Perceptions of female surgeons in the workplace; a cultural and social struggle.

BACKGROUND: Women in surgery face distinctive challenges, barriers, and obstacles in the workplace. The objective of this work was to evaluate perceptions toward female surgeons from a personal, cultural, and professional perspective in a tertiary hospital in Cuenca (Ecuador). METHODS: Qualitative ethnographic study based on the SRQR guidelines. Fourteen participants took part and were split into two groups: health personnel who work closely with surgeons and patients and family members. All underwent semi-structured interviews which explored themes of personal, cultural, and professional perceptions of female surgeons in their work environment. Additionally, ideas of gender biases were assessed. After transcribing the interviews, patterns, and trends in the data were encoded, followed by the categorization and identification of significant relationships. Data analysis was conducted using ATLAS.ti software version 23. RESULTS: Three main dimensions emerged and were identified: 'Barriers', 'Equity', and 'Recognition'. A high frequency of barriers (discrimination and stereotypes) has been identified, and the recognition of female surgeons as capable and competent remains insufficient. CONCLUSION: Gender biases that negatively impact female surgeons persist. In the fight against eradicating discrimination, we must promote equal opportunities and enhance recognition of women's surgical practice in Latin America and worldwide.

Optimizing laparoscopic and robotic skills through simulation in participants with limited or no prior experience: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Simulation is an innovative tool for developing complex skills required for surgical training. The objective of this study was to determine the advancement of laparoscopic and robotic skills through simulation in participants with limited or no previous experience. METHODS: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in keeping with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines. We conducted searches using MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library. Variables analyzed were study characteristics, participant demographics, and characteristics of the learning program. Our main measures were effectiveness, surgical time, and errors. These were reported using standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% CI (P < .05). Secondary measures included skill transfer and learning curve. RESULTS: A total of 17 RCTs were included and comprised 619 participants: 354 participants (57%) were in the simulation group and 265 (43%) in the control group. Results indicated that laparoscopic simulation effectively enhanced surgical skills (SMD, 0.59 [0.18-1]; P = .004) and was significantly associated with shorter surgical duration (SMD, -1.08 [-1.57 to -0.59]; P < .0001) and a fewer errors made (SMD, -1.91 [-3.13 to -0.70]; P = .002). In the robotic simulation, there was no difference in effectiveness (SMD, 0.17 [-0.19 to 0.52]; P = .36) or surgical time (SMD, 0.27 [-0.86 to 1.39]; P = .64). Furthermore, skills were found to be transferable from simulation to a real-life operating room (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Simulation is an effective tool for optimizing laparoscopic skills, even in participants with limited or no previous experience. This approach not only contributes to the reduction of surgical time and errors but also facilitates the transfer of skills to the surgical environment. In contrast, robotic simulation fails to maximize skill development, requiring previous experience in laparoscopy to achieve optimal levels of effectiveness.

The influence of preoperative e intraoperative factors in predicting postoperative morbidity and mortality in perforated diverticulitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To determine if preoperative-intraoperative factors such as age, comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, body mass index (BMI), and severity of peritonitis affect the rate of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing a primary anastomosis (PA) or Hartmann Procedure (HP) for perforated diverticulitis. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis, conducted according to PRISMA, with an electronic search of the PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases. The search retrieved 614 studies, of which 11 were included. Preoperative-Intraoperative factors including age, ASA classification, BMI, severity of peritonitis, and comorbidities were collected. Primary endpoints were mortality and postoperative complications including sepsis, surgical site infection, wound dehiscence, hemorrhage, postoperative ileus, stoma complications, anastomotic leak, and stump leakage. 133,304 patients were included, of whom 126,504 (94.9%) underwent a HP and 6800 (5.1%) underwent a PA. There was no difference between the groups with regards to comorbidities (p = 0.32), BMI (p = 0.28), or severity of peritonitis (p = 0.09). There was no difference in mortality [RR 0.76 (0.44-1.33); p = 0.33]; [RR 0.66 (0.33-1.35); p = 0.25]. More non-surgical postoperative complications occurred in the HP group (p = 0.02). There was a significant association in the HP group between the severity of peritonitis and mortality (p = 0.01), and surgical site infection (p = 0.01). In patients with perforated diverticulitis, PA can be chosen. Age, comorbidities, and BMI do not influence postoperative outcomes. The severity of peritonitis should be taken into account as a predictor of postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Factores asociados con rigidez de las articulaciones del hombro y la cadera en adultos mayores / Factors associated with stiffness of the shoulder and hips joints in the elderly

Introducción: mantener el nivel adecuado de flexibilidad en la edad adulta es importante para realizar las actividades básicas de la vida diaria; sin embargo, esta puede verse afectada negativamente por distintos factores, como el sedentarismo, la artrosis, la diabetes y el estado emocional. Objetivo: analizar la prevalencia de la rigidez en las articulaciones del hombro y coxofemoral, con factores asociados en los adultos mayores de la ciudad de Cuenca, Ecuador. Metodología: estudio analítico transversal con una muestra de 160 adultos mayores de las residencias geriátricas de la ciudad de Cuenca, Ecuador. La información se recolectó aplicando dos tests que valoran la flexibilidad, incluidos en la batería Senior fitness test (SFT): el Back scratch (TBS) y el test Chair sit and reach (TCSAR), para valorar el grado de rigidez de las articulaciones del hombro y coxofemoral. El nivel de actividad física se evaluó utilizando el test Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA), y se utilizaron el test Yesavege para valorar el grado de depresión y la historia clínica de cada paciente, para conocer antecedentes de diabetes mellitus o artrosis. Se analizaron los datos con el programa SPSS versión 20.0®, por medio de medidas de frecuencia, dispersión, análisis bivariado (OR, IC, valor P). Resultados: se evidenció la inactividad física como factor de riesgo importante para padecer rigidez de articulación del hombro p=0,023, articulación coxofemoral p<0,001; además, la artrosis como factor de riesgo para rigidez en miembros superiores. La pre-valencia de rigidez articular fue de 40,6% en miembros inferiores y el 70,6%en los miembros superiores. Conclusión: los hallazgos de esta investigación corroboran que la inactividad física pue-de llevar a la pérdida progresiva de la flexibilidad en adultos mayores, con disminución en el rango de movimiento articular y limitación funcional. (AU)

Introduction: maintaining the appropriate level of flexibility in adulthood is important to carry out the basic activities of daily life; however, this can be negatively affected by different factors, such as a sedentary lifestyle, osteoarthritis, diabetes and emotional state. Objective: to analyze the prevalence of stiffness in the shoulder and coxofemoral joints, with associated factors in older adults in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. Methodology: cross-sectional analytical study with a sample of 160 older adults from nursing homes in the city of Cuenca. The information was collected by applying two tests that assess flexibility, included in the senior fitness test (SFT) battery: the back scratch (TBS) and the chair sit and reach test (TCSAR), to assess the degree of stiffness of the knee joint. shoulder and coxofemoral. The level of physical activity was evaluated using the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) test, the Yesavege test was used to assess the degree of depression and the clinical history of each patient to determine a history of diabetes mellitus or osteoarthritis. The data were analyzed with the SPSS version 20.0 program, through measures of frequency, dispersion, and bivariate analysis (OR, CI, P value). Results: physical inactivity was evidenced as an important risk factor for shoulder joint stiffness p=0.023, coxofemoral joint p=<0.001; in addition, osteoarthritis as a risk factor for stiffness in the upper limbs. The prevalence of joint stiffness was 40.6% in the lower limbs and 70.6% in the upper limbs. Conclusion: the findings of this research corroborate that physical inactivity can lead to progressive loss of flexibility in older adults, with decreased range of joint movement and functional limitation. (AU)

Is the whole greater than the sum of its parts? The implementation and outcomes of a whole blood program in Ecuador.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhagic shock is a major cause of mortality in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Many institutions in LMICs lack the resources to adequately prescribe balanced resuscitation. This study aims to describe the implementation of a whole blood (WB) program in Latin America and to discuss the outcomes of the patients who received WB. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients resuscitated with WB from 2013 to 2019. Five units of O+ WB were made available on a consistent basis for patients presenting in hemorrhagic shock. Variables collected included gender, age, service treating the patient, units of WB administered, units of components administered, admission vital signs, admission hemoglobin, shock index, Revised Trauma Score in trauma patients, intraoperative crystalloid (lactated Ringer's or normal saline) and colloid (5% human albumin) administration, symptoms of transfusion reaction, length of stay, and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The sample includes a total of 101 patients, 57 of which were trauma and acute care surgery patients and 44 of which were obstetrics and gynecology patients. No patients developed symptoms consistent with a transfusion reaction. The average shock index was 1.16 (±0.55). On average, patients received 1.66 (±0.80) units of WB. Overall mortality was 13.86% (14 of 101) in the first 24 hours and 5.94% (6 of 101) after 24 hours. DISCUSSION: Implementing a WB protocol is achievable in LMICs. WB allows for more efficient delivery of hemostatic resuscitation and is ideal for resource-restrained settings. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a WB program implemented in a civilian hospital in Latin America. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Gender disparities in Ecuador: a survey study of the under-representation of women in surgery.

The aim of this study is to describe the state of gender representation in surgery across Ecuador. A survey of female surgeons in Ecuador was conducted, collecting information regarding demographics, academics, family and relationships, sexual harassment, discrimination and gender preference of one's own surgeon. All statistical analysis was conducted with IBM-SPSS version 25. The platform, Worlde, was used for discourse analysis. Of the 144 female surgeons who received the survey, 105 responded. Almost half of respondents had a higher degree in addition to their surgical training. Leadership positions in the workplace were reported to be held by males in 66.7% of cases. Relationship problems caused by the surgical profession were reported by 72.4% of respondents. Feelings of guilt for not dedicating enough time to family were reported by 72.4%, and a feeling of not being supported by their partner was reported by 31.4% of respondents. Sexual harassment was described by 55.2%, and discrimination by 48.6% of the female surgeons in our sample. The majority (89.5%) would choose surgery again if given the opportunity. Significant gender disparities remain within the surgical community in Ecuador.

The Successful Implementation of a Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Model in Ecuador.

BACKGROUND: For years, surgical emergencies in Ecuador were managed on a case-by-case basis without significant standardization. To address these issues, the Regional Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso adapted and implemented a model of "trauma and acute care surgery" (TACS) to the reality of Cuenca, Ecuador. METHODS: A cohort study was carried out, comparing patients exposed to the traditional model and patients exposed to the TACS model. Variables assessed included number of surgical patients attended to in the emergency department, number of surgical interventions, number of surgeries performed per surgeon, surgical wait time, length of stay and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The total number of surgical interventions increased (3919.6-5745.8, p ≤ 0.05); by extension, the total number of surgeries performed per surgeon also increased (5.37-223.68, p ≤ 0.05). We observed a statistically significant decrease in surgical wait time (10.6-3.2 h for emergency general surgery, 6.3-1.6 h for trauma, p ≤ 0.05). Length of stay decreased in trauma patients (9-6 days, p ≤ 0.05). Higher mortality was found in the traditional model (p ≤ 0.05) compared to the TACS model. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of TACS model in a resource-restrained hospital in Latin America had a positive impact by decreasing surgical waiting time in trauma and emergency surgery patients and length of stay in trauma patients. We also noted a statistically significant decrease in mortality. Savings to the overall system and patients can be inferred by decreased mortality, length of stay and surgical wait times. To our knowledge, this is the first implementation of a TACS model described in Latin America.

Cirugía de Rescate, Una Opción Eficaz Para Colecistectomía Laparoscópica Difícil / Cohort Study: Rescue surgery, an effective option for difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy

INTRODUCCIÓN: El tratamiento estándar de la colecistitis aguda es la colecistectomía laparos-cópica (CL). La colecistectomía laparoscópica estándar (CLE) requiere la disección del triángu-lo de Calot y la exposición del conducto cístico; este procedimiento está asociado a lesión del conducto biliar y sangrado del lecho hepático. La colecistectomía subtotal laparoscópica (CSL) podría ser una alternativa en estas situaciones, puesto que se considera como un procedimiento asociado a escasas complicaciones. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de cohortes prospectivo. El universo incluyó a 180 pacientes en quienes se realizó una colecistectomía difícil; la misma que fue definida como: empiema, gangrena, perforación, inflamación severa con fibrosis, síndrome de Mirizzi, plastrón vesicular, cirrosis hepática y variantes anatómicas. Se clasificó en dos grupos; Grupo 1 (colecis-tectomía tradicional, 90 pacientes), y Grupo 2 (colecistectomía de rescate, 90 pacientes), en el grupo 2 se emplearon técnicas de rescate como: Pribram, subtotal reconstructiva, fenestrativa y disección retrograda. Se consideró como evento resultante la presencia de complicaciones (le-sión de vía biliar, sangrado, colecciones y coledocolitiasis residual, infección del sitio quirúrgico). Para el análisis estadístico se usó el programa SPSS 22.0 y Epidat 3.1. RESULTADOS: Se observó que la incidencia general de complicaciones en los pacientes con co-lecistectomía difícil fue de 9.44%, la incidencia de complicaciones en expuestos (colecistectomía tradicional) fue del 14.44%, versus una incidencia en no expuestos (colecistectomía de rescate) del 4.44%; RR 3.25 (IC 95%: 1.02 ­ 9.58), p= 0.04. Entre las técnicas de rescate se empleó: cole-cistectomía retrógrada 63.33% (n=57), colecistectomía tipo Pribram modificada 21.1% (n=19), subtotal reconstructiva 14.44% (n=13), y subtotal fenestrativa 0.9% (n=1). CONCLUSIÓN: La colecistectomía de rescate en colecistectomía difícil es eficaz para disminuir el riesgo de complicaciones como sangrado y lesión de vía biliar, no existió diferencia entre la frecuencia de coledocolitiasis residual entre los dos grupos.(AU)

BACKGROUND: The standard treatment for acute cholecystitis is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy requires the dissection of Calot's triangle and exposure of the cystic duct; this procedure is associated with bile duct injury and bleeding from the liver vascular bed. Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy could be an alternative in these situations, since it is considered as a procedure associated with few complications. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted. The universe included 180 patients in whom a difficult cholecystectomy was performed; the same was defined as: empyema, gangrene, perfo-ration, severe inflammation with fibrosis, Mirizzi syndrome, vesicular plastron, liver cirrhosis and anatomical variants. It was classified into two groups; Group 1 (traditional cholecystectomy, 90 patients), and Group 2 (rescue cholecystectomy, 90 patients), group 2 used rescue techniques such as: Pribram, subtotal reconstructive, fenestrative and retrograde dissection. The presence of com-plications (bile duct injury, bleeding, collections and residual choledocholithiasis, infection of the surgical site) was considered as an event. The softwares SPSS 22.0 and Epidat 3.1 were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: It was observed that the general incidence of complications in patients with difficult cholecystectomy was 9.44%, the incidence of complications in exposed patients (traditional cho-lecystectomy) was 14.44%, versus an incidence in unexposed patients (salvage cholecystectomy). 4.44%; RR 3.25 (95% CI: 1.02 - 9.58), p= 0.04. The following techniques were used: retrograde chole-cystectomy 63.33% (n=57), modified Pribram cholecystectomy 21.1% (n=19), reconstructive subto-tal 14.44% (n=13), and fenestrative subtotal 0.9 % (n=1). CONCLUSION: Rescue cholecystectomy in difficult cholecystectomy is effective to reduce the risk of complications such as bleeding and bile duct injury; there was no difference between the frequen-cies of residual choledocholithiasis between the two groups.(AU)