Expert review of global real-world data on COVID-19 vaccine booster effectiveness and safety during the omicron-dominant phase of the pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 vaccines have been highly effective in reducing morbidity and mortality during the pandemic. However, the emergence of the Omicron variant and subvariants as the globally dominant strains have raised doubts about the effectiveness of currently available vaccines and prompted debate about potential future vaccination strategies. AREAS COVERED: Using the publicly available IVAC VIEW-hub platform, we reviewed 52 studies on vaccine effectiveness (VE) after booster vaccinations. VE were reported for SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic infection, severe disease and death and stratified by vaccine schedule and age. In addition, a non-systematic literature review of safety was performed to identify single or multi-country studies investigating adverse event rates for at least two of the currently available COVID-19 vaccines. EXPERT OPINION: Booster shots of the current COVID-19 vaccines provide consistently high protection against Omicron-related severe disease and death. Additionally, this protection appears to be conserved for at least 3 months, with a small but significant waning after that. The positive risk-benefit ratio of these vaccines is well established, giving us confidence to administer additional doses as required. Future vaccination strategies will likely include a combination of schedules based on risk profile, as overly frequent boosting may be neither beneficial nor sustainable for the general population.

Consenso colombiano de expertos sobre recomendaciones basadas en evidencias para el diagnóstico, el tratamiento y el seguimiento de la enfermedad de Fabry con compromiso renal

Contexto: la enfermedad de Fabry se comporta como una enfermedad crónica con compromiso multisistémico y alto costo en salud. Objetivo: generar recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia para el diagnóstico, el tratamiento y el seguimiento de la enfermedad de Fabry con compromiso renal mediante un consenso de expertos. Metodología: a partir de la búsqueda de evidencia en Pubmed, Embase y Google Scholar entre 2010 y agosto 2020, se formulan recomendaciones sobre la definición, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Fabry en población adulta, las cuales se consultan a un panel de expertos a través de la metodología de consenso Delphi modificado. La calidad de los documentos se evaluó por equipo metodológico aplicando herramientas en función del tipo de documento incluido. Resultados: se formularon 53 recomendaciones sobre la definición, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento. Un panel de cinco expertos clínicos nacionales e internacionales externos al grupo desarrollador participaron en la consulta preconsenso y 50 recomendaciones fueron acordadas para su inclusión, para tres de ellas se requirió una sesión formal de consenso que se dio en una ronda, incorporando tres nuevas recomendaciones. Conclusiones: las recomendaciones basadas en evidencia y experticia clínica permitirán orientar de manera estandarizada a nivel nacional y regional, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de pacientes con sospecha o enfermedad de Fabry con compromiso renal.

Background: Fabry disease behaves like a chronic condition, with multisystem involvement and high health care costs. Objective: To generate evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of the Anderson-Fabry disease with renal commitment, through an expert consensus. Methodology: Based on the search of evidence in PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar between 2010 and August, 2020, recommendations on the definition, diagnosis and treatment of Fabry Disease in adult population were formulated after consulting with an expert panel through the modified Delphi consensus methodology. The quality of the documents was assessed by methodological team applying tools according to the type of document included. Results: 53 recommendations for the definition, diagnosis and treatment were formulated. A panel of five national and international clinical experts external to the developer group participated in the pre-consensus consultation and 50 recommendations were agreed upon for their inclusion. For 3 recommendations, a formal consensus session which took place in one round was required, and 3 new recommendations were incorporated. Conclusions: The recommendations based on evidence and clinical expertise will allow us to guide the diagnosis and treatment of patients with Fabry disease with renal involvement or suspicion thereof in a standardized manner at national and regional levels.

Screening for Prognostic microRNAs Associated with Treatment Failure in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma.

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treatment with R-CHOP regimen produces 5-year progression-free survival and overall survival of around 60-70%. Our objective was to discover prognostic biomarkers allowing early detection of the remaining 30-40% with poor long-term outcome. For this purpose, we applied a novel strategy: from a cohort of DLBCL patients, treated with standard therapy, a discovery group of 12 patients with poor prognosis (advanced stage III-IV, R-IPI > 2) was formed, consisting of six chemoresistant (refractory/early relapse < 12 months) and six chemosensitive (complete remission > 3 years) subjects. By using microarray assays, the most differentially expressed miRNAs were defined as an initial set of prognostic miRNA candidates. Their expression was then analyzed in a validation cohort of 68 patients and the three miRNAs with the most significant impact on event-free and overall survival were selected. In the DLBCL cell line U-2932 the transfection with miR-1244 and miR-193b-5p, but not miR-1231, blocked the effect of CHOP on cell viability. A subsequent gene set enrichment analysis in patients revealed the implication of the first two miRNAs in cell cycle control and chemoresistance-related pathways, whereas the last one was involved in immunological processes. In conclusion, this novel strategy identified three promising prognostic markers for DLBCL patients at high risk of failure with standard therapy.

Effectiveness of Ultrasound Screening for a Placenta Accreta Spectrum Using Standard Ultrasound Criteria in a Secondary Care Setting.

OBJECTIVES: Ultrasound detection of a placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) among women at risk is a key goal to reduce obstetric morbidity, but there is scarce information on its performance in real clinical settings. We report the effectiveness of a standardized ultrasound protocol to detect PAS in women with placenta previa (PP) in a secondary-level hospital. METHODS: A retrospective analysis, including a cohort of 126 women with persistent PP among 27,975 pregnancies between 2008 and 2020, was performed. All 126 women underwent standardized transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound scan that assessed 5 criteria: (1) loss of hypoechoic retroplacental zone and/or myometrial thinning <1 mm; (2) lacunar images with a flow of >15 cm/s; (3) thick and bulging placenta; (4) thinning or interruption of the uterine-bladder serous interface; and (5) placental or uterovesical hypervascularity. The presence of at least one criterion was considered a high risk for PAS. Diagnosis of PAS was confirmed during the caesarean section and by histopathological analysis. RESULTS: Among 126 women with PP, 11 (8.7%) cases of PAS were diagnosed, of which 10 were detected prenatally by ultrasound scan. This resulted in a sensitivity of 90.9%, a specificity of 98.3%, a positive predictive value of 83.3%, and a negative predictive value of 99.1%. Histopathological assessment showed 6 placenta increta (54.5%), 4 percreta (36.4%), and 1 accreta (9.1%). All 10 cases of invasive placenta presented more than 3 ultrasound criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Standardized ultrasound screening protocol in women at risk due to PP in the third trimester was highly effective in detecting PAS in a secondary-level hospital setting.

Total Lesion Glycolysis Improves Tumor Burden Evaluation and Risk Assessment at Diagnosis in Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a hematological malignancy with an excellent prognosis. However, we still need to identify those patients that could experience failed standard frontline chemotherapy. Tumor burden evaluation and standard decisions are based on Ann Arbor (AA) staging, but this approach may be insufficient in predicting outcomes. We aim to study new ways to assess tumor burden through volume-based PET parameters to improve the risk assessment of HL patients. We retrospectively analyzed 101 patients with HL from two hospitals in the Balearic Islands between 2011 and 2018. Higher metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were significantly associated with a higher incidence of III-IV AA stages, B-symptoms, hypoalbuminemia, lymphopenia, and higher IPS. Standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was significantly related to AA stage and hypoalbuminemia. We found that TLG or the combination of SUVmax, TLG, and MTV significantly improved the risk assessment when compared to AA staging. We conclude that TLG is the best single PET/CT-related tumor-load parameter that significantly improves HL risk assessment when compared to AA staging. If confirmed in a larger and validated sample, this information could be used to modify standard frontline therapy and justifies the inclusion of TLG inside an HL prognostic score.

Prognostic Role of the Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW) in Hodgkin Lymphoma.

The red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter available from an automated blood count, which measures the degree of heterogeneity of erythrocyte volume and increases in inflammatory conditions. The prognostic role of RDW has been described in different types of cancers. Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a hematological malignancy, known to have a proinflammatory background. We aim to study the prognostic role of RDW in HL. We retrospectively analyzed 264 patients with HL from two hospitals in the Balearic Islands between 1990 and 2018. Higher levels of RDW were independently related to anemia, B-symptoms, and low albumin. In age ≥45 years, the presence of lymphopenia and higher RDW were independently associated with worse event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS). Long-term incidence of secondary malignancies was significantly higher in patients with higher RDW, particularly lung cancer. In conclusion, we report for the first time that RDW is a simple, cheap, and easily available prognostic factor in HL that identifies a group with worse EFS, OS, and a higher potential incidence of secondary malignancies. RDW seems to be related to most adverse prognostic factors in HL, making RDW an excellent candidate to be included in prognostic scores for HL.

Mismatch Repair Deficiency in Ovarian Carcinoma: Frequency, Causes, and Consequences.

Mismatch repair deficiency (MMRD) is involved in the initiation of both hereditary and sporadic tumors. MMRD has been extensively studied in colorectal cancer and endometrial cancer, but not so in other tumors, such as ovarian carcinoma. We have determined the expression of mismatch repair proteins in a large cohort of 502 early-stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma entailing all the 5 main subtypes: high-grade serous carcinoma, endometrioid ovarian carcinoma (EOC), clear cell carcinoma (CCC), mucinous carcinoma, and low-grade serous carcinoma. We studied the association of MMRD with clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in EOC, the histologic type in which MMRD is most frequent. In addition, MLH1 promoter methylation status and massive parallel sequencing were used to evaluate the proportion of sporadic and Lynch syndrome-associated tumors, and the most frequently mutated genes in MMRD EOCs. MMRD occurred only in endometriosis-associated histologic types, and it was much more frequent in EOC (18%) than in CCC (2%). The most frequent immunohistochemical pattern was loss of MLH1/PMS2, and in this group, 80% of the cases were sporadic and secondary to MLH1 promoter hypermethylation. The presence of somatic mutations in mismatch repair genes was the other mechanism of MMRD in sporadic tumors. In this series, the minimum estimated frequency of Lynch syndrome was 35% and it was due to germline mutations in MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6. ARID1A, PTEN, KTM2B, and PIK3CA were the most common mutated genes in this series. Interestingly, possible actionable mutations in ERRB2 were found in 5 tumors, but no TP53 mutations were detected. MMRD was associated with younger age and increased tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Universal screening in EOC and mixed EOC/CCC is recommended for the high frequency of MMRD detected; however, for CCC, additional clinical and pathologic criteria should be evaluated to help select cases for analysis.

Rotaxane and pseudo-rotaxane molecules from molecular wires. Theoretical description.

Some rotaxane molecules were designed, and their electronic capabilities were studied by means of DFT calculations. The original molecular wire consists of an iron complex that comprises aromatic substituents that constitute linear chains, and this system is complemented by the addition of fullerene C60 unities at both extremes of the chain, which act as the stoppers of the chain. Another modification was to add a link that gives way to the mechanical bond; this link is a square molecule of bis-pyrydyl-pyridinium tetraion. An interesting effect was observed as a result of these modifications; the conductivity of the systems rises with the first substitution and even more with the second in such a way that the original semiconductor material changes to give a conductor one.

Relación entre lumbalgia y sobrepeso/ obesidad: dos problemas de salud pública / Relationship Between Low Back Pain and Overweight/Obesity: Two Public Health Problems / Relação entre lumbago e sobrepeso-obesidade: dois problemas de saúde pública

Resumen: La lumbalgia y el sobrepeso-obesidad son patologías que se han constituido en tema de interés en salud pública, dado el incremento de incidencia y prevalencia de estas enfermedades en la población mundial. Investigaciones al respecto han sido realizadas especialmente en población anglosajona. Este artículo presenta un estudio analítico de corte transversal, en el que se incluyeron 100 pacientes escogidos con un muestreo por conveniencia, con diagnóstico de lumbalgia, y atendidos en la consulta externa institucional de Ortopedia-Columna del Hospital Militar Central, durante el periodo de abril-junio de 2015. Se analizaron variables sociodemográficas y relacionadas con severidad del dolor, sobrepeso-obesidad e imbalance muscular, variables que se consideraban factores asociados a la presentación y severidad de lumbalgia. De los pacientes analizados, el 52 % fueron mujeres y el 48 %, hombres. Se encontró que las mujeres con porcentaje de grasa corporal elevado tienen un riesgo mayor de padecer dolor lumbar severo, y los hombres con porcentaje de grasa corporal bajo tienen menos riesgo de presentar esta afección. El índice de masa corporal (IMC) para este estudio no pudo predecir la intensidad de dolor lumbar; sin embargo, se logró observar que ser hombre mayor de 50 años es un factor de riesgo para presentar lumbalgia severa.

Abstract: Low back pain and overweight/obesity have become a topic of interest in public health, given the increased incidence and prevalence of these pathologies in the world population. Research in this regard has been carried out, especially in the Anglo-Saxon population. This article presents a cross-sectional analytical study, which included 100 patients chosen by convenience sampling, with a diagnosis of low back pain and attending the institutional Orthopedics-Column outpatient clinic of the Hospital Militar Central during April-June 2015. Sociodemographic variables related to pain severity, overweight/obesity, and muscular imbalance were analyzed, as they were considered factors associated with the occurrence and severity of low back pain. Of the patients analyzed, 52% were women and 48 % men. It was found that women with high fat percentage have a higher risk of severe low back pain, while men with low fat percentage have a lower risk of having this condition. Body mass index (BMI) for this study could not predict the intensity of low back pain; however, it was observed that being a man older than 50 is a risk factor for severe low back pain.

Resumo: O lumbago e o sobrepeso-obesidade são patologias que se constituem em tema de interesse em saúde pública, tendo em vista o aumento de incidência e a prevalência dessas doenças na população em todo o mundo. Pesquisas sobre isso têm sido realizadas, em especial, com população anglo-sa-xã. Este artigo apresenta um estudo analitico, de corte transversal, do qual participaram 100 pacientes selecionados por conveniência, com diagnóstico de lumbago, e atendidos em consulta institucional de Ortopedia-Coluna do Hospital Militar Central, entre abril e junho de 2015. Foram analisadas variáveis sociodemográficas e relacionadas com severidade da dor, sobrepeso-obesidade e desequilíbrio muscular, variáveis consideradas fatores associados com a apresentação e a severidade de lumbago. Dos pacientes analisados, 52% eram mulheres e 48%, homens. Foi verificado que as mulheres com porcentagem de gordura elevada têm um risco maior de padecer dor lombar severa, e os homens com porcentagem de gordura baixa têm menos risco de apresentar essa condição. O indice de massa corporal para este estudo não pode predizer a intensidade de dor lombar; contudo, pôde-se observar que ser homem com mais de 50 anos é um fator de risco para apresentar lumbago grave.

Heel-Raised Foot Posture Does Not Affect Trunk and Lower Extremity Biomechanics During a Barbell Back Squat in Recreational Weight lifters.

Lee, S-P, Gillis, CB, Ibarra, JJ, Oldroyd, DF, and Zane, RS. Heel-raised foot posture does not affect trunk and lower extremity biomechanics during a barbell back squat in recreational weight lifters. J Strength Cond Res 33(3): 606-614, 2019-It is claimed that weightlifting shoes with a raised heel may lead to a more upright trunk posture, and thus reduce the risk of back injuries during a barbell back squat. These proclaimed biomechanical effects have not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to compare trunk and lower extremity biomechanics during barbell back squats in three foot postures. Fourteen recreational weight lifters (7 men and 7 women) between the ages of 18 and 50 years performed barbell back squats in three conditions (barefoot on a flat surface, barefoot on a heel-raised platform, and wearing heel-raised weightlifting shoes) at 80% of their 1 repetition maximum. Surface electromyography was used to assess the activation of the knee extensors and paraspinal muscles at L3 and T12 spinal levels. A 3D motion capture system and an electrogoniometer recorded the kinematics of the thoracic spine, lumbar spine, and knee during the back squat to a depth where the hip was at least at the same level to the knee. Results indicated that none of the heel-raised foot postures significantly affected trunk and lower extremity muscle activation (thoracolumbar paraspinal [p = 0.52], lumbar paraspinal [p = 0.179], knee extensor [p = 0.507]) or the trunk angles (thoracolumbar spine [p = 0.348], lumbar spine [p = 0.283]) during the squat. Our results demonstrated that during barbell back squats, heel-raised foot postures do not significantly affect spinal and knee extensor muscle activations, and trunk and knee kinematics. Heel-raised weightlifting shoes are unlikely to provide significant protection against back injuries for recreational weight lifters during the barbell back squat.

Evaluation of the Light-Cycler® SeptiFast Test in Newborns With Suspicion of Nosocomial Sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial sepsis (NS) in newborns (NBs) is associated with high mortality rates and low microbial recovery rates. To overcome the latter problem, new techniques in molecular biology are being used. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of SeptiFast test for the diagnosis of nosocomial sepsis in the newborn. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 86 blood specimens of NBs with suspected NS (NOSEP-1 Test > 8 points) were analyzed using Light Cycler SeptiFast (LC-SF) a real-time multiplex PCR instrument. The results were analyzed with the Roche SeptiFast Identification Software. Another blood sample was collected to carry out a blood culture (BC). RESULTS: Sensitivity (Sn) and specificity (Sp) of 0.69 and 0.65 respectively, compared with blood culture (BC) were obtained for LC-SF. Kappa index concordance between LC-SF and BC was 0.21. Thirteen (15.11%) samples were BC positive and 34 (31.39%) were positive with LC-SF tests. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with BC, LC-SF allows the detection of a greater number of pathogenic species in a small blood sample (1 mL) with a shorter response time.

Nontraumatic splenic pseudocyst. Case report.

BACKGROUND: Splenic cysts are uncommon and are classified as true cysts (with epithelial lining) and false cysts or pseudocysts. Splenic pseudocysts usually have a posttraumatic origin and are secondary to hematoma or to splenic infarction. At times there is no prior evidence of trauma, and the cyst may be secondary to a primary cyst with degeneration/atrophy of the epithelial lining. CLINICAL CASE: We present the case of a 50-year-old female with negative history of abdominal trauma. Clinically, the patient reported discomfort and pain in the left upper abdomen. Physical examination revealed a palpable and painful mass. reoperative ultrasonography and computerized tomography showed a large cyst in the spleen. Laparotomy and total splenectomy was performed. The cyst measured 9.5 × 9.0 cm. Histologically, the wall was composed of thick fibrous tissue, calcifications and no epithelial lining. CONCLUSIONS: "Nontraumatic" splenic pseudocyst is rare and may be secondary to a primary cyst with degenerative/atrophic changes in the epithelium. Clinically it is nonspecific, and symptoms are related to the mass effect of the cyst. Recommended treatment, according to the size of the cyst and its anatomic relation with the vasculature, is surgical with partial or complete splenectomy.

Inestabilidad atlantoaxial: fijación transarticular con tornillos / Atlantoaxial instability: screw fixation technique

Introducción: los cerclajes de alambre para la estabilización atlantoaxial no controlan las fuerzas de carga axial, rotación o extensión. Magerl y Seemann (1979) reportaron la fijación transarticular con buenos resultados. En la literatura nacional no se han reportado experiencias con dicha técnica. El objetivo de este estudio fue revisar la experiencia en el manejo de inestabilidades atlantoaxiales mediante fijación transarticular con tornillos. Materiales y métodos: se diseñó un estudio observacional descriptivo, tipo serie de casos. 25 pacientes fueron intervenidos entre marzo de 1993 y junio del 2004. Los casos se tabularon según edad, sexo, etiología, déficit neurológico y complicaciones. La patología traumática se analizó según diagnóstico, mecanismos de trauma, compromiso neurológico y lesiones asociadas. Resultados: se incluyeron 25 pacientes, 8 mujeres (32%) y 17 hombres (62%) con una edad promedio de 40 años (15-83) y un promedio de seguimiento de 73 meses (30-165 meses). Se encontró etiología traumática en 18 casos (64%), inflamatoria en 6 (24%) y congénita en uno (4%). La lesión traumática más frecuente fue subluxación rotatoria fija de C1-C2 en 6 casos (33%). El mecanismo de producción más frecuente fue el accidente de tránsito en 8 casos (32%). Se encontró déficit neurológico preoperatorio en 2 pacientes (11%). En cuanto a las complicaciones, hubo infección superficial en 2 casos (8%) y se presentaron dos fallas de material y una inestabilidad subaxial en el seguimiento tardío. No se documentaron pseudoartrosis sintomáticas ni complicaciones vasculares o neurológicas. Discusión: la técnica de fijación atlantoaxial transarticular es segura y proporciona estabilidad biomecánica inmediata, facilitando la rehabilitación.

Infecciones hematógenas de la columna vertebral: manejo quirúrgico / Surgical management in hematogenous vertebral infections

Introducción: las infecciones hematógenas se clasifican en piógenas, tuberculosas o micóticas y pueden presentarse como abscesos, discitis y/o espondilitis. El manejo quirúrgico de la infección incluye diversas técnicas como drenaje, curetaje, artrodesis y fijación, procedimientos que se efectúan por abordaje anterior y/o posterior. En la literatura nacional, la experiencia publicada sobre esta patología es muy escasa. El objetivo de este estudio fue revisar nuestra experiencia en el manejo quirúrgico de infecciones hematógenas de la columna vertebral en el Hospital Militar Central de Bogotá y otras instituciones del país. Materiales y métodos: se presenta un estudio observacional descriptivo tipo serie de casos. Entre 1984 y 2005 fueron intervenidos 36 pacientes. Se analizaron según presentación clínica, edad, germen aislado, procedimientos quirúrgicos realizados y complicaciones. Resultados: se incluyeron 21 hombres (58,3%) y 15 mujeres (41,7%) con una edad promedio de 46,5 años (rango 5 a 73 años), la región más afectada fue la torácica (52,7%) y el germen más frecuente Mycobacterium tuberculosis (63,8%). La técnica quirúrgica más utilizada fue combinada por doble abordaje: anterior para drenaje y artrodesis, y posterior para fijación y artrodesis (33,3%). Recomendaciones: la técnica quirúrgica combinada ofrece los mejores resultados comparada con técnicas por abordaje simple del presente estudio y con otras publicaciones de la literatura internacional. Deben impulsarse campañas de prevención contra la tuberculosis en nuestro medio.

Estenosis cervical: descompresión, fijación y artrodesis vía anterior / Cervical stenosis: decompression, anterior fixation and fusion

Diseño del estudio: descriptivo, serie de casos, prospectivo, multicéntrico. Objetivo: revisar la experiencia de la descompresión, artrodesis y fijación de la estenosis cervical. Marco conceptual: la estenosis cervical es causa de cervicobraquialgia asociada o no a déficit neurológico, cuya presentación es frecuente en la consulta externa de ortopedia y neurocirugía. El propósito de este estudio es revisar y describir la experiencia en los pacientes afectados con esta patología, así como los resultados derivados de su manejo. Todos los pacientes incluidos en el estudio fueron seguidos de manera ambulatoria por consulta externa, iniciando su manejo con fármacos, analgésicos y fisioterapia, sin que existiera una adecuada respuesta a éstos, por lo cual se consideró la cirugía. Materiales y método: se analizaron 30 pacientes, promedio de edad 57,2 años (35-92), promedio de seguimiento 62 meses (6-138). Se consideraron dos tipos de diagnóstico: hernia discal y canal estrecho degenerativo, valorando su compromiso neurológico pre y posquirúrgico con la escala de la Asociación Japonesa de Ortopedia (calificación máxima 17/17). Resultados: hernia discal 53% de casos siendo los niveles más comprometidos C5-C6 y C6-C7; canal estrecho degenerativo 47% de casos, con mayor afectación en C4-C5 y C5-C6. Neurológicamente presentaban mielorradiculopatía (50%), radiculopatía (40%) y mielopatía (10%). Se observó mejoría neurológica en el posoperatorio en 1 punto para hernia discal y 3 puntos para canal estrecho degenerativo en promedio. Complicaciones mínimas acordes con la literatura. Recomendaciones: la técnica descrita se considera indicada puesto que los resultados posoperatorios son favorables.

Reparación de la espondilolisis en columna lumbar / Repair of spondylolysis in the lumbar spine

Diseño del Estudio: Reporte de casos. Objetivo: Describir la experiencia quirúrgica con la reparación directa de la espondilolisis de L5. Marco Conceptual: La espondilolisis o ruptura de la pars interarticularis, es causa de espondilolistesis, lumbago y/o lumbociática, y ocasiona alto grado de incapacidad en adultos jóvenes. Tradicionalmente. los pacientes con indicación quirúrgica por espondilolisis, se han manejado mediante artrodesis vertebral L5-S1, con la consecuente pérdida funcional del segmento intervenido y sobrecarga biomecánica del segmento suprayacente. En la literatura nacional no existen reportes previos sobre la reparación de la lisis y las referencias internacionales sobre esta técnica son escasas. Materiales y Métodos: Ocho pacientes fueron intervenidos entre 2002-2004, realizándoseles reparación directa de la lisis mediante fusión “in situ”, y osteosíntesis interfragmentaria con tornillos corticales de titanio de 3,5mm AO más injertos óseos autógenos.. La casuística se analizó según presentación clínica,consolidación, movilidad y vitalidad del disco mediante estudios imagenológicos. Resultados. Durante el seguimiento se detectó fusión sólida en todos los casos, preservación de la movilidad y la vitalidad del disco intervertebral L5-S1. No se presentaron infecciones ni déficit neurológico. Recomendaciones: La reparación de la espondilolisis en columna lumbar, en pacientes jóvenes sintomáticos sin listesis o con listesis mínima (grado I) sin discopatía asociada, es una técnica segura.

Fijación interna de las fracturas del acetábulo. Experiencia Hospital Militar Central-10 años / Internal fixation of fractures of the acetabulum. Central Military Hospital Experience-10 years

Diseño del estudio: Descriptivo, prospectivo, serie de casos. Objetivo: Analizar la experiencia en el tratamiento de fracturas del acetábulo mediante técnicas de fijación interna. Marco conceptual: Las fracturas de acetábulo son producto de traumas de alta energía; en el pasado se manejaron con reposo en cama y tracción esquelética. Actualmente, gracias al desarrollo de las técnicas de fijación interna, el pronóstico funcional de la articulación ha mejorado. Método: 31 pacientes (26 hombres, 5 mujeres), fueron intervenidos entre febrero de 1992 y febrero de 2002; promedio de edad 36,8 años, promedio de seguimiento 50,4 meses. Los casos se analizaron según diagnóstico, mecanismo de trauma, lesiones asociadas, tipo de abordaje y complicaciones. Resultados: Predominaron los accidentes de tránsito como mecanismo de trauma (87%), comprometiendo principalmente y en forma aislada la columna y/o el reborde posterior (36%); en consecuencia, el abordaje quirúrgico más utilizado fue el posterior (68%). La reducción anatómica satisfactoria se logró en 87%. Como complicaciones se registraron cuatro neuropraxias en tres pacientes, tres del nervio ciático y una del nervio femoral. Un paciente presentó infección superficial de la herida del abordaje anterior y cuatro presentaron necrosis avascular de la cabeza femoral. Dos pacientes presentaron aflojamiento del material de osteosíntesis con pérdida de la reducción. Recomendaciones: Manejar las fracturas acetabulares mediante abordajes simples convencionales anterior y/o posterior y fijación con placas (3,5 mm).

Discoidectomía lumbar por incisión mínima: experiencia multicéntrica / Minimal incision lumbar discectomy: multicenter experience

Diseño del estudio: Descriptivo, prospectivo, serie de casos. Objetivo: Revisar la experiencia con la técnica descrita. Marco Conceptual: La hernia de disco lumbar es la causa más frecuente de lumbociática, y es fuente de gran incapacidad laboral. Existen múltiples procedimientos quirúrgicos para su manejo y la literatura reporta resultados similares entre las técnicas abiertas y percutáneas. Materiales y métodos: Setenta pacientes con hernia discal lumbar fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente entre 1990 y 2003, edad promedio 38 años, seguimiento promedio 6 años 3 meses. Los resultados se evaluaron según tipo de dolor, severidad de la hernia, presencia de déficit neurológico, manejo preoperatorio, complicaciones y calificación clínica postoperatoria de resultados según la Escala Ebeling. Resultados: En el 94 % las hernias fueron causadas por un mecanismo de esfuerzo físico. El 57% eran hernias protruidas, el tipo de dolor más frecuente fue lumbo-radicular (83%).Hubo mejoría en el 100% de las alteraciones motoras yl 69% de las alteraciones sensitivas. No se presentaron infecciones. Según la escala de Ebeling el 94.3% de los pacientes se encontraron en el grupo de resultados excelentes, (4.3%) buenos y un paciente en el grupo regular (1.4%). Recomendaciones: Técnica mínimamente invasiva, segura y con baja incidencia de complicaciones que favorece mejoría clínica y reintegro laboral temprano. Los costos son menores debido a que no se requiere de equipos de alta tecnología para su ejecución.

Fijacion posterior con placas para fracturas cervicales subaxiales. Experiencia Multicéntrica 1992 – 2003 – Hospital Militar Central / Posterior fixation using plates for subaxial cervical fracture. Multicentric Experience 1992-2003 - Hospital Militar Central

DISEÑO DEL ESTUDIO: Descriptivo, serie de casos, prospectivo, multicéntrico. OBJETIVO: Revisar la experiencia con la técnica de fijación mediante placas y tornillos de 3.5mm. MARCO CONCEPTUAL: Los cerclajes de alambre utilizados en el pasado para la estabilización de la columna cervical no controlan fuerzas de carga axial, rotación o extensión; Roy Camille (1970) popularizó la fijación con placas con buenos resultados; en nuestro medio no hay reportes publicados con dicha técnica. MATERIALES Y MÉTODO: 50 pacientes fueron intervenidos entre febrero 1992 y junio 2003, promedio edad 32 años (15-66); promedio seguimiento 76 meses (9-145). Se analizaron según diagnóstico, mecanismo, compromiso neurológico, lesiones asociadas, región fijada, implantes utilizados, ortesis y complicaciones. RESULTADOS: Las lesiones más frecuentes fueron luxofracturas 86%, nivel más comprometido C5-C6 42%, mecanismo por accidente de tránsito 42%. En cuanto al estado neurológico prequirúrgico, se encontró déficit completo 46%, incompleto 30% y sin déficit 24%. Todos los pacientes con déficit incompleto mejoraron en el seguimiento. No se presentaron complicaciones relacionadas con la técnica quirúrgica como pseudoartrosis o ruptura del material, lesiones vasculares o neurológicas. RECOMENDACIONES: La técnica descrita se considera segura ya que proporciona estabilidad biomecánica inmediata, facilita la rehabilitación y su incidencia de complicaciones es baja.