Postoperative Complications in Emergency Surgeries at a Referral Hospital in Eastern Venezuela.

Background Postoperative complications (POC) are undesirable consequences of surgery and are a major area of concern adversely affecting the quality of surgical care and patient safety. Emergency surgery has been observed to have a higher incidence of different POC. The analysis of POC is of great importance due to their impact on the quality of life of patients and because they have become an indicator to measure the quality of hospital services. Objective This study aimed to describe the POC of emergency surgeries in patients from the general surgery department of a referral hospital in eastern Venezuela. Methodology A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted, including patients undergoing emergency surgery at "Dr. Luis Razetti" University Hospital, Barcelona, Venezuela, between November 2022 and May 2023. Results Medical records of 178 patients were analyzed. Most were male (53.7%), with an average age of 34.98 and a standard deviation of 18.2 years. POC was registered in 28 (15.7%) patients, with surgical site infection being the most common in 21 (39.62%) patients. Those over 65 years old (21.4% vs. 6.4%, p=0.013), patients with a history of hypertension (25% vs. 6.3%, p=0.002), hypoalbuminemia (100% vs. 43.8%, p=0.027), diagnosed with peritonitis due to hollow viscus perforation (21.4% vs. 6%, p=0.007), trauma (25% vs. 9.3%, p=0.018), and those with a midline incision (75% vs. 31.3%, p<0.001) had a higher frequency of POC. There was a mortality rate of 2.8% with no significant difference based on the development of POC. Conclusion POC represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing emergency surgeries. The studied sample showed a similar frequency of POC compared to previous reports but with lower mortality. Complications were associated with higher frequencies of hypertension, midline approach, hypoalbuminemia, and emergency surgery for peritonitis due to hollow viscus perforation and trauma.

Komi type 2 pancreaticobiliary maljunction: Minimal access surgical treatment (with video).

Pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) is associated with the development of neoplasms of bile ducts. Cholecystectomy with diversion of the biliary-pancreatic flow is considered the treatment of choice. To describe the surgical treatment employed for a patient with Komi's type 2 PBM and its long-term results. Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration, intraoperative cholangioscopy, and Roux-en-Y hepatico-jejunostomy were performed. Postoperative evolution was satisfactory. The patient was discharge 72 hours after the surgery. There was no associated morbidity. At 62-month follow-up, clinical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging studies confirmed an adequate patency of bilio-enteric anastomosis. The surgical approach employed was effective and safe, with satisfactory long-term results.

Thoracic Ultrasound Utility in Pulmonary Pathologies Following Blunt Chest Trauma: A Cross-Sectional Study From Barcelona, Venezuela.

Background The thoracic ultrasound (TUS) is a monitoring tool that has gained worldwide popularity in various scenarios, offering the opportunity for dynamic, bedside evaluations. Recent studies indicate that the use of TUS enables the diagnosis of pathologies resulting from blunt chest trauma (BCT), yielding favorable outcomes. This study aimed to compare the utility of TUS versus chest radiography (CXR) in diagnosing pulmonary pathologies resulting from closed-chest traumas. Methodology A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 58 patients diagnosed with BCT who sought emergency care at the "Dr. Luis Razetti" University Hospital in Barcelona, Venezuela, from November 2023 to January 2024. Results Of the patients, 75.9% (n = 44) were male, with an average age of 37.8 years (standard deviation = 18.4 years). Injuries were reported in 8.6% (n = 5) of the patients, including 60% (n = 3) pneumothorax and 40% (n = 2) hemothorax. Ultrasound results coincided with CXR in 94.8% (n = 55) of the cases, with a Cohen's kappa coefficient of 0.9 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.642-1.0). TUS demonstrated higher sensitivity than CXR (100% vs. 60%) for detecting hemothorax and pneumothorax in patients with BCT, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.991 (95% CI = 0.968-1.013). Conclusions BCT predominantly occurred in young males, resulting primarily in pneumothorax and hemothorax lesions, detectable with higher sensitivity through TUS compared to CXR. The use of TUS should be considered an essential component of the initial assessment for individuals with BCT.

Unveiling the Enigma: Exploring capsular contracture-Unraveling its link with autoimmune disorders and comprehensive examination of predisposing factors.

Introduction: Breast augmentation, a popular cosmetic surgery using devices like silicone implants, can lead to a common issue called capsular contracture (CC). This condition involves the formation of fibrous tissue around the implants and can be influenced by variables like immunological and bacterial factors. This study aimed to explore the impact of autoimmune diseases (ADs) on CC along with other factors influencing future clinical decisions. Methods: A systematic review of electronic databases was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, and involving adult patients (>18) with CC and ADs after breast surgery using MeSH terminology using a broad search strategy. All searches were performed and analyzed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and duplicates were removed with Rayyan. Two independent investigators extracted and assessed the data involving demographics and baseline data related to CC and AD. Results: The incidence of CC varied (2.3%-4.1%). Subglandular placement and older device age raised risk. SERI Surgical Scaffold complications included necrosis, seroma, hematoma, implant loss, and infection; CC was associated with necrosis. Natrelle 410 implants showed lower 10-year CC risk than round gel implants. Acellular dermal matrix implant-based breast reconstruction with radiotherapy (RT) correlated with 20.7% post-RT CC. Previous research demonstrated no significant connection between silicone gel implants and ADs. Biofilm, surgical site infection, implant features, and interventions emerged as frequent CC risk factors. Conclusion: Finding appropriate techniques to reduce the risk factors associated with CC together with providing comprehensive patient counseling on these factors will definitely improve the patient-centered outcome of breast implant surgery.

Robotic surgery across Latin America: a bibliometric analysis of research trends from 2009 to 2022.

The rise of robotic surgery throughout the world, particularly in Latin America, justifies an objective evaluation of research in this field. This study aimed to use bibliometric techniques to identify the research trends and patterns of robotic surgery in Latin America. The research strategy used the terms "Robotic," "Surgery," and the name of all the Latin American countries, in all fields and collections of Web of Science database. Only original articles published between 2009 and 2022 were included. The software Rayyan, Bibliometric in the R Studio, and VOSViewer were used to develop the analyses. After screening, 96 articles were included from 60 different journals. There was a 22.51% annual increase in the scientific production of robotic surgery in the period studied. The more frequent topics by specialty were: Urology (35.4%), General Surgery (34.4%), and Obstetrics and Gynecology (12%). International cooperation was observed in 65.62% of the studies. The Latin American institution with the highest production of manuscripts was the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Mexico, Chile, and Brazil were, in descending order, the nations with the highest number of corresponding authors and total citations. When considering the total number of articles, Brazil ranked ahead of Chile. Scientific production regarding robotic surgery in Latin America has experienced accelerated growth since its beginning, supported by the high degree of collaboration with leading countries in the field.

Effect of Obesity on Surgical Outcomes and Complication Rates in Pediatric Patients: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Obesity is one of the primary public health problems faced by children. The increased incidence of obesity in the pediatric population poses significant challenges during and after surgical procedures. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to understand to what extent obesity is to surgical complications in pediatric patients. A systematic database search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct was performed in June 2023. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, two evaluators independently conducted literature screening, data extraction, and quality evaluation of the retrieved literature. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score was used for quality evaluation, and a meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager software 5.4.1. A total of 1,170 relevant articles were initially identified, and 20 articles were finally included for data extraction and meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis showed that compared with normal-weight individuals, obese pediatric patients had a higher risk of developing surgical site infection (SSI) (relative risk (RR) = 1.63; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.33-2.00), wound dehiscence (RR = 2.01; 95% CI = 1.24-3.23), and underwent procedures that were 11.32 minutes longer (95% CI = 5.36-17.29). There were no differences in bleeding requiring transfusion, deep venous thromboembolism, postoperative abscess rate, and length of stay. Obese pediatric patients have a higher risk of SSI and dehiscence, along with a longer operative time. The established risks in obese adults undergoing surgery suggest a similar risk for obese pediatric patients. The findings of this study hold significant implications for clinical practice, suggesting the potential for additional measures to prevent surgical complications in children.

Autonomous Robotic Surgery: Has the Future Arrived?

Autonomous robotic surgery represents a pioneering field dedicated to the integration of robotic systems with varying degrees of autonomy for the execution of surgical procedures. This paradigm shift is made possible by the progressive integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into the realm of surgical interventions. While the majority of autonomous robotic systems remain in the experimental phase, a notable subset has successfully transitioned into clinical applications. Noteworthy procedures, such as venipuncture, hair implantations, intestinal anastomosis, total knee replacement, cochlear implant, radiosurgery, and knot tying, among others, exemplify the current capabilities of autonomous surgical systems. This review endeavors to comprehensively address facets of autonomous robotic surgery, commencing with a concise elucidation of fundamental concepts and traversing the pivotal milestones in the historical evolution of robotic surgery. This historical trajectory underscores the incremental assimilation of autonomous systems into surgical practices. This review aims to address topics related to autonomous robotic surgery, starting with a description of fundamental concepts and going through the milestones in robotic surgery history that also show the gradual incorporations of autonomous systems. It also includes a discussion of the key benefits and risks of this technology, the degrees of autonomy in surgical robots, their limitations, the current legal regulations governing their usage, and the main ethical concerns inherent to their nature.

Robotic Surgery: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature and Current Trends.

Robotic surgery (RS) is an evolution of minimally invasive surgery that combines medical science, robotics, and engineering. The first robots approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were the Da Vinci Surgical System and the ZEUS Robotic Surgical System, which have been improving over time. Through the decades, the equipment applied to RS had undergone a wide transformation as a response to the development of new techniques and facilities for the assembly and implementation of the own. RS has revolutionized the field of urology, enabling surgeons to perform complex procedures with greater precision and accuracy, and many other surgical specialties such as gynecology, general surgery, otolaryngology, cardiothoracic surgery, and neurosurgery. Several benefits, such as a better approach to the surgical site, a three-dimensional image that improves depth perception, and smaller scars, enhance range of motion, allowing the surgeon to conduct more complicated surgical operations, and reduced postoperative complications have made robotic-assisted surgery an increasingly popular approach. However, some points like the cost of surgical procedures, equipment-instrument, and maintenance are important aspects to consider. Machine learning will likely have a role to play in surgical training shortly through "automated performance metrics," where algorithms observe and "learn" individual surgeons' techniques, assess performance, and anticipate surgical outcomes with the potential to individualize surgical training and aid decision-making in real time.