attempting that, this preservation will greatly facilitate reconstruction allowing more satisfying aesthetic results. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the thickness of the subcutaneous IMF cushion using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition images. METHODS: We have gauged the right breast IMF subcutaneous cushion from patients (all the cases without previous surgery in this topography) who were submitted to MRI in a diagnosis radiology center, between January and February of 2017. MRI images were analyzed in T1 fat saturated sequences. The assessment of the fold cushion was realized in the projection of axial measurements in sagittal plane. RESULTS: Among the 50 evaluated patients, the median measure of breast base was 9.91 cm. The median measure of the subcutaneous IMF cushion assessment in the sagittal projection of the breast base meridian was 2.40 cm (varying from 1.34 to 4.05 cm, with percentile 5% of 1.51 cm and percentile 95% of 3.55 cm). CONCLUSIONS: Other studies indicate the negligible amount of breast tissue and the low incidence of neoplasia in this topography, the preservation of the IMF seems feasible. The measurements of the IMF thickness, evaluated by MRI in this study, provide reference values for maintaining a desirable inframammary crease.

Safety check list in outpatient surgery teaching. / Checklist de segurança no ensino de cirurgia ambulatorial.

This article proposes the use of a safe surgical checklist in the teaching of the discipline of Ambulatory Surgery during medical graduation. It discusses its benefits and potential implementation and adherence difficulties. It underscores the importance of developing a patient safety culture and active learning methodologies to train students for greater commitment and accountability with the quality of care provided to the community in the academic outpatient clinic of the school hospital.

Este artigo propõe a utilização de um checklist de cirurgia segura no ensino da disciplina de Cirurgia Ambulatorial durante a graduação em Medicina. Discorre sobre seus benefícios e potenciais dificuldades de implantação e adesão. Ressalta a importância do desenvolvimento da cultura de segurança do paciente e das metodologias ativas de aprendizagem para treinar os estudantes para maior compromisso e responsabilidade com a qualidade da assistência prestada à comunidade no ambulatório acadêmico do hospital escola.

Pré-habilitação: como preparar nossos pacientes para cirurgias abdominais eletivas de maior porte? / Prehabilitation: how to prepare our patients for elective major abdominal surgeries?

RESUMO Várias doenças da cavidade abdominal têm, na abordagem cirúrgica, sua principal forma de tratamento. Entretanto, o próprio procedimento cirúrgico é um agente estressor que pode promover efeitos adversos não relacionados com o objetivo do tratamento. A pré-habilitação emergiu como um programa multifatorial de condicionamento de saúde pré-operatório, que promove melhora na capacidade funcional e na evolução pós-operatória. O presente estudo faz uma revisão da literatura usando os bancos de dado MEDLINE, Ovid, Google Scholar e Cochrane para determinar o conceito, as indicações, os meios de seleção dos pacientes, e para sugerir as formas de implementação do programa de pré-habilitação em cirurgias abdominais de grande porte.

ABSTRACT Surgical approach is the main form of treatment for several diseases of the abdominal cavity. However, surgical procedure itself is a stressor that may lead to adverse effects unrelated to the treatment goal. Prehabilitation has emerged as a multifactorial preoperative health conditioning program, which promotes improvement in functional capacity and postoperative evolution. The present study reviews literature using MEDLINE, Ovid, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases in order to determine the concept of prehabilitation program and the indications and means of patient selection for it, as well as to suggest ways to implement this program in cases of major abdominal surgeries.

Checklist de segurança no ensino de cirurgia ambulatorial / Safety check list in outpatient surgery teaching

RESUMO Este artigo propõe a utilização de um checklist de cirurgia segura no ensino da disciplina de Cirurgia Ambulatorial durante a graduação em Medicina. Discorre sobre seus benefícios e potenciais dificuldades de implantação e adesão. Ressalta a importância do desenvolvimento da cultura de segurança do paciente e das metodologias ativas de aprendizagem para treinar os estudantes para maior compromisso e responsabilidade com a qualidade da assistência prestada à comunidade no ambulatório acadêmico do hospital escola.

ABSTRACT This article proposes the use of a safe surgical checklist in the teaching of the discipline of Ambulatory Surgery during medical graduation. It discusses its benefits and potential implementation and adherence difficulties. It underscores the importance of developing a patient safety culture and active learning methodologies to train students for greater commitment and accountability with the quality of care provided to the community in the academic outpatient clinic of the school hospital.

Evaluation of complications and flap losses in mandibular reconstruction with microvascularized fibula flap.

The mandibular defects caused by mandibulectomies can involve esthetic and functional sequelae in patients. The fibula presents positive aspects and can be used as an option for mandibular reconstruction after tumor resections or extensive traumas. Furthermore, this retrospective study of the patients who have passed through a mandibular reconstruction with a microvascular fibular flap over the last 17 years describes the experience of the Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryService at the ErastoGaertner Hospital, Curitiba/PR. The use of this flap type has a complication rate of 32.3%, which includes the fixation material exposure, flap resorptions, fistulas, pathological fractures, tumor recurrence, infections, seromas, and thrombocytopenia. Most of them are associated with patients who have received radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. These data suggest a high frequency of complications when a reconstruction plate fixation is used. Minor complications are usual and they should not be overlooked because they can lead to devastating consequences.

Haem oxygenase-1 polymorphisms can affect HCV replication and treatment responses with different efficacy in humanized mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Enhancement of host anti-oxidant enzymes, such as haemoxygenase-1, may attenuate virus-mediated hepatocyte injury, while the induction of HO-1 by cobalt-protoporphyrin-IX (CoPP) administration, as the application of its haem degradation product biliverdin (BV), was shown to hinder HCV replication in vitro. In addition, (GT)n -repeats length in the polymorphic region of the HO-1 promoter may affect HO-1 expression and responsiveness to infection and disease severity. Aim of this study was to investigate the antiviral and hepatoprotective effects of CoPP-mediated HO-1 induction, alone or in combination with interferon alpha (peg-IFNα), in HCV-infected mice harbouring hepatocytes from donors with different HO-1-promoter polymorphisms. METHODS: Upon establishment of HCV infection, CoPP, BV and peg-IFNα were given alone or in combination. Viraemia changes and intrahepatic human gene expression were determined by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: CoPP administration increased human HO-1 expression and significantly reduced viraemia, although changes correlated with promoter length (Δ0.5log and Δ2log reduction with medium- and short-polymorphism respectively). Polymorphisms did not influence BV-mediated antiviral effects (Δ1log). Notably, HO-1 induction attenuated basal HCV-driven enhancement of interferon genes and pro-inflammatory cytokines, both in cells with short- or medium-polymorphisms. Moreover, simultaneous administration of CoPP and peg-IFNα reduced viraemia even stronger (median 3log), whereas 1log viraemia reduction was determined in mice receiving peg-IFNα monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Although the protective function of HO-1 could be elicited in vivo with both host polymorphisms, the strength of HO-1 induction and suppression of HCV occurred in a polymorphism-dependent manner, indicating that host-genetic determinants may affect disease progression and infection outcome.

Human liver chimeric mice as a new model of chronic hepatitis E virus infection and preclinical drug evaluation.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute hepatitis as well as chronic infection in immunocompromised individuals; however, in vivo infection models are limited. The aim of this study was to establish a small animal model to improve our understanding of HEV replication mechanisms and permit the development of effective therapeutics. METHODS: UPA/SCID/beige mice repopulated with primary human hepatocytes were used for infection experiments with HEV genotype (GT) 1 and 3. Virological parameters were determined at the serological and intrahepatic level by real time PCR, immunohistochemistry and RNA in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Establishment of HEV infection was achieved after intravenous injection of stool-derived virions and following co-housing with HEV-infected animals but not via inoculation of serum-derived HEV. GT 1 infection resulted in a rapid rise of viremia and high stable titres in serum, liver, bile and faeces of infected mice for more than 25 weeks. In contrast, viremia in GT 3 infected mice developed more slowly and displayed lower titres in all analysed tissues as compared to GT 1. HEV-infected human hepatocytes could be visualized using HEV ORF2 and ORF3 specific antibodies and HEV RNA in situ hybridization probes. Finally, six-week administration of ribavirin led to a strong reduction of viral replication in the serum and liver of GT 1 infected mice. CONCLUSION: We established an efficient model of HEV infection to test the efficacy of antiviral agents and to exploit mechanisms of HEV replication and interaction with human hepatocytes in vivo.