Training in Skull Base Endonasal Endoscopic Surgery: Development and Validation of a Novel Low-Cost Simulation with Animal Cadaveric Model.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic skull base surgery is constantly evolving and its scope has expanded. The acquisition of surgical skills involves a long learning curve with significant risks for the patient. Therefore, training in the laboratory has become essential to achieve appropriate proficiency and reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with these procedures. The objective of our work is to develop and validate a cost-effective and easily replicable simulator for endonasal endoscopy training using a swine cadaveric model. METHODS: We used fresh Pietrain swine heads. Training exercises of increasing complexity were performed. A Specific Technical Skills and Knowledge Scale was created considering the objectives to be assessed in each task. After the simulation, the trainees were required to answer a satisfaction survey. RESULTS: Ten participants were recruited (5 neurosurgery residents and 5 neurosurgeons). The simulator assessment showed statistically significant differences between groups. Performance was better among the group with endoscopic surgery experience. Face validity was assessed through a postsimulation questionnaire showing an overall mean score of 28.7 out of 30, indicating a highly positive overall assessment of the simulator. Furthermore, 100% of the trainees believe that including endoscopy training in their education would be beneficial. CONCLUSIONS: The endonasal endoscopy training simulator using a swine cadaveric model is a useful and accessible tool for enhancing surgical skills in this field. It provides an opportunity for training outside the operating room, reducing the potential risks associated with patient practice, and improving the training of residents.

Impact of COVID-19 on a brain damage unit.

AIM: To report on the impact of COVID-19 on a brain damage unit. METHODS: We reviewed the records of all patients admitted to our brain damage unit. The study included all the significant clinical events from the first positive qualitative real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction assay (April 8th, 2020) for SARS-CoV-2 to the day all patients tested negative (June 8th, 2020). RESULTS: Of the 20 patients (14 men) (age 57.7 ± 14.9; 2-71 months after brain damage; all with a modified Rankin scale score > 4), 16 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and remained positive for a mean of 32.3 days (ranging from 26 to 61). One patient died from COVID-19, while 12 patients were asymptomatic and three suffered mild pneumonia without acute respiratory distress syndrome. All patients received prophylactic subcutaneous heparin. Intravenous methylprednisolone was prescribed for three patients with bilateral pneumonia with excellent results. CONCLUSIONS: Most positive cases (93.7%) were not severe. The good outcome was most likely due to the use of prophylactic anticoagulation therapy, the early use of methylprednisolone for pneumonia and the previously reported immunosuppression amid patients with brain damage. This study hopes to encourage further study into brain damage immunity.

Prevalencia de Anomalías de Pie en Niños de Enseñanza Básica de Entre 6 a 12 Años, de Colegios de la Ciudad de Arica-Chile / Prevalence of Foot Anomalies in Schoolchildren between 6 and 12 Years Old of Elementary Education from Arica-Chile

Los problemas ortopédicos del pie en el niño son los más frecuentes en esta época de la vida. Por esto, es importante hacer la diferenciación entre un pie normal y un pie alterado. El objetivo fue determinar la prevalencia de pie plano y pie cavo en alumnos de enseñanza básica de Arica. 420 alumnos (210 niñas y 210 niños) de 3 diferentes tipos de colegios de enseñanza básica de la ciudad de Arica, en edades de entre 6 a 12 años, aparentemente sanos, fueron medidos. A todos los sujetos en estudio se les realizó una evaluación podoscópica de la huella plantar desde el plano anteroposterior. A los padres, apoderados y profesores se les aplicó una encuesta sobre el grado de conocimiento y las implicancias de estas anomalías. Los resultados muestran en los niños varones una prevalencia de un 31,6% para pie plano y un 11,6% para pie cavo, en relación a un 56,8% de niños con pie normal. En las niñas los valores indican un 24,3% para pie plano y un 14,4% para pie cavo. El peso y el índice de masa corporal presentan una correlación positiva en la expresión de anomalías de pie en la población estudiantil de Arica-Chile. El Colegio "Regimiento Rancagua", de tipo municipal, gratuito, presenta los más altos índices de anomalías de pie (45%), Colegio particular (43%) y el Colegio particular subvencionado, los menores índices con un valor de 35%. En el análisis de las encuestas se observa que padres a apoderados tienen pocos conocimientos sobre estas alteraciones y sus consecuencias en la postura. Pie plano es la anomalía de mayor conocimiento por padres y los profesores. Se concluye que pie plano presenta mayor prevalencia en la población estudiantil de Arica, con un 28% y pie cavo una prevalencia total de un 13%.

Orthopedic foot problems in children are the most common at this time of life. For this reason it is important to differentiate between a normal foot and an altered foot. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of flat and cavus foot in elementary schoolchildren to Arica, Chile. Four hundred and twenty students (210 girls and 210 boys) from 3 different schools of elementary education in the city of Arica, ages 6-12 years, apparently healthy, were measured. All study subjects underwent an assessment of the footprint from the anteroposterior plane, using a podograph. Parents and teachers were surveyed about the level of knowledge and the implications of these anomalies. The results show in boys a prevalence of 31.6% for flat foot and 11.6% for cavus foot. In girls the prevalence was 24.3% to flat foot and 14.4% for cavus foot. The weight and body mass index are positively correlated in expression standing anomaly in the student population of Arica, Chile. The public, municipal and gratuitous schools, have the highest standing indices of anomalies, with values of 45%. The private schools (43%), subsidized private schools, showing lower rates of abnormal foot, with 35%. In the analysis of the survey shows that few parents have knowledge of these changes and their consequences for the position. Flat foot is the anomaly of greater awareness by parents and teachers. We conclude that flatfoot is more prevalent in the student population of Arica, with 28%, cavus foot presenting a prevalence of 13%.

Prevalencia de aneurismas intracraneales: estudio retrospectivo en el Hospital Vozandes

Diagnosticados 174 pacientes de enfermedad cerebrovascular; 23 de ellos presentaron hemorragia subaracnoidea por ruptura de un aneurisma. Presentamos su edad, sexo, localización topográfica de los aneurismas, estado clínico a su ingreso en base a la clasificación de Hunt y Kosnik, tipo de tratamiento, complicaciones encontradas y mortalidad. La prevalencia de aneurismas intracraneales fue el 13.2 por ciento.