RESUMO
Resumen El tricobezoar es una variedad de los bezoarios cuya característica es la presencia de una masa compacta constituida por material no digerible, principalmente cabellos y otros componentes. Presentación de casos: Se presentan 2 casos de pacientes de 4 y 9 años, quienes ingresaron por emergencias, con evolución clínica crónica caracterizada por una masa abdominal palpable, pérdida de peso progresiva asociada a tricofagia-tricotilomania, con presunción diagnóstica de ingreso de bezoar gástrico. La ecografía abdominal en ambos pacientes reportó imagen ecorefringente en su interior que produce sombra acústica, compatible con probable tricobezoar, diagnóstico reforzado por tomografía computarizada con contraste. Dada la imposibilidad de extracción vía endoscópica por el gran tamaño, se optó por realizar laparotomía exploratoria, extrayéndose en los 2 casos la masa en bloque completa a través de una gastrotomía. Las pacientes presentaron una evolución favorable, recibiendo alimentación parenteral por 5 días y luego ingesta oral con buena tolerancia, dando de alta hospitalaria a su 9° y 10° día postoperatorio, con seguimiento interdisciplinario y apoyo psicológico. Debe considerarse como primera posibilidad diagnóstica el tricobezoar ante presencia de tricotilomanía, compromiso afectivo, retraso psicomotor, clínica intestinal. En estos casos el manejo neuropsiquiátrico postquirúrgico es fundamental a fin de reducir el riesgo de recurrencias.
Abstract The trichobezoar is a variety of bezoars whose characteristic is the presence of a compact mass made up of indigestible material, mainly hair and other components. Presentation of cases: We present 2 cases of patients aged 4 and 9 years, who were admitted to an emergency room, with symptoms of chronic evolution characterized by a palpable abdominal mass, progressive weight loss associated with trichophagia-trichotillomania, with presumed diagnosis of gastric bezoar admission. The abdominal ultrasound in both reported an echorefringent image inside that produces an acoustic shadow, compatible with a probable trichobezoar, a diagnosis reinforced by contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Given the impossibility of endoscopic extraction due to the large size, it was decided to perform exploratory laparotomy, extracting the complete en-bloc mass through a gastrotomy in both cases. The patients presented a favorable evolution, receiving parenteral feeding for 5 days and then oral ingestion with good tolerance, being discharged from hospital on their 9th and 10th postoperative day with interdisciplinary follow-up and psychological support. There is a high suspicion of trichobezoar in the presence of trichotillomania, affective compromise, psychomotor retardation, intestinal symptoms and postsurgical neuropsychiatric management is essential in order to reduce the risk of recurrence.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: An international surgical team implemented a virtual basic laparoscopic surgery course for Bolivian general and pediatric surgeons and residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. This simulation course aimed to enhance training in a lower-resource environment despite the challenges of decreased operative volume and lack of in-person instruction. METHODS: The course was developed by surgeons from Bolivian and U.S.-based institutions and offered twice between July-December 2020. Didactic content and skill techniques were taught via weekly live videoconferences. Additional mentorship was provided through small group sessions. Participants were evaluated by pre- and post-course tests of didactic content as well as by video task review. RESULTS: Of the 24 enrolled participants, 13 were practicing surgeons and 10 were surgery residents (one unspecified). Fifty percent (n = 12) indicated "almost never" performing laparoscopic surgeries pre-course. Confidence significantly increased for five laparoscopic tasks. Test scores also increased significantly (68.2% ± 12.5%, n = 21; vs 76.6% ± 12.6%, n = 19; p = 0.040). While challenges impeded objective evaluation for the first course iteration, adjustments permitted video scoring in the second iteration. This group demonstrated significant improvements in precision cutting (11.6% ± 16.7%, n = 9; vs 62.5% ± 18.6%, n = 6; p < 0.001), intracorporeal knot tying (36.4% ± 38.1%, n = 9; vs 79.2% ± 17.2%, n = 7; p = 0.012), and combined skill (40.3% ± 17.7%; n = 8 vs 77.2% ± 13.6%, n = 4; p = 0.042). Collectively, combined skill scores improved by 66.3% ± 10.4%. CONCLUSION: Virtual international collaboration can improve confidence, knowledge, and basic laparoscopic skills, even in resource-limited settings during a global pandemic. Future efforts should focus on standardizing resources for participants and enhancing access to live feedback resources between classes.
